#happy hollow zoo

[nunan-neomuyeppeoseo]

could i request a chenle x idol male reader fic where dispatch catches them on a date and exposes them as a couple

𝗁𝖾𝗅𝗅𝗈! 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗇𝗄 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝗌𝗈 𝗆𝗎𝖼𝗁 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗋𝖾𝗊𝗎𝖾𝗌𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀!

𝗰𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 - 𝗓𝗁𝗈𝗇𝗀 𝖼𝗁𝖾𝗇𝗅𝖾

𝖿𝗋𝗈𝗆 𝖻𝖾𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖼𝗈𝗆𝗉𝗅𝖾𝗍𝖾𝗅𝗒 𝗌𝗍𝗋𝖾𝗌𝗌 𝖿𝗋𝖾𝖾 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗂𝗇 𝗅𝗈𝗏𝖾 𝗍𝗈 𝖻𝖾𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗌𝗍𝗋𝖾𝗌𝗌𝖾𝖽 𝗍𝗈 𝖿𝗎𝖼𝗄 𝗒𝖾𝗍 𝗌𝗍𝗂𝗅𝗅 𝗂𝗇 𝗅𝗈𝗏𝖾 𝗈𝗇𝗅𝗒 𝗇𝗈𝗐 𝗁𝖺𝗏𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗍𝗈 𝗋𝖾𝗏𝖾𝖺𝗅 𝖺 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋𝖾 𝗒𝖾𝖺𝗋 𝗋𝖾𝗅𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝗌𝗁𝗂𝗉 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝗇𝗈𝗍 𝗈𝗇 𝖾𝗂𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋 𝗂𝖽𝗈𝗅𝗌 𝟤𝟢𝟤𝟦 𝖻𝗂𝗇𝗀𝗈 𝖼𝖺𝗋𝖽

○▹ 𝗂𝖽𝗈𝗅 𝖼𝗁𝖾𝗇𝗅𝖾 𝗑 𝗂𝖽𝗈𝗅 𝗆!𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋 (𝖿𝗍. 𝖽𝗂𝗌𝗉𝖺𝗍𝖼𝗁, 𝗐𝖺𝗒𝗏, 𝗌𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗇𝗍𝖾𝖾𝗇, 𝗇𝖼𝗍 𝖽𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗆) 𝘄𝗰. 𝟩𝟣𝟢 𝘄 𝖽𝗂𝗌𝗉𝖺𝗍𝖼𝗁, 𝗀𝖺𝗒, 𝗆!𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋, 𝖼𝗁𝖾𝗇𝗅𝖾 𝖻𝖾𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗁𝖾𝗅𝗉𝗅𝖾𝗌𝗌𝗅𝗒 𝗂𝗇 𝗅𝗈𝗏𝖾 𝗐𝗂𝗍𝗁 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋, 𝗅𝗂𝗍𝗍𝗅𝖾 𝖻𝗂𝗍 𝗈𝖿 𝖺𝗇𝗀𝗌𝗍, 𝗆𝖺𝗒𝖻𝖾 𝗌𝗐𝖾𝖺𝗋𝗂𝗇𝗀, 𝗇𝗈𝗍 𝗉𝗋𝗈𝗈𝖿𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽

Chenle was overcome with a profound sense of distress. It was as if the very foundations of his world had crumbled, and the resulting emotional upheaval seemed to carve a hollow void within his chest, where his once lively heart had pulsated with a steady rhythm.

He felt a hard, uncomfortable lump lodged at the base of his throat, as if it was begging and pleading to come up in the form of acidic vomit. The cacophony of sounds surrounding him seemed to evaporate into muffled noise, almost as if he was being submerged in water. In that moment, he felt like he was drowning, and the only thing that brought him back to reality was the soft, gentle touch on his shoulder. That single touch seemed to release the tension in his shoulders, allowing him to gradually feel the fear and anger dissipate. He couldn't help but berate himself for his own foolishness.

He found himself consumed by the overwhelming sense of responsibility, believing that everything was his fault. With his current status in promotions, every move he made felt like it was under intense scrutiny, as if he were the main attraction at a zoo. Despite understanding the risks, he couldn't resist the urge to meet his boyfriend. After weeks of non-stop work, he finally had a well-deserved day off. It was infuriating that a group of individuals, who seemed to have nothing better to do than to interfere with idols' lives, turned his day with his boyfriend into a nightmare. They simply couldn't leave him and his boyfriend in peace.

Chenle could feel the anger slowly building inside him, the light touch on his back moving softly in sync with his escalating emotions, eventually intertwining with his hand. Summoning the courage to glance up for the first time in the monotonous meeting, he encountered those mesmerizing brown eyes, adorned with delicate golden speckles that seemed to swirl like honey in their depths. The sight of those full, rosy lips forming a subtle, almost imperceptible smile, coupled with the light smattering of freckles across his cheeks, and the cascade of curly hair framing his forehead and draping over the nape of his neck like a stunning, blush-pink veil, served only to accentuate the beauty of the eyes that held his heart.

The meeting came to a halt as the managers noticed that the intended recipient was no longer paying attention. They observed the young man's eyes, filled with a deep sense of affection, as if he were willing to give up everything, even his own heart, for his partner. It was evident to everyone in the room that the bond between the two was more than just a passing romance. The managers were perceptive enough to recognize that this perceived "scandal" was unlikely to sever the genuine connection they shared, and were genuinely pleased by this realization. Recently, for the first time in many years, they witnessed their two idols experiencing genuine happiness and joy. It's unclear whether they were the reason for each other's joy, but it's evident that they both played a significant role in it.

In the following hours, both SM Entertainment and Starship Entertainment put out statements regarding their idols.

“Chenle of NCT Dream and M!Reader of Cravity are in a relationship and have been seeing each other for 2 years we wish them the best and hope fans do the same”

The news of the first openly gay idol couple surprised both fans and idols, sparking a mix of emotions. While many people were genuinely happy for the two individuals, there was also a significant amount of hate and negative comments directed towards them. Despite this, the companies representing the idols took action to address and handle any malicious comments, ensuring that both individuals were supported and protected.

Several weeks had passed since the news had broken out, and the couple's spirits were soaring. No longer burdened by the need to keep their relationship under wraps, they were absolutely elated. After all, who wouldn't be? Despite the judgment of others, their love for each other was unwavering. At this point, their bond was all that mattered, and they were determined to let nothing stand in the way of their love.

𝗁𝖾𝗅𝗅𝗈 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗇𝗄 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝗌𝗈 𝗆𝗎𝖼𝗁 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝗂𝗇𝗀!!! 𝗌𝗈𝗋𝗋𝗒 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗍𝖺𝗄𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗌𝗎𝖼𝗁 𝖺 𝖻𝗂𝗀 𝖻𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗄 𝖨 𝖺𝗆 𝖻𝖺𝖼𝗄 𝗍𝗁𝗈 𝗇𝗈𝗐...

[dorkydiaz]

SLOWED-DOWN CLOCKS TETHERED...TO KEEP IT FOR YOU IN SWEETNESS [1.6k | Eddie Diaz & Christopher Diaz | post s7] {AO3}

Eddie’s first Father’s Day as a father he had barely registered the date let alone a holiday when he had woken up, not until his bunk mates had asked if he had scheduled time for a call. The other dads had been in the coms tent talking with their families through pixelated webcams, some kids holding signs or proudly showing off cards they had made at school or summer camp. Some others had cards come in the mail in the days leading up and following the actual holiday. Eddie felt ambivalent. He had left and had been a blurry blob and distant crackly voice to Christopher for a majority of his life. But he waited his turn with one of the computers, reached Shannon and Christopher, his father next to them on the couch, his mother puttering and fretting about in the background. The words wishing him a happy father’s day felt hollow. He didn’t really feel like a father. A provider to some degree, but not a father. 

Over the past few weeks Sundays are when he calls to check in, his mom texting him throughout the week about activities or if something urgent came up. But Sundays were always there was always a prick of hope in Eddie’s heart, to even hear Chris in the background. This Sunday he woke with more dread of the quiet of the house than he had every day of the past few weeks. The holiday taunting him everywhere he seemed to look. He goes to the kitchen and the “world's best dad” mug that Buck had helped Chris get him a few years ago, sat there in the cupboard nearly mocking him alongside the one from the zoo. At one time they had instilled in him the confidence that he was doing okay, at least in Christopher’s eyes. And that wasn’t true anymore. He slams the cupboard shut without grabbing a mug. It’s all too much. 

