#give me a timeline cowards

[the-hot-kettle-cafe]

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[hopedefined]

Name: Anna Marie "Rogue" Lebeau

Nickname(s): does 'anna' technically count as a nickname discuss

Relationship Status: polyamorous, married to two primary partners

Gender: cis woman

Romantic Orientation: bisexual & biromantic

Preferred Pet Names: lover, darlin', sugar, baby

Opinion on True Love: spent too long pushin' it away an' now I'll fight for every moment we've got left

Opinion on Love at First Sight: look, she likes to think she was always too practical to believe in it outside of storybooks. however. it must be love is one of the first things remy ever said to her and if someone has ever made her believe, it's him

How ‘Romantic’ Are They?: I don't think it's any secret that she's a romantic at heart. full romantic, oil-painted covers and hallmark movies and all. I love you at the drop of a hat, pet names, just because kind of romantic. anna marie spent a long time pushing that down as something she would only ever experience through fiction, and reaching a point where she's able to express it is something she'll never take for granted.

Ideal Physical Traits: strong, longer hair, great ass

Ideal Personality Traits: quick-witted, affectionate, loyal, funny, adventurous

Unattractive Physical Traits: lack of hygiene, I guess? not a huge fan of scales. uhhh.

Unattractive Personality Traits: selfish, immoral, boring, wishy-washy

Ideal Date: if we're talking a go out and kinda date? dancing, racing, horseback riding--a shared experience that can get a little bit of adrenaline up. she's also a sucker for simple, sweet things like picnics and lazy movie nights.

Do They Have a Type?: canonically--

Average Relationship Length: the major ones were complicated and on-and-off-again enough that it really depends on how you count. even if she'd had the chance, though, she's never been the type for one night stands or quick flings with strangers. don't get me wrong, she's a flirt. but she doesn't do intimacy halfway.

Preferred Non-Sexual Intimacy: casual touch (wouldn't you glut yourself on it, after everything?). domesticity--the amount this woman treasures being able to wake up and brush her teeth and feed the cats and have to go to home depot for light bulbs with her partners is insane. conversation. getting better at communication has been a journey for anna, but it means so much to her when she trusts in it.

Commitment Level: high. if she cares about you, it's deep and constant even if she is sometimes too willing to believe that that love and trust was misplaced.

Opinion of Public Affection: in almost all circumstances if anna marie had her way she and her partners would be the living embodiment of the IS THIS ALLOWED vine. luckily she does in fact care about not setting a bad example for students and can be convinced to give a shit about the innocent eyes of other onlookers. mostly.

Past Relationships?: almost entirely might-have-beens. cody, wade, robert...magneto is arguably the most serious relationship she had pre-settling down™️

tagged by: @thwipsthrown tagging: @backwaterscum @asoulofstars @ficklefables @amischiefofmuses

[fullscoreshenanigans]

Sorry but this wouldn't leave my mind

This makes sense! I could also see #1 being the answer on the grounds of "no one is actually going to read this, just let them have it. (@punching-unicorns via replies)

To be fair to them, I default to this being true for the majority of the children lol

I'm not sure how thorough the vetting process is for library books, considering that the Morse code messages made it in without any trouble, although maybe the Ratris were able to circumvent any official processes like that.

It's lax enough where Ray had a general idea of what leisure entertainment electronics to request from Isabella and Norman could reasonably discern where the various components of the deactivator originated from.

(Chapter 28)

But also regulated enough where they aren't granted access to post-secondary medical texts for whatever reason (the perverse side of Shirai's sentiment for the children to maintain their "whiteness"/"lightness" given that it's done to uphold an illusion they're never intended to break free of)

(2020 Exhibition Interview)

And then a tangent for the Morse but in the case of the Grace Field escapees, it also helps that James has been dead for fourteen years by the time they notice it, and there's only one other group of kids that ever managed to successfully escape a premium farm over a decade prior.

(Mystic Code Book Chapter 7)

They might have been more discerning and thorough if anything similar had happened within the current incarnation of Grace Field and the supporters were a larger and more active threat.

It also works with my headcanon that demon leadership at the farms tends to cut corners in support of shorter-term results without really thinking about longer-term downstream effects. It's a little off-topic, but I struggle to understand how they thought generations of selectively cultivating the smartest possible humans wouldn't eventually lead to their downfall. I guess that was where sister/mom training was supposed to come in and disenfranchise anyone who lived that long.

All of this speaks beautifully to the series' commentary on capitalism. I wouldn't call it off-topic at all with how it adds to the hubris and entitlement of the upper echelons of demon society.

I originally was thinking about this because I wasn't sure how realistic it would be for anyone to use "blasphemous" swears and I want the fanfics in my head to be reasonably canon-compliant, but then that led me to more fundamental worldbuilding kinds of questions.

I fucking love the kids swearing debate with how the anime only gets a TV-14 rating in the US because Don, Norman, and Ray say "dammit" and "dumbass" dfjksdjfkj

Like I'm 100% confident none of the texts in Grace Field's library have the word "cunt" in them (maybe Isabella's personal study, but I'm assuming that's off limits to the kids), but it might crop up in texts in the bunker. "Fuck" and its variants are definitely present there.

I had a feeling you would have references and receipts to support either interpretation!

😎👍

Something I've been thinking about recently- do you think the libraries at the farms had religious texts? I'm of two minds about it.

1) They seem like books that libraries would generally have anyway, and other books probably have religious references such that the kids would want to know what the reference Is. It's enrichment.

2) I could see the higher-ups wanting to reduce any potential risks (anywhere from arbitrary rule-making that affects the kids to an uprising that affects leadership), and I just have a really hard time with the idea that along with all the other books in the GF library, Ray read an entire Bible before he was 12. Like in a series full of fantastic images and feats, that's where my suspension of disbelief ends.

Back half of #2 is killing me thanks klfdjkl

I'm inclined to go with #1 though.

"The Day Emma Cried" story from the first light novel gives us the greatest insight into the scope of Grace Field library's offerings. There's multiple books on philosophy, and unlike the medical texts, there's no caveat regarding their contents. This could be due to finding a cure for Norman's bout of illness being the focus of the story so the range is immaterial in the moment.

(Chapter 17)

But between that, Alex's book, and the mythology book that Ray admitted to not fully understanding, unaltered religious texts seem reasonable. The demons are confident enough with Grace Field's geographical layout and crude (per Ray) tracking technology that any risk associated with them is negligible. The vast majority of children never reach the age where they would be perceived as capable of taking what they read and using it as a rallying cry to mount an uprising in the plants, and the small number of girls who did live past their preteen years almost entirely had the fight snuffed out of them by the harrowing conditions of headquarters.

(Chapter 23)

We also have the kids bowing their heads and giving thanks at every meal. It's not an action limited to Christianity, but with Shirai purposely choosing a European setting for the beginning of the story due to feeling it lent itself better to anachronism, it's not a huge leap to think they associate it with some understanding of that faith. Isabella could cite the text as an explanation for why they do these things or any references in books they don't understand and offer them access to it, with the expectation most children wouldn't be interested enough to extensively delve into it.

[icarusredwings]

Getting deep into the x men fandom means seeing ships I don't agree with, so I don't interact, seeing posts that mischaraterizes one of the deepest charaters possible, so I don't interact, Seeing people actively say things that are blatantly wrong, so I don't interact.

Getting a large following is also kind of frustrating (Im not complaining I love you guys!) But I've had to block 2 people already today because they keep leaving rude replies to my comments on OTHER peoples posts or purposly come to my blog to tell me that how I view a charater is wrong. Had someone tell me that the stuff that happens in MY au is dumb because "that would never happen" like yeah bud. The writers at Marvel are too much of cowards for it to happen, hence why i'm here.

So my thing is... if im chosing not to interact with all of this- why is it still on my feed?

I feel like the more I ignore it the more I see and I do not wish to be the type to block someone simply because they make one post about a ship that personally isn't my cup of tea.

Also- I think Im starting to see the different sides of extremes, especially when it comes to one specifc charater.

Logan.

I have seen dozens of lovely stories, lovely rants, lovely head canons about this man-

But something that feels weird (to me at least) is people who are 45+ yelling at people who aren't even 18 that their story/headcanons are trash because they've "been enjoying Logan for 40+ years" as if this gives them any right to tell a 17 year old that they shouldnt write a charater how they see them.

It's also weird to me that there seems to be two sides.

Logan IS an animal and that's perfectly okay.

Or

Logan ISN'T an animal, and everyone who headcanons him as animalistic is fetishizing his mutation and are insulting him.

I get not liking a certain trope, but sir, that person is young enough to be your child. You have to accept that we all grew up with different versions of each charater. I Personally didn't grow up with any and get the luxury of indulging in all sorts of media all at once- therefore getting to see him from multiple sides and pictures.

