#dream of the endless my nemesis

[just-some-random-blogger]

I just realized that Dream doesn't really wear jewelry like he wears his ruby obviously and I think he wears an earring every once in a while but could you just imagine him wearing rings?? Like I don't know but just picturing it looks hot but I don't know I'm just bored

baby say LESSSSSSS SAY LESSSSSSSSSS. ITS HONESTLY A PROBLEM THOUGH. HE NEEDS MORE BLING. HE NEEDS MORE OOMF. I WOULD SIMPLY DIE IF THIS MAN WITH HIS LONG ASS FINGERS WORE RINGS. I WOULD NEED HIM TO MAKE HIS RING CLAD HANDS MY OWN PERSONAL NECKLACE. ughhhhhh my nemesis my goth boyfriend ughhhhhh i hate him. have you seen these fan arts of him with some bling?

THAT IS MY BOYFRIEND WHO SCARES THE KIDS OFF THE FUCKIN PLAYGROUND. SCARY BOYFRIEND RIGHTS I WANT HIM SO BAD

[just-some-random-blogger]

YOU HAD ME AT CAT [FOAMING IN THE MOUTH]

Morpheus - the sole provider of the Dreaming and all of its residents - was obviously a busy man. His attention constantly pulled in every direction from ensuring dreams and nightmares were doing their duties, to aiding whoever asked, and to keeping the Dreaming afloat and in perfect order. For the Dreaming was a cog in the cosmic wheel which was of utmost importance, its effects rippled out to all realms.

SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP SO WELL WRITTEN SO VIVID SO UGH SO GOOD AND IT STARTS WITH THIS UGHHH

You understood this greatly, Morpheus had responsibilities that came first, and that never bothered you. In fact, because of such reasons, whenever you visited the Dreaming you created a game for yourself. There were many wondrous, unimaginable things to see and do in the Dreaming, but strangely you noted all the mundane things. Things you could easily see in the Waking, things such as the occasional house cat trotting around the palace.

🔊🔊💗💗💗😫😫😫😫😫😫😫SCREAMING TROTTING KITTIES [FALLS TO MY DEATH] PEAK DEVASTATION

Did Morpheus have an affinity for cats? Or did cats have an affinity for Dream of the Endless?

Both. Its like how i love dream and dream loves me (real)

You gently called out, “Come on out, I promise I won���t hurt you.”

Yn like me for real. Literally me with any cat ever

Morpheus scanned over the documents and blueprints, feeling satisfied with the solutions. His eyes flickered to Lucienne as she piled up the papers. “And do rest, Lucienne, you deserve it.”

Ugh so thoughtful 🫶 we love a kind king lol HAHAHA

Morphues nodded, then strolled out of the library. The second the door clicked behind him, his thoughts instantly went to you. Where could you have run off to this time? He wished he could offer more of his time to you. His heart ached, knowing you were alone. You swore it never bothered you. However, it bothered him. Immensely. Surely, the Dreaming would take care of you; you could find entertainment anywhere and never grow bored.

SURELY THE DREAMING WOULD TAKE CARE OF YOU

NAH COS HE IS THE DREAMING BASHING MY HEAD AGAINST THE FATHER FUCKING WALL FUXK

But, he wanted to be there. He wanted to show you wonders. In the end, however, he could not divide his attention so easily.

😭😭😭😭😭😭 simp. Also youre like an Endless. You cant do 2 things at once?

Mildly unrelated news

He moved to call out to you, almost believing you were speaking to him, when a cat - a brown tabby cat - slowly walked towards you.

NAUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRR CHOKING BURNING DEVASTATED

At the sound of your laughter, such a sweet sound, a dark cloud began to form over the King of Dreams’ head.

😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀 MANS SO PETTY PLS SIR THAT IS A CAT A KITTY THAT LIVES IN your DOMAIN

You scratched the tabby’s cream colored chin, and your smile widened as her purring grew louder. The cat pushed her head into your hand, grateful for every ounce of affection you were giving. When her pale green eyes opened, she seemed as if she was smiling up at you. Her eyes twinkled. Then, without warning, she hopped into your lap, curling into a ball.

SCREAMING IM LUV HER NAUUURR

Why? Why did anger worm into his heart over such a small insignificant creature?

🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨OK PULLUP DID YOU JUST CALL THE KITTY INSIGNIFICANT I SWEAR TO GOODNESS OF THE EARTH I WILL SMACK YOU SO HARD HOW DARE YOU LOOK DOWN ON A KITTY

The tabby cat perked up her head, noticing Morphues first.

Meow if you are mean to her i will murder you

The cat looked up at you with such beautiful blue - and somehow familiar - eyes. You started scratching the top of his head, and he sunk down into your lap. His tail happily swished back and forth.

LMAAOOO😭😭😭😭😭😭 HES SO PRIDEFUL AND PRETTY MY GOSH

Morpheus, with his unnaturally bright blue eyes, locked eyes with the cat. Disgust and hatred written plainly in his eyes. The cat pinned her ears back and swiftly leapt out of your lap, sprinting off back into the rose bushes.

HE 👹 DID 😡 NOT 🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪 MY POOR KITTY APOLOGIES WITH TEARS ON HIS KNEEESSSSSS 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬 I HATE HIM

You glanced over to where the cat was looking earlier, before her grand escape, only to spot a new cat. The gorgeous all black cat had a regal air about him as he approached you. You shrugged off the other cat’s peculiar behavior. Smiling at the black cat, you stretched out your hand in a welcoming gesture. “Hello there, little one.”

NO???? HES SO FUCKING MEAN AND PETTY... But i cant hurt him hes in cat form 😭😭😭😭😭

The cat sniffed your hand only once before pushing his head into your hand. Your smile widened. He seemed to like you more than any other cat you met. The cat purred and instantly jumped into your lap.

😭😭😭😭😭SIMMMMPPPPPPPPPP9PPP ALSO touch deprived moron 😭😭😭😭😭🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

You laughed. “Okay, make yourself at home.”

Real. In between my legs? Real.

Ew omg hes a cat i mean in JJJsjsjnsjjs fucking human form HELP ME MY GOSH

The cat looked up at you with such beautiful blue - and somehow familiar - eyes. You started scratching the top of his head, and he sunk down into your lap. His tail happily swished back and forth.

😭😭😭😭😭 its giving puppy. I hate to be the one to tell you but normally when cats swish their tails they loathe you 😭😭😭 but i also did read that when kitties are asleep and they wag their tail theyre saying ok i know ur here but im sleeping anyway cus i trust you AND I ALWAYS THOUGHT MY CATS JUST HATED ME BUT NOW IN GOING TO GO CRY ABOUT IT IM LUV THEM SO MUCH

Anyway

“I know it’s you, love,” you whispered. The cat jerked his head up, staring up at you with those endless oceanic eyes. You ran a finger from his nose over his forehead. You bent down kissing the top of his head, over the smoothed out fur. “So, now I am left wondering why you have taken the form of a cat? Care to explain, Morpheus.”

Girl he petty af what do you mean explain how are tou blissfully unaware you boy toy as petty as a child

Morpheus stared, silently. Does he dare say the reasoning? Does he keep up the charade?

🙄🙄🙄🙄😒😒😒😒😩😩😩😩 hes so PETTYYYYY do it stay a cat for the rest of your life

You snickered. “Is that why you are like this? To be scratched? To be pampered?”

To be fair, as someone whose love language is physical touch yes. Yes i would. Also my guy my dude my blissfully unaware yn 😭😭😭😭YOUR BOYFRIEND TOUCH DEPRIVED THE FUCK YES. YES WANTS TO BE SCRATCHED AND PAMPERED

Morpheus turned his head, holding it up high. Now, that was ridiculous.

🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨 ok rat

“Oh come on, you came to me like this.” Your hand ran down his back through his midnight fur. “You clearly wanted this.”

🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 im sayin

Morpheus rolled his eyes as he tried to hide an amused smile. Despite your teasing, he could not help but smile when you smiled. Even if the reasoning was at his own expense.

🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎 its giving man. Its giving simp (mildly affectionate)

Morpheus’s lips thinned. Apparently, anger was still heavy on his chest. Anger and embarrassment. He glanced away, avoiding your gaze. He looked to where the other cat scampered off, luckily she had not shown her face again. He was thankful for that.

FUCK YOU LOOK AT WHAT YOU DID TO MY POOR KITTY 😭😭😭😭😭

You laughed. Standing up, you leaned in towards Morpheus. “You were jealous of a measly little cat.”

EXCUSE YOU I WILL NOT STAND FOR THIS CAT SLANDER HELLO????

“Now, why would you be jealous? It is only a cat, Morpheus.”

NAHHHHHHHHHHH THIS COUPLE CAN CHOKE THE CAT SLANDER IS TOO THICK

“A cat which has garnered all of your affection.” He fired back.

Stay mad ///:

Morpheus grumbled. “Then why shower it with any affection at all? Why not seek out my company instead?”

He placed his hand on top of yours. “I know, but I wish you would. You do not have to be out here finding entertainment in strays.”

I DONT LIKE THE UNDERTONES OF LOOKING DOWN ON THE CATS. RIDDLE ME THIS DREAM LORD. IF THESE CATS LIVE IN THE DREAMING AND ARE STRAYS THEN THATS

YOUR

FAULT HMMM HMM HMM RIGHT RIGHT!?!!!???????!!!

