#fandom centered worlds? brilliant

[uncreative-cryptid]

I keep thinking about your post where you said you'd be down to clown with other people's OCs, but I don't have any Wuthering OC's, I just have OC's from other fandoms 😭

if it is any consolation i am no stranger to cross-fandom roleplay lmao

i grew up in the era of ROTG meets HTTYD, Brave, and Tangled.

superwholock my detestedly beloved. anyone remember that time The Onceler had the internet by the balls ???

naruto characters used to have emergency pokemon and we used to assign people their hetalia-sona (i have always been partial for Prussia but realistically speaking i am, probably, as my Britain says, America .. tragic but i wear that obnoxious tag like a damn badge with her)

fandom titles mean nothing if the characters have chemistry and we can make sense of them meeting in some way, some how, then world restrictions be damned. hell, raziel wasn't even a fandom oc to begin with, and was actually from a personal project of mine that i've spent the better half of a year writing and throwing ideas around with my partner.

i ascribe to no boundaries, the only limits i have in writing are the imagination.

i would love nothing more than to hear about your ocs from other fandoms regardless of if i am in said fandom or not. not only do i find the concept of oc creation fascinating and worth looking at, but it benefits me to read and expose myself to others and their writing, to learn and explore often means to indulge in media i may not otherwise seek out personally on my own.

enlighten me, indulge me, i am but a starved dragon with a hunger for knowledge, who knows no depth and no end in it's gluttonous quest to know more.

[wenningfanclub]

The mdzs character who gets the worst treatment by fandom is by far Wei Wuxian. Like he doesn't even get good discourse, he's just instantly turned into a Manic Pixie Dream Necromancer, a little uwu gremlin who is so badly treated :( by everyone :(( for no reason :((( like war crimes and torture WHO, wwx has never done anything wrong?? none of it was his fault because he's CLEARLY the protagonist, and anyway he's literally a neurodivergent queer minor??

It's genuinely so sad, Wei Wuxian is such an incredible character because of how flawed he is, and because of how often his flaws contradict his best impulses!! He's incredibly compassionate with zero empathy, he's self-destructive and self-sacrificing and self-centered, he's talented and arrogant and brilliant and kind and callous. he's the moral heart of the world and he commits horrors that nobody else has even thought of. he's That Bitch, and wwx stans just file all of what makes him shine until he's flat and bland and unproblematic and boring

like babygirl I'm so sorry they did this to you. look how they massacred my boy.

[helloliriels]

GIFT WRAPPED 2024

SENDING OUT A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to everyone who made this year such a lovely experience!!! Including those that came to the Writers Retreat; to @friday411 @ghostofnuggetspast and @calaisreno's for the May Prompts challenge and sucking me into Limerick writing; Plus the IRL chatting of the Johnlock Community (at long last!) and special encouragement of @totallysilvergirl and @thegildedbee! Tysm you two!!! I owe you both so so much!!!

And since fandom gifts are meant to be shared, please go and share some love for these amazing authors and artists!! 💋xoxo - Liri

🎁 SH-221 by ??? (TBA!!!) a Holmestice Winter 2024 gift

The year is 2035 and John Watson is desperately looking for a job, trying to survive in a dystopian world run by technology. But Mike Stamford might just have the offer he needed: partaking in an experiment with a unique new android.

💝 H.O.U.N.D. by @k2ntwo

Behind the facade of Baskerville, Sherlock suspects there's a darker trial being run. One that involves a very human subject! It will take all of his courage to unleash the H.O.U.N.D.

🎁 Ode to Your Hands Upon My Waking at 3AM to Hear the Violin by @ghostofnuggetspast a poem response to 36 Views of London!

John turns to his hidden journal to let off a bit of steam in a (maybe?) healthy way. Well, it's healthy as long as Sherlock doesn't find it. O_o

💝 The Part of You That Stays by @holmesianlove @was-fuck-off-watson a FTH 2024 fic, brilliantly written! xoxo

Sherlock comes home a broken man and after serving as John’s best man he seemingly has a mental breakdown. Checking himself into a mental rehabilitation center. The medicine he needs is his Doctor ... but will John be able to put all of Sherlock’s broken pieces back together in time?

🎁 Sherlock and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Week by @chriscalledmesweetie

John is away. Sherlock is NOT pleased.

💝 And Back Again by @anyawen a FTH 2024 gift poem remix

A book familiar and meaningful to both men offers guidance and hope.

🎁 What If I'm Not? (fanart) by @safedistancefrombeingsmart a FTH 2024 gift GIF image.

A stunning visual for the fic 'What If I'm Not'

💝 Body of Years by @gaylilsherlock (LipstickDaddy)

Sherlock has been dead for two years, fighting to stay alive each day to see John again. So, when he comes back to London and sees John about to close the door on their life together, he reaches a breaking point.

2023

💝 Of Scars and Revelations by @catlock-holmes for Holmestice Winter 2023

Sherlock has returned from his presumed death, but he isn’t the same he used to be. John isn’t the same either. Can they rekindle their friendship, or maybe even become something more?

🎁 Human Urges by @topsyturvy-turtely

John hated it. He utterly and truly hated it. Despised himself for it … That stupid, always present, torturing urge to be kissed!

💝 The Case of the Serial Secret Admirer by @hasenkind687

It is seven days until Valentine’s day. Humbuk - if you ask Sherlock. But then, anonymous gifts appears!

🎁 “John what the bloody hell are you doing?” by Atrocious_Magpie

Sherlock catches John baking cookies while listening to abba, what do you think happens next?

💝 This perfect JOHNLOCK IMAGE photo manip for ‘It Belongs in a Museum’, a gift made by @a-victorian-girl

2022

🎁 Live from the Morgue by @disfictional Holmestice Winter 2022.

A very special podcast episode 'Live from the Morgue’ with Molly Hooper, featuring guest star Sherlock Holmes, discussing his years away playing dead - while John listens �� Brilliant!

💝 Mrs. Hudson’s Crack Brew by @chriscalledmesweetie for 2022 Year of the Crack Fic!

Mrs. Hudson is beginning to regret the part she played in bringing Sherlock and John together. Not to put too fine a point on it, those boys are LOUD. XD

🎁 Knitting Needles Out by @fluffbyday-smutbynight

Knitting. How hard could it be? Pretty hard, as it turned out. Especially cable knitting. Bahaha!

💝 This lovely GIF collab made by @liquor-liquor-lips for 'pack up the moon, and dismantle the sun’ quote by W.H. Auden and the reichenbach feels. 💋

2021

🎁 Shared Proximity by @fluffbyday-smutbynight for Holmestice Open Promptfest Winter 2021

“As ever, you see but you do not observe. Our respective lives are so enmeshed together, that such labels - like flatmates or colleagues or, yes, even friends - evidently fall short. Partners might do, and it’s not a coincidence that it’s a stand-in for couple.” A definition might prove necessary, but still not enough in itself. What’s the next step?

💝 (Full) Contact With Nature by @fluffbyday-smutbynight

John’s abs and thighs harden as he bucks up to get into a sitting position, but Sherlock puts all his weight on him pushing him back on the ground, and simultaneously catches John’s arms and pins them down by the wrists at the sides of his head.

🎁 A Story of Scent by maelle_lardeux & 💝Un affaire de sentur by malle_lardeux (french translation) 🥰 for @ohlooktheresabee & me

It’s amazing how smells can affect people’s emotions, in a good or bad way.C’est incroyable comment les odeurs peuvent affecter les émotions des personnes, d’une bonne ou d’une mauvaise façon.

🎁 The Mystery of the Red Pants by @simplyclockwork for Holmestice Summer 2021

A few spectacular laundry mishaps lead to revelations between Sherlock and John - and maybe a bit more …

💝 Practice Date by Fantasy_Fan_26

Sherlock wants to go on a date with John to figure out his feelings, but doesn’t want to be rejected, this is the plan he comes up with.

Plus these translated fics 💖:

🎄Шерлок – это женское имя [Sherlock is a Girl’s Name] translated by Flamyenko_No_Kami 🎄Бутылочка [Spin the Bottle] translated by Flamyenko_No_Kami 🎄Таксофон [Payphone] translated by Flamyenko_No_Kami  🎄Эксперименты по проводимости [Experiments in Conductivity] translated by Little_Unicorn 🎄【福华福】[授翻]Kiss Me Now Before You Go／离开前请吻我 translated by 十三横夏 [Whale_Juan] 🎄Dawno utracone [Long Lost] translated by Tulippa 🎄Помни меня [Remember Me] translated by Little_Unicorn

Is there anything better than a fandom gift??

[utilitycaster]

@notstinglesstoo replied to your post “The thing is, and I haven't gotten a chance to...”:

I saw someone not long ago say cr has always felt like a product to them vs D20 feeling organic and I protected my peace but I did want to ask them if they were brain dead

​Oh man I wanted to address this at length because I feel this. My posts have been centered, again, specifically on published journalists picking Daggerheart aprt critically and applauding themselves for doing so despite it being within a couple of hours of its release and therefore any analysis is necessarily going to be based on at best, a skim, when they just as frequently will claim D20 seasons/Kollok are flawless works of genius based on only a partial read, but man D20's got a fandom problem too. (and all of the following comes with the caveat of "I really enjoy D20, and Dropout, and while we're at it WBN and NADDPod which both are half D20 Intrepid Heroes cast, and think Brennan is a particularly brilliant GM, and also it's obvious that the D20 and CR casts are on great terms, and wish the fandom for D20 were more welcoming and enjoyable because I feel it wasn't like this when I first started watching, as a CR fan, in late 2019 and has since curdled into something really weird and bad.")

The first point is the obvious one: technically speaking these are both products. These are performers doing an art form; it is also a portion of how they make their money with which they can buy goods and services. Believing that art is inauthentic when the artist gets paid and acknowledges that is a thing that happens is a fucking libertarian position at best. Like cool, you think only people who are independently wealthy by other means can make art, because it's not real labor, my kid could paint that, etc etc.

The second point is also pretty obvious. I have pushed back pretty hard on the "uwu CR is just watching friends! it's like we're in their living room" mentality among the fandom, which has decreased, thankfully, but like...it did in fact start organically as a private home game, and they decided, when invited, to make it A Show For An Audience. D20 was created on purpose as a show for an audience. This doesn't make it bad or fake - reread the previous paragraph - but in terms of "this is an group of people who really played D&D in this world together even before the cameras were rolling," Critical Role literally is that, and D20 is not.

I think beyond that...my biggest issues with the D20 fandom are first, the level of discourse is abominable. The tag is almost always just shrieking praise and the most surface-level readings possible. I keep bringing up the "Capitalism is the BBEG" mug but it genuinely sums up so much of how I feel; people who want their existing beliefs fed to them as surface-level no-nuance takes. I mean capitalism is fucking terrible but I do not need every work I watch to have a character turn to the camera and say "capitalism is bad" to enjoy myself, and indeed it makes it harder due to the lack of subtlety and grace. For all D20 fans complain about how unhealthily parasocial CR fans can be (and some can be), I find that a lot of the most unhealthily parasocial "how dare they BETRAY my TRUST by having a ship I don't like or not speaking up about every single societal ill" ex-CR fans move over to D20 and then pull the exact same shit; it simply doesn't get called out. Every time D20 fans are like "we don't want to become the CR fandom" it's like "your toxic positivity and unhealthy parasocial behavior exceeds the HEIGHT of what I've seen in CR; the main difference is that CR started in 2015 when D&D was still shaking off the raging bigot dudebros and so in the early days it acquired more of those fans, whereas by the time D20 came around the landscape of who played D&D and watched Actual Play had shifted wildly, and you need to judge September 2018 D20 fans in parallel to September 2018 CR fans, not September 2015 CR fans."

I also feel, and I alluded to this in the post about journalism, and other people have said this better than I have, but the pedestal people have put D20 on does feel like a single...not even misstep, but just, difficult choice that doesn't capitulate to the loudest fans will bring a good chunk of that fandom crashing to the ground. And that includes the journalists. For all the fans of CR can still be obsessed with the cast to an unhealthy degree? The cast and company have put up pretty strong boundaries and have not budged. D20 hasn't, and I think the second they do - and I think it will be for their benefit as a company and a channel - a big chunk of their most vitriolic CR-hating portion of the fandom will viciously turn on them.