I completely understand if you grew up with the original series and are upset to see that kids are headcanoning your stone cold angst biker man as wearing bow clips and 'making biscuits' on a pillow while watching gilmore girl with his boyfriend, and wearing pink fluffy hello kitty pants and a tight shirt that says "Milk"

I completely understand if you grew up with the movies and see him as a sexy gruff hot buff man and you love to write lots and lots of steamy x reader about him.

I completely understand if you LIKE logan wearing hello kitty pants and don't agree with the idea of him being a dark edgelord, lone wolf charater.

Do you know what I don't understand? Fighting over a charater when different timelines have been canon since the 80s. The Time Variance Authority (TVA) first appeared in Thor #372 (October 1986) which means ALL of your logans are the correct logan. Just not all the same.

Do I think Wolverine Orgins Logan would wear pink hello kitty pants? Nah.

Do I know that Deadpool and wolverine Logan is a whole different universe then Orgins Logan? Yes.

That's why people tag different logans and different aus. So what is all the fuss about?? What happened to the more the merrier?

Theres so many different versions of comic book logan, too, so don't even go there.

Feel free to ask my personal opinions but as far as I stand I could never be foolish enough to seriously go into someone elses post and genuinely be upset at them for how they perceive a charater. I get second hand embaressment when ever I see ANYONE doing it.

Thanks for coming to my ted talk. I don't care if I lose followers for this. Let the door hit you on the way out. There aint no reason to be harrassing folks.

[larluce]

Arthur and Merlin travel back in time without knowing the other is from the future too AU

Tagging @virgil-wannabe since you asked for a PART 3 ;)

LINKS TO THE OTHER PARTS OF THIS AU HERE: PART1 , PART 2 , PART3 (you're here) , PART4

In "The Dragon's Call"

Arthur: (bulling a servant for the third time just so Merlin meets him again)

Merlin: (appearing out of nowhere) You, oppressor!

Arthur: (thinking) finally

Merlin: (thinking) Wait, that's not my line.

Arthur: (thinking and barely containing himself from crying, running to Merlin and hugging him and kissing him right there) He’s just as beautiful as the day I lost him 🥺🤧

Merlin: (thinking in panic) He isn’t saying anything. Why isn’t he saying anything?! 😰😖

Merlin: Is that the way you treat your servants? You are a... a prat! and...and an ass!

Arthur:...

Merlin: (thinking) please say something, please say something, please say something.

Arthur: (coughs, just realising he's been staring for too long) You're right I was being mean. My apologies.

Merlin: ... wait what? 😧

In "The Poisoned Chalice"

Merlin: (ready to use a spell to make Arthur drop his cup)

Arthur: (dropping it on purpose) Oh, clumsy of me, I droped it.

Merlin: (to himself) What? But I didn't use the spell yet. (Looks at his hands) Or did I?... Ugh, whatever (picking up the cup) Hey, Gaius! What's that? (Pointing at the flower petal inside the cup)

Gaius: It's poison! Someone tried to poison the prince!

Arthur: (faking surprise) what? Really?

Merlin: (faking surprise too) I can't believe it!

In "Lancelot"

Merlin: He would make an excelent knight. He saved my life.

Arthur: (full panic mode) what?! When?! Are you okay?!

Merlin: (confused) ...yeah? The grif-I mean, the winged beast attacked me when-

Arthur: The griffin attacked you?! (Checks him) Why didn't you tell me?! Are you hurt?!

Merlin: (still shocked but blushing due to Arthur's sudden attention and closeness) Ahm... you didn't ask? And Lancelot stopped the beast before it could hurt me, so you don't have to worry.

Arthur: (swallowing his guilt for not asking in his other timeline)... Right. From now on you tell when these things happen, do you understand?

Merlin: Yes, sire.

Arthur: Good. (Lets go of Merlin realizing he's being holding him for too long) Well, as thankful as I am to Lancelot for saving you, I can't knight him if he isn't a noble. That's the code.

Merlin: I know but-

Arthur: So I'll give him another job in the castle and when I'm king I'll gladly consider knighting him if he's still interested.

Merlin: (more than surprised) You will?

Arthur: (nods) Is that all?

Merlin: Yes... (smiles) thank you

Arthur: (smiles) Anytime, Merlin. (leaves)

Merlin: (looking Arthur leave with hearteyes) 😍... wait. How did he know what the beast was called?😨

In "Excalibur"

Merlin: (debating with himself if he should let Arthur fight the Black Knight this time around or let Uther do it again)

Arthur: (arriving) Merlin.

Merlin: (utterly surprised) You are here! 😱

Arthur: Of course I'm here. You thought I would withdraw? I'm not a coward, Merlin.

Merlin: No! I'm just... surprised Uther let you.

Arthur: He did try to drug me to stop me from coming. (Looks at Excalibur in Merlin's hands, recognizing it) Where did you get that?

Merlin: Oh... I just thought... you would need a new sword for this. So I asked Tom to make it for you.

Arthur: You got it made... for me?

Merlin: Yes. (Thinking) Please use it, please use it, please use it.

Arthur: (holding the sword) It's good. Thank you.

Merlin: (blushing, still not used to Arthur thanking everything he does) I'm just doing my job. There's no need to-

Arthur: There’s every need. (Touching his shoulder fondly and smiling) Thank you, Merlin. For thinking of me.

Merlin: (screaming inside)

[jaycewrites-192000]

In Every Timeline [Chapter One]

Taglist- @ameliabs-world

(If anyone else wants to be tagged, just let me know ^w^)

A young girl at the age of ten, makes her way home from school. She didn’t live too far away from her school, so she didn’t mind the walk to and back. In fact, she found herself enjoying the walks. It gave her some alone time, some time to herself, some time to think.

It was nice.

Unfortunately, it wouldn’t last long. Today, some middle schoolers decided to give her a hard time. She was stopped by two older boys, each of them trying to come off as intimidating.

“You lost little girl?”

“Where’s your little friends? Or, maybe…Don’t tell me you’re one of those friendless geeks!”

“I bet! Just look at her!”

She inwardly sighs at their attempts at scaring her and hurting her feelings. Though, what they said wasn’t entirely wrong. She really didn’t have any friends. It was hard to make friends at her school. Or rather, it was hard for her to make friends. She just gave up after a while.

She wasn’t sad about it or anything. She was doing just fine.

“Can you please get out of my way?” She finally speaks.

“Huh? Trying to order us around pipsqueak!?”

“Annoying little brat! We outta reach you a lesson!”

The two took a step closer to her. This time the sigh left her. She wasn’t a great fighter. She was only ten after all. But she did deal with her fair share of bullies, and she was able to take care of them on her own.

This was no different. Just two dumb bullies in her way.

The first one raised his fist and aimed it towards her face. She quickly dodged before deliver a punch of her own to his stomach. She wasn’t sure if he was actually hurt from it, or if it was just shock that made him stumble back. But she didn’t waste time as she did the same to the other, this time, kicking him in the gut as hard as she could.

“Damn you!”

The girl quickly tried running past them, but was grabbed by the arm and yanked back.

“Hold her still.”

One of the boys cracked his knuckles as he spoke. “We were just gonna let you go with a light slap on the wrist. But now you’re gonna get it! How would you like a few broken bones!?”

Just as he said this, fast approaching footsteps could be heard. And before she knew it, the one threatening to harm her was being kicked in the head. He was sent to the ground roughly, unconscious.

Standing above him, was a boy around her age. With a bored expression, he turned to the one holding her. “How lame. Picking on a little girl.” He muttered before rushing towards him. He jumped up into the air, and delivered the same devastating kick he dealt the first one.

He landed with ease, and turned to face the girl. “You alright?” He asks. The girl blinks before nodding her head. “Ok. See ya.” The boy says before starting to walk off.

“Wait a second!”

The boy stopped when she called for him. “What?” He asks. “How…How did you do that?” She asks him. “Do what?” The boy tilts his head. “The flying kick you just did!” The girl says, pointing back to the still unconscious middle schoolers.

“Oh that.” The boy says, placing his hands in his pockets. “I take martial arts classes with my grandpa.” He explains. “Can I do it too?” Her question confused him.

“Where is your grandpa’s dojo? I wanna take lessons too.”

“What? No way, you totally suck at fighting. It’d be a waste of time.” He says with a frown. The girl furrows her brows. “I do not!” She argues.

“I saw you trying to fight back against those guys. You barely left a mark on them. Then you tried to run away like a coward.”

“But there were two of them!”

“Which is why you shouldn’t have tried fighting them. Especially if you don’t know how to fight in the first place.”

“Then isn’t that even more of a reason to let me practice at the dojo? Then I can do those cool kicks like you do and I won’t have to worry about guys like that again.”

The boy sighs and starts walking away again. “No way. It would take you forever to get on my level.” The girl followed after him. “Like I said! That’s more of a reason why I should take lessons!”

“I already said no. And stop following me!”

“Not until you tell me where the dojo is!”

“No!”

