#hopefully the formatting isn’t too fucked up

[wyrddogs]

You have to get one dog from each AKC breed group, what breeds are you getting?

We’ll do FCI breed groups to mix things up.

Group 1 Herders: Belgian shepherd tervuren, obviously.

Group 2 Pinschers & Mollossers: I really do not vibe with this group but we’ll do an entlebucher sennehund.

Group 3 Terriers: JRT of the shorty variety. I also think lakelands are cute but haven’t met many in person.

Group 4 Dachshunds: Mini long superiority!

Group 5 Spitz & Primitives: I could do a coated xolo or a podengo pequeno. I’ve met both in person and they’re neat.

Group 6 Scenthounds: One of the bassets, drever, or dachsbracke. Love me a short scenthound.

Group 7 Pointing Dogs: Another group I do not vibe with. We’ll do the English setter.

Group 8 Retrievers: Working cocker spaniel. A friend has one and I want to steal her.

Group 9 Companions & Toys: Havanese! My beloved.

Group 10 Sighthounds: Magyar agar. Greyhound with a knife.

Thank you for asking!

[grimm-writings]

Hi there!

I'd like to request something for the Laios party x reader where reader licks rocks like how archaeologists sometimes do to determine if it's a rock or a fossil. They just won't stop licking stuff. One moment you are just having a chat and walking side by side and the next reader grabs a rock and licks it. How would they react to their crush licking things that are certainly not food?

“stop licking the damn thing!”

…ft! touden party x gn! reader, platonic izutsumi & reader

…tags! fluff, some crack, headcanon format, grimm doesn't know shit about rocks

…wc! 342 ; 400 ; 405 ; 344 ; 303 = 1794

…notes! this ask enraptured me i had to complete it posthaste. i’m not an expert in archeology or geology, but i hope you enjoy! 

Laios

“Ooh, can I have a lick?”

His ass does NOT give a fuck.

You could do anything and he wouldn’t be fazed I’m dead serious.

Honestly, once you do it in front of him he’d steer the conversation towards your study and how you figure out each time what is a rock and what is a fossil.

He may not fully take in all the information you give him.  This isn’t a topic he’s admittedly too interested in.

Honestly he’d probably take up some of your advice and see if he tastes monster he can figure out certain things about it.  Considering most monsters are made of raw meat, he has to be held back by your fellow partymates.

Someone (Chilchuck) usually has to encourage you to not “enable his behaviours.”

Overall, Laios simply does not judge!  He’s open and welcoming, and will even take part in your study with you!

(It’s an added bonus that he really likes how you explain things to him…)

Almost like an eager dog, Laios leans over your shoulder to look at the stone in your hand.  Prepared to explain yourself, like usual, you take a breath. “May I?” he interrupts you.  You still for a second.  Does he mean…? You slowly lift the rock up to the taller man behind you.  You don’t have any words as he leans down to give a small lick. You’re almost flattered from how open he is to it. At the taste, Laios’ eyebrows furrow, and he seems to seriously try to dissect the flavour.  He hums and tilts his head to you.  “Salty?” “Yeah,” you reply, slowly growing a bit more comfortable as you get an excuse to talk about your study, “so that means this rock might contain evaporite minerals.” Laios smiles slightly, leaning back to his full height to converse with you in a more casual position.  “Which are?” Your conversation continues, with Laios taking mental notes that he’ll hopefully remember for later next time he comes across a monster. Maybe if you find a gargoyle…

Marcille

Sorry she is so judgemental.

You are so lucky she likes you or else she’ll loudly give her opinion on how gross it is.

Well, that is until she learns the context as to why.

She’ll still be a little bit unsure, wondering if it’s proper conduct at all.

Marcille is trying her best, she really is, but you can’t just end a conversation so suddenly because you saw a rock, licked it in front of her, and said “hm… sedimentary.”

She wonders every day what she did to deserve such an… interesting taste in crushes. 

Though, like all things, give Marcille some time and she’ll warm up to your habits a bit more.  It may even be that she’ll be wondering about her study of the dungeon, running her hand along the wall, and thinking that she could call out to you to taste the wall and tell her the material.

She may not try out the method herself, but she’ll at least tolerate how you do it.  There’s a science behind it, after all…

Marcille stares as you lick your lips and hum to yourself.  Her mouth is a thin line and she’s trying her best not to come out with a disapproving comment. “Any… interesting findings…?”  She stiffly asks instead, gripping Ambrosia as if you’ll try licking her to figure out the levels of Mana too.  You can never be too cautious, even if she is only made out of wood. You smile at Marcille, either blissfully unaware of her austerity or pretending to be.  You hold up the stone in your hand and outline something with your finger.  “I think if we break this, we might find some fossils inside it.  You can keep it for your research if you want.” Marcille’s ears perk up slightly at that.  “For… me?”  She asks aloud, as if there’s anyone else who’d be interested in dungeon rocks.  As soon as she processes it she’s flushed and avoiding eye contact.  “I mean, this is your field of study, not mine!  I couldn’t possibly…” But you take her hands in your own, and place the fossil in her palm.  Marcille’s breath hitches when you take her fingers and fold them over the stone. “I trust you to come up with something.”  You beam at the elf, and she thinks that she might just have to take a chance in your skills.

Chilchuck

Not exactly open to it, not entirely critical about it either…

…But you will get a bit of a look whenever you do it.

He might be more the kind to make sure you aren’t outright doing it at stupid moments.  You better not get any ideas looking at those statues!

Sometimes you’ll be about to hold the stone up to your mouth, and right when your tongue is about to touch it, you’ll hear Chilchuck sigh a “don’t.”

Honestly this guy is treating you like a dog with something it shouldn’t have in its mouth.  Don’t worry, worrying and fretting is how he shows his love.

Even if he doesn’t like admitting to it…

If you try to explain how licking things helps in your study, Chil is inclined to raise his eyebrow and say that your field must be full of weirdos.

Then again, he’s the one who likes you so maybe he shouldn’t be too harsh…

He’s willing to let you do what you need to do but that doesn’t mean you’re free from his scathing commentary.

Crouched down, you analyse some rock in front of you.  It stands out a fair bit from most of the other geodes down here.  What could it be…? You lean in, your tongue grazing the stone slightly, and you lick.  The tip of your tongue familiarises itself with the taste.  Maybe metamorphic…? “Are you serious?”  You freeze at the sound of Chilchuck’s boyish voice.  On your hands and knees licking rocks isn’t exactly the ideal position to be judged in, even as you turn to look at the half-foot, arms crossed.  “Senshi is in the middle of cooking, no need to resort to eating rocks.” You roll your eyes.  You’re used to how Chilchuck treats your study at this point.  “I was just curious.” Chilchuck scoffs, walking up to pull you by the back of your collar up onto your feet again, which you do with some coercion.  “Yeah sure,” he says, “just wanna confirm you haven’t completely lost your marbles yet.” You look up at him, and squint.  Holding back a laugh, you mutter, “was that…?” “No, it wasn’t a dad joke,”  Chilchuck sighs, leaving you to your devices again.  “Just don’t do anything stupid when no one’s watching.” He hopes even as you giggle and confirm, you won’t notice the bright blush blooming on Chilchuck’s cheeks and tips of his ears.  How embarrassing…

Senshi

Also winning the dgaf war I fear.

He’d watch you lick some of the rocks you had picked out from your travels while resting.

It comes as no surprise that it then crosses his mind if the flavour changes when cooked, which he asks if he can do with some of your selection.

You can use your imagination on how Marcille and Chilchuck reacted when told that today’s dinner is … just rocks.

(Laios is disappointed that it isn’t any cool monster rocks.)

One delightful montage later, and ‘tis finished!  Since they are for your research, Senshi insists you have the first bite.

Crunch… and oh, such unique flavours!

You gush to Senshi about how this is a major breakthrough in how different minerals react to cooking conditions, and he gives you his observations too.

Honestly, just sort of wholesome bonding!

“Aye, this one cooked easily, while this one took plenty more time.” You nod eagerly as you watch Senshi point to two different stones.  “That’s because one is an igneous rock, which is magmatic.  The other is a sedimentary rock, which carries different minerals from lakes and oceans.  Separation in cooking must have resulted in different reactions!  I wonder how different metamorphic rocks would react…” As you mumble to yourself, Senshi happily continues his meal-making, occasionally responding back to you with hums and comments about what else each observed in his experimentation. Even when you had finished up your meal entirely, you thanked Senshi with the widest grin on your face.  He couldn’t help but be just a little flattered when you go on to joke that you should bring him home with you so he can help with your research. In return, Senshi listens to you, and hangs on your every word as you explain your findings to him.  Even if not too nutritious of a meal, the minerals from the rocks provide some calcium and other such buffs! And well…  If he can keep that happiness prolonged with his cooking, then he’s doing a very good job providing for you indeed!

Izutsumi

“Why are you eating rocks?  Looks gross.”

Make way for the #1 hater…

Izutsumi refuses to listen to any such rationalities you make about your study or why you lick rocks (even though she’s the one who asked), she’s still finding it icky and weird.

You’d have to fight fire with fire when it comes to her, you’ll question why she does some habits she does in return – such as licking her hand.

She’ll look at you like you’re stupid, before telling you that it’s a way for her to clean herself and notice if there’s anything caught in her fur.

“Ah, so like how I would lick rocks to identify anything embedded in them too!”

…How dare you try to rationalise yourself with her own logic, heathen.

Jail for reader.  Jail for 1000 years.

She’s not one to so readily accept other people’s weird quirks, but eventually she has to find that she’ll look stupid if she doesn’t…  It’s a bit of a dirty scheme, but it works.

“Come on, Izu, just give it a try!  I promise it just tastes like water.” “What kinda water?!”  She shoots back. You pause.  “W…Water?” This is how the argument between whether or not water has a flavour comes to be.  Izutsumi insists that some water tastes icky while others taste nice.  You have to explain that this pure water simply doesn’t have a taste.  She doesn’t believe you. In fact, Izutsumi makes you give the sedimentary stone another taste before affirming, it just tastes like water.  She’s about to grab your shoulders and shake you.  What kind of water?! It takes plenty of encouragement and an immediate failsafe orange juice Senshi squeezed out for her to ‘get rid of’ the taste when you get Izutsumi to taste the stone. She still hasn’t forgiven you… 

[azsazz]

Off Grid

Azriel x Reader [Formula One AU]

Summary: Ferrari has signed on rookie driver Dorian Havilliard. Azriel must learn to navigate the 2024 season with a new teammate and his secret relationship, with you, who just so happens to be the team’s media trainer.

Warnings: N/A

Word Count: 2,109

Notes: This one goes out to @moosemahboi for the ask this morning 😏 enjoy 😉 (idk why I can’t tag u but hopefully you see this)

Also, sorry if the formatting looks like shit I’m posting this from my phone. I busted this out so fast tho whoops

_________________________________________

“Azriel, how are you feeling knowing that Ferrari has signed young Dorian Havilliard for the 2024 season?” The reporter asks, sitting eagerly on the edge of his seat. He has his phone out, recording Azriel’s responses. The man has been hanging onto every word Azriel has said; him and the other thirty journalists eager to pester him, all cramped within the small room.

Beside him, Cassian snickers under his breath, all too obviously happy that he’s not the one who must suffer this torturous questioning. Azriel refrains from rolling his eyes at the absurdity of it all. Well, it’s not absurd but it feels like it because it’s been the only question anyone seems to care about right now, they no longer care to ask how the new chassis feels, what his thoughts are about the new Las Vegas race added to the schedule, how he’s projected to be one of the top drivers this season. Was supposed to be one of the top performing drivers of the season. Ever since Ferrari leaked that Dorian Havilliard is making his debut with the team for the first race, it’s been a feeding frenzy for the media, trying to be the first to glean insider information about the fresh meat.