Eddie’s first father’s day stateside, the first one he held his son in his arms, he felt less than adequate. His son crying and not being able to comfort him. It felt fruitless. But how else were either of them going to learn. Eddie ached to learn, but was flying blind, no concrete example from his childhood to learn from. He had already tried that method of fatherhood, and it’s how he got here in the first place. So, he sat and held Christopher against his chest, humming a tune that is etched into his soul hoping that eventually Chris would calm. He doesn’t really even register when the crying softens to a whimper and then quiets into steady breathing in time with steady rocking, Eddie’s own breath evening too. 

His phone buzzes on the counter, the hope that lived in his chest flickering brighter. Evan said he would play basketball today if you want. From Tommy. I guess maybe that’s not as reassuring given what happened last time. Maybe time with the punching bag?  Buck had texted even before he had woken up, let me know if you want to do anything today. And if Eddie was honest with himself, he didn’t want to do anything. Going to the park to play a pick up game where they might see fathers and their kids doing countless activities made him slightly nauseous. Pummeling a bag felt useless, he had done it enough. And he wasn’t angry. It was too much energy to be angry.  He had already tried to be put on shift for today, but it had really been no use. Getting something you wanted was an impossible task at this point, even if it was to do something nice. So Eddie had decided to lock the doors and close the blinds and pretend the rest of the world didn’t exist for today. 

Eddie’s first father’s day when he felt the most positive about being a father fell in June of 2018, they had just officially settled into their little house after having moved out of Pepa’s guest room last month. The academy was going great, their routine solidified. For today whatever mess that were his feelings about Shannon and her leaving were the last thing on his mind. He pushed Chris on the swings at the park, his son squealing with glee and begging to go higher. Chris had presented him with a hand drawn card when he came out of his room for breakfast. it really wasn’t all that different then their usual Sundays— it all just held a little more weight. He was providing a roof and love with Chris in his arms, breathing the same air. it was the most secure in his fatherhood Eddie had ever felt. That wasn’t saying a whole lot. But Chris only had him. And he wasn’t letting go again anytime soon. 

He does text Buck back, Not really feeling up for anything. Enjoy your day off with Tommy. Buck loved the message instantly, even without being in the house he was hovering. Not in a bad way. Just always there. And Eddie knows that this is not entirely easy for Buck either. But at least Chris was talking to him. He could see it in  Buck’s eyes anytime it came up. Another one of those things they dance around expertly. And there was a twinge of resentment and envy that Eddie wished would go away, and another part that told him he deserved this. Frank had said it was a normal reaction. Whatever that meant. Nothing felt normal. Not with the referral to a psychiatrist looming on his file. Frank had told him medication might really do him some good. And he can’t face it. That’s definitely not normal. But he does know he wants to try and get there. He knows it will help. Help him. Help him be a better father. And for yourself, Frank had dutifully reminded him when they had the conversation. But it was like actually making that call requires climbing a thousand foot brick wall. 

Time ticked by slowly, excruciatingly so as he waited for early hours of the evening, when they would be back at the house after whatever outing they had gone on today but before dinner. He waited, pacing his own living room, stopping along the mantle and end tables where pictures stood and he bites his lip while gazing at the smiley versions of himself, arms wrapped around Chris. He drags out the photo album he keeps tucked on the shelf, there are pictures from every stage of his life tucked in the plastic sleeves. He looks at himself, just a year or so older than Chris is now, awkwardly standing next to a tiny Shannon at their eighth grade graduation. Their prom pictures. Wedding pictures. Not that many pages later, the day he became a father. He barely recognizes the young man, baseball cap covering his head, his gaze fixed nowhere near the camera. Tucked in the pages, not in a sleeve, is a sonogram. A tiny little white splotch who became the embodiment of his entire heart. His heart that now was what felt like a million miles away, living and breathing without him. 

The clock ticked to the top of the hour, and the reminder popped up on his phone with a buzz. He wipes his face, and bites his lip harder, and with a shaky hand, he taps on his father’s contact, and the hope sparks brighter and the nerves wrap around his gut like usual. His leg bouncing, lip still rolling between his teeth. 

There’s shuffling on the other end of the line. 

“Hi.” 

The voice through the speaker isn’t his father, sounds impossibly older than the last time he heard it. The tears that had been threatening to spill all day finally broke free, he rubs a shaky hand over his face. His whole body shakes in relief. 

“Hey, Bud.” he can’t stop the waver in his voice. 

“Abuelo is in the bathroom, he’ll be right out. He said I should pick it up if I wanted.” 

It’s a quiet, hesitant admission. 

Eddie has thought about this moment since the second his son left his grasp but never let himself think about what he would say. He swallows past apologies and groveling. Those can come later. Right now his son is speaking to him. 

“What have you been up to?” he tries for casual and open ended, genuinely wanting to hear it in Chris’ words.   

“Today we went to the park for a picnic with lots of people. I met other teenagers who were cool, so that was fun.” Eddie swears he hears a voice crack, and he can barely bear it. 

“Glad you are making new friends.” 

The silence that draws out between them now is heavy, both of them knowing that now is not the time. Neither of them want it right now. Just breathing together again is enough. 

“I’m not ready to come back, or talk about it, but I…I miss you dad.” He could picture Chris sitting on his parent’s couch, his fingers tangling in the hem of his shirt, glasses balanced on the tip of his nose. 

It’s not what Eddie expected and fresh tears roll down his cheeks and the heartache that he has come to live with over the past few weeks intensifies for a moment. 

“I miss you too.” All the time. So much. More than you can ever know. He never wants this phone call to end. They might not be breathing the same air, but they were breathing together again. 

[shy-urban-hobbit]

Lambert tried to let the yelling and squealing fade into the background as he sat at one of the picnic tables keeping one eye on his niece, the bright pink bunny ears he'd bought her on the way in paired with her blue dress making for an excellent marker as she ran around in circles like something possessed in her hunt for chocolate eggs. Ciri had talked about nothing but the children's Easter egg hunt at the local petting zoo all week and then of course, both Geralt and Jaskier had to fall sick when Yenn was also out of town and Eskel's car was busted, leaving Lambert to step in to save the day. Or giving him a convenient excuse to not work on that paper which was due when college classes started up again. Potato, potahto. So long as Ciri was happy, right?

Speaking of, Lambert frowned when he saw Ciri attempting to climb the fence on the far side of the playing field. They'd been expressly told the perimeters of the hunt before they started so unless she'd gotten distracted or bored, there was no reason for her to be over there. He made to yell her back before realising she'd probably be too far away to hear him and started walking over. He picked up the pace when he saw a dark skinned man who looked to be around his age in the bright yellow t-shirt which marked him out as farm staff come over and lean on the other side of the fence, smiling as he said something to Ciri. Lambert was still too far away to hear but he caught the gist as Ciri diligently placed both feet back on the ground and instead started gesturing to the large tree which the other man was stood underneath.

Lambert reached them both just in time to hear him laugh before he practically launched himself into the branches and disappeared amongst the thick foliage.

"Ciri?" He asked coming to stand next to his niece, "What are you doing over here?"

"He with you, sweetheart?" A voice from above piped up and Lambert looked up to see the mystery employee perched on a branch, staring down at him critically with eyes so green they could almost blend in with the leaves.

"It's Uncle Lambert. My daddy's his big brother and that's why he's my uncle!" She called back happily, giving the explanation which had now become routine ever since they'd explained the basics to her of how family trees work and proceeding to hang off his arm for emphasis.

He nodded, seemingly satisfied, "Well, Uncle Lambert. How are you at catching?"

Lambert barely had time to process the question before an egg wrapped in bright blue foil was plummeting downwards, Lambert lunging to catch it on instinct before dropping it into Ciri's basket. It was swiftly followed by many others in various colours, the two adults building up something of a rhythm somewhere around the fifth.

"Think that's all of them!" Was the only warning they got before the other didn't so much climb down the tree as drop down, startling Lambert a little with the suddenness and impressing him with the fact that he'd managed to stick the landing from that height.

