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writing-zelda-brainrots · 3 months ago

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The Apothecary’s Travel Guide Chapter 1

Quickly, before we begin, I want to set some things straight about this little fic series.

This fic will use Fem!Reader in both pronouns and body descriptions. I usually stick to gender neutral stuff, but this fic just works better with a female main character in mind (or at least I think so).

While I won’t be going into actual nsfw stuff (maybe in the future, I haven’t decided), this fic will still contain sexual themes and scenarios. This fic is meant for older teens and up. I don’t write with a young audience in mind, both for this fic and in general.

For those of you who are not familiar with The Apothecary Diaries (wtf are you doing here, go watch it), the series takes place in a fictional version of Imperial China. You don’t absolutely need to watch it to read this fic, but you will have a better understanding of things if you have (also, it’s just a really good show, very well written with one of the best female protags I’ve ever seen).

Also, this fic starts before Sunset, so the whole “Twilight is Wolfie” and “Hyrule can heal” things are not known yet.

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It felt a little strange to be back in the busy streets of the pleasure district after spending months in the rear palace. But it was the good kind of strange. The smell of grilled meat skewers that you missed so much, the paper lanterns hanging overhead, people haggling for better prices in the street side shops, playing games on the side of the road, or drinking tea in teahouses. And of course, beautiful women calling men over to offer ‘special services’ in the many brothels.

It’s a sight you’re all too familiar with. Having grown up here, raised by the women of the famous Verdigris House, these things did not phase you. One would think that working in the palace would be quite the change of pace, but if there’s one thing that you’ve learned over the past however many months, it is that the palace and brothels aren’t all that different. A beautiful caged garden full of flowers for the emperor to enjoy looking upon.

In truth, if you had the choice, you would not want to have anything to do with the imperial palace, but given your situation, what could you do? You certainly didn’t ask to be kidnapped and sold off to the palace back then and you didn’t ask to be promoted to lady in waiting to one of the four highest ranking concubines. You were doing just fine as an apothecary back in the pleasure district, thank you very much.

You had originally attempted to stay low, worked as a simple, low ranking servant until your contract expired and then head home. You hid any signs of value that could get you promoted; you hid your ability to read and write, as well as hid your ‘true beauty’ so you wouldn’t become a concubine (even if a servant could only ever become a low ranking concubine). Any extra money you would have earned from those promotions would just be swiped by your kidnappers, anyway. At least you still got paid for your regular work.

Had things originally gone according to your plan, you would have worked hard and been released within three years. However, now that goal post has been moved quite a bit.

But you shouldn't be thinking about work right now; it was your day off, after all. You were back home (after managing to haggle your way into them letting you leave the palace) and that’s all that matters right now.

I should get some radishes and chicken for soup tonight. You thought as you walked down the street of the makeshift market. You hoped that your father had been eating well. He was never all that good at feeding himself. If he was starving for a few days, the old lady from the Verdigris House would force something down his throat.

Speaking of the Verdigris House, you should probably head there later. Both to say hello to your ‘big sisters,’ but also so you could take a bath there. They’d likely want some medicine, too, now that you thought about it. The last time you delivered medicine there was the day you got kidnapped.

Heh. Even on my day off I’m running errands.

With your little morning shopping excursion done, you stuffed the ingredients into the basket you carried on your back and started heading to that familiar little shack you affectionately called home. Dad should be in the fields tending to the plants right now. Honestly, he was getting too old for that trek, especially with his busted knee, but you couldn’t deny that he loved that little garden he’s cultivated over the years. Not like you were any different when it comes to your passion for medicinal herbs. As your master, he taught you everything you know about medicine; what herbs work in which situations, what to use and what to avoid, how to make medicine, what plants, mushrooms and animals were poisonous and which weren’t, etc. He was a very learned man, having studied both eastern and western medicine. With a few more years of teaching, you might be as good as him, or you hoped so, at least.

Finally you reached the calm little neighbourhood you grew up in. It was on the very outskirts of the city, not even protected by the tall stone brick walls. Looking at the small sizes of the houses, barely larger than your average shack, told people that this was where the poor lived. It wasn’t much, but it was home. Truth be told, your father was an excellent medical expert, even having worked in the palace before from what you’ve heard, but for all his skill and knowledge, he had terrible luck, which is why he ended up living here instead of somewhere more fitting for his stature.

But when you got to your little childhood home, you were met with a worrying sight. A woman you didn’t recognise, worry and uncertainty written on her face, knocking on the front door of your home. That’s strange, did she need medicine? You didn’t recognise her servant uniform, but she seemed to be from one of the inns in the area.

You called out, catching her attention immediately. “Are you looking for the apothecary? He’s currently out, but I can leave him a message.”

“Please help, it’s a medical emergency! Someone’s been poisoned!”

Your face immediately turned serious as you dropped your belongings before running inside the shack to retrieve an emergency med kit. “Lead me to them.”

People had gathered around the doorway of the inn, clearly all in a panic, but not sure on what to do.

“I brought the apothecary. Please step out of the way.” The two of you moved past the seemingly small army of staff and patrons.

What you saw seemed to match what the woman had told you before. A man lying on the bed, restless, breathing erratically, hands clenching at the fabric of his clothes right over his heart. Immediately you entered your ‘work mode,’ practically diving next to the man. First, a physical check up.

You pried open the man’s eyes, looking into them; you checked his pulse and stuck a finger into his mouth. Judging from the spittle running down his chin and trace amounts of sick on the bed sheets and his blue scarf, it’s safe to say that he had vomited. Still, you pressed down on his solar plexus to induce more of it. It would help expel whatever caused this reaction, but it would also dehydrate him. There was a hrrk, and spit came pouring out of his mouth, which you wiped away with the bedsheets you had gripped.

Suddenly, a new man with brown hair and eyes came running through the door with what seemed to be a waterskin in his hands.

He was just about to offer the water to the man you were tending to, but you shouted at him: “Don’t let him drink that! Charcoal- we need charcoal!” The startled man dropped the item onto the floor, but recovered just as quickly, running off once again to retrieve the required item.

You repeated this process several times on the victim; making him vomit, wiping the bile away ad nauseum until nothing but stomach acid came out. The man was able to breathe much easier now, no longer hyperventilating. Thankfully, at your request, the charcoal had arrived just in time, which you quickly ground up with your mortar and pestle.

“This’ll be rough on his throat, but it’ll flush the toxins out of his body.” You spoke as you poured the fine powder into his mouth. Some of the men, who you assumed to be the patient’s associates, had gathered around the two of you, clearly worried.

“Wa… Water. Please…” Those were the first words you heard him speak, weak, but nonetheless a sign that he was recovering.

“Not yet. I’m sorry, but you’ll have to endure this a little bit longer.”

Though unhappy, he accepted and resigned himself to his scratchy and dry throat for the time being. Finally you were able to remove yourself from the bedside, letting the other men move the patient while the inn’s servant ladies removed the soiled linens.

First damn thing in the morning and I already have to deal with an emergency. I only just got back. You grumbled in your mind as you looked at your filthy hand. Ugh. I really need a bath. You sighed both from relief and exhaustion.

“You doin’ okay, Captain?” One of the taller men with brown hair asked while holding him up so he could stand.

The patient - now identified as ‘Captain’ - took a breath. “Much better.” He then turned his attention towards you. “Thank you. I was certain that I was a goner.”

“I am simply doing my job. There is no need to thank me.” Utilising some water in a pitcher that one of the servants offered, you wiped your hands with a damp cloth.

You then took out a wooden slip, wrote just a couple characters on it and handed it over to the servant woman who you first encountered. ��Deliver this to doctor Luomen and bring him here. He should be by the south wall.”

With that, the servant gave you and everyone else in the room a small bow before leaving.

The man with a blue hat turned his attention to the patient, who had once again been laid down onto the cleaned up bed. “Now I know that stuff took you out; you didn’t even try to flirt with your “guardian angel”.”

“So that’s your impression of me?” The sarcasm in his voice was evident. “Glad to know that it took me almost kicking the bucket to change your opinion.”

Within about half an hour, the servant had returned, your father in tow. It took longer than you had hoped, but given your father’s age and condition, it wasn’t all that surprising.

He took a good look at the patient and asked some questions.

“I suppose you did an adequate job here.” He gave you his trademark gentle smile after he was done with his examination.

“‘Adequate’?” You ask, annoyed.

A man who you assumed to be the owner of the inn came into the room. “Thank you, doctor Luomen. You are the best medical expert one could ask for.”

“Don’t thank me. My daughter did all the hard work.”

“Tell me, how much do we owe you? Name your price.”

“There’s really no need-”

You nudge your father’s side with your elbow. “Can you pay rent this month?”

“Ah… Well, in that case, I’ll take the usual fee.”

This was one of his habits; undercharging for his work, or even failing to charge at all, much to your distress. You understood the desire not to take money from people who were already struggling to get by, but this was not the case.

A tall blond man in heavy armour came up to you, holding out a small-ish sack. “Please, allow us to reimburse you as well. We owe you a lot.” Seeing no reason not to, you accepted the item.

With that, your father and the inn’s owner head into another room to discuss payment, leaving you to gather up your tools.

From the corner of your eyes, you noticed a few of the men fidgeting nervously or giving each other glances. They obviously wanted to say something. You didn’t know why they were hesitating. Sure, you might have sharp, mean-looking eyes and you didn’t smile all the time, but there’s no reason for these numerous grown men to act like this around you.

“Can I help you?” You broke the ice. No point in delaying this.

The one who you assumed to be the leader cleared his throat. “Actually, we’d like you to answer some questions we have. We’re travellers from afar, you see, and we don’t know much about this place or nation.”

They came all this way here and they don’t know the first thing about where they are? “You’re in the country of Li, specifically in the capital city of both the nation and the Central Province. I’m not going to judge how you choose to spend your time, but if you wanted to go sightseeing, I wouldn’t exactly recommend coming to the pleasure district first.” You raised an eyebrow. Just who were these people?

You saw that a few of the mens’ faces had turned bright red when they realised where they were. “Ha! Told you that this is where we ended up.”

“Are you implying that you frequent these kinds of places, Captain?” It sure seemed like these two had a penchant for arguing. Even during the time while you were waiting for your father to arrive, you noticed that they kept butting heads.

“Enough, you two.” The oldest shot them a quick glare. “Either way, it’s good we left Wind with Four back at the city outskirts. Both because of the inappropriate nature of this place- no offence…”

You shrugged. “None taken.”

“... But so that they wouldn’t have to see you get in trouble like this.”

“You are the apothecary here, right? If so, then you should be familiar with people who have gotten injuries.” You nodded. “Have you heard anything about encounters with any strong monsters, particularly those with black blood?”

Alright, now you were really confused. Monsters? Black blood? Was this some kind of way of informing you of a new disease spreading among the troops of enemy nations? But if so, why not tell this to an army physician instead of a random apothecary?

“Can’t say that I have.” You spoke up after having given it some thought. “Though I have to admit that I have been working in the inner court for the past few months, so I’m not caught up on the goings on outside the palace walls. But if you are telling the truth, I’m certain I would have heard rumours.” Thinking back, Xiaolan - a girl you had grown a friendship with when you were a simple servant at the palace - sure loved her gossip, and if there was one thing she loved more, it was sharing that gossip with you over tasty snacks and food.

“Thank you anyways.”

While this conversation didn’t seem like it yielded much, it did get your gears turning. It was time to do some espionage- or rather, some investigating. Something you’ve gotten pretty good at lately, if you said so yourself.

“Please wait here while I get you some medicine.” With a quick bow you left the room. In truth you had already prepared the medicine while waiting for your father to arrive, but this was still a convenient excuse.

As quietly as you could you hid yourself behind the sliding door and pressed your ear against it. Sure enough, once the men in the room believed you to be gone, they started talking. Words like “monsters,” “eras,” “shadow” and others got thrown around as if it was common knowledge, yet it only served to confuse - and intrigue - you further. One thing was certain; these were not your regular, run-of-the-mill travellers.

Your earlier talk also gave you an opportunity to scrutinise their appearances. Given their unfamiliar clothes and armour, plus features like light coloured hair and eyes, and their utter lack of knowledge of where they even were, you assumed them to be from a distant land, the west, most likely. But that was before you noticed one curious detail that they all shared; pointed ears.

This one thing had you calling things into question. Sure, the world was a large place, but in all your years of studying medicine and the human body, you’ve never heard of any group of peoples with such a distinctive feature.

But now came the question of what to do. What were you going to do about this suspicious group? Should you report them in case they were here to cause trouble? To be honest, you didn’t want to get involved. No point in sticking your neck out for these strangers and possibly risk getting accused of treason. You’ve done your job, you healed them, and you’re about to give them their medicine and leave. There’s no need to let them occupy your mind anymore. You’d steer clear of them from now on. Yeah, that sounded good.

Finally, you pretended to have returned from your ‘excursion’ and knocked on the door. Given the sudden silence from the room, it was safe to assure that whatever they were talking about was not for others to hear.

Walking up to the Captain still in bed, you handed over a small paper bag. “Please take this for the next few days. It’ll ease your stomach and help with getting rid of any lingering toxins. I would recommend drinking it as tea.”

The one who you had identified as ‘Legend’ from when you were listening in groaned. “Ugh. This whole thing’s been a wash. You guys ready to head back to camp?”

A unanimous ‘yes’ was heard.

