#fic: eg

[summonedfrommyhands]

“Huh - ?” He turned around only to freeze in place, knife at his throat.

“Oh,” was all he could say to the man he made eye contact with. The single thought in his mind was hoping Komaru didn’t respond.

“Hey, buddy,” the man said, knife tipping closer to his throat, “you know what I want, yeah?”

Slowly, still holding eye contact with the man, Makoto nodded. Then, he tilted his head, realizing nothing worth a lot of money was on him.

His phone, cracked and used, could probably fetch pocket change. Knowing his sister, Komaru wouldn’t have put anything worth money in her safe, either.

“Well?” The guy prompted, “No one has all night.”

Makoto winced, wondering how he should respond. The truth would infuriate him, and lying wouldn’t go anywhere. Twisting his face, he opted for the plain truth. Maybe he could talk him out of the attempted robbery.

“Sorry, there’s nothing on me you could need. My phone’s about a decade old and cracked, and the rest of this is my sister’s things.” He gestured to the box in his hands, phone lying on top. The screen had turned off, making it look like his sister wasn’t actively on call.

They guy squinted at him, leveling his words to see if they were true or not. Makoto smiled awkwardly. Before any of them moved, Makoto seemed to see a flash of something cross his eyes, but it disappeared just as fast.

The knife left his throat, pointing at the box.

“I wanna see. Open it,” Makoto nodded, placing the box down as slow as the robber let him, reaching for his phone to cover it before it lit up.

Before he could, though, his sister’s voice filtered through the phone, his name a question.

They both froze.

“What the?”

“Komaru!”

Snatching his phone, Makoto stumbled back as the knife swung too close to his face for comfort.

“Damned - you could have said someone was on the phone!” He lunged again making Makoto yelp, scrambling away to avoid the knife and prevent Komaru from figuring out the situation.

“Makoto! What’s happening? Did you fall? Wait, who’s there with you? Makoto?” Komaru’s voice had wobbled, making him panic further.

“Wait! Wait! Nothing’s happening, I promise, I fell - I’m almost home, okay? Give me a minute, okay?” Not able to keep the strain in his voice down, he rolled over when a shoe came towards him.

“I was already having a bad day - nothing in the box and the person I try to rob has someone on the phone! I know you like bruises, so I’ll give some to you for making my night worse.” He sneered, the moonlight shadowing him so he looked nothing more than a pair of eyes in the dark with a slash of silver glinting dimly.

Oh, Makoto thought, heart thundering. He panted, unable to look away, That must be his Quirk.

Komaru shouted something, but she was too far away to hear. He must have dropped his phone at some point.

“I - I’ve had a pretty bad day too!” He tried, moving back until his back hit the flickering streetlight. The man paused, and Makoto decided to take the chance.

“My house basically exploded. Um, there was a villain fight, and I live in an older neighborhood. Took the roof off before leveling the rest of the houses. I was in my room too - the…” Makoto swallowed as the man listened, “the box - my sister’s. It’s the things the Pros weren’t able to recover. That’s how my day went, how was yours?” Makoto smiled.

The knife lowered completely, yet he continued to hold his breath. Komaru’s voice rang out again, but no one answered her desperate pleas.

“... Pretty bad,” he sighed, plopping down to sit by the box. “Lost my contact all because my Quirk wasn’t what they expected. Did fine up to this point, so why is everyone so picky? Top rated in the Criminal Network for God’s sake! Stingy fucks,” the knife flittered between his hands, most likely automatically. A tick of his, maybe.

“That does sound pretty bad,” Makoto said, “honestly, losing your job does feel worse than losing your house.”

“Ha! Losing a house is worse. Wait, you said a fight happened in an old residential neighborhood?” The man looked at him, causing Makoto to shy away from the intense stare.

“Oh! Oh I saw that! You were on the news, man! That boy who ran from house to house saving the people trapped inside while the fight went on!” Makoto felt his face heat up, remembering the scolding the heroes gave him after everything had settled.

“I knew my neighbors needed help. I couldn’t leave them in danger,”

The knife lazily pointed in his direction, the man grinning, “Ah yeah, that’s what that one hero says. That guy’s insane. Being at my level means I’m not a target.”

Makoto tilted his head, wondering who that hero would be. He wasn’t one to obsess over heroes, and with Komaru’s distaste, he tended to stray away from heroes in a non - work environment.

“I get it. You don’t like heroes either. I mean, if a Pro decided to use my neighborhood as a ground zero, that’d be my origin story. Heh, well, I could use another one.”

Makoto stayed silent, wondering if he could voice an offer. First, though, he should look for his phone.

“Have you seen my phone anywhere?” He asked, looking around. He hadn’t heard Komaru for a while, and he worried she may have left the apartment to try and track him.

“Ah yeah, here. Almost stepped on it when I sat down.” His phone flew through the air at the same time he reached for it. After having it slip from his grasp for a few seconds, Makoto managed to successfully keep it from falling to the ground.

“Komaru?” He called, waiting for her to answer. “Komaru, are you there? I’m okay,”

The phone picked up movement on her side, and he flinched when she shrieked.

“Stupid! Makoto! How are you fine, you’re being robbed! You are so lucky I haven’t left the apartment yet.” The fear in her tone made him apologize, spending a few minutes calming her down.

“You’re okay,” she said, “he just, stopped robbing you?”

“Yeah.”

Komaru snorted, “Only you, it’s always you.”

“Wait,” he said, “what does that mean?”

“That I owe Aoi money. I can already hear her laughing about it,” Komaru whined over the phone, not wanting to part with any type of money.

“Wait, there’s another pool about me?”

“Don’t worry about it!”

“K - Komaru!”

The man made a noise, reminding the duo that he was still present. Makoto’s thought from earlier poppes up again, and it slipped from his mouth before he could try to word it correctly.

“I can give you a job,” at the guy’s laugh, he winced, and Komaru screeched about losing more money.

“Unless your pay is crazy, I’ll reject you here. I’ve got a question I want to ask, instead. Your names, what are they?” At his question, Makoto averted his eyes and Komaru went quiet. The man waited patiently for their answer.

“Naegi. Komaru,” he gestured to the phone, “and Makoto,” he shrugged his shoulders.

He should have expected the man’s eyes to widen at the names. He also should have expected the fear that flashed through his eyes, too.

“Holy shit. Naegi? As in Hero Escapist Komaru Naegi? Hero Thorn Makoto Naegi? Those Naegis?”

Komaru laughed, genuinely finding the names funny. Makoto flushed again, thinking those were new.

“New names! We’ll be legends, Makoto!” Komaru teased.

“I’m so sorry for trying to rob you, Hero Thorn. You guys are like, legends to us. The face of the Anti - Hero movement. The way your sister escaped Hero captivity all those years ago, too, had everyone scratching their heads as to how she did it. Escaping the top ranks so easily.”

That spurned Komaru on, boasting about her escapist activities during the Killing School Life.

A short lived operation two of his classmates created. Though it claimed many lives and injured many more, it had also been quickly shut down.

Makoto calmly watched the two interact, using their excitement to bounce off his negative memories.

“A job, right? You said I could have a job if I went with you? What is it?” The eager man stood before him, glowing eyes shining like the stars above them.

“My coworker, Kirigiri Kyoko - “

“Deal!” Makoto startled at being cut off, looking at his phone when Komaru failed to suppress another laugh.

“Wait, you don’t know what I’m asking, yet. She needs - “ the man waved, cutting him off again.

“The greatest detective of all time? Yeah yeah, I know what she’s after. Send her my way, I’ll give her what she needs.” Staring a bit dumbfounded, all Makoto could do was nod.

I’m so sorry, he thought, Kyoko will kill you.

Then, Makoto shrieked as the man suddenly flew up, feet in the air as he dangled. He tried to cut himself loose, but whatever had caught him couldn’t be cut. He tried to shout, but his mouth had also been covered. The knife disappeared as his hands became bound.

“Makoto?!” Komaru called, and he made a noise to her.

“I’m fine,” he said, not being able to tear his gaze away from the Pro Hero descending slowly from the sky, “a Hero arrived.”

“What? Which one?” She said, “Oh it better not be that bull headed - “

“Hi,” the hero said, “Are you alright? I’m sorry for scaring you,” the soft tone made his legs feel weak, and in an instant, Makoto realized who had come to his rescue.

“Wait, I know that voice - “

“The situation isn’t what you think,” Makoto accidentally cut his sister off, trying to dumbly explain the whole ordeal to the Pro.

“Stop cutting me off! Stupid - “

“I mean, yes, this is - was an attempted robbery. He stopped - I’m, I’m fine. I’m sorry, I’m usually more calm than this. Pro Hero Deku, can you give me a minute?”

Activate work mode, he thought, stuttering in front of a Pro! Especially not Deku!

“Yeah, take your time. I acted without thinking, too.” The smile Deku gave reminded Makoto of a long time ago, making him smile in return.

“Sorry, you startled me. Um, this was an attempted robbery, but I can now confirm that he can see for a job at my workplace. If you still need to take him in, I can get my coworker to send a referral for his release,” Makoto explained. Deku nodded, casting a small glance towards the man, then settled back to looking at him.

