#feedback is welcome!

[jorvegian-goddess]

So I’m reworking the magic system in SSO; particularly the circles; for my own version of the main story. I’m keeping the Moon and Lightning circles but am removing Star (I feel like something like stars is more divine and that would more associated with Aideen/Ali than healing) and thinking of replacing it with an Earth/Terra circle for healing.

As for the Sun I want to keep it as the Sun, but not sure if Anne should keep her portal abilities; I really like it in a thematic sense. Anne has the ability to open portals to pandoria and thus has the deepest connection to it outside of Ali, but ends up being the one trapped there the longest and is the most traumatized by it. But it just doesn’t make sense for the Sun circle. I was thinking something closer to Stella from Winx but we’ll see.

On top of that I want to add more elemental based circles but can’t decide if they should be completely separate from the celestial circles (the main four as I’m calling them) or an offshoot of them.

[prideknights]

(What we have in mind for now are black dragons, with low density silver glitter, silver enamel, so that the pride flag pops)

[too-much-tma-stuff]

This idea sort of burst out of me like Alien so it's unedited. There will probably be more.

In short, Cas picks up on the fact that Danny is pregnant at a Wayne Gala and have the right idea but the wrong context.

Masterpost

------

Danny was barely holding it together and really he had been for a long time. It had sort of been fun and games at first when he became a hero. Sure his accident had hurt like hell but he'd sort of repressed that and for real? Lunch Lady? Box Ghost? Even Skulker was sort of a joke and he hasn't actually felt threatened. Sneaking around behind his parents backs and sneaking out with his friends had been fun. It had all felt like a game at first, and then somewhere in there things had gotten very real.

He'd known he couldn't count on his family to protect him but they couldn't even see Vlad was a threat. And he felt like he had lost the last of his innocence when he saw the clone Vlad had made of him melt. He hasn't been in time, he had panicked and he had only managed to save a couple by taking them into his own body to shield their still forming cores. Ellie and... should Danny name the other one or would he name himself when he was ready?

He kept touching his stomach over where he could feel the little balls of his mirror children hovering just below his own core. He was so tired all the time as they relied on his energy, he was eating more then ever and he knew his family was worried. He didn't think he could hide this and he couldn't predict when they would emerge. What if they did in front of his parents? They definitely wouldn't react well. And Vlad kept trying to use this against Danny. Promising to look after him and the babies if he was really insisting on carrying them, as if Danny could rip those tiny 'lives' out of himself now.

And no matter how many times he tried to tell his parents that Vlad was bad news, that he creeped Danny out and made him feel unsafe they wouldn't listen! Dad didn't even hear him and mom made sympathetic noises and then told him to bear with it for Jack's sake because he didn't have many friends.

So of course when Vlad had asked if 'Daniel' could accompany him to a gala in Gotham his father had agreed! Even his mother had agreed when Vlad promised it would be educational and safe! And here Danny was, hanging on by a fucking thread in a suit that felt uncomfortably tight around his middle, having just escaped being paraded around as Vlad heir like a particularly expensive watch. He was behind the snack table having piled a plate as high as he could and scarfing it down before Vlad could find him again and scold him for being rude. He hadn't noticed yet that a family of dark haired socialites kept giving him worried looks. A young woman with dark eyes signing frantically to a man with blue eyes and a dimpled frown.

It was the man who slid up carefully next to Danny trying not to startle since he seemed to have genuine food aggression.

"Yeesh kid you seem like you're starving! All those fancy Hors d'oeuvres are fun but not very cooling and I feel like I'd be a poor host if I didn't offer you something more filling! If you'll come me to the kitchen I'm sure our family butler would be happy to whip something up for you?" The man said with an inviting some that did nothing to sooth the way Danny's hackles raised instinctively.

He was about to say no on reflex when he spotted Vlad heading towards them with an expression like a thunder cloud. Danny's back went ridged and the other man followed his gaze with a frown. "You know what ya that sounds great let's go now!" Danny said dropping his half full plate on a nearby tray and dragged the stranger away with him as Vlad shouted after him.

"Daniel come back this instant! Unhand mister Wayne! Daniel this is unacceptable!"

'Mr. Wayne' took over leading them and spirited Danny through a back door as a bubbly blonde intercepted Vlad and a small woman slid in behind them like a shadow.

"So, Danial I assume?" The man asked, amusement crinkling around his eyes as Danny grimaced.

"Mr. Wayne I assume?" Danny returned, unaware of the way one arm was protectively wrapped around his stomach, but the girl noticed. It was Dicks turn to grimace.

"Okay ya, I go by Dick. What about you?"

"Danny," he said not reacting to the name, he'd heard far stranger. "And what about you?" He asked Cas, startling Dick a little because she was doing her 'shadow thing' and not many people would have noticed her.

"That's Cas, she has a hard time talking sometimes," Dick explained as Cas materialized and gave Danny a reassuring smile and wave.

The teen harrumphed but he did follow them down to the kitchen where Alfred was drinking a cup of tea, staying well clear of the foolishness upstairs. "Ah, hello young masters," Alfred he said, glancing between the three with a raised brow. Though the two who knew him could see the way his expression softened when Danny shrunk in on himself. "What can I do for you?"

"Hey Alfred do we have any leftovers from dinner or something filling we can whip up fast? Danny here is too hungry for just the fancy font for upstairs." Dick asked cheerfully.

Alfred raised his eyebrows again and looked at Cas who was standing behind Danny. Glancing at Danny to make sure he wasn't looking she grimaced then touched her stomach and mimed holding an infant.

Alfred's expression turned stormy for just a moment then smoothed. "Of course we do, Why don't you make our guest comfortable and I'll see what I can do. Do you have any allergies young man?" Alfred asked and Danny shook his head mutely.

"You're the best Alfie!" Dick said, hovering a hand over Danny's shoulder rather then actually touching him as he leas him towards the comfortable breakfast nook.

The boy seemed tight lipped and gaunt, his eyes flicking around them as if he expected a threat to pop up at any time. Dick slipped into the booth across from him. Trying to think of the best way to ask this kid how... why, and who hurt him.