Ironically enough, you could not get those men out of your head. Was your intuition trying to tell you that there was something wrong with them? Or were you simply curious? They were certainly the most interesting people you’ve met in some time.

They had already left the inn and you had headed in a different direction. You did finally manage to get that warm bath you were looking forward to. And getting to speak to your ‘big sisters’ at the Verdigris House was nice. But still your mind was occupied with something else. Damn it, this was supposed to be your day off, but you haven’t been able to relax completely!

You kicked a small rock in front of you in frustration. Hopefully having dinner with your dad would help alleviate your problem.

Suddenly you felt an all too familiar feeling of being pulled backwards.

Well, this wouldn’t be your first kidnapping.

And Wars will have to suffer through that dry, ashy throat for the remainder of this fic- lol jk.

A.N Fun fact: did you know that other than Twilight (who has lived among humans for a long time), technically, Legend is the one who has interacted with humans the most? The people of Koholint Island had short, round ears, as did the people of Holodrum (Oracle of Seasons), Labrynna (Oracle of Ages) and Hytopia (Tri Force Heroes).

#linked universe x reader #lu x reader #linked universe imagines #lu imagines #the apothecary's travel guide #ta'stg

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the-superoriginal · 1 month ago

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A taste of the forbidden fruit

Summary: This should have been just a day like any other. But it ended with something you hadn't even dared to hope to actually happen.

Warning(s): dbf!bucky, short!female!reader, age gap (reader is in her early 20 and Bucky in his mid 30s), kissing, guess you can read it as a gender neutral! reader too?

A/N: I finally finished a/this WIP! Wuhu! (Please, imagine me to wipe the non-existenting sweat from my forehead now.) I am not really satisfied with it through, but I guess I can still publish a updated version one day.

PS: I am awful with writing summaries and titles.

English is not my native language!

You leaned back against the beige jeep of your Dad's best friend, the sun slowly setting after a long day and basking the sky in a mix of orange, lila und blue. "I'll bet 5 Dollar that she won't even remember this tomorrow.", you grinned slightly amused as Bucky came back out of your friend's house again. He had just brought her in like the gentleman he was, because Lucy had drunk just a bit too much. And considering your height difference and the fact she weighed a bit more you hadn't been able to bring her in. The man chuckled quietly, shaking his head a bit as he rounded his car, pointing at you for a moment while opening the driver's seat door. "Deal."

He may be a gentleman but he could have fun too.

Your grin widened as you seated yourself in the passenger seat again. Bucky following just a second later. His cologne hit you after the doors were closed and he started to drive. It tickled your nose, his scent a pleasing mix of the cologne and him — musky, old books and motor oil.

It wasn't the first time you noticed it and you were sure it wouldn't be the last. He was your father's best friend after all which inevitably meant that he was at least once a week in your parents house and also had physical contact with you occasionally.

"There we are.", Bucky mumbled as he opened the passenger door for you, helping you out with his larger hand wrapped around yours. You chuckled a bit, ignoring the warmth his touch sent through you. "You don't need to do that, you know that, yeah?"

He just smiled, revealing his laugh lines to you again as he closed the door behind you, letting go of your hand in the progress. He was beautiful and you screwed for catching yourself thinking it more and more recently. "I know. But I wanted to do it.", he simply said and you cursed internally for how it made your heart skip.

"You coming in too?", you asked while already making your way to the front door. You hoped he would. Just so you could spend a bit more time with him. Especially now where it were just you two. Without your parents or friends. Bucky chuckled lightly as you opened the door, his words soft. "Of course."

A few hours passed filled with laughter and shared stories. By now the sky was dark to make room for the moon and stars. "And then I spilled my coffee on him.", you ended your story with a chuckle. It wasn't embarrassing to you anymore. There had been enough time passed between the happening of the story and now. Bucky chuckled, his forearms resting on the kitchen isle were you two were seated since a while. "Well, that's one way to do it."

"It's a good way through. 'Cause it worked." He shook his head lightly in disbelief, still grinning while you took a sip from your hot cocoa. The liquid flowing down your throat pleasantly. His blue eyes catched yours as you set the cup on the isle and suddenly something shifted. His eyes held a glint that you hadn't seen before. They seemed lighter, sparkling in a way.

Bucky leaned a bit closer and you weren't sure if he even noticed it himself, his gaze dropping lower for a second and your heart skipped in ancipaction. There was clearly something unspoken lingering in the air, not able to be missed. A desire, longing. Yet there was also the unfiltered reality in the back of your mind, your inner voice arguing to lean back or away. To do anything to break this spell that lay over you two. Bucky was older than you and, the even more important part, he was your father's best friend.

But then his lips brushed yours. A barely there touch, so featherlight that yours eyes falled closed on their own accord, and the voice got quieter. He gave you the chance to pull away and simultaneously tested the waters. You gathered your courage and then you pressed your lips against his.

Bucky breathed quietly out and then he kissed you fully, his hands finding their way on your cheeks, holding your face delicately while your lips melted together in a gentle symphony full of longing and desire. You didn't know how long the kiss lasted, but when he parted your hands had a soft grip on his shirt. God, you have never been kissed like this before.

"We will figure this out.", he whispered quietly after moments were your inner voice had come back. His words were a promise that this wasn't just a fleeting thing. That they would be more. That he wanted more.

#marvel #mcu #bucky barnes #dbf!bucky barnes #dbf!bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x reader #dbf!bucky barnes x female reader #bucky barnes x female reader #dbf!bucky barnes x f!reader #bucky barnes one shot #bucky barnes x f!reader #bucky barnes fluff

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tatiejosie · 5 months ago

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Look imma be real with you, Invincible fandom... I know that we were blessed with not just one or two, but three milfication of our favourite meow meows,, And I'm forever grateful for that

But,, I'm so sad about the charadesign for Cecil and Donald's female counterparts... They really went for the girly girl/north american type shit here

w h y ??

Bestie, the whole concept of a genderbend is that the character stays the same and just has the opposite sex - while Cecil could probably have a bit of a stylish thing going on, Donald is a soldier in a suit. Everything about that man's appearance is that he is as blank as can be.

He's supposed to blend in with his surroundings, to be easily forgotten about. His haircut is a practical, military-grade one. The lack of any accessories (outside of the glasses) is a practical decision as well. He was built in a way that makes him look like a disposable item to the GDA. He doesn't have a complex character design for a reason - because he's not his own person anymore, he's not meant to last. His blankness, both in attitude and in appearance, is a mirror to what he is - an asset to the GDA, and Cecil's shadow.

So why is his genderbend version wearing fucking jewerlly?? Why is she wearing a bright pink jacket???? Is fem!Donald not a cyborg? What is her past like? She seems as protective and jumpy as male!Donald, so I would assume that they're actual counterparts.

It's important to note that neither Cecil nor Donald have any kind of coquettish side to them. They dress for their job and don't care for their appearance, as long as it's professional and practical. So I don't understand why they just dumped that on their genderbends for no reason.

Donald is always up and ready to throw hands and he looks like he would do so - is that the case for his female counterpart? No. Her outfit is more of an inactive office-worker attire than a trained soldier. The jewellry would not be comfortable either, so would the hair (not even tied up) getting into her face.

,, All I'm offering is a soft butch Donna with a similarly short haircut. Maybe not a buzzcut because women of that age still want a little bit of feminity going on. NO jewerly outside of maybe a tiny, discreet tungsten earring.

I'm so sorry i'm 2AM i should go to sleep but i hadvd so much to say abt the potential of genderbending charadesign in media

one last thing: Cecil is a gender neutral name. diversity wins

#invincible #invincible show #invincible fanart #cecil stedman #donald ferguson #invincible s2e2 #genderbend #character design #you thought you were just having regular redesign of Donna as a soft butch. well tough shit. here goes some xanax-fueled ranting #Cecil is hard femme and Donna is soft butch send tweet

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afreakingdork · 3 months ago

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You Are My Sunshine, My Only Moonshine - Chapter 11

RotTMNT x Reader

Donnie is cool as a cucumber in this week's chapter art by @notsotinyblob

Rated: Teen and Up Audiences

Relationships: Michelangelo (TMNT)/Reader, Michelangelo (TMNT)/You, Donatello (TMNT)/Reader, Donatello (TMNT)/You

Warnings: POV Second Person, Gender Neutral Reader, Anxious Reader, Introverted Reader, Stuttering, Aged-Up Mutant Ninja Turtles, Romance, Love, Love Confessions, Falling In Love, Unrequited Love, Rejection, Aromantic Asexual Michelangelo (TMNT), Bisexual Donatello (TMNT), Pansexual Leonardo (TMNT), Lesbian Cassandra Jones | Foot Recruit, Demisexual April O'Neil (TMNT), Implied Cassandra Jones | Foot Recruit/April O'Neil/Sunita, Endgame Donatello (TMNT)/Reader, Romantic Love, Platonic Love, Panic Attacks, Sexuality Crisis, Agoraphobia, Social Anxiety, Happy Ending, Fluff

Synopsis: You’ve lost most of your life to anxiety and fear. Now, in your late 20s, you are desperate to reclaim it and during one such outing you encounter the sun personified. With his and his similarly celestially inspired family, will you finally reach your goal or will you lose yourself along the way?

Also available on Ao3

First 💛 Previous

Hanging out should have returned to only Mikey and you. That’s what you thought would happen. By all accounts, that’s what should have happened. However, due to what Mikey referred to as a ‘happening-stance,’ no matter when or how far in advance you’d tried to make plans with him, his schedule was already filled up. You weren’t sure if it was the time of year or what, but he suddenly had a bunch of family activities to do and a breezily open invitation for you to join in on them.

When you’d added Donnie to your support vine, you had meant it as something you would do if you happened upon him.

Because at the end of the day, he was Mikey’s brother.

Because, in that sense, he was unavoidable.

Not because you were planning on spending more time with him, group activity or not.

The plan.

There had been a plan.

Get better at going out on your own.

Be less scared.

Live your life.

Was that not what you were doing?

Spending time with the bale was a version of speed running social interaction. Your public persona needed to be switched on and the larger than life existence of each member of the Hamato clan kept you on something even more precarious than your toes. They each moved with intense drive and had an endless amount of energy.

They were a lot.

Mikey alone had the wattage of at least thirty people. It trickled down from there, but that didn’t mean any of them commanded less. They only used their vigor in different ways. They seemed to pick up for each other’s failings and when together they played off each other in a never ending cycle. It was one you were sure to be sucked up into as you reluctantly agreed to go to an open ice rink night.

You wanted to see Mikey, you told yourself.

It had been a few weeks.

You were pushing yourself to go out more because you’d been staying at home more since your weekend away.

You would probably barely see Donnie.

The Hamato were a busy bunch.

What were you worried about?

You knew in practice what it was like to hang out with the Hamato clan. While you had once only dreamed of the chance of going to a Hamato family movie night, you had now been to several. You thought fondly of them as fun affairs. Even in the early days when Donnie had thought you were a villain in disguise, he was more of a watchful eye then obtrusive until he could corner you. When among the others, he was often a casual participant. It was in that way that you thought you could safely maneuver in passing around the purple brother.

That was the status quo.

That was fine.

You recognized and arrived at the same ice rink where you had once attended one of Casey’s game. Once there you scurried inside and felt the signs of chill in the air. You wound through the corridors with a vague knowledge of where to go. Maps on the wall and beckoning voices helped pave your way. By the time you pressed open the double doors to enter the stands, it was as if releasing the pressure latch on bottled Hamato screams.

“Come on, big guy, loosen up!” Leo skated around the oldest.

“Raph’s loose!” Said brother snapped. “I’m also top heavy! Give me a break!”

“His stance is good.” Donnie skated by with his goggles down in clear analysis.

“He’s doing great!” Mikey chirped from a rink side bench.

This was your next few hours. As you ambled down the stairs, you thought about Mikey’s instructions. They were where to enter and that you and the others would have the rink to yourselves tonight. In a certain sense that meant you had all the time in the world and knowing that helped as you made it down to a flimsy door that separated fans from skaters.

“Hey-o!” Mikey tried to wave which caught his thumbs up in his laces. “Dangit!”

“H-hey…” You came close and watched him try to unravel the knot only to get more stuck. “G-got my coat, um, like y-you said…”

Mikey glanced at you as if he wasn’t doing a cat’s cradle. “The puffy one! Perfect for when you fall.”

“I’m g-gonna do my best… to… avoid that…”

“Be not afraid of the fall!” Mikey put on a silly voice and located one aglet that when he pulled on it, the entire knot unraveled. “A-ha!”

You gave a small clap.

“Thank you, thank you.” He nodded his head and pulled his laces as hard as he could. “What was I saying? Oh yeah! You can’t be scared of falling. It’s gonna happen. What’s important is you fall correctly.”

“C-correctly?”

Mikey nodded and let go of his strings to demonstrate. “Elbows and head tucked! Mostly the head, protect that noggin!”

You nodded and practiced through your coated sleeves.

You felt Mikey watching you before he got his skates laced up. “Looks like you’re raring to go.”

You flinched with your hands to your chest. “W-was… I late…? I thought, we w-were meeting at-?”

He shook your worries off and stood. “Nah, you’re right on time. We got here early to hassle Case. She’s in the back cleaning up and got tired of us and threw us out and onto the ice like 5 minutes ago.”

You nodded and tried to give relaxed posture amongst your soft outer layer.