This kind of back and forth between the two would go on for at least a week after that. It was by some stroke of luck that the boy went to the same school as her. So, she’d make sure to follow after him and try her best to convince him to let her take lessons with him.

But every time, he turned her down.

One day, she decided to follow him without him knowing. Sure it was creepy, but she was only doing it to find out where he was taking martial arts classes. After that, and after applying to join, she’d leave him alone. By then, she would have done what she had sought out to accomplish.

Her plan had proved to be successful, as she trailed him to the dojo. She waited for the boy to go inside before waiting outside. She didn’t mind the wait. It would be worth it if she could learn how to fight like him.

“What are you doing out here?”

The girl looks to her left, there stood a young man with jet black hair. A cigarette hung loose from his lips, and even from where she stood, she could smell a hint of motor oil off his clothes.

“I’m waiting.” She answers simply, causing the man to raise an eyebrow. “Waiting for…?”

The girl looks up at the dojo. “I wanna learn how to fight. But that dummy won’t let me!” She pouts. “What dummy?” Asked the man. The girl opened her mouth, only for it to fall close again. What…was that boy’s name?

“Uh. He’s short, and has blonde hair. And he does really cool kicks.”

“Oh, Manjiro?” The man asks. “You friends with him?” The girl shakes her head with a frown. “I don’t like him! He’s a jerk! He said it would be a waste of time for me to learn how to fight. I’m not good at it, sure, but that doesn’t mean I can’t learn!”

The man nods. “I agree.” He says before taking one last puff of his cigarette, then tossing on the ground and stepping on it. “I’m sorry about my little brother. He can be a pain sometimes.” Brother? This guy is that jerk’s brother? But he seems really nice.

“My name is Shinichiro Sano. Who are you?”

“Y/n L/n.”

The two talked for a while before the doors of the dojo opened, letting some kids out. Among them, was Manjiro and some other boy he was talking to. Manjiro seemed to have noticed Y/n, as an annoyed look crossed his face. “You again.”

“Who’s that?” Asked the taller boy with him. “Some brat.” Manjiro answers. “Hey!” Y/n scowls. “Manjiro, why don’t you think Y/n can take lessons here?” Asked Shinichiro. “Cause she sucks.” Manjiro says, as if Shinichiro should already know. “She’ll just get herself hurt.”

“Hm. I think that’s a great reason to let her try.” Said Shinichiro. “What do you think Baji?” The other boy hummed. “I guess? I mean, couldn’t hurt.”

“I’ll talk to Gramps about letting you take lessons.” Shinichiro tells Y/n, making her grin. “Thank you!” She beams.

Manjiro rolled his eyes. “Whatever.” He says as he walks ahead. Baji gives Y/n a small wave before hurrying after him. “Hmph. Jerk.” Y/n mutters, watching Manjiro leave. “Don’t worry.” Shinichiro starts.

“He’ll get use to you soon.”

Luck must have been on Y/n’a side. Shinichiro’s grandfather accepted her into the dojo, and lessons began right away. And just as Shinichiro said, Manjiro, or “Mikey” as he liked to be referred to, slowly got use to her being around.

But he was still a bit of a jerk.

As for Shinichiro, he couldn’t be sweeter. Y/n really grew attached to him, she would go as far to say he was like an older brother to her. That gave her even more of a reason to show up for lessons.

Y/n became friends with Emma as well, she was really nice to her when they met. Y/n was hesitant at first, but slowly opened up to her. Whenever Y/n wasn’t taking lessons, she was hanging out with Emma.

As for Mikey, he too eventually grew more comfortable with Y/n. Turns out she wasn’t completely hopeless after all. At some point, those two set aside their little dislike of each other, and became pretty good friends.

Y/n would get to hang out with him and his friends, in time, becoming friends with them as well. And being the only girl in a group of boys, their behavior and mannerisms rubbed off on Y/n. Among the group she had to admit, Ken, or Draken, was her favorite.

He was surprisingly mature for his age, only being beat by Mitsuya. And that was only by a little. As for the others though, they were just a bunch of boys. But back to Draken-

There was a point where Y/n had grown to see him as an older brother. He was nice but could get stern if he needed to. And he was a great protector. Y/n could understand why Emma liked him so much.

Y/n would have saved that big brother title for Shinichiro, as he was a great brother to the Sano kids. But honestly, she saw him as more than that. She'd go as far to say, he was almost like a father figure to her.

It was just Y/n and her mom back home, as she and her husband divorced a couple years ago.

Shinichiro kind of filled that emptiness that Y/n's dad left her with. He was always so caring, always looked out for her, always wanted to know how she was doing. He’d even let her hang out at the shop while he worked. It was quite the sight. He was so focused, and he did his job well.

He was just the coolest.

Y/n really cared about each and every single one of them. Which is why, it was all the more difficult when she had to say goodbye.

Mikey had noticed Y/n's behavior had changed lately. Y/n was less talkative, less active. She didn’t want to do much of anything with anyone. It was weird. So of course, he decided to confront her about it.

He caught Y/n on the way to Shinichiro’s shop.

“You’re acting weird. More than usual. What’s going on?” He asks. Y/n shrugged. “It’s nothing.” Mikey rolled his eyes. “You expect me to believe that? Tell me.” Y/n suddenly stop walking, Mikey did as well. “Well?” He pries.

Y/n's shoulders began to tremble, soft sniffles came from her as tears filled her eyes. Mikey was slightly surprised by this. She never cried in front of him, or anyone, before. “Y/n?”

“I’m moving away.”

“What?”

Y/n wipe away her tears, sniffling before repeating herself. “I said, I’m moving away. Away from Tokyo, away from Japan all together.”

“Why?” Mikey asks, trying to ignore that funny feeling in his chest. “It’s because of my mom’s work. We’re leaving in a week.” Y/n tells him. Mikey fell silent, the only thing that could be heard was her sniffles and soft cries.

Everyone found out eventually, and they were just as upset as Y/n was. But there wasn’t anything anyone could do. She was leaving, and she didn’t know when, or if, she'd be back.

Ok! First chapter done! Chapter two is already in the works as this is being published, so hopefully you guys will get to read chapter two soon.

I hope you all enjoy this series!

[lilacs-stars]

the rise of red ending we deserved…

okay so hear me out, I was thinking of an alternate ending to rise of red, since the one we got was highly questionable (at best)

so red and chloe go back in time, stop bridget from turning evil, all that stuff right. and then once they come back to the opening ceremony, the queen of hearts does her little card trick and up to this point, everything’s the same.

then red approaches her, happy that their mission worked, and she’s like “mom?” and the queen of hearts turns around to face her, crinkles her brow and goes “oh, I’m sorry, have we met before?”

at the same time, chloe sees her mother’s still alive so she runs up to her to give her a hug. but cinderella turns around, confused, and says, “excuse me? do I know you?” chloe is like “wait what do you mean, I’m your daughter.” and cinderella is obviously shocked, and she’s like “I don’t have a daughter.”

AND THEN the queen of hearts walks over to cinderella, holds her hand, and says, “darling, do you know these two?” to which cinderella shakes her head no.

so basicallyy, since the prank never happened, bridget and ella went to castlecoming as planned and everything. I mean sure, ella danced with charming, but because bridget didn’t get cold and angry and never pushed ella away after that night, like she would have in the original timeline, ella and bridget remained close friends. they relied on each other, with bridget helping ella through her tough family life and ella protecting bridget from uliana.

so they grew up super close and finally, when they’re adults, got married. the movie ends with the realization that now that the prank never happened, neither red nor chloe were ever born.

and then this perfectly sets up the next movie, because red and chloe have to decide what to do. I mean they don’t even exist in this timeline anymore, their own mothers don’t remember them. but the only other option would be to go back in time and make sure bridget becomes evil, but then would it be worth sentencing her to a miserable life of hatred and loneliness, when she has everything she wants now with ella?

guys disney should have done this if they WERENT COWARDS, I mean c’mon it would’ve set up the perfect plot for d5. anyways this is just a silly little headcannon of mine hehe :))

(can you tell I absolutely love this ship? like glasshearts is good, but bridget x ella [is there a ship name for them? if there is please tell me I need to know] will forever be my otp in this fandom. like they would’ve been so good together, ella would have given bridget the world 😭 I actually NEED a scene of the queen of hearts and cinderella singing and dancing to “so this is love” like ella and charming did in the beginning of the movie. disney PLEASE IM BEGGING YOU—)

[siriusblack-the-third]

Matching Misfortunes: Peter Pevensie

I binged read and watched the Narnia books and films, and idk what possessed me but I wrote. so. Let's go. Please check out the other parts for the other siblings!

.

Peter’s skin itches.

He heaves even breaths through his nose as he leans back to avoid the sloppy punch Easton throws at him, and stops himself from going for the throat for the third time in half as many seconds.