[SMACKS HIM WITH ROLLED MAGAZINE]

He blinked. Your eyes shone with adoration, such beautiful eyes. He sighed, leaning into your touch. What a fool I am, he thought. His hand curled around your wrist, wishing to stay like this. “Apologies, love,” he muttered, “it seems I have let my emotions get the best of me.”

YOU DONT SAY [SCREAMING INTO THE ABYSS]

Morpheus frown deepened. That was possibly the last thing he wished to do.

HESSSSS SOOOO PETTTYYYYY I WANNNTT HIMMM

You hummed. “I may want all your attention to myself, I may become a distraction.”

Me

“No, you will not. You were quite cute as a cat.” You kissed him - fleeting, but oh so loving. “But not as cute as you are now.”

Green-Eyed Monster

Summary: While Morpheus takes care of the Dreaming, you find yourself enjoying a past time of yours: finding and cuddling cats of the Dreaming. It was a fun and innocent game. Or it was. One day, Morpheus spots you with a cat in your lap and strangely becomes jealous. So, how will he solve this? By becoming a cat himself, of course.

Word Count: ~2.6k

Reader: Gender Neutral (not explicit)

Warning: Some minor jealousy, mostly fluff, light teasing and suggestive hints in the end

Requested by the amazing @dreamstatednightmare

Morpheus - the sole provider of the Dreaming and all of its residents - was obviously a busy man. His attention constantly pulled in every direction from ensuring dreams and nightmares were doing their duties, to aiding whoever asked, and to keeping the Dreaming afloat and in perfect order. For the Dreaming was a cog in the cosmic wheel which was of utmost importance, its effects rippled out to all realms.

You understood this greatly, Morpheus had responsibilities that came first, and that never bothered you. In fact, because of such reasons, whenever you visited the Dreaming you created a game for yourself. There were many wondrous, unimaginable things to see and do in the Dreaming, but strangely you noted all the mundane things. Things you could easily see in the Waking, things such as the occasional house cat trotting around the palace.

Did Morpheus have an affinity for cats? Or did cats have an affinity for Dream of the Endless?

You supposed it didn’t matter.

When Morpheus had business to attend to, you would go ‘hunt’ for cats. You would stroll throughout the palace, and its grounds - sometimes even venturing into Fiddler’s Green - to find a cat. To your surprise, it was quite easy. In minutes, you would find yourself tucked under a tree, or on a bench, with a cat in your lap and possibly another walking around. You would sit for what seemed to be hours mindlessly petting it, listening to its calming purring, or coo at the furry stray. You would even tell stories to them, be it fictional or from your own life.

You enjoyed this little game of yours.

So, when you visited the Dreaming tonight, you found yourself in a portion of the palace's lustrous gardens - the rose garden. The rose bushes stretched tall and wide as a thick wall, forming an extravagant labyrinth to get lost in. Roses of all colors bloomed from a pure innocent white to a dark red dripping with a passion. Yet, you sat on the outer edges under a tree; the tree had iridescent green leaves and glass like flowers hidden in the foliage. The sunlight always shined above, sending prisms of splintering rainbows all over. But, despite such beauties, you were here for a simpler reason. You smiled as you spotted a shadow again up ahead in the rose bushes. A distinct shadow you came to know well - a feline shadow.

You gently called out, “Come on out, I promise I won’t hurt you.”

Pale green eyes - almost yellow in the sunlight - peered out from behind the leaves. Its eyes nearly blended into the mess of various greens.

You smiled kindly, extending out your hand towards it.

A reddish brown nose poked out.

Back in the palace, specifically in the royal library, Morpheus rose from a chair away from the long thin table. “If there is nothing else, Lucienne, I would like to take my leave for the day,” he said.

Lucienne closed her journal, which now had a completed checklist written inside, and looked up at her lord. “Everything has been accounted for and addressed, sire.”

“Good. I will be leaving, but if anything arises do call.”

“Of course, my lord.” She nodded and began tidying up all the documents scattered over the table top. With new dreams and nightmares being created, space for them was now needed. The Dreaming was under minor maintenance and readjustments.

Morpheus scanned over the documents and blueprints, feeling satisfied with the solutions. His eyes flickered to Lucienne as she piled up the papers. “And do rest, Lucienne, you deserve it.”

Lucienne blinked then smiled softly. “I will, thank you.”

Morphues nodded, then strolled out of the library. The second the door clicked behind him, his thoughts instantly went to you. Where could you have run off to this time? He wished he could offer more of his time to you. His heart ached, knowing you were alone. You swore it never bothered you. However, it bothered him. Immensely. Surely, the Dreaming would take care of you; you could find entertainment anywhere and never grow bored.

But.

But, he wanted to be there. He wanted to show you wonders. In the end, however, he could not divide his attention so easily.

He sighed to himself, walking out to the grounds of the palace. You said you wouldn’t stray too far.

“Oh, look how lovely you are.”

Morpheus’s footsteps faltered. He twisted around to locate your voice. Under one of the trees bathed in rainbows, there you were. You sat cross-legged on the soft patch of grass with your back pressed against the trunk of the tree.

He moved to call out to you, almost believing you were speaking to him, when a cat - a brown tabby cat - slowly walked towards you.

You cooed as the cat reached you and you began scratching behind her ears.

Morpheus oddly felt himself deflate.

The cat purred, leaning into your touch. Smiling, you whispered praises. You ran a finger over the dark stripes, softly tracing over the somewhat misshapen ‘M’ on her forehead. The cat closed her eyes, tilting her head back loving every second.

You chuckled. “Do you like that?”

At the sound of your laughter, such a sweet sound, a dark cloud began to form over the King of Dreams’ head.

You scratched the tabby’s cream colored chin, and your smile widened as her purring grew louder. The cat pushed her head into your hand, grateful for every ounce of affection you were giving. When her pale green eyes opened, she seemed as if she was smiling up at you. Her eyes twinkled. Then, without warning, she hopped into your lap, curling into a ball.

“God, you are adorable,” you whispered, giddily.

She rolled onto her back, peering up at you. You wiggled your fingers in front of her face and she meowed and batted at them. You laughed, loud and wholeheartedly.

Morpheus’s jaw clenched.

Why? Why did anger worm into his heart over such a small insignificant creature?

His eyes locked onto you. You peered down at the feline. Your fingers carefully caressed over her head and down her back. So delicate, so loving. A sickly green clouded his vision. He craved your attention after such a grueling day, and to see a cat be the prize of such affection? Jealousy and disgust filled him. How dare this creature tread on what was his?

He did not think twice.

He stepped forward.

His mortal figure withered away into a cloud of glimmering yellow sand. Each drop quietly scattered across the ground, like hushed bells. As the cloud shrunk, a black long hair cat strolled out. His gaze landed on you, or more accurately the stray in your lap. With his head held high, he walked over while his tail flickered side to side.

The tabby cat perked up her head, noticing Morphues first.

Morpheus, with his unnaturally bright blue eyes, locked eyes with the cat. Disgust and hatred written plainly in his eyes. The cat pinned her ears back and swiftly leapt out of your lap, sprinting off back into the rose bushes.

“Well, what got into her?” You asked, confused.

You glanced over to where the cat was looking earlier, before her grand escape, only to spot a new cat. The gorgeous all black cat had a regal air about him as he approached you. You shrugged off the other cat’s peculiar behavior. Smiling at the black cat, you stretched out your hand in a welcoming gesture. “Hello there, little one.”

The cat sniffed your hand only once before pushing his head into your hand. Your smile widened. He seemed to like you more than any other cat you met. The cat purred and instantly jumped into your lap.

You laughed. “Okay, make yourself at home.”

The cat looked up at you with such beautiful blue - and somehow familiar - eyes. You started scratching the top of his head, and he sunk down into your lap. His tail happily swished back and forth.

Morpheus could not deny how heavenly this all felt.

“You are truly a beautiful cat,” you hummed. “And so soft too.”

Your fingers carded through his fluffy, cotton candy like fur. You wanted to bury your face in his fur. Oh, it was so warm too, like a gentle hug, soothing and welcoming. Another sense of familiarity tickled in the back of your mind. The texture, to some extent, but the color reminded you of -

It clicked.

You huffed through your nose, amused. You continued to scratch behind his ears. He snuggled deeper into your lap, purring constantly and nonstop.

“I know it’s you, love,” you whispered. The cat jerked his head up, staring up at you with those endless oceanic eyes. You ran a finger from his nose over his forehead. You bent down kissing the top of his head, over the smoothed out fur. “So, now I am left wondering why you have taken the form of a cat? Care to explain, Morpheus.”

Morpheus stared, silently. Does he dare say the reasoning? Does he keep up the charade?

You scratched under his chin. He immediately closed his eyes, and began purring once again.

You snickered. “Is that why you are like this? To be scratched? To be pampered?”

Morpheus’s eyes shot open. He huffed, partially annoyed; be it at you for the accuracy of your questions or himself for acting this way, he did not know why.

“Or to be cooed at?” You teased. “My sweet, adorable Morpheus.”

Morpheus turned his head, holding it up high. Now, that was ridiculous.

