#guy named after the myth of 'hey it's the guy who was born from where athena flicked off the spunk of the guy who tried to rape her!'

[motheatenscarf]

Hmm. My Greek mythology is rusty enough, I had to look up Themis, I won't lie, but my well of hatred for "misogynistic ancient myths" is deep enough that I recognize the name Erichthonius.

Now a whole new generation of people can be grossed out by that story! Hooray...

[lovergirly]

I read the lip fic with opposites reader can you write a oneshot on when they first met or when she first met his family?

Hiii!! another one shot of rich reader x Lip gallagher! hope you enjoy 😘

"Ian... I'm nervous I don't think they'll like me."

"will you relax.  Of course they will!"

You and your best friend Ian were about to go meet the entirety of the Gallagher family.  You were beyond nervous.  the only reason you knew Ian was because you had a crush on him and you asked him out.  He obviously said no which upset you at first until he explained he was gay.  after that, you two were inseparable. 

Pulling up to the Gallagher house, you felt nervous butterflies enter your stomach.  what if they hated you? what if they were mean?  what if-

"ready?" ian pulled you out of your thoughts as you got out of your BMW. 

"you might want to lock the car." he chuckles. 

As you walk closer to the door, you can hear more and more commotion coming from the inside of the house.  Instead of knocking, he barges right in and allows you a few seconds to really take in the scene.  Two kids, boy and girl, arguing over a computer, a baby crawling around, and a girl probably in her twenties scrambling around the kitchen.  Finally, you see a boy probably your age smoking a blunt on the couch while watching "to catch a predator". 

He was a sight.  He was hot.  you've seen him around school before, but you don't know his name.  He's known for doing kids homework if you pay him well enough. 

"well well well, look what ian brought here." he gives you a smirk and a once over before adding, "ian found himself some rich girl to smooch off of."

instead of letting ian talk, you immediately say, "sounds like someone's just jealous that you need to do loser's homework to get money."

he looks shocked for a second before adding, "big mouth too.  You smoke?"

"no of course not.  it's terrible for your lungs and I do cheer."

"oh she does cheer?!  her little lungs can't handle it." he mocks a sad face before you add

"at least I'll be alive when my grandkids are born."

he chuckles before taking a drag and going back to his show. ian takes this as invitation to take your hand and lead you to the kitchen.  Where it appears people multiplied as there is now another girl and a guy, you're inferring are a couple. 

"hey guys,  this is y/n.  I invited her over for dinner I hope that's okay." he looks at fiona as the commotion stops for a second.

"Yeah that's fine.  I'm fiona." she gives you a slight wave as she continues scurrying around.

the little girl is the first to run up to you.

"I'm debbie!  you're like soooooo pretty!! are you and Ian dating?" she was so cute. 

"umm no we're just friends"

"then who is your boyfriend?"

"alright shut up debbie!  I'm carl, but you can call me yours."

"yeah i think you're just a little too young for me."

"give it time sweetthing, give it time."

You found yourself getting along really well with the Gallagher family, plus Kev and V you learned.  During dinner, you and the Lip kid kept staring at each other.  You thought he was giving you dirty looks. Maybe it wasn’t going well. You, Fiona, and V end up in a deep conversation about boys, when V mentions, "i saw how you were looking at Lip, it's around 9 right now so if you want to go outside he'll be there smoking a cigarette." Fiona slaps her arm while V defends, "what?! I know sexual tension when i see it!"

"thank you V, but i don't think it's anything like that." you say while standing up to go outside.

"then why is your ass getting closer to the door?" she laughs.

"you know those things will kill you, it's not just a myth."

"that's okay. I’m experimenting to see if i’m the expectation.”

“is that your car?” you point to a beat up car sitting in their yard.

“yeah and no. It doesn’t drive, but i do bring girls here everyone once in a while. wanna hop inside?”

“if you’re insinuating what i think you are-“

“i’m not trust me.”

“whatever Gallagher.”

you two made your way inside the crammed car and it did definitely smell like weed and sex. He wasn’t kidding…

“so… you and ian?” he seriously didn’t know yet?

“umm no just friends. i’ve truthfully never had a boyfriend.”

“a girl like you never having a boyfriend? let me guess… too rich for all the south side boys? or maybe just too hot for all the losers at our school.” that comment made you blush, you were just praying he didn’t catch on.

“you know i’m not some stuck up rich girl right?”

“oh really? Let’s see, your whole family could buy mine. are you sure you’re not that rich?”

“ok fine but i’m not stuck up.”

“you are a little…” he adds wirh a small laugh

“oh yeah? give me that cigarette” you demand. he hands it over and watches curiously as you put it to your lips and suck. immediately, you start coughing which causes him to laugh, “oh god you weren’t kidding that you’ve never had one.”

“you thought i was lying?”

“maybe. thought you might have some secret life behind all the cheer and money.”

“well I do. I’m not like my family i promise.”

“well if you’re not like your family, how about you stay the night and we can just hang out.”

“you better not be insinuating anything again or i swear i’ll-“

“i’m not, you can sleep in ian’s bed, or even mine and i’ll sleep on the couch.”

“thank you Lip. I’d love to.”

little did you know that was the beginning spark of a beautiful relationship

i hope you enjoyeddd!! what else should Lip and y/n get into?? maybe some drama?

[adhdeancas]

12x01 Rewrite with Trans Dean

trigger warnings for minor mention of dysphoria. Also minor/negligent transphobia. 

“Mom?” His heart is stopped in his chest, staring at the face he’s kept in his head for all of his life, the face he’s thought of as the only real home he’s ever had. She looks the same, exactly the same. “I… uh, are you really… real?” 

He reaches out without thinking, needing to just make sure that Amara didn’t bring back a fantasy or a ghost or a sick joke. She proves it without him touching her, flipping him in a neat trick he recognizes from his own training and ending up with her foot on his neck, pressing him into the dirt. “Where am I? Who the hell are you?”

She looks so scared. Dean swallows, his Adam’s apple bouncing against the bottom of her foot. He needs to make her trust him, preferably before she does something rash like snap his neck. “I’m Dean Winchester. I’m your son. I’m… Sam’s brother”

The pressure lets up on Dean’s neck even though Mary’s shaking her head. “No. No, I don’t have two boys. They’re- they’re just kids.”

Dean winces, breathing heavily. This is gonna be a motherfucker for her to understand. Still, Mary lets him up, and he stands and rubs his neck, trying desperately to recall every bit of information he’s stored away about his mom. “Mom. Listen to me. Your name- your name is Mary Sandra Campbell, okay? You were born December 5, 1954, to Samuel and Deanna Campbell. Your father, he bounced around a lot for, uh, work, and you bounced right along with him, and you ended up in Lawrence, Kansas.”

Mary flinches, the facts hitting straight-on. “How do you know all that?” 

“Dad told me.” Dean tells her. He doesn’t tell her that he had to gather the story from slurred words, drunken tears in between stories about the perfect wife. That he recited them in his head like a prayer so he wouldn’t forget her. “March 23, 1972, you walked out of a movie theater - Slaughterhouse-Five. You loved it, and you bumped into a big Marine and you knocked him flat on his ass. You were embarrassed, and he laughed it off, said you could make it up to him with a cup of coffee. So, you went to, uh,” God, what was the name of that stupid place? “Mulroney’s, and you talked and he was cute and he knew the words to every Zeppelin song,” A memory of a smiling young alive Mary comes to mind, and he pushes it away because it hurts. She’s right there. “So when he asked you for your number, you gave it to him, even though you knew your dad would be pissed. That was the night that -” You fell in love with- “that you met -”

“John Winchester.”

“August 19, 1975, you were married… in Reno. Your idea.”Dean had always thought that was hilarious. He looks her in the eyes again, pleading with her to not dispute the next part. “A few years later, I came along, then Sammy.”

“No, no. My oldest was a girl, Deanna.” Mary looks Dean up and down, taking in his short hair, wide shoulders, and flat chest. He crosses his arms over that now, uncomfortable, hoping she isn’t looking at his long eyelashes or his delicate cheekbones or his hips. All the places he’s insecure about. 

“Yeah, um… that’s me.” He looks up at her, his jaw clenching, waiting for the ball to drop. “I shortened the name a little, and the- uh- hair.” He tries for the old charming smile as he runs a hand through the spiky hair he hasn’t let grow out in 20 years. It doesn’t quite get there, settling at a more delicate need for approval. Mary doesn’t give it to him. “Do you believe me?”

She bypasses the question, turning her eyes away from him to look at the car behind him. Something changes in her eyes. “I burned.” She says quietly, like she’s remembering the heat. Dean swallows. He remembers the heat too. “How long have I been gone?”

“33 years.” His voice cracks. 

Mary looks back to him, and she moves forward, putting two gentle fingers to his cheek, to the freckles sprayed across soft skin. He’s had them forever, even when he was little. “Dee?” She calls him by his old nickname; Dean’s doubly thankful that he doesn’t use his deadname. 

“Hi, mom.” There are tears in his eyes.

------------------------------------------------------

“How did he die?”

Dean bows his head. He’s really not selling himself too good here, is he? First the trans thing, now- “He gave himself up for me.” He’ll be surprised if Mary wants anything to do with him. Surprisingly, she chuckles and sniffles. 

“That does sound like John.” He looks over, and she’s smiling. His brow furrows. Killing himself to save Dean’s ass does sound like John, but not in a way that makes him want to smile. “And he was a hunter? And he raised-” She stutters now, looking at him again and looking away just as quickly. “You and Sam to be-”

“Yeah, he did.” A cold weight is settling in Dean’s stomach, and he tries and fails to not let it seep into his words.

“And you said we’ve met before, when you traveled through time,”

Dean nods. It had been horrible and amazing to see Mary and have her see him, just as some guy. A guy, at all. “Twice. Your memory got wiped, so…” So you don’t remember me telling you I was your kid, and you not believing me. I do.

“And you’re… my daughter-”

Dean coughs. He hasn’t been called a daughter in a long-ass time. “No, I’m- I mean. I was. I know it’s a lot. And I’ll explain everything. I will. But right now, let’s get out of here. Let’s get you home. Come on, Mom.”

She doesn’t correct him, which means she must believe, at least a little bit, that she is his mom. 

-----------------------------------------------------

“You live here?” She looks around the cavernous space and he smiles, looking around too. It really is awesome. 

“Yeah, when we’re not on the road. It’s an old Men of Letters bunker.”

“Men of Letters?” She scoffs. Dean grins a bit and looks at her. He thinks he likes her. “They’re a myth. An old hunter’s story.”

He tilts his head. He’s just gonna keep blowing her mind today, apparently. “Not so much. New duds look good.” He gestures to her clothes. He’d lent her some extra clothes he’d had in the trunk, and he tries not to fixate on how they weren’t that big on her. He’s not much taller than her, and he knows part of that even is the heeled boots he’s wearing. 

“Well, thanks. It’s better than walking around in that nightgown the rest-” Dean’s nodding, about to say something extremely awkward like ‘Yeah, nightgowns are a bitch,’ when he finally looks at what she’s staring at, spattered on the floor of the bunker. “That’s blood.”

 “Yeah.” Dean’s heart leaps into his throat, but he goes into autopilot before he can think about freaking out. He takes his gun out from his pants and cocks it, clearing the immediate area. A blurred sigil on the wall puts another bolt of fear through his chest. “Sammy? Cas?” He winces at how high his voice goes.

He takes the Map Table’s gun out from its hiding place and hands it to Mary. She was a hunter too, and he’s not about to leave her unarmed to clear the place. “Take this. Stay here.” Dean takes off immediately. It isn’t until he’s moving on to check the kitchen that he hears the voice. Mary’s clear as a bell, saying, 

“Hands, now,”

Dean’s in the room before he can think about it. His heart practically comes undone when he sees that dumb familiar trench coat. He puts his body between Cas and his mom’s gun immediately, hoping she will trust him enough not to shoot through him. “Whoa, whoa, whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa! It’s okay, it’s okay. He’s a friend, all right?” He meets Cas’s eyes and sees the utter relief in his eyes, and a surge of warmth fills his chest. “Hey, Cas.”

It’s a lackluster greeting when they both thought they’d never see each other again, and Cas shows it when he steps forward quickly and pulls Dean into a tight hug. “Dean!”

Dean grins and pats his back. “Hey, okay. All right,” He comforts him quietly. 

“Dean, you’re alive?” Cas pulls away and looks him over, like he’s afraid Dean might disappear. Dean nods, understanding; he had done the same thing to Mary, after all.

“Yeah.”

“What about the bomb and the Darkness? What happened?”

“I’ll tell you everything. Where is Sam?”

“He’s not here.” Obviously. Dean could smack him, but his face wants to break into a fond smile instead. He represses both urges.

“Are you a hunter?”

“No, I’m an angel.”

“He’s an angel.” Dean says over Cas. They look at each other and then back at Mary. 

“Come again?”

“An angel, with a capital A,” Dean clarifies. He feels, ridiculously, a little bit like he’s showing off. Showing Cas off. “You know, wings, harp.”

“No, I don’t have a harp.”

Dean laughs. “This is Castiel. Cas, this is… Mary. Winchester.”

------------------------------------------------------

“It’s been kinda weird, here. You know, with mom being back?” And learning that her baby girl is now a full grown man? “It’s like we don’t know how to act around each other, so we just kinda make this small talk, and act like it’s normal, but it’s- it’s so not normal.” Dean can hear the pleading in his voice. 

“What has she said to you?” Cas asks quickly. Dean bites his lip to hide the smile he’s trying to get from hearing Cas get all angry and protective on his behalf. He’s reminded of the time Cas looked him directly in the face and said, ‘Dean Winchester, if anyone is ever transphobic to you, I will smite them immediately and without any remorse.’ And before Dean could make a quip about internalized transphobia, Cas added, ‘Do not make me do that to you.’

“Well, nothing. That’s- that’s the whole point.” It’s the kind of thing most people usually wanna go over, what the fuck gender their kid is? He’s pretty sure no news does not mean good news in this context.

“Okay, what have you said to her?”

“Well, nothing. I’m- I don’t know what to say to her, y’know? It’s like it’s all too much, and I don’t wanna overwhelm her.” 

“Dean, your identity is not ‘too much.’” Cas says immediately. Dean sighs. That wasn’t what he meant, even though he has said something similar before. Something when he was lonely and sad and feeling like explaining his dick to a one night stand was too complicated for him to do to even assuage it that way.

“No- I know. It’s not that. It’s… everything.”

Now it’s Cas’s turn to sigh. “Don’t make things unnecessarily complicated, as you humans tend to do. I’ll call you.” He hangs up. 

Dean lets the phone fall with his arm limp to his side. “Yeah. Great. That’s helpful.” He says to the empty air. “That’s helpful.” Asshole.

-------------------------------------------------------

They’re in the car, and Dean is driving, and there is too much going on. He’s not sure whether he’s happy that Cas is in the backseat for this conversation or not. “So you’re… my Deanna.”

Dean’s hands tighten on the wheel. He looks at them and ignores the voice in his head that says they are petite. Womanly. “Uh, yeah. I was born Deanna Jane Winchester.” He clears his throat and meets Cas’s eyes in the rearview. He gives him a little nod, and Dean continues. “I’m… It’s called trans.”

Dean risks a look over at Mary, and she’s playing with her ring. “So you… wanted to be a boy.” 

Dean clears his throat again. He’s pretty sure he does it every time before he talks, and he’s also pretty sure his voice gets lower every time he talks, too. He swears it’s an automatic reflex. 

“Dean’s soul is- that of a human man.” Cas interrupts, saying it like that clarifies things. The corner of Dean’s mouth tilts up a little bit. Cas did tell him that he could see his soul, and also told him that it was, and he quotes ‘A color more similar to that of a men than women.’ Which, yeah, that tracks. He guesses Cas leaves off the ‘more similar’ part to make things simpler for Mary.

“And so you…” Mary trails off, a finger pointing toward his chest aborting its mission when she realizes it might be rude. 

Dean raises an eyebrow with amusement. “Cut my tits off? Yeah.” He takes a hand off the wheel to raise his shirt, proudly showing off his top surgery scars. Mary trails a hand along them, feeling the raised skin. “After Sammy went to college. It was a bitch of a few weeks, but it was worth it.”

Mary takes her hand away and nods, brows furrowed like she’s trying to wrap her head around it. Dean grins. The grin freezes awkwardly, the edges tilting down, when Mary opens her mouth again. “So you have a-”

Cas coughs loudly in the back seat. Dean meets his wide eyes with a similar expression, and Mary cuts off the question, catching onto the fact she said something wrong. “Don’t think we really need to go there, do we, mom?”

That was a question for him and whatever lucky son of a bitch (gender neutral) ended up in his bed at the end of the night. “Right.” Mary says quickly. She turns her whole body then, asking, “Is that why you like men?”

Dean only swerves a little, he swears. The car coming the opposite direction doesn’t seem to agree, holding its horn long and hard. Luckily, it gives him a moment to stutter less obviously. 

“Sorry, I just meant- since you two are-” Mary gestures between Cas and Dean, and Dean blinks his eyes solidly, trying to convince himself this is really happening.

“No! I mean, we-” Dean doesn’t have the balls (hehe) to look at Cas in the back seat, but he can see the trench coat shifting out of his peripheral. “I’m not-”

“Was John okay with this?”

Dean laughs. It comes out bitter and dark. “Dad didn’t much give a fuck what I did with my body. He’d given up on grandkids about the time he saw how decent I was at hunting, so my long hair wasn’t a personal loss.” He knew I wasn’t gonna live long enough to give him grandkids, not without some self-sacrifice on John’s part.

Mary looks a little shocked at his outburst, and Dean almost feels bad for being so blunt and crass. But then he remembers growing up with John as his male role model, and he tightens his jaw. No, the bluntness and crassness was accurate. “Oh.”

“... Yeah.” Dean bites his lip and risks another glance at his mom. 

“So, you’re okay with this?” He waves a hand at himself. Asking if she was okay with him was just too pathetic, even for him. She looks at him uncertainly, a frown he recognizes as his own on her face.

“I don’t think I’m okay with any of this, Dean. But… I guess I’ll adjust.”

[hidden-otaku-stuff]

Different but the Same (epilogue)

tw: mentions of drinking, bad coping mechanisms, jealousy/envy

Word count: 1.8k

Rating: R18+/M

Omegaverse AU, Rating: 18+/M

Pairings: Iwaizumi x fem!reader, Ushijima x fem!reader

Summary: An unexpected encounter at the Inter-High tournament tossed you into a whirlwind. Being tugged between two males, two different packs, who will reign supreme in this battle for your heart?

Masterlist | prev

epilogue

“...I can’t return your feelings.” She hesitated. “No matter how much I feel drawn to you, my love for Hajime will always be stronger and it isn’t fair to you or him to take you on as my mate.” 

“I understand.” 

Everything hurt. 