This is the fourth fight he has gotten himself dragged into since term began on Monday. It is Wednesday today, and Peter’s blood pounds in his ears, through his limbs and his flexing fingers as he holds back; doesn’t hit hard, doesn’t go for the liver or the heart or the head, does not give into the bloodlust that whispers siren songs of battle and blood-covered blades in his ears. He stops himself, clenching his fists and dodging the abysmal hits from the three boys that surround him, and refuses to lift a hand against these insolent children.

He is a King.

He is a boy stuck in a schoolyard brawl he did not start.

Peter’s skin itches.

He wants to claw it off— he imagines that this is what snakes must feel when their body gets much too big for their scales, and they have to go through the painful process of shedding their outer layer and come out stronger and larger. He suppresses a grim twist of his lips as he kicks out— harmlessly, wrestling against the lust that sings a song of death in his ears— at that idiot Michael’s knee to send him sprawling to the ground with a yelp, and thinks that what he went through was rather the opposite, really. He grew up, and then was forced into a body too unfamiliar, too awkward, too inexperienced. Too young.

He was a King.

He is a boy stuck in a body too unscarred to be a King’s.

Kenneth lunges forward to try and grab him around the waist. Peter easily steps out of the way, the part of him that is a seasoned warrior clawing to the forefront of his mind simply to scoff at the graceless flailing of limbs that these children call fighting. Lucy could do better.

Lucy did do better, twelve years ago. Or maybe it was five years ago.

The timelines blur together, in his mind; he can no longer tell whether he is in England or Narnia. He is wearing his school uniform and he is wearing his royal garments, he is walking the halls of Westbrook County Boarding School and he is walking the halls of Cair Paravel. He holds the blunted school practice broadsword in his hand and he holds the razor-sharp Rhindon in his calloused hands, he is a boy and he is a King.

“Fight back,” Easton snarls, dark brown hair falling out of its previously carefully styled place, and Peter thinks of how he has seen scarier Mice dig their teeth into the throats of Minotaurs and suck them dry of blood. He blinks, and the image of him sinking his own teeth into Easton’s throat flashes across his mind’s eye. He blinks again, and he’s back on this makeshift battleground where the mice are gone and his sword is gone and he is in clothes too uncomfortable and the skin is stretched taut over a body that is not really his—

“Fight back, Pevensie, you coward!”

High King Peter the Magnificent of Narnia, Commander of the Armies, Emperor of the Lone Islands, the Lionheart Warrior King, Protector of the People, wants to grab him by the throat and shatter his jaw into a thousand pieces for that grave insult upon his character. Instead, he laughs in his face and sticks out his tongue, like a small child.

He is nineteen, and he is thirty-three. He is not a child, in either world.

Sometimes, he wishes he was. Sometimes, he wishes he was thirteen and in his mother’s home, he wishes he had never left for Professor Diggory’s mansion.

Most times, however, he wishes for something he has almost given up hope for, something he was forced to give up five and a half years ago. He wishes, oh so dearly, for a faithful sword made of mithril in his hand and a heavy crown woven out of golden flowers on his head. He wishes for one last chance to step out of this world that was once his but no longer is, and into a world where he was once High King Peter the Magnificent, Commander of the Armies, Emperor of the Lone Islands, the Lionheart Warrior King, First of the Beloved Four, Protector of the Narnian People.

Easton yells as he lumbers forward, and Peter, too embroiled in old memories of running his fingers through the unicorn Ethrys’ snow-white mane while galloping through grassy fields, does not see the punch coming until it is too late. The loud smack of knuckles against flesh echoes through the school courtyard, and the impact of the heavy fist on his cheek is like an electric shock to his senses.

For a second, he blinks dazedly. And then his brain registers it properly. The pain flares, and with it so does blinding hot bloodlust.

‘Fine,’ he thinks as he lifts a hand to wrap his fingers around Easton’s forearm in a death grip, a high-pitched whistle echoing in his ears and red creeping into the edges of his vision as it zeroes in on the many weaknesses in the three boys’ defenses. ‘You want a fight? You’ll get one.’

It takes him four seconds to get the three imbeciles on their backs, one howling in pain from a dislocated shoulder, the other because of a broken nose and the third from a bruised kidney. His fingers flex around the hilt of a sword that he no longer owns, and he reminds himself that he is not allowed to kill, not in this world where he is not a King and does not lead wars.

He stares down at Easton, the image of a blood covered sword and a slain warrior at his feet flashing behind his eyelids when he blinks. He opens his eyes and the boy stares back, hand clutching his shoulder and face becoming paler and paler the longer Peter holds his terrified brown gaze.

“Don’t bother me again,” he says flatly to the three of them, and turns away, ignoring the teachers that are hurrying across the lawn with yells of his name tumbling from their lips. He lifts his gaze and locks it with Edmund’s for a second, brilliant blue meeting identical brilliant blue, before both of them turn away. One royal brother melts into the crowd of students without a whisper, and the other stalks off towards the dorms with blood on his ever-bruised knuckles and memories of a different world singing through the veins of a body that is too young for the mind it contains.

He is a King, celebrated and honoured for his services to a hallowed land.

He is a mere boy sitting on the roof of the boarding school, fingers flexing around the hilt of a sword that no longer belongs to him, nothing more than a memory he cannot let go of: a memory he refuses to let go of even after five and a half years.

[goingbuggy]

Good morrow my shuggy liege!

I was pondering if I should or shouldn’t ask but I hope it will not be too much bother to answer

It’s about one of your metas about the love and sacrifice Beautifully written I must say but reading through it again made me wondering how does buggy fall into the sacrifice themes of one piece?

It pains me to admit that once I’ve read 1082 I had many different feelings and one of them thought of buggy sacrifice as quite selfish in a way? Don’t get me wrong I’m sure came from him believing in shanks and the love he had for the boy! It just it felt in a way like he was burdening shanks with his own dreams

I’m happy he finally got the courage to follow his own path It’s beautiful and inspiring I just wonder if my interpretation is coming from anxiety or is actually true? Thank you and I’m sorry to sending this on anon

Hello, anon! Thank you for your kind words about my metas. Before I answer your question about where Buggy might fit into the wider themes of One Piece -- like sacrifice -- I think I should address your interpretation of 1082's events and compare them with mine.

I can understand why someone might conclude that Buggy's faith in Shanks is a burden of sorts, and ultimately selfish; after all, Shanks never asked for the weight of Buggy's expectations, and you could argue that Buggy's plan was to live out his dreams vicariously through Shanks. However, I think that there are some key points which entirely re-frame the situation.

Buggy didn't actually tell Shanks about what he did.

This isn't explicitly confirmed by the manga, but based on 1082's events and Shanks/Buggy's relationship timeline going forward, I can definitely make a strong case for their miscommunication in this regard.

Although we have Buggy's narration in 1082 to guide us through his flashback and enlighten us with his true feelings about Shanks, remember -- it's an internal monologue. The only thing Shanks knows is what Buggy tells him, and what Buggy tells him is not the full story. Look at this series of panels to see what I mean.

We have a very important contrast here -- Buggy's thoughts ("You're not the next generation's king?! I misjudged you, Shanks!" / "Don't you care about following in Captain Roger's footsteps?!"), versus what he actually says. ("You coward!" / "It's your fault I lost that treasure map!")

In classic Buggy fashion, we see him deflect from the truth; instead of explaining how much he believed in Shanks' potential, he brings up a petty grudge and insults Shanks out of disappointment, hurt, and anger/frustration. Nowhere do we see Buggy explicitly tell Shanks what/why he gave up. And this miscommunication is not only the heart of Buggy's sacrifice, but the exact reason why they split in the first place: Shanks did not tell Buggy what made him change his mind about going to Laughtale, and Buggy did not tell Shanks about his decision/dream.

I think this is key to understanding the way they navigate their interactions later down the line, in Marineford. Remember: Shanks believes that they split due to the whole map ordeal, which is not only a relatively lighthearted grudge to hold, but also very confusing from Shanks' perspective.

I love the curt answer he gives here, because it really reflects Shanks' limited understanding of what actually transpired between them that fateful day at Loguetown. Thus, it's also understandable why Shanks acts the way he does at Marineford. I highly doubt Shanks would be so casual if he knew Buggy's real reasons for parting ways. Hell, their split was so important to Shanks that he still remembers Buggy's gripe about the map 20+ years later -- and even uses the promise of one to draw Buggy back into rehashing things between them. (The anime expands on Shanks' confusion/limited understanding even more, but because we're dealing with the manga only, I'm not going to reference those added scenes.)

This interaction can seem quite confusing, but place it in the wider context I've just proposed, and it makes a lot more sense. Something fundamental has permanently shifted between them, but Shanks does not understand the gravity -- nor the real reason -- behind that change. And yet again, Buggy perpetuates this cycle of miscommunication by not telling him.

So, now that I've argued why I believe Buggy didn't tell Shanks about his true dream/decision to give up on said dream, why is it so important?

Well, this leads to my second point.