“Oh come on, you came to me like this.” Your hand ran down his back through his midnight fur. “You clearly wanted this.”

Morpheus peered out of the corner of his eye to you.

A smile graced your lips. Brilliant and beautiful.

His heart skipped.

Maybe, this was enough. The charade was clearly over.

He leapt out of your lap. In mid air, a tornado of shadows and golden sand swirled tightly around Morpheus’s tiny feline figure. It grew bigger and wider in the air. In a span of a few seconds, black boots landed firmly on the ground. The sand wisped away twinkling like distant stars, and Morpheus stood above you back in his mortal form.

“Aw, did you have enough already?” You tossed him a cheeky smile.

Morpheus rolled his eyes as he tried to hide an amused smile. Despite your teasing, he could not help but smile when you smiled. Even if the reasoning was at his own expense.

“So?” You hummed.

Morpheus raised an eyebrow.

“Care you explain why you greeted me as a cat?”

Morpheus’s lips thinned. Apparently, anger was still heavy on his chest. Anger and embarrassment. He glanced away, avoiding your gaze. He looked to where the other cat scampered off, luckily she had not shown her face again. He was thankful for that.

You stared at him, silently dissecting him. Morpheus was always one to close himself off to negative, unsavory emotions. Yet, despite his efforts, you could read him fairly well. Your eyes followed his gaze towards the rose bushes, to the exact spot the tabby cat darted into.

“Was it the cat?” You asked, starting to pull at the thread.

Morpheus tensed. He slowly turned his attention back to you. His silence was your answer.

You snorted. “Morpheus, were you jealous of a cat?”

“No,” he quickly answered. Far too quickly, it only confirmed your suspicions.

You laughed. Standing up, you leaned in towards Morpheus. “You were jealous of a measly little cat.”

Morpheus huffed.

“Now, why would you be jealous? It is only a cat, Morpheus.”

“A cat which has garnered all of your affection.” He fired back.

You blinked then shook your head, still smiling. “It is a cat, it has not ‘garnered all of my affection’.”

Morpheus grumbled. “Then why shower it with any affection at all? Why not seek out my company instead?”

Your smile softened. Here is the true problem. You reached up with one hand and cupped his face. “Because, you are busy and I do not want to disturb you.”

He placed his hand on top of yours. “I know, but I wish you would. You do not have to be out here finding entertainment in strays.”

“But, I like it.”

He frowned.

“It is just a game, Morpheus. An innocent game of finding cats while I wait for you.” You stroked his cheek with your thumb. “It’s honestly relaxing and a bit fun, you should join me sometime.”

Morpheus frown deepened. That was possibly the last thing he wished to do.

“Oh, don’t be like that. A few cats cannot steal my heart, okay? And you know why?”

Morpheus stared. You silently prompted him to ask, to play along. He shook his head, but his lips slowly tugged back into a smile. “Why?”

“Because you already have it.”

He blinked. Your eyes shone with adoration, such beautiful eyes. He sighed, leaning into your touch. What a fool I am, he thought. His hand curled around your wrist, wishing to stay like this. “Apologies, love,” he muttered, “it seems I have let my emotions get the best of me.”

Not the first time, you jokingly thought. “It’s okay.”

He turned his head, kissing the inside of your wrist. “I think I may have a solution for our limited time apart.”

“Oh?”

“Would it be inappropriate to ask you to join me occasionally while I work? It could also provide an opportunity to show you all of the Dreaming.”

You smiled. “I would be honored.”

He returned the smile. “I hope you do not grow bored during such frivolous tasks.”

“I don’t think I will, and maybe I can help you. It could speed up the process.”

“Perhaps.”

With your free hand, you brushed back strands of his messy raven hair. “I just want you to know if you want my attention,” you leaned in pecking his lips, “just ask for it.”

Morpheus’s hands skimmed down your body, wrapping around you. “Is that so?” He whispered, playfully.

“It is.” You smirked, “You don’t have to go through crazy shenanigans like turning into a cat.”

He laughed once. “I suppose not.”

“But,” you began. Morpheus cocked his head curiously. Your arms fell over his shoulders as your fingers started to play with the edges of his hair. Your smirk grew, and your eyes twinkled with mischief. “But, you may not get any work done with me around.”

“Oh, really?” He leaned in, matching your smirk.

You hummed. “I may want all your attention to myself, I may become a distraction.”

Morpheus’s lips brushed over yours. “A welcoming distraction if ever.”

You chuckled. “How about we take this elsewhere? Maybe inside before another cat comes prancing in to ‘garner’ my affection.”

Morpheus had to suppress a groan. “I will not love this down, will I?”

“No, you will not. You were quite cute as a cat.” You kissed him - fleeting, but oh so loving. “But not as cute as you are now.”

He shook his head, but still smiled.

You took his hands, guiding him towards the palace. “If you want my affection, then let me show you how much you mean to me, my sweet king.”

Smiling, he tugged you back towards him, pressing you firmly up against him. His lips brushed over the shell of your ear. “Only if I get to return the favor, my love.”

You laughed as Morpheus quickly took the lead. He nearly rushed back inside, now knowing he will have your fullest attention - the thing he always craves.

[novafire-is-thinking]

Per aspera ad astra: “through adversity, to the stars”

The Vision

“You see a future in the stars?" Alpha Trion asked him quietly.

. . .

“The stars look endless to me,” he [Orion] said eventually. “Out there, you could just go and go, and there’d be enough space for everyone, and things to do and see that go on forever.” (CoP)

In an earlier post (Orion the Dreamer), I shared the full scene where Orion reveals his hopes and dreams to Alpha Trion.

And I mentioned in the previous post (Desire vs. Destiny) that it was Optimus’ deepest desire to peer behind the veil of life and study its secrets by collecting stories and seeking knowledge wherever he could find it.

Putting together both of these, one can see that Orion/Optimus’ personal vision for his life was to be a lifelong learner—one who learned through exploration, discovery of new life, the seeking of stories, and deep reflection.

Change of Plans

I will recover the AllSpark, thought Optimus Prime. Then I will retrace my steps across the galaxy and sow peace on my return wherever our initial exodus has inadvertently fomented division and war. (Exiles)

Life rarely goes as planned, as Optimus found out as the war dragged on.

Where a young Orion dreamt of setting out on his journey with curiosity and hope, a war-torn Optimus came to expect nothing more than a future quest of reparation and what he determined to be a moral duty.

A Fresh Glimpse of Hope

After so long, it was strange indeed to reach this planet again. Although I had heard it was full of life, I did not expect what we found—civilizations, technologies. For the last months, as we have been on final approach, we have learned to know them by their broadcasts, and though the others say nothing about it, what amazes me is how alike we are. Our bodies are different, our lifespans and our needs unalike, but what drives us and moves us is very much the same: humans talk about the heart, and Cybertronians the Spark; they love and fear, think and fight one another, as we do.

I looked for signs as we came within the light of their sun, and I find them everywhere—the many readings of Cybertronian technology on their world, the intensity of their struggles, the strange richness of their stories—against all odds, Unicron the Destroyer of Worlds has borne eons of life. I feel everything hangs in the balance. The Nemesis still pursues. We still track the AllSpark. So long this journey has been, and in spite of all its battles, so unchanging. (CoP)

Upon meeting and observing humans for himself, Optimus saw a glimpse of future potential—a future in which two very different, yet oddly similar species could learn and grow together, just as he’d wanted before the war. After all, Earth was also home to Unicron—the antithesis of Primus. There had to be a connection somewhere, and if not, Optimus intended to create one.

Of course, the war prevented him from getting his hopes too high, but judging from the fact that he trusted a human with the Key to Vector Sigma, it seems he allowed himself to hold onto a sliver of hope that humanity would not only survive the Cybertronian war, but would be part of Cybertron’s future in some way.

Endings and Epiphanies

I saw my death in the descent of the Dark Saber in Megatron's hand. I was surprised a little, disappointed. And then suddenly Megatron was no more. The reprieve was beyond belief. It shook me to my Spark and I felt suddenly with incredible force the fool I had been. I was not alone. I had never been alone, Prime or not. We, the Autobots, were one. (CoP)

After eons of hardship and carrying what he thought was primarily his burden to carry, Optimus was reminded that he was part of a greater whole.

The bigger goal was to see Autobots and Decepticons become one again, but this monumental shift in awareness was a necessary first step on Optimus’ journey to heal and open himself up to possibilities involving Cybertronians of either faction and humans.

A Shared Destiny

Thus ends the story of the Age of the Primes and of the origins of the Cybertronians, though not the whole story of course, for that is still being written in time and space on Earth, and all over the galaxy where the seeds and the sparks of life are growing.

I, Alpha Trion, one of the last Primes, now give this book into your hands, human friend, so that you shall know who your allies are, and your enemies also, how they are made, and where they have come from. Be sure that wherever and whenever you need our aid, the Autobots will respond to your call.

This is the Covenant of Primus, as given to all Cybertronians by right, and to humans by the last wish of Optimus, the Thirteenth Prime, so let it be.

TILL ALL ARE ONE.

Alpha Trion’s wording tells me humanity is probably the only other species that was given the Covenant of Primus.

This is incredible, to say the least. Of all the races Optimus encountered, he asked that humans be given one of the most sacred texts of the Cybertronian race.

But why humanity?

