#can you even NAME those top 5 people ??? i'll wait !

[madameminor]

In More Ways Than One, Part 10 - Bad Batch x F!Reader - Crossed

Summary: You just want to restock the ship - but Crosshair has other plans.

Tags: (the series is) 18+ smutty mcsmutterson, porn with plot, basically, all the good stuff

Warnings: P in V sex, 'ownership' mentioned, rough sex (hand on throat, some throwing around), squirting, sensual sex, use of pet names. Top! then soft Crosshair.

Notes: I hope you all enjoy :). People have been asking after this chapter for awhile, which brings me SO MUCH HAPPY! Please share the happy by reblogging. (For real, if you love it enough to ask for more, my dears, please reblog. It brings me such joy - don't you want to bring me joy?? 😭)

Word Count:

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 3.5 Part 4 Part 4.5 Part 5 Part 5.5 Part 6 Part 6.5 Part 7 Part 8 Part 8.5 Part 9 Part 9.5 Part 10 Part 10.5

“That didn’t count!!!”

Crosshair smirks around his toothpick. “A pin is a pin, Wrecker,” he drawls, continuing down the corridor with you and the big guy in tow.

“But she was WIGGLING.” Wrecker pouts as he follows, wiping some of the sweat from his brow. You smile mischievously, a little extra flounce in your step as you walk.

“You heard him, babe, a pin is a pin. And I’ve been holding back that tactic for ages.”

Wrecker shoots you a look before looking forward again, moving to avoid two oncoming troopers. “Well that’s not fair.”

You laugh. “I’m really just doing you a favor. What if some sexy clanker has you pinned and starts doing the same thing? You'll be so unprepared!”

Wrecker’s eyes open in surprise. “Do they make those??”

“You never know, those Seppies are sly.” You raise your eyebrows suggestively. He goes back to pouting, realizing you're joking.

“Hm.”

You laugh, circling your arms behind his neck and kissing him on the nose. "Sorry, honey," you coo, not bothering to hide your enjoyment. "I won't do it again."

"Hm. You better not," he grumbles as you slide back down.

"Speak for yourself," Crosshair says quietly to himself. You wink at him, then stretch your arms over your head with a contented sigh.

“Oof that shower is going to feel good,” you breathe, rolling your neck. “I think I'll head to the ship, use the fresher there."

Crosshair's eyes dart to yours, irritated.

“What for?” Wrecker asks, equally let down.

"Because three of us need a shower- and I actually need to get clean.” You smile at Wrecker’s crestfallen face. “Besides, I need to take stock of our supplies - since now I know where ALL THAT GAUZE WENT.” Wrecker grins, recovered in light of their combined mischief. Crosshair just smirks. You playfully turn on your heal, starting to head down the corridor towards the ship with a wave. “Don't miss me too much, ok?”

"We'll try!" Wrecker calls after you. He starts back to their barracks - then stops, realizing that Crosshair isn’t following him. 

“You comin’?” 

Crosshair turns his body, eyes staring for a moment at your receding form before fully turning to follow his brother, a glint in his eye.

“I’m showering first.”

Wrecker looks over at him, confused. “Why, you got somewhere to be?”

“No.” Crosshair smirks, approaching the door to their quarters. “I have something to do.”

Wrecker's brow furrows as the barrack door opens before him. “What?”

Crosshair looks at him out of the corner of his eye as he enters, making his way towards the fresher.

“Let's call it some… unfinished business.”

—---------------------------------------------------------------------------

You sigh contentedly as you step under the hot water for a last rinse. the final suds disappearing down the drain. Clean. Well and truly clean, even for just five minutes.

These moments are sacred. Peace, calm, relaxation. It can happen so rarely as a soldier - especially surrounded by a bunch of large, smelly boys. And battle. And sex.

...

...and then your brain pulls you to the chore waiting outside the fresher walls.

Dammit. Moment over.

Well, the sooner it's done, the sooner you can stop worrying about it. You turn off the water, dry and wrap yourself in a towel, then head to the medical supplies storage unit, already reviewing the list in your head.

You sift through your stores methodically. Hm.

You needed more adhesive spray (dammit, Tech was CONSTANTLY stealing yours!!!! That fucking...)

Good on grav press bandage cuffs…

Good on Medical bandage patch…

Need plenty more Bacta patches - need more glue stat…

Laser suture- where the heck was the laser suture? Did kriffing Tech take the fucking LASER SUTURE???? (You were going to KILL HIM! SADISTICALLY! FOR SCIENCE!!)

And gauze. Lots and lots of gauze. Fucking Hunter. These boys. What were you going to do with these boys getting into your damn med supplies?! Give them a hefty helping of Queenly whoop ass, that's for damn sure-

You hear the hatch start to open behind you, crankily curious to see who was coming aboard… maybe Tech had heard about what you were doing and was coming to give back the fucking laser suture, hoping you would spare his fucking life-

You see Crosshair's silver hair before you see the rest of him, dressed in his armor, but freshly washed. He closes the hatch, tossing his helmet onto a cockpit chair as he makes his way to you. 

You turn, fists on your hips and a scowl on your lips. “You had better be coming to give me some life or death information right n-"

He bends and lifts you by the back of your legs, slamming you against the bulkhead, your towel falling to the floor. Arousal spikes through your shock - god you love when he manhandles you. (He knows you like it, too- dammit, why did you ever tell him that?) His eyes glue you in place with their amusement, his slithering voice wrapping around you like a coil.

"Hello, princess."

You feel your breath catch at the sudden pulse in your pussy. Fuck, that smirk looks dangerous...

"You owe me.”

Wait, what?

“The hell I do! You remember I'm here to replace gauze, don't you?”

“No," he drawls. Damn that smug glint of satisfaction making you wet. Jerk. "You started something the last time we were on this ship.”  Oh, his voice is caressing your skin, possessive and inarguable. "its time you learn to finish what you start."

Crap, more coming back to haunt you. You sputter, trying to find the words to save you. “Cross, that was DAYS ago-”

“I have a long memory.”

“-and, it was only to tease you, which I already paid for-”

You hear the click of his codpiece before it falls to the floor. 

“W-wait, Cross-” you mean to protest, but the words come out as a breathy moan.

“A promise is a promise, Princess.” He purrs, freeing himself from his under armor, eyes hungry and dangerous. You lose yourself to shivers as you feel his cock hard against your back. “And I’m tired of waiting.”

His voice darkens, sending the shivers lower, tightening the possessive coil it holds over you. "And since this is the second time you've riled me up on this ship, I'm going to take you the way I want to. Do you understand, Princess?"

You whine a greedy ascent as he lines himself up with your entrance.

He leans in, purring in your ear. “Safeword?”

“Meiloorun,” you whine, giving in, desperate for him. “Green.”

“Good girl.”

You gasp a cry as he slams into you, sheathing himself in one lengthy stroke. His head falls back as he sighs a grunt, letting himself enjoy the tightness of your slick, unprepared walls.

“FUCK.” He swears before lifting his head, a smug glint in his eye. “That’s better.”

You feel his grip tighten on your ass cheeks as he leans in close to your ear. ‘Hold on tight, princess.’

You whimper, arms wrapping around his shoulders, surrendering, already on the verge of begging him to take you like this-

He pulls out and slams into you so hard you swear you feel the ship rock. 

You cry out with near-painful pleasure, hoping that somehow they don’t hear you outside of this ship - you can’t imagine the looks from the hanger clones if they hear Crosshair forcing his pleasure into you, ripping your begging cries for mercy yet for more from your lips while he grunts his pleasured staccato in your ear. 

“Too big, Crosshair, you’re too b-big for me right now!”

“You can take it Princess. I - FUCK - I know you can.” His breath quickens, nose buried behind your ear, short groans announcing his oncoming orgasm.

"KARKing hell, so tight, I'm already going to-"

Without warning, he groans a growl as he cums, pulling out to spill on the bulkhead behind you. You feel his thrusts, his cock sheathing between your ass cheeks to help him ride it out. You catch your breath as he pants into your neck, until he lifts his head with smug satisfaction. You look at him with your best pitiful eyes, hoping to lessen your sentence, praying that it doesn't.

“S-Satisfied?”

He smirks through his panting. “Hm. That was just to take the edge off.”

Shit.

He turns, still holding you up, before benching you onto his bunk and ripping off his armor. He pulls himself up behind you, crowding you against the bulkhead that serves as a headboard, pinning you there with a hot, hungry kiss. 

Dammit all to hell, all of this is making you so wet, and he must know it. 

With no finesse, no patience, he slides down your body, diving into your pussy like he hasn’t had a drink in weeks, laying waste to every curve and fold. He is RAVENOUS, like he would win the fucking war if he could just make you cum. Its completely overwhelming. You cry out in huffs, you can’t help it, brain barely catching up to the pleasure being sucked through you. “Crosshair, c-crosshair, holy fuck oh GOD.”

It almost hurts with his insistence, but his ferocity only makes you wetter, his ownership of everything you have to give like a fire in your cunt.

Two fingers slide inside of you, pulsing in and out of you at a rapid pace, rubbing against your G spot like he’s trying to beat a record, the lewd sound of your slick as he fucks you making you croon. His mouth sucks your clit hard enough to send your eyes back into your head, hands tangling in his hair. 

“Uh, uh, NNCrosshair! I’m- its too much- its going to make me-”

Its like you’ve lost all control - he’s going so fast that you can’t keep up, your body completely at his whim, so hot, so high; your mind can only lay scattered while your body reaches its peak.

“Ah, aH, Cross, Crosshair!” 

Your cum with an unabashed scream, letting go of any control of your pleasure - and you feel more wet than you’re used to squirt out onto the sheets, soaking your thighs with sticky wet warmth.

“OH shit oh god, Crosshair, I-I think you made me-”

“Kriffing right I did.” His eyes glint with that smug, hungry look again. He pulls your hips towards him, leaning over you to prop himself against the bulkhead, lining himself up with your entrance. “That pleasure belongs to me.”

He pushes into your sopping hole, making you cry out with overwhelm and need, still sensitive from your orgasm, but desperate for another one.

His hand clasps around your throat, tightening slightly as he starts to thrust. You whimper as you look up into his eyes, dazed, subdued, submissive, just for him. He’s panting, eyes boring down into yours. 

“That’s right, Princess, I’m taking what's mine. Your pleasure belongs to me.”

He grits his teeth as he sets a relentless pace, fucking you like it would save his life. You can only lay back, full with sensation, boneless, euphoric, feeling your breasts bouncing to the rhythm of his skin slapping against yours. 

Your voice comes out as a whimper. “Yes, Cross, yes, god you’re so big, please don’t stop, please let me squirt all over your cock.”

OH his GROWL as his hand tightens around your throat, not to choke you, just to make you blurry, remind you who’s mercy you’re at. 

“That’s right, my little cockwhore. You love me taking you like this, taking your pleasure all for my own, don’t you?”

You squeak from beneath his hand, his words sending you towards your climax, walls squeezing around him.

He pinches your clit, making you cry out and look back up at him.

His eyes are serious, daring you to disobey. “I didn’t tell you to cum yet. You’ll do it when I tell you. I’m in control here, not you.”

“Y-yes sir. I- AH!” He changes his angle, making you cry out as he thrusts deeper. His breath is more labored. Kriff he’s getting close, so close to giving you all his cum. You want to be so good for him… his good little cockwhore.

“Are you ready to take my cum, Princess?” He demands, already knowing your answer as he speeds up, his thumb finding your clit.

“Y-yes sir, all of it, please, dump all of it in me!” You whimper, your mind lost, spewing whatever comes to mind, whatever he wants to hear, so long as he keeps making you feel like this…

You both cum together with a cry, his a growl, yours a shriek. He grunts with each thrust as he empties himself into you, pushing inside you as far as he goes. He lets you ride out your wave on his cock, his hands flying to either side of your head to prop himself up as he pants in release. He eventually slows, looking down at you, satisfied, approving.

"That's my good girl. Taking my cock so well," he purrs, the thumb around your neck tracing your jaw line as he leans in to kiss you.