"Thank you!" Ciri cried out happily, giving him a gap toothed smile, "Uncle Lambert, I want to play on the slide." She shoved her now near overflowing basket into Lambert's side before darting off towards the playground, leaving Lambert to follow behind.

"She's got a good eye." The other said, vaulting over the fence and falling into step next to him, "Name's Aiden by the way." He said pointing to the name badge plastered with various animal stickers which declared as much, "Figured it was only fair seeing as I found yours out."

"Who the hell decided to hide eggs up a god damn tree anyway?" Lambert asked looking back over his shoulder, "How were the kids supposed to find those?"

"I don't think they were." Aiden replied. Lambert raised an eyebrow, inviting him to elaborate, "That tree has a hollow about halfway up. I think one of the guys who was in charge of setting this up stashed a bunch for himself up there and accidentally left that blue one your niece spotted poking out." Aiden gave him a wide grin, "Honestly, that's the best karma ever for literally trying to take candy from babies."

Lambert gave a matching smile, allowing himself to share in the enjoyment of karmic justice, "You being serious?"

"Unfortunately. If it's who I think, they can be a bit of a dick whenever they get scheduled during the holidays. You should've seen the Christmas display, they put a few of the elves in some rather suggestive poses."

Aiden pulled out his phone and started scrolling before holding it out for Lambert to look at, sure enough there were numerous shots of plastics elves in various positions and poses which would have had Geralt and Jaskier covering Ciri's eyes but had Lambert laughing in delight, "Ok, but those are pretty funny."

"We thought so, too. The parents very much wouldn't have though. Luckily our supervisor noticed before we opened for the day."

Lambert gave another laugh before looking over to where he could see Ciri waiting in line for her turn on the slide.

"Hey uh, nice job too by the way. Not just on the egg retrieval but-" Lambert petered off awkwardly.

"Checking that she actually knew you?"

Lambert nodded.

"Of course. Can't be too careful with kids, right? Especially at something like this, although you'd be surprised how many guardians take offence. Still, I'd rather get yelled at than be the one who let a kid go off with a total stranger, you know?"

"Uncle Lambert, come push me!!" Ciri yelled from the swings.

"And that's my queue." Lambert sighed, adjusting his hold on Ciri's basket. Surprisingly, he'd been enjoying the others company, "Thanks again, Aiden."

"Don't mention it. I'd better get back to work too." He turned to leave before seeming to think better of it and turning back, looking slightly hopeful, "Hey. Our baby pygmy goats should be old enough to meet the public next weekend. If you guys are free you should come and say hi, they're seriously cute."

"You working that weekend?"

Aiden nodded, "I'm scheduled for the Sunday."

"Then we'll see you on Sunday, Aiden."

[sullina]

it's been idek how many years (10ish?) and I'm still in absolute awe at how they decided to do the "Rose was Pink Diamond" reveal

They could've done it in a less convoluted way by something like Pearl, instead of saying it, just drawing or writing it on paper (if that would've even been a possible workaround to PDs command), but instead they decided to peel back the layers that are Pearls past, quite literally, and how Pearl felt about Rose in every memory Steven went through.

Pearl loved Rose and was dependent on her. Not just emotionally, but also on a deeper level. On homeworld, a pearls purpose is solely to serve other gems, not to be in charge of anything, least of all themselves.

At first, out Pearl was the same, but Pink Diamond was the one who was different, treating a simple pearl as a person, not like a glorified secretary.

Pink Diamond herself was also different, obviously. At first, she wanted to be like the other diamonds: equal to them and in charge of her own colony, for them to stop treating her like a little kid.

But as soon as she got that, she realized that "wait... this is not what i wanted...". I don't remember which episode it's from, but the whole reason Pink Diamond was so excited to have her own colony is because they were "creating life from nothing", until she realized that what they were actually doing was "taking life, and leaving nothing behind".

Pink Diamond didn't want a soulless army that followed her every command. She wanted real connections with others. Any gem that wasn't a diamond would give her the same, soulless "yes, my diamond" if she were to so much as look at them, and the diamonds themselves often disregarded anything she did as childish antics and often punished her when she didn't behave like they thought a diamon a should behave (mainly regal and soulless).

In just about every single flashback we see of Pink Diamond and the other diamonds, the interaction is bad in some way.

On the jungle moon, Pink just wanted to hang out with Yellow, have some fun, but Yellow pushed her aside like she was a child. Pink blew a fuse and insisted she was a diamond too. Upon Yellow telling her to "act like it", Pink stomped off and smashed a glass panel, where we can then see just how angry she was.

Then, when Pink finally got the earth as her first colony, after deciding that she didn't want to hollow it out and leave it a barren wasteland, Blue and Yellow insisted she finish was she started, not listening to her at all. Instead, they built a human zoo. Blue even told Pink she didn't have to do anything, just exist, and the colony would be finished. (Hence why Pink decided to make it look like she was shattered. It's not that she ran away, really, it's that this was the only way to do what she wanted, which was to save the earth and live on it, with Pearl, and all the humans, who weren't absolutely subservient to her)

Then in the last season, we see Blue actually imprison Pink for releasing some centipede things at one of her balls. Steven and Connie were only imprisoned for a few days, but who knows for how long Pink was imprisoned at a time? The diamonds are nigh-timeless beings, Pink could've been imprisoned for several years, decades, centuries, maybe even millenia at a time. Just existing in a dark room, in total isolation, for the sole crime of not fitting the mold that was picked out for her.

Being a diamond was just... not in Pinks nature. Running a colony was apparently just sitting around and doing a whole bunch of nothing, but that wasn't Pinks style.

She wanted to go down to earth, see her own colony with her own eyes. But that's not what a diamond should do, and i can imagine that Pink thought Blue and Yellow would take her colony away as soon as they got to know that she wasn't behaving properly (like a diamond), and probably punish her again.

But instead of being on her own, she now had a pearl. Our Pearl, who was "supposed to make her happy" (in Pearls own words), and how do you make a diamond who doesn't want to be a diamond happy? You help her not be a diamond!

Pink became not-a-diamond for the first time, and also for the first time, had a real interaction with another gem. That little "welcome to earth!" she said to that one quartz soldier was such a small thing, but to Pink, it was probably the first interaction with another gem as an equal.

And by equal, i mean something that didn't have to listen to her, and that she didn't have to listen to. They were all diamonds, but Blue and Yellow could still tell her "no" and punish her. All other gems were subservient to her as a diamond, saluting to her and ending every sentence with a "yes, my/pink diamond".

Pink Diamond could not be happy, be it as Pink or as a diamond.

Of course she would leave Blue and Yellow and White to go and be with Pearl, a gem considered so low in the gem hierarchy that many considered them to be glorified decorations (mentioned by Peridot when they conceptualized the drill).

Pink Diamond, now Rose Quartz, broke out of the mold she could never fit, and so inspired Pearl to do the same. As much as she could, anyway, with Pink Rose still being there.

In the movie, when Pearl and the others were reset by Spinels rejuvenator, we see Pearl take on the same form she had in the flashback on the moon base where her and Pink went down to earth for the first time.

It's possible that Pink Diamond was the first and only gem that Pearl has ever served. And with gems not having a natural end of life (shattering isn't a natural end, it's murder), it's possible that pearls are only "deployed", so to speak, for one gem given specifically to them. They're not "reused", to hopefully make it more understandable.

Meaning, Pink Diamond and then Rose Quartz, was the only gem Pearl had ever known on a more intimate level, and likely built her entire personal identity around her.

So when Rose decided to have a baby, Pearl was utterly distraught, not only because Pearl loved her, but because Rose was also her entire reason to exist, her entire life was centered around Rose.

Pearl asking "What am I going to do without her?" under tears was not just her being sad she would lose someone she loved, but also in a more literal sense. Pearl didn't know who she was outside of Rose, because she straight up just wasn't someone. Without Rose, Pearl was little more than a pearl without a master, without a reason for existing.

Rose having a baby wouldn't have been possible if the diamonds hadn't retaliated against Rose and the rebellion (thus leaving the earth alone in the belief that there were no more rebels), if Pearl hadn't taken on Roses form to shatter Pink Diamond, if Pearl hadn't agreed to Roses plan, if- if Pearl had never fallen for her diamond.