“Okay, then can I get your names for my report? Night patrols like this are a bit more strict with that - wait a minute,” he said, then mumbled the last part. Makoto watched the masked hero remove his mouthpiece and mask, then reached for a notepad and pen.

“Naegi Makoto. My sister, Naegi Komaru, is the one on speaker.” He raised the phone, letting Komaru have her greeting. He’s sure with how busy hero work is, Deku wouldn’t remember their actual first meeting.

It was hectic, and they never actually crossed paths. But still, Makoto had watched him from a distance. Compared to then, Deku looked more comfortable.

The pen pausing tore that hope into pieces. Deku slowly looked up, emotions flashing across his eyes despite the well maintained poker face.

“Yes, we were two people involved in the Killing School Life, and later on the string of Tragedies - The Tragedy - that came after. I’m sure the Committee has a file on us, somewhere.”

“That’s something I’d never forget. I’m sorry, after everything I never had the chance to meet you. I also saw you were in the news today. Is that what caused your injuries?” He asked, taking Makoto’s hand into his, using the stabilized streetlight to see the extent of his visible injuries.

“What injuries? Makoto?” Komaru called out. The speaker picked up her moving, a brief static blinking in then out.

“I’m fine, Komaru. Just my hand,” he reassured her. Makoto blinked as he saw Deku look up, a ghost of a frown on his face. Confused, he held the other’s eye, before flinching when Deku reached up to wipe at something under his eye.

“Minor cuts, torn clothes. I think you should have bruises too. This - “ spotting the box, his mouth opened in an ‘O’ shape before continuing to mutter.

“I - I’m fine, really. Shouldn’t you take him away before the blood gets to his head?” Snapping Deku out of his rambling state, the Pro turned around and fixed the position of the man Makoto would soon hire.

“I’ll take you both. I can’t let you go in good conscience. Naegi - san? Do you and your brother have medical supplies at your apartment?”

“Of course! It’d be insane to not have any. Especially if it concerns my brother,” Komaru chirped, embarrassing Makoto.

“I’m not that bad,” Makoto pouted as he tried to argue, but Komaru started to rant about his Monthly Death Defying Counter she had that totalled to one hundred and thirteen and it’s only been two weeks into the month. He hung his head in shame when Deku laughed, a light, cheery noise that meant he would never live this down.

“I should get you home before sunrise. Are you comfortable being in the air, Hope - san?” At the nickname, Makoto blushed, horrified at the thought the Pro Hero Deku knew the cutesy name the media tended to use with him.

Deku chuckled at the face he pulled, and opened his mouth to explain.

“To tell between you and your sister, is all. I assume she’ll still be on call as I drop you off?” Nodding, Makoto accepted it easily enough. No use trying to fix anything. Nothing he hasn’t heard before.

“Oh!��� he said, “Komaru, since I’m heading home soon, can I call you back? My phone’s about to die.”

Surprisingly, his sister didn’t put up a fight. Instead, she talked about another bet, which Makoto threatened to ask about later. Turning back to Deku after putting his phone away, he nodded to show he’s ready.

Deku’s Quirk kept a tight grasp around the man, which Makoto apologized to him about. His dirty appearance had let this happen in the first place. The man could not say a thing, but he knew the man didn’t really mind. The thought of working with Kyoko does that to a person, he supposed.

Picking up the box, Deku quickly stepped closer to hold him as they began to lift into the air. Before he could memorize the sight of the city from above, they reached the police station, and Makoto relayed the statement about Kyoko wanting the man for her detective uses. The man waved as he was led away, and Makoto and Deku looked at each other before laughing quietly.

Stepping outside, Deku was the first to break the silence.

“I didn’t know your life could be so eventful,” he joked.

“You should see when I’m at work. There’s no time to take any breaks,” he said. “Um, I hope I haven’t made you awkward in any way. I’m sure a lot of your hero friends have ranted about me before. I know my friends do, but I haven’t heard anything bad about you.” With how well connected the Hero seemed to be, Makoto didn’t want to accidentally step into a mess by saying the wrong thing.

“Oh no, you’re fine. Kacchan likes how cutthroat you guys are. My friends know you mean well, and don’t hold it against you. I don’t think I’ve heard anything bad about you, either, so no need to walk on eggshells around me.” Deku waved off his worries, telling about his own experiences. Makoto sighed, thankful.

“That’s good. Since there’s a lot of politics going on too, I don’t want this to become awkward once we do meet. Officially, I mean.” Makoto rambles the last part, remembering his sister’s romance novels where the main pair awkwardly meet up before they’re revealed to be working together the next day.

“I’ll take that as a vote of confidence. Though, if any of my old classmates end up visiting you, I’ll tag along. I don’t think I’ll end up in your office just yet,” the pro teases, his laugh making the warm night a little hotter. Makoto looked away, wondering what else they could talk about.

[math-is-math]

Have some super graphic ultra modern girls on the house 🛸✨

[fluffyartbl0g]

Someone get this man a younger sibling that ISNT like. Twice his height.

[alirienn]

kuronatober

[secriden]

excuse me i just stumbled on this photoshoot (?) on Twitter and

wtf why does peat have that rich 太太 (tai tai) energy?? (ie. a wealthy, spoiled, pampered trophy housewife)

why does fort look like his assigned bodyguard who is officially just there to make sure no one gets to his boss through his 'wife' but he's also totally fucking his boss' wife on the down low

they totally plot to murder peat's rich husband and have him inherit his fortune and afterwards fort stays as his kept man bodyguard and peat rules his financial empire with an iron fist.

why do i need a fic about this like i need to breathe.

Edit: so i wrote a thing (its mahasamut/tongrak and its way more intense then i even anticipated)

[tennessoui]

it’s like baby gorl there’s no way I, the author who wrote the fic you’re commenting on and who is the intended audience for this comment, am gonna agree with you 😿🙏 some things can just stay on your chest 🙏

[dharmasharks]

Tried to drift but don't know how

E | 10.4k | no archive warnings | tags: canon-divergence - tws; adventures in renovating the apartment you also destroyed; identity issues; top Bucky/bottom Steve; Steve feels; starting over

“If you’re gonna stand there admiring your handiwork,” Steve says to the construction paper he’s laying over the hardwood floor, “the least you could do is pitch in.” Bucky doesn’t move from the shadows of the window frame. But Steve can see in the dark, too. Can see his suppressed smile tick, then reset.  There’s a soft whir as Bucky points at the kitchen island, where the granite countertop is cracked down the middle. Then a Steve-sized hole in the living room drywall. “That was all you,” he says, before picking up a drop cloth off the floor and covering Steve’s couch.

Read on ao3 >

Written for @catws-anniversary theme: To The End of The Line. Thank you Tej and Maya for organizing such an epic event! Consider this my humble contribution to the time-honored tradition of pretending canon ends in Brooklyn, where the boys experience a lot of big feelings and also kiss and nothing bad ever happens again, the end.

(Also fills my free space for @stuckybingo)

[withthewindinherfootsteps]

Wei Wuxian and Narrative Agency – Part Two

For Xiantober Day Three: Conviction (of a sort)... in which the author temporarily forgets to focus on narrative agency or on Wei Wuxian, in favour of analysing relevant themes and characters that relate to Wei Wuxian. But he does get focus, and again, contextualising him is why i’m exploring these other things, so no harm done.

(Part One | Part Three | Full version on AO3)

It’s Not Just Optimism: Resentment and Self-Definition 

Before we discuss the narrative again, let’s take a break to discuss one of my other favourite aspects of Wei Wuxian. We’ve seen how the narrative treats tragedy, and we’ll soon explore how it reflects Wei Wuxian’s views on tragedy. But what actually are these views? 

Because the thing is – the narrative and plot can emphasise agency and choice all it likes, but focusing solely on that leaves out the character. And it’s Wei Wuxian’s character that deserves the credit for how he defines himself (…in-universe). If someone had gone through everything he had, who could blame them for being unable to keep going, unable to let go of resentment, unable to see anything that was still worth living for, to see any value in altruism?

(Also, I do have to emphasise this: you can have perfectly healthy coping mechanisms, but still get extremely traumatised. Everyone has a limit to what they can take, that limit differs, and that isn’t your fault. It just so happens that Wei Wuxian’s limit is extremely high (and even he reaches it when everything falls apart in such quick succession near the end of his first life!))

This isn’t something that’s ignored in MDZS. We see multiple characters who have gone through similar levels of suffering as Wei Wuxian, or even less suffering than him*, who do react in some of the ways mentioned above. Whether or not the narrative condemns them depends on if they hold onto resentment from their tragedies and use it to harm others – Xiao Xingchen and Qin Su, for example, aren’t condemned for their suicides (nor should they be, suicide/suicidal ideation isn’t anything anyone should be blamed for), because nobody was intentionally hurt as a result. But people like Xue Yang, who was treated cruelly and senselessly lost his finger, but went on to murder an entire clan as a result; or Jin Guangyao, who remembered the slights against him and his mother down to the exact wording of Jin Guangshan’s dismissal of her freedom, which may have justly hurt him but also unjustly lead him to both burn down a brothel and (separately) kill or imprison multiple innocent prostitutes; or Jiang Cheng, whose resentment for Wei Wuxian due to the latter’s actions lead him to harm many others after his death simply because they were similar**, are condemned.

