#but unlike his mother she wasnt going to leave. in fact she was leaving her *own* mother for *billy*.

[reineyday]

imagining a billy & max role reversal au where billy is max's feral little brother who only loves one (1) person and it is his older sister who stepped in when no one else would

[bananaactivity]

How is Ben different from his canon self aside from not being the High King of a union/federation of kingdoms and a bit older? How is his relationship with his parents different especially with that awful father of his?

I’d say both his parents are stressing him the fuck out. I decided that the beast curse was given to Ben as a baby because King Adam was cocky about how he beat his just in the nick of time. And there is no way to break it this time which Ben has a lot of trama about.

Think of it like Edas curse from the owl house… it’s something he’ll have to learn to work with for his whole life. It’s not a big secret though, everyone knows. His mom was in a situation like Mal in D2 where she was trying to assimilate into a world she didn’t fit in. Unlike that movie she actually completed the transition and has lost a lot of OG Bella’s kindness and quick wit. She’s obsessed with Ben finding the perfect partner and that’s why Ben has always felt that he couldn’t be alone. King James is distant with his son due to the curse even though it was HIS fault.

Auradon is no longer a bunch of kingdoms together either. It’s one kingdom and it has the barrier around it. Other fairy tale and fable kingdoms found in the Disney universe have their own kingdoms all around the globe. Including Atlantis and other planets. Think of Auradon like the Hamptons, a beautiful place where the wealthy go to visit and the extreme elite get to live. (That would mean Ben created extremely selective affirmative action 😅) I do like it better this way because it’s easier to understand. Every location in Disney cannon can exist if they get their own space. Yes that means the VKs can leave the isle but no other place would let them live a good life. Or at least a liveable life. So they all congregate there.

Here’s an excerpt from that Benjay fic im working on it needs lots of reworking though…

Being a Prince was a tough job. There was so much pressure on him to be a great future king. One major aspect of that was his future spouse; his mother was always bothering him relentlessly on the topic as he grew up. “ Benjamin, Darling you must choose a good spouse, it is imperative to the people's perception of you.” his mother would often say. The constant narrative of “dont be alone” was always pressed on him so hard in fact that he couldn't bare the thought of being alone. It got so bad that that he went with the first present options of someone to court. It was stressful when he and Audrey were courting, the constant trailing during dates stressed him out as well as the media coverage analyzing their every move. Aubrey herself seemed more concerned with the respect that comes with being a queen. Nobody really liked her very much, but she was pretty and she was sweet during those first years. Unfortunately that all faded as the years went by and he felt there was no way out. He couldn't be alone.

Then came Mal, she was beautiful and sweet. But she was hopelessly in love with her best friend and her best friend felt the same. It almost became this mad rush to him to wed her before she could leave and yet he felt so bad about it. He didnt want to be alone. But he pushed it and was alone any how. The big ass walls in his dorm felt like a cage. What was he to do but sit in his room and cry. And he was alone which he didnt want to be. Then Jay showed up. Jay. handsome, good at Tourney, an excellent swords-man and his closets friend. Looking into his concerned brown eyes he remembered leaping into his arms. There wasnt much conversation to be has as he was a bawling mess. All he could remember from that night was staring into those eyes for as long as he could and making a move that even he didnt expect. He kissed his best friend. And it felt good, really good. The best part of this situation was that the amazing feelings completely washed over the awful ones that led him to that very moment.Until Jay moved away, he was expressing concerns about the sudden atmosphere; yet he was into it. He had kissed him back and moved his face to kiss him again once they got over that little hurdle. The time spent felt… really nice. It was more intense than anything that had happened before for him. But maybe that was because he had thrown himself so totally into the sensations at play so that no semblance of sadness could worm their way back into his heart.

It was such a drug that they both implored to keep it up. He defended this continuous indulgence with the belief that it was allowing him to show his face on campus.Spending time suffocating in his fancy prince class: “ Kinging 101: The study of Class Disparity” waiting for the pleasant feeling of rough calloused hands pushing him into the corridor just near the lecture room. Every time he felt those hands he breathed a sigh of relief.

Jays perspective is on my page somewhere… anyone that’s all I got

[lov-eable]

TELL ME  ֗ ˖ ࣪ ᩠ ༉‧₊˚ ✿ #04

━━ a filmmaker decides to follow and document the lives of the worst and best students at your school for a month, unfortunately, those students are you and chishiya, the most annoying guy on earth.

masterlist ◌*ꕤ

word count ✦ 1440

A/N: hiiii, i just want to say, chishiya wasnt going to make fun of her. the ones who get it, get it lol gn ppl <3

06/08/18 16:22 

Finally Friday, an hour or so and you would be able to leave the school enclosure. The week had lasted longer than you desired, or at least you felt it that way and the reason behind it had a full name. Chishiya Shuntaro. Your annoying deskmate who found joy in teasing and basically tormenting you during school hours. There’s no need to mention the ketchup incident, which got you in plenty of trouble with your mother because apparently ketchup and other sauces stain clothes almost instantly and are a pain to remove. You had to sit for almost two hours in the laundry room scrubbing your shirt with an unidentified paste -your mother said it was one of her ancient tricks but you literally saw how she looked up on YouTube “how to remove ketchup stains”.

Even when you were out of the classroom, Chishiya found a way to disturb you, for example, the Tuesday you were reading peacefully at the school library between shelves, you preferred staying there because no one could annoy you unlike when reading at the tables the library offered. Or you thought until you felt how the books started to drop from their places beside you, for a moment, you got startled believing it was an earthquake but you noticed a familiar face between the empty holes that used to be filled by those books. As soon as your eyes met, you started chasing him and he ran away from you as he could, throwing some books as he made his path to stop you, or at least distract you.

You found yourself chasing him around the school quite frequently, completely ignoring your teachers’ screams as your only concern was catching him and strangling him to death. Maybe that was a little bit too far, you only wanted to punch him in the face for making fun of you because you did not know how to ride a bike, how did he find out about that fun fact of yours? Nice question. The day before, Arisu was determined to teach you how to ride a bike, treating you as his little daughter and giving you the whole experience of “I won’t let go, just pedal”. He did let go, but you got it, you learned how to ride a bike, kind of.

Arisu thought you were ready to hit the streets, lending his brothers’ bike and getting his, you went for a ride. You had to admit, as much as you were scared, you were having lots of fun, you decided to speed up now challenging him to a spontaneous race. Accepting the challenge, he took the lead without letting you even notice, but you weren’t going to fall behind, your pride was at risk and you wouldn’t tolerate that, so you speed up even more without noticing the next curve and it hit you, Arisu did not teach you how to avoid flying away when hitting the curves. Naturally, you fell to the floor with the bike over you, scrapping your knees and right elbow. 

If the physical punishment you received because of your recklessness was not enough, the emotional punishment was maybe twice as worse. The streets were magically filled with people out of nowhere, and there he was, Chishiya, just some meters away making full-on eye contact with you as you tried not to cry out of pain and the complete embarrassment you felt because of the situation. You noticed how he took a step towards you but backed up when he heard Arisu screaming your name and running to help you, he just walked away. Was he going to make fun of you but decided to not be a jerk in front of his dear friend, Arisu? Douchebag.

Of course, you did not get rid of his teasing, whenever he could, he would slide a comment making fun of you, they were vague enough to only be understood between him and you, you were thankful he was not making it public but he still made your blood boil. Some jokes and hours later, you were fed up with him. You stood up from your seat and as if Chishiya had mind-reading skills or astonishing intuition, he flee away from the scene. He wasn’t the best runner but you did not stand out in physical abilities either, he was better at avoiding people in crowded hallways, as you were constantly bumping into other people and stopping to say sorry, he got away from you, “Chishiya, I hate you!”, you screamed at him. You heard Director Kyuma and his cameraman’s steady breath as they tried to capture your little Tom and Jerry-like moment.

But we can’t say Chishiya was the only one teasing here, you also had your moments. During yesterday’s break, Director Kyuma decided to interview you while you were reading outside, as Chishiya was nowhere to be found. “I enjoy reading under trees, it’s relaxing. You can see the sunlight without getting too hot” you were resting on a bench, holding your latest read in one hand and covering your face from the sun with the other as you looked up, just to see him. “So pretentious, read that faster and return to the library”, “why? Do you need it?” you smirked at him, it was nice to return one of his irritating signature gestures, “I do not need it but I do want it”. You closed the book and made a motion to trick him to believe you were giving him the book, just to throw it behind your head in the pile of books you used as a pillow. “So naive…” you giggled, but it did not last as he took the book anyways and you hit your head.

He made you hit your head many times that week, you noticed. When playing dodgeball, you started using him as bait, again, as smart as he was, he was terrible at sports. He lacked reflexes and wasn’t good at dodging the ball, most players were aware of this and attacked him. Some students were scared of him but apparently, these fears disappeared on the field. Hiding behind him would assure you are not being hit by the ball. You stayed free from the hits for most rounds until Chishiya decided to improve his reflexes out of nowhere and he dodged the ball. Needless to say, as you were behind him, you got hit hard in the face. “Are you okay?” he said while looking at you, lying on the floor. You did not say anything, got up and talked to the teacher to get a bathroom pass.

Yes, it was Friday and in a short time, you would be school-free but most importantly, Chishiya-free, at least for a few days. You all were in the after-school studying session, but you for sure weren’t reading. You had recently started reading a Murakami book and, yes, he was gross but some of his pages made you laugh so much. So much, Chishiya noticed and grabbed the book throwing it to the floor beside your desk, ripping a page of the book in the process. You stared astonished at the ripped page you had in your hand, you couldn’t scream at Chishiya because you were supposed to be silent, your teacher just recently had walked into the classroom asking you specifically to be quiet. You got the book from the floor, thinking about what to do. The librarian would kill you without a doubt.

You sat on the steps outside the school, holding the book contemplating what to do. You weren’t in the state of mind to even think about Chishiya, you just were asking yourself if one ripped page was enough to lose your library card and praying that was not the case. So immersed in your thoughts, you did not notice when a boy from your class sat next to you, “sorry” you looked at him and saw how he was handing you a can of soda, you did not answer, being so confused by the situation, was Chishiya actually apologizing? It took you a moment even understand what he was saying. “Look, if you don’t want it, don’t take it. I already apologized and this was partially your fault, you were being so loud during the studying session” just when you thought Chishiya was human and was able to apologize, he fucked up, “what is wrong with you? You don’t know how to treat people, don’t you? You can’t even say sorry like a normal human being without being a total jerk, fuck off”. You stood up and left Chishiya.

taglist: @surshica @enslique @httpsimmy @elernity @eshtravagent @fishisahappydog @kreishin @vernon-dursley @mhyunri @thenightsflower @madjz @saiewithakatana @yeosangiehwa @xiaoishwrites @seloise @justhere105 @naegisimp @mxbrahms @chlooooop @woodandwaxwings @huachengsbestie01 

[hauntedbythefanficsofmypast]

The Betrothal Pt. 1

• Sabine Cheng grew up in the League of Assassins. She left when she was 17 after meeting Tom on a mission in Paris. In order to leave she beat Talia in a fight.

• Talia and Sabine are best friends, and though Talia is pretty heartless she has a soft spot for Sabine's family and holds them in high regards. The last time they saw each other in person before their children's birth was Sabine's wedding.

• When Marinette is born Talia visits and is named her Godmother, she stays until they open the bakery in celebration of her birth.

• When Damian is born Sabine and Marinette visit Infinity Island to see him. Sabine is named Godmother, and Talia proposes the idea of them being betrothed.

• Sabine agrees however she does not want her daughter or godson stuck in a loveless marriage. She and Talia agree on conditions.

1. Every summer they spend it with each other starting when they turn four. Alternating between Infinity Island and Paris.

2. They will be told of the betrothal the summer of their ninth birthday.

3. If either one of them is not in love with the other the betrothal will be broken.

• When they turn four Marinette spends her frist summer with Damian on Infinity Island. They summer consists heavily of training from sun up till four in the afternoon, at which time Talia allows them to be kids. Talia deems that Marinette would fight best with a style similar to the first Robin's. She immediately brings two teaches to the island in order to teach Marinette Gymnastics and ariel arts. Marinette and Damian get along quickly, Talia is pleased to see her usually serious son smile and laugh with her goddaughter. They both have small parties for their birthdays, they turn five.

• When summer is over Marinette and Damian are sad to say goodbye to each other. Talia assures both of them they will see each other next year in Paris. Marinette's gymnastic and ariel arts teachers follow her back and forth between Paris and the Island.

• The next year Talia drops Damian of in Paris. Their summer still consists of training, however Sabine focuses more on letting them have fun. She does take their training seriously she just shortens their sessions and gives them every Friday off. Marinette develops a love for drawing over the summer and drags Damian into it with her. Their birthdays are a bigger celebration this year and they have a joint party when Sabine and Tom take them to Disneyland Paris, they turn six. This time when they part Marinette is crying and Damian refuses to stop hugging her until she stops. Talia promises to visit for Christmas and New Year to cheer Marinette up.

• Talia decides to stay with the family for the holidays and catch up more with Sabine. She even helps out in the bakery during the holiday rush. Everyone that comes to the bakery leaves talking about the beautiful women that comands your attention without saying anything. When leaving Talia agrees to spend the Christmas and New years with them again next year.

• When the next summer comes Marinette and Damian spend their free time exploring Infinity Island. During one of their explanations Marinette stumbles upon Ra. At first Ra wants to get rid of the Mari, deeming her a brat, but he quickly realizes that she was Sabine's child. Instead he decides to indulge their curiosity to learn more of his best students child and his grandson. The next day he shows up and takes over their training session. Talia is worried and panicking even though she is calm on the outside, she is relieved when she sees her father pulling his punches during their spars.

• By the end of the summer Talia and Ra trade off the days they train the kids. Talia's sessions focus on them fighting by themselves, while Ra makes them the perfect duo. Ra even attends their small birthday party giving them both sketch books and pencils. Then he gives Marinette a beautiful necklace.

• And gives Damian a a leather band bracelet with a matching gem fastened on it. They turn eight.

• Ra is there with Talia and Damian when Sabine arrives to pick up Marinette. Sabine is surprised when Marinette extendes andmn invite to Ra to spend the holidays with them. And is shocked when Ra agrees to come.

• That Christmas Talia and Damian stay with the Dupain-Chengs while Ra stays at Le Grand Paris. He decides to begin teaching Marinette and Damian other languages. By the next year it is clear they are fast learners when they are already having shaky conversations together in English. Ra finds it amusing that the bakery's regulars find both him and his daughter to be charming. When Damian, Talia, and Ra are leaving Marinette promises Ra that the next time they meet she'll be speaking to him in English without an accent.

• Before the end of the school year the school conducts a IQ test and are surprised when Marinette's score is 187. The teachers are surprised they knew Marinette was smart, she was the top student in the school and never scored below 100. They gain permission for more tests and discover that Marinette has eidetic memory. After discovering this the school tries to convince Sabine and Tom to let Marinette skip grades. They refuse wanting to keep her with her age group, but agree to allow the school to give her more advanced work compared to the other students.

• When Damian arrives in Paris Talia and Sabine pull them aside and tell them of the betrothal. At first Damian and Marinette are upset and refuse to talk to their mothers, instead they retreat up to Marinette's room curled together on her chase chair. After half an hour Damian breaks the silence teasing her about her room still being almost entirely pink. Marinette pushes him of the chase huffing, claiming pink was her scond favorite color and that none of the paints matched his eyes. They burst into laughter smiling at each other, before deciding that being betrothed wasnt so bad because whats better than marrying your best friend.

• They spend the summer heavily training, Sabine training them more than she usually does out of slight worry. She Talia and Ra have agreed to announce Marinette and Damian's betrothal to the League of Assassins. While she know it is unlike Marinette will become a target she does not want to take any precautions. This year for their birthday they have a small celebration because Tom and Sabine have a big catering order. Ra sends them two engagement rings with a letter say this will do for now until they buy the rings themselves.

• Marinette puts it on her necklace and grabs a necklace chain so that Damian can do that same.