“I think he’ll make a great addition to the team,” is all Azriel offers in response.

He’s hot and sweaty from practice and being blinded by flashes of cameras that don’t seem to be stopping anytime soon isn’t helping his mood in the slightest. It’s the part of his job that he despises the most. All Azriel wants to do is drive, because nothing feels as good as the adrenaline when he’s behind the wheel, but right now all he wants is to go home, not respond to million questions he’s already answered too many times before. And to be honest, he’s kind of pissed about Ferrari signing Dorian Havilliard and nixing Rowan Whitethorn, who has signed on to be McLaren’s first seat after Aedion Ashryver’s accident at the final race of the 2023 season that sent him into early retirement.

There’s a beat of silence, and when it’s clear he has nothing else to say about the matter, someone else pops up from their seat and another question is hurled his way. “And what about your former teammate, Rowan Whitethorn? How is he taking the news of losing his seat to Havilliard?”

The urge to roll his eyes into his fucking skull is so great he almost doesn’t stop it, but the last thing he needs is the team’s media trainer on his case about the appropriate ways to conduct himself during media panels, no matter how pretty she is.

They should be asking this question to Rowan or even Dorian, whenever he begins press for the upcoming season.

“Rowan understands,” he tries to hide the sour tone in his voice. Azriel and Rowan have been driving together for the past three seasons and it’s been one of the best experiences he’s had with a teammate in Formula 1. He knows the constructors are too worried about placing him on the same team as Rhysand or Cassian, who he grew up with at karting school. They’re like brothers and they act like it too, but if they were on the same team the rivalries would feel even more drastic than they already are. “He’s a good driver and talent like his isn’t going away anytime soon.”

Rowan’s new teammate, Hunt Athalar, nods from Azriel’s other side. He and Cassian seem to be enjoying not being pestered with surface-level questions, and Azriel wishes that he was feeling the same.

With a few more unnecessary queries about Dorian, press finally ends. He, Hunt, and Cassian are escorted from the room, the trail of flashes and conversation starting up clinging to his back as he walks.

“Fucking hell,” Azriel mutters to Cassian, who jabs him in the side with a snigger once they’re cleared the room, the door shutting with a loud click behind them. “I hate these interviews.”

“Don’t need to tell me that, mate,” he laughs wholeheartedly, and Azriel glares. “I’m pretty sure everyone can tell. Might want to learn to act like you like it, though. Ferrari won’t keep you if your attitude sucks. But I’m sure that media trainer of yours is about to hunt you down and tell you the same thing.”

Azriel frowns. He thought he’d done a pretty good job at deflecting the questions about his new teammate.

“People like me for me,” Azriel shrugs, defending himself. He’s never been a bullshitter, no matter how badly his team has wanted him to be. This is what the people get, 100% Azriel, take it or leave it. And Ferrari has decided to take it, for the last three seasons. The second half of his sentence is drowned out as Cassian’s snickering becomes full-bodied laughter. “And my trophies speak for themselves.” He doesn’t mean to come off as cocky, but he’d rather be authentically himself than a puppet to the media.

Cassian shakes his head, wiping the nonexistent tears from the corners of his eyes. “No, people like me for me,” he winks at Azriel’s glare. “They like you because you’re a decent driver.”

Azriel’s nose crinkles. “Decent? My car is projected to perform even better than Rhys’ this year!”

They three drivers turn down a hall, nodding to the two Haas drivers they pass: Bron and Hart.

“We’ll see, won’t we, Athalar?” Cassian cranes his neck around Azriel, directing the question to the silent driver on his other side. Hunt and Azriel have never been close, but the angel of McLaren offers a genuine smile in response.

“Should be a good season, boys.” Azriel and Cassian share a look. A perfect media-trained answer, Hunt gave. The other driver turns off down another hall, “See you later.”

“What a weirdo,” Cassian mutters once Hunt has disappeared from sight. “Good luck to Ro, having to deal with that.”

Azriel finally rolls his eyes like he’s been wanting to do since he left the press room. “Yeah, and I’m the asshole.”

Cassian huffs and the pair of drivers stop at the end of the hall where it splits to go to their respective driver rooms.

“I’ll see you later, man.”

“Hopefully in a better mood, Azzy,” Cassian chuckles and dips down the hall before Azriel can toss another glare or remark at him.

Shaking his head, Azriel returns to his driver room. He’s going to grab his things and get the fuck out of here, because relaxing at his hotel sounds much better than waiting around here any longer.

A knock on the door interrupts his actions, and Azriel wonders why the Mother fails to grace him with one sliver of luck today.

“Come in,” he grunts, snagging his water from where he left it on top of the desk.

You enter the room with your phone and clipboard in your hands. You’re typing on your phone, fingers flying across the screen as you reply to another email. The water does nothing to quench Azriel’s suddenly dry throat.

He can’t help the way his eyes drag down your body with your attention on your phone, drinking in the sight of you in your pressed pants and professional button up shirt. There’s a lanyard around your neck with your Ferrari employee access printed on it and he wants to wrap his fist around the strap and—

Wherever his mind was drifting off to is completely shattered by your piercing eyes. He hasn’t had enough time to prepare for your apparent annoyance at his attitude during the press conference. You don’t look happy, and neither is his name as it rolls from your lips in a disappointed manner. “Azriel.” You step further into the room. “What the hell was that out there? You know you can’t—”

Your rant is cut off as Azriel consumes the space between you in two long strides, leaning in to slant his lips over yours, eating up your words. You can’t help but to melt into it a little, a lot when his tongue traces the seam of your lips and you part for him, brushing up against your tongue in a sensual move.

When he straightens, you’re panting and a bit flushed. Arousal burns through your body like petrol on the track, but you steel yourself against that fire in his eyes, all ready to light you up.

“Not even going to say hello before you start in on me?” Azriel asks, licking his lips. Your eyes follow the motion, and he smirks. The way his body is pressed up against yours and the firm grip of his hands on your hips threatens to distract you further, especially when his red racing suit is slung around his waist, leaving him in that tight, black long sleeve that contours around his lithe body perfectly.

“No,” you agree, and he frowns. “I’m upset with you.”

“Was it something I said?” He cringes at his own lame attempt at a joke, ducking from your serious gaze. “‘M sorry, I’m just sick of all the Dorian questions. They’re not asking anything about the season or the car, only how I feel about a rookie taking Rowan’s seat.”

You ache for him, you really do, but things like this happen in the sport and he’s been in it long enough now that Azriel should know better than to act like this. You can admit, Rowan had been an asset to Ferrari and to Azriel, wriggling his way under the stoic driver’s skin like a worm, burrowing deep into his heart.

“Az, you need to stop playing it like Dorian took his seat on purpose,” you console gently, “We both know that it was Rowan’s time, and he couldn’t resist what McLaren might’ve proposed.”

“I know, I know,” Azriel replies unhappily, retreating to perch on the arm of the small couch. He can accept it, but he doesn’t like it, preferring to blame the new driver instead. “I don’t want to deal with that little punk,” he groans, because the thought of putting up with a cocksure rookie tires him. “Coming in here thinking he owns the damn place.”

“Azriel,” you tut, rolling your eyes. You put a hand on your hip. “That was literally you four years ago.”

“It’s different,” he mutters, but you both know that it’s not.

You abandon your phone and clipboard on the desk in the room before standing between his parted thighs and wrapping your arms around his neck. His damp hair is slicked back but a strand falls across his forehead and he looks really good like this, head tilted upwards, gold eyes painted with false innocence.

“Why don’t you, instead of being Dorian’s enemy, you become his ally?” You ask softly, fingering the hairs at the nape of his neck.

“Because that’s not how the team works, baby,” Azriel sighs, enjoying the way you’re scratching his skin. He wants to lean forward and rest his head in the crook of your neck, maybe take a cat nap or nip at the skin there. “We might drive for the same team, but I’m not looking to be the supporting driver.”

Fuck that. There’s no way he’s letting a rookie take his seat when he’s worked his ass off since he received it. He’s been driving for Ferrari since he first got an in the sport, four years ago. He fought tooth and nail to work up from second seat to first, and Azriel will be damned if Dorian rips it from under him in one season.

“Your jealousy is showing,” you tease your boyfriend a little, poking him on the nose. You know you shouldn’t be doing this, hanging all over each other when anyone could walk into the room, but you can’t resist your draw to Azriel. “It’s not as endearing as it is when you’re jealous that I���m talking to one of the engineers.”

“Don’t remind me,” Azriel grunts, eyes hardening a little. “You’re mine and I don’t like to share.”

You snort, “That much is clear, babe,” you step out of his arms and miss the heat of his body already. You collect your things from the desk and return to him for a quick kiss. You shoot him a final knowing look, dodging his attempts at capturing you against his chest again. “Work on it, Azriel. I mean it.”

He salutes you as you open the door to slip out. “Yes ma’am.”

It shuts quietly behind you and Azriel slumps back onto the couch, sighing.

It’s going to be a long season.

_________________________________________

@iambored24601 @secretlyhers @kylaisra @daily-dose-of-sass wasn’t sure but figured u might want to see this one 😅

[beansterpie]

K I threw together a translation for the new es21 anniversary chapter! There's probably mistakes and some awkward phrasing because I always end up prioritizing accuracy over flow rip. Hopefully the way I've formatted this isn't a total pain to read. I recommend looking at the page first, and then referring to the translation when you can't read something. I skipped any panels that don't have dialogue/text so just reading the translations might be confusing. Anyway it's under the cut!

(Lol sorry I didn't bother translating character blurbs on the right)

Page 1 Panel 1: Announcer: “Noooooww, there’s barely any time left on the clock! This final play will decide the outcome of the match!!” Panel 2: “One of these teams will command the University American Football World!! Panel 3: Which one will it be!? Panel 4: Two star players who once fought together now face off— Panel 5: in this Final Decisive Match”

Page 2-3 Panel 1: Eyeshield 21 aka: Kobayakawa Sena!! VS. The Commander from Hell: Hiruma Yoichi!! Panel 2: Set, Hut!!!

Cover page (4-5): Their First Collision!! Sena [Eyeshield 21] and Hiruma [the one who named him (literally the ‘parent’ who named him)]—

Page 6 Panel 1: [Some months earlier—] Panel 3: DEVILBAT GHOST!!

Page 7 Panel 1: TRIDENT TACKLE!!!

Page 8-9 Panel 1: The ball was fumbled!! Whichever team manages to claim it will win….!! Panel 2: [An American Football rule you can understand in 1 SECOND] Devilbat: YA—HA— It’s stupidly simple! Carry the ball to the enemy line and score (a touchdown)! DB jr.: You can get around 7 points! Panel 4: Monta: CATCH MAX!!! Panel 5: Suzuna: YA—!!! Panel 6: Announcer: The Kanto representatives for the Japanese National American Football University Championships is the team lead by Eyeshield 21 aka. Kobayakawa Sena— the Enma Fires…..!!!!

Page 10 Panel 1: Sakuraba: You really got revenge on us this year. It’s frustrating but it was our total defeat….! Panel 2: Sena: Though, one-on-one, for the most part I couldn’t really get past you (Shin-san) until the very end… Panel 4: Shin: undecipherable Panel 6: Ootawara: OOOOHHHHH MAKE SURE YOU HIT THEM HARD ENOUGH FOR THE BOTH OF US, KURITA—!! Panel 7: Takami: Finally, you’ve earned the right to challenge the undefeated champions Page 11 Panel 1 & 2: Takami: The championship finals against the team lead by Hiruma, the Saikyodai Wizards— at the Koushien Bowl….!!! Panel 3: Sena: Yes….!!