[avelera]

Ugh, popped on Twitter to geek out about the Wheel of Time S2 and immediately find a bunch of WoT dudebro fans complaining that a 15 book series of 800+ pages each isn’t getting the exact word for word adaption that exists inside their heads when they read the books. And let me remind you all, these books were my life, my first fandom, and basically my personality pretty much from when I first read them in 1999 until Robert Jordan died (alas, I read to the end but Brandon Sanderson never quite captured the magic of RJ’s writing for me again, even if I think he did the best job anyone possibly could.)

So let me just say from a place of deep respect and obsession with these books that any hate for the show based on it not being a page for page adaptation is patently insane. Much of Wheel of Time relies on the strengths of prose which are untranslatable to a visual medium. Stuff like how magic (or the One Power) feels to cast makes up a huge proportion of the book. You can externally portray a feeling, sure, but there are still limits.

They forget that Book 1 was written to be standalone and has a ton of inconsistencies with later books that need to be shored up. That means logistical changes which cause necessary alterations almost all of which have actually been massive improvements in my mind. For all my love of Wheel of Time, its pacing is atrocious and I think even RJ would agree that if he could go back with the whole story in mind and edit it to be more streamlined, he absolutely would have. The show HAS to do that or we’d still be in the goddamn Two Rivers with the book pacing.

Centering the first season on the White Tower and Moiraine’s POV makes sense. The book relied on Moiraine being a Gandalf figure that gave information away at the pace of reader reveals, in tiny drips meant to tantalize a slow-paced book’s reader. That would be immensely frustrating for a tv show viewer of a story set in a sprawling fantasy world that needs tons of explanation and world building up front to have any idea what’s going on. Focusing on Moiraine, who has the answers, instead of sticking to the ignorance of the kids isn’t just a good choice it’s very nearly the only choice you can make. The White Tower is one of the most complex and interesting parts of that world. Centering it and introducing it earlier was an incredibly wise choice.

Other smaller choices make sense too if people thought about it for two seconds. Aging up the kids makes sense. They’re teens in the books and it would be incredibly awkward on screen. But once you age them up, it makes sense that at least ONE of them has been married before. Perrin makes SENSE to have been married if he left Two Rivers later. He’s a responsible guy with a good trade and a level head on his shoulders. He’s sweet and caring and mature. Of course he got married, he’s from a small farming community in a medieval-esque world with shorter life expectancies. Furthermore, I love Perrin to death but his obsessive fear of hurting Faile later is frankly ungrounded in anything that isn’t benign misogyny on some level. It doesn’t update and translate well on its own. Giving him Laila, giving him the manner of Laila’s death grounds his later attitudes towards Faile so well I literally gasped when I put it all together.

Other changes like in S2 having Min and Mat meet the way they do in Tar Valon was genius. It matters more that Mat and Min have rapport than that they meet in the same circumstances as the book (and Mat wouldn’t even remember that meeting anyway lol). The rapport set up and the way it showed Mat’s genius and con artistry was brilliant. Showing these characters LIKE each other was incredibly engaging and endearing which is so important because the adaptation has to be enjoyable to non book readers too, especially since the 15, 800+ page books of meandering pacing are pretty much impenetrable to new readers. Book readers simply can’t make up the majority of the audience, there’s not enough of them to sustain a show with any kind of budget which WOT requires. Thus, it needs to be an enjoyable show in its own right, not just a meandering exact adaptation ffs.

I can literally point to any show change and say it was either logical, practical, thematic, or simply genius. Wheel of Time desperately needs an edit to be accessible to modern audiences. What an adaptation prioritizes is always a risk that’s going to be run for a fan of the original material but so far I’ve been wildly impressed by every choice made in how logical or thoughtful and most of all loving it was to the actual important emotions and themes of the book. Any complainers are seriously missing the point of what an adaptation even is.

[galvanizedfriend]

what are your top ten favorite klaroline fics?

Hello, nonnie! I see your asks have made the rounds. Really nice to see lots of rec lists circulating!

I had to give this a thought. It's very hard to come up with just 10. I could easily do a part II. 😂 But without further ado, and in no particular order, 10 of my favorite KC fics:

. The Parisian Deal by Borzoi

I honestly vary between The Parisian Deal and Paradise Lost as my favorite Borzoi fics. It depends. I think I'm in my Parisian Deal era, though. I've recced this a few times over the last few months, whenever someone's asked me for my favorites or humanity-less Caroline fics. For me, this is the best one that comes to mind. Borzoi's fics are all brilliant. I love their writing style to bits. It reads like a novel, it draws in and it grips you by the throat until the very end. This one features Klaus being called to the rescue by a desperate Salvatore clan when Caroline turns off her humanity and fucks off to Europe. Unlike her friends, Klaus doesn't threaten her, doesn't try to force her to feel; instead, he offers her a deal. And it's perfect. I love this story with my whole heart, I can't even tell you.

. In the Backseat by Lila2

After leaving Hayley as a wolf in the Bayou and earning the hatred of his entire family, Klaus shows up with baby Hope on Caroline's doorstop. He has no idea what to do with a baby, is too proud to apologize and is in desperate search of some validation, which invariably leads her back to her (just like in 5x11). Caroline is torn between being mad at him for having a baby with freaking Hayley, and also the fact that she loves kids and there's a part of her that resents him precisely because he gets to have them, when she never will. In her own way, Caroline puts him in his place and convinces him to make amends and go home, take Hope back to her mother - but only if she comes with him on the road trip. And boy, is it worth it. 🥰 It's a fic that has the baby as a catalyst for everything, at the center of everyone's woes in different ways, but it's not about the baby, in case you're a baby fic hater. And the writing is just chef's kiss.

. the birth and death of the day by @little-miss-sunny-daisy

For a good while there, this fic was my entire fandom personality. Whenever anyone gave me a second of their time, I'd preach about the birth and death of the day. I was obsessed. Kelly is a brilliant writer, so, so, so talented. I am not kidding when I saw I wish I could write like her. And the greatest proof of that is how this fic was everything to me, in spite of not being at all my cup of tea on the tin. I don't like Supernatural, I never watched more than two episodes, and the Klaroline bit here kind of takes on a secondary role to the end of the of the world. But it's such an intense and brilliant character study on Caroline that it had my whole heart from the start. Her relationship with her BROTHERS Dean and Sam is so heartfelt, and it exposes so much of who Caroline really is as a character. The plot is INSANE and AMAZING and HUGE and it's so incredible how it ties in so seamlessly with the Mystic Falls shenanigans. And then there is Klaus! When I saw secondary, I don't mean irrelevant. I just mean there's more to the story than just their relationship. But it is still brilliantly developed. Honestly, just writing about it brings me back memories. I love it so much.

. Quiet Light by @definedareasofuncertainty

I am biased when it comes to Luiza's fics because I'm a fangirl and I have been one since day one, before we even became friends. But in the years (years 🥲 we have been here so long, friend) we have known each other, her writing has only gotten better and better. It's atmospheric and understated and it has this mindfulness about it that I can't really explain. It really feels like being in the characters' stream of thinking, you get instantly pulled into it. It evokes emotions without it ever having to be minutely described, and I think that's such an incredible talent. I wish I could write like this! And Quite Light not only brings all of those things forward, but it also brings COMPLEXITIES and MORAL QUARRELLS and it was also WRITTEN FOR ME. 😌✨ Luiza thought she was getting revenge on me by torturing Elijah, but LITTLE DID SHE KNOW I actually loved it. I went into this thinking it would be just a rom-com style story (which I love), but it's so much more. By the end I was crying real tears. 🥲 It becomes such a beautiful story about the relationship between Klaus and Elijah. Honestly brilliant.

. light years by @definedareasofuncertainty

Honestly, this fic has a very specific target audience, and that target audience is ME. I'm not even exaggerating; this is one my favorite pieces of fic ever written in the KC fandom. The way a Klarolijah fic speaks to me can be so personal. 🥺 I love the Klarolijah dynamic. I really do. But it takes a very specific balance for me to feel it. It can very easily go from me loving it, to me wanting to throttle someone. And this! THIS!! This is absolutely it. 🥲 And it's just about my favorite thing ever. This is actually three mini drabbles combined into one. Each of them is written through a different POV - Klaus', Elijah's and Caroline's. And the combination of all three, the way they tell the same story through different eyes, is just !!!!!!!!! Honestly, I don't have words. This has ✨Yokan my beloved✨ written all over it and I feel it very much. Luiza has a ridiculous talent for writing things on the spot. She got prompted to write an Elijah piece, and then a Caroline piece, and then a Klaus one, and she wrote them all in like 30 minutes on one of her mini drabbles challenge, and OH MY FUCKING GOD. I hate her for how good she is. 😭 (I don't, I love her, but I also v much envy her talent).

. this is a harvest by @highgaarden

I spent a solid few minutes here thinking about which of Hannah's fics I wanted to list, because she has this huge catalogue and I've basically read all of them and have gushed over almost every single one over the years. But even though there are others that could easily be in my top 10, I always end of going back to This is a Harvest. I remember when I first read it, I closed the tab at the end and was just… Done. Not in a 'I can't stand this story/ship/fandom anymore', but in a 'this is the fic to end all fics' kind of way. And it's not so much about the style or the writing, which are both stunning, but the way the story is told. It's a canon divergence that spans over years and I felt it in my heart that this was where the story could've gone. The choices they could've made. The way Caroline's story could and should have ended. And I was satisfied. I started writing and reading KC fanfiction after TO was over because I was so indignant about the way the show ended, so unhappy that I needed to give it my own spin, and read other folks doing the same, and when I read this story I felt like I had achieved that. This is it, I can put this to rest.

Obviously, I was way too deep by then that I couldn't really abandon the fandom (even though, just between us here, I kind of wish I could), but for a whole week or two, I was at peace. This fic gave me peace. That's it.

. Into the Woods by @jinxedwood

"But Yokan, how would you like to see Klaus' part in Legacies play out?" Like this. Exactly like this. This story accepts the finale we were dealt in The Originals, and then makes something absolutely amazing with it. I love the premise, I love the mythology involved, I love how unique this take is, and I love how even though it's poignant and bittersweet, it still packs up everything about Kc that made me love this ship so much. Caroline has been in Europe for years trying to find a way to help her daughters with their Gemini situation, and then she ends up stumbling across something else entirely. While she thought the thing she most wanted to see on a brief stint on the Other Side would be Gemini witches, her heart betrays her by taking her to who she really misses the most.

. it takes a while to settle down by theviolonist

This story is so old school it was written before Steroline. It's about Tyler. But we all know who Caroline ends up marrying, so in my heart, this is really what happens before Caroline marries Stefan. And honestly, it works just as well. This story is a punch to your stomach, but it is PERFECTION in 8k words. It's hot, it's bittersweet, it's SO in character. Caroline's denial, telling herself that Klaus is there to see her because he still ones revenge on Tyler, when it becomes very obvious, very fast, as it always does on the show, that it's never about Tyler, it's all about her. UGH. Honestly, brilliant. (third fic on this list with a The National reference on the title, I SENSE A PATTERN).

. As One Wishes to Live by @lalainajanes

I had never in my life read a genie!AU, and simply could not wrap my mind around anything of the sort that wouldn't be extreme crack!fic. Imagine my surprise upon reading this story. It's bittersweet in the best possible way. At the same time it's endearing and adorable (and so very IC) to watch Caroline fumbling for a fair and non-insane way to handle Klaus, the genie Katherine accidentally gifted her with (and who just happens to look incredibly alluring), it's so very poignant to read Klaus' POV. He's Klaus in the way that he's suspicious and dismissive and kind of snobbish, really, but he's resigned to his fate. This is a Klaus who has been broken by years of enslavement as this prop who's there exclusively to serve others. Every time he mentions one of his past masters, you just get that stab - and so does Caroline. Laine is one of the most prolific and talented KC writers ever, and I have read and enjoyed so, so many of her fics, but this definitely has a special place in my heart.