Cas has stayed in the kitchen, but not for long. She came to them with a tray of mugs moments later and slipped into the booth next to Danny. Gently she took his hands and pressed the warm mug unto them. He blinked and focused of it, as if on autopilot he lifted it to his lips, Cas keeping a hand on his elbow to steady him as he drank.

The warm comforting drink, and hand on his arm, presence by his side as Cas slid imperceptibly closet and closer till she was pressed against Danny's shoulder, felt like they were taking him apart from the inside. Thawing out the cold numbness he shielded himself behind. Half way through his tea he glanced up, at the worried blue eyes so like Jazz, so worried and warm.

He put down the mug suddenly as a sob shook his body. Cas wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close, cooing comforting wordless little sounds as she let him bury his face into her chest and just sob heaving, exhausting outbursts of repressed emotion.

"Are the babies okay?" She asked and he froze, his breath catching in his throat. She clicked her tongue and rocked him gently. "Okay, okay, not in trouble," she promised.

"They- I don't know, they were so weak, I’m trying, but I don't know if I can keep them alive." Danny sobbed lifting his hands to cover his face.

"The stress can't be helping," Dick pointed out, climbing across the table like it was nothing to sit next to them and rub Danny's back. Danny gave a little hiccupping hysterical laugh. "Do you have support, or like, do you know your options?" He asked awkwardly.

"I'm not getting rid of my babies! I don't care if the man who made them is an obsessive creep who drugged me! I love them they're MINE!" The feral protectiveness seemed to startle Dick even as Cas continued to make soothing sounds.

"Your choice, only yours," she promised. "Have help?"

Danny sniffled and shook his head. "Safe?" Another shake of the head.

"The man who... did this?" Dick asked as delicately as he could. Another hysterical laugh.

"I've tried! I've tried to tell my parents he's a creep, he's dangerous but they don't listen! My dad thinks he hung the fucking stars, mom says he's harmless. They don't believe me! I-I can't tell them about the babies. They'd make me get rid of them or worse! I can't." Danny sobbed and Cas soothed.

"Okay, okay, you don't have to." She promised. "You stay with us, you and babies safe, never have to see him again."

"Ya right. Wait, your serious? What" Danny asked, pulling back and looking at her with wide bloodshot eyes.

"She's very serious young master," Alfred said as he approached making Danny jump. there was a hard set to the old man's jaw and steal in his eyes that left no room for questions as he set a plate of eggs, sausage, and fruit in front of Danny. "Master Bruce has a foster license and is a mandatory reporter. I'm sure once he hears even a fraction of this he will insist you stay. I will prepare a room for you. Am I to assume the man who's shouting demanding your return upstairs is the source of this distress?"

Danny swallowed and nodded, Alfred nodded back and paused to rest a gloved hand gently on Danny's hair before walking away briskly.

"Eat," Cas said, nudging him gently to let go of her. "As much as you want. Still hungry? We raid Tim's secret cereal stash."

"Gasp! You know where it is? You've been holding out on me?!" Dick demanded with exaggerated betrayal and as the two started to banter Danny ate. He was glad of the distraction, of not having the attention on him as he devoured the healthy, and nutritious meal the butler had made for him. It had been a while since he'd had a good home cooked meal, it made his core feel warm and he could feel the two little echoes as his hummed.

The babies were happy too, he didn't believe these people could keep him safe from Vlad really, but this was nice. Maybe he would let them try, get a few more good meals, a respite, and maybe... maybe his parents would finally notice that something was wrong and actually stand up for him?

That was probably wishful thinking but he could hope right? there was no harm in that.

Part 2

[corrodedparadox]

Been planning on doing woven tapestries in the future and I’m trying to settle on a few designs I think would translate well. Would yall fuck with these as tapestries? Or does something else catch your eye

[canisalbus]

doodled your little guys!!! I have so many thoughts about them. As someone who lives in Italy it has been absolutely wonderful seeing your characters express the country's culture and history!!! It's not often that I see characters be based off Italian history in such an artistic manner.. But that might be me living under a rock, LOL. Anyhow, keep doing what you do, YOU ROCK!!!!

.

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

Lan Wangji Goes To Lotus Pier AU: Part 1: Dread on Arrival

(Part 2)

[hyperfixatinator]

Where is the line?

In the comics, Tim Drake's moral code is an enigma to me, particularly his stance on the Batclan's no-kill rule. For all the fans who say he's always one step away from full blown villainy, there are even more saying he's a strict goody two-shoes who could never stoop that low.

Then there's the different takes on where Tim draws the line between these two extremes. Personally, I find that line hard to pinpoint. Digging for canon demonstrations of his morals has lead me to more questions than answers. My biggest question right now is:

What counts as breaking the no-kill rule in Tim's eyes?

Luckily, the Robins 2021 comics shed some light on this. In issue #3, "Tim", or rather an imposter of him, said that choosing not to save someone isn't the same as killing them, and that letting a villain die can be a way to get justice. Normally, this point would be moot since it's not Tim himself who said it. However, at the end of issue #6, the real Tim clarified that what the imposter said WAS his real opinion on the matter.

Not only that, but Tim has shown this belief through his thoughts and actions before. Twice.

The first time goes all the way back to Robin 1991 #5. During the fight against King Snake, Tim kicked him through a nearby window, fifty stories above the ground. As King Snake's life hung in the balance, Shiva appeared and commanded Tim to kill him.

Tim refused. He walked away, leaving King Snake entirely at Shiva's mercy.

What gets me is that Tim made no move to save King Snake from falling. And he made no effort to stop Shiva from committing the murder, either. His only thought as he heard the man's scream was "Fifty stories is a long way to fall."

The second time was in Red Robin 2009 #26. Tim orchestrated a whole plan to manipulate Captain Boomerang into getting killed by Mr. Freeze. The whole time, Tim blamed Captain Boomerang for making all those bad choices, despite Tim being the one raising the chances of them being made. Tim believed he was innocent because he wasn't directly participating.

