#he makes? he's learning to balance his pride and his anxiety.

[spotaus]

New Age Au (Nighttime Worries)

Okay remember how I said I'd be back? Yeah. I'm unwell. This is a shorter one that I think could definitely be approved upon, but I live for posting drabbles so 🫡🫡 good luck soldiers <3

This is an Error pov set maybe a month or two after Night became small.

Also @ancha-aus and @papiliovolens and @mutzelputz ! Welcome back! :]

   "Nightmare?" Error's voice broke through the blackness of the space outside his workshop. The inside wasn't much brighter, a few loose blue strings being the only thing giving the room a faint glow. "What're you doing up here so late?"

   There was no point in titles right now. Error had always been pretty bad about using then, but especially now that the king was... younger than him. Now that Nightmare was smaller.

   Besides, it was the middle of the night, up in the top room of a fairly tall tower. He was the only one who came up here, and he'd know if there was anyone aside from Nightmare around.

   The King had come to his door, and now stood outside it. He had his cloak wrapped at his shoulders, but Error was pretty sure he could see the soft, thin, purple of his sleepwear. He didn't even see Night's mask. It was just that soft white eyelight peering up at him in the dark.

   "I... I'm not sure." Nightmare replied quietly.

   Error let a breath pass between them.

   Silence.

   "You're not sure?" Error repeated incredulously.

   Surely Nightmare wasn't visiting for no reason. Surely the king hadn't just popped by far into the night for fun.

   Nightmare seemed to clutch at his cloak a bit tighter.

   "I was in my study reading over documents, and I mentioned being thirsty, so Dust left to go get Ccino up and have him make something." He explained, then. The words coming quickly. "They took longer than I expected, so I moved to go meet them, but-" His breath quickened.

   Error was piecing it together now. The stiffness. The rapid way he'd grabbed for the strings which would alert Error to his presence.

   "I swore someone was following me, and you were the nearest." He finished, his eyelight dragging away to gaze back at the stairs behind him.

   They were cold, and unwelcoming, and curved shortly out of sight into a dark pit. Away from Error's guiding lights.

   Error gazed at Nightmare as he gathered a few more strings from his sockets. The magic spooled and glowed between his fingers, growing bright enough to cast Nightmare's shadow. Long and tall. Like his old form.

   He wasn't focusing much on that, though. More, the dark circles that seemed to be under Nightmare's sockets. They made him look so weary, and sad. Tired.

   "Well, I can tell you no one followed you up here. I'd know." Error offered him the quick comfort, and watched as Nightmare gave a hesitant little nod. Though, he couldn't seem to draw his gaze away.

   It was like he was straining to hear any little noise. See any hidden face in the darkness.

   Error sighed to himself.

   Internally, of course. He wasn't that comfortable around the king. If only because he doubted the jumpy ruler would appreciate a fond sigh in the midst of his worry.

   He'd heard from Ccino that Nightmare tended to get worried, and seen it enough times now that he had been spending more time outside his workshop.

   "We should go back to your study, your highness." Error suggested, his strings already flying behind him, clutching and wrapping at his current project. Pulling it towards him, slinging in a satchel to hold tight to his side.

   Nightmare glanced back to him briefly. In worry.

   "If Ccino and Dust are both up and they get back to find you missing?" He asked loosely, "They're going to turn the castle upside down."

   Something in that seemed to register for Nightmare, because he seemed to jolt and look fully towards Error.

   "You're accompanying me?"

   Error really held in that fond sigh this time. He cursed himself for picking up on that habit from his brothers.

   "Sure. I mean, who am I to deny a chance to work in the study again?" He joked, before changing his tone slightly. "Plus, I have my magic. Anyone following you would be dusted before they could try anything."

   This seemed to finally reassure Nightmare enough.

   Error didn't think about Night's past all that often. He certainly thought of the king, but never what led him to feel so vulnerable. He figured it wasn't just that loss of magic.

   Error stepped out of his workshop and stood beside Nightmare on the small landing.

   They were very close. Close enough that Error's bones fizzled with the ghost of pressure as Nightmare's robe fell into one of Error's arms.

   He flinched away, and Nightmare did the same with a quick little 'apologies'.

   They stood there a moment, collecting themselves, before Error started down.

  

   The stairs were long, and cold, and Error regretted his choice to not slip on his sandals before exiting his workshop, but there was no way he was turning around and being a big baby about it.

   He kept a sense on Nightmare. His shoes clicked quietly and diligently against the tone, Light little patters just behind him.

   Error remembered a time when he used to move in complete silence. He preferred it like this.

   The steps were illuminated in blue magic, a Cyan coating every crack and crevice, giving them a little bubble of sight coming directly from Error's hand where he held the wad of illuminating magic.

   It wasn't a very long trip. Not at all. But the quite felt tense and nervous. Error figured it was just Nightmare's worries feeding into his own tired energy. He'd not slept yet either.

   Soon enough they came to the break in the hall, where the arch to the stairway intercepted the main hallway between the Twin's wing (the one where Nightmare resided with the Knights) and the rest of the castle.

   Error hadn't realized how true it was that Night must've panicked halfway to his destination and rushed up to Error.

   The hall was quiet so far, and devoid of people, so he led the charge into the wide, cold space.

   The floors here had nice rugs lining the center, and he hopped onto the island of comfort away from the ruthless stone. Nightmare followed him swiftly.

   He tried to appear comfortable, because he could tell Nightmare was staring. He always did that when he was trying to figure something out.

   Something about feeling emotions when he was big and goopy. He couldn't do it anymore.

   "Still clear." Error reported, and Nightmare nodded again.

   They moved towards Nightmare's wing.

   Error hadn't been here long, but he knew that Nightmare's wing was where he had his room, one he's had since childhood, his study, and the rooms where his knights had all eventually ended up.

   It wasn't separated by a physical barrier, but no one dared to go into it unless they were invited by Night or the Knights. Or Ccino.

   Error has had permission since first arriving, Nightmare insisting if he needed anything he could come searching. Error had never taken the offer before all this.

   Of course, now was different.

   Now the king was small, and his age, and they were friends. Or, he hoped they were, at least.

   They moved quietly down the hall, passing rooms Error figured held Nightmare's resting elite guard. Or, maybe they were all off doing projects. He was pretty sure Cross was the only one with a decent sleep schedule among them.

   Regardless, there wasn't any sign of movement, no other souls anywhere in the stretch of hall.

   When they arrived to the study door, it was slightly ajar.

   Error held out an arm, halting both himself and Nightmare just outside. A glance revealed Nightmare was surprised to see the door open.

   Nightmare always closed doors behind him. It was a force of habit Error had seen plenty of times.

   "Dust?" Nightmare tentatively called out.

   Thank the gods Nightmare has faith in his knights. The thought that Dust might be inside hadn't even crossed is mind.

   Error flinched slightly as the door swung inwards, revealing Dust.

   He seemed to scan the hall, quickly taking in the scene. Error, standing partially between Night and the door. Night unharmed.

   "My lord, you had me worried." Dust said quietly, that voice low and almost a mumble.

   He moved out into the hall, past the two of them.

   Dust was short. Nearly shorter than Nightmare. He'd apparently never been tall, if the joking he'd heard was to be believed.

   Nightmare muttered an apology, quietly, and Error grumbled a bit to himself as Nightmare started around him, towards the study.

   He followed, quickly moving from carpet to stone to carpet again.

   He stayed on the ground just long enough for Nightmare to get comfortable on one of his sofas, where a few documents were strewn, before pulling himself and his project up into the air. To the small platform of strings he'd been constructing among the rafters of the high-ceiling. 

   "Nightmare, you alright?" Dust questioned more quietly once he shut the door, "Why'd you leave?"

   Error watched from his perch as Nightmare sunk in on himself a bit. Though he didn't flinch away as Dust took up a spot on the nearest chair.

   "I thought I heard something, so I came to find you." He said smally. "But I thought I heard it again in the hall, and I wasn't sure how far away you had gone to find Ccino, so- so I rushed up to Error's workshop instead of coming back."

   Dust seemed to think about it for a second, before he nodded to himself. Error couldn't see his eyelights thanks to the angle.

   "Alright, I understand." He said simply, "I apologize for leaving you alone like that."

   Nightmare just nodded a bit to himself, turning back to his papers.

   "It's alright. Error brought me back safely." He said, then.

   Error was glad he was up in his perch, because Nightmare's voice was very nice when he was calm. And it felt really nice to have Nightmare speak highly of him. He tried not to react as he saw Dust lift his skull and squint up at his platform among the shadowy rafters.

   He stuck a hand out, the one with the strings still glowing around it, and gave a thumbs up to the knight.

   He was well aware the Knights weren't all that trusting of him. But, then again Error was the newest one, and seemingly someone Nightmare had decided to trust all on his own.

   Though, Dust seemed different. He just nodded and focused again on Nightmare. He didn't chastise him for sticking around or bother him to come down.

   In the ensuing silence, Error got to work unraveling his project from his satchel.

   The glowing string moved about to light the dim space, as a few well-placed pulls allowed the pieces of his work to gently spread out onto the woven ground of his platform.

   Several arrowheads were spread before him, a few shafts discarded to the side. Each arrow point was covered in different magical layers, some looser than others, some more obvious.

   Error had been working for a bit now on an idea he'd had when he first got to the town where the wizards had been setting up for the King's arrival. To impress him, and hopefully be hired.

   One of those people had been accompanied by an archer, and their showing had been of magic-tipped arrows that could harness blue magic once they were stuck inside, forcing an enemy to a full stop if they were hit.

   It was a clever idea, but it was a one-trick show, and could only be used by the monster shooting them because they had a blue soul trait. Humans, non-patience monsters, they'd be out of luck.

   Error wanted to try something like that, but better. Use pre-made arrows and find a way to easily coat them in his magic. His strings always stayed, and the potency always remained strong, no matter how far away he was. He'd not realized that back at school, when he was testing something at his house, and accidentally set a room on fire back at the academy with strings he'd left behind.

   Though, progress had been slow. It was hard to work with materials he didn't make, but it made no sense to craft them from scratch himself, it'd be a waste of time to make enough for the entire guard, especially since arrows were a one-time use.

   The ones he'd made technically worked, but the strings either dulled the point, or loosened on impact and were easy to pull out. He needed them to stay put.

   Oh.

   An idea rushed into his head, and he scooped up one of his unused arrowheads, spinning it between his fingers, before collecting more of his magic and getting to work on his idea.

   It didn't take long, not at all, but it took just long enough that he hadn't noticed Ccino enter the room.

   Error rolled to the edge of his platform, leaning over a bit, to spot that Ccino was now sat on the couch beside Nightmare, the king tucked into the older skeleton's side. Was he shivering?

   Error figured that, just maybe, Nightmare wouldn't be in the mood to look at his deadly magical weapon right this second. He was fine with that, he'd just show him tomorrow. Or whenever he visited again.

   Before he could commit to rolling back out of sight, he found his eyelights meeting Ccino's over Nightmare's skull.

   "Oh, Error!" He greeted quietly. Ccino was always careful around him. Not unkind. "Would you like some tea? Dust's not having any, so I have an extra cup."

   The offer was surprising, and Error debated.

   Sure, why the hell not. He hadn't had tea in a while, and should probably drink something.

   He wordlessly rolled off his platform, one hand ensuring strings dropped him gently to the carpet behind the couch that Nightmare and Ccino were sat on.

   Ccino smiled at him, gently nudging Nightmare to sit up so that he could pour a new cup.

   When Night straightened, he wiped at his sockets before turning around to face Error. One hand held his tea gently, the other was free and braced against the wooden couch back.

   It seemed like he was going to say something, when he blinked and focused in on Error's hand.

   "Oh! You were working on a project?" He asked quietly, and Error internally cursed his habits.

   He still had the arrowhead loosely draped from strings in his other hand. He hadn't even realized it. It was just easier to not forget where he put things if he kept hold of them.

   "Yeah. It's... not finished yet. This is just the best version I have right now." He said, lifting his hand up so that Nightmare could see it better.

   By proxy, the other two could see it as well. Ccino returned with the cup, and held it out on its saucer to Error over the back of the couch.

   He didn't seem offended when Error used strings to grip it and hold it. It was easier to keep from spilling, and free up his hands as he did other tasks. He had better awareness with his strings than he did his normal body.

   "Mm. Magic arrows, like from the Wizard Tryouts?" Dust spoke up from his seat a bit further away.

   Nightmare blinked in surprise as he seemed to be reminded of that showing. Then his brow furrowed. "Didn't you say that those were poorly designed?"

   It was true, Error had given a full report on why he hadn't been impressed by anyone else at the showing once he was hired. He was surprised Nightmare's remembered it.

   "Those ones had shit design, yes." He confirmed, flicking his wrist so the strings shortened and pulled the arrow closer to his palm. "These ones aren't custom-made. It's your regular everyday arrow with a sleeve that wraps tight to the arrowhead."

  

   He couldn't help himself as he stepped a bit closer to the couch. "The ideal design would be something that stays on when entering the target, but remains in the wound after the arrow is removed." His strings shifted, he used his free hand to point to a band of bright blue wrapped around the center of it. "This version adds barbs to the edges, so as long as it stayed on until it hit the target, it would leave blue magic behind, dug into the wound"

   He jostled his hand a bit so the string would allow it to spin a bit. "Of course, this sort of design would only work being made of my magic, but if I made enough tiny sleeves anyone in the guard could have some nasty archery shots."

   He was grinning. He always got excited when he got to explain his creations. They were his pride and joy.

   "Gods, that's... a little terrifying, kid." Dust said with a weary chuckle.

   Error's offense, though, was quickly overridden by a motion from Night.

   The King reached a hand out to gently cup under the arrow as it swung to a stop.

   "I think it's very clever!" The King said slightly, eyelight plastered on the prototype weapon, "It's far more efficient than training our magic users in blue magic, and would certainly take enemies out with less arrow cost and man-power on our end."

   That was exactly it. Error was always relieved when the two of them were on the same page.