In the scene where Pearl, as Rose, shatters Pink diamond, Pearl is crying.

Pink is no more.

Pearl shattered her.

The one who came back was no longer Pink, but Rose.

Everything would be different.

And perhaps it was.

But in the end, Pearl only swapped one master for another.

Pearls purpose was still the same, to make Pink Rose happy, except this time the command came from herself instead of another diamond. Pearls existence was still centered around Pink Rose. She bore another name and purpose, but it was still the same gem.

But when Rose had a baby and Steven was born, that is when Pink Rose finally and truly died. There was no turning back. Steven was Steven, not just another form of Pink Diamond or Rose.

Rose was gone.

And who was Pearl without Rose?

[devinescribe]

By Your Side

Ch. 7 of “My Sunshine” [TreechxReader]

Warnings: bombing, mentions of explosions and being hurt, nothing too graphic in my opinion, and cursing.

You hadn't even noticed that you fell asleep last night. It was still dark out when you woke up, but decided to shower and get ready for the day. You dressed in your school uniform and headed out.

You wanted to go to the zoo and talk with him but realized you'd see him first thing in the morning.

You walked into the classroom, shocked to see Coryo already there.

"You're here early," you mused, siting in your seat, one in between left for Sejanus.

"I could say the same for you," he retorted, still reading.

You shrugged, "Figured I wouldn't be able to go to sleep after so I just got ready...."

You lay your head on the desk, looking up at the blonde, who was reading something. You didn't care what it was about. You noticed the dark circles under his eyes, how hollow his cheeks looked, his perfect blonde curls lay on his head, the only bright thing about him besides his eyes. His eyes weren't just blue. They were ice blue. A single glance was enough to send ice through your veins and make you regret looking at him.

"Staring is quite rude you know," he mentioned, finally putting his book down.

You sighed and sat up, looking him in the eyes.

Holding eye contact was important to you. It showed people were listening, and that they cared.

"Have you heard from Clemensia?" You asked, suddenly remembering the girl.

He looked away.

"I... I last heard she just wasn't feeling well-"

"Don't lie. You can say nothin' or you can say the truth, but do not lie to me," you spat, your tone coming out more harsh than you meant it to.

The boy looked down. You apologized, truly not meaning to come off so rude.

"I'm sorry... I shouldn't have raised my voice like that," you whispered.

"...it's ok. You're tired and stressed dealing with all of this-"

"An apology doesn't begin with an accusation. Nor does it begin with deflecting your actions onto other things," you interrupted.

Most people in the Capitol were used to giving half assed apologies that put the blame on everyone but themselves. It was obvious that Coryo wasn't used to that.

It was weird, calling him that. You didn't know why he gave you the permission to do that.

You heard someone clear their throat behind you.

"Good morning (Y/N)... Mr. Snow. Quite the early risers aren't you?"

Dean Highbottom sighed, placing his bag onto his desk.

"Couldn't sleep. Decided I'd get here early.... Dr. Gaul never mentioned when I'd have to turn in my paper. I got it done, but I wasn't given a time to give it to her," you mumbled, remembering the brown folder in your bag. You pulled it out carefully.

"Well, before we head to the arena, she will be here. Give it to her then. I'm sure she will appreciate you getting it done in such a short time... with everything that's happened," Dean Highbottom said. "Your father wasn't too pleased with your stunt, I assume?"

You went back to last night where your father kept yelling through the door despite your sobs.

"Not pleased at all..."

He hummed and went back to putting papers in drawers and organizing.

"Your father is... much like Sejanus's father in a way. Wished everyone would forget he was district so he hates his people almost more than the Capitol," he mused.

You nodded. Coriolanus scoffed besides you.

"Is there something you would like to add to the conversation Mr. Snow? I'm sure your father would be rolling in his grave seeing you with your songbird," Highbottom said, his eyes staring directly into Coryo's.

A scowl slowly crossed his features, this icy blue eyes clouding over, blizzarding with hatred.

The air filled with tension and you let out a relieved sigh at Sejanus's entrance.

"Good morning to you all," he said, a little too happy for someone getting to the academy at 6:30.

"Mornin'," you responded as he sat next to you.

He gave you a dopey smile and you were honestly suspicious.

"What's got you lookin' like that sweetheart?" You giggled, poking his shoulder.

"Oh? Just that... I know something that makes me happy. Nothing you should worry about," he said with a smile.

You looked suspiciously between both boys who seemed to be acting strangely. Dean Highbottom stepped out of the room and you looked at both of them.

"You kissed each other didn't you?"

"Ew-"

"(N/N) why would you say that?!"

"I would never ever even think of kissing a Pli-"

"I would never even even think of kissing him-"

"Neither of you are denying it."

Their faces of mutual embarrassment and disgust made you laugh.

The boys shared a look and immediately looked away, blushing furiously .

"I was just joking... but you've both been actin' so strange..." you mumbled.

They let out a sigh of relief.

"Can't believe you thought I'd kiss him of all people," Coryo muttered.

"Not like you've kissed anyone anyway," you teased.

"Neither have you!"

The three of you stared at each other in silence until bursting out in laughter.

Once again, forgetting who and where you were. Sej and you weren't District to Capitol, Coryo was a Capitol Prick.

You were just kids. Like you'd always been.

——

The three of you walked together to the arena, behind everyone else.

"I ain't ever seen you smile that much let alone laugh," you giggled.

"Your face when Dr. Gauls hand was on your shoulder? Fucking priceless," Sejanus laughed.

Coriolanus rolled his eyes but smiled.

Maybe... the districts weren't that bad. Hanging out with the two district to Capitol kids made him understand Lucy Gray a bit better, and internally he wondered if he saw them as friends or as pawns to get closer to her.

"When I gave her my paper I thought she would shoot me down right there!" You whispered with a laugh.

The rest of your classmates were so ahead and lost in their own conversations, you knew they couldn't hear.

But the chatter and laughter died down as you reached the arena. You saw the tributes lined up by district, boy girl.

You silently slipped next to Treech and smiled. He looked at you and gave you a small smile back.

You could feel his fingers softly reach for yours and you slowly enveloped your hand with his.

"Missed you."

"Missed you more," he whispered back with a grin.

You heard someone clear their throat behind you.

"Mind getting your hands off of my girl?"

"Oh go fuck yourself, Creed. I am not yours not at all, I've never been and your entitlement to me disgusts mes I am not an object to own," you hissed at him, rolling your eyes.

The boy immediately cowered and ran off.

"Tail between his legs... he's such an army brat," you scoffed.

"So that's Festus Creed," Treech mumbled.

You turned to him, "You know who he is?"

The boys face turned bright red.

"Well it's just Sejanus mentioned him-"

"When did you talk to Sej?"

He wouldn't meet your eyes. He knew if he did he would spill everything. Every single thing he'd been thinking.

He was thankful that in that moment, you all began to enter in the arena. A red glow from some lights gave it an eerie feel.

"Thank you, enjoy the show."

You shuddered at that. How gross. Disgusting. Dehumanizing. They were being sent to their deaths and that was what they had to hear before it?

You saw Coriolanus and Lucy Gray holding hands and slowly letting go in front of the cameras. You looked up at Treech. His face was wiped of any emotion, yet you watched as his eyes filled with fear.

You kept his hand in yours, squeezing it for comfort.

"I think I'm gonna be sick," he mumbled to you, so quiet you almost didn't hear.

"Hey, hey... you're gonna be ok... I promise I'm getting you out of this alive. I can't... I can't loose you," you mumbled to him.

The mentors and tributes split up. Most mentors went to talk in their own groups, leaving the tributes to talk amongst themselves.

"Hey, lumberjack!"

You both turned around. You a bit upset at the audacity of someone calling him your nickname and also out of curiosity.

Who were you kidding you were upset about someone calling him your nickname for him.

It was Coral.

It could be beneficial for him to be in a group... but groups turn on each other.

"Lamina-" he called out, getting interrupted.

"No no. You. Just you."

You looked at him to see what he would do. His hand slowly left yours as he walked over to the group.