Tim then stopped that plan, but not for any noble reason. He decided that he couldn't let anyone else kill Captain Boomerang but himself.

Tim couldn't bring himself to do that, either. So he had to spare his father's killer in the end.

This seems pretty cut and dry so far, right? Tim believing that letting villains die is alright as long he doesn't do the deed himself? I'd think so too, if there weren't other moments contradicting this.

In Robin #35, Steph insisted on leaving an enemy who got buried under the snow to die. Tim chastised her for it.

Neither of them were responsible for the snow, or for the enemy getting trapped in it. Plus, that guy tried to kill them with a chainsaw moments prior, so he's not exactly an innocent damsel in distress.

Maybe it was because this enemy wasn't a big enough fish to fry. We didn't really get confirmation that this guy has actually killed before, and he's around goon status at best.

But then in Robin #46, Tim chose to save another enemy who got himself into a deadly situation. That enemy was a murderer known as Young El. This time, Tim wasn't telling anyone else why they should save a murderer's life out loud. These were his private thoughts.

Notice how Tim's inner monologue sounded kind of on-the-fence. He contemplated justice finally catching up with Young El as the floorboards gave way, bringing a support beam down on him in the process.

However, Tim immediately switched gears to rescue Young El from under that beam before the water rose too high.

But Tim, as he told Young El the reasons he's saving him, asked himself "Do I even believe what I'm saying?" He could be asking this about two different things he said here. A) "Maybe it's not too late for you to learn something, Young El.", or B) "Death's easier for you when it's the other guy. Death's never been easy for me."

For Tim to doubt his belief in either of these statements is very interesting. He could be questioning if Young El is already too far gone for redemption, or he could be questioning if seeing someone die has never been easy for himself. For all we know, it could be both.

Unfortunately, Tim never got to see if his choice to save him would pay off. Tim wasn't strong enough to lift that beam, and Young El drowned.

There's a question on my mind as I read these pages. What makes this murderer's death different from when Tim let King Snake fall to his "death"? Sure, King Snake didn't actually die, but Tim didn't know that until later when the man came looking for revenge in Gotham.

Tim was once able to simply walk away from what he was certain would be a killer's demise. But then he's consumed by guilt over not being able to prevent a different killer's death down the line, to the point of hallucinating.

On top of that, what changed Tim's mind later? Red Robin #26 and Robins 2021 #3-6 still happened in the future. The only significant difference I can tell is that these two comics involved the killer's of Tim's parents, making it personal. But if the Imposter from Robins 2021 got his beliefs from his profile before his mother's killer got involved, then does that still hold up?

Maybe we should put a pin on it for now. There are other things Tim's done that brings the details of his no-kill rule into question.

Such as that one time Tim actually killed someone with his bare hands.

In Robin issues #51-52, Tim accidentally killed Lady Shiva while drugged on amarilla, a plant that enhances the user's speed beyond human limitations.

It may be argued if the amarilla altered Tim's mind enough to excuse him of fault or not. However, I want to focus on what happened after Shiva was revived. Here's another question to go with the first one:

Does Tim believe the kill still counts if the victim was revived afterwards?

From what I've gathered, yes and no. It's kind of complicated.

After Tim killed Shiva, he was understandably distressed about it, about how he can never take it back.

But after Shiva came back to life? Nothing. He didn't dwell on the fact he broke the vow to never kill. For something that devastating to happen in his life, it's odd that Tim didn't bring it up ever again, privately or otherwise. Especially considering what happened later in Robin #123, when Tim thought he killed Johnny Warlock.

Tim was utterly inconsolable. He lost all faith in his abilities as Robin, and in himself as a whole. It also contributed to his decision to quit being Robin after his dad found out. In general, he seriously dwelled on that "kill" for a much longer time than he had after killing Shiva. The difference being that he knew Shiva was resuscitated immediately afterwards, while Tim didn't know Johnny survived until issue #141.

But there's the fact that Shiva really did die. Her heart and breathing both stopped. So are we to believe Tim moved on from that so easily because she's alive now? What happened to never getting that back?

Come to think of it, not long after Tim killed and revived Shiva, there was someone else who landed in that same boat. Dick.

In Joker: The Last Laugh #6, Dick brutally attacked the Joker after believing he killed Tim. Dick ended up accidentally killing Joker instead, before the clown was resuscitated.

Here's the thing. While Tim was trying to comfort Dick, saying that it's ok because Joker's alive now, Dick didn't believe so. He was still distraught that he killed someone. The fact Joker came back to life afterwards didn't matter to him. To Dick, it still counted. So what does that say about Tim?

Before we move on, there's another person Tim knows who also died and came back from the grave. Jason.

Tim openly acknowledged Jason was killed before coming back, too. Multiple times. For example, when they met up in Red Hood and the Outlaws 2011 #8.

Tim hadn't shown any signs that he thinks Jason's murder doesn't count anywhere, except for maybe once.

In Knight Terrors: Robin #2, Tim and Jason had a heart-to-heart, and Tim said something strange.

"You survived."

Except Jason didn't survive. He died. To say Jason survived that night would've meant he never died to begin with. Him being alive now doesn't change that. Was this Tim telling a white lie to make Jason feel better? Or does Tim see being revived after death as "surviving"?

Ok, now we can move onto the next question. Or rather, bear with me as we go back to the first question. It's a broad topic with plenty more to talk about.

What does Tim count as breaking the no-kill rule?

We already asked how Tim feels about bringing villains back from the dead after killing them. And we asked how Tim feels about leaving a villain to die without getting directly involved. However, we still don't know how much involvement Tim needs to have in an enemy's death before he'll take responsibility for it.

We can confirm he won't mercy kill in Red Robin #21, even if it means giving someone a fate worse than death. No exceptions.

Tim also doesn't allow anyone he's actively teaming up with to kill, especially if he's the one in command. He's been amicable with known killers before (Huntress and Pru, for example), but only when they remain non-lethal while working alongside him.

Apart from that, though, it becomes less clear. However, I think this is a good place to expand on when Tim blew up a lot of League of Assassins bases in Red Robin #8.