Page 12 Panel 4: Monta: Mukya! What the hell, we can’t get into the club room! Riku: Looks like we have a few visitors— Panel 5: Crowd: The United States President’s son?? Even SP (I believe this is a tv channel) is here… Page 13 Panel 3: Sena: T-this is way too crazy… Kurita: To clear away people like this…..

Page 14 Panel…2?: Hiruma: Kekekekeke, you’re late fucking Fatty and fucking Shrimps Panel 3: Kurita: HIRUMA! Sena: —san!! Monta: And that guy’s from the American Match, the ultimate boss… wait actually, he’s a NFL player now! Page 15 Panel 1: It’s the President’s Junior, Mr. Don….!! Panel 2: Don: An ordinary person goes to a foreign country to run rampant for their own entertainment. A champion (or king lol) goes to a foreign country to express his respect. Panel 3: Don: In this country, it seems excessive meddling from pros in the affairs of amateurs isn’t appreciated, so I’ll get straight to the heart of the matter. Panel 4: Don: Together we will fight and acquire the throne. I’ve come to welcome/receive one hero. Panel 6: Kurita: ?? Monta: What does that mean? Sena: Isn’t this excessive meddling…..

Page 16 Panel 1: Crack! Panel 2: Sena: ….?? Inside my shoulder pad… Panel 3: Sena: What is this, it’s tiny… A white chip? Monta: Ooh, it’s in our shoulder pads too!! Riku: Since when… Panel 4: Hiruma: It’s called an RFID (radio frequency identification (apparently lol)) chip. When you have this on— Panel 5: Glasses: The current location of each player can be determined and measured by inches. Stats like speed and acceleration, it can analyze all data in real time. Enma Babes (presumably): A SCI-FI MACHINE LIKE THAT EXISTS!? Page 17 Panel 1: Don: There’s nothing Sci-Fi about it. Within the NFL world, all players have been using this for a number of years now. Sena & Monta: REALLY!!? Hiruma: They even have them inside the balls. Since you can measure the rotations that way Devibat: It’s true!! DB jr.: The actual pro sports world sure is turning into something amazing! Panel 2: Riku: So, this data analysis chip… Panel 3: Riku: Why are they in our protective equipment…?? Sena: I mean, there’s only one person in this world who would be devilish enough to quietly do something like that… Panel 4: Glasses: With this hoard of collected data, and by using the help of something like Google Brain, we can rely on machine learning to— Sena: Goo… what? Machine…?? Panel 5: Don: How sad~ Oohh, AI, AI! Civilization has simply taken the human privilege of ‘thinking’, and given it up to machines.

Page 18 Panel 1: Don: Most of all, humanity’s been dulled by favoritism, politics and social correctness. Well, compared to a slow/primitive ruler, it’s (AI) infinitely more reliable. Panel 2: [For our team to reach victory, what kind of player is indispensable? The answer provided by the AI was—] Panel 3: A running back with the speed of light! Or— A phantasmagoric (look it up) quarterback! Panel 5: Glasses: International Player Pass Way Program. In short, there is one slot available for a foreign student trainee as the Japanese representative. Don: Which means that we would be receiving you into our team. Page 19 Panel 1: Kobayakawa Sena, Hiruma Yoichi: between the two of you, only one—

Page 20 Panel 3: (I believe this is some sort of form that Sena filled out about what he wants to pursue after graduation— he says after graduation he wants to become a pro American Football athlete) Panel 4: Hiruma: With my physical abilities, I won’t be able to get into the NFL the usual way. Panel 5: Hiruma: Obviously, I’ll struggle for the top even if it kills me. That’s the thing that makes it fun….! Page 21 Panel 1: Don: When I consulted the man at the top, Panther, about which one to pick— he gave me a truly straightforward answer. Panel 2: Panther: Hm? Well they’re going to have a confrontation directly in the Koshien Bowl, aren’t they? Panel 3: Panther: Sena VS. Hiruma!! We’ll just take whoever wins. Because, isn’t that American Football…!!

Page 22 Panel 1: Sena: …… this contest against Hiruma-san, I’m glad that it’s an American football match. Panel 2: Sena: If it wasn’t, there’s no way I could win against Hiruma-san, you’d bring out your blackmail book and in an instant…. Hiruma: Kekeke, seems like you understand the situation reeeeal well Panel 3: Sena: I mean, whether it’s Don-san’s AI verdict or the pro tryouts— if you put your mind to it, you could use your blackmail book to get whatever you wanted. But, Hiruma-san, when it comes to American football, you’ve always…. you’ve always— Panel 5: Toss~ Panel 6: Hiruma: Well, since I’m going to win against you and become a top pro, I don’t need this thing. Page 23 Panel 5: Sena: But, the one who’ll win is me

Page 24 Sena: I’ll go to defeat you with all my strength. So, Hiruma-san, you also— Hiruma: Kekeke, naturally Page 25 Panel 1: HANSHIN KOSHIEN STADIUM Panel 3: Kurita: Truthfully, I want to root for both of their dreams— For Sena-kun, and for Hiruma. But if I really can’t choose both—

Page 26-27 Panel 1: Kurita: FUNNURABAAA!!!!! Panel 2: Kurita: For the sake of my team, and for Sena-kun’s sake, I’ll defeat Hiruma…..!!! Panel 3: Announcer: Koshien Bowl, the final, decisive match! Against the Saikyodai Wizards, made up of all star members throughout the country— Panel 4: Announcer: Somehow!! The Enma Fires are just slightly in the lead!! Panel 5: Gaou: Fuh… Half of American football is decided by the power of the line. This is the unmatched power of Kurita when he has something to protect….!!!

Page 28 Panel 1: Announcer: Noooooww, there’s barely any time left on the clock! This final play will decide the outcome of the match!! Panel 2: Announcer: Two star players who once fought together now face off— Panel 3: Announcer: In this Final Decisive Match!! Panel 4: Announcer: Eyeshield 21 aka. Kobayakawa Sena!! Vs. The Commander from Hell, Hiruma Yoichi!! Page 29 Panel 1: Hiruma: KILL! KILL! Panel 2: Suzuna: K.I.L.L…..to kill? What’s it mean? Doburoku: In American football, it’s a sign that’s given by the pitcher. It means to completely kill the strategy that had been agreed upon. To put it simply, it’s a signal to hurriedly reset the strategy of the play. Panel 3: Mizumachi: After seeing our defense formation, looks like they want to change things up! Panel 4: Sena: Hiruma-san’s— that ever-changing adaptability’s strength—

Page 30 Panel 1: Hiruma: Kill— Panel 4: Unsui: NO!! THERE HASN’T BEEN ANY CHANGE IN HIS PLAN!! Page 31 Panel 1: Hiruma (I think): This was just a snap counter from the get go— A signal to start the play after the 4th KILL…!!! Panel 2: Enma player: Shit, even though we know what kind of guy he is! Enma player 2: He’s gonna throw a pass— Enma player 3: No, don’t let Hiruma trick you! He’s not throwing— he’s still holding it!! Panel 3: This is a run….!! Panel 5: Shit, that’s wrong, it’s a pass after all….!!!

Page 32 TOUCHDOOOOWN!!! Page 33 Panel 1: Hiruma: YA— HA—!!! Panel 2: Announcer: The final decisive battle was completely controlled by the sorcerer of the field-- Hiruma Yoichi! (there's actually a word in this line I don't understand lol, but this should be the general gist) Panel 3: Announcer: In a sudden turnabout victory, the Saikyodai Wizards win the championship—

Page 34 Panel 1: Announcer: —No, the remaining time on the clock is 1 second!! Panel 2: Hiruma: !! Taka: That was my bad. Panel 3: Taka: On the ground was Sena-kun with his light speed, and in the air Monta was closing in. I had no choice but to catch the ball one second earlier than planned. Panel 5: Unsui (presumably): — 1 second left. Whether we laugh or cry about it, this will be the final play— Page 35 Panel 1: Sena: These sort of seriously close calls… I dunno if you’d call it deja vu or— Panel 2: Monta: That’s right! This is the kind of cliff’s edge that we’ve run along a bunch of times! Panel 3: Agon: Aaaahhh? Ain’t this match already certain victory— Panel 4: Agon: —If we weren’t up against the tiny trash brigade, that is. Hiruma: Kekeke yo~~~ You also know what’s up huh, fucking dreads. Panel 6: Yamato: That’s right, all of us should know by now well enough that it hurts. Panel 7: Yamato: That there are demon-like men out there whose power explodes during dire straits like this.

Page 36 Panel 1: That there was once a miraculous team called the Devilbats— Panel 2: Hiruma: The last play will be Eyeshield 21! They’ll 100,000,000,000% comes at us with Sena’s run!! Anything else is a ruse, completely ignore it, don’t even think 1mm that it’ll be anything else!! Panel 3: Unsui: There’s only one way to go: Sena’s run. All of us will open a path!! Page 37 Panel 1 & 2: Sena’s Run, Complete Specialized All Star Team!! VS. Anti-Sena formation, Complete Specialized All Star Team!!

Page 38: — DON! Page 39 Panel 1: Announcer: Remaining time: 0 seconds! Panel 2: Announcer: With this last play, it’s game set! Panel 4: Yamabushi: Rodio Drive!! Are they coming with Riku!? Taka: No— Panel 6: Riku: Sena…!!

Page 40 Panel 3: IKKYUU…!! Panel 4: How can he reach it, to go into a cut from such a distance…..

Page 42 Panel 1: Sena: UUOOOOOOOOHH!! Panel 2: Mamori: Sena…! Panel 3: Ikkyuu: That guy’s too damn fast— I already knew that but…..!! Panel 4: Announcer: Sure enough, in the end they went with the light speed running back, Eyeshield 21!!! Page 43 Panel 1: Mizumachi: Uha! I said make way! Panel 3: Chuubou: A path for Sena-senpai….!!!

Page 44-45 Panel 3: Announcer: He’s passed everyone! At this rate it’s a touchdown—!!! Panel 4: Hiruma: Kekeke, dig out your eyeballs and give them a good wash— take another look. It’s not over. Panel 5: Kid: He’ll stand in the way— in the end, the ultimate opponent—

Page 46 Panel 1: AGON!!! Page 47 Panel 2: Shin: Sena’s Devilbat Ghost has been fully realized. Panel 3: Shin: It’s a perfect technique for a runner to get past his opponent. The Optimal Technique/Solution.

Page 48 Panel 2: vvrrrrr (vibration sounds) Panel 3: Glasses: The Optimal Solution for this situation is none other than the Devilbat Ghost. But even then, Agon who possesses inherent superhuman reaction speed will likely stop him. Panel 4: [That is the judgement the machine learning system has made based on the real time analysis from the RFID chip] Page 49 Panel 3: Shin: The essential thing you need to reach new heights, is to surpass your Optimal Technique/Solution™— with Courage™ Panel 5: Sena: That’s right— my road isn’t limited only to the two directions that I can dodge Panel 6: Shin: It relies on his light speed cuts. A third option, much like a trident. In a manner of speaking—

Page 50 Panel 1: DEVILBAT TRIDENT!!! Page 51 Panel 1: Mizumachi: You mean he might not dodge!? Riku: A headlong collision!! There’s no way… Panel 2: Glasses: It’s absolutely impossible, how reckless. There’s no chance of winning. The AI declares that this is at most a feint. In the end, Sena will definitely move to evade him! Panel 3: Hiruma: Kekeke, you’re wrong. It’s a hundred billion years too early to try getting past using that hand. Panel 4: Hiruma: But that’s why you’ll go for it. Isn’t that right, Sena. Panel 5: Agon: Aaahhh~~ Hiruma, I’ve fought with you so many times it makes me sick, so I already know all of that….!!!