A sudden gust of wind blew the scent of pine over to the two, drawing their eyes to Iwaizumi who was standing by the chain-link fence. “Thank you for allowing me to be the Omega for your pack, Ushijima-san.” He winced at the formalities. “I wish you luck in your future endeavours.” 

Ushijima gave her a stiff nod, grasping her hand softly. He pressed his lips to her knuckles. “Thank you for your kindness, (Name).” 

She gave him a soft smile, nodding at him before escaping from his grasp like water that trickled down cupped hands. The Omega made her way over to Iwaizumi who opened his arms to her. Stepping into them, Ushijima watched as Iwaizumi’s hands fell onto her waist, pulling her flush against him as he pressed the gentlest of kisses to her forehead. 

*****

Wakatoshi Ushijima would always remain in some facet of their lives. She finished the season out with the Shiratorizawa pack, letting their mark fade and leaving a faint scar. On some days, she could feel a lingering ghost of emotion through it, typically more intense emotions after events like when he lost his first professional match. Since the accidental bonding, they’d had a frank discussion about what had happened. He understood her decision, though it had broken his heart. Ushijima never did find another Omega like her. Later, he ended up marking and mating with an Omega he had met while traveling with his professional team, but there were some nights, when he looked at the sky and thought about the strawberry Omega that had slipped away from him. 

Iwaizumi and (Name) both ended up at the same university, both studying some form of sports. Iwaizumi studied sport medicine while she studied sport management with a focus on marketing. This, and the fact that Oikawa played volleyball professionally still, kept them in the loop of the going-ons of volleyball. All three of their fates would forever intertwine with volleyball. The summer after they graduated, Iwaizumi and (Name) got married, with invites extending to both the Aoba Johsai and Shiratorizawa packs. Though she didn’t maintain the mark, the Omega was still always included in Shiratorizawa annual reunions having won their hearts all those years ago. It wasn’t unheard of for both the teams to host reunion plans because of that. Since it was rare for Ushijima to go due to his intense schedule, they never really worried about it but whenever they encountered the Apex Alpha, they were always cordial. 

*****

Gravel crackled under their feet as they went through the pristine white gates, heading to one such gathering. A firm hand laid on her hip, the other occupied with a smaller hand. In her arm was a tray of onigiri, her other hand also similarly occupied with an even smaller hand. “Hey, (Name)! Welcome back to Japan!” 

A dazzling smile made its way to her face as she greeted her old friend. “Well, well, if it isn’t Semi Eita,” she teased. The child on her left, Daitan, held her hands out to the former setter, begging to be carried. “It’s so great to be home.” 

A few years ago, Iwaizumi had moved them out to California for an internship, and that’s where their children had been born. They’d only just gotten back to Japan a year ago.

“Oh wow, you’re getting so big Princess!” He picked up the toddler, spinning her around in greeting. 

“Eita, be careful.” Besides him was his mate, Jen, a lovely Alpha that (Name) had introduced him to from one of her college classes. 

“I’ll be back, love,” Iwaizumi’s gruff voice whispered in her ear, pressing a chaste kiss to her lips before he slipped off with their son, Arakan, to join his pack-mates. 

“Uncle Tendou!” Her daughter squirmed in Semi’s arms, reaching out to the red-haired middle blocker as he suddenly appeared at Semi’s shoulder.

“Well well well! If it isn’t my little darling,” Tendou cheered, scooping the child out of Semi’s arms as he ran away. 

“There goes my children and husband,” (Name) chuckled, turning back to Semi and his mate. “How have you two been? I haven’t seen you guys since last Christmas.” He shrugged, a mischievous smile on his face as he placed a hand on his mate’s stomach. (Name)’s mouth dropped, “no, you aren’t!” They both nodded, glee on their faces.

“Twins too!” Semi chirped. His mate playfully shoved him.

“I don’t know how you manage to wrangle those two together. I’m so nervous for when these two little pups join us.” Jen rolled her eyes. “They keep me up at all hours of the night, and I get to send him on all types of late-night craving runs.” 

“Mommy, mommy!” A loud cry pierced the air as Daitan scrambled to her side, begging for the Omega’s attention. A laugh slipped from her lips as (Name) scooped her daughter up, letting her rest against the hip. “Uncle Oikawa is being mean to me!” The tanned setter appeared from the path that the toddler cleared, panting. Glancing around, she noticed Tendou preoccupied with another female. 

“I did not!” 

“Did too! He took the ball from me and wouldn’t teach me how to set.” 

The other former third-years of Aoba Johsai followed the child, jumping in as they made fun of the former captain. Semi and the two Omegas simply laughed at his reddening face. Iwaizumi came over, his hand holding tightly onto the hand of the older male toddler, who had his father’s disposition. His hand found its way to his mate’s waist again, gripping it softly as he pressed a sweet kiss to her cheek. A cry from the boy had (Name) lifting Arakan onto the other side of her hip. 

****

His thundering footsteps were followed by softer ones. Her hand clutched at his, nails digging in as a citrus scent bittered in apprehension. It had been years since he had seen his pack-mates, and it had been years since his Omega had met them. The only encounter they had at their wedding had been brief. “You’ll be okay.” His deep voice filled the stagnant air as they walked under the arch. Ushijima Kei, his Omega, pursed her lips at his words but remained silent. As they entered, a warm strawberry scent overwhelmed him instantly. A sigh—almost one of relief—escaped him as his eyes wandered. His jaw relaxed as they found her. Kei’s brown eyes narrowed slightly at his reaction, noticing where his gaze fell. Citrus bittered even more at it, unnoticed by Ushijima. 

“Wakatoshi!” The spell broke as his attention was brought back to Earth, an arm thrown around his shoulder. “It’s been so long!” 

“Hello Tendou.” 

Tendou’s wide smile filled his face as he looked beyond Ushijima, his other arm supporting a young girl. “And this must be your lovely wife, Kei! You look as lovely as you did on your wedding day.” The child squirmed in his arms; Ushijima could faintly catch the smell of strawberries on her. “Off you go darling! You should go bother Oikawa,” he grinned, placing the child down as he gently pushed her in the direction of the setter. He turned back to the couple who watched as the toddler ran off. Oikawa’s loud exclamation filled the air as he scooped the child into a hug.

“Hello again, Tendou. I hope you’re well.” They continued to make small talk as they made their way to the table of food. Ushijima wanted to pick up a bottle of beer but reached for sparkling water instead. Due to his rigorous training schedule, he wasn’t allowed to enjoy small luxuries like that. As he opened the bottle to sip at it, his gaze wandered back onto her. The way the golden rays bathed her made her look like a goddess to him, almost as pretty as Aphrodite in the Greek myths of old. Her laugh tugged at his heartstrings. 

The bitter citrus scent became stiflingly warm. 

“Are you okay?” Ushijima’s gaze shifted back to his Omega, who looked uncomfortable. She shook her head, telling him that there was nothing wrong. He hummed in response. Olive eyes spotted Goshiki. “I’ll be back,” he promised, making his way towards his kouhai. Kei let out a noise of discontent, eyes flitting back to the other Omega. Tendou’s gaze followed hers, a smirk tugging at his lips.

“Do you know (Name)-chan?” 

Kei froze, doe-eyes blinking at Tendou. She stammered in response as Tendou grinned benevolently. 

“Don’t worry! She was just our lovely Omega manager in our third-year of high school.” 

Hesitation filled her, citrus scorching his nose. “Wakatoshi seems...taken..with her.” 

“I’m not surprised,” Tendou hummed, sipping at his beer. “They were courting at one point.” He tilted his bottle at (Name) as they watched Iwaizumi rejoin her side. “They’d both marked her at one point, but she ended up choosing Iwaizumi instead.” 

Kei’s mouth ran dry, fist clenching at her side. “I see..” 

They surveyed the couple as the Omega’s laugh carried to them. She watched as (Name) picked up her children. Kei grabbed Tendou’s beer, finishing it off for him as his eyebrows raised at her actions. 

She and Ushijima had been married for years now, having met at one of his practice matches. As a sports medic, she had taped up his fingers when he had accidentally hurt himself serving and since then, he’d started courting her. A loud hiss sliced through the tense, stale air as another beer was opened and downed. 

They had never once talked about having pups. Nor had he ever mentioned his past, let alone the fact that he had courted and marked another woman. 

Her eyes wandered back to her mate, watching his expression. Tendou couldn’t help following her gaze, sighing as he shook his head at his best friend.   

Olive eyes were transfixed on the Omega and her children. Ushijima’s heart had both warmed and cracked at the scene. He had always imagined that she would make a wonderful mother. He just wished that it was his pups that she was carrying. Another pang of envy slipped through him as her (e/c) eyes drifted and met his olive ones. A small smile, meant only for him. Smaller, dark brown eyes swiveled to look at what her mother was smiling at. A tiny fist waved at him, a wide smile that reminded him of her appeared on the toddler’s face. If only he hadn’t let himself get lost along the way, perhaps he could have had a chance. After all, he wasn’t too different from Iwaizumi, was he?

*****

Fun facts:

Arakan means worthy one, hero

Daitan means daring, bold one

Kei means reverence, rapture

*****

A/N: Holy fuck y’all. I deadass have been working on this for months. If I’m being honest, it was up in the air of who she was going to end up with. Thank you for joining me in this monster of a self-indulgent A/B/O read. I love this type of dynamic, and I was honestly struggling to find good content so might as well, y’know?

How are we feeling? Is this what you expected? What was your favourite part about DBTS?

Please, spam my ask-box with your thoughts/comments/ideas. God I’m so emotional just posting this asdfghjkl

Just like for Lockscreens, I will be permanently opening DBTS Supplements! Feel free to send in your suggestions, ideas, and/or questions about their future. 

If you have any comments about their past, please send them my way too! I’m slowly working on a prequel for DBTS featuring Iwaizumi and (Name).

Major shout-out to everyone who has been reading from the beginning, to everyone who has joined throughout the journey, and especially to @newfriendjen​ (aka Semi’s mate) for always beta-reading for me and for letting me bounce ideas off of her! 

Taglist: @sawamooora​​  @kriswu46​​ @pantasticalcat​​ @shadowkunoichi​​ @awuariyuh​​ @4lfalfagarlic​​ @kuroowh0r3 @sourapplex​​ @pastelpuffbar​​​ @froyopet​​​ @micheleinumaki​​​ @gywjd0131​​​ @aideen00 @loudpoetry23 @kaizumi​​​ @chrisrue15​​​@aideen00 @Mayor-chu-of-many-towns @ ephemeralninon @kinkymint  @dabilove27​​​ @sol-demure​​​ @dark-mermaid25​​​ @otaku-explosion​​​ @fake-id-69 @zlatanakermann​​​ @killuaking​​​ @hxsxxk-180294​​​  @uwukris​​​ @cheerysparkle​​​ @seiijixcia​​​ @tsumue​​​ @shoyomeow​​​ @vicassa​​​ @newfriendjen​​​ @jubilee40​​​  @kiritokunuwu​​​  @cuddlesslut​​​ @terminallyvolatile​​​ @indecisivehusky​​​ @kaitycole​​​ @bioticbarbie @reaper-chan666​​​ @ash-aph​​​​ @aruhappy​​​ @fortunatelylazystranger​​​

*Bolded names were unable to be tagged

[judaic-myth-n-mysticism]

Hey guys so I’m happy to announce a new series today all about various Jewish myths and legends. I’m gonna transcribe the primary source, offer some personal commentary, and if I can track down art based on the lore. So with out further adieu I am proud to present:

Jewish Myths and Legends, Part 1: Lilith

ALSO BEFORE I EVEN START I WANNA MAKE IT ABUNDENTLY CLEAR THAT I DIDN’T PUT ALL THIS TOGETHER SO THAT GOYIM CAN TURN LILITH INTO THEIR SEXY DARK GODDESS UWU, STOP APPROPRAITING JEWISH CULTURE AMD FOLKLORE.

“The angels who are in charge of healing are Sanoy, Sansenoy and Semangelof. While God created Adam, who was alone, He said, 'It is not good for man to be alone'[1] (Genesis 2:18). He also created a woman, from the earth, as He had created Adam himself, and called her Lilith. Adam and Lilith immediately began to fight. She said, 'I will not lie below,' and he said, 'I will not lie beneath you, but only on top. For you are fit only to be in the bottom position, while I am to be the superior one.' Lilith responded, 'We are equal to each other inasmuch as we were both created from the earth.'[2] But they would not listen to one another. When Lilith saw this, she pronounced the Ineffable Name[3] and flew away into the air[4]. Adam stood in prayer before his Creator: 'Sovereign of the universe!' he said, 'the woman you gave me has run away.' At once, the Holy One, blessed be He, sent these three angels to bring her back." Said the Holy One to Adam, 'If she agrees to come back, what is made is good. If not, she must permit one hundred of her children to die every day.[5]' The angels left God and pursued Lilith, whom they overtook in the midst of the sea, in the mighty waters wherein the Egyptians were destined to drown. They told her God's word, but she did not wish to return. The angels said, 'We shall drown you in the sea.'"'Leave me!' she said. 'I was created only to cause sickness to infants[6]. If the infant is male, I have dominion over him for eight days after his birth, and if female, for twenty days.' "When the angels heard Lilith's words, they insisted she go back. But she swore to them by the name of the living and eternal God: 'Whenever I see you or your names or your forms in an amulet, I will have no power over that infant.[7]' She also agreed to have one hundred of her children die every day. Accordingly, every day one hundred demons perish, and for the same reason, we write the angels names on the amulets of young children. When Lilith sees their names, she remembers her oath, and the child recovers.” (Otzar Midrashim, The Aleph Bet of Ben Sira)

Commentary by Yours Truly:

[1]: As is indicated here, this Midrash was designed as an explanation for why Genisis repeats itself in taking about how HaShem created man and woman and then again when it talks of how Chava was created from Adam’s rib.

[2]: While this myth was undoubtably written with misogynistic undertones, it was since been reinterpreted and taken on a lot of symbolic importance in Jewish gene it’s circles with The Coming of Lilith" by theologian Judith Plaskow being written as a distinctly feminist telling of the story along with commentary on feminist issues within Judaism, 10/10 would recommend. Additionally, Lilith became the name of the promenent feminist Jewish magazine in 1976.

[3]: “Ineffiable Name”, The Tetragrammaton. Names of Gd in Judaism have always had powerful theurgic powers which went on to be the basis of Kabbalah Ma’asit, or the Practical Kabbalah, farther down the line.

[4]: It is important to note in the legend here that it says very clearly that Lilith left of her own accord, not cast out as many goyische occultists like to claim she was.

[5]: Here we further see that Lilith was free to leave the garden. These children were later born by the seed stolen of mortal men which became a popular superstition father down the line, there is a ritual to prevent this during/after intercourse as is outlined in Zohar III:19. The reason that her children must be slain by the hundred every day is to maintain the balance of things as she would go on to spawn a huge amount of demonic children which would overwhelm the world should they be allowed to go unchecked. Think of it as the same as when fish and wildlife facilitates hunting of certain species to help maintain the stability of the ecosystem. (I mean no disrespect by this metaphor)

[6]: Lilith speaking of how she was created to cause sickness in infants further speaks that she had a larger purpose and was not simply reveling against HaShem. This would be elaborated on even further by the Kabbalist who would hold her as the left hand counterpart of Chava whereas in the Zohar she is seen as the evil counter part of the Shekhinah. She would in fact be split into two different characters, the Greater and the Lesser Lilith in the Treatise of Left Hand Emmanation where the Greatee Lilith is consort to the punishing angel Samael (who is described as the left hand counterpart of Adam) and the Lesser Lilith becomes the Partner of Asmodeus, the King of Demons. Again, I am not advanced in my study of the Kabbalah and don’t feel comfortable to speak much more on the differentiation between the two and the lore there.

[7]: Finally, I thought it fitting to include some archeological examples of of these amulets, images courtesy of the EJMMM by Geoffrey Dennis:

An older amulet from ancient Babylonia against Lilith

A later design from the Sefer Raziel

[marshmallow-phd]

Catching Rain

Part of The Untamed - EXO Wolf Universe

Genre: Wolf!AU

Pairing: Minseok x Reader

Summary: You were more than satisfied with your life. You attended a nice college, had nice friends, a nice boyfriend. That’s what your life was: nice. You weren’t looking for anything more, so what were you to do when this seemingly harmless boy walked into your life and turned your nice little world into one much more dangerous?

Part: 1 I 2 I 3 I 4 I 5 I 6 I 7 I 8 I 9 I 10 I Epilogue

**

On closer inspection, the house in the middle of the field was quite pretty. Simple, white, well kept. A secondary building with metal walls sat adjacent to the house – a garage, perhaps. Waiting on the porch was the man from earlier. Baekhyun. Now you remembered his name. He was joined by a few others – Chanyeol, Sehun, and one you didn’t know – who stared at you in curious wonder. Their eyes were wide and investigative, as if you were the supernatural creature and not Minseok.

“Looks like the cat’s out of the bag,” Baekhyun said with a snicker.

“Or pup, in this case,” said the one you didn’t know. Black hair that fell over his forehead and an upturn sat in both corners of his lips, though he wasn’t smiling.

Minseok merely shook his head as he pushed past them into the house. The screen door shut with a loud slam. You flinched at the noise. Chanyeol sighed as he glanced at you. “Would you like something to drink?”

“Yes, please,” you nodded. He motioned for you to follow him inside.

Through a short front parlor and a cozy living room, he led you into the kitchen where you stood awkwardly. The only noise came from the water flowing from the refrigerator spicket. The ice clinked as it moved around the glass. Your eyes wandered across the large, open space. Sunlight poured in from the windows in the two outer walls. It gave the whole room a yellow hue despite the white and light gray coloring of the cabinets and backsplash. Whoever had last designed this room had done so in a way to make it feel bigger and open, welcoming even. You wondered if there must have been a woman living here to give the finer touches. Minseok hadn’t mentioned anyone beyond his male roommates. The thought of a woman living amongst them made you slightly jealous, but you shoved it aside when Chanyeol held out the glass for you.

“Thank you,” you murmured before taking a sip.

He nodded shyly. His foot tapped lightly against the hard wood floor with his hands shoved into his pockets. He looked everywhere except for at you. Feeling eyes on you anyway, you glanced over your shoulder just in time to see several crops of hair disappear from the hallway entrance.

You scoffed. “You guys act like you’ve never seen a female before.”

“Not one like you.”

Minseok stepped into the room wearing a t-shirt with frayed edges where the sleeves had been cut off and a pair of basketball shorts. As angry as you were with him, the distrust still very much apparent, you were fighting the urge to run to him. What was this stupid, conflicting feeling? Making eye contact with Minseok, Chanyeol ducked his head and hurriedly left the kitchen.

“So,” you crossed your arms after putting down the glass and leaned against the counter, “is this the part where you explain to me what the hell is going on?”

“I will, but not here.”