2. Buggy is a character primarily motivated by greed.

This statement does not need to be argued; it's as explicit as can be, because it has been well-established by Oda. In fact, it's very likely to be what people remember best about Buggy's character, in the midst of the massive narrative that One Piece has become. (I will touch upon this later, because this is exactly why I view Buggy's sacrifice as so impactful to the reader.)

Now, my last point:

3. Buggy is terrible at hiding his true intentions.

Buggy usually makes it quite obvious what he's hiding through blatant lies which hint to the truth, or even a direct slip of the tongue, like in Impel Down. This is partially for the sake of comedy/divulging necessary information to readers, but it's also a genuine aspect of his character which reinforces the comedy. Buggy's intentions are comically apparent to readers, so it's ridiculous to see his followers fall for his schemes.

These three points, in tandem, are exactly what makes 1082's reveal so impactful. Oda uproots everything we thought we knew about Buggy's character in order to give us the missing puzzle piece -- the reason why he is the way he is. This exact decision.

Buggy is a character motivated by greed, but he gave up on his dream, a pillar of freedom and existence in the One Piece world. He is self-absorbed, and yet he de-centered himself from the narrative. And for who, of all people? Shanks, the very man he claimed to despise in his first introduction. Are you starting to see the groundwork Oda's laying down here?

Buggy is notoriously bad at hiding the truth when he lies, and yet readers are blindsided by this reveal, over a thousand chapters after his first appearance. He kept it a secret, not just from Shanks, but from us. 1082 subverted our expectations and further developed Buggy's character in the process. It's a great display of what I love most about Oda's writing.

Before 1082, it would be difficult to claim where Buggy lies in One Piece's themes of sacrifice or dreams. But post-1082, it's a lot clearer. Oda has shown us that Shanks is just as important to Buggy as Buggy is to Shanks, and he's done it in the most effective way for a greedy character: by showing us that even Buggy is capable of sacrifice, when it's for someone he cares about. And what did he give up? His dream -- one of the most important things people have in One Piece.

Sure, it's possible to dismiss Buggy's decision as selfish, but remember: he didn't tell Shanks. He didn't expect anything in return. In a way, he has actually spared Shanks from feeling burdened; Shanks doesn't know the truth, and so he has no opportunity to feel guilt or responsibility for Buggy's decision. For a character like Shanks, who is defined by responsibility, this is also massively significant. Buggy's choice is not Shanks' fault, and by deflecting to trivial matters like the map, Buggy has -- intentionally or not -- lifted a possible weight from Shanks' shoulders. Shanks still feels the loss of their relationship, but instead of potential guilt, there is confusion and miscommunication.

So, no, I don't view Buggy's sacrifice as selfish. He did what he did because he truly believed in Shanks. He was willing to let Shanks become king and live out his dream, all without burdening Shanks with the truth. It's the antithesis of everything we've known about Buggy up until this point -- a decision without his greed, egomania, and overt schemes at the forefront. And if that's not a selfless act from Buggy, then I don't know what is.

[generic-sonic-fan]

Helloo!! If you're still doing the ship chart I have a fun one for you: arthurlot. And you may be thinking "wait, isn't that just sonadow?" but no. I mean the fake King Arthur, the titular black knight himself with Sir Lancelot - which is what I thought arthurlot was before I realised that people are cowards.

In terms of reasoning, well who doesn't love an evil king and a knight loyal to a fault? But genuinely King Arthur has more parallels to mainline Shadow than Lancelot does imo. Created by an older man with a granddaughter for the good of the world, a plan which goes very wrong - sounds familiar! King Arthur becoming corrupted by excalibur's scabbard is also reminiscent of the dark routes in shth05. So someone with a similar character arc to Shadow paired with someone who looks and acts like Shadow without that arc - it just compels me!

In actual Arthurian legends too, Lancelot is the one commonly known as the black knight, so it's an interesting switch to give Arthur that title instead. "The Black Knights" is the closest thing to a ship name I can give them that won't confuse ppl lmao.

Depending on the timeline, the knights of the round table in SatBK would have served Arthur since before he was corrupted. Lancelot was the one to stay the most loyal after that corruption, and isn't that a fun dynamic to explore? You're the king's closest knight, his right hand man, you trust everything he's doing even when your brothers in arms are expressing doubts and you can see the tyranny for yourself. If Sonic hadn't come along, I truly believe Lancelot would have been loyal to his king up until the very end.

Whatever the relationship, it's extremely unbalanced, filled with one sided devotion and no doubt manipulation. And what can I say, I'm a big fan of toxic yaoi!!

(Didn't think I had this much to say but I guess they've been very much on my mind recently afjgjfhfhdg. I filled this sheet out for them too tbh, so I'm curious to see how you do it!)

Honestly I have no idea what the Knight AU thing is that some people in this fandom are obsessed with and at this point I'm too afraid to ask.

This is really well written though! But I don't know these versions of the characters at all, so I'll pass.

[chadillacboseman]

Pairing: Phillip Graves x GN!Reader (no actual pairing between them tho) Word Count: Idk man. Like 1.5k. Warnings: Graves being pathetic, masturbation, pillow humping, reader is in a relationship with Alejandro. Summary: The MW2 timeline is fluid, and brother, I'm hooked up to an IV. Graves is in Las Almas with 141 and Los Vaqueros, sharing space with them as the hunt for Hassan continues. There's only one thing he wants while he's there. You.

--

Phillip Graves isn't used to not getting what he wants.

Contractor money can buy almost anything, can sway almost anyone. Being denied isn't really in the handbook.

The first time Graves laid eyes on you, he knew he had to have you. You were bent low over a map, contemplating alongside Rudy and Alejandro.

You took his fucking breath away.

Graves and his Shadows have been with the 141 and Los Vaqueros for weeks now, searching for Hassan and the missiles with no progress. No end in sight.

He's done his yelling at Shepherd, spent countless hours on the phone begging for a way out of the contract or a base of his own in Las Almas.

"What is the problem, Graves?" Shepherd is frustrated, taking his call in between meetings and debriefs, "Can I not count on you to get this done?"

"Sir-" Graves is flustered, pacing the hallway outside the base's shop, "Their base isn't equipped-"

"Get the job done, Graves, and don't call me until you do!"

The line goes dead.

"Shepherd giving you a hard time?" you're leaning against the wall, your head cocked to the side as you observe him.

"You could say that," Graves shoves the phone back in his pocket and avoids your gaze.

Alejandro stuck Graves with you when he first arrived, tasking you with giving him a tour of the base and getting him familiar with the operations. You were radiant, effortlessly funny and undaunted by his power or his position.

The obsession is insidious, starting slowly, with Graves missing the sound of your voice or the way you smelled when you weren't around. He finds himself making excuses to be close to you, to take details that have the two of you alone.

He tries to hide it, tries so desperately to make sure no one notices the way he trails after you and stares at you with wide, pleading eyes whenever you speak.

Graves wants to have you so badly it hurts.

But he can't.

You're Alejandro's, and he makes that abundantly clear at every turn. He always keeps a protective hand on you, steals small kisses from you when he thinks no one is looking.

Oh, how Graves despises the Vaquero. He wants to see him bleed. To see him crumpled in a heap on the floor of some jail cell he'll never escape.

For now, he settles for watching from the shadows, pining like some lovesick schoolboy as he watches Alejandro enjoy what should be his.

He imagines what you must feel like, what you must taste like; he thinks of how soft your hair would be, splayed out over his pillow, his name tumbling from your lips like a prayer.

The need burns hot in Graves' chest, pooling and dark, so strong that it scares him. He's never wanted anything so badly in his life, never felt the hopeless, burning and inescapable jealousy he feels now.

He finds himself avoiding you. Avoiding your sun-bright eyes and infectious laugh. When you approach him, he turns heel and flees like a coward.

You notice. Of course you do. You're so fucking smart. Too smart for Alejandro, that brainless lout.

Graves takes to hiding in a server room at the base, some hole in the wall full of wires and blinking lights. It's loud, hot, and stifling, but it's mercifully free of you.

Until it isn't.

"Phillip, what the hell is going on with you?"

Your voice jolts him from his work, and he nearly sends his laptop clattering to the floor.

Phillip. No one ever calls him that- just you. It sends a burning, sizzling, hot lead of high voltage straight through his chest that makes his ears flush red.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Graves nearly has to spit it through his clenched teeth. He's a shitty liar, he knows it and you know it too. It's the reason he never joins in on poker nights with the 141.

"You're avoiding me," there's resentment and accusation in your voice, but there's something else too, something that makes his heart drop. Sadness.

Graves has been avoiding you. Even being in your presence makes him feel like he's losing control. Seeing Alejandro steal little touches, hearing the way you laugh when he whispers something in Spanish. It drives him mad.

"I have work to do, princess," he tries to soften the edge in his voice, but it doesn't work- the cutesy nickname instead feels like an insult lobbed at you.

You open and close your mouth a few times, processing what he's just said to you. You look hurt and he's spiraling. He wants to jump to his feet and cup your chin, to tell you to run away with him. Run back to the States and leave this shithole behind.