• When the end of summer comes they are sad to part ways and spend their last day together playing video games in Mari's room.

• After that summer Talia takes Damian to make his first kill. Slowly escalating till he is taking missions on his own. He is also told more about his father. When Marinette find out about him killing she isnt happy but she accepts it as long as Damian promises not to kill innocents. She is more upset to see how he becomes obsessed with the fact that he is the blood son of Batman. She is angry with Talia and Ra who are making him see himself as more important, because of it. Marinette spends the school year excelling in class and pulling pranks on Chloe never getting caught once.

• When the next summer arrives Marinette and Damian are excited to see each other. Marinette makes it clear that she doesnt want him to go on any missions while shes there and Damian agrees. They spend the summer learning more about Bruce Wayne together. Marinette panics slightly when Damian closes in on himself becoming angry when he realizes his father adopted three sons and two girls. At first he is insistent that he want to kill them, but Marinette quickly stops that idea pointing out how upset Bruce would be if he did. At the end of the summer Ra holds a meeting calling back almost every Assassin. He announces the betrothal of his heir Damian and Marinette, after this everyone in th League begins to refer to Marinette as Princess or Mistress much to her annoyance. Ra finds it amusing and for their tenth birthday gifts them both crowns.

• Once Marinette returns to Paris Talia announces that Damian is going to Gotham to learn from his father. Marinette is excited for him and encourages him to try to get to know his brothers and sisters as well. His first meeting does not go well when Tim makes a comment about Bruce already having sons. Causing a fight that quickly gets physical. This causes more distance between Damian amd his family. After a month with no changes except for Dick, Damian is considering leaving and joining Mari in Paris. Mari and her parents are more than happy to let him stay in his room at their house but encourage him to stay a little while longer. Damian starts spending more time with Dick, knowing the eldest was actually trying to know him. He grows closer to Dick actually enjoying his company, and the small gymnastics lessons he teaches Damian. He also talks to Dick about killing and although he still believes some people deserve to die he understands most of the family's standings.

• Damian attempts to get closer to his father but he can pretty much feel the wall that Bruce is putting between them. He only admits to Marinette how much it hurts to see his father hug and smile at his siblings, but not him.

• One morning Tim overnhears the conversation, at first he is curious on who Damian was talking to, but then he actually listens to the conversation. He felt bad for the comment he made when they first met. Tim goes to Dick in order to learn more about Damian, then he begins to pay more attention to Damian. He notices Damian has a hidden love for animals. With Alfred's help they find a fiesty little black and white cat for Damian. Alfred convinces Tim to give the cat to Damian, he does it at breakfast infront of the family. Damian is a little hostile at first until the cat swipes at him. He takes the cat nodding at Tim in thanks not able to bring himself to say it.

• The family is shocked to see Tim do something nice for Damian, and even more shocked when Damian softens just holding the cat. Dick snorts when Damian announces the cats name is Alfred. Slowly Tim and Damian become closer, they acknowledge each other more, Damian begins calling him Tim and Tim stops calling him Demon spawn.

• Damian grows closer with Cass both able to easily read each others body language. They prefer to sit in the library together, either reading or Cass watching Damian draw.

• Jason decides to bond with Damian by teaching him how to shoot with Alfred. He is a little jealous at how fast Damian picks it up, he then convinces Damian to spar with him.

• Damian and Stephenie have and unspoken prank war going on. Neither truely acknowledges it, and no one in the family knows, but they both know whos attacking who.

• The only person Damian hasnt bonded with is Bruce.

• One night Damian is sent an emergency message from Talia demanding his presence at the docks immediately. Damian pulls on a hoodie pulling the hood up and puts a mask on sneaking out of the manor. In his haste he accidentally triggers an alarm. Unknown to him he now has the Batfamily following him. His mother is easy to spot on the docks the moment he land he launches into her arms hugging her demanding to know whats wrong.

• Talia frowns softly pulling back looking at his face. She gently takes his mask off brushing his bangs back. She stares at him for a while looking lost, causing Damian to panic.

• "Little Prince, your grandfather is dead, and I am afraid the pits wont bring him back this time."

• Damian is shocked he pulls his arm to his chest rubbing the bracelet his grandfather got him, thinking about the silly crown his grandfather got him, now knowing that its the last present he'll ever receive from him. As Talia explained that she and his Aunt are taking over the League. Damian nods thinking to himself before voicing his thoughts.

• "Mother-Mom" he corrected himself softly signifying that he wanted to speak to the softer side of his mother. "I wish to remain here in Gotham. While father and I arent close I have gotten closer to my new siblings. I also-" Damian stops hesitant to voice what he wants. "Mom, I don't want to kill. I know Im supposed to be the prince of the League and the perfect assassin, but I don't want to kill."

• Talia grabs his face stroking his cheeks gently and kisses his forehead. When their eyes meet the tension in Damian's posture disappears as he melts into his mom's embrace.

• " You will still be the Prince, Beloved. That is a title that I will never let be taken from you. However I will allow you to stay here and no longer kill. Just as father and I did for Sabine all those years ago."

• Damiam nods before asking if Marinette and Sabine know about grandfathers passing. Talia hugs her son tightly telling him that his Aunt is on her way to tell them now. She runs her fingers through Damian's hair as she makes eye contact with Batman her eyes hardening as she glares at him. Her eyes soften when she meets the rests eyes nodding to them, in her own way of thanks. She releases him straightening out pushing her soft side down once again. Telling Damian to return to the manor, before he leaves she reminds him that he'll always have a place on the Island.

• Once he was gone she turned her glare on Batman demanding that he act like a father. Before turning and leaving to the boat where her men were waiting.

• When the family gets home Bruce decides to have a heart to heart with Damian. He knocks on the door before opening it to find Damian laying on his bed Alfred the cat on his chest.

• Bruce sits down on the edge of the bed and apologizes. Promising to actually try to get to know him instead of ignoring him. He even agrees to train with him, and think about bringing him into the loop. A few days later Bruce comes home with a great dane. Dick smiles and tells the story of Ace the first Bat-Hound.

• That stops a month later when Darkseid kills Bruce. After a few weeks with no Batman, Gotham is being over run, so Dick takes up the cowl. He talks to Tim who is convinced that Bruce is still alive, while Dick doesnt believe he decides to support Tim in his research. He also asks him to allow Damian to become Robin.

• When Tim tries to fight him Dick quickly puts and end to it explaining his reasoning to Tim.

• "Tim, Im not doing this because I dont think your good enough. Tim I see you as my equal, yes Batman and Robin are supposed to be partners. However their roles are also as mentor and protégé. Since Damian has been here I took him as my protégé, I want to give him the chance Tim. Just like Bruce gave Jason, you, and me. Not only that, Timmy your ready to step out of the shadow, you've been ready for a while. I didnt want to say anything because I wanted you to realize on your own. I see now that I have to give you a little push, Its time to leave the nest and fly Tim."

• Tim is silent for a while before agreeing to find his own hero persona, and pass Robin on to another. Damian is ecstatic when Tim gives him the mantle, and it makes Tim feel better when he sees Damian actually brighten up. A few weeks later the dynamic duo hits the streets. While people can tell its not the first Batman, they quickly realize he is just as good if not better than the old.

• Stephanie helps Tim in his research both of them switch to online schooling as Tim and Dick take over as Co-Ceos of Wayne Enterprises. Dick is sad when he puts in his resignation to the police chief but he knows he has too. After a while the family moves from the manor to the Wayne penthouse, everyone unable to be there without Bruce.

• On their first big mission Batman and Robin take a cow from a slaughter house that they believe may have been poisoned. It is clear to everyone in the family that Damian has become incredibly attached to the cow. Dick lets him keep it and Damian, he names her Batcow.

• One night the family walks down into their current 'cave' at the hotel, and find the original Justice Leaguers sans Batman yelling at Dick for taking up the mantel. They demand to hold a funeral for Batman and have his title put away for good.

• Dick refuses, he refuses to let them do that and he refuses to give up the cowl.

• "I know my father didnt want me to take up the cowl!! But I will not let Gotham fall while he is gone, and I will not let Batman!! Gotham needs Batman and I will make sure this city has him. No matter what you say, this isn't your city. It mine now and I am keeping the same rules. No metas in Gotham, leave. Now."

• After they leave Dick bursts into tears as Alfred pulls him into a hug comforting him as he accepts the fact that he just got into a huge fight with people he considered family.

• The rest of the night his siblings make sure there isnt a moment of silence, knowing that Dick misses being able to chatter on and on, but wont because he took up Batman.

• Dick slowly changes some rules in the family and Gotham. Everyone now has one night off each week that is mandatory. They also have mandatory family nights once a week before patrol. Dick also allows a few metas into the city, under the condition that they only fight if asked to. He is not surprised when he finds Connor encouraging Tim out of his bedroom to eat breakfast. Instead of staying in the city Kori visits every other day before returning to the Titans.

• The family decides together to announce Jasons return and use a cover up story that in the explosion he lost his memory and only got it back a few months ago. Together the family is taking Gotham over, all of them earning the Titles of Gotham's new Princes and Princesses. Dick and Tim are the faces of Wayne Enterprises, opening new devisions and building and hiring more people. Jason begins working to help street kids opening and sponsoring multiple Orphanages. He makes sure only the best people are working at them, and that no kids are used as meal tickets. Tim focuses heavily on Wayne Enterprises and merges Drake Industries into the company, every news article is about how incrediblly smart he is at 17. Stephanie is working as Tim amd Dick's 'secretary' and organizes all of the Wayne families charities, become the face of their Charity organizations. Cass organizes charities for children and teens with disabilities and for hospitals within three months Gotham's hospitals have beeter tech, more works and programs where heros visit every week. Damian is already all over the news since he is Bruce's blood son but now they are talking about his work towards helping animals and the environment. He opens a few parks and animal sanctuaries in Gotham. And even dedicates one to Poison Ivy stating that while she is radical, she wasnt always and the person she was before that deserved acknowledgment.

• When the summer arrives the family find Damian in his room packing his bags, and they panic thinking that he is leaving and returning to his mother. Stephanie bursts into tears in the door way surprising the family as she rushes in hugging Damian. Begging him not to leave him and saying she'll stop the prank war that she just wants him to stay. Soon Dick is crying and hugging them to begging Damian not to leave them. Soon everyone is in the hug even Alfred and Cass. Talia finds the family like this ten minutes later after she arrives, she is heavily amused and makes sure to comment startling everyone that didnt notice her.

• "Honestly all these tears? He'll be back at the end of the summer, you all were always so emotional, especially you Richard."

• Dick sniffs not meeting her eyes as Tim questions Talia. She quickly realizes that she forgot to tell the family about the summer agreement. Damian notices his mother's shift and tells the family of his trips between Paris and Infinity Island every summer. The family is surprised to find out that Damian is engaged. They all want to meet Marinette but Damian refuses saying they'll meet her when she comes to Gotham next summer. Before Talia leaves Dick asks for permission to adopt Damian, telling her how he had began to think of him as a son, and that he is worried that if Bruce really is dead that CPS will try and take him. Talia gives him her blessing as she fixes his tie looking him in the eye.

• "Although he didn't want you to take up the cowl, Bruce would be incredibly proud of you. As Batman and as Richard Grayson-Wayne."

• Marinette was sad that Damian and Talia didnt come to Paris for Christmas but she understands why. She is there for Damian supporting his in his distress of his fathers passing and in his distress of starting to see Richard as a father. When he becomes Robin she starts training harder determined to join him one day. She also discovers a love for fashion and begins teaching herself how to sew and make clothes.

• When the school years ends Marinette is ecstatic for Damian's arrival. She can't wait to spend the entire summer with him. His arrival is emotional for the two, they stand together hugging for thirty minutes only letting go when Talia announces that she is leaving.

• Damian spends the summer teaching Marinette everything he has learned from Dick. Marinette is slightly jealous that Damian is learning from the hero that her entire style is based off of. He is more than happy to tell Marinette about Dick. He also becomes Marinette's mannequin and model, he smiles watching Mari quickly excel he clothes coming out better and better.

• Before the summer ends they have a heart to heart about their engagement a few days before their eleventh birthday party. They both decide to start dating when they turn fourteen, both feeling that it would be the best time for them to start.

• Damian and Marinette kiss each others cheeks goodbye while Damian promises to show her everything Gotham has to offer next summer when she comes. She also makes him promise to tell his siblings about her so that it wont be akward when she arrives.

• When the school year starts Damian enters Gotham academy and quickly excels becoming the top student with no problems. Meanwhile Marinette has joined the art club at school and began entering Fashion competitions slowly making a name for herself as MDC. Half way through the school year Damian convinces Dick to help him start training Titus as the next Bat-Hound.

• Soon after Batman and Robin have a breakout at Arkham, they ready themselves for a big fight after Scarecrow, Riddler, Penguin, and Ivy escape. They are able to take Riddler down quickly when he gets frustrated and attempts to attack Robin. After he got all the Riddles without missing a beat. Hood and Red Robin take Penguin down a week after he escapes. Batgirl and BlackBat have no luck for two weeks trying to find Ivy, until she shows up at the Wayne penthouse and personally thanks Damian for the park in her honor. She tells the entire family that she is going to be working towards bettering herself, and now longer being known as radical. The entire family decide to leave her be as long as she doesn't commit any crimes. Batman and Robin's worst fight is with Scarecrow, after Robin gets exposed to Fear gas for the first time. Batman calls in the rest of the family to finish things with Scarecrow while he rushes Robin to Agent A after administratering the cure.

• After that night Dick brings up adopting Damian the next day at dinner while explaining to the family that he doesn't want to take the chance of CPS taking Damian away. Everyone is surprised when Damian quickly agrees but everyone knows better than to voice it knowing that Damian would close on himself and storm out.

• A month the family is celebrating Tim amd Stephanie graduating and Dick successfully adopting Damian. However the entire family is also excited to finally meet Damian's betrothed. Wondering if she'll be just like him. They are incredibly surprised by the sunshine that they meet at the airport.

• They love seeing how fast she can get Damian to smile and act his age. Soon every news paper in Gotham is talking about the Newest 'Wayne'. Damian and Marinette do an interview together to stop speculation that shes an actual Wayne. They announce that they have been best friends since they were four and every summer they alternate between their homes.

• Marinette greets Dick with stars in her eyes and pretty much refuses to leave the hug when Dick offers one. When asked Damian tells the family that Talia based Marinette's fighting schedule off of Richard's and that he became one of her favorite heros because of it. Dick is quick to take her under his wing training her in his style personally and teaching her trapeze.

• She is quickly made a part of the family and even helps Alfred cook and clean becoming one of the only people he actually lets help. She soon joins them helping their various organizations, and also designing clothes for them.

• Gotham is taken with her and she is once again given the title of princess. Their next joint charity is for Orphans and foster families. Commercial and interviews are all about how they found their family thanks to Bruce adopting them, however their favorite is the Billboard with the entire family together. Each wearing fancy clothing and crowns, Marinette, Stephanie, Cass, and Barbara are sitting on a couch. With the boys leaning on the couch behind them smiling mischievously with Bruce photoshopped stand behind them smiling with his own crown.

• When asked about the billboard they family bursts out into giggles and Dick is the only one able to answer. Explaining that they felt like playing into their titles given to them by their fellow Gothamites as Princes and Princesses.

• Before the end of summer they hold a Gala at Wayne Enterprises celebrating Marinette and Damian's twelfth birthday

• By the time summer ends Marinette is practically famous in the states she is verified on both Twitter and Instagram. People absolutely love her designs and he upbeat and happy posts. She leaves with promises of showing the family around Paris next summer when they bring Damian, all of them planning to stay for a week.

• A week later Tim finds away to bring Bruce back and in his rush he forgets to tell his family. Until he shows up at the penthouse with Bruce, the entire family is in shock. They walk in at the start of family night and find Dick sitting on his and Damian's couch with Damian ontop of him arms around his waist and half asleep listening to Dick's heartbeat. Jason is in the kitchen with Alfred making food and Cass and Stephanie are picking the movies.

