#hes put off experiments for actual months which is hilarious

[idunska]

why am i convinced my supervisor does nothing all day except get bothered by me

[moonchild-in-blue]

Hey, remember that time II kissed Vessel's arm? Okay byyeeeee :D

Well HELLO GOOD MORNING TO YOU TOO

(yes i did see this before i went to bed but i was wayyy too eepie to reply)

I hope you know this has just set the mood for my entire day so. I'm gonna be extra yearning and soft and whiny 👍 Sorry about that guys, I'm a pathetic wet cat of a person 😞

He could've hugged him. He could've high fived. He could've done that guy thing where they slap each other's butts and it's totally platonic and wholesome and hilarious.

AND YET. Mr. Daddy Twofoot (cmon guys, catch up on the name) KISSED??? HIS ARM??? On the sensitive soft part too?????

Like. Okay. Yeah yeah, the boyfriends, etc etc. But let me be actually serious for a second here.

(hello this turned out to be way longer and sappy than i intended so)

Do you see how effortless that was? He didn't hesitate for a second. How often do you see two guys (who I'm assuming are straight) be this affectionate with each other? A kiss on the inner arm is *such* a tender, intimate gesture, regardless of gender/sexuality - a type of action that is not usually expected between straight men.

And I don't know, I find it incredibly endearing and important to see that, as much as they do all that funny sexy stuff for the fans (and for themselves too - they seem to have so so much fun), these type of actions seem to be a part of their regular off-stage interactions. You can feel how genuinely good friends they all are.

And in the case of Vessel and ii, the founders of Sleep Token and the major force behind it all - how surreal and incredible it must be for them to get to experience all of this together. To see their hard work paying off. To stand proudly in front of literal thousands of people side by side with your best friend??? HELLO???

It's such a small thing, but I carries so much weight ya know? Like yeah dude, I love you and I'm proud of you, and you did a wonderful job. Isn't it SO touching???

I just LOVE to see it. Men who are vulnerable and affectionate around each other, who are comfortable in it, who shows us that yes, platonic friendships and pda are beautiful and important and in no way make you any less of a men. Which is something a LOT of dudebros in the metal scene would benefit in knowing.

I just. I don't know bro. Vessel x ii interactions mean the whole word to me. I was just talking with someone a few days ago of just how far Vessel has come in his music journey, and even within Sleep Token, the difference between One days and now is. Nothing short of astronomical. It feels almost miraculous, yet it is anything bUT, because we know how much effort V and ii put into making the music we so love. And of course iii, although not part of the creation process, has been with them from the beginning as well.

Can you imagine how overwhelmingly awesome and scary it must be for them?? And what are the odds of after a few years of changes, they somehow found the perfect person to complete them? SO MUCH SO, that you can see just how close iii and iv are BY THEIR MIRRORING ATTIRES?? HELLOOOOO ???? SOULMATES FR FR

Aaaa I feel like I'm going off on a huge tangent, and I am stopping now before I bring up the German Rituals and Wembley. December was a wild month omg I have not recovered yet.

I just!!! My heart!!! I love them. Vessel PLEASE I have been begging on my hands and knees, PLEASE PLEASE give your drummer a smooch omg he deserves it poor guy has the twinkliest prettiest eyes ever how can you NOT 🥺✨💙

Anyways. Yes, I do remember. Good gif 🙂👍

[bulkyphrase]

2012 Avengers Tower: a fic rec list

I think we all sometimes yearn for the days when we thought Marvel would let the Avengers be friends who all lived together and fought supervillains in between movie nights.

Though these stories weren't all written or set in 2012 post-Avengers 1 era, but they all feature that team hanging out, having fun, and supporting each other through difficulties.

The list is in chronological order, with fic published from 2012 to 2024.

Amateur Theatrics by galaxysoup (@galaxystew-zombie) (Gen | Teen And Up Audiences | 26,586 words | Published April 01, 2012)

Summary: In which Thor’s primary problem-solving method (a mighty blow from Mjolnir) fails to have the desired effect on a magical artifact, and his secondary method (a mightier blow from Mjolnir) proves to be actively disastrous.

Big in Japan by gunboots (@gunboots) (Loki/Thor, Stucky | Teen And Up Audiences | 6,203 words | Published May 01, 2012)

Summary: Steve hesitantly reaches out and takes the object in Tony’s arms to survey it. 'It' being a pillow upon which was an almost frighteningly accurate illustration of Loki, their on-and-off again nemesis. "I don't--how did you even get this? Who would MAKE this?" Clearly Steve doesn't find the attention-to-detail on Loki's costume as hilarious as Tony does, which whatever. Like he said. Killjoy. A.K.A The one time Tony buys Thor the world's worst souvenir and it somehow worked out in the end anyway.

The rest are below the cut!

Soft Skills by Lady_Ganesh (Gen | Teen And Up Audiences | 4,154 words | Published May 31, 2012)

Summary: "So," Bruce said carefully. "You're saying that your tower became a big target for an alien army, so you're going to rebuild it as an even bigger target?" "Well, when you put it like that, it sounds stupid," Tony said. The team tries to bring Steve Rogers into the 21st Century. It mostly works. As my beta CaptainBlue said: Also I love how you did a fic about Avengers team building and still managed to make it 100% about Cap. You have a gift. This is why I love her. Any remaining mistakes are mine.

Without the Usual Cost of Labor by vain_glorious (Gen | Teen And Up Audiences | 6,387 words | Published June 15, 2012)

Summary: "Someone just reported to SHIELD that whatever was stolen produced “viable offspring,” and we’re hoping that doesn’t mean what we think it does,” Bruce says, evidently deciding to take over for Tony after only one masturbation joke. Also available as a podfic read by blackglass

The Great Avengers Body Swap by vain_glorious (Gen | Teen And Up Audiences | 3,712 words | Published July 23, 2012)

Summary: Loki and the Avengers spend a month in SHIELD's detention cells, because Loki cast a bodyswapping spell against them and got himself with it, too. Also available as a podfic read by blackglass

The Ice in Windless Cold by Isagel (@isagelc) (OT6 | Explicit | 11,883 words | Published August 19, 2012)

Summary: "I dream about the ice," Steve says. "About being in the ice." Also available as a podfic read by susan_voight

Private Bookmark? by storiesfortravellers (Gen | Mature | 2,638 words | Published August 24, 2012)

Summary: The Avengers discover that there are fans who write explicit RPF fic about them. Some of them are very confused. Some are proud. Some don't understand why everyone writes the pairings who aren't together but hardly anyone writes the couple who actually is together. Much silliness ensues. Also available as a podfic read by analise010, AshesandGhost, dapatty, fire_juggler, lorcalon (uniquepov), Opalsong, Weebs813

The Goat's Back by arsenicarcher (Arsenic) (Gen | Mature | 10,155 words | Published November 30, 2012)

Summary: An AU where Steve's essentially a failed experiment, corporal punishment is the predominant form of discipline and team leaders take the punishments for those under them.

Dear Clint Barton (circa age 7) by pollyrepeat (@pollyrepeat) (Gen | Teen And Up Audiences | 4,221 words | Published March 31, 2013)

Summary: The most annoying parts of being de-aged (and then re-aged) are your friends. Also available as a podfic read by RsCreighton (@rosecreighton)

What We Pretend To Be by ifitwasribald (Gen, Bruce Banner/Tony Stark | Explicit | 100,697 words | Published July 14, 2013)

Summary: Good becomes great, bad becomes worse. But people are a hell of a lot more complicated than good and bad. When half of the team is dosed with the super soldier serum, they all have to grapple with their own pasts and futures. But for better or for worse, they’re all in it together.

Speak So We Can Hear Your Heart Beat by Jaune_Chat (@jaune-chat) (Gen, Clint Barton/Natasha Romanov, Pepper Potts/Tony Stark, Jane Foster/Thor | Mature | 15,402 words | Published November 10, 2014)

Summary: The Avengers are rendered mute by Amora the Enchantress. As a search for a cure grows more and more dim every day, the Avengers have to deal with the reality of learning to communicate with each other in a whole different way. Uncertain if they'll be able to fight again, they enlist the help of their friends, and learn some surprising things about each other as they struggle to hold onto their identities as the World's Greatest Heroes.

The Health Benefits of Knitting by Niobium (@niobiumao3) (Gen | General Audiences | 1,179 words | Published January 15, 2015)

Summary: Clint isn't sure what's really relieving Natasha's stress—the knitting, or the part where she foists the horrible results off on other people. Also available as a podfic read by reena_jenkins (@reena-jenkins)

Clint Barton's Guide to Friends and Ceiling Vents by NoliteTimereEos (Gen | Teen And Up Audiences | 6,488 words | Published July 11, 2015)

Summary: In which Clint Barton meets a missing assassin in the vents and somehow becomes friends with him. Things don't go as bad as they could have. Also available as a podfic read by babbling_bedlamite

How to Train Your Superheroes by StuckySituation (Gen | Teen And Up Audiences | 3,150 words | Published March 05, 2019)

Summary: “But of course, no matter how much we practice on schedule, we will need to learn constant vigilance and manage to get our reaction times down to the minimum,” Steve continues and takes the last burger beef from the grill and puts it onto the table next to him. Natasha has a brief millisecond to frown and think “Constant vigilance?”, before Steve kicks the grill so hard that the coals rain on top of the flammable carpet feet away. “What the hell-!?” “STEVE!?” Steve is already sprinting towards the ledge. “First training session started! Wanda, Sam, Tony - someone CATCH ME!” Then he jumps off the Tower. Also available as a podfic read by vassalady (@vassalady)

Do You Remember Being Happy? ('Cause I Sure Don't) by GalaxyThreads (@galaxythreads) (Gen | Teen And Up Audiences | 11,022 words | Published April 25, 2020)

Summary: "Dragr," Thor called them. "Demons" Clint had said. "Thieves" is what Steve labels them as. AKA, the one where Steve is captured by creatures that feed off of happy memories, and the team is left to pick up the pieces. Post-Avengers.

5 Times Steve Dealt with His Team's Sleeping Habits... by The67ImpalaDragonChild (@dragonimpal67) (Gen | Teen And Up Audiences | 29,606 words | Published November 08, 2020)

Summary: ...and one time they dealt with his. Steve didn't think anything of it when he moved into the Avengers tower. He didn't think about how much the people he's living with would affect him. He's thinking about it NOW! Who knew a bunch of super heroes could be so weird about something as basic as the need to sleep?

on the mend by meidui (@meidui) (Gen | General Audiences | 1,438 words | Published February 03, 2024)

Summary: Steve rarely feels this awful after a fight, but then again, he hasn’t been on a solo mission in months.

[galraluver]

Royal greetings honey, (sorry) it's me again

It's 2 a.m., and I had a crack-idea: do you know these period belts that simulate period cramps??? How would galran men react to the pain?

Imagine some merciless, strong warriors laying on the floor like a shrimp, I'm crying

Thank you darling, good night!