. Psychedelic Kicks by @notalittlebutalottie

This is an ensemble story that has Klaroline at heart, but that gives every other character a moment to shine. And shine they do! Everyone gets their own side stories, and absolutely loved following every single one of them. Lottie made me care for characters I hate in canon, like Katherine and Kol. Even Stefan and Elena had my heart here. This fic is a journey, full of ups and downs, and it has such a satisfying end. It's also incredibly original in its setting and tone, which I think it's one of Lottie's greatest talents. It's very are for historical fics to be set in the 60s, and not only did Lottie choose this very particular time, but she also did such a remarkable job incorporating the decades' aspects into the story. Not just the fashion, and the music, and Woodstocky vibes, but the social and political unrest as well. This is a story with LAYERS, my friends, and it's incredible. I could totally see this being a TV show or a movie tbh. It's that good.

[acourtofthought]

Because I follow the "Elain Archeron" tag, Tumblr will occasionally make recommendations on my feed and some of those happen to end up being posts written by E/riels.

One of these suggestions mentioned that Elain and Az are well suited to one another due to their quiet and reserved natures and I had to shake my head because, what?!

The Elain in the Night Court who talks softly, has hands that shake around Az, is quiet and reserved is the Elain still experiencing the effects of trauma which we know she still has because she herself confirmed it in SF.

The Elain from before:

She had come alive here, and her joy was infectious. There wasn’t a servant or gardener who didn’t smile at her, and even the brusque head cook found excuses to bring her plates of cookies and tarts at various points in the day

Elain had taken charge of planning and finding me a last-minute dress, and … it would only be for an evening.

But I tried to smile, if only for Elain, who flitted about the room, personally greeting each guest and dancing with all their important sons.

Two in the morning, and yet the party was showing no signs of slowing. / Elain was laughing among a circle of beautiful friends, flushed and brilliant. Nesta had silently left at midnight, and I didn’t bother to say good-bye as I finally slipped upstairs.

Elain, to my surprise, had a horse, a satchel of food, and supplies ready when I hurried down the stairs. My father was nowhere in sight. But Elain threw her arms around me, and, holding tightly, said, “I remember—I remember all of it now.”

“We keep it secret—we send the servants away. With the spring approaching, they’ll be glad to go home. And if Feyre needs to be in and out for meetings, she’ll send word ahead, and we’ll clear them out. Make up excuses to send them on holidays.

Order them to leave now.” “I’ll do it,” Elain said, taking a deep breath and squaring her shoulders. She didn’t wait for either of us before she strode out, graceful as a doe.

“My sister Elain can convince anyone to do anything with a few smiles.”

Does that seem like a reserved and quiet female or does that seem like someone who, while kind, takes charge and is the life of the party? Someone who comes alive when in the right place?

Does the Elain of the Night Court seem to be the center of everything that's going on or does she seem to fade in the presence of the others?

And if that's not convincing enough:

“Elain is overwhelmed by crowds.” “SHE DIDN'T USE TO BE THAT WAY". Nesta swirled her glass of amber liquid. “She loved balls and parties.” The words hung unspoken. But you and your court dragged us into this world. Took that joy away from her.

Feyre then tells Nesta she's "readjusting" and sure, Elain isn't a total shell, she's doing her best to make a life for herself but she's definitely not the vibrant person she once was.

We are told point blank that the Elain in the Night Court is different and it's clearly not a good thing.

Show me a scene where Az ever happily wandered around from person to person making conversation in a social setting outside of the IC. Show me a scene where he's happily chatting up even a single person outside the IC.

Show me a scene where people are eager to do things for Az because he's such a pleasure to be around.

Feyre wonders if Az gets some of his information from "stone cold manners" but there's never any proof of it happening and even if it had, having manners in order to spy on someone isn't the same as actually enjoying the interaction.

The fact is that Az and Elain do not have similar personalities and any connections people are trying to make is based off Elain as she is after very recent and extreme traumas.

It's a problem in this fandom that I often notice with certain groups and something they seem to do with both Gwyn and Elain.

They think Gwyn can't be interested in Az because she started SF in a low place. They look at Elain as she is in the NC and have based their entire opinion of who she is off that.

They fail to realize that ACOWAR, ACOFAS and SF are poor representations of who these two females actually are (as who they are in those books are who they are because of trauma). They fail to consider who they'll be once they've fully overcome their traumas.

Gwyn isn't going to shy away from males forever.

We've already seen growth from her in SF and she's only going to continue healing. Thinking that it's going to take too long for her to overcome what happened to her and therefore can not go on to have a happy relationship before the series ends is a disturbing mentality.

And thinking that we're not going to eventually see the return of the Elain who took charge and convinced others what to do with smiles alone, who thrived when surrounded by friends and non friends (just people in general), who loved balls and parties is a bit odd because that's the Elain who is canonically the happiest we've ever seen her to be.

And if there is the acknowledgement that we will see the return of that Elain but someone still believes she'd be well matched with Az who Cassian tells us "likes his space", it's possibly the strangest thing of all.

Sure Elain and Az are physically attracted to one another, that can not be disputed.

However what also cannot be disputed is that the Lucien who easily makes friends wherever he goes and enjoys parties, who prefers to avoid violence is an exact match for the happy version of Elain who easily makes friends, enjoys parties, and is bothered by cruelty.

Someone can prefer the opposites attract trope but it's completely false to claim that Elain and Az are similar in personality.

But regardless of what tropes we prefer, in the end what someone wants to see won't matter because SJM doesn't seem to prefer opposites attract and she's the one calling the shots.

[ao3feed-piltovers-finest]

the fundamentals of painting

by magicalzebra

Caitlyn has never considered herself an artist but art has always been the center of her world: the making of it, the standing in awe in front of it, the collecting and curation of it—all of it. She vividly remembers the first time she laid eyes on a real Monet, the sallow hues of Rembrandt and the quiet murmur of her mother’s voice as she explained the subtle technique of Van Gogh’s sunflowers to a gap-toothed Caitlyn. Her childhood was the wide broad side of a fan brush and the almost acrid smell of paint thinner. Warm but sterile gallery walls.

Wherein Caitlyn has a whole art foundation to run, Jinx is a brilliant street artist and Vi just drills things into place.

Words: 2749, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English

Fandoms: Arcane: League of Legends (Cartoon 2021)

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: F/F

Characters: Caitlyn (League of Legends), Vi (League of Legends), Jayce (League of Legends), Viktor (League of Legends), Mel Medarda, Jinx (League of Legends), Isha (Arcane: League of Legends)

Relationships: Caitlyn/Vi (League of Legends)

Additional Tags: This is completely self-serving

Read on A03. from AO3 works tagged ‘Caitlyn/Vi (League of Legends)’

[rogueshadeaux]

Chapter Thirty-Eight — Prognosis

I think those were the worst parts of it all; the waiting. That silence that left way too much time for the thoughts to get louder. Sitting on the stiff examination bed in a hospital gown felt more suffocating than a noose, the center of a horrible sort of attention.

4.5 k words | 15-20 min read time | TRIGGER WARNINGS: Hospital, procedures, medical events

⚠️AUTHOR'S NOTE: Another chapter, another friend! How could I not let the world's best doctor be a part of this tale, especially when the RowlandRoweWhatever family needs someone with a special set of skills they can't get at just any ol' hospital? Thank you @infamoussparks for letting me steal your girl and show off her brilliant skillset, the inaugural first outreach towards the people who make this fandom fantastic.

I sat up as the patient couch pulled out of the scan machine, pulling the earplugs out of my ears and opening my jaws to force a pop. 

Dad had nearly blown a gasket when Dr. Sims explained what they wanted to do on Monday—or, moreso, how they wanted to do the imaging for it. A dose of diluted raythium with a dye in it for tracing the conducrine and every protein it produced in the time I was in there. “You want to put that stuff in my daughter?” Dad demanded, “A day after we just figured out how dangerous this shit is?”

Dr. Sims did his best to try and placate Dad’s worry, telling him it wasn’t the same. “It’s at least not gonna cause anything bad,” he assured him, “But it’s the only way to activate the proteins in her to observe them,” 

Dad eventually relented, letting Dr. Sims whisk me away as he stayed back with Brent; he wasn’t allowed in the radiology department while I was getting an MRI just in case the magnet became too attracted to his steel. 

“You did great, Jean,” Aunt Sia assured me with a low voice as I slipped off of the patient couch, Dr. Sims wheeling in a wheelchair. They wouldn’t let me walk, and I hated it—I wasn’t crippled, just broken. 

Didn’t matter—either way, I was pushed through the hall like some spectacle. 

Dad pushed off from his place leaned against the wall when the door to the exam room opened, rushing to meet me as Aunt Sia wheeled me in. He glanced down at me, smile stressed and forced, before looking up at Dr. Sims. “Get what you need?” he asked.

Dr. Sims nodded, taking the chair back from Aunt Sia. “Yeah. I’ll be back with the specialist in a bit.”

And there we were, caught in another waiting lull. 

I think those were the worst parts of it all; the waiting. That silence that left way too much time for the thoughts to get louder. Sitting on the stiff examination bed in a hospital gown felt more suffocating than a noose, the center of a horrible sort of attention. It didn’t help that they all had quickly shifted back to treating me like broken glass; Brent was silent and blankly watching me, seeming to examine every move, Dad was still acting as if I’d drop dead any second, and Aunt Sia insisted on coming. Said she wanted to support me. And I mean, sure, I was thankful that they cared…but it was suffocating. Demeaning. Even if that’s not how they meant it, it’s how it felt. 

There was a swift knock on the door, and Dad didn’t even finish saying something about coming in before the door opened—and the sharp click of heels against the hickory floor. 

The person that walked in most definitely wasn’t Dr. Sims. Her red hair was more natural auburn than Aunt Sia’s bright red, shoved away in a messy bun that somehow looked like it took twenty minutes to set. There was one fancy silver pen sticking out of it and that somehow looked deliberate too. If someone asked me to picture a ‘confident scholar,’ it’d probably be someone like her; white blouse, black pants, eyeliner that looked sharp enough to prick my finger for a blood sample. The lab coat swayed behind her as she walked confidently into the room, Dr. Sims closing the door. 

But her smile was warm and welcoming as she looked over the room, greeting, “Hello!” She regarded me first, smiling, “I’m Dr. Hutch—you must be Jean.” 

I smiled back sheepishly as Dr. Hutch’s eyes moved to Dad, something in them registering. “You must be Mr…Rowland? Rowe?” 

Dad chuffed, “I’m not even sure, at this rate,” 

Dr. Hutch accepted his admittance with grace, offering a hand to shake. Dr. Sims turned just as Dad stood, eyes widening when he moved to share the doctor’s hand—and with a shimmering sound and a flash of blue, he was across the room in an instant, gripping Dad’s wrist and yanking it upwards away from Dr. Hutch.

“You don’t wanna do that, D,” Dr. Sims warned, looking at Dad knowingly. The realization struck me almost immediately. 

She was a Conduit. 

Brent seemed to come to the same conclusion, eyebrows shooting up as he glanced at me. “Right, sorry.” Dad said, letting his hand fall. 

Dr. Hutch smiled, “I’ll go with Rowe, then,” she said simply, her own going to rest on her hip. She looked between Dad and I, getting right down to business. “I’m a certified genetic counselor, and I’m here to run one last diagnostic on Jean before we go over your test results—and what I found out from what you sent me,” she added, looking over her shoulder at Dr. Sims. 

I looked her over; nice outfit, a lab coat, and…quite literally nothing else. She made no move to pull anything out of the pockets on her coat, either. Hadn’t we established there was nothing wrong with my DNA? Why was there a genetic counselor here? Dad seemed to think the same, because he asked, “What sort of diagnostic?”

“I want to observe her health on the cellular level,” Dr. Hutch informed him. “It would give us a better idea of what could possibly be the problem here.”

“Do you—” I hesitated, not even sure how to ask what I wanted to ask. “Do you have to draw blood?”

Yeah, that’d have to do.

Dr. Hutch smiled gently, shaking her head once. “No. I’d just need about ten seconds of your time, and your hands.” 

My brow furrowed; my hands? How was she going to examine me with those? Was she gonna palm read her way to my diagnosis? I glanced over at Dad, who looked intrigued more than confused. “Alright,” he said simply, giving consent for whatever procedure she had in mind. 

Dr. Hutch nodded, beginning to roll up her sleeves before asking, “May I see your hands please, Jean?” I hesitated, looking at the cast on my right arm, and Dr. Hutch seemed to understand my concern, placating it with, “Don’t worry—just your fingers are fine.”