“No, you don’t get to do that!” you snapped. “You didn’t want to tell me in the forest, so we came back here and now you don’t want to tell me here?”

Minseok shrunk back. “I just meant down here. Can we go upstairs? Away from where the others can hear?”

That suggestion could be accepted. Actually, you felt a little bad for exploding, but could you really be blamed? Given the information dump you were steadily receiving today? “Oh. Okay. Lead the way.”

Minseok’s hand twitched at his side, but he kept it in check as he turned and headed back up the stairs. The top spilled out into a hallway lined with doors. This space wasn’t as bright as the kitchen. Different shades of dark brown covered the wooden floor and plaster walls. No windows gave view to the outside making you feel trapped. “This one’s mine,” Minseok said. He held on to a handle of one of the middle doors and waited for you to come closer before pushing it open. When you saw what lied beyond the door, you nearly smiled.

On the walls were posters of famous soccer players and indie movies you’d never heard of. The bed was made with military precision, not a creased comforter or half-strewn pillow in sight. Against the far wall under a singular window was a desk. The notebooks were stacked in the top right corner, the edges so straight a ruler wouldn’t be able to find fault. Pens and pencils occupied a small cup to keep the rest of the desk clear.

“Not what you expected?” Minseok asked as he closed the door.

“Yes and no.” You stole a glance at him over your shoulder. “It’s very… neat.”

Minseok smiled shyly. He shuffled over to the bed and sat down. If he expected you to take the spot next to him, he was wrong. Instead, you chose the chair. A precaution for yourself.

Neither of you knew where to start. Who was supposed to talk first? What part should even be considered the beginning? Unable to continue in this awkward silence, you jumped in feet first.

“You can really… turn into a wolf?” The words felt like glue in your throat. Creatures like that belonged in fairytales and fantasy films, not a college campus.

“Yeah,” Minseok said. “We all can. All nine of us.”

“All nine.” Oh, great. A whole pack of them. “Even the one’s I met?” Stupid question. He’d already answered that, technically. But Minseok simply nodded instead of calling out the redundancy. “So, were you all bitten or-” You felt ridiculous basing the current situation on myth and legend, but what else did you have to go on?

“We’re all born this way. You can’t be like us from a bite or a scratch. It has to be in your DNA.” He snuck a peek before beating you to the next question. “The moon doesn’t really influence us either. I mean, its easier to see by at night in the forest, but it doesn’t force us to change. We can do that whenever we want. Witches have more of a connection with the giant rock in the sky.”

“Witches! They’re real, too? What else is real? Vampires? Dragons? Goblins?” What kind of world had you stumbled into?

Minseok flinched. “Maybe we should stick to one subject at a time.”

“Right.” That was probably best for your sanity. “So, if you have to be born like,” you gestured to him, “… this, does that mean both of your parents were, too?”

“Just my dad,” Minseok said. “Females wolves are extremely rare.”

“Well, that’s sexist.”

“Hey, we didn’t make up the rules. It’s genetics.” He scratched the back of his neck, twitching his lips from side to side. “I guess I should say that silver doesn’t bother us either.”

Why did you feel relieved at that random fact? It didn’t matter, as that wasn’t the most pressing issue to you. “Earlier you mentioned that it wasn’t you killing the campers-”

“It wasn’t any of us!”

“I believe you.” The words tumbled off your lips. And you realized that it was true. You couldn’t twist the nervous, sweet guy in front of you into a mindless killer. The way he was explaining everything slowly, cautiously, giving you time to understand. He wasn’t hiding anything from you. Not anymore. “I’m just confused when you said it was an omega?”

“Its just a ranking system within a pack,” he explained. “Alpha, beta, MR, omega. Junmyeon’s the alpha of our pack, he’s in charge. Yixing and I are betas, second in command. We help enforce Junmyeon’s word and keep an eye on the younger wolves who like to cause mischief.” He chuckled, as if remembering times when said mischief occurred. “The rest are all MR – Mid-ranking. They all have their own duties should they be needed. Well, except for Jongin and Sehun. They’re the youngest wolves so they get special treatment most of the time. Its okay, though. They kind of make you want to take care of them, the way they are.”

You nodded filing all the information away for later recall. “And the omega?”

“A wolf without a pack. Nine times out of ten they were kicked out for defying the alpha, for putting their own interests ahead of the pack. Without that structure, a lot of them turn feral.”

“Nine times out of ten?”

“It’s extremely rare, but sometimes a wolf will choose to never join a pack in the first place. It’s nearly unheard of though. We’re too social of creatures. Nine-point-five out of ten would probably be a better number.”

You couldn’t help the laugh that came out. Of course he would bring up math in a time like this. Minseok laughed along with you. Eventually, though, it died out, along with the smile that had been growing on his lips. “There’s something else I need to tell you.”

Picking up on his mood, you tilted your head to the side. “I don’t think anything else could take me by surprise at this point.” Minseok stared at you pointedly. Your stomach began to sink. What other little secret could he possibly be harboring at this point? You didn’t think anything could be as shocking as his shapeshifting abilities.

“Have you ever heard the expression ‘wolves mate for life’?” he asked cryptically.

“Yeah?”

“Well-” he shifted, crinkling the perfect comforter in the process. “We don’t know why it happens. Junmyeon thinks its nature’s way of compensating our ‘otherness’ while Jongdae just thinks it’s another level of torture.” An uncomfortable laugh. “But, um, every wolf has their own mate. Just one, that they stick with for the rest of their lives.”

Unable to keep looking at him, you leaned forward, resting your elbows on your knees. “So, are you saying that you all get to pick whoever you want as your mate and that’s it? You claim them because of what you are?”

“No!” Minseok jumped to his feet. Swallowing visibly, he cleared his throat, but remained standing. “No, we don’t get to pick. It happens out of nowhere. Our mates are chosen for us before either is born. And we can meet them under any circumstances. Some favorable, some… not so much.”

You looked up at him “What are you trying to say, Minseok?”

He walked up to you, each step hesitant, each step full of fear. Crouching down, he sighed as he looked into your eyes. “What I’m trying to say, (y/n), is that… you’re my mate.”

At first, you only blinked. The words had to be soaked in one at a time before you could piece them together and understand the sentence as a whole. “I- what? How do you even know?”

Reaching out, Minseok took ahold of your hand. You didn’t fight it. The electricity was practically singing between your skins. “Really, all it takes is one look. A few seconds of eye contact and the pull takes hold. But this feeling we both get when we touch, its confirmation. And then there’s this.”

He pulled your hand closer, pressing your palm against his chest. The heat transferring through the thin fabric was enough to make you sweat, but that wasn’t the point of this exercise. It was the rate of which his heart was beating. As he stared at you with awe, his heart sprinted as if it were in second place of a race and needed to pass just one more runner to win.

“Every time I see you, this happens,” Minseok whispered. “It doesn’t matter how good my day has been, its always better when I’m with you.”

“We haven’t even known each other that long.”

“It doesn’t take long, apparently.”

You frowned, confused. “Apparently?”

A small smile pulled up one corner of his mouth. “I’m the first one in the pack to find my mate. The first one to experience this.”

The first…. You wanted to laugh at the romantic angle your brain was seeing this.

A knock came from the door. Minseok stood up, reluctantly dropping your hand before answering the intrusion. “Yeah?”

Several roommates were standing in the hall, all peering around Minseok to get a better look at you.

“Kyungsoo said it was time for dinner,” one of them said. “And that he could hear your mate’s empty stomach from downstairs.”

“And it took all of you to come tell us?” Minseok questioned as he folded his arms. He shifted to block more of the doorway, shielding you from their stares.

“It was an important job,” another one said.

Minseok looked back at you before sighing. “Tell Kyungsoo that I’ll be down in a second.”

“But-”

The door was shut before the argument could be finished. The rush of footsteps faded in the background until it was only the two of you once again.

“Are you hungry?” Minseok asked. You nodded sheepishly. “You don’t have to go downstairs. You can stay here and I’ll bring it up to. Kyungsoo’s a good cook so whatever he made will be delicious.”

“Actually, I’ll go down with you,” you said, to the surprise of both of you. Everything Minseok had told you was still sinking in. There was too much to process and completely comprehend, but the pieces were fitting together. And you were curious about life here. If you really were meant to be his mate, maybe you should know where that road led. It was the right at the fork. You’d uncovered a sign that gave you a clue to where it was headed. You wanted to follow it.

Minseok waited patiently as you stood up and walked towards him. He let you out the door first. There was a moment where your fingers brushed as you passed. You could feel the muscles in his hand tighten. He wanted to take your hand again – and you almost let him. But you held back. There was still something stopping you. Or, rather, a who.

The noise hit you halfway down the stairs. Being told that nine people lived together and truly witnessing it were two very different concepts. There was no order that you could see. Most of the boys sat around the table, conducting multiple conversations at once that overlapped that you had to wonder how they could understand each other. A few sat in a small booth off to the side in a world of their own. It was the kind of breakfast nook you’d only seen before in home magazines. Two boys stood at the counters, their backs to the chaos behind them.

One of them – sporting a very well put together look and black rimmed glasses – turned and smiled at you and Minseok. “There you are. Glad to see you came down.” He held his hand out to you. “I’m Junmyeon.”

“The alpha,” you said as you shook his hand.

“I see Minseok told you most of it,” Junmeyon said.

“Pretty much everything,” Minseok corrected.

You felt your face contort as you tried to pinpoint where you’d seen this man before. “Wait. Aren’t you a professor?”

Junmyeon laughed. “Yeah, I am. In the literature department. Folklore, to be exactly. But I’d prefer if we kept this between us.” He sent you a wink to show he was teasing. Behind you, Misneok growled, making you jump. “I’m just playing, Minseok.”

“And I’m sure he’ll be playing when he rips your head off,” the other stove-top occupant stated. He held out a plate for you piled high with food. There was no way you would be able to eat all of that. “I’m Kyungsoo, by the way.”

“(y/n),” you greeted back. “It’s nice to meet you.” Taking the plate, you tried to hand it off to Minseok.

“No, that’s yours.”

Not wanting to be rude, you said between gritted teeth, “I can’t eat all of this.”

Minseok pinched his face as if debating on something. “Fine. We’ll share.”

“Are you sure about that?” Junmyeon asked. “There won’t be any left over for seconds. You know that.”

“It’ll be fine.”

Shaking his head, Kyungsoo held on to one side of the plate and added another scoop of rice and meat each. “Just in case.”

After thanking him, Minseok guided you over to the table with a hand hovering over your lower back. Even without the contact, you could feel the heat coming from his palm. Or maybe it was just your imagination filling in. Minseok pulled out a chair for you on the empty end before sitting next you. It was obvious he’d purposefully placed you away from the others.

“Possessive much?” Baekhyun snorted as he dug into a plate of his own.

“I’m sure it’s just instinct.” The comment came from one of the more slender boys – Boys? Wolves? You weren’t sure how to address them properly. Maybe later. Your brain needed a break. The one who had spoken had a very pointed face, but in a way that was still handsome. You weren’t sure if you’d seen him before or not.

“That’s Yixing,” Minseok said. “And the last one to meet, I guess, is Jongdae.”

Jongdae turned out to be the curled-lip one who still wasn’t smiling. In fact, he was the only one not in some level of a cheerful mood as he sat in the breakfast booth. He barely looked at you while everyone else was. Some were even blatantly staring at you as they shoveled in food to their mouths.

“You should eat.” Minseok picked up a fork and stabbed a slice of marinade-covered meat, holding it out for you to eat like a child.

“I can do that myself, thanks.” You took the fork and chewed slowly on the meat. It was good. More than good, really, so you took another bite and another. Soon, you were full, though there was more than half a plate left. You scooted the plate over to Minseok. “Okay, your turn.”

“You’re done? Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m stuffed.”

Minseok didn’t reach for the other fork he’d grabbed, as if giving you a chance to change your mind. When you made no such move, he dug in. You smiled at the way he ate, enjoying every bite with satisfaction. At the sight of every plate being empty, Baekhyun stood up. “I’m going to watch a movie,” he announced.

“Oh, that sounds like a good idea!” Jongin said.

Yixing asked, “Which one?”

Baekhyun shrugged. “I don’t know. Whatever’s new. (Y/n), want to join us?”

Minseok cut in. “I don’t know if that-”

“I’d love to!” You turned to Minseok and gave him a cheeky smile. It felt a bit defiant. Perhaps he wanted to explain more to you or spend time with you alone in general, but you wanted to know how this group operated together. You wanted insight to their normalcy. Getting to your feet, you picked up the plate, but Junmyeon reached over and took it from you.

“Don’t worry about this. We’ll clean up.”

“But-”

The alpha wouldn’t have it. “You’re the guest. Shoo.”

More than happy with that argument (dishes weren’t your thing by a long shot), you followed the cluster of excited men to the living room. They crashed on nearly every surface – the couch, the chairs, the floor, anywhere they could fit. Minseok approached Jongin and Sehun who had taken a corner of the long couch.

“Move,” he ordered.

“But we were here first!” Sehun whined. Jongin look over to you and then got up without a word, sitting down on the floor with his back against the coffee table.

“Sehun….”

“You’re really going to kick the youngest off the comfortable seat?”

You tried to break up the awkward exchange. Well, it was awkward for you since you were the reason for the discussion. “It’s fine, really. I can sit on the floor.”

“You’re not sitting on the floor,” Minseok told you. To Sehun, he said, “I’m the eldest and she’s a guest. Please move.”

For a second nothing happened. Then Sehun huffed. “Fine.” He got up and joined Jongin on the floor. He lied down on his stomach and pulled out his phone, over it already. You felt bad but saw no point in arguing. Minseok let you sit first and then, once again, sat between you and Chanyeol, who happily occupied the other side of the couch.

Baekhyun flipped through a streaming service until he landed on a superhero movie. Everyone cheered at the choice, then quieted down as he pressed play. Someone turned out the lights so only the glow of the television remained.

Sitting shoulder to shoulder and leg to leg, you were hyper aware of Minseok. Arms crossed over your stomach and fists clenched, you told yourself repeatedly not to reach for his hand or lean on his shoulder no matter how heavy your eyelids were getting. Erik may have hit pause on your relationship, but there wasn’t much of a discussion of lines. You didn’t know the rules of that scenario and what was and wasn’t allowed. But as your tiredness grew, your willpower weakened. After a few bobs, your head landed softly on Minseok’s shoulder. It was too comfortable to move. It felt too nice, too right. Like his shoulder was the one you were always supposed to lean on. And that was when Minseok made a move of his own.

Holding your head up, he adjusted his arm so it was now draped over your shoulders. Your head rested against his chest when he laid you back down. Something vibrated against your cheek. Was that… purring? No, it had to be the booming from the movie. Right?

It didn’t take long for you drift into sleep. The movie was one you’d seen before so you couldn’t use that as an excuse to stay awake. You weren’t sure how long it had been. A slight bopping motion roused you. In the shallowness of your conscious you made out that you were being carried. Carried up stairs… and into a bedroom. While still holding you, that person managed to pull back the covers and tuck you into bed. As the arm slipped away you grabbed hold of the wrist. Through the slightest slits in your eyes you could make out Minseok’s silhouette.

“Shh, it’s okay,” he whispered. “Go back to sleep. I’ll take the couch downstairs.”

“No. Stay.”

He froze at your request. “Are you sure?”

“Please.”

Even in the darkness, you could see him smiling. “Okay.” Shutting the door, he peeled back the covers once more and slid in beside you. Happy wasn’t even close to how you felt when he pulled you in close to his chest. You drifted back to sleep with a smile on your face.

[asterekmess]

honestly, my fury at the lack of werewolf culture/history/worldbuilding is worthy of its own post. Let me know if by some ungodly chance, you actually wanna hear my thoughts on it // Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!

ohmygod yes, pls, enable me.

SO.

I think I mentioned b4 that Teen Wolf hates werewolves.