"Fuck you, Graves," you turn on your heel and disappear from the doorway. The use of his last name stings- it takes everything in his power to not race after you, to apologize and beg for your forgiveness.

It's your turn to avoid him now. Graves expects relief, but he doesn't get it. You're so deeply embedded in his brain that he can't seem to shake himself out of his obsession.

He wants to apologize- no, he needs to apologize to you. You're hard to find, though. Making yourself scarce in areas you know he'd be in. Maybe you won't forgive him. Maybe you'll tell him to fuck off and that will be enough to snap him out of it.

Graves finally finds you in the shop. It's late, later than you have any business being there. Alejandro went off-base hours ago.

"Hey-" his voice sounds small and threatens to crack, dropping like a dead weight in the tense air.

You don't look up from what you're working on, merely offering him an almost imperceptible nod to acknowledge his presence.

"What do you want, Graves?"

To apologize. To tell you the truth. To pin you to the wall and-

"If you haven't got anything to say to me, then please leave me alone," you sound annoyed, but there's something else to it. You don't want him to leave, but he doesn't know that.

"Look, I'm..." he trails off, the words aren't coming out. It's like they're stuck just behind his tongue. Suddenly, he's fifteen again, stuttering in front of the third new classmates he's had that year.

"I'm sorry," the apology finally falls out of his mouth, almost as one word in his hurry to say it, "For the other day."

You finally look up at him, and he feels his heart leap into his throat. In the dim light of the shop, your features are even more striking. Your eyes glimmer under the yellow incandescent bulbs, and there's a smudge of grease on your cheek.

God, how he wants to reach out and swipe his thumb across your skin.

"Phillip," there it is again. It makes his heart hammer against his rib cage, "What's going on with you?"

He could tell you the truth. Maybe a slap across the face would change his opinion of you-

"Phil?" you reach out and tap gently on his vest, rapping your fingertips against the flag badge that adorns it, "Whatever it is, you can tell me."

Just say it. Say it! SAY IT!

Your phone rings and Graves jumps, his confession coming to a stop just behind his teeth. He glimpses the contact name on the screen and feels his nerves be replaced with a wave of jealousy.

Alejandro.

Your conversation with him is a blur, Graves catches words here and there, "soon" "in the shop" "I'd love that".

"Phil, we'll continue this conversation tomorrow, okay?" you cock your head and try to read his expression to no avail.

"Sure," he swallows, hard, and watches as you walk away.

--

While the others are crammed together at the base, Graves is in private lodging, paid for on Shadow Company's dime. He tosses his bags to the floor and sheds his tactical vest, letting it drop haphazardly in a heap by the door.

The shower is calling his name, but he doesn't have the energy to do it, instead dropping onto the bed and cradling his head in his hands. There's no telling how long this assignment is going to last, how long he'll have to contend with his feelings and try not to make a fool of himself.

Graves thinks of your face, of the way you had looked up at him in the shop. You'd look so good with your lips wrapped around his cock, staring up at him with those beautiful fucking eyes of yours.

He groans, feeling the familiar tightness at his zipper, almost painful until he frees himself with a hiss.

"Fuck-" Graves grazes his fingertips over his length, pausing at the tip to swipe the pad of his thumb over the beads of precum collecting there.

He moans your name, hips bucking into the friction of his own hand, his mind conjuring up all the ways he would fuck you; all the ways he would make you his.

His hand isn't enough.

Graves rolls onto his stomach, the waistline of his jeans just low enough to expose him entirely. He grasps desperately, hands fumbling until he finds a pillow and jams it roughly between himself and the bed.

"Fuck, baby, that's it," it's not you, it's not the same, but the sensation is enough for now.

Graves grinds himself so lewdly he should be embarrassed, humping his pillow like a horny teenager, thinking of you. He moans loudly, the sound echoing in the empty room, as he ruts into the fabric like an animal.

He thinks of you. Of your scent, your smile, the way you say his name. He'd give anything to hear you cry it out while pinned beneath him, to have you come undone entirely because of him.

Graves braces his hand on the mattress, panting as he fucks into the fabric, his hips rolling in rhythmic thrusts as he chases his peak.

"So good," he's babbling now, his mind racing to envision you taking his cock, tight and fucking perfect, "m'gonna- gonna cum-"

Graves tumbles over the edge, crying out your name as he spills hot spurts of cum onto the pillow; his hips stutter out one final thrust until he's spent, panting into the mattress in the pressing quiet of his hotel room.

Graves rolls over, laying an arm over his chest as he tries to catch his breath. He stares at the ceiling, trying to imagine what it must be like to have you in an intimate moment like this, to have you soaked in sweat and curled into his embrace.

He tries to make peace with never knowing.

[poorlittleyaoyao]

Didn't want to derail that last post since it's specifically about novel canon, but it got me thinking about the ramifications of the changes that the drama makes:

CQL Mianmian is a Jin disciple. I like this change overall because it facilitates her being a larger part of the narrative and implies that Jin Zixuan has a life outside of being That Rich Guy Wei Wuxian Hates. Still, as is also the case with Meng Yao and Lan Xichen due to them meeting earlier, it means that Jin Zixuan is defending someone already dear to him rather than protecting a stranger simply because it's the right thing to do. Don't shrug off his heroism yet, though, because...

A nameless Jin disciple is the one who tries to hand over Mianmian. Jin Zixuan (and only Jin Zixuan) strikes him down and says in disgust that he can't believe the Jin clan contains such cowards, or something like that. However, Mianmian herself reminds Jin Zixuan when they're giving up their swords that they're under orders from their sect leader to comply with whatever the Wen clan asks of them. Jin Zixuan's choice to defend Mianmian is potentially in defiance of his father's directive. (Why is Jin Zixuan willing to disobey his dad here but stays awkwardly silent during his family's BS at the Phoenix Mountain hunt and conference later on? Well, his dad's not in the room with him here.)

Su She is not involved here, as Lan Wangji is the sole representative from Gusu Lan. The selfishness/cowardice of trying to feed Mianmian to a monster is replaced with his (more socially unacceptable in-universe but IMO more sympathetic to the viewer) revealing the Cold Pond Cave secret. There aren't any Lans standing by as nobody but Lan Wangji does the right thing.

The hostages generally show a lot of solidarity! After Wen Chao punts Wei Wuxian deeper into the cave, everyone else climbs down after him. None of them responds to Wen Chao shouting questions from up above, forcing the Wen guards to climb down to their level to investigate. The Jin guy attacking Mianmian is an outlier, indicating a problem with Lanling Jin culture rather than the jianghu as a whole. They cooperate well when it's time to band together and escape!

So the takeaway in CQL canon isn't that everyone is a coward or overly concerned with politics except for the protagonist, his love interest, and Jin Zixuan for some reason, but more like... here are these young people and future leaders who are fully capable of acting together for the good of the group. They refuse to comply with their captors despite being unarmed, and they'll convince the older generation to take action against the Wen clan. (Nie Mingjue, the only sect leader who's part of the younger generation without an older relative's influence, has already been in open conflict with them.) And isn't it a shame, then, that Jin Guangshan--and his sect culture that would've excused feeding one of his own disciples to a demon turtle--is going to crush all of this.

*I initially assumed, when I started making this post, that Cloud Recesses in the novel gets burned after the indoctrination in retaliation for Lan Wangji's part in killing the Xuanwu of Slaughter. But the wiki timeline has the indoctrination still coming after Cloud Recesses is attacked? If that's the case, how do the Lan have that many disciples to send?

[gratuiciel]

the revelation kinda felt weird because kisaki never admitted his feelings himself, he was forced to admit them bc takemichi started getting prophetic visions of his biggest L (proposing to hina out of the blue and she just replies "sorry" lmao oof) and then questioned him about future hina's murder. which makes me think that maybe final timeline takemichi's "do you love hina?" might be his way to have them face their feelings on equal footing since after that takemichi just says "i love her too" and they both smile (which is definitely more wholesome and less likely to result in kisaki being on the defensive lmao)

feel like wakui didn't explore the comedic potential of time traveller takemichi and regular takemichi getting caught up in each other's problems enough tbh. probably would've messed with the story's serious moments but this is why mangas have bonus pages at the end (still sad that there aren't any in the main series (although wakui posted a lot of sketches on twt while the series was ongoing apparently))

time traveller takemichi: (leaves)

regular takemichi, waking up in jail: wait what

time traveller takemichi: that's payback for almost cheating on hina with emma

regular takemichi: that wasn't even meeeee (echoing from a distance)

i totally agree about kisaki losing it each time after he loses hina and takemichi, and yeah he definitely lost by being miserable throughout his life and creating a more miserable world (i also love pain)

i forgot about izana! oh man he must've been something in the og timeline, too. does that mean that the black dragons are the biggest gang of tokyo in this timeline? kinda cool to think about

Tormented by the thoughts of Kisaki's possible upbringing. Like you can't tell me a kid who dedicated his entire life to a girl who was kind to him for five seconds was not somewhat neglected. Bullying at school? Absent parents? Like they weren't even at the same school, they went to the same cram school!