She brought her own hands out in a gentle show of faith, a soft coax of her fingers convincing me to lay mine in hers. Her manicured nails clicked gently against my cast as her hands closed over mine, and I could just barely hear her hum to herself as the seconds ticked by. 

Dr. Hutch spent the first few of those ten seconds looking down at where our hands met, but once she passed five, she looked up, eyes trailing along my body as she began to look for something. It was there that I saw it; her eyes were this rich green with golden flecks around her pupil, but the longer the time passed, the brighter that yellow got. 

She was using her power on me. 

Her brow furrowed further as she went from looking at me to around me, like she was searching for something in the air. Her counting progressed further, past seven, and she began to stare at specific spots like she was deciphering hieroglyphics, trying to understand something more than any of us could fathom. 

“...ten.” She breathed. She glanced over at Dr. Sims and shook her head before letting go of the hand in a cast to gently pat the back of my other one before setting it in my lap, moving away to stand by Dr. Sims once more. 

Dr. Sims crossed his arms, looking down at the floor for a moment before saying, “Thank you, Dr. Hutch.” 

Neither of them seemed happy. 

I think everyone else caught on to the sudden shift in tone in the room as well; Aunt Sia moved a bit closer, and her hand came to my back, rubbing it gently. Dad moved two steps to close the gap between us to put his hand on my knee, and Brent’s brow furrowed as he watched them both move. 

Dr. Hutch sighed hard before looking up at Dad. “I’d like to clarify, before we begin, that my power is magnification,” Dr. Hutch began. “I can essentially narrow in on the gene structure of any person and pick apart their DNA sequence just by ten seconds of contact, much like how an electron microscope functions when examining a blood sample. I prefer hand holding as it’s comforting and easy to mask with extended handshakes for those I simply have a hunch about. As I build up to ten seconds I can see the DNA sequence clearer and with that I can determine if anything is out of place or exists when it maybe shouldn’t. I’ve yet to find an instance where I’ve been wrong.”

Jeez, with a power like that, I don’t understand why we didn’t come here to begin with.

“So you’re sure you know what’s wrong with Jean?” Brent asked, looking at Dr. Hutch. 

“We had results before bringing in Dr. Hutch, however, she’s the best second opinion you could ask for. I wanted to make sure.” Dr. Sims said. He inhaled deep, looking like he was biting down on his cheek so roughly he was going to chew a hole straight through it. He looked between Dad and I, cutting right to the chase: “I’m diagnosing Jean with conducrinopathy.”

Dad’s grip on my knee tightened and his jaw tensed, and I swear to god he looked like he was about to start breaking down walls. “What’s…” I glanced at Dad before looking back at Dr. Sims. “What’s condu…that?”

Dr. Hutch took over the explanation, beginning with, “Well, your conducrine—between your shoulder blades, right about where she’s touching right now—is what gives you power. It produces rayacitins, the proteins that change this energy into your elemental conduvergence.”

Conduvergence—that was what they called the powers, right? Using a power was conduvergence. “Okay,” I hummed, nodding. But I didn’t understand; what did this have to do with what was wrong with me?

“A typical Conduit has a set amount of rayacitin proteins in their body, and when they’re running low, that causes that pain you feel in your shoulders.” Dr. Hutch continued, trying her best to dumb this down for me. “They’re also what influences other cells to heal faster. Less proteins, less power, slower healing. More, the opposite.”

Oh, okay. “So is my condushine—”

“Conducrine.” Dr. Sims interrupted. 

“Conducrine,” I corrected, looking back at Dr. Hutch. “Is it just not making enough proteins?”

She looked to Dr. Sims, who sat on my question for a moment. “Sort of.” he agreed hesitantly, head bouncing side to side gently like he was considering which way to go with his explanation. “Conducrinopathy is when the conducrine itself begins to dysfunction. Its protein output wanes, you’re correct. That’s probably the cause of your pain, currently. But it…I suppose the best way to understand exactly what happens is to consider it…a sort of organ failure.”

All my breath left in one huff, and it felt impossible to breathe in more. “What?” I whispered. 

“Your conducrine is in a manageable state right now,” Dr. Hutch interrupted. “But as the disease progresses, it will begin to produce corrupted proteins. Your power will…will turn on you.”

“Wait, like the old forced Conduits?” Brent cut in. He looked furious, but his anger wasn’t aimed at Dr. Hutch and Dr. Sims with his question. 

Dr. Sims nodded. “That’s the main instance we’ve seen conducrinopathy, yes. The conducrine is due to turn on a Conduit if it is forced to copy artificial proteins. It’s like using the wrong blood type in a transfusion. But it has happened to two Prime Conduits. A patient here, and—”

“Mom.” I looked at Dad. “That’s what happened, isn’t it? When she started looking gray a-and sick in the pictures. Her power was killing her.”

“We can’t assume that it was killing her,” Dr. Sims interrupted as Dad’s eyes fell and he stared at the floor, face void of any emotion. “But if we had to compare how she was to the data we have now, then…yes, she more than likely had the same condition.”

My fingers went to mess with my cast, and I couldn’t think of anything to ask. What the hell was I supposed to say? Cool, doc, thanks for the Conduit cancer diagnosis! I felt on the verge of a panic attack. 

Aunt Sia rubbed my shoulder like she was trying to ease the tension out of it, and that was enough to get me to regurgitate one of the thousands of thoughts running through my mind. “Can you cure it?” I asked, looking back at Dr. Sims and his partner with pleading eyes. 

Dr. Hutch looked down at the ground as Dr. Sims appeared to try and swallow back bile. “We…there’s no known cure yet, though in your situation, this has only happened to one other prime whose progression of illness could be followed. There are noted differences between the symptoms in primes versus forced Conduits, but we’re…these are uncharted waters. We don’t know what to expect.”

“What are the differences?” Dad finally asked, voice robotic. “What can we expect?”

Dr. Sims looked like he wanted to do anything but answer Dad’s questions. Like he hated being the bearer of bad news. “The pain and tenderness between the shoulderblades is common. That will probably be the most persistent symptom. However the amount of healthy rayacitin proteins in her body will…they won’t be replaced by healthy ones. The damaged cells will spread further instead, and it’ll…her powers will start getting weaker. Maybe disappear entirely. The healing is usually the first to go.”

Dr. Sims looked at the ground and scuffed his shoe on the wood before adding, “We don’t know how her power will turn on her, either. That will change the status of her condition from manageable to severe more than anything else. And…between Fetch, and the other prime Conduit we’ve observed, decline is…faster in prime Conduits. The way a forced Conduit is already stunted in power is enough to delay it significantly more than a prime, especially when considering how much weaker they are.”

“And you’re sure it’s this?” He asked, looking between the doctors. His eyes settled on Dr. Hutch. “How can you be positive?”

Dr. Hutch was trying her best to keep her face neutral. “When using my powers, I can see this aural ring around people. I can tell if they have the gene, if they’re activated—your daughter has both signs. But there is also something wrong with the aura on her. It’s turning black. The only other times I’ve seen that is when I’ve run diagnostics for Dr. Sims upon his request.”

Dr. Sims shook off the discomfort of the moment, moving a step closer. “Delsin, I’m gonna be here every step of the way in case something happens,” he looked at me, “We’re going to make sure you’re, at minimum, comfortable.”

I hated how he phrased that. Comfortable? It didn’t sound like he was offering to just help me with pain, it sounded like there was more to the statement. A promise for there to be a comfortable end.

And I wasn’t a fool, I knew how this was going for all the old DUP agents; they were either all ill as could be, or slowly succumbing to their illness. His words sounded like he was offering me management if it came to that, too. 

Fuck. Fuck. Tears immediately began to pool in my eyes and it was hard to keep them away. No cure, no help, no idea what was going to happen. But I needed to know one thing: “Am I gonna die?” 

That was the wrong set of words to use; Brent immediately threw his hand back to hammer the side of it against the wall, the hit so hard plaster immediately caved under his fist. He pushed off and stalked away, brushing past Dr. Sims to the door and throwing it open, disappearing into the hall. 

Dad sighed, head falling. “Sia, can you—”

“‘Course,” she said, patting my shoulder gently before leaving the room, heeled combat boots echoing loudly as she jogged to catch up to him. 

The silence in the room truly was deafening, the air thick as the remaining four of us grappled with what just happened. Everything felt like it was slipping away; the color in the blue hospital gown I had on, the noise of the cars on the street outside. This was it. I really was broken. 

And there was no way to fix it. 

Dad squeezed my knee three times, and suddenly I was shot back to when I was a little girl trying to sit through the scariest moment of her life: vaccine day at the doctors. Me sitting at the end of an uncomfortable bed just like this, gripping the edge for dear life as Dad sat across from me, a hand on my knee. Three reassuring squeezes. I love you. 

Took me far too long to realize he’d do it when the needle went in and I’d miss the scariest part of the whole event. 

Now he was trying to reassure me yet again, forcing a deep breath into his chest as he lifted his head, looking at Dr. Sims. “This didn’t start happening to Jean till that fight with Augustine,” he began. “Conducrinopathy doesn’t happen to just anyone. Something caused this.” 

Dr. Sims sighed. “Delsin, her powers just manifested. We truly don’t know if this can be an inheritable condition or not.” 

“Well,” Dr. Hutch held up a finger. “I wouldn’t go so far as to say that yet, either.” 

Both Dad and Dr. Sims shot her a confused look. Dr. Hutch didn’t bother waiting for one of them to interrogate her, instead digging into the pocket of her lab coat and pulling out three blood collection tubes full of anything but blood. “I analyzed the two samples you sent, Eugene. And your friend downstairs passed a third to me earlier this morning.” 

Dad immediately bristled. “We don’t have another friend here,” he said, guarded. 

Dr. Hutch cocked her head to the side, concern on her face. “You don’t?” 

“What did they look like?” Dr. Sims interrupted. Dad’s hand tensed on my knee. 

“Short, wide set. Wore sunglasses inside for some reason which I’m…” she drew off. “Now I’m worried was to disguise himself.” 

I knew someone that matched that description exactly, but it wasn’t someone with a hidden agenda. “That’s Zeke,” I forced myself to murmur. My voice didn’t sound like mine. It didn’t even feel like I was talking. Was this what dissociation felt like? Feeling like I was witnessing the room from outside the window to the right? 

Dad scowled…but something in his expression shifted. “He brought you something to analyze?” He asked Dr. Hutch, surprised Zeke even cared. 

“He did,” she confirmed, holding up a collection vial that had black liquid in it that turned iridescent with a deep green where light hit it. I knew that liquid—that’s what Zeke took from the First Sons’ base in New Marais. “Said he hoped it would help me find answers for Jean.” 

Dr. Sims looked at Dad, who almost looked remorseful in a way before blinking a few times, inhaling. “And what did you find?” he asked. 

“Well, from what I understand, these two samples were acquired in New Marais,” Dr. Hutch said, shifting the samples in her hands so she could hold a pair up to the light. “I examined their properties and their aural signatures, and they’re certainly interesting. To save you the technical terms, these two samples almost replicate poison in a way. This one—” she pointed to the black and dark green liquid, “—the poison itself while this contained the cells it was affecting. However instead of killing the cells, they seemed to mutate them. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Dad went on to tell Dr. Hutch what we saw when underground, and how we found files that suggested the creepy crawlies in the First Sons’ basement were Conduits turned creatures. She reacted with horror in the right parts of the tale, but her eyes were alight with a curiosity that she couldn’t hide well at all. “I didn’t know that was possible,” she said. “I knew there were instances of monsters in New Marais but never really followed up on why.” 

“We were worried, with it corrupting Conduits, that it could be what happened to Jean,” Dad finished. 

Dr. Hutch shook her head. “I don’t think that’s the case. Where these two are similar, the one from Salmon Bay is completely different.” She stored away the two vials in her lab coat and held the one full of tar to Dr. Sims, who took it without hesitation. “It matches the signature of every case of conducrinopathy I’ve seen—including Jean’s. It has the same…darkness to it, but at a strength that made it nearly impossible to read without feeling ill after.” She glanced between Dad and I. “It’s like it’s emitting something far more dangerous than a regular Conduit can handle.”

Dad stood, hand leaving my knee to step forward and take the vial from Dr. Sims’ outstretched hand. “So this tar is what caused Jean’s sickness?”