"Anything for you, Crosshair" you breathe, unthinking- and meaning it.

Everything seems to slow around you, the two of you breathing together while you come down from your play. He...something in his eyes changes while he pants down at you. Your words... he's taking in your words. You see... that openness from when he let himself cum down your throat, that... click.

You feel the energy change between you.

And slowly, so slowly, he leans in and kisses you.

Its totally different from how he was before. His kiss is slow, possessive, tender - the hand around your neck comes up to cradle your cheek. He lowers his body to yours, propped up by his elbow, bringing him skin to heated skin.

An ember glows in your belly, his kiss slowly feeding it as it glows hotter, and hotter. Your tongue flicks against his lips. He opens them to meet you, his tongue pushing in to dance with yours in his own. Fuck. You can taste his desire, his yearning, as it feeds your burning ember into a flame, flaring with yearning, hunger, need. Your hands find your way into his hair, eager to be close, to touch him more, more, to meld with him, join with him like only lovers can. And you NEED it.

You feel him firming up inside you again as he starts thrusting, as if he can’t help himself. You moan under him, growing desperate, frantic for more of him. You can't pull your lips away, getting swept up in the need to be close, to be closer than close, to have him inside of you as far as he'll go.

“Princess…” he breathes, barely pulling away, his thumb tracing your cheek bone while he moves in you. “Missed this pussy. Missed having you cum all over my face. Missed…” He pulls you into a kiss again, his lips saying what his words can’t.

Your fingers tighten in his hair to pull him closer, and he groans into your mouth.

His hips move, but he’s not aiming for the finish line anymore. He pulls away from your lips to look down at where he’s entering you with long strokes, taking his time, his breath ragged. You both watch where he thrusts into you, joins with you, makes sweet fucking love to you the way he wants to. You both moan at the sight. Then he looks up, his forehead back to yours.

“Crosshair…” Your voice is breathy, so full of this feeling he’s bringing to you, sensually taking you one stroke at a time.

His own voice is quiet, caressing you like the hand on your face. “Kriff. So good, Princess. You always feel so damn good. You taste so sweet, I'm so hungry for you all the damn time...”

He buries his face in your shoulder, breath touching sound as he pants his pleasure. His pelvis rubs along your clit, his body so close to yours, your arms clutching him, nails digging into his back while he continues thrusting you into the mattress with long, hard thrusts, pushing cry after cry from your lips. His breathy moans make you clench around him, trying to take him in farther, just a little bit farther.

You feel your crest approaching, slow, but steady - and overwhelming.

"Cross, I’m so close." You could cry with how good it feels.

"Fuck, mesh’la, yes." His own voice is breathy, lost in sensation, desperate with desire. "Need to feel you cum on my cock again. Cum around me, just for me."

"Cross, Cross, Cross," you pant, tears falling back into your hair.

"That’s right, cum with me, precious. Cum with me again. Don't stop, don't hold back. Let me watch you cum for me."

He’s up, forehead to yours, rocking and grinding you right where you need it to send you over. 

You breathe, moan together for a few more moments, connected, devoted, while you both soar up and over the edge.

He kisses you as you cum together, the two of you swallowing each others desperate moans as your lips meet again and again, bodies convulsing against each other as he releases into you, your walls squeezing him for every last drop he has to give.

You kiss until you’re both starving for breath, and only barely manage to pull away. You meet his eyes. They're open, assured, sincere, speaking volumes without saying anything, before his head falls to your neck, slowly kissing his way to your shoulder and resting his head on your collarbone, panting out his exertion. 

Then, amid his panting, quieter than a pin drop, so quiet you almost miss it, you hear him breathe out:

“Ah, cyar’ika. My cyar'ika."

!...

“...Hmm?” You turn, nuzzling into his hair, hoping beyond hope he'll repeat it.

“…nothing, Princess.” He leans up and kisses your forehead slowly, tenderly. He slowly pulls out with a combined groan from each of you. He lays beside you, pulling you close to him, his face nuzzling into the top of your head. You hold him tight, nuzzling in turn against his chest with a secret, sated smile.

You understand. You know what he said with his kisses, his body, but it's not ready to be said aloud, not ready to become a part of your relationship. And that's alright. You drift off to sleep, breathing in his scent as your body molds to his.

Its not time yet.

And you can wait.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

You wake up slowly, unsure if its been hours or minutes, but still swimming in the bliss of your earlier experience. You slowly look up to find Crosshair still asleep, deep breathing guiding the unguarded moment.

He's beautiful.

Peace looks so good on him. You gently brush your fingers along his cheek, taking in this unguarded moment that so few get to see. But you do. Because he's yours. Your Crosshair, your sniper, who craves the touch and comfort you give him, even if he's too proud - or is it unsure? - to ask for it by name.

For now.

You smile to yourself, eyes tracing along his unknit brows. He's yours. And you vow then and there - you'll take good care of this trust he's given to no one else but you.

.....

Jeez, were you going to get more sappy than this?-

-The quiet of the ship is interrupted by your com's insistent beeping. Crosshair’s eyes open quickly, peace falling from his face as he’s instantly alert. You sigh to yourself, rolling over to jump off of the bunk - the outside world calls. You check the transmission before answering with a smile.

"Yes Tech darling?"

“Have you been locked inside the Marauder? Do you need rescuing?” His matter-of-fact-yet-irritated voice makes your smile wider.

“No, just… fulfilling a promise.” You chuckle, glancing up at Crosshair. He rolls his eyes and falls back onto the bunk.

“I see," Tech admonishes. You can practically see him adjusting his goggles. "Need I remind you that it is also time for your next inoculation? They are asking for you at the med bay.”

Ah, shoot. You had forgotten that, and you were the damn medic. You hit your forehead, hand sliding down your face with embarrassment. Ok yeah, that one is on you.

"Also," Tech continues, still a hint of lecture in his voice, "the Commander has been looking for you. He is hoping that you will join him for the next meal. I would quickly compose yourself and seek him out. You wouldn't want him believing the... rumors going around, would you?”

"Alright, alright, I understand." Your head falls back with a sigh. You glance over at your unfinished storage count, wondering if you should take the time to finish your checkli-

Wait just a damn minute.

He wanted to play 'you did this wrong'?

Alright. You'll play.

"Oh!" You start brightly, as if remembering something. "By the way, Technically Jangoson," you continue into the com, words dripping with honeyed venom. "I have a small teensy, tiny question just for you."

Silence.

A throat cleared at the other end. "...Yes, my queen?" The full name. Oh, he knows he's in trouble.

Good.

Your voice turns harsh, your tone angry, and your Queenly control is fully back in place.

"Where.

The FUCK.

Is my laser suture?!?!"

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

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[sorastar6]

David Chiem Protagonist AU- Prologue, part 1

I finally finished something that I was working on for a long time! Yay! This AU is basically going to be a series of fanfics that I write. I may or may not actually finish this and do everything I want, but I sure hope I don't lose any motivation. So, um... Enjoy! I hope this is good!

Have you ever felt like you were stuck in a loop?

That the more things change, the more they stay the exact same? The thought of that is funny, isn’t it? The world is big and new things happen every time, every day.

“All that you have to do is just find new things and new peop-”

Shut it. Just shut your mouth, it’s rude to interrupt others.

Your choices don’t matter, anything you do just doesn’t matter. If everything is just broken at its core, there’s nothing you can do about it. The days will go by, one by one, and your life will just stay miserable as it is.

…

You don’t believe me? Well then, let me just show you. Just look into my life, you’ll see everything you need. Let’s see if you can keep up with that “hopeful” worldview of yours.

I doubt you don’t know who I am, but I'll introduce myself anyway. My name’s David Chiem. I can see that look you’re giving me, I guess you do know who I am after all.

“But David! Your life is incredible! How can you say all of these things? You’re ungratef-”

Shut it. I’m not done.

You could’ve heard about me in several places, but most likely, it was from the Hope’s Peak Academy graduation ceremony that happened a few months ago. Yup, I graduated from Hope’s Peak, amazing, right?

No it isn’t amazing. Not when your talent is something you despise. I’m the former Ultimate Inspirational Speaker. With everything you’re hearing from me, you’re probably doubting that, right? ‘There’s no way that you are the real David Chiem! You sound so pessimisti-’

Hate to it break it to you, but David’s a liar. I AM a liar. I’m 25 years old, I’ve had my career for 5 years, and guess what? Everything is based on lies! Woah, what a twist! A big celebrity is a big liar and is able to make money off of it? That never happened before!

…

That was sarcasm if you were stupid enough to not notice. Open your eyes, people like me are everywhere in this world. Just spitting what people want to hear. And somehow, they are ignorant enough to fall for it. Such stupidity…

People don’t change. And I’m the living proof of it. I hate my fucking job, I hate having to deal with annoying fans, and to top it all off? I was forced into this by someone else! And yet, I don’t do anything to stop this. Why? Simple, I’m a lazy piece of shit. I don’t even have the courage to make a proper meal, imagine having to deal with countless backlash!

Disappointed? Sowwy, don’t care. I don’t have a noble or tragic reason to do what I do. And I bet all of those other Ultimates are all the same. Everything is the same in this damn world, anyone who can’t see it is just plain stupid. There you have it, thanks for coming to my Tedtalk on why this world is hopeless! You can fuck off now. Hate me all you want, then we’ll have something in common. None of you have a reason to stay by my side anymore, goodby███████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████

…

Everyone has to pay for their sins one day.

Wake up, David Chiem.

…

That was a strange dream. Even if it was just a dream, it still felt… Odd. It’s not a bad feeling, but it’s not good either. I can’t quite describe it, but it doesn’t really matter anymore. Everything from that dream is already escaping my mind, so why bother?

How much time am I going to stay laid down here? I need to get up, I probably have something to do. But my head is killing me, so I want to stay in bed for a few more minutes. Wait, bed? This… Doesn’t feel like my bed. It’s more… Soft? But it still doesn’t feel comfortable like my bed. Maybe I prefer not what’s better, but what’s familiar?

There it goes again, my mind just thinking about random stuff that doesn't matter. I should just get up, but finding the energy to simply open my eyes feels like it will kill me. How pathetic. After some time, I opened them.

I tried adjusting my vision to the lighting of the room. It was dark, very dark. And yet, I could tell that this wasn’t my room.

“Sigh… What did I get myself into this time?”

I sat up on this bed, stretching my limbs until I could hear that satisfying crack. I passed a hand through myself to see the state that I’m in.

No injuries, no blood, but still a mess.

I wasn’t about to tidy myself up. There is a much bigger issue at my hands.

I was just barely able to stand up, my body getting the desire to succumb to this tiredness. But I pressed on to the door. I placed my hand on the knob, looking back at the dark room behind me. Maybe staying here and resting would be a good idea, but that also could lead to me getting chained to a wall. Fuck, second guessing, I hate it.

I just looked straight into the door, knowing very well that if I just glanced at that bed, I would just throw myself in it. So, I took a deep breath.

…

And I opened the door.

And I was immediately pushed down to the ground.

“Ow! What the-”

I couldn’t even finish my sentence before my gaze met a familiar pair of sharp red eyes. Eyes that… looked like it belonged to a cat.

“… D-david?”

“… Nico…?”

[bruciemilf]

oh that's ok but batkids reacting to bruce getting hurt in general?

It's such a bizarre feeling for all of them; They all bear marks. Not one bat is without scars; You'd be more of an anomaly if you weren't hurting than if you were.

Jason has his autopsy scars. Dick has calloused hands from all those years of jumping, or deeper memories carved deep in him from his Robin days. Damian carries traces of training where someone his age shouldn't.

They all know; No one with the Wayne name is a stranger to pain.

But Bruce; Bruce has more than all of them. They know, because mending and healing wounds is a family tradition, just as tracing them when snuggling up on a huge bed is.

But they can't conjure a moment in time when Bruce's were fresh. They're all healed and pink and more memory than guests. And it's not as often as them.

It's Tim who figures it out. Those eyes were designed for detail. " You didn't think he took all those vacations to actually relax, right?"