Mikey smiled and walked you over to a rental counter which he hopped over. “I think she was afraid Donnie was going to dismantle her prized steed if she took her eyes off him.”

You watched curiously as he returned and passed you a pair of carefully selected skates.

You took your seat to get your skates on and Mikey flopped down beside you to clink his blades together. “That’s what she calls the zamboni. I’m not sure if she knows the word or not…”

You smiled and took time to properly lace your skates after seeing Mikey’s debacle.

With you quiet, Mikey filled the air with facts. He explained thta the ice was going to be replaced now that the season had ended. Every year, the Hamato were given free reign to destroy what was left of it before that happened. Since Casey worked here, the family loved to stop by which inevitably led to wanton destruction. It put Casey’s job in a precarious position and thus the turtles were banned. In some sort of brokered exchange, it was agreed upon that they could skate once a year, only when their antics wouldn’t disrupt patrons. They were thus free to use the facility for as long as they wanted which meant they made that date into an overnight trip in which they pretended they were camping out at some ice lodge.

You doubled checked that there were no errant cords to somehow trip you. “I think I’m… r-ready?”

“Let’s get you ice bound!” Mikey popped off the bench like a piece of popcorn.

You tried to follow but you were immediately stuck as you didn’t know how to stand.

Mikey, in contrast, moved fluidly on the tips of his skates.

He had a dancer’s air to that was accentuated by a grand turn and a sweeping leg all in a show to offer you his hand.

“B-ballet…” The word came off your lips and you flurried away from his grip. “S-sorry! I d-dont k-know why I-I assumed-!?”

“Why?” He tilted his head. “I did do ballet.”

“Y-yeah?” With a quiver, you got hold of his hand.

“Yup! But you don’t need no plie. Just focus on keeping your knees together until you get used to balancing on the blades.” He waited until you were ready before giving a gentle tug.

It got you upright and you folded slightly in on yourself until you felt confident enough to take a step. “T-this… I-I’m t-taking u-up too much t-time…”

“Gonna be hard to tell if you get cold.” He gave you an all too warm smile.

Your frown betrayed your thoughts; a chill was impossible with him at your side.

“We have all night. I’m yours.”

“M-Mikey…!” You protested and shuffled forward a few millimeters.

“Where’s that mind of yours?” He teased. “I meant since I’m your teacher. Pretend you’re paying me!”

“T-that’s worse!”

“Is it?” He moved out of your reach and you felt very much like a toddler taking your first steps. Thankfully, the other boys were distracted which meant you suffered your humiliation alone. It gave you the freedom to chase Mikey’s soothing smile. He alternated his instruction as he led you toward the rink’s gate. He held the world’s glow and knew exactly when you needed him. The world shrank down to just him and it was with some barely simmered confidence that you neared the ice.

You felt settled and could see on his face that his patience was nowhere near thin. Wondering how that balanced with his go-getter attitude, you hoped you were at least entertaining in your stumbling fawn-like way. You guessed that was a way you didn’t mind being gawked at. He was your training wheels and if you could be his amusement then you were satisfied. For a blissful moment, you truly believed you wouldn’t concuss yourself.

“Walls!” Mikey warned as he slipped out onto the ice.

“No walls, Raph doesn’t need no walls.” Raph skirted by like a huge wooden block.

“Time’s almost up, Leo!” Donnie sang a flat note.

“He’ll bite it, shut up!” Leo huffed, skating backwards in front of Raph.

“Y’all cannot think this is encouraging.” Raph glared at the other two before a turn took him out of your sight.

With them on the far side of the rink, you toed out onto the ice. Getting your skates flat just inside the rink, you held tight to Mikey’s hands and only looked up at him once you felt a semblance of stability.

“While I’d usually say chase that magic dragon, let’s keep it slow.” Mikey had a grin ready and waiting.

“Y-you were d-doing so good b-boosting my c-confidence…” You scooted forward and the slip of the ice stole any complaint right out of your mouth.

Mikey gave a knowing hum and tucked you against the wall. “Come on… You got this.”

“I g-got this, g-go slow…. W-which o-one…?” Your knee’s wobbled, but Mikey held firm.

“Can I grab your waist?”

You shot your head up so fast it tipped your weight. Flailing with a severe overcorrection, your skates clicked wildly until Mikey hoisted you right off the ground.

“That was for an emergency! I’m not looking. Eyes are down. Ice bound! You good? I’ll put you back as soon as I know you’re good!”

Held up by the waist in a similar way to at the lake, you felt a shot of fear until you saw Mikey was bowing for your sake. Softening at it, you lowered your hands atop his. “I’m g-good… T-thank y-you…”

“Ooooooh!” Leo catcalled, whooshing by.

“Leo!” Mikey barked, setting you down.

“What!?” The blue brother turned his head and threw his hands up as if it wasn’t his fault. “It’s cute! I was cooing cuteness!”

“Ignore him.” Mikey shook his head. “It’s like ice skaters. If I hold your waist then you can use your arms for balance.”

“It w-won’t… um…”

“Be weird?” Mikey helped you put your hands on the wall.

You held it and nodded to him.

“Nope! It’ll be like a dad holding on while you get used to riding a bike.” In one kick, he disappeared behind you. “Wanna try?”

“I-I guess…?”

With the touch that felt very much like an anxious middle school dance stance, Mikey’s hands held loose around your waist. “Try shuffling. An electric slide kinda move.”

“I c-can slide…? Isn’t t-that like f-falling?”

“You’ll be moonwalking in no time!”

Squeaking at him about how dance moves were the furthest from your mind, you both rounded the rink again and again. Getting a little better with time, but no less shaky, you were at least glad for Mikey’s hold. It was a reassurance especially since you kept trending backwards. In a few precarious bends, you even glimpsed his face before he set you right back up to keep going.

Losing track of circles, your skill solidified enough that you could watch the others. Trading off between quiet skating and intense contests, they all looked to be having their own forms of a blast. Donnie won whatever bet he had with Leo about Raph falling and eventually they were all in the center of the ice watching Leo repeatedly try and fail to do a flip.

“There’s a reason backflips are banned, Leo.” You could feel Mikey shake his head.

“Cowards! Surya Bonaly did it!” Leo protested.

“How do you know that?” Raph chuckled.

“Have you seen free skate?” Leo skated to one end of the rink before readying himself to take off.

“He says after only watching Yuri on Ice.” Donnie folded a hand over his mouth to hide how eager he was.

“Have you seen how many real-life figure skaters watched Yuri On Ice!?” Leo took off with his arms perfectly akimbo and chugged with the rhythm of a freight train picking up steam.

“Ten, that he hits the other wall before getting up enough speed to flip.” Donnie didn’t look away.

“Bet. He’s gonna flip.” Raph folded his arms.

“He won’t. He won’t be able to stop…” Donnie gushed.

“Peanut gallery!!” Leo whizzed past them before spinning around and picking up more speed backwards.

Mikey urged you to stop and you did so to openly watch.

Just before reaching what you imagined was a point of no return, Leo bent one knee, kicked the other leg out behind him, and threw his arms back. In a bob that blurred to your gaze, he then flipped and landed on his skate before immediately crumpling. His form further devolved, but he was just able to keep himself upright only to smack into the wall.

“Shoot…!” Donnie came up from his excitement. “Technicality. I should still win because he struck the barrier.”

“No way!” Raph barked, smug. “You specifically said ‘before!’”

“Nailed it!” Leo groaned from where his metaphorical guts were smeared.

“Don’t be like, Leo.” Mikey told you. “Bans happen for a reason.”

You gave one agreeable nod before you moved to continue skating on your own lead.

You felt a rush of pride as he fell in line beside you for the first time.

“ATTENTION LOSERS!” A voice boomed over the intercom.

You startled into a spiral and Mikey caught your shoulders.

“Oh no...” He grumbled, quiet and close.

“O-oh n-no?”

The doors on the far side of the rink burst open so fast that one came off a hinge. “Prepare to be CRUSHED!” The woman you immediately identified as Casey stomped out, clad in full hockey gear. “Bring me your champion…!”

All the other turtles snapped their heads to you.

Paling, you felt Mikey’s fingers flex and realization washed over you.

They weren’t looking at you.

“M-Mikey…?” You turned in his hold to look at him.

“It’s the ballet.” He sighed heavily. “I’m too good.”

“I heard that!!” Casey growled and hopped the wall instead of using the gate. “This is the year I destroy you!”

“Break time!”

“How about hacking the vending machine, Donald?”

“I think you’ll prefer to see what I’ve concocted at the snack bar.”

“Heck yeah!”

As the others casually skated over to the exit, Casey barreled towards you with the strangest form. Somehow speedy in spite of it, Mikey urged your weight to the wall before shooting out to meet her. “Hey! Hold up! Your beef is with me! Let Y/N leave!”

“Collateral damage is necessary damage!” Casey pulled a hockey stick from where it was attached to her back and, as it came down, a saw blade buzzed to life around its blade.

“It literally isn’t!” In a side dash, Mikey shot away from you and caused Casey to follow. “Y/N run!”

“Um, um!” The closest gate was behind you so you broke etiquette to get there. Wobbly and without your support, you scrambled on the ice. Kicking uselessly for more speed amounted to you becoming mostly stationary. Trying to remind yourself that glides made more sense, you latched onto the wall and pulled with all your might. It hurled you straight towards the exit where you immediately realized you had no idea how to stop. Screeching because of it, your skate clipped the flat bit of metal separating ice from dry land and you fell forward.

Hearing an echo of protecting your head, you tucked your body inward and ended up somersaulting several times before you collapsed with all your limbs laid out. “Ow…”

“You okay!?” Mikey sounded close before a crash followed.

You blinked up as flecks of shattered ice sparkled amongst the high beams that crisscrossed the ceiling. “I’m… f-fine…! Just… sore…”

Leo appeared overhead with a straw to his lips. “I’ll check! Looks alright!”

Mikey gave a huge whoop of relief before it quickly warped into a yelp of pain as he sounded like he was hit.

“W-what’s h-happening?” You stared up at Leo.

Leo took a long swig before he answered. “Every year the two of them go at it. Ice-off. Casey loses every time.”

“Not EVERY TIME!” Casey screamed.

“Casey won on a technicality because the rat flu took away our chance to skate three years ago.” Donnie called from somewhere that you presumed was the snack bar he’d mentioned.

“Huh…” You felt exhausted all of a sudden.

“We were gonna explain it, but I thought we had more time. Someone said she was busy and would be late.” Leo slurped loudly.

“I was!!” Casey cackled manically. “I finished!!!”

“Need help?” He offered none and continued to drink.

“I think I’m j-just g-gonna lie h-here…”

Leo shrugged. “Sounds fun. When they stop doing the ice fight, they’ll move onto speed skating. You gotta watch that.”

You nodded faintly and the blue brother left you.

Eventually sitting up and feeling tingles in your legs from the exertion, you rubbed your stems. Things on the ice had settled into what seemed like a brokering deal and over at the snack bar Leo and Raph were in a contest chugging nacho cheese. Donnie was calibrating a comically large control panel and every so often would turn a knob which would throw off the competition.

“200 laps!!” Casey bellowed.

Mikey goaned. “Can we do like half that?”

“Don’t cut corners! Don’t you want to impress your prisoner?” She hissed.

“Y/N isn’t-!” Mikey pinched the bridge of his beak. “Friend! Y/N is my friend.”

“That is what I said.” Casey shrugged.

Mikey gave her a dead-eyed stare.

“Can we add stakes?” Leo walked by as you got yourself onto a bench.

“What, like ten-to-one?” Raph was on his heels with a bucket of popcorn dotted with colorful candies.

“That’s odds, not stakes.” Donnie took up the rear.

“Whatever, add those up, egghead.” Leo flicked at Donnie’s face.

“Scoff, do you seriously expect me to just have the implied probability of either outcome occurring on hand?” Donnie threw up his empty appendages in demonstration.

Leo didn’t bother looking.

Without attention, Donnie scowled. “I do, but I don’t appreciate you assuming.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Leo reached the wall and turned to lounge against it. “Unseen work noticed, better?”

“Hardly.” Donnie dotted the air with mental math. “Since Mikey is undefeated and Casey has a single technical, we place her as the longshot.”

“Make it interesting.” Raph stuffed a wad of snacks into his mouth.

“That’s not…!” Donnie’s eyes went wide with irritation before he sighed. “Do you even want the math?”

“Not really.” Leo cocked his head for a too bright smile.

“91-to-one.” Donnie said simply.

“What’do I owe ya?” Leo dug into his pockets.

“As of tonight or overall…?” Donnie glinted with glee.

“Yikes.” Raph turned away and you sensed each brother had his own betting tab.

Leo’s brow seemed dry and he looked across to you. “Case, how you feeling tonight?”

You tilted your head since you weren’t the person he addressed.

“I feel like I will ride the winged steeds to Valhalla!” Casey cheered.

“Do you even believe…?” Leo started to turn, but thought better. “I’m betting my whole tab on Casey.”

“What the what!?!?!” Mikey squawked.

“I’m feeling lucky.” Leo looked back at you and arched a brow.

You shrunk down with a nervous question.

Donnie stepped right into Leo’s eye line. “This goes without saying… No cheating.”

“Just gonna watch, Don. Nothing else.” With a turn, Leo folded his hands and stared out into the rink with arched posture.

Donnie bounced with some sort of nerves before his lip curled. “Done.”