   "You were right Error, your design is far more impressive than that man's was." Error was less relieved when he recieved a compliment. It always felt jarring and undeserved.

   And yet Nightmare always seemed to genuine.

   "Of course it's better, my liege." He said, grinning as he retracted his hand. The arrow moving with it. "It hasn't been tested, though, so I'll need to continue working on it before we can be sure." He redirected, trying very hard to hope he hadn't blushed at the kind words.

   Nightmare hummed, "Right. I'm sure we can arrange for a few archers to try them out once you're ready." He agreed gently. "Thank you for sharing your design early, Error. It's always a treat."

   Ohh. Nightmare why infront of the others??

   Error nodded, "I'll let you know when I think I have the perfect version to test." He agreed, before stepping away to let his strings tug him back up into the darkness, along with his newly acquired tea.

   The others spoke for a bit longer below, but Error hardly listened. His cheekbones were surely flushed, and his hands shook a bit. He had to reply on pure stubbornness to continue improving on the design and not get caught up in the thoughts of how much he enjoyed Nightmare's company.

   He just had to get this right. 

[marauders-brain-rot]

Jegumas - Day 16: Ice skating - 892 words - @noblehouseofgay

Regulus was practically buzzing with excitement. Harry was at the age where he was walking steadier on his feet, he was talking, he was growing more and more into a person every day. While parts of knowing that fact terrified Regulus beyond comprehension, there was one thing he was excited about the prospect of now that he’d reached this milestone: ice skating. 

It had been the one thing his mother had done for him that he’d actually learned to appreciate. She’d done it to get his balance and coordination better because he’d been falling over a lot, you know as toddlers tend to do, but he’d learned to love it over the years. There was a certain freedom when he was on the ice that he couldn’t find elsewhere, 

The water had finally frozen through enough to skate and Regulus was determined to see if his son took to it like he had, though his husband was less thrilled with the idea. Despite the fact that they’d fortified the ice, added cushioning charms and Regulus had already tested it, James was still nervous. 

“What if he falls?” He whispered anxiously as Regulus walked carrying Harry on his other side. They’d tried to keep Harry from noticing James’s anxiety about the situation, if their little empath caught wind that he was on the edge of a nervous breakdown they’d be dealing with a meltdown. 

“I’ll be right there with him,” he answered for the millionth time. The edge of the lake was coming into view and Regulus was preparing himself for the hardest part of this endeavor, getting Harry onto the ice without a meltdown from either him or his overly-terrified father. “Okay Harry, we have a surprise for you!” 

“Prise?!” He exclaimed excitedly, bouncing up and down on Regulus’s hip. He put him down a few feet from the edge of the ice and knelt down to his level. 

“I’m going to show you something, and if you want to learn I’ll teach you. Okay?” He asked slowly and watched as slow determination came over his son’s face. He nodded one, his most serious of faces on, and watched Regulus intently as he put on his skates before stepping out onto the ice. He skated around in easy lines and circles, losing himself in the moment until he was doing tricks he’d taken years to master. When he’d gotten it all out of his system and returned to where the ice ended and land began, he noticed it was to an excited child and a shocked husband. 

“Try! Try! Try!” Harry shouted as he made grabby hands towards the ice. Regulus chuckled before conjuring skates in Harry’s size and starting to exchange his shoes. 

“He’ll be able to do that?” James asked in awe. 

“One day, if it’s something he keeps up with,” Regulus shrugged. He was happy to get to share something like this with his son, but he would never make him do it if he didn’t want to. He finished getting his skates laced up and conjured the last thing they needed. “This is for you to hold onto since you’re new at this. You have to learn.” 

Harry nodded seriously and followed Regulus’s every instruction as carefully as he could. He was kind of perfect in that way, he’d somehow combined Regulus’s careful and cautious nature while still managing to be a ball of sunshine and energy. The two stepped out onto the ice, Harry taking a moment to acclimate. Regulus stood there with him, one hand gently on his son’s back as he instructed him on what to do. Slowly over time Harry managed to skate a few feet and his balance was getting a lot better, but Regulus didn’t want to exhaust his son so after a while he told him it was time to be done for the day and they’d come back again tomorrow. 

When they made it back to James, he was standing there with tears brimming in his eyes and a look of pride on his face. He scooped his son into his arms and buried his face in his curls. “You did such a good job, little love.” 

Regulus went about replacing his skates with shoes while James did the same for Harry before they walked back towards the house together. 

“What did you think?” He asked when the house was nearly in view. 

“I think you looked wonderful together,” James answered immediately, a softness in his voice Regulus had only ever heard directed at him and Harry. 

“Would you like to learn too?” 

“I think I’m happier watching, love,” he answered lowly. Maybe one day he’d change his mind, but Regulus knew he was serious about it for now. He knew what it was like to want to soak up every minute of watching his husband with their son as he learned and grew. There were things he couldn’t wait to watch James teach Harry as he got older. The little family made their way into the welcoming warmth of their home where the two men settled in together and watched their son play across the room. 

Regulus basked in the glow of joy and peace that settled over him as he and his husband watched their son, his life turned out far better than he ever could’ve hoped for. 

[ask-the-koopa-kingdom]

can we get a bit of info about each kid?

[YAPPING TIME, LETS GO!!! - OP]

In addition to the info presented here:

Larry has the least amount of abilities in comparison to his siblings. With only fire breathing and magic blasts, Larry has to get creative in battle. He'd actively practice to get better at magic... if he had the level of commitment required. As mentioned in the first post, he started the ask blog to avoid problems with press - but it's also because he adores any attention he can get. Makes him feel special (T▽T)

Lemmy and Larry are birds of a feather.

Larry could be considered the weakest of the seven, but Lemmy is undoubtedly the smallest. The two hang out more than anything, and can always rely on each other when they need company.

In addition to fire breathing and magic blasts, Lemmy is capable of casting illusions and summoning those silly circus balls he can run over opponents with. A feat achievable with an enhanced balance and acrobatic support in comparison to the others.

Morton is more complicated than he seems. What he lacks in intelligence he makes up for in compassion and perception. Streets smarts rather than book smarts. He can tell when something is wrong much faster than the others and is quick to act on it. He's even quicker to put himself in between those he loves and any trouble.

At the moment, he's struggling with anxiety surrounding that specifically. A hunch that there's a danger lurking, ready to attack if he doesn't keep an eye out. (It's not exactly an unfounded one, it's come up after the events of Bowser Jr's Journey where he and his siblings were forced under mind control... that'd make anybody a little worried.)

Only time will tell if he's actually right on this hunch.

(There was this sighting, but... not really reliable)

Similar to Roy, he's one of the strongest Koopalings (he knows this), as such, barely needs to use magic in battle instead of his brute force. So, he thinks learning to use it is a waste of time.

Iggy is EXTREMELY hyperactive, and loud. If there's one thing he doesn't have, it's any lack of intelligence. He's the fastest Koopaling, and prides himself on being a genius (though mad genius is a better way to put it).

His impulsivity can bar him from making the BEST decisions, but his own unpredictability gives him a leg up when required.

Owns a pet Chain Chomp named Chompi, who he treats like a pitbull named Princess. (Most accurate description of that thing as he is GLAD to sic on either unsuspecting plumber).

Wendy is sweet, but extremely cunning. She uses that sweetness to get whatever she wants out of someone, almost imperceptively, whether that be a chat, sweets, or information. (She understands the saying "You'll catch more flies with honey rather than vinegar" and by god does she USE IT.)

She does use magic, moreso for convenience rather than a true desire to learn. She's content with what she knows already. (Sometimes she wishes she could use hypnosis though...)

Good Lord, Roy. On the outside, a tough guy. On the inside, reasons upon reasons to be that way. Dude has layers.

He's a believer in tough love, as such, isn't as outwardly affectionate towards any of his siblings - however, he will still defend them just as fiercely in the event of an emergency.

One of his most important dislikes is the dislike of press

(This one's actually shown up from as far back as the intro post!)

He considers news reporters to be vultures waiting to use something against him and his family. (This is due to a past experience out of canon that's kind of tainted his view on all sorts of press entirely. And makes his relationship with this ask blog pretty complicated too...)

Ludwig has similar beliefs to Roy (Tough love and all that) but he can't help but be a BIT affectionate here and there. However, he's barely had the time due to what he's been doing on his day to day. He keeps a very tight schedule, training at every opportunity he gets, whether it be magic, or hand-to-hand combat, and as mentioned previously, barely sleeps. Not for the best reasons, either. He doesn't have the same anxiety Morton does that something bad's coming their way. He just wants to prove to someone (and himself) that he's the best at what he does.

[If you guys need more specific info, pls ask, these are practically the basics - OP]

[whyareyouhere66]

✭ In the spirit of December/New Years and me rewatching mighty ducks - here’s an Adam x reader fic for y’all 

.·:*¨༺ Adam Banks x Fem! Reader - Lessons on Ice ༻¨*:·.

Cw: just fluff, fem reader, 3rd pov, self indulgent, kinda clumsy reader. Loosely edited. I know nothing about ice skating nor it’s terminology 😭

x

The cold breeze is numbing as it flows around Y/n’s uncovered face, biting at her skin. It feeezes her cheeks and sends shivers down her spine as a new draft wafts through the air, the material of her sweater barely protecting the rest of the girl’s arms and torso from the ice rink’s chilly atmosphere. 

In fact, the only warmth in she could find in her fingers comes from his hands, intertwined with hers. 

“Adam- I don’t think-“

“Shh, you got it, trust me.”

Y/n’s legs wobble for the ump-teenth time, and she has very little trust in the ice skates decorating her feet. How are these slim blades supposed to carry her? With her balance? Oh, honey. 

“Babe-“ the girl laughs sheepishly, finding some humor in her obvious lack of skill. Though, some of her giggles are just a weak attempt at covering the flush of anxiety in her stomach- the adrenaline that keeps her muscles stiff, precariously hobbling about in the ice skates. And yet, he’s still so utterly calm- wearing an amused smile, his lack of panic humbling. 

Groups of people skate smoothly around the pair; couples, families, friends, a few people on their own. Although the girl definitely isn’t the only one to be struggling- her cheeks still flush in subtle embarrassment as she stumbles about the slick, scraped up surface- clinging onto Adam for dear life.

The boy wraps his arms around her forearms to offer her more support, “Push with your feet, try and mimic me.” He talks smoothly, his years of hockey knowledge coming to good use. 

Y/n tries to follow his advice- staring at the ground, eyes glued to his skates, taking note of the way he pushes them at an angle, moving his body backwards smoothly. She tries to replicate the stance, angling the skates similarly so she can move- inverting the movements to go forwards instead of backwards. 

Her eyes are stiffly glued to the ground now, observing, learning. Adam watches the way she focuses so intently, and something familiar flutters in the pit of his stomach as a small smile rises to his face.

There’s something endearing, watching how she puts every ounce of effort into moving in tandem with him, learning from his skilled movements. His chapped lips etch small lines of admiration into his rosy cheeks, his blue eyes holding a small glint.

His momentary trance is interrupted, however, when he notices Y/n’s feet more firmly sliding with his- that smile widening to a small grin. 

“There, look- you’re getting it.” He speaks with a hint of pride- which the girl picks up on quickly. With newfound encouragement, she finds the courage to look away from the ground and lift her head up just for a second to look at Adam. He nods, a strand of his chestnut hair falling from its perfectly styled form and across his forehead. 

They slide along the side of the rink the passes by the various decorations, put up to bring in the Christmas spirit. In the middle of the walkway stands a tall tree, ornaments of varying color decorating its long branches, and rainbow lights illuminating the small green spines. Y/n remembers having stopped before its large trunk when they first arrived, wanting to take a second to admire the pretty colors and nostalgic feeling it gave before she was dragged to the uncertainty of the foggy white surface.

The couple makes it a few more feet when he notices her posture to be a bit hunched.

“Straighten up a bit, it’ll help you balance.” He offers his advice casually, to which the girl obeys. She’s a bit unsteady still- but she does adjust slightly, straightening her spine and attempting to lift her chin. The shift in position makes her breath catch- the lingering fear of toppling over again mixed with the nerves flittering up her spine sends a little yelp from her throat. She can feel as the skates slide a little under her- fingers tightening around Adam’s arms, which he obviously notices. Instead of panicking, though, he continues to hold her steady and even slows his own pace a bit, allowing her the quick moment to find some balance. 

Y/n silently thanks the gods above for Adam’s sturdiness and patience, knowing if it were anyone else she would be sprawled out on the cold ground by now. 

Not that she still doesn’t notice the way his mouth perks up in amusement.

“You’re doing good,” he expertly shifts them around as they come up on the curve of the rink’s edge, “better than I thought you would.”

At that, Y/n’s jaw falls agape in mock offense. 

“Uh-“

Adam laughs a bit, “I’m joking, just joking-“

The two have probably done a couple laps or so around the entirety of the rink, progress having had been stumped with the first couple of times Y/n fell on her ass. In the front of her mind, she knows she’ll probably never truly understand how to skate- having the balance of a 3-legged baby hippo- however having Adam as a cane helps a lot, and despite her wobbliness, she is able to fall into a nice rhythm. 

Brushing off his quip, and feeling a bit triumphant, the girl gives a half-suppressed laugh at her small victory. Her feet move like that of a real ice skater, the blades of the skates reflecting in the lights that surround them and she marvels at the swiftness in how the ice gets sliced beneath her feet. Glancing up once more, she catches Adam’s boyish expression staring right back at her, watching intently. 

Their eyes meet, a feeling of joy and lighthearted fun caught in a moment of time. 

Adam’s hands begin to slide from her elbows to her palms, allowing for a looser grip. “Want to try it side by side?”

The sudden challenge has Y/n’s fingers curling around his wrists, wanting to stay stabilized when he suddenly shifts their position. 

“Uh, not sure I’m quite there yet-“ She knows that she’s gotten too comfortable with clinging onto him- the idea of now doing it without him in front of her isn’t looking reassuring. Adam chuckles at her hesitance.

“C’monn, it won’t be too bad. I’ll be holding your hand still.” He tries to persuade the girl, who glances out at the ice and tries to imagine skating without his body as a constant safety net. 