This is a show about werewolves like, yeah, sure, they do other plots and stuff. But the main character is a werewolf. The vast majority of the cast are werewolves (at least in the first half of the show). But think about it. What do we actually know about werewolves? They uhh, they shift on the full moon. But like, what about the full moon? Cus’ Scott gets handcuffed to a radiator and he doesn’t shift and break out until the moon comes out from behind the clouds and he screams like it’s excruciatingly painful for him. But then Derek and his Betas are underground during their full moon, and they shift like it’s all fine and dandy (they’re furious, but there’s no pain) and it doesn’t matter whether they can see the moon or not. They, uhh, they’re allergic to wolfsbane/it’s poisonous to them (btw it’s poisonous to literally everyone, just the scent of it is enough to cause seizures and hallucinations in humans. It’s a whole other frustration that they won’t make up their fucking minds abt it. It’s one thing to say that this is some parallel universe where wolfsbane doesn’t poison humans (bc lydia makes them hallucinate with the punch but injesting that much wolfsbane should kill you, and Stiles straight pulls a plant out of the ground; should’ve caused itching, burning, a cough, nausea, fever, headache and More hallucinations) and yet Jackson has to see a doctor and gets told he’s got Aconite Poisoning. So WHAT IS THE TRUTH?) but apparently not enough for Derek not to be able to plant a wolfsbane plant and massive cord of roots (which he would’ve had to tie together himself) in a revenge spiral around Laura’s body. But just being around it causes wolves to lose control. But also there’s supposed to be different strains that do different things? And also sometimes you burn the wolfsbane and it becomes the cure, or you have to burn it out of them or you just cut it out of them? Make UP Your MIND or at least ACKNOWLEDGE that different strains do different things. They get stronger on a full moon. But does that mean they get infinitely stronger with every full moon they experience? Does that mean they get weaker during new moons? They’re stronger in packs. Okay, but they never establish what the fuck a pack is. Is it an agreement? Is it a magical bond? Scott just sort of says people are in his pack. Does that mean they are? Do the humans he knows make him stronger? Just how strong is this bond? Derek makes a claim that “You have your own pack now” so is that a joke, was he mocking scott? Or is he saying that there’s no need for an Alpha and just being a beta with some friends counts as a pack? Apparently they have some kind of...animal magnetism or mind control? Derek uses a funny voice and a guy wakes up from a near coma to look at him with seemingly no control. Peter can force Scott to shift up. Derek forces Isaac to shift down. Derek has an insane amount of control over dogs and makes one lose its fucking mind from like a hundred feet away? Scott makes one calm down, but derek sends attack dogs running with their tails between their legs. Is it actual control or is it just a persuasion? Is it just intimidation? I haven’t even gotten to culture. You’re telling me that we get an entire episode of Allison discovering the entire story behind the Argent clan’s origins as werewolf hunters, why they started, how her name means Silver and apparently that’s where the entire myth of silver hurting werewolves comes from, but we don’t get to know anything about the first werewolves? Where they come from? If they’re a form of evolution or just straight magic or if it’s a curse or a gift from the gods? There’s an entire hidden werewolf population with packs all over the world, but somehow there’s literally no wolf culture? No moon worship? No specific terminology (Alpha, Beta, and Omega are terms used by a really fucking stupid biologist who studied frantic wolves in captivity and cast aspersions on the entire species. He’s been disproven a Thousand Times. NONE of that Alpha, Beta, Omega shit is right. Packs aren’t Hierarchies of Dominance. They’re families. They’re led by two wolves, yes, an “alpha pair” that’s literally JUST THE PARENTS. THE ‘BETAS’ ARE THEIR KIDS. This terminology makes sense if used by HUNTERS who consider werewolves to be mindless dumb animals. WHY THE FUCK would werewolves use it to DESCRIBE THEMSELVES?) besides the absolute minimum of ‘I caught a scent?’ Are you serious? Then there’s werewolf ages. Oh my god that was so fucking lazy. Saying that werewolves don’t age like humans, but that Cora is seventeen “by human standards” WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? I’ve seen theories that go so many different ways. The idea that Werewolves live really long lives because of the superhealing. The idea that they live really short lives because their healing just burns through their body really quickly. The idea that their lifespan is directly correlated to the amount of damage they take because they can only heal so much, so wolves who get hurt a lot age faster than wolves who don’t. There’s NO explanation! You’d think it might be an interesting point for Scott to find out that he’s gonna live to fucking 200 years old. (How old is Satomi again?) That sounds like something a Teenager would be daunted by. We see them make fun of Stiles a few times because he believes werewolf myths about silver, and then because he believes Peter when Peter tells him he lives in a series of underground caves. But like...why not? THESE ARE WEREWOLVES why did you just make them humans with extra facial hair? Where are the traditional mating rituals (or even the concept of a mate/life partner, can you imagine how interesting that would’ve been? If Scott found out Allison was his mate? Or if he suddenly had all these weird urges around her, like rubbing their foreheads together or cuddling her way too much or wanting to bring her food? That would’ve been fascinating and hilarious as subplots for their romance!) where are the full moon runs or pack get-togethers? Where are the aversions to perfumes or cologne? Where are literally any animal behaviors besides AGGRESSION? Where is the den-making? Can werewolves eat fast food or does the grease bug them? Talia was a famous Alpha bc she could full shift. Does anyone know why she could do that? “Evolution” is a bullshit answer, let’s be real. It’s shitty writing and it put Derek through so much more than he deserved. THEY ACCIDENTALLY ESTABLISHED that ALL HALES can full-shift! IT’s NOT EVOLUTION. It’s BIRTHRIGHT. Talia fullshifted. Peter full-shifted (though his was distorted into the monster thingy. That wasn’t anything like Deucalion’s shift. It was a FULL SHIFT) Laura could full shift bc she did it after she died. No other werewolves on the show turned into full wolves after death, even if they died with wolfsbane in their system? MALIA could full-shift into a coyote. LITERALLY EVERY HALE except Cora and that’s bc she got booted back to South America COuld FULL SHIFT (and it never happened after they lost all of their wolf powers, that coud’ve been an interesting plot if they didn’t FUCK IT UP.) But still there’s no explanation, or even just acknowledgement? You don’t have to spell it out for us, but at least SAY “Hey, so the Hale family is really powerful and all of us can full-shift. Not sure why, but it’s neat.) I’m still stuck on rituals. Routines. Werewolf mores. Social cues. Are there certain smells they’re supposed to ignore? Is it polite to pretend you don’t hear someone coming up to your house until they knock? Do they have rules about waiting until the Alpha eats before they start eating (much like how lots of traditional households wait for the father to dig in, or whoever is head of household)? Is it tradition to homeschool werewolves for the first few years until they learn control? Are there seriously no rules about biting humans? You don’t have to talk to their parents or have a specific conversation with them? And if werewolves are so dominance/hierarchy based, then you’re telling me there’s no “second-in-command” or respectful greetings that are supposed to be used for an Alpha? There’s absolutely no form of werewolf government or ancient laws or anything except a big spiral that is universally recognized as a sign you’re gonna kill people? What was the wolfsbane around Laura’s body for? Why make the spiral out of that instead of just drawing in the dirt or something? We make a lot of jokes about Derek being bad with his words, but so is Peter and so is Cora. And they’re the only born wolves we interact with (except Satomi who ALSO isn’t a chatterbox) What if that’s not just because they’re all traumatized and cranky? What if they’re just speaking on a different level? Scents and body language are integral to wolf interaction. Like how we say that Peter has that conversation with Derek’s eyebrows? What if Derek’s so fucking pissed all the time because he hates talking to Scott because SCott ISN”T LISTENING to his body language and scent and chemosignals? He tells Scott to use all his senses, and Scott does it fucking once to say that Peter felt “Angry” and never again. What if Derek is Talking PLENTY (with his body and movements and reactions) but Scott just isn’t paying attention? Isaac seems to understand Derek just fine. Erica and Boyd never complain that Derek is lying to them or ‘keeping something’ from them? What if the reason Scott always thinks Derek’s hiding something is because he isn’t reading the rest of Derek’s conversation and he assumes that the empty feeling is Derek lying. Even STILES seems to understand Derek. He’s human, but he goes totally wolfy. He already uses body language a lot and while he gets mad at Derek he never has to ask what the fuck derek is saying or what he’s holding back. I digress. I wanna know why no other packs came to help Derek and Laura after their family died. I wanna know why Emissaries and Druids are so incredibly important to the supernatural/werewolf world but Derek barely knew they existed (Especially when it’s established that he know tons of lore about other species.) and even though every single pack should have an emissary, they never handle who is the emissary for Derek’s pack or for Scott’s pack (Once again, is an emissary bound to their pack somehow or is it just an agreement?). I wanna know why Derek knew Satomi and trusted her but for some reason never felt like he could ask her for help? Centuries of hiding and living amongst humans with almost no wolf behavior to their name, but none of these packs interact? There’s Druid Vets and Hunter cops and Emissary counselors. But no werewolf doctors? No werewolf teachers? Absolutely no werewolf society? If Derek was worried about Paige not accepting that he was a werewolf unless she became one, what does that say about his experience with humans? He says “there were people in my family that were perfectly ordinary in that house” who died in the fire. But wouldn’t he talk to a human pack member about his worries, if he had one? Or even a bitten pack member? He admits he doesn’t know how to train a Bitten wolf. He’s never been called out by a human pack member for using phrases like ‘caught a scent’ or for reacting to things he shouldn’t. Does this mean Derek’s family was entirely werewolves? No humans in the know? No bitten wolves? He has a huge thing about keeping the secret and never letting anyone in on it unless they get dragged into it. Did Derek’s pack have some kind of prejudice against humans? Was Derek raised to believe humans were weak or cowardly or something, that he thought this beautiful girl would automatically hate him and expose him if she were to discover the supernatural without being forced into silence by self-preservation.

Lots of times, it’s easy to forget in this fandom that so much is missing, because we’ve been filling in the gaps for so long that some stuff is practically canon. It’s generally assumed that the Hales were homeschooled before high school. It’s generally assumed that there’s some kind of bond that marks people as pack. We instinctively add in mentions of Scent and the use of the shift (growling, claws, a hint of fang, flashing eyes) as part of the casual communication between characters. We add in scent-marking and territory boundaries and specific roles in the pack. We do all of that and never think twice because it’s already in all the fic. But we did that. The show gave us nothing. It spent an entire season talking about the nogitsune and the oni and how they’re summoned and what kitsune fox tails are for, but we never got to find out why wolves can do the pain-drain (or even if it dissipates the pain or just transfers it to the wolf doing the draining) or if Derek Hale EVEN HAS A DAD.

[reader-x-whatever]

Idk if this is out of character, but how about Hornet (Hollow Knight) asking the reader out?

On It!

—————

You were simple bug. You lived in the town known as Dirtmouth, in a kingdom known as Hallownest. You moved here about a year ago, and have long since heard the tales of the kingdoms past.

You heard of the Hollow Knight, a vessel born to the old king, once sealed away and made to hold the Goddess of dreams, though they were not suited for it. You heard of the protector princess of the kingdom, Hornet, who had guarded the mark of the king, and warned of the trials around. And you heard of the Ghost of Hallownest. Another vessel, that was discarded, but escaped it's pit in which it was thrown in. They escaped the kingdom, then came back, years later, and saved it.

You heard tales that these three still roamed the kingdom, but, for a while, you did not believe this.

Until they came out the well, that is.

You where relaxing in the town center, talking with other bugs that resided there. The Elderbug said that the town used to be so full of life before the infection hit. And once it ended, it started to grow again.

As you were talking to a fly named Sly, you heard scraping coming from the well. You, and a few others looked over, and some went directly too it and looked in. Those who did gasped and ran back, beggining to whisper to others. You were confused, then you saw tall, spiked horns poke out of the well. An arm reached out, as well as multiple dark tendrils, and the thing pulled itself out. It stood up, and despite souching, it was very tall. You looked at it, feeling that you recognised it, when something else leaped from the well. It was a much smaller thing, though similar in look to the tall. It seemed to use wings and it landed easily. Instantly, you heard elderbug gasp, as well as others, though you couldn't tell why.

You believed that was it, and were ready to go meet the two, so you began to walk over, as well as some others.

A needle shot straight from the well, thread attatched to it. It span in the air, then turned and began to shoot towards the ground. It was about to hit you.

You quickly leapt out the way as it pinned into to ground. When you looked back at it, there was a figure, cloaked in red standing there. It looked at you oddly as you focused.

It hit you like a nail to the head.

These were the three of myth, of legend.

And the one standing in front of you, now offering a hand to help you up, was Hornet herself.

That is how you became friends.

You have known her, Hollow, and Ghost for a while now, but you and Hornet hung out together the most.

The three taught you how to weild a nail, and you keep it on you often now. Since learning, you and Hornet spar often. Being as skilled a fighter as she is, she wins nearly every time. Though you have snagged a victory once or twice.

You two tend to chat often when there isn't other things to do, and you got to know each other well.

As time passed, you got closer together, and whenever you would hang out, wether just with her or with the whole group, you tended to stick to each other.

You caught feelings. Though you held onto them, deciding to not risk ruining the friendship you had.

Today you and the three had decided that you would meet up in the Howling Cliffs. It it a hard climb to the top, but you have gotten used to it. You made it to the top and walked around a bit, looking for them. In the distance, you saw the three. Hornet seemed to be talking to them and pacing around, while Hollow and Ghost looked between eachother and her. You made your way over, worried that Hornet seemed worried.

"-what if they don't feel the same-? I don't know-" She saw you and froze, stopping her pacing.

"Oh, hello there y/n-!" Hollow and Ghost wave at you and you wave back.

"Hey guys! You good Hornet?" you looked at Hornet curiously, wondering if she was alright now.

She nodded and rubbed the back of her neck. She was nervous about something, but you decided to leave it.

Hollow and Ghost looked at eachother, expressionless. They were communicating in their odd way. After a moment of awkward scilence, you were about to speak up, but Ghost began to sign at you and Hornet.

'Hollow and I just remembered that we have to do something. You two can hang out without us.' and then began to sprint away. Hornet got real nervous fast.

"Wha- why are you leaving!?"

The two just waves goodbye. You could've sworn you saw Hollow give a thumbs up...

"So... There anywhere else you want to go or-"

"Here's fine." She interrupted you.

Your legs were tired from the climb, so you decided to sit. After a moment, she joined you.

You sat in silence, looking at the sky, listening to the sound of wind, whispering by.

It was nice.

You felt something grab your hand, and looked. Hornet was holding yours and looking at the ground. You felt your face heat and looked at the ground as well.

She spoke up.

"Would you- maybe- uh.... by wyrm, I've never done this before-" you were confused, but started to piece it together. She looked at you, and you looked back. "Do you want to go out?" she said it quickly.

You were shocked, but instantly overwhelmed with excitment and happiness. You grasped her hand back and held it between your chests.

"Yes! I would love too!"

"Really?!"

"Yes!!"

She didn't seem to expect that.

You tapped your forehead to hers, then hugged her. She hugged back with a laugh, and you two stayed like that for a while.

You were a simple bug.

And the protector stole your heart.

[dianapocalypse]

Alright y’all, with the release of Mass Effect: Legendary Edition, it’s time for me to share my playlist for the entire trilogy.

I’ve refined this over like six years so scientifically speaking it’s probably good right. oh also it’s four hours long. so if you have a road trip or a boring job, this one’s for you. disclaimer, it’s entirely possible I have garbage taste in music. I also missed some characters and moments because there’s 65 songs here and I am merely human.

If you don’t have the patience for four hours, I recommend starting at track 45 and listening to the end, as the Mass Effect 3 portion is the strongest in my opinion.

UNDER THE CUT FOR DESCRIPTIONS WE GO!

FIRST MOVEMENT - MASS EFFECT 1

1. Atlas - Coldplay Eden Prime

“Sometimes the wire Must tense for the note Caught in the fire, say oh We're about to explode“

I really like the atmosphere of this song. It’s ominous, but also somehow hopeful, and makes me feel like Something Huge Is Coming.

2. I Will Not Sing A Hateful Song - Constantines Paragon Shepard

“But I was also born and raised To always speak and listen clear To know the last sound that I make Could be the last sound that I hear“

OK, listen, I think this song is about vampires, and I’m not sure if it’s supposed to be a metaphor or not. But I think this is a great song about controlling one’s temper, about knowing that you have to Rise Above the parts of you that want to lash out sometimes to get things done and have peace. Seeing as how paragon Shepard, to me, always seems like they’re three deep breaths away from snapping, but manage to keep it in check, it fits them to a T.

And also maybe they’re a vampire.

3. Hard to Kill - Beth Crowley Renegade Shepard

“So I let the rumors Turn me into a legend 'Cause I'm only human But a good myth is hard to kill”

This one’s a recent addition, but holy cow, I love it for Renegade Shep, particularly an Earthborn or Ruthless, but it works for any of them.

4. We Own the Skies - Five Iron Frenzy Joker

“My hands are bleeding where they often crack The stars will sometimes burn with longing Through the choking black Of night shifts piling each against the next”

This really vibes with Joker’s backstory for me, his super driven serious self in flight school, contrasted with who he is when he can fly a ship. He’s the best pilot in the goddamn fleet and I love him.

5. I Just Wanna See - Smash Mouth Kaidan Alenko

“Mister moon checkin' on how y'all livin' The stars all winkin' at the day that's dimmin' I just wanna see”

This song fits into his reactions to first showing up at the Citadel and his former romanticism about living in space. Ironically, it’s a song about Earth, but I feel like it works well for him. Also, Smash Mouth absolutely sounds like the kind of music Kaidan would listen to, no I will not be taking questions or constructive criticism.

6. Don’t Give Up - Noisettes Ashley Williams

“She's got a talented face and a suitcase Ain't got no desire to go no place In her case she's got no desire with her hand in the flame say's she don't feel the fire “

The energy of this song is just perfect for Ashley’s no-nonsense chip on her shoulder attitude.

7. About As Helpful As You Can Be Without Being Any Help At All - Dan Mangan The Council

“I was thrown in the boat/Cast out to sea Friendly with waves/There were sharks below Hungry for me/So I dangled my leg”

I mean, the title says it all.

8. The Captain - Guster Anderson

“Courageous, just like the captain Marching forward with no doubt in his head”

I have adored this song ever since my friend played it for me, and it’s the ultimate mentor-protégé jam for me.

9. Secret Agent Man - Johnny Rivers Garrus Vakarian

“Here's a man who leads a life of danger To everyone he meets he stays a stranger Oh, with every move he makes another chance he takes The odds are he won't live to see tomorrow”

I have to poke a little fun at Garrus and how seriously he takes himself in Mass Effect 1. I romanced him across four playthrus, I’m allowed!

10. I’m Getting Too Old For This Shit - Kill Lincoln Urdnot Wrex

“This random apathy/I swear it's killing me But I guess it's all the same, till the devil knows my name”

I don’t know ANYTHING about this band, but this song fits Wrex’s disillusionment with the Krogan well, plus, like. The title. (And also, that he secretly DOES care what happens to the Krogan.)

11. Bird Song - Juniper Vale Tali’zorah nar Rayya

“I want to dance on the horizon line But there is something I am caged behind I have a heart made for take flight But I'm low, so low”

I adore this song and the sound of Juniper Vale in general. The etherealness of this one, combined with the youthful optimism, feels very Tali. The line about ‘something I am caged behind’ works well for the suits, too. This one’s especially good if you’re a Talimancer!

12. 11. Green Garden - Laura Mvula Liara T’Soni

“And I’ll fly on the wings of a butterfly High as a tree top and down again Putting my bag down, taking my shoes off Walk on the carpet of green velvet”

I really like this song’s vibes and I feel like Liara fits it well, particularly in ME1, before all her youthful optimism is stripped from her. The scenery descriptions feel very Thessia, too.

13. Feed Me (Git It) - Little Shop of Horrors The Thorian 

“The guy sure looks like plant food to me!”

Do you get it. Do you get my joke. It’s because the Thorian is a plant that eats people. (I’m not funny)

14. Blindness - Metric Matriarch Benezia

“I was a blind fool, never complained All the survivors singing in the rain “

I don’t love the use of blind here as a negative, albeit metaphorical, descriptor, but I think this song fits Benezia’s indoctrination and death well. If you have suggestions for another, though, let me know!

15. Technologic - Daft Punk Saren

“Buy it, use it, break it, fix it, trash it, change it, mail, upgrade it”

I just think it’s Neat

16. Watershed - Vienna Teng The Reapers

“ While you were building your empires I was still sleeping”

I think this is the song that inspired the entire playlist. Vienna Teng sat down and decided to write a song from the perspective of a natural disaster, and it’s so ominous and gut-wrenching.

17. Hourglass - The Hush Sound Virmire

“This is how it ends We believe every lie and say we'll be friends How long will it last? Before we scratch all the scripts and we rework the cast “

hahahahah rework the cast get it because you have to pick who DIES

Seriously tho I really like this song for Virmire and that moment of choice that feels like it lasts 100 years on some playthroughts.

18. Pompeii - Bastille The Siege of the Citadel

“ And the walls kept tumbling down In the city that we love”

Throwback to when this song was on the radio like three times an hour. Which is around the time I made the first draft of this playlist, incidentally! It’s such a good Final Battle Jam for the Citadel, and the part about “if you close your eyes/does it almost feel like nothing’s changed at all” I think work really well for Shepard in this sequence. Shepard knew the Reapers were coming, had been fighting them all along; this attack on the Citadel is just retreading familiar territory for them, as horrifying as the war being brought to their doorstep is for the Citadel’s citizens and the council. James Vega has some good dialogue about that kind of thing in ME3.