Oh yes, I know what they are. I've watched a few videos of men trying them and it's hilarious 😂. I would be happy to write your request 😁

_________________________________________

~ Throk ~

~ Every month when you get your period Throk scoffs when you're in pain; he doesn't necessarily mean it in a mean-spirited way, but he doesn't see how you can be so affected by what he thinks is just a little pain

~ After a couple of months of him downplaying your pain you buy a period cramps simulator from the space mall

~ Throk scoffs again when you challenge him to see if he can stand feeling how much pain you go through, luckily he's always up for a challenge

~ Before you two start you try it on yourself to see what setting is closest to what you experience every month

~ Then it's Throk's turn to put the little patches on his lower abdomen

~ He really does think that the pain won't be all that bad, galra are capable of withstanding all kinds of pain

~ *cue to Throk laying on the couch looking like he can withstand anything*

~ You start off with the first two settings which aren't so bad, Throk still has a cocky grin on his face thinking he's right about you overreacting every month

~ That's when you turn the dial up to the setting that matches your monthly cramps

~ Throk practically yowls in pain when he feels how bad it is, he's never felt anything like it before

~ He's never felt so much pain in his lower abdomen before and while the controls are on it doesn't end, instead it keeps coming in what he can describe as waves

~ He nearly rolls off of the couch in the process, thankfully he doesn't because he doesn't want the little wires to get damaged

~ Tries to keep a straight face after that but fails, Throk is willing to tough it out even though he wants to curl up in a ball and cry

~ However, as soon as you turn the dial up to the highest setting Throk begins to actually cry because the pain is so bad

~ He curls up into a ball as much as he can because he wants to find a position that eases the pain just a little bit; he doesn't find one, though

~ How are you able to survive such pain? And every month? He legit feels bad for criticizing you for something you can't control

~ Needless to say Throk has way more respect for you after he feels what you go through every month and he never complains again, instead he takes care of you every time you get your period and makes sure you're as comfortable as possible

__________

~ Ranveig ~

~ It's no secret that Ranveig's one of the toughest galra commanders in the entire galra empire, it's why he's in charge of one of the most dangerous territories, although because he's so powerful he thinks that he can withstand anything

~ He doesn't necessarily downplay your pain when you're experiencing period cramps, although he's definitely thought that you were overreacting during some of your worst periods

~ When you both come across a period cramps simulator at the space mall you decide to buy it so that you can see if your significant other can actually experience cramps without being affected

~ Ranveig agrees to try it the next day because he doesn't think it'll be so bad, little does he know what he's about to experience

~ You try it out first the next day so you know what setting is closest to what you feel on a monthly basis

~ Ranveig sits on the couch when you stick the little patches to his lower abdomen; he looks so confident and you're ready to bring him to his knees

~ He doesn't feel the first two settings but he feels a little bit of the third one and says it tickles

~ That's when he gets cocky and subtly mentions how human women are weak

~ You get angry and turn the dial up to the highest setting without warning him first because you're pissed, if he thinks that human women are weak for suffering from period cramps then he has another thing coming

~ Ranveig's eye widens and he actually squeals when he feels the pain rippling through his lower abdomen in waves, he never expected the pain to be that bad

~ Believe it or not you actually bring Ranveig to his knees, he slides right off of the couch so he can sit with his legs folded beneath him while he slouches in pain

~ He can't even talk because the pain is so bad, he legit regrets saying what he said

~ Like, imagine Ranveig curled up while failing to work through the simulated version of the worst period cramps in the entire universe

~ When you think he's had enough you turn the dial to zero and kneel down in front of your large boyfriend/husband

~ Ranveig apologies as soon as he catches his breath, then he admits how wrong he had been for thinking period cramps weren't painful

~ From then on Ranveig has the highest respect for human women, he believes that anyone who can go through all that pain, bleeding and other highly unpleasant symptoms must have some kind of incredible power

__________

~ Branko ~

~ Branko can be pretty cocky and thinks that he can handle anything, but unlike Throk he doesn't downplay your pain every time you get your period

~ However, he doesn't think it's all that bad and that he could easily handle it

~ That's when you order a period cramps simulator; if your significant other thinks that he can handle period cramps then you want him to prove it

~ Branko thinks it's cute and kind of hilarious when you dare him to try the simulator, since he thinks that he can handle it he humors you by agreeing

~ He has to wait for you to read the instructions and try it out so that you know which setting comes closest to what you experience every month, then you detach the patches from your lower abdomen and stick them on his

~ He barely feels the first two settings, although he starts to feel a little something by the time you turn the dial to the third

~ Branko wonders why you make such a big deal about your monthly cramps until you turn the dial up to what your cramps are like when you get them

~ You smirk as he grits his teeth together and assures you that he's fine even though he's obviously in pain

~ Since you sort of get satisfaction from proving your point you slowly turn the dial up a few more notches

~ Branko can tell that you're enjoying yourself; he's kind of proud, but at the same time he's in more pain than he originally thought he'd be in

~ The sudden burst of pain at the beginning was a whole new sensation to him, although the way the cramps increased with each turn of the dial had him writhing in pain on the couch

~ By the time you have the dial on the highest setting Branko is forcing himself to stay seated on the couch while tears spill down his cheeks, he never imagined that human women could experience such pain

~ In the end Branko learns his lesson and thinks that all human women are tough in order to be able to deal with their periods every month

~ After the whole ordeal he needs a few minutes to recover; in the future he makes sure to take care of you better when your period comes, it's the least he can do as your boyfriend/husband

__________

~ Lotor ~

~ Lotor understands that people of every species has to deal with some kind of reproductive organ related bodily function at some point during their lives, so naturally he knows you're not overreacting to your period cramps

~ In order to better understand what you go through every month Lotor orders a period cramps simulator

~ When Lotor proudly tells you about his most recent purchase you're a little speechless; on one hand it's sweet of him to want to understand what you go through, but on the other hand you feel bad for what he's about to experience when it comes in

~ On the day the package gets delivered to his ship he puts Acxa in charge while the two of you head straight to the habsuite you both live in

~ His generals already know all about the period cramps simulator, so they know not to disturb you and Lotor

~ Lotor thoroughly reads the instructions before you test it out first, that way you know what setting is closest to what you go through every month

~ When it's Lotor's turn you stick the patches on his lower abdomen and stand in front of him, and you make sure that he's ready before you turn the dial on its first setting

~ Lotor's body jerks and he lets out a loud gasp when he feels the first twinge of pain, he assures you that he's fine though

~ You apologize and asks him if he needs to to stop, but Lotor reassures you that he's fine

~ As you slowly turn the dial up to the level that matches your monthly cramps you notice how your significant other is on the verge of crying from the pain

~ Lotor's never experienced pain in such a way before, he respects you even more now than before, and he's always respected you

~ The way the pain wracks through his lower abdomen and the surrounding areas has him gritting his teeth and squeezing his knees as he tries to keep himself upright

~ He doesn't even make it to the highest setting before he has to stop, the waves of intense pain are too much for him to bear

~ Cuddles are ensured aftwards; Lotor always cuddles with you when you have period cramps, so you do the same to comfort him after he experiences them for himself even though they were only simulated

~ Lotor decides to use the period cramps simulator as an interrogation tool in case he ever needs it, that way he doesn't have to result to violence to get the answers he needs if the situation ever presents itself

[to-know-how-it-ends]

Outsiders Thoughts

Hi! Been a while since I've actually posted something, and I had the extreme honor of getting to see the Outsiders like 2 and a half months ago, and now that I've had more than enough time to process it I figured I would put down my thoughts! I'm going to start from the beginning, then keep going. Forgive the numerous parentheticals -- I absolutely loved this show and can't shorten my review. I had been listening to the cast album since it came out, looking at all the posts, hoping but never considering that I would actually be able to go. I got a gift of tickets to go with a friend and it was an AMAZING experience.

First thing's first -- important to note that I am not from New York, so Broadway culture in general is very interesting to me. Most shows I am lucky to see come on tour. It was very wild getting to see everyone's faces and the details on stage so clearly even from a mezzanine seat, something that isn't very normal for me and was awesome.

Anyhow, so I got in line with the person I went to see it with, put on all my bracelets I had made for the cast (I was kinda sad because both my Ace and Paul bracelets broke [several times haha] but what can you do) and went into the theater. That night we saw most of the original cast, except for Josh Strobl as Johnny (flawless-- I'll get to that later) and Milena Comeau as Ace (also fantastic). The ushers were really nice, and one of them complimented my outfit which made my night (among other things -- again, we'll get to that later). We sat down and listened to the music that plays before the show starts. I saw in a post by @throwing-in-the-towel that multiple songs play, but something must have been weird or it was on loop because I'm fairly certain I heard Jesus Was A Cross Maker about 10 times in a row (things happen!).

Anyhow now for the actual show where my thoughts will be more rambly

It was so cool to see Brody on the tire before the show started. No clue what he's writing in there, but he was QUITE focused on what he was writing. I could see people in orchestra trying to wave at him, which I think may have been kind of rude but I also don't know

anyway so the show started but there's no turn your phone off please, blah blah blah warning so it was kind of startling when it started, that's okay though because it definitely pulls you in

Tulsa 67

Tulsa 67 was just -- so amazing. I saw what I saw from watching the Tonys, but seeing the choreography in person was AMAZING. I constantly was hyperfocusing on one or two of the dancers (Especially Daryl Tofa and Milena) throughout the show which might have caused me to miss some things but I think that's okay because it was astonishing

Seeing the screen fade to Darry and Soda in the beginning made my heart drop into my stomach. I don't even know how to explain it. I wanted to cry 20 seconds into the show, because these characters felt so REAL

The introduction to Josh Strobl's Johnny was when I knew he was fantastic, just the way he carries himself is SO johnny. His voice was so sweet, I fell in love with the character that I loved so much in the book all over again.

The scene where Bob and the Socs beat up Ponyboy felt kind of like BAM because it's not something I expected to see right after the opening number. That being said, it makes sense plot-wise so it worked. Kevin William Paul as Bob was so Menacing (the capital was intentional) like he TRULY hated greasers. It's hard to sympathize with a guy like that -- kinda wish they showed more about how his heart could be "good" but also understand why they didn't. First act is pretty much solely Ponyboy's perspective.

Grease Got A Hold

LOVED the introduction to all the characters. They seemed so genuine, Jason and Brent have such amazing chemistry as stage brothers, and Daryl as Two-Bit was hilarious.

His like cracking up for a solid 10 seconds before he says "got one of their hubcaps"

was a little sad at the reducing of Steve as a character, but also I get it in terms of the plot -- it doesn't change the story much.

the choreography in grease got a hold is so good. Truly. with all the gravel everywhere, truly adds to the grittiness of the show. I knew how it looked partially because of the performances that are on youtube and from the tonys, but the way they make use of the set is so cool

Josh Boone's stage presence as Dally is unmatched. Seriously. Get this man a Tony. I'll get to more of this later, but wow. And his riffs in Grease Got A Hold. don't even get me started.

daryl's delivery of "you better bet your life" is different from the cast recording but in SUCH a good way.

I always love the part that's a-capella with the claps because it reminds me of come from away. can't really explain it, it just does and I love it

everyone making fun of Darry when he sings his verse -- cracked me up

Also jason schmidt -- just wow. what a performance. he has such a hold on you (if you'll forgive the pun) the moment you see him because I feel like you can tell that he's so much more than an airhead/flirt/etc. from the get-go. jason's portrayal of him is so perfect.

how physically affectionate the gang seems with each other

Runs in the Family

someone give brent comer a tony

no seriously he was fantastic. there isn't much movement in the song, but you don't need it. you can feel his pain. his frustration. they could never make me hate Darrel Shaynne Curtis

AND HIS VOICE. actually my favorite in the entire show

when the gang comes in and Ace is like "hey Darry got any chocolate cake", and the gang is all scooching together with big old smiles on their faces watching tv while Darry's scrubbing the kitchen

all of darry and pony's interactions are laced with so much tension, it's palpable. and darry's inherent mistrust of dally is very real

that being said -- dally is A LOT nicer in the musical. like no way would he hug pony and johnny in the book, or outwardly say how much he cared about them, even if you know that's how he felt. I do like how he's portrayed here but it is very different.

Great Expectations

love the whole scene beforehand

the 544 pages thing cracks me up

they all have such good brotherly chemistry, but I also feel like Jason Schmidt could have chemistry with a brick wall -- seems like he is the reason the brothers all mesh so well together

when they all look up at the train sound -- ahhh

Now for the song -- WHOA

okay so I was obsessed with the song when it came out, but after listening to it many many times I got kind of less excited about it. HOWEVER. Seeing and hearing great expectations live was an out-of-body experience. The harmonies! The high notes! The fact that Two-Bit and Ace look like they're floating. I truly can't put into words how beautiful that scene is.

the scene with Dally and Johnny made me cry, a little, but that's not hard to do lol

feel like this is poor theatre etiquette because I am like 99 percent sure you are not supposed to laugh when Johnny's like "I think he might kill her" but people were laughing and I was like seriously?!

the amazing chemistry between josh boone dally and josh strobl johnny. never seen sky but I hear his and josh boones chemistry is fantastic as well. josh strobl feels so ethereal as johnny. don't know if I'm explaining it right, but his voice is so sweet, he really feels like a kid.

the way Johnny physically pushed Dally away from going into his house, curling into himself afterwards, and how sad Dally looks after that

Friday at the Drive-In

I love emma pittman. i will probably say this several times. her stage presence is remarkable.

choreography was stellar as always

two-bit and steve seemed like on visibly hostile terms with Paul. like paul kept whispering to the other soc boys and looking back at two-bit and steve, and they kept being like Paul! paaaauuul! it was very entertaining

love the dynamic of the Soc girls. Cherry is so joyful, Marcia just looks happy to be there, and Bev is there with her happy snappy smile while she's looking at all the greasers like they're dirt

Ngl i'm kinda bored of writing thoughts for every song and I've been working on this post for a month lol so I'm just gonna give basic thoughts

two-bit's scream in justice for tulsa absolutely broke me. every time I think about it -- same effect.

at the second great expectations bit in far away from tulsa I started crying, it was so beautiful and I knew it was coming but like! the power in those voices!