Raph gave a long whistle and ate from his bucket. “Come on, Mike! We’re going for broke!”

“Does that mean you’re in as well?” Donnie leered at Raph.

“Absolutely not.” Raph spit little particles as he annunciated loudly.

Donnie dodged them before turning toward you. “I’m… going to protect my investment.”

“You do that.” Leo’s voice was oppressively smug and gave Donnie further pause.

He was fuming by the time he clinked over to you.

You stared owlishly. “W-what’s…?”

“My best estimation says that Leo wants to use you to distract Mikey…” Donnie plopped down on nearly the opposite side of the bench. “Or he’s pulling a double fake and Mikey’s the target… or a triple fake and neither of you are which could mean any of us…” A low irritated noise emanated from Donnie.

Though you knew little about Leo, one of the things Mikey had impressed upon you was what a strategist their leader was. Unrivaled and with a poor history of explaining his plans, Leo was usually a hundred steps ahead of his opponents. With track records that surpassed criminal overlords, Leo stood a formidable man who seemed particularly carefree considering his reach.

Looking over Donnie and how this man was caught in an obvious spiral over which odd to calculate, you pushed a nervous fist to your lips. “O-or… none?”

Donnie blinked once then zeroed in on you like you held the unseen key. “None?!”

You waved anxiously. “T-that’s-I d-don’t-!”

“Explain.” His brows came down with severity.

“I-I-I d-don’t… k-know w-what…”

“You had something!” Donnie leaned toward you and craned a heavy palm to the bench.

You felt the vibration and jumped.

Seeing that, Donnie relented with obvious disdain for needing to do so.

You turned away from him and looked miserably to the floor. You might have wanted to avoid him, but this was worse. The thought of having made him upset stung strangely in your chest. It felt like an entrance wound so poisonous gas could be pumped directly in the cavity. It threatened your lungs along with fear which made you forget how to breathe. The depletion of oxygen reminded you that Donnie could very well go back to hating you which you spun on in lightheaded manner.

A finger tapped your shoulder.

You jolted.

“I’m not mad… I’m… frustrated with the situation…” Donnie got out through clenched teeth.

You waited a few seconds before you chanced a nod.

You knew he was irritated in having to deal with your sensitive nature.

Everything you did took too long.

“Stupid Leo…” Donnie huffed.

You blinked. “N-not me-?”

He looked over you with a sort of exhaustion and waited.

It almost seemed like he wasn’t annoyed with you.

As unlikely as it seemed, you felt an odd type of sureness even though he’d done nothing to assure you otherwise.

Oddly buoyed, you tucked your arms in close to try again. “With, um, Leo, I-I w-wouldn’t… k-know… but… um… it s-seems like m-maybe Leo… w-wanted to… get… i-in your h-head? S-so n-not neither, but, um, no-no one? There, well, wasn’t… a d-distraction…? Y-you’d distract… yourself?”

Out of the corner of your eye Leo twitched.

Donnie caught it, blossomed with a manic grin, and screamed at his brother. “Oh, someone has your number! Suck that egg, jerk!”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Race is about to start!” Leo chirped with nerves.

“How? How did you know?” Donnie spun back towards you.

“I-I d-didn’t… I-” You looked away to find Raph out on the ice where his bandana was off as the starting flag. He held it high and across from him Casey and Mikey stood in readied positions.

“Go!” Raph swung his arm down and both took off at a speed you could barely track.

“It… s-seemed like… w-with the race distracting everyone else… he’d n-need s-something more… for you?” You turned up the last bit of your sentence just in case your logic was way off base.

Donnie, alternatively, ate it up and returned to himself to think. “Fascinating...”

You squirmed and stared out at the race.

“Why distract me?” Donnie lifted his head out of the corner of your eye and looked around. “The ice has sustained damage… hm.”

He wasn’t focused on you.

That was good.

It should have been good.

That was supposed to be your goal.

Why did you suddenly feel so alone in Donnie’s presence?

“W-was the… snack bar… still…?”

“Yes, everything’s available except for nacho cheese. All of that was consumed.” Donnie waved a hand for you to go, but it felt more like he was waving you off.

Your heart sunk and you moved to stand.

You’d walk it off.

You were also on a razor’s edge.

Wobbling as you sat up too fast, you sank right back down into your seat. “Oh…”

You heard Donnie’s attention shift. “Need help?”

There was reluctance there.

He wanted to plot.

He was busy.

You didn’t want to interrupt.

“No, no…” You ushered. “It’ll just… take me… some time.”

You felt his shrug more than saw it.

Hurt.

Why did it hurt so much?

You hadn’t minded when his attention was on the others. Watching the Hamato go round in their conversation was the best version of people watching. They were eccentric. Without them the brunt of his distraction stung. It felt as though you were holding onto ice until its numb blistered your fingers.

Getting to your skates once again, you hobbled over to the snack bar.

Each step felt like wading through the mud in your heart and when you arrived at the counter, you wilted there. Folding your arms atop it, you rested your head as the king of the pile and willed the first tears away. There was no reason to cry. Nothing had been decided that you weren’t party to. You were getting yourself some food.

It was fine.

Repeating the line far too many times in your head, you snagged a box of candy. It was something easy. You picked the corner of it and wallowed. Opening it only enough for its prize to leak out, you picked up a piece and set it on your tongue. Letting the sweetness linger, you focused on that instead of your thoughts. Today was good. You’d gotten to the rink without a single panic attack. You’d found the gang with little upkeep. You hadn’t fallen once on the ice. Mikey was being not only a studious teacher, but a stellar friend.

It was win after win.

There was no reason to wallow.

Eating another piece, you got a little stronger and felt yourself lift to a state of neutrality. Good, but not better than sadness, you sighed and prepared yourself for the trek back. You imagined you’d catch the last half of the race and turned only to find Donnie standing statuesque beside you. “O-oh…! H-how… l-long…have y-you…?”

“I lied.” He said, eyes glued to the rink.

Your spine went taut.

“I said… No, it was what I didn’t say.” He narrowed his gaze at the ground. “I let you assume that I would help anyone.”

“I’m not sure… what you’re…?” You wished you could help.

“The day in the cabin.” He said with a curt edge.

You took a long moment to think before you found the scene. “That part a-about you... being a hero…? It… made sense. Of c-course… you would help… a-anyone in need…”

“Not… how I helped you…” Donnie trailed off with a wince.

All you could do was wonder how long he’d been punishing himself over this. “T-that’s… okay… I’m y-your brother’s friend… right?”

Donnie sat like a stone.

“It’s like… helping Mikey… I thought that might help… I’m not… sure… why…” You chewed your inner lip. “Nevermind…”

“No.” His gaze narrowed. “You don’t need to excuse this for me. I’m the one that’s not okay.”

You immediately took little bird-like steps towards him. “Oh no… Donnie?”

“No… not like…” He gave a big sigh and looked at you, expression shattered. “Don’t worry. I will expound. I haven’t yet. This is grating if you can’t already tell. I am not one to express my inner thought so… willingly.”

“N-no rush?”

He shook his head and lingered in his thoughts.

You settled your weight against the counter to save your legs.

He eventually quirked with a bitter smile. “I am stalling, but may I start with the worst part?”

You blinked your interest.

“Do you hear that?”

You strained to listen to anything more than grunts and clacking skates in the background.

“That is the sound of a desperate mind. My own, which has decided it would rather trauma dump than admit fault.”

You made a startled noise.

He reviewed your fear with a once over. “Noted. I won’t, don’t worry. The fact that I was allotted the option to trauma dump was the worst of it in and of itself. Besides, who would want to willingly listen to some raving?”

“You can…?” You offered. “This or the o-other thing. I can listen. I… want to if… you do… D-diversion or n-not…”

Donnie threw you a tart side glance. “But should you? Consider your options as you would be hearing difficult words from me of all people.”

You felt a precipice.

You also, one again, felt something about him was very familiar.

You watched him as he turned back toward the ice.

Almost indiscernible, there was something about him.

His lowered lids usually read disinterest, but you saw the faintest squeeze.

He was vulnerable.

His speech wasn’t admonishing you or himself.

He was trying to will this away.

Whatever was happening had rocked him.

As steadfast as he was.

Heart constricting to a near fatal degree, you had to dig your nails into your candy box. He had been hiding his nerves with passive gestures. In reality, he felt exposed and was going through his practiced motions to keep it in check. You knew that all too well. Looking down the proverbial cliff at your feet, you knew it was a choice: to reach out or hold back.

Decorum said you’d accept that this was the end of the conversation.

He didn’t want to talk about it and you didn’t want to push.

That was anxiety.

That was your forte.

You knew the position all too well.

How many times had you hoped someone would press for your true feelings?

That someone would care enough to want to know?

That hinged on the near impossible chance that you had ever opened up enough to someone to even mention your concerns in the first place.

You could count the times you’d tried on one hand.

That sort of vulnerability was the feeling of dragging your body over coals.

You refused to let anyone into where your suffering lay.

That wasn’t anyone else’s problem.

You could handle it.

That didn’t mean you always wanted to.

You would never give it away, but sometimes, on very rare occasions, a small crack would form.

A small hole would form and allow you to talk if someone would listen.

Until Mikey there hadn’t been someone.

You had never reached that pocket of truth with him.

Donnie was also off limits.

You had meant to avoid this.

You weren’t supposed to get closer to him.

There was danger there.

You felt the echo of the pain you’d felt when you perceived him having dismissed you.

Is that how he’d feel if you let this go?

You hated that.

Bitter anger at the mere thought hit the back of your throat.

You wanted to support him.

The thought washed cool over the others.

Feelings had nothing to do with this.

Support came with a steady hand.

It didn’t have to be a swayed one.

You touched his arm where it was leaned against the same counter as you and you spoke in one of the most even voices you had ever concocted. “Please… will you tell me? You’re upset and if me listening can help… I want to. ”

It reached him with a widening of his eyes until you could see the moisture build there.

Had you said something wrong?

You reviewed your words and saw one fault.

You turned to him with full determination. “It’s not dumping. Not with you. You warned me. I offered. I mean that.”

He was slow to turn and his pupils plummeted.

“Plus… you’re always concise… even when you say a lot. It’s all for a reason. You speak your mind well… It… goes to show how much thought you give… everything.”

From where the pads of your fingers were still rested on his arm, you felt the tension loosen momentarily as a show that he was swayed.

He took a single breath before he began.

“For a time, I was violently averse to touch.”

His muscles tightened once again with the pain of the memory.

“It occurred after… I don’t know how much Mikey told you about the Krang.”

“He’s mentioned… broadly, what happened...”

Donnie’s head bobbed at the confirmation. “We entered the ship, if you’ve seen it. The Technodrome.”

You nodded grimly.

“Mikey and I went in with plans to delay its course. I was meant to take control. My ability meant I could theoretically fly anything, but the ship… I didn’t just step foot on some deck, I… quite literally entered the ship.”

Your fingers lifted only out of confusion.

He almost chuffed and his head lifted to almost look at you. “The ship was made of Krang matter. It was… alive. I had to interact… no, embed myself to take control. Hyphae wormed their way into my shell… into my skin… into every part of me and I temporarily commanded the ship.”

Your lips parted.

He shook and his body came closer as if to what he was sharing couldn’t be spoken aloud. “I was ripped from it instead of disengaging. Not that I knew how I would have evacuated myself… It didn’t matter. Afterward… For days… Years… Everything, it didn’t matter what, felt… slimy… like tentacles… crawling… searching… trying to-all over my-!” He shuddered.

Your hand was still outstretched.

He removed his arm and touched a finger to yours to ground himself.

You stiffened the digit and pushed back in way you hoped felt nothing like what he was describing.

It seemed to work as his gaze stabilized. “We all had touch-related trauma from that day. I could not be touched. Raph, who was temporarily possessed, was terrified of the threat of being touched. Mikey, who forcefully used his body to rip through space time without any sort of training, temporarily lost his ability to feel. His hands shook. He went through over a year of physical therapy.”

It hit you then.

Mikey had mentioned tremors.

He had shared with you the time he had been unable to create art.

He had never made a big deal about it.

For Mikey, these things were as simple as facts.

They were afterthoughts.

You knew that wasn’t the case for Donnie and curled your digit securely around his to show you knew how important what he was sharing was. “He never went into detail…”

Donnie lips twitched with warped amusement. “He’s like that. He doesn’t like to dwell on dark times.”

“That leaves… What about… Leo?” You searched him.

“Leo had it worst.” Donnie oozed palpable guilt. “He had been separated. He thought he’d never see us again. He needed to touch us. He needed constant contact. He was so desperate, but all of us…”

You switched your grip to open your hand up to him.

Donnie took it.

You squeezed your support.

His eyes closed for a long moment. “It took a long time. Prior to the events of the invasion, I likened myself to someone who disliked touch, but that wasn’t really the case.”

His thumb rolled over yours in a repetitive swipe.

“My current status is: if I can help it.” He gave a sort of smile. “Which you devastate on a regular basis.”

A small whine escaped your throat. “I’m sorry!”

He shook his head. “No, something you said struck me.”

You studied his face looking for a sign of what.

He gave you his gaze. “Another thing you are prone to.”

You pouted.

It made his small smile grow. “You said you felt like I could understand you.”

Embarrassment bunched your shoulders.

You had felt that a handful of times now, but hearing him confirm it was something else.

Your lips parted to apologize.

“You may be right. That’s what I wanted to cover up by exposing my trauma.”