I'm not going into whether or not those explosions actually killed anyone. I've seen evidence supporting both sides of this debate, so I'm just going to say it's up to interpretation. What I AM talking about is whether or not Tim would've felt responsible if they had killed someone.

Before overloading every generator in the LOA database, Tim gave a warning to the Wanderer. He told her that he couldn't be held responsible for what would happen to her if she didn't leave.

After initiating the explosions, Tim warned the White Ghost that they had fifteen seconds to leave before it was too late.

Fifteen seconds. That explanation on the mistake of letting him in might've taken roughly another fifteen to twenty seconds. Did the other bases even get a full minute head start? The way some of the people were already running away could imply they at least got a warning, but it's possible they might not have.

Even if everyone in every base received a warning, would that be enough for Tim to avoid holding himself accountable if they didn't make it out in time? Tim's the one who rigged the bases to explode, but I guess giving someone a warning means it's now their fault for not heeding it?

We can't be sure he even considered the possibility of those explosions killing anyone. Tim knew they were dangerous enough to bring the whole Cradle down, and the other ones we saw looked pretty powerful (except the ones in Ra's hideout). But Tim also called Ra's a murderer right after that happened, which would've been very hypocritical if Tim himself thought he committed murder.

So, my guess is either A) Tim relied on sheer luck for those explosions not causing any casualties and chose to believe they hadn't, or B) Tim didn't believe the deaths of anyone caught in them would be his fault.

Again, this isn't about whether or not blowing up the LOA bases killed anyone. It's about how willing Tim was to take that risk, and if he would've blamed himself for anyone getting killed from it.

Either way, it's canon that Tim had no guilt for the explosions he caused, or for anything he did before Red Robin #22. Just ask the Sword of Sin.

This is an exerpt I got from the Fandom DC Database on the Sword of Sin:

"The Sword of Sin can be ignited with the mind of the wielder, if the person is powerful enough. The sword has the ability to conjure in the mind its victims all of the sins for which they are guilty or have not atoned for."

When Tim was stabbed with this sword, he was immune. The Sword of Sin decided he was innocent. Although, I have to ask how reliable this sword was in making that judgement. If the sword is judging others based on its own set principles, then something's not right here.

The Sword of Sin was also used on Dick, and he wasn't immune. It dug into Dicks subconscious and unearthed memories he'd long since repressed. Memories of himself watching a boy get beaten to near death, and then doing nothing. He just walked away.

Now, tell me why the sword brought this to light, but not the time Tim left King Snake to die!

It wasn't an accident. Tim deliberately chose to leave instead of trying to save this man from the murderous Lady Shiva. Sure, Tim was no match for Shiva and he might've not been able to stop her, but the same could be said for an eight year old Dick not stopping a group of much older kids. Neither of them tried to stop the attackers.

Tim didn't atone for it, either. When King Snake returned in Batman #469, Bruce told King Snake that it wasn't Tim who left him to die. We know that's a lie, but Tim never corrected this. He let Shiva take all the blame.

We have two instances of a boy choosing not to prevent someone from having a near death experience. One guilty, and one innocent.

Did the Sword of Sin think Tim was justified because King Snake was corrupt? That doesn't sound holy to me.

Was it because Tim didn't feel any guilt over it, while Dick did? Can the sword's judgement be thrown off by the victim not feeling any shred of guilt over their actions, even subconsciously?

That could make sense given what we know Tim did in the past: King Snake falling, the vandalism (explosions), and ALL the lying over the years (Tim reviving Shiva might count as atonement, so I'm not including that). If the sword based its judgement on God's will alone, then odds are high it would've picked up on one of these.

Even so, I'm not going to sit here and say this is definitely the case. I'm not familiar enough with how the sword effects other characters to make that call.

If this is indeed false, then did the DC universe's version of God decide to pardon Tim of his sins when he prayed earlier that same issue, despite him not believing he had any? I mean, who knows, right?

You can probably see why there's more questions than answers. The point is Tim didn't have any guilt for the things he did before Red Robin #22. Tim was canonically convinced he had nothing to atone for.

So then why did he say the opposite later in Knight Terrors: Robin #2?!

In the heart-to-heart between Tim and Jason, Tim tells him this:

"You have a lot to atone for...We all do..."

Tim knows that the words "we all" include him, right? By saying this, Tim admitted to also having things he needs to atone for, right?

Is this another white lie to make Jason feel better? Is it one of those slight changes the New 52 made to the canon? If not, then why did he change his mind? Did his no-kill rule change and make him feel guilty for some past actions? Is it not the no-kill rule, but something else?

What changed?!

Where does Tim draw the line?

I don't know. We've narrowed it down to a general area, but it's kinda hard to see a line when it's so blurred it could be a gradient.

Tim baffles me. He acts as a steady moral compass for others when he can't even seem to stay consistent with his own. You're free to call it poor writing (and honestly, fair), but I find his hypocrisy fascinating.

That's what it is, isn't it? Tim's a hypocrite who's completely oblivious to being one. And it's not like this was never mentioned in the comics before. Damian called him out on it!

In Batman & Robin 2011 #10, Damian confronted Tim about his near-murderous reaction when Fist Point killed Artemis (Teen Titans Vol 4 annual #1). Damian then accused Tim of constantly rejecting him because they have more in common than Tim's willing to admit.

It's debatable how accurate that accusation was, but Tim had a pretty volatile reaction to it.

"I believe in every choice I make!"

Does he? I don't think someone who's so sure of what he believes in would contradict himself to this extent. Especially if he wasn't doing it on purpose.

He wouldn't vehemently push Bruce's no-kill rule onto others and berate them for bending that rule, only to go and bend that same rule himself when the Batclan isn't around. He also wouldn't exploit what he thinks are loopholes, decide later that those loopholes broke the no-kill rule, and then earnestly claim he never broke it.

Why is he like this?! He's had arguably the most normal childhood out of the whole Batclan before becoming Robin! What could've made him so fickle about this?!

Where does he draw the line? And how will he know when he's crossed it?