• For a while they just stare at each other before the girls quickly hug Bruce as everyone begins crying. Dick hugs Damian tighter crying form their place on the couch. Soon the entire family is in the living room Bruce is sitting on the catch with Dick and Damian, Dick's feet in his laps as he gently rubs Dick's ankle.

• Jason calls Kori Roy and Wally and asks them to patrol for the family for the night. Telling them Bruce was alive. Bruce spends the night explaining what happened on his side, before the family explains what happened on their side.

• " So let me get this straight. Dick left the police force? Dickie, you loved being an officer. Jason has been declared alive and he has been opening Orphanages?Tim and Stephanie both switch to online schoolng and joined Wayne Enterprises? Cass samtarted her own charity for childs and teens with disabilities and to help hospitals? And Damian not only opened parks and animal sanctuaries, you all found out he is betrothed, and the girl has already earned to title of one of Gotham's princesses."

• The only thing they dont tell Bruce is that Dick adopted Damian. They move back into the manor. Bruce is furious to find out that the Justice League turned their backs on his eldest. After talking with Dick and Damian he decides to take up the cowl and let Nightwing return in two weeks after Dick teachs both him and Damian how to work with each other. He takes up Dicks spot as Co-Ceo with Tim. Dick decides to remain at Wayne Enterprises and becomes a security guard with Jason, but he mainly does tours on Wayne Enterprises.

• After a month of being back Bruce finds out that Dick adopted Damian and it causes a screaming match. This fight causes Dick to move back into the penthouse and stop talking to Bruce altogether. Alfred smacks some since into Bruce pointing out that Dick didnt try to take his place as Damian's father. That he only did for Damian what Bruce did for Dick. That night instead of patroling Bruce goes to the penthouse and apologizes to Dick, asking him to forgive him and return to the manor.

• Meanwhile Marinette becomes close friends with two people in the Art club that are in her class, Alix and Nathaniel. The become best friends and do more and more together. Marinette even teaches them how to fight a bit when she discovers they are being bullied. In return Nathaniel teaches them his art style and Alix teaches them how to skate. When they find out how amazing Marinette is at Gymnastics they encourage her to try out for the nationals. Marinette does and she gets in and wins the national title for her age devision. The three celebrate by having a sleepover at Marinette's house.

• Eventually Marinette tells them about Damian and their betrothal, and how she want them to meet him over the summer. They begin to view themselves as siblings and all their parents find it amusing that they suddenly have two more children in their families.

• When summer rolls around Marinette is excited to see the family again. The only person she hugs as long as Damian is Dick. When Bruce points it out she blushes while Dick proudly claims that she is one of his favorite superheros. Soon after they arrive Alix and Nathaniel arrive too. She introduces her best friends to each other happy that Damian makes an effort to get to know them. The Batfamily spends the week with the Dupain-Chengs before returning to Gotham. Damian and Marinette spend the summer training with Alix and Nathaniel.

• The four celebrate Marinette and Damian's 13 birthday together at Disneyland Paris.

• Before the summer ends both Marinette and Damian tell them the truth about their betrothal and Damian being Robin. Marinette tells them that shes going to join him as a hero one day, and that she thinks both of them would be amazing heros. Both Alix and Nathaniel decide they want to join and support their friends. They begin training with Marinette everyday determined to join Damian one day with her.

• They didnt know Marinette would become one of Paris' heros that school year.

[quirklessidiot]

Did the clan say anything about the concubine? Like how she was distracting him and making him lose focus on his job and family?

Since she was his cousin he couldn’t divorce her for family reasons and marry the concubine but if michizane could would he or would he prefer her to stay as a concubine?

she wasnt approved to become the legal wife due to status, shes from the mountains and someone not from the town so they really looked down upon her. As much as Michizane wanted to leave his wife, he couldnt. Add the fact that she wasnt also interested in becoming his legal wife bcos she was in love with someone else already.

𝔄𝔫𝔬𝔫 The concubine was harassed wasn’t she? I can imagine the wife’s ladies in waiting and other noble women feel insulted that a low born commoner got the attention of michizane.

yep. altho she took the beating. i feel like a part of her thought she deserved it (altho it stopped when it got too physical and their was a bruise and michizane saw it)

𝔄𝔫𝔬𝔫 Was minazuki’s mom michizane’s only concubine or were there others?

yes!! she was the only one. michizane wasnt interested in the whole concubine thing bcos he found people kinda one-dimensional. It was only her who stood out like a sore thumb :)

𝔄𝔫𝔬𝔫 Michizane just snatched a poor woman away from a life she was happy with, took her from her home and true love for his own delusions 😡

she was suppose to get married to the hunter :(((( he was suppose to come home and marry her but michizane just went waddup T-T

𝔄𝔫𝔬𝔫 How did the concubine treat michizane when they first met? Commoners would usually bow down their heads in fear and respect towards nobles but she didn't?

she avoided him!! people would usually present themselves to michizane a lot, praying that theyd be noticed (hes rich, known to kind, good-looking and smart) but the concubine wasnt into him bcos she still had her mind roaming on the hunter on whether or not she was going to propose to her.

its easily noticeable with how she looks like and all that.

𝔄𝔫𝔬𝔫 Aside from taking her to parties and blatantly showing off his affair and spending more time with the concubine than his wife what else did michizane do with the her?

showered her with gifts, wrote her poems, he'd usually sleep on her chambers (when he found out about the affair, that when he started forcing himself on her, this went on for a year. when he found out that the affair was still going on and she tried to plead to get out of the harem bcos she was preggy with the hunters child, he went crazy and snapped)

𝔄𝔫𝔬𝔫 What was the concubine like? Personality wise? I feel bad that's the only way we can refer to her. We can use minazuki's mother but that's long.

same stupid gojo's sksks

kind (too kind), smart as well and she did like to treat people fairly despite social status

𝔄𝔫𝔬𝔫 Michizane really being a "mr steal yo girl"

bad type of mr steal yo girl T-T

𝔄𝔫𝔬𝔫 Can you go into detail on what made michizane obsessively in love with her? Aside from looks

its not the looks that got him to obsess with her... it was just a factor that got him to suddenly start staring at her (shes described to be beautiful), he starts getting so interested bcos unlike may others, she avoided him. Right after, she treated him as a friend (its only michizane who added malice to it, the concubine had only seen him as a friend from the beginning)

he only started becoming obsessed when he realized that the feelings were not mutual and shes been seeing someone else :

𝔄𝔫𝔬𝔫 Did michizane at first think his lover was pregnant by him?

he had just came home from battle then so ofc he hadnt touched her at that time (he was already forcing himself on her but its been like a month or two since then and the most recent one shes been with was the hunter so he did the math and went batshit crazy as well bcos weLP SHIT WENT DOWN AND SHE WANTED OUT OF THE HAREM T-T)

𝔄𝔫𝔬𝔫 Pat what song/s would you say fits michizane’s story about the concubine?

i cant think of a song honestly, after all, he did turn out to be a rapist in the end and a killer :(

[liquidstar]

something the latest chapter of kaguya-sama made me realize is just how much better all of the characters are doing in their lives now because of their friendships with each other, and i just think thats so sweet.

kaguya herself used to be absolutely miserable and never smile, but then chika made her be her friend and miyuki made her join the student council and over time she became so much more open and happy, you really see just how important all her friends are to her when she’s afraid that she might lose all the pictures of them she’s taken, they absolutely melted this former ice queen’s heart. through the series she gets more and more warm and acts more like a typical happy girl. the ending song for the second season also makes it really obvious that she sees her friends as her happy place, an escape from her terrible home life, she really does love them so much. in the latest chapter she makes it so clear that her friendship with chika is just as important to her as her relationship with miyuki, and that the only reason she didn’t tell her was that she was afraid chika would be mad that she has a new special person in her life, but because chika loves her friend so much she’s nothing but happy to see her finally have more special people in her life too.

and miyuki of course has gotten a lot better when it comes to accepting his flaws and not seeing himself as a failure, he only ever initially drops this facade around chika who becomes sort of like, a mom friend to him, and since a lot of his issues stem from his mom abandoning him its really important for him to see that not everyone will. and later on its much more directly addressed between him and kaguya he becomes much more able to be happy with who he is and not push himself so much or be afraid that people will leave him for not being perfect. not to mention his friendship with ishigami who he actually confides a lot of his issues in, despite the fact that he gets his relationship advice from manga, but the scene of them laying down under the tree and just talking, while very funny, is still a really sweet moment. his relationship with kei is also very big, because thats his sister, but he also sort of fills the role their mother usually would have for her. and though she’s annoyed by it, its really important for her because its implied that when she was with her mom she wasnt exactly treated well, she ran away to be with her father and brother for a reason, and kaguya was the one that actually gave her the strength to do so so it all comes back full circle. 

but chika has her own issues too, she seems like a very simple character, a typical genki girl. but she was a musical prodigy as a child, winning award after award. and yet she was so unhappy with that very ridged life, she had no freedom and all she did was practice. you can see it in her eyes in the flashbacks, despite the praise and trophies her eyes were were so dead and she was so different from the happy carefree chika we know. but then kaguya sort of became the straw that broke the camel’s back that forced her to quit, and it wasnt really out of kindness at first, but their friendship ultimately is what made her become the chika we know, the one who loves to laugh and play, its like she’s making up for lost time and finally getting to be a kid with all her friends. she is very much the gifted child who lost her childhood because of it, but she’s so much happier now. not to mention her friendship with the table-top board game club! its not given as much focus but you can really see her thrive in something she’s truly passionate in now, she loves making games and playing them with her friends!

ishigami’s whole thing can be pretty heavy, its played off as a joke at first but he legitimately is explicitly suicidal, but hes able to get better with the power of friendship. miyuki was very literally portrayed as a light coming into his life when he first enters his room to save him from his isolation. even before that though, miko also helped him, even if he didnt realize it, she was the one that advocated for him not to be held back a year which prompted the student council to look into his case and help him too. he has to get over a lot of his anxieties, at first he’s even afraid of kaguya, but he warms up to her over time too and they develop a pretty sweet relationship with her as his sort of tutor. and very critically, he joins the cheer squad. he actually put himself out there and made “normie” friends and it turns out it wasnt so scary after all. and his crush on tsubame is so important, because she rejects him, but they stay friends. he never once feels like she owes him anything or “friendzoned” him, even if it hurt to be rejected he wanted to be friends. she was really afraid of losing her friend that she loves so much, those feelings of platonic love arent in any way seen as lesser. and she helps him in the end by making sure the school knows that hes actually a nice guy and that means the world to him. theyre still friends and that relationship is important to both of them.

similarly though, ishigami also helped miko before they were even friends without her realizing it. he saw how much she was struggling with the constant bullying and decided to leave her a note to tell her that it gets better, and it was an incredibly important thing that stuck with her for a long time. their entire relationship is defined as “two people who secretly help each other” because theyre both hold such high personal morals that they dont expect good deeds to have to be pointed out or repaid. and then when she ran in the election, miyuki helped her get over her stage fright so people wouldn’t make fun of her anymore, and because he’s such a nice guy he even offered her a seat in the student council where she’d make a bunch of new friends, and despite going through sort of a rough patch she’s still ultimately far more confident than she’s ever been and she’s absolutely ready to become the president next year now, finally achieving her goal. and her relationship with miyuki becomes very sweet as they develop their relationship in the “senpai-kun and kohai-chan” chapters where they just bond as friends, often through her weird emo poetry but he supports her despite being terrified of it. 

hayasaka is one of the most loaded characters in the series despite not being in the student council. the arc that focuses around her is even titled “ai hayasaka’s friends” because they’re what help her out of her situation. since she was a child she was used as a pawn by the shinomiya family, not unlike kaguya herself, and she considers kaguya to be like her precious little sister. but she’s also been manipulated into betraying kaguya by becoming a spy for her abusive family. and the amount of guilt she feels over it is so painful to watch, but she’s too afraid to do anything about it. when kaguya finally finds out, she’s not instantly forgiven, but for the first time in kaguya’s life she wants to forgive someone who betrayed her, and they talk it out, and they can finally become proper friends just like they always both dreamed of. her friendship with miyuki is interesting too, because they have a clash of ideals about not letting your “true self” be seen by people, because they wont love you anymore, and despite miyuki arguing against it, it very much is an idelogy he shared at the time. but when she finally does show her true self she’s loved, and in the valentines chapter she confesses to him, not out of love, but out of friendship. she asks him to be her friend, and her circle of friends just grows from there with all her facaudes dropped.

all of their arcs just play into the greater overall theme of the series, which just comes down to honesty and vulnerability with the people youre close to, the series may be a romance but it places such important emphasis on all its characters relationships and how they can make each other better, its so nice. theyre just friends and they care each other. 

[chikkou]

Will you talk more about Lisa?? Lisa the character specifically but also your feelings on his feelings about Buddy? I just thought your analysis was so good and I want to hear other thoughts you have on her.

yall are honestly spoiling me rn sdhkfdjfks this is like a dream come true 

i already got into the stuff with buddy in this ask here but i have a LOT to say about lisa and the connection between her and buddy so u better settle in!

ok so firstly ill start with lisa. i played the original lisa game (lisa the first) not long after it first dropped in 2012, and im not even kidding when i said it changed me LMAO.... seeing a story about a girl suffering is nothing new, but austin jorgensens approach to it was so fucking unique. you dont just witness it, you get to EXPERIENCE it right along with her. many stories that involve sexual abuse/rape show or otherwise depict it explicitly for the shock value, which is both disgusting and, in my opinion, extremely fucking exploitative. i feel that it is horrific to dignify an act so deeply evil with screentime. but lisa stood out to me immediately because, even though you know exactly whats going on, the game NEVER shows anything explicit. everything is layered in subtext and symbolism, and austin is fantastic with indirect storytelling, so you learn so much from just a little drop of information. this applies not just to the game proper, but to the character as well.

in case its not clear: i absolutely ADORE lisa. she is my favorite character in all of the games, bar none. its going to sound kind of fucked up, but as a kid around her age going through some fucked up shit, her committing suicide at the end felt like a sort of victory to me. she knew she could never escape from marty or what he was doing to her. he leaks into every single part of her psyche, everything she ever cared about or loved is ruined because of him, and even the vague memory of her mother is completely corrupted, and turned into a muddled version of him. lisa the first also had the added benefit of some religious commentary, as there are crosses all over their home and marty is characterized as an extremely religious man, which i fucking LOVE and wish had come back in the painful, but its an acceptable loss. anyway, lisa committing suicide at the end was an act of defiance against not just marty, but martys god, as suicide is considered a mortal sin in catholicism. lisa knew she’d never be free of marty in life, so she escaped the only way she could; she was defiant to the end.

ive seen people complain that the painful has a bit of a “lost lenore” thing going on, since lisas death seems to fuel the Manpain of both brad and buzzo, but i actually disagree. on the contrary, its just like austin himself said - lisa will never be gone. lisa is ALWAYS there, with brad, and buzzo, and buddy, and marty, and yado, and the ENTIRE FUCKING WORLD. i dont necessarily think that there is something paranormal going on in the game, but i AM going to say that, unlike other cases of a girl/woman dying for a mans backstory, lisa isnt just a bittersweet memory they can reflect on and then put away when its convenient for them. she is a presence that is felt throughout the entire game. brad sees her more than once, sometimes watching, sometimes reprimanding him. buzzo is clearly haunted by her, as he cries out to her a few times in the joyful. every character who was directly touched by lisa - brad, marty, and buzzo - calls out to lisa as they die. call it their guilt or call it her actions, but in either case, it is clear that lisa just as significant of a character in the painful as she was in the first, even if she cant always be seen. even in a meta-sense, every game in the series - even the joyful, whose protagonist doesnt even know who she is - is named after her. she is at the center of everything that happens in them. 

that actually brings me to buddy, because i find the dynamic between her and lisa fucking fascinating. as i previously mentioned, brad never talked about his past with buddy, and snaps at her for bringing up his adoptive son dusty (rando), so it goes without saying that she definitely doesnt know who lisa is. in spite of that, though, lisa is a fucking massive part of buddys life, and while she may not know the person herself, i think she is aware that when people (and brad especially) look at her, they arent seeing HER. 