INTERLUDE THE FIRST

19. Starships - Nicki Minaj The Normandy Crew

Starships were meant to fly Hands up and touch the sky

I like to have a little fun OK

20. Gravity - Yoko Kanno The Death of Commander Shepard

“Am I alone? is somebody there beyond these heavy aching feet still the road keeps on telling me to go on”

Welcome to mood whiplash, it’s my specialty! This is the part where you die. I think it also works for her coma very well, when she’s just drifting between life and death, not sure what’s going on, but something keeps trying to pull her back to the world.

SECOND MOVEMENT - MASS EFFECT 2

21. The Phoenix - Fall Out Boy The Lazarus Project

“Hey young blood, doesn't it feel like our time is running out? I'm gonna change you like a remix Then I'll raise you like a phoenix “

this song has no right to go as hard as it does and if  you think it’s melodramatic shut up

22. My Body Is A Cage - Peter Gabriel Commander Shepard

“I'm living in an age Whose name I don't know Though the fear keeps me moving Still my heart beats so slow “

This works particularly well if you romanced The Virmire Survivor, but this song captures the energy of Shepard freaking out bc they are trapped with Cerberus, because Cerberus rebuilt their body from the ground up. That jarring, caged feeling is so palpable in ME2 that when they gave me back Joker the first time I played, I BURST INTO SOBS from relief.

23. The Lady is a Vamp - The Spice Girls Miranda Lawson

“That's all in the past, legends built to last But she's got something new”

Listen. She’s a bond babe. Handbags, heels and pistols rock. She’s got class. This is a song about Miranda. That is all.

24. Kryptonite - 3 Doors Down Jacob Taylor

“ I watched the world float to the dark side of the moon After all I knew, it had to be something to do with you “

This one’s about the Vibes for me. Also can apply to his past relationship with Miranda. I’m also super showing my age on this song, oof haha.

25. Stable Song - Death Cab For Cutie Colony Abduction

“Rows of deserted houses all Our stable mates highway bound “

I really like the mood of this one for showing up on the very first abducted colony, the eerieness and sadness of it all and Shepard’s resolve to do something about it.

26. Konichiwa Bitches - Robyn Kasumi Goto

“I'm so very hot that when I rob your mansion You ain't call the cops, you call the fire station”

THAT COUPLET ALONE MAKES THE ENTIRE SONG. I love how playful and cheeky it is.

27. Seven Nation Army Glitch Mob Remix - The White Stripes, Glitch Mob Zaeed Massani

“And I'm talking to myself at night Because I can't forget Back and forth through my mind Behind a cigarette”

Pretty sure we all had this on some playlist or another when it came out, and it’s the perfect Badass With A Grudge song.

28. Science is Real - They Might Be Giants Mordin Solus

“ And when a theory emerges Consistent with the facts The proof is with science The truth is with science “

This one actually got added by my wife to replace a song that wasn’t on Spotify, but that has the same energy; Hank Green’s “I Fucking Love Science”. I get more into the emotional side of Mordin in the ME3 section, but I also really just love his Hamster On Coffee energy and this song captures it really well.

29. Prove Yourself - Radiohead Garrus Vakarian

“I can't afford to breathe in this town Nowhere to sit without a gun in my hand Hooked back up to the cathode ray

I'm better off dead “

The absolute rock bottom mental state Garrus is in when you get back to him in ME2 is so heartwrenching. Might not always agree with my boy’s methods, but he’s one of my favorite fictional characters of all time.

30. Rat a Tat - Fallout Boy Feat. Courtney Love Jack

“We are professional ashes of roses, this kerosene's live You settled your score, this is where you come to beg”

It helps that Courtney Love sounds exactly like Jack to me, NGL.

31. Defeat You - Smash Mouth Grunt

“Hey I know what you've done It makes it that much better to defeat you “

Only I am brave enough to put two songs by Smash Mouth on the same playlist, to be shared in 2021

32. The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot - Brand New Horizon/The Virmire Survivor

“If it makes you less sad I will die by your hand Hope you find out what you want Already know what I am “

Hits harder if you romanced the Virmire Survivor. Mostly from Shep’s perspective. This is a Shep that feels Bad after that encounter rather than Mad, so Your Mileage May Vary.

33. Violet Stars Happy Hunting! - Janelle Monae Tali’zorah vas Neema

“I'm an alien from outer space I'm a cyber-girl without a face a heart or a mind”

I just like the vibes of this one for Tali! I know it’s more about an actual AI but...IDK. I like it. So there.

34. Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd Thane Krios

“There is no pain you are receding A distant ship smoke on the horizon”

This song works both on a Literal level with his Kepral’s syndrome struggles, but also Metaphorical re: his Battle Sleep. Plus, Thane is a dad, so he gets Dad Rock.

35. My Medea - Vienna Teng Samara

“For I have made her prison be Her every step away from me And this child I would destroy If you tried to set her free “

Mom of the year award, here

36. Toxic - Britney Spears Morinth

“There's no escape, I can't wait I need a hit, baby, give me it You're dangerous, I'm loving it”

If Morinth weren’t so under-utilized after recruitment and didn’t get killed off in the background of ME3 I’d probably actually recruit her sometimes. I almost did on my most recent playthru bc that Shepard just HATES SPACE COPS. Anyway the song explains itself

37. Turn me On - David Guetta feat. Nicki Minaj EDI/The Collector Attack

“My body needs a hero Come and save me Something tells me you know how to save me”

I know this song is a metaphor but also it works really well both literally and metaphorically for Joker saving EDI

38. Robots - Dan Mangan Legion

“Robots need love too They want to be loved by you “

The Geth just want to live peacefullyyyyyy 

39. Be Still - The Killers Love Interest Theme

“Be still / someday you’ll leave fearlessness on your sleeve”

This song works so well for the night before Omega-4. If you had an ME2 love interest, anyway. Also “fearlessness on your sleeve” is one of my favorite set of words ever written.

40. No Cars Go - Arcade Fire The Omega-4 Relay

“We know a place no spaceships go We know a place where no subs go “

This one’s pretty literal.

41. Rocketman - Elton John Suicide Mission

“ And I think it's gonna be a long, long time 'Til touchdown brings me 'round again to find I'm not the man they think I am at home “

I like sneaking some Classics onto my playlists, and I think this is how I generally approach Shepard’s mindset during the Suicide Mission, mostly the chorus. I’m also a sucker for ballads during action sequences. This one isn’t a perfect 1:1 but the Vibes check out.

42. Blast Off - David Guetta feat. Kaz James The Normandy Crew

“Got all my people with me And none of us give a fuck So put dem hands up higher Let's smash this party up”

You have to imagine they partied HARD after recovering from Suicide Mission, but before Shep got arrested, right??? This is the Starships for ME2.

INTERLUDE THE SECOND

43. I’m Not Your Hero - Tegan and Sara Liara T’soni

“ Feeling like I am now lighting up the hall I was used to standing in the shadow of a damaged heart Learning all I know now, losing all I did I never used to feel like I'd be standing so far ahead “

This feels like a good coming of age moment for Liara, as she copes with the choices she made in the 2 years of Shepard’s death (giving them to Cerberus), losing Feron, etc. This is her coming into her own as the Shadow Broker. She’s not meant to be an uncomplicated Big Damn Hero, but she can do good from this position.

44. The Well and the Lighthouse - Arcade Fire The Alpha Relay Incident

“I'm serving time All for a crime I did commit You want the truth? You know I'd do it all again“

These opening lines I feel capture the Alpha Relay Incident really well, and how Shepard did what they HAD to do there, and would do it again, but it still feels like shit. I always wished there was more choice on that mission, but also, having something like that happen without player agency is interesting. Shepard is at their most interesting, I think, in times where we DON’T have a say in what happens to them.

45. Reignite - Malukah Commander Shepard

“Crush my heart into embers, and I will reignite”

Is it cheating to use a Mass Effect fan song on my playlist? I certainly don’t think so, and this is the best Mass Effect fan song ever written.

THIRD MOVEMENT - MASS EFFECT 3

46. This Is War - Thirty Seconds to Mars Leaving Earth

“It's the moment of truth, and the moment to lie The moment to live and the moment to die The moment to fight, the moment to fight To fight, to fight, to fight “

It feels Too Easy to use this here but I’m gonna anyway. You’ve seen AMVs of this set to everything. It’s the ending song of DA:O. It’s the quintessential World At War song.

47. Battleborn - The Killers James Vega

“Up against the wall There's something dying on the street When they knock you down You're gonna get back on your feet”

James Vega is massively underrated and I will love him til I’m cold in the ground. Aro icon.

48. Handlebars - Flobots The Illusive Man

“I can hand out a million vaccinations Or let 'em all die of exasperation Have 'em all healed of their lacerations Have 'em all killed by assassination”

The way this song escalates fits TIM and Cerberus’s fall back into being Just Full On Evil really well. Perfect song for a power trip.

49. Here I Dreamt I Was An Architect - The Decemberists The Virmire Survivor

“And I am nothing of a builder But here I dreamt I was an architect And I built this balustrade To keep you home, to keep you safe From the outside world”

I like this song for how the Virmire Survivor feels about their survivor’s guilt and also about Shepard. I honestly wish they were both more heavily utilized in ME2 and 3, but I realize it’s hard to write a ton of content for characters who just aren’t in half of all peoples’ playthrus.

50. Heaven Knows - The Pretty Reckless Grisson Academy

“One, two, three and four, the devil's knocking at your door Caught in the eye of a dead man's lie Show your life with your head held high“

This song is so perfect for Jack and her biotic kids that she’s one of the only returning characters that gets her own song on this playlist

51. The Great Fire - OK Go Javik

“But when the flames die down, and everything is gone, Will there be fire under the ashes still?”

Self explanatory. Javik is the fire remaining under the ashes.

52. Bring the Hammer Down - Paragon Priority: Tuchanka/Kalros

“ Hammer strikes the anvil A rage that breaks the chain Strikes down like a lightening In our ranks “

KALROOOOOS

53. Wake Up - Arcade Fire Curing The Genophage/Mordin Solus

“If the children don't grow up, Our bodies get bigger but our hearts get torn up. We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turnin' every good thing to Rust I guess we'll just have to adjust”

I just really love this song as an image of Mordin’s spirit looking out over Tuchanka as the genophage cure is dispersed, and watching over future generations. If you didn’t cure the genophage, how dare you. No song for you.

Anyway started tearing up listening to this one while writing the description don’t look at me

54. Ballad of a Politician - Regina Spektor Councillor Udina/Priority Citadel 2

“A man inside a room is shaking hands with other men This is how it happens/Our carefully laid plans”

traitor

55. Cyborgs vs. Robots - Ludo The Geth-Quarian War

“But your iron fist will never knock me down 'Cause I'm powered By a conscious right to conduct my life without fear.”

This is probably a bit silly for this awful war. But also. It does fit. You can’t tell me it doesn’t. Just save them both at the end and you can feel fine having some fun with it!

56. Artificial Heart - Jonathan Coulton The Geth

“It's not a real heart It is a real artificial heart”

Just a little fun with the Geth! This works best with Reaper Upgrades.

57. With A Little Help From My Friends - Joe Anderson, Jim Sturgess The Citadel DLC

“What do you see when you turn out the light? I can't tell you, but I know it's mine

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends”

I happen to prefer this version to any other because of how much fun it sounds like they’re having

58. Dark In Here - The Mountain Goats Priority: Earth

“Steal away at sundown, pick a place to hide Check for signs of ambush, hunker down inside Tired of running, tired of never standing still Hear them riding up the hill“

You know I had to get the Goats in here. Would it be a fan playlist if there wasn’t one?

59. Adieu - Yoko Kanno Leaving your Love Interest/Shepard and the Beam

“My love for you burns deep inside me / So strong Embers of times we had And now, here I stand / Lost in a memory I see your face, and smile”

...do I need to say more than that?

60. My Way (Minor Key) - Chase Holfelder The Indoctrination of The Illusive Man

“Regrets, I've had a few/But then again, too few to mention I did what I had to do/I saw it through, without exemption“

This cover takes this song from something I tolerate when I hear it to one of my FAVORITE songs. The frenzied way he sings the “through it all” verse is PEAK Indoctrinated TIM.

61. I’m Alive - Disturbed Refusal 

“There will never be a reason why I will surrender to your advice To change myself, I'd rather die/Though they will not understand”

Honestly I didn’t “get” the Refusal ending until I heard this song, then I was like, OH, I SEE IT ALL SO CLEARLY NOW. This is my favorite in-universe Shepard take on the Refusal ending. I always got it from the player’s perspective of being dissatisfied with the options, but this one puts it into the world for me. This is a Shepard who does not trust the Starchild. This is a Shepard that chooses to end things on their own terms rather than submit to their designs.

62. Machine - Regina Spektor Control 

“I collect my moments Into a correspondence With a mightier power Who just lacks my perspective And who lacks my organics And who covets my defects “

I used to have Adieu here, actually, because like Refusal, I didn’t used to GET the Control ending. Now, I do, in part thanks to hearing this song. I mean, just go look at the full lyrics. If this song hadn’t been written years before the end of Mass Effect 3, I’d swear it was a fan song for it.

63. Maybe Tomorrow - Yuki Kajiura Destroy 

“The moon is gone And the night is still so dark I'm a little bit afraid of tomorrow“

I’m a Destroy Ending person, I won’t lie. Full on “the starchild is a liar and my synthetic friends are FINE” indoctrination theory level destroy ending. But this song is not about that. It’s about the canonical destroy ending, and if you prefer a Shep that survives it, this song’s for you.

This song captures the exhaustion and melancholy of the end of a long journey so well. Shepard is afraid of what comes next, the collateral damage resulting from their actions. But they know that, at least, it’s over now. Maybe tomorrow will be better.

64. Waiting For the End - Linkin Park Synthesis

“ I know what it takes to move on I know how it feels to lie All I wanna do is trade this life for something new Holding on to what I haven't got”

This is one of my favorite songs of all time. The hardest part of ending is starting again. Oof. Gets me every single time. Shepard finding the resolve to sacrifice themself for the hope of something better, of things not going how they planned, ever, of learning to make peace with that and the people who loved them learning to carry on without them? OOF.

65. Shine - Vienna Teng Epilogue

“Shine with all the untold Hold the light given unto you Find the love to unfold In this broken world we choose“

Vienna Teng is a master of capturing life’s softer emotions, and this fits perfectly with the epilogue scene for me. Tell me again about the Shepard.

“Find the love to unfold in this broken world we choose” has to be one of the greatest lines about the human experience ever written.

[yournewapartment]

YNA, I need help or advice or something: there's this video going around Facebook, that my cousin just sent me, from a woc who is saying that "racially motivated police brutality is a myth" and I'm so angry like how can she say that? "White men are more likely to be killed by cops," "cops are more likely to be killed by black men," and crap like that. I dont believe any of it but how do I prove to my cousin it's bs? The woman was citing figures and yelling "look it up!!" Was she bluffing?

I recently listened to a wonderful podcast from In The Dark about the case of Curtis Flowers, a POC who had to endure an unprecedented number of murder trails in Mississippi for a mass murder he did not commit. The prosecutor on the case, an asshole named Doug Evans, was a racist, and tried the case six times. There is only one other case in all of United States history, to have been tried even close to this many times. One other case! Curtis’ case kept getting overturned because his defense team was able to prove time and time again, that Evans and his team were racists. They used their legal power in the courtroom to strike as many black people from the jury pool as possible. Out of the six trials (think 12 jurors and 3 alternates), I believe only eight POC made it onto the jury. That’s 8 out of 90 possible! My memory might not be 100% correct, but you get the point. 

It’s a wonderful podcast and I highly recommend you listen if you’re interested in true crime. BUT, my point...

During several of the trials, Mr. Evans used jail-house informants who were POC. All of them have since recanted their testimony and have said that Evans paid them to testify or helped them get lesser prison sentences. But this is after the fact. In the Dark investigators interviewed different jurors who sat on different juries (the jail house informants were used at almost every trial). Many of the white jurors said that they gave the jailhouse informants more credence than they normally would have, because they were POC. They said that they did not think that POC would turn on other POC if it wasn’t for a good reason. Which is, my friends.... wait for it... just another form of racism against POC! 

The few black jurors that made it to juries did not give the jailhouse informants more credence at all. Several even said that they found the jail house informants very untrustworthy and unreliable. Because the court literally tells you: “Hey, these are jail house informants, you have to take their testimony with a grain of salt.”

I haven’t seen this video and I obviously don’t know the background of it or of the POC on it. But it sounds to me like white people are watching this video and thinking: “Well, this is a POC saying these things, so this video has to be an honest take on the situation.” It’s sounding like they’re giving this video more weight and importance than they would a video of a white person saying the same exact things. 

Which is... racism! 

Racism is not always brutality and violence, thought it often times is. 

Racism can be your white grandmother saying: “I don’t have a problem with black people, their music is just too loud.” 

It can be your friend saying the n-word when she’s singing along to a Kendrick Lamar song: “He said it first, so why can’t I say it?” 

It can be a co-worker assuming a POC co-worker speaks a different language based on their skin color. 

It can even be you! If I’m walking around at night by myself, and I see a group of black men hanging out in a park, doing their own thing, why am I uneasy? I have to ask myself- if this were a group of white men, would I still feel uneasy? Why do I feel this way? Do I carry inherent racism with me as a white person, just based on the way I react with society as a white woman? 

Guys- I definitely do! And if you’re a white person reading this, I bet you do too. My parents are die-hard liberals who have always touted equal rights for everyone. In my education, I never had a teacher spout openly racist view points or try to “brain wash me” into being racist. It was a default. A default, because every interaction I’ve had with everyone I’ve ever met, has in some part been a judgment based on my appearance. It’s not a conscious thing, it’s what we as humans do, we take in our surroundings. Living life as a white woman has granted me invisible privileges that POC do not share. 

And... that’s a hard pill to swallow. I’m sure that I’ll get comments on this post and asks in my inbox with angry white people criticizing what I’ve just said. Because nobody wants to be called a racist! White people who spend their whole lives with POC, who have never intentionally said anything negative about POC, do not want to hear that they were essentially born into racism. Fam, I didn’t want to hear it either! But it is not enough to “not be a racist”. We’ve come too far as a species to sit back idly and occasionally tweet “Black Lives Matter” and congratulate ourselves for the effort. As a white person with my rights and privileges, it is my duty to society to be actively “anti-racist”. 

It is my duty to educate myself. It is my duty to stand with POC. To amplify POC’s voices. To listen when POC talk. And most importantly- to not make it about myself! Which I have in this post, I know. But as semi-popular blogger who is white, I feel that I needed to write this out to help other white people.  White people- get angry! Be the change you wish to see in the world. Step up and do what you can to support POC. 

I know I’ve somewhat indirectly answered your question, so more to the point. I don’t know who this POC is in the video. But on a very basic level, I know that you know, that what the woman in the video is saying is not the truth. It’s been proven time and time again that POC (particularly black POC), have been murdered by the systemic racism of our justice system. Just scroll back on my blog and check out the posts I reblogged #blacklivesmatter for more specific details. This is not to say that the justice system magically works 100% if you’re white, it clearly doesn’t. But as a white person, you have a much better chance of getting a fair shake of things. Whether that’s being pulled over by a cop, being arrested, or even getting an impartial jury. These are basic human rights that we should all enjoy! 