From his bedroom, you can tell his family is pretty rich (tons of books and like three pc monitors at thirteen plus gaming console and a TV? Okay dude) so the parents spending all of their time at work is plausible.

Also him at like 11 being all superior thinking he's the smartest guy around= putting all of his value in his intellect -> parents that probably ask for the best results and nothing else?

And the fact that he's so alienated from the other kids even at cram school. There's gotta be some flavour of bullying in there, especially with how common it is in Japan plus with the timeline (the 80s and 90s being the worst in terms of bullying -I have a source for that lmaooo this my researcher bias).

Because I wonder what turned tiny shy Kisaki into a criminal in *checks notes* two years.

[imamotherfuckingstar-lord]

fine line

steve rogers x reader summary: steve returns from time traveling back to his old life. will you forgive him? a/n: time travel is different than canon. he just spends weeks back in his old life, in turn misses out on months in the current timeline.

Steve Rogers was many things but a coward? He never thought he had it in him, but as you drew closer into the room and than were suddenly right there in front of him - he wanted to run away. How beautifully relaxed you look, as if the last time you two saw each other wasn't heartbreaking or gut wrenching - the look of grief on your face when he said he had to go. That he couldn't stay with you and needed to go back to his first life.

The tears in your eyes, the trembling in your hands...he never forgot it and when he left back in time, to his time - he knew it was a mistake the moment he stepped foot into a life that he no longer fit in. He came back but traveling through time brought different rules of logic. The few weeks he spent there, meant months for here and now he was seeing you for the first time since saying goodbye. He had returned a week ago and the moment he stepped off the transported, he felt at home. Sam and Bucky had come to see him when they heard the news from Bruce and the reunion was short lived when he asked about you.

"She's been out in California."

"California?"

That's where he was now, standing in the middle of a lab. Bucky had made the trip with him and set up the meeting but you had thought it was a visit from Bucky. The two of you had become closer over the last months since Steve's departure. He had become like a brother to you. So when he had called and said he'd be in California for a few days, you were elated and made arrangements for him to come by the lab you now worked in.

Except it wasn't Bucky who you saw standing there and the excitement of seeing your friend grew stale, but a feign calmness washed over your face and you walked further into the room. Than you were standing in front of Steve Rogers in all his glory and complicated beauty. So many emotions raged through your heart and while you wanted to allow the angry to overrule them all, you couldn't.

How pathetic you felt in that moment when he finally spoke. "I'm back."

"Missed the internet, huh? I can't imagine life without it," you smiled, moving toward the table to your left. Picking up a tablet, you pretended to look over some emails and drew your back to him. He shifted behind you but didn't move closer, instead he began to sprout out a long winded apology. He seemed to speak quickly, almost afraid to miss anything that needed to be said.

"I should have never left..."

Your fingers trembled against the screen of the tablet.

"I was just existing there, but I realized I couldn't just go back to my old life...."

Tears began to swell and you gripped the tablet so hard it began to hurt.

"I'm not that person anymore, I haven't been the same person since I've met you. I -" Steve's voice faltered for a brief moment but he continued, moving a step closer to you. "I wish I could take back that day, I should have never left and I know I don't deserve it, but I just want another chance. Please, sweetheart, give me another chance and I'll spend the rest of my life showing you how much I love you."

His words shook away the remaining anger in your body and you crumbled down against the table, but he was there in seconds, holding you up. Arm wrapped around the front of your stomach, Steve held you up against his chest as you sobbed. He pressed his forehead against your shoulder blade and whispered that he would leave if you wanted him too. "If you need to never see me again, I'll do it..."

The thought brought you back to your senses and you turned in Steve's arms to face him. His eyes took in the hurt expression on his face and he could only hold your face in his hands, rubbing his thumb against your cheek.

"You have to know something..." the something was Peggy Carter and you braced for the worse. "I didn't go see her, when I went back. I just couldn't do it, I thought that was what I should do but I ended up wandering my old neighborhood. I went back to see where Bucky and I used to run around, I did a lot of people watching. I did a lot of missing you."

"I missed you too," you smiled softly, tears falling down your face. Steve wiped them away and pulled you into an embrace.

"I know it's going to take time for you, but I will wait as long as I need to.."

Wrapping your arms around his waist, you looked up at the man you had loved and still love, even if every fiber of your brain told you not to. That he had left you for a world that casted him aside and for a woman, a woman you could never live up to. But here he was, begging for your forgiveness. For another chance and you could only think of a conversation Bucky and you had months ago...

"He had to go, you know that right?"

"His life was here."

Bucky sighed and brought his arm around your shoulder, bringing you in to his side. Resting your head against him, you stared out into the small pond.

"He thinks he needs to go back and live a life that he was meant to but he'll be back, I bet you a pitcher of beer." Bucky smiled down at you. You appreciated his attempt at lightening up the mood, but he squeezed your shoulder when you asked why he thought that Steve would return. "Because you're here."

"Okay."

Your voice was so meek, Steve looked at you with an intense gaze filled with anticipation and nerves. "Okay?"

Nodding, you reached up and touched the side of his face. His eyes fell closed - breathing for what seemed like the first time in weeks. Then you said his name and he opened his eyes, and he knew he was lucky to be given such a chance.

"My instincts want me to run away. I should run away, because you broke my heart, Steve. You have to know that otherwise it will become this thing between us and I don't want anything else to come between us."

His heart sank but he knew you were just being truthful and he deserved to hear it all. He knew he had a lot to make up for and there was a long road to recovering your broken heart but it was a challenge he was more than up for.

"I know," he whispered, sliding his hands up your neck. He held you gently, eyes gazing into yours. "I promise you, I will never leave you again. I will fight for us - you know how much I love a good fight."

Steve smiled and you laughed, shaking your head as his lips moved down against yours. He kissed you hard, longing, arms around your waist and bringing you tight against his body. Your feet lifted off the ground and you laughed against Steve's mouth. When he finally put you down, he rested his forehead against yours. His hand found its way to yours and he held it gingerly.

"Can I pick you up after work?"

"There's a really nice diner down the street..."

Steve smiled and kissed you. "Okay, I'll be back around 5?"

You said yes and told him that Bucky was more than welcome to come along. "I owe him a pitcher of beer."

Not understanding, Steve agreed any way and headed out toward the door but turned when you called out to him. He asked if something was wrong but you just smiled at him. "I love you."

Seconds, took seconds for him to be at your side. He kissed you again and again, hands roaming your hair until a call came through the lab's intercom - you had a meeting in ten minutes. Steve resided and kissed you on the forehead, and he felt a tunnel of relief fill his lungs. He knew coming back home was the right thing to do, it felt in his heart and saw it in your eyes as he whispered that he loved you.

Oh, how much he loved you...not even the temptations of time could hold him back.

................

steve rogers tags:

@purple-mangos

want to be tagged? check out my taglist doc!

[thegirlwhowrites642]

Hi, please free to ignore( huge fan of your metas btw)

What are your thoughts on Peter pettigrew? In swm we saw him fanboying over james to being responsible for his death. Just because he was afraid or he never really loved his friends. Many people say James and Sirius treated him shitty thats why he betrayed. Some even say he was just a tag along. Please share your thoughts.

First of all, thank you!

(also, unless they are rude, I don't ignore any questions, it might just take me two years to answer)

Peter Pettigrew

My very controversial opinion on Peter is that I love him (as a character).

To me, Peter is one of those characters who represent how Rowling's clear lack of self-awareness as a person translates in her work into her being unable to recognize her strengths as a writer. The majority of the most interesting things she comes up with are not the ones she focuses on.

And that's the case for Peter Pettigrew, who might be the Marauder with the most interesting story.

It's way too easy to reduce him to a coward as the author seems to want you to believe. And even claiming he didn't love his friends is a flattening of his character.

You can have a tendency to be influenced by peer pressure all you want but you don't become an unregistered animagus to help someone if you don't love the friend you are doing that for and you don't have a bit of courage (especially considering how long the whole thing was and that he wasn't particularly talented). He risked extremely severe consequences on his body due to the possibility of the process going wrong and he risked Azkaban for being unregistered.

That's fundamentally the opposite behavior of the one he later has with the Potters.

I also think it's important to point out how Remus is not a close relative (father, son, brother) and how the help Peter provides is not essential to Remus' survival, it's emotional comfort. The lack of necessity of the animagus matter and the easily cancellable bond with Remus increase the braveness and love of Peter's act (in contrast for example with something like what Narcissa does with her son by lying to Voldemort).

I think Peter's story is the one of someone who lost his courage, not the one of a person who never had it.

Doesn't this also make it so much more delicious how his downfall is caused by the return of a glimpse of honor?