Well, Optimus firmly believed humans and Cybertronians shared a common destiny.

Alpha Trion, the relics, Unicron, the end of the war.

To Optimus, all of it pointed to Earth and humanity being an excellent starting point to launch into his original dream. He saw in humanity the future he’d endured so much hardship for: a future of learning and growing—not just alongside fellow Cybertronians, but alongside other races as well.

And depending on what each fan chooses to believe is the end of Optimus’ story, he either never got to see the fulfillment of his dream, or he did in some imagined way outside of canon.

Dreamers suffer more, but they also live more.

✧ ✧ ✧

Today, this post and the entire series are dedicated to Peter Cullen on his 82nd birthday, and to one of several beloved Optimi he’s poured so much of his heart and soul into. ❤️

[paladin-of-nerd-fandom65]

Neato answers buddy! :D

1: What's one video game the duo would like to go into? (It must be a story game not like Minecraft or any multiplayer)

2: Let's say the starburst duo got sucked into resident evil 2 remake & had to go through the events ( Leon A, just them, & no powers) will they be able to beat it & escape?

3: What's the worst panic attack the duo ever gotten?

4: How would Jon, Chris, Kon & the super-twins cuddle together?

5: Between the super-sons, the super-twins, starburst duo, & timkon, who wins in a game of basketball? Rules: only hover a few inches above ground (if able to) first to 10 scores wins, & the group with the least amount of points get face covered up in make-up.

Aww thanks @pin-crusher2000 . these are always fun to answer XD

1) Hmmm…..Well I have been having in my mind for the longest time a sort of crossover between DC and of all things CoD Zombies so…..Maybe one night Chris and Jake find themselves awakening inside a denounce and hellish version of the infamous Alcatraz Island, crawling all over with not just the undead but also hellhounds all led by an equally demonic Warden and the Duo have their powers severely dampened. They don’t have to rely on firearms to protect themselves but the waves of undead charging at them are endless and there’s seemingly no escape. Thats when they get help from a certain voice of a girl who guides them on their little haunting adventure, explaining that ancient evil which brought these undead to life had sucked the Duo into this world to break a sort of cycle their reality was within to ensure their own dominance or reality.

The girl’s name is Samantha. She would tell Chris and Jake how all this really began

Basically The Starburst Duo in a combination of Mob of the Dead and Origins basically lol.

2) Oh definitely so. Their parents taught them very well on survival techniques for those types of scenarios where both the Dead and the Monstrous Rise and they’re left powerless. As such, them fighting alongside the lovable rookie cop that is Leon Kennedy in the world ravaged by the T Virus can seem right up their alley no matter how freaky the effects of said Virus can be like, and not just those Nemesis T Zombies

3) Chris: The one he got once a more complete picture of his memories as Lor Zod and all the harsh treatment he got from his birth father and after sending the General and his army back into the Phantom Zone, being surrounded by all those reporters and his super hearing picking up on all the sounds of suffering all over Metropolis, unable to reach his family and eventually the pressure getting so bad, he straight flew away from the sight as fast as he could and far away from everything as fast as he could. It was once he was far away enough at the other side of the globe that he managed to calm himself to an extent. It really took another whole week wandering the earth in secret and about another week and a half staying with the Graysons until Chris finally was able to approach the Kents once again.

Jake: Probably in the immediate months after he was discharged from Bludhaven General Hospital for his recovery from his fateful and haunting duel against Victor Zsasz, it’s easy to envision Jake getting increased anxiety with capers and cases involving kids like himself in grave danger or far worse. He might get the job done if it involves rescuing said kids but his mind has gone into full overdrive with panic and fear as those memories of finding those slain orphans and how cruel Zsasz was are surfacing. It usually takes his allies, friends and loved ones present to help calm him. Also of course, plenty of nightmares and bad dreams about that particular case are a lot frequent for him, especially on those first few months afterwards.

4) it’s a five person longways pile on either the living room couch or a king sized bed. Conner would be at the core with Chris to his immediate right side and Osul to his left. From there, Jon would be snoring happily next to Osul while Otho in turn is cuddled up next to Chris. Conner’s loud snoring is blissful ambiance for the younger siblings.

5) I would say it’s major tie between the Super Twins and the Starburst Duo, not simply for their power levels and ability to learn as they play. It’s moreso how well in tune those two teams really are with Chris and Jake complimenting each other’s strengths and weaknesses with both stern direction and experience. Thr Twins on the other hand have superb understanding of what the other of doing and how to follow suit given their years working side by side back on Warworld

[mkmgwrites]

Draco and Potter lock eyes across the battered courtyard. A single point of contact in a mirage of shattered innocence and war.

Ah fuck.

Wails of grief echo off blood splattered walls, mingling with the cheers of victory to form a choir of human emotion. Draco and Potter stood still in the middle of the spectrum. Emotionless.

Merlin’s Mothers tits-

As The Dark Lord’s body grows cold, Draco feels a warmth bloom in his chest. His shoulders lighten. And for the first time in years he realises he is free.

Thank Fuck…Oh shit.

He struggles to find the words as Potter approaches. To remember what he had forgotten. His childhood nemesis, now saviour closes in fast, and it isn’t until he sees the cracked lenses of his glasses that Draco realises his feet are carrying him closer too.

Shit. Shitshitshitshit.

Green meets silver. Two faces on a double sided coin. Spectators gather to watch it flip.

Harry stops in front of him. “Malfoy,” he states, though it isn’t filled with its usual malice. It almost sounded like a question.

Shit. What do I do? What do I say?

“Potter” Malfoy replies, surprised by the steadiness of his own voice.

He wanted to say more but he couldn’t get the words out. How do you thank someone for saving the world? How to you say sorry for the years of teasing and torment? How does one say, “I am happy you killed him. Please don’t kill me too. I can be better. I will be better.”

I can’t fucking breathe. Oh fuck. I think I’m having a panic attack. Can he tell? Do I look cool? Fuck I hope I look cool. Mum spent ages designing this robe.

Potter remained silent, and somehow that rung louder than all the cries and the cheers. Draco waited.

Shitshitshitshitshitfuckingshit.

Potter stuck out his hand. It was muddy and bleeding and oh for Salazars Sake is he missing a nail- but it was stretched towards him.

Wandless. Open.

A peace offering. A new beginning. That feeling he had forgotten.

Hope.

Seven years later and Harry Potter finally wanted to shake his hand.

Draco didn’t know what to do.

Oh fuck I don’t know what to do.

He had never thought this would happen.

I never thought-

Had never dreamed.

What the fuck-

Dracos mind spiralled. He couldn’t even remember how to shake a hand.

Do I go in with the right? Shit, no I’m left-handed. Wait I can’t use my left hand cause he’s using his right hand. Is he? If I stood where Potter is which hand am I using?

He paused. The crowed held its breath.

Right. It’s my right hand.

Draco jerked his hand forward and clasped their palms together.

Oh fuck it’s happening. It’s finally happening.

Relief and elation flooded his bloodstream, his brain filled with fog. Harry Potter began to raise his arm up. A minuscule movement one did to begin the shaking motion. So minuscule in fact, that one wouldn’t even notice it.

Though Draco, in his heightened state, sensed this adjustment. And with his addled brain and pureblood breeding- he reacted purely on instinct.

Draco Malfoy bent down and kissed the hand of Harry Potter.

The moment his lips touched his skin, Draco knew he made a mistake.

WHAT THE F-

His mothers endless lessons on social etiquette had etched itself into his muscle memory. And for a moment he wished she had never given birth to him.

I’M GOING TO KILL MYSE-

The crowed laughed. Malfoy’s face turned beet red.

He stood and ripped his hand away. Furious at himself for ruining his moment-

SHITSHITSHITFUCKINGSHITSHITFUCKITYFUCKSHIT!

-missing the faint blush that had began to spread across Potter’s cheeks, and the gentle swipe of his thumb as it traced the outline of Draco’s lips.

[honeybeezgobzzzzz]

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your five favorite fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers! Spread the self-love. <3

FUCK ME DEAD! I have so may favorite fics! But I shall try to list my top 5 favorites!

Something Dread, Something Red - This series has me in a chokehold because of how much I adore and love daddy Shanks. Gods alive I want this red haired pirate to dick me down and call me madam....

EROS - Panty melting Hoe!Era Onieros at his finest (most pitiful/sad), I don't know how I managed to write such filth but it is there, in all it's blazing glory!

Just One Sip - Again, how TF did I write THIS!?!?! I adore Vampire!Morpheus so much it almost hurts! TBH Tom Sturridge would make a smoking hot vampire just because he's pale and gothic ya know? He's got the pouty brooding face down pat (so does Morpheus).

Walmart Superstore: An Endless’ Nemesis - It's so stupid, it's so funny, it's 100% Morpheus because he would 100% be offended and feel like he has been intentionally abandoned if he got separated from u in Walmart.

An Offered Apple - This is one of my favorites because I connect to reader so much in this. I WILL NOT recognize that you are flirting with me unless you TELL ME YOU ARE! I'm oblivious, I'm off in my own little world, I WILL accidentally propose to the Lord of Dreams and have absolutely no idea that I did so....