You stalled, mouth slightly agape.

“I preferred to share my difficult past in hopes you would hear it and forget I was worried about something else.”

“The lie…”

“Yes.” He gave you an appreciative look.

You returned it with guilt because you had forgotten.

He didn’t scold you for it and held your hand tightly. “I think you’re onto something. Maybe that’s why I don’t push you away. You’re a curious case. I shouldn’t want to touch you, as you’ve heard, but there’s more. I… feel like helping you. Which may not sound like something because I try to be useful. I create for what I lack. It shows my attention. My interest. I may be a hero, but you make me feel like…” He held his breath momentarily before he gave way with the weight of what looked like cosmic misery. “... you need my help. It is frustratingly difficult to parse the differentiation, but I assure you it is there. It’s as if it has to be me to help you. You’ve never said how you feel we are similar and I think I understand why. If you feel the drive like this then I want you to know that I feel the same. It’s intangible. It’s annoying. It’s like I am the only one that can be of service with no exact reason why other than… I know it to be me... And it’s not for any obvious reason. I don’t find you weak. I think you’re faking the outer layer of your anxiety. I don’t want you to need help. I don’t believe you do. It’s also not because of the obvious quid pro quo. I don’t know what it is, but there’s importance there… to me. That this is happening feels purposeful and I very much like to feel that way.”

You stared.

You felt perceived.

For a moment, you didn’t know what to do with the knowledge.

Then, you cheeks warmed and it wasn’t with any emotion other than relief because he understood.

The validation wrapped around you like a tight hug.

He also looked like he very much felt the same.

“You… Then why did you keep distracting me…?” You struggled. “You would say something mean. Saying you were grounding me…”

“Which… was all true. I do believe in grounding. I do still believe you're putting on a partial farce, however it is also easier to use distracting means than to admit that I think of myself as a main character in some derivative piece of fiction on fate.”

Narcissism fit Donatello a little too well and a flick of your gaze gave away your thoughts.

“I bare my soul, tell you I find contact with you is inoffensive, that you’re important to me on some level, and you tease me?” He sneered with obvious comedy.

Your body shook with a puff of laughter. “Oh, sorry! You were trying not to admit that. Right!”

“See what I have to deal with? I’m a saint.” His lowered lids seemed lighter.

You the last of your fizzy excitement pop before you chanced being tender. “Thank you… for telling me. All of it. I’m sorry for all that happened. I’m glad you’re still here…”

“It was for me.” He tipped his head, breezy.

“Mhm…” Your hand shifted in his.

He gave a parting squeeze and released. “Enough of this mush. Want to see pictures of us from the before times? When we were dumb teenagers?”

“Yes!” You turned into him.

His phone appeared in his hand and in several flicks he had a gallery up.

“Oh my gosh! Look at how young you all were!”

Donnie chuckled and gave you a short explanation behind each picture.

“I can’t believe Mikey was bald!” You eventually exclaimed.

“I can’t believe he grew hair.” Donnie pursed his lips.

“You got hair under there?” You pointed at his mask.

“I prefer my features finely crafted by my hand.” He wiggled his brows at you.

“What does that mean?” You giggled.

A clear, rolling trill called from your right.

You stopped and tilted your head towards it. “That sounds like… a bird…?”

Donnie lit with rage.

Your attention snapped back to him.

The same warble repeated and this time you knew it had to be a bird.

“FUCK YOU, NARDO!!!” Donnie blew your ears out.

You felt the blood leave your body as you tracked his gaze.

There, still against the rink, was Leo was watching both of you with a wicked smile plastered across his face.

Just behind him you saw a flash of Mikey’s attention before he rocketed straight up into the air.

Your friend screeched at the same time Donnie tackled Leo straight through the rink’s wall.

“Guys!!” Raph roared.

Casey skated to a halt and turned around, soaked in sweat. “Did I…?”

There was a second crash as Mikey landed somewhere on the far side of the rink.

Sheer terror overrode your inability to walk and you took huge hopping steps on your blades.

“Knock it off!!!” Raph shoved himself into the scrape between the middle brothers. “What’s going on?! What started it this time?!”

“Turtle dove?! Turtle dove?! He knows exactly what he’s insinuating with his fucking bird calls!! This BASTARD!” Donnie had his hands around Leo’s throat.

Leo cackled through wheezes.

Any importance to Donnie’s fury slammed into the back of your mind as you hit the ice.

“I won…” Casey mumbled as you shot past her.

Not knowing how to stop, you dropped to your knees and slid right into Mikey’s collapsed form. “Mikey! Mikey?! Are you okay?!??!”

He gave a single full body cough before his shaky beaten up face floated up. “T-tucked…t-the… h-head…!”

He gave a thumbs up before going limp. “Mikey!!”

💛 NEXT 💛

My beats are far too find @tmntxthings and @thepinkpanther83

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trashytoastboi · 6 months ago

Text

Day of Eternity - Solomon

~ Spicy Sin-Ario GN! Version~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

> Gender Neutral version

> Word Count: 1,756 words

> Warnings: NSFW (Aphrodisiac use, Teasing, Overstimulation, Cowgirl, Toys)

Solomon buzzed around his work bench, humming off key to some song he’d heard and blending it with another. Singing the lyrics a bit disjointed and having a good time nevertheless. He lifted the small beacon to his eye to judge the colour and consistency. He sets it back on the table and adds a little something extra, noticing the hue change from a deep indigo to a light pink. He tilted the beacon until a drop fell to his finger and he tasted the potion in question. Solomon licked his lips after sampling the latest creation. Noticing a honey-like sweetness, his body shuddered and grew hot. Such effectiveness from a single drop, it might have been his best one yet. It is perfect and he couldn’t wait for {Name} to try it out. After all {Name} is his apprentice, his partner and on occasion; his test subject.

Solomon made a pretty grimm from selling a variety of things to the demons in the Devildom, notably his biggest client base happened to be the many succubi and incubi that resided there. He is quite the salesman for lotions, potions, tools and toys. However before selling something Solomon needed to test the efficiency of things. He’s confident in his skills and knows they’re great with the security of no side effects. These tests were mostly for the smaller details and knowing who he should market the products to. So like any other day when Solomon would invite his lovely apprentice over for testing he’d give a brief rundown in person. {Name} trusted whatever Solomon gave them, seeing that nothing had never been dangerous and was easily assured. The sorcerer placed a small vial of pink liquid on the table, {Name} noted the colour is rather eye-catching. They popped the lid off and drank the liquid, their mouth filled with instant sweetness and dissipated with a candy aftertaste. Solomon watched closely for any instantaneous reactions “How is it?”

“It tastes good”, Solomon chuckled at their response when he meant to specify the effect, however he’s glad to know it’s a pleasant taste. Bitter medicines weren’t all that favoured. “Do you feel anything yet?” he questioned, looking at the grandfather clock in the corner to record the time. He made his first adjustment note- shortening the time for it to work. A few more minutes pass before {Name} feels a dull tingling throughout their body. They sigh “This is another aphrodisiac isn’t it?, of course this wasn’t the first aphrodisiac he’d had them test and taste, nor would it be the last. “Mhm, but this one is special” Solomon moves a bit closer to {Name}. “I worked on the effect of amplifying the body’s sensitivity.” {Name} nods, trying to sound out any difference between the last aphrodisiac and this one, “It doesn’t feel much different-” their sentence is cut off by Solomon closing in for a kiss and the contact sent a violent electric shock through them, shooting to every inch of their body as a moan fell from their mouth. “W-what was that?!”

Solomon watched them closely "Looks like it’s working, you let out such a cute voice.” It was obvious that he was teasing. ‘Oh while I have you here, there’s something else I’ve been wanting to test out and I think this is a perfect opportunity.” He ran over to a storage chest on the other side of the study, one he’d enchanted to fit way more beyond its actual capacity and it took him a few minutes to fish out what he was looking for and he brought out a small capsule looking thing. {Name} eyed the capsule suspiciously. It reminded them of those bath toys when you throw it into the water and it would expand into a dinosaur or something . Solomon loved their keen intuition; it was indeed modeled after those but what pops out is very different. He excitedly explained that once it met water it will act as if it’s sentient, it’s not actually alive but will react as if it is. He went into length about how it’s perfect for fulfilling a tentacle fantasy- {Name} stops him right there. “I am not doing tentacles.” They didn’t budge, even when he pouted and tried to convince them with some pleading eyes. Solomon settles for touching {Name’s} wrist and hearing the surprised moan, Solomon slides his hand up their arm. “N-No tentacles…not today at least.” {Name} held their ground. Solomon looks pleased, “I’ll still be using toys, just not my creations. We need to test how far your sensitivity goes” thankfully the things Solomon had in mind were more tame than his tentacle toy. A pair of soft nipple clamps and a vibrator. “You look relieved, were you expecting something weird?” he hums playfully. “This is you we’re talking about.” They retort.

Solomon has them sitting in his lap after stripping them down, every ounce of contact drives them mad and he kisses them fervently, he slows down and takes the time to tease their tongue with his own. {Name’s} body squirms in his lap, tenses and their chest is heaving with heavy breaths. Solomon looks astonished. “You came?” {Name} was more startled than he was, they didn’t realize a kiss would be enough to make them cum. They certainly didn’t complain and leaned in to kiss him even more while moaning into every kiss, the more they felt pleasure coursing through their body. “Do I even need these?” Solomon held the nipple clamps in his hand, and {Name} nodded “Yeah- use them.” He loved how brave they got once a little pleasure muddled their brain. He holds the tip over their nipple and slowly adjusts it, keeping it a little looser than usual in light of {Name’s} reactivity. He adjusted them and pulled on the chain to make sure they were still on tight enough. The slight pull was enough to evoke a partial scream from {Name}. Solomon kisses their neck softly, in a comforting way. "Does the sensitivity make it hurt?” he keeps the clamps with enough tension to pull on their nipples gently. “N-No…it just feels insanely good.”, they huffed out, “So no pain at all?”, {Name} nods. He’s pleased to hear that and pulls the chain harder. {Name} digs their nails into his forearm “Fuck Solomon-!” they cum again, and glares at him. He flashes a devious little smirk at watching them come undone. “Solomon just give me a moment” {Name} asks while trying to gather themselves. “Mhm sure take all the time you need” he said and immediately betrayed his words when he pressed the vibrator right snug against their arousal and switched it on. “You assho-” {Name} nearly bit their tongue when their legs started to shake and they kept trying to force his hand away, Solomon however against their wishes did not budge as they felt another wave of ecstasy washing over them. He moves the vibrator lower down, circling their hole teasingly before pushing inside them. Solomon keeps thrusting the toy in, nice and slow, careful not to push them over the edge again while they’re whining in his lap. “You’re so cute baby," Solomon compliments seeing them struggling against another orgasm when they’d usually be embracing it.

There’s a lewd squelching sound that makes Solomon purr, “Getting me impatient seeing you all messy like this. Don’t think I can wait much more” he’s playing it off like a joke but judging by the hard thing prodding their ass they know it’s not. “Then don’t wait.” Those words were all Solomon needed to hear, he was falling over himself to try undo his pants enough to get free. The moment he’s shuffled his pants off enough to get some semblance of freedom, his cock is already springing against {Name’s} stomach, they lift their hips and slowly sink down. The languid way they moved down had them cumming just from feeling Solomon pushing inside. “Baby you have to stop cumming for a second or I’m not gonna last.” Solomon hissed through his teeth when he felt how tight they got all around him. “Can’t help it.” they moan out and rocks their hips, only a few minutes of riding had {Name} utterly fucked out and so overstimulated, tears streamed down their face “I can’t…please…” {Name} begged and pouted hoping for some sympathy from their dearest, “Aww I’m sorry baby, I didn’t know it would feel too good to handle” He mocked, giving little kisses in apology as he thrust up into them, kisses drifting from their neck to their collarbones, down their chest before he was sucking on their nipples. The warm, wet feeling of Solomon’s tongue circling the soft bud and lightly sinking his teeth in had them squirming and cumming again. “Sol…stooopp” They whined, “Safeword or I’m not stopping baby.” Solomon stays still for a moment, giving them a chance for the muddled thoughts to clear up enough to utter a single word- they looked at him, never uttering that word. Solomon’s lips turned upward in an evil smile, “Oh you’re begging me to stop but you don’t wanna stop huh, it’s too good?” Solomon is lost in the rapturous sensation and {Name} kisses him. After all the exchanges with kissing and the heat that washes over him Solomon guesses that the effects can be transmitted by bodily fluids. Their insides clamp down tight again, he can’t handle how good it feels every time they do that and it nearly sends him over the edge himself. He grabs their hips in a desperate attempt, “Didn’t want to cum this fast…” he furrows his brows and speaks through a few shaky breaths. {Name} can see how hard Solomon fights against it and they want to be a little vindictive. {Name} moves against his grip just a little more, a little more they think before they’re clenching around him with the most intense one yet. Solomon curses as it forces him over and he’s cumming, body riddled with intense ecstasy. “Good thing you skipped the tentacles.” Solomon jokes, placing his head against them as they both try to recover. “Is it really necessary to bring that up right now?” They ask Solomon who smiles at their words. “Oh dear it’s absolutely necessary because we’re going to do it next time.” He laughs into another sloppy kiss when {Name} gently shoves his face away “Seriously I think I’m going to die if I cum again.”, Solomon pouts asking if he couldn’t just give them one more.