I do agree with the fact that in SWM, James and Sirius don't treat him particularly well, especially Sirius, but I don't think they are that aware of it, especially James. They are a bit crude, and they are arrogant. They are two bright posh 16yo guys in a boarding school in the 70s. I don't expect from them a particularly high level of sensitivity in how they talk to people, especially to someone they take for granted knows to be their friend. Sirius is probably more aware of it, but I believe James to be quite unaware of himself at this point in the timeline. This is before his maturation really kicks in, his whole interaction with Lily shows a lack of self-awareness in how he talks to people (we know Lily turns him into a bit of an idiot, the problem is that he doesn't seem to be aware of it). Sirius on the other hand seems a lot more self-aware than James. A lot of people are not going to like what I'm about to say but: James is canonically a better person than Sirius.

And yet, it is abundantly clear that both James and Sirius love Peter.

James gives into Peter's hands his own life and the ones of his wife and son. Sirius gives in Peter's hands the lives of the family he chose.

In the Shrieking Shack, under all the pain Sirius has for the death of James and Lily, it is evident that there's also the pain that comes from the betrayal of a friend.

"THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED!" roared Black. "DIED RATHER THAN BETRAY YOUR FRIENDS, AS WE WOULD HAVE DONE FOR YOU!" - Chapter 19, Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban

Lily herself is very attached to Peter, in her letter to Sirius, she calls him Wormy (how cute is that?). And, let's remember that she too puts her life and the ones of her husband and son in Peter's hands.

It's too easy to say Peter was just a tagalong, that they didn't love him. It incredibly diminishes the pain of his act.

I also would like to point out that Peter isn't stupid. He was a double agent, he managed to frame Sirius by using in his favor people’s low opinion of his skills (and Remus and Sirius' rocky relationship). James, Sirius, and Remus might have thought of themselves as smarter than Peter but I don't think they actually believed him to be stupid. Considering who the Marauders are, their knowing how good of a liar, and how cunning Peter could be, would be a perfect explanation of why they became friends in the first place.

Does this mean they all loved Peter but Peter only loved Remus out of his friends?

We can't really be sure of his feelings for Sirius, but the admiration he shows for James and the sense of guilt we know he has for his double agent activities don't really align with that image.

I think Peter's fear for his own life ended up winning over the love for his friends.

But why at this point? Why not at Hogwarts?

Something quite interesting is how Peter's father is the only parent of the Marauders who is never mentioned, not in the books, not in any additional material. Doesn't that align just so well with Peter always putting himself at the service of the most important male figure around? First James, and then after school, with the war going on, Voldemort.

Isn't it such a fitting image, Peter growing up without a father, with a too-cuddling mother whom he ends up resenting, faulting her for the absence of the father? It's so natural to paint him as a young man crushed by a sense of inadequacy towards an image of masculinity he idealizes but can't fulfill, supported by a society filled with a very toxic sense of masculinity and an absent father he can sew on any fantasy he wants.

When Peter was at Hogwarts, being friends with James, and being part of the Marauders, gave Peter a sense of security that allowed him to be brave enough to prioritize his love for his friends over himself.

Out in the real world, though, Voldemort is the dominant man and being positioned against the Dark Lord takes away the sense of security he had as a student. Both times Peter goes to Voldemort, he does it because he doesn't feel safe.

It's also abundantly clear how Peter's siding with Voldemort doesn't come from ideology. He becomes an animagus for Remus, he's a dear friend of Lily.

Peter dies because Voldemort doesn't trust him, and he is right in not trusting him. Somewhere in Peter, there's still the boy who risked his life for a friend.

Try to tell me this is not an interesting character.

He's still a coward overall, but a complex one.

Also, Peter Pettigrew is a clear victim of pretty privilege when it comes to the fandom. I'm ready to bet whatever you want that if he had been described as handsome the most popular ship with Sirius would be Sirus/Peter.

Actually, he didn't even have to be described as handsome, he just needed to not be described as ugly. Draco is described as having a pointy face and people have been lying to themselves claiming he's incredibly handsome for the last twenty-five years.

[the-fabled-void]

So those afterdeath and colorkiller playlists sound interesting

I have one song I choose for Afterdeath, and I currently only have one for ColorKiller

Analysis under the cut!

Afterdeath

Playlist:

Song: My Love Is Sick

(same singer and album as the other)

"My love is sick

It leaks and bleeds

All over me onto my nicest shirt"

Geno's pov, both in reference to his blood/determination and to how he feels like his love would only lead to people getting hurt

"Vines without roots

Like knives in my body

And I am their puppet

Twisting ‘til I hurt"

Loving again after so long of only being trapped, either alone or with the kid who's his killer

"My love is sick

I’m running a fever so high

I peel my skin to breathe"

Geno feels like getting close to someone will harm him, he feels the way it's draining him

"Birds without cages

Find perch on my ribs and I

Stitch myself back up to keep them in"

Reaper, with wings, and kinda bird mannerisms. And Geno knowing that, no matter how much it hurts him, he's already attached. He's going to ignore anything that hurts him, and he's also so dependent on him, it's so painful when he leaves

"You’re an infection

I am keeping

No matter the sepsis

You are staying

I’d rather the wound

Than have you removed

Enough rotting for two

Killing me, keeping me high"

I think... They aren't exactly that good for each other, not 100% in this version. They're not perfect, but despite that, they're both equally attached

"My love is sick

It’s messy and wrong

But I pray for a bit of contagion

Hands without fingers

Like spoons at the source

Coat evenly

Oh, won’t you touch me?"

Perhaps Reaper is a bit more openly affectionate (not flirty pervert, just... desperate love-starved) and Geno wants to allow himself to feel this affectionate too

"You’re the cure

You’re the curse

You make it better

You make it worse

You’re my killer

And my Christ

(But I’m the one twisting the knife)"

They're both making each other better by giving each other affection and company they need, and yet they also make each other worse by giving the other something they can only get from the other

"My love is sick

It’s taken me whole

I’m simply a host to a haunting

Ghosts without corpses

Still linger in flesh

Holding on to a love they keep wanting"

They feel like their relationship to each other defines them now?

-

Okay okay, for

ColorKiller

so far it's only one song so I'm analysing that one

The situation I'm imagining is, they're in the omega timeline, they're living together there and Killer is in stage one, newly left nightmare's gang

Song: Dogbird by Madds Buckley

"Sorry that I’m scared of thunder like a dog

I know that you love rain

But I cry when something shakes the walls

Tail between my legs

I scratch while you relax

Ruffling feathers watching storm clouds pass"

Killer isn't used to this normalcy, talking to the other inhabitants, he prefers to stay away

"Hoping I’ll make you hate the thunder too

Digging in my claws will make you hate me too"

A part of Killer wants to hurt Color, just to see what happens, if he'll hate him

"I can’t stand you in my bed

You’re too gentle

I need you to hurt me back instead

I wish I could take you back to California

Where you’ve never heard of creatures like me

Little Bird won’t you fly away

Little Bird won’t you fly away"

He doesn't think he deserves being treated nicely by him or by others, he's warning him, seeing himself as a ticking time bomb

"And sorry that I roll over to my folks

It’s not that I’m ashamed

But they keep me on the leash to choke

I’m a hunting breed

And bird is all they eat

If they sniff you out, they gnash their teeth

I’m a coward scared of living outside

Even if it means I crush you at my side"

Keeping the idea of the first part to myself for a possible animatic, but the second part of that is basically, Killer is so afraid of other people, he's become dependant on Color and he's fully aware of it, but he can't help it

"I can’t stand you in my bed

You’re too gentle

I need you to hurt me back instead

I wish I could take you back to California

Where you’ve never heard of creatures like me

Little Bird won’t you fly away

Little Bird won’t you fly away"

Same thing as the first time this is sung... Unless

"When the bell rings

My mouth waters

I’m a habit

That won’t alter

I’m an instinct

Don’t you fear me?

Hunting songbirds in my sleep"

Kinda off topic, I love the first line being 'when the bell rings, my mouth waters', it's a reference to classical conditioning aka Pavlov's dog. The theory stating that if you pair something you typically don't have a reaction to (bells) with something you have a reaction to (food) enough times, you'll be reacting to the first thing (the bell) with the reacting you'd usually only react with to the second thing (mouth watering at food)

So anyway, Killer reacting to Color scolding him for something with violence or submission because he's used to getting hurt when he's scolded

Bonus, he feels like he can't control his other stages, so he describes them as more animalistic

"Sorry that I don’t treat you like I should

I only lick my wounds

Teeth bared, and snap

“You’re all that’s good”

If I chase you away

I’m back to chasing tail

Running circles after what was real

And maybe one day I’ll catch it, and I’ll cry

Wishing that little songbird was still mine"

Killer when he realizes he chased Color away thinking that's the consequences of his actions (i also have a lot of thoughts related to Color himself)

-

And that's both songs! I still have more for Afterdeath. Let me know if you want any more analysis in general