i mentioned it in another post, but even though brad takes it upon himself to raise and “protect” buddy, he seems to almost unwittingly recreate lisas appearance, primarily by allowing her hair to grow long even though he knows what a risk that is to her safety. he also treats buddy in a manner thats incredibly similar to how marty treated lisa (sans sexual abuse, of course) - he insults her, does not let her leave the house at all, and forces her to do unsavory things that no one should ever have to do (in buddys case, this means killing at least two innocent people because brad doesnt want a “weak” daughter). the most literal comparison between buddy and lisa is the fact that they are both very young girls being essentially held captive by their father figures, albeit for different reasons, and both long for freedom from their captors. 

theres also the fact that both buddy and lisa have to deal with misogyny and the effects of rape culture firsthand; they both battle against men who feel entitled to do with them whatever they please, and the threat of ongoing sexual abuse looms heavy over both of their heads. neither one can seek help from anyone; the neighbors in brad and lisas town seem complacent at best, if they even know what is happening to lisa at all, and buddys only allies (sans rando) are long dead by the start of the joyful. this is not just a hypothetical or a distant possibility. this is the real, tangible fate that will befall them if they cant somehow secure their safety.

sadly, because lisa wasnt playable in either of the rpgs, we dont know if she was able to fight as brad was, but it is highly probable that she had the innate skill but was never able to learn it (as marty highly discouraged them from learning “their grandfathers karate,” and seemed disgusted whenever brad did so). however, she did have ONE weapon she could make use of, and this is a weapon buddy ends up using, as well - her femininity. she became close to bernard (aka buzzo), made him fall in love with her, and then used him as a last ditch effort to stop martys abuse by having him mutilate her face. im not saying lisa never cared about bernard - in fact, i think she DID really love and care for him - but her own fucked up experiences with “love” meant she really couldnt understand what it was supposed to be like, or that it was wrong to manipulate the people you care about. lisa did very few things wrong - it pretty much just stops at the maiming of the cat and her manipulation of bernard - but she knew that she would never get away from marty without some kind of drastic action being taken, and scarring herself was her last ditch effort before ultimately committing suicide.

buddy ends up taking a somewhat similar tack in the joyful, and like in lisas case, its simultaneously resourceful and horrific. one of buddys key moves in the joyful is to flash the enemy (which the player obviously doesnt see) in order to distract them long enough to get the kill. its fucking horrible and disgusting and makes you feel so dirty, but then, how must buddy feel having to do something like that just to survive? shes just a child, but in a world where almost every man is out to get you, she knows this has to be done to save herself, very much like lisa. unlike in lisas case, though, buddy is successful in securing her safety in this way - lisas effort is for naught, and leads to her committing suicide not very long after. 

in a way, i sort of attribute buddys brutality to lisas omnipresence; all of the men pursuing buddy are just like marty, monsters who would harm a fucking child for their own disgusting ends, and i think that when buzzo said that lisa wouldve loved olathe, what he means is that she would have loved seeing so many horrible men being punished for what theyd done. so in my opinion, buddy carving out a place for herself in olathe by killing all those who would subjugate her seems very much in the mentality lisa would have had. sure, there are some innocents who sadly get roped into it, but that would definitely not be her intention; for example, if buzzo could have practiced amputation without harming a living thing, i dont think lisa would have asked him to practice on the cat. note the LACK of brutality at the beehive and the swamp bar, two of the few peaceful places in the painful and both devoid of predatory men hunting for buddy - lisa has no qualm with any of them. but marty? brad could hardly even get a full sentence out before killing him on the spot. i dont doubt that that has a great deal to do with lisas presence. 

ok i talked for a while LMAO but basically i think that, in a more metatextual sense, lisa and buddys relationship really strikes me as an accurate depiction of generational trauma. of course it was intentional with the more obvious trauma chain (marty to brad to buddy), but the trauma chain of marty to lisa to buddy is rarely ever addressed due to lisa not physically appearing in the painful. however, i believe it may inform buddys actions a great deal more than people realize - after all, buddys experience is unique, but who could understand it better than lisa? who knows that sort of pain, of being alone on an island, the lone woman trapped with a man (or men) who want nothing more than to cause you harm? even without her realizing it, lisa is guiding buddy, encouraging her to take back what is hers no matter the cost, to punish those who would try to take what they want from her. lisa might be dead, but she is a vengeful presence throughout every game, and buddys actions feel like theyre meant not only to save herself, but to avenge lisa, even if she doesnt realize it. at the end of the day, buddy and lisa both get to exact revenge against all the men who have wronged them, and they succeed. they are aggressive, and violent, and selfish, and ANGRY - and they have every fucking right to be. 

[crqstalite]

crisis.

so! i got tagged for wip weekend, which if you’ve tagged me before, i rarely have one to give lol. except this was already a wip i’d started a long while ago that i never got around to properly finishing. then i read it over before submitting and decided it needed some editing -- and then it got finished at some point in the last half an hour or so. 

so everyone gets some post!alchera feelings for the shep sisters of mine.

tagged by @ljandersen (ty!) and tagging @ripley95things + @actualanxiousswampwitch + @that-wasnt-so-bad + @purple-hawke :D

cw for a major character death.

2183.

It starts like any other day. Wake up, eat something in the mess quick, check in with the nurse to make sure her implant wasn't trying to kill her, get to work. It was never odd, never shifting into something else. Sure maybe she threw in a late wake up, or no breakfast at all, or an absence or two to fool around somewhere, but it always loosely adhered to it. She could predict every single day, and just how much she could press buttons before something broke.

It comforted her, being so far away from home -- though she'd never admit that, lest someone take advantage of her comfort. L2s didn't exactly have it easy, and those like her (the ones that were 'special' and 'hand picked for their willpower' as children for what she'd refer to as experiments, were all young when they received their implants) rarely had it easy. The schedule at least gave her some semblance of purpose.

That's what she does. It's Tuesday afternoon, just after lunch. Her omni-tool had been buzzing with unanswered texts for ages now -- maybe about the party that was supposed to be after lights out tonight. She doesn't check, it doesn't matter. Lounging around the classroom until the instructor got there, with her feet up on the desk. There's a hearty laugh spilling out of her mouth, other students around her enjoying the quips she throws out like fishing lines. A hand running through her hair, her sides sore as she pulls it back. The door clicks open behind her as she rushes to pull her feet down, clattering the datapad back on the desk. The room falls silent, a stylus falling to the ground but no one daring to pick it up.

The usual instructor. Grey hair in a tight bun. Cleanly pressed uniform, buttons shiny unlike her own that was missing two. She holds her breath, she's about to get that biting tone for her boots not being clean enough to eat off of. Or maybe something that they'd cackle about in the dormitory a few hours from now. Except she has an ashen look on her usually steeled face, searching the students until piercing grey eyes land on her. A cold sweat starts, a bead running her forehead. That, did not look like she was going to get on with the class period, "Miss Velasquez? You're, needed in the front office."

The woman's voice cracks. Her anxiety only grows in the pit of her stomach -- what had she done now? Had her parents finally found out that she'd been skipping the biotic advisory courses? Or the failing tech class she'd needed to pull up before the next break? This woman had done nothing but cause her problems since she enrolled here, why did she look so nervous? Would she be that sad that she'd be leaving her class, or stars forbid, the school?

How often did Grissom expel students? Being one of the only places that even took biotic students, much less someone like her, could they even afford to expel them and then deal with the rogue biotics that resulted?

(Not that she would go rogue -- she didn't have enough control over her biotics to even think about it without getting a bloody nose and one hell of a headache)

Citlali chooses her next words very carefully, her tongue feeling like sandpaper against the dry leather of the roof of her mouth, "Did Principal Sanders say why she needed to see me?"

The older woman bites her lip, trying not to avert her gaze, "Only that she needed you, now. Bring your bag, your dormitory will be cleared out in the next few days."

Her heart drops, ears filling with static. Clearing out her dormitory? Had she finally flunked the algebra class? Were they expelling her for being late so many times? Leaving the school, now? When she was so close to getting certification to serve on a cruiser with the Alliance? She drops her gaze to her desk, flopping her head into her hands and trying to process all the thoughts bouncing around in her head. A moment later, she picks up her bag by the strap, throwing it over her shoulder. Oliver mouths a goodbye.

"Do you know why I'm leaving, ma'am?" Her voice is small, throat tight, "Not that I don't love the early vacation, but not sure I want to be gone so quickly." A rough chuckle to keep her emotions in check.

"It's..." A steel glance around the room before she sighs, "It's about your sister. Your parents want you home. Principal Sanders has told me not to expect you back for the rest of the semester, or the next."

Home?

Sister?

Shit.

Something had happened to Kodelyn.

No, wait. Don't panic, it made her nauseous and her parents had drilled it into her as a child. It was okay, all of it was. There was nothing to worry about, nothing to make herself sick over. She had none of the facts and all of the possible answers.

It was okay.

Maybe she was finally settling down, with that not-so-bad-looking lieutenant from the SR-1. Wedding maybe? That'd make sense, right? It would be a little odd that it would be right in the middle of their cruise around the Terminus for leftover Geth, but it made sense. It totally made sense. Even though Kodee was rarely spontaneous.

Citlali doesn't want to consider the alternative. If there even is an alternative. Right. Keeping her chin up. No reason in being doomsday-ish. Military life was dangerous, but no more dangerous than being alive was.

Right. Her parents were only pulling her out of school because maybe they're going to be moving somewhere else, and her complaints about Grissom (and the focus on her biotics) had finally hit decidedly not-deaf ears. Yeah, of course. She was probably getting enrolled in a normal school, a flight school if she's lucky.

Except, when she glances at the secretary just outside Sanders' office after the much too short of a walk to the administrative section, the man's face falls, hurrying to let the Principal know she was there while almost tripping over himself. He looks as if he wants to say something, but then reconsiders immediately afterwards. She gives him a rough nod, before stepping into the office.

Don't panic.

Her heart sinks as soon as she enters. Her mother's face is one without emotion, eyes glued to the wall behind the desk, her father with his head in his hands. Sanders is the only one to look at her proper, a sad smile on her face.

There's a vid playing in the background. If she knows any better on first glance, it's the Captain (Councilor, apparently) that Kodelyn had served with just before the investigation with Saren began. Though, the reason he's giving a speech on the extranet is...odd. And worrying.

Don't panic.

"Mom..." She starts before her mother stands from her chair, "What's going on? If it's because I'm flunking algebra, I just need a couple weeks to get it back up to a passing grade. It's fine. I-I can study here."

"Mi princesa," Her father's voice is just as rough as her's, she recognizes it as the one he had when she'd been injured that one time, the way he'd been when she been hospitalized all those times ago. Sad...scared, "We could not care less about your grades."

"A-And the Advisory Course! I can start attending those again, the nurse says I'm good to go, and I won't skip them anymore, I promise!" She says earnestly, heart rate rising as her mother nears her. She's in her uniform, which rarely happened if she didn't visit Grissom immediately after a posting. Her mother wasn't on a posting this week, she was home. She should've been.

Why was she in her uniform then?

Don't panic.

"No..no..no, Mom what happened? Mrs. O'Brian said this was about Kodee. What's going on?" Her heart is racing, thumping like a drum beneath her chest, the feeling of nausea climbing up her throat, "She's home? Right? And we're going back to Earth, right?"

Citlali can't stop talking the more and more she panics, words tumbling out to cover up her own pessimistic thoughts. She doesn't even want to glance at the screen when her mother wraps her arms around her tightly, allowing Citlali to bury her head in her chest. The words catch in her chest when her father does the same to both of them. She can't even voice what she's truly thinking.

She doesn't want to. She doesn't want to hear her mother say anything. Nothing at all.

"Your sister isn't coming home, Citlali." A whisper by her mother as Citlali is sure her heart stops upon hearing the words cross her mother's lips with a shaky breath following, "She..."

"No! No, she can't be! She's not gone, she promised to introduce me to..to Kaidan when she came back! She promised to take me around the Citadel after the cruise was over! She-she promised to show me the Normandy!" Tears are spilling out of her eyes, clutching onto the back of her mother's uniform like her life depended on it, her own disbelief pressing down on her lungs as if to suffocate her, "Don't say it! Please don't say it!"

"An attack over Alchera, somewhere out in the Terminus. From what we know...she gave her life for everyone else on the Normandy." Her father's voice is nearly drowned out by the sound of blood rushing in her ears, sobs pushing their way out before she can clamp down on them. Her legs weaken beneath her while her eyes burn, "We're going home, princesa. There are...preparations we need to make."

"No! She can't be! She can't, mom please, someone must have seen her, right? Must've known she was...was in an escape pod or something, mom!"

"There's nothing I can say, love. I wasn't overseeing that operation, and the Normandy was destroyed in the attack. All we have to go on is Lieutenant Alenko's report. She wasn't with them for the days they spent on the planet afterwards and no one just...survives that." Her father pulls away so that her mother can lift her head to look at her.

Citlali doesn't want to. Her sister, Kodelyn, is a carbon copy of their mother. All she sees is her sister in her face, and she only cries harder. Her mother wipes away what tears she can, her calloused hands holding her face by her cheeks while her sobs wrack her body.

"We'll be clearing out your dorm before we leave, love. You can stay home as long as like, as long as you need." Her deep brown eyes are only radiating love, comfort, but a line of liquid is beginning to form at the corners of her own eyes, "Mrs. Sanders, surely you'll be able to handle the students knowing? I wouldn't want Citlali harassed for information."

"Of course, Admiral Shepard. I will do my very best if that is what you wish," She responds, "I am so, so very sorry. She was a remarkable woman, and she will be missed."

"She's not dead!" The word is a hurdle to get over, trying to tie it to Kodee, her sister so very full of life the last time she'd seen her. To imagine some Geth, some stupid AI had ripped her out the galaxy destroys a part of her, "She can't be!"

"Love...please. I know it's hard to accept, but it's what we know. And that is simply what it is. There is nothing we can do now but simply remember her as she was. Your sister, our daughter, and an inspiration to a galaxy," Her father comes back into a view with his own bag slung across his shoulder while her mother bites her bottom lip, a rogue tear slipping down her scarred cheek, "Denying it will do nothing."

Citlali has no words anymore.

"You and your mother go ahead to the shuttle. I'll get the things from your dorm." Her father whispers, gently squeezing her shoulder, his own eyes rimmed red. Dry from his own crying, she's sure.

The headline scrolls across the vid when she pulls away from her mother, it scrolls across her datapad, it scrolls across her own mind, burned into her memory. Her brother has a similar reaction, though is stuck in shock for weeks afterwards. The family is never quite the same afterwards, she doesn't remember her mother ever being home this often -- she doesn't remember ever being home this long, ever being in one spot, ever being on Earth so long.

Citlali doesn't ever remember a day that she was home and didn't receive a call from her sister, Citlali doesn't remember going months without having her sister home. Unlike her brother and father and mother, she sits in the middle of Kodelyn's old room, terrified that she'll lose her scent and start forgetting things about her. Just what her favorite color was, or how she used to speak, how she used to comfort her after something bad had happened or after a discharge from the hospital when she was younger. How it felt to be hugged by her, how it felt just to be with her.

She's scared she'll start forgetting about her older sister.

Citlali remembers crying for ages, wrapped in Kodelyn's old N7 sweatshirt until she can't. Then it's simply dry heaving, dry sobs.

The crew's names are like leaves in the wind to her during the funeral. She remembers little more than the fact there'd been a Quarian, a Turian, a Krogan and an Asari among them. She remembers Kaidan a little better, but moreso how his dark eyes only reminded her of her own. After that, she doesn't remember seeing him again.

Citlali remembers once saying the galaxy didn't revolve around Kodelyn Shepard.

She realizes that Kodelyn Shepard was her galaxy. And her galaxy had just fallen apart.