Why mention this? Well, these different reactions show it isn’t just a quirk of the universe that people are more tolerant to pain – Wei Wuxian’s reactions are a deliberate choice on the part of MXTX, not a writing flaw stemming from misunderstanding the severity of trauma***. But more importantly, many of these characters deliberately foil Wei Wuxian, and so they can give us a good insight into what sets him apart from them (or rather, from the characters who aren’t completely broken by their pain, because that way we know it isn’t simply a difference in tolerance but rather one in attitude). And as I’ve discussed, this has to do with accepting events and letting them go, rather than holding onto resentment.

Part of this may come from differences in personality (though that’s never an excuse for hurting others) – but, though Jiang Yanli may claim Wei Wuxian was someone “born with a smiling look” (Chapter 24, EXR), there are two philosophies Wei Wuxian consciously holds onto that have to do with this attitude:

“Let the self judge the right and wrongs, let others decide whether to praise or blame, let gains and losses remain uncommented on.” Chapter 75, EXR translation

“Remember the things others do for you, not the things you do for others. Only when people don't hold so much in their hearts would they finally feel free.” Chapter 113, EXR translation 

And crucially, these ideas directly contrast the actions and mindsets of the antagonists above. All three focus on their ‘gains and losses’, with their suffering at the hands of others being a major motive to harm those others/those affiliated with those others (Xue Yang’s finger; the slights against Jin Guangyao and his mother due to the latter’s job; Wei Wuxian’s ‘betrayal’ and his role in Jiang Yanli’s death, as well as false blame on him for the deaths of Jiang Cheng’s parents, and Jiang Cheng’s inferiority complex). Jin Guangyao and Jiang Cheng are also very focused on their reputation, or in other words, on whether ‘others decide (…) to praise or blame’ them (according to Chapter 10 of the EXR translation, in what seems to be omniscient POV heading into Jiang Cheng’s, the latter ‘cared about maintaining his reputation above anything else’. Meanwhile, much of Jin Guangyao’s actions were taken to protect his reputation, including the brothel burning, as a part of the aim was to conceal which brothel he grew up in (Chapter 104)). 

Additionally, much of Jin Guangyao’s resentment stems from how others treat (‘blam[ing]’ him, insulting him), compared to how they treat others (‘prais[ing]’ them):

“But do you know what it was that made me lose hope completely? I’ll answer your first question now. It wasn’t that I’d never be worth a single hair on Jin ZiXuan or one of the holes in Jin ZiXun, it wasn’t that he took back Mo XuanYu, it wasn’t that he tried every possible way to make me a mere figurehead either. It was the truth he once told the maid beside me when he was out indulging himself again.” Chapter 105, EXR

Though the other points didn’t make him lose hope completely, the implication is that they did affect him too (as shown by how he speaks about them), with Jin Guangshan’s words about Meng Shi being the final straw. ‘Los[ing] hope’ here of course relates to holding onto resentment, as Jin Guangyao’s loss of hope is what led him to murder out of his hatred.

Finally, both Jin Guangyao and Jiang Cheng also hold resentment due to holding onto what they’ve done for others, or even onto who they themselves are, without being treated accordingly – and though it makes sense to be hurt by all these things and these reactions are valid, the pain from holding that in your heart and the danger from holding onto it is precisely why MDZS condemns it:

“Why is it that even if I face everyone with a smile, I might not even receive the lowest form of respect, while even though your father was extremely arrogant, people flocked to him? Could you tell me why we were born from the same person but your father could relax at home with the love of his life playing with his child, while I never even dared be alone for long with my wife, shivering out of fright at first glance of my son? And I was ordered to do such a thing by my father as if it was natural—to kill an extremely dangerous figure who could flip out and conjure up a bloody massacre with his corpses anytime! “Why is it that even though we were born on the same day, Jin GuangShan could host a grand banquet for one son, and watch with his own eyes how his subordinate kicked his other son down Koi Tower, from the first stair to the last!” Chapter 105, EXR

(He brings up his role in Wei Wuxian’s downfall due to this as well, in addition to creating any excuse he can to absolve himself of others’ blame – he’s being treated unjustly and hated for something he’s done, even though he was ordered to do that thing by his father and it made sense!)

Jiang Cheng, “Are you stupid? You only counted the time to return and not the time to go there? Let alone the fact that after I got there I had to lead people and search through the entire mountain for the old banyan tree, then dig open the hole that got blocked up by Wen Chao and his people, and rescue you within seven days. Where’s your gratitude?!” (…) He raised his voice, “You killed the Xuanwu of Slaughter together with Lan WangJi, bathing in blood! How great is that?! But what about me?!” He punched his fist into a pillar in the hall, clenching his teeth, “… I have also been running around for days, completely exhausted, with not one second of rest!” Chapter 56, EXR

(And, a bonus to show this being a part of Jiang Cheng’s mindset without stemming from being hurt by a specific event, even when he’s being encouraging:)

“So it seems that both of you killed it together. What’s yours is yours. Why would you give him all the credit?” Chapter 56, EXR

(This moment is a nice display of the contrast between Wei Wuxian’s and Jiang Cheng’s mindsets as well, with the former focusing on what Lan Wangji (‘others’) did for him instead of seeking credit for his role!)

To repeat – of course these feelings are understandable, and I’m not blaming them for feeling this way. What I am placing blame on is letting those feelings drive you to murder many innocent prostitutes, or to let this sense of a debt you’re owed (which is what the philosophy is actually warning away from, because if you hold onto what you do for others, the natural expectation is that they’re indebted to you and should do something for you as a result) turn into resentment towards someone for not acting the way you think they should, leading you to help murder them, even if your sister sacrificed herself specifically to save their life.

This is the danger of holding onto resentment. And are these actions not a choice? Would you, independent of MDZS, absolve someone of a crime because their ‘personality just leads them that way’?

The same is true for acting on these two philosophies, and letting resentment go. And it’s all the more impressive when someone has as much potential resentment to hold onto as Wei Wuxian does.

Of course, Wei Wuxian himself isn’t completely infallible – which further supports the idea that this isn’t just a natural, unalterable quirk, since we see him act contradictory to his usual self as well. But the narrative’s view of resentment in these moments doesn’t change. Importantly, the times he does let resentment drive what he’s doing, during the Sunshot Campaign and Nightless City (as well as him being quick to anger at Phoenix Mountain, etc), it isn’t presented as in the right**** — and though he still lets go of it quickly enough to protect a group related to the one that hurt him (people of the Wen sect, the cultivators who participated in the Siege), it doesn’t prevent the harm done during these times. Additionally, the times he metaphorically can’t control and reign in his resentment in the form of guidao – at Qiongqi Path and, again, at Nightless City – pain is caused to innocents (Jin Zixuan and Jiang Yanli). This is what his internal thoughts have to say when he comes across cultivators gossiping about him, shortly after Wen Qing and Wen Ning have sacrificed themselves:

No matter what he did, not a single good word would come out of these people’s mouths. When he won, others feared; when he lost, others rejoiced. Chapter 77, EXR

He’s hurt by other people praising and blaming him! Holding onto this philosophy isn’t automatic, that decision isn’t simply encoded within him somehow.

But that brings us to another relevant theme: that these characters aren’t infallible, because they’re not mythical creatures or concepts brought to life. Everyone is human.

However, although he thought that his heart was like a stone, in the end, he was still human, not some emotionless grass or plant. Chapter 8, EXR

OuYang ZiZhen, “HanGuang-Jun, why did Senior Wei collapse?” Lan WangJi, “Fatigue.” Lan JingYi was amazed, “I thought that Senior Wei would never get tired!” The other boys felt somewhat astonished as well. That the legendary YiLing Patriarch could collapse from fatigue from dealing with walking corpses—they all thought that the YiLing Patriarch should be able to settle them with just a snap of his fingers. However, Lan WangJi shook his head. He only said four words, “We are all human.” They were all human. How could a human be tireless? How could they stand forever? Chapter 84, EXR

Even with Wei Wuxian’s temperament, even with his attitude, he’s still human! Just as he’s not immune from being affected by harsh words to do with his past, just as he’s not immune from being affected by exhaustion, he’s not immune to being hurt by or angry at his circumstances. As we see in the Sunshot Campaign and at Nightless City, he’s not immune to dwelling on his misfortunes, to being driven by his hurt and anger and by resentment he holds onto (consciously! At Nightless City, Wei Wuxian deliberately accepts the curses thrown at him, because ‘anger was the only thing that could suppress the other feelings within his heart’ (Chapter 78)). 

But nearly always, he chooses not to. The Wen remnants he saved were innocent, yes, and Wen Ning and Wen Qing helped him previously – but in his second life, he could’ve easily kept holding onto his resentment and left the cultivators who besieged him, who killed him and those under his protection, to die at the Second Siege. But he didn’t! He held true to his own philosophy, to judge the right and wrongs yourself independent of what others do, and saved them.