" Bruce's idea of relaxation would send someone in a psych word, so no. So all this time, he went away to...Heal?"

" Something like that. I don't think he'll be successful with this one, thought."

Not even Bruce can walk off a coma.

It wasn't supposed to be that explosive. Bane's twisted little bombs had 5 minutes left on them when Barb checked, and they were supposed to get the hostage to safety on time, and Tim wasn't supposed to miscalculate--

" Your self-employed guilt is no help to anyone, Drake." In Damian language, this passes as It wasn't your fault, so Tim knows him, and knows better, than to put it to heart.

Dick wants the graveyard and sunrise shift, but Jason shuts that down, set in his way. Either they all look after Bruce, or none of them do.

They take turns.

Jason sits by Bruce's bed side with his feet planted deep in the carpet. Shoulders squared, posture ready and stiff for any incoming danger, gun safety off and bullets still hot in their holder. A hell hound made man.

" You're not doing it right."

Tim shoots a dagger of annoyance with his eyes alone, because he hasn't slept in hours, because he's trying to track Bane down, because he needs to send that bastard packing straight to Arkham's smallest cell.

All while maintaining some degree of calm as he tries to change Bruce's bandages, " I'm a genius, not a nurse."

" Maybe if you actually watched Grey's Anatomy like the rest of us normal people, --"

" Just because it helped Bruce get through med school--"

" If you're a selective genius, just say that."

" I'd rather be a part time genius than a full time idiot--"

" Dick!" Jason calls, but, Tim privately thinks he's hoping Bruce would answer, " Timberly's mean to me again!"

" Am not!"

" If you guys don't stop I'll tell B!"

Because he will wake up; He has to. Before Batman, there was Bruce Wayne, and if there's one dog to bet on in Gotham City, it's him.

Cass makes sure Bruce has clean sheets. That his burns are medicated and tamed and watches very closely for any sign of discomfort. Bruce winces at the small cotton ball of alcohol and there's a collective breath of relief.

Alfred makes sure they have sleep. That Jason won't wayward his way into a battle he'll regret and take Damian with him. That Dick actually has some sleep. That Duke and Cass are updated on patrol.

They're fearful. Every breath they take are like small stones stacked up on top, waiting to drop to the core of their bellies as a week passes and there's no sign of Bruce even flinching anymore.

Of course, when he does, -- because he always does, -- it's when they bicker. Tim can't remember who started it. He said something, and then Damian tossed a snarky comment because he's mean when he's scared, and --

" Can you be nice to eachother for 10 minutes?"

They all jump on him; He hisses, every numb nerve in his muscles buzzing back to life, but he's being squeezed and embraced and hugged in the ground by his kids, so it's not the worst fate in the world.

" Did I miss something?"

" Jason crushed the Batmobile."

" TIM!"

[redflagshipwriter]

Reassembly 3

ch1 ch2

Masterpost

Peter pushed his bangs back for the billionth time. They immediately fell back in front of his eyes as he hunched over the library computer. He'd spent all day trying to get his bearings in this universe. Eventually, his stomach had gotten attention. Even with the stuff from the hotel buffet, he was so hungry it was distracting.

That had made him realize that what he needed most was money. He needed access to a steady stream of money. When he left here he could try to make the best decision possible about the little bit of cash he had, sure. But it wouldn't last long.

He had the spiteful fantasy of taking the money he needed from the LOA company that had been funding …whatever they'd done to him. An all-expenses paid kidnapping was only fair. 

But it was only a thought. Whoever they were, they were dangerous. He shouldn't provoke them or give them any clues about him. Whatever experiments they'd been doing with him must have been expensive. They probably wanted him back. He needed to know more before he risked getting their attention.

Instead, Peter started up a resume. He put his real name at the top and then stared at it in indecision. He swallowed. 

Was that a good idea? He… he didn't exist here, so it seemed fine. But maybe he should use a fake name? 

Peter strained to think of a reason to use a fake name now that he knew he didn't exist here. How could those people possibly know his name? He definitely hadn't told them. It was probably smarter to be cautious, but it was his name. The idea of losing it made him feel like throwing up.

"If I think of a reason I shouldn't use it, I can change that." Peter muttered to himself quietly enough that no one seemed to notice. He took a few minutes to search around for high schools in the area. It was so weird that Midtown didn't exist here. He felt like a fraud as he entered the information for the school he thought would have been his school district. He double checked the year (and it was so weird that it was 5 years in the past here) and back dated his graduation 3 years. Then he grimaced and made it 5 years. 

No way would anyone who saw his face believe that. But he'd need to pretend to have a university degree to get this kind of work, so it couldn't be helped. 

'People lie on their resumes all the time,' Peter told himself. He still felt like crap about it. He still… he still hadn't graduated high school, and he probably never would. 

It was fine. He knew enough that he was never going to stick out as less educated than a high school graduate.

'I'll get the college degree, though. If I really am here for a long time, I need an education.' 

Peter deliberately picked an innocuous university to claim for his fake Bachelors in Computer Science. It took a while to find a place with a sufficiently not-prestigious program but enough graduates for him to have been lost in the crowd. He'd have to redo the resume with the real degree later. 

Oh. Wait. Peter went back up and deleted his name. That was his reason to use a fake name for this work. 

He was going to get a real degree in his own name. This resume was just to make some money, not to establish an identity. He watched the cursor blink for a while, trying to think of a name. It needed to be something that he could remember. Ned Leeds? It would make him too sad. Same for Tony Stark. But…

Peter slowly typed out James Barnes and huffed a laugh through his nose. 

He'd recently escaped unethical scientists and found himself lost in a new world where he had no friends or family. It seemed appropriate. 

"Hey," grumbled the mental Bucky Barnes that Peter's subconscious had apparently generated for some reason. "You little shit." 

That was fine. Peter ignored the rising evidence of a mental breakdown and finished falsifying a resume. He used it to apply for several contract jobs in web design. He took a deep breath to counteract the urge to make a joke with someone, anyone, about how it was funny for Spiderman to get into web design.

Man. He was lonely. 

There was no point in hanging around the library longer. The sun had set and it was close to closing time, 6:00 pm. He couldn't check anything out, not without an ID, and he wasn't going to get any emails back immediately.

Peter shuffled out and walked at random down the street. The sound of cars and pedestrians and crosswalks soothed his hindbrain. 

He used the time to think. To plan. 

He needed to refresh what he knew. The library would be a great start. He'd come early tomorrow and read some computer science books. That aside, he also needed to start working on a long term identity and getting into university. 

'I'm going to want a scholarship. If I can do that, I won't have to work too much.' 

The trouble with that was that Peter couldn't go to any random school. He needed to be somewhere with a significant budget for the sciences. If he was going to get home, he needed access to some serious technology. 

'That's a big ask. Why would a prestigious school offer full scholarships?' 

He felt defeated before he even started. But it was worth asking. That was the kind of question that the librarians wouldn't be suspicious of at all. He was actually in the right age group to look into college admissions. 

'Okay. I need an ID. Birth certificate? That's the first ID anyone gets.' 

Well. Time to see if the city administration buildings were where he remembered. How hard could it be to break in, print a birth certificate, and backdate and file it? He was Spiderman. 

…And Spiderman really shouldn't be using his super powers for crime. What would Aunt May think? Peter grimaced and rubbed at his face with both hands.  

Was it really that bad? 'I'm not stealing anything or hurting anyone,' he defended himself. 'I'm doing what I need in order to survive.'

The part that he felt worst about was lying about his education. But he had the skillset and qualifications, he just couldn't explain his internship to a genius that didn't exist here and extracurriculars at a school this universe didn't have. 

'That's barely even a crime,' Peter thought. 'Breaking and entering isn't great, but I'm just fixing my own paperwork. I really was born. So it's not a fake ID.' 

With that logic ironed out, Peter made his way to the vital records office. The building looked like he remembered, thankfully. 

So. He shoved his hands deeper into his pockets and walked around the block to see the building from all sides. 

It didn't exactly look super secure. It was an old brick faced building with a lonely camera angled down the stairs of the main entry. There was a metal detector visible from outside, and he knew from experience that there were maybe 3 security officers on the first floor.

'That's easy to get around if I enter from a higher floor. They'll probably have a security team in at night but they won't expect that. If they do a walk through, I'll hear them coming up the stairs or elevator.'

It seemed doable. Sort of.

'I need to know what birth certificates from my birth year looked like, I guess? And if the ones from today look the same. Or maybe I don't need to worry about it, as long as I enter my information digitally. I doubt they keep a paper copy for every birth. The building isn't even big enough. And you can get a copy printed whenever you need one, so… it being new-looking shouldn't be a problem.'

Okay. Alright, he could do this. He could do some paperwork. 

It wasn't nearly late enough for that kind of crime, though. Peter shoved his hands in his pockets and decided to spend a little of his money on food. 

Long term, getting pre-made food with limited finances was a terrible decision. He knew he should be getting like, beans and rice. But for now he went into a bodega and got the cheapest thing that he thought would make a dent in his hunger– a microwave burrito and a cola. Calories were good, right? He wolfed it down outside the store and ducked back in to throw away the trash immediately. 

It still wasn't late enough. 

He walked around the city for hours, waiting for an idea to hit him. There had to be a great solution. If he could only think of it, there was going to be something that he could do that would fix all his problems. His throat was hot and tight and his eyes were burning. He didn't cry.

God, he was tired. He eventually gave up. He was so tired and he had no idea where he was going to sleep but he really needed to because he was exhausted -

"Stop. Stop spiraling," he told himself. He sniffled. Aw, no, he wasn't catching a cold, was he? Crap. He hoped not. 

He didn't know what time it was, but it felt late enough. He made his way back to the vital statistics office to record his own birth.

Weirdly for a plan devised by Peter, it went smoothly. He entered from a 4th floor window without setting off any alarms. He found and powered on a computer in the right office (thanks for the labels!) and looked up a few birth certificates before he felt confident. He entered his data into the system and printed a copy before powering everything down. 

He was out the window within ten minutes of entering the building. 

Okay. That was step one. Birth certificate accomplished. "Congratulations, it's a boy," Peter muttered to himself. He patted at the bag to hear the reassuring crinkle of paper inside. Okay, that was great! It was progress. He felt better already.

What was next? 

…A driver's license. No one actually went around with a copy of their birth certificate to show when someone asked for ID. He needed a driver's license. 

He walked to the DMV and pulled off basically the same heist. The nerve wracking part was turning on the lights to take the photo. His stomach twisted and he was absolutely certain that someone was going to come and see why the lights were on. 

No one came. He backdated his license to the appropriate year and printed one typed up information for James Tony Barnes, saying that he was 22. Then he altered the birth year back once more to say he was almost 18.

Nobody in their right mind was going to look at his 15-year-old face and think he was 22. They'd just think he had a fake license. Which he did, so he needed them to think the fake license was real. He let out a deep breath and victoriously hit print.

It returned an error message.

…It wouldn’t print. Why?

He scanned until he found the field he’d messed up. Peter stared at it.

It was the social security number. He’d typed up his real one out of force of habit. It had been flagged as a mistake because it already belonged to someone in the system. 

Caught by a morbid curiosity, he looked up who it belonged to. It was a girl, actually, younger than him.

He wanted to cry. It was such a silly thing to cry over! He wasn’t emotionally attached to his social security number– it was just a string of data. But he sniffled. He wiped something away from his eyes that he didn’t think about. Don’t think about it. He wasn’t in a safe place to think about it yet.

It took a few minutes to calm himself. He erased everything he’d done, turned off the computer, and left the way that he’d come.

He couldn’t get the license yet. He needed to get a social security number first. That probably meant that he needed to do some research. Did the office of vital statistics issue them? It didn’t seem right, since each state had to be coordinated. Surely there was some kind of national office that handled all of it.

For lack of anything else to do, his feet took him back to the library. He was so tired that his eyes were aching. 

Peter looked at the opening hours. He licked his teeth. He thought about it. 