[shoezuki]

oooookayyy scrapped together thoughts of a Hades Modern Au here we go

world shit:

takes place in a massive city with some name or whatever. idfk. it big tho 

‘the underworld’ refers more to like. the criminal activities and things hades has a hand in. which is everything, from all businesses to the politics to the cops and everything. he stinks

most of the olympians don’t live in the city. some are influential people in bigger name areas. others are just like. kicking it somewhere 

most chthonic gods work for hades and live in/near to his own massive office/home, which is one of the biggest skyscrapers in the town

zagreus is always trying to leave town but either is thwarted before he goes too far down the highway or hades forces him to come back

Zagreus: 25, 5″5ft when wearing platformers. he’s somehow the cumulation of jock/rich boy/punk energies and really its a mystery how he pulls that off like. says eat the rich one second but also assumes an apple costs 10 bucks. he’s got the spirit tho 

Son of hades obviously. grew up in Hades’ ‘house’ (massive FUCKING skyscraper) completely raised by nyx. had vague memories of persephone when he was like 5 but didn’t think much of it until more recently. always knew nyx wasnt his birth mother, but only really knew persephone’s name and some information on her when snooping and finding things like marriage certificates that Hades hid away. 

Hades keeps control of him by providing for him, in a way. basically has control of all his money, which hades provides. He’s made it so zagreus can’t get his own job anywhere. either he’s rejected right at the door or fired. stopped once he realized a small business suddenly shut down after he got a job there. also can’t drive, have his own seperate bank account, all horrible shit.

The only thing he does have is that he has an appartment with hypnos thats grungy and small and really gross but its the only thing he feels to really ‘own’. 

Zag blows money constantly since it’s hades’ credit card. arrested a lot for vandalism, arson, public intoxication, trespassing, fighting, etc. he never stays more than a few days in jail, but his record has never been clean so when he attempts to hop on a bus or hitch a ride out of town, cops stop him and take him away. on the bright side one cop stuck to night patrol makes him some really good coffee.

Often gets into bar fights and skirmishes. more because he likes to fight than anything else. he once tried to make money off of underground fighting matches, but hades still caught onto that. he met Skelly through this. 

Hades: old as all fuck. nasty man. like 6″ft or whatever. He owns hotels, apartments, banks, and some factories for production of goods. high public opinion because he’s ‘charitable’ and dumps a lot of money to public infrastructures, police force, and particularly surveillance companies. This is more of a bribe than anything; first to know of the cops’ movements and has surveillance through practically the whole city. 

he sucks. persephone left him but they’re still considered legally married. No divorce has been issued, and hades has kept up the appearances that persephone still lives with him under the guise of a chronic health condition she has (multiple sclerosis) so she isn’t publicly seen. really she left his ass and owns a quiet unnoticed flower shop in a small town over.

Thanatos: 27, 5″11ft. Works within hades’ company, pretty high up too. manages finances, stocks, inventory, etc etc. basically has a handle on all money going in and out. tries to keep out of the less legal side of things but honestly he doesnt really have a choice in the matter. 

Extremely qualified for the position and honestly could probably do much better. went to some big name college far away for a long time. Studied business, accounting, economics for nearly 8 years. wanted to go into psychology, particularly developmental psychology, but forced himself to go into business.

He’s loyal to hades in a strange way. feels ‘indebted’ to him; for his job, providing his mother with a job, basically the reason they’re so well off. seems to think that he is the company’s head accountant less because of his own skill and because it was expected of him. undervalues himself.

He has only been back in town a year or so since leaving for college. part of his job is that he is forbidden from contacting or interacting with zagreus at all, with threats of losing his position from hades. Still, he tends to pull zag out of messes with cops or bar fights. zag doesn’t know how he keeps finding him or randomly appearing. 

unlike most other workers he doesn’t actually live in the ‘house’ and lives in a suite at another hades owned building. this makes it easier for zag to sneak into his suite and visit him at all kinds of weird hours.

him and zag have a more ‘new’ romance goin on. very tentative and unexplored and new. especially considering the circumstances they find themselves in. him and meg are great friends, in fact they are probably each other’s only friends. 

Megeara: 25, 6″3ft without her heels. Is the head of security in hades’ main office and has control over security services in other buildings too, although mainly stays in the house. also has the personally appointed position of keeping zag from leaving the house when he gets dragged back there. You can see how that goes.

Like than, feels indebted/sworn to her job, to a degree though. Will very much stop zagreus, only so that she can let him slide sometimes without suspicion or her job being threatened. Or if she just wants a good fight it depends on her mood.

was always interested in mixed martial arts. when they were teens she threatened zag to a fight. she ended up with a chipped tooth. later in life about when she started heavily piercing her ears she also got gold fang implants since the chipped tooth happened to be Right there. zag is weak to this. 

Never has left town or gone to college. she is the closest of the furies to nyx. both her sisters are in some field of the law enforcement, therefore acting as hades’ more personal ties into the police. She doesn’t get along with them, in fact feeling they’re way too involved in shady shit. but she converses and does what she’s asked of from hades. 

owns a motorcycle! doesn’t actually know how to drive a car, just her bike. takes care of it like it’s her baby. doesn’t let anyone else touch it, fix it up or handle it whatsoever. Hypos tried to hop on once and he ran every time he saw her for at least 3 months after that.

her and zag don’t exactly have a ‘name’ to their relationship. it’s somewhat on and off, between dating and friendship sometimes. Than is someone very close to her; the only person she can be seen outside of a work setting talking to. dusa is working up to that, though, as she’s been getting closer with her. 

[truthbehindthemysteries]

~I Will Always Catch You~

A/N” One shot fic request: Fainting in Enobaria’s arms.

_________________________________________________

People knew very well not to underestimate Enobaria for how much a beautiful mysterious danger she was. - After all, she had not only a reputation for how she was the victor of the 62nd Hunger Games but the fact that she had f a n g s – teeth filed sharp enough to resemble deadly incisors. Anyone who got to close would see how intelligent, blunt, dangerous, fierce she was. No one knew she had a heart of gold deep down. No one knew she could be soft, gentle and vulnerable. Except you. Everyone loses a piece of themselves to these vile games that prey on the lives of young children , forcing them to fight to the death until one one them remains standing, bathed in riches that others could only dream of. All at the mercy of a capitol who punishes them for others long ago committed.

You and Enobaria were in a close relationship. Growing up in District 2 { one of the wealthy districts who are close to the Capitol in wealth, loyalty, etc. }, You two had been best friends whose mothers were best friends, father's worked together. You two went to the same school and could go to each other about anything. Well that was of course after the fact that she stood up to a bully for you. You had something happen to you that gave you an injury that needed time to heal, someone had made fun of you and wouldn't seem to stop. Enobaria being … well, herself? Formed a fist and landed a punch so strong to the boy's jaw that he had to have surgery to get his jaw back in place. A dangerous serious process that if went wrong, he would never be able to use his mouth again and have to be fed through a tube.

Not long after that, sexualities were questioned and accepted but you two are together, happily in love, each other's rock when the other wants and needs even if they might not realize it. Anyway, it was the morning of the day where You, her and the other victors of previous games would find out the next tributes for each district for this years Quarter Quell. Now remember when I said that these Games take a piece of someone. It isn't something you can get past after all, just a young child thrown into dangerous situations and made to fight, hurt, k I l l other scared ones like you, hardened into little soldiers by ones older using you for their own greed, for their own e n t e r t a I n m e n t. Ones meant to love and care for you, protect you and keep you safe. Lets just say that you like anyone else had developed PTSD and panic attacks. There you and Enobaria were, sitting on a luxurious couch of a house you two shared together. Soon enough, President Coriolanus Snow himself showed up on the screen and started to speak,

“Ladies and Gentleman, this is the time in which we will begin the 75th Hunger Games, where specially, we'd also have the Quarter Quell.” Anywhere around, people had their eyes glued to the screen, you and Enobaria among others who watched with bated breath, not out of excitement like some might by unease, a want to get this over with and try to live life the best possible in p e a c e. As if that could ever be completely achieved in the world in which they lived in. Amongst the cheering, President Snow continued,

“It was written in the charter of the games that every twenty-five years, there will be a Quarter Quell. Now on this , the 75th anniversary of our defeat of the rebellion, we celebrate the third Quarter Quell.” A drop in your stomach seemed to happen as you started into those eyes shown on the screen, you had a bad feeling about this. Not that you didn't seem to have them at times and always turn out to be right but those cold eyes as they addressed the nation, seemed to stare into the souls of everyone he made suffer. What you heard next was enough for you to intake a breath, rushing to your head resorting in a dizziness that had you fearing the idea of standing. You just might collapse, others would cry and unleash anger.

“As a reminder, that even the s t r o n g e s t cannot overcome the power of the Capitol. On this, the third Quarter Quell game, the male and female tributes are to be reaped from the existing pool of Victors in each district.”

You could barely focus on Enobaria's hand tightening in yours as she arched upward to look into Snow's slow smirking face with a look so murderous one would shiver and fear for their life. Feeling the beginning of a panic attack, you felt the pain as it got harder and harder to breathe. It came out in pants as you tried to calm it, slipping your hand from your girlfriend as it clutched at your chest. Moving forward on your knee's , you fell to the ground in front of the couch, your hands at your fall. Your body felt numb as you tried to catch your breath, panic inside your body like the rapid fluttering of a hummingbird's wings.

Immediately you heard Enobaria yell your name then you felt her arms encircling you as she helped you the best she could to get you back to reality, to her where it was s a f e. “Y/N!”, came her serious worried voice. A strangled choked up noise seemed to happen, not even realizing it was your own tears spilling down your cheeks, voice not able to form the words they so badly wanted to express. Eyes blurry with wetness, you felt her cup your cheek, “Y/N, sweetheart, look at me please. Come on, show me those beautiful eyes.”, she began to slowly and gently speak. You looked up weakly at her as she wiped the tears from your eyes, seeing love for you in hers despite the anger she was feeling, the murderous anger that was barely contained. You really were her anchor bc she would put it aside so long as you were safe, happy and alright.

“How could- I thought that we- that's not su-”, you tried to speak but you would choke up, cough and tear, your voice would crack. She rubbed at your shoulders, shaking her head from you trying to speak more. If you continued to get out of control with your breathing, your heart would only race faster. You were weak and dizzy enough, she didn't want to see you pass out bc if you did, that wouldn't be anything good. You were relatively good with taking your anti-depressants but bc of the ptsd that you had experienced from your own games – you often had nights where you woke up screaming, where you would flinch at any beginning of violence, anything that reminded you of all that you went through like anyone else and you would be inconsolable. The only ones who could manage to bring you out of it IF NOT Enobaria were any of your family still around.

“i will not let anything happen to you, I promise you. You know I have always stood by that. Try not to think on it now and just lean on me baby, im here and I am never going to leave you. Breathe with me.. come on , that's it.. in and out.” and she started to do it with you as your hands remained comfortingly and gently on you as you kept your eyes on her, intaking a breath and releasing it after holding it for a little bit, getting air back into your lungs. Making your body go back into a stable state, you and her stayed like that for what seemed forever but may have only been a half hour, hour? When it seemed like things could be okay at least for the moment, you felt her arms around your waist, her hands clasping at your hands tightly “Come on, lets stand okay, lemme get us some water.”

You nodded, afraid to speak, any moment you felt like you could cry. Not just from anger, so much anger it could rival your girlfriend but unlike her, you didn't have fangs that could sink into another's throat with enough strength to rip it out, causing the unfortunate person to choke on their own blood and die. Maybe thats what Snow deserved. You felt your hands balling into fists at the mere thought of how someone could be so heartless, without remorse or pity. It made you sick to your stomach and you had enough of those kind of feelings what with having panic attacks. Hoping the water would help as it sometimes did and should, you kept your mouth shut, not wanting to spill any contents in your stomach onto your clothes and the floor as Enobaria helped you stand.

Still feeling slightly dizzy, you almost wondered if you should say something but you urged that you dealt with this before, feeling weak and dizzy. You only ever fainted if it got really bad and always someone was there. The only times that someone wasnt was a rare occasion but any unlucky person who came upon you with dark intentions would regret it, you were so protected. A darling of District 2. As you made to follow her into the kitchen, everything went black as you fell. Unconscious to the scream as Enobaria immediately caught your fainting body in her arms, worry on her face as she gently tried to shake you awake but only receiving no answer from you.

Not wanting to immediately jump to conclusions, she held you protectively in her arms as she went about the process of getting you medical help, refusing to leave your side. For those who suggested, one glint of her fangs in the light was enough for them to hold their tongue lest they want it ripped out. While they did the work to help you, she in a corner not to far from you , paced back and forth, w a I t I n g until she saw your beautiful eyes again. When you finally did flutter your eyes open, it was after the doctor's left you both to have some privacy, telling Enobaria that the reason you had fainted was not only from a possible slip up in taking medication, dehydration and stress, they advised you get plenty of water, rest, stay active in the medications and do anything relaxing to get rid of the stress. Maybe start talking to someone, it could help get the stress off your shoulders, as they say.

Once the door closed behind them, your { e/c } eyes seemed to flutter open, your lips parting to crack , “en..” you coughed, “enobaria?” She immediately rushed to your side, sitting down beside you and taking one of your hand in both of hers. “How are you feeling? “ she ended up scoffing, “Stupid question..” she looks at you, “i'm right here.” You smiled weakly, memories of what happened flashing before your eyes and tears started to well up. Immediately sensing the change in your, she cupped your face, 'Keep calm for me babygirl, im right here. Whatever happens, it's you and me always right? As we promised.”

Your heart raced but you forced it to slow, to even out and calm yourself down. You slowly nodded, clenching your throat as you swallowed, “Forever.”, you muttered softly, lovingly, with no hesitation. “Scoot over.”, she muttered as she stood, moving to remove the blanket a little from you. You weakly tried to move, an adorable frown forming on your face as you looked up at her, “Won't they sa-” She shook her head as she lied down beside you, gently pulling you into her arms so you could cuddle into her, the blanket over both of you now, “Just them try and stop me from holding the woman I love.”, You felt butterflies in your stomach, she was always so good to you – what did you do to deserve someone like her, Enobaria, the fierce badass everyone was scared to come into contact with but realize there was another side to her. A good side so worthy of the truest of loves, something you two found together. Like a home. She caresses your face, making you look at her, as if you wouldn't choose to willingly anyway,”

“Wherever you go, I will follow if you wish and anytime you fall, I will always catch you.”

You nodded, closing your eyes as you felt her arms encircle you more, holding you against her chest and your two’s legs entangling together under the blanket. Resting your head against her chest, you and her breathed together, your eyes closing shut once more and hers following suit not long after you. At some point you would be discharged to be able to go home but until then? You would find peace in the arms of the woman you loved. Everything would figure itself out one way or another. One day Snow would realize the wrongs for which he has done and pay for them accordingly. Taking one day at a time, you would make sure that you would be okay, that the ones you loved would be okay.

You would always say that you never deserved someone as fierce and dangerous as Enobaria who was sweet and romantic and cuddly deep down but truth was maybe it was the other way around with her feeling she didnt deserve you. Sometimes people didnt even approach her for the reputation she had but you weren’t like the others, You didn’t treat her like she was a monster to hold at arms length for fear of being ripped apart. You broke down all her walls and made her f e e l. She could never thank you for that, having someone as angelic as you but every rose has it’s thorns and she knew that together, you two could accomplish anything. Not just the best but the worst of times.

[partygoddouglas]

I’ve hopped aboard the ‘Summer Rose is still Alive’ Train

So, with V7 E4 out into the public, I’d like the share my thoughts on those few remarks about Summer and some greater thoughts about Team STRQ V.S RWBY.

So, its been long since accepted that Summer was dead. From the beginning we knew that Ruby and Yang’s mother wasn’t around anymore and from Context given by Yang we knew that she wouldnt just abandon her family since she was a "super mom".

Now, when a long held notion like this is suddenly questioned 60-65% through a story, that is usually the grounds for subverting that notion!

So, Summer is alive, but what has she been doing all this time, and why did she never come home?

All answers to come! To preface, lets establish Foils amongst RWBY and STRQ.

Yang - Taiyang.