[setmeatopthepyre]

Third Act [ now also on Ao3]

They've just evacuated the last of the factory workers when Incident Command calls for total evacuation. Structural integrity can no longer be guaranteed, everybody out. Eddie, who has their patient's other arm draped over his shoulders as they help the man limp to the nearest ambulance, grins at Buck. "Now that's what I call perfect timing."

"Yeah," Buck agrees, maybe a beat too slow, distracted by the number on the turnouts that just darted past them. The name under the 217 started with the wrong letter, the person's shoulders too narrow, height not quite right. Not that he's looking. Not that he's been looking. Not that it would matter if he was. With the enormity of the factory and the spread of the fire they have on their hands, the chances of running into a particular individual are small. Besides, if he's here, he's more than likely at the other end of the staging area, with the helicopters that are being refueled and awaiting instruction. Not that Buck's been looking. Or paying attention to any of that. At all.

They've just handed over their patient to the paramedics when their radios crackle to life once more, this time to confirm that all first responders who had entered the building are safe and accounted for.

"Thank God."

Buck turns to find Bobby has come up behind them, has clapped a hand on Eddie's shoulder, a relieved smile lighting up his face under his helmet. And. Yeah. Buck smiles with him, feels terrible for a moment for being so preoccupied when he should just be damn grateful for how their day - night, now - has panned out. Despite the enormous structure, despite how fast the fire spread, despite the upgrade from a three to a four alarm fire when it became incredibly clear the building was not up to code, despite the flammable materials housed in the far end of the structure, (despite the whir of helicopter blades overhead reminding Buck of him, despite the way he had to force himself not to stop and listen when a headcount for the 217 went out over the radio) they got everyone out alive. Some of the factory workers were in critical condition, others would be touch-and-go for a while, but they got them out alive and that was all any of them could ask for.

Perhaps it was too big an ask.

There had been a few moments in Buck's life in which he'd wondered if the universe had it out for him, was just waiting for him to be happy, let down his guard a little, so that it could pull the rug out from under him and send him sprawling. Choking on breadsticks on Valentine's Day. Choking on blood at his own welcome back party. Choking on his own nickname in his own loft as. As he walked out the door.

It feels like he's choking again. Buck watches the faces around him fall when dispatch tells them they were wrong, that there's still two people inside, on the top floor. When the IC responds that there's nothing to be done, the lower floors are ready to cave in, it's too unsafe. When a familiar voice crackles over the radio, saying there's a chance, if they land a helicopter on the roof, get the last two people out from there. That he'll do it.

"Absolutely not, firefighter pilot Kinard. That roof is ready to go any minute now, and you want to land a bird on it? That's a suicide mission. Stand down, that's an order."

There's a static crackle, as if someone, as if he, is weighing his options before he speaks. Buck doesn't breathe. Doesn't think he could if he wanted to.

"If there's any chance they can be saved, I have to try."

And Bobby meets his eyes, still tries, "Buck-", but they both know there's no version of this moment in which Buck doesn't grimace apologetically, doesn't turn, doesn't run faster than he's ever ran before.

He's gone, long strides, lungs burning, everyone and everything he passes a blur. He bumps into someone, yells "Sorry!", he thinks, isn't actually sure that's what he does, eyes set on the rotor blades looming dark against the orange cast of the fire in the distance. It's hard to tell if they're moving, what with how the light shifts in the dark, what with how his vision has become narrowed to that single point, and the dull roar in his ears could be his own blood pounding, could be the commotion that comes with a scene like this, could the be panic rising like bile in his throat.

For one insane moment, he thinks he can hear the sweeping crescendo of an orchestra, thinks, hysterically, like sprinting through an airport in the third act of a romcom. Thinks, I should tell Tommy. Realizes what he's hearing is that dull roar shifting into the high whine of rotor blades gaining momentum and thinks, Oh, god, Tommy. And then, in a blink, he's fighting the dust in his eyes and being buffeted by wind and his hands find purchase on the titanium hull and he's hauling himself inside.

With the wind gone, it's like he's suspended in stillness for a moment. Stillness, not silence, because helicopters are loud and the sound is everywhere, like a physical sensation. Or maybe that's just how it feels to be in close proximity with Tommy again. Tommy, who is staring straight ahead, punching buttons, flipping a switch, and Buck isn't sure Tommy's even aware of his presence until Tommy's reaching back, headset in hand, not looking at him at all, gaze still firmly on the dashboard.

Even when Buck has the headset on, the roar of the engine finally dropping away, Tommy doesn't acknowledge him immediately. The set of his shoulders is stiff, determined, defensive. He lets out a sigh. "What are you doing here, Buck?"

Buck carefully ignores the name, ignores the way Tommy still can't look at him. Squares his shoulders, even if Tommy can't see it. "I'm going with you."

There is a moment in which Tommy doesn't respond, simply finishes the last of his pre-flight checks. When he speaks, his voice is carefully deadpan. "You know we're probably going to die out there."

Buck can't help it, shoots back before he can think about it. "Figured this way I can prove I want you to be my last."

It works. Finally, Tommy turns. Meets his eyes. Breathes out. "Evan."

And Buck knows it's a ridiculous moment to smile, but it's like a weight falls away from him and he can feel his chest expand in a way it hasn't been able to since "See you around, Buck."

"Like you said," he amends. "If there's a chance at all, I have to try."

Buck doesn't think he's imagining the spark of hope in Tommy's eyes, the twitch of a smile, before Tommy turns back to his controls and the ground falls away beneath them.

[solshii]

playing arnd with his post-sonic boom design for an art break

[siri-ike]

A little crime, as a treat

Dpxdc

Part 1 part 2

The fear slowly faded from his eyes. Almost everyone he saw looked proud. Even Walker looked happier than usual. Everyone except Skulker. Could they actually want him as king? What does the king even do?

Danny reached the raised platform and smiled (confidently, not at all like he was about to cry) at Clockwork, who placed a hand on his shoulder and forcibly turned him around to face the crowd.

One of the observers steped to the front of the stage. "If anyone objects to Danny Phantom being the new Ghost King, this is your chance to challenge him for the crown."