“She was injected with it, correct?” Dr. Hutch asked. 

Dad motioned to my leg hanging over the edge of the bed. “Augustine’s concrete had this tar on it when she managed to pierce Jean’s leg,” he informed her.

The scarring and spider veins on my left leg hadn’t faded at all in the last week. The raised scars were still an angry red and brown, the veins alight like they were lightning with how bright the blue was against my legs. Dr. Sims took a few steps forward, motioning for me to bring my leg up and hooking his hand behind my calf so he could examine it closer. “I need to get this and the break checked on, next,” I could hear him mutter to himself like he was making a checklist. 

Dr. Hutch joined Dr. Sims, looking at my injury from over his shoulder. “It looks like it attempted healing,” she observed. 

“If you’re right, and that tar caused her sickness, could this be when the conducrinopathy started happening?” Dad asked, pointing to my scars. “They’re healed wrong because it was running out of time?” 

Dr. Sims’ brow furrowed. “The results did come back abnormal,” he muttered. He turned my shin lightly and then looked up. “Knowing the tar is practically the same as the illness, I wouldn’t be surprised if so.”

Dad stared at my scarring for a long time, long enough for Dr. Hutch to clear her throat awkwardly and say, “I’m sorry for bringing bad news. If there’s anything I can do to help…”

Dr. Sims sighed. “We’ll be visiting palliative care later today for the patient, if you’d be willing to meet us there.”

“Of course.” 

Dr. Hutch gave me a nod before turning on her heels and leaving the room, the sound of the door as it latched shut behind her feeling like a gavel strike of a death sentence. Dad, still staring at my leg, shook his head and brought a hand up to rub against his face. “Someone did this.” He said. 

“Del—”

“If that tar matches what’s wrong with Jean, then Augustine caused this. I don’t know if it’s because she got a new power, or somehow fucked with her old one—”

“Delsin—”

“But her power caused organ failure.” Dad finished with a stressed voice, and I wasn’t sure if it was to talk over Dr. Sims or simply because he was stressed. “We need to find out how she got the ability.” 

Dr. Sims shifted on his feet, thinking. “We can’t be sure that it’s not something that Augustine simply developed,” he warned. 

Dad shook his head. “I don’t believe that. Archangel helped Augustine. They tried finishing what she couldn’t do! She had to have gotten this power from somewhere.”

“I understand that, but you have to realize—this is the first time we’ve seen a situation like this with its cause. The forced Conduits develop conducrinopathy naturally, and we don’t know how the other two instances of this happened in primes—“ 

“But we know it’s not normal.” Dad retorted. “What happened to Abbs? What’s happening to Jean? Shouldn’t be a thing.” 

There were three sharp raps on the door and Aunt Sia returned, looking between Dad and Dr. Sims as the latter refused to let his gaze wander. “Archangel did something to make this happen, it was probably the plan the entire time—just for me. But this is some sort of power, right?”

“I’m not sure—“ Dr. Sims tried saying as Dad rambled on.

“—so we just need the power to fix it. Only way it’s coming out is the same way it went in.” 

“Delsin, this isn’t like then. We don’t know where the power came from or if it’s something new at all.” Dr. Sims finally put enough power into his voice to interrupt. “This is the only time it’s happened like this. For all we know, with the old DUP soldiers? It could simply be because Augustine was involved.” 

Dad opened his mouth to say something else when Aunt Sia cleared her throat loudly and pointedly, looking at Dad. “Delsin, I think you should go talk to Brent.” 

Dad blinked. “But—“ 

“Just a small talk, then we’ll finish what we came here for.” Aunt Sia turned to Dr. Sims. “Is there anything else we need to do for Jean? She still has some stitches, do they need to be removed?”

Dr. Sims looked confused and yet thankful for the topic change. “Yeah I-I want to get a general check up on her, but we’d need a more qualified doctor.” 

“Alright, then why don’t you go see who you can find while Delsin talks to Brent?” Aunt Sia asked the men, looking at them expectantly. 

They muttered some sort of agreement as Aunt Sia herded around their attention, the two eventually leaving me alone in the room with her. She stepped up to the edge of the exam table I was sitting on, right between my legs, and moved to cup my face, her expression solemn. “Oh Jean,” she murmured, “I’m sorry.” 

She pulled me into a hug and it was like everything snapped back to my center like a rubber band ball; I was no longer witnessing this from the outside, but fully trapped within the body betraying me, the ache in my back reminding me of the diagnosis. “I’m scared,” I admitted to her, voice cracking. 

“I know,” she replied almost immediately. “This has to be so scary for you. But you heard how quick your father was to begin trying to think of solutions,” she pulled away to look at me. She was right: Dad was always the problem solver. I wasn’t sure if this was something he could fix, though. “We’ll take this a day at a time, but you won’t be alone.”

Want more of Dr. Hutch? Check out Feth’s inFAMOUS: Sparks!

Set 7 years after the good karma ending of inFAMOUS: Second Son, join friends new and old as they navigate what it really means to be a part of the Second Age.

A perfect blend of OC and OG, Feth knows all things inFAMOUS like the back of her hand—for good reason ;). I’m a sucker for a good after story, for the butterfly effect of every choice made in canon to change something in their future, and Feth captures that perfect (and realistic) after. Rosa is one of many amazing new friends the original trio make as they take on foes old and new.

[eorzeanflowers]

10 Fandoms, 10 Characters, 10 tags

Basic rules: choose 10 fandoms that you are part of/support, and choose a favorite character from each of those. Then, tag ten folks!

Tagged by: @miqojak Ty for the tag!!! Sorry it took a hot minute.

Tagging: Uhhhhh, @terminuspride, @fair-fae, @alannah-corvaine, @voidsentprinces, @healerstail, @ahollowgrave, @alicelufenia, @starrysnowdrop, @briar-ffxiv, @driftward

Now to the list! In no real particular order cause I really just drift from thing to thing.

Penny Polendina (RWBY)

I love my quirky little robot girl. She's the absolute best, a brilliant fighter and very emotionally intelligent. She is such a cheerful ideal, someone who tries to see the best in people. She knows when they've gone too far and isn't afraid to stand up for what she wants! Which is the whole core of her little arc. Being a weapon given a soul and all. It is a beautiful story of a little girl who cares so much and wishes to be able to just... be that cheerful little girl without the weight of the world. Its just so sweet.

Honorable mentions: Ruby, Weiss, Blake, Yang, Oscar, Neo

2. Kafka (Star Rail)

In all honesty she's the reason I'm even playing Star Rail. She is such a mysterious character, with a voice to die for. Yes, Hoyoverse characters tend to be rather shallow (that's a gacha game for ya), but Kafka just hits everything I love in a character. Her character short when she was fully released is... *chef's kiss* just amazing. I will admit, every time she does her ult in game I join her in saying "Boom." ^_^;

Honorable Mentions: March 7th, Stelle (Trailblazer F), Seele, Bronya, Jingliu

3. Lyse (FFXIV)

Shocker, the leading lady of Stormblood is still my favorite? Honestly, all three of the ladies from Stormblood are the trifecta of favorites. (Lyse, Fordola and Yotsuyu) The various storylines that cause them to interact is such a delight. I wasn't too bothered by the whole "Yda was my sister" thing, cause well, Yda was barely in the game post ARR... And like, it was always Yda and Papalymo. Never just one or the other. So when Lyse got the chance to shine and actually take center stage, I was smitten. She's tough, gentle, sassy, collected, brilliant, a bit silly, and more. Such a well written character. I'm still upset she left the scions tbh. Could've added a little hair color diversity by a little bit. :P

Honorable mentions: Aymeric, Hilda, Erenville, Zero, Y'shtola, Thancred, Ryne, Gaia, Minfillia

4. Gideon Nav (The Locked Tomb)

Ok, seriously, this series grabbed me by the throat and would not let me go. Gideon is such a lovely first viewpoint (and I adore all the viewpoint characters). She takes no shit, talks a lotta shit, and can fight a whole heck more shit. The way she interacts with Harrow at first, then the other Necromancers and their Cavaliers is such a delight. Sure you hate Harrowhark so much Gideon, why are you obeying her command to not speak a single word to literally anyone else, hmmmmmmmmmmm?????? Also the gay panic that Gideon seems to have on the regular is just. Great. I don't want to speak too much more on Gideon, cause this series is just great and you should read it.

Honorable mentions: Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Nona, Camilla Hect, Ianthe Tridentarius, Coronabeth Tridentarius.

5. Raiden Ei (Genshin Impact)

Last time it was Eula, now it is Raiden Ei. It is always a toss up between them, if I'm being honest. Ei is just... such a sad puppy? XD Its the best way to describe her. So trapped in her own past and trying to do what would best preserve her sister's memory... She's just SAD guys. Yeah, she may not be the best governing force for her nation, and she indirectly killed a lotta people with her retreating away and leaving a puppet behind, but we the Traveler showed up and fixed things! Also she gets two amazing boss fights, I honestly wish I could do the story one again but I ain't working through Mondstat and Liyue again. >.>;

Honorable mentions: Eula, Alhaithem, Deya, Kamisato Ayaka, Zhongli, Nahida, Navia, the Wanderer, Wriothsley

6. Karlach (Baldur's Gate 3)

KARLACH IS THE BEST AND SHE IS SO SWEET AND LOVELY AND SHOULD NOT HAVE TO GO BACK TO HELL OR DIE OR [redacted]. She is such a lovely goofball that even shows platonic love if you don't romance her and I really think that is great! Her arc tying into Gortash was delightful, bringing her much more into the story instead of just a bystander like a couple of them. (Like out of all the origin companions Astarion barely has any connection to any of the major players in the story, he's pretty self contained tbh.) Her sweetness, the way she says she's gonna eat dirt if you leave her camp, and her cheerful demeanor are just.... Amazing. I'm really running out of words for Karlach cause she is my favorite. I'm gonna have to start BG3 up again and actually play my romance run of her soon.

Honorable mentions: Shadowheart, Wyll, Astarion, Lae'zel, Dammon, Orin, Jaheira, Minthara, Isobel, Aylin

7. The Doctor (Doctor Who)

Ok, a bit of a cop out since, you know, they are the star of the show. BUT COME ON. The Doctor in their various iterations have been so enjoyable. My personal favorite is Tennet's 10, but Capaldi's 12 is a strong second. Its just a good show to binge at times. There are a lottta good episodes, a few really bad ones, but overall its a good time. The scene at the end of the special where they rescue Gallifrey is still one of my favorite scenes in the whole franchise. And hell, the Archeologist is based (loosely) on them, so how can I not include them?

Honorable mentions: DONNA NOBLE, Rose Tyler, Clara Oswald, Bill Potts, Me, Strax

8. Xion (Kingdom Hearts)

Have I mentioned I love tragic characters? Xion is literally the definition of tragedy, with all the problems with her just existing lol. Her presence in 358/2 Days really made the game for me. Roxas was kinda bland and having someone that was similar in age (like Sora, Riku and Kairi were) to interact with made it all that much better. AND SHE GETS THE HAPPY ENDING. Eventually. Boy is it a long road, but that's Kingdom Hearts for ya.

Honorable Mentions: Kairi, Namine, Riku, Sora, Aqua, Terra, Master Xehanort, Isa, Lea

8. Lucina (Fire Emblem)

I really wanna pick someone else in all honesty, but Fire Emblem has a worse problem than Hoyoverse games in their bit characters. :/ Lucina is a strong character that really delighted me when I played Awakening. She's such a surprise that it really helps make that Fire Emblem my favorite. She's got a good supporting cast too, with Robin and her dad Chrom, but Awakening was really her game. Chrom was kinda there just to be her dad lol

Honorable mentions: Robin, Chrom, Ike, Mist, Soren, Sumia, Erika, Marisa, Lyon, Elincia

9. Trevor Belmont (Castlevania)

Full disclosure, I have not played his game, in fact the only two castlevania's I have played both feature non Belmont's as the lead players (Portrait of Ruin and Order of Ecclasia). But the way Trevor is in the show, OH BOY. He is rough, he is blunt, he is smart, he is SOOOO dumb, he is loyal, he is a fighter, he never gives up, HE IS JUST GREAT. He's also one of my biggest Bi panics when he shows how much of a badass he is in episode, I think, 4 or 5 or later? Its been a hot minute since I watched that series. When he first uses the flail weapon that I forget the name of.