This was really hard to compile because I have spent the last 2 months writing Kinktober and 12 Days of Smutmas for 2024, AND I have added some new blorbos to my collection, but I haven't shared the stories yet because they are a raw mess of unedited words and I HAVE to stick to my schedule in the event that I lose my writing motivation. Anywho, thanks for the tag @pavlovianfuckery kisses! 😘

[therealityhelix]

Just because that first one is smiling, does not mean he's friendly.

That Swag is my darling favorite should go without saying. It's kinda funny because he is nothing like my normal type of fave, but sometimes a character is just so enjoyable that it doesn't matter.

Swag is layers upon layers of masks, operating under a fake it till you make it program that is in constant flux. He endlessly rebuilds and remakes himself, and despite certain strict rules and being a legit business owner, is one of the most fluid and chaotic characters in the group. He bucks social authority hard, and while he starts out a bit selfish and self centered, he skews far more towards trying to do what's good rather than what's legal. Meaning that, while he doesn't go out of his way to be a hero, he will try to help people who are right in front of him. He is sometimes bad at it.

Considering how truly awful he used to be, and how he chose to go about not being that, he is a rare example of a wildly successful reform. Most of the biggest name villains in his world either died, or called it quits eventually, leaving only the smaller rogues to decide if they really wanted to continue or not. I imagine his world as being contemporary to ours, but with more cyberpunk candy goth overtones, rather than the classic art deco or endless grunge feels that many other Gothams portray.

Swag is one of those obnoxiously fashionable people who you want to be mad at, but you can't because he's charming instead of insufferable. He is openly afraid of commitment, but has a deep capacity for love and care, and an almost religious (but not quite) need to put more joy into the world than he did pain. He knows he can't make up for what he did, but guilt will always drive a person to try.

Swag is agile, and the fastest among his peers, but his body just never holds much weight or muscle, so he's not as strong as, say, Arkham or Narci. He can take a lot of pain and keep going though-if all the contraptions in his bedroom closet are any indication-and is difficult to drop. He does not believe in fighting 'fair', he's just seen too many fights for that.

Swag is not to be trusted in the kitchen! Get him outta there! However, he is a very good seamster, and often designs clothing. He has a lot of hobbies to keep his mind occupied, and work off his boundless energy. He has troubles with addiction, alcoholism being his greatest nemesis, after giving up nicotine since discovering Helix was allergic to it.

When Swag was ten years old, a Gray showed him the future. There, he met Narci and Helix, and a few other people. And though as the years went on, that memory faded into a dream, then a fuzzy recollection, then nothing more than a faded impression with no details, it kept him alive. At his lowest points, when he wondered if it was really worth it to go on, he always ended up clinging to the unfounded belief that someone was waiting for him, and so he stayed alive.

Swag was an unintentionally guiding force for many of the other Riddlers, and is universally beloved. In the end, like Detective, he also eventually got almost everything he wanted.

@cardwrecks @captainbaddecisions @whocares-idont

[thedeafprophet]

22, 23, & 29 for my beloved Josie 💜

- @zeebreezin

22. Do they like being called pet names? Do they call other people pet names? What’s their go-to?

oh that is extremely context dependent - not a simple yes or no, but a matter of who and when.

If Josie doesnt know you, that is a hard no. People acting overly familiar, or worse, condescening,with pet names drives her up the walls, and being overly familiar with names with Josie is a surefire way to get on her bad side.

For people she knows, its a bit different. She doesnt mind the terms, within reason. She likes shows of affection in much of anyform. September in particular often calls her 'love', which she is very endeared to. I imagine Sept can get pretty into cheesy and cute petnames which Josie is oft endeared too.

In terms of her own usage she does tend towards them towards those she knows. she tends to use 'dear' the most often, especially in terms of friends and the like. she adapts to using love for sept too..... she likes the show of affection, and enjoys Aknowledging her relation to other people.....

23. Stability or novelty?

Oh Novelty for sure. Even if Josephine really tried to settle down into a Simple Life and Expectation of The Mundane, it wouldnt have worked for her. She's endlessly curious, endlessly searching, possessed with a deep need to know. Her greatest joy is when she's discovered something new, or what she's so close to the next breakthrough, or when there's a tanalizing piece of information thats just out of her reach. New, novel things are so neccesary for Josie, she'd choose it over stability every time, even subconciously (this might make things a tad difficult when it comes to being a mother, but still, she is figuring out the balance of work and home.)

29. What recurring dreams do they have?

Josephine tends to have a lot of nightmares, replaying of events from the past, or frequent worries about the future. Moments she's tried to move from the forefront of her mind in the waking tend to rear their ugly heads when sleep comes. Perhaps then she's not too affronted when others come to interupt her dreams...

most commonly tho (nemesis spoilers) she has reoccuring dreams about being back in Beggar's Wake, their among the moor, and endless howling wind, ringing in her ears.

Ask Game From Here

[darkgod313]

In the abyss where silence reigns supreme,

Dwells a force, a dark and potent dream.

"I am Darkness," it whispers with might,

"I am the shadow that swallows the light."

Rage incarnate, a tempest's birth,

I am the fury that scorches the earth.

With every breath, a storm is woken,

Words unspoken, promises broken.

Chaos, my herald, my dance, my song,

In the whirlwind of disorder, I belong.

A vortex of unpredictability, I spin,

Tearing the fabric of what might have been.

Vengeance, my creed, my undying flame,

I am the whisper that murmurs your name.

In the depths of night, I plot and scheme,

A nemesis, relentless, an unyielding dream.

I am Death, the end, the final say,

The closing of chapters, the decay.

In my embrace, all things cease,

I am the release, the ultimate peace.

With a heart of stone and a will of iron,

I trample over all, a tyrannical siren.

No plea, no prayer can sway my course,

An unstoppable force, without remorse.

I am the Dark God, the bringer of night,

In me, there’s no flicker of light.

I am the abyss, the void, the endless fall,

The silence that answers the raven's call.

My kingdom is vast, a realm of despair,

Where hope gasps its last, a rarefied air.

In this dominion, I rule supreme,

A monarch in a land of broken dream.

The stars themselves dare not pierce my veil,

For in my presence, even light grows pale.

The moon hides away, the sun dims its glow,

In the wake of my passage, only darkness I sow.

Yet, within this heart, an eternal night,

Lies a truth, hidden from sight.

That even in darkness, there exists a spark,

A reminder that even gods can leave a mark.

For in the void, creation begins,

From the end, a new journey spins.

And though I am death, chaos, and rage,

I am also the author, the pen, the page.

In the dance of destruction, a creation hides,

For even in shadows, beauty abides.

And so, I embrace this dual role I play,

In the grand design, a part in the ballet.

I am the darkness, the storm, the strife,

But within me, there's more to this life.

A complexity, a depth, a multifaceted light,

Hidden deep in the abyss, out of sight.

So beware, for I am the dark and the deep,

The keeper of secrets, the one who doesn't sleep.

A force of nature, wild and untamed,

I am the unnamed, forever unclaimed.

[silverslipstream]

All the original short stories/fiction I've written for university, catalogued in chronological order

Happy New Year! In honour of 2024 and in an effort to organise my writing better, I've catalogued every piece of original fiction I've written since starting university in September 2022, along with short summaries for each.

'An Acquired Taste' - A woman braves the streets of cyberpunk-esque 22nd century New Seoul and tries what a street vendor claims is 'real fruit' for the first time.

'The Pool' - A boy recounts the day he was taught to swim by his abusive and controlling father.

'Executive Decisions' - Three US Air Force pilots face a moral dilemma in the midst of a nuclear war between the US and Soviet Union.

'Abernathy's Roost' - A cynical property developer visits a haunted manor in the English countryside, only to discover that some legends do hold truth after all...

'Forces That Bind Us' - A high-school boy and his best friend can't figure out why their mutual crush has such a charismatic and compelling effect on everyone she meets.

'The Pyrius' - On his way to the Moon, a businessman looks back at the Earth and reflects on the circumstances that led him there.

'Huia' - Two filmmakers re-discover a supposedly-extinct bird, and become embroiled in a far-reaching environmental conspiracy.

'Delay Repay' - During a train journey in southern England, a young man meets an old man and realises the ripple effect one person's loss can have on the wider world.

'Past Expiry Date' - In an alternate world where machines are able to determine the date of a human being's death, a young woman wakes up the day after she was fated to die. (Officially published!)

'Neptunian Ink' - On Neptune's largest moon Triton, an exhausted astronaut drags his seriously wounded partner to a rendezvous point, and converses with a strange entity in the atmosphere of Neptune itself.

'Arrhythmic' - When she's visited in hospital after a car accident, a heart-rate monitor threatens to reveal the nature of a girl's true feelings towards her long-time best friend.

'Dickhead' - A wannabe teenage gangster in late-2000s Ireland beats the shit out of his 'mark', loathing yet relishing his violent tendencies.

'Shale' - On a deserted beach, a young woman sees visions of a future, or perhaps the past, and is tormented by the endless sea.

'Night Work' - A young man and his grizzled mentor visit a sacred burial ground haunted by a monster that's not quite as mythological as the legends would have you believe.

'Flashforward' - After waking up from an eerily vivid dream, an otherwise ordinary woman begins to notice events from her dreams coming true, and is approached by agents of a shadowy organisation who claim she can see the future.