It opened at 10am. It was.. it was… 

He decided to risk powering on the evil janitor's phone. It was 11 pm. That was plenty of time for him to sneak a nap on the couch in the quiet space.

"I'm not hurting anyone," Peter said aloud. It was very quiet. He spidered his way up the back wall of the library, pried open a window, and guiltily stretched out on one of the sofas. He set an alarm for 8am. That was definitely earlier than staff would come in, right? Pretty sure. 

He slept like the dead. But specifically, like the restless dead- his spider sense woke him up. Peter had no idea what time it was or why he was awake. He blindly grabbed his bag and the phone and leapt back out the window. He was shutting it when the light turned on inside.

He blinked blearily at the sunlight. He checked the phone.

7:21 am. Wow. Okay. Library workers were diligent. Maybe they had to dust all the books or something. He powered the phone off, and wondered how long the battery would last. He didn't have the charger for it. 

Well. It seemed like a good time to go to a different hotel from yesterday and check out the buffet. 

The hotel he went to had a less exciting buffet. There were a couple kinds of sliced bread and packets of margarine and jelly, as well as coffee, water, milk, and two types of juice. Still, it was free food, so he smiled at the clerk like he belonged there. This time he took a lot less food. Like, a lot less. He didn't want to clear out too much of their stuff. 

Two pieces of jellied toast, a water, an orange juice and a coffee later (blegh, it was burnt), Peter was back outside and at loose ends. 

He didn't want to turn the phone on to check the time. He guessed it was maybe around 8am. He had a couple hours until the library opened up again. 

Well. He sniffled his clothes experimentally.

He should work on that. This outfit wasn't smelly yet, but it would get there. He needed a change of clothes.

He took everything he owned to a rooftop and spread out his work kit. That was a rather grand way to say "three pilfered sewing kits." 

The scissors that came with them were absolutely tiny. Peter picked one up and marveled at it. It wasn't going to cut fabric, no way. It would cut thread and that was it. 

But woven fabric always tore along the seam line, right? Peter took out his dumpster shirts and found the one with the worst damage- the red shirt. He picked a spot and tore with his hands. 

It tore a straight line.

"Yessss," he cheered. He muscled through the seam and then went back to make another tear a little bit above the other one, so that he was basically holding a crop top, a bottom part, and a two inch strip from the middle that was unusable because the scissor cut had been jagged. He wound that up and put it in his bag because he didn't know what else to do with it. 

Now he felt nostalgic, so he took out the blue shirt and did the same thing. The cut hadn't been in exactly the same spot, so the shirt with the blue top and red bottom strip was going to be a little longer than the other shirt. But that was fine, right? 

He pinned the majority red shirt together using the pins from all 3 packages and painstakingly threaded a needle with the dark blue thread. Then he got to work. 

It wasn't hard, honestly. It was more meditative than anything else. He was mostly done when he had the feeling he was being watched. Peter lifted his head and looked down. Then around. Finally, he looked up. "You fly," he said, impressed. "That's cool." 

The flying teenager cocked his head at Peter and floated down. It was- honestly, it was kinda creepy and uncanny. Flying shouldn't be silent. There should be, like- an engine running or wings flapping. 

He tried to keep the unease off his face. This wasn't his universe. He'd look like a weirdo if he acted surprised about it. He tried to look normal. 

"What are you doing?" The guy asked.

Cool, he must be pulling it off.

Peter lifted his sewing project and turned it to show off the seam where red met blue in a neat line. "Customizing my wardrobe," he said, like a freaking dork would. If he said it confidently enough it would sound cooler, right? He eyed up the other teenager. He had spikes on the shoulders of his leather jacket. "I guess you do that too. You uh…. You do that yourself?" 

The guy touched the studs on his leather jacket self consciously. "No, I bought it this way." He leaned in. "I didn't know you could do that." He seemed impressed. 

Peter flushed, discomfited as he tied off the knit and cut his needle free. This guy was way too cool looking to talk to Peter like that. "Yeah, you can do anything to your stuff," he said. Wow, so eloquent. He cleared his throat and tried to look busy turning the shirt inside out to show how it looked. Luckily it had turned out well. "I like your piercings." And the fade was cool too. Wow, no one at Midtown looked like that. Even their jocks were actually nerds. And this guy was a jock for real. He was huge and handsome. 

The guy got real close, looking at Peter's bi-colored shirt.

Peter squirmed. The scrutiny was enough to make him feel paranoid about it being in Spiderman's colors. But this guy didn't know about him. Right? No way, there was no way. He stuffed it in his bag and tried not to look sweaty and suspicious. No underage vigilantes here. Just two normal guys on a 35th story rooftop. 

"Teach me." 

His head flew up at that imperious demand. "Teach you what exactly?" Peter was too surprised to moderate his tone. It came out too high, too nerdy. "Like- sewing in general,  or- your jacket? Do you wanna customize your jacket more?" Oh, man, he was nervous enough that he couldn't speak straight. So embarrassing. Peter forced himself to smile and waited for the reaction with a cringe. This felt like the moment before he got put in a locker.

Man, this dude had intense blue eyes. And he was holding so still. Was he even breathing? "I want more metal in my jacket," he decided. "And- could we make part of it mesh?" 

Peter was mostly just glad the guy had started breathing again.

'Mixing leather and mesh doesn't seem structurally sound. Plus, isn't leather meant to be kind of protective?'

…"If you pay for supplies, we can try," Peter said, because this might as well happen, and now he knew someone. Now he knew a normal human being from this universe who he could lean on for cues. He latched on- metaphorically. In reality, he just started packing up his supplies and hoped the guy didn't recognize them as hotel kits. Peter was used to the mortification of being poor, but this was a bit much even for him.

"Yeah, I have Luther's credit card." The guy whipped one out of nowhere and flipped it between his fingers at a dizzying pace. He slapped on a lazy grin and watched Peter intently as he did his weird little dexterity trick.

That was what broke his nerves. That? That was the kind of thing that Ned did in his practical magic phase. 

'Is he trying to be cool?' Peter wondered, incredulous. 'He's trying way too hard. He's not actually that cool. I mean, he's definitely cooler than me, but it's not as bad as I thought.'

Awesome. Peter could work with that. He relaxed tremendously. He was just gonna think of this guy as a really muscular Ned. He was pretty sure that Ned would still hang out with Peter even if he'd gotten that tall and strong after puberty, so it was probably a fair comparison.

"That's great," he said, pretending he knew who Luther was. The guy's stepdad or something, probably. Why else would he have a credit card from someone he called by their name? "You wanna go now?" He paused. "I'm Peter, by the way." 

The other boy's hand was weirdly warm and firm when he reached out for a handshake (what? Teenagers shake hands here?. That was so uncool and he'd never have guessed it). "Kon." He flashed his perfect teeth again. "Yeah, let's go. Wanna walk or fly?" 

Peter shrugged. "Whichever is cool," he said. He hoped Kon didn't expect him to be able to fly. If he needed to he could like, parkour, and pretend that was just his preference. 

"Flying it is!" Peter yelped and just barely aborted a dodge as Kon cheerfully grabbed him in a bridal carry and swooped out into the open air. 

Kon and Peter, both wrong at the arts and crafts store: "I have successfully befriended a normal guy in my age group. I can copy him surreptitiously to learn to blend in better, as long as he doesn't learn that I'm not a cool guy like him."

[xiabablog]

do you have any tips for speaking to/reaching out to recruiters? i'm looking for new grad roles and ppl keep telling me to but i don't even know where to start or find any and all the articles online are so intimidating

Hiya 💗

The people are right, it's one of the best ways to put yourself out there! Oh, this is going to be a long one~!

I'll share tips from my own experience, this might help you, this might because I did it any other way but this:

I applied to a bunch of jobs: like for 5 days straight I was just apply just for the sake of it. The more jobs, the more recruiters have my CV/Resume in their database. I recommend LinkedIn the most as it's super easy to drop a message to the recruiter.

Applied to jobs that I had 50%+ chance of getting a call to: Obviously this means apply to jobs where you have the skills and the experience (work or in building projects etc). I say this because say they do call you but they ask you if you have this certain tech stack and you say no... end of call really. So, for me, I had like 2 or 3 things they were asking for in a candidate so I got through to the calling stage!

LinkedIn is actually your friend, don't be afraid: During my random job searching and whilst I was in my job, I had recruiters message me about job opportunities. Why? Because of my profile. You need to have your LinkedIn vamped up, check mine out for reference (click the LinkedIn icon). But make sure to have your skills e.g. About > Top skills, your work experience (paid or volunteer) and any certificates you have! If you're brave, not like me, start posting on there for a while.

LinkedIn again but Connections: Oh my days please follow people, even if you don't know them personally. I have 300+ connections (not to brag) but I only know like two handful of the people, the rest are of people who connect with people who I follow, I have met like 5 recruiters through this way.

Actually message the recruiters???: Okay so you followed the people, your CV/Resume is done and dusted and now you're ready to message those recruiters! In my case, I had more recruiters message me than the other way round only because I'm shy hehe so I wait for them to make the first move. They would probably send a whole message about the new job that have posted and see if you're interested and then, if you like the job, you can say "Yes please" or whatever is the appropriate reply is, and then they will send further information or arrange a phone call! If you want to message them first, I would find them more after applying for a job on LinkedIn, they usually add the recruiter in the job posting as a way for people to message them.

DO NOT FEEL AFRAID IN MESSAGING RECRUITERS: I say this because a) imagine 100 people apply for the job, only 5 would message the recruiter (I don't know if the stats are right, I just remembered that from bootcamp-) because everyone else is too afraid to do it! Missed opportunity! b) recruiters actually want people to message them. Now in terms of what to write to them? I don't know really. I would always go for the classic "don't repeat what's on your resume", they're going to read it anyways, so just talk a bit about your experience and skills A BIT like

"Hello/Hi, my name is [name]. I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to express my strong interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name], for which I recently submitted my application. I'm enthusiastic about the opportunity to join [Company Name] and contribute to [mention something specific you find appealing about the company or role, if possible]. I believe my skills and experience align well with the requirements of the position. Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to the possibility of discussing my qualifications in more detail. Best regards, [name]

No hire, don't be sad: Even if they don't hire you, or go through the next stages, keep in touch by even asking questions about what's on the market/what's new, how you could do better for other jobs you want to apply to that were similar to the ones you failed at. They could point you to the right direction! One recruiter said she wanted me to have more projects I was passionate about online like on GitHub or GitLab, even if they were "silly" projects - at the time, I didn't have much projects online so it made sense! See, I took that advice and now I'm a project making machine (a bit)! Advice they give sticks forever!

Remember, reaching out to recruiters and applying for jobs is a numbers game. The more applications you submit, the better your chances of landing interviews. I really hope this helps and I didn't make too many spelling mistakes! This is all of the things I could note down from the top of my head!

I've made other posts on on my coding blog about career advices:

🌐 Tips for Landing Your First Entry-Level Developer Job

🌐 Career Services For Web Dev (could be useful to you too!)

🌐 The Talent Cloud Community: Careers Workshop

Good luck with your job search!

⤷ ♡ my shop ○ my mini website ○ pinned ○ navigation ♡

[ywpd-translations]

Ride 729: Everyone's training camp!!

Pag 1

3: He really was a weird boy

4: Even though he was injured, he was still pushing me away

I wionder if he got back safely

5: That boy was riding a bicycle but... I wonder if he participates in “races”

I didn't ask him

6: Tobirama-kun, I wonder if we'll meet again somewhere

Pag 2

1: It's Onoda-san!!

Pag 3

1: Onoda-san!!

Captain!!

The captain entered the course!!

Ohhhhh

2: Good work!!

-work!!

3: Are you alright after the car sickness?

Are you alright?

Yes. So- sorry for making you worry....

4: Hahaha you're late

Ah, senpai

Everyone has already ran more than 40km

So- sorry

5: Here's your bottles

6: Ah, thank you very much

Pag 4

1: Can you catch up now?

2: Yes!!

I plan on it!!

Pag 5

1: Onoda-san started running!!

He started late.... so he has the lowest rank....!!

Onoda-san has the lowest rank!?