Taglist: @completelyshatteredbrokenmschf @roninfromtheops

#trashytoastboi #obey me #seven days of sin event #solomon #obey me solomon #unholy toast #gender neutral reader #gender neautral pronouns #solomon x reader #obey me nightbringer #om! nightbringer

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nabateaprodigy · 1 year ago

Note

Hello! Can I request Fire Emblem Heroes King of Faerghus!Dimitri x Summoner!Reader where Dimitri confesses to the Reader by asking them to stay by his side like in his level 40 conversation but Reader thinks he means it more professionally/as an advisor, but ends with them getting together?

A King and his Summoner

Series: Fire Emblem.

Character: King of Faerghus!Dimitri.

Genre: Fluff.

Proofread: Yes.

Reader: Summoner!Reader.

Notes: Reader is Gender Neutral.

Ever since Dimitri had been summoned to Askr it had been something new and unexpected for him. His friends and loved ones were there. Along with other versions of himself and his friends!

It took him a while to adjust to this new kingdom and see different versions of his friends. However, Dimitri had someone there for him since he arrived to adjust to this new kingdom.

Who was that someone? Why it was you of course! Ever since you summoned Dimitri you and him grew with each other and developed a deep bond with one another.

From helping him in battle after battle and defeating countless foes. To help him understand how even ended up in Askr and explain things he was unfamiliar with.

Dimitri and you had been there for each other and became very close over time. Although lately, Dimitri had been thinking something over as of late. It's about you and how he felt towards you.

Dimitri valued his and your time together but wanted more for you and him to spend every day together. So he planned to tell you how he felt as he planned to with you later in the day. The time was quickly approaching so he left to speak with you at the location he told you to meet at.

When Dimitri arrived he already saw you there waiting for him. "Ah, summoner thank you for taking the time to speak with me," Dimitri spoke already relaxing by being near you.

"Of course, Dimitri getting to spend any more time with you. Is something I'd take the opportunity to do!" Always so kind and honest Dimitri liked that about you.

"There is something rather important I would like to speak with you about." He spoke again struggling to find his words. However, after some time he finally finds the words to say.

"When you summoned me here to Askr I had already been crowd King back home in Faerghus. But even as a King I continue to grow and learn new things. So far here in Askr all of that has been thanks to you summoner."

He paused for a moment before speaking once again. "Please summoner stand by my side and help me become a king Faerghus can be proud of!" He spoke now awaiting your response.

"But I already have been Dimitri! For the entire time, I have had you here with me. There was no need to speak with about this!" You let a chuckle after finishing what you said to him.

That...was not the response he was expecting maybe he should be more direct? Yes surely by being more direct about what he truly says and what he is feeling! "Ah of course summoner but I meant it in a different light."

"I wish for you to stand by my side as my king/queen. So that with you by my side I will have all the support and love I need. For the people of Faerghus to have a king they can be proud of."

You were stunned for a moment unsure of what to say. However, after a while, you gathered your thoughts and gave a response to Dimitri. "Oh, Dimitri so that's what you meant. Then yes I'll be your king/queen and stand by your side. By being with you I'll show Faerghus how lucky they are to have such an amazing king."

Dimitri smiled as he embraced you in a hug. "Thank you summoner you've truly made me a happy king. I love you." You hugged Dimitri. "And I love you too Dimitri."

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kingyo-konbini · 2 years ago

Text

FLAT WHITE [SABO X READER]

[SUMMARY] luffy gets food poisoning, so you have to cover his shift. luckily, your night quickly becomes interesting when you meet a particular blond man. [PRONOUNS] gender neutral [GENRE] modern + coffee shop au [POV] second person [WORD COUNT] 2097 [CONTENT] first meetings | language (you call zoro an asshole but you don't actually mean it) [A/N] belongs to this one shot collection

“I’m gonna kill him.” You grumbled, angrily scrubbing your hands with soap and hot water.

“[Name]?” You looked over your shoulder, the scowl on your face a warning to whoever tried to mess with you that evening. Zoro squinted at you, nonplussed. “Why are you here?”

“Why don’t you ask your boyfriend?” You huffed, wiping your hands dry with a paper towel before chucking it into a trashcan.

“Are you talking about Sanji or Luffy?” Usopp snickered, yelping as the frothing pitcher Zoro had been cleaning hit the side of his face.

“I meant Luffy.” You glanced around the dining room, letting out a puff of air when you realized it was occupied. Lowering your voice, you grabbed the metal pitcher from the floor and shoved it back into Zoro’s hands. “Idiot apparently ate some bad leftovers and has food poisoning. Sanji called me to cover for him.”

“You’re not opening tomorrow, are you?” Usopp asked, rubbing his face. You shook your head.

“Then why’re you pitching a fit? You have a date tonight or something?” Zoro scoffed, rinsing off the pitcher once again.

“Ha ha. Very funny.” You curled your lip and began checking the fridges, seeing if any milks needed restocking. “No, I didn’t have anything planned… just didn’t wanna work tonight.”

“Then why’d you pick up the shift? I know Robin would have taken it if you didn’t.” Usopp questioned, checking his watch and grinning once he saw his shift was, indeed, about to end.

“Robin picked up Nami’s opening shift tomorrow. Apparently this boutique is having a flash sale in the morning that Nami doesn’t wanna miss.” You sighed and leaned against one of the counters, pouting as Usopp slipped out of his apron and began making his way to the back. “It’s fine, really. Just put me in a mood for a bit.”

“Well, Tuesday nights are usually pretty slow, so it should be easy.” Usopp sent you a sympathetic smile before raising a hand in parting. “See you guys later!”

You and Zoro both returned his parting words with unenthusiastic versions of your own, the two of you settling into an easy silence. There were only a couple customers: an older woman reading while enjoying what looked to be a steaming cup of tea, a stressed-out looking college student pouring over some textbooks with a cup of coffee that had long since gone cold, and a couple that seemed to be on a date, sharing a small tiramisu.

Zoro set the pitcher to the side and grabbed a rag, opening one of the cabinets to pick up a bottle of glass cleaner.

“I’m gonna wipe down the windows.” He grunted, walking past you and out from behind the bar. You hummed and surveyed the area, looking to see if there was anything that needed to be done. It looked like Usopp had cleaned and tidied up pretty much everything before leaving, even replenishing the syrups. It wasn’t often that you wished for customers to show up, but you knew the oncoming hours would drag on forever if you didn’t have something to focus on.

The bell above the door rang as someone entered, eyes widening a little in surprise as your wish was granted much faster than you’d anticipated. Zoro didn’t move from the window, only looking over his shoulder to see who had entered. You missed the flash of recognition on his face as you focused on the customer, quickly moving to stand in front of the register with a smile.

“Hello! Welcome to the Thousand Sunny, how can I help you?”

He was tall, blond, and handsome. He also looked immaculately dressed, like he belonged in a different era: the top hat, the midnight blue, satin dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and the brown leather gloves that covered his hands couldn’t help but pique your interest. The scar that covered his left eye and crept down his neck and under his shirt didn’t help matters at all, and you found yourself staring.

“Ah, you’re the new hire, right?” He asked with a smile. You blinked and nodded; you had been working at the cafe for a little over a month, so you weren’t sure if you could still consider yourself the ‘new hire,’ even though it wasn’t technically incorrect. You’d never seen this man before, and you thought you’d gotten relatively acquainted with all of the regulars by then– you’d even met the maintenance man! “Well, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Sabo.”

He paused for a moment, as though expecting you to come to a sudden realization. You didn’t, and instead kept your polite smile on your face. “I’m [Name], it’s nice to meet you.”

When it became obvious you had no idea who this guy was supposed to be, a light pink tint spread across his cheeks and he cleared his throat, turning his gaze to the menu. You saw Zoro looking at you incredulously, but chose to ignore him. If this guy was important, surely someone would have mentioned him to you by then, right?

“I’ll take a flat white, please.” He offered you an easy smile, and you returned it. He was easy on the eyes, and while you knew it was technically inappropriate to flirt with a customer, you couldn’t help but want to push your luck. He seemed nice, his tone was polite, and he was looking at you with something you thought you could interpret as interest.

“For here or to go?” You asked, plugging the order into the system.

“As much as I’d love to stay a little longer, I need to get back home. To go, please.”

You nodded and did your best to hide the disappointment from your face, grabbing a cup and writing his order and name on it with a sharpie. You put it off to the side and returned your attention to the screen. “Anything else?”

“Three profiteroles and a baguette, if you have any left?”

For you, I’d make them myself.

You shook your head in an attempt to dislodge the thought and glanced at the bake case next to you, zoning in on the few remaining profiteroles. You then looked over your shoulder to the wall of breads behind you, letting out a small breath of relief when you spotted a baguette.

“Of course.” You input the rest of the order and then flipped the screen, showing him the total. “Cash or card?”

“Card. please.”

You nodded, selected the option, and then went on the move, boxing the pastries before sliding the baguette into a sleeve. You placed the treats on the counter along with the receipt and flipped the screen back to you, smiling. “You’re lucky, this is the last baguette we have today.”

He returned your smile and gathered the food in his arms, quickly looking back to you. “I’d say I’m lucky for finally getting to meet the new hire, honestly. The baguette is just a plus.”

You flushed at his words and ducked your head, hiding the smile that lit up your expression. You grabbed his cup and moved to the espresso machine, preparing the espresso shot and pulling the milk from the fridge.

“Are you a regular? I’ve been here for a little more than a month, and I don’t think I’ve seen you before.”

“Oh, yeah, I tend to work a lot so I don’t have many chances to stop by.” He had moved with you, looking at you from behind the counter. “I don’t think I’d count as a regular, but my brother works here, so I try to drop by when I can.”

You almost dropped the pitcher and turned to stare at Sabo, eyes wide and slightly horrified. You’d been flirting (had you been flirting? You were never really able to tell, but you thought he had been flirting with you at one point) with one of your coworker’s brother. Who could he be related to? He looked a lot like Sanji, but Sanji had never mentioned his family, like ever. You’d gotten the impression that it was a taboo subject and steered clear of it to the best of your abilities.

“O- oh? Is that so?” You stuttered, looking back at the metal pitcher in your hand. You carefully poured the milk into it, thoughts tumbling through your mind at an impressive speed. You thought you heard Zoro snicker, but you couldn’t be sure as you turned on the steam wand and the loud, shrieking sound filled the air. You took the moment to put your mind in order, fighting the blood that had rushed to your head and trying not to focus on the amused smile you could see from the corner of your eye. Once the espresso machine quieted, you cleared your throat and began to slowly pour the frothed milk into the espresso, just as you’d been taught. “I’m sorry, I don’t remember anyone mentioning any brothers.”

Sabo laughed, light and playful. “I’m not surprised, Luffy can be a bit absent-minded at times.”

It took all of your willpower to not dump the remaining milk into the cup.

“Y- you’re Luffy’s brother?” You choked out, shakily finishing the top-up and moving the pitcher to create a little design on the surface. “I… I didn’t know he had a brother.” Honestly, you hadn’t given much thought to your coworker’s personal life or family, kind of assuming he’d just spawned from the ground somewhere.

Sabo’s laugh devolved into a chuckle and he offered you a sympathetic smile. “He has two, I’m afraid.”

You placed the pitcher in the sink and wiped your hands off on your apron, heart beating rapidly in your chest. You managed to release a slight hum in acknowledgement, carefully settling the lid over the top of the drink. “That’s… cool.” You didn’t know how else to respond, setting the finished drink in front of him. A sudden thought struck you and you slapped a hand over your mouth. “Oh my God! I’m so sorry! If I’d known you were a family member, I would have given you a discount-!”

“It’s alright, I figured out you had no idea who I was pretty quickly.” Sabo cut you off, tucking the baguette under one arm and grabbing the cup with his free hand. “Don’t worry, it’s not a big deal.”

You shot a scowl over to Zoro, who was openly laughing. “Zoro! You knew! Why didn’t you say anything?” You whined, not caring that you were probably annoying the other customers in the cafe.

Zoro shrugged and smirked. “Wanted to see what would happen.”

“You asshole.” You hissed under your breath, running a hand through your hair. “I’m sorry, Sabo-san-”

“Oh, no, you don’t need to call me that.” Sabo shook his head and grinned. “Just Sabo is fine. And really, it’s okay. It was nice getting to talk to you without that connection, you know?”

You blinked. You weren't sure you knew, but you’d take what you could get.

“I- mhm.” You nodded.

“I actually came down to thank whichever poor soul had to take his shift from him. I’m glad it was you.” He beamed at you. “So, you know. Thanks. Hey, when’s your next shift?” He asked, taking a cautious sip of his drink. “Wow, this is really good.”

“Uh, tomorrow. Eleven to four.”

“I’ll have to drop by during my lunch, then.” Your racing heart somehow managed to pick up speed. “It was nice meeting you, [Name], but I have to go back and help Ace nurse Luffy back to health. I’ll see you soon, alright?”

“O- okay.” You nodded again, brain functions diminished. “It was nice meeting you too, Sabo. Have a good night.”

And with that, Sabo sent you one last blinding smile and left, nodding at Zoro as he passed. You stood, frozen in your spot as you processed what had just happened.

“Hey, [Name].” Zoro snapped his fingers in front of your face, a teasing smirk staring down at you. When had he gone back inside the bar? “You there?”