'One Man's Trash' - At a local garage sale, an antiques collector is enamoured by a strange, unnerving artifact with a dark past.

'The Night Without Darkness' - A headless body is discovered by researchers on an Antarctic base camp after an unexplained loss of contact with the rest of the world.

'Exotic Game' - In a world with casual time-travel, an Internet forum is besieged by a time-traveling troll who brazenly interferes with the assassination of JFK, much to the chagrin of a 'timestream moderator.'

'Emergency Alert System' - An unexplained event involving the Moon plunges a small, rural family's night into chaos and horror.

'Millennium's Eve' - A lonely man in 1997 inadvertently travels forward in time to New Year's Eve 1999, and falls in love with a mysterious and alluring stranger.

'Saturn, The Harbinger' - Romance and banter fly between teenagers having a barbecue, until unexplained astronomical phenomena change the world forever.

'Struck Out' - In the ruins of post-apocalyptic America, a young girl born after the collapse of civilization asks an older man what the world used to be like.

'GritInMyEye' - MI6's worst-ranked agent, Rupert Courtroad, bungles an attempted assassination and encounters a side of his sworn nemesis that he'd rather not see...

'The Brink' - A suicidal man ruminates on depression, his memories and bad deli sandwiches while sitting atop the edge of a twenty-story building.

'Nocturne' - In a funeral parlour, an old man bids goodbye to his wife while reflecting on the life they shared, and his future in a world without her.

'Invisible Touch' - A house is haunted by a mischievous teenage ghost with a troubled death, a love of 1980s pop culture and a wicked streak of dark humour.

'Car Trouble' - A Formula One driver and a beautiful socialite are marooned by a mechanical fault, and said driver relishes the ability to show off his racing skills to some lucky hitchhikers.

'Squid Game' - With 31st-century humanity establishing an oppressive interstellar empire, a small-time criminal-for-hire listens to the plan of a man's uploaded mind - to populate a distant galaxy with his own genetically-modified squid.

'Trees All The Way Down' - Two aliens studying the Earth remark on how well they seeded the planet with life, only for one to reveal the truth about the dominant species on our world, and theirs...

'Name Tag' - a girl participates in her new high school's strange tradition, and discovers some uncomfortable truths about her own sexuality and attraction in the process.

'Mr. Slumps' - After an unexplained catastrophe, a young boy abandoned by his family begins to talk to the only vaguely human thing left: a dead man in the concrete pipe he's hiding in. To his surprise, the dead man responds.

'The Third-And-A-Halfth Floor' - A self-important business executive becomes trapped in a lift, and soon resorts to extreme measures to survive when he realises nobody's coming to save him.

'Two Plates' - In the aftermath of an agricultural disaster, a lone wanderer explores an abandoned home.

'Inevitability, Patience and Goodbyes' - In an alternate universe where the world's destruction is predicted for exactly 8:14pm on October 23rd, 1998, two best friends ruminate on the imminent apocalypse.

'Diana and Orion' - Sequel to 'Inevitability, Patience and Goodbyes': the protagonist of that story meets his longtime crush on a remote hilltop to await the end of the world.

'Self-Assembly' - A gay couple who have just bought their first home together share a romantic moment while assembling their new IKEA furniture.

'Ignition Sequence' - A watcher's perspective of a Space Shuttle launch, written from a second-person POV.

'Oculus' - A teenage girl undergoes experimental and illegal surgery to install a robotic eye implant, only to discover the dark side of the burgeoning 'transhumanist' movement. Set in the same universe as 'Freeqing Out'

'Witness Statement' - Following a school shooting, the perpetrator calmly recounts the event, his motivations and his disgust for the court that's trying him.

'Four Fingers And A Thumb' - A casual winter's day on the ice turns deadly when a young girl falls into the frozen lake, and a young boy is unable to save her. Takes place in the same shared universe as 'Inevitability, Patience and Goodbyes' and 'Diana and Orion'.

'Well, That's Not Very Diplomatic' - Upon receiving news that a race of neurotic and obsessive aliens is going to destroy the planet Earth, the human race dispatches a negotiator to unravel the aliens' true plans...

'No Swimming Without A Lifeguard Present' - As a cosmic event tugs Earth out of its orbit around the Sun, Miami Beach begins to look more and more unrecognizable as global cooling sets in.

'The Glassman' - At a rural train station, a mysterious international contract killer masterminds an unconventional and highly successful assassination.

'Lorentz Factor 206' - When an inventor's lightspeed drive accidentally launches him into deep space, he returns to Earth only to find that five and a half years have passed on Earth in the nine days he experienced.

'New Year's Kiss' - During a house party on New Year's Eve 2015, two male best friends share an unexpected drunken kiss.

'Seeing Things' - A man in a small Cotswolds village is tortured by the apparition of hanged townspeople that no one else can see.

'The Quieter Side of Te Mamaku Bay' - In 1990s New Zealand, an absent-minded young man and his closeted gay lover share a tender moment alone while camping at the beach.

'Freeqing Out' - In a dystopian future London, a brain-modification addict meets his new dealer and experiences a trip on a new kind of psychedelic drug.

'Treading On Eggshells' - prequel to 'No Swimming Without A Lifeguard Present'. A global alliance of governments races to construct an interstellar 'ark' in Earth orbit to escape the planet, while simultaneously trying to keep it secret from the increasingly frantic public.

'Operation Trident' - During a futuristic war between humans and alien invaders, a soldier is airdropped into alien-controlled Europe and soon discovers that the invaders aren't what they seem...

'Something To Lose' - sequel to 'Car Trouble'. With the Formula One World Championship on the line, a traumatised driver must choose between what's more important: glory, or his life.

'On The Sidelines' - prequel to 'The Quieter Side of Te Mamaku Bay'. A young, closeted bisexual man admires his crush while watching a Saturday morning game of football, only to draw unwanted attention.

'The Hand Of Poseidon' - A defeated man waits on a hilltop after an asteroid impact, awaiting the tsunami approaching his coastal city.

'The Long Dark' - sequel to 'No Swimming Without A Lifeguard Present'. With the planet Earth now helplessly spiraling into the outer Solar System, humanity's last radio DJ sends a final broadcast to a uncertain audience.

'After Midnight' - In a dying, post-nuclear-war world, a mother and her son travel to one of the last elements of local civilization still functioning - their local church. Loose sequel to 'Executive Decisions'.

'Honesty Is The Best Policy' - In a world where magic exists, a young witch accidentally drinks her roommate's truth potion, and soon her inner emotions and feelings come to light...

'Cheesy Beans' - A man struggling on the poverty line during Britain's cost-of-living crisis remembers a moment of kindness from a stranger in the supermarket.

'If It Happened Once...' - A boy with a time-traveling medallion tries to reset time in order to make his crush fall in love with him, but every time he goes back, the medallion's power has unexpected side effects on his body...

[helianskies]

👀👀👀 that's three AUs but just will also suffice

three au's? hm. let me just check to see if we've got any out back— ah, yep, yes, three au's. let me just... wrangle them out for you... hmm...

˗ˏˋ ꒰ 🪐 ꒱

Transient as the Stars

premise: on the humble planet of K'tose Paradi, a young inventor and scientist finds himself at the centre of an intergalactic bounty hunt. luckily for him, the first bounty hunter that manages to find him may just be convinced to pass on the payday in favour of saving their home.

details: Gilbert lives on K'tose Paradi, a small and quiet planet known for its rather arid landscapes and four suns. He spends his time mostly scavenging through scrapyards in search of materials he can use for work, or pocket for use on his inventions and projects. one day, he stumbles upon a relatively new crash site. not knowing immediately who it may have belonged to, he boards the vessel and goes about his business. only, something he pockets has such a great value that it comes to put a greater price on his head.

Antonio is a bounty hunter. he is in the middle of a spring clean when notification of a new bounty arrives, and it sends him flying into action - and flying not all that far, as the job is on the same planet he's currently calling home. it isn't so hard to find his target, and even though there is a short run-around, he is able to aprehend the small time inventor and wrangle him onto his ship. before he knows it, Gilbert is out in space, and his host and captor decides to let him in on why he's suddenly wanted.

however, just as Gilbert thinks he's done for, Antonio discovers exactly what it is he found on that ship and pieces together who is looking for Gilbert. and with that knowledge, he decides to risk his life and turn his back on his trade in order to help the other get to safety—to the people who can help. what results is an intergalactic journey, in which Gilbert sees planets he has only ever been able to dream of seeing, in which Antonio finds that loneliness is a fate worse than death, and in which the pair of them form a bond unlike one they will ever know again.

i had a lot of the world-building plans sorted for this one - it was the highlight of planning a fic. there's a fair bit of inspiration from star wars, i admit, but really this came from my brain in my big pruspa phase and ugGhhh the drama this au has in it. the betrayals, the friends, the action... so good!