You were immediately saddened by this. But had no time to react as a hand grabbed your shoulder and pulled you away.

"What gives!?" The voice whisper yelled.

Pup Harrington.

Lamina's mentor.

"I can't control what he does or who he goes with," you responded.

"I thought we would be allies at least-"

"You never discussed becoming my ally-"

"Thought it would be a given considering they are from the same district! How stupid could he be?! The group is going to-"

"Listen. I cannot control him. He picked the group. He is not stupid, he knows they will start killing each other. And I'm sure I'll figure out a plan. Lamina is strong willed, she's a strong climber... she will do well," you whispered, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Pup wasn't as bad as the rest of the kids in class. Mostly kept to himself.

"Alright. I hope you know what you're talking about."

And with that you walked off in separate directions, only taking a step before a loud bang was heard.

Bombs.

The bombs were going off everywhere and you were thrown back from the shock wave.

Your ears rang as you looked up, double vision everywhere. There was dust everywhere and bombs were still going off. Fire.

You shakily stood up, trying to keep your balance. You coughed, covering your mouth with your sleeve.

Tributes were running, you heard some say the gate was open, and saw them running towards it.

The world spun around you and you took a shaky step, before noticing there was people standing n the ground. It struck a fear into you that you hadn't felt since the war.

All those bodies. Burned. Bleeding out.

Then your mind turned to how Treech would hold you close in the bombings, covering you from any dust.

Wait... Treech.

Where was he?

Your breathing became heavier as you panicked looking around for him and sign of him.

"Treech! Treech!" You screamed out, your voice ringing and echoing across the chaos filled hall. 

Peacekeepers shoved past you, shooting their guns. You screamed in fear, falling to your knees again, covering your head.

A scared child.

That's all you could think of. The bombings back home, the bodies, your mind raced with thoughts of his body being one of them and screamed with tears streaming down your face.

The center of the arena started to fall and you tried to back away, failing at doing so, but succeeding at getting cuts all over your palms

"(Y/N)!? (Y/N)!"

Strong arms picked you up and took you away from the middle, where beams of steel and concrete fell.

"You alright? Hey, hey? Stay with me alright... fuck you've got some nasty cuts." The voice muttered.

You looked up and saw the person you had been screaming for. Your arms wrapped around him and he cried out.

He was hurt.

You stood up carefully, both of you leaning into each other. He tried to drag you back to where you had come from, but you stopped him.

"No, some people ran away that way, don't want them to think you're runnin' away too. They'll shoot you dead, please," you begged, coughing. There was dust and smoke invading your mouth, throat and lungs.

He gave a shaky breath and nodded.

You two were trying to find help. Anyone that knew a way out.

You'd never been here, so you didn't know...

Coryo.

Coryo had mentioned coming here as a kid, his family used to have one of the private boxes to watch the games when he was little.

"Gotta... find Coryo, he'll know the way out-"

You felt his arms get ripped away from you, and heard him cry out in pain. You turned to see a peacekeeper, grabbing him and pulling him away. Another peacekeeper did the same to you.

Some of the glass stuck in your arm was pushed in by his hands and you screamed out in pain. Your body was finally aware of all the pain it was in, the adrenaline to survive fading out, making you pass out.

_____

It had been about three days in the hospital drifting in and out of a painkiller haze. You hated it. Nurses came in and out, but Sejanus was the one who came to visit more often than not. The games had been delayed once more due to kids being hurt and in the hospital. The mentors of course, not the tributes. The interviews would happen at the end of the week, the games the day after. If you could be there, you could be there. Your release day was set to be the day of. Meaning today.

You woke up in the hospital. You were drowsy from what had happened and the medicine they had given you. Sejanus was beside your bed, and smiled softly when he saw you had woken up.

"Please, tell me is he ok?" You asked, pleading with Sejanus, who had been released the day right after the bombing. His injuries were minor compared to a lot of the others.

"He's good as can be... had to get stitches for one cut on his back but the vet-"

"Vet?"

Silence filled the small area.

"You mean to tell me... that we survived a bombing... got rushed to the hospital... and they got thrown back into that zoo cage... and they have a VET attending to them?!" You shouted.

Your heart monitor started going up, beeping harshly.

"Hey, hey, hey... calm down. I know. I get it... I was pissed off when I found out too, but...  it's... better than nothing I guess..." he muttered.

You were getting released today. You would see him tonight.

The nurses came in, and finally signed the discharge paperwork.

Sejanus walked you home.

You had been lucky. Mostly shrapnel that had been imbedded in your skin. Some dust and smoke in your lungs, but nothing coughing it out didn't fix.

The worst part had been the necklace. You didn't lose it, but the nurses were not careful, breaking the chain.

"Hey... cheer up. In just... two hours you'll get to see your lover boy," he said with a smile.

You blushed and looked down.

"We're just friends-"

"(Y/N), please. You like him. I think you always have. It's obvious to everyone else. And I think you should tell him. Plus..." he said, pulling a small box out of his pocket, opening it for you. "Friends don't just keep a ring on a necklace or one letter you sent years ago."

It was the necklace, but it was fixed. Nothing had been changed, it was your necklace from Treech.

"I saw it on the bedside table broken and... god, I know how important this is to you. I took it to get fixed. All they did was fix the chain," he said with a smile, putting it on you.

"Friends don't look at each other the way you two look at each other."

Hehehehehehehe so uh... heyyyy

I'm keeping it a bit more accurate to the book than the movie. Treech will also be in the arena more book than movie. Yes, he's starting off with the pack, but after some time, he is going to do what his book self did. In case some of you who only watched the movie were wondering why tf my timeline is so off. It's not, I'm not making up the funerals or any of it, it happened in the book. How are you guys liking this story so far? Do I entertain you?

[bluegekk0]

Ok do you have any favourite games, that are not ran world or hollow knight?

I myself like slavic game series stalker :]

oooh there are so many games from my childhood (and more recent ones) that i'd love to mention

the first one i can remember is rayman. i love the first three games, especially 2 and 3. i have so many great memories connected to these games, and i wish 3d rayman made a comeback. after the mario and rabbids dlc, and the recent netflix show, i'm a little more hopeful about that

zoo tycoon 2 is also one of my favorite childhood games, alongside two other, far more obscure zoo games: marine park empire and wildlife park 2. i've always loved zoo games, i think it started with wlp2, it was sold as a part of a collection of animal related games. a similar one was jurassic park operation genesis - similar premise, except it's based around creating a jurassic park. the newest game in this genre is planet zoo, and i like it, but it can get very overwhelming with all of the modular building. it's time consuming and requires a lot of creativity, which isn't something i usually look for when i want to wind down and play something

another childhood series is the sims. the sims 2 specifically, though i also have many fond memories of the sims 3 (though i remember it more for the absurd loading times hahaha). while i like the sims 4, i find myself returning more to the sims 2 these days. it's very dated in some areas, but it offers a much deeper experience which i appreciate. and the lore can get batshit crazy sometimes which is great in on itself

i remember playing a lot of spore, especially the creature stage since i didn't understand the civilization and space stages at that point. i do enjoy them now, especially the latter, though i've never reached the ending of that one. i guess i just like exploring and trading with different planets too much

from some more modern games, i suppose, minecraft is one i like a lot. i started playing a few years after it's official release, and i remember starting with a pirated copy from a likely very sussy launcher. these days i usually just play it with friends from time to time

another series i'm a big fan of is the horizon series. horizon zero dawn and forbidden west. i know many people consider their gameplay nothing spectacular, but it's a big comfort game for me, especially the sequel. and the music, god the music in the second game is incredible

i mentioned assassin's creed, so i guess i'll talk about the series a bit. my favorite game is probably unity, i even named one of my cats after the protagonist. but i also love assassin's creed 2 and origins, both are great games. not too happy with the direction the series took, though, they feel too bloated and unfocused

i don't play that many multiplayer games these days, but team fortress 2 and (unfortunately) overwatch are my favorites. i like team games, even if they're often very frustrating. but the cooperation aspect generally really appeals to me

other games i can think of are patapon, subnautica, the yakuza series, both ori games, bugsnax and stardew valley

dang this is far longer than i thought it would be, but it's too difficult for me to pick one or two favorites hahah

also, i've heard about the stalker games before, though i've never played them myself. not too big on horror games haha

[danganquadrilogyofficial]

“Oh me, oh my! This is a conundrum, yes it is!! Here we are stuck inside of a zoo being called animals…yet we’re MUCH cleaner and more civil than animals to be treated as such!! This is nothing more than a BIG misunderstanding, yes it is!