When she turns her head once more, she finds his face suddenly closer, his eyes peering down at her with a genuine glint and a soft, teasing look. 

“I won’t let you fall, promise.”

Y/n’s lips turn into an upside down smile, sighing dramatically. 

“Fine- you better not.”

At her agreement, Adam lights up- nodding triumphantly. 

They begin to round the bend of the rink, and as they glide along the long side, he slowly moves to skate next to her.

At first, her sudden view of the long icy path ahead wracks up her nerves and she clasps Adam’s hand firmly. Her now free hand awkwardly juts out, as she’s unsure what to do with it besides stiffen it and flatten her palm to face the ground, like a penguin. They move slowly, as to not send her flying right away- and there’s an obvious contrast to each other’s statures. Adam glides along smoothly, his free hand hanging comfortably at his side and his legs doing exactly what they’re supposed to do, no hesitance or question behind any of his movements. He’s a natural, a true talent, like a creature thriving in its natural habitat.

“See? Not too bad.” He quips, though Y/n has her eyes trained on the path ahead of her, so he doesn’t get much of an answer back. 

And of course, he jinxes it.

As they come up to the next rounded corner, y/n remembers she doesn’t really know how to shift directions on her own. Quickly overthinking it, her skates lose their previous, somewhat controlled track and she swerves. 

A mumbled curse falling under her breath, she clings onto the nearest and safest thing to her- Adam. 

He’s a bit startled when she begins to stumble, suddenly feeling her hands grabbing at his arms like needy paws, and in a swift second, she’s losing balance and tripping over herself. Her heart surges with adrenaline as she braces herself for impact, already reimagining the hard, cold, slippery surface awaiting. 

Y/n barely has time to shut her eyes, knees buckling as she fails to stand firmly on a slick surface- when she feels her boyfriend’s arms engulf her. 

His long limbs are wrapping around her waist and tugging her into his chest as he naturally swoops in and redirects her fall from the ground and to his welcoming embrace. On instinct, she wraps her arms around his shoulder and scrambles to realign her footing- only to fail immediately. At this point they’re a jumble of Y/n’s quiet, frantic curses and Adam’s muffled struggle. However he once more comes to the rescue as he uses his hands on her waist and back to firmly press her to his body, restricting the frantic movements of her feet and stabilizing the two of them with his own. 

Even after their movements are no longer panicked- Y/n still grasps at Adam’s shoulders, her face buried into the space between his collarbone and his neck. Then she bursts out laughing, face hot and sheepish. 

When the chestnut-haired boy comes to realize that she’s fine and in fact shaking into his chest for good reason, he lets out a breath of relief, and levity. 

“You okay?” He asks, peering down at her, and she just nods- face still hidden. 

He raises his hands to her head, cupping her cheeks to look at her face, “You sure?” He reiterates, although he knows she’s fine. When he finds her embarrassed smile, he chuckles softly. 

“Yuh huh.” She mumbles, though it’s clear she no longer trusts the precarious blades beneath her anymore. Sensing she may want a break, Adam nods along with her little murmur and rubs his thumb down her cheek bone. 

“Want me to buy you some hot chocolate?”

She nods feebly once more- he knows her so well. 

“Yes please…”

With that, he leads her to the small door at the edge of the icy plain, being cautious of the groups they pass by to do so.

The content look on her face when she finally settles onto a cold metal bench, a small cup of the chocolate treat warming her hands, makes it all well worth it. 

[bastetwastaken]

Writeblr intro

Hey! I’ve been around on tumblr for a while now, and have been writing for probably the best part of fifteen years but actually only posting publicly for the last three. I’ve only ever posted fanfic, but I never stopped writing original things, I’ve just never felt able to share any of it until now. So here’s a little intro for me and my writing!

General stuff:

Call me Bastet, it’s what most know me as so it’ll just be easier

In my (very) late twenties

Living in the UK.

Other hobbies outside of writing include reading, crocheting, cross stitching, hiking and spending time with my three cats.

Bi-Ace, more sex neutral.

My anxiety can make it hard for me to post consistently, but I will ALWAYS talk about my wips with anyone willing to listen to me ramble, just be prepared for those rambles to get looooooong.

Themes in my writing:

For anyone who knows me, I think it’s safe to say I lean very much toward the cliche romance which aims to leave you wanting to gag on the sweetness whilst embracing the fuzzy warmth in your chest.

I hate sad endings. My characters will always have happy ones… eventually.

I try to keep my writing light since the real world makes us all suffer enough, so any angst will usually be light touch and always necessary to the character and or plot. I do make my OCs suffer sometimes, but not needlessly.

A focus on realistic characters, character growth and character traits.

What am I working on right now?

Untitled (titles are hard) A fantasy romance between a human and the demon who accidentally saved his life.

The general plot will follow both characters as they help each other (unintentionally at first) to heal and learn, to grow together as individuals. The human gets his opportunity to confront a past which has left him feeling empty inside and unable to form meaningful relationships, and the demon gets the chance to learn a little about what it means to be human. Their first meeting turns into a deal which binds them together, then a friendship neither thought they were capable of having, and eventually something more.

The main characters: Aviditas, Avi for short, an Incubus and Silk (placeholder name) a human.

Other fun stuff:

Demonic magic

Incubus antics

Character development and growth

Healing and comfort

A little slow burn but it’s more because these two are just idiots, with Silk thinking he’s so undeserving of any kind of care on account of past events and Avi being conditioned in Hell to believe that demons are incapable of any sort of feeling that it takes them a WHILE to work things out and actually talk.

Fun tropey romance!

I’ve tried to keep this short for the sake of everyones sanity but I will talk endlessly about this story and the characters if anyone would like to know more. (But I’ll also be posting more about them anyway so…)

---------

Fate or Fatuity? (working title) Another fantasy romance! No surprises here. This time, following the sons of two feuding kings who meet entirely by chance and gradually grow closer.

The general plot follows the characters as they navigate their feelings, potential conflict between their kingdoms, and how to keep their relationship a secret until they can figure it all out.

The main characters: Ilua, an elf and prince of Luceras and Akoni, a Deorum and prince of Tuath De.

This story takes place in a world of my own creation called Miotas, which draws on Celtic mythology and folklore. It includes a generous amount of magic to balance out the politics, and as with all of my writing, the romance is light and fun. Spoiler alert: there’s a happy ending.

Other fun stuff:

Elven pride getting in the way of a lot of things

Instant attraction

A little bit of deception since Akoni first meets Ilua whilst he's disguised as someone else to sneak into the Deorum kingdom.

Fun tropey romance!

Magic, who doesn’t love magic?

Overcoming prejudices.

---------

And I’ll stop myself there otherwise this is going to be way too long.

I’ve seen people use taglists, as I’m just starting out I don’t have one existing but if you’d like to be added to one please just let me know and I’ll do so ^.^ Specify a story, or just go all in and get tagged for everything and anything I say about these stories. I’m also looking for other writers to just chat with about original writing, as coming from a fanfic background I’ve been struggling to find that, so please feel free to drop me a DM if you wanna chat

Thanks for reading <3

[starwell-tarot]

What are stans of different Ateez members like? A tarot reading ✨

Hello peeps and atinys; I had this idea cross my mind one day, hmm I wonder what fans of a specific idol would be like. Would they take after the idol or be completely different?

I thought it would be a very interesting social experiment to do so I chose Ateez!

I asked three questions per member:

1. What are stans of (member) like in general?

2. What do stans of (member) have in common with each other?

3. What about (member)'s personally attracts his stans to stan him?

From what I've seen, i think they have a chance to at least a little bit accurate 😂 You guys will be the judges! Let me know who you stan and if it is accurate for you or not! It is an experiment after all, let's discuss and get to know each other better! 🖤

Disclaimer: This is for fun purposes only and should be treated as such. Tarot can absolutely be wrong.

TW: mentions of anxiety and insecurities

Hongjoong stans: The rebels

How are Hongjoong stans like (in general) // the high priestess, the emperor R, VI of wands

Hongjoong stans are people who want to carry themselves in the world with pride. They want to showcase/ achieve confidence in who they are and also inspire others to do the same. Their power comes from within, from their self knowledge, from the fact that they know that things in the world cannot stop them from being themselves and living their own truth. They want to be the complete leaders of their own lives and not be afraid to speak up or stand out in a crowd.

What do Hongjoong stans have in common? // II of wands R

Hongjoong stans want to carve out their own path in life. They don't want to follow the norms or give in to what others want out of them when it comes to their life path.

What about Hongjoong's personality attracts Hongjoong stans? // Wheel of fortune, page of wands

Hongjoong stans love how he appears to be so fearless, so unafraid of failure, setbacks, opposition or hardship. One could say Hongjoong 'makes his own luck' with the way he shapes his reality to make the best out of it no matter what happens. All cycles in life can be reformed, rules can be rewritten, perspectives can be changed. Hongjoong strives to reform all those cycles and make this world a better place, and Hongjoong stans are highly thankful of that and want to follow in his lead and do the same.

Hongjoong stans might have prominent fire placements (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) in their natal chart.

Seonghwa stans: Energetic angels

Also known as the ones who gave me way too many cards

How are Seonghwa stans like (in general) // The Star R

Seonghwa stans are gentle and pure beings. They are optimistic despite the circumstances in society or the hurt they've felt before, and believe in a better world yet to come. Their hopeful persona makes them shine out between their peers as having an almost healing-aura. They can be quite quirky and definitely love helping out people.

What do Seonghwa stans have in common? // VIII of Wands, Knight of Wands

Seonghwa stans are very determined and passionate people. They tend to get really fired up and excited over their likings and tasks, and put a lot of drive into whatever they do. Sometimes they can become quite hyperfocused, even. They might also have a tendency to make impulsive decisions and make it their mission to learn self control throughout their lives.

What about Seonghwa's personality attracts Seonghwa stans? // Death R, King of Pentacles R, III of Swords R

Seonghwa reminds his stans that every single new day is a new beginning. And that new day, can always be turned around to something positive, wether it is a productive day or a day of healing. I get the message that Seonghwa heals people's inner child, actually. His balance of being a responsible, productive adult and a pure hearted boy who loves his Lego and friends, it makes people feel reassured. You can be both, you don't need to kill off parts of yourself to be proper or successful. The inner child is scared they will always be stressed and tired - but Seonghwa reassures them it doesn't have to be that way, he takes them gently by the hand and allows them to play around and get excited again.

I'm not crying you're crying, wHat

Seonghwa stans might have very balanced natal charts in terms of the distribution of the 4 elements, but there is definitely clear mention of Aquarius, Scorpio, Aries, Sagittarius and Leo.

Yunho stans: The ones with tense shoulders

How are Yunho stans like (in general) // The high priestess R

Yunho stans may have a very developed intuition, and they're observant and wise. Their intelligence guides them well in life, and they might also be very introspective, knowing themselves well and being in touch or aware of their thoughts/feelings. That  makes them very grounded and self sufficient, their power comes from within and the connection they have with themselves. They might also have an interest towards mysteries, the occult or spirituality, perhaps they're psychics or witches.

What do Yunho stans have in common? // Knight of pentacles R

Yunho stans are diligent, cautious and responsible. They're the types to really think things through before saying/doing anything, weighting their options carefully so that they don't end up in risky or detrimental situations. However, sometimes when weighting options they discover none of them are actually satisfactory for them, so they often look for loopholes, therefore making them a bit rebellious too even if it looks like they always play by the rules. Also might be prone to procrastination, missing the initial push of going through with something because their minds are racing to find the perfect way to do something.

What about Yunho's personality attracts Yunho stans? // X of pentacles & king of pentacles

They admire Yunho's ability to look spontane and carefree. Perhaps he isn't fully like that on the inside, but on the outside Yunho looks to be such a loving, optimistic person who can be content with life. He gives off the vibe that everything and anything can be handled when the time arises and that there's always a way for things to be okay. That is very comforting to Yunho stans, who might struggle with going with the flow or letting things be out of their control.

Yunho stans might have prominent earth placements in their natal charts (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn).

I'm a Yunho stan and this is hella accurate for me

Yeosang stans: the truth seekers

What are Yeosang stans like (in general) // The Tower R

Yeosang stans are honest and straightforward with their expression. If they don't like something, they express it. Likely to be opinionated (in a good way) and go getters. They are driven and motivated, and even if they might not realize it, very tough and resilient. Even if they are afraid of facing failure, they still persue their goals and desires with genuinity.

What do Yeosang stans have in common? // Ace of Swords R

Yeosang stans might feel confused or anxious very often. They have many ideas, and like I mentioned previously they have a fear of failure and it's making them insecure about the best way to approach things. Both skeptical and curious, Yeosang stans question everything all the time - their own morals, beliefs, society's as well. Finding the answers to all these questions tends to overwhelm them and make them overthink, or stop them from even making a decision at all.

What about Yeosang's personality attracts Yeosang stans? //  IX of Cups

They love how he isn't afraid to voice out his dissatisfaction. Yeosang is known to be quite the truth spitting Queen, and Yeosang stans absolutely adore that. They love his humour and the way he knows his own worth. They probably find him very like-minded to themselves.

Yeosang stans might have prominent Scorpio, Gemini, Aquarius, Libra and Pisces in their natal chart.

San stans: the emotion swimmers

What are San stans like (in general) // IX of Cups R, X of Pentacles

San stans are very emotional beings by nature. They don't care much about material things and probably all the things they do is for the better of their family. (That could also be friends or lovers of course, people close enough to consider your family.) They probably also prefer the indoors and conferable spaces and people. They tend to have a pretty thick protective bubble around themselves and might not open up easily to people. Afraid to get hurt, they want to protect their emotional welfare at all costs.

What do San stans have in common? // The hanged Man

San stans are probably very anxious about the way they are seen by others, and/or have a bad vision of themselves. They've often felt out of place or different in their lives and that has made them very self judgemental or self-condescending.