˗ˏˋ ꒰ 💡 ꒱

Virtue's Mask

premise: some are born with powers, where others are bestowed them. not everyone uses these powers for good, however—or, perhaps, that is a matter of perspective.

details: Antonio works as an investigative journalist until... he doesn't. one night and one lead come to change his life forever, and a man who used to seek out secrets in order to better the lives of others has come to hold many secrets himself. even his brother, the only person he trusts, does not know the full extent of his nightly ventures. but Toni will do anything to keep it that way, just to keep him safe. it's for the best—as is his work.

meanwhile, as crime rises in the city, Arthur takes it upon himself to do what local law enforcement won't. vigilante work is tiring and endless, but he wouldn't give it up for the world—not even when a nameless figure appears on his territory and threatens the peace he is trying to restore. encounter after encounter, Arthur finds himself a nemesis, an equal, a challenge... even if his best friend worries for his safety, life has become far too exciting for him to walk away from.

by day, the pair of them are model citizens. they cross paths and their lives begin to tangle in ways more complicated than they could have imagined. what will happen, then, when they discover each other's dirty little secrets?

i have written a lil' chunk of this one, and in particular Antonio's backstory. i'm a fan of the 'they're totally the villain but well actually if you look at it this way—' and it suits nicely. i was more indecisive with Arthur's abilities, but for Antonio, i settled firmly on shadow manipulation as a contrast to his bright personality. i also had it in my head that Antonio works in a bookshop (having left his journalist profession) which is where he meets Arthur. and it grows from there!

˗ˏˋ ꒰ 🍞 ꒱

Slice of Life

details: Arthur branches away from the family business in order to establish his own small bakery. as rocky as it is for the first few months of trying to stand out and make his business thrive, he gets through it, and finds that the dough has finally given him a new purpose. that is, until about a year into his stint, a new café opens directly across from his bakery, and threatens to steal not only his customers, but his sanity, too.

over at The Warren, our charming new café, lifelong friends and owners Antonio and Francis are greeted with overwhelming support on their opening day and beyond. it's like a dream come true. organic food and coffee combined with great service is truly a winning combination!

and then, one day, Arthur braves the no man's land between the two businesses and checks out the competition. the pastries? they're okay. their teabags might as well be old dishcloths. but even he may have to admit that a certain someone's smile may just turn out to be a positive in his life. and a positive that he keeps coming back for.

i have literally no plans for this one, it lives only in my brain. but i love the potential for three different relationship dynamics. Toni and Fran have been friends since forever - nothing should come between them, in theory. but as Toni and Arthur start to get close and maybe even closer, the threat it may pose to Francis, who finds Arthur to be a thorn in his side, grows. maybe that in turn affects Toni and Arthur's relationship. but, in the end, Francis may just realise that he does miss how Arthur comes over to exchange words, to complain, to be their best critic. he misses the saltiness and how it compliments Antonio's sweetness. and so, he may just have to do his best to fix what he ruined. doesn't that sound like a fun plot?

well, that's all from me, anon. i hope you were mildly intrigued by one of these :')

[ 👀 ask game here! ]

[soilfe]

26.01.2022, 1:31

I am a twenty-five-year-old average girl. I am my value and my curse. I am a walking contradiction. In all these twenty-five years of my life, I have gained a lot, and I have lost a lot. Sitting here now, alone in an empty apartment far from my family and friends, I realize that I don't understand anything. I'm confused. My whole life seems like a dream, where I don't know how to wake up, I don't know if I should wake up at all. I understand what I want, but at the same time, I suffer in confusion, not knowing what the next step is. Is everything real? Am I real? Ever since I was a child, I have felt disconnected from this world. It was as if I was not warned, and forgot to tell why I was there. Childhood. Oh, my childhood, was filled with light and darkness. Laugh-filled happy carefree days, and dark nights covered with the fear of life itself. A little girl with endless questions whose answers no one gave. A girl who wants to blend into the whole process of being. It's like watching a mechanism working smoothly, while you are a cog belonging to this mechanism, watching how the whole structure works perfectly without you. To be part of the process, to be understood, to be my own, that was probably what my tender gut had wanted since childhood, but understanding that you are not alone and everyone has their own demons sobered me back up. And then there were those contradictions again. Feeling different and vividly aware of my clear position and place in this world. But at the same time with a kind of wistful awareness that every soul on this earth is somehow alone. I am an eternal wanderer in search of answers. Significance. This must be what my soul has been so eager to experience. But if significance defines value, what is my self-value? How am I different from a thousand other girls like me? Do I need to be? My mind absorbed so much information, but its quantity only bound me more hand and foot. Where is the truth and where are the lies? What to believe? The feeling that all this is just a hidden evil plot does not leave me. To break and to build. What I did not do to myself in the hope of coming closer to some clear understanding of my existence on this earth. So many times I found myself at the bottom, destroyed by myself. I am my own friend and nemesis. Sitting here now, one wonders if they were necessary. Were they necessary victims? So many concepts I do not understand, and so many mysteries I have not solved. The first thing my childhood self seriously encountered was love. Perhaps to this day, without revealing all the other concepts, it is the most painful. What is it? What is it for? I have come to know its many forms except one. Love for another person who is not part of family, friends, and loved ones. The more I longed to know it, the more it eluded me. At twenty-five, I still can't say with certainty, have I experienced it in its true form. Have I felt it on myself? Since childhood, the word began to coalesce into certain words-forms, but in no way is its natural being. Love is fear, love is pain, and love is despair. And the most painful of these is love - illusion. My ardent desire since childhood to know her has only made me farther and farther away from her. And the pain that began with a sense of despair was moving into its most damaging stage of illusion. My pain painted in me an illusory picture, a scenario of unlived emotions and moments, in order at least to live them pseudo in me. But the images were replaced by darkness, and all that remained was resentment and anger. What was wrong with me? Why did love pass me by? And didn't even dignify it with a glimpse.

[poemshubs]

6 Poems to Laugh About Stress

Stress is a pervasive reality of modern life, making humor one of our greatest coping mechanisms. Though the weight of worries can feel suffocating, a funny poem can be a playful reminder not to take it all too seriously. Here are six original poems that use humor to turn the tables on tension. Each piece comes with a description to highlight the funny aspects of the universal struggle against stress.

1. “To-Do List Tyrant”

You may have encountered this nemesis—a simple piece of paper that turns into a dictatorial taskmaster. In this poem, the personification of the to-do list takes center stage as a comedic villain.

To-Do List Tyrant

Oh, To-Do List, my relentless foe, How you multiply when my panic grows. I cross one task, you add three more, A Hydra-headed chore galore!

I thought you’d ease once work was done, But no, you laugh, you find more fun! “Scrub the fridge! Polish the shoe! Life’s too short to feel at ease, it’s true.”

You grow longer, strong, and wild, Driving me mad like a screaming child. Your ink bleeds red with things unkept, You keep me working when I should have slept.

I’ll take revenge, mark my words, When I’m done tending your urgent herds. For now, I’ll plot in secret dread— But alas, I see, “Walk the dog,” in red.

Description

This humorous take on a to-do list illustrates how an innocent organizational tool can morph into a stress-inducing tyrant. The imagery of the list laughing and multiplying conveys the sense of being overwhelmed while providing a light-hearted chuckle.

2. “The Sleepless Mind Parade”

This poem dives into the experience of lying awake at night, thoughts racing like an endless parade that refuses to take a break. It humorously captures the absurdity of those 3 a.m. anxieties.

The Sleepless Mind Parade

At 3 a.m., I’m awake, quite bright, When thoughts decide to host a fright. Marching in rows, a band of dread, Playing loud trumpets inside my head.

“Did you pay the bill?” shouts Worry One. “Did you say that wrong?” pipes Guilt, no fun. A baton-twirling ‘What If’ captain spins, Dreams of errors, faux pas, and sins.

Stressors dance, and my eyes stay wide, Can’t count sheep with that noisy stride. My brain insists on a late-night show, All the world’s worries on a single row.

Finally, at dawn, they start to tire, The parade rests from its mental choir. But when the alarm rings, oh, the curse, They’ll be back tonight, and twice as worse!

Description

This poem transforms late-night overthinking into a circus-like performance, with worries personified as performers in a parade. The humor lies in the absurdity of such an intense mental event happening during the quiet hours when one most desires sleep.

3. “The Yoga Class Catastrophe”

Ever tried to find peace and relaxation only to end up more stressed? This poem humorously recounts a yoga class gone hilariously wrong.

The Yoga Class Catastrophe

Downward Dog? More like Downward Flop, My stiff back sounds like a crackling pop. Instructor whispers, “Breathe in, release,” I wobble, fall, disturbing the peace.

“Find your zen,” the teacher intones, While I groan from twisting my bones. The woman next to me bends with grace, I’m still battling my foot in my face.

Calm, cool poses turn into a quest, Not enlightenment—just catching my breath. My ‘child’s pose’ becomes a child’s tantrum, Why is this ‘easy’ pose a total phantom?

The gong strikes, and class is done, I’ve sweated oceans, had no fun. I leave, but with a yogic flair, Determined to try next time, I swear!

Description

This piece humorously portrays the struggle of trying to achieve calm and balance in a yoga class. The juxtaposition of serene yoga instructions with the narrator’s physical and mental distress brings out the comedy of trying too hard to find inner peace.

4. “Email Avalanche”

In today’s work culture, emails are supposed to be tools of productivity. But what happens when your inbox turns into an overwhelming mountain of stress? This poem uses a comedic lens to explore that chaos.

Email Avalanche

My inbox pings with endless might, A snowstorm of messages, each a fright. “Important!” “Urgent!”—each one insists, My stress grows faster than the message list.