Age: 22

Height: 5’7

Gender: Female

Likes: Macaroons

Dislikes: Cartoons

Birthday: August 26th

Sexuality: Straight

Countless employees of the Happy Homes Hollows never lasted long, solely due to the griming housework that was asked of them. Until Juniper came around to flip the script. Because of her cleaning service multiple households welcome the young woman with open arms, paying her handsomely for her hard work and dedication. One of her clients happened to be a board member of LOPIAA, which in turn has earned her a scholarship at the campus.

The most simple way many can describe Juniper is similar to a younger Mary Poppins: Optimistic, Easy-going, and of course a naive soul. Even though she’s a bit of an airhead, making her quite approachable to just about everyone—!

[logiusxcju]

The Hidden Treasures of San Jose, CA You Need to Explore

Introduction

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1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. eight. nine. 10. 11. 12. thirteen. 14. 15. sixteen. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. Frequently Asked Questions

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[holyadoptionpapersbatman]

First of all, OW!! 🥺💔💔💔 Second of all---

◇°◇°◇°◇

The funeral was.

Was.

It was packed.

Damian Richardson had always been more of a loner than Bruce had.

However.

Unlike Bruce, Damian had always cared for any relationships he had made over the years he's been with Dick.

Dick looks towards Clark, Diana and Commissioner Gordon. Then towards the young heroes in civilian wear that Damian trained.

And then.

He glanced towards the falafel vendor and churros vendor who sold down at 3rd Avenue. He sees Selina and other cat moms murmuring to themselves at the corner of the room, holding their teas and clutching their handkerchiefs.

He sees some school kids Damian taught art to, holding on to their parents' hands or hiding their teary faces in their parents' embrace. He sees some old men who Damian played chess with in the park, all somber compared to the happy faces they made when they were usually with him. He sees some pet and animal owners, some zoo keepers, and animal activists who had grown close to Damian after so many debates and scuffles that made their bonds stronger.

So many people who weren't just the Wayne family, who Damian impacted.

They were all here.

All because Dick couldn't save one of the most precious people in his life. Again.

"How are you holding up, Chum?" Bruce asked, sitting next to Dick.

Both of them now had their eyes on Damian's coffin, but neither could look to where the casket opens.

Neither could bear to see Damian's peaceful face beneath the glass.

Dick doesn't reply.

Couldn't.

If he does, he fears he might start crying again.

He ignores how Tim is openly sobbing into Stephanie's shoulder. He ignores how Stephanie is crying right over Tim's hair. He ignores how Duke is silently alone, how he should be going over to his side to offer some comfort, but Duck just... couldn't find the energy to do it.

He ignores how Jason is being side-hugged by Alfred. Or how Alfred is misty-eyed as he rub's Jason's back. He ignores how Cass is simply standing still near Damian's casket, eyes hollow but fists clenched so tight, it might cause some bleeding.

He's startled out of his thoughts the moment he feels a hand on his shoulder.

He turns his head, and finds Bruce giving him a wobbly smile.

Dick can't. He doesn't want to.

Cry.

He can't break down right now.

Because if he does. This will feel too. Real. That Damian. One of his most loved parental figures in his life. Is. Gone.

"Come here, bud."

Dick feels his body leaning into Bruce and.

He.

"I miss him," he says in Arabic, sucking in a breath as tears freely flows out from his cheeks.

"I know, habibi," Bruce replies, petting his hair softly.

Dick allowed himself then and there to copy Tim, burying his face into Bruce's modest for once suit, and sobbing his heart out.

Damian was gone.

And he's never coming back.

◇°◇°◇°◇°◇

Talia sips her tea, fondly smiling at her son who is sleeping peacefully with a little kitten tucked in his little arms.

She sighs as she looks outside from the airplane's window.

They will be landing in a few hours.

Soon, they will be seeing her beloved.

And hopefully, just as her son from the future said, blood really won't be the deciding factor for her child to be accepted by his father and his family.

AU:

Damian, as an adult (maybe 19), travels back to when Dick's parents had just died.

Damian introduces himself to Bruce (who's 28ish) as a friend, wanting to help him with his mission to save Gotham. It takes time, but Bruce learns to trust Damian, introduces him to his ward Dick Grayson, and even hires Damian for Wayne Enterprises.

They are a weird family dynamic, but Dick settles on calling Damian his older brother. Dick slowly starts to heal from the trauma of his parents' death, especially with Damian there providing additional emotional support.

The older man, of course, changes what he can of the future. He finds Cass, permanently neutralizes the Joker (without killing just in case Bruce catches wind), and supports the Todds, Browns, and Thomases (arresting Willis and Arthur if need be). He invites Tim over to the Manor for "playdates" with Dick.

Overall, Damian is doing a fantastic job of helping Batman establish himself, teaching Bruce how to communicate with his children, saving Gotham, teaching Dick how to communicate his anger in other ways, helping the charity division (in particular the animal ones) of Wayne Enterprises, and overall being a great family member.

Bruce learns not to be an asshole and Dick knows he's loved and appreciated regardless of what labels the kid puts on their familial relationships (i.e. whether he thinks of Bruce as a dad or a loved guardian). Dick is doing fantastic as Robin, even though Damian couldn't convince him to wear pants. With the support of Batman, Damian's moniker, and, eventually, Batgirl, Robin flies through the night sky. He's so happy. He even forms the Titans and Bruce forms the JL.

It's good.

Then Dick has to watch Damian fall to his death in a vicious mockery of the Graysons' last show.

[ailelie]

Ana Suggests Polyamory (911, ana/eddie, eddie/buck, discontinued b/c i have no idea where to take it next)

Note: This does not demonize Ana. She's a bit thoughtless in some ways, but she isn't a villain.

Ana did the dishes slowly. She hated washing dishes, but she needed the activity. Something was missing in her relationship with Eddie. The hollow feeling had been echoing for the past couple months. As she put a clean dish on the rack to dry, her gaze caught on the fridge. Chris had posted photos from the zoo. It wasn't a trip she had gone on. Instead, Buck was there. To be honest, he was all over the house in little ways. He was Eddie and Christopher's best friend. Sometimes, Ana felt like he already filled up so many spaces in their lives that she had little room for herself. It wasn't a fair thought, but she couldn't shake it. She rinsed another bowl, dipping it twice in the plain water. Buck was everywhere except in her relationship with Eddie. She watched the soap float free of the bowl. What if, she wondered, the hollow she felt was Buck-shaped?

The thought came to her again later in the evening. She pulled her laptop onto her bed and opened up Google. The bar stared back at her. She wasn't sure what to search for. She wasn't jealous. She just wanted to fill up the empty space in her relationship, possibly by adding Buck to it. Ana bit her lip and searched three people relationship. Google returned the idea of 'polyamory.' One site warned against using polyamory to save a relationship, but Ana dismissed that. Her relationship with Eddie was strong, she felt, it was just missing something. She wasn't trying to fix anything. She was trying to fill the space.

The sun stretched through her windows, alerting her to the fact she'd been reading websites all night. She had work. Ana groaned, cursing herself, and closed her computer. She didn't think she wanted to date Buck herself, but the sites assured her she didn't have to. They didn't have to be a 'thruple.' Buck could be her 'metamour.' They'd gotten along the few times they'd met. She thought they could be good friends and she wanted to be if they were going to be sharing Eddie.

She needed to talk with Eddie.

An opportunity came a few nights later. She'd had dinner with Eddie and Chris and then stayed to watch a movie Chris insisted she needed to see. After the movie, Chris went to bed and Ana, instead of leaving, lingered.

"I wanted to talk with you," she said.

Eddie frowned. "Sounds serious. Is everything all right?"

She forced a smile. "Everything is fine, but--" she faltered. For all of her practicing, she couldn't get the words out. She took a breath and decided on a different strategy. "Have you heard of polyamory?"