Page 52 Panel 1: Hiruma ??: The Human brain hasn’t been able to compete with semiconductors for a long time. I’m sure it’ll aaaalll become like that in the future. Panel 2: Hiruma: When it comes to searching for Optimal Solutions™, no one can compete against Sir AI anymore. But— Panel 3: Shin: Beyond the Optimal Solution™ Panel 4: Beyond even the very summit— you continue to struggle with only courage at your back. Page 53 Panel 1: THAT IS WHAT AN ATHLETE IS Panel 3: ??: I’LL GO PRO AND KILL EVERYONE!! Panel 4: ??: I’LL SURPASS THE TOP!!! Panel 5: ??: That athlete will be—

Page 54-55 Panel 1: Hiruma: ME Panel 2: Sena: ME Panel 3: [He surpasses theory, with his light speed courage—!!]

[oleanderscorner]

I offer you, the highest of my ideas

Yandere Twst X Overblot Yuu.

Vibes? IMMACULATE

Everyone’s like “oooh overblot twst so hooot” NO! I WANT THEM TO DO THAT. FOR ME. IN THE WORST WAYS POSSIBLE.

fuck the calculation n’ clever shit. I want them to run onto scene and go 👀👀

(Specifically if you wanna: Dorm leaders + Leech twins + Ace + Deuce.)

I think I can do this in more of a series—but I’ll do this in this more analysis-like format…let’s start with Vil because I think he would be the most fun.

Yandere!Vil x OB!Yuu

TW: manipulative behavior, obsessing, toxic and abusive themes, self harm—YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

Vil Schoenheit

I think everyone can agree that Vil is often an incredibly misrepresented character—whether or not they know or believe their own interpretation to be completely correct. There’s a lot to his character that doesn’t get represented because it’s hard to represent all of him when he’s incredibly adaptable to his surroundings…

But before we get to him any more—let’s look at Yuu.

Yuu can’t OB in canon but without magic, but a personal theory I’ve had for a long time is that Yuu will gain magic somehow—because like everything else they’re now a part of this world, and while they don’t belong “currently” after saving so many people they’re bound to become part of the world they’re living in, and gain some level of magic or be someone part of the universe who has no magic—which is a little less likely considering where Yuu is placed within this universe.

Yuu’s UM is likely to be more similar to Ruggie’s in that they likely will have some level of control over people and surroundings, however, with the ghost theme of the dorm—it’s better to assume that Yuu’s UM may be to become invisible like a ghost to help in battle same way they always kind of had in game.

An OB would likely be quick as Yuu begins to miss home and just wants to disappear and have everyone forget them—have the world forget them—so that maybe they can go home as they no longer have any remnant of themselves in the universe. Homesickness is a real thing, and if we look at some of the manga Yuus we do know that there is families back home for Yuu to go to, and possibly friends too. It can hit hard after awhile, especially if we go by the year and we don’t know how time there works—which can host so many accidents where Yuu won’t see their family again and as much as Yuu would miss their friends here—home could hit a lot worse.

When not invisible, I’d imagine them covered in cloth similar to a sheet ghost and with ink between the folds and sheets, and nearly translucent—just for the fun of a design.

Now onto the actual OB!YuuxVil

(Might switch Yuu and you because Yuu is the reader, if I say they know that means reader/Yuu)

Vil is observant—he may send Rook or Epel to spy on you or make judgements of character—but he is observant of Yuu and their actions leading up to the overblot. He wanted to prepare for it himself—and hopefully actually stop it. In most instances he would—he knows how to take preventive measures—but…this time he didn’t.

As we know from chapter 5 and his vignettes, Vil is one to get back up again after every failed attempt—and is by far the most adaptable character when it comes to needing to work with a loss. He couldn’t prevent it? Fine—it’s not like anyone else was truly helping (they were), he’ll just have to take extreme measures instead.

He locks you up so you cannot be a danger to yourself and others—likely using something to get you to a secure location (his home if he could help it—it’s incredibly reinforced, his dad and he have crazy fans I’m sure) since Ramshackle would definitely be destroyed and Pomefiore has a ridiculous amount of glass to get you hurt. He normally isn’t the kidnapping type but this situation is incredibly dire, so he has to live up to that role.

Vil struggles with identity and selfishness—he is strict and wants to keep everyone in line, and knows how to battle each person who comes his way with tact and grace to keep people in line. However this is for the betterment of others more than for simple order. This is one of the things where he has to come off as the bad guy in order for people to be better versions of themselves and be better people. He is incredibly used to this role even if he hates it and loathes everything. It’s an identity he doesn’t want but it’s one he’s always going to be stuck with, making it hard to do truly selfish things unless it contributes to his image—something he cares way more about than himself.

All of this is to say that he is certain to try and manage your overblot—and to get you out of it—even if it means he has to be the bad guy and keep you away from things. Even if it means having to use magic spray you can’t hurt yourself and others. Even if it means afterwards you hate him.

Yet there will be times where he calls you beautiful, times where he tells you that you look lovely this way—times where he just praises you. Some of it he believes, but some of it is out of what little selfishness he can manage for himself to not completely be the villain in your eyes. It’s ever so slightly manipulative, but telling him that will only make things worse.

He tries to get you to eat so at least there’s things feeding this magical energy. Some of it is laced with potions to help do just that—because he is incredibly scared that stunting it will kill you or harm you. So he wants to just make sure you don’t completely use it all up.

Vil is determined—but if anything Yuu is the best at breaking his resolve.

Constant egging on about him keeping you here, about him using his magic against you—trying to hurt him for so long. Eventually it can get to be too much—but if Yuu mixes it in with any knowledge they knew of his previous obsession for them. How he wished so dearly to make them the best version of themselves and how he wishes to be a part of the life they had here. How he kept worried eyes on them and made sure more money was slipped into their account for food. Even the jealousy he had to hide constantly around those who also showed interest, and his own plans to outdo them that he constantly overthought and looked over. Or especially how Vil had failed to prevent this overblot? Well, that might just break it.

He’d use his own curses against him to make himself better. Give himself timeframes yo complete things or if there was a certain amount of insults or hits a day something would happen. Pain in his legs—turning old for a few days—a nasty illness—whatever worked to force him to get through to the real you.

Even if he overblot once—he can overblot again—and trust me, it’ll be far worse than it ever was before.

This is a quick take! I’d love to do a full in depth analysis of Vil and how I perceive him, and what I think so many people shove onto him that’s completely unfair of them to do—but I truly hope this does him justice. I’ll probably get to the other dorm leaders and maybe more soon depending on how I feel about an OB Yuu.

Thank you for reading!!

[harrywavycurly]

Hey Sarah I’m in a mood and I was wondering if you could break my heart (pls put it back together tho) with any of the Eddies or Joes

Hiii lovey!! I will gladly break your heart and I’m gonna be totally honest I had a whole moment where I went “what if…I don’t put it back together?” but don’t worry I will…eventually(I really will fix it I promise) 🙈 but I did this in a conversation formate because that’s how it flowed the best in my mind so I hope you enjoy💖

-I had to create a whole new Eddie for this because I simply couldn’t bring myself to break any of my precious babies hearts😂

A/N: This has a cliff hanger and I’m sorry I feel like it’s necessary and you’ll see why, don’t hate me✨

“You know staring at it won’t make it magically disappear right?…you’re gonna have to open it eventually.” “Gee thanks Steve…what would I do without your words of wisdom?” “Listen jackass sitting here on your front porch staring at a cardboard box isn’t exactly how I planned on spending my Friday night okay?” “Then why’d you come over?” “Because…you called and sounded all…upset…and you’re like one of my bestfriends so…here I am.” “Thanks…” “So…what’d you do?” “I fucked up.” “I mean yeah…that’s a little obvious…I mean what did you actually do to make her send all your stuff back in a box marked…the asshole’s stuff?” “We got into an argument and she walked out and I didn’t go after her.” “Wait..what?..what do you mean you didn’t go after her?” “I mean exactly what I said Steve…I said some shit…she said some shit and then she left and I just…let her….” “What was this argument about?” “She got a wedding invitation from some girl we went to high school with and it made her all…happy and hopeful for our future and..she started talking about us getting married and I just…I’m not ready for all that shit man I’m only twenty three I can’t be someone’s husband.” “Okay so you just tell her you’re not ready yet…you don’t just throw in the fucking towel Eddie.” “You didn’t see her face when she was talking about our lives together Steve…she’s ready for that like right now and I don’t…I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready.” “What exactly did you say to her?” “I just told her…if she’s looking for someone to marry she’s looking in the wrong place…and…and she just..called me a selfish asshole and left.” “Well she wasn’t wrong…and that’s when you just let her drive away?” “I didn’t even move from the couch…I sat there the rest of the night because I just assumed she’d come back after she calmed down a bit.” “You’re such an idiot man…but just tell me…is it the idea of being with her forever that you don’t think you’re ready for? Or is just being her husband you can’t wrap your head around?” “I love her…more than anyone and I know she’s it for me but I’m not husband material Steve and that’s not…fare to her.” “Oh fuck off with that…she clearly thinks your husband material or she wouldn’t bring it up so don’t go trying to say you did this as a favor to her okay? You did this because you’re scared.” “I’m not scared.” “Yes you fucking are Eddie…you’re terrified that someone else loves you so much that they literally want to be legally bound to you…that’s some heavy shit man so I get it but that’s why you made her run away…it has nothing to do with this lame ass excuse of you not being husband material.” “I just..I don’t want to fuck it up..I’ve seen enough horrible marriages I don’t need to be apart of one too.” “Sorry to break it to you man but…you kinda already did.” “Yeah…I did didn’t I? She couldn’t even write my name on the box…” “Oh asshole isn’t your first name? I’m shocked.” “Fuck off…” “Sorry…but you wanna go through it now or…wait?” “I don’t need to go through it…I know what’s in it.” “Oh really? What?” “A few mix cds I made her… a teddy bear from a claw machine at the arcade…some letters…a photo of us at the lake one summer and hopefully a few Metallica shirts.” “Letters?” “Yeah? We used to write each other all the time…it was like our way of expressing how we felt sometimes when we couldn’t really…get the words out…why are you looking at me like that?” “Do you want her back?” “What?” “Answer the question man.” “Yes…yes I want her back…” “Just checking…because…I may have an idea…” “Okay…I’m listening…”

[f10werfae]

Holland’s Girl

pairing: Boyfriend!Tom x Cavill!Reader

summary: Hi there! I don't know if you still write for Tom Holland but could you do one with him in a relationship with henry cavill's little sister? With the twitter format? Love all your Henry cavill blurbs! (Requested by Anon)

Requests are open!/Likes, Comments and Re-blogs are appreciated♥️

Full Masterlist, Taglist Form Tom

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

@/dutchnesslove: Tom just confirmed his relationship with Y/n Cavill on instagram!! He uploaded a picture of them cuddling in bed and everything, even Tessa was in between them with her head on Y/n's chest

@/HenryCavill: @TomHolland take care of my sister or else our weekend pints will have to stop mate 👍👍

@/Y/nCavill: Omg fuck off Hen, he loves me more than you do🙄

-

@/britishstarq: Did anyone see the pap video of Tom and Y/n buying groceries?? He pushes her around in the trolley while handing her the stuff from the shelves. Someone save me bc they are just too cute😭

>> @/marveltrick: Ok but did you see the party where Y/n secretly swipes her card to pay for the groceries and Tom literally tackled her into a big hug and tickled her because of it