What about San's personality attracts San stans? // Ace of Cups R

They love how San is an endless overflowing fountain of love. Wether he's offering love outward to his family, friends or fans, or he's offering love to himself through self-love, San is always so loving. He's so comfortable with the feeling and so unafraid of it, it baffles San stans. Love is San's biggest strength, and San stans often need some of that strength. There's a mutual exchange of love and strength and hearts beat a bit happier.

Wow I'm corny

San stans might have predominant water placements (Scorpio, Cancer, Pisces) in their natal charts.

Mingi stans: the badasses

What are Mingi stans like (in general) // Queen of Swords

Mingi stans are quite tough and resilient people. They are fighters, not afraid to get their hands dirty. Independent and self-reliant, they constantly search for more wisdom to help them out in life, too. In some cases, they can even be grumpy cats, but for the most part I would call them realists.

What do Mingi stans have in common? // Knight of Cups

Mingi stans chase after real feelings and real connections. Their feelings and thoughts run very deep and they can't stand being shallow about anything. Due to their intelligence and devotion, their dreams are never too far away. They follow their heart with grace and know how to make decisions that will lead them to live a fulfilling life. They're romantic and charming.

oMg sexy beasts hello

What about Mingi's personality attracts Mingi stans? // The Hanged Man R, IX of Pentacles R, Queen of Pentacles R

Mingi stans appreciate how different Mingi is. He's unique in their eyes, and they love listening to the views he has about the world. It feels eye opening to them. Mingi also just .. melts their hearts. Perhaps Mingi stans usually strive to be in control, tough and pokerface, but they can't do that when it comes to Mingi. Their hearts go badum and they get heart eyes. He warms them up on any cold day.  They want to protect him at all costs and shower him with affection. 

Mingi stans might have a pretty balanced natal chart of air, water and earth.

Wooyoung stans: the loving wild cats

How are Wooyoung stans like (in general) // Judgement

Wooyoung stans are open minded philosophers and fearless explorers. They view life kinda like a journey, of ups and downs which can teach you many important lessons. They could probably write a novel of all the important life lessons they've lived that they keep close to their mind. And they're always open for more, more experiences, more knowledge and adventure. They are also likely to be oriented towards social justice, and be very keen on enforcing good morals and getting rid of closed-mindedness in the world.

What do Wooyoung stans have in common? // King of cups

Wether they are introverted or extroverted, Wooyoung stans actually love spending time with people. If they're not popular and with a lively group of friends, they surely have those few people they love to the moon and back and wouldn't mind spending all day with. Wooyoung stans know how to gracefully receive the gifts of love given to them by their community or close circle, and they're friendly and empathic too, in return. But sometimes, they might wear their heart on their sleeve without realizing.

What about Wooyoung's personality attracts Wooyoung stans? // Strength R

They love his wild and untamed nature. They love how he isn't afraid to show off his true colors all the time. The raw honesty of his personality, wether it's something socially accepted or something seen as weird, is very attractive to Wooyoung stans. They admire it and probably aspire to have such courage of expression, too.

Wooyoung stans might have prominent Scorpio, Pisces, Cancer or Leo in their natal chart.

Jongho stans: The champions

How are Jongho stans like (in general) // Knight of Sowrds R

Jongho stans are absolute warriors. They are headstrong and courageous, their intelligence aiding them greatly in powering through any obstacle and overcoming any challenge. They are oriented towards fighting for justice and love spreading words of encouragement to their peers.

What do Jongho stans have in common? // IX of Pentacles R, Queen of Wands

Jongho stans are honest and genuine. Despite their strong will and courage, they are not reckless or chaotic, they are actually quite calm and down to earth. But they do know when you fire up, and stand their ground. Their confidence and fierceness makes them very charismatic in the eyes of many.

What about Jongho's personality attracts Jongho stans? // II of Pentacles R

They appreciate how Jongho picks his own fights. He puts upmost priority of what and whom is important to him, and zones in on that. He's always concerned with being the best at what he does, (aka in his preferred domain) he doesn't try to be the best at things that don't concern him. He sets his priorities tight. Plus, Jongho stans find him very motivating and empowering. He puts fuel on their fire, puts gas in their tank. To them, he's living proof that nothing is impossible if you have the drive to do it.

Jongho stans have predominant air and fire placements in their natal charts.

I thought this to be so interesting. For most, it turned out the stans were really similar to the idol, but then Mingi and Yunho... LMAO. It's cool there's some ying yang energy in there too!

Thank you for reading and let's discuss!

[fictionadventurer]

Austen asks! 4-24

I don't know if you intended this to be inclusive, but I'll answer them all anyway (skipping over the ones that have already been answered).

6. Favorite movie adaptation

The 1995 Sense and Sensibility. To me, it strikes a good balance between being a good adaptation and making the story accessible to audiences that haven't read the book, and it's one of the few that seems to understand Austen's humor and romance.

7. Favorite Austen couple

Anne and Wentworth. Their personalities balance each other perfectly.

8. Least favorite couple

Colonel Brandon and Marianne are so frustrating to me, mostly because of how Austen writes them. They fall victim to the Marian Halcombe Problem--if you spend the whole book showing a man and woman having tons of conversations and developing a good dynamic as equals, I'm not going to believe that he's in love with her sister.

9. Most hated foe of a heroine

Isabella Thorpe is a terrible person, and I can't think of any redeeming qualities or circumstances.

11. Least favorite book

I gained a better appreciation for Sense and Sensibility on my last reread, but it's still definitely Austen's weakest novel.

12. Least favorite Austen heroine

Marianne Dashwood is a realistic teenager, but not someone that I can admire or sympathize with too much.

14. Favorite love confession from the books

Can any Austen fan say anything other than The Letter in Persuasion?

16. Least favorite film adaptation

I hold a grudge against the 2005 Pride and Prejudice, because it did nothing to make me understand the appeal of Austen, and it's a horrible adaptation, but it has such a huge influence on fandom's interpretation of the novel.

Also, every once in a while, I remember the scene in the 2008 Sense and Sensibility where Brandon gives Willoughby a "stay away from my daughter" speech, and I shudder over how creepy it is.

17. Moment that made you sad/cry while reading

Basically any scene of Fanny Price's childhood.

18. Moment that made you smile/happy while reading

Henry Tilney's introduction scene in Northanger Abbey is just pure distilled joy.

19. Moment that made you laugh while reading

I'll never forget the time I laughed out loud in class while reading one of Miss Bates' speeches in Emma.

20. Moment that made you mad while reading

I don't know if I've ever been so mad for a heroine as I was during the scene where the neglected poor, orphaned, outsider Fanny watches everyone fawn over poor, orphaned outsider Mary Crawford.

22. Favorite Austen female casting decision

I love Tamsin Greig as Miss Bates in the 2009 Emma, because I did not imagine her talkativeness as stemming from anxiety, but it was fun to see her played that way and to experience a different interpretation that still felt valid.

I'm also going to take this opportunity to mention that I love Mrs. Jennings and Sir John Middleton in 1995's Sense and Sensibility. I just grin through every scene they're in, and I especially respect them after learning that they were the only cast members that Emma Thompson didn't have to write random extra dialogue for in crowd scenes, because they just naturally knew how to talk like Regency characters.

23. Favorite Austen male casting decision

I love Johnny Lee Miller as Mr. Knightley in 2009 Emma. I don't know if he matches the character in the novel, but I love how he portrayed the dynamic with Emma.

Also, Hugh Laurie as Mr. Palmer in 1995's Sense and Sensibility is perfection. And Greg Wise as Willoughby is beautiful and charming enough to do his job of fooling you into thinking he could be the romantic lead before he proves to be an utter cad.

24. Favorite supporting character

Mrs. Jennings. Hands-down. So vulgar, nosey, and over-the-top, but beneath it all, so kind and friendly and helpful. I love her so much.

[dadsbongos]

Request if you'll take it! I love the scenario of eddie being assigned as disabled!reader's "shadow" (requesting the disabilities being autism, generalized anxiety, and them using a cane).

Like it starts out kinda awkward bc reader doesn't wanna be a bother but eddie, so rarely afraid to make a fool of himself, makes him assisting reader feel more like a game instead of him being obligated to help.

Reader and eddie really balance each other out, reader helping him keep focused on studying by associating subjects with his interests and explaining things from a different perspective. Eddie helps reader get out of their shell, and reader keeps eddie out of trouble.

Internally, they both think the other is way too good for them.

i hope it’s okay that i modeled the use of reader’s cane after my own disability (chronic fatigue, specifically weakness of the legs/muscles)

2.8 K words 

warnings - outcasting but u and eddie are outcasts together, not proofread, i very intentionally didn’t use the term “aspergers” even though it’d be more timely accurate i DON’T wanna hear it

SUMMER - 1985.

Eddie initially signed up for the shadow program in his first senior year. He enjoyed being an outrageous 6-hour portion of someone’s life while making sure a neglected part of society was paid attention to. He’s signed up every senior year since.

“Do you want me to get that?” Eddie watches, cheek rested in his hand, as you bend and stretch from your chair to pick up a stray pencil. 

It’s just out of reach, every brush of your fingertips seeming to push it farther. Your face burns hot under Eddie’s watchful gaze and you click your tongue, “Still no, Eddie.”

“I hope this isn’t a pride thing.”

“It isn’t.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Eddie- I’m not- !” you shoot up, sucking in a breath and blowing a loose strand of hair out of your face, “Fine. Get it for me.”

It wasn’t a pride thing. You just hated over-relying on the supposed Satanist, even without the sighs and subtle off-glances you’ve gotten from people in the past - it still felt like you were bothering him.

And Eddie knew that. He was handed a file about you after signing the yearly confidentiality contract.

Neurotic and acutely aware of themselves.

Whatever the hell that was supposed to mean, Eddie didn’t bother digging out his old middle school dictionary. But he can see your fiddling fingers and raw-bitten lips and assume some of what that file meant. 

It didn’t hurt that he could actually recognize one of the words in there. Diagnosed Autism. That helped.

The shrill bell rings and your fellow library occupants pack up and stride off quickly. Eddie, barely having taken out any of his own materials, soon begins unzipping your bag and replacing all your books and pencils. Smacking his hand away, you unhook your cane from its makeshift purchase on the redwood table lip, using it as leverage to stand from your chair. 

“I can put my own shit away, Munson,” you sneer - all glass and plastic and he easily melts the veneer away with an eye roll.

“Again, I hope this isn’t a pride thing.”

“I’m not a child,” you bristle, brows furrowed and tapping against the cold, smooth wood of your cane - eyes falling down to your shoes and posture slumping into itself, “I can do things on my own, Munson.”

“Hey,” he’s had this happen before, and that’s why he prides himself on how well he handles this situation. He’s learned how to move and grin and control his tone when this conversation comes up, because above all he loves to be useful, “I know you can,” carefully, he braces a tender hand on your shoulder, “But you get a whole, what? Almost seven hours to do things by yourself at home, assuming your goody two-shoes ass goes to bed at ten. I just wanna help, but I’ll back off if you want me to.”

Considering the proposal, you shrug - still pouting, “I’m not a goody two-shoes.”

“Yeah,” he lugs up your bag from the floor, it thunks heavy on the table, “Okay.”

FALL - 1985.

He walks a few paces ahead of you, leaving you to pack back up on your own. He stands there patiently, staring out one of the windows of the door as if he can see a movie through the glass. You’re excited to make him carry your big backpack for so much as suggesting you were a wet blanket.

“What’re you doing for Halloween?” Eddie drapes his jacket over your shoulder as the two of you sit outside.

“I’m not cold,” you go to take it off but he steps back and away, snatching your cane and hooking it on the edge of the picnic table you’ve both snuck away to. 

“Then pretend you are,” he dramatically fans himself with both hands, groaning as he plops onto the cool metal table beside you, “‘cuz I’m boiling, princess.”

“You’re so annoying,” you pinch his arm and he gasps, cupping the flesh as though you’ve burned him.

“You didn’t answer my question,” he leans all the way back, head hanging off the edge of the table - hair brushing the fallen, orange and yellow leaves below. 

“Because I’m not doing anything,” his eyes widen in apparent shock and you shake your head, laying down beside him - though with more caution and much slower, “I’m eighteen, Eddie. I’m too old for that.”

One could also argue you’re too old to be doing something as childish as skipping a pep rally with your forced-proximity buddy, beloved super senior Eddie Munson.

But he hates pep rallies as much as you do. The eyes that stare and linger as you walk in - the little points and side-eyes nobody thinks you notice. You’re slower and less balanced and they find it as odd as the way you never meet their eyes when you talk. Eddie hates how people scoot away when you both pass. How they whisper his name.

So he made a decent proposition.

“Wanna skip it? I know a good spot.”

And you made an easy answer.

“God, yes. Where?” 

Your fingers tap, tap, tap against the divots of the silver picnic table. A burning like the sun in your chest as Eddie’s sweet eyes rest on you. You hope he finds you pleasing to look at, and it’s strange because you’ve never felt so strongly like this before.

You know insecurity and you know worry, but nothing like what Eddie does to you - and in terror, you’ve come to realize what it means.

“You are never too old to celebrate All Hallow’s Eve, sweetheart,” he looks like a sweet angel.

You think you like him.

“I feel too old,” you gesture down to your knees, “I’m gonna need you to carry me off the damn table when we go back.”

“And I’ll be glad to,” Eddie says that like it’s a promise, “But you need to tell me what we’re gonna do for Halloween, ‘cuz there’s no way I’m just gonna let you sit around all night.”

“What if I want to?”

“Then you’re lying,” he rolls over, shirt bunching up and you can see the skin of his lower side and stomach - if the metal is freezing cold, he doesn’t show it, “Because I know you, and I know you’d hate to be alone all night.”

You can’t lie for shit, especially to Eddie. And you’ve found yourself so willing to let him know you like that, you think it initiated as the need for a friend after so many people willingly overlooked you. It’s quickly become something else.

“We could just dress up,” you shrug. He raises a brow, pure disbelief, “Watch scary movies…” both brows shoot up now, interest coming through, “Eat a bunch of candy?”