Because this is what’s important to him, because this is how he wishes to act in the present, and because he doesn’t let himself be defined by the tragedies he went through.

The donkey seemed as if it knew that he wasn’t in a great mood [due to others bringing up what happened in his past], and for once, it wasn’t being loud out of impatience. A moment of silence passed, and it turned around to leave. Wei WuXian sat by the stream, not responding at all. It turned around to look, throwing its hooves onto the ground, but Wei WuXian still paid no attention to it. The donkey had to come back sulkily, biting and tugging on the corner of Wei WuXian’s collar. He could choose to go, and he could choose to not go. Seeing that the donkey had [gone] as far as to use his mouth, Wei WuXian decided to follow him.  Chapter 8, EXR*****

Immediately after this, he’ll continue investigating the puzzle of Dafan Mountain’s night hunt; he’ll come across a ghost, ask where it’s hurt and offer to take a look at it; he’ll rush off to save Jin Ling and the Lan juniors, figuring out the truth behind the dancing goddess and being the only one to do so. Just as it’s more important to the narrative, this – quick thinking, problem solving, compassion, doing the right thing, even seeking out excitement – is what Wei Wuxian finds more important about his own self, and what he chooses to focus on.

Some final questions to end things.

If you saw Wei Wuxian, without any knowledge of what happened in MDZS, without any work done by the narrative structure or by knowledge of tropes – would you have expected the backstory he had? Would you expect his parents to have died when he was at an age where he could barely remember them? Would you expect him to have lived on the streets until he was nine years old, or to have been taken into an unjust and extremely volatile household, or to have (chosen to) lose the source of powers he was very proud of – shortly before he was thrown, now powerless, into the equivalent of hell for three months? Would you expect his first life to have ended because protecting innocents (knowingly) led to the entire world crusading against him, because their siege resulted in him being torn apart? Or would you not think of tragedy when it comes to this person who gleefully jokes and teases, who’s so smart and competent and knows it, who doesn’t focus on the negatives, who acts so confidently on his morals, who revels in life so much?

If you only saw Wei Wuxian’s backstory with no context of his character, would you expect him to remain this way?

And, if you saw Wei Wuxian’s actions in the present day, without knowing what tragedies happened in his past, would he feel like an incomplete character?

It’s impossible to answer, of course – even in the present day, you get information about his past.

But I’m inclined to say no.

(Part One | Part Three | Full version on AO3)

—

*But again, let me emphasise – especially in real life, doing the trauma olympics is never good! As I said, everyone has limits, everyone’s limits differ, and just because one person can cope with something doesn’t mean another person can, even with the same mechanisms. And that shouldn’t lead to any judgement!

I say ‘especially in real life’ because in fiction, some characters’ experiences are often made similar or different to others’ in order to parallel or foil them  – in which case comparison is often the point. But trauma olympics (‘this person suffered x amount so the other person should be able to take it!!’) is still bad, guys (especially since, as with MDZS, those parallels or foils are often there to explore the harm they do to others as a result, not simply how much trauma they can take).

**My thoughts on rumours here. Tl;dr, if Jin Ling (someone who’d want to defend him!) is saying he did (and that he “never let anyone go” – Chapter 24), if sources like Lan Wangji and Lan Sizhui act as if this is the case (Chapter 10 – to defend, you could say personal feelings play a role, but Lan Wangji especially is someone who knows not to, and explicitly doesn’t, make judgements without conclusive evidence. Again, see my thoughts on rumours) – and if Jiang Cheng backs up this behaviour (eg by telling Jin Ling to kill every demonic cultivator he sees and feed them to his dogs in his introduction – Chapter 7), it’s probably not a simple unbased rumour. There’s enough evidence to support its veracity.

***However, do note that Wei Wuxian isn’t an outlier, either – Lan Wangji, Wen Ning and Lan Sizhui (once he learns of his heritage) are all examples of other characters who aren’t overcome or twisted by their pain, instead still aiming to make the world a better place. And this is Jin Ling’s whole arc, too!

****I delve a lot more deeply into this here!

*****The role this moment plays isn’t actually something I caught myself – it came from a post about a reread of MDZS’ earlier chapters. I can’t find it myself, but if anybody has the link, that would be great (so I can cite it)!

—

Also, a shoutout to this incredible meta by @righteousinadversity – it’s what made me want to delve into this aspect two years ago! It’s still one of my favourite metas, and you enjoyed this, you’ll definitely enjoy that, too.

[prince-liest]

Current writing priorities, should they manage to stay the same for any reasonable length of time, in no particular order:

666 #7: genderfuckery + Vox finally realizing his dreams of getting fucked

666 #8: drunken antics + electrostim, finally

I put Alastor and Lucifer's post-finale traumas into a box and shake it violently

Al and Mimzy's final convo in I Love Her, I Love Her Not

[carlyraejepsans]

saw your most recent post about really good fics that contain uncomfortable kinks and i immediately thought "ah, biscia must be reading the mpreg soriel fic" and almost left a reply talking about it but i stopped myself because i realized that would be an insane assumption to make. needless to say i felt so vindicated when i saw you link it in an earlier post.

like. HELLO?

HELLO???????

[fight-nights-at-freddys]

twiset moodboard!!! I love these two smm, they are so cute, whether it is sci twi or not, I think they are just simply adorable!!!!

[summonedfrommyhands]

his phone started to ring. His sister’s ringtone echoed in the quiet night, a chill coming to settle through him. Eyes wide, he quickly dropped the box just inside of the circle of light from the streetlight he stopped by.

“... Maybe my ringtone changed,” he said, failing to convince himself that the call was from anyone else. He winced, staring at the caller ID of his younger sister.

I’m so dead, he thought. She’ll yell at me even in the afterlife.

Taking in a quick breath, he answered the phone with a quiet greeting.

“Komaru, hi,” the chill of fear that settled in him grew thicker,

“Hey, Komaru,” he greeted, hoping she wouldn’t yell at him through the phone.

Komaru remained silent, giving him the time to think up excuse after excuse.

“Did you uh, get home just right now? You could have called earlier, you know, to - to tell me you were on your way back.” Nervous, he clamped his mouth shut in a cold shiver when his sister continued not to answer.

The silence stretched on too long, and it started to make him more worried than scared.

“Komaru?” he called. “Hey, are you okay?”

A sniffle came through the call, making him flinch.

“... Stupid brother,” her voice warbled, “Stupid Makoto! I texted you that I was coming back but I thought you were asleep - you weren’t in bed!” Komaru’s voice cracked at the end of her sentence, making Makoto’s panic flare up again.

“Yeah! Stupid brother. I am so so stupid hey, hey, don’t cry, I’m fine. I’m safe, Komaru,” he tried to reassure her, agreeing to her words as his eyes drifted to the box of her things. While it was true he was fine, he didn’t get out unharmed.

It should be fine if he didn’t mention getting hurt, right?

“Then where are you?! I didn’t want to call the others because I know nothing could happen now but I couldn’t be sure. We were fine before - “ Komaru cut herself off, the brief silence making them both recall the past.

“It’s nothing like that, I promise. It’s uh, actually something for you I’m doing. Stay on the phone with me until I’m home, okay? I think this surprise is worth it.” He smiled as he heard her sniffling fade, being coaxed into talking about what she did with her friends before coming home.

At some point he put her on speaker, placing the phone on the box before continuing on his way. The small noise of her chatter made the walk home more comfortable, and he was a little glad he was listening to her rather than being left in his own thoughts.

“I’m surprised you didn’t stay over,” he said, “It is rather late, you know.”

“... I couldn’t stand being away for too long, is all,” she replied. Makoto winced, apologizing.

“Still, we’ve been moved into the city. You have to be careful, Komaru. We’re not used to the area, and we don’t know what could happen. At least call so I can pick you up next time.” Makoto laughed softly at her audible pouting, agreeing with him.

“But,” she whined, “you could have taken me with you! You have to be careful too, Makoto,” Her worry made his heart squeeze, the bright smile dimming as he agreed with her, too.

“I know, I know. Hey, do you think you could open the door for me when I get back? My hands are a bit full.” Makoto asked, readjusting his grip.

“Yeah, sure. I can’t wait to see what my surprise will be. It better be worth my heart attack,” Komaru joked. Makoto laughed again at his sister’s antics, replying that she still had to wait, as he was only halfway there.

Komaru then complained that they were housed too far from their neighborhood, only relenting when Makoto pointed out that the apartment complex was closer to their university and the places she liked to eat at.

“It’s easier to meet up with your friends, too. If our new place wasn’t secured already, I might have tried to actually lease the place,” Makoto said. Listening to Komaru hum, whether in consideration or agreement, he hummed along just to mess with her.

“I know! Our lives are in the city, but…” her unfinished words still came though, making Makoto pause in a newfound melancholy.

“Yeah, I know,” he said softly, looking at Komaru’s contact ID. Neither of them spoke, remembering their own horrors. Shaking his head, Makoto took a step forward to continue walking, only to feel his hood being tugged on.

[erisenyo]

idk if you’ve done this already bc it fits so well but if you haven’t: “you were dead, i saw you die” for jetko?

For this prompt game! (And also this one!)