"No?"

"It is a form of relationship where everyone is free to have multiple partners."

Eddie's face froze, then, with a glance over her shoulder toward Chris's room, he lowered his voice, "Do you want to see other people?"

She shook her head. "No. I'm happy with you, but I think maybe you should?"

"What?" He winced at his volume and then repeated at a lower tone, "What do you mean you think I should see other people?"

Ana folded her hands together in her lap and dug her fingernails into her skin. "Not people. Buck."

Eddie stared at her. "You want me to see Buck."

"Something is missing, don't you think?" She asked, her cadence increasing. "There's a space in our relationship and I think that maybe Buck could fill it and we would all be happier, stronger. I did research--"

"Stop, please." Eddie held up a hand. Ana quieted. He rubbed his temples. "You think our relationship is missing something?"

"I know I sprung this on you, but think on it, please? I think we'd all be happier."

"If I dated Buck and you at the same time." His voice was flat. She couldn't get a read on what he was thinking. She nodded. Eddie took a deep breath and expelled it noisily. "Why Buck? What did I do to make you think that I--" he stopped, as if uncertain how to finish the sentence.

"He already fills up so much of your life," she said, shrugging. "This is the one place he's missing and maybe he shouldn't be."

"He's missing because I don't like him that way. He's--"

"Are you sure?" Ana interrupted. She reached out and touched Eddie's knee. "You've never thought about him?"

"I think about you."

She smiled. "I'm glad, but I don't mind if you think about him, too." That was a lie, but she wanted it to be true. "It's called compersion, I think. Being happy for your significant other being happy with someone else."

"You've read a lot on this, haven't you?"

"I have. Will you think about it?"

"I can promise that," he said, wryly.

Ana's smile deepend. She leaned over and pressed a kiss to Eddie's mouth. "I should go. Let you think."

As she stood to go, Eddie didn't follow her. She was leaving the living room, when he asked, "Do you really think we're missing something?"

"I do," she replied softly. The admission still hurt.

He nodded. "Drive safe."

"I always do."

Back in her car, Ana rested her forehead against her steering wheel a moment before starting her car. She'd done it. Everything was now in Eddie's court.

---

"Something on your mind, Diaz?" Hen asked.

Eddie startled and refocused on the pool game. "It's just Ana," he said, twisting his cue in his hands.

"Things getting serious between you two?"

Eddie huffed. "I have no idea. Have you heard of polyamory?"

Hen looked up from the table. "Ana wants to see other people?"

Eddie shook his head. "She wants me to see other people, well, person. Buck. She wants me to date Buck." The words rush out of him and he can feel his cheeks heating.

Hen stepped back from the table without taking her shot. "Okay. I think I'm going to need some context for that."

Eddie laughed helplessly. "You and me both. Apparently our relationship is missing something and by something, she means Buck."

"What are you going to do about it?"

"What can I do about it?" Eddie countered. "It's not like I'm going to go up to Buck and say 'hey, my girlfriend wants me to date you.'"

Hen half-smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I can see how that might be awkward."

"I just want to know where she came up with this idea. What made her think--" he stopped, unsure how to finish the sentence.

Hen shrugged and bent back down to take her shot. "You two are awfully close."

"We're best friends."

The balls clinked across the table. "Mmhm. Last time I had a best friend like that, I married her."

The alarm rang before Eddie could muster a reply. 

While they drove to the call, Hen spoke up. "So, Buck, what do you think about polyamory?"

Eddie glared at her, but said nothing.

Buck shrugged. "It's fine, I guess? I was invited on a date by a couple once, but I was on my way out of town so it didn't go anywhere."

"I don't get polyamory," Chim said. "Managing one relationship is hard enough. Add in all the layers of different people and it just gets unimaginable, you know? I'm happy with monogamy."

"What brought this on?" Buck asked. "You and Karen thinking of opening up your relationship?"

Hen laughed. "No. I'm with Chim. Monogamy for me. I was just curious what you thought about it."

Buck's brow furrowed. "Okay," he said slowly. "Sure. What about you, Eds?"

"Oh, I'm not joining this conversation."

"Come on, Eddie," Hen said. "Surely you have an opinion."

"My opinion is no opinion."

"We're here," Bobby interrupted the conversation.

The call was an easy one--an overloaded outlet had sparked and caught fire. By the time they'd arrived, the fire had only spread throughout one room. On the ride back, the conversation on polyamory did not resume, but that did not mean the topic had been dropped.

"So you never said what you thought about polyamory," Buck said, leaning back against the wall while Eddie worked the punching bag.

"Are we really still talking about this?" Eddie asked.

"You just seem weirdly bothered by it."

Eddie punched the bag; Buck was not going to let this go. He caught the bag and pressed his forehead against it. He took a deep breath and drew back into position. "Ana brought it up." He could not believe he was going to share this.

"Ana did?" Buck said. "Why?"

"Apparently our relationship is missing something." The bag thudded beneath his fist. He breathed and jabbed again.

"And so she brought up polyamory? Does she want to date someone else?"

"Ha, no. That would make more sense."

"She wants you to date someone else?"

"You."

"What?" Buck held out his hand to stall Eddie from continuing to punch the bag. "Explain."

Eddie shrugged. "Wish I knew, but she was very clear. She wants me to date you." He couldn't meet Buck's eyes. He could feel his face flush and hoped his exercise would cover it.

"Huh. What did you tell her?"

"She asked me to think about it."

Buck raised his brows. "That doesn't sound like a 'no.' You going to date me, Diaz?"

Eddie glared at him and began to untape his hands. "Doubtful."

Buck covered his heart with one hand. "That hurts."

Eddie rolled his eyes and threw his waste tape at Buck. "You'll survive." He grabbed his towel. "I don't know what I'm going to tell her."

"Well you know where to find me," Buck said, still smirking.

"Thanks a lot. I'm going to go grab a shower." Eddie left for the showers.

Later that evening, Ana called and asked if he'd given any thought to her proposal.

"I thought about it," Eddie said, his voice carefully even. "I'm not sure it is a good idea."

Ana made a disappointed noise. "Why not?"

"If you think something is missing in our relationship," Eddie said, wishing he wasn't doing this over the phone. "Maybe we shouldn't be in a relationship."

"No," Ana replied quickly. She took a deep breath. "We have something good, Edmundo, and I want to see where we can go, but you have to see that Buck is already part of this relationship. I just want to invite him in on purpose."

"How is he part of our relationship?" Eddie asked, frustration bleeding into his voice. He paced the living room and kitchen.

"You trust him more than anyone. He's in nearly all of your stories. Christopher adores him. He is present everywhere in your life."

"That's because he's my best friend, Ana."

"You've never found him attractive?" Ana asked, her voice small.

"He's a good-looking guy. That's an objective fact."

Ana hummed. "I think you miss him sometimes when we're out and he's not there. You get this expression like you want to say something, but then you clam up."

"That--"

"Would it be so bad to date him? You could take him to that new climbing wall that opened up."

"Even if I were open to any of this," Eddie said, "you're forgetting about Buck. He treated the whole idea like a joke."

"I can talk with him and explain," Ana offered.

"Can you explain? Because I'm still confused."

Ana laughed lightly. "Invite him to dinner with us later this week. Friday," she said. "I promise it will be good."

"I can't just--"

"You can. Hang up with me and call him. We can meet at mine. 8 pm. I'll cook. You'll be done with your shift then, won't you?"

"What about Christopher?" Eddie asked, grasping at any reason to nix the dinner idea.

"Can your aunt take him for an evening?"

Eddie sighed and leaned back against the counter by his sink. "Why are you pushing this?"

Ana was quiet for a moment and then she said, "I don't want to lose you. I fear that if we keep going as we have, I will."

"And you really think this will help? You pushing me at my best friend?"

"All I'm asking is that you spend more time with him, one on one."

Eddie groaned and stared up at his ceiling. What the hell. "I'll call him." 

He could hear the smile in Ana's voice when she replied. "Thank you."

After he hung up with Ana, Eddie tapped his phone to his lips, sighed, and dialed Buck.

"Hey, Eddie, what's--"

"Ana wants you to come to dinner Friday. 8pm."