Reply! Respond! Read them all! My brain’s a hamster on a spinning wheel call. Spam sneaks in with a winking tease, While ‘action required’ leaves me weak in the knees.

Each “Just checking in” sends chills through me, I dread the ‘cc’ chains that never agree. One lost message could spell my doom, But my ‘drafts’ sit idle in email gloom.

One day I’ll declare inbox zero, A digital daydream, my productivity hero. But till then, I swim in this ocean wide, Wishing I could just hit “unsubscribe.”

Description

This poem exaggerates the feeling of being buried under an avalanche of unread emails. The humor comes from the frantic tone and the anthropomorphizing of messages as actively stress-inducing entities, making the reader smile at a familiar struggle.

5. “Microwave Madness”

In a world where speed is prized, even waiting for food in a microwave can become a comical exercise in impatience. This poem pokes fun at the anxiety of waiting those few moments for a meal to heat.

Microwave Madness

Thirty seconds left, I pace the floor, Microwave whirring, I crave it more. Stomach growls like a hungry beast, This ‘fast’ meal time feels like a feast.

Ten seconds now, suspense on high, I stare at the plate, willing time to fly. Beep, beep—oh no, too hot to taste! I blow and wait, dreams of culinary haste.

I burn my tongue, impatient fool, A scorching mouth—life is cruel. Next meal I’ll wait, or so I say, But the cycle continues the very next day.

Description

This poem humorously captures the impatience of waiting for food to heat in the microwave, transforming a minor inconvenience into an epic struggle. The reader can relate to the narrator’s over-the-top reactions, making for a delightful read.

6. “The Morning Commute”

Commuting is often a stressful part of the day, but this poem takes a humorous angle, depicting the chaos and unpredictability of getting to work on time.

The Morning Commute

Alarm blares—oh, I’m running late! Rush to the car, where traffic awaits. I curse each red light, every slow driver, My mood sourer than yesterday’s cider.

I weave, I swerve, I plot shortcuts, Only to get stuck behind big dump trucks. My GPS mocks with cruel ‘reroutes,’ My stress level soars, my mind shouts.

A cyclist flies by in breezy grace, While I stew, stuck in this parking place. I spill coffee, honk at my horn’s dull beep, How I miss my bed, warm and deep.

At last, I arrive, a frazzled sight, Promising next time, I’ll leave at first light. But when the snooze tempts in sweet repeat, Tomorrow’s commute will be another feat.

Description

This poem takes readers on a ride through the familiar stress of a hectic morning commute, with humor found in the exaggerated frustration of the experience. The playful tone and relatable complaints make it clear that sometimes, laughter is the best way to handle traffic.

Conclusion

These poems serve as a reminder that stress, while difficult, can also be an endless source of humor. From unwieldy to-do lists to the absurdity of late-night worries, finding laughter in life’s struggles is a form of therapy. Stress may not disappear, but with a sense of humor, it feels a lot more manageable.

[the-cooler-king]

Sometimes the only allegory I can have for real life moments are straight out of anime. A few really good examples I have to live with like daily:

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann: when Simon confronts the Spiral Nemesis that has taken over Nia, insisting she is still in there regardless of what the anti-spiral are telling him. It is followed by a montage of all the moments prior to this that Nia/Spiral Nemesis comes to tell him about his doom, but instead of the original dialogue, it is Nia crying out helplessly for him. And he tells her he will come for her and save her. Nia comes back and crying, she asks him if he means it; he says who the hell do you think I am?

Naruto: when the Uchiha clan create the Izanagi technique to trap people in an endless loop of their failure without any hope of escape. Itachi creates the Izanami technique to combat this; it breaks the loop, only once the victim has accepted their fate and acknowledges their shortcomings and failures that led to the loop.

Fullmetal Alchemist (03): in a filler episode, Edward is heading back to Resembool with Al and Major Armstrong. They're separated, and Ed has a long conversation with an Ishvallen war veteran. As Edward talk to him, and tells this vet his dream of getting his and Al's body's back, the vet says to him: "the pleasure of a dream is that it is a fantasy. If it comes true, it was never a dream at all." And Ed is so shaken by this, that there is a full minute of silence.

Fullmetal Alchemist (03): when Edward escapes Central with the help of his teacher and the Trigham brothers, he runs into Riza and Roy, who are heading to the Fuhrer's house. Ed and Roy have an incredibly long-winded conversation about the toll that war can take, and how we remove ourselves from it to absolve ourselves of guilt or pressure to act. One of my favorite lines from this conversation is, "even with our eyes closed, there's a whole world out there, that lives outside of ourselves and our dreams."

Fullmetal Alchemist (03)(yes, this show fucked me up good): when Izumi argues with Dante about what it means to be an alchemist, she tells her teacher that she is "one of those arrogant humans too". Later on, when Ed confronts "Lyra" on literally being Dante this whole time, he criticizes her motives for creating the stone - reminding her that she's human, too. And Dante simply replies, "not anymore."

Revolutionary Girl Utena: in the final arc, while staying with Utena and Anthy, Nanami stumbles upon the secret. In her horror and grief, her brother lures her back to him. Touga convinces Nanami to fight again, and as she viciously attacks Utena, our prince asks if she can't attempt to salvage the relationship with Touga - even if they aren't really siblings, can't they love each other? Furious, Nanami screams, "I know where those feelings lead!"

Revolutionary Girl Utena: the very first time Anthy visits Akio and sets her glasses on the table, and turns to the camera with her eyes closed, only to open them in such a way. I cried my first time watching it. I cried through the entirety of episode 33 as well, and have not watched that episode a single time outside of the first time I watched the show. I have rewatched it at least fifteen times completely, always skipping episode 33.

[unhingedwomandiaries]

Three years ago, I landed an utterly boss sweater situation that would ultimately devolve into a dermal apocalypse of epic proportions. For the paltry sum of seven pounds, this glorious emerald knit vessel came crashing into my existence via the clearance rack at H&M. An absolute heist, the kind of foul-mouthed injustice that would make Mr. Rogers mount a one-man crusade against rampant underpricing. And at first, I was living the sweater dream, you know? Whenever winter came rapping with its icy metaphorical knuckles, I'd answer that frosty door wearing my cozy green sweater without a second thought. We were tighter than a Boomer mom trying to squeeze into skinny jeans.

But ohhhh how things have degendered in recent weeks. This sweater has decided my flesh is its sworn nemesis, launching an all-out scorched earth campaign against the vulnerable areas of my neck and wherever else its vile acrylic tendrils make contact. I'm talking next-level goose pimplery all over my jerkin' epidermis, an inflamed rash-realm so angrily craters that it could be mapped by NASA. What once brought me warmth and joy now reduces me to a screeching, flailing electrode shouting expletives that would make a sailor put clover honey in his ears for penance. It's absolute wicker basket nonsense.

The likely suspects? A 52% polyamide, 48% acrylic fabric blend that has apparently decided my bodily molecules are intruders to be eliminated with sartorial genocide. Yet this unholy combination of materials has never given me issues in the past - hell, I've got enough acrylic in my wardrobe to make the entire cast of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood look like they just crawled out of a Forever 21 sales bin. There's no logic to this malicious rash outbreak, as if the very essence of the sweater has achieved sentience and chosen violence as its only path forward.

So it pains me deeply, but the sweater and I must consciously uncouple. An act of unwoven cruelty may linger between us forever, but I cannot subject myself further to this unholy communion of woman and fiber. To the curb with you, you diabolical rash receptacle! May whatever emerald-tinged specter haunts your threads find a new host, one whose gnarled pimple valleys can slake its endless thirst for ointment and homeopathic essential oils. Destroying this cut-rate pullover might finally bring the only mercy my tortured flesh will ever know. Peace out, rashy neck kryptonite - burrow back into whatever seventh circle of the Cloth Realm first birthed your woven malice!

[vespertin-y]

I FORGOT TJE NEWER PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE GROCERY STORE SPIDER

okay so for context: i have asthma! (not the 'has a rescue inhaler for gym class but will grow out of it' asthma most people have experience with, but 'i take extremely powerful steroids four times a day lest my lungs revolt against me and i die' asthma. at least i'm not one of the poor saps who needs regular injections or surgery)

i think everybody knows at least instinctually that people hunch forward to help when they're having issues breathing - but the opposite is also true! laying back is Not Good for weak lungs! and having an asthma attack while you're asleep can and will invade your dreams!

hence, my own personal nemesis, the Grocery Store Spider. it is a tarantula the size of a large dog that chases me through an endless backrooms-esque grocery store while i fail to get enough air to run or climb over displays and shelves with any amount of speed. in classic dream fashion i don't actually get to see what happens when it catches me, but i am inclined to believe it does this simply for the love of the game and not food. dick.

this is the only repetitive dream i've ever had, and also the closest i've ever been to lucid dreaming! (i wasn't in control of my actions, but i was thinking about how annoying it was about to be that i'd left my rescue inhaler on a different floor of the house. oops).

8?

8. any reacquiring [reoccurring?] dreams?

I'm assuming the question is about reoccurring dreams. Nothing specific, just a reoccurring topic of falling out with friends and losing them.

That... sounds really sad, but fr it's just the mental illnesses I think :) I love my friends and as far as I know they love me!

Questions Fun to be Asked