Anyone can hop on the internet, record a shitty video, and act like it’s the truth. I can record a video stating that I’m an FBI agent who has been hunting serial killers using the nanotechnology of gusher candies, but nobody is going to fucking believe me. Every video on the internet needs to be treated with scrutiny, and frankly, your cousin is a fool if she’s willing to end her education on racism just because she watched one video with a POC condemning it.

In this case, I would message your cousin the following resources on racism and police statistics so that she can educate herself. There are countless articles all over the internet:

https://mappingpoliceviolence.org/

https://www.citylab.com/equity/2019/08/police-officer-shootings-gun-violence-racial-bias-crime-data/595528/

Also important resources:

https://blacklivesmatter.com/

https://www.aclu.org/

How to be anti-racist: https://weedmaps.com/news/2020/06/where-to-start-being-anti-racist-educate-yourself-with-black-voices/

https://medium.com/wake-up-call/a-detailed-list-of-anti-racism-resources-a34b259a3eea

Check out the case of Curtis Flowers on all your favorite podcast streaming services: https://www.apmreports.org/in-the-dark/season-two/curtis-flowers-updates

I appreciate everyone who read this. I feel a little uneasy posting this if I’m being honest. I am white, this isn’t about my voice. So if you are a POC and have feedback for me, please let me know. I will keep on keeping on, and will do my part to support #blacklivesmatter.

[sexpositivewriting]

hey, it’s ya girl. 

back here to say a few things concerning sex in fanfiction, fiction in general, and honestly just life:

- bleeding during sex, first time or otherwise, is something to be taken seriously because that can mean a lot of different factors including rough sex, lack of lubrication, health problems, and more.

- even if there is bleeding during sex it’s not gonna be a whole pool or puddle of blood, and honestly if there is that’s a HUGE PROBLEM.

it was brought to my attention by a fabulous author friend of mine that she read a fic (she didn’t know the name, so when i say i have no idea who it was i’m not lying) where a few things happened that were concerning. like blow jobs given when the receiver is asleep (yeah, hi, consent is a thing and should be respected), and a character bleeding a whole lot because she had sex for the first time (see above), that her legs were covered in dried blood the next morning, and that there was a noticeable pool of blood on a blanket or surface the next morning, which was apparently a dead giveaway that said virginal character had had sex instead of like, you know, a dead giveaway that there was a murder or something. 

a basic google search will tell you that bleeding a lot during or after sex is not normal and the idea that (in this case) a woman should bleed because a man penetrated her and “breached” something is not something that happens to every woman, and certainly not okay if she’s bleeding so much it looks like a murder scene. 

so, let’s break this idea down and why it shows up in fiction of all types and has for a really long time. 

this whole idea that a person with a vagina bleeds during penetrative sex is because there is something called the hymen which is a thin piece of skin that partially covers the entrance to the vagina. note the word partially, that’s important. 

the hymen may not be intact when a person with a vagina has sex for the first time!!!! things like horseback riding (hello historical context) or wearing tampons (hello modern context) can break the hymen. also, when a hymen “breaks” (in quotations because that’s such a weird word to apply but it works) it may not hurt or bleed at all!!! 

so what’s the deal with this? a study done in 1998 found that 63% of women did not experience bleeding after the first time they had vaginal intercourse - here’s the article that mentions that study. the article goes on to say that bleeding because of “popping your cherry”, which generally refers to the breaking of the hymen when having sex for the first time, would be like spotting while you’re on or in between periods. you might notice some blood when you wipe after going to the restroom, or there might be a little bit of blood on the penis/fingers/condom/whatever was down there. 

also, some people are born without a hymen at all, and it can wear away as you get older and there are more things going on with hormones, sex, masturbation, etc. 

honestly, all of this makes me think of those period (haha, punny) dramas where a woman is married off to whatever dude and they have sex the night of the wedding and someone is supposed to come in and verify that there’s blood on the sheets (enough that in those ~saucy~ dramas a small vial of lamb’s blood or whatever can be snuck in to cheat the system) to say that yes, the woman was a virgin and now she’s not, thus preserving her status and the fact that any kids she gives birth to 9 months after the wedding are actually her husband’s. 

but what if she likes horseback riding? or uses that for travel? or what if she got a little curious a few nights a week during those horny teenage years and masturbated? she could still be a virgin but have no bleeding because her hymen might be non-existent or already “popped”. 

or, heaven forbid, she actually likes the guy that she’s marrying and is turned on by him? having sex without enough lubrication might be cause for a small amount of bleeding, but if you’re with someone who gets your engine revved the right way, that shouldn’t be a problem right? 

okay, well, technically it could be, but that’s another post and a biology lesson for another day. but for MOST of what we read in fanfiction, the girl is usually so lubricated already right? enough to mention that it’s “soaking her panties” or “dripping” somewhere or whatever else yeah?

so then why, i ask you, WHY are there still fanfictions where women are bleeding like stuck pigs the first time they have vaginal intercourse?

because we, as a society, as writers, have failed ourselves and each other at large by perpetuating the myth of “popping” the cherry, not recognizing that it may have once had an evolutionary value but is pretty much in the same category as wisdom teeth now - mostly useless, leftovers from a bygone era, and not actually important. 

WE, as people who write things (historically, fictionally, or otherwise) have kept this myth going. people who create written or visual works for others to read are keeping this idea going that you’re SUPPOSED to bleed after sex, that it’s SUPPOSED to be painful the first time, that you have your “cherry popped” and you’re no longer a virgin (which, by the way, isn’t a real thing. it’s a social construct. read about it). 

so, writers, stop letting each other down. stop creating and perpetuating these ideas that might accidentally normalize some other problems that are going on, or perpetuate false societal ideas that honestly shouldn’t even be a thing anymore. 

if your character is bleeding after sex, first time or otherwise, there had better be a damn good, thoroughly researched, accurate reason behind it. and not one that involves her (or him) bleeding like they were stabbed just because they’re not a virgin anymore. we have a responsibility to those who read our words, and we need to realize that. 

got more questions about what was talked about here? got another writing question, smut or otherwise? pop into the inbox, anon is always on, and ask!

[fortune-fool02]

Something Strange

Merman Jonathan Joestar x Robert E.O Speedwagon 

Merman AU 

Please enjoy. 

***

Speedwagon would never forget that night. That night where the moon's pale light lit up the sandy beach and sparkled in the inky black waters, a soft cool breeze dancing through the air to the sound of the gentle waves lightly hissing as they swayed. A relaxing silence in the air with the lights of the docks close by offering a bit of light for him as he wandered aimlessly up and down the beach, taking in the calming air. He had always found comfort and peace by the sea, listening to the waves and inhaling the sea air, as well as searching for different shells to keep and finding the occasional small crab trying to scurry its way back to the water.

All of it was something he enjoyed, a distant place from the troubles and chaos of the city of London, away from Ogre Street and the gang; here was peace, another world entirely where his worries and troubles were but a distance concern. He often found himself wandering for hours on end, lost in his thoughts as he paced up and down the shore, sometimes he did so alone and other times he was with his two closest friends, Tattoo and Kempo, all three of them chatting and talking about whatever came to mind but most of the time Speedwagon was there alone.

He had never been one to believe in fairytales or stories like that until he wandered up the beach and saw a man laying face down in the sand, his large, well-built body bare of clothes and his legs were tangled in netting, some parts digging into the flesh, rubbing roughly to leave red, raw marks in their place. It was a shocking sight to see indeed and he quickly rushed over to make sure the man was still alive; just as his fingers touched the man's neck, his stunning blue eyes shot up and he all but leaped backwards, panicked and frightened. The cold fear only shot up more as he tried to kick and move his legs, earning pained hisses and whines as the wiring of the net dug in deeper.

"Hey, hey, hey! Don't do that, you'll make it worse!" Speedwagon protested as he moved closer to the dark haired man, ignoring the fact he was naked, and tried to untangle the net without hurting him. The dark haired man hissed in a manner how a predator would, the thug brought his hands up and looked at him, "I want to help you, I'm not gonna hurt you." His words lost their volume and became soft, comforting almost. It wasn't the first time he has helped someone calm down from wounds or injuries, there were plenty of good people in Ogre Street who had been wrongly attacked and left in shock of such things. The man looked at him, his eyes a stunning blue unlike any shade Speedwagon has ever seen before, holding this glow to them that was unseen in humans. Something about it drew him in like a moth to a flame, those eyes imprinting themselves in his mind in perfect detail. Beautiful.

Snapping himself out of his little trance, the thug got back to work with untangling the netting around the man's legs.

"What's your name?" He asked him as he untangled it carefully, hoping to prevent any further harm or discomfort as the man just sat there now, the fear had calmed but still lingered, a thin smoke seeping from a dying fire.

"..." the dark haired man was silent for a moment, his mind processing the question and breaking it down to figure it out, it wasn't often he came in contact with humans but he knew their language somewhat. "Jona...than." Rough and scratchy but his words were understandable, he had heard humans say this name a few times and he found it appealing compared to others and so adopted the name for himself.

"Jonathan? That's a nice name. I'm Robert Speedwagon." A warm smile was offered as he spoke his name, fingers working to untangle the nets and pulling them down. After removing the netting fully and tossing it aside, he checked Jonathan's legs and saw the marks left behind. How on Earth did he have his legs tangled so oddly? And most importantly, why was he here with no clothes?

"What happened to you? How'd you get tangled like that and where're your clothes?" The questions left a partially confused look on Jonathan's face as if he didn't understand half of what Speedwagon just asked him.

"Hunters...tried taking fish and...I got tangled in that," he pointed at the netting, "It forced me onto land then...pain." His fingers touched his own legs, wincing at the marks. Speedwagon was left baffled by this odd man, the strange way he spoke and just everything about him. After thinking for a moment, Speedwagon decided to bring Jonathan to his house to help the dark haired man gather his bearings. Though when he stood up, Jonathan struggled to even walk as if he has never used his legs before, stumbling about like a newly born deer, and it only added to Speedwagon's confusion and curiosity of this odd man.

"It's alright, just take it slow." The thug said as he held onto Jonathan's arm and back to offer support as the larger man tried to walk. "One foot in front of the other, that's it." Doing as instructed, Jonathan put one foot in front of the other and continued this pattern as he kept his balance. How did they make this look so easy? He took another step and a sharpness pricked his foot, earning a pained hiss from him and a loss of balance. Speedwagon quickly kept him supported and held up, a broken shell laid where Jonathan stepped. "We'll sort that out when we get to my place." Jonathan hummed at that and followed the blonde man.

Once they got to his house -a small building tucked in a corner of a poorly lit street that offered much cover for the naked man- Speedwagon grabbed a towel and wrapped it around Jonathan's waist, covering his crotch and giving him some sense of privacy, not that he seemed to be even fazed by such a thing. He doubted he had clothes big enough to fit him but he did have a blanket which was good enough for now. A few minutes of making them some tea and he brought the tray in, setting it on the table.

"Here you go, hope you like it." Jonathan reached out and took the cup into his hands, sniffing it a little and examining it. Has he never even seen a cup of tea before? Everything about this man just threw more questions at Speedwagon and very few answers that made sense. Taking a sip, a pleased sound left Jonathan as he continued to drink the tea, almost chugging the full cup. At least he liked it, that was good.

After finishing his drink, Jonathan continued to look around the room, taking in his surroundings. The blonde man's scent was heavy in the air, confirming this to be his den, and yet Speedwagon welcomed him with no threats nor aggression, it was odd for Jonathan to be so easily welcomed in territory that was not his. Were all humans like this? Or was it just Speedwagon? Still, he made no attempts to harm him nor trick him, he felt safe here. Away from those hunters and any predators that would have easily taken advantage of his wounded state and yet Speedwagon helped him, tended to his wounds and even offered him shelter and food. That was good.

Speedwagon thought about the odd answers Jonathan gave him when asked questions. Why would he be so concerned about fishermen taking fish? Why would he be in the water in the first place to get tangled in the netting? How come- Wait a moment...

Slowly, like a photograph coming into focus, all the pieces fell into place. Jonathan wasn't human. How could he be with all these odd things and actions? And the condition he was found in makes sense, he struggled to walk not because of the netting -which wasn't even deep enough to do any severe damage- but because he never used legs before. He had something else. A...a tail fin. Jonathan was some kind of siren or merman....

It sounded preposterous but it all made sense with Jonathan's attitude and everything about the man. After having a moment to allow his mind to calm and take this in, Speedwagon tried to think of what to do. Despite the rational, focused side of his mind trying to think of a plan to return the merman or siren or whatever he was back to his home, there was an unyielding wonder and fascination of the situation. A creature of legend and myth was with him, in his very home. Many questions swirled in his head but he had to keep a focused mind. He returned to the living room to see the dark haired man examining many of the little knickknacks that decorated the room. Such curiosity for such silly things.

"Jonathan," At the sound of his name, he turned his attention away from the knickknacks and to Speedwagon instead. "Be honest with me, where're you from? Really?" He asked, getting straight to the point and not bothering to skip around the bushes. Jonathan turned towards the window and pointed out it, towards the direction of the beach, of the sea.

"Water...That is...home." Was his answer and only confirmed Speedwagon's bizarre idea. Speedwagon nodded as he watched Jonathan turn towards the window, gazing out the window and towards the sea again, like a person longing to be reconnected to something they lost. The sorrow that flowed in those stunning blue eyes all but tugged at his heart, pushing him to wishing to help this strange man.

"I know you want to go back, but if the fishin' men are still out, you'll just be caught again. And won't be so lucky next time." Listening to the blonde man's words, Jonathan knew they rung true. It was by chance he had escaped them the first time, he doubted it would happen again. But what would he do now? Be stuck in a place he didn't understand? And for how long? How long could he last without water? Noticing the growing distress from him, Speedwagon slowly approached and carefully patted his shoulder.

"Don't worry, big guy. I'll help you." Jonathan turned and looked at Speedwagon, something akin to hope and wonder flickered in his eyes as he gazed at him. "Promise. I'll let you know when it's safe for you to go back." In any other situation, Speedwagon might think he was going mad with such a suggestion and offer but the idea of this creature possibly being harmed or killed made his heart ache.

"Safe....with you." A warmth bloomed as those words were spoken. Jonathan leaned close to Speedwagon, who was confused and let the darker haired man do whatever it was he was doing. Resting his forehead against Speedwagon's, Jonathan closed his eyes and pressed the palm of his hand against Speedwagon's, the action strangely soothing and almost intimate by how gentle he was. The soft trills made by the merman were soothing, calming, melting away any fear or worry Speedwagon had. Softly, Speedwagon rested his head against Jonathan's as well, reciprocating the actions, much to the delight of Jonathan.

"Yes, JoJo. You're safe with me."

[multifandom--imagine]

The beauty & the beast || (borra x fem!reader)

tag list: thisishirathesecond , ateliefloresdaprimavera

(sorry for the possible errors)

Oflaria is one of the most flourishing and prestigious kingdoms. Gathered profiques, always full of tourists and spices from all over the world, every month we always celebrate some festivals, people are happy and always meet in the square to dance and sing.

King Constantine, your father, has brought forth this region with much effort but all have borne fruit. And you, her daughter, were proud to know that one day you would rule that prestigious territory following your father's example. There was only one small problem, a prince needed a male figure, however many her skills were. And this concept proprionon did not want to get into your head. You? With a weakling prince? No way! It was a morning like any other when your sleep was interrupted by your maid who gently woke you. "My lady, wake up, today is a big busy day" said the old lady. You munched as you stretched yourself abandoning your lavish bed. "Commitments? I didn't remember having commitments" you said, puzzled. "Your father has prepared a surprise for you, he said you will be amazed!" exclaimed the old lady helping you dress. "A surprise?" you asked enthusiastically, who knows what the king will have in store for you. Maybe a new horse? Or finally fencing lessons?

You tried to prepare yourself as quickly as possible and with great strides you started towards the throne room, where you met your father sitting in his usual place.

"Father! I knew you prepared a big surprise for me" you exclaimed taking his old hands, the old king nodded with a kind smile.

"Oh yes you will see, it is not refused this time" requested King Constantine "I have received word that you have a great interest in exploring new places besides our kingdom, isn't it?" He asked.

"Don't tell me! Did you build me a ship to travel?" You asked not being in the skin anymore for the emotion.

"Oh even better my little flower, guards let the guests in" your father ordered, as you heard the doors of the room open, you turned to look at who these new people are, but your smile died within seconds when you were presented with two winged monsters.

"Dad...who are these?" I ask about the tone of the ear with a flexible tone for your impromptu panic.

"Well darling, do you remember when at dinner he tells you about the rhythm that Queen Aurora had established with the Moors?" You nod "Well I decided that friendly relations with these creatures is a very wise and generous act and they agreed to visit" Explained your father.

"My lord, I am Conall and he is Borra" said the dark-skinned winged man bowing elegantly, a difference from the other who made a meager gesture with his head. He didn't reassure you his eyes were too hard and fierce, as if he had been forced to come and visit you. Conall, on the other hand, transmitted the opposite emotions, or was very good at pretending.

"Nice to have you here with us, as you know I am King Constantine and this beautiful girl is my daughter, (y/n)" said the king, pointing at your figure, thus leading the gaze of those present to you. Borra's dark and vivid eyes pierced you like a blow, letting your body shudder.

"Please, follow us into the dining room, there is nothing more pleasant than discussing business over a good brunch" said the king, rising from his throne and followed by a wheel from you and the two guests. There was absolute silence, but one thing that surely captured your hearing was the question that Borra whispered to Conall, it was in that instant that you heard his hoarse and dark tone for the first time.

"What the hell is a brunch?" He asked almost awkwardly.

"I don't know, let's go along without making too many complaints" reported the comparison calmly.

Arrived at a huge terrace covered with a floral gazebo you were about to sit at the big table, full of various delicacies. Needless to say, the two guests had a hard time sitting down with those big wings that came together, and this made you hide a small smile. You noticed puzzled that the cutlery had been changed with the ceramic ones and looking at your father he sensed. "See darling, I preferred to change the dishes with materials that would not endanger the lives of our guests, unfortunately the iron can hurt them" explained the king.

"I see, well the iron cutlery rusts right away and they aren't all that elegant" you said as you started to drink some tea.

"Well then, I am sorry that your Mrs. Maleficent could not have come here, but I am still happy to have welcomed you warriors. In the letter I sent her I explained to her that in my opinion there would have been a more solid pact than a marriage to seal peace" you listened to the words of your father, who had decided to marry Maleficent, after his years without you mother? "And that's why my daughter will marry a noble warrior, and to imagine from the name mentioned in the letter, I suppose it's you, Borra, my daughter's future husband" your father exclaimed enthusiastically.