Can he close a gap of 40km by himself!?

After all everyone else has already ran 8 laps

2: Can he do it....!?

4: No

He's not by himself!!

Right, his “buddy”!! Thuis year's training camp's rule is that you have to fight in pairs!!

If he has a “buddy” maybe he can do it!! Onoda-san's “buddy”....

Pag 6

1: I wonder who will it be!!

2: Onoda-san!!

Danchiku-kun!!

3: Uhm-

I'm so... uhm-

4: Earlier, at the entrance, I talked with Touji-san

Pag 7

1: I'm so glad you can run in the training camp!!

3: Yes...!!

4: Thank you for everything!!

For giving me the chance!! I want to achieve good results in this training camp and go to the Inter High!!

5: I'll be confident!!

Pag 8

1: Hahaha!! We'll go, the two of us

To the Inter High!!

2: Look at this sticker!!

It's our...

3: team's new name, haha!!

That's right, special st.... you've made a mistake, Issa!! 4: Don't be so fussy, Danchiku, haha!!

But you said it yourself, Issa!?

Huh?

I'm going ahead

Pag 9

1: This “training camp” will decide the Inter High members

2: I also have to run 1000km in order to become a team member

3: Ohh, Onoda-san

He's so fast even on a climb like this

4: Keep going, Sawada!! High pace!!

Yeah!!

And also, in this training camp

5: Owaaaa

Ahhhhh

Pag 10

1: I have to become stronger than ever!!

3: Onoda!!

Kawada-kun!!

4: It's the first training camp for me

You said 1000km? That's the requirement?

And the top six people go to the Inter High?

6: So basically!!

Pag 11

1: Is extremely hard, really!! Oi!!

I want to hit the naive me who took this lightly and thought “I want to be one of the six people” before the training camp!!

2: And this.... during first year... and the second year... you climbed over this wall?

3: Head on!!

4: That's so freaking cool!!

5: Ah... b- but it was difficult, I couldn't climb as I wanted, and my pedals broke

6: How did you do it... back then...

7: One of my senpai.... my senpai told me something

Pag 12

1: You just have to breakthrough, sho”....!!

2: You just have to breakthrough, sho!!

3: And I have to run so that I don't shame Makishima-san!!

Pag 13

1: Ugh!! That's too cool!!

Damn, whose words were they!!

Breakthrough!! 'lright!!

Do your best, Kawada-kun

Yeah!!

2: Sadatoki-kun

On!! Onoda-san!!

5: Sadatoki...

Sorry I made you wait

6: Sorry, you ended up in a team with me

8: No, it's not a problem, Kawada-san

I... maybe...

Pag 14

1: In that moment I was left out of this training camp.... on

2: “Buddy”!!

They said buddy, on, so let's pair up, Teru-nii-chan!!

3: 1000km together with Teru-nii-chan!! For four days!!

Let's join forces and run!! And at breakfast too, and at lunch, and when we sleep too....

4: I'm sorry, Sadatoki

6: Sorry

7: Run with someone else

Pag 15

1: Alright, let's pair up!!

2: I'm counting on you!

Yeah!!

Huh!?

3: Teru-nii-chan

4: “In order to be the sixth member”

5: The sixth member....!!

Teru-nii-chan... that's right

In this training camp.... you'll run 1000km....

Sorry

6: You're serious....

7: You're trying to reach the goal among the top six!!

You czn't run with me in this training camp!!

Pag 16

1: Imaizumi!!

3: Those eyes.... you're serious

It's the eyes of someone who's ready to bet everything

4: Okay!!

If you can follow me

Pag 17

1: Sugimoto

Buddies established!!

Pag 18

2: Thank you!! Thank you, Imaizumi

What for?

For pairing up with me!!

It's nothing....

3: The rule was that we could team up with anyone

Pag 19

1: As long as it's someone who's serious about becoming stronger, anyone is good!!

2: Really, thank you!! Imaizumi!!

3: Alright, let's go Imaizumi!!

First of all, I wnt to put a great gap between us and them

4: Since it's the strongest two!!

6: I finally caught up to you! Sorry

7: There was this guy that had collapsed along the way....

Kakaka so you were helping someone, Onoda-kun!! Now the buddies finally met up...

Well then....

Pag 20

1: Let's go with explosive speed!! Onoda-kun!!

Okay!! Naruko-kun!!

The buddies Onoda and Naruko!!

[aurcls]

HSHQTASK059: FAREWELL !

i know i already yapped in the admin post but let me continue <3

1: when did you join ? what made you join ? what do you remember from the plotlines that were current at the time ? where were you in life when you joined and where are you now ?

i joined in 2015 as a high school freshman, jfc ! i don't think there was anything major going on, the rp was very much a rich kids rp so the drama was chill and petty; entertaining but not that deep. one thing that made me join ( aside from my obsession with royals ) was the fact that phoebe tonkin - THE most popular fc at the time - was up for grabs. i thought it was meant to be !

2: which characters have you written over the years ?

errrmmm... merjem/kalla, olivier, livia, florencio, alexander, anneli, lixun, nicole, maryam, blazej, definitely some other characters whose names and existence i cannot remember

3: what is your favourite plotline that you've been part of ?

i think this is just nostalgia but i think olivier-viggo-armani-lykke-anton-etc era was my fave. artistically it's very hollow but i think the lightness of it all makes it my favourite. i also sort of view it as a testament of my own naivety and youth. i'm not saying i'm old now but i'm not 17 without a single worry. back then ( because i wasn't busy and i could sat in front of my computer for hours ) the plots moved quickly and the threads were really fun to follow. there weren't that many characters so everyone was, in a way, forced to write with each other so the plotlines were very interactive. i appreciate the organic way things evolved. ( i do have a soft spot for annexei but i think it's mainly bc i admire alexei's characterization so much and elisa's ability to depict depression )

4: what about other people's plotlines ?

i was insanely invested in the zulu conflict of 2020. it had so many moving parts and i think if it had only gotten a chance to evolve even further, it would have been on a whole new level <3

5: who is your favourite character from the ones you've played ? why ? what made you love them ? what made them so fun to write ?

i think nicole or olivier. nicole's plotline was so well defined that it was fun to write her. i loved her relationships and it was interesting to write someone older. i think she's a character i could write a book about but she wasn't the best for an rp setting ? getting a chance to be involved in the english drama was wonderful ! olivier on the other hand... i think he's just a fave because he lets me connect to the old days ? when rp was a top priority and everything was exciting and fun. i don't want this to sound like it isn't that anymore but times were different back then and i don't think it ever felt the same after maybe high school graduation ?

6: if you could relive a plotline, which would it be ?

i think the finale of the english plotline maybe ? or the insanity of the lawn chair thing. possibly the rise of olykke too <3 but honestly i would like to experience all of it again, as cliche as it sounds. i will very think of the nights i stayed up until 4 or 5 am just to write/read the dash. waiting for a reply was such an addictive feeling and idk where i'll find my replacement for it. it really breaks my heart and makes me feel very old to realize that i don't know if i'll experience the excitement again. those sleep-deprived nights were some of my best. i've said "it's just rp" a million times but honestly, rping itself is such an experience and i'm glad i've gotten to get the best version of it.

7: is there a plotline that you'd edit now if you could ?

i think i'd improve the kalla era's germany. i didn't do much with it.

8: what's a plotline you wish you would have been able to finish before closing or just write more of ?

i would have loved to finish aurel x araya story, i mean i can probably still accomplish that but nbskdgbjs there were big plans for the slovakians and it's a shame we never got to write it out on the dash. i think i would have enjoyed writing the inner struggle of blazej. he had a lot of potential but alas, it could not be !

9: what is your favourite ooc memory ?

i have two that stick out but my trip with serre ? we were on my sister's couch writing the stupid lawn chair saga and i think it was the first time in a long time that i had that much fun writing ! the second one would be me visiting evy because it was a surreal experience and i have to admit i was so socially awkward that evy's family probably thinks i'm weird nfgbkdsgbj i just think it's amazing that those two meetings could happen ? prior to hshq, i hadn't really believed in online friendships, everyone felt just too remote ! a special mention goes to this crackthread thing we wrote: link just a random memory though: i remember when we did those feedback surveys. we sorta forgot them but they were so important at that one point. other funny thing is our old adminooc blog. snapchat replaced it and then some years later discord replaced snapchat. we should bring the admin snapchat back btw @armanicatherina & @barbiebraganca

10: where can others find you if they want to get in touch ?

i'll be on discord !!! you can find me on the hshq server ( which we aren't deleting if i can have a say ;) )

11: what else would you like to say ?

i said a lot in the admin post but i actually had to "keep it short" so here i will say so many things that you wish i had edited this. for me rping has been an amazing way to connect with other people, learn about people through writing and to experience emotions that i wouldn't otherwise. some of the words i've read here have managed to capture thoughts that i hadn't been able to put into words and it's been amazing to see how differently people think but also how alike some feelings among different people are. i often try to wrap my head around the fact that this group's been going for eight amazing years. i've gone through a lot in those eight years and the existence of this group has brought me a lot of joy. i am sad to let go of it and i guess i'm in a bit of denial because i keep thinking that 1x1 rping exists and y'know... even if a group doesn't exist, threads can still happen. when i think about hshq and the plotlines i've read and written, one thing really sticks out to me and it's the way we shifted from a p basic rich kids rp into something intricate and sophisticated ( yes, we had a drug related nye event and we've had a fair share of petty fights ). the range of emotions people have been able to write and the psychological work they've done to write a convincing and very realistic humans is something everyone can be proud of. i don't know if i look like a sadist but i was most impressed by the depictions of sadness, guilt and self-loathing. in my opinion it's not easy to write a piece of sad prose without it being a bit melodramatic. aside from hshq's longevity, the most amazing thing has to be everyone's willingness to get involved. the plot drops that i wrote wouldn't have happened without your input and when it got too tough for me to write them myself, y'all stepped up and continued the plotdrops with your newsposts. as an admin, it's been so so so so so awesome that we've been able to put some responsibilities on the members and have you guys perform better than well. i think we did something unique here and i'm so proud of us as a group!!!! i wish i could flex about this irl because hshq's history and way of working is something extraordinary. i really wish i could properly put my love for hshq into words. i don't know how to express its meaning and influence in my life. i feel like it has helped me to improve my writing but more importantly it has taught me a thing of two about empathy <3 i really hope we'll stay in touch and if anyone comes to europe, or more spesifically finland, don't be afraid to message me bc i'd love to meet up !

[s1utf0rtz]

hot chocolate | tz11

Running five minutes behind schedule would be fine if you weren't me. I admit it should be fine, but it's not, it's really not. I, Augustine Mae Reynolds (but you can call me August), create a schedule for myself every morning and todays, like everyday, gave me a fifteen minute time slot allotted for me to walk down the street and get a coffee, but now it's been twenty minutes since I my time started and it takes me five minutes to get home. So not even five minutes off, I'm ten minutes off schedule. I should be at home studying right now, finals are only a week away and I'm really looking forward to Christmas break.

"August!" I hear the barista yell.

I quickly weave my way through chatty people to the front of the shop.

"Trevor!" She announces another name.

I grab a coffee out of her hand and rapidly make my way out of the door. Pulling my coat closer to my body as I step out into the early-December Michigan weather. Snow blankets my hair as I storm home.

"Hey," I hear from behind me, "wait"

I turn around to see a boy that's maybe my age or a little older, snow flakes littered through his dark blonde hair. He must be freezing, its twenty-two degrees and snowing and he's wearing sweatpants and a tee-shirt.

"Umm... Hi," I respond not really knowing whats going on.

"You grabbed my drink," He smiles, looking down at the cup.

"Oh," My eyes travel to the cup in my hands, sure enough 'Trevor" is scribbled on the side of the cup in black marker and loopy handwriting.

"Sorry," I whisper and hand the warm coffee back to him.

He looks down and grabs the cup, then hands me mine, "No problem."

Then he starts to chuckle and I suddenly feel very self conscious.