It took a second but you eventually came back to your senses, slapping Zoro’s chest with a huff. “You asshole. I hate you.”

Surprisingly enough, Zoro chose not to tease you further and instead went about putting the window cleaner away and tossing the rag who-knows where. “I’ll start on the dishes.”

You huffed and turned back to the espresso machine, putting the milk back as you began to clean up.

Maybe you wouldn’t kill Luffy after all.

#a3-op #a3-op-es #sabo x reader #sabo x you #one piece #reader insert #one piece x reader #modern au #coffee shop au #sabo #revolutionary sabo #one piece sabo #one shot #one piece x you #one piece x y/n #sabo one piece

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melonteee · 1 year ago

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I'm really enjoying the live-action show. It's different, but I think some changes are improvements, some changes are neutral, and some changes are for the worse. Overall, I'd say it's about as good of an adaptation as the East Blue anime is (factoring in the changes the anime made).

Syrup Village is a great example, they cut Jango (though you do see his Bounty poster, so he still exists in canon), but they also made Kaya's illness be the result of Butchie poisoning her and part of Kuro's plan. Luffy drinks the poison soup and that replaces the scene of him unconscious from hypnosis. Zoro has to climb out of a well, and that replaces him climbing up an oil-covered hill and also sets up for Mihawk saying he's a frog in a well. They also change the setting for the battle from a beach to inside the mansion, introducing a horror theme to the story which rachets up the tension a lot more. Sham is also gender-bent and super cute.

And it's not wrong to say the showrunners understand and love the characters and the world. All of the bottles of alcohol are brands in One Piece, the barrel Luffy gets into has the name of the fishmonger from his village, Garp mentions that he's turned down multiple promotions, Nami reads Noland the Liar to Zoro while he's unconscious after his fight with Mihawk, Arlong introduces Fishman discrimination.

I think it's best experienced from the perspective of "it's going to be different, and that's okay". The characters are written a little differently, but not in a bad way. They still feel like the characters at their core, Inaki's Luffy and Taz's Sanji are two stand-outs, they're fantastic.

I understand if it's just not for you, and you did watch one episode, so I can't say you didn't give it a chance at all. I just feel like you and the others are being too harsh on it. It's way better than any other live-action anime adaptation I've ever seen.

I appreciate this anon and I do think the poison change works, but there's certainly a 1 good thing for 9 bad things ratio going on. Because in all fairness, I am going to be extremely critical of a 20 year old series that's making an adaptation with a 17 million dollar budget per episode - especially from Netflix. If I'm being approached by friends who were actually excited for this series and they came out of it disappointed, somehow I don't think I'm gonna have a good time myself. I'm watching One Piece for One Piece, I don't think I should go into an adaptation thinking this is gonna be different in STORY and CHARACTER. I can accept changes for medium, of course, but there are so many absolutely bizarre changes that literally do nothing. You don't go from the manga to the anime and think "Well if I just disconnect these characters from their original selves, I can soak this in fine" because in all honesty, that probably means it's a bad adaptation if you need to work to see what you want to see.

Also the 'frog in the well' thing is exactly my point of this script just slamming you in the face with what it's trying to do, we are not meant to take that literally. The well is the east blue that Zoro lives in, not a literal well lmao. It's a nice cheeky idea to have, but the goofiness of Zoro's character is removed from the scene where he's trying to run up a greased hill like an idiot. Because yes, even THAT scene served a purpose for Zoro's character and how we view him. It's definitely subjective to say the characters are written differently but not in a bad way, because ripping away parts of a character to leave them as this Frankenstein version of themselves is personally not something I want? Why would I WANT all the goofiness and stupidness taken out of Zoro? It might be good for some, but it just feels like a total downgrade and misunderstanding of his character to me. Same goes for Sanji just being this artsy guy who's complaining cause he can't make the dishes he wants, with his over dramatic, angry, violent flare completely gone. Those changes being good or bad are completely up to you, but I am personally just made to see a hollowed out, dumbed down version of them because I liked these characters as I originally met them and that's what made them stand out.

I appreciate the time they put into the sets, I do think the visual world was made well (although it could've used a bit more style), but the little physical details mean absolutely nothing if I can't even FEEL the magic the original gave me. A set does not make a series, 1000 strawhats will not make me see Luffy unless he is written to be Luffy, and that's the problem. I don't want to watch an adaptation that removes the most emotional and impactful moments of my favourite character just to replace it with a fight or to focus on ANOTHER character they've deemed more important. I am going to be critical because these characters mean a lot to me, and I am expecting to feel from an adaptation what I felt from the original with such characters. An adaptation does not mean making things different just for differences sake. I am glad you enjoyed it anon, as many people have, but if I'm watching something that's literally called One Piece and have been told this is an adaptation of One Piece - with the producers even saying they want to put the manga on the screen, mind you - I am going to go in there expecting One Piece, from the characters to the story. I shouldn't have to do the work in my own head and go "Well, they did their best!", especially at a million dollar Netflix production...sigh

#ask #sorry that was long winded and I am not trying to be mean here but we gotta remember this was not a fun arthouse project made by fandom #this a corporate made project looked over by netflix. we are allowed to be critical about it and want better of it

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rorykeanersactualgf · 6 months ago

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request where Benny uses a love potion on the reader but it doesn't work cause she already loves him

A/N: i have seen a few other people do this and i have liked their ideas, i don't mean to copy any ideas, only take inspiration. should i create a masterlist so its all in one place or wait a bit? xx

side note, on posts where its not specified for gender, i do gender neutral so everyone can read it, if you want specified gender or different versions where it has specified genders, please let me know so i can do that for you, the reason i say this is because there is the use of she in the request but i am more than willing to do other versions :)) sorry it took longer than usual to upload but i had a few things to do today but i will compensate by doing 2 today :))

CW: Fem! Reader version, Benny and reader being cute and oblivious, Benny being nervous, Grandma Weir being amazing as always :)))

@regalisonata for the GIF of Benny :))

The Potion Of Love

Over the years of being friends with Benny, he developed a little big crush on me, which somehow managed to go undetected by me seeing how obvious he can be when he wants to be. But seeing as he has been my friend for ages and his advances towards me just seemed friendly, I never noticed and thought he was being nice... That was until middle school when I started developing feelings for him too.

This crush however was not very well hidden from Ethan and Rory since they had figured it out within the first few weeks, which is why they get told and documented on pretty much interaction or small look from across a place or slight touch, which they quickly grew interested/tired of. Rory was always the one to be happy to talk about what it could mean while Ethan was the more rational and realistic one.

As Benny and I grew closer as friends, our feelings for each other only grew and made Ethan more indifferent and Rory more invested. As we talked more, I fell more in love with every and anything about him, like his smile, style in clothes, his little gestures that he had for me, his ability to make me laugh no matter where we could be, etc.

"Man, she's so pretty, I can't not look at her," Benny said, Ethan trying to regain his attention but ultimately failing when he realised why he couldn't get it back, he noticed that Benny was looking at me from across the lunchroom, while me Sarah and Erica were getting our food. "Dude, she's looking at you... she just smiled," Rory whisper-yelled into his ear, feeding into his feelings for me. He sat there and waved, almost as if he was in a trance, with lovey-dovey eyes like he was under a sirens call and finally broke contact when he saw me approaching.

Benny realised he couldn't wait much longer to tell me his feelings, scared he would be rejected and have to try to move on from his first and only real crush he's had. He was looking through his old spell book when I sat down opposite from him, not questioning what he was looking at since he had a serious face, which usually meant he was trying to concentrate.

What he was concentrating over wasn't something like memorising incantations or spells that could be useful in a fight, it was love potions, their benefits and drawbacks, the things that could go very wrong and very good, but funnily enough it had nothing on if the other person already had a crush on the person giving the potion, interesting.

Throughout the day, Benny became increasingly more nervous and but excited, hopefully with this potion, I could be his girlfriend and he could give Ethan and Rory a break from being all lovey-dovey, or would it make it worse. He knew that Rory wouldn't leave it alone, wanting to know what its like to have a girlfriend and helping Benny on dates and such, but for Ethan, hopefully it would quieten him down at least a bit.

When Benny got home, he almost flew to his room and started on the potion making, getting all of the ingredients he would need and putting them together in a frantic manner like his life depended on it. A flurry of swirls and sparks flew around him, making various shapes until finally it made a pink heart, to which he had to say one final incantation and my name and then it would be done.

As he did so, a realisation befell him, what if it doesn't work, nothing in the book said what would happen if it didn't work, what if she hates me, what if it DOES work, what then? A mix of excitement and nerves coursed through his veins, wondering all the possibilities, meanwhile I was on the phone to Sarah and Erica, on the same old spiel as always, talking about Benny and how cute he was etc. In this case, Erica was like Ethan, not too bothered about it and just wanting me to say something because it was obvious he liked me. Sarah was similar to Rory, very willing to dissect what had happened and give educated guesses about what it could mean.

The next day, Benny came into school with the potion in his bag, cradled around a jacket so it couldn't break in the vial it was in. When he reached Ethan and Rory, he had a feeling of anticipation and apprehension crawl up his spine as he waited for their reactions after pulling out the potion. Rightly, both of them were confused even with the pink slurry of liquid and the vaguely heart-shaped container. After explaining to them that it was a love potion for me, there were polar opposite reactions, Rory was ecstatic because it was fool proof, it had to work and he would finally have a girlfriend. Ethan on the other hand, was uneasy to say the least, relighting all the past worries Benny had.

I, on the other hand, was ignorant to any strange behaviour Benny was exhibiting. When I did walk up to the group, I saw that Benny was almost unable to look at me, Rory having a big smile on his face and Ethan looking almost disappointed at the other two.

I wasn't able to talk to them much before the bell rang signalling us to go to our first class, to which I didn't share with anyone which was a bit upsetting but it was over soon enough. After a few more lessons, it finally became lunch. Almost a full repeat of yesterday but this time (Reader) was sat in between Benny and Rory, talking about my lessons and any recent news about assignments or projects that would need to be done. After Erica and Sarah came to the table with their trays of food, I stood up and went to the bathroom.

As I was getting up to leave, I had a sip of my water and placed it back down where it was and I turned towards Benny so I could get my legs out and get up, Benny go up with me while sneakily taking m water bottle and taking it with him. I didn't think anything of it, but when I came back Benny had an eye on me at all times, which was odd but I brushed it off thinking he was being a little bit weird. What I didn't know is that Benny had taken my bottle and poured all the potion in and said a small incantation so the pink slurry it was creating turned back into a clear mixture so I wouldn't suspect anything.

"Hopefully she loves me now," Benny said with a sad but hopeful tone.

The only thing that he didn't account for was the fact it tasted different. When I had a sip of the water, my face scrunched up slightly and confused me, wondering what that unfamiliar taste was. It made me feel weird but it was probably because I hadn't eaten anything. As lunch went on and our table got to chatting, Benny and Rory had a closer eye on me than normal and I decided to bring it up.

"What's going on? Do I have food on my face or something?" I said with a light-hearted tone, not wanting to seem annoyed but more confused than anything.

Since it had been a few seconds, Rory decided to say something so it didn't weird me out. "Uh, yeah, you've got some food right there," he said, pointing to a part of my cheek and slightly kicking Benny under the table to snap him out of this trance.

"Oh, thanks Rory," I said, less confused now and getting back to talking with my friends.

As the day went on, Benny kept looking for any sorts or behavioural changes and when he couldn't see any he gave up and went back home at the end of the day. When he got in, he flopped onto the couch face first and heard his grandma shout a greeting, to which he replied in a lack-luster way to. That was when his grandma walked in and sat next to him, rubbing his back and asking what's wrong since Benny never usually acts like this.

"Okay, promise not to be mad?" He rolled onto his side as her eyebrow quirked up at this and she let him continue.

"So I gave (Reader), yknow the girl I'm crushing on," his grandma nodded, urging him to continue, "well I gave her a love potion..."

"Benny..." she said, warning laced in her tone.

"Hey, you said you wouldn't get mad at me," he said rolling onto his back and going to sit normally, "and it didn't work anyway."

She looked back at him, a small smile stretching her face as she realised something. "Don't you know what this means?" She asked with a small laugh hiding behind her voice.

"That she doesn't like me?" he said more like a question, "The book didn't have anything on if it didn't work..." he trailed to a stop.

"Or if the person given the potion was already in love with the potion maker." She said with a knowing smile, waiting for Benny to understand what she was getting at.

"Wait... she likes me?" He said with hope rising in his voice.

All she did was nod and he took off out of the door running to confess to me.

After a few minutes of running and panting on my porch, Benny rang the doorbell, waiting for me or my parents to answer the door. Luckily it was me that answered the door and as soon as he did, he looked up at me and said all in one breath,

"Look(Reader)IreallylikeyouandIcametoaskyouifyou'dliketobemygirlfriendofvourseyoucansaynobu-" He was cut off by my hand covering his mouth.

"Okay, I think I caught about 3 words in that whole sentence but I like you too Benny, I was literally getting ready to go to your house to tell you." I gestured down to my feet and he saw I had my shoes on.

After a moment, I pulled my hand away from his mouth and placed it behind his head, over the small hairs on the back of his neck and pulled him down gently and as soon as he was at the same level as me, I leant in and kissed him. After a moment, we pulled away and I spoke up again,

"I've always liked you Benny, since we were kids but I was always too shy to tell you so I always told Sarah and Erica about it. I'm surprised that they didn't tell you."