Not even the time to finish the sentence that you spit your tea all over the table in shock, while Borra nodded and suddenly he was petrified.

For what absurd reason did Maleficent not warn him?!

"Don't talk about it, Father! You have proposed me to hundreds of young princes, it will not be this...winged man to have my hand!" You exclaimed in a rage and getting up from the table “I will have a progeny of winged monsters, your grandchildren will have horns and wings! Do you realize the absurdity?” You asked while Borra feeling himself taken into consideration, he got up in turn growling threateningly.

"How dare you? I at least know how to defend myself, I don't need armor to fight" he said, flapping his hands on the table “and did you ever mirror yourself? you look like a...” but he was interrupted by Conall who gave him a reproachful look.

"I will never marry anyone! I don't need a man to rule, father! and if you have not understood it all these years, then I go away and I will build a kingdom of my own, with my only strengths” you said as you ran out of the terrace, as you heard the screams of the king who begged for your return.

You quickly changed getting rid of your princely dress and wearing the right clothing to ride, you then started towards the stable and riding on your steed, you passed the castle walls and your vast city looking for a quiet place to stop the night.

Rode without stopping for many miles, you had crossed much of the forest and when night fell you camped in a cave that overlooked the banks of a small lake. It was really difficult to light a fire powerful enough to cook that miserable fish you were able to catch. The wild life seemed easier and heroic in the books of myths, but apparently it was just dirty and tiring. Also it was quite cold and your cape was not very successful in trying to warm you up.

It all seemed pretty quiet, until Solomon, your horse didn't start to get nervous, like there was something around.

"Hey my friend, what's wrong?" You asked shortly before a strong blow to the head stunned you for a few moments, the right time to grab you and tie your wrists with a rope. Someone dragged you and made you fall badly into the cold cave.

"Who are you? and what do you want from me?” you shouted trying to look threatening, the little flame that cooked your dinner, lit up just three male figures. Surely they were three bandits.

"Give us all your money, wanderer!" Ordered one of them "Tell us where you have your money or I swear I'll slit your throat with this knife!" Another said, showing a dagger from his pocket, making you scare.

"I swear to you, I have nothing, I only live on what nature gives me" you replied trying not to look terrified, but your trembling voice didn't play in your favor. The man who had a dagger in his hand, approached your figure and approached to attack your neck, he stopped shortly before the blade rubbed your silky skin.

"Let me be beaten guys" the bandit told his colleagues with a mischievous tone, "We have the princess of Ophlaria in front of us" she announced theatrically as the others laughed.

"Take your hands off me, you filthy worm" you screamed, pecking at a powerful fist on the lip that caused a blow to your head to account for the rocky terrain. Your senses became more and more muffled but you could still have the annoying sensation of pain on your slightly bloody mouth.

"This night we won't have the money, but we could have fun with this sweet princess. They will pay a very high ransom for your pretty face" proposed one of the bandits laughing in a squalid way.

"I start with her first, then it will be yours as soon as I feel quite satisfied. I wonder if it's true that the princess is still pure?" said the man who had beaten you, starting to tear your shirt with his dagger.

"No Please! Do not touch me! I said don't touch me!” You screamed desperately as your eyes filled with tears, was this really the end you should have met? Was this the punishment you deserved after refusing your duty to marry you?

You closed your eyes in terror, not having enough guts to look at that disgusting scene in your face, but all of a sudden some unsheathed screams caught your attention. With the little strength left open in two slits the eyes and all that presented itself before you was as fast as the wake of a comet.

The two men on the sidelines had been captured by enormous thorny roots, which crushed them until they broke bones after bones. As for your cruel molester, he was lifted off the ground slowly, by a hand that grabbed his neck with a lethal grip. A winged figure looked him straight in the eye and after throwing a monstrous snarl he whispered "If you only think you can hurt the princess, you will first have to overcome my corpse" after which the neck of the last bandit remained broke with a simple movement of wrist.

Your fragile and trembling body was still on the ground, intent on observing the figure of your savior, who approached you, and gently grasping your body, made you sit with your back to a wall of the cave. Only then did you recognize Borra's hollow face, lit by the soft flame of the fire.

"You ..." you whispered confused.

"I see that your plan to create a new kingdom is proceeding perfectly," the cuckold replied sarcastically, raising his eyebrows in exasperation.

"Fuck you" you whispered with the little voice left. You hated to admit your defeat.

"A thank you would be more aristocratic on your part," he replied with a small growl. Then put his gaze on your lower lip, swollen and injured. You perceive the rough but at the same time warm palm of one of his hands resting on one side of your face, while a thumb was trying to take away the blood that was dripping in excess "A man should never get his hands on a defenseless woman, nobody should take it out on those who can't protect themselves ... that's why I hate the nature of you humans "Borra commented dejectedly and somehow his words hit you.

A being like him could immediately give the impression of a beast, of a bad and heartless being, and yet, although you had insulted him, he had saved you, from those you would have called subjects. Your attention shifted again to Borra's face, which had moistened his thumb with his saliva and was about to lean on your wound on his lip.

"For all the heavens! What are you doing ?! ”you asked in disgust, moving away from his hands.

"I'm trying to disinfect your wound, since you don't even have medicinal herbs with you, idiot!" Borra tried to justify himself, realizing that he had not yet untied his wrists and without even using so much strength, he broke the rope that you imprisons, also noticing your slightly reddened wrists.

"How ... how did you manage to find me?" You asked still bewildered as you rubbed your aching wrists, Borra let out a proud and proud smile.

"I've never lost sight of you, at least until you've entered the cave. I would never have left you alone in this world, "the boy explained.

"Did you prepare this sentence?" You asked raising an eyebrow almost in order to tease him. But he didn't particularly appreciate it.

"Do you want to keep joking, princess?" The blonde asked menacingly "I flew far and wide, I killed people for you and I'm taking care of you!" He added reproachfully.

"Because if you hate humans, then why did you do all this? Probably because you want to look good with my father? Surely now you have the throne insured "you replied stinging.

"Your throne would burn it quietly, it is not the riches that interest me!" Said Borra "For years I have been blinded by anger and revenge. But during the war in Ulstead I met death and pity, and I realized that there may be some humans worth fighting for, so it's worth protecting..." the boy explained, looking you straight in the eye and only in that moment you realized that the distance between your faces was only a few centimeters "Obviously ... for you the phrase <<there are humans that are worth loving>> is not even a day from our meeting and you already make me damn , monkey" he said, moving away, knowing perfectly well that his tone would tickle you as needed.

"THEN IT'S SO THAT YOU WANTED TO CALL ME TODAY! Before your friend stopped you" you exclaimed indignantly, advancing on his figure, who turned his back to you, but as soon as you were ready to throw a" punch "at him, Borra turned abruptly and took you by his hips and leaned on his shoulder like a potato sack.

"Let's make a deal, when we get home I'll teach you how to fight, so we'll try to blanch your spiteful little monkey spiteful" Dark Fae offered with a little laugh.

"As long as I teach you something to improve your bear-like bearing" you said, trying to squeeze out of his grip with little success.

"Oh now you are back the princess all right and delicate? And where is my little monkey that sends me to fuck me, instead of thanking me?" Borra asked, holding back a laugh while grabbing the bridle of your horse he accompanied you to the way back, while the woods were covered with your voices that were teasing each other.

[ambidextrousarcher]

Sarcastic StarBharat reviews: Episode 7- The episode in which Arjun should have been mentioned for the first time.

Tagging @ratnas-musings @avani008 @chaanv @iamnotthat @shellweed @butchcaroldanvers @mayavanavihariniharini @medhasree

This episode concludes the first arc, which is Bhishm’s oath and its (short term) effects. The long term effect can honestly be the whole mess that follows, so...

Anyway.

Here are the links to the first six episodes: 

1. Bhishm says hello to daddy

2. Bhishm’s Bhishm pratigya

3. Bhishm abducts the Princesses of Kashi

4. Bhishm watches his brother choke to death

5. Bhishm sanctions Niyoga

6. Bhishm chooses death over marrying a crazy princess

Parashuram emits blue light from his hands, taking a sword out of the light. Me: Huh? I thought only arrows can appear like that. Bhishm joins his hands, whispering, a sword lands from the air at his feet. Both of them leap. Camera focuses to Ganga entering, psycho Princess glaring at her. A fancy sword fight occurs, Bhishm falls, attacking Parashuram again. They dance around, cutting trunks, causing snowfall. Heaven knows how they aren’t shivering yet. Bhishm disarms Parashuram, who clamps his hand on Bhishm’s sword and knocks it off. Both of them summon divyastras. Ganga looks distressed. She calls out to Shiv. “If Parashuram’s parashu (axe) and Bhishm’s Brahmastr collide, the world will end!” she says. I’m not sure what actually happens in canon. Ganga does call to Shiv, though I doubt it’s this dramatic. I doubt she’d call her own son Bhishm. The warriors release the weapons. A globe of light sucks both the weapons in. Enter Shiv. Wait, this guy doesn’t have a blue throat! Anyway, all and sundry join their hands in respect. Shiv commands them to stop fighting to preserve the Earth. “I still haven’t gotten justice, Mahadev.” Ah, psycho Princess, yet again. “How can you stop this war? Until I get peace of mind, Parashuram has to fight. Fulfill my dearest wish, Mahadev. This man’s (Bhishm’s) death is my wish. I want to be the cause of his death.” “As Parashuram is bound, I have to fulfill your wish. But revenge cannot have my blessing. If you ever do something great and then pray for Bhishm’s death, then you will definitely be the cause of his death.” Wait, this prophecy is incomplete. Canonically, the prophecy says that Bhishm can’t be defeated and killed by anyone except the reincarnation of Rishi Nara, born as the son of Indra, Arjun. Seriously, they omitted my favourite part!! CANON FAIL x2, for good measure. This is the first chronological mention of Arjun!! I mean, yeah, it’s unfair on him that people are literally turning him into a death knell before that kid is even born…but he WAS mentioned in canon at this time. I remember that very well. Let’s continue. “If so, I do not wish to live.” Ofc, it’s psycho Princess. “Please let go of the hardness of your heart. When the day comes, I will lay down my weapons in front of you.” Mr. Paragon of Perfection. I can’t even. “I don’t need your generosity. I will not forgive you. Even 25 years later, I will take birth with your death as my objective in life. The throne you destroyed my life for will be the reason for your struggle day and night. That throne won’t let you sleep peacefully even for a day. You will keep running because of that throne, when your soul will be tired and old, I will come then, as your death.” I can’t see how suicide is a great thing, but hey, who am I to judge. Flash forward 25 years. A baby is born in Panchal. “Strength is born in Panchal” says the King. “Rajyotishi, I am certain that Draupad’s Queen has given birth to a girl child. I have been waiting for 25 years for the birth of this child, ever since I knew that Bhishm will be killed because of a woman. From then, I have been praying that that girl should be born in our family.” A young man enters with a baby. I guess that’s Draupad. “It’s a girl, father.” Mr. King of Panchal thanks maa Kali, lifting the baby in his arms. “All our wishes have come true. Bhishm has humiliated Panchal too much,” he flashes back to Bhishm’s grandiose words when he’d rescued drunk Prince. “The entire Panchal will burn like Lanka if you set fire to Bhishm’s heart.” He sees Bhishm slapping his face again. “Revenge is what we should look out for. This maiden will take our long due revenge from Bhishm.” He names the child Shikandini. I hope she’s less psycho than Amba. “Rajyotishi, what do you make of the time of my grand-daughter’s birth?” “She will be successful in her life objective,” he says, “But after a lot of struggle.” Before that, he says some astrological mumbo-jumbo that I don’t understand. “Struggle is the best teacher. I will poison this maiden against Bhishm. I have full belief that she will be cause of Bhishm’s death, that it will be the objective of her life.” CANON FAIL. Amba is reborn as Shikandini, it is because of that he/she fights against Bhishm. Panchal doesn’t have a long-standing enemity with Bhishm. Oh, Crap. Krishna gyaan again. He’s talking about how ancestor’s thoughts affect the future generation. Sorry not sorry. Skip. The camera focuses on the map of Gandhar. We enter a room lit with many diyas, our focus is on a girl sleeping. It goes without saying that this is Gandhari. The wind blows out the candles. Gandhari breaks out into cold sweat and bolts awake. “Sukhda!” she yells. “Sukhda!” “Kumari Gandhari, I am here. The diyas will be lighted again. The diyas will be lighted again.” She yells at two other women, reminding them that Princess Gandhari is scared of the dark. Seriously, these guys are adding drama everywhere. This show is less of the Mahabharata and more of a soap opera. The diyas are lighted again. “Why am I so afraid of the dark?” asks Gandhari. “It’s not only you, all of us are afraid of it. Only through our eyes can the world come near us. If we have eyes, we have everything. In darkness, we feel like we have lost everything. But there is no cause for fear now. You go to sleep.” Gandhari nods. Sukhda smiles as she leaves. We focus on a campfire. The wood moves due to wind, making the soldier to run. He sees the shadows of a large army. He mounts his horse and gallops towards Maharaj Saubala. The camera focuses on a man, I assume he is Maharaj Saubala. “A large army, talent beyond belief, richer than Kuber. In such a Kingdom shall my daughter be wed, Gurudev,” he says. “The groom too shall be stronger than Pavan and of more virtues than Indra.” I still don’t get why Indra is the gold standard of Virtue in Hindu myths. I mean, he isn’t really the best warrior, he’s literally defeated by mortals, one of whom is his own son, along with Krishna. And Nahusha also defeats him. He doesn’t really have much of a moral compass either, basically raping Ahalya by proxy. And yet, he’s the King of the Gods. Why so? No idea. “My Gandhari cannot marry a man with even a smidgeon of problems,” the King continues. “My daughter is like that, Gurudev” says the Queen. “Bhagwan Shiv has blessed her with the boon of 100 children, after all.” The Guru looks at them strangely. “What is the issue?” asks the King. “You look tense.” The Guru begins. “Forgive me, Your Majesty. I…” A servant enters then. “Maharani, the senapati asks permission to enter,” she says. “At this time?” asks the Queen, confused. “The King is busy now.” The senapati enters. “Forgive me for my offence,” he says. “However, the news is such that I need to speak to the King now.” “What is the news?” The King and his Senapati descend the stairs. He’s firing questions about the army at his gates. “Where is Yuvaraj Shakuni?” “He is out on an expedition for a special purpose.” They are getting angry at the enemy army. They are also boasting about their army. “This is going to be a terrible war.” The Mahabharat theme plays. I think this is CANON fail. I don’t think Bhishm goes to Gandhar with an army, canonically, but I don’t really remember. Someone who does, please help. Precap: Saubala asks whose army is at his gates. “That great man is as effluent as the Sun, Maharaj.” Ah, so it’s Bhishm. “His eyes are like two balls of fire,” Camera focuses on Bhishm. I was right. “On his forehead, the symbol of the moon is present.” Camera shifts to Gandhari. “I am going to join the war with Pitashree,” she says. “If death is certain, then I die in the battlefield.” With this, we finish season 1 of Mahabharat, according to the Hotstar app listings. See you tomorrow with season 2!

[halictus-writer]

Welcome to Seattle (Ch. 4 of 5)

Remus woke early the next morning, feeling energetic. He brewed a fresh pot of coffee and sat down at his table/desk combination to work on his novel. Safely wrapped in an oversized sweater, he opened the window to let the fresh cold morning air in. It wasn’t until he had settled comfortably into a workflow and even lit a cinnamon-scented candle before he remembered that he should probably still be upset over being blown off from a dinner date last night.

Instead, he felt strangely at peace. Going to the Italian restaurant, laughing with Sirius, and eating pizza had seemed to wash away his troubles, and he wasn’t going to complain if it took a surprisingly short amount of time to feel normal again. After writing a chapter and a half, it was time to leave for his breakfast with the girls.

As Remus walked out of his apartment building, he tossed his jacket over his shoulder and almost skipped down the sidewalk–– tiramisu safely in hand–– with joy. Something about the day just felt good.

Walking into the breakfast nook, he spotted his friends already seated at a table.

“Marls! Dorcas!” He greeted them warmly, giving each of them a side-hug.

Dorcas responded with a “Hey, babe!” While Marlene fixed him with a look.

“You,” she said, index finger pointing at his chest, “are absolutely glowing.”

Remus’s cheeks began to turn red, a lingering side effect of any attention whatsoever being directed towards him. His smile stayed in place though. “What, no I’m not.”

“Why do you look so happy?”

“Also,” he drew out the word, talking over Marlene, “I brought you a gift!” Remus handed over the box containing last night’s tiramisu, previously concealed by his jacket.

“Oh my god, this looks so good.” Dorcas said, eyeing the dessert.

Marlene started to close the box again when Dorcas made a noise of protest. “What?” She asked, laughing. “We have to wait until after we eat breakfast.”

“No we most certainly do not, we are adults!” Dorcas protested, and reopened the box.

Conversation flowed comfortably between the three of them, updating each other on the events of the past week. For every minute of serious conversation, there seemed to be two more of random banter, staccatoed with flicking straw wrappers and play-fighting when Dorcas or Marlene wanted to prevent the other from telling a funny story at the expense of her girlfriend. After Marlene all but tackled Dorcas to successfully pass her phone to Remus–– displaying a video of a wine-drunk Dorcas driving backwards in Mario Kart, her face dropping in shock when Marlene’s voice from behind the camera points out that she is in last place–– they got disdainfully frowned at from a tourist family and an old married couple. James would have been proud.

Eventually, Dorcas brought the conversation back to Remus’s cancelled date. “So, Marls is right, you are glowing, and I love that, but tell us about last night. You don’t seem upset about it?”

Remus shrugged. “Well, yeah, I mean it sucked waiting around for the dinner date that never happened, but if it wasn’t meant to be then there’s really no use losing sleep over it, I suppose.”

Dorcas looked mildly impressed by his answer.

“Plus, I salvaged the evening by treating myself to pizza at the Italian restaurant right by my apartment. That’s where your pre-breakfast dessert hailed from.”

Marlene looked at the now-empty to-go box in surprise. “Wow, I love how we just devoured that and didn’t even ask you where it came from. I don’t think I even said thanks?”

“Don’t worry babe, we were doing him a favor. Remus hates soggy cake.” Dorcas stated confidently.

Remus laughed. “You’re welcome,” he said, looking only at Marlene. “But yeah, I wish the waiter knew that about me. I would be totally happy with any other free dessert, but I guess tiramisu is their specialty or something.”

“Wait, hold on,” Marlene paused. “Are you saying you didn’t buy this for us? I’m withdrawing my belated thanks.”

“No, no, wait hold on, but to the other part of that sentence,” Dorcas said. “Are you saying a waiter gave you a free dessert?”

“Yeah, he kind of always does.”

“Wait, is he like, flirting with you?”