Taiyang is a what Yang would be if she was never able to truly move on from the people who she felt abandoned her. A good person, for sure, but not the most present and no longer reaching out to people out of fear of getting hurt again. Taiyang isnt out helping Vale despite having no children at home to care for/watch over, but he wouldnt say no to people in front of him needing help, y'hear?

Yang has mostly conquered what defeated Tai, but she isnt there quite yet.

Blake - Raven

One of the more obvious parallels. They both run away to try and solve their problems because they feel their presence in their loved ones lives is poison. Blake eventually overcame this in v5 and V6 where despite her past demons being thrown back at her on the reg, she stood tall and side by side with her loved ones because running away wasnt going to help her and it certainly wasn't helping her loved ones.

Qrow -Weiss

Qrow has trouble letting people in. Despite having similar conflicts with Raven (extra points sonce their twins), Qrows issue was intrinsic where as Raven's was more extrinsic. Weiss, similarly, has trouble letting people in, and with both of them its due to factors outisde theie control. Qrow with his semblance and Weiss due to her abusive father/ neglectful mother. Weiss is/has been overcoming this as we speak by declaring that not only is she letting people in but they are her new found family.

Ruby - Summer

Like mother, like daughter? Yes indeed! Unlike everyone else, we actually don't know much about Summer outside of tidbits here and there, but we do know A LOT about Ruby and since Teams RWBY and STRQ parallel, we actually know a lot about Summer.

Summer is idealistic. Summer ia

S selfless (to a fault). She is another simple soul. She believes in inherent good and will do anything to protect it, and this is the absolute crux of her character and the source of her 'failure' on a similar vein to the rest of her team. She was willing to do anything to protect good and the people she loved. So Ozpin proposes a mission (or Summer hears from Raven about Salem and takes action herself) where Summer takes on the source, takes on Salem. Oz/ Summer is confident it should work because of the silver eyes and their Grimm slaying power.

Summer leaves, but despite trying her best, she fails. She fails because as we know now Salem is immortal beyond the fact she is part Grimm. So Salem breaks Summer's spirit. She breaks her trust in Oz. She breaks who Summer is as a person.

Summer, now fundamentally broken and unable to pursue anything other than being this force of good to stop this unstoppable evil abandons her family to go about this one mission and tells NO ONE. She doesn't do this in the same way Raven does, her intent here is almost entirely selfless by her thought process (defeat Salem -> Saves family + Everything) where as Raven always knew she ran for herself alone.

Summer drops everybody. Maybe even pressures Raven to keep her secret because Raven's semblance would allow her to know Summer is alive.

Volumes 7, 8, and maybe 9 are going to test Ruby much like her mother was tested. And Ruby is going to lose big, falter and fall to Darkness, and break almost fully because she will finally have lost hope. But like every other member of her team, she will overcome her foil's (Summer's) failings and come back stronger and ready fight!

But what about the critical question of, what is Summer up to now?

Summer is now determined to beat Salem by any means necessary because at the end of the day, she is doing it for the right reasons, right? So I believe she is the mystery client/ leader of the antagonists from the book 'After the Fall'. They're searching for people with powerful semblances, but much past that we do not know why. So is it unrealistic to think that Summer is trying to get powerful people together to try and stop Salem, despite knowing its success rate is practically nonexistent? I dont think so.

Anyway, thanks if you read my entire deep think!

[ruffiorocks]

Lena Luthor and Chloe Sullivan are NOT comparable

Sooo... I've just seen someone comparing Lena to Chloe Sullivan, saying Lena should have taken a leaf out of Chloe's book and pretended she didn't know Kara's secret, and that Lena felt 'entitled' to Kara's secret.

Erm.... petty of me, I know but this annoys me when clearly people have selective memory when it comes to Smallville.

First off Lena and Kara are often compared to Smallville Lex and Clark even though they have completely different circumstances.

Now that's not working for people you want to choose Chloe instead?

Erm... Did they forget that Chloe investigated Clark for Lionel Luthor in exchange for a column in the Daily Prophet?

When exposed to a gas that ensured people couldn't lie to her Chloe asked Clark what he was hiding.

Chloe wanted to know what Clark was hiding!

Like Lena, Chloe found out by a 3rd party. Alicia (Clark's ex) staged it so that Chloe saw Clark catch a car.

The difference between Lena and Chloe is that Lena found out via Lex who showed her footage of her being lied to constantly, being made to look like a fool, being deceived into believing Kara and Supergirl were two different people.

Clark was 'the blur' but early on he didn't have an alter ego, he just did things and hoped people didn't see. He wasn't putting a cape on and going to Chloe as a whole different person with a totally different personality. He didn't treat Chloe like garbage as 'the blur' and then come back to her all best friends as Clark.

Chloe did go out of her way to protect Clark's secret when he didn't know she knew. Coming up with lies for him to leave, taking care of him when he had amnesia. But her circumstances were totally different to Lena's. Clark at the time only had himself and his parents in on his secret (I forget if there were others, if there were it wasn't many), the only other was was Pete, who left smallville because knowing Clark's secret nearly got him killed.

But before anyone wants to compare Clark telling Pete and him getting hurt with Kara not telling Lena to protect her I can assure you Lena Luthor was a lot more well equiped to handle herself than a 16 year old ordinary teenager.

Chloe wasn't used by Clark, at least not in the sense that Kara and the Superfriends have often used Lena or tried to ferret info out of her. Clark and Chloe were reporters that investigated the 'meteor freaks' on a weekly basis. Chole didn't have to learn she was the only one being played and being lied to. Clark didn't have a double personality with Chloe . But he did have his moments when he was a Jack ass to her. Clark was beyond self righteous in Smallville to the point Chloe, his parents, Oliver etc. Had to call him out on it. Much like Kara he felt he could control what others did, it was he who got to call the shots.

Chloe also didn't have the trauma that Lena does. She believed she had been abandoned by her mother (who was actually in a mental health facility) but she had a hard working loving father, nice home, good friends etc. That's not like Lena at all. She wasnt constantly used, abused, lied to and then abandoned.

Now remember that Smallville took place when everyone was in their teenage years up to about 21 ish? (Save for Lex). That's different to the ages, life experiences and situations Lena and Kara find themselves in.

The OP said that Chloe was better essentially because she didn't tell and she had known Clark since childhood. Well that's the point! Clark and Chloe were best friends from about the age of 10ish and were still teenagers/young adults. Lena and Kara are grown ass women some have been best friends for about 3 years and have a LOT more baggage.

Chloe was more to Clark what Alex and Winn are to Kara, something that Lena could have been and to a point already was.

Lena is more to Kara what Lex was originally to Clark. The difference is that Lex, however good he was in the beginning ALWAYS had a dark side, he always had something dodgy going on that he balanced out with good things. That's not like Lena. Lena, unlike Smallvilles Lex didn't have a secret, dodgy agenda from the start, she didn't have a desire to know Kara's secret because she didn't know she had one. Lex was always after Clark's secret. Lex was also constantly used by Clark.

Oh and for the record. Clark didn't go around telling people who he was every 5 minutes like Kara has recently. Chloe didn't have anyone other that Pete to consider being left out over. She wasn't part of a group that all knew about Clark but was deliberately kept out of the loop.

Clark was very like Kara, throughout the series he always felt entitled to know everyone else's secrets and felt pissed when he was kept out of the loop, but doesn't feel the need to reciprocate.

Chloe Sullivan and Lena Luthor are completely different people, have different back grounds, have/had different relationships with the super in their lives and are not at all comparable. Lena doesnt feel like she was entitled to know Kara's secret, it's more the fact that she was consistently lied to, used (yes used) and yes she feels betrayed because it was the one thing she asked Kara not to do. The betrayal isn't not telling her, it's the crap, lies, behaviour and bulls**t that came with it.

(I have to much time on my hands 😅 but please folk, if you're going to quote Smallville, remember to have watched all of it, or watched it at all)

[neganandblake]

I think I liked you better when you didn’t have a knife in your hand, Peaches... Chapter 199 - The Ghost

When Blake finds herself sold out to the Saviours by her abusive fiancé, she realises that she’s certainly not on her own anymore and finds an unlikely friend in Negan. And Negan does NOT like men who beat their girlfriends, one tiny bit….

(Masterlist can be found on my page.) 

Chapter 199 - The Ghost

[Negan is still mad about the fact that Nick is sniffing around Blake at every chance he gets, and we all know that petty Negan is never a good thing. But when Blake takes a walk down to the kitchens, something she sees there is about to bring back some memories she wished had stayed buried...

——————

The wind and the sleet had arrived soon after Negan had left the garden that afternoon.

It couldn't even be called a storm, but even so, each and every one of the Sanctuary windows seemed to rattle and shake, causing each resident to give an involuntary shiver every time they heard the wind battering against the window panes.

The last run was due to arrive back later that night, but in the meantime, Negan had put a stop to anyone else leaving with the weather as it was.

As much as people presumed he was a hard-ass, he wasn't about to risk any of his best men out there in conditions like that.

It was late evening now, and Negan was still in a foul mood since his run in with Blake and Nick earlier today.

He had relegated himself to the rec room for the afternoon, lazing across the large sofas and smoking away half a pack of cigarettes he had stashed away for an occasion such as this, daydreaming about what it would be like to ring that fucking asshole's Nick's neck.

But as pissed as Negan was, he knew he would have to see Peaches at some point and probably grovel.

Yeah he was fully aware of how much of a prick he'd been. But shit, he wouldn't have had to say any of that shit if Nick hadn't been standing there, a fucking smirk plastered all over his goddamn face.

Oh how Negan wished he could have wiped that smug smile from that mother-fucker's lips, right there, right then.

Negan could hear Blake's soft voice on the other side of the cherry wood by the time he finally reached the door to his and Blake's room up on the third floor.

Knowing he couldn't do anything about the obvious smell of cigarette smoke that clung to him, Negan turned the handle and went inside.

Blake was there of course, perched on the edge of their large bed, as was Mia, the blonde tucking her up beneath the covers snuggly.

Negan knew how much the kid hated any kind of storm, and so Blake had blatantly made the sensible choice of letting her sleep in with them tonight, rather than get woken up by Mia's crying in the early hours from next-door.

Both girls looked up as he entered and closed the door behind himself with small snap.

Blake still looked completely unimpressed, glowering at him over her slender shoulder.

"You decided to quit being an asshole yet?" she asked coolly, turning back to Mia and smoothing the bedcovers down over her middle.

Negan pursed his lips together and moved over to the couch.

"Ass-howl'," Mia repeated with a giggle.

But Blake quickly gave a tut, turning her attention to the little girl.

"No, we don't say that, baby. That's a bad word," she muttered, before glancing back to Negan.

"Bat Mommy gowt to say it," grumbled Mia, folding her chubby arms huffily over her teeny chest.

"Ain't bein' an asshole, Peaches," uttered Negan irritably, removing his jacket in much the same manner and tossing it haphazardly down onto the leather couch.

Was he really being an asshole just for not wanting to watch some other guy lusting over his damn girl?

"An' Daddy say it!" Mia huffed again, sounding annoyed at the injustice of it all.

"Could've fooled me," Blake snapped, shaking her head and scowling at him. "So, what? You got a problem with me being down in the garden's now is that it? Don't think I'm doing a good enough job down there or something?"

The blonde woman sounded hurt, her green eyes searching his face for any hint to what he had meant by his earlier outburst down in the lots outside.

A wave of guilt, at this, hit Negan hard.

Shit, he had never fucking wanted to make Blake feel this way. But this was all because of that asshole Nick.

Negan was sick to the goddamn back teeth of him sniffing around Blake any chance he got.

"Well it ain't like you haven't got enough help down there, is it, Peaches?" Negan bit, turning away from her and pulling off his boots one by one, dumping them on the floor next to the sofa before making for the bathroom.

But behind him he heard Blake get to her feet and follow him.

"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked sounding angry now.

But fuck, so was Negan. Pissed that that fucking prick had caused a goddamn rift between them. (Although he tried to dismiss the nagging feeling that it was actually Negan himself causing this fucking rift.)

"You know what it means, Darlin'," said Negan in a meaningful voice as he entered through the bathroom, flicking on the light, as he heard Blake close behind him.

He wasnt in the mood for any of this shit, wanting nothing but a shower and to sleep, maybe forgetting, for just a night anway, that this Nick guy, that Peaches seemed to be spending every fucking second of every fucking day with, ever even existed.

Pulling his shirt over his head and tossing it into the wash basket behind them door, he made to grab his towel from the rail, when suddenly Blake circled around, coming to a stop in front of him.

Pressing a hand to his bare chest she stopped him in his tracks.

"No, I don't, Negan," she said firmly, that frown still sat between her brows, but her eyes were now wide and worried looking, searching his face desperately. "Look I don't know what's up with you lately, why you've been checking in on me down in the gardens every five minutes, or why you've been acting like such a child -"

"Well maybe your new fuckin' boyfriend down there will be more fuckin' mature, Darlin'," Negan growled at her, cutting her off mid-sentence. The words spilling from his lips poisonously before he could help himself.

And for a moment Blake stopped, blinking, She closed her mouth slowly and took a step back, her hand dropping suddenly from Negan's chest.

Shit.

Shit shit shit.

Negan's mind was whirring was possibilities now, scenarios that he had no proof of, working their way around his head.

Did she look mad?

Guilty?

Had she been thinking about Nick? Fantasising about him? Wanting him more than she had ever wanted a rough old dog like Negan?

It was a long second now before Blake took a second step backwards, the frown on her forehead deepening.

"You mean…...wait..." she uttered with a frown, looking a little disbelieving now. "...are you talking about Nick?!"

Negan took a moment to reply, merely giving a seemingly un-caring sniff.

"Well the prick's been tailin' you around for the last two fuckin' weeks like some kinda love-sick puppy, Peaches. What the fuck else am I suposed to think?" Negan said, feeling his hackles raise at just the mention of the guy.

But Blake seemed to waver for a second, before a bemused sort of expression slowly began to dance its way across her features.

"Negan, YOU tail me around like a lovesick puppy," she said sounding slightly exasperated, but far more calm than she had a few brief moments ago.

But Negan wasn't taking that. This wasn't the same. This guy was new to the scene.

And besides Negan had seen it first hand. The flirting, the laughing…

"Sweetheart, it's obvious the goddamn guy has got a thing for you!" Negan uttered bitterly.

But at his words, this time, Blake was still for a long second or two, before, to Negan's surprise, her lips twitched once, then twice, and a sudden laugh escaped her lips before she could stop it.

She bit down on her lip to stop herself from giggling further.

But this only seemed to anger Negan more. Shit, did she really think all this was fucking funny?

But he barely had a second to dwell on this, as Blake lowered her eyes taking a step into the dark-haired man, her hand making for his shoulder.

"Errr, baby..." Blake murmured in a sympathetic sounding voice, giving his shoulder a gentle pat. "...I have a feeling YOU might be more Nick's type."

Negan blinked.

What?

"He's gay, Negan," Blake said with a slow nod, her eyes meeting with his, as though she wanted to make sure explicitly he understod what she was saying.

"He's-"

"Gay, yeah," Blake repeated, giving his shoulder a squeeze before dropping her hand and sauntering over to the bathroom mirror above the sink to peer at her reflection. "Definitely not interested in me."

Negan was silent for a long moment before he lifted a hand, running it through his hair as his dark eyes widened.

"Well...shit…" he managed to murmur out, feeling all of a sudden very, very fucking stupid.

"Yeah, shit," Blake said pursing her lips and staring back at him over her shoulder. "So next time you go getting jealous, you may want to get your facts straight first."

Negan could have kicked himself.

Fuck, he'd been such fucking idiot.

"Peaches, I'm fuckin' sorry, I-" he began, knowing it was better to start grovelling sooner rather than later.

But Blake merely turned back to him, smirking now.

"Nu-uh," she said in a vixen-like voice, strutting past him and bumping her hip payfully against his bony one as she went. "You can make it up to me later, asshole."