“Now you get it,” he nods, hand wildly flailing for yours and entwining your fingers, “God, you’re a genius when you wanna be.”

“I want to be one all the time.”

“Then, there you go.”

You’re glad for Eddie’s jacket, when you can pull the lapels tighter around your face and pretend heat doesn’t positively boil your cheeks. 

“What’re you gonna go as?” you turn to him, squeezing his hand tight and feeling the sun in your chest churn into a black hole that simply sucks your heartbeat away when Eddie matches your stare, “C’mon, for Halloween. What’re you gonna be?”

“A sexy gargoyle, maybe,” his dimples are on full display when you giggle at his joke, “You?”

“You stole my idea,” you pretend to huff, mind blanking at his sugary smile.

“Sorry, princess, maybe next year you’ll just have to be faster in getting an idea.”

Next year. Next year? 

WINTER - 198?.

Does he want to see you after graduation, then?

Eddie graciously accepted your invitation to keep you company on New Year’s Eve. With your family out on their own quest, which you insisted they go without you. You won’t be telling Eddie that you were really just worried to the point of nausea over slowing their fun. You also won’t be telling him that you choose him specifically because he’s the only person you’ve never felt so worried around. 

You feel confident enough to declare that he’s content lounging around your couch watching the New York ball drop.

“Are you sure this is fine?”

Or, at least, you’d like to feel confident enough.

“I wouldn’t wanna be anywhere else,” he insists everytime you ask, but you both feel like that won’t make the questions stop. Not that he’ll ever stop answering. 

You’re curled together on the couch (“For warmth,” Eddie’s lips stretched up high and sweet like the cream-fat cat as he slithered an arm across the back of the couch, “And fun?”). Hands politely splayed over your lap and Eddie’s resting just above your shoulder, his other hand on the arm of the couch. Like the old middle school dance neither of you got asked to, hands are far from anything scandalous to the public. 

“Sucks I won’t have a kiss,” you never do - people find you odd. You’ve seen the scribbles on your file. Previous shadows never stuck around like Eddie does, they thought you were odd. 

“Same,” his chest puffs up, absurdly faux confidence when he looks over at you and decides to be the one wearing big boy pants, “Should? You know,” his tone keeps dipping inappropriately - in unfamiliar ways that make Eddie harder to read than usual, “Should we?”

You like Eddie for the fact he’s so unwilling to hide himself behind a “cool guy” veneer. His feelings are on his face and you don’t have to fight an eyebrow twitch over a snarl to figure out his intentions. It’s freeing to you.

And now you can see nothing other than the nervousness in your own veins, it’s probably why you find yourself already willing to nod and shuffle closer.

Instead, your eyes find the clock slung above the fat TV and as fireworks snap, crackle, pop outside your windows - 12:01. 

“Hm,” Eddie can read your face well, too. You’re one in a handful that he feels entirely comfortable with, in fact. He can spot a minute downturn of your lips and feel reliable saying you’re disappointed, “Past midnight.”

The apparent disappointment is also why he’s not sweating over whether or not to commit and say, “I’ll still kiss you anyway.”

Instinctually, your hand flies up and over your mouth, but Eddie can see the upturned corners of your lips - it saves him from utter and entire embarrassment. After the initial shock, your shoulders slump back - hands returning to their perch in your lap. Baby cow eyes trained on you, and the fireworks outside are unmatched by what plays in his eyes when you jerkily nod.

“Yeah,” your bottom lip tugs between your teeth.

And he has the nerve to giggle like it doesn’t make your heart violently slam into your ribs every time he does.

“Yeah?” he leans closer.

“I’ve never kissed before,” you swallow the nervous lump in your throat, hands still in your lap even as one of Eddie’s cups your cheek, “So, if I’m bad- “

He cuts you off sweetly enough, just his lips on yours. It’s a childish peck if anything, but your heart thumps and sings as if it were something steamy anyway.

“I was Romeo in my sixth grade play.”

“That’s kinda morbid,” he stares at you like a dream - how he might stare at a mountain of gold, “To have a Romeo and Juliet production in elementary school.”

“It was super morbid,” you want to sink your teeth into his shoulder, just to leave a mark that you two were together. He’s blindly agreeing to you, only to quickly cover up with, “Can I kiss you again?”

“Now it’s way past midnight.”

12:06.

“You can say ‘no’,” he backs away slightly, but now your hands dart up, burying into the bunched material of his sweater.

Eye contact is difficult when your nerves are like stroking flints, but you both really try now - you especially as you murmur, “What if I don’t want to say ‘no’?”

SPRING - 1986.

“Oh, sweetheart, don’t tease me.”

Another season, another sport, another pep rally - another pep rally skipped. You sit at Eddie’s infamous picnic bench, side-by-side, as you wait for his newest customer. It’s nice to have a pep rally-skipping buddy.

Unfortunately, with graduation looming ever closer, it makes you wonder if he’ll want to be your special buddy when there’s no pep rallies to skip, or general population to make cringe. You hope so.

Until that conversation, you sit perturbed at the idea that the proclaimed “Queen of Hawkins High” is going to be buying weed from your Eddie Munson.

“You’re shitting me.”

“You wish, pervert,” Eddie roots through his black lunchbox, “Chrissy Cunningham is just excited to be a rapscallion.”

You ‘tsk’ and shake your head at your boyfriend (not admitting to the butterflies that flip-flap in your gut at Eddie’s title of boyfriend), “You’ve been a shadow since forever, but sell drugs? You’re a little enigma.”

“I love to surprise,” he leans over the side of the table and peeks out at the trail Chrissy should be wandering down. Quickly, his attention switches back to you and he plants a fat kiss on your cheek, “I only aim to satisfy.”

“Me, specifically, I hope.”

“Don’t hope, it’s already a fact,” he spikes the trail again, “Anyway, you free this weekend?”

SUMMER - 1986.

For all his checking, Eddie ends up too busy trying to plan out a “sleepover of the ages” with you at his trailer this weekend to notice Chrissy’s approach. Jumping a couple feet high when her sweet voice peeks through the softly breathing woods and its chirping birds.

Eddie stands with you as your name is called by principal Higgins, he holds out an arm and you decide to lock with him. He knows the risk of being taken down in a fit of gowns and tangled limbs if his added weight trips you up on your cane, but he always says he’ll never allow it to happen (“I’m your faithful knight, I’ll never let you fall.”). 

Stars pop in his eyes as you string up the stage and take the diploma you’ve been schlucking through your nightmare goop of a high school for. You can sense his pride and you hope he feels yours - you hope he knows you prize him.

He’s there to collect you as soon as you’re off stage, his kiss on your forehead is loving and he whispers a nice, “Congratulations.” 

You bop him in the chest with your tightly rolled diploma, “Congratulations yourself, Munson,” bolder than that Winter moment, you kiss him, “You earned it.”

He doesn’t know how he deserves your love, and if he asked - you’d say the exact same thing. 

As Nancy Wheeler gives her big, proud valedictorian speech, you and Eddie lean into one another. Not for warmth this time, just because. Because you both can and enjoy it and want more. 

“So…”

“So?”

“So,” you grab his arm under yours, winding tightly together as if he’d ever run away from you, “did you - well - did you wanna date after graduation?” his brows shoot up into his hairline, you speak again before he can even think of a reply, “Or is this just a weird ‘forced proximity’ one year stand for you?”

FALL - 1986.

Eddie snickers and nods slowly, bringing up the hand that binds over his and smooching your knuckles, “I was just gonna ask you the same thing.”

“Careful,” Eddie glares - the most vicious and stern you’ve seen him - at the man sitting beside you at The Hideout’s bar, “This was expensive, we’d like to not have to replace it.”

“Eds, it’s fine,” you carefully hook your cane back on the thin gold bar beneath the black, stained counter. It was something Eddie simply begged the owner of The Hideout to install so you didn’t have to pray for the cane to simply not fall over.

Your beau verbally backs down easily enough, but the level stare remains. The man that almost rocked your cane right onto the scratched, hardwood floor puts his hands up in mock defense and huffs away to the side.

“I doubt it would’ve broken from a fall, sweetie,” you grab Eddie’s hand, feeling stiffness in his muscles.

“Still, he should have more respect,” he pouts and you find it impossible to lecture him further, “I would.”

“I’d hope so, you’re my boyfriend,” you tease, leaning into his side.

“No,” he copies your tone, pinching your side, “If we were strangers. I’d be so polite, you wouldn’t believe it.” 

You go to reply but Eddie catches Gareth’s eye over your shoulder, he huffs and groans - always hesitant to leave you for his set with Corroded Coffin.

“Go on,” you spur him, patting his back, “Go become famous.”

“Alright,” he frowns heavier than before, all theatrics, before pecking your cheek and beginning to stalk off, “Off to become famous.”

But not without a small heel click, just so he can hear one final laugh from you before performing. Every time, he claims it’s like a good luck charm.

[aalissy]

Fight Training

Andddd here's day 17 :). A short lil chapter of Ladrien fluff bc I loveeee getting to write about them haha. Lemme know what you think <3.

AO3

Ladybug swung gracefully from rooftop to rooftop, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nerves. Today was the day she would start training Adrien Agreste, her Adrien, in basic combat techniques. He had approached her a few days ago, expressing his desire to learn how to fight. Though surprised, she had agreed without hesitation. It was Adrien, after all! How could she even begin to say no? She’d do anything for him.

Finally reaching the Agreste mansion, she hung delicately near the window outside Adrien's room. She tapped on the glass, peering inside. Adrien, dressed in a simple T-shirt and workout pants, looked up from his desk and his face lit up with a smile when he saw her. Did he know what he did to her heart? Why did he have to look amazing every time she saw him?

Ladybug pushed open the window and stepped inside. "Ready for some training, Adrien?" she asked, her voice full of encouragement.

He nodded, a mixture of anxiety and eagerness in his eyes. "Absolutely, Ladybug. I've been looking forward to this."

"Great! Me too! Let's head to a nearby rooftop," she said, extending her hand out to him. "Hold on tight."

Adrien took her hand, his grip firm but gentle. Tingles raced up her palm from where their hands connected. She ducked her head down, feeling her cheeks flush a light pink. And, was she crazy, or was there a blush on Adrien’s own cheeks?

Shaking her head to clear it of her delusions, she tugged him closer, enjoying the feeling of his warmth pressed against her side. She flung her yo-yo out into the city, wrapping it around a rooftop as she tugged them outside.

As Ladybug swung them through the city, she looked down at Adrien, enjoying his wide eyes as he stared down at the city below him. He was much better to look at than any view. After a moment that she desperately wished could have lasted longer, they landed on a secluded rooftop, away from prying eyes. She released his hand, already missing his warmth as she took a step back to appraise their training ground.

It was perfect. Ladybug turned back to him with a warm smile. "Alright, let's start with some basics," she said, adopting a fighting stance. "First, we'll work on your stance and balance."

Adrien mimicked her stance, trying to match her steady posture. Ladybug approached him, gently adjusting his arms and feet.

"Balance is key," she explained, feeling giddy over every small touch that they shared. "A strong stance makes you harder to knock down and gives you better control."

She watched with a grin as Adrien seemed to focus on her words, his concentration unwavering. Ladybug moved to stand in front of him, demonstrating a series of punches and kicks.

"Now, watch closely," she instructed. "Keep your guard up, and when you punch, put your whole body into it, not just your arm."

Adrien followed her lead, throwing a punch with all his might. Ladybug nodded approvingly, her heart swelling with pride at his progress. He was already amazing at this. Was there anything he couldn’t do?

"Great job! Now, let's try a combination," she said, stepping back to give him space. "Punch, punch, kick. Ready?"

Adrien nodded, his movements growing more fluid with each attempt. Ladybug watched him, her admiration for him deepening with every punch and kick.

After several repetitions, she decided to switch things up. "Alright, Adrien. Let's try some defensive moves. I'll come at you, and you need to block or dodge my attacks."

Adrien's eyes widened slightly, but he quickly composed himself. "Okay, I'm ready."

Ladybug launched a series of slow, controlled attacks, giving Adrien the opportunity to react. He blocked her punches and dodged her kicks, his reflexes sharp and precise. Despite the playful nature of their training, there was an intensity in their eyes, a mutual respect growing between them.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the city, Ladybug called for a break. They sat on the edge of the rooftop, catching their breath and sharing a bottle of water that she had brought for the both of them.

"You're doing amazing, Adrien," Ladybug said, her tone sincere. "I'm really impressed with how quickly you're picking this up."

Adrien blushed, a shy smile spreading across his face. "Thanks, Ladybug. That means a lot coming from you."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, watching the city lights flicker to life. Ladybug felt a surge of warmth in her chest, grateful for this moment of peace and camaraderie.

"So, what's next?" Adrien asked, breaking the silence.

Ladybug grinned, standing up and offering her hand to him. "How about a little sparring? Let's see how you would handle a real opponent."

Adrien took her hand, pulling himself up with a determined glint in his eyes. "Bring it on, Ladybug."

They faced each other, adopting their fighting stances once more. As they sparred, Ladybug couldn't help but marvel at Adrien's growth. With each block, each punch, and each dodge, he became more confident and skilled. She realized that this training was not just about fighting; it was about trust, partnership, and a bond that grew stronger with every challenge they faced together.

[venactricisfics]

Bucking Tradition: A Yellowstone Fanfic

Chapter Nine

I groaned myself awake. The ranch doesn’t wait for hangovers. Though this morning I wished like hell it did. After a shower, I felt a little more human. Maybe not fully myself but I could function. 

“You need to learn to hold your liquor better,” Beth spouted at me as I stepped out onto the porch. I pulled the brim of my hat down and slipped on a pair of sunglasses. That wasn’t quite enough to block out the piercing rays of sunlight. 

Beth's teasing was a little too much for me this morning, but I had to admit, she wasn’t wrong. I wasn’t exactly the best at handling my liquor, but after everything that went down with Ryan, I figured I was entitled to a little indulgence.

I gave her a halfhearted glare, which only made her smirk wider. “You think I don’t know that?”

“Should’ve stuck with the whiskey, princess,” she teased, leaning back in her chair on the porch. “But I guess you’ll learn eventually.”