He knew it! HE KNEW IT! He was right to be scared! They've just gathered to take him on all at once!

To Danny's surprise, aside from some grumbles, the audience was quiet. No one challenged him.

Another observer opened an old, intricately carved wooden box and pulled out Pariahs crown. "Then it is an honor to crown you, Danny Phantom: Ghost King, Ruler of infinite realms." And placed it on Danny's head.

For a moment, he felt like he was on fire. Then, like he was being electrocuted. Drowning, falling, suffocating, stabbed everywhere at once, but none of it was painful. Finally, it stopped at a familiar feeling. Freezing.

In an instant, he could see. Feel? The whole ghost zone all at once. The Far Frozen, The Clocktower, Walkers Prison, Pariahs Keep, Pandoras Maze. All the places he'd been as well as so many others. Lunch Lady's Kitchen and Box Ghosts Warehouse moving closer together. Embers Big Stage, Youngbloods Ship, The Cheese Kings Castle, Desirees Lounge. It was incredible, but most interesting of all was the new haunt forming itself as he watched. It was as if the zone pulled in on itself, rubble and wrecks of abandoned and destroyed haunts were pulled into a swirling vortex. It got smaller and smaller until it exploded into a whole galaxy.

Phantoms Galaxy.

It was beautiful. Full of stars, each with their own systems. He even recognized some of them. Stars that had collapsed in on themselves. White dwarves now covered in life once more. So long he'd studied and morned the loss of such amazing celestial bodies while celebrating the wonderful new things that would inevitably be born from them. Now they were all there. All his to hold and protect forever.

Danny's mind was thrust back to his body. He looked over the hall, and almost everyone was gone. He looked up at Clockwork starry-eyed. Literally, there were stars in his eyes. He opened his mouth but couldn't put together a thought.

"Welcome back, Danny. I'm afraid you missed the party." Clockwork proudly brushed Danny's hair out of his face. "I foresaw you gaining a keep of your own. One that I look forward to hearing about once you've properly explored it. And im certain even more will accept your invitation in due time."

Danny was still lost for words. How long was he just staring at nothing? And what does he mean by invitation? He opened his mouth to speak, but his vision faded again.

He was shrouded amidst pitch black space that spread as far as he could see. In front of him was the wreckage that once was his parents' portal, now relocated into his hount. Next, he saw Vlads portal, then several naturally occurring ones. The triangle seems to have snatched some people on a yacht. He'd have to deal with that later. The last portal he saw was strange. It felt... angry? Bloodthirsty. And it kept failing to open in different places.

First in some kind of railway station, next in Klempers Icy Path, and last in, NO! Pointdexters school. You can't come in through there!

As if listening to him, the portals swirl slowed and faded from the school, then it reappeared in the darkness. No, not dark, space. It's in Danny's Phantom Galaxy.

Abruptly, he found himself back in his own body. This time, Clockwork was nowhere to be seen. Danny leaped off the stage only for his cape to snag on the wood, causing him to crash to the ground. Since when does he wear a cape?

On the other side of the big doors, Danny only found one ghost. He wore an all white three piece suit, top hat, cape, and monocle, but his face was invisible. "Do you know how to get to Clockworks tower? Or the Far Frozen?" Danny begged, but before the stranger could answer, everything went dark once more.

He was amidst the stars again. Close enough to recognize some of them this time. There was Argo, Daxum, Krypton, and its moons Thalon and Wegthor. This was the Rao system that was destroyed 58 years ago. A lot of research has been done into it because it's where Superman allegedly claims to be from, although Danny hadn't been able to find any first-hand source to confirm that.

The portal bounced around a bit before stopping on Wegthor, where it finally opened fully. And one steel reinforced boot stepped out.

Danny snapped back into his body and found himself clinging onto the drapery. The other ghost was still there.

"Dear boy, you look as though you've taken a knot to the noggin." He offered his hand, and Danny took it. "Jim Craddock, at your service, but now a days most call me Gentleman Ghost. Of course, one of your stature needs no introduction, my king." He took a bow, and, awkwardly, Danny did too.

"There's an intruder in the ghost zone, in my haunt. I don't know who, but they seemed hostile, and I don't know where it is because it just formed a few minutes ago during the coronation -"

"Let me stop you there." Jim cut him off. "The coronation was seven hours ago. And as for getting to your haunt? Why do you not just step through one of your portas? During the ceremony, the drabble was able to use them to get to Embers' so-called after-party." You'd think lacking a face would make it hard to show emotion, but through only tone and body language, the Gentleman Ghost conveyed his utter disgust with a hint of jealousy.

"Did, did you see how I did it?" Danny conveyed only confusion and a lack of authority.

The Gentleman Ghost placed a gloved hand under Danny's chin. "Your gift most likely works as any other. Relax, clear your mind, and focus only on where you want to go."

Danny closed his eyes and felt the hand leave his chin. He took a deep breath and pictured the Rao system, the moon Wegthor, the portal. He saw it clearly in his mind. He then pictured himself standing in front of the portal. He opened his eyes, and it was right there, exactly as he'd imagined.

Except for one thing, between Danny and the portal was, "Jason?"

Red Hood didn't lower his gun at all. His perfectly chiseled forearms twithced, trigger finger remaining off the trigger, ~haah~, he's so diciplined. If anything, he seemed more intent to shoot. His big round biceps nearly ripping the seams on his worn leather jacket. It's too small for him, but he hates change. His legs, undoubtedly sculpted out of whatever Danny's version of Kryptonite is with how weak they made him, took a step back. He could probably tell how hard Danny was mentally undressing him.

"Who are you?" He finally demanded.

"Who am I? I'm Danny. Your, assistant? And anyway, I was invited. You're not supposed to be in the ghost zone. It can be dangerous."

"Careful there," a rough looking guy with a heavy English accent spoke. "E could've possessed ya mates body there, now, yeah?" Mate? If only. "They do that, ya'know. Take ya, loved ones," loved ones, Danny could swoon. "Persenate' em. Messes ya up real proppah'."

"Well, I'm not." Danny: master negotiator.