She shot him a suggestive look glancing up and down his body over her shoulder, before biting her lip and giving a small laughing shake of her head and disappearing back into the bedroom.

Negan gave a sigh. Shit, he really was fuckin' lucky to have a gal like her.

Still ruffling his dark hair, he wandered back into the bedroom, to see the blonde tucking a a whining Mia back into bed.

"Noh, I wan' milk," whined the toddler wriggling and twisting beneath the bed-clothes. "I thursty!"

Blake gave a sigh and got to her feet.

"Alright I'll get you some milk, baby," she said softly, turning to slip on her sneakers.

"I'll go, Darlin'," Negan offered.

But Blake merely smiled up at him. "It's fine, I'll be back in five," she said making for the door. "You can take care of that."

And with that, Blake cocked a thumb over her shoulder to where Mia was currently clambering out of bed, whinging as she did so. Obviously in a mood for terrorising her two parents tonight.

Negan gave a loud, tired groan, as a smirking Blake headed off out of the room, closing the door behind her with a gentle snap.

------------------------------------

The Sanctuary felt like an ice box as Blake walked down the drafty corridor heading toward the kitchens.

She rubbed at her arms as she went, cursing herself for not putting on an extra layer on top of her black sweater.

The walk didn't take long, down to the first floor, where she noticed it was far more drafty due to the large doors at the far end of the docking yard being left wide open.

That would only mean one thing of course, that the Simon, Gavin and a few of the others were now back from their run, safe from the storm.

And as Blake turned the corner she saw now that they were not alone, with Simon standing there addressing a small group of seven or eight people she had never seen before.

"...now you follow the rules and you'll find that we can all be very accommodating here…" she heard Simon utter, causing Blake to bristle slightly at the sound of his voice. Even know although she had forgiven as much as she could, it is hard to forget what the mustachioed man had tried to do all those weeks ago.

But shaking these thoughts from her head, she walked up to where to small group stood, nodding to Gavin, who was stood at the back of the pack, as she passed by.

Part of her felt proud, as this was obviously another group that the Saviours had picked up on the road and had taken in, under the promise that they follow the rules and do things Negan's way.

The Sanctuary was certainly big enough for more people and Blake now hoped that by next year, if her plans to expand the gardens went well, then there would be more than enough food to go around threefold.

But as always, the people in the small group, as she passed them, all looked frightened and mistable, huddled together, seeming nervous of coming here to the intimidating factory building for the first time.

But as Blake walked by, she didn't even notice one of the men from the small crowd step forward, his eyes widening suddenly as he looked at her.

"Blake?"

Blake stopped suddenly in her tracks...her blood running cold.

That voice.

No.

But it couldn't be. It just couldn't…

Blake's heart began to thud in her chest, her stomach twisting into knots and her breathing becoming shallow, as Simon faltered in his speech, the entire room falling eerily silent.

It couldn't be him.

He was a ghost.

A memory.

This wasn't possible.

Swallowing hard, it felt like an eternity before, on shaking legs, Blake managed to turn herself around, her wide eyes full of horror as her gaze settled upon a person she had never thought she'd see again. Not the ghost, but another now...oh so familiar.

Tall…

...blonde…

...with piercing blue eyes that reminded so much of someone else's…

Eyes she had stared at while cold fingers had been clenched around her throat, choking the life from her.

Blake stopped, her chest rising and falling hard now, as the man stepped forwards out of the untidy group, taking one step, then another…

And before Blake could even move, he had launched himself at her, tugging her to him in a tight hug.

"Blakey, I-I never thought I'd see you again," he breathed into her ear, that voice- so familiar, sending a cold shiver through her entire body.

The man pulled back from her and stared into her eyes, shaking his head in a look of pure, happy disbelief that she was here.

"W-Where's David? He here with you?" said the man Blake had known for a very long time.

A man she had spent night's out with. A man who she had had over to her apartment on game days. A man who she had spent time with at family occasions.

A man who looked eerily familiar to the man that had abused her, for so very long.

Brandon.

David's brother.

------------------------------------

@collette04 | @attorneyl  | @mssharingisfun | @daydreamsandchai | @onemorebeautifulnightmare | @arwa-alii| @maggiesourie | @blumenkind72 | @toloaughistolove  | @negans-womam| @elinyaes | @mwesterfeld1985 | @letseatandsleep | @xxqueenofisolationxx| @lovesjdm | @padmeisgay | @karlbourbonismyhero | @lfsbitencourt | @toxic-ink | @laaadygisbooornex3 | @cutiedaij| @warriorqueen1991 | @itstheamandashow|  | @dessie @lovelynerdytraveler|@joelssmugglingservice   | @sophiestru24 | @intensemindorgasms | @jenn0755 | @nerdygirlwithacrush | @ali-in-fandomland  | @spn-mudkip |  | @embee222   | @xagateophobiax   | @nu1freakshow | @simplysiriuslyjoking | @negan5589 | @ididntchoosethislife  | @yezzyzzz  | @jessiellong1987 | @likearaindropfilledwithgoldust| @kristenallison04 | @vanilla-negan | @simplysiriuslyjoking | @shannmiw  | @qhbr2013 | @uncharte-dlove | @nerdaspe | @thedeadwalks | @pizzaisrelationshipgoals| @kalista225 | @saved-by-fiction | @nerdywriter| @hayleighloatx| @miss-cap21  | @nyakozhovur  | @theunwantedwriter | @myrabbitholetoneverland| @topthis808| @depressed-teenagekids| @band–psycho  | @artisticlales | @itstotalyblue | @queenofthesole | @athena1504 | @sighsophiia | @make-things-beautiful2 | @lynn1712 | @thamberlina | @batmanlover1593 | @jdmsgal | @queenslandlover-93 | @neganrpblog | @michellevalvona | @roguesandsaviors  | @fuckyeafishes | @hotdigggittydogg | @thewingeddragon | @negan-the-cat | @little-big-mac2  | @lunatheumbreon | @itookherteethies | @lauraclapton | @justnatalies | @queen0fants | @belsoleleann | @lellatron  | @bvckysbrns  | @omqstyleseditss| @tigger4367 | @ohmy-sammy | @ainhoitaoz| @youshouldloveyourselfbruh | @babeinthesun| @topthis808 | @colormewhole-blog-blog | @so-i-died | @sannamahlkvist | @the-nuup | @i-fucking-rock| @deanervs | @searchf0rtheskyline  | @starlessskies94 | @lellatron | @carolines24 | @youll-all-get-yours | @jackybehappy | @candiloverr | @emybug101 | @imstonecoldnegan | @sapphirerose0122 | @katerinas | @blondekel77 | @thetruebornwildchild  | @nekocookie11 | @mellowspypersonadeputy | @champagnesugamama | @lostdarksoul6 | @babygirlmeepi | @may-machin | @julyintherain12 | @drina365 | @bob-giovanni | @journeyrose | @faith-lynn9 | @mellowspypersonadeputy | @queenredfury | @heyworld07 | @sarcasticrose18 | @wonder-cole | @scarletthart96 | @mychemicalimagines | @risenfromearth | @haleyea | @ifsomeonewroteabookaboutme | @beegnc | @imsensitiveplzdonthurtme@xrosegoldwolfx | @vlightning95 | @elskinner45 |  @negans-network | @josten10-minyard03 | @neganscherryblue | @suoheiwajima​ | @mrsalliej47 | @myxtina|@negansfav0ritewife | @jamiekingofmen | @gawd-why-is-negan-so-hawt | @thenightshadequeen |                        @stars---thunderbird | @hippychick912 |

[ancanosaur]

Subscorp shorts: Young love and the magic of disobeying your father.

College!AU

I was driving home and was listening to Saturday by Fall out boy and thought of this. Enjoy!

❄🔥❄🔥❄🔥❄🔥❄🔥❄🔥❄🔥❄🔥❄

Hanzo was tired. Goddammit he was tired. He was sick of arguing with his father about who he can and can't see and why he needs to move on from 'failed relationships' as Mr. Hasashi likes to put it.

But there was nothing that failed or faltered with him and his love interest. Kuai was different from what Hanzo was used to, yes. But he liked that about him. He liked his slick back short hair, he liked how Kuai has such a different point of vew in life, with the justice system, with music- just everything. Everything kuai was and is, it's just different from what Hanzo has ever known.

Hanzo slipped into the front door of his home. The lights in the large house all dimmed down as the 20 year old held onto the straps of his messenger bag, his deep almond shaped eyes scanning the living room. The TV was still on, an infomercial about indoor mini golf playing on the screen, causing Hanxo to roll his eyes so hard it tugged at his tendons once he saw a familiar face on the screen. "Cage..." he muttered to himself.

The drama student really will take any acting job they throw at him, won't he?

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the kitchen sink being turned on and the pleasant hummings of his mother paralleling from the clacking of dishes being washed in the sink. Hanzo tried to to sneak passed, only being able to get his foot onto the first step of the stairway. "Hanzo? Is that you?" She asked softly, looking over her shoulder at the dark silhouette of her only child.

He bit the inside of his cheek, there was no point in ignoring her, it was his father he was upset with, not his mother.

"Yes." He answered simply, the conversation slipping into their native tongue. "Your father turned in early tonight, he's still a bit upset with you." Mrs. Hasashi said in a soft tone, her long black hair tide up in a bun, not unlike Hanzo's.

The college student gave a shrug, more heavy on one shoulder than the other. "I said all i wanted to say to him." His tone wasnt angry nor soured as he spoke to his mother. But it did carry a spice to it. "I just find it all...a bit unfair." He leaned againat the door, his eyes focused on the marble flooring of the kitchen.

"Oh Hanzo," she said softly, washing the suds and bubbles from her hands. "I know you and Kuai were close, But after what happened to Bi-han, you're father and i are only worried that-" "Kuai is not his brother!" His voiced gained a bit of bite to it as he looked up to meet her gaze. A sting of regret cracked him over the head as he saw the worry that flowed through her eyes to him.

"I just don't want to speak of it anymore..." he finally said, once more lowering his eyes to the ground below. His mother let out a sigh. "Atleast try to understand, Hanzo. That's all we ask."

He didnt reply, only gave a shallow nod before bidding her good night and heading upstairs.

Once he was in the comfort of his own room he simply dropped his bag to the floor and dropped himself to his bed where he just eyed the twisting patterns in the ceiling. He wondered what Kuai was up to right now, maybe he was thinking of him too?

Some time passed and Hanzo was beginning to doze off as he laid, sprawled out on his bed, that is until he heard a thumping knock on the glass of his window which caused him to sit up and look towards the large window adjacent from his bed.

"Kuai!" Hanzo whispered in frustration, quickly getting up and opening the window where Kuai pulled himself through. "Kuai Liang! what are you doing here?! If my parents find you up here they'll-" Hanzo was cut off by one of Kuai's large hands as he finally stood to his full height.

Kuai gained a handsome smile as he looked at Hanzo with those ice blue eyes. "If you keep making so much noise, they'll definitely find us out." His was so deep and soothing for Hanzo to hear, like cold water to a burn.

Kuai's hand was removed from Hanzo's mouth only for Hanzo to instantly speak. "I missed you." He said softly, hands gripping the dark leather of his jacket. Kuai's smile quickly grew wider before he pulled Hanzo into a deep kiss. Hanzo's skin so warm against his own and Hanzo enjoyed the short scruff that tickled his chin as they shared that sweet kiss, pulling away to finally look at one another.

Neither of them were sure what to say, they only looked into each other's eyes, deep dark brown meeting cool aky blues.

"My father would kill you if he walked in right now." Hanzo finally said after a few moments. "Good thing we're not staying here." Kuai said, pulling Hanzo towards the window. "Kuai! I dont know if i should-" Hanzo stopped himself. Still forgetting that he is infact an adult, he only just lived under his parents roof while while he attended classes. "Where are we going?" He quickly corrected himself as Kuai swung a leg out the window.

"Want to go to our spot? It's a clear night out tonight." The younger man looked up at him, that same heart warming smile planted on his face that made Hanzo's stomach do back flips.

"Let's go." Hanzo only said before planting another kiss onto Kuai's lips.

Once they both had climbed down and their feet were firmly on the ground Hanzo looked around at the orange glow of the street, streetlamps being their only light. "Where's your bike?" He asked, still in a whisper. "I parked up the street, im sure your father would recognize the sound." Kuai answered, voice just as low, but both of their hearts raced in their chests. The thrill of sneaking out together under the secure blanket of the night was almost too thrilling for the two young men that were forbidden to see one another.

The walk wasnt too far from Hanzo's house to Kuai's motorcycle, he could see the blue paint job from where they were. They talked softly, snickering like the gitty teens they were as they finally made it to their ride. Kuai really was Hanzo's night in old leather jacket and hia trusted stead was the fastest in all the land.

"I'll go slow this time." Kuai said, tossing Hanzo a helmet. "You say that everytime, and it's amazing that sometimes i believe you." He smiled at his boyfriend before he placed his own helment over his head, not getting on the bike until he made sure Hanzo's was on right and secure before they both hopped on.

Kuai started up the engine. "Hold onto me." He said over his shoulder as the bike purres loudly. "I was planning on it." Hanzo wrapped his arms around the other's midsection, pressing his back firming against his chest as they took off.

The city lights zoomed pasted them quickly, leaving only an array of streaking colors for the eye to catch. The city was sound asleep and quiet, the sound of Kuai's bike echoing off brick walls and emty buildings. But soon the brick and stone broke into the tree line as they left the city limits. Something Hanzo could have guessed both from the forest that surrounded them and the fact that Kuai had picked up speed. He couldnt tell if he wanted to empress him or frighten him so that he would hold him tighter. Either way, Hanzo definitely had a sure grip on his lover.

Soon the bike came to a slow halt as they reached an area familiar and special to the both of them. Hopping off the bike and taking off their helmets, Kuai pushed his bike along side them as they walked down a small path that parted through the short green grass that grew in the field they were now walking in.

"Think anyone will steal him?" Kuai ask, kicking out the stand and setting the bike aside. "Him?" Hanzo raised a brow, though an amused look was firmly placed on his face. "Your bike is male?" He chuckled. Kuai smiled as he grabbed Hanzo's hand, placing a sweet kiss to his knuckles. "Dont be jealous, we're only good friends." This only made Hanzo roll his eyes as a smile remained on his full lips.

A short walk up the hill and a blanket from Kuai's satchel on the side of his bike and here they were. Sitting under the star dusted night sky. The spring air was cool against their skin as crickets sounded arounded them, the clear sign that summer was a soon approaching.

They laid together under the stars, the thick blankets nice and comfortable underneath them as they laid on their backs. "Hanzo?" Kuai broke the silence between them. "Hm?" Hanzo replied, his eyes still glued to the galaxy before them.

"What do you think happens after we die?" Hanzo almost snickered, but stopped himself once he quickly remembered that Kuai's parents died when he was small. Oh what deep and thoughtful man Kuai is.

"Im not sure..." well, it was his honest answer. Hanzo didnt think of these things too often. "Why do you ask?" Hanzo turned his head over to look at the shape of his boyfriend.

"I just dont think that this is it. Atleast not all of it." His deep voice was low but not saddened in anyway. Maybe he wasnt speaking of his parents?

"Well..." Hazo paused for a moment, turning on his side to face him, propping his head up with his hand. "What do you think? You tend to be quite the deep thinker."

Kuai gave a gentle pause, seeming to be in deep thought for a moment or two before he spoke gently.

"That this is just one of many lives we have lived." He looked over at Hanzo, also turning to lay on his side. A smirk placed gently on the pink of his lips. "Reincarnation?" Hanzo asks. "Not quite." Kuai's blue orbs almost glowing under the silver moon light.

"What then?" The long haired one asked, curious at this point. "Tell me what you're thinking about, Kuai." He held his lover's scruffy face.

"What if there's just an endless list of possible lives that we have lived and are going to live?" He placed a large calloused hand over Hanzo's that held his face. "Not us being reborn into new people, just us living another life in another way."

Hanzo gained a grin. "Well, i dont know. It could be that way, couldn't it?" He scooted closer into Kuai, wanting to take in how he felt and how his heart sounded as it beat in his chest as they both looked back up at the stars.