“No!” Remus said, assuredly, but his cheeks turned warm anyway.

“He gave you a free dessert. He has given you multiple free desserts? That is definitely flirting.”

Remus wanted to protest this statement, somehow, but all he could come up with was a strangled sort of noise.

Marlene seemed encouraged by his obvious embarrassment. “Oh my god, you’re going to fall in love and make babies with the help of modern science. Your baby is going to like tiramisu and be born with the personality of an old man. Half you and half waiter boy.”

“What’s his name what’s his name what’s his name,” Dorcas parroted, poking him in the arm with each question.

“Absolutely not.” Remus answered. Having already witnessed Dorcas’s impressive online stalking skills, he wasn’t about to give her a name as unique as Sirius. “Besides, uh,” his tone softened, “honestly I think he only brings me desserts because he feels sorry for me.”

Dorcas’s playful smile dropped. “Oh, Remus,” she began, “don’t sell yourself short.”

Marlene nodded with her, but mercifully changed the subject a minute later.

***

Remus shifted in his seat as his phone vibrated once, signifying an incoming text message. He was in his daily meeting with the other writers for the newspaper. They had just wrapped up the business side of the meeting, and had moved on to the fun side: presenting the best (worst?) reader comments from their online stories.

“Okay, okay, my turn,” the room quieted as Minerva spoke up. She was one of the older writers, and had been at the paper for almost ten years now. Everyone respected (and possibly feared) her, but Remus had immediately connected with her after they locked eyes during a lunch break to discover that they were both reading the newest Margaret Atwood novel and sipping Earl Grey tea. “On my article covering the shopping mall that tried to prevent breastfeeding in public, Ken M. wrote ‘aside from being completely unnecessary, breastfeeding encourages babies to objectify women.’”

The room burst into laughter, and Remus took the opportunity to subtly check his phone. Sure enough, it was Roy, the man he had been messaging for the last few days, and had even moved from Tinder’s chat platform to real texting. He smiled, but turned the phone to Do Not Disturb until the meeting was over.

“Ken M. strikes again!” Someone else announced.

“Ken M. deserves his own column, I swear.” A voice from the back of the room chimed in. “This man comments something completely ridiculous on every post. On my piece on updated bus routes he got into an argument with someone else, and I didn’t read all the comments to know how it got there, but Ken M. ended their dispute with, and I quote, ‘God is a ridiculous myth.’”

Remus laughed along with his coworkers, and took a moment to enjoy the fun banter. He loved his job for his career, but also enjoyed the little positive moments that arose from his sudden move to the big city: meeting Minerva, discovering the infamous Ken M., and laughing along with his coworkers during a meeting. His old job had been at a small newspaper where the main source of workplace laughter was Remus silently laughing at the incompetence of his coworkers, not his readers.

As the meeting ended and people began to file out of the room, he pulled out his phone. Roy told Remus he wanted to take him to his favorite restaurant on Saturday night, and Remus happily agreed to meet him in front of the Pike Place Market neon sign at 6:30. The restaurant was a short walk from there, and Remus was glad he didn’t have to awkwardly refuse getting into the car with someone he didn’t know on a first date.

I want the restaurant to be a surprise, Roy had sent, but do you have any dietary restrictions? Remus appreciated his foresight, and answered with, I’m vegetarian, but I eat pretty much anything otherwise! Remus took a moment to smile dopily after receiving a quick response: perfect.

Remus was excited for the date. Roy was very handsome, with curly blond hair, soft blue eyes, and dimples. He was also, if his profile was to be trusted, very accomplished.  

***

The date was horrible. Roy kept most of the conversation centered on himself and his many achievements. Remus noticed that his eyes were actually brown, and while Remus had nothing against brown eyes, seeing as he had a pair of them himself, he couldn’t help but feel weirded out by the fact that Roy, or Gilderoy, as he referred to himself in the third person, had taken the time to edit or filter his eye color in all of his online photos.

By the time they arrived at the restaurant, Remus had already reminded himself over and over that it was just one date, and that even if it was disappointing, he would have a good story to tell later, and he didn’t feel unsafe at all. His friends had his phone’s location, and Dorcas had already assured him that she would “track down and throw from the Space Needle” any man who tried to harm Remus.

Remus tried to muster a polite smile as Roy told him about his obviously fabricated second meeting with Oprah, but his smile completely dropped when he read the front of his menu. They were at a steakhouse.

Their waitress approached, saving Remus from whatever monologue he was about to be subjected to. “What can I get started for you guys tonight?” She sounded bored, which Remus was willing to credit her for, as he understood working in the food industry was not exactly glamorous, but he still stupidly thought of Sirius’s excitement as he waited tables.

Roy had the nerve to try to order for Remus. Remus cut him off and appealed to the waitress. “I’m sorry, I realize you probably don’t get that many vegetarians here, but are there any vegetarian menu items?”

“You’re vegetarian?” The waitress said in surprise.

Remus didn’t expect that response, but he turned directly to Roy as he answered, “yes.”

***

An hour later, Remus was finally free of Roy. The aggravating man had offered to pay for the whole meal, with a public brandishing of his multiple credit cards, but Remus insisted they split it, just to ensure that no one thought he owed him anything. Remus wanted to never see this man again, and if that meant paying for half of a check that consisted of one expensive filet mignon and one cheap side salad, then it was well worth it.

Remus said goodbye in the midst of the Public Market, and then walked away. The last thing he wanted to do was get walked home by the insufferable man and have to listen to him, or worse, have to listen to him invite himself upstairs. As he walked home, he blocked Roy’s phone number, for good measure, and deleted the Tinder app from his phone. He dully realized that if he wanted to deactivate his account for good he would need to redownload the app first, but the symbolism felt nice in the moment.

Composure carried Remus inside his apartment building and up the stairs, but after finally locking his door behind him, he started crying. It was stupid really, and thinking that the idiot he wasted one evening with was making him cry only made him cry harder. His tears were out of frustration more than sadness.

He was frustrated that he couldn’t find a decent man on Tinder. He was frustrated that some asshole took him to a fucking steakhouse after knowing he was a vegetarian. He was frustrated because for whatever reason, he was alone on a Saturday night, again, and he very well may be alone on all future Saturday nights, because his ex-boyfriend decided that he didn’t love him anymore. What was even worse to think about, somehow, was that Remus didn’t even want his ex-boyfriend back. It would be so simple, he thought, to simply miss him, and hope that he would change his mind, and Remus could move back to his little college town and get his old job back at the small newspaper and compromise his life away. But he didn’t even want that anymore. Instead, he had to navigate the world not knowing if there was anyone that he could build a life with, all the while wasting his time on losers like Roy. And he was frustrated because he was hungry, having eaten only a small side salad for dinner.

Fueled by hunger and frustrated tears, he got up, grabbed his journal and pocketed a pen, made a halfhearted effort to wipe the tears from his face, and didn’t bother to change out of his date clothes before he headed out to go eat some comfort food.

He started crying a bit on his way to the restaurant, but it was dark outside and the anonymity of the large city granted some comfort. By the time he got to the restaurant, he was mostly calmed down, and just wanted to eat his pizza in silence, and process his emotions through writing them down in the journal he brought.

It was surprisingly busy at the restaurant for being so late on a Saturday night, and Remus took advantage of that fact to quietly slip into a booth as far away from Sirius’s normal section that he could. Remus didn’t think he would be able to keep up with Sirius’s banter, or familiarity, or free tiramisu tonight. Until he had taken the time to process his night on paper, he didn’t want to have to talk to anyone he knew. After a minute of solitude, a middle-aged waitress approached his table: success. He placed his order and went back to his journal.

As always, he started to feel better almost immediately after he started writing. Once he came to a good stopping point, he paused to look up, and drank some of the cold water the waitress had brought earlier. A few deep breaths later and he was feeling almost like a real human again.

Just then, a familiar voice sounded from behind him.

“Hey there.” Sirius’s voice sounded warm, as always, but slightly hesitant too.

“I brought you something, uh, I saw that your pizza just went in the oven, so it’s still going to be a few minutes.” He placed a small platter of roasted green beans to the side of Remus’s journal, and gave a tentative smile.

Remus had a quick fleeting thought of do you think I don’t eat enough vegetables? But, he realized how tasty they looked and how hungry he was. He felt his eyes water slightly as he tore his gaze from the gifted appetizer back up to Sirius.

“Do you feel sorry for me?” Remus asked, suddenly, “because I’m always alone?”

Sirius’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. Remus was almost as surprised as he was, for having verbalized the question that had popped into his mind at the moment. He supposed he meant to say alone here, in the restaurant, because that is where Sirius sees him, but it worked in the general sense too.

“How could I feel sorry for you,” Sirius said slowly, “when you look that good, even while you’re upset.” Sirius’s confident smile crept back onto his face as he walked away.

Remus watched him in surprise, and after a few seconds Sirius turned suddenly, instantly locking eyes with Remus. Caught. Sirius winked and turned back around again.

Remus frantically texted his friends. He first had to update them on the horrible date he had gone on, and then the friendly interactions he has had with Sirius over the course of his many visits to the restaurant, and finally what Sirius just said.

Marlene: First of all, Dorcas and I are gonna find this Roy guy and kill him, probably

Marlene: Second of all, REMUS! You gave me sexy-waiter-flirtation-tiramisu! What if he had put a love potion in it or something??

James: I think I’m missing something about tiramisu… is that some kind of euphemism??

Remus updated them on the desserts that Sirius had given Remus ever since he first came to the restaurant. He also started to smile again, almost unwillingly, at his friends’ texts. He remarked how much can happen in a night: excitement about a date, frustration during said failed date, sadness afterwards, spiraling into thinking he would never date again, getting flirted with, and eventually laughing as his wonderful friends tried to cheer him up, cheer him on, and just be their wonderfully unique and crazy selves.

Lily: Remus this is a sign! I said meeting someone organically would be the best, and here we are. You’ve been getting flirted with this whole time by someone you met in person!

Dorcas: She’s right, you should totally go for it! He obviously likes you

James: Come on mate, what do you have to lose?

Remus thought for a second, before responding to his support group.

Remus: my emotional support pizza

James: what??

The group convinced him to flirt back, and Remus silenced the phone before Sirius came back with his pizza. Evidently he had taken over his table from the earlier waitress.

“And here at last, one margherita pizza. Careful, it’s pretty hot, fresh out of the oven.” Sirius fiddled with the notepad he wrote orders in after setting the pizza down. “Um, enjoy your pizza.” He turned to walk away.

“Hey,” Remus spoke up, suddenly. Sirius turned around quickly at the sound. Remus’s eyes crinkled with happy mischief. “You too.”

Sirius laughed and continued his walk back to the kitchen.

***

When Sirius brought the check, Remus carefully penned his signature and a twenty percent tip. He idled for a moment, before flipping the receipt over and writing a string of ten digits. He paused for a second again, before adding underneath in neat scrawl “should you choose not to call, we must never speak of this, because I need to be able to eat margherita pizza here on my really bad days.” On a new line underneath, he just wrote “Remus”.

***

Thirty-four minutes later, Remus received a text message from an unknown number.

“Don’t worry Remus, I would never get between a man and his pizza.”

[i-write-sometimes-blog]

Earth Girl (Rey x Reader) Two

Request: "Reader traveling the galaxy with Rey? If that makes sense."

"Loved the Earth Girl imagine!!! Would you be able to do a part two please? Maybe when they get back to the resistance base and they debrief the reader and ask her questions about earth and what not? and a lot of fluff with Rey of course!!"

Words: 1, 732

A/N: This was really fun to make! I seriously can keep going and going, it's like I'm writing a escape from my boring life. Hope you guys like this!!! Part one. Let's just pretend the Star wars movies and comics doesn't exist in this world.

“Movies?” Rey asked with a big smile on her face, she was so excited to learn about Earth, how was like to be there, what you eat, everything. “What is that?” was the usual question that came after you mentioned something new for her.

“Like… like a recording and there’s people that act as others” you explained. By that time you had learned that the space and earth wasn’t that different, both had things that were the same but they called in another way, so you tried your best to describe the things to Rey in a way she could understand what they were. “They usually tell stories”

“About what?” she said her eyes focused on your face as she impatiently waited for the answer.

“The past, the present, the future, every sort of stories. The relationship of a royal lady and a boy that fell in love in a big ship that sank in the ocean, for example” you giggled “Everything is possible in a movie.”

“Sounds amazing” Rey told you. “You said there are movies about people from other parts of the galaxy. How do they look like?”

You chuckled, it was still unbelievable for you that you were not longer in earth and instead you were sitting at the edge of a spaceship looking down at the strange scenario of this rebel base where humans, droids and a variety of species of “aliens” passed by. And the truth was the movies didn’t really made justice to this, you didn’t believe a single person back at home would even imagine a thing like that.

“Not like this” you started “Most of them are slim green beings with big black eyes” you couldn’t help but laugh at the memory of those tiny cartoon characters. “None of them looks like you, which is such a shame if you ask me” you told her giving her a wink and eliciting a laugh from the brunette.

“Hey, Rey!” someone yelled. It was the young charming pilot you met the day Rey rescued you, Poe if you remembered good. “Leia is back. Time has come, earth girl” he said referring to you. The General Organa had finally arrived to the base, she would decided if you stay or not with them or if she send you back to your past and boring life.

A few minutes after you were walking through the endless corridors of the Resistance base. The pilot was walking in front of you leading the way, Rey was by your side supporting you, she seemed to be a very protective person and you were glad to have her with you, rescuing you from being sold as a slave was a thing you never pay her. On the other side was the little sphere droid with orange patterns that beeped in a very high pitch something you couldn’t understand, not even with the universal translator on your neck.

“We talked about this, BB-8” you heard Poe said “Earth girl has to go back to her planet”

“Stop calling her that, Poe” said Rey in an almost angry way. “She has a name”

“Yeah, I know” he said annoying Rey. “We’re almost there” he informed you as he nodded towards a big room with a lot of people inside a woman talking to them in a firm tone.

General Leia Organa, Rey talked you about her and as far as you knew she used to be a princess from a planet not longer existed. She also told you about the history of her family and oh boy it was really confusing. Her father was a big bad man that tried to rule the galaxy, she had a twin brother and he was something called a Jedi. You were still processing all the information.

And there she was standing in front of a big crowd not doubting a single word. You waited ‘till her meeting was over and the she came directly to you and shook your hand.

“Y/N, it’s a pleasure to finally met you” she said “Rey and Finn had tell me what happened in that planet, I still cannot believe it” you were a bit confused not exactly knowing how to respond or how to even talk to this kind looking woman.

“Neither do I” you answered forcing a smile.

“General, the interrogation room is ready” informed a soldier behind her.

“Won’t be necessary, she really is from Earth” said Leia

“But, General, we don’t know yet. She could be a spy” continued the man.

“She’s not” said firmly the General, and thanked that she was on your side. “Give some clothes to this girl, she need to be unnoticed. Gods know what could happen if someone else finds out where is she from” she ordered with a soft smile on her face before turning around. The doubt invaded you.

“Wait” you called out and she faced you. “What’s going to happen now? why is it so important to be from earth? I don’t understand why people get so surprised about it.” since the very start you were wondering that, why people wanted so desperate to buy a human from your overpopulated planet?

Leia sighed before she raised her voice again.

“The Milky Way is a forbidden galaxy, your solar system is the only one with an inhabited planet, often taken for a myth.” She explained “My dear child, please don’t tell anybody where you’re from, for your own good. I’ll try to find a way to take you back to your home but for now my hands are tied” she said. How kind was this woman.

“Thanks” you told her, this was too much information. That was why the scientist never had found anything in the planets nearby, and you were the only one that knew that, you were sure they would take you as a crazy back in home if you’d tell them that.

“So what should we do with her for now?” asked Poe that had been quietly listening.

“I believe Rey can answer you that, Poe” she smiled “I like that plan, take her there, Rey” General Organa said before she was gone. You looked at Rey, what plan? she hadn’t even speak. It was like she had read her mind or something, you wasn’t sure but at this point it wouldn't be surprising if they told you that was a possible thing to do.

“So?” you asked Rey as she smiled back at you.

“Takodana” she said.

“What’s that?” now it was you who was making questions about how this world so far away from yours worked.

“A planet, you’re gonna like it, Y/N” she said and gestured over the exit door as she offered you her hand, without blinking you took her hand and she guided you outside to met the ship she had rescued you and now you knew it was called the Millenium Falcon and used to be Han Solo’s a rebel hero from the past war, who was also Leia’s husband and they had a son.... Well, this family was really chaotic, and you used to think that one movie with a girl that didn’t know who of the three men was her father was confusing.

Everything here was much more interesting that in your own planet, better than the same old routine everyday, the empty life you had and even though you were unfamiliar with mostly everything around you it felt more like living, as if all those years back on earth you hadn’t being alive until now, running holding hands with this beautiful and kind woman.

And then you were traveling through space with her, looking the hypnotic view of the lightspeed. You felt Rey’s gaze focused on you and seeing from the corner of your eyes you caught her smiling softly at you, as if she was watching a kid seeing snow from the first time, and you felt like that if you were honest.

“Takuduna” you said looking at her.

“Takodana” Rey corrected you giggling.

“Why this planet?” you told her still exploring the ship with your eyes, there were too many buttons and levers.

“I like it” she said “It has a lot of green and blue, a nice weather and we have a friend that lives there” she said, her words denoting true happiness by this planet.

“You born in this place?” you asked.

“No, I don’t know where I was born” she said with a sad tone “I used to live in Jakku” you were so curious about her, you wanted to know everything about this woman.

“And how is Jakku?”

“It’s a desert, sand everywhere, a powerful sun that really burn your skin and makes you sweat a lot. You wouldn’t like it, Y/N” she said

“That’s why you left?” you interrogated.

“No, I… I wasn’t gonna leave but I found BB-8” she started, her words having trouble to leave her lips. You knew this part of the story, Finn told you about how he met Rey and what happened next.

“Why you stayed in that planet then, Rey?” you tried to helped a bit.

“I was waiting for my family but” she paused “They just didn’t come” you cursed yourself in your mind as you saw how sad Rey looked now.

“Sorry” you said as you got closer to Rey.

“It’s okay” she said. Suddenly the ship got out of lightspeed and revealed a planet that looked very similar to yours, except that you couldn’t actually tell if there were continentes but it reminded you of earth.

“For a moment I thought you brought me back home” you told Rey and her eyes filled with desire to learn once again.

“Earth looks like this?” she asked as she glanced at the planet.

“Kind of” you said and Rey sat at the pilot seat to fly the ship to the green planet.

“I would like to see it” she murmured “Y/N, your home sounds so great” she said.

“You wouldn’t like it, Rey” you said repeating her words. “Believe me once you put a feet there you’ll hate it. This is much better” you said smiling at her. “Traveling with you, I really like it” you saw her smile growing bigger as she reached to taker your hand.

“And you haven’t seen anything, yet”