Honorable mentions: Shanoa, Jonathan Morris, Charlotte Aulin, Sypha Belnades, Alucard, Dracula

10. Aigis (Persona)

Aigis is a super cutie and I love her interactions with the female protagonist. I really wish P3 wasn't such a long game and Aigis actually showed up a little earlier. She's just a doll! I do need to try and find a copy (or emulate) FES to play the storyline with her as the lead singer. Its just so rough to get thru P3 I just lose motivation. T.T I've made it to the vacation part with the female lead, like, three times and no further cause my motivation tanks. WHICH IS WEIRD CAUSE THAT'S WHEN YOU MEET AIGIS. Its just too long for me I guess. XD

Honorable mentions: Teddie, Female lead P3, Male lead P4, Yukari Takeba, Mitsuru Kirijo, Akihiko Sanada, Fuuka Yamagishi, Shinji Aragaki, Junpei Iori, Chidori Yoshino, Elizabeth, Theodore

Not gonna lie, kinda struggled to find a full 10 franchises to pull a character from. My mind just goes blank when asked my favorite character from X place. Names escape me and everything. XD But as you can see, I love robot girls, strong girls, mysterious girls, tragic girls, a fail man, and traveling weirdo.

[snorky]

Unexpected Meetings

Hey y’all! This is a work of fiction that I’ve been working on and I really hope you guys enjoy it! It’s a bit of a Detroit: Become Human! AU with a little bit of NHL hockey mixed into it, so if you’re unfamiliar with one fandom, or both, hopefully I did an alright job with giving enough background info and insight. I want to also thank @onigirimiya11 for proof-reading this and helping me with editing, and my younger sister for being a beta reader. Once again, I hope you enjoy this! :)

Pairing: Matthew Tkachuk x F!Reader

Word Count: 2.8k

Warnings: None

—

—

8:45:15 PM – November 13th, 2042

Kamski University – Detroit, MI

Raindrops fell upon the dim lit streets of Detroit, puddling and creating mirrors and portals to another universe. The arched building of Kamski University pointed at the sky, as if it were pointing to a god. But there was no other god in Detroit besides Elijah Kamski himself. Android mastermind, a scientist who played god, created machine so close to man, perhaps even a mirror of man. He lived away on the outskirts of Detroit, away from the public eye.

Students at Kamski University were some of the most brilliant minds, only a select few could be enrolled after passing a complex exam along with a few other tests of intelligence. Many looked up to the students at Kamski University. Young, intuitive, dedicated researchers were a model for students all across the globe. They followed the steps of Kamski, working on technology to further advance what man has created, to be better than before. Why play god and end what you have done when you can raise demi-gods? 

Many scholars at this time spend their hours working on a project, a new advancement for Detroit, or researching a new discovery, in hopes of clarifying what it would mean for the world. It was never about themselves, it was always what they could do for the future, for Kamski. 

She sat there staring at the laptop screen, sorting the lines of code into a more organized unit, the numbers and commands becoming a language that she understood by heart. It was like a tongue that she grew up with, a song that she has recited plenty of times. It started to become a blur in her eyes, the numbers not making sense like it used to a minute ago, the errors in her code becoming more prominent. Her eyes strained at the glaring screen, searching for a solution that wasn’t so evident.

Frustration was building up inside of her, a beast that was starting to be awoken with one small mistake, a monster that could snap at any given moment. She got up and shut the laptop closed, removing the irritating lines of code out of her sight. Her hands reached to her bag, to the door handle, and out of the confining dorm room.

Few minutes from the campus of Kamski University was a museum, a time capsule embedded into the center of Detroit, moments of history frozen into one single place all together. The rain blurred the sharp corners and lights of the building, fading it into the background of the large, noisy city. 

She stepped inside of the museum, the soft glow of the lights inside pulling her in further, lulling her into a calm state of mind, a gentle focus on the artifacts on display within the museum. Her footsteps echoed in the almost vacant museum, making it evident that she was allowed to be lost in her own world for a fragment of time. 

—

10:20:38 PM – 13th November, 2042

Little Caesars Arena – Detroit, MI

The Florida Panthers won an ice hockey game in overtime against the Detroit Red Wings, causing the city to sulk in its loss while the rowdy players filled up a local bar to celebrate victory. Matthew Tkachuk was a well known name amongst hockey players, making his way to the Hockey Hall of Fame with his dedication to winning the Stanley Cup, and with his latest game, scoring the winning goal in overtime.

“C’mon Chucky, just one drink at the bar, please!” Lundell pleaded. “You scored in OT! We’ve got to celebrate right?” He searched Matthew’s face for an answer. 

Matthew shook his head and sighed, “No, sorry guys.” The group of men groaned and threw complaints around for a bit.

“Just one drink, Matty,” Lucas said. “and then you can go do whatever you want.”

“No, I’m sorry, I just want to relax and go to sleep early tonight guys,” the chorus of groans and sighs started again.

“Alright guys, let’s leave him alone now. He kind of does have a point,” he went off. “Hope you have fun though Matty.” 

Matthew nodded and gave them a tight-lipped smile before heading down the street away from the crowded bar. The small corner-shops and store-fronts passed by him like a hazy memory as he walked down the street. Some stores with toys he played with as a kid, books that he got lost in as a young child. 

His footsteps were leading him elsewhere, and he was wandering around the streets of Detroit aimlessly. Wanderlust was drifting around within him, like a young child with freedom in an amusement park full of stuffed animals on display, and the sickly-sweet smell of treats hung around the corner. 

The fuzzy city skyline of Detroit painted the night sky, replacing the stars with man-made ones. Dabbles of blue hues hung in the air against metal skyscrapers that grasped the sky, reaching for something above the stormy dark clouds.

He stood on the museum steps, taking in everything that was in front of him. The columns of the building towered over him, the soft glow of the museum pulled him in, the gritty aura of Detroit this late alongside the unpleasant weather conditions seemed to force him into the museum. 

And there he stood, inside the museum, seemingly alone with all the trinkets of history. Soft, blue lights illuminated the artifacts and sculptures in the museum, and occasional warm yellow lights hung around certain displays like fireflies. Paintings aligned on the wall stared back at him, peering at his every step deeper into the museum. 

—

11:04:53 PM - 13th November 2042

Henderson Museum - Detroit, MI

She walked around the museum for a little while, getting lost in the taxidermied wildlife displays. She saw how eerily still the lion looks in a defensive stature against another lion. The simulated background looked so realistic, as if she was there right in front of the fight that was presented right in front of her. 

In another, she saw a sleuth of bear cubs fighting each other playfully in a forest, their paws up in the air defensively, mouths agape as if they were caught mid-roar. She smiled softly at the thought of animals experiencing joy just like humans do.

As she wandered around the dimly lit museum, she became more entranced than before, each display more immersing than the last. She observed the great blue whales that seemed to float across the ceiling of the museum slowly, the jellyfish that drifted in a rhythmic motion around the center, with different soft translucent colors floating against the blue ocean above, and starfish of varying colors and patterns clung onto the walls, decorating them in a constellation only found on Earth.

Her footsteps led her along to a small library in the museum. It was well furnished with some small tables and a couple of chairs, as well as some cozy cushions that were sat on a rug that was on the floor. Old-fashioned oil lamps were hung against the wall, giving the room a warm yellow glow that comforted her how Detroit couldn’t. The tall, oak-wood bookshelves were well stocked with encyclopedias and textbooks regarding various subjects that the museum displayed. 

She reached for a book that sat on top of a table nearby one of the bookshelves and picked it up in her hands. Examining the cover, she noticed it was 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, a childhood classic of hers. She daydreamed about exploring what could be under the ocean surface, what kind of creatures she would see, and all the sorts of tales she would be able to tell.

As she took a step backwards, she accidentally bumped into someone behind her, which startled her for a brief moment before she let out an apology.

“I’m so sorry I didn’t see you there-” she laughed awkwardly as her face became flushed in embarrassment.

“No no, it’s alright.” The man smiled. “It’s pretty late anyways so I didn’t expect another person here either.” He chuckled.

She sent a friendly smile back, observing him lightly, noticing the mop of curly hair on his head, the little gap between his front teeth, and his warm, soft eyes.

“It’s nice to meet someone in the museum, even if it’s this late ya’know,” he laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. The warm glow of the library illuminated his gentle smile and friendly demeanor.

“Yeah it is, even if I wanted to be here alone, it’s a bit nicer having someone around,”

“Ouch,” he feigned a feeling of hurt, “trying to kick me out of a museum now?”

She quickly tried to sputter out an apology but he finished his thought.

“Just kidding around, sorry. I understand sometimes though, it was pretty cool seeing the museum being empty with no people inside,” he said as he looked at her, “or at least, when I thought there were no people inside.”

Her head nodded in agreement before adding on to his statement. “No, yeah, totally agree. Detroit really outdid themselves with this museum.” She set the book she had previously picked up back on the table nearby her, before turning back to him. “And dare I say, better than the development of androids?” she smirked.

He scoffed, “What makes you say that?”

“Know a few things here and there.” She shrugged.

He looked at her skeptically before continuing to speak again. “Well it’s nice having some company, want to walk around the museum with me?”

“Yeah, sure, that’d be nice,” she smiled.

“Great! I really wanted to explore the planetarium exhibit. I've always wanted to learn more about the planets, but I’ve never had enough time to because of-” He quickly cut himself off before he started rambling. “I’m so sorry, I ramble sometimes,” he said sheepishly.

“No it’s okay, I like hearing you talk.” She looked at him warmly. 

He felt himself blush and it seemed like it was just the both of them in the museum, with all the time in the world to explore whatever their hearts desire. “I’m glad to hear that.” His smile was bright, the little gap between his teeth making him look all the more sweet.

She stood near the open doorway of the library and motioned for him to follow along. “Should we go check out the planetarium?”

He nodded and gave her a soft smile, to which she started walking towards the planetarium. They both exited the library, and the warm, mellow glow of the library subsided. It was replaced with a cool, deep blue cast, the signature of Detroit was evident. As they both got closer to the planetarium, stars began slowly appearing on the ceiling, little white dots glimmered against the dark background, mimicking the night sky if it wasn’t so harshly wiped out by the cities. 

He could hardly make out her silhouette in the dim lighting, which worried him a bit, because he didn’t want her to get lost or separated from him. As he thought about it, he found it odd that he was worried about her, having just met a half-hour ago, but he pushed the thought aside and reasoned it as ‘basic human morals’ to care about losing a stranger that he had just met.

They both reached the planetarium and were greeted by an android staff member near the entrance. “Welcome to the Henderson Museum Planetarium. How many occupants are viewing the show today?”

“Just two,” he said.

“Wonderful, please follow me,” the android instructed. 

They both followed behind the android and into the planetarium. It was a large setting, a quiet and dark circular theater and a large dome-shaped ceiling hung above their heads. She looked up in awe, seeing how full of grandeur the planetarium was.

“Holy smokes, this is-” she paused, “spectacular.”

He stood beside her, looking upwards as well, but he was held speechless. His heart felt so full of lovingness for the moment he was held in. He moved his gaze to her face, noticing her wonder for even just the empty theater, and the beauty she held was amplified tenfold by her desire to explore.

The speakers in the theater announced that the showing was about to begin and viewers should be seated to best enjoy the experience. Lights around the theater began to dim, and they both took their seats.

As soon as they were both seated, the large dome was lit up with a vivid projection of the galaxy, the Milky Way was stunning with all the hues of blue and purple bands on display. Stars were scattered in different variations, and some shone brighter than others.

“This is gorgeous,” he spoke breathlessly.

“It really is.” Her gaze was still held in the magnificent view in front of her. He looked at her gently, observing how the stars reflected in her eyes, and how she was so captivated by each description of the galaxy.

He thought about holding her hand for a moment, the feeling of having her hand in his in a gentle clasp, sharing this moment together.

“Can I ask you a question?” he whispered softly.

She turned his head to him, her attention broken away from the dome above. Her head nodded as a response.

“May I,” he paused, “may I hold your hand?” Time froze as he waited for her answer. Was he being too forward? His stomach fell, he started to regret even asking the question.