The attack when it comes descends on Zuko’s carriage from both sides with near-perfect coordination. And from above, judging by the weight landing on the carriage roof, a distinct thump amid the sudden clamor of shouting and weaponry as Zuko whips his dao from beneath the carriage seat, silently cursing the current fashion for floating, flowing layers as he gets his swords into his hands, the familiar hilts welcome and nearly foreign in his grip after so long wielding inkbrush and paper instead and Agni’s tits, has it really been that long since his last real vacation?

Zuko strains his ears, tracking the rapid sounds of the fight, his instinct to hurl himself into battle biting up against Captain Rin Mai’s constant admonishment for Zuko to please stay in one place, Your Majesty, so we can protect you.

Though judging by noise suddenly replacing the woodland quiet of the North Omashu-Chu road—

“Great hit!”

“Get ‘em, Hands!”

—it’s not Zuko who might need protecting today.

Zuko breathes up his inner flame, letting it shiver in his veins and pool in his hands as he hears Private Wang let out a low grunt and drop to the ground. He eyes the carriage door and its flimsy lock, mind flicking between a fire blast or just launching himself bodily through it and holding his fire in reserve, estimating just how much force he could barrel out with if he—

“Aw, fuck,” a clear, high voice suddenly says, “Look at ‘em, these aren’t the right guys!”

“Shit, what?”

“No!”

“The uniforms are all wrong,” the voice grumbles, disgusted. “We’re gonna have to cut them loose and hope they don’t cockroach rat.”

“Are you sure?” someone else asks, doubtful. “It could be a ruse.”

“We can't be positive without an interro—”

“We are not,” a new voice cuts in, low and exasperated like he says it often and tickling the back of Zuko's brain, “Going to interrogate—”

“Because this,” the woman snaps over top as she rips open the carriage door, skipping back when Zuko whips his dao into a ready position and keeping a wary eye on him as she shouts to her companions and Agni's balls this is a girl, Zuko reazlies, looking beneath the dirt and bright streaks of paint, “Is definitely the wrong target.”

“Oh yeah?” that new voice drawls, even more familiar now in a way that has Zuko's adrenaline wanting to spike against well-worn thoughts like ‘betrayal ’ and ‘assassination' even though the context— “What makes you so sure, Greenie. I believe you, but lay it out for the rest of us.”

“Well,” the girl—Greenie?—says, sarcastic, “He is Fire, for start.”

“Oh, well then,” Jet says, stepping around the open carriage door, “You know what we do with Fire around these parts,” he continues, eyes landing on Zuko and flaring wide a bare second before his expression closes into something aloof and watchful and deceptively amused.

Zuko can only gape back, stunned, barely keeping the tips of his dao from sagging and aware his usual court-trained neutrality is nowhere to be found as Jet slowly drags his eyes over Zuko from head to toe. Maybe, Zuko thinks wildly as he takes in the slashing eyebrows and shaggy hair and age-sharpened face, the attack was actually successful and this is all some kind of dream, his mind struggling its way back to consciousness. Or maybe Zuko actually did get assassinated this time, which is going to make things unfortunately difficult for a number of people, but Zuko doesn’t know how to explain the fact that he's seeing a ghost.

“You’re not going to ask?” Jet finally prods, tone low, dangerous, hook swords dangerously easy in his hands, "What we do?"

And Zuko doesn't know that he does want to ask, that he wants to know, but even if he did he doesn't have the words, couldn't speak if he did with how dry his mouth is as his eyes bounce across the familiar breadth of filled-out-now shoulders and the hodge-podge of armor that actually fits and that knowing, would-know-it-anywhere smirk that tils Jet's lips at the silence.

“Tell ‘im, Greenie,” Jet orders, soft, eyes half-lidded and intent and so familiar, too, never wavering from Zuko’s face in a way that makes Zuko's heart trip in his throat and that’s familiar, too, and—

“We tell ‘em,” Greenie says, drawing herself up and clearly imitating Jet’s drawl and slouching ease and somehow managing the bravado to pull it off in her small frame, “That we’ll get a Fire Nation audit set on their ass unless they clear out.”  

Zuko jolts, blinking over at her in surprise, knocked out of his stupor with pure shock and gaping for an entirely different reason now as he stares at the girl, then finally back at Jet.

“We hear around here," Jet says like he was waiting for Zuko's attention, "That the Fire Lord is very strict when it comes to audits and impropriety among his ‘citizens living under Earth Kingdom jurisdiction’ these days." Jet's tone is sarcastic and mocking and laughing, his eyes sharp as they slide pointedly to Zuko’s headpiece.

“You were dead,” Zuko finally manages, shock sending the words tripping out of him, the only ones that currently matter. “I saw you die, you were dead.”

“What?” Jet frowns, taken aback enough to actually show it before he pulls his smirk back into place. “When, you weren’t there,” he says, nearly accusing.

“It was in a play,” Zuko says, numb, struggling with the wherewithal to explain right now that he was there, kind of, just early, or maybe late, depending on how you’re measuring it, “You—you got brainwashed and crushed and—” Zuko cuts off hard, gulping back the rest of the words at the way Jet’s hands tighten around his swords, corded muscle shifting along his forearms, Zuko's eyes flicking down and then catching at the faint patchwork of lines against tan skin, an array that could just be dust and dirt and the scars of living or could be—

“So the Fire Lord is getting his information from musical theater, in the new administration?” Jet finally asks, mockery back in his tone like Zuko can’t see the guarded wariness in his eyes, the ready anger, Jet’s gaze still staying fixed on Zuko even as Greenie jolts, her eyes flying wide, mouth forming a nearly comical oh of realization. "Is that an official policy? Part of the 'new era of peace and cooperation?'"

“It wasn’t—” Zuko snaps, hot and feeling himself flushing as he immediately cuts off, because…there might have been a song or two, actually. And Zuko wouldn’t say that puts the entire work into the musical theater category, but he knows that Earth Kingdom plays are generally so low on lyrical music that Jet might consider—

Jet raises his eyebrows, amused, and Zuko corrals his wayward thoughts as Jet crosses his arms, swords loose again in his hands. “Was I at least hot in it?”

“…Uh,” Zuko says, no part of him prepared to articulate ‘yes but not as hot as the actual you.’

But apparently he doesn’t have to articulate it with the way Jet’s smirk curls wide again, with the way Jet gives Zuko a smoldering, lazy once over that’s exactly the same as nine years ago on that boat in Serpent’s Pass, and Zuko swallows hard as his stomach swoops and flutters in answer like he’s sixteen again with that, too.

“We’re heading to rob a corrupt tax official, you know,” Jet suddenly says, tilting his head toward the line of curious eyes peeking around the carriage door, his eyes laughing when Zuko startles like he knows Zuko is only just noticing them. “Not Fire,” Jet smirks, amused and completely insincere as he adds with a casual wave toward Zuko’s unconscious guards, “Sorry.”

“Oh,” Zuko says, blank, rote. “Okay.” If the official isn’t Fire then Zuko can just…not care about it, for now. It’s Bumi’s problem, or—no, this far north it’s probably Lady Tang’s problem, actually, which under the treaty agreements eventually would make it Zuko's but either way, it’s not Zuko’s right now, and that’s what matters. His mind is currently otherwise occupied.

Mostly with the way Jet is watching him, eyes laughing and familiar and here.

“I hear,” Jet says, tucking a stalk of wheatgrass into his mouth and Agni, the way Zuko's stomach swoops seeing it, like in the nine years since he hasn't— “That the guy’s eating like a king, while the rest of his province has to feed off his scraps.”

Zuko stills. His breath catches, inner flame flaring into the gap in anticipation and then in answer as Jet smirks like he knows it, both of them locking eyes and ignoring the whispering behind the carriage door of, "Wait, I thought it was a lady, not—" "Shut up, idiot, do you want them to—"

“That doesn’t seem fair, does it?” Jet drawls, gazee half-lidded and intent, and Zuko licks his lips, hesitating, because the next line isn’t his. Except Jet seems to know it, too, and also the girls, because Jet nudges her without looking and she obediently, immediately pipes up, “What sort of king is sh—he eating like?”  

“The fat, happy kind,” Jet purrs, like an invitation, like a seduction, like a challenge, and Zuko is suddenly too impatient to wait for the question, exhilaration and a fuck-the-consequences kind of thrill he hasn’t been able to indulge in years flaring in his chest as he grabs the headpiece out of his hair, tucking it into his belt as he shrugs off his impractical outer robes to reveal the black, utilitarian, close-fitting garments underneath.

“I’m in,” Zuko rasps, familiar words and familiar excitement in his chest, and the feral smile on his lips familiar, too, and just like the one curling Jet’s lips in answer.