Little Brother is probably my favorite scene in the entire show. josh boone's grief as dally is SO palpable -- and the background vocals also made me cry.

In the scene before stay gold soda genuinely looked like he was having a panic attack and darry and pony both looked so scared

I did not know how much I needed josh strobl singing stay gold

in the cast album I can't hear it as well, but live I heard the gorgeous harmony by daryl and brody for "everybody loves to judge us" and I may be wrong but daryls part of the harmony sounds almost exactly like the tune for "they say there's strength in numbers" in great expectations. do with that as you will

SO yeah the show defied my expectations, it was brilliant, I was in tears by the end, but we left our seats as soon as it ended because we were in the mezzanine and I wanted to get a spot at the stagedoor. The cast were so kind and genuinely gracious and excited to talk to the people at the stagedoor (including me). I wish I had said more but I was kind of starstruck -- I gave the cast the bracelets that I had made. The people that came out that night were kevin William paul, Kevin csolak (this was when he was still in the show!), melody , josh strobl, sarahgrace, emma , brent comer, daryl tofa, milena and jason . their reactions to the bracelets were so sweet! Emma did a little dance with hers, lol, and you can see it for a split second on one of her vlogs which was so cool to see after the fact. kwp was so kind, he complimented my magen david necklace and I believe I melted. Daryl was there but I missed him -- sg was signing my playbill and I was talking to her so he moved on the the next person and kept going -- which makes sense! I was so glad to see him though and he seemed really happy. I gave the rest of the bracelets I made to emma who said she would give them to the cast members who didn't come out (thank you emma!).

BUT

The next day, my grandmother and I won the suffs lottery and got to go see that show (which I'll post about later) and I got out to stagedoor there while the outsiders stagedoor was in full swing across the street. people were SCREAMING. The suffs cast had some guests come in so they didn't come out so early on, so I was like, why don't I cross the street, see if I can thank/express my awe to some cast members I didn't get to meet last night while I wait for the suffs cast to come outside. AND I DID! I got to meet josh boone, who I extolled my highest praise to (I was probably babbling lol) and he was SO KIND, and I met daryl tofa and we had a fun conversation about friendship bracelets and took a picture which was amazing. Fully did not expect that that was going to happen that night.

Long story short the outsiders is amazing and definitely one of my favorite musicals ever with such a sweet and talented cast. go see it if you can!

[inconspicious-random-thoughts]

Assuming the "mass hypnosis" theory doesn't play out, I have my own theory on how the Vees will try to take over Hell, or at least Pentagram City. Angelic steel made weapons have been presented as the strongest and most powerful weapons in the Hellaverse, and we know that Vox runs a company that's always making technological breakthroughs. Maybe Vox will salvage what little bit of the steel he can find and build an army of angelic drones/warbots. He can either use these machines to wage war on the other Overlords or sell them to gangs and crime lords throughout the city to cause chaos for the Overlords in his stead that he can use to further the common demon's dependence on the Vees resources. Plus, I just KNOW that he'd make an angelic superweapon specifically to kill Alastor (maybe his own holy mech suit with a battle axe like the one Adam used just to rub salt in the wound).

It's a little bit of an over-the-top theory, but I think the possibility is there.

Also, if you get tired of me sending you my theories and questions nonstop, just tell me you're tired of me and I'll give you breathing room.

Greetings.

I'm not tired of them at all. Quite the contrary. I'm more merely bewildered to be approached by them is all. But I in fact, quite enjoy the topics of discussions. It also brought somethings to my attention I haven't stop to considered before. I enjoy your thoughts and theories as well.

For those reading and unaware this is a follow up question from :

I think Vox creating a mecha would be hilarious. I don't think it will happen, but I can also see when everything else fails, Vox will use it as a trump card and it be so over the top that it just comical. For whatever reason, it gets destroyed quickly. Funnier if the Vees were "blasted off agaiiiiin" like team rocket.

But your idea of combining Angelitic steel to Vox machines is not far fetched at all and not something I thought of. In fact, it was already hinted at in the show.

Vox at the time was pretty much making shit up in front of paparazzi but I think he general pulls all nighters to solve the design/program on whatever product he promise and make them actually happen. He promised Angelic security to his consumers. He already figured out that he needed the angelic steel for it because he quickly demanded to his assist to cancel all meetings of the day but get Carmine on the books.

So, I assume he did actually have that meeting and bought a bulk of steel from her already. He has the material already since after episode 2....which is roughly 6 months Vox got to experiment with before extermination day.

Now, he was making defense system, but as the saying go, a best defence is a good offence. He can easily tweak his products and redesign them to be more oppressive offensive task force he can control. Or even more sinister, have his consumer buy the defense system but have them turn around against them once they solde enough.

Carmilla probably be beyond piss that her steel supply is used for to oppress and also against her as well. She may be a overlord but she vibing she actually cares the state of Hell and the city. The balance and order of things. She's a true uncorrupted politician.

Even if Voxtech Angelic warmachines doesnt come into fruition, I have no doubt that Vox does not carry an angelic blade or gun with the angelic bullets as a precaution. Especially after witnessing Alastor defeat and that alone would put ideas in his head about being able be to similarly wound Alasor himself.

[rosefinnigen]

What made you want to gain weigfht? Like how and why did you do it? I just want to know what you did when you started it.

So, my feedism story like a lot of people’s starts in childhood, but we’re going to skip all that because it’s stuff everyone’s heard before.

To tell this story, I first have to tell you about my first year of college. Imagine you’re me, you’ve been best friends with the same boy since the seventh grade, lowkey a little bit in love with him. The two of you go to the same college. First year, you live alone. He gets new friends. You… don’t.

He gets a boyfriend. We’ll call him goldfish boy. You, being 18 and stupid, start fooling around with his boyfriend.

Goldfish boy turns out to be a total piece of shit. What could have been a “hey, we fucked up, let’s come clean and stop doing that” turns into him blackmailing you, lying to you, and assaulting you more than once. To top that off, at the end of your months long affair, he tells you he was never attracted to you in the first place. (??????) Fun, right?

Couple of years of total celibacy. COVID happens, and goldfish boy ends up dying from something totally unrelated. COVID lockdown lifts, you go back to school, meet new people. Get a new roommate who you hit it off with really well. We can call them Summer.

Summer is really shy about their body — they were bullied really heavily for being fat, and a lot of their romantic relationships as an adult involved being fetishized contrary to their wishes. For summer, your compliments on their body occur as threats, and their reactions and attitudes subsequently make it hard for you to think about your own body without a vague sense of anxiety. Super awesome, right?

For totally unrelated reasons that relationship also goes up in flames. Meanwhile, you start working at a convenience store, and one of your coworkers is a grungy thirty-something with commitment issues. We’ll call him Slush.

Slush is a disaster of a man. He’s exactly the right combination of funny and chill to reel you in, and you’re the exact combination of reckless and traumatized to ignore the fact that he’s got three kids he’s not allowed to see and always smells like a basement. You put yourself in sexual situations you don’t actually want to be in because it’s the only way you know how to receive any form of intimacy. Amazing, right?

After the third time you hook up with Slush, you remember Goldfish boy, you remember Summer, and you think, “ya know, I’d really prefer not to repeat either of those experiences. At this point, either this person (a) simply doesn’t care I’m fat, (b) hates it but is gritting their teeth through it because I’m easy, or (c) is genuinely into it.” So you ask Slush, hey, which is it?

Slush, being a commitment-phobe, freaks out. He says “woah, I thought we weren’t doing labels” or some shit, and stops talking to you for a while.

(Later, after you gain about 25 pounds, you hook up again and he spends a solid half an hour going absolutely feral over your softer belly and thighs. So yeah, Slush MAY have been freaked out when you accidentally guessed correctly that he might have been into your fatness. Which, I mean, I guess is sort of understandable? But also hilarious, in an incredibly frustrating way.)

Anyway, because of all of these events combined, you finally have enough. You think, “man, fuck this tiptoeing around my weight thing. I’ve always been fat, I’ve always LIKED being fat, and I’m sick of wondering whether someone’s going to be a dick to me about it. So screw it, let’s go find some people who will actually celebrate this shit rather than hiding their attraction.”

And that’s basically the sequence of events that led to me joining tumblr, gaining 25 pounds, and falling in love with my amazing partner along the way. It kind of sucked getting here, if I’m honest, but now that I’m here, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. It’s amazing what a difference being really, truly loved and loving in return can make 🩷

…I also just realized you might have been asking *how* I started gaining weight, as in, methods? And tbh the answer is I don’t have a method. I eat what I want when I want to, and, well, sometimes I want a pizza every night for three weeks straight, lol.

Hope that answered your question, and thanks for the ask!

[beautifulpersonpeach]

Well these Bloomberg interviews and vids with Bang PD are very enlightening. Everyone saying JK’s music output this year has been brokered and driven by SB and the ‘synergy’ of Hybe America and Hybe SK and that JK was the pet project for this exploration will feel vindicated in their assessment. But it seems - based on Bang PD’s words - JK was all in on being a rock and staying home until Bang took him to dinner and played him “Seven” which JK said was the reason he got off the couch too. So the new question for people mad about SB’s involvement is whether they would have rather that JK put out no music this year (as seemed to be his plan) or that he’s trying all these new experiences working in the US and making songs that aren’t seeming to pass the ARMY test but are at least offering us a chance to watch JK work? It seems clear that JK got to decide what he wanted to do and it’s possible maybe he actually needed a little extra push from a new face at the co (in this case SB) to light a little spark under his tush and here we are now expecting 8 whole new tracks on the album.

(Unrelated but not really but BH dropping photos of JM with his BB Hot 100 #1 sash and the gorgeous cake clearly taken back when it happened is just hilarious given how much uproar over the cake. It was a very pretty cake too. Point is - we really don’t know what’s happening I’m that building!)

***

Yup! To both JK's Scooter sitch and the famed Jimin cake that had people writing mistreatment essays here for months. I found other things about Bang PD's interviews interesting, more about the business side of things especially regarding the scale of investment into new ventures.

But anyway,

It sounds like Jungkook hit a wall creatively, got 'stuck', and Bang PD plus SB got him excited again to put something out. I personally hope this translates to more involvement from JK on at least some tracks, because Bang PD's A&R for me is severely lacking so far.

And Jimin, with every new content drop all I can do is laugh at almost all the takes I've seen in the last six months. I won't say any more than that.

I hope you're having a lovely Jimtober, Anon.

[youcouldmakealife]

LBTE: Jared (134-135)

The end of an era.

If you want to follow along, the series page is here.

134. Concession

Jared’s dad fixes the wall, sends Jared a picture, pristine again, like nothing happened.

Don has already had a really sour taste in his mouth due to the way Bryce is getting talked about in Calgary, but this is a bit of a turning point in his relationship with Bryce and also starting to distance himself from Flames fandom.

Nothing really changes — Bryce breaks out of the slump for a bit, and the media backs up one step, and then he slumps again and they sprint forward five, breathing down the back of his neck. Jared needs to stop reading the articles, they leave him furious and blurry-eyed, half anger half helplessness, but he can’t stop doing it, picking at it like a scab. He knows Bryce is reading them too. He tells Bryce not to. Bryce says he knows he shouldn’t. They both keep reading them.

Objectively great advice that’s not hard to follow when you don’t actually need said advice, and impossible to follow when you do.

She returns with a violently blue beverage that Jared eyes very suspiciously, before he sips it. It tastes kind of like blue Gatorade, which is a terrific find. She follows it up with a violently purple one that tastes like grape popsicles, and then a violently red one that tastes like a jolly rancher. Jared is incredibly impressed.

Blue Lagoon, Alexander the Grape, Killer Koolaid.

“We find you Gabe and Stephen,” Dmitry says.

“Stephen’s mean,” Jared says.