"What," I state trying to sound calm even though I was exploding inside. This run in is putting me even more behind schedule. Plus, talking to new people is way past the boundaries of my comfort zone.

He meets my eyes, "You seem nervous."

I sigh.

"Hey, calm down. It's okay, it was an accident and a cup of hot chocolate," He tries to calm me down. It worked.

"Yeah," I mumble and look up at him. He smiles and that makes me smile.

"You know what, you should come to my hockey game tonight."

"Oh no, really I'm okay," I try and convince him. What I really didn't want to say is that I've never been to a hockey game, that's not really my thing. A bunch of people way too exited screaming at a bunch of sweaty boys. I try not to shudder at the thought. Plus, I can't wait to start studying, not like 'Oh, I'm so exited I can't wait," more like "I can't put this off any longer than I already have because I'm not risking the ability to get a job in the future because I went to a hockey game and didn't study for my finals.'

"Come on, my treat."

As soon as those four words come out of his mouth I want to go. He should be a attorney with that ability to persuade people.

"I, oh, I mean, why not," I awkwardly stutter.

"Yeah, um, give me your number and I'll send you tickets."

He then pulls his phone out of his pocket and, after a few taps, hands it to me. It's open to a new contact page, 'August' already typed at the top, he had to have read the side of my coffee cup. I type my number in and hand it back to him.

"Contact picture?" He questions.

"Oh, totally," I look up and smile. He quickly snaps a picture.

"Gorgeous," He stretches out the vowels when he says it. "I'll text you. Red, white and blue for the game."

I take a mental note of that, "Got it!"

"Bye."

"Bye."

I stumble off. This is a terrible idea, I really have to study, but I also really need more friends. I'm completely off todays schedule, but I might have real fun for the first time in a while. It's gonna be fine, go to the game, you can't plan everything. A text comes in supporting my just-made-decision.

'game starts at 5, doors open at 3:30 but ill be on the ice at 4:30, arena downtown, sending you a ticket now.'

*image file attached*

I open the file to see my ticket, then I open google, search the arena, open the website and enter the seat number listed on the ticket. My screen loads for a second before displaying probably the best view that you can get in the whole arena. I giggle quietly.

He said he'll be on the ice at 4;30. It's 3:08 right now and it takes fifteen minutes to get there and at least fifteen minutes to get to my seat. I need to leave at 3:45 and it takes five minutes to get home. That gives me about 30 minutes to get ready. I need to move quick. I start sprinting back to my apartment.

"That took you forever," Mya, my roommate, yells.

"Uh, yeah, long line. Listen I'm going to a hockey game tonight and need help on what to wear."

"Team colors?" she ask with a smile. She's exited I'm asking her for help.

"red white and blue."

"Oh, easy," She throws a red hoodie at me, "You'll look great."

"Thanks!" I yell why as she struts out of my room.

I through off my black puffer coat. Switch my green hoodie for the red one and keep my black leggings on. Final addition to the outfit is a blue puffer vest.  Then, pull out my phone to check the clock. Ten minutes till I have to leave. I step out of my room into the kitchen and eat a snack

"I'm out," I announce to Mya.

"Have fun!" I get in response.

As I step out of the apartment, into the cold winter weather, the soft buzz of voices, and the snow, I realize that this might be a lot of fun. 

[curiouscompanions]

Entry #5

It hurts. Mariella didn't blink yesterday. Is it possible to count every pixel creating the flawless gray of this fake sidewalk? Is it possible to cure corrupted files and rewrite their codes? Mariella didn't blink today. I want to do something for her so badly. But all I can do is observe her. Mariella is still standing there and I am still sitting here. We are so close, yet so far from each other. Multicolored spots are swirling everywhere, static electricity is jumping on the tips of my fingers. I'm sure Mariella feels my continuous gaze. I know that she knows that I know she feels it. And it hurts so much. Mariella doesn't blink. Why does it hurt so much? Mariella doesn't blink. Please, blink just once! Just once!

The blue screen burns my eyes the moment I try to take off these stupid damned glasses. Tears and blood stain my shirt’s sleeves. It hurts so much. I'm trying to reject this role, but it seems attached to me too tightly. It hurts too much. I am just an Observer.

No. No. NO.

I have to do this. For her, for my dear Mariella.

... 100% ...? What just happened? Did you really extract all available text files? Wait a second. Not extracted, but cured. That's exactly what I meant. Well, your antivirus did a truly remarkable job. You should let it update itself every time you turn on your computer. Well, dear Reader, I'll start from the beginning—

In reality, I find myself starting over and over again from the very end, and since there is no end and never will be, there is no beginning, at least not in my memories. Yes, once upon a time I was just one of the many people stuck within these plain beige walls, once upon a time I had a name, once upon a time I even had a life …probably. The Narrator keeps saying that he was "built" for this job, that he is just a machine, he continues to try to convince us, especially himself, and so far, he is surprisingly good at it. Indeed, if you repeat the same lie many times, sooner or later, it slowly begins to transform into truth. So, it's not surprising that I began to doubt the existence of my own elusive backstory. It's entirely possible that I, too, would have started denying my own humanity …except, fortunately or unfortunately, I noticed her. I found her, my dear Mariella. And when I saw her, oh yes, I could see echoes of those qualities in her, I saw my humanity within her eyes. Humanity had eluded me for all eternity and after seeing it in her, I could no longer look away and lie to myself.

Echoes of old pain make me flinch once again. How many times have I died like this, bleeding, stricken by conflicted algorithms, sparkling with electricity? It happened often, very often. It's okay, though, because I wasn't completely alone anymore. I found her, my dear Mariella. And she found my gaze.

Since that moment finally happened, all my thoughts were consumed by her, all I could observe now is that piece of the fake Street, the very place where she continues to stand completely still.

These damned glasses, when I finally manage to take them off, my mind is pierced by this disgusting torturous feeling as if I have torn a part of my own flesh. I scream, cough and choke, but still overcome yet another meaninglessly unreal death.

I am still here, in this small dark room on the top floor. I am still here.

Another eternity passes, or maybe just a few minutes. The pain only recedes when my hands grab the glasses and put them back on my nose. Darkness fades away, and I see her again, my Mariella. We are together again, so close and yet so far. But this time, I refuse to be just a mere Observer.

One awkward movement and all my papers fall onto the ground; another one, and I dive into the blue glow of my screens. And here I am, the Street greeting me in all its gray glory. Teleportation turns out to be much easier than analyzing components of this action in theory. All it takes is determination and some basic understanding of the space-time continuum.

"Please, blink just once," I say, as I am approaching her, slowly going forward step by step, to my dear Mariella.

"Mariella," I exhale her name, staring into her foggy eyes. My fingers entwine around her palm, gently scratching her cold skin.

Let me look at you.

I gaze at her. She looks back at me, but she doesn't react at all, she still doesn't blink at all. Her current state shatters my heavily beating heart. I can't let go of her hand, can't take my eyes off her.

Let me be with you.

Perhaps I just imagined it, but in her misty eyes, there was a fleeting sense of understanding? Whatever it was, it was enough for me to take her by the shoulders, pull her towards me and embrace her.

I love you.

End of Entry #5

[antelopunny]

no one tagged me i simply enjoy talking about myself in the absence of actually writing

5 Songs

(opens spotify wrapped)

Slow Bloom - The Home Team

Dancing Demons - Space Weather

Gunners in the Rain - Mili

萬千花蕊慈母悲哀 - 珂拉琪

The Mad Stone - Everything Everything

Questions

1. Three ships you like:

about to self-report on my taste so hard rn

Idira Tlass / Jae Heydari (Warhammer 40k: Rogue Trader) - OKAY LOOK. I know people are here because I write that Yrliet fic but listen up. At first I thought of them as perfect besties, which is ALSO a great flavour, but then I began rotating Idira in my mind on full blast like a 900W microwave and I went CRAZY. Like, just, okay, let me try to summarize my thoughts... so Idira, she's brash, she's loud-mouthed, she's talented as FUCK and despite being an unsanctioned psyker has beaten all the millions of odds stacked against her, but pretty soon after meeting her, you can brush past her tough facade and realise she's just aching for someone she can Be Real with. You go deeper and you realise she was raised to be a weapon for warlords to use but then one day a knight in shining armour named Theodora von Valancius busted her out, swept her off her feet and spirited her away into the stars. She wants that back, in the end: someone she can lean on, hug her when shit is rough, stay with her until the inevitability of her gruelling end at the hands of the warp. AND THEN ENTER JAE HEYDARI, a supposed 'princess' of a faraway kingdom who seemingly wants a handsome (and very rich) prince to save her, but pretty quickly you can see past the act and know that Jae is a total freebird who knows that the only person she can count on is herself. But even so, she's fiercely loyal and would happily march into a cold death if that meant saving those she cared for (as many unfortunately found out because of Jae's Act 4 quest bugging). So it's Idira, the 'witch-diviner of fates' with seemingly unbreakable will, a valiant 'dark knight'-type figure holding back horrors unseen all while quietly yearning to be saved, + Jae, the 'runaway princess of Efreet' with unyielding charm and luxurious airs, a beautiful 'blooming rose waiting to be plucked'-type of girl that under the surface is chasing after her destiny all on her own two feet, because who the hell needs a Prince Charming when your name is Jae fucking Heydari? LISTEN. LISTEN OKAY THE ROLE REVERSAL. THE UNEXPECTED INTERTWINING OF THEIR FATES IN OPPOSITE SIDES OF A DANCE. GUYS DO YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYI

Trahearne / Pact Commander (Guild Wars 2) - Most people haven't played GW2 at all. But a lot of people have played FFXIV. So imagine a Haurchefant-type figure that, if you choose to start as a Sylvari, has been with you having your back the whole tile, sets up the whole We Gonna Save The World organization and trusts in you to be one of his top commanders, takes the lead but in truth is always looking upon you to be his sunlight and shining spear, you are the only one that sees through the brave face he has put up this whole time for the sake of fighting the good fight, you are the one he trusts with who he is, and then the first expansion of the game comes out and he FUCKIGNGEWOI HOGESWHIIO EGIJJiaewhioewh JHAHAhsahifEGHIWHW EIEWGi NOOoOoOO anyway you should play critically acclaimed MMO Guild Wars 2 it's got a free trial all the way up to the first expansion Heart of Thorns, is a 'buy once play forever' type of MMO so you don't have to pay a sub, and is constantly updating with new story PLEASE PLAY IT WITH ME PLEASE

Zheng Chenggong / Zhou Yu (Fate/Samurai Remnant) - Yes, that Ming loyalist guy who exorcised the Dutch from Taiwan + that Romance of the Three Kingdoms twink who dabbed on Cao Cao. I have no excuse for this one. They got that twin souls separated over 1300 years shit with a heavy heaping of 'time is a flat circle and nothing we ever do will matter in the end' on top of it. Zheng Chenggong is also, uh... it gets worse the more I talk about it so I'll just stop here. If you know you know.

2. First ship ever: ...probably N Harmonia / the Pokemon B/W player character. What was it? FerrisWheelShipping??????? I was like 12 years old okay you gotta leave me alone

3. Last song you heard: Persephone in the Garden - Aidoneus. I've had it on loop while writing. It, uh... it's a mood.

4. Favorite Childhood Book: My dad made me read The Little Prince when I was a kid and I regarded it with the blind childlike wonder an idiot 7 year old would, without understanding all the underlying whispers of tragedy. I reread it along with footnotes detailing the author's shit life and the backdrop of the Vichy Regime and I was like. What the fuck father why did you give this to me

5. Currently Reading: The Sea of Fertility tetralogy. Again. Yukio Mishima's ghost constantly possesses me and forces me to reread his 800 page long suicide note

6. Currently Watching: DUNGEON MESHI! OooOooH DUNGEON MESHI (narrator voice)

7. Currently Craving: Sleep. Good fucking night

simply do this if you wish, tag games are simply a tumblr dot com psy-op to make you anxious about bothering people

[vicstmichael]

15 Questions 15 Mutuals

Rules: Answer the questions as yourself or as an OC of your choice

I was tagged by @artcoffeecats! Thank you for still tagging me in fun things even though I'm never here <3 You're the best!