"Me too, I've liked you since we were kids, and I always told Ethan and Rory, I was for sure certain that Rory would have told you by now." I looked at him again and realised we were just two dumb kids, not realising our feelings for each other until we almost burst. We had a sleep over that night and caught up on lost time together, falling asleep in each others arms with content smiles on our faces and a bit story to tell our friends next week.

#benny weir x reader #mbav #mbav fanfic #mbav stuff #benny mbav #benny weir

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goddamnwebcomics · 6 months ago

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Mary Sue or Not?

There is nothing in the modern Twattersphere that angers me more than words losing their meaning and semantics. I will never EVER use a word I feel has lost all meaning unless I use it in its proper context and with a proper MEANING. But there is one word I admit I used a lot back in the early days and even post-hiatus days of my blog, "Mary Sue".

Here is the most objective definition of the term.

A Mary Sue is a character archetype in fiction, typically a young female, characterized by an implausible level of competence, unique talents or powers, and attractiveness. These characters are often universally liked or respected within their narrative, possess minimal realistic flaws, and exhibit innate virtues. Originating from fanfiction, a Mary Sue often serves as an idealized version of the author, fulfilling a wish-fulfillment role. While the term is gendered, it can apply to both female and male characters, with the male equivalents sometimes referred to as Gary Stu or Marty Stu.

Let's look at past characters I've labeled as Mary Sues or Gary Stus and see if they match the description.

Mora Linda (Las Lindas)

Even back then I hated to use this word, but apparently I used it to describe everyone's favorite cow asshole because...she got kissed by Minos.

Mora is NOT universally liked, even when you disqualify someone like Alejandra. Rachel and Miles both dislike her, which is why they bonded in the first place (ew). She has also received constructive criticism from Buttdog, Alejandra post-redemption and even Minos. Even then Mora is by no means shown to be a perfect bunny. It's just that Soulkat is a horrible writer, and can't portray Mora in sympathetic light. If she were flawless, perfect being, she would actually be way more likable. She is supposed to be a strong independent no-bullshit matriarch of the house with alleged street smart tendencies, but instead comes across like a fucking drunkard asshole who verbally and emotionally abuses her employees and cries constantly to manipulate people to do her bidding. We should've seen her develop into a better character by now, but anytime a character shows up who should improve Mora (like Alej or Randall), they instead become more like her. I can see how someone might think she is a Mary Sue though because of how she marries a Crest, is the daughter of a weird powerful God being and she is desired by multiple men, but that's just meant to give a reason for why Lady Ambar is constantly watching over her.

Mora is a terrible protagonist but she is not a Mary Sue, even if the comic treats her like she is right most of the time. She's supposed to have an arc, but that arc doesn't work because she barely changes. Being badly written doesn't automatically make someone a Mary Sue. Have some nuance for fucks sake.

Llewlyn Connor (Warmage)

Llew is a Mary Sue because he can fly and he was mentored by a group of witches. I...what?

Now to be fair, I was only starting the comic, but Llew is...complicated. Outside of the spanking scene, Llewlyn is completely boring protagonist. It's just that he gets into a lot of...bizarre situations. Yes, every woman in his life wants to fuck him but it's clear it's not necessarily because he is attractive but it's rather his bizarre hindu-pagan beliefs. I think it was an attempt from Dumok to make an audience surrogate, but then he also gets raped??? However, the comic doesn't treat him like he is always right, he isn't actually that important, and there are other superheroes besides him? A lot of stuff in the comic happens without him being actively involved. It's not really until Miguel Sanchez disguises himself as him that he becomes important.

Again, Llew is less of a Mary Sue than Mora is, but he is still averagely badly written protagonist. He is trying really hard to be the Hindu-Pagan Batman. And let's not even talk about his "Chaotic Neutrality".

Speaking of Warmage...

Tsuki (Warmage)

I am not going to link the post where I said it due to uncensored nudity, but I just called Tsuki "Dumok's favorite Mary Sue" at one point.

Tsuki is a ridiculously written character, and she was the worst character ever in the blog before Riley came along. She is not perfect though, she is shown to be flawed, hell that's why the infamous spanking scene happened in the first place! She also isn't universally beloved as she has beef with Lewis other ladies like Kriti and Laranya.

Speaking of Riley, if I were riffing Alien Dice in 2017 I would've called Riley a Mary Sue probably. Almost like being a "Mary Sue" is not the worst character trait, even if it is pretty bad.

Dominic Deegan (Dominic Deegan)

You could dig up countless examples from early days of the comic where I call Deegan a Mary Sue or Gary Stu.

I admit, Deegan is definitely Mookie's bitchboy and the fact he's saved the world several times and he's stated to be Right About EVERYTHING does have some Gary Stu qualities buuuuuut, I've actually done some thinking and Deegan isn't actually that hateable as a person. Yes he is arrogant snobfuck, but unlike someone like Mora, he doesn't treat his friends like shit. He is a misanthropist but not a cynical asshole. He likes to crack jokes sometimes and characters sometimes cringe at those jokes, that's why Punchline Face exists.

On top of that, Deegan losing control of his emotions is something Mookie is actually aware of. Like he did apologize at the end of Battle of Barthis for getting so mad over Serk Brakkis's misdeeds. It's just that Deegan's outbursts outside of that arc are never called out. That, and I have actually felt bad for him or even had to defend him sometimes. Also he isn't in charge of forgiving Stoneraper for his rape at any point either.

Where my biggest problem lies with Deegan is his powers. He is so goddamn overpowered, you'd think he could beat anyone. It's also that Deegan has never actually lost in a fight, even if he has been betrayed. His powers are not defined and he has stopped existential threats by himself. He just becomes a generic shonen protagonist when he isn't in a grounded environment, and that's the problem. If those elements didn't exist, and his searing ability was just an ability to see to the future, I would be speaking a different tone about him. Deegan should have been corrupted by the amount of power he possesses a long time ago. I think the lack of infallibility on his part does make him close to Mary Sue but even then that's like...hundred miles away.

Luna Travoria (Dominic Deegan)

I say she is a Mary Sue because she creates a formula for potion that turns sand into water, among other things.

Thus far, Luna is probably the closest to an actual Mary Sue. She is actually far worse when it comes to character shilling than Deegan is, especially in the most recent arc as of the writing of this comic. There is also the fact she used to be a nobody, but after being thrust into Maltak arc, we learn she is the CHOSEN ONE and the reason she has tusks is because of a curse created by Shintula Chief that turned gave a bunch of babies tusks. There's also the fact she's somehow the only good person in her family of assholes. She also cries even more than Mora does. We know Luna used to hate herself and she was very suicidal, but she eventually gets shoveled in endless praise and Dominic's support. Unlike Deegan, she is very rarely shown to be wrong about something. Even when she loses her pregnancy it's constantly stated to be a good thing.

Her constant crying and occasional tusk discourse is the only thing that reminds us of her old depressed self. I get that Mooks wanted to make an inspiring story, but instead it creates a picture of a person who is using their abuse and depression to dodge criticism and constantly demand for praise. But even if you asked me if Luna was a Mary Sue, I would still say "Kinda". The reason for that is the tusk discourse, and as a result she frequently gets insulted and distrusted and even other orcs don't like her due to her tusks. And it's not like there is a crowd of men wanting to fuck her.

Heather Brown/Spinnerette (Spinnerette)

I called her a Mary Sue because she has fool's luck, basically she is able to dodge any attack and misfortune by being a dumbass.

Heather is a dumbass who has things ALWAYS work out for her no matter what when realistically she should have destroyed herself. I agree with that. On top of that, she is a Trend Lesbian who doesn't understand what being attracted to women means, and she treats her girlfriend who is slowly dying like an object of attraction rather than someone she cares about.

Honestly Spinnerette at this point has much bigger problems than Heather. She has better chemistry with Sarah Nicole than her own GF, so she is not completely hateable but also she lacks humanity. Even when she does something stupid, she is easily forgiven.

Spinny is not Mary Sue, she is just gimmicky, much like every other character Kraw writes.

Now it's time to get into the webcomic with the most compelling arguments for Mary Sues, Gene Catlow.

Cotton Taylor (Gene Catlow)

The problem with Cotton is that, in a comic called Gene Catlow, he takes the center stage for the first arc. The problem is, the world of Gene Catlow isn't established before Cotton gets his powers. We are shown all his flaws and personal issues after he drinks Coffee^2. We're only shown his tendency to yell at people and be hyperactive, when after he drinks his coffee we also learn he has a tendency for violence, doesn't hesitate killing, and hell, we only learn way way way later in the comic that he grew up an orphan. With how long Gene Catlow ended up being, a slow start would have really paid off with Cotton, but don't have him hog the spotlight for being so early. The start would also make him eventually gaining his powers more interesting, since we now know Cotton has issues, and are looking forward to if he can handle that power responsibly.

I think the Mary Sue accusations come from the fact Cotton isn't called out enough when he does stupid shit. Gene and Catwhis only get mad at him when Cotton really wants to know about the Stagglers, which the audience also wants to know about because they never explain those fucking things until it's really late.

Other than that and Cotton never really struggling with the extent of his powers, I don't think he is a Mary Sue. In fact, I do feel bad for him because the rest of the comic pretty much cucks him. His position as the savior of the bunnies is taken over by not only Clayton, a rando who worked for Matt most of his life, but also Michelle, and speaking of...

Michelle (Gene Catlow)

In my original riff I treat Michelle like the second coming of Satan but in retrospect, I actually think she is a cute and funny character who actually helps people rather than try to convert them to join some stupid Friendship Islandian cause. However, I still think that she is completely unfitting to the comic in terms of her tone. She feels like a kid appeal character in a comic that regularly references sex and gore. She is also really really powerful even when she isn't born.

Michelle is not a Mary Sue mainly because there are times when even Albert knows to pull back on Michelle. Like she completely stops appearing towards the end due to her going through the process of being born and just being absolutely miserable. If we had ever seen her alive and in the flesh, I might be speaking a different tone entirely, but don't worry, she is somehow not as omnipresent as our next characters.

Gene and Catwhis (Gene Catlow)

Gene and Catwhis are really fucking powerful, any person forced to debate them in power scale context will lose their sanity. I have not forgotten about this infamous scene.

But even then, Gene and Catwhis are both shown to have enough flaws to dodge the Mary Sue allegations. Well okay, Gene is the flawed one because of how he is affected by his ancestor who's constantly trying to bring out Gene's primal rage, which causes Catwhis to go "remember to not kill anyone dear" whenever a single wrinkle appears in Gene's face.

Catwhis on the other hand, she is like a fusion of Mora and Luna. She is openly abusive towards Gene, and she often gets into squabbles with him over the pettiest shit. Sometimes you don't know if she loves Gene. She never gets called out at any point like Gene sometimes gets called out. And most of the time she goes on hypocritical ra ra speeches and never considers other people's opinions. If "never considers other people's opinions" makes someone a Mary Sue, does that mean every Twitter user is a Mary Sue?

That unrelated tangent aside, I don't really have too many arguments against Catwhis being a Mary Sue. The only reason I really don't call her that is that out of all the spy cams in this comic, she detects Matt's bullshit the least, the only time she detected anything Matt did was when he abused Borzoi, which reminded her of the "abuse" she received at Matt's hands. As far as Spycam Moments are concerned, that is actually kind of justified, as she is a repositor and all. And her repository skills are more well defined than Deegan's seer powers.

But, if there is one thing I would call a Mary Sue in this blog without a doubt, it wouldn't be one character, it wouldn't even be a character, but rather a concept of a group.

Family of Intelligent Life (Gene Catlow)

Where do I begin? Family of Intelligent Life is early on established to be the STRONGEST GROUP OF ALL TIME. and that is not even getting into all the things those fucking suits do. Or what Simmy does. Or how many allies the Family has. Or how they employ child soldiers and it's somehow a good thing. Or how they resurrected the dead. Or how easy everyone somehow gets along. Or how the Family is able to detect ANYTHING. Family of Intelligent Life is a testament to Albert Temple's anti-individualism. It's a group fallacy that states if there are a lot of people doing stuff together, nothing can go wrong and they never disagree on anything. They don't even have any roles, and they can give each other their abilities on a whim. The ONLY flaw the group is ever shown to have is the possibility of Gene's Primal Rage spreading to other members, but Simmy is shown to work on that.

The fact they're able to get into each other's heads so easily without any conflict is ridiculous. Can you imagine if one of them found out about a controversial political opinion Crendall had? Or that Cat Sneed likes to use the Bear Equivalent of N-word in casual conversation which offends Eubie and his GF? Or that they all can't agree on what their favorite incarnation of Sonic the Hedgehog is? I don't want to know every opinion my friends have on everything, what makes you think I would want to share a headspace with a bunch of strangers?

There's also the fact, any sort of critique of The Family is treated as a byproduct of Ignorance. Even when Matt's family critiques it, they can't actually make constructive arguments against it and just say "IT'S DUMB." No offense to Taria.

Everything I laid out to you is what makes Family of Intelligent Life Mary Sue. It has implausible levels of competence and is capable of amazing unique powers, they are universally liked and respected by everyone our narrative considers good, and possess virtually no flaws. It is Albert Temple's collectivist wish fulfillment.

But if I was forced to name a Mary Sue that was actually a character, nobody fits that better than Derukui the Kittycat from Crash Bandicoot Retold. I'll talk more about her one day.

#article thingy

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