-

@/Littlebunbun: Why the fuck are people hating on Tom and Y/n? So what if she isn’t some big time actor? She literally has her own career path in (insert job), she doesn’t need Tom’s money bro☠️

>> @/birdiebye: I know, fans ambushed her outside of her workplace and she had to stay inside and wait for Tom to get her. This is ridiculous. She’s just trying to live her life, she doesn’t need whiney teenagers trying to attack her. No wonder Tom doesn’t like doing lots of autographs in public anymore

-

@/retrotro: Henry just posted his annual family bbq picture, and just saw Tom sitting on a chair by the fire with Y/n tucked under his jacket with him😭😭 He was kissing her forehead with his arms locked around her and everything

-

@/beautifillife: In Y/n's first interview she mentioned how she first met Tom at an award show where Henry brought her along as his plus one. She ended up getting lost from Henry during the big rush inside and bumped into Tom, and quotes, “He hasn’t let me go since”

>> @/beautifillife: Don’t even forget when she said that Tom insisted he bring her home because she couldn’t end up finding Henry, AND THEY HAD THEIR FIRST KISS THAT NIGHT. Although feels bad because Y/n said he was so awkward like a little boy with his first crush☠️

-

@/turusbeixh: Since the lockdown I think Y/n has moved in with Tom, just because Henry posted turning her room in the family home, into storage for his war figurines. Also Y/n has been posting reels on instagram on how to choose the correct colour furniture, and she’s just the cutest

-

@/TomHolland: @/Y/nCavill Babe please forgive me, I didn’t mean to walk Tessa without you this morning💔

>> @/Y/nCavill: So first I wake up alone in bed, and then I don’t even get to walk my baby. Unforgivable, unless you’ve somehow got a tub of Ben and Jerries with you. And Kisses

>>> @/TomHolland: Don’t worry got lots of kisses for you, in all places

-

@/pinkputter: In a friend’s youtube video when playing Hide and Seek, Y/n decides to hide on Tom’s lap under a massive blanket, AND THIS MAN DID NOT RAT HER OUT FOR A WHOLE 30 MINUTES. THAT IS LOVE.

-

@/DailyTelegraph: Teary Tom Holland seen sending off his girlfriend Y/n Cavill at the airport. The young businesswoman is off to start a new branch in Japan, hopefully she’ll be back soon! Reports say 2 weeks!

>> @/tomholland101: You’re tellin me that mans cryin over his girl being gone for two weeks😭

-

@/user28373792: Tom holland said that he and Y/n can’t share showers often because she actually makes it boiling warm. But he does it anyway because she wants to 😭♥️

-

@/User29282803: Y/n posted a photo of Tom rubbing her feet, that mans whipped

>> @/twinkletoerz: Remember the picture of

Y/n braiding his hair. Love.

-

@/Y/nCavill: Why is Tom crying at the airport😭 He literally booked a flight to Japan for two days from now, he’s staying with me until I have to fly home

-

@/Northfacepole: When is Tom gonna propose, they’ve been together for AGES (3 years) THAT WOMANS FINGER NEEDS A RING!!

>> @/Y/nCavill: Don’t worry babes i’m on it 💪

-

@/DailyTelegraph: Y/N CAVILL AND TOM HOLLAND ENGAGED! The pair got engaged at the rooftop of a secluded bar in the west of London, Y/n reappeared today adorning a stunning lab created diamond on her ring finger, a smitten blushing Tom by her side. Sources say the superstar got down on one knee after a romantic Italian dinner and asked the question, we can only anticipate the wedding date which is supposedly next Spring!

———

Taglist Tags (Form is up there^^): @vrittivsanghavi @Tinyelfperson @fdl305 @marvelgurl @uwiuwi @stormcloudss @misshale21 @hallecarey1 @nikkitc0703 @mischiefsemimanaged @aerangi @alina02 @bookfrog242 @alexxavicry

[romanitas]

look at me go, it hasn't even been a month! we're back with (i think) the penultimate part of the spy au !! thanks to @perseannabeth who helped me figure out some plot points literally irl for the final stretch. there's always been a vague plan for the end, hopefully it lives up! also again available on ao3 if tumblr formatting screws up.

-

Annabeth hasn’t seen Percy for four and a half weeks. She’s been off the Jupiter Industries case for just as long, what with Luke Castellan’s involvement; they’re currently restructuring the plan forward. She’s not used to boredom, but she’s not sure she could consider it full boredom when her brain will not stop churning. She’s aware it’s usually a stomach churning, but no, in this case, her mind is on the go in a thousand different directions. She doesn’t feel nauseous or sick - just overwhelmed mentally, which as far as she’s concerned is one of the worst kinds. She’d rather be vomiting.

She’s back at her apartment - her real one. It’s nearly as empty as the fake one. She doesn’t keep a lot of things around, not wanting too many distractions on top of the fact that she feels like she spends very little time actually in it. The most personalization is an owl throw pillow with a matching blanket on the couch and a few architectural prints across her walls. It feels emptier than it ever has, and she cruelly imagines what it might be like if Percy came here. She really, really needs to stop thinking about him, but it feels impossible, because if she’s not thinking about him, she starts to think about Luke. And that’s worse.

She faceplants directly into the owl blanket with a groan and lays there, ignoring the wafting smell of her Korean BBQ takeout sitting on the countertop. This has been her life each day for the last week: different dishes but a very familiar static and face full of fluff, followed by dejectedly eating lukewarm food. And then she just gets mad at herself for being such a sad sack. She’s Annabeth fucking Chase. What the hell did Percy Jackson do to her?

Reyna checks in periodically. She sends minute updates, but not enough for Annabeth to start doing her own poking and prodding. Frank stops by a few times to make sure she’s eating, and she does welcome his company in an absent way. He brings some of the best takeout, but he knows all her favorites. He carries the conversation in directions that serve the best distractions.

“You should use this time to get out,” he says one day, dragging some naan through the rest of his curry. When Annabeth stares at him, he clarifies. “I mean, maybe think of it like a vacation? You never take a vacation. Do things you’ve always wanted to.”

She grumpily shoves her own naan into her mouth to avoid answering him. But maybe he has a point. Maybe she does need to leave the house more often, if only to refresh herself. To get back on her feet. It’s only a matter of time before they give her a new assignment, and she refuses to fall into distractions again next time.

She takes herself out. She ventures further than a ten block radius and tries a new Pho place she’s been wanting to check out. She looks up a current run of temporary exhibitions around the city, buys tickets for three of them. She makes a reservation for herself at one of the museum restaurants, uncaring that it’s definitely overpriced and she can get a burger down the block for half the cost. She is utterly determined to give herself a good, clean, solid break from her time with Percy, so she’s prepared for the next chapter. Whatever it brings.

Naturally, it’s at one of the exhibitions that she runs into Sally Jackson.

Annabeth isn’t sure she could have been caught more off guard by Luke. She turns the corner and nearly runs into the woman, but her instincts make her sidestep at the last second. She’s not fast enough to avoid eye contact, because Sally moves at the same time, an apology on her lips.

“I’m so sorry - Annabeth?”

Why is this her life? Annabeth freezes, and she can feel the guilt rain down on her like a tsunami. She’s very rarely caught off guard like this, but this warm, wonderful woman unnerves her in an unexpected way. She just assumed she would never see her again, another casualty of her break with Percy.

Despite it all, Sally offers her a small, tentative smile. “Hi,” she says, tone infused with that very same warmth Annabeth knows she doesn’t deserve.

She swallows. “Hi,” she replies, weakly.

Sally reaches out to give her arm a gentle squeeze, and Annabeth nearly combusts on the spot. But the older woman can sense her discomfort, because she pulls her hand away just as quickly and sighs. “Will you get a coffee with me?”

Every single part of her is telling her to say no; every rational, logical piece of her being knows this is a bad idea, but there’s a quiet desperation that wins out against her better judgment, and Annabeth nods mutely. Sally smiles again, then walks them both towards the museum cafe. She orders Annabeth’s coffee exactly the way she likes it and orders herself a chai latte. By the time they sit down at the table, Annabeth’s nerves are shot, so she just wraps her hands around the cup and takes a sip, burning her tongue immediately. She winces, and Sally offers her a napkin.

“Percy told me you broke up.”

Annabeth almost laughs, hollowly. There’s no way he would have told her anything - Percy might have been royally pissed at her, but he’s also not cruel, and she knows he wouldn’t jeopardize her by spilling all the beans to his mother. He also wouldn’t want to put his mom in danger. Instead, her shoulders sink, and all she can do is nod once.

“He didn’t really tell me why,” Sally continues, wringing her hands around her own cup. She gets a thoughtful wrinkle in her forehead that looks so much like her son Annabeth almost flinches. “He said it wasn’t his place to share your history, but he did tell me you lied about a lot.”

She doesn’t know if hearing that from Sally is worse than her whole exchange with Percy a month ago. She doesn’t say anything, but her lack of answer is its own confirmation.

“My son is everything to me,” she says, and Annabeth prepares to be reamed out. Why wouldn’t she be? She just broke this woman’s son’s heart, and they’re two of the kindest, best people she’s ever met. “And I have never seen him so miserable.”

It’s not yelling, but it might be worse for real this time. Which is why the next thing Sally says is the most surprising part of all.

“I think he misses you.”

Annabeth’s head whips up so fast, and she says the first thing since her awkward greeting, which isn’t much more articulate. “What?”

It’s Sally’s turn to be quiet, again looking thoughtful as she finally takes a sip of her own drink. “I’m only telling you this because I know he was happy with you. Happier than I’ve seen him in a long time. And I know what he’s like now. I’m not going to ask you what happened. I know you hurt him, deeply, and I know maybe it’s not my place to sit here with you and tell you all of this. I know maybe things have been damaged too greatly. I know it’s his life, not mine. But what I want to ask you anyway is if you want to fix it, and if you still love my son.”

Annabeth’s eyes well up. She can’t answer this one with a nod. It’s everything she’s been trying to push away, the impossibilities of Percy chasing her down more harshly than Luke in the alleyway. “I love him,” she admits, and saying it aloud to someone else nearly knocks the wind out of her. “But I don’t know if I can fix it. I really, really hurt him, and there are parts of it that feel too broken.”

She shouldn’t be sharing this with Percy Jackson’s mother, but there isn’t another person who’s spoken to her about Percy specifically like this. A person who prioritizes Percy the way he should be, no matter what her own stupid heart and head are doing. Frank worries about her, but she’s the one who needs to grovel, and Sally will always, always put her son first.

Sally takes another sip, watching her carefully over the brim. She’s never felt more scrutinized in her life, and she’s a goddamn spy. Annabeth’s been alone for a very long time, and those months with Percy and his friends and his family were the closest she felt like a real, normal person in a long time. But she isn’t normal. She can’t just slip into a real architect’s life and become a new Annabeth Chase.

“Are you willing to try?”

She’s taken aback by the question and the way it connects to her thoughts, and she’s sure the surprise is on her face. “I don’t think he wants me to. It should be his choice, not mine.”

Sally hums. “Will you give me your address?”

“He’s not going to come to my house.”

“It’s for me. Not him. I won’t give it to him.”

She hesitates. She’s unlisted for a reason, her residence deeply under wraps. She still gets mail, of course, and it’s not like she lives there most of the year. But then she stubbornly takes the receipt from the drinks, scribbles the P.O. box on the back before she can second guess herself, and slides it back over. “Can you memorize it and burn it?” she says teasingly, trying not to feel ashamed of joking about it.

Sally slides it into her pocket. “I’m giving you a chance now, because I love my son and I want his happiness more than anything else, but I can see you're in just as terrible a state as he is. I wanted to see for myself, after I realized it was you.” She lifts her drink again, and Annabeth’s not sure if the pause for dramatic effect is intentional or not. “This is not forgiveness. It’s not my place to give it. This is me having a conversation with you, because you’re a very smart, put together woman who has spent a significant amount of time with Percy.”