(If you'd like to imagine a grown-up Jet, my I direct you to this marvel)

[girl-of-ink]

Puzzlefic Recs

These Days We Celebrate / Reconfiguration by Phoebeus

Original synopsis: “Originally a series of canon-compliant stories spanning the six month gap between the defeat of Pegasus and the arrival of Otogi, it now includes a branch-off story that changes the climax of the Millennium World arc and explores what would have happened if Atem had gotten his own body a month prior to leaving for Egypt. [Manga-canon, Puzzleshipping]”

Type: Series of oneshots + one multichap longfic

Word count: 300k+ altogether

Rating: G/T/E

Warnings: None

Status: Complete

Times read: 3 times for the whole series, at least 5 or 6 for Reconfiguration specifically

Standout characters/aspects: Yuugi's mom & Honda

Notes: The holy grail. The puzzle fic to end all puzzle fics. Nothing beats it. It aligns almost 98% with my personal headcanons, & the small things we disagree on are contextualized in a way that makes sense in the story. Yuugi's mom is iconic in this story, & my own interpretations of her lean heavily on her portrayal in this series.

Haunted House Sweet Home by InkFlavored

Original synopsis: “Yugi doesn't believe in ghosts. He never has and, up until now, he thought he never would. But when he moves into his new apartment, things start disappearing, doors start slamming, and an ancient crown has it out for him. He's forced to face reality: he's living in a haunted house. But will he be ‘living’ there for long?”

Type: Multichap longfic

Word count: 150k+

Rating: T

Warnings: Mention of eventual major character death, brief mention of eventual Yuugi/Atem/fem OC in final chapter

Status: Complete

Times read: Probably 3ish

Standout characters/aspects: Feriha (fem OC) has a very small part, but she is integrated in a well-thought-out manner & quite likable.

Notes: This fic takes a lot of normal aspects of ygo like “cursed object” and “troubled king” and gives them a new spin! Bonus points for writing an OC villain who works as well as Hazim does.

Egyptology Exercises / All This We Do in the Name of Ma’at by Nedjemet

Original synopsis: “My attempt at redoing Yu-Gi-Oh with a focus on character development, magic, and historical accuracy instead of card games. While this is technically a series, "All This We Do in the Name of Ma'at" functions as a standalone story. All of the other stories are just in-universe follow ups to show what the characters got up to after the story was over. These shorts largely function as stand alones, too, since Ma'at follows cannon very closely in the important ways. All of the stories are ordered loosely in terms of when they occured. You can read them in any order.

All of the Egyptology is heavily researched and I did my best to get it right. If something is off and you have a source, please send it my way!

All of the stuff in modern Japan has minimal research done and is more for flavor than anything else. I'm going for anime-level accuracy with that, not realism.”

Type: Multichap longfic + a couple of shorter multichap fics + bonus work diving into the Egyptology research used in the fics

Word count: 200k+ altogether

Rating: T/M/E

Warnings: None

Status: Complete

Times read: Twice for All This We Do in the Name of Ma’at, probably 5-6 times for the two sequel fics

Standout characters/aspects: Nedjemet’s research on the Egyptology aspects is very impressive

Notes: Really good! The main fic is quite plot & research heavy tho, so I find myself revisiting the two shorter follow-up fics more often. More fluff than substance for me.

The Last Puzzle by Tenderwulf

Original synopsis: “11 years after the Ceremonial Duel, Atem and Bakura inexplicably find themselves back in Domino. When they meet their previous hosts, they realize how much things have changed: Yuugi, the now world-renowned King of Games, is going through a marriage crisis, Ryou is struggling to balance studies, work, and his brittle mental health, and Malik... well, Malik is living his best life—and his own yami is nowhere to be seen.

They soon realize they all have to work together in order to solve the mystery of the yamis’ return: some to make sure that they stay, and some to make sure that they don't.”

Type: Multichap longfic

Word count: 300k+

Rating: T

Warnings: Graphic depictions of violence

Status: Ongoing

Other ships: Tendershipping [Bakura Ryou/Yami Bakura], past Peachshipping [Mazaki Anzu/Mutou Yuugi]

Times read: 1

Standout characters/aspects: Yami Bakura’s character development is stellar.

Notes: Very good, altho I confess that I’m slightly more interested in the puzzle storyline than the tender story (which happens to be the main plot lol). Very much worth reading.

Keep the Light Shining by Clydeside

Original synopsis: “Yugi's new job as a lighthouse keeper sounds simple enough... until he realizes he's not entirely alone on the remote island: a dark spirit haunts Crawford Sound.

It lingers like a shadow in the night.

It watches, and it waits.

The past keepers warned of an inescapable terror, but as the days turn into weeks, Yugi begins to think it's not the ghost he ought to fear.”

Type: Multichap longfic

Word count: 50k+

Rating: M

Warnings: Major character death (Atem is already a ghost)

Status: Complete

Times read: 3

Standout characters/aspects: Worldbuilding!!!! This story is so gorgeously atmospheric

Notes: Please please please read Keep the Light Shining, it’s so good. The horror aspects combined with the romance and mystery aspects are so well-balanced.

Lineament by Zuzeca

Original synopsis: “Once seven, now three. A broken Pendant, a crumbling empire, and tugging at the seams of reality, hints of a sinister power returning. His faith in destiny strained past breaking, newly-crowned-and-deposed Pharaoh Set makes the questionable decision to try and solve the Millennium Puzzle with magic. As it goes with magic, his efforts are rewarded…but not quite in the way he expected.”

Type: Multichap longfic

Word count: 50k+

Rating: M

Warnings: Major character death (Ghost Atem again)

Status: Complete

Other ships: Logicshipping [Priestess Isis/Priest Seto]

Times read: 3

Standout characters/aspects: Set & Isis are very interesting & well-developed characters here.

Notes: Really interesting twist on the whole series. Somewhat of a time travel fic, but in a much more satisfying and less cheesy way than most.

Snake Charmer by InkFlavored

Original synopsis: “Prompts: ‘Wow, my pet snake looks so cute this morning and I’d be even happier if I actually had a pet snake.’ & ‘You curse under your breath in a foreign language and I know I shouldn’t be turned on but I totally am.’

Type: Oneshot

Word count: 20k+

Rating: T

Warnings: None

Status: Complete

Times read: 5

Standout characters/aspects: Osiris the snake is an icon

Notes: 100% fluff. Cute snake. Utterly delightful.

Cut Off / Whiskey, No Chaser by InkFlavored

Original synopsis: “Few people choose a day during the week to drink away their problems at a bar downtown. Most people wait until the weekend, content to simmer with their issues until Friday. Others do it at home with friends, and without worrying about how they're supposed to get home in time for work in the morning. All in all, it's rare that someone walks into a bar on a weeknight at ten-thirty to start drinking.

But that's exactly what happened to Atem.”

Type: Two multichap longfics

Word count: 100k+ combined

Rating: T

Warnings: None

Status: Complete

Other ships: Past rivalshipping [Mutou Yuugi/Kaiba Seto]

Times read: 2

Standout characters/aspects: Great way of showing how Atem becomes part of the friend group

Notes: It’s cute! Not InkFlavored’s best work, but all of their stuff is worth reading.

Macchiato Incommunicado by InkFlavored

Original synopsis: “Prompt: ‘my favorite coffee shop is closed for the day so i have to find somewhere else where i can get my overly-advanced pretentious order and i found the place where you work and now i never use the other place anymore because even though you always serve my drink with a “what the fuck has normal coffee ever done to you”-sigh you're really cute and i'd like to go out with you.’

Type: Oneshot

Word count: 15k+

Rating: T

Warnings: None

Status: Complete

Times read: 3

Standout characters/aspects: Points to everyone else in this fic for putting up with Yuugi & Atem’s stupid bullshit.

Notes: Pretty good interpretation of the dreaded miscommunication plot and the cliché coffee shop AU.

The First Leaves That Fall by Clydeside

Original synopsis: “When Yugi arrives in Yubari to settle the last of his grandfather’s affairs, he finds a mountain village in quiet decline. Most people have left for the city, buildings are crumbling, and nature grows dense and wild against its outskirts.

But among those who remain, superstition abounds, and they all offer the same advice:

Stay out of the forest.

Yugi, however, is intrigued. By the puzzle of its shifting paths. The riddle of a wind that speaks, if he listens.

And, perhaps most of all, by the stranger who always shows him the way out before dark.

Or: Yugi falls hard for the local cryptid. Not everyone is cool about it.”

Type: Multichapter longfic

Word count: 40k+

Rating: T

Warnings: None

Status: Ongoing

Times read: 1

Standout characters/aspects: Honda & Miho are really great friends, and bonus points for local Shinto priest Bakura, who is as ominous and strange as ever.

Notes: I love this fic!!!! Again, Clyde is the best at writing spooky & atmospheric stories. I can’t wait to see what really happened in Yubari to make the nature spirits (including Atem) so angry.

Chained to You by SajiSpellhart

Original synopsis: “Taking place after the events of Season Zero, all the shadow games happened but Yugi never found out he was possessed by the spirit of the puzzle. Now he's an adult, living on his own, and he starts to notice strange and spooky things happening around his apartment. When he sees his own shadow moving Yugi begins to suspect his new place is haunted. But is this shadow spirit malicious or... kinda sweet?

Yami does a bunch of stupidly sweet domestic shit for Yugi to help take care of him. Expect romance, fluff, self-care, and Puzzleshipping shenanigans.”

Type: Multichapter longfic

Word count: 100k+

Rating: T

Warnings: None

Status: Ongoing

Times read: 1

Standout characters/aspects: Yami is incredibly cute in this fic.