“Sure thing,” she responded with a soft smile. Her face was dusted in a blush, as he held his hand out to her. She gently put her hand within his, resting it peacefully. His heart fluttered at the touch and she felt the same way as well. A fuzzy-warm feeling drifted over them like a blanket, and he wasn’t sure if it was because of how late it was in the night or if it was the warmth of her hand in his. 

The display went on, multiple planets and moons being described with intricate detail, their bright and yet soft colors spun in front of the sparkling stars. The moment went on as if they were floating amongst the stars and planets without anyone else. It felt so surreal to be in a situation like this, away from all the stress of reality.

—

01:05:32 AM - 14th November 2042

Henderson Museum - Detroit, MI

As they both exited the museum, hands were still intertwined with each other closely, the harsh winter air of Detroit struck them both, causing them to shiver. He glanced over at her and noticed how much colder she seemed, and how her grasp on him was closer than before.

He took his jacket off before offering it to her, “Here, take my jacket. Don’t want you to catch a cold or anything,” he said.

She accepted his offer and put the jacket over her shoulders, already feeling how much warmth it provided. “Thank you so much, but what about you?” she questioned. “I don’t want you getting sick either,”

“I can handle it, I’m a tough guy,” he chuckled.

She nodded her head in response as they started walking down the street. His cologne was slightly noticeable on his jacket, a calm and yet bold scent. The rain had eased at this hour, but the cold weather had not. It was much more quiet without cars and traffic in the street, and it seemed much less like the noisy Detroit she knew by heart.

“Sorry if this question is personal, but are you able to get home? I can call a cab if you want,” he asked.

“No worries, I’m able to get home easily.” She smiled. “Just a brief walk to the university down there,”

He nodded in acknowledgement, allowing the peaceful silence between the two of them to linger in the air. As they continued walking, the realization struck him, he was most likely never going to see her again. He didn’t want her to leave his life, he wanted to spend more time with her like this.

“Can I get your number? I mean,” he corrected himself quickly, “so that we can talk again. I really enjoyed tonight, even if it wasn’t planned,”

She found his awkwardness endearing and she smiled back, “Of course, I really enjoyed tonight as well, even if it was unexpected,”

They exchanged phone numbers and she looked up at him. “I am so sorry, but what’s your name?”

He then realized that he never even told her his name, to which he responded with embarrassment. “I am truly sorry,” he chuckled, “my name is Matthew.”

“That’s a cute name, do you want your jacket back Matthew?” she asked.

“No thanks, it looks a lot better on you.” He winked.

They both laughed as they parted ways, the sparks between them ablaze, their hearts both warm and content with what they’ve shared and the memories they’ve created. 

[fairytales-and-folklore]

The Raggedy Doctor

Doctor Who » Eleven x Amy

Title: The Raggedy Doctor

Author: fairytalesandfolklore

Fandom: Doctor Who (Masterlist)

Relationship: The Eleventh Doctor x Amelia Pond

AO3 Rating: Explicit 18+ (a complete collection of author's notes, inspiration credits, content warnings and tags can be found on AO3)

Summary: After Rory is erased from existence, the Doctor feels a little extra protective over Amy Pond, worrying every time she wanders off, scared to lose her too. He's a mess of contradictions, emotions at war with his long-standing desire for his companion and his guilt over the fact that she can't remember she used to be engaged to someone else, struggling not to give in to her advances. Until he happens upon her taking a dip in the TARDIS swimming pool late one night — completely naked — and the last thread of his resolve finally snaps.

"How much do I mean to you?" she asked. "I…Amy, I've just said. Worlds, galaxies, the whole universe. Everything," he breathed, calculating her expression as a flux of emotions flashed across her eyes.  Slowly, she smiled, winding her arms around the Doctor's neck and bringing her lips to rest a few torturous centimeters from his. His mind shouted warnings, but he refused to move. Common sense abandoned him as he felt Amy's fingers gliding through his hair, and his eyes rolled back in spite of himself. He fought against the sensation, urging his lips to form a coherent argument.

Read On AO3 | Read On Tumblr:

The Doctor's fist slammed into the cold metal of the console for the third time in as many minutes, lips twisted into a grimace as his hearts hammered in his chest. The Doctor closed his eyes and concentrated, raking his mind for possible places he might have overlooked in his relentless search for his companion, repeating the same strangled string of reassurances. Amy was just fine. She'd just wandered off. At any moment, she'd pop round a corner and grace him with that heart-clenching little smile, and he'd smother her in kisses, and all would be forgiven. No, no, he couldn't kiss her. He had already burned that bridge. Burned it to cinders. He couldn't rebuild it now.

In the midst of begging the TARDIS to reveal Amy's whereabouts, he heard a cacophony of splashes echoing from a corridor to his left. He stumbled quickly down the steps, taking the corridor at full speed, the thudding of his boots on the harsh metal ground matching the pace of his hearts. As he came closer, the scent of dusty old books and crisp chlorine filled his head. He rounded the final corner, and was plunged into semi-darkness.

Shadows of light in shades of violet, cerulean, pale pink, and gold circled above him like smoke, dancing along the ceiling and shimmering over the surface of the grand swimming pool like fireflies. The room was the size of a small forest, lined with cobalt blue marble, swimming pool flowing like an enormous river in the center. Rows of bookshelves stood like giants on either side, histories and fairy tales bound in leather and ink.

The Doctor scanned the room, biting the insides of his cheeks in panic, hoping like hell that Amy knew how to swim, when a small head popped out of the water, delicate hands brushing back a tangled mess of flame-red hair. He breathed a sigh of relief and chuckled softly, before remembering how much trouble she'd just put him through. 

"Any chance you'd like to alert me the next time you decide to wander off, Pond?" he grumbled. Amy turned to face him with a brilliant smile on her face, as though she'd been expecting him. The Doctor smiled in spite of himself and strolled over to the edge of the pool. Amy dipped under the surface, gliding to where the Doctor crouched, waiting for her. Scarlet-painted fingernails gripped the edge of the marble as Amy slowly pulled herself up. 

The Doctor toppled backward and his eyes widened in comical shock as he took in the sight of Amy's chest: pale, freckled, and completely bare. He watched in fascination as trickles of pale blue water slid down her torso and disappeared beyond her waist. Lost for words, he forced his eyes away from her and glanced, for lack of a better place, toward the ceiling.

"Brilliant lighting. Well, it's not actually lighting. More like trapped bits of a supernova in little metallic containers. Though, I suppose that is light, just in the form of exploding fragments. I must admit, I hadn't a clue that the TARDIS swimming pool actually existed anymore. Thought it got chucked out when she rebuilt herself after the crash. You're the first of anyone to find it," he addressed the ceiling.

"Speaking of—" he said, cutting across his own train of thought. "Would you care to explain to me why you're naked in my swimming pool?"

"Oh! Right, sorry. Fancied a dip. You don't mind, do you?" she asked.

"No, no. I don't mind if you're…that's perfectly…just tell me next time, will you, so I don't tear apart the TARDIS in search for you? I thought I'd lost you."

"Fair enough," she responded, pushing her scarlet-painted toes off of the edge and ricocheting backward. Amelia floated across the surface like a water lily, while the Doctor struggled to take his eyes off of her.

"Water's really nice, you know," she called to him as she drifted toward the center, completely at ease in the vast, tranquil river. The Doctor shook his head vehemently, bouncing up and crossing over to a section of the library.

"I'm fine…I'll just…read a book," he said. "I'll sit right here, though, so I can keep an eye on you. Make sure you don't drown or anything."

Plucking a book at random, the Doctor settled into a nook in between the first and second bookshelf, leaning his back against the wooden frame of the first. Disregarding the cover of the rather large and brightly-colored book he'd chosen, he turned to the first page and stretched his arms out in front of him, so that the cryptic font was all he could see.

"Doctor," Amy called after a few moments.

"Yes, Pond?" he asked without looking up. "Do you need a towel? A decent swimsuit, perhaps? Some trousers?"

"Doctor, you've got that book upside down."

"So I have," he mumbled quietly, flipping the book the other way up. The Doctor stared determinedly at the writing on the page, never taking in its contents. Occasionally, he peered over the edge of the book, convincing himself that he was only doing so for Amelia's safety. When fifteen minutes had passed and he hadn't left the same page, Amy's voice rang out again, closer this time. He brought the book to his lap to find a very wet Amelia Pond perched along the edge of the pool, revealing little more than her pale, freckled shoulders. She glanced back and forth from the book to his startled face, one eyebrow arched in confusion.

"Doctor," she said. "Why are you reading a book called The Joys Of Cross-Species Sex?"

"I—" he began, draping the book over his traitorous trousers as he watched Amelia bounce on the balls of her feet, shaking with laughter and sharing glimpses of her breasts.

"More to the point, why do you own a book called The Joys Of Cross-Species Sex?"

"Oh, I…it's not mine. TARDIS must've picked it out. She's…curious."

"Are you?" Amy countered. The Doctor swallowed nervously, pressing the book down firmly to the point of pain.

"Well, I don't particularly invest my time in such…activities," he managed, wincing.

"Doctor, how long has it been since you've kissed someone?"

"It's…well…" he stumbled.

"If you have to think about it, it's been too long," she concluded.

"Well, there was that time that you kissed me," he said, cursing his brain filter for abandoning him at a time like this.

"Oh, come off it, that doesn't count. You never kissed me back. Nothing and no one was holding you back from doing so, but you just…" Amelia broke off and began fumbling with the cracked marble beneath her arms, conflicted between several different emotions, before settling on anger, and staring daggers at him.

"It doesn't make any sense," she said. "You've been taking me to all of these gorgeous, romantic places, and sometimes I think that maybe you…that we…but it doesn't mean anything, does it? I'm just another companion. I'm only here because it's better than being alone. I mean nothing to you."

The Doctor opened his mouth to object, but in a flurry of movements more graceful than that of a dancer's, Amy had pushed off from the edge and disappeared beneath the surface. The Doctor sighed, tossing the troublesome book carelessly across the floor. He placed his head in his hands, bringing his knees to his chest, and wrapped his arms around them, wondering how long he would have to endure this torment.

Of course he'd kissed her back that night. Thousands of nights would come to pass where the memory of that kiss would haunt him. But he wasn't allowed to have enjoyed it, because that kiss belonged to someone else. True, there was nothing holding him back now. Rory didn't even exist anymore, erased from Amy's memories the moment he was devoured by cracks in the skin of the universe, but that was no excuse to insult his memory…what little was left of it, anyway. It didn't matter how often Amelia Pond traveled through his thoughts, slipped into his dreams, walked the confines of his mind. She belonged with Rory Williams, and no amount of affection for the persistent ginger would allow the Doctor to tarnish his morals.

The Doctor had spent the past few months trying to convince himself that it wasn't his fault. He'd endured the pain of it, carried the guilt of his regret, the weight of his abandonment, of Amy's incomplete childhood, filled with loss and confusion she couldn't even remember, on his conscience. And what he wouldn't do to make it up to her…thousands, millions, whole lifetimes of beautiful, brilliant, breathtaking planets and time periods, scattered across the crumbling universe…but it was nothing in comparison to what he'd taken from her. 

The Doctor whimpered softly, lost in reverie, and listened for the sound of distant splashes, hoping she hadn't left, but all he heard was silence.

"Amy!" the Doctor shouted, scanning the length of the swimming pool. Nothing. He sprang from his nook, searching for a sign of her underneath the water, desperately calling out her name. The Doctor bit his lip, fumbling nervously with his hands, cursing under his breath. Fully aware that he was wasting time, he made up his mind and jumped, fully clothed, into the depths of the swimming pool. The chlorine stung his eyes, but he continued his desperate search for her, until his air supply ran empty. He burrowed to the surface, panic-stricken, wondering helplessly where she could have gone, angry with himself for having lost her.

Cold hands grasped his shoulders and he jumped, utterly frightened, before he realized that it was Amy, floating along in the water beside him, smirking and offering him his soaking bowtie that had become detached in his valiant efforts. He chuckled softly as she fastened it around his neck, breathing a sigh of relief as he pulled her into his arms.

He pressed his forehead against hers and whispered, "Amy, oh, Amy, I'm never letting you out of my sight again. Of course you're important to me, you mean the world to me. Several worlds, in fact. But for goodness' sake, will you please stop disappearing like that?" 