I rolled my eyes and stepped past her, trying to ignore the pulsing in my temples. The ranch didn’t care about last night’s mistakes or regrets. The work needed doing, and I was going to drag myself through it—hangover or not.

“I’ll handle it,” I muttered, my voice rough from the lack of sleep and a little too much rum. I adjusted my hat again, hoping to block out the sun’s relentless assault.

“Yeah, yeah,” Beth replied, her tone more lighthearted now. “But don’t expect me to come running to save you when you get stuck out there with the cattle.”

“You still not riding?” I asked. 

“You know I don’t get near those things,” she responded. I knew. But I’d hoped after this long, maybe Beth would have conquered that fear. It wouldn’t do any good to push. Especially not my sister. She would push back harder and stronger. 

“Guys already head out to do that thing at the reservation?” I asked. Though the silence in the house already gave me my answer.

“I know the spectacle is your kind of thing, but you missed this one,” she responded. 

“I guess I’ll try to get some training in then,” I said. “I haven’t trained since I got here. Might get rusty.”

“I highly doubt that, but go easy today,” she said then slinked back into the house.

I chuckled at her words. Beth had a way of making me second-guess myself, but I didn’t need her to remind me that I wasn’t as rusty as I might’ve felt. Training was my release, my way to focus, and I was ready to get back into the swing of things.

The barn was still quiet when I reached it, but Denim was already waiting, as though he knew what was coming. He had a way of making everything feel just a little bit easier. I ran my hand down his side as I approached, giving him a small smile.

“You ready for this, old friend?” I whispered, even though I knew he’d be just as ready as I was.

I saddled him up with practiced ease, the movements automatic, even in my foggy state. As I tightened the cinch, I took a deep breath, letting the familiar scents of the barn ground me. The anxiety and heartache of the past few days melted away, replaced by something more tangible: the work that needed to be done.

With one last glance at the empty barn and the quiet ranch, I rode out, knowing that this was the part of the day where I could escape. The world outside was big, wide open, and full of possibilities, even if it didn’t feel like it sometimes. I just needed to find my rhythm again, and maybe, just maybe, everything else would fall into place.

I slipped through the straps and hung off the side, I felt unsteady for the first time in a long time. I breathed and gripped tighter trying to regain my balance. I felt it falter and I found myself in the dirt. 

I lay there for a second, staring at the sky above me, a mix of frustration and embarrassment swirling inside. The sting of hitting the dirt wasn’t as bad as the blow to my pride. I pushed myself up, shaking off the dust as I stood. Denim, thankfully, hadn’t moved far, his ears twitching as he turned his head toward me.

I took a moment, breathing through the burn in my chest. It had been a while since I’d fallen off like that, and the reminder that things weren’t as easy as they used to be stung a little more than it should have.

“I think we’ll take things easy today,” I told Denim as I swung back up in the saddle, “remind me not to drink with Beth anymore.” 

I’d settled Denim back in his stall when I saw the trailers pull into the drive. One was loaded with ATVs, the other was loaded with horses. Rip was shouting at the new guy, Jimmy, to get his ass on a horse.  At least someone was having a tougher time riding today than me. 

I rounded the barn as Jamie, Dad and Lee, wearing his Livestock agent vest, were coming out the other side. 

“Both tonight?” I heard Jamie warn Dad.

“Everyone’s forgotten who runs this valley,” Dad said back. 

“This is not how you remind them, it’s a bad idea,” Jamie continued. 

“We don’t choose the way, little brother,” Lee responded then gave me a knowing look. 

They were making a stand. 

I felt a cold knot tighten in my stomach. Whatever they were planning, it was more than just another day on the ranch. The tension was thick in the air, and I wasn’t sure if it was from the heat or something else.

Jamie was still trying to reason with Dad, but I could tell there wasn’t much room for negotiation. When Dad made up his mind, nothing short of a tornado could change it.

“You know it’s not gonna end well,” I said, my voice quieter than I wanted it to be.

Lee looked over at me again, his expression unreadable but sharp. “Maybe it doesn’t end well, but you don’t let things slide either.”

“You’re talking about a war, Lee,” I shot back, my heart pounding harder with every word. “It doesn’t just affect the men in this family. It affects all of us.”

Lee didn’t respond, just kept walking toward the trailers. Dad, on the other hand, gave me a hard look. “You’re still here, aren’t you? You still got a place in this family.”

The sting of his words made my chest tighten, but I wasn’t going to back down. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”

The silence that followed was heavy, the weight of their decisions pressing down on me. Whatever was about to go down, I wasn’t sure I was ready for it. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized I didn’t have a choice.

Dad climbed into the ranch helicopter. And took off into the distance. Lee climbed into his Livestock vehicle, Ryan in the seat beside him. The knot in my stomach grew tighter as I watched them all take off down the road. 

“Tell me it’s not as bad as I think it is,” I stood with Jamie as they headed off into the horizon. 

“Don’t worry,” he tried unsuccessfully to reassure me, “it’s gonna be fine.” 

I shook my head, not buying it for a second. Jamie’s words felt empty, and I could see the worry in his eyes even if he tried to hide it. “Jamie, I know you’re trying to keep things calm, but this... this feels different.”

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “I know. But there’s nothing we can do now. You know how Dad is—when he makes a move, it’s already too late to change his mind.”

I looked back toward the horizon, where the helicopter had disappeared and the Livestock vehicle was a tiny speck in the distance. It felt like everything was spiraling out of control, and no one could stop it.

“We’re gonna get caught in the middle of this, aren’t we?” I asked quietly, half to myself.

Jamie didn’t respond immediately. When he did, his voice was heavy with the weight of the situation. “We already are.”

I felt my chest tighten at his words. The idea that we were all being dragged into something we couldn’t control, something bigger than us, made me feel small. I hated it.

“We need to stay focused,” Jamie added. “There’s no turning back now. But we’ll get through it. We always do.”

I nodded, even if I didn’t fully believe him. I wanted to. But there was something in the air—something unspoken—that told me this wasn’t just another disagreement. It was a storm brewing, and we were all standing right in its path.

I turned and headed into the house, the scent of fried chicken filled my nose. Lee’s favorite. My stomach rumbled reminding me that I hadn’t eaten all day. So tonight it would be my favorite too. 

The table felt empty, just me and Jamie. Dad and Lee’s chair sat ominously empty. Like even the chairs themselves knew that something was going to change after tonight. Beth was in town, working on her “project” for the ranch. 

The weight of the silence was thick, heavier than it should’ve been. I set the table, my hands moving mechanically, as I tried to push the feeling of impending change out of my mind. Jamie watched me, his expression unreadable, but I could feel the tension radiating off of him.

“You’re quiet tonight,” he finally said, his voice low.

I shrugged, trying to keep my voice steady. “Just thinking. About everything. About what’s coming.”

“Yeah.” He looked over at the empty chairs, his eyes lingering on them for a moment before he sighed. “I know. It’s hard to ignore. But we can’t control what Dad does, and I think we’ve all learned that by now.”

I nodded but didn’t reply. There was nothing I could say that would change the truth. Our father was unpredictable, his decisions always carried weight. And tonight felt like the calm before the storm.

The food was served, the silence between us growing more uncomfortable with every bite. I couldn’t help but feel like this was the last calm dinner we’d have together. Something was on the horizon, and no amount of fried chicken could make it go away.

“Is it just me,” I started, trying to break the tension, “or do you feel like something’s... off?”

Jamie didn’t immediately answer, but his gaze met mine with a sense of understanding. “It’s not just you,” he said quietly. “I’ve got that same feeling. But we’ll deal with it when we have to.”

“Right,” I muttered, though I wasn’t sure I believed it. I couldn’t shake the feeling that the winds of change were already here. And we were about to be caught right in the middle of it.

“It looks like you’re settling back into things ok,” he said trying to steer the subject to something else. “You going back out on the road again.”

I shook my head, being out on the road was hard, I loved the thrill of the arena, but everything outside of that, was a rat race. “I’ve traveled the country. At least all the parts you can get to by land. I’m not done riding but I may just rodeo closer to home now. Maybe take some more classes on line. Maybe get my veterinary license like Dad wanted.” 

 Jamie raised an eyebrow at that. "Veterinary license, huh? Didn’t take you for the settling down type."

I shrugged, unsure of how to explain the pull I felt to be closer to home. “It’s not about settling down. It’s about doing something that feels... right. You know? I spent so long out there, chasing that next rodeo, that I missed some of the things that matter. And I’m not saying I’m done with riding, not by a long shot. But maybe it’s time to focus on something else, something that could help the ranch."

Jamie was quiet for a moment, his fork tapping lightly against his plate. “I get it,” he said, his voice soft but with that signature seriousness that always made me listen. “You’ve always been good with animals. Might be a good fit for you.”

I smiled faintly, feeling the weight of the decision settle on my shoulders. “I hope so. We’ll see. But I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me, and it won’t be easy."

"Nothing ever is," he replied with a grin. "But you’ve got this, Alex."

“I know,” I looked up at my brother with a smile, “If you can make it through Harvard Law, I’m sure Bozman Veterinary School will be a breeze.” 

An explosion in the distance reminded me of what was going on outside the walls of our home. I looked at Jamie, his non-response told me that was just part of Dad’s plan. 

The explosion had been loud, but there was an eerie silence that followed, as though the world outside was holding its breath. Jamie stood up, pushing his chair back with a scrape that echoed in the quiet kitchen. "I’ll go check on things outside," he said. "Stay inside for now. Let me handle this."

I nodded, my heart sinking deeper with every step he took toward the door. Things were shifting, and the future felt uncertain. Would any of us make it through this unscathed? Would I find my place in all of this chaos, or was I destined to be swept up in it?

I watched Jamie disappear into the fading light of the day, the faintest hint of worry in his posture. The ranch had always been about strength—about resilience. But tonight, I wasn’t so sure we had enough of either left to weather the storm that was coming.

I couldn’t sleep that night. Even when I heard the helicopter land outside and my father walk in, I knew it wasn’t over, not yet. The cattle had been pushed back over to our pasture from the reservation. 

I did all I knew to do by helping Gator in the kitchen make coffee and cut vegetables for the meal ahead. Anything I could do to distract myself from my racing thoughts. The ranch was booming with Livestock Agents and Deputies. Lee was missing.

“Get some air, Miss Alex, I’ll take care of this,” I nodded and stepped outside on the porch. Everyone was bustling, Jamie was talking on the phone with someone, anyone, everyone who could find our brother.

I stood next to my father feeling helpless but I couldn’t show it. Dad carried the burden of his decisions and I couldn’t add to that. 

“State police are sending a chopper out to look for him,” Jamie told us. 

My heart clenched at Jamie’s words, the weight of them pressing down on me like a lead blanket. “He’s out there alone,” I muttered, my mind running through all the possible scenarios. “He’s not prepared for this. He’s never had to deal with something like this.”

Dad stood a little taller, his eyes hardening with resolve, but there was a flicker of worry behind his gaze. “Lee can take care of himself, Alex. But that doesn’t mean I’m not worried. You don’t stop being a father just because they’re grown.”

I looked at him, knowing he wasn’t just talking about Lee. There was so much unsaid between us, so much weight carried in the silence. But now wasn’t the time to dive into it. Not when our brother was out there somewhere.

“Do you think he’s okay?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Dad’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t look away from the horizon. “He has his ways of handling things. Lee’s smart. He’ll be alright.”

But something in the air felt wrong. I could feel it. There was no certainty in his words, just the steady push of a father trying to believe in his son. Trying to convince himself everything was going to be fine.

I followed my father’s gaze, out at the horizon. It was Kayce. There was something off about the way he was riding. Someone was draped over the horse in front of him. Dad rushed out and mounted a horse of his own to meet him. 

I squeezed my eyes shut not wanting to know what I clearly knew. It was Lee. 

The world seemed to slow around me as I stood frozen, my heart hammering in my chest. I could hear the thundering of hooves, the distant echo of my father calling out to Kayce, but it all felt muffled, like I was underwater.

I wanted to run, to do something, but my legs wouldn’t move. The sight of my brother, possibly injured, possibly worse, felt like a nightmare I couldn’t wake up from.

Dad was already at Kayce’s side by the time I took a step forward, his hands quickly inspecting Lee’s limp form. I could see their faces, twisted in grim determination. Kayce said something, and Dad nodded sharply, looking over his shoulder at the house. It was too much to take in all at once.

When Kayce took Dad’s horse and rode to the house alone, I knew. What I’d feared. Lee was gone. I slumped down in the chair broken as Kayce approached. He was all over the place as he explained what happened. The fight, and the shot that took out our brother. And that he was the one who took out the guy who did it. 

I took little comfort in that. 

The days leading to his funeral were a blur. I slipped on a black suit. Stood outside as the ranch hands gathered to lead Lee to his final resting place. 

The weight of the world felt unbearable as we walked. Each step was heavier than the last, and every breath was a struggle. The world had gone still, like time itself was holding its breath in respect for the man we’d lost. Lee had been taken from us in such a violent, brutal way, and yet, here we were—still standing, still fighting—but broken.

The hand on my back was a quiet comfort. I didn't need to look to know it was Jamie. He was always there when things got too heavy, just like Dad, but there was something different in his touch today. The support was more than just family— it was his grief, too, woven into that simple gesture.

I kept my gaze forward, trying to hold it together as we reached the family plot. The place where my ancestors had been buried, the ones whose names and faces I’d heard stories of but never knew. Lee was joining them now, his body at rest, his spirit claimed by the land. I hated it. I hated that we were burying him here, in the dirt, under the same sky that now felt so vast and empty.

The pastor’s words were soft, but I couldn’t focus on them. I could barely hear him over the storm raging inside me. Lee was gone, and there was nothing that could bring him back. The silence felt suffocating. And yet, the wind carried with it a feeling of finality, a reminder that life would keep moving, no matter how much I wanted to freeze this moment, to make the pain stop. The finality of it was overwhelming. I’d never get to hear Lee’s voice again, never get to argue with him, or laugh at his stupid jokes. And that reality crushed me.