Notes: Really interesting AU where Yuugi never finds out about Atem as a high schooler, and so Season 0-esque shenanigans continue into adulthood.

He Has a Heartbeat by Kaibbage

Original synopsis: “Atem is back, and this time he's living and tangible. As such, Yugi cannot stop touching him - and vice versa.”

Type: Oneshot

Word count: 3k

Rating: E

Warnings: None

Status: Complete

Times read: 10 at least

Standout characters/aspects: 

Notes: So cute!!! One of the best Atem Comes Back oneshots out there. Very sweet short little PWP.

Superimposed / Bird Rock Lambchop (Bird Bigger Bird) by Toffeecape

Original synopsis: “Yugi wants his other self to have nice things.”

Type: Series of oneshots + short multichaptered fics

Word count: 70k+ combined

Rating: E/M

Warnings: Some installments mention major character death (but with the caveat that the characters cross over to the Egyptian afterlife), most have no warnings

Status: Complete

Times read: Superimposed probably like 5 times, whole series twice

Standout characters/aspects: Love Yuugi’s urge to provide for Atem, very sweet. I also love the chapter of Like a Stone into a Pond that focuses on Yuugi’s mom’s relationship with Atem.

Notes: This series is sort of YMMV for me. To be entirely honest, the smut gets a little too weird for me in a lot of installments, so I don’t revisit it too often, but the first installment is definitely my favorite, and I love seeing the intimacy between Yuugi & Atem grow while they’re still sharing a body. The 4th installment is my other favorite, as it focuses less on smut and more on character interactions.

Phantom Limb by Killdoll

Original synopsis: “In the hospital after the fire where Yuugi reassembled the Millennium Puzzle, Yuugi and his Other Self have a heart-to-heart.

(Puzzleshipping, set during anime canon, attempted ghost cuddling.)”

Type: Oneshot

Word count: 3k

Rating: T

Warnings: None

Status: Complete

Times read: 5+

Standout characters/aspects: Really great characterization

Notes: Very sweet examination of the aftermath of (the anime version of) the fire.

Pieces of Puzzleshipping by Phoebeus

Original synopsis: “Originally this was where all of my tumblr prompts and random ficlets would come to live, but it's quickly become home to all of my random puzzleshipping fluff, instead. We shall acknowledge it as such until at least one other ship invades!”

Type: Oneshot collection

Word count: 17k+ combined

Rating: E

Warnings: Author Chose Not to Use Archive Warnings (I don’t remember anything too triggering in these oneshots besides a safeword use that is immediately respected in chapter 10)

Status: Complete

Times read: 2-3

Standout characters/aspects: To be honest, I don’t remember these individual oneshots all that well, but I love all of Phoebeus’ work.

Notes: Bite-sized and enjoyable fluff!

Getting Rivalzoned (and Learning to Live with It) by Oogenesis

Original synopsis: “Finding out that your best and closest and most infuriatingly attractive rival has come back to life is one thing.

Finding out that he and his former vessel have eyes only for each other - well, that's quite a different matter.”

Type: Short multichapter

Word count: 8k

Rating: T

Warnings: None

Status: Unfinished (seems to be abandoned, but I recall the last chapter working fairly well as an ending, so it’s not too infuriating)

Other Ships: onesided Prideshipping [Atem/Kaiba Seto]

Times read: 3ish

Standout characters/aspects: Just so incredibly funny. 

Notes: This is my ideal prideship scenario. Sorry, Kaiba.

Visiting Hours by Oogenesis

Original synopsis: “Kaiba, at Atem's insistence, finally brings Yugi along on one of his visits to the afterlife, and promptly regrets it.”

Type: Oneshot

Word count: 1.5k

Rating: T

Warnings: None (possible major character death as Atem has already crossed over to the afterlife)

Status: Complete

Other Ships: One-sided prideshipping [Atem/Kaiba Seto]

Times read: 5ish at least

Standout characters/aspects: Same as the previous fic, just so funny to see Kaiba so deeply jealous while being completely ignored.

Notes: Love how excited to see each other Yuugi & Atem are.

Ours, Not Mine by MagiMevi

Original synopsis: “The spirit found such ease and amusement in simply perusing Yugi's daily memories, and Yugi no longer wanted to just share them with him. He wanted to make them with him – he wanted the spirit to create new memories – he didn't want to just amuse the spirit with the passing fibres of his life – he just – he wanted -

Don't worry about it, partner.”

Type: Oneshot

Word count: 5k

Rating: T

Warnings: None 

Status: Complete

Times read: 2-3

Standout characters/aspects: Great exploration of Yuugi’s character

Notes: Yuugi scheming like hell to try to get Atem to live & enjoy himself while in the puzzle is one of my favorite tropes, 10/10.

Take Him (Cut Him Out in Little Stars) by InkFlavored

Original synopsis: “Most people think of light and silence as comforting things. To Yugi, they're anything but. Atem's mind is tearing itself to pieces and no one understands.

PuzzleJune 2019 (Week 3: Light)”

Type: Oneshot

Word count: 5k

Rating: G

Warnings: Creator Chose Not to Use Archive Warnings (Major character death canon to the end of the manga)

Status: Complete

Times read: 5+

Standout characters/aspects: I love Atem’s talk with Akhenamkhanen.

Notes: Definitely one of the most influential Atem comes back fics to my own work! It’s fabulous, 10/10.

The Seldom Seen by Clydeside

Original synopsis: “Yugi’s soul has gone missing after reassembling the Millennium Puzzle in the fire, leaving the Other Yugi to fill his place.

As he tries to hide the truth from Yugi’s friends and family, he searches for his partner and the scattered pieces of his soul. But without Yugi at his side, he is losing control of the Puzzle’s power over the shadow realm… and the creature it contains.”

Type: Mid-length multichapter

Word count: 45k

Rating: T

Warnings: Major character death (albeit tagged as “only sort of permanent”)

Status: Complete

Times read: 3

Standout characters/aspects: Angst!

Notes: I love any fic that examines Atem’s relationships (or lack thereof) with Yuugi’s friends and family. 

Jolly Sailor Bold / Shellfish Tendencies by Kudalyn

Original synopsis: “‘The seas sing for those who are lost, and for those who find as well.’

Atem is a siren/merman and Yugi is a ghost haunting a sunken ship Atem comes across. Atem is intrigued by the ghost, hangs around enough that they start to get to know each other, getting attached, and falling for each other over time. But Yugi’s memories start to fade, as ghosts don’t get to stay forever on the living plane, and Atem has to deal with this loss.

My entry for the YGO Big Bang 2018!

Content Warning of character death and mourning, with reward at the end if you stick through it ;)”

Type: Series of two oneshots

Word count: 15k+ combined

Rating: M

Warnings: Major character death (sort of temporary? It’s complicated lol)

Status: Complete

Times read: 3ish

Standout characters/aspects: Honestly really interesting implications about the origins of mermaids……….

Notes: Super fun twist on a mermaid AU.

Untitled Puzzleshipping Doujinshi by Kaluda

Original synopsis: “This is a doujin I made in 2019 that I decided to post here as well. Inspired by the end of the Dark Side of Dimensions film.”

Type: Short comic

Word count: N/A?

Rating: Unrated (I would say G)

Warnings: None (Major character death canon to manga/anime)

Status: Complete

Times read: 3ish

Standout characters/aspects: Such cute art!!!!!! 

Notes: Rare comic example, but it’s posted on ao3, so I’m counting it as a fic. It’s really very sweet & short, go check it out!

Angle of Approach by InkFlavored

Original synopsis: “Definition: (in golf) the angle at which the club head strikes the ball. This affects the trajectory the ball will travel and spin. 

The only thing Atem hates more than his family’s annual summer vacation is the “family” part. A whole three months away from home, away from friends, and away from freedom. This year, he’s nearly resigned himself to the worst trip he’s ever been on, surrounded by people he couldn’t care less about.

Then he meets Yugi, and decides to make his own fun.”

Type: Multichap longfic

Word count: 130k+

Rating: E

Warnings: No archive warnings apply, general warning for emotional and slight physical abuse by parents, and definitely warning for workplace sexual harassment

Status: Ongoing (Unfinished? Abandoned??? I sure hope not)

Times read: 2

Standout characters/aspects: Yugi is phenomenal in this AU. I’m obsessed with him.

Notes: I love this fic!!!! I usually don’t like fics where Atem is an asshole, but apparently it’s fine if he’s a bottom lmao. Anyway I love seeing Atem very very slowly become a better person against his will, and I’m really hoping Ink_Flavored is still working on this fic. It’s one of my favorite ongoing works.

Dress Up Game by InkFlavored

Original synopsis: “The Mutou family, including the newly resurrected Atem, get invited to a wedding. Neither Yugi nor Atem have anything to wear to the event, but it’s not a big deal. All they have to do is go shopping to pick something out. How bad could it possibly be?”

Type: Two chapter fic

Word count: 25k+

Rating: T

Warnings: None

Status: Complete

Times read: 3

Standout characters/aspects: Really great attention to detail about Japanese culture. Taught me a lot about traditional Japanese weddings!