Annabeth doesn’t feel very put together at the moment, but she’s hardly going to interject.

“And above everything, Percy is my son.”

It’s not a threat, but it almost feels like one. In lieu of another response, Annabeth takes a cowardly sip of her coffee.

“Thank you, for having coffee with me,” Sally says, and it sounds like a goodbye. Like this might be the last thing they ever say to each other. They sit in silence for a few more minutes, finishing their drinks, and it’s Sally who leaves first. She climbs to her feet in a cool movement and adjusts her bag before giving Annabeth a nod, then walks away from the table.

Annabeth sits there for another thirty minutes, though what she spends it thinking about, she doesn’t really remember.

-

Three days later Annabeth receives a package in the mail, with Sally’s return address. She holds the box in her hands and doesn’t really know how to process it. She sets it on the kitchen island and stares at it, afraid of opening it for stupid reasons. Watching it out of the corner of her eye, she heats up a box of frozen mac and cheese, then reaches for a steak knife to slice open the packing tape as the microwave beeps.

Inside she finds a dozen chocolate chip cookies, wrapped up neatly in a transparent blue bag. Underneath them is an envelope, which she nervously lifts and carefully opens. There’s a note inside, and what looks like two tickets to - to an aquarium. Not just any aquarium, the one where she met Percy - or rather, where she orchestrated her meeting of Percy. Puzzled and sad all at once, she reads the note in Sally’s loopy writing.

Annabeth,

I bought these for you both a month ago. I’m giving them to you alone now as a final gift from me to you, and I hope you use them. Use the time to think about everything. Don’t try to return them.

Perhaps one day we’ll see each other again. Take care.

Sally

[av-a-fletcruel]

Xaden and Violet arguement

Angst

Summary: one of the arguments between Xaden & Violet of him trying to keep here safe ( for example her sneaking off to teceruss to get the luminary.)

From violets POV:

‘Why can you not just stay here so your safe from all harms way?’ Xaden raises his voice a tiny bit,with annoyance ringing in his tone, ‘just like everyone else’s here for dunne‘s sake!'

How could he say that when he puts himself in danger all the time? That’s an unfair question to ask of me and especially from how far I’ve come.

'How is it different from you going out there each day or for Maleks sake for a nearly full week while I wait crossing me fingers at the morning formation begging,pleading for your name to not come up,’ or Mira’s but this conversation is about us,about him being a too stubborn arsehole to let me actually do any real help other than staying behind these walls and reading, I let down my shield for him to hear it all down our bonds hopefully to see how unfair this is and how he is being a prick. ‘Reciting the same 3 words in my head like my own mantra,mourning the loss of seeing ur chest raise each morning in bed to see ach breath contains a heart beat.'

I tell him with my voice breaking into a graspy hollow sound, to tell him how unfair it is to see him in dangers and not by side me with his heartbeating my own motivational of life, to tell him it breaks micro scabs of my heart to watch him go gradually leaving me with a hollow wound nothing can fill but his gaze back on me,my hands on him in a tight grip of comfort as I hold him in bed to make sure he won’t leave me once again in the mourning to see the awful view of his side,his side clear as air will let it with the weight thundering on me for him for 2 different but interlinked reasons. For him leaving me and leaving me.

‘You cannot expect me to simply let you into harms way never mind lead you into it.’

‘What because my life is intertwined to yours and you can’t trust me to defend my own or your life!’ … that wasn’t at all fair to say to him of course he trusts me,… I think, but I need to do some thing more useful out of here actually save and protect lives- like his.

‘That is not the truth and you know it Violet. Of course I trust you with my life as you said just a couple of months ago,the only thing you could trust me with was yours, then let me keep that trust and defend your life!’ He says desperation leaning into his eyes with a flicker of gold sway in to the storm of arguements and emotions he’s building. For once please don’t build those damn walls.

‘Yes of course u know that it was an error to accuse you of that but you treat me like less of all the survivors of Resson like I wasn’t one,like I wasn’t the one that killed one,you are sending all of them out there but me for Dunne crying out loud I wish you treated me as careless like at Gauntele-'

‘For fucks sake you weren’t mine then and certainly you then you weren’t nearly not gong to be a survivor for 3 fucking miserable days! Why won’t I let u risk your life every grateful day that u did become a survivor and one of us,on our side is because I can’t risk u because very clearly have I put it that I can’t risk the one thing that keeps me alive not literally my life through our bond but the life you push me to proceed with your heart crashing around doing malek knows what risking you life out there,everywhere u go that ISN’T behind these walls,’ he empathises on each words trying to let me understand his heartbreaking confession of the greed of my security of being protected behind and beyond these ward less walls that u have not succeeded once.

‘You cannot simply ask me to not risk my life with you doing so it is insultingly unfa-' I fail at my arguement with the little one I have..or had

‘Why won’t you let me keep you safe, Violet?Why don’t you just let me keep you safe?’ He pleads in shout that I bet everyone can hear from behind the doors of the sparring room, ‘For once, one time! ’ he contorts to plead with a punishable look of desperation flooding his eyes a storm to let me understand how unfair this is on him.

‘Let me keep you safe,for not for you, Violet, for me, selfishly me!’ he screams at me with desperation and as he drops to his knees infront of me his head hangs low for a second before snapping up to me with mercy in his eyes as no walls stands as they have been penetrated beyond control he can fathom now.

He looks me dead in the eyes as a slither of something comes out from his left side his face threateningly to slither down his cheek

A tear.

It follows it route before I drop down onto my knees and kiss it away the salty punishment burning on my lips of what I have done cradling him in a crushing grip as u do one hand in his soft hair one on his back as he leans his head initi the dents of my necks holding onto my back as his voice cracks into a million apologies none that I take as I tell him my own his hands pull me in in my back as he kissing behind me on the back of my shoulder crying, apologies running down my back from his throat like a fountain broken beyond measures nothing holding back.

A sharp pain shoot up my right shoulder blade as he bites onto it unpleasant tears stream my back still ac it ur my head and his eyes scrunched as tight as they could. With an unfathomable amount of pain I have endoured.

'Im so sorry all I want is you safe I can’t breathe when your not nevermind when we fight I can’t stand the thought of losing you in anyway all I want is you safe,it’s all I want.'

'I know, I know, unknown , I have been unfair on you no need for apologies, Xaden, it okay really I’m here I’m the one who is sorry but we are as you have said before difficult people we need to get through this nervend which one of us needs to be sorry.‘

' …I love you, Xaden.'

'I love you , Violet.'

[koinotame]

gacha isekai ocs (old)

word count: 7K content warnings: seriously unhealthy relationship dynamics, implied past abuse, dehumanisation and objectification (both reader -> character and character -> self), power imbalances (in both directions—reader usually has the power in the relationship but the others are much stronger in abilities), nsfw (not explicit but frequent), violence and murder (frequently mentioned but not descriptive), mild gore (particularly in the first hero and disgraced god's section, not super descriptive but not super mild either), bugs (only mentioned, maggots and worms), some cringy humour i'm sorry i wrote this when i was 18 and it shows

a/n: this is a repost (unedited)! basic idea: gacha isekai where the mc (you) doesn’t take anything particularly seriously and everyone summoned by them becomes kind of infatuated with them. under the cut for length + this is badly formatted

ok so some basic ideas.

mc is a twin and has to find a way to find their twin again while also saving the world or something. you didn’t really pay attention to that part

also mc isn’t like. a Great Person. they’re not horrible either, but they’re certainly not the usual goody two shoes mcs in isekais

what their og world is like isn’t ever really specified, but they didn’t have a great relationship with their parents and really only had their twin to rely on

they um. kind of see the people they summon as collectible characters? once they get to know them more and as the story progresses this attitude does fade away a bit, but it was certainly there in the beginning, and it does affect the way the people think about them

outside of their twin, they’re very short-term focused. what they want or need matters a lot more to them than anything else, even if it’s something serious like, you know, the whole saving-the-world thing. who cares? you’re more interested in lunch than this boring meeting

then there’s the first prince! he’s softspoken and polite, but painfully distanced. he was the one to summon you, and he’s been with you the longest.

at first he was so… awfully distant. despite summoning you and dumping such a huge responsibility on you, he’s saying he wants to remain allies and nothing else? damn, okay, fuck you too.

eventually he does warm up to you, and before long he realises he’s hopefully in love with you. obsessed, even. he’s got your entire schedule memorised and he’s gotten so uncomfortably jealous of how much time you spend with the other summoned and he may or may not have a shrine in his room dedicated to you and the thought of you defiling him does things to him and—

well. before he knows it, he’s gotten way ahead of himself. his feelings for you have gripped his heart and have no intention of letting go, and he’ll die before letting them go. without you, life has no meaning. figuratively too, he supposes, because without you they’d lose the war, but he means it very literally.

he’s sworn to himself that he won’t get ahead of himself, that your relationship matters more than whatever he may want. so he’s fine with being your (hopefully best) friend. he’s fine with you only using him when it’s convenient for you. he’s fine with whatever you may decide to do. if you discard him, that just means he disappointed you and needs to work harder to be useful to you again, right?

somehow he’s managed to drive another wall between you two. he’s gotten so used to placing you on a pedestal that being close to you, being equal to you is unthinkable for him. naturally, you lose interest and begin to hang out with others more, but that causes him to panic and begin to desperately do anything that might regain your favour. he’ll push beyond his limits, make a fool of himself, whatever you desire, so please just take him back, please place your attention back on him…!! and then when you do he just places that wall up again. there’s no winning here, it’s just an endless loop of him distancing himself and then panicking when he loses you and then "earning" you back, and then he’s distancing himself again.

one time he offered to let you take your frustrations out on him and you misunderstood his intentions and just hugged him tightly for several minutes straight. it wasn’t what he meant but holding you in his arms was amazing in its own right, so he certainly had no complaints.

the first hero you summon is cheerful and chipper, and makes you think of chips. when you tell him this he’s nothing short of confused, asking why he reminds you of wood chips?? what??

you find it hard to take him seriously, and while at first he’s happy he can amuse his summoner, it starts getting grating as time passes and he becomes more infatuated with you. that’s all he’ll ever be, right? that one guy that’s comic relief and nothing else.

he doesn’t want to act out and cause trouble, but. there’s got to be some way to get your attention back on him, right? there’s got to be some way to get you to take him seriously, right…? right…?

he doesn’t mind humiliating himself in the worst ways, or making a fool of himself, or ruining any chances he had at being anything in life, as long as you look at him. he wishes you’d look at him differently, like he actually means something, but he’ll settle for being your jester if it even so much as slightly amuses you. nothing is off limits for you.

but eventually he, too, reaches his limit. every time you laugh at him, he feels like crying. he can feel himself being painfully turned on and it’s horrible. he’s miserable, and even then, even then…!! he’s still getting off to it, because it’s you making him miserable. he can’t take it anymore, it’s not fair! he keeps repeating that to himself, but no matter how much he says it he can’t bring himself to change anything. to go against what’s been established is to go against you, isn’t it? and there’s no way he could ever do that.

he does throw himself into battle more often, though, becoming more and more reckless, to the point where he often gets injured. it doesn’t matter for who, since he doesn’t matter anyway. someone as insignificant as him will never matter, not to you, and not to the world. but then you get worried about him and scold him, and even go as far as telling him to be more careful because you care about him… and in that moment he realises, he’s made a grave mistake. it doesn’t matter whether he matters to the world, because you are the only one in the world who matters.