Jared without a filter is something else.

“Come on,” Dmitry says, wrapping an arm around his shoulder, and Jared’s too unsteady to shrug it off, just meekly lets Dmitry guide him to a back corner, where Stephen’s sipping a glass of wine and reading emails, probably work ones. Gabe always complains he never turns off work mode, but considering how all-consuming pro hockey careers are, he probably doesn’t have much of a leg to stand on.

“Your boy,” Dmitry says, and drops Jared unceremoniously into the chair across from Stephen.

“What did you do to him,” Stephen says, but Dmitry just laughs and walks away. “What did he do to you?”

Stephen’s trying to get some work done and then suddenly he has a sad kid on his hands.

“I miss Bryce,” Jared says. Quietly, so Stephen’s the only one who’ll hear him. He’s drunk, but not that drunk.

“Oh here it is,” Stephen says, putting his phone away.

But he’s been waiting for it, honestly. And not just tonight. We’re now in month four of Bryce’s stretch of bad luck.

“And he’s not playing well,” Jared says.

“No,” Stephen says.

“And the media’s so fucking awful to him,” Jared says.

“They are,” Stephen says.

“I just want to help him,” Jared says helplessly. “I just want to help him and I can’t and I feel useless.”

Stephen looks him in the eye. “Did you let Oksana give you drinks,” he says.

Stephen has some prior experience with this situation.

“Okay,” Stephen says. “Rule one: never let Oksana give you drinks.”

“It’s too late,” Jared says. “I’ve drunk them. They’re drunken.”

A lil bit of Joey Munroe sneaking into Jared here. I blame the drinks.

“Drink some water. Call your husband, tell him a bunch of mushy shit about how much you love and miss him. Maybe don’t mention the not playing well part. Then go to bed.”

Good advice, delivered with greasy food and a ride home. Stephen’s getting soft.

“Okay,” Jared says. He drinks some water, calls Bryce, who is amused by Jared’s Oksana-induced inebriation, and says some truly mushy shit he probably wouldn’t say if he wasn’t drunk. Bryce says some truly mushy shit back, even though he is not drunk, but that’s okay. Jared is drunk enough to endure hearing it.

Bryce does not need an excuse to say mushy shit, just an opportunity.

Elaine’s going to be staying with his parents — they insisted, which is hilarious —

Jared continues to be amused and bemused by how much his parents love Elaine, like he, the child of the two of them, doesn’t also love Elaine.

The media’s backed off just a bit, though it’s in a barbed way

You ever read a piece on the Certified Toronto Maple Leaf Whipping Boy of the day when they’re doing too well to whip? Boy does the media get catty when they can’t use the claws.

Bryce has been playing well, but he’s been playing well for himself; he’s checked out of the team part of it, goes to pregame for Game One with this determined look like it’s his job and he’s going to do it, and he’s going to do it well, but it’s, well — a job.

Bryce is pretty much putting Xs on his calendar at this point.

Jared watches Game One at his parents’, sitting between his mom and Erin. His dad’s at the game with Elaine, which Jared is not salty about.

I’m just glad Elaine has someone to watch with. She appreciates it.

Erin, in Jared’s Oilers jersey — she’s so petty, god —

This isn’t even pot to kettle, this is pot to pot.

Jared isn’t so pleased about the goal that he neglects to mock the shit out of Erin for the squeaky little noise of joy she made when it went in.

“Mom,” Erin whines.

“Like a little mouse,” mom says.

“Mom!” Erin says.

“A squeaky little mouse,” Jared agrees.

It’s REAL cute.

“Ugh, I know,” Erin says, and slumps back in her seat. “I hate being personally invested in this. Why do I have to care about this? Why is this a thing I now care about?”

Me, 14 years ago, after enduring hundreds of hours in arenas watching my brother play, and considering myself immune.

“You’re going to sign a multi-million dollar contract this summer,” Erin says. “Whereas I am but a poor peasant university student, who would like to celebrate the win of my brother-in-law at a public house with my fellow scholars. But alas, I am insolvent. Woe betides me.”

Jared rolls his eyes and gives her fifty for the drama. “You used ‘woe betides’ wrong, I’m pretty sure.”

“Yeah but I’m pretty sure it earned me an extra thirty bucks,” Erin says

She is not wrong.

hops out of the car in her stupid Matheson jersey, which Jared is far more concerned about than her out drinking.

“Take the Oilers jersey off before you go out!” Jared says.

Erin waves a dismissive hand and shuts the door.

Jared rolls his window down. “Don’t drink any violently flavoured drinks!”

Jared’s concerns here are hilarious out of context but both based on relevant prior experience.

“I’ll get you a new ice pack,” Jared says, but he’s hindered by Bryce wrapping his arms around him and becoming pure dead weight.

“Just,” Bryce says. “Stop.”

This is what Bryce needs more than anything right now. Unfortunately only something he can get a night at a time

135. Eulogy

I didn’t exactly leave you all in suspense about how this part was going to go, did I?

Bryce keeps up the hot streak, but Jared can’t enjoy it. He swears, it’s like the better Bryce plays, the further away he seems. When he’s home, he’s home, he’s Bryce, goofy and earnest and sweet, but the second play comes up there’s a wall that comes up around him.

It’s not so much that Bryce is keeping his play from Jared, blocking Jared out, more that he’s keeping Jared away from his career, like some kind of movie cliche, ‘can’t let him know I’m an assassin’ or something dumb like that. Jared points it out, because obviously he does, and Bryce apologises, because obviously he does, but it doesn’t change. Every game, rinse and repeat.

Bryce is pretty hardcore compartmentalizing Jared from his career right then. Jared is Good. Hockey right now is Bad. Bryce doesn’t want Jared anywhere near the bad shit at that moment. He totally gets Jared’s frustration, and he means it when he apologises and says he’ll talk to him going forward, but it’s never something he’s in the mood to talk about, right then, especially when being around Jared is one of the only bright spots in his life right then.

Jared’s worried. Jared’s been concerned for awhile, but it’s been upgraded. He’s worried.

Jared at seventeen, eighteen, maybe even nineteen would be angry instead of worried. Bryce’s growth is a lot more pronounced, but Jared’s done plenty himself, particularly in his relationship.

They take it in Colorado, and Bryce comes home in the middle of the night, a little tipsy from victory drinks on the plane, but not like — victorious. Not like he would have been in other years. Happy, sort of. Happy, Jared guesses.

Not really happy, probably.

I honestly just really like this diminishing level of happiness, all chock full of qualifiers from the get go.

And that’s before Brandon Simcoe scores six points in two games against a stunned still Flames team, scoring goals every fucking time he isn’t slamming Bryce into the boards, or drawing Bryce’s temper out and getting him sent to the box.

Look, the name Shithead wasn't like calling a big dude Tiny. I've grown to love him dearly, but it's a little despite myself, because he's a total shithead.

The previously stellar goaltending’s fallen apart. The D looks frozen out there. The Scouts’ power-play is on fire, and the Flames are giving them no shortage of opportunities, taking weak calls in their desperation to try to turn the tide.

But of course the media’s talking about Bryce’s penalties, talking about how his name isn’t on the scoresheet.

If you’re a star player, and your offence dries up in the postseason, this happens 100% of the time. D? Never heard of her.

There’s no fire, no ‘we’ll come back from this’, no ‘fuck those guys, we have them’. Bryce comes home, and he unpacks, and he doesn’t talk about the games, doesn’t want to talk about the games, so they don’t talk about the games, and then the Scouts come to town.

Everything about this is already completely defeated on both their parts.

Mutes it about five minutes in and doesn’t turn the sound back on all game.

Game ever stress you out so bad the commentators are nails on a chalkboard? (That’s literally just Sportsnet commentators, with the exception of John Shorthouse. Best in the biz. Still think his muted ‘and play continues’ after the refs miss a call is the pinnacle of another huge Canadian sport: passive-aggression.)

Simcoe has a two point night. So does Williams. Half the Scouts roster seems to have gotten a point in this mess.

Genuinely fascinating to write these series from two sides. Really brings home that somebody’s elation must involve someone else’s heartbreak. Can’t win without a loser.

“I’m gonna take a shower,” Bryce says, and he just had one, hair still damp from it, but Jared gets that it’s different, perfunctory post-game shower to wash the sweat off versus letting himself unknot under the hot water.

The water’s still running a half hour later, and Jared knocks. “You good babe?”

Bryce has been having a whole ass breakdown in there, so not so much.

“Jared, I love you,” Bryce says, barely audible over the water. “But can you please fuck off right now.”

This possibly could have been phrased better but also absolutely could not have been, considering his mental place at the moment. Physically: standing in the shower. Mentally: in fetal position.

The water shuts off not long after that, and when Bryce doesn’t come into the living room Jared figures he’s holed up in theirs. Jared blindly flicks through channels, feeling adrift. It’s sort of the same feeling he had in Vancouver, Bryce a thousand kilometres away and Jared unable to do anything for him, but it’s worse in a way, Bryce just down the hall and Jared still unsure what he can do, knowing he can’t fix it, that this isn’t the sort of thing that’s like ‘hey I love you so that makes it all better, right?’. It doesn’t.

Jared’s least favourite state has to be helplessness (close second: ignorance), and he really is helpless here.

The door to their room’s ajar when Jared goes to the bathroom, a tentative invitation, and when Jared peeks his head in Bryce, curled up in bed, gives him a weak smile that Jared thinks counts as one too.

Bryce is now physically as well as mentally in the fetal position. But feeling slightly better nonetheless.

He kisses Bryce’s temple, where his hair’s drying in the loose wave it gets when Bryce doesn’t bother to style it, Jared always a little in love with it just because of its rarity.

Every chink in Bryce’s armour is Jared’s favourite thing.

“Where do you want to go?” Jared asks.

“I don’t know,” Bryce mumbles. “I want Vancouver not to be impossible.”

I knew where he was going at this point, but he and Dave had not concocted their plan yet.

“I don’t want to do this anymore,” Bryce whispers, and there’s nothing Jared can say to that, so he just kisses his temple again, runs his fingers through Bryce’s hair, stays there with him as Bryce breathes, quick and unsteady, stays there with him until it slows, evening out, stays a little longer after that.

He’s so tired and he’s so burnt out and every atom of him wants to quit, but he can’t. Or, sure, he could, if he wanted to blow up his career. A player refusing to report to training camp is enough to break a contract — during the postseason?

Jared watches Game Four with the TV muted again, not that the Saddledome is any louder. Solemn as church, dad described it last game. Today it’s probably solemn as a funeral, because that’s exactly what it is.

Jared can be absolutely vicious with a turn of phrase sometimes.

“Tell me I don’t have to do media tomorrow,” Bryce says.

Jared sighs and sits beside him.

“Just — I know it’s a lie,” Bryce says. “Just tell me it anyway.”

“You don’t have to do media tomorrow,” Jared lies. He does. It’d be a poison pill to any trade if he didn’t, would simultaneously put the final nail in the coffin of his relationship with the Flames and depreciate his trade value to the point they wouldn’t want to ship him out. He has to do media.

Bryce stares up at the ceiling. He knows all this. Jared knows he knows all that.

Oh my darlings.

Bryce is crying, this silent thing, just tears trickling out of the corners of his eyes like he doesn’t even notice he’s doing it.

He’s so fucking tired.

“I love this city so much,” Bryce says. “But it didn’t do a single fucking thing to earn it except give me you.”

Almost every single one of the best moments of his life took place in Calgary. He met Jared in Calgary. He proposed to Jared in Calgary. He got married to him right outside of it. It’s inextricable from Jared for him, so he loves it. But it’s also the place that ground him down. And not just once.

“Tell me I don’t have to do media,” Bryce says.

“You know you do, B,” Jared murmurs, and pulls Bryce in, arms around his shaking shoulders, when he starts to cry in earnest.

Bryce crying continuing to make me tear up at minimum every fucking time. The most I have ever related to Jared was when he said every time Bryce cried he wants to cry, and honestly, I relate to Jared too much as it is. Can't write hobgoblins without at least a little gremlin in you.