I drew in a breath and walked back to the house with my family. Tates laughter echoing as he ran through the grass ahead of us, reminded me that there was something more, something that had to carry on after this. 

A hand slipped in mine, as though he’d been watching me carry the weight of it all alone. 

Ryan. 

His hand felt warm and steady, grounding me in that moment when everything else felt like it was slipping through my fingers. I didn’t look at him, couldn’t bring myself to just yet, but I could feel the sincerity in his touch. The same sincerity that had been missing for so long. The same sincerity I had thought I’d never see from him again.

I squeezed his hand lightly, my fingers tightening around his, as if telling myself that maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t as alone as I felt.

The silence between us was thick, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. It was understanding. There were no words needed—just his presence beside me.

Tate’s laughter rang through the air again, and I looked over at him. The innocence in his voice, the way he ran without a care in the world, reminded me of the things I had to hold onto. The things that still mattered. Lee was gone, but the family, the land, the ranch—it was still here. And somehow, we had to find a way to move forward.

Ryan’s hand tightened in mine as we reached the porch. I finally met his eyes, and I didn’t have to say anything. His gaze said it all. It wasn’t the same as before. The connection wasn’t exactly the same, but it was something. Something we could try to rebuild.

“I’m sorry,” Ryan said, his voice quiet but full of regret. “I should’ve been here sooner. For you.”

I nodded, not trusting my voice to respond just yet. But the apology, it felt like a step forward, even if it was just the smallest of steps.

I didn’t know what came next. I didn’t know how I would make sense of everything that had happened, or how I would ever fill the hole Lee left behind. But for the first time in what felt like an eternity, I had the chance to try. And maybe, just maybe, that was enough.

I stared out into the field, Kayce sat there, he held more weight than any of us. I started to go to him when Dad stopped me. I nodded. And let my father go to him. 

The people left and the ranch felt hollower, empty now. 

I stood on the porch with Jamie and Beth as I watched the last of them drive away. 

“I’m gonna need you now more than ever,” Dad said to Jamie, “and I need you two to stay,” he looked at Beth and then me. 

Dad’s words were heavy, a command, a plea. The weight of everything was suffocating, but we didn’t have time to break. Not now. Not with what was coming.

Jamie stepped up beside Dad, his expression unreadable but the tension in his shoulders said it all. Beth, ever the fighter, didn’t hesitate. Her words cut through the air, sharp and certain. She wasn’t going to back down.

I looked out across the land, the ranch stretching on as far as the eye could see, but it felt small, insignificant now. Lee’s absence loomed over it all, but there was still work to be done. The legacy that had been left behind. It wasn’t just a piece of land—it was our home. And I’d be damned if we let it fall apart.

I turned to Dad, meeting his gaze. “We’ll be here,” I said, my voice steady even though everything inside me was still falling apart.

Jamie placed a hand on Dad’s shoulder, offering him the silent support that spoke volumes. Beth crossed her arms, determined as always. And me? I just nodded, ready for whatever came next.

But it was Kayce I was worried about. He held the heaviest burden of us all.

I walked back inside, letting the cold air linger behind me, but when I reached the stairs, I paused. Jamie’s voice carried, low but firm as he spoke to Dad. I knew that things were about to change, that we were going to fight—together. We had no choice. But how we’d emerge from it all was anyone’s guess.

For now, I had to trust that our family could weather this storm.

[wisteria-html]

In other news: my friend and I were at work discussing which characters we see the other as. I compared her to Richie Tozier and nailed it, and then we talked about mental health and how we perceive ourselves. Tell me why I get home, get ready for bed, and she sends me this:

Actually, now that I think about it, you kind of remind me of Jayce Talis

I'll have to look into it more before I make that my pick for you but

The struggle to balance yourself between things that excite you and the desire to be a good person

The fear that your accomplishments/qualities are only tricking others into liking you, and they'll never be as devoted as you are to them

Jayce is heavily influenced by the past but constantly worried that he's not processing those lessons in a healthy way, and so despite his powerful convictions and confidence he is susceptible to others trying to blunt him

He doesn't think he's a good person because he thinks compassion is just the best way forward, the way through external problems, rather than something that takes actual strength to maintain and therefore doesn't give himself enough credit

And everyone around him is literally obsessed with him because they know just how selfless and valiant he is, even if his obsessions can lead his usual empathy to get hyper focused on individual people or situations

And so sometimes people get mad or hurt because they assume they're being ignored or not prioritized, rather than simply trying to understand this is who he is

And these feelings can coalesce into accusations of toxicity towards jayce, because these people have put him on a pedestal, and now that they're not feeling the love they assume it's intentional from someone so otherwise seemingly perfect

The people who truly understand Jayce are those who are able to separate the person from the moment

Jayce - you - are obsessed with whether you're doing the right or proper thing in a moral sense, but despite that, you don't think that makes you a good person - even though that's literally the main qualifier. The reason for this is because you strongly feel that you are simply not allowed to be selfish; therefore, doing good and being caring doesn't feel like a choice to you, ergo you don't take pride in it and don't reward yourself for it. It feels.. dare I say it.. like a neutral mode

And I personally think, learning to be a bit selfish would be really helpful for you, because it would help demystify this and remove anxiety over the deep-seated fear that one slip-up and you'll descend into toxicity and pain-causing. The problem is that you're such a good person, that in the few instances where someone did accuse you of being toxic, you empathize with them enough to believe they had at least some semblance of a point and so put the onus of the blame on yourself instead. "This is what happens when I'm not careful enough," you internalized. "I made a mistake", rather than simply accept that other people can be flawed pieces of crap whose problems with you are just reflections of problems with themselves

I think you need to have real, visceral experience that being a little selfish is not the enemy, and it won't consume you if you indulge in it. In fact, it might help you gain confidence in what you are and what you put out into the world.

So where is I need to remember that my kingdom is secure, even if it doesn't feel like that

I think you need to remember that the world outside your kingdom will love you no matter what you choose to do with your realm

I think that's why you strive for such an intensely connected romantic relationship, by the way. Because if you're going to let someone in that close, they have to be someone truly in love with you, someone utterly amazing in your eyes, otherwise you'll have to spend time together worrying about whether you're being a good person, whether they'll see through this imagined facade of yours. In another odd inversion of me, I seek people who can ground me and help me feel things, and I think you seek a person who can help you ascend past the grounded fears within you

I need to learn to trust the world around me. I think you should learn to trust yourself.

[nerdygaymormon]

A few memories of my recent trip to Utah

I spent 4 days in Utah as part of a trip to attend the Gather Conference. 

I receive more hugs on these short trips to Utah than I get the rest of the year. I think the average queer Latter-day Saint is touch-starved and we need more opportunities to hug, to have someone put their arm around us, and so on. Touch is a way of feeling connected. 

Being with others who see me for who I am is healing. I don't have many people in my regular life with whom I can share all aspects of my life. It is such a relief to fully be myself with others and know they will accept and love me.

It's happened on previous trips to Utah, but this time more people introduced themselves and said they know me from my blog, from the chapter I wrote in a book, from the Lift+Love group I host, from podcasts I've been on, and so on. Mostly it's kind people just wanting to say "hi," and I love that, and I like to learn more about them and hear their stories. I do feel a little awkward if someone acts like I'm famous and they are fangirling. I'm just a regular dude who happened to have some opportunities to share his story.

Even though I said I don't like when others fangirl me, I found an exception where I liked it because it felt so validating. There was a moment when Ben Schilaty & I happened to be alone and I took the opportunity to introduce myself as David and thanked him for his visibility, that the work he does helps increase understanding. I've been following him since he participated on a panel of LGBT BYU students about 5 years ago. I've read his blog, his book and I listen to his podcast.

He responded by thanking me and it's nice to hear he's making an impact. He looked down at my badge with my name on it and he goes, "David Doyle! You're David Doyle! I know you!!! You had the thing in 2017 that went around! You're from Florida! You had the thing last year with Elder Renlund! You're amazing! David Doyle! I am finally meeting you! Allison Dayton says the best things about you!"

The rest of the conference, if we happened to be passing each other, he'd say "David Doyle!" as he walked by. It was cute. At the end of the conference, when the crowds had thinned, I was getting ready to gather my stuff and leave but Ben comes over and says, "I've been wanting to talk with you but I've been so busy." We had a few minutes and recognized each other as being on the same team in doing this work. He's prominent in this intersection of LDS & LGBTQ+, and it was surprising to have him know who I am.   

Friday evening a woman came running over and hugged me. 30 years ago I was a teacher at the Missionary Training Center and she was one of the missionaries I taught. This was her first time attending such a conference for LDS/LGBTQ people, she was there because two of her kids have come out, and she was so excited to see a familiar face. It was an amazing reunion. 

The RaYnbow Collective put on a Pride event on Saturday in the park behind where I used to live in the 1990's as a BYU student. 30 years ago I could never have imagined this happening in Provo. I had to go as a way to honor my younger, closeted self. The drag show was a lot of fun, very energetic!

There were no seats for the drag show, the audience sat on the ground, and my leg fell asleep. I couldn't get up. Some strong Samoan guy had to help. I was so embarrassed. I'm a very big guy and that certainly played a factor. Even after getting up, my balance was not right and I had to keep holding onto people in order to remain upright. I even needed help walking to the car.

All the feelings of shame about my body, my weight, my eating disorder, of worrying how others view me and wanting to be accepted and loved, all of that came rushing in. At the hotel I asked my friend @loveerran to take all the food from my room because of my eating disorder, but I still felt my feelings and had a good cry. I try hard not to let my social anxiety or body image or weight issues keep me from participating in life, but that night I wanted to hide away and never be seen again. The human mind sometimes is unkind to ourselves.

Despite that unfortunate episode at the park, I treasure this trip and all the people I met and friends I reconnected with. I returned to Florida with my batteries recharged, my resilience strengthened, and feeling seen & validated.

[wearethecovenofchaos]

🔮🪄✨ Evan Peters General Reading - October 21st, 2024

• General

🎴 The Hermit Reversed: "loneliness, isolation, recluse, being anti-social, rejection, returning to society". The Hermit reversed talks about the danger of isolating oneself too much. He finds himself stuck in a world of his own, alone. Feeling lost. Evan needs to find a balance between solitude and social interaction, because while it is really importanto to have a moment of introspection, it's equally important to stay connected with others. Struggling to find direction or purpose.

🎴 Six of Wands: "success, victory, triumph, rewards, recognition, praise, acclaim, pride". Public acclaim. "You have managed to harness the strengths and talents that you have within you in an attempt to bring a particularly successful outcome in your life." This is talking about the recent news we got about him working as a producer, and the possible return to the new season of AHS. And also about his appearance in Agatha. It talks about the recognition for his work, and he is aware of his capacity. His efforts are not only being seen but also celebrated. This card indicates that Evan has earned respect and people look at him as a leader.

🎴 Eight of Pentacles Reversed: "lack of quality, rushed job, bad reputation, lack of motivation, mediocrity, laziness, low skill, dead-end job". The tasks are more demanding. He may be feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work. Perfectionism to the point that the fear of making mistakes can mess up with the progress.

🎴 Five of Swords Reversed: "reconciliation, resolution, compromise, revenge, regret, remorse, cutting losses". Forget and forgive. Focusing his energy on something that is more constructive and positive. This card represents the importance of learning from past mistakes and healing past wounds. "Some disputes are not worth the effort and that it is better to focus on maintaining peace and harmony".

• Career and Work

🎴 The Emperror Reversed: "low concentration or focus, bureaucracy, bad boss". Lacking of focus. This card can point to challenges with authority figures. Feeling hesitant to take the initiative. The advice of the card is to work on building self-confidence and taking a proative approach to the new role.

🎴 Knight of Cups Reversed: "tensions and moodiness at work, avoiding work confrontation". Doing whatever one can to avoid confrontations, leading to self-destructive levels. Not feeling inspired by work anymore or a particular project has lost its spark. Evan is probably not feeling so emotionally fullfilled as he expected to be right now.

• Love

🎴 Five of Pentacles: "isolation, loneliness, feeling distant, depression". Finding difficulty to communicate honestly, or to be emotionally close to the partner. Feeling neglected. Feeling relutanct to talk about the issues. The dynamic of the relationship is not healthy. Difference in love language or preferences.

🎴 Nine of Swords: "not trusting partner, suspicious of partner, regret from past". Anxiety and fears. "Sleepless nights spent overthinking about relationship issues, driven by fears of abandonment or betrayal". Communication is the key. Negative emotions are weighing heavily.

• Evan and Natalie

🎴 Justice: "romantic efforts rewarded, compromise, treating partner fairly". Cause and effect. Make sure you are treating your partner fairly. Your relationship is a mirror of what you have been giving to others. It is important to create a balance in the relationship, so that both parts are seen and heard. Never feel happy recieving less than you deserve.

🎴 Eight of Cups: "leaving unhappy relationship, abandonment issues". Are you happy with your relationship? Can you imagine spendind the rest of your life with this person? Are you with this person just for fear of being alone, or because you just don't want to go back to the dating scene? This card indicates a difficult decision to walk away from a relationship that lacks connection. Feeling emotionally distant. Somebody is being avoidant.

• Oracle Cards "Just being near you is intoxicating": Which is all about physical attraction. "Everything is not as it seems": Self explanatory.

✨ A gentle reminder: tarot is for fun and we should always take everything with a grain of salt, and be opened to all the possibilities. ✨

[alister312]

do i even have to ask..... the character ask with gregory. Yes. All of them (if you can think of something)

THERE ARE. 50 OF THESE THINGS.

i honest to god tried but its midnight and im tired so i didn't get to all of them. maybe i will another time. here's the ask game for anyone maybe wanting to see certain ones i skipped answered.

1. Canon I outright reject

There is so little canon to him to even embrace but uhhhhhh. Him being so shit at drawing a directional compass. He's a smart boy I don't think he would fuck up a compass as badly as he did on his map in the movie.