he’ll do anything for you, he says, grasping your hand, and while it’s clear you doubt his sincerity, he speaks nothing but the truth. he wishes you’d believe him a bit more, but it’s okay that you don’t. anything you do is okay, after all. you could dig your finger into his wounds and wiggle it around and he’d thank you for blessing him with your touch. the sting could never compare to you. and either way, it doesn’t really matter whether you doubt him or not, right? it just means he hasn’t properly proved himself, and he’ll work his life away proving himself even the smallest amount, for you. all for you.

the second hero you summon is the serious type, of course. the take-no-nonsense type. the type that doesn’t fall for cute summoners who treat them like objects… right?

nope! he did fall for you, treating him like an object and all.

after being treated as someone special for his entire life, being treated just like any other guy is a surprising breath of fresh air. you don’t have any expectations of him, and while it seems like a blessing at first, it quickly becomes disappointing. if you’re not expecting anything of him, you’ll be impressed by anything he does, but at the same time, you won’t be upset if he messes up. this sounds like a blessing but for some reason he just can’t bring himself to think that way.

maybe… maybe he wants you to be mad at him, to be mad at him and not his role as a knight. to finally be acknowledged as a person rather than the role he was born to fulfil. but you never see past him as a person, either. you don’t expect anything, and by the same logic you aren’t disappointed when he fails you. you do lose interest, though, and for some reason he finds himself thinking that he’d rather be thought of as a tool by you than lose your interest.

he never liked being treated like a tool. he never liked it when nobody saw him for him. but now that someone does see him for him, it’s uncomfortable. he’d… rather go back to being a tool. at least it was comfortable then, at least he knew what to expect. now it feels like he offers up the most vulnerable parts of himself without receiving yours in return, and there’s nothing more painful than being seen and then discarded. please, won’t you take him back? he’ll work very hard for your sake, and be your and only your knight. he’ll throw away everything for you, so, please, look his way once more?

he found it annoying and offputting at first, but now he’ll die before admitting that he secretly likes it when you treat him as a collectible. something about the dehumanisation of it all really just… gets to him. he’s okay with it, but only if it’s you. if you asked, he’d say it’s okay with him, but in reality he quite likes it. he wants you to treat him as a collectible, as if he’s below you. because, really, the truth is? he is. he is so incredibly below you that he cannot stand it. and he loves it.

of course there’s a vampire somewhere, and boy this guy sure is a vampire. he’s playful and has those old man vibes that only young-looking anime guys seem to have.

aw! is his first reaction upon being summoned. getting summoned by someone this cute? what a wonderful start to his day! and then you give him a deadpan and tell him to move, you’ve still got a couple more summons to do, and the words go straight to his dick. he shuffles out of the way awkwardly and watches you do your thing, but it’s not before you’ve talked a couple more times that he really starts to feel things.

what kind of things, you may ask? well, all sorts of things. he starts feeling light(er than usual, given he doesn’t weight much and floats easily), and his stomach fills with a flurry of tiny bats and butterflies whenever you’re around. every word leaves him captivated, and he can’t help the hearts that glow in his eyes every time he sets his sight on you.

he’s sworn his undying loyalty to you already, of course, but sometimes he throws in a comment that he’d kill anyone who’s giving you trouble. it kills him whenever you trace his throat with your finger and push up his chin and call him a cute little puppy and ahh!! he knows he’s the vampire, but he’d much rather you bite and suck him! mark him, bite him hard enough to draw blood, sink your teeth into him anywhere you’d like, cover him in bruises and scratches, whatever you want! anything is fine, as long as it shows he’s yours and only yours.

is it too much to ask that you just hold him down and call him a bad boy when he can’t take it anymore?? he’d like to be your good boy too, but even thinking about being your bad boy and needing to be punished by you sends all the blood in his body out of his brain and into his dick…!! he just needs to be your boy, okay? good or bad or anything in between is fine, as long as he’s yours!

leave him hanging by only a thread and then mock him when he’s left flushed and drooling. pinch him and drag the most obscene sounds out of him, and certainly don’t stop when he asks you to. step on him and call him pathetic for enjoying this. tie him up and gag him, take away all his power. he won’t be satiated until he’s assured that he’s completely and utterly beneath you, that he couldn’t fight back even if he wanted to (and trust him, he doesn’t). he’s yours, and only yours. your bad little boy.

would also kill for you, though. like, definitely, no questions asked. anytime, anyplace, anyreason. if it’s you, he doesn’t need a reason. you’re the reason his life has meaning again, isn’t that reason enough? without you, he’d be nothing. so for you, he’ll be everything.

and there’s a werewolf too, of course! his tail starts wagging every time he thinks of you, and he loves loves loves it when you pet his head or give him headscratches or call him a good boy—

he’s the goodest boy! only for you <3

as soon as he saw you, he knew. he knew you were The One, the only one with any meaning in this godforsaken world. so, of course, he had to devote himself to you, forever and always. even if it turned out that you weren’t, well, it’d be too late to go back then, right? a wolf’s loyalty is unquestionable, and to throw it away would mean throwing away his pride as a person worthy of living. even if he made the wrong choice, that’d be his sin to bear, and he should be the one to live the consequences.

but he didn’t make the wrong choice. not at all. in fact, he made the best choice of his life. you really are deserving of everything he has to give—no, scratch that. you’re deserving of everything the world has to give, and so much more. he’d massacre villages, towns, cities, countries, continents, if it meant anything to you. you mean everything to him, so it’s only right that he puts in his everything for you.

he might get dejected if you don’t scratch him, or pet him, or pay enough attention to him in general, but he’s happy to just sit at your legs and growl like a guard dog at anyone who comes to close. or let you fawn over him, much in the same way you would to a dog. something about being beneath you like that, being nothing but a cute puppy for you do play with, really gets him going. that’s what loyalty’s all about, yeah?

sometimes he gets so passionate over you that he starts repeating words and rambling and tripping over himself. this trait carries over to the bedroom too. whenever someone hears him get really passionate, they know he’s talking about you. it’s not that he sounds disinterested in other things, but there’s something about his passion about you that just… surpasses everything else.

whenever he’s done something to displease you, he gives you the saddest puppy eyes and tearfully asks if he’s been a bad boy…? if you say no, he’s been a good boy, he gets excited and his tail starts wagging. he’s been a good boy!!! but if you say yes, he’s been a bad boy, he gets excited. he can’t help it, but the idea of you putting him in his place and teaching him and molding him into your idea of a good boy… god, there’s nothing better in the world, is there?

ah, silly him. you are god.

of course there’s also the playboy! well, past playboy. he’s probably the only one who’s advances you actually acknowledge, but knowing his habits you just can’t bring yourself to actually take him seriously (as… seriously as you take anything, anyway). but, god, he wishes you did.

he really didn’t take you that seriously when you first summoned him, and that’s the worst mistake he’s ever made. how could he ignore you? how could he not see you for what you’re worth? it eats away at him. if he could change one thing in his miserable life, it’d be to treat you better from the start. to treat you like the god you clearly are.

he took a bit to really warm up to you, but once he did his feelings for you got out of hand very quickly. it seems like just a week ago that he started to consider you a friend, how can he not go a moment without thinking about you now…? but even those feelings of apprehension melt away very quickly, and then, truly, all he thinks about is you.

links back everything to you. oh, these flowers on the side of the road? they’re the same colour as your eyes, so he thought of you! oh, these sugar cubes by his tea? they’re sweet, but nothing is sweeter than you, so of course he thought of you! the earrings he’s wearing? they’re similar in colour to your favourite food, and you look so cute when you’re eating that… ahhh!! you’re so cute!!! he even thinks of you when plunging his blade into enemies. he’s doing this for your sake, so isn’t it natural he thought of you?

definitely the type to bring you on extravagant dates. he’d plan it all out and insist on paying for everything. today is about treating you, okay? so just sit back and let him spoil you, okay? nevermind the fact that he’s said this for the past 50 dates. well, not that you think of them as dates, and he’s okay with that. as long as you’re enjoying yourself, it doesn’t really matter if you acknowledge his advances. but, just so you know, he hasn’t even thought of any others since he started taking you out. he’s serious, okay? please believe him when he says that.

also he knows… a lot about you. it’s concerning. nothing that really infringes on your privacy, but it’s a little… excessive, how much he knows about your small habits and how much information solely about you he memorises. it’s the little things, like how you scrunch up your nose when you’re about to sneeze or the difference in your missing-home-and-twin absentminded expression and your thinking-about-things-and-zoning-out absentminded expression.

he just loves you so so much, you’re all he thinks about. this should be concerning, but how could he find it anything other than right when you’re so amazing? only seeing you, only thinking about you, you you you… he wouldn’t mind it if you tied him up and he’d really have no choice but to only look at and think about you, you know?

no fantasy isekai is complete without the immortal dude! after centuries of suffering and losing those he loves, he’ll make sure you won’t ever come to harm, even if it costs him countless lives and immeasurable pain.

this guy’s pretty soft compared to the others! he’s very soft in general… at least when it comes to you.

he’s probably one of the ones that takes the longest in warming up to you, but he’s also definitely the most pleasant one to get to know. he’s very polite and treats you normally, plus he’s not a previous enemy. it’s almost like having a normal friend, one you’re eternally grateful in this new and confusing world. his descent into adoration is a subtle one, but eventually even he finds himself ensnared in your charms.

he’s still very gentle with you. he’s concerned first and foremost with your safety and comfort. his comes only after yours. you are, at all times, his first and only priority. he’s not very concerned with making his affections clearly romantic, and is more than happy to remain your friend. as long as you’re doing well, it doesn’t matter to him what or how he is. you’ve become the only source of his happiness, and for your sake he’s willing to endure anything. all of his years of suffering mean nothing now that he knows you.

on the occasions that you do go out into battle, he acts as your sword and shield. he’s not great with fighting, but he’ll throw himself onto any incoming weaponry, deflecting all attacks meant for you onto himself. it’s the only way he knows how to be useful. he’d rather you stay far, far away from any battles, but if you insist on it the least he can do is keep you safe. if you ever complain about how you don’t like seeing him in pain, he gets even softer (if that’s possible) and does his best to not get hurt… where you can see. it’s not like it’s going to permanently hurt him; so what you don’t know won’t hurt you.

he likes to cook and sew for you. if you mention you like sweets, he’ll bake treats for you constantly too. he loves to spoil you. seeing your content and happy face is all he needs in life. he’s very good at knowing your limits, too; if you like it when he does all the little things for you, he’ll notice and do them, and if you prefer to be more independent then he won’t. his love language is definitely acts of service, but he’ll switch it up to whatever you prefer.

loves to watch you in general. not in a creepy way, but rather in a 'oh my god i’m so in love with this person and i’m so happy they’re in my life. what did i ever do to deserve this' way. he gets such a soft look on his face when he watches you, no matter how close or far away from you he is. it’s very easy to check if he’s able to spot you when you’re not in the room; his expression completely gives him away and it wouldn’t be the first time someone walked in and was creeped out because like. you’re not in the room?? is he like… thinking about you while staring out the window—oh no nevermind. you’re sitting outside.

doesn’t think of you as a god or anything like that, just someone regular but so very special to him. you mean the world to him, perhaps to an unhealthy degree, but he doesn’t view you as Inherently Above him in the same way a lot of the other guys do. it doesn’t matter to him whether he’s worthy of you or not; what matters most is your wellbeing. his feelings are inconsequential in comparison to that, but the truth is he’s happy if you are. it’s not that his emotions are tied to yours in the same way some of the others’ are, he’s just happy when he gets to see you and know you’re content and happy. it’s all he could wish for in life. nothing else matters anymore.