"Prove it."

"You broke into my home and expect me to prove I'm not dangerous!?!"

Danny caught the slightest hint of his own reflection on Jasons helmet. White hair, green eyes, crown, cape, no wonder he doesn't recognize him.

Danny hasn't gone ghost in 8 years, not since Phantom was declared public enemy #1 and the anti ecto acts were pushed through. He hadn't even gotten to see himself. He looked so much like Dan.

That doesn't mean anything. Looking like Dan doesn't make him like Dan. Right? He tried to turn back human, but it felt like he was squeezing himself into a container he didn't fit in.

"I promise, I am Danny Fenton." Danny gave Red his sincerest look. "But I'm also Danny Phantom, Ghost King, and ruler of infinite realms. I was your assistant for almost 8 years. Partly because I want to hurt the U.S. government in any way I can." Danny took a small step forward. "Partly for my love of numbers and punctuality." Danny closed in so the gun was pressed up to his chest. "But mostly I stayed because of you."

Jason removed his helmet. For the first time, Danny could look Jason in the eye without having to stand on a chair (or a table that one time)

"How could you keep this a secret for so long?"

"I actually only found out I was king 7 hours ago, but with Phantom... I'm wanted... and not considered human. I didn't wanna take the chance that... the crew," Danny exhailed. "That, you might think that too." Danny looked down.

Jason seemed to almost giggle. "I don't care whether you're human or not. Most of my friends are aliens, mutants, and monsters." He lifted Danny's chin. "I didn't follow you to another dimention because I thought a fellow human was in danger. I followed because I thought you were in danger."

Danny moved Jasons hand to his cheek and held it there.

[moth-murdock]

Sick day (Matt Murdock x AFAB!reader)

masterlist

A/n:OKAY HOLY SHIT MY FIRST TIME WRITING IDK HOW TO FORMAT SHIT BUT HERE WE GO

Genre: period comfort

Summary: period cramps are a bitch. Good thing your boyfriend isn't :)

Warnings: AFAB!Reader, kinda detailed talk about periods and cramps (which shouldn't have to be a warning but yk)

Other tags: fluff, comfort, domestic Matthew Murdock (save me), mentions of fainting, mentions of PCOS, reader is in Spain without the s, not proofread we die like men, written entirely on Tumblr Mobile.

if anyone asked you how you were feeling, the answer would be Yucky™️. You were on your period, second day to be exact. Your lovely boyfriend was at Mass, as you had declined going due to not feeling well. So you sat at home, waiting for your Naproxen to kick in and save your ass. So you figured, since you're waiting anyway, why not take a shower?

The hot water cascades out of the showerhead, filling the bathroom with steam, warming up your aching body, and washing away the crime scene between your legs to stain the water red. The thing is, your cramps didn't stop with the heat. They didn't even lessen. You weren't alarmed, as cramps didn't give a shit about you. The moment you started to panic was when your Naproxen seemed to have exited the chat, and your cramps started getting worse.

You try your best to push through, just gritting your teeth and continuing to wash your body despite how badly you wanted to rip the wretched organ out with your bare hands. But when you start feeling that familiar light-headedness, you stopped immediately and carefully sat down on the cold tile floor. Because where there's lightheadedness, there's usually fainting. You knew the drill, having been going through this since you were about 15 years old.

The first time it happened, it was the middle of the night. You had woken up with what you thought was nausea, only to end up collapsing the moment you step foot in the bathroom. After a few doctors visits and an ultrasound, you are told that it wasn't PCOS, but rather just a vasovagal response. While other people's brains decided to shut down at the sight of blood, yours decided to shut down when your cramps got too bad.

After waiting for the lightheadedness to pass, you turn off the shower water and step out. It still feels like something is trying to punch it's way out if your uterus, and you barely manage to get some underwear and a pad on before curling up into the silk sheets of your boyfriends bed and crying. You don't know how long you stay there, but before you know it, Matt is home.

Normally, the sight of you almost naked, whimpering and writhing bed, would be enough to make him pop a boner immediately. But this is different. Your cries aren't pleasured, they're pained. And the room smells metallic. Just barely there, but he can smell it.

"Angel?" He asks softly "are you alright?"

"mmfff... h-hurts, baby..." you whine, eyes screwed shut tightly as you wallow.

It doesn't take him long to deduce the situation, and he wordlessly goes to your dresser and pulls out your comfiest shirt and sweats. He dresses you slowly and with utmost care, knowing the discomfort you're experiencing. After that, he retreats to the bathroom for a few moments. You hear his footsteps as he returns, then you feel the bed dip behind you before you are being rolled toward him and onto your back.

"work with me, Angel... I know it hurts... Just give me a second..." He says softly between your whines and protests.

He gently pets your hair and shushes you, pressing a soft kiss to your forehead as he pulls your shirt up a bit to expose your stomach. He then proceeds to place a towel that's wet with something on your stomach. You shiver at the contact, as the towel is cold.

"Rubbing alcohol..." he murmurs in explanation before your stomach suddenly heats up

"and a heating pad." He finishes, pulling your shirt back down.

"thank you, Matt..." you sniffle, wiping your eyes

"don't have to thank me for that, Angel... just rest up, yeah?" He says with a gentle kiss to your pouty lips. And given that you feel like shit, who are you to deny him?

You don't know how long you sleep for, but when you wake up, Matt is in bed with you, now in a plain t-shirt and sweats, sitting against the headboard while his fingers skim over some of his files in braille. Your cramps are gone, and before you can even open your mouth to ask what time it is, he's acting.

"it's a quarter to three, Angel." He says with a soft smile as he presses a piece of your favorite chocolate to your lips.

"you thought of everything, huh?" You ask after swallowing the chocolate

"c'mon. Do you really need to ask?" He hums as he puts his files on the nightstand.

With the files out of the way, he maneuvers you until you're in his lap, your head in the crook of his neck as he wraps his arms around you.

"I take it you're feeling better?" He chuckles quietly

"much..." you nod "seriously, thank you. I felt like I was dying."