Amy smiled cautiously, and raised her eyebrows.

"How much do I mean to you?" she asked.

"I…Amy, I've just said. Worlds, galaxies, the whole universe. Everything," he breathed, calculating her expression as a flux of emotions flashed across her eyes. 

Slowly, she smiled, winding her arms around the Doctor's neck and bringing her lips to rest a few torturous centimeters from his. His mind shouted warnings, but he refused to move. Common sense abandoned him as he felt Amy's fingers gliding through his hair, and his eyes rolled back in spite of himself. He fought against the sensation, urging his lips to form a coherent argument.

"Amy…Amelia…we mustn't…you need…to stop…this."

Amy ignored the Doctor's whispered pleas, pulling him close with a sudden fierceness, locking her lips onto his and weaving her fingers through his hair.

"Amy," he moaned softly as she dug her nails into his back, grazing them up his spine, sending a flurry of shivers through his body. His lips parted, only to be met with hers, and he felt the inviting warmth of her mouth as she moved against him, tasted the sweetness of her breath that lingered on his lips as she pulled away, nearly breaking his hearts.

To hell with morals.

The Doctor seized Amy with sudden force, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her to his chest, exploring forbidden curves, delighting in the feel of her skin beneath his fingertips. Amelia Pond wasted no time. She had pushed him against the marbled edge and wrestled him out of his tweed jacket, button-up shirt and trousers before he'd even had the chance to do so himself, the two of them watching with amused smiles as his clothes sank helplessly to the depths. Amy turned to face him, examining the curious little irritation still tied around his neck. The Doctor started to protest, but Amy was clever.

She grazed her teeth along the length of his neck, nibbling at the bowtie, pulling on it gently and slipping her tongue in between its fabric and the sensitive skin of the Doctor's neck. Within seconds, she had loosened his beloved bowtie, and held it in her teeth. The Doctor chuckled and took it from her, tossing it to the side. He lifted her slowly, admiring the way her reflection glimmered in the water, trailing kisses across the base of her throat and circling his tongue along the curves of her collarbones.

He kissed her hungrily, the way he'd always intended to. Amelia's tongue slid into his mouth, exploring every surface and texture, wrapping her arms around his waist, wrapping her hands around the curves of his hips. The Doctor moaned softly, grasping her hips in return and swerving quickly, so that Amy was up against the smooth marble in his place. She conceded, wrapping her legs around his waist and feeling the rush of skin against skin as he entered her.

The Doctor moved slowly, carefully, his eyes never leaving hers as she wound herself impossibly closer, her smile unmistakable as she buried her face in his chest. He begged reality for this dream to last, his vision blurring as he moved ever faster, responding to Amy's requests as she arched her back and wrapped her legs even tighter around his waist, pulling him in deeper.

His mind raced, dizzying him further, and torturous, uninvited notions began to poison his thoughts. Would she have done this with Rory? Would she have been waiting for Rory in the very same place that the two of them were right now, had he not disappeared? A shot of unearned jealousy spread through his chest as he imagined the two of them together. Rory's lips against hers. Rory's hands touching her skin. He'd kissed her first, whispered her name with words of eternal promise before the Doctor ever even had the chance. 

It was entirely his fault. He'd abandoned her for fourteen years, and Rory had taken his place. Loyal Rory. Romantic Rory. Lucky, worthy, infuriating Rory. Envy pulsed through his veins as he realized the truth of it. It would always be Rory. For the rest of her life, she would miss him madly, without even realizing it. She would always love him, even if she couldn't remember who he was. After all, what was the Doctor to her, in comparison with Rory? Merely a fairy tale. Imaginary. Nonexistent. Insubstantial. It was Rory who deserved her touch, Rory who deserved her affections. 

His hearts thrummed on the verge of breaking point as a swell of self-hatred rose in his chest. He urged the torturous thoughts inside his head to cease, but the guilt tore through him relentlessly. She was broken and empty and lost, and he was only making it worse. The Raggedy Doctor, torn and terrible and broken himself, dragging Amy down to the depths right alongside him in his own selfish conquest for repentance. He struggled to keep his emotions in check, nearly crying out in a combination of ecstasy and unendurable agony.

They moved in rhythm to the steps of a twisted, terrible dance, as Amy pressed her lips to his. She wrapped her arms around his waist, pulling him closer, deeper, further, pushing him over the edge, her soft little moans radiating through his chest as she buried her mouth against his neck. The Doctor slowly released himself from Amy, breathing in jagged gusts, as the realization of what he'd just done washed over him. 

The water froze his skin, tightening his pores painfully, and he pulled a shivering Amy close to his chest, hugging her gently, leaning his forehead against hers and kissing it softly, comforting her the way he should have been doing all along. He smiled sadly, suppressing a collection of tormented cries that threatened to break the surface if he wasn't careful. With a painful stab, the Doctor realized that he would never get the chance to tell her how much he loved her, but he knew what must be done. 

Neither of them spoke as they held one another, reliving the last few echoes of the moment. Amy breathed slowly, contentedly enveloped in the Doctor's arms. He held her close, feeling the ragged beat of his hearts pulsing against hers, breathing in the scent of her hair, memorizing the curves of her body, the delicate feel of her skin beneath his, burning the image of her smiling face into his mind. Reveling in the moment, even as it twisted into smoke, because he knew that this was the last time he could ever be this close to her again.

[egg-emperor]

I've noticed that some of the fandom is quicker to try to completely villainize Gerald and act like he was never really a good person for him to end up doing what he did after he lost everything he cared about and his own mind and how he was fucked over by the government and G.U.N- than they are to accept Eggman genuinely being evil and not ever having implied to once be a better person with good intentions, like Gerald actually did. I dunno, it just really feels like a lot of people have it backwards. Am I crazy

Like if you want more moral complexity and good turned bad in the way there's genuinely known capability of good and evil in someone who's kind of like Eggman, Gerald is right there. And I find him really interesting for that but not when the same thing is attempted to be applied to Eggman too, I don't like the idea of them literally being exactly the same. Looking so alike and having similar skills and Eggman admiring him as a kid yet always being more selfish, self centered, and evil is really cool I think

And I think it can actually be more tragic than Eggman once being good, when you think about how he could've tried to do good like his grandfather did and carry on for him but he was never that kind of person, he was just selfish and egotistical because of his genius and decided he was entitled to power and control and to rule the world instead. I also like to imagine that in his admiration of Gerald, instead of focusing on the good he tried to do, he viewed him only from an academic perspective and wanted to be hailed as a great scientist like him, and it was never about doing good for anyone else and only what he could get

Ya know like

And he didn't care about doing good to get it, he knew he could do it through evil and he's clearly very passionate about his evil and loves all his diabolical plans, he loves using that brilliant genius mind of his for scheming hehe 💜💕

[fujoshimoley]

long pink hair

INCREDIBLY brilliant scientist capable of creating artificial life

sapphic as hell

unimaginably rich. THE biggest capitalist ever

massive sweet tooth

incredibly questionable morals

absolutely no sense of ethics whatsoever

extremely misguided compassion that is born out of a desire to stroke her ego rather than to help others

incredibly divisive in fandom

indirectly caused a Death of Personality happen to her family because she felt slighted by them

really fucked up past centered around isolation and loneliness

keeps trying to explain The Horrors with science

actively hates and disrespects the concept of magic but in a really funny way. magic is indisputably real in her universe btw

many of her friends are literal magic creatures who cannot be explained by hard science

most popular ship is with a goth bat she knowingly horrifically mistreated and its the most controversial ship in the series

god complex

has both directly saved the world from destruction and also inadvertently caused it to be in danger in the first place

regardless of how people feel about her she is objectively pretty damn cool i mean just look at this stuff

i didn't say her name, but she popped into your head anyways, didn't she?

[dhr-ao3]

Forensic Wizardry

Forensic Wizardry https://ift.tt/KywbCo3 by geminowrites Brilliant Healer and forensic expert Hermione Granger works at the Order of Merlin Research Center, located in the renovated Nott Manor. With her exceptional ability to read clues from magical remnants and artifacts, she is frequently called upon by law enforcement to assist in investigations where standard magical identification methods are futile. Often, Hermione finds herself paired with Auror Draco Malfoy, a former Death Eater with a sharp mind and strong protective instincts. Despite their strained partnership, stemming from their tumultuous past, Draco has come to respect Hermione's unparalleled expertise and unwavering dedication to justice, both professionally and personally. Together, they tackle the wizarding world's most challenging and mysterious cases. As they delve into dark secrets in the Forbidden Forest, break deadly curses, and uncover betrayals within the Ministry, Hermione and Draco must navigate their complex relationship while working alongside an eclectic team: artistic Pansy Parkinson, herbology specialist Neville Longbottom, dark magic expert Theodore Nott, and led by the formidable Daphne Greengrass. Words: 9, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English Fandoms: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling Rating: Not Rated Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death Categories: F/F, F/M, M/M Characters: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Draco Malfoy, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Theodore Nott, Blaise Zabini, Daphne Greengrass, Pansy Parkinson, Neville Longbottom, Ginny Weasley, Antonin Dolohov Relationships: Hermione Granger/Draco Malfoy, Neville Longbottom/Pansy Parkinson, Harry Potter/Ginny Weasley, Theodore Nott/Blaise Zabini, Daphne Greengrass/Pansy Parkinson Additional Tags: Post-War, Harry Potter Epilogue What Epilogue | EWE, Bones (TV) References, Forensics, Auror Draco Malfoy, Implied/Referenced Character Death, Serial Killers, Temperance Brennan but make it Hermione Granger?, Slow Burn, dramione - Freeform, Draco Malfoy & Harry Potter Friendship, Past Hermione Granger/Ron Weasley, Healer Hermione Granger, Hermione Granger & Theodore Nott Friendship, Head Auror Harry Potter, Banter, Protective Draco Malfoy via AO3 works tagged 'Hermione Granger/Draco Malfoy' https://ift.tt/UaNOXPs June 10, 2024 at 06:28PM

[theshenanijiang]

Just read a post about WWX and fandom mischaracterization of him. And they have good points! But they ask why people mischaracterize him. And like... honestly, I am sure that some of the people who do do it for funsies. Like.. writing no thoughts, bi-disaster Wei Wuxian is FUN! And it fits with the persona he sells to people. That is the thing. His entire persona is "don't pay attention to me, I am just a silly boy doing silly things."

Which brings up my second point. If the narration is centered around the rumors and perceptions of the world around Wei Wuxian (parts of it is, for sure) then it is easy to buy into those perceptions. If Wei Wuxian wants people to think he is a frivolous playboy, people will think it. Because yes, he is that good. But so... the reader might remember that most/ best.

Also, lots of fandom comes from CQL. I came from there. Sometimes it is hard for me to remember what was in CQL and what happened in the novel. But if you come at it from CQL, then we don't get much of his perspective, really. I mean a little. And his relationship with Lan Wangji is quite different. It is expanded. He gets more time before the bad things happen with Lan Wangji. He gets more time as a carefree (relatively speaking) youth.

I agree that he has immense social intelligence, he has to. People who live with volatile people often are. They are often hyper aware of the people's moods around them. They are careful to pay attention to the way others think.

He is a genius! He is amiable, lots of people like him. He seems impulsive. But I think that his "impulsivity" is a combination of two things: he doesn't bother to explain his mental leaps and he has a different set of priorities than most of his peers.

Remember, he is used to Madam Yu's style of punishment, where it doesn't matter if he actually did something wrong, she'll find some reason to be mad. So, he has to find his own morality. He has to listen to his own heart. If the rules don't matter to the adult in charge of guiding you (even just one of them), then you have to figure out what rules matter to you.

So, if he is brilliant and has his own moral code, he might seem quite impulsive. He might seem like the annoying friend. Is he absolutely aware of what he is doing? Yeah.

Have I forgotten where I was going with this? Lol Yes, yes, I have. But I don't think that writing Wei Wuxian as an annoying, impulsive brat is completely wrong, especially if you are writing from the perspective of someone other than Wei Wuxian. Lan Qiren absolutely thinks that of him and would see all his actions in that light. Jin Zixuan would think something similar. Might even consider him to be violent and dangerous, given their history. Even third person could be written that way, if that is what Wei Wuxian is trying to portray. Also, I think that people should write what they want. And people should read what they want.