My tags are: @cydneydaemon, @rachaellawrites, @ashirisu, @dewiwrites, @brieflyinfatuated, @scribe-of-stories and whoever else wants to play because that's all I can think of off the top of my head!

Okay I'm totally stealing Mary's idea of answering as two MCs (one in bold, one in italics) and having them banter back and forth (go see their original post, it's so cute) because it looks like so much fun!

I'll answer as Jamie Prowse and River Gray from my latest WIP:

1. Are you named after anyone?

Yeah, my Grandpa on my Dad's side! He was so chill. Took me to my first Seahawks game. I'm not much of a 'James,' though. Jamie is fine.

Couldn't tell you. My mother never told me, and I don't care enough to ask her.

2. When was the last time you cried?

Like, yesterday, probably? I saw a really cute dog.

The night I moved in with my brother. And Jamie, by proxy. It was a momentary lapse in control that won't happen again, trust me.

3. Do you have kids?

No, but I think I'd like to have them someday.

I'm sorry, what?

Uhh--maybe we should table this conversation, yeah?

No, no. We're having it right now.

Omg look over there, what's that? *points, runs away*

4. Do you use sarcasm?

I never used to, but I've been doing it a lot more since River moved in. I think it's contagious.

Fortunately for me, stupidity isn't contagious.

5. What's the first thing you notice about people?

Eyes, easy. They tell you a lot. And, uhh, I have this weird superpower where I can gauge a person's mental state pretty much instantly. Like, if they're okay or not.

He's not kidding. It's creepy. For me it's whether or not the person is a threat.

*scoffs* How often are people actually threats, though?

More often than you'd think.

6. What's your eye color?

Hazel, like my dad's! They remind me of the woods back home. I like them, they're one of my best features!

Blue.

He's being modest. They're, this--like--rich, dark, midnight blue. They're gorgeous.

Jamie. *blushes*

*grins* You loved it, shut up.

7. Scary movies or happy endings?

Ooh, I love scary movies!

Ugh. Do I have to...?

It's fine, Riv, there's nothing wrong with liking happy endings! It's cute!

Shut up. I just think... you watch a movie or read a book to escape, right? There's enough pain in the world as it is. Why willingly put yourself through more when you could choose joy instead?

8. Any special talents?

He thinks the fact that I can speak French is a talent. I don't really see it that way, though. I don't know... photography is a talent. I'm good at that.

And writing! He's a great writer, especially poems. My talent is bass. Oh, and cooking! Those are pretty much the only things I'm really great at.

*Frowns* Not the only things.

What else, then?

Is being annoying a talent?

You're so mean. Wait, is making people laugh a talent? That counts, right? I can make pretty much anyone laugh if I really try.

Yeah, Jamie. That counts. *smiles*

9. Where were you born?

Seattle born and bred, baby!

Bordeaux, France. Didn't stay long after, though.

10. What are your hobbies?

Playing bass. Songwriting. Jamming with the roomies. Can it still be a hobby if it's also your career?

I hope so, because I was going to say photography. I also enjoy hiking and poetry--reading and writing.

And journaling. *smirks*

Hey, focus on your own hobbies.

11. Have you any pets?

Not yet, but someday we're getting a dog. Right, Riv?

Seriously? You know I'm a cat person. Having a dog is one step below having an actual child, you realize that, right? You can't even keep a fish alive.

Ye of little faith. Besides, cats are scary.

You would think that.

12. What sports do you play/have played?

I played football for like five minutes in high school, but it was interfering with band stuff. Does watching football count?

Sports? Ugh. Pass.

13. How tall are you?

I dunno, 6'2? Tall enough to be constantly hitting my head on shit.

...5'8...

He's just a cute lil guy. Just the cutest, ittiest, bittiest--

Jamie.

14. Favorite subject in school?

Music class! That's a cop out, right? It's true though. I liked it. Plus, my music teacher was a total fox. *grins* Ms. Dawson. I wonder how she's doing these days.

*raises an eyebrow*

Aww. I just wanted to see if you'd get jealous. Okay, you go!

Classic lit. Took it as an elective in college. I much preferred it to my business and finance courses.

15. Dream job?

I have my dream job. Playing music for a living with my best friends.

I suppose I have mine, too. Shooting photos of my brother and Jamie playing music with their best friends for a living. Not the direction I expected my life to take, but I'll take it.

Awww. Love you, baby.

Yeah, I know. *blushes*

Cool it, Han Solo.

[nobodysdaydreams]

The Mysterious Benedict Society Reaction Season 2 Episode 5 Blank Expression

Hello everyone. As you can see, instead of trying to cram this in after work I have decided to get my sleep schedule back on track by motivating myself with an early morning reaction (highly recommend if you would like to get to bed at a decent hour). It has come to my attention that there are promotional photos with Garrison, Martina, and Constance, which fuels my theory that they are behind the water polo team and kidnapped Constance. I wonder who Blank Expression is referring to. I hope it's Marlon. Also, the episode description. "Constance faces an old enemy" I wonder who that could be (let's go Garrison/Martina return!!)and "the kids enlist an ally"???. Anyway I'm not wasting anymore time, let's get into it.

YES GARRISON IN THE RECAP!!!!! 🥳🥳🥳

1:00- Oh Sticky don't blame yourself. You tried. Yeah don't tell the cops they're are all on Curtain's team. I hate the man, but he works fast I'll give him that.

2:00- huh no official stops, very interesting. ha, "kilometers, you gotten think like Europeans when tracking them". OH MARTINA IS THE ALLY? She's not with Garrison? She's not brainwashed? I love that for her. Yes, I love that they are still using landlines. All that tech all those geniuses. And they only have one weakness. No cell phones.

3:30- oh boy here we go!!!!! I'm so pumped for this.

5:00- Yes Milligan grab those Whisper memories! But who is rebuilding it? Garrison or Curtain? Looks like we got 2 bad guys now?

6:00- PFT- "research to create attachment feelings", Garrison you're trying. (Side note: the doll thing is funny, but the way Curtain and Garrison robotically try to connect with kids is so funny). Awe my girl stuck to her morals and didn't want to use her device on people. Yes, Constance, she does need better friends maybe she joins the society? My former enemy now the enemy of my enemy could be a necessary friend?. Wait, Garrison, your ideas live in your book? Then he could totally steal that. Even if it was written in code, he's smart he could crack it. Heck, Curtain kept his ideas in a book, and the kids stole that by hiding in trees. Oh gosh Garrison is unraveling. Garrison what happened to your moral principles? She really turns them on and off at a whim. Now she's ready to brain-sweep a child. She is really compartmentalizing. Or will she even be able to bring herself to do it.

8:24- oh shut up Marlon. No one cares. And shut up Curtain. Oh every time he has to have food. I guess that's his thing now. He missed his true passion in the culinary arts trying to take over the world.

9:00- Curtain seems so underwhelmed. I so want number 2 to destroy him during the finale. DO NOT EAT HIS FOOD. DON'T SIT DOWN. Oh does Curtain know about her family not talking to her? Yeah, you changed your name to a stupid pun Nathaniel, it's hardly a flex.

11:00- That's true: no narcolepsy. It's not real joy. Just like... this might not be real vulnerability for Nathaniel when he says he loves his brother and has moved on. He's not admitting that he was hurt, or that he wants a relationship. Hahaha, she takes the food. I hope she doesn't go to the demonstration. "Terrible roommate, good friend": a thing every college student learns about a friend at some point.

12:00- YES MARTINA

12:13- Yeah, he really can't stop kidnapping. And yeah, if Martina's transcripts are worthless, HOW IS SQ GONNA GET INTO ART SCHOOL? CURTAIN YOU ARE THE WORST! She stole their gear? That's fantastic. Also are Reynie and Martina gonna fight over being leader?

14:00- Oh hello creepy kid. I don't like this joy-spreading business. Yeah thank you Jackson and Jillson, at least someone is on top of this crisis.

15:00- Nicholas is in such denial. "more than happiness it's wholeness we're FINALLY TOGETHER AND I'M NOT GIVING IT UP'? No no no no no NO. Curtain you monster. That's clearly why he went under so fast. It's not that he "wanted to be happy" or "felt unfulfilled" it's the guilt. And Nicholas, it's not wholeness, you just feel like you're on drugs.

16:20- "sheer terror" "or a void. Nothingness" Jackson and Jillson looked like they were contemplating all their life choices when they said that. "Allergies" oh my gosh Marlon does this look like an allergic reaction? Huh. "Stiff necks". Good observation Jackson and Jillson, maybe you should be in charge. And yes, everyone needs to be told. Oh now Marlon's threatening the doctor? OH MARLON'S RUBBING HIS NECK! Looks like someone is about to get his karma.

17:00- Pft- "underfunded". Oh my gosh Garrison is literally fitting the underappreciated and underfunded post-doc vibe. I feel for her a bit. She might actually be the only one who can stop HER invention that Curtain stole. This could be the beginning of an unlikely alliance.

18:00- Yes Sticky. Stick up for your boy. If Reynie and Martina could cooperate, they would actually make go co-leadership. Hopefully a better team than Curtain and Garrison.

20:00- Finally we get to see Rhonda in her disguises. "Just had a baby he's distracted" ma'am are you trying to compete with Curtain for "worst boss ever".

21:00- "Magenta" Lol, Constance giving in. HAHA this is so funny to watch her go the opposite way and actually give in to the Whisperer for a second just to defy Garrison. And she's literally showing you how she destroyed it Garrison. She's just destroying you not the whisperer this time. She's breaking your will. OH NOW SHE IS PHYSICALLY DESTROYING THE WHISPERER. Um... what is the old-fashioned way? Is Garrison about to beat up a child?

23:00- yeah, cars with mud would be coming to town from the same place, and likely be entering near each other. "The depression of middle age" I love Constance. Garrison had no idea what she was getting into. I love that by "old-fashion way" Garrison didn't mean beating her up, she meant early psychology old-timey flashcards. " I see a broken angry person". "As a child is this how you pictured your feature self? Life could be better, right?" "Professionally disgraced". Oh my gosh, Garrison went from Curtain to Constance that is a rough transition and she had no idea Constance was like that.

25:00- Yes Kate, secret layer! Yeah locks never stopped Kate. Martina, you don't need to tell her.

26:00- Dipika? Yes we're getting her first name. Uh oh looks like Curtain caught wind of the audience's disapproval of this adult romance (honestly I don't really care either way) and decided to do something about it. The kids might be greeted by all the adults brainwashed by the time they reach the compound.

27:00- oh great now he's dressing like a cult member. HE'S COMING WITH US? Yes, they are kidnapping him! That's wonderful. I hope she has a net. "We'll be together? Well that part I like" he really just wants to be with his brother. YES MARLON FINALLY YOU UNDERSTAND. Now it's Jackson and Jillson's turn to shine.

28:30- NOT GARRISON IN TEARS. THIS IS AMAZING. Constance giving her the tough love she needs to get through this mid-life crisis. Oh no Garrison, calm down you're not brain-sweeping anyone. Actually, now that I think about it, what would happen if Constance is in the brain-sweeper? Could she see the memories of everyone who has been in there? Possibly Milligan? Or even Garrison? Reynie, it might be time to bust out your "You don't really want to do this Dr. Garrison 🥺" speech you used on Curtain in season 1.

Anyway it looks like the kids found someone who knows how Curtain's happiness works and might be able to reverse it! Sadly, it looks like she's going through something at the moment, but hopefully, she can pull it together. Would love to see #2 kidnap Curtain, but he'd probably convince Nicholas to let him go. Wish SQ was in this, but I feel like he might be the actor they couldn't get back. I suppose you never know. It looks like we got Jackson, Jillson, Garrison, AND Martina becoming disillusioned by Curtain this season, so maybe they are saving his son turning against him for the big finale. We'll see, but VERY HAPPY the blank expression actually was Marlon, he will not be missed. Until next time!