Notes: This fic is so cute! Really nice fic that focuses on Atem living life after coming back from the dead.

Await Red to Become Anthracite by Zigur_zig_ah

Original synopsis: “Yuugi, security guard un-extraordinaire, leads a particularly mundane life. He sits in front of a monitor for eight hours a cycle, pretends to concern himself with the safety of five-hundred and thirty-nine Roman coins of no value whatsoever, and occasionally, when work is especially slow, occupies the unenviable position of Duel Monsters champion of the known universe.

But something stalks the perpetual darkness of Proxima-b. A horror from beyond the grave, loosed in a moment of carelessness, has set its hollow, empty sights on Yuugi - and Yuugi, try as he might, can't seem to stay away from it.”

Type: Medium length multichapter fic

Word count: 30k

Rating: M

Warnings: Creator Chose Not to Use Archive Warnings 

Status: Complete

Times read: 1

Standout characters/aspects: Really fun combination of futuristic sci-fi, horror, canon, and ancient Egypt?

Notes: A bit less romance-y than plot-centered, but the way the story unfolds is really fascinating.

Hindsight by Cloudsmachinations

Original synopsis: “Yugi needs to wear glasses. Atem needs to calm the hell down.”

Type: Oneshot

Word count: 2.5k

Rating: T

Warnings: None 

Status: Complete

Times read: 3ish

Standout characters/aspects: I love an Atem that is down bad

Notes: So cute tbh

[james-sunshine-potter]

ykw what i find weird?

"aaron taylor johnson is my james with jily, but reiky is my james with jegulus"

firstly, fancast who you like. it quite literally doesn't affect me.

second, that's such a weird view to take. like someone else could probably do a better job articulating this, but this just doesn't sit right with me when people say that.

like... why can't you imagine poc james in a straight relationship?

idk, it just makes me feel weird when people say that. it's more common on tiktok...

tiktok has some weird ass takes

[possibilistfanfiction]

ava teasing bea about her short haircut growing too long

[turned out silly! god bless]

//

beatrice wanders out of your bedroom around 11, hums in thanks when you get up from the couch where you had been reading to fix her a cup of coffee. she had been up early to surf, like usual, then back to sleep after you had laughed at her drooping eyelids and kissed her soundly after she'd showered. it's not new, not really, but the war is finally over and it feels like a series of small miracles: to sit on the couch as the day warms; to watch the sun float to the middle of the sky after the marine layer burns off; for beatrice to sleep without nightmares, to curl up into your side with her cup of coffee and kiss your shoulder. things are quiet, quieter than they've ever been since you'd had a piece of metal shoved in your back and life roaring through your veins; since you had kissed beatrice, sure you were going to die; since she had kissed you through tears when you finally made it back.

it's normal, these days, for her to nap: even though she won't fully admit it, she's catching up on, like, a whole lifetime's worth of rest, you're pretty sure. and a whole lifetime's worth of pleasure too, which you are all too eager to experience with her: the smell of peonies in the spring, the burst of taste from the plucots from the farmer's market, the feel of her hand buried deep inside you. and then rest — a pleasure borne of safety, of comfort, of finally, finally, not feeling like she's going to die. like, in some way, she deserves to.

she sighs into your neck and you kiss the top of her head, settle your fingers there. 'your hair is getting long.'

she huffs, quietly and mostly for show, which makes you smile. she sits up and rearranges her limbs, still casual, still soft and unassuming in her boxers and her favorite hoodie. 'i know.'

'you growing it out?' she's actively pouting about it, but fun to ask anyway, just to see her frown sharpen.

'ugh. no.'

'so you're just... vibing with this? it's, like, very 2010 justin bieber. i'm into it, though, don't worry.'

it adds a blush to her pout, which is delightful. 'horrible.'

'mmm. harry styles, original the x factor audition? more british, just for you.'

'ava.'

you laugh.

'you think you're very funny, don't you?'

'i'm, like, the funniest person i know.'

'that's okay,' beatrice says, a little smile sneaking its way into the corners of her mouth — delighted enough to make you suspicious. you narrow your eyes just in time for her to say, completely seriously, 'because, you know, looks aren't everything.'

'wow.' you clutch a hand to your chest. 'this is a worse pain than any injury i've ever had. a blow to my soul, beatrice. my very soul.'

it's worth it all, just for her silly laugh, for the terrible wink she offers you, for her apology in the form of a forehead kiss, gentle and reverent. 'i don't think that's true.'

'obviously not,' you say. 'and, also, i know it's a lie. i'm hot as hell. actually, hotter. i would know.'

she sighs, exasperated and overwhelmingly fond.

you brush back bangs that fall into her eyes. 'what's up, then?'

'i —' she pauses, fiddles with the chain around her neck, picks at her fingernails until you take her hand and squeeze. 'i don't know. ptsd and executive dysfunction?'

'ahh. so, super fun in your head lately, huh?'

'i—i've told you,' she says, a little hesitant.

'oh, babe,' you say, scoot closer to her and offer your hands. 'i know. and i'm sorry. you know i understand.'

she nods.

'can i help? i can schedule an appointment with your barber; we can make a little evening of it, if you want. or we can totally just come back here after. you know i'm, like, a sucker for a fresh fade.'

she grants you a gentle smile, a real one, a little indulgent and just for you. 'i do know that.' she squeezes your hand. 'our sisters asked if they might come over later, actually. so, if you could help me make the appointment for late afternoon, then maybe we can have a pizza night afterward, or something.'

never in your wildest dreams a few years ago would you have dreamt of having a pizza night with a bunch of nuns, or ex-nuns — one of whom is your hot butch partner, the rest of whom are your family — but, 'fuck yeah. that sounds awesome.'

beatrice nods, straightening and focusing seriously. you hide a smile. 'okay, i can do it. make the appointment.'

'you can.' you rub her back. 'or i can.'

she gets out her phone, opens her texts. there are... a lot of unopened messages, and you make a mental note to go through them with her tomorrow, but she scrolls to her barber's contact and sends off an extremely polite and perfectly punctuated text, and, like, god, you love her.

'okay, well, can we, like, make a music video or something with this hair before we go or something?'

'no.'

you scramble to follow when she stands up — lithe and graceful and powerful; you're still undeterred. 'what about a video in the car? taylor swift gay love interest?'

'oh, and you're taylor swift in this scenario?'

'you love her. i know it. speak now is like your favorite album of all time.'

'it certainly isn't.'

you follow her into your bedroom, just for fun, and nod when she tells you that her barber is available in an hour.

'hmm. 1989?'

she gives you a muffled sigh from the closet as you flop back onto the bed, and you smile up at the ceiling. her favorite taylor swift album is red, and you know it for a fact, but that's okay; you'll let her keep her silly secrets for now.

she emerges in a men's sage green linen co-ord set, slouchy and perfect, and pristine white sneakers, and holds out her hand. 'lunch?'

you pop up and lace your fingers with hers.

/

beatrice orders six pizzas, all different kinds from the sourdough pizzeria nearby, which you try to tell her is too many, but she's still a little anxious about things so you let her have it; you can eat leftovers and force camila and yasmine to bring some back to mother superion anyway. beatrice also sets the table outside, which is one hundred percent ridiculous, but it's cute so you just tell her it looks nice and put the whole stack of pizza boxes in the middle. there's a whoosh and sulfur and then mary, lilith, camila, and yasmin are dusting themselves off in your living room. you hug them all tight, compliment mary's freshly done braids and camila's t-shirt, yasmine's new earrings. you make it a point to annoy lilith with as many pick up lines as possible until she just walks away from you to skulk around on the patio while you get everyone wine or beer, but she takes the glass of a beautiful chardonnay she and beatrice like with a small, genuine smile.

'your hair looks nice, beatrice,' camila says, digging into her slice of pizza once you're all sitting around the table.

beatrice steels herself for a moment, and you all know she's still working through everything: a lifetime of trauma, from her parents, the church, a holy war. 'thank you,' she says, soft and sure, and you share a smile with camila.

'yes,' lilith says, and beatrice is mid-eyeroll when lilith contines: 'very love island boy.'

there's a brief pause and then mary is delightedly and loudly laughing, beatrice is blushing up to her ears, and it doesn't take long until the entire table dissolves into giggles.

'oh my god,' camila says, 'let's have a love island party!'

'it is summer,' yasmine agrees.

'i'm ordering you a waterbottle, right now,' mary says, phone in hand.

beatrice groans and looks to you, exasperated and adorable. 'better than justin bieber, at least.'

you grin, put your hand on the back of her neck, run your fingers along the grain of her buzzed hair until it fades neatly into the short top, where it's always inevitably, and fashionably, a little messy. 'i'd crack on and then couple up with you every trip to the firepit, if that's what you're asking.'

'i'm leaving,' she says. 'i'm on a journey of self-discovery, and you're all the worst,' but it's all posturing: she laughs and eats her pizza and is apparently swayed into actually having a love island party next weekend by your promise of wearing your tiniest bikini for it.

a few days later, a package does arrive on your front porch, and you almost snort seltzer through your nose laughing so hard when beatrice opens it to find a water bottle with her name on it in bright pink, curly font.