2. A canon or headcanon hill I will die on

He has led a rich boy life. While I do love the idea of his parents as professors, it makes so much more sense if they're wealthy social elites and he's got all these immense expectations placed on his shoulders from a young age. He develops crippling imposter syndrome and anxiety due to this but is extremely good at masking it and accomplishing things so no one knows (except ofc Christophe).

3. Obscure headcanon

Big big fan of the "Gregory can play an instrument" headcanon, though I don't always see it implemented. Like, yes he sings but what if he also played the piano or violin? I think he does.

4. Favorite line

I kinda really like his little "O-ho..." after meeting Stan for the first time. It's just a solid line read and further solidifies the headcanon of him as a wealthy upperclass kid. He's clearly uninterested but he's learned he can't say that... he's gotta cage it. Maintain a good public image.

5. Best personality trait

The fact that he's so quick to stand up for others and put himself on the line for them!! Whether it's acting as Wendy's voice against Garrison or volunteering to go to the dangerous USO show, Gregory is willing to put in the work! Doesn't fall into that rich kid cliche.

6. Worst personality trait

Of course it's the flipside of his best trait: the fact that he thinks he has to do everything for everyone. He's gonna exhaust himself as well as come across as extremely controlling!!

7. Age/height/weight headcanon

Age depends on what sort of AU I have going on... though by default I tend to image him in his late twenties, early thirties? Usually makes the most sense.

Gregory maxes out at about 5'10" to me (with Christophe being more 6'1", 2"). Gregory carries himself very well though and may even wear shoes with a bit of height, so people usually believe he's a bit taller than he actually is. He's never slouched once in his life and he won't start now.

Weight I'm honestly not sure? He's fit and slim (swimmer's body type), well balanced. I know that much.

8. Unpopular opinion about them

He would never grow his hair out long. I know the Les Mis stans love to give him a ponytail and the Hell/park fans love to give him a ponytail but I absolutely don't understand. I get him maybe caring deeply about his hair, but that's why he'd keep it short. Much easier to style and manage.

9. Scene that first made me love (or hate) the character

I don't remember but it was probably the line about everyone being rogues. It's just such an iconic line.

10. Best moment on screen (or in the book)

La Resistance. Howard McGillin killed it as his singing voice and the sequence in general is just an absolute highlight of the whole film.

11. Faceclaim for the role

I don't actually have one?? Like I have a very clear image in my mind whenever I draw him but I've never sat down and found real life people who look like that. I'd know if I saw though.

12. Crack headcanon

Gregory really likes fish. Not like in the sea exactly, but big tank aquariums. He knows all about proper tank and fish care and has a beautiful one in his office. His pride and joy.

13. Dumbest thing they’ve ever done

Trusting his bestest friend Christophe to Stan and crew was a pretty dumb move. Especially when he knew how unequipped they were to handle everything.

14. Most heroic moment

Again. La Resistance. He's so good at rallying and motivating people <3

15. Worst thing they’ve ever done

Trusting his bes-- nah. Joking. Worst thing he did was what he DIDN'T do, which is run off to go find Christophe after not seeing him with Stan.

16. Deepest darkest secret they won’t even admit to themselves

Not a secret so much as a fear that all his activism and fighting will be for nothing ultimately and he'll leave the world having not changed it for the better at all. He knows on some level he will, what with the friends he's made, but he wants to do something on a grander scale.

17. Quotes, songs, poems, etc. that I associate with them

A bunch definitely but I am trying so hard to get all these questions done so I cannot dwell.

18. What they’d go to see a therapist about

what WOULDN'T he see a therapist about it. um. parental expectation issues. aforementioned terrible imposter syndrome and anxiety. probably war trauma and mercenary trauma.

19. Vices/bad habits

He can go for days without sleep and very little food. He's just too focused on being busy to really bother. Christophe has had to force him to take a nap many times before.

20. Scars

Ella had such a gorgeous way of putting it in the one gregstophe fic she wrote, with Gregory having some thin snicks of scars from sword blades? Something like that. It's good. He doesn't have scars he can't hide. He's got a public image to maintain.

21. Drink of choice (not just alcoholic)

I do see him as a tea drinker. No sugar, maybe a splash of milk depending on the kind of tea. For alcohol, he's a gin drinker. I'm only projecting a little bit there.

22. Best physical feature

His smile! He was born with perfect teeth... never needed braces and brushes and flosses after every meal. Uses whitening stripes on a regular basis. Flashes it proudly whenever he meets someone new.

23. If they were a scented candle, what would they smell like?

Pamplemousse. It's got a bit of citrus kick but it's on the sweeter side. Also it just sounds the way I imagine he comes off as.

24. Most annoying habit

Spins pens/pencils between his fingers while he's trying to concentrate. The frustrating thing is he always does this perfectly, never drops it. It's just a thing he does and doesn't get it when others ask him how he does it.

25. 3 things they’d want to take with them if they were dropped off in the middle of nowhere

Water bottle with filtration in it, multitool, and his favorite book. He's practical.

26. What they would do if stuck in an elevator with Stan (looking at his keychain rn)

Wait patiently while Stan exhausted himself panicking about being stuck and doing stuff like trying the doors in vain. Once he was done, Gregory would call the fire marshal to come get them out. Stan would hate him for how nonplussed he was the whole time.

[diavolo-is-babygirl]

obey me: shall we design a male mc?

Hi everyone! Here's me designing a snarky male MC just so I can have him fall in love with Diavolo 🤣 I can't draw him but I really hope you like him!

Character Bible: Agni Latham

Basic Information

Full Name: Agni Latham

Age: 19

Occupation: College Student (Art Major) & Bartender

Current Status: Exchange Student in Devildom

Personality Overview

Agni presents as a sharp-tongued, profanity-loving spitfire who hides a deeply compassionate heart. His rough exterior masks an emotionally intelligent young man who's learned the hard way about the importance of paying attention to others' emotional states. While he's quick to swear and call out injustice, he's equally quick to offer support and protection to those he cares about.

Background

Human World History

Worked his way up from barback to bartender starting at age 18

Developed reputation for creative cocktails and flair bartending

Best friend and roommate Alex died by suicide shortly before Agni's arrival in Devildom

The loss of Alex profoundly impacted his approach to friendships and emotional awareness

Carries significant guilt about missing signs of Alex's struggles

Keeps a private sketchbook of drawings of Alex

Bartending Skills

Exceptional ability to read people's emotions through drink choices

Creates unique, personalized cocktails for friends

Specialized in both normal and magical cocktails

Known for "Emotional Support Cocktails" with minor healing properties

Maintains a secret recipe notebook for demon-specific drinks

Key Relationships

Leviathan

Extremely protective of Levi's emotional well-being

Created special non-alcoholic anime-themed drinks

Actively learns about anime to better connect with him

Fiercely defends Levi's interests against mockery

Regular gaming session companion

Mammon

Acts as financial and emotional support

Protects him from bad deals

Created special drink "The Greedy Glow"

Keeps emergency comfort drinks for Mammon's bad days

Teaches him about valuable liquors

Diavolo

Developing romantic feelings for the Demon Prince

Created "Royal Sunset" drink inspired by him

Becomes one of few people to see beyond the prince facade

Offers emotional support during late-night conversations

Uses bartending as a way to help Diavolo relax

Special drink-order code system for "need to talk"

Relationship characterized by mutual understanding of carrying burdens

Signature Drinks

Regular Menu

"Otaku's Delight": Non-alcoholic blue raspberry cream soda with magical anime effects

"Mammon's Jackpot": Golden tequila cocktail with success-flavor notes

"The Greedy Glow": Gold-flecked specialty for Mammon

"Royal Sunset": Inspired by Diavolo (never served)

"Starlit Memory": Memorial drink for Alex, made on his birthday

Magical Properties

Color-changing effects

Minor healing properties

Mood-enhancement capabilities

Magical ingredient incorporation

Dream-touch elements

Character Traits

Strengths

Emotional intelligence

Protective instincts

Creative talent (both art and mixology)

Direct communication

Loyalty to friends

Vulnerabilities

Survivor's guilt

Tendency to overprotect

Difficulty accepting praise

Uses profanity as emotional shield

Insomnia and anxiety

Quotes

"Listen here, you stuck up son of a bitch- I don't give a damn if you're the Avatar of Pride, you can't just treat people like that!"

"You know what's fucked up? Sometimes it's easier talking to the literal Prince of Hell than it was talking to my best friend."

"Your father can fuck right off with those expectations. You're doing your best, and that matters."

"Yes, you're a scumbag, but you're MY scumbag, now sit down and let me make you something special."

"For fuck's sake Mammon, you don't just slam premium whiskey like it's cheap shots!"

Agni's Character Journey

Learning to balance protection with allowing others their agency

Processing grief and guilt

Finding love while carrying past trauma

Understanding the difference between caring and controlling

Discovering how to be vulnerable again after loss

[nsfwmiamiart]

Part 6 - Incoming Text for Jennifer Lopez (@jlo) and Sofía Vergara (@sofiavergara) and Eva Longoria Baston (@evalongoria) and Chow Yun-fat and Mark Wahlberg (@markwahlberg): “An Idea Worth 500 Million Dollars”

Question:

Could you explain to Jennifer, Sofía, Eva, Chow, and Mark that they need to reach out to actors Chris Pine, Helen Hunt, and Brenton Thwaites to portray a unique family in Texas for the reimagined “Top Secret” action-thriller reboot?

Here’s the reimagined story:

Helen Hunt will play a retired contract killer who raised her two sons to follow in her footsteps.

Chris Pine will portray her elder son, a seasoned and professional contract killer.

Brenton Thwaites will take on the role of the younger son, who is still in training. His character struggles with anxiety and experiences physical reactions, such as vomiting, whenever he encounters blood and violence.

This family dynamic, centered around the mother and her two sons, will be a key element for the four screenwriters—Peter Berg, Joe Carnahan, Donna Powers, and Wayne Powers—to explore as they craft the screenplay for this reboot. The story offers a compelling mix of action, emotional depth, and dark humor, which will be vital in reimagining the franchise.

Here are the Wikipedia links for Helen Hunt, Brenton Thwaites, and Chris Pine:

Helen Hunt: Wikipedia Page - (click on the blue link)

Brenton Thwaites: Wikipedia Page - (click on the blue link)

Chris Pine: Wikipedia Page - (click on the blue link)

ChatGPT Answer:

Certainly! Here's a detailed, point-by-point explanation for Jennifer, Sofía, Eva, Chow, and Mark regarding the task of reaching out to Chris Pine, Helen Hunt, and Brenton Thwaites, as well as the storytelling vision for the reimagined Top Secret action-thriller reboot:

1. Purpose of Casting Chris Pine, Helen Hunt, and Brenton Thwaites

Why these actors?

Helen Hunt: Known for her emotional depth and ability to portray strong, multifaceted characters. She is perfect for the role of a retired contract killer who exudes authority, experience, and maternal wisdom.

Chris Pine: With his charisma and action credentials, he can convincingly portray a polished, professional contract killer with confidence and skill.

Brenton Thwaites: His youthful energy and capacity to convey vulnerability make him ideal for playing a character struggling with anxiety and self-doubt, bringing a relatable and emotional layer to the story.

What makes this casting crucial? These actors bring star power and a balance of action, drama, and emotional resonance that will help attract a wide audience and enhance the reboot's box office appeal.

2. Overview of the Reimagined Story

Core premise: The story centers on a family living in Texas, bound by their shared profession as contract killers, yet divided by personal challenges and their levels of expertise.

Helen Hunt: The mother is a retired killer who has instilled her skills in her two sons. Her past casts a shadow over her family dynamics.

Chris Pine: As the elder son, he is confident and capable, carrying the family’s legacy as a professional.

Brenton Thwaites: The youngest son is in training but faces significant struggles with anxiety and an aversion to violence, which sets him apart from the others.

Why is this dynamic compelling? This setup offers a mix of action, psychological tension, and character development. The contrast between the family members’ abilities and mindsets creates both drama and opportunities for dark humor.

3. Key Character Traits and Challenges

Helen Hunt’s Character:

A seasoned killer with a complex past, now grappling with her legacy as a mother.

Balances nurturing instincts with her lethal history, serving as the emotional anchor of the story.

Chris Pine’s Character:

A professional, confident, and efficient contract killer.

Takes pride in his abilities but may face challenges related to protecting or guiding his younger brother.

Brenton Thwaites’s Character:

The youngest son, still learning the ropes.

His anxiety and physical reactions to blood and violence create tension and opportunities for growth.

Adds a relatable vulnerability that contrasts with the rest of the family.

4. Role of the Screenwriters in Developing These Characters

Collaborative effort:

Peter Berg, Joe Carnahan, Donna Powers, and Wayne Powers will work together to flesh out this family dynamic.

They will explore themes of family loyalty, personal struggle, and the morality of their profession.

Character-driven action:

The screenplay will integrate thrilling action sequences with emotional beats, ensuring the audience connects with the characters while being entertained by the high stakes.

Building franchise potential:

The unique premise allows for layered storytelling that can expand into sequels or spin-offs, exploring the family’s past or future missions.

5. Communicating with the Actors

First Steps for Jennifer, Sofía, Eva, Chow, and Mark:

Contact the actors’ representatives with a clear pitch outlining the vision for the reboot, their specific roles, and the creative team behind the project.

Highlight the opportunity to work on a character-driven action thriller with franchise potential.

Importance of buy-in: Securing these actors early in the process will add credibility to the project and help attract further talent, both on and off-screen.

6. Audience Appeal and Final Goals

Why will the audience love this?

The combination of thrilling action, complex characters, and dark humor will make the reboot engaging and memorable.

The family dynamic introduces a fresh take on the contract killer genre, blending high-stakes drama with relatable emotional conflicts.

Box office potential: By pairing a compelling narrative with star power and an experienced creative team, the reboot has the potential to resonate with audiences worldwide and achieve significant financial success.

7. Closing Thought

This project is not just about action; it’s about delivering a well-rounded story that connects with audiences on an emotional level while keeping them on the edge of their seats. The actors and screenwriters together can make this vision a reality.