[archerlullaby]

For writing, how bout the moment the chain meets Twilight’s childhood friend Ilia. Like how’d they respond to how they are together (friend or relationship it’s up to you) how Twilight is around ilia…..enjoy

ANON THIS IS SUCH A CUTE IDEA! Ilia is such a girlboss and I’m surprised that there aren’t more works out there that have her in it. AND TWI??? Even though he’s a big scary fella on the outside I’m sure he’s the biggest cinnamon roll on the inside. IM SURE HE GETS SO FLUSTERED—

As a side note, I had to keep myself from making Twilight say “Yer darn tootin”, and I can’t tell if I’m pleased or disappointed in myself. Anyways, here’s the food:

Home to You

Twilight groans as he picks his face up from the dirt. He was absolutely certain that the Goddess had it out for him, as his experiences of going through a portal often leave him with a mouthful of mud and grass. To add insult to injury, Time thinks it’s hilarious, and often gives little quips about it whenever can. In fact, it’s Time who hoists him up by his baldric, grinning like a child.

“Didn’t know you went vegan, Rancher!” He says, voice barely hiding a laugh. Twilight growls, spits out the leaves in his mouth, and slaps Time’s hand off his shoulder. Standing, he adjusts his wolf pelt with as much dignity as he could muster. His irritation is short-lived, however, when the familiar scent of his Hyrule makes itself apparent. His heart speeds up, excitement fluttering in his stomach as a wide grin grows on his face. It’s been months since he’s been home. Months! It’s been longer still since he’s been in Ordon Village, as most of the Chain’s adventures lead them primarily to Hyrule Castle.

Twilight turns towards Hyrule, who currently has his hands on his knees and looks like he is about to hurl into the bushes.

“Chin up, Roolie!” He grins, “You can’t be feeling sick when you’re in Ordon! You still have yet to try the famous pumpkin soup!” Hyrule groans, doing his best to settle his stomach. “It’s made with the heartiest pumpkins,” —Hyrule lurches— “The creamiest goat cheese,”—Hyrule turns greener— “And to top it off, the nutrient-filled head of a Rockfish! Eyes and all!” Hyrule finally slaps a hand to his mouth.

“Please stop, I’m begging you,” he groans weakly. Twilight relents and wraps an arm around the smaller man’s shoulders.

“Sorry, I’m just happy to be home!”

Wild picks his way over to his mentor, eyes bright and curious.

“So, where do we go from here? Your village, I’m guessing?” He asks, pulling a twig from his hair and looking at it thoughtfully.

“That’s right, Cub,” Twilight replies, snatching the twig away before Wild can put it in his mouth.

“Then let’s get going! It’s about time I sleep in an actual bed without you know who drooling on me,” Legend butts in and give a pointed stare at Sky, who merely shrugs and smiles. “And,” Legend continues, “I would like at least one night of my life not having to worry about getting mauled by one of Wild’s stupid bears! My hat still hasn’t recovered.” He looks forlornly at his cap, which has six very conspicuous-looking holes in it. Twilight claps him on the shoulder.

“Not to worry, Leg. We’ve got the best bear-free accommodations in the region, and it’s only a half day journey. We’ll make it by nightfall if we start now!” Twilight starts walking through the trees as the others eagerly fall in behind him, spurred on by the promise of beds to sleep on and a warm evening meal.

It takes the group less than half a day’s journey, Twilight’s excitement quickening their pace. The sun, although low in the sky, has yet to touch the horizon as the enter through the village gates. Twilight pauses and takes a big breath in, the familiar scent of sun warmed gardens and grazing animals chasing away any remnants of homesickness. His eyes are drawn towards two small figures rushing towards him

“Liiiiiiiiinnnkkk!” Their voices bounce with each step as the two boys run down the dirt path.

“Malo! Talo!” He laughs, spreading his arms as the boys all but tackle him. When they finally let go, they bounce around him, pulling at his trousers and hands. “How you both have grown!”

The others watch on in mild amusement as their resident tough-guy is harassed by children. The brothers’ loud voices alert the other children in the village, and it’s not long before Twilight has a kid perched on his shoulders, another hooked to his hip, and two others wrapped around each of his legs, weighing down his steps. It’s like this that he makes his way towards his house, running in to other residents of the town along the way. Pergie and Jaggle both wave from their doorstep, and call in Malo and Talo for dinner. The two leave reluctantly, but not before forcing Twilight to promise to show them more bow skills. Rusl greets him with a firm handshake and a pat on the back and Uli pulls him into a crushing hug, planting a kiss on his cheek.

“We know you’re tired dear. We’ve kept your home clean and tidy while you were away, but if you need anything at all, you know where to find us!” Uli winks. She turns to the remaining kids clinging onto Twilight. “And the rest of you, shoo! Link and his friends need rest. You can see him tomorrow!” Twilight nods his thanks, and gestures to the others to follow, trudging the rest of the way to his home.

Opening the door, he smile and beckons everyone in. Wind and Warriors make a beeline for the pile of pillows in the corner, shoving each other out of the way, as Sky gently rests the Master Sword against a cabinet and promptly collapses on the rug.

“Make yourselves comfortable. Wild, can you whip up something—”

“Already on it,” Wild says as he heads back outside.

“Thanks. And please, my home is your home, so don’t feel like—”

“Link?” A soft voice floats down from the loft. A sudden quiet descends upon the group, seven pairs of eyes staring up at the figure of a young woman with gentle eyes and short, lopsided hair. Twilight, the only one not immediately facing the loft, slowly turns around, eyes wide and breath short. When he sees her, his brain promptly short-circuits.

“Ah…I…uh,” he struggles. Finally, he just lifts his hands and simply signs hi. She laughs (like bells, he thinks) and slides down the ladder before approaching him and putting her hands on her hips.

“Hi, farmboy,” she smiles, and Twilight can’t do anything but sheepishly rub the back of his neck. This was his downfall, as this gesture was another attribute that every Link shared, and by Hylia they know what it means.

“You have a girlfriend?” Warriors all but yells.

“Uh—” Twilight is cut off by Time, who comes up behind him and rests his hands on Twilights shoulders.

“Hi. I’m Time. Welcome to the family. I’m happy to see my son is not a lost cause.” Twilight is mortified and buried his face in his hands as Ilia merely laughs and raises an eyebrow. Legend leans on the wall next to her.

“I’m not going to say I’m surprised. I’m not a surprised type of guy. But how in Hylia’s name did you get past the wet dog smell?”

“Wet dog? I think it smells more like goats,” Four chimes in. Wind nods, a shit-eating grin appearing on his face.

“Not to mention he eats like a wild animal!” The Sailor chortles.

“And snores like one too,” Hyrule mumbles.

“ENOUGH!” Twilight wails and shoos everyone back with his hands. His face and neck were red, redder than anyone in the group had ever seen, and the group took far too much delight in seeing their usually broody brother squirm in embarrassment. Twilight turns back to Ilia, unable to meet her eyes.

“This, um, this is the group I’ve been traveling with. You haven’t met them yet ‘cause the last time we were here you and your Pa were in the next village over,” he explains.

“I see,” she replies, holding in a laugh. Twilight all but sighs and goes to turn away to wallow in his humiliation, but before he can, Ilia grabs his shoulders. “Come back here, you!” Her laugh bubbles out of her lips and she pulls him into a bear hug. He melts into it, almost draping himself over her smaller frame. A collective awww from the group and a whistle from Wars makes Ilia stand on her tiptoes and peek over Twilight’s shoulder.

“Now hush!” She says sternly. Everyone’s mouths immediately snap shut. “This poor boy has had enough embarrassment for one evenin.” Twilight nods into her shoulder.

The others finally began to go about their own business, stealing amused glances at the couple. It was Sky who timidly approaches the two when Twilight finally broke the hug.

“Hi, I’m Sky. You seem like a very nice person!” Sky’s smile was nothing if not genuine. Ilia returns it

“Ilia. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I notice you didn’t chime in on embarrassing my farmboy here,” she pats Twilight’s shoulder. Sky laughs.

“I get the same treatment when we visit my home, trust me when I tell you. I figured I’d let him catch a break this time,” he replies, throwing a wink towards Twi. He nods his thanks, but not before he looses a large yawn, one which Sky can’t help but return. The Skyloftian stretches and heads towards the lounge.

“You all must be exhausted!” She turns back towards Twilight, “I’ve been the one keeping your home ready for you. Why don’t you go settle down and I’ll make you all some warm milk?”

“Could you, maybe, stay with me for a little while longer? Then you can warm the milk?”

She smiles softly.

“How can I refuse those puppy-dog eyes? Fine. Come on, then.” She grabs his hand and pulls him towards the lounge where everyone else had made themselves comfortable. He makes his way to a vacant space and gently pushes an already sleepy Sky to lean the other way. Settling in on one of the cushioned seats, Twilight pulls Ilia down next to him and hooks an arm around her to pull her close as she snuggles in to his side. He allows himself a small smile and rests his head on top of hers. It was then he caught Time’s gaze. It was soft and warm, his eyes crinkling slightly at the edges. It was a look only reserved for moments when he spoke of home and family, or when Wind would best one of the older boys in a spar. A rare look to be certain. Twilights smile grew. He’s proud of me. He closes his eyes and lets himself take in the comfort of his home, the woman at his side, Sky’s soft snores, and even the muted bickering between Wars, Wind, and Legend about something or the other. He feels safe. Warm. Loved. It was the most peaceful he’s felt for so long, and he basks in the feeling. That is, until Wild kicks the door open with a loud BANG that has everyone scrambling.

“Dinners done. Wait, what the hell?” He drops the food. “YOU’VE GOT A WIFE?”

Twilight groans and hides his face in Ilia’s hair. This was going to be a long evening.

[pisces-magazine]

Antinatalism debate with male friend

OH MY GOOOOODDDDDDDDD HE REALLY WON'T LET IT GO HELP😭

i just went back to the gc and he said sumn more. like, he CAN'T let me have the last say sdocnfvig nervous men are hilarious, in some way.

OH AND HE HAD THE FKCXJD AUDACITY TO TELL ME I TOOK IT PERSONAL, LIKE I SAID TO HIM EARLIER. passive agressive much? maan...!

i really got flashbacks of the vegan debate. it's the fucking same. really, the root to all evil is sexism and/or capitalism.

you know those ppl who get offended (intimidated) by vegans/vegetarians? they say stuff like "you should RESPECT that i eat meat as i respect you don't !!" 💀

the mass apathy and cognitive dissonance is really dangerous.

i feel for him. he thinks, as many people, sadly, that 1 or 2 people won't change the world, won't change anything. a handful, at most, which is not true at all.

this phenomenon speaks volumes about the effect the media have on society individuals. i have to talk about this.

if the media showed, talked about all the millions of happy families that there are, he wouldn't be so hard on this. cause he- oh my god, he said "but think about the ppl who adopt and are misserable. there's a lot of that" like💀 dude... that's rare. it's rare to have adopted kids, for starters, but sad ones? rare. and actually, families with adopted kids are happier, as they are definitely planned, unlike genetic families, which, i don't even have to say it, right?

so if we were to decide whether to adopt or not, based on the quantity of happy families, then we would for sure decide to adopt. but of course if i say this, it'd be like white noise to him.

"I won't make a difference" - said millions of people in unison.

i noticed something. he started, towards the ending of this debate (on my end, passive aggressive discussion on his) to mimic my wording: quoting, and a try of elevating the terms, longers answers. and while i kept saying more things, adding to my argument, from different angles, he kept saying the same things, just in different wording. a visible wall on his end, not a single moment where he tried to really understand the words in front of him.

this all started by him saying he wanted to have kids with his genetics, in which i advised to adopt because it is, in a nutshell, better. and of course, he took it as a personal attack, only he did not realise (or at least wouldn't admit so).

also, i think it, too, offended him that i just said that people who knowingly conceive are plain bad people. i guess it shocked him. he then pointed out that selection of words, so i corrected myself saying that they may not be bad people, but definitely just plain ignorants which... he did not appreciate, lol.

he just started uni this month, so i get it a little, very little, bit. i tried to cool it off asking about what subjects he has. because i started this year, in april, and we very likely have some in common. i asked about "introduction to scientific knowledge", because that one made me read an AMAZING book on knowing how to debate, basically. so it would serve him a lot to read that one lol. hope i didn't make it obvious.

like my mother said hundreds of times, "university opens your mind" which i totally share. hopefully he will be different in a couple of months.

i think this was the first time we talked seriously, like, without joking at all. a little note on that: make sure who your so called friends are by debating difficult stuff with them. talk about politics and society phenomenons. that will actually tell you enough about who they are and how mature (if anything) they are.

so, by this experience, i will distance myself from him, sadly. i am really disappointed. having male friends is hard because they tend to get defensive about their ideas and beliefs. and ugh, i just know he wouldn't have put this resistance towards my information if i was a guy. he has a lot of work to do in himself and he doesn't know. and if he doesn't know, then there's no point in me telling him i will take distance, as he won't realise. that probably means just never talk about serious stuff with him ever again, which is sad tho. i can be pretttty weak on distancing from people who are wrong on some things but share a humour sense with them, so i'll see. i'll update, if/when i remember.

keep an eye out on your males, people.