[bi-buckrights]

🎶✨️When you get this you have to put 5 songs you actually listen to, publish, then send this ask to 10 of your favourite followers (non-negotiable, positivity is cool) ✨️🎶

Tagged by my love @monsterrae1 💕

I love forcing my music onto other people, enjoy ✨

No I don't mean to suggest that I loved you the best

I don't mean to suggest that I loved you the best

That's it

That's it

I don't even think of you that often

A combination of their own song “Sun Hotel” and Leonard Cohen’s “Chelsea Hotel No. 2” this song evokes a raw emotion that I think is so hard to capture. Overall the lyrics are simple but the storytelling is just incredible. Nostalgic and heartbreaking, I can listen to this song on a loop and never get sick of it

And I'll defy every one and love you still

I will carry you with me up every hill

And if you die before I die, I'll carve your name out of the sky

I'll fall asleep with your memory and dream of where you lie

When I think about what love sounds like, I think of this song. The struggles that come with sharing a life with someone, but loving them through all of that, a love that doesn’t fade even in death.

But boys will be boys and girls have those eyes

That will cut you to ribbons sometimes.

And all you can do is just wait by the moon

And bleed if it's what she says you oughta do

Things song has been in my top five every year since I first got Spotify back in 2016. It’s about missed opportunities and old wounds, a final farewell to people from your past that you can’t let go of.

In a beautiful dream you were walking

In the city by the sea

And you wanted me

Like I wanted you

I wish that were true

Another song with INCREDIBLE storytelling. It’s a retelling of The Odyssey with a combination of historical, literary, and biblical references, as well as things from his own life. It’s just… so beautiful

Would you catch me if I was falling?

Would you kiss me if I was leaving

Would you hold me because I’m lonely without you?

This song is so special to me (the live version specifically). My dad found this album in his new desk after we moved when I was little and he played it in the car all the time. I HATED it. Then I was old enough to actually understand lyrics and I remember just sitting there in silence afterwards just kind of in awe of how it made me feel. To this day it’s one of my favorite songs.

Tagging in case anyone else wants to do it 💕 @rogerzsteven @swiftiediaz @prettyboybuckley @lostinabuddiehaze @spotsandsocks

[monsata]

5 of 1001

Today's album: Tracy Chapman - Tracy Chapman (1988)

Right here, this is the heart of why i started this project.

An excellent album that I've never heard. I know the one song that everybody knows by Tracy Chapman.

Yeah, the one that's playing in your head right now as you are reading this.

And it would have been such a shame to have never given this album its due, because it speaks to a lot of things that are very near and dear to my heart.

That Things are Not Good. That Things Could Be Better. That Love is not nearly as easy (or as complicated) as it seems in the movies.

Simply put: this album really blew me away, and here, only 5 days in, I'm so glad i decided to try this insane 3 year long musical odyssey.

Talkin' Bout a Revolution- I really, seriously wish Tracy's revolution had come to pass. What a beautiful sentiment: the uplifting of the downtrodden, everybody getting their fair share. But nowadays, it mostly sounds to me like something that would be used as an ironic backdrop for footage of anti-fascist and anti-police riots from the last decade.

Fast Car- The only Tracy Chapman song that i could name off the top of my head. What more can be said that thang been said dozens of times already? It's such a pretty, sad song about how Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans.

Across the Lines- same basic sentiment as Talkin' Bout a Revolution, but not ironic this time. Prescient, in that this album came out a few years before the Rodney King beating would prove her 100% correct.

Behind the Wall- Cops have always been fucking useless parasites.

Baby Can I Hold You- so far the most dated song in instrumentation, this feels VERY late 80s. That said, WAIT, HOLD UP, IS THAT A SITAR!? Nice.

Mountains O'Things- feels very much like "in your eyes"-era Peter Gabriel with all the layered and intricate percussion with synthy "world music"-style woodwinds. "All of those rich guys better watch out once i'm finally one of them!"

Also, in a moment of serendipity, i listened to a podcast about Citizen Kane earlier today (shoutout to The Worst of All Possible Worlds) and i can't help but draw a few parallels to "depressed and unfulfilled poor rich people".

She's Got Her Ticket- wasn't expecting a reggae song today, but it works really well with her voice. That said, there's definitely a recurring theme of "she's gonna get the fuck out of here" throughout the album.

Why?- The other recurring theme on this album: EVERYTHING IS ABSOLUTELY FUCKING TERRIBLE, WHY ISN'T ANYBODY DOING ANYTHING ABOUT *ANYTHING*? WHAT THE FUCK ARE THE PEOPLE IN CHARGE EVEN DOING!? Damn, i wish Tracy's revolution had been more than a whisper.

For My Lover- honestly, feels like an anthem for the battered, and that feeling of "if i leave them, I'll have nobody."

If Not Now...- "now loves the only thing that's free, we must take it where it's found, pretty soon it may be costly" damn, what a line.

For You- a beautiful song about being truly lost in love for someone.

Favorite Track: oh it's still gotta be Fast Car. I can see why it was the single, and i can see why it exploded. Incredibly relatable, soulful, coming from a place of hurt, but damn it were gonna make the best of this hurt because it's all we've got.

Least Favorite Track: She's Got Her Ticket. While it's still a good song, it's really the odd one out of the album. The reggae styling kinda sticks out like a sore thumb here, and there isn't much in this song that doesn't get covered in a better way in other songs on the album.

[flawedamythyst]

I posted 550 times in 2022

That's 25 more posts than 2021!

56 posts created (10%)

494 posts reblogged (90%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@raedear

@forpiratereasons

@winterhawk-olympic-bang

@snake-snack-stede

@thirdspin

I tagged 367 of my posts in 2022

Only 33% of my posts had no tags

#our flag means death - 173 posts

#the old guard - 62 posts

#marvel - 40 posts

#ofmd - 30 posts

#whob - 27 posts

#my fic - 25 posts

#winterhawk olympic bang - 19 posts

#immortal husbands - 16 posts

#winterhawk - 14 posts

#nicky/joe - 12 posts

Longest Tag: 136 characters

#i try to be normal about it all but also there is a part of me that would really like her to get divorced and go back to her maiden name

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

I need you all to know that I am 11 working days away from leaving my public-facing job at the UK's largest military charity, yes the one with 'royal' in the name, the Queen as our patron and a supporter base that is largely elderly and very patriotic, and I am taking it as a personal insult that the Queen has chosen to make those last days a living hell for me. I am going to have so many phone calls where I'll have to be 'saddened by this great loss' and 'touched by your kind words'.

Just...why would the Queen pick on me like this? What did I ever do to her?

17 notes - Posted September 8, 2022

#4

This is SV Tenacious, the only tall ship in the world designed and built to be sailed by a truly mixed ability crew, including including disabled people, those with mental health conditions or long-term ill-health issues. She has features such as wheelchair lifts and wide decks that provide equal and easy access throughout the ship, a speaking compass that enables those with visual impairments to steer the ship and signage in braille, guidance tracks, tactile stair strips and raised directional arrows on handrails for people with visual impairments.

I’ve sailed on her several times, and seen wheelchair users go up the mast and visually impaired people steer her into harbour, and the impact on people’s self-confidence that being a full part of the crew, able to take part in every aspect of sailing a ship, has on people.

All her voyages had to be cancelled over the pandemic, and now the charity that runs her, the Jubilee Sailing Trust, are facing administration if they can’t raise a certain amount by Thursday 14th. If they do, it will be a huge loss for a lot of people.

I realise this is a difficult time, financially, for lots of people, but if you can spare anything to help keep them going, please do, or even just share this post in case others can help. This charity means a lot to me and my family.

You can donate here.

They’re currently ringfencing donations made so if they do go into administration, anything you donate will be refunded.

20 notes - Posted April 13, 2022

#3

The Old Guard | Joe/Nicky | Teen | 21,249 words

Three different times, hundreds of years apart, when Nicky waited for his soulmate timer to tick down to zero.

“Ah, so you are soulmates,” said the scientist, Kozak, turning Joe’s wrist in the restraints to see his zeroed numbers. “We weren’t sure.”

 She was holding a scalpel in one hand. Nicky couldn’t take his eyes off it, knowing that it was going to be slicing into Joe’s flesh soon.

 “We’ve never kept a secret of our love,” said Joe. “Nicky is everything to me. And you’re intending to hurt him. How do you think that will end for you?”

 Kozak gave him a dismissive look, one which Nicky was sure she would come to regret. “I’ve always wondered how these work,” she said, looking back down at the faint red of Joe’s numbers. “They make no biological sense, you know."

Written for @oldguardbigbang

With art by @iwritesometimes

24 notes - Posted November 12, 2022

#2

Marvel | Clint/Bucky | Explicit | 48,865 words

Written for @winterhawk-olympic-bang

Clint and Bucky have been fucking after missions for a while but as long as Bucky tells himself they’re just buddies letting off steam, he can pretend it doesn’t mean anything queer. Which works great, right up until it doesn’t.

Just as he’s trying to distance himself from Clint to avoid the mess he’s made, an altercation with a mutant ends with both of them sent back in time to the place Bucky still considers home: 1939 Brooklyn.

Trying to lay low and not fuck up the timeline, they're forced to depend on each other to survive in the past. While Bucky slowly starts to work through his issues, Clint throws a wrench in the works by making pals with the guys next door - a much younger Bucky and Steve.

Been waiting to post this for so long! Hope you all enjoy it! Mind the homophobia tags.

Also keep an eye out the fantastic embedded art by @kangofu-cb and @claraxbarton!

73 notes - Posted November 1, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Is there any greater AO3 crime than marking a fic as Complete when it isn’t?

146 notes - Posted August 30, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[dianight]

A dream from last night

I probably manifested this one by checking for Ender Lilies posts but in this dream I was Lily (the grown up version that smiles, not sure if I still had the tentacles or not) and there was some sort of disaster and I was helping people evacuate this city and whatnot. I was purifying anyone that was blighted and the spirits where around just getting rid of those who were fully infected and transformed into monsters.

After getting a lot of people in buses we go in a car (can't remember with who) to like the outer part of the city that's walled off. Then I was helping people settling in all the empty buildings. Like we'd go inside to make sure no one was infected and then go help someone else.

We got to the top of one of the buildings (some sort of "terrace") and I see that some people are preparing pots and dirt to grow some stuff up there. It's a really high building and I think about jumping/flying to another one that's close but Eleine and Silva won't let me because my wings only let me jump higher but not really fly or hover, it's too dangerous.

We agree that I'll probably stay there on the top floor (view is great) and then go down to check on others. I see some old lady with bags full of groceries and I go ask her where she got them. It's at this point that I realize I've been communicating with gestures the whole time because I can't speak (well duh) but everyone seems to understand and they are all too happy to talk to "the priestess".

This old lady points to a massive structure (stadium?) where there are a few lines. We go there and they give us a piece of paper with a number. They ask my name and I can only try to write it on the air (does Lily know how to write?), they let me in first since there's like 20 children all screaming and playing while waiting. Once inside there's a lot of people just chilling (I saw my brother and his friends lmao) and apparently some of them are being kind of obnoxious but I can't really go in because apparently not everyone knows who I am and I could cause panic if I just summon the spirits in the middle of a crowd.

There was a part about collecting the other number (I had a 10 and needed a 14) but I'm not sure what was it for. There was a group of like 5 very big dudes going around intimidating people but when they realized I'm there they come to ask if I need help getting my number and they go around asking for it. They clearly don't want to make me upset so they just try to be helpful before someone else asks me to deal with them.

It's kinda blurry after that, something happened with some infected but since I could have all the spirits with me no one was really in danger. At some point I woke up and I was baffled by my communication ability to make myself understood with a few gestures and shaking my head to say yes/no.

It was really cool to go around just helping people and everyone just going "yay the priestess is here" "hi priestess" "thank you for the help priestess". Now that I think about it no one called me by name... Also it felt nice to know that not only I had everyone with me but knowing that if anything goes wrong I can fix it by virtue of being pretty much invincible (fully charged SP the whole time, didn't even need to use it).

I'm so happy that Lily gets a nice ending even in my dreams.