"If it is true," Kuai spoke after a minute or so of silence. "Then we always end up together. In each life time." He said with a spread of passion in his voice, holding Hanzo close who was mused by the thumping of his heart.

The heat in Hanzo's chest was a swelling flame of love for the man who held him in his arms. A smile grew on his face, yet he couldnt help but give a sarcastic tone that was dazzled in charm and wit. One of the many things that Kuai loves so much about Hanzo.

"We better."

🔥❄🔥❄🔥❄🔥❄🔥❄🔥❄🔥❄🔥❄🔥

Some healing up after MK11! I hope you enjoyed! :) i usually dont really care for AUs when it comes to MK simce the canon universe is just so rad as it is. So this is a rarity my doods!

Please forgive and grammar/spelling mistakes!

-Onyx♤

[nightlight9]

Sterek Valentine Week Day One: Cozy

Stiles could get used to this. Laying here, watching as Derek’s eyes twitch behind closed eyelids, he can’t help but marvel at how soft Derek looks. It feels like a privilege, being able to see the werewolf like this, trapped in the quiet comfort of sleep, no nightmares haunting his mind.

Outside, a blizzard storms on. The clouds are murky and black, snow falling in gentle cascades. But inside, Stiles can’t help but find the whole situation beautiful. Tucked in bed, curled closely with Derek’s body, there is a cozy haze resting over the frozen morning, keeping Stiles warm and happy.

Things are - things are good, which is something that Stiles wasn’t sure he would have the privilege of thinking again. After everything that they had gone through, after the absolute hell that was high school, Stiles wasn’t even sure that he would make it to adulthood. And even if he tried to look on the bright side of things, even if he had pictured growing up and moving away from Beacon Hills, he wouldn’t have ever thought that he would be here.

Colorado is a pretty nice place to live, and Stiles genuinely enjoys the quiet country life. The house that Derek bought is close enough to town that they aren’t cut off from society completely, which is something that Stiles appreciates when he gets the urge to indulge in greasy diner food. But at the same time, they’re far enough away from the confines of the city that they don’t have to worry about being bothered.

Derek had picked the house as an escape; he intended it to be a place where he could let his past haunt him without interruption. But then Stiles showed up. He had spent years making sure that Derek made it out alive, and he wasn’t about to stop, not when they actually had a chance to live for a change. Together, they chased all the demons away, sharing in the happy moments, and the bad ones too.

Now, their house is a home. Stiles has spent so much time learning it’s quirks and working to make it the perfect place to live that he could probably walk through the simple ranch style house with his eyes closed and still avoid every creaky floorboard. The flower garden in the front of the house is a testament to Derek’s father, who loved tending to his flowers with careful precision. It is a hobby that Derek has inherited, and he looks over the flowers and remembers his family fondly. Stiles remembers his mother the most when he cooks using the fresh vegetables from the garden that is planted at the back of the house. He may not be able to tend to the plot of land like his mother did, but he can spend the afternoons cooking her recipes for the love of his life the same way that she did for his dad, and that means more than growing vegetables ever could.

And, at the center of everything, is Derek.

Smiling softly, Stiles watches in fascination as Derek sleeps. He can’t help but marvel at the simple fact that they get to share this life together. For years, they had faced every monster standing side by side. Even when they were barely more than unlikely allies, they still had each other’s backs. When everything was over, and Stiles graduated high school, he knew that he was going to leave Beacon Hills behind. Getting his dad out was his first priority, and when it finally came time for him to think about himself and what he wanted to do for the rest of his life, the only thing that he could think about was Derek. And so he tracked him down, forced his way through Derek’s wall of solitude, and fell in love.

Getting to have this, getting to have him, it is the only thing that matters. Stiles would face another hundred demons, would bring the nogitsune back himself, if it meant that he got to keep Derek here by his side. Luckily, they are past all of that, and even though there are no berserkers lurking around the corner, Stiles hopes that the ring he has hidden in his sock drawer will be more than enough for Derek to agree to forever.

Blinking himself awake, Derek smiles softly up at Stiles. He reaches up and traces a gentle path down the side of Stiles’ face. “How long have you been watching me, you creep?” His voice is rough with sleep and filled with fondness, and Stiles loves him. He loves him so damn much.

“I just love watching you drool, darling,” he responds, his tone sugar sweet and teasing.

Derek scowls at him. “I don’t droll,” he grumbles, running his hand over his jaw self consciously.

Stiles just rolls his eyes and leans down to give him a kiss, morning breath be damned. He thinks that, even though he had pretty epic plans for his proposal, maybe this is how he’ll do it instead. Because really, curled here, trapped in the warmth of their bed, it’s all that Stiles could hope for in a perfect moment: cozy, peaceful, theirs.

[thanksfornothinguselessreptile]

A Shifting World Chapter 4: Goodbyes and Departures

First Chapter

<– Previous

Work Summary: Things have been going great since Hiccup and Toothless have defeated the Red Death. He has his father’s approval, a group of friends his own age, and is leading the integration of dragons and the Vikings of Berk. When neighboring tribes call together a meeting to discuss rumors of Vikings riding dragons, however, Stoick decides to keep their alliance with dragons under wraps. Hiccup must decide whether he should listen to his father or seek to teach the other Vikings of the archipelago the truths about dragons.

AO3

Rating: T

Characters: Hiccup, Toothless, Astrid, Stoick, Fishlegs, Ruffnut, Tuffnut, Snotlout

Pairings: Minor Hiccup x Astrid

Chapter Summary: Hiccup makes a promise to his best friend. Meanwhile, the twins are the twins and Mildew is Mildew.

Chapter Warnings: Discussions of death and murder, food mention

“You guys are all so lucky,” Tuffnut said as he shook his head at the nearest ship. “You all get to go to the Thing and we don’t.”

“I’d kill for the opportunity to go.” The scariest thing about that statement, Hiccup decided, was that Ruffnut sounded like she genuinely meant it. “The Thing is the prime pranking opportunity, and none of you are going to take advantage of it!”

“We’ll keep that in mind, I promise,” Hiccup said. He found himself regretting that the twins wouldn’t be coming along, even if it cut down the risk of other tribes declaring war on Berk due to missing beards and painted helmets.

Still, with a whole village to terrorize and no one else in their friend group around to entertain them or hold them back, Hiccup was sure that the missed opportunity would soon be a long distant regret.

Luckily enough for Hiccup, if not for Berk, it turned out that many of his friends were coming along, too. Astrid’s mother, Phlegma, was among the Berk Council, as was Spitelout, Snotlout’s father; both had decided their children ought to come along and get a better understanding of the other tribes. Fishlegs, while he had a mother aboard their ship as a sailor, had been chosen to come because Stoick believed he could have potential as a future ambassador of Berk.

Beyond them, all of the Berk Council were going as well. Well, all except for one, who was heading this way with a frown.

Hiccup was suddenly very aware that the twins had seemed to have vanished into thin air. They must’ve pranked Gobber somewhat recently, then.

“Ah, Toothless, there you are!” Gobber said as he wagged the wooden hand cutout attached to his prosthetic arm attachment as he prepared a lecture. “Remember that you aren’t going on this trip, you sneaky reptile.”

Toothless grumbled in irritation and glanced over at Hiccup as if asking him to reverse the decision.

“Sorry, bud,” he said instead, and gave Toothless an apologetic smile. “You know that Dad would kill me if I smuggled you aboard.” And anyways, even if he did go through with showing the other tribes that dragons weren’t inherently violent and were actually amazing, intelligent beings who were willing to live in peace if humans were, he wanted Toothless here, safe, if things went wrong. Again.

Toothless snorted and shook his head, his pupils narrowing slightly.

“Don’t worry, bud, it won’t be for forever.” If Gobber wasn’t there, Hiccup would have told him he’d try and make it so he could go to the next one, too. However, Gobber was still there, listening. He wouldn��t exactly be the sort that would keep quiet if Hiccup started making plans to go against his father’s and chief’s wishes behind his back.

“Yes,” Toothless said with a disgruntled huff.  

Hiccup could understand why. He wasn’t too happy about having to leave his best friend either.

Anything else he had to say, however, was swallowed up by a loud yell several feet away.

“I’m telling you, Stoick, this must be a sign from the gods to give up this unholy alliance with the beasts.” Hiccup had heard that voice enough times since after the Battle of the Red Death that he frowned and prepared to sigh with exasperation even before properly recognizing its owner.

Just as there were dragons too affected by the years of conflict to want to move onto Berk, there were Vikings who resisted the peace with the dragons with their heels dug into the ground. But where dragons were happy enough to avoid Berk, Mildew had decided to make his “opinion” everyone’s problem.

And especially Hiccup’s and Stoick’s.

“If the other tribes catch wind of us ‘befriending’ these monsters–” Mildew swung his staff straight toward a nearby Monstrous Nightmare who’d just dropped off a pallet of supply crates tied into groups with fishnet, ignoring their filthy look “–then we might as well kiss our lives goodbye!”

Stoick, half turned toward Mildew and half toward the freshly delivered stack of supplies, rubbed at his head in a way that told Hiccup that he was sensing an oncoming headache. “You’ve already brought this up. For sixteen Gripe Days in a row.”

“And you wouldn’t listen!” Hiccup winced as the vibrations of the resulting slam of the staff end into the wooden dock made their way up his prosthesis. “But now that the other tribes have come knocking, maybe you’ll finally care!”

Stoick cast Mildew a glare so sharp Hiccup almost expected to result in Mildew bursting into flames without a dragon’s intervention. Unfortunately for all of Berk, it didn’t. “Enough, Mildew. I am sticking to the answer I’ve given you every time before. We are not driving the dragons away.”

Mildew’s voice dropped just a fraction, and turned even more bitter and accusing. “Is it something you’re willing to bet the whole village’s lives on?”

“I assure you,” Stoick said, his voice unyielding, “I have the village’s best interests on my mind. And, like it or not, that includes yours.”

“Besides,” Gobber said, walking from beside Hiccup up to Mildew, “is right before Stoick’s about to leave to ensure we continue living in peace really the time to bring this up? Especially since he heard it before?”

Mildew snorted, sounding for all the world like a particularly stubborn sheep not unlike the one that often followed him around.

“I thought so. Now I suggest you go back and tend to your cabbages, unless you want to help load up the ship.” Gobber used his hand prosthesis to gesture at the supplies.

With one last scowl and “Don’t tell me I didn’t warn you,” Mildew stormed off the docks, staff tapping each wooden board along the way.

“Thanks, Gobber,” Stoick said, sounding more relieved than he’d been since the announcement of the Thing.

Gobber shrugged. “Eh, I’ll just add it to list of stuff you’ll owe me for while you’re gone.” He shuddered overdramatically. “Including the Gripe Days you’ll be missing. Not looking forward to those, I’m telling you!”

Stoick laughed and shook his head. “It makes dealing with the other chiefs seem like a picnic.”

Hiccup and Toothless walked toward them. “Can’t you do something about his attitude problem?”

Stoick frowned and sighed. “He gets under my skin as much as yours, son, but I’m afraid I can’t.”

“What does he have against them, anyways?” He leaned over to pat Toothless’s side, to calm himself and his dragon. “They hardly attacked his farm.” Cabbage, to no one’s surprise, was hardly a dragon’s preferred delicacy. In fact, they seemed to avoid them more often than most other crops.

Gobber and Stoick shared a solemn look.

“You see, years ago he set his farm up there,” Gobber said, sounding like he was getting into a long story that had no happy ending. “No one particularly minded, given he was always that… well, Mildewy, for the lack of a better word.” He shrugged. “And he married a woman who was just as grumpy as he was, and they had kids who took after the both of them.”

If Gobber and Stoick hadn’t looked so serious, Hiccup would’ve shuddered at the thought of a family of Mildews.

“They all seemed happy, though, and they kept mostly to themselves, so everything was fine.” Stoick shook his head. “And then, one day, his wife and children were picking up supplies in town when a dragon raid hit.”

“It was the worst in decades.” Gobber bit his lip. “Our best could hardly keep up defending the town from the dragons.” He sighed and shook his head. “By the time dawn came and they retreated, so many had died, even those who hadn’t fought.”

“Including Mildew’s family.” Hiccup never thought he’d feel anything regarding sympathy for the man, but then again he’d always summed his irritability up to stubbornness beyond the usual Viking levels.

“And that wasn’t the end of it.” Stoick’s tone caused Hiccup to brace himself. “Mildew somehow got it into his head that we let them die intentionally because no one liked them.”

“Well, no one did like them,” Gobber jumped in with a conciliatory tone. “But no one hated them that much,” he added when Stoick glared at him.

“Everyone kind of understood that it was mostly the grief talking, and things kind of died down after a while.” Stoick stroked his beard. “And eventually he ended up taking another wife.”

“And that’s when a dragon came to his farm and burnt it to a crisp.” Gobber shook his head. “Mildew escaped. Not his wife.”

“And after he got over that, he married another woman. She was from the Northlander Tribe, I believe.” He glanced at Gobber as if to confirm.

Gobber nodded. “Aye. And I bet you can get what happened to her.”

Hiccup’s stomach clenched. “I’m guessing not a peaceful death by old age.”

“After that, he became obsessed with killing dragons.” Stoick stroked his beard, lost in thought.

“Not himself, of course.” Gobber shrugged a single shoulder. “Let’s just say he chose to keep a farm far from the raids for a reason. But he bought dragon parts off those who did kill them. Bones, scales, heads, the lot.”

Toothless made a nervous sound, and Hiccup reached over to scratch him under the ears in an attempt at reassurance. “Don’t worry, bud. No one’s getting your head.”

“He was always advocating for crueler ways of killing them off entirely, not just driving them off our land for good.” Stoick frowned. “In any case, any intention he had of making his peace with them died with his wives and children.”

“But now we can make sure that no one else has to go through that.” Hiccup knew that losing family to dragons hurt; he’d lost his own mother to a dragon when he was a baby, and that had definitely stung after finding out that it was the Red Death’s fault. Still, he couldn’t imagine preferring being at war with dragons to the peace they had now over it.

“I know, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.” Stoick placed a hand on Hiccup’s shoulder, being careful not to knock him over. “However, he’s been bitter since the day he was born, and circumstances only made him worse. When you’re chief, you’ll have to deal with worse than the likes of him.”

Hiccup resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “Encouraging pep talk, Dad.”

Stoick shook his head and laughed, and the somber tone the conversation had taken seemed to disperse like that. “Next time, I’ll let it surprise you.” He glanced around the docks and the ship, scanning everything. “Well, it looks to me like we’re just about ready to set out here. You get on the ship and I’ll get the loose ends tied up.” With that, he walked off.

Hiccup turned back to Toothless. “Well, I guess it’s time to say goodbye, bud.”

Toothless warbled in a very unenthusiastic tone.

“I promise I’ll be back, with a whole new bunch of stories to tell you.” A gathering of Viking chiefs was certainly never boring, as Stoick had often been inclined to share. “I’m sure you will too, since the twins are staying behind.”

At that, Toothless snorted and rolled his eyes.

Hiccup couldn’t help but smile at that. “You never know, you might have too much fun watching them get in trouble to even notice I’m gone.”

Toothless snorted and shook his head. He didn’t sound particularly convinced.

“It’s just for a few weeks, I promise.” Hiccup held out an open hand. Toothless stared at it and hesitated, then leaned his head over until his nose met Hiccup’s palm.  “Take care while I’m gone.” He let himself give his best friend a crooked, mischievous smile and wagged a finger at him in warning. “And no helping Ruff and Tuff with their pranks, alright?”

Toothless seemed to raise the draconic equivalent of an eyebrow, but nodded. “Yes.”

With that, Hiccup forced himself up the gangplank and looked for a place to sit. It was going to be a long journey.

So this is probably the last chapter I’m posting to Tumblr before the Log Off Protest. While the next chapter will likely be published on AO3 around the same time next week, I won’t crosspost it to Tumblr until the protest is over and I log back in. After that, crossposting should continue as usual. Thank you!

Next –>