[bittenbyyou]

Desiderium (1)

MCU!Spider-Man x Cop!Reader | Peter Parker x Cop!Reader

Desiderium: an ardent desire or longing. especially : a feeling of loss or grief for something lost.

genre: angst, light-hearted comedy

description: In which Peter accidentally travels to your Earth, where he’s a wanted criminal and you’re supposed to arrest him.

word count: 2.4k

warnings: bit of angst, attempts at comedy, NWH spoilers, Across the Spiderverse movie references, Power Ranger SPD references lmfao (OC is a power ranger cop), Peter being an absolute dork and geeking out at OC’s powers, I just want him happy :(((

a/n: This is my attempt at a love story that I couldn’t get out of my head. I was heavily inspired by the character Yuri Watanabe in the Spider-Man game, wondering what would happen if Yuri and Spider-Man were a thing. But you don't have to know the game because OC isn’t exactly like Yuri except for the cop part. I made her a Power Ranger instead because I can and it’d be hilarious if Spider-Man met a Power Ranger (plus Japanese Spider-Man ran so other Spider-Men could walk. Okay enough of me geeking out now). 

extra a/n: The Japanese Power Rangers were actually what inspired me because they were the original before America adapted it. OC is basically Jasmine from Dekaranger if anyone’s curious. 

Things were uneventful after everyone forgot who Peter Parker was. Crime was reduced to typical bank robberies and short-lived car chases. Nothing that Spider-Man had to get himself involved in. It was dangerously boring, which wasn’t good. Boring meant free time. And free time meant he was trapped with his thoughts. 

He wanted to forget it all. Forget that he was all alone. Forget that he didn’t get into MIT. Forget he was stuck working a minimum wage paying job that barely got him to pay his rent. Trust that he was spiraling into waves of depression, blaming himself for what happened and that it was all for the best.

But was it really? 

The fact he couldn’t go to Aunt May’s grave without coincidentally running into Happy and lying about his relationship with her. The fact that Mr. Stark wasn’t there to mentor him, scold him, or comfort him anymore. The fact that he had to let go of the love of his life and best friend crushed him to the point where he thought he would go mad. 

He had to find a hobby and so he did what he did best—build things, specifically new gadgets. Why not with all this free time? 

About four months in, Peter had been invested in working on an experimental device in his makeshift lab. The goal was to be able to travel across the multiverse and find a world where he wasn’t suffering. For once, he had hope that he could have a happy ending. Yes, it was dangerous and stupid, but he had to try. This wasn’t magic; it was science. And experimenting was the only thing keeping him sane. 

Once he put on the finishing touches, he suited up and swung himself onto his apartment’s rooftop. 

He overlooked the city he once protected and loved, bidding it farewell. This world didn’t need him anymore. Not as Peter Parker. Not as Spider-Man. He pressed the button on the gadget wrapped around his wrist, resulting in an electric shock from the device. 

“Ow!” 

By some miracle, he caused an electromagnetic surge that opened up a temporary rift in the fabric of reality, causing a brief glimpse into an alternate Earth. He couldn’t believe his eyes, jumping into the portal without hesitation. 

“Ahhh!!!”

To say he dropped out of the sky wouldn’t be an exaggeration. The superhero fell face flat onto the roof of an apartment building, groaning from the impact. Getting up and perching on the ledge, he overlooked the city he was in to quickly realize it was Queens, New York. But… something seemed off. The people looked human, but then there were others that appeared… extraterrestrial. 

“Damn it,” Peter muttered, smacking the device on his wrist. It wasn’t working anymore, completely fried to a crisp. Panic settled into his features because he didn’t know where the hell he was. “What do I do…?”

He peered down on the streets to see some cops walking back to their station and figured maybe someone could help him there. 

It’s almost laughable how easy your job could be sometimes. You were at Delta Base circulating wanted posters around the police station, paying no mind to those who came and went. It wasn’t until you heard a soft, gentle voice ask an officer at the front desk a question.

“Hi, my name is Spider-Man and uh, I think I’m on the wrong Earth… or maybe the wrong planet? I saw so many aliens out there, are y’all being invaded? I’ll help you if you help me?

The police officer saw the poster on his desk with the word “WANTED” in big bold letters, trembling at the resemblance. “O-Oh my god! It’s the same person! Um?!” 

He held up the poster and looked over to you, who was at the other end of the information counter, eyes screaming, “HELP ME, CAPTAIN.”

You looked up and placed your posters down, walking over to the wanted man in question. “Pardon me, on our Earth when you first walk into a police station, it’s custom to pose like this.” 

You placed your wrists in line with each other, palms facing inward towards the body and the man in red and blue copied you.

“Like this?” 

“Thanks,” you immediately placed handcuffs on him, “you made my job so much easier.”

Spider-Man lifted his hands up to his face, the white part on his mask where his eyes were widened in disbelief. “Wait, I’m not a criminal!”

Grabbing the poster from the officer’s hands to exhibit it to the lawbreaker, you explained, “Spider-Man, you’re wanted for illegal use of teleportation across the multiverse.”

Spider-Man squinted at the poster to examine it closer. “I’m only worth a bounty of 2 million dollars? Ouch.”

“You’re under arrest.”

As a group of officers surrounded Spider-Man, tension filled the air. They were on high alert, weapons drawn, ready to make an arrest. Peter shook his head in denial. How could this be happening again? Even on a different Earth people were after him because he was Spider-Man. He had to get out of here.

Just as the officers were about to move in, a loud, piercing alarm began blaring from a nearby building. The sound echoed through the streets, capturing the attention of everyone in the vicinity.

The officers, trained to prioritized public safety, immediately shifted their attention to the source of the alarm. Spider-Man used this to his advantage. In a swift motion, he launched into a flurry of kicks, each one executed with remarkable speed and accuracy.

His first kick was a spinning hook kick, his leg extended in a graceful arc. His foot connected with an officer’s forearm, knocking the weapon out of their grasp. Without missing a beat, Spider-Man transitioned into a rapid succession of roundhouse kicks. His legs became a blur of motion as he unleashed a whirlwind of strikes, sending his opponents stumbling backwards.

"Will," he exclaimed with a forceful kick, "this," he followed up with another powerful kick, "make my bounty higher?!"

All the officers were down now, groaning from the pain inflicted by Spider-Man. He met your eyes and let out a nervous laugh. “I’d say I’m worth 3 million now.”

You charged towards him, but he shot a web that glued you to the information desk. 

“What the hell?” That shouldn’t have been possible. The cuffs were designed to stop Spider-Man’s webs from coming out from his body. 

“Sorry, pretty police lady!”

Peter tried to break the handcuffs using brute force, widening the whites of his mask when he failed. He tried again, cursing to himself as to why it wasn’t working. You took that chance to reach into your pocket, pulling out your SP License. Pressing the button that activated your transformation, your shiny red uniform gave you enough strength to break free of the webs. 

You charged towards him to gain enough speed, launching a flying kick to his face. Peter’s body was flung backwards into the wall and he fell flat on his face, moaning in pain. Before he could fully get up, you pulled out your magnum firearms.

“Stay down.”

Not like you gave him a choice. His entire whole body jolted from the sudden shock of your taser. 

Peter stood in his cell bored out of his mind. How could things go so wrong so fast?

“Excuse me?” he called out, grabbing onto the bars. “I think there’s been a misunderstanding. I’m also hungry… I got homework.”

He heard the sound of footsteps approaching and he saw you, clad in your bright red uniform. On the left side of your body was a large number 1 in the color black. He gasped in admiration while you crossed your arms. 

“You’re a Power Ranger? Dude, that is so cool! I thought it was just a TV show!”

You put your hands on your hips. “What’s a Power Ranger?”

“You guys don’t have Power Rangers here?” You de-tranformed back to your normal self and he shrieked in excitement. “Oh my god, your uniform just disappears?! How is that possible? That’s so convenient!”

“[Y/N].” You and Spider-Man shifted your attention to the deep voice, meeting face to face with your boss. First thing Peter noticed was the blue fur and snout that resembled that of a dog. The dog had a distinctive police officer uniform in black and silver with the SPD logo prominently displayed on and was very tall. 

“Is that your boss?! He’s a talking DOG?!”

You facepalmed yourself, feeling like you were dealing with a child. “That’s Chief Kruger. Don’t be rude.”

Spider-Man straightened his posture and saluted Kruger. “Hello. Sir.”

“Good job, [Y/N]. You indeed caught Spider-Man,” Kruger narrowed his eyes on Peter, the piercing gaze sending chills through his spine. It was almost like he could see him through his mask. “Is this really Spider-Man?”

“I’m not Spider-Man,” Peter said quickly, grabbing the bars once again in desperation. You side-eyed him so hard. “I mean, I am. But I think you’ve got the wrong guy. I came here by accident.”

“And how did you do that?” you interrogated.

“I… I made myself a gadget to travel across universes.”

“See Boss? Illegal use of teleportation.”

“But he seems rather… harmless?”

Peter nodded his head rapidly. “That’s me, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, who is absolutely harmless.”

“He knocked out ten officers,” you informed Kruger.

“Purely out of self-defense. I just wanna go home.”

He watched the way you and your boss looked at each other. You took a deep sigh, slowly removing one of the black gloves off your hands. 

“Excuse me,” you said, placing your bare hand onto Peter’s. He tensed up at the sudden contact while you closed your eyes. 

See, you were born with psychic abilities and could pick up sensory impressions of others through touch. Memories of Peter’s life rapidly flashed through your mind, causing you to furrow your eyebrows in distress. You finally opened your eyes.

“He’s not our Spider-Man,” you said, removing your hand off him. “His name is Peter Parker. He’s part of a superhero team called The Avengers. Fought a nasty purple alien named Thanos.”

Peter stepped away from the bars pointing at you and Kruger in a quick back and forth motion. “H-How, how does she—how do you know that?!”

“[Y/N] is psychic,” Kruger explained. 

“She read my mind, you read my mind?” Peter asked, shooting you an incredulous look.

“It’s protocol.”

“That’s an invasion of my privacy. And rights. The constitution says—,” you shot him a death glare, “I’ll be quiet now.”

“Our apologies. The Spider-Man we’ve been trying to catch escaped from prison recently. He somehow got his hands on one of our teleportation devices,” Kruger explained. “It’s a shame how he’s turned against us.”

Peter saw how you instinctively reached for your opposite arm, gently grasping it just above the elbow.

“Was he your friend?” You snapped your head up to look at him.

“No.” You punched the numbers into the keypad of his cell and opened it, grabbing Peter’s handcuffs forcefully to bring him closer. He gulped, worried he had hit a nerve but was relieved when you unlocked the cuffs. “I’ll send you home.”

Kruger stopped Peter from following you into the main headquarters by placing an arm out in front. 

“Spider-Man was [Y/N]’s best partner. The two of them were inseparable, putting away criminals day by day. Until one day Spider-Man simply snapped, saying the world wasn’t fair. He became an unstoppable vigilante, breaking rules to deliver justice or just to release anger. She had to put him away.”

Peter watched as your frame grew smaller and smaller, wondering how much it hurt you to step up and do what needed to be done. He could relate.

“Let’s go send you home, Peter.”

Kruger placed a hand on his shoulder and guided him to the main headquarters. The hexagonal doors opened automatically upon their arrival and you just had finished strapping the gadget on your wrist.

“Okay. This device will scan your DNA and open a portal back to your Earth.”

You pointed your fist at Peter as random thoughts raced through his mind.

What if I just stay here?

There’s nothing for me back in Queens.

I should help her.

There’s a purpose for me here.

“Wait!” he shouted, waving his hands back and forth.

“What?”

“I can help you catch him. Let me stay here.”