Buck said nothing at first. Eddie closed his eyes and massaged the bridge of his nose. This was a bad idea. Why was he going through with this? Then Buck spoke up, "Um, sure? Is this related to her wanting you to date me thing?"

"Yes," Eddie said, dryly, "I can safely say dinner is related. She wants to talk to you."

"I'll be there."

Then, to Eddie's relief, he changed the subject and the rest of the phone call was spent discussing some documentary he'd watched on Netflix. It was comforting and, when they did hang up, Eddie felt relaxed.

Friday arrived faster than Eddie liked. In no time it was 7:55 and he was knocking on Ana's door with Buck who had ridden with him. He wondered, while waiting for Ana to answer her door, why he hadn't just said that he wasn't interested in dating a man. It would have been an easy out, but instead he was going through this farce of an evening.

Ana opened the door with a soft smile. "Thank you for coming. Please come in."

[liannaandandrei]

Week 234: Sunday, March 24th, Terran's first time at Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, 748 Story Rd, San Jose. We had so much fun ridding the Pacific Coast Express rollercoaster, Danny the Dragon, and Dragon Flyers, and playing at the Redwood Lookout and Miner's Maze with Ray. We had a picnic lunch from Banh Mi Oven, 1210 Story Rd, and popsicles from the Picnic Basket.

[procyongaaay]

Also a human zoo wouldn't require modern technology. You could absolutely do a setting where kids are raised in stone age setting, have them view their caretakers as benevolent gods so when they do need to go in to take care of them the humans are chill about it. We have an inmate need to explain and discover things, and historically religion or spirituality have been go-to ways of describing things we don't understand yet in a way that satisfies our minds, to at least some extent. Using that tried and true methodology would help reduce fear or anxiety about the presence of the caretaker, as well as not needing to go as far about hiding them from our view.

Like imagine a pretty large enclosure that is enclosed by tall rugged cliffs on all sides. The lower parts are scalable (may contain bird eggs or bee hives), if you're careful, but the upper ends are smooth as a wall and cannot be scaled.

You'd need maybe 5-10 sq km, we need enrichment and being hunter gatherers would be ideal, and that's what youd need to sustain a small village of say 20-30 people, which would be what's needed to maintain proper socialization and genetic diversity. Would be best if you're able to do exchanges with other zoos for genetic diversity

The enclosure is a mosaic habitat with forests and grasslands with occasional rocky outcroppings, and a couple streams flowing through the area that are full of fish, clams, and crayfish. The forests are full of fruit trees, the grassland contain a lot of semi-domesticated grains, and the marginal habitats have root vegetables, berries, and edible mushrooms. Small scattered herds of deer and goats roam the area, plus rabbits, pheasants, turkeys, hawks, foxes, muskrats, mice, lizards, snakes, frogs, song birds, and a large fructivore parrot species or two. Honeybee hives also for the area, as well as many edible insect species.

In the centre of the enclosure is a large hollow tree that leads into a cave with a large central area and small branching caves off this main chamber. A village is enclosed in this space, a large communal bonfire often lit at its centre, with a large decorated statue of one of their caretakers, where small offerings of carvings, tools, and food are laid. The offerings are occasionally accepted, and blessings are bestowed (high value foods or rare treats, medicines, or tools) in their place. Tents made of wood, bone, and animal hides for the various little families. Domestic dogs and cats follow their bonded humans around or guard the village, the cats protecting food stores, and dogs helping their owners hunt.

Food is plentiful, but takes work to hunt and gather it. This work is fulfilling and enriching, allowing for happy humans.

If a member of the village is hurt beyond their ability to heal they can ask their "god" (caretaker) for help. They'll be taken and sedated and healed up then returned with stories of how amazing their god is and how they were cared for and healed. It could be standard practice for pregnant folks to get taken by their god to make sure delivery goes smoothly, since it's one of the most dangerous parts of being a biped. Our hips are atrocious for birthing, that's the trade off we made for being bipedal. One of the reasons we are one of the most strongly k selected species out there is we can't just easily replace lost babies. As someone who has given birth and had to have baby come out the sun roof or neither of us would have made it, you need good maternal care. especially with a limited gene pool and how long humans take to reach maturity, you do not want to risk losing good health breeding females. Even with exchange programs with other zoos you need to be careful about reproduction.

Hell you could instill a tradition of when you come to age you make a talisman, and offer it to the caretakers idol. If it disappears for a few days and comes back you have come of age and are accepted, and the talisman now has a biometric tracker so the caretakers can keep an eye on you, and the sentimental value of that item means they'd keep it on them always, even repairing it themselves should something happen to it.

In a modern setting, raised with modern technology it's harder to hide things (ie those patterns on the radio etc). But ancient humans were just as human and smart as us, and if you took a modern human baby and raised them in a stone age setting, they'd fit in fine. We are still adapted to that lifestyle, the genetic changes since that time are minimal.

Hell this could all make a fun setting for a book or a videogame tbh. Damn I want to write this now

If aliens were making a proper human zoo they’d build a little town in there and make it so the humans aren’t aware that they’re in a zoo. Basically the only proper way to set up a human zoo where the humans are happy enough is to make a Truman show type situation but for an entire community. And even then it might not work. We have thumbs and the ability to decode things.

This all sounds like the premise of like five different bad sci-fi novels now that I think about it.

[theam-cjsw]

The AM: February 19, 2024

It's the long weekend—but The AM is still here live, sending you laid-back vibes to help set that work-week anxiety aside. Except during a detour through Can's paranoid grooves and a few of the sounds they inspired, that is. But that's a good sort of anxiety.

Happy Family Day, radio land, and have a fantastic week!

Listen on Soundcloud

Stream from CJSW

Ongoing Spotify playlist

Track listing follows...

Hour One:

Yawn Into It Bilal Nasser • How Can We Say Nothing

A Considered Reply - Day 1 Daedelus • Xenopocene

overflowed yutaka hirasaka • single

jiade Miyauchi Yuri • Beta 2

Forest Belt Marly Lüske • Forest Belt

Moon Retep Folo, Dorothy Moskowitz • The Afterlife

Cortical Network Oscillations Temporal Waves • Temporal Waves

Rules Various Artists, featuring Roman Flügel • Future Sounds Of Kraut Vol. 2 - Compiled by Fred und Luna

Scarlet Lips Stilz • Nouveau Plaisir

Hour Two:

The Foot That’s Holding Me Down Various Artists, featuring Charles Murphy • Someone Like Me

Comme des traces oubliées Will Régnier • Traces

Isola Dei Morti Viventi [Main Theme] The Hologram People • Isola Dei Morti Viventi

Uncertainties Tristan De Liége x Jambal • Enterprises of Great Pith and Moment

She’s Coming The Heliocentrics, The Gaslamp Killer • Legna

Moonshake Can • Future Days

I’m So Green Can • Ege Bamyasi

On Land Ivan the Tolerable • Linthorpe Crepuscule Volume 1

Nymphea Lightman Jarvis Ecstatic Band • Banned

Undressed in Solitude Badge Époque Ensemble • Future Past & Present

Family Feist • Monarch (Lay Your Jewelled Head Down)

Hour Three:

To Turn Loving • Any Light

Mi Casa Quién es Geronimo • Mi Casa

The Animals Helena Deland • Goodnight Summerland

Silhouette Molly Lewis • On the Lips

aglaonema pictum tricolor Ciao Ciao Marigold • Single

Saw Hollow Stelar Door • The Ritual

Phases The Analog Girl • Single

浅滩备忘录 (Memo of Shoal) Zoo Gazer • Single

The Roots Below Landing • Subscription Series Collection 03

Cursed Sunglaciers • Regular Nature

Distinct Star So Totally • Double Your Relaxation

[aruwithasketchbook]

Happy new year everyone!

My new years resolution is to branch out in my content to include things other than Hollow Knight! While I'll still be creating Hollow Knight content, I'll be trying to make media for other video games, TV shows, and books that I enjoy! I'll also be working on some of my own content!

Have a happy new years!

-Aru

P.S. Have this pretty Red tailed black cockatoo I saw at the zoo!

They do be monching ♥

[cleverthylacine]

may I offer you a lovely fossa in this trying time?