He smiles, pressing a soft kiss to the top of your head before replying, his voice calm and soothing.

"always, Angel."

[n3onzephyr]

Another jirai oc :3

I can’t wait to improve (˵ •̀ᴗ•́˵)و

[flame-shadow]

Explore Hallownest as the Snaveler (Snail Traveler)! Pick which color you'd like to be and head off to learn spells, meet snails, and bonk the orange-eyed bugs that a scary dream moth keeps sending at you.

This is a knight custom reskin with some changes to spells, inventory, minion charms, and NPC dialogue.

🌈 [DOWNLOAD HERE] 🐌

When you follow the link to google drive, you'll have the option to download the folder for whichever color option you like (or all of them!), and if you have the up-to-date Custom Knight mod, then you'll also be able to use the "Snaveler (Alts)" version of the skin which allows you to mix and match the different colored sprite sheets within the game menu.

Some screenshots of parts of the skin below the cut~

Thanks for looking! I hope you enjoy if you decide to download and play as the snaveler :)

[xx-sketchy-xx]

*Audible plop of me dropping this in front of you*

so uh, ya, idk what to think of it (by @Henneyyy on tic toc)

[leclerity]

stupid gets you killed

Charles Leclerc x Girlfriend!Reader count: 1.1k words summary: Charles and you have an emotional conversation after his reckless driving at a race. a/n: a short but angsty one, with a happy ending!

It could’ve been the end.

The way it felt, it almost was.

You watch as the red of the Ferrari and the green of the Aston Martin come close, inches apart, with Stroll nearly putting it in the back of your boyfriend’s car. Everyone around you gasps and for a split second, you see them touch and Charles’s car fly off into the grandstands – but that doesn’t happen. They don’t touch. Charles drives away unscathed, though you know that won’t be the end of it.

“That was too close,” says Arthur, shaking his head at the screen.

“He won’t like this too much,” you say and grab a pair of headphones lying around, listening in.

Everything is okay with the car, Bryan Bozzi says.

That was not okay! Charles screams. Who does he think he is?! Driving like an idiot… He should know better!

Keep your head calm, you’ve got forty laps to go.

You take off the headphones and tell Arthur what you just overheard. He shakes his head again, but you both know there’s nothing the two of you can do about it. Charles has been under pressure, ready to burst at any given moment, running second in the championship with maybe—maybe—a chance at something more. Anything that threatens it… Well, it throws him off.

You’re just waiting for the moment it happens.

The race keeps running, you listen in to the radio every so often, and his complaints and agitation are getting more obvious. He’s driving riskier, not caring enough about tyre management, and there’s a few moments when his car gets a little too close to another car.

He finishes in fourth. It’s not where he wanted to be but it’s better than out of the race, you tell yourself. There was a few moments where you held your breath, waiting to see if the anger is going to slip into careless mistakes, and it made you angry. Your boyfriend is better than this.

When he finishes the race, you run straight into his arms. “You did so well! I’m proud of you.”

“I could’ve done better,” he says.

“I know,” you say, and kiss him again. “Next time.”

Charles kisses you, too, before going to speak to others in the garage, keeping one eye on you at all times. You know he’s being hard on himself, but you see his clenched jaw, sunken shoulders, and you know this is going to be a tougher one than usual.

He’s in your orbit the most of the evening, glancing at you even when he’s in the media pen. You can hear some of the questions he’s being asked and a lot of them are about the incident and about his dangerous driving he nearly got a penalty for, and you can already hear the regret in his voice. He looks at you every time it comes up, as if he already knows how much it upset you.

At your side, Arthur gives you a nudge. “Are you going to talk some sense into him when you’re back at the hotel?”

“Maybe. I haven’t decided yet.”

“That was scary.”

You nod. “Too scary. I get the pressure and all, but…”

“Yeah,” Arthur says, “I don’t want to feel like I might lose my brother because he’s being angry and stupid.”

When you get home, you get dinner – he does the perfunctory celebrations and goes back to the hotel, where you’re waiting with him with your guys’ favourite takeaway. He had some time to hang out with the other drivers and now it’s time to hang out with you… But not before you give him a piece of mind.

He knows something’s wrong the moment he enters the hotel room.

“Did I do something wrong?”

“No,” you say.

He frowns. “Okay. You sure?”

You give him a long look.

Charles sits down next to you, looking exhausted but ready to devour the food – but he doesn’t. Instead, he sits with his elbows on his knees, hands held together. “It’s the race.”

“Mhm.”

“That’s why you’re giving me attitude.”

“Mhm.”

“Is it because of the Stroll incident?”

You shake your head. He should know better and he does, it will just take him a moment.

He sighs and leans into the couch, a defeated look on his face. “I should’ve handled it better, right?”

“Yeah.” You put a hand on his thigh. “Driving like that, Charles… You could’ve gotten hurt.”

“I would’ve been fine.”

“You don’t know that!”

“Babe—”

“Don’t babe me,” you say, shaking your head. “You got angry and…. Anger makes you stupid. Stupid gets you killed.”

Charles opens his mouth and closes it, knowing fair well that there’s nothing he could say in his defence that would make you change your mind. He sees it all on your face, you know it – the terror you’d gone through waiting to see if his anger will make him slip up, make a mistake; the threat of losing him.

He takes your hand in his and kisses the back of it, before placing it on his chest, right where his heart is. “Y/N,” he says, gently. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have let my anger get the best of me.”

“I just… I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I know.”

“It frightens me.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“I just—The thought of you—”

“I know. C’mere.”

Charles gives your hand a gentle tug and then your head is on his chest and his arms are wrapped around you, keeping you warm and safe. “I’m sorry for scaring you. My job is scary, but I shouldn’t make it any more difficult than it already is.”

He kisses the top of your head and you feel a few tears escaping down your cheeks, and he holds you even tighter.

“I’ll be less angry next time, I promise,” he whispers. “Less stupid. For you. Okay?”

You nod instead of answering, and he pulls your chin up with a gentle finger, and then he’s wiping your tears and kissing you gently, promising over and over again to never make you feel like that again – and he doesn’t.