You let out a chuckle. “No, there’s a whole team of people who are looking for him across the multiverse. Trust me. I’ll deal with him myself if he comes back here.”

“Then let me stay and help you with the other crimes in the meantime.”

“Why? You have to go back to your Earth. They can’t survive without Spider-Man.”

Peter thought about how low crime was and how he’d rather be anywhere than back home, where no one knew him. Where there was nothing there for him right now. He’d rather be anywhere but there. If he was sent back now, he’d be faced with his failures again.

“A lot has happened and there’s really not much crime that the police can’t handle there. I want to help you.” You lowered your arm, trying to figure out what his deal was. “Please? Come on, you guys have such cool technology! I have to figure out how you transform like that. Do you have a mecha? Oh my god, you fight in giant robots, don’t you? And it’s so badass that you’re the red ranger.”

“Why are you saying that like I’m not supposed to be one?”

“Well… because…” the atmosphere turned awkward real quick, “On TV it’s always a guy. So you’re incredible. Breaking standards. Girl power!” He fist-bumped the air like a total dork. 

“Yeah, I don’t think I can send you home until after we delve into why that’s problematic.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” He took off his mask and you saw his face for the first time. He was young, probably in his twenties like you. His brown curls looked soft and perfect, his smile radiant. He reached his hand out to you. “Partners?”

You shook his hand. “Partners.”

He held your hand for a bit too long and you had to shake him off. “Heh. Sorry. Wait, does your SPD badge stand for Space Police Detective? You’re a space cop?”

“Uh… yes?”

“I could be Spider-Cop.”

“No, that’s a horrible name.”

“Oh, come on!” He deepened his voice to a comical level similar to that of Batman. “I’m Spider-Cop.”

“No, no Spider-Cop.”

“But I got a great theme song. Let me sing it for you.”

“Oh dear lord…”

Thank you for reading!!!

[mixelation]

I always love how you manage to stick ‘working in a lab’ references into your fics and posts, and as a bio student trying to figure out wtf I’m going to do after college, may I please ask what it’s like to work in one, whether at school or elsewhere? Thank you!

P.S. I love your fics, omg. Tori is the chaotic little shit I dream of being in my everyday life (though preferably without the psychotic ninjas that could, and would, kill me. Even if that builds character lol). You make every character HILARIOUS and awesome to read. And I would def read that Tobirama fic if you ever released it, love how she is falling in love cause he’s hot and cool and her soulmate while he’s like ‘omg finally another semi-logical human being within all this b.s.’. And you know what, both completely valid, I also want a hot and awesome person who is also (mostly) well-versed in logic 🥲😂.

Hmmm I'd ay working in labs can be a really variable experience! For academic labs, they're usually set up in a way where you're just in one little group of people so lab culture becomes really important. In the lab where I worked as the lab manager, everyone mostly stuck to a strict 9-to-5 schedule with not a lot of socializing, but the lab I'm in now is more chaotic with people fitting their schedules to whatever else they have going on and we try to plan more social outings.

What you actually do in lab can vary a lot too. I've always been in a position where I do a shit ton of different tasks over the course of a week (including boring stuff no one talks about like making new reagents, or quizzing everyone on what supplies they're going to use this month so I can tell the PI what I think we should order because I never fully turned off lab manager brain), but some people end up doing literally just the same thing over and over. Like if you're really good at one type of assay a lab runs a lot? You might just get put in charge of doing it for everyone's experiments, or you might have your own experiment that literally just that assay fifteen times. It really depends on the structure of the lab.

In my previous job, I did a lot of taking over experiments for short amounts of time while we recruited a new student or someone took time off, and I did a lot of prep for experiments and follow-up assays (because I was the only one who knew how to use this one machine LMAO) and never had my own project, which was kind of frustrating but ALSO I never felt super bothered when experiments didn't work. Now I do have my own projects that I run, which I like, but I feel a lot more pressure to make those project succeed. If you go into a lab as an undergraduate, you'll probably start off helping someone on a project (and doing a lot of grunt work, like autoclaving trash lol) and then get more and more independent. Depending on how that goes and what you and your PI feel is best for you, independence might mean getting your own project, or it might mean you continue on in a similar role but now you're allowed to do more and more things unsupervised.

I like lab work a lot! I get to switch up my schedule a lot, so there's not a lot of monotony across the weeks, but I will add the caveat that a lot of bench work is really, really boring. There's a lot of repetitive tasks that are just "pipet a tiny amount of liquid into another liquid; repeat and repeat and repeat." There are a lot of tasks that are technically challenging. There's a pretty bad culture of bad work-life balance (my boss is super chill with me taking random time off, but I go in on a weekends a LOT). In research, you have to get used to and comfortable with failure, because for every successful experiment there are tons of failed ones. Yes, even if you're a super smart and high achieving student-- you will mess up, you will have everything fail, and you have to just clean it up, restrategize, and keep going. The upside is that you get to figure out cool things that no one knew before......!

[the-elderly-are-evolving]

gay twilight princess character headcanons bc it pride month

look im sure someone else has done it but idc i have A Lot Of Feelings rn and they have 2 go somewhere so get on board or get off ma ass about it

Link:

u no him, u love him, he has like 3 pixels in this game and all of them r doing their best!

he's coming from a conservative little backwater (i say this as the unfortunate alum of a conservative little backwater myself-- sorry, but Ordon's main export is like. goats or w/ever, there's no way there aren't any trump supporters in that town), but i think once he travels around n gets 2 experience different things on his quests n shit he starts 2 unravel some of that internalized homophobia & becomes a great ally and, dare i say it, a little bi-curious

"but, gabe," i hear u say, "link is such a nonbinary icon, what about the transmasc & transfemme gender envy???" and 2 that i say mmmmm yea yea ik, but i don't think he sees it in himself yet, i think that comes later when he's got more adult confidence n shit. like i can see a 20's/30's link with long luscious braided hair wearing crop tops and mini skirts 2 show off his sick nasty battle scars while he picks ppl up at the bar

final verdict is bi and, later, genderqueer, although i think he's one of those ppl who doesn't really care about labels/ pronouns bc he is simply 2 busy sparkle emoij boots the house down slaying monsters hahahah get it im hilaris

Midna:

now that's a she/they if ever i've met one

one of those ppl whose gender presentation is mostly just looking like a scruffy & stinky goblin cretur 95% of the time except 4 that like. 2% of the time they actually make an effort and turn out****

def has a bro-code friendship w link where they both just don't talk about their feelings and instead r violent together love this little war criminal & her dog best friend

ur 1st instinct is lesbian, but look a little closer, and u will soon realize that this is simply a pansexual with a strong preference 4 women in their natural habitat

i think she is trying 2 b a responsible queer bc she knows link is unfamiliar w the community n she is trying 2 b a good ambassador between link n the gays uhhhhh unfortunately she is simply 2 busy trying 2 commit crimes & being like. a chronically online 20-year old or however old she's supposed 2 be & i think link comes away more confused than ever b4

****couple things here: a) ik that doesn't add up to 100%-- i am gay, what part of do not talk 2 me about numbers don't u understand b) ik midna was literally cursed 2 b an imp by zant, but it doesn't change anything in my mind and u can't convince me that she didn't just pull out her "true form" bullshit 2 try an seduce zelda at the end of the game c) no i have no personal experience with this gender presentation at all how dare you insinuate anything of the sort i have totally showered this week totally now shut up

Zelda:

Lesbian, no further questions ur honor

Furthermore, femme lesbian, often gets Assigned Straight On Sight & is very tired of getting hit on by straight men

One of those gays who wear wacky silly n fun statement earrings so other queer ppl know they're gay

We don't actually see her a lot in this game so there's not much 2 go off of with her characterization... this zelda has had a lot of pressure put on her what with being the sole leader of her people in this time of extreme stress, & so i think she is very competent & composed & controlled, but out of necessity, which will prob lead her 2 rebel later in life & act out a little when the country is not at war & she gets to be more of a child again.... basically what im saying is twilight princess should've had a sequel n it should've started w zelda deciding she's punk now, shaving her head, and making link help her run away from home

EDIT: how did i not see this b4...... i have been a fool...... zelda is secretly an astrology gay. it's one of her guilty pleasures bc she knows it's prob not real n the planets prob aren't doing anything w ppl's personalities, but she can't help but b like oooh but wouldn't it b fun if the real reason zant was such a little bitch was just bc his pisces is in retrograde?

[lostcauses-noregrets]

ASDFDSADF I am sorry for showing up uninvited but oh my god that other asks speaks to me! I joined Eruri fandom in January and the whole "you are a fake Eruri if you love Levi more than Erwin" thing (someone posted several screenshots of Eruri shippers and blamed them for liking Levi more????) happened back in the first or second day of February so I was pretty new to Eruri and its fandom and it ruined my entire vibe because I'm not interested in fandom dramas I just want calm and nice fandom interactions. You probably understand me considering how I have never seen you involved in any shipping or fandom drama. Anyway, that really made me feel :/ about this ship and 2-3 days later I saw someone mocking OC shippers and L*vihan shippers "oh he's a gay man he'd not fuck you you can't call yourself a Levi stan if you don't ship him with Erwin" and I was only a baby Eruri, only for a month and I thought no matter how amazing the ship is the fandom was terrible but luckily I saw how the fandom reacted to that first tweet they were all joking about how they are fake eruris for random reasons and thank god I stayed around to see that because for me honestly Eruri is the best ship ever and I really enjoy all the fan arts and fanfics but that tweet still haunts me SDFGdsadf some people need to realize that Erwin's position didn't allow him to get close to anyone else and his deepest bond was with Levi so a huuuuge majority of Erwin stans ship Eruri while Levi is extremely popular especially in Japan and he interacts with other characters more and he's "shipping shaped"/perfect for shipping so I think his stans are often multishippers and that's why it seems like Eruri is an Erwin ship to that other person, there is no consipracy theory or anything, it's simple as that. I know some Eruri fans pick fights or argue with other Levi ships but my experience after that tweet was very calm and wholesome, I think it's because Eruri is a mature ship? Most Eruri shippers I see are adults. (Sorry if I sent this twice I am drunkish but I got excited because lol that was my first Eruri drama and I never saw anyone else mention it before) love your blog by the way lots of love <3

Ooh....right! This is actually starting to ring a bell now! I do remember seeing people posting the most hilarious shit about being fake Eruris, but I missed the original tweets that caused the whole drama in the first place. This is invariably what happens, I miss the actual drama and end up catching the tail end of the fall out which leaves me completely confused. Literally me when there is drama on the timeline 😂

Fandom, by its nature, attracts people who tend to be...a little obsessive (to put it mildly) and no fandom is immune to drama, no matter how old or supposedly mature the fans are. The Eruri fandom is no exception. However I do think that with an older fanbase there is a better chance that drama will be viewed more dimly and shut down more rapidly when it inevitably arises. This is a case in point. I have no idea if anyone took the original posts serious or not (I hope not) but the fandom was pretty quick to turn the whole thing into a joke and pour ridicule on the idea that you were a "fake Eruri" if blah blah blah.

Anyway, I'm so glad you didn't let this nonsense put you off the Eruri fandom Anon and I'm glad you stuck around to enjoy all the amazing fic and art that we've been blessed with over the years.

[owlsandwich]

The Mechanics of Magic

Read along with me :D - Chapter 13

Chapter 1 | Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

This chapter is affectionately known by me as "Roy eats pizza".

The novelty of being left to his own devices in the safe house had worn off surprisingly quickly. Roy flicked through the television channels, but apparently none of the programmes had changed in the last ten minutes. He supposed he should be grateful that there even was a television; the place seemed barely used, and Oliver didn’t seem the type to lounge around watching box sets. The lack of a games console hadn’t shocked him in the slightest.

Roy grabbed a slice of last night’s pizza from the box on the table, jolting it with a heating spell before taking a bite. He didn’t remember seeing a microwave in the kitchen when hunting for coffee that—morning — he’d finally found a pot of instant, a month out of date, behind around eight varieties of loose-leaf tea — and anyway, he didn’t feel like getting up off the couch. 

Switching off the television, Roy picked up the book he’d retrieved from the second bedroom; the only volume he’d been able to find that wasn’t a damn textbook. Before he could get much beyond the first paragraph, there came the sound of a slamming door and footsteps in the stairwell.

He was no longer alone.

With a burst of vigour he didn’t know he possessed, he chucked the book onto the coffee table and flung himself down behind the sofa.

“What the hell happened here?” 

The voice was familiar, and Roy poked his head out. As he thought, it was the man who had been here before; Matthew, if he remembered correctly. Dark eyes matched the straight black hair that fell around his sharp features, and though Matthew’s build was slim, Roy easily sensed the powerful magic he exuded. To his relief, Oliver also stood in the doorway behind him.

“Hey! You actually came back,” Roy said, standing up. Matthew glared at him immediately, but Oliver was scanning the apartment, having gone rather pale.

“W—what…?” Oliver stammered weakly. Under other circumstances, Roy would have enjoyed being the one to shake his cool composure, but Matthew’s frown was ruining the moment. “What happened here? How did you make such a mess? And what are you wearing?!”

Oliver had finally turned to him and Roy remembered the grey dressing gown he was still sporting over his clothes. 

“Ah, hope you don’t mind. I found this in the bedroom.” Roy jerked a thumb towards the door beside the kitchen. “Ended up just crashing on the couch again.” As on the first night, he had avoided using his designated bedroom, even after Oliver’s insistence. Somehow, it made the experience easier. 

“I can see that...” Oliver still hadn’t moved, seemingly transfixed by the room.

“I couldn’t get the wine out of the collar, though, sorry.” Roy rubbed guiltily at a red splatter blemishing the fluffy material. “I thought you’d have spelled it stain proof. Everything else in your wardrobe is.”

“You spilled wine on my— What do you mean ‘everything else in my wardrobe’?” Oliver did not look happy. “What else have you opened?”

“What was I supposed to do?” Roy shrugged off the dressing gown, missing its warmth as soon as he did so. Oliver took it from him wordlessly. “You didn’t exactly tell me when you’d be back. I got bored. Nathaniel’s a hilarious name for a fake ID, by the way,” Roy snorted. “Unless that’s your actual name. Erm, in which case… cool name, mate.” 

Making fun of the people protecting him from Felix Marek might not be the best idea, and, given the quality of the paperwork he had found in that spell-locked draw, Oliver and Matthew were clearly very professional when going about any illegal activities. 

Oliver shook his head slowly. “That drawer was magic locked. How did you—”

“Oh, don’t worry! I wasn’t actually looking for secret documents and I put them all back. I was looking for money.” This explanation, he realised, probably wasn’t helping his case. “Since, you know, I’m only here because I’m helping you guys out, and I don’t have any cash on me. I found some, by the way. In the third drawer. That’s how I got the pizza.”

“Wait, you got pizza delivered? To a safe house?” Matthew had been silent until now, listening to Roy’s explanation with an expression of vague disbelief. 

Roy rolled his eyes. “You told me not to leave! Anyway, I paid in cash. I’m not an idiot.”

“Could have fooled me...” Matthew mumbled, sitting down in the armchair furthest from where Roy stood. “How did you even know the address?”

“I saw it on the way in.” Roy shrugged. The street name and number on the door had been easy enough to remember. He wasn’t sure if knowing the phone number of the takeaway by heart too was something to be proud or ashamed of. 

“It just feels softer without the protective spells,” Oliver muttered to himself, running a hand over his stained dressing gown dejectedly. 

Roy hopped back onto the couch and reached for his coffee mug, then realised he’d grabbed the one with wine dregs and put it back down. 

“Maybe we should talk about why we’re here?” Matthew directed his words at Oliver, who seemed to shake himself out of his daze.

“Yes... apologies. You’re right.” Folding the dressing gown, Oliver hung it over the back of a dining chair and settled at the far end of the sofa.

Matthew leaned forward in the armchair, clasping his hands in front of him. “Roy, isn’t it? We need to know if you can get into the palace.”

Roy’s eyes went wide. “Hey, look, I’m not getting involved in anything there. I’ve got enough people after me as it is!” Felix Marek was bad enough; if these guys were planning some sort of palace heist then they’d have Morgan after them. Roy doubted Oliver’s promise of protection would hold up under those circumstances, no matter how competent the guy seemed. He folded his arms across his chest. “I can’t help you, anyway. Marek is one thing, but what makes you think I could break into the palace?”

“You recognised the lock installed at Felix Marek’s home and called it a palace lock,” Oliver explained. “We might be wrong, but we concluded that you would only know the palace used that type of spell if you had encountered it there.”

Yeah, he could see how they had figured that. Damn his stupid mouth. “Well, even so. I can’t help you. Sorry, mate.”

“Please. This is important,” Matthew interjected. He was rubbing his hands together, leaning so far forward that Roy thought he might fall from the chair. “If you know a way in, you need to tell me.”

“Makes a change, hearing a ‘please’ from you,” Roy shot back. He hadn’t so quickly forgotten the interrogation he had been subjected to at their last encounter.

“Listen, I’m sorry for how I behaved last time. I really do need your help.” The desperation in Matthew’s voice was palpable. “It’s— The Palace has my son. I need to get him and his friend out.” He tilted his head down into his open palms, as though the words were too much to face.

So that was why Matthew had changed his tune, though picturing him as a father was jarring. Whatever his son had done, it must have been bad. Despite his own feelings about Morgan, Roy hadn’t ever heard of the Palace kidnapping people for no reason.

“It’s a misunderstanding,” Oliver said, taking over. “He isn’t a criminal, he’s only eighteen—”

“Eighteen’s old enough to be a criminal, trust me.”

“He’s not.” Oliver’s voice was firm. “I can’t go into detail, but he’s in terrible danger there, through no fault of his own. I understand I’ve asked a lot of you already, but all we need is knowledge. Is there a way in?”

“Look, I feel for you, I really do.” Roy wasn’t lying; this discussion was shaking him more than he wanted to admit. “I don’t know how to get into the palace. Genuinely. I haven’t been there in years.”

“The lock, though? How did you know?” Matthew said, raising his head.

Roy pinched the bridge of his nose and took a heavy breath. Light was seeping through the thin blinds over the window. Another bright summer morning, just like the day he’d heard the news. 

“My mum. She taught me.” 

They didn’t have a right to the story, but Roy found himself continuing anyway, words stiff after a lifetime of being unsaid.

“Look, she... She worked in the palace, alright? When she’d come home, she’d set little locks for me as challenges. It was a game we’d play.”

The memory was still raw, choking him as it came out. She had been so proud when he’d first cracked one. The mischievous smile they’d shared, like co-conspirators. Perhaps that’s why he’d always had a taste for being in places he shouldn’t. 

“Where did she work?” Oliver asked gently.

“I dunno. For the Royal Family, and she was there when... well, you know.”

“She died in the attack,” Oliver said. It wasn’t a question, but Roy nodded.

“I’m sorry.” Matthew looked like he genuinely meant it, and Roy was unexpectedly touched. 

“Eh, it was nothing to do with you.” He shrugged again, but Matthew seemed to flinch as he spoke.

Oliver gave a deep sigh. “Alright. Well, unfortunately, that means we need an alternative plan.”

Traffic hummed past outside, muffled behind the closed windows. Roy had been truthful when he said he didn’t want to get tied up in any more criminal activity. The palace, though. To be where she had been. There wasn’t anywhere else Roy could think of that was so out of his reach, and yet so close to his heart.

“You know,” Roy said, breaking the silence, “there’s that garden party tomorrow. If it was me, I’d try and get hold of a ticket. Well, if it was really me, I’d swap shifts with a mate and get on the delivery crew, but I’m guessing that isn’t really an option for you.”

The delivery company he worked for had managed to get the contract for the anniversary events. He’d wanted nothing to do with the damn party when they were assigning jobs, but now he was starting to see things in a different light. In his experience, forcing your way into a building was the less efficient method. Roy had done it at Marek’s out of necessity, but he always preferred being let in through the front door.

“The anniversary,” Matthew muttered, looking at Oliver. “I can’t believe it, but I’d forgotten… it’s tomorrow.”

He unfolded himself from the chair and crossed over to the dining table. Roy craned his head back as far as he could without having to move from the couch, but stopped when he saw that Matthew was merely pacing the length of the room silently. 

Oliver was drumming his fingers against his leg. “Finding a ticket will be no simple task,” he stated. “Even if you were able to procure one, I’m sure there’ll be a guest list, too.” He turned to Matthew. “I’ll locate a list of the attendees. Perhaps seeing it will offer up a viable option.”

Roy couldn’t suppress the smirk that formed as Oliver spoke. “You don’t need a list, mate. I know exactly who’s got a ticket, but you’re not gonna like it.” Behind him, he heard Matthew stop moving. “Don’t you guys know Marek goes to the party every year?”

“Felix Marek,” Matthew said flatly. “What is your obsession with him, anyway? Why do you know that?”

“I’m not obsessed!” Roy whirled around, kneeling up on the sofa to challenge the accusation. “The bastard made a ton of money, alright? After the takeover. You worked for him; didn’t you wonder how he got so rich? Or did you just not care?” Roy scowled at Matthew, who didn’t look away.

“Tell me,” he growled, and Roy sank back down.

“They say he got a big payout for his ‘contributions’.” Roy made air quotes with his fingers. “He used to work in weapon design back in Vailberg, up until he got into business with Aiden Heliodor. He knows how they did it. I know it. Why do you think I broke in there? I was looking for answers.”

For a moment, Matthew didn’t move, an unreadable expression flashing across his face. When he spoke again his tone was softer. “So say we get the ticket from Felix Marek. What’s to stop him just telling the Palace that it’s gone missing?”

“I dunno.” Roy flopped back down next to Oliver, who jerked away from his touch.

“Matthew,” Oliver said thoughtfully. “The lock you were asked to install at Felix Marek’s property... Perhaps it isn’t thieves that are his primary concern.” He threw a glance in Roy’s direction. “The people who attacked us didn’t seem like they were supposed to draw attention. I don’t think Felix Marek wants anyone to know he had the wand in the first place. I don’t think he wants the weapon traced back to him.”

“So what? You’re suggesting we threaten to turn him in if he doesn’t get us into the party?”

“I’m just saying it could be leverage. We have a wand. Felix doesn’t know about our relationship with Morgan Heliodor; he has no reason to believe we wouldn’t take him down with us, so to speak, should he try to hand us in.”

Matthew ran a hand through his hair and Oliver shifted his seat.

“I mean, I don’t like it either — it’s dangerous,” he conceded. “I’m just suggesting it as an option.”

Roy couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “You’re not seriously going to go to the man trying to kill us all and ask him to take you to a party?”

Oliver steepled his fingers. “Felix Marek doesn’t know me. I should be able to arrange a meeting—”

“No,” Matthew said sharply, interrupting Oliver’s rationalisation. “Marek and I have business to settle. I don’t appreciate being attacked in the street, especially when they drag my friend into it, too. When I’m done with him, we aren’t going to need leverage.”

“Erm... but if attacking Marek directly was always an option, why the hell have we been hiding from him?” It seemed a bit unfair that Roy had been stuck hiding in a safe house if they could have just threatened Marek and forced him to back off this whole time.

“Things have changed.” Matthew didn’t seem like he was going to provide further explanation. The expression on his face, however, was enough for Roy to decide that he wouldn’t want to be Felix Marek right now. 

Oliver had reassumed his tapping, his expression sombre. “If you convince him to get you in, you’ll be alone.”

“I know,” Matthew replied. 

A conversation that Roy wasn’t privy to seemed like it was taking place beyond Matthew’s simple reply. He shuddered nonetheless.

Matthew was planning to break into the palace solo, right under Morgan’s nose, with only his enemy for company and at the most important official event of the year. Roy didn’t feel like he was being the stupid one this time.

“You promised you’d get Marek off my back, right?” The two men looked up at Roy as he spoke, but he continued before they could comment. He really hoped he wasn’t going to regret this. “I’m not saying I’m going to risk my neck for you, but Oliver sounds like he’s got it right to me. You’d be an idiot going in there alone. I’ll swap a shift; there’s always someone who doesn’t want to work those hours. Just make sure I never have to hear from Marek again. Or Morgan, for that matter.” 

Roy half expected them to tell him no, that he’d only get in the way. To be honest, they would probably be right.

Instead, Matthew extended a hand. “I’ll make sure of it.”

Roy clasped it in his own, Matthew’s fingers cold to the touch.