definitely likes holding you… he gets a bit bashful about being held, though. he loves any affection you give him, don’t get him wrong! but… won’t you let him spoil you? you deserve the world, and so, so much more. let him hold your face gently and whisper praises and admissions of care. let him hold you in his arms and rub your back during a rainy day. let him make you lunch and fix up your clothes. let him dote on you. he’ll take wonderful care of you. you think so too as you fall asleep on his chest. the fondest look is reflected in his eyes at you, and in that moment, he knows. nothing matters but you.

there’s the living doll too… you’re starting to notice there’s some tropes going on here and frankly like, it’s not helping you see them as people and not characters, but this one’s not used to being treated as a person anyway so it’s fine, right? right!

you’re not sure what pronouns to use for them when they show up first. they just stand there, mismatched eyes staring straight through you. so you ask, and it’s only after a few minutes that you notice they’re not blinking. or breathing, for that matter. they can still talk, for some reason, but they don’t do it often. they move effortlessly, but you can hear the faint sound of something (plastic? hard metal covered in something soft? you can’t tell) clinking. and… and… they’re so pretty?? wahh, it’s not fair!!!

your first meeting was a bit messy, with the staring contest and then your outburst over how pretty they were, but they quickly take to following you everywhere. like… everywhere. you draw the line when they try following you into the bathroom. they take your orders to heart and follow them to a T, too. if you tell them to stay put, they won’t move an inch. it was nice to have some alone time again, but when you pass by the hallway where you told them to stay and notice that they’re still standing there, after a couple days, you realise it’s, um. not that great, actually.

they feel happiest when they’re by your side. it’s weird, something like them shouldn’t know happiness. they shouldn’t know any emotions; how could they? but the fuzzy feeling they get when they’re with you, or when they think of you, and the gut wrenching feeling they get when they see you unhappy or when they haven’t seen you in a while certainly feels like an emotion. one day they ask you if it’s okay to feel emotions, and your response is very you ("??? yes?? of course??"), but it’s almost like they’ve received permission from you. to feel for you. to feel because of you. and so they decide to only feel for and because of you. nothing else has any real meaning, not to them. only you do.

they like it when you tell them what to do. they’re never sure what pleases or displeases you, so they prefer to rely on you to tell them how to do anything. they like it when you dress them up, too. you always treat them so gently, as opposed to their previous owner, but it wouldn’t bother them if you treated them more roughly. actually… please treat them more roughly. you always treat them like they’ll break at any moment, and they cherish anything you grace them with, but they can take it too, you know? they can be reliable, too; you can rely on them! even if you’re the one taking care of them, they’d like you to know that they can take care of you or whatever you need them to do. even if they break, they can just be patched up again. you can’t, so, please, let them take care of things for you, too.

they’re yours, you know? do whatever you’d like with them. make them do whatever you’d like. no matter what, as long as it’s you, they’ll be happy.

and the poor lab experiment… they expect you to treat them badly, but you don’t. you treat them gently, with care, as if they’ll break if you’re any rougher, and it brings tears to their eyes. but… you never rely on them. do you not see any use in them? or do you just prefer coddling them? they’re not sure what you’d prefer from them, and they’re torn on what they should do. should they prove their worth to you? or should they sit back and let you decide everything?

they’re constantly thinking about you, and how to best please and serve you. they’re quick to tear up and punish themselves when they mess up, since you won’t do it. it’s not an attempt to guilt trip you or anything either, it’s just genuinely what they think is best to do. punishments after mistakes is the only thing they know. how else are they supposed to learn?

when you point out that no matter how badly they hurt themself, they seem unfazed, because they’re just that used to being hurt, so there’s no point to "punishing" themself or whatever they’re calling it, they’re dumbfounded. what else are they supposed to do…?? they start tearing up again, thinking you’re saying their behaviour is incorrigible. if you’re saying they’ll never be good enough for you… of course you must be right, but that doesn’t stop it from hurting. instead, you propose, you have another idea. they light up at this. surely you’ll correct their behaviour… only for you to gently bandage their wounds and hug them into your chest. it’s nice, it’s so very nice, and that’s what makes it uncomfortable. they’ve never been given anything nice. how are they supposed to react to this??

when they realise you’ve been coddling them every time they mess up, they get upset again. not at you, exactly, but they do end up tearfully asking you how that’s supposed to correct their behaviour, how it’s supposed to correct them… and when you point out that it’s helped much more than their methods have, they don’t know what to say. you insist that hurting someone who messes up doesn’t help them learn, and that messing up doesn’t diminish their worth or mean they deserve to be hurt, they tear up all over again. what did they ever do to deserve someone like you…?

but then they realise you’ve stopped relying on them for, well… anything. and their mind is quick to trace the decrease in you depending on them to when they started showing you any vulnerability. oh no… have they scared you off?? have they messed up your perception of them? how can they atone for this? how can they remedy this? so they attempt to toughen themselves up. if you see how strong they are, you’ll make use of them, right? but they’re a crybaby through and through and they’re quick to crumble in on themself again. you do notice this, though, and start coddling them again. they don’t know how to feel; anything you do feels heavenly, but it feels wrong to not be able to service you in any way.

once they open up how they feel to you, you’re quick to reassure them that it’s fine. you don’t need them to do anything. you’ll help them get better, but that’s a step they need to take. this was probably one of the first times you really started to separate the people you’d summoned from their roles. beneath everything, they were just… people. so you put on your best smile and tell them you’re grateful and that they have helped you, and continue to help you every day, even if they haven’t done anything directly. and it’s at that moment that they realise…

it doesn’t matter what you do, it’s their duty to sit there and take it.

and of course the shy mage’s apprentice! they’re still learning but their skills shouldn’t be underestimated. they are, after all, still a capable apprentice for one of the most powerful mages in the world. the only thing that can rival their skills is their affection for you.

it didn’t take very long for them to fall for you. a few kind words here and there, and they found themself head over heels for you. they hadn’t had any sort of meaningful interaction with others in centuries, and their previous teacher wasn’t exactly keen on praising them. so when you come along and treat them kindly… how could they not fall in love with you?

they tend to get lost in their own fantasies a lot. daydreams about them serving you tea, about you praising them and patting their head, about making you happy, about them brutally crushing your enemies, about them kneeling down and kissing your hand like they’re your knight, about you cupping their cheek, about you calling them cute, about even having a normal conversation, about you tying them up and getting them off with only your foot and degrading them or teasing them with only your hands, touching everywhere but there and cooing at them, about you using them for your pleasure and your pleasure alone, completely disregarding them… ahh, they’ve gotten ahead of themself, haven’t they??

very big on pleasing you! they’ll do whatever you want, so please direct them in whatever way you see fit…! if you want them to slave away for you, they will! if you want them to throw themselves into battle, they’ll train away day and night! if you want them to create powerful spells or potions for your benefit, they’ll spend every waking moment in their lab! if you want them to be your courier or help out with menial tasks, then that’s their job now and they’ll put their all into it! if you even… want them to just spend time with you, then they’ll drop everything and stay with you. whatever you want them to do, they’ll do without hesitation, without complaint.

when it comes to you, there’s nothing they won’t do. their own moral code is thrown out of the window and replaced with yours. rather than striving to become your ideal, they strive to be the most useful to you. they don’t necessarily want to do everything for you—they want to see you shine—but they don’t want you to do everything for them either. they want to be of best use to you, and it’s not up to them to decide how they’re the most useful to you. that’s up to you and you only.

they’re yours and yours only. use them however you wish. that’s what would make them happiest.

then there’s the disgraced god. the one who used to be a normal person (of… some sort) and whose anger and hurt caused them to ascend to divinity. the one whose rage wiped out worlds. the one who goes soft for you and you only.

they’ve long since forgotten their name, centuries having passed since they last heard it. they’re not even sure that would’ve been their original name, or one given to them by some lowly maggots. they don’t mind whatever you call them, though, so when you decide to dub them grima they have no complaints. one time they asked you why you’d picked that particular name, since it didn’t seem like a regular name in this world, any of the ones they’d travelled to or your own, and you just said something about "well, you have a worm kink, so." though you notice very quickly they’re a lot less prickly than grima.

definitely calls others worms (or maggots, or whatever other insignificant and disgusting bug they can think of), but stopped calling you that a long time ago. the lack of buggy nicknames is an honour reserved solely for you, so treasure it. or don’t, it’s up to you. if you say the way they address others bothers you, they’ll stop doing it… in front of you. not that anyone would dare rat on them. would call you their little mortal if they didn’t dislike being reminded of the fact that you’d die and leave them one day.

blanched when they asked you what a "worm kink" is, and spent several hours assuring you they would never be interested in pathetic worms. you are the only one in the whole universe who would ever reach their level (and even exceed it). they were ready to strip right then and there to prove it if you didn’t wave your arms around and exclaim that it was a joke! you only made the comparison because the grima you were familiar with, the fictional character, was also a god who called others worms! stop stripping…!!

they don’t dream of being degraded by you like most of the others, but they wouldn’t really mind what you want. they’re always ready to change their physical body to suit your preferences (at first they were only thinking of their sexual organs, but they’d happily do this for their general appearance too), and their preferences are whatever you want to do. they’d probably be more of a slow and soft service top if left to their own devices, but when they say they’ll do whatever you’d like they’re serious about it. they really just want you to feel loved, and bask in your presence.

they’re probably your most useful asset in battle. and they like it that way. you have no reason to get rid of them, and they get to show off to you. they’re happy when they dote on you too, of course, but the battlefield allows them to quench their bloodthirst in a way that more domestic activities don’t. they’ll brutally tear apart anyone who crosses you, making a huge show of it. the flush and smile on face as they’re ripping off someone’s arms or tearing into someone’s neck is delicious and beautiful. they preen when you say you can’t get enough of it, even if you don’t like seeing all the gore.

they’re surprisingly not that overbearing. they follow you around a lot and dote on you, but they seem content with spending time with you regardless of what you’re doing. sometimes they even like spending time alone, though that’s mostly because they understand they can’t be with you 24/7 and that it’ll be uncomfortable for you. they’ll cradle your face in their hands and hold you in their arms and hold your hands and whatever else you’d like whenever you want with a gentleness nobody would have expected from such a bloodthirsty monster.

despite their gentleness with you, they’re a ticking time bomb. the day, the minute, the second, the exact nanosecond you die is the moment the universe is done for. there’s no point to any life at all if you don’t exist, so they might as well destroy it all. there is no pleased expression on their face when they tear apart the very fabric of spacetime.

then… comes the servant. this one’s human, but he’s equally as useful as his comrades, he assures you. his only purpose in life is to serve and protect his master—that is to say, you. think of him as a mix of a servant there to attend to all your needs and a faithful bodyguard, okay?

he’s… a bit offputting, at first. you’d assumed he used to be some guy’s servant and had simply been raised this way, but he seems to be… very quick on the uptake. even if the others took no time in calling you master, it was rarely their first instinct, and in the few cases that it was you could definitely see why. but even then, it was odd how he seemed almost jealous of everyone that had been summoned before him. it didn’t make sense with the perspective that he was just behaving the way he would with any master. when you asked him about it, he got bashful and nostalgic all at the same time, and said you’d understand one day. maybe.

he melts into his role very quickly. he’s there to attend to you 24/7, and barely seems to get any sleep (or… at least, he’s awake whenever you are, so…). he’s with you all the time. when you have no use for him, he waits outside the door, and he’s as good at his job as he said he was. in battle, he steps up and works with the immortal to protect you, and they make a very effective team. your safety is his top priority, so he focuses on that, but he can’t seem to help the few snide comments that leave his mouth. never where you can hear them, of course, but someone who has to throw themself into danger to protect you surely isn’t as capable of a bodyguard as someone who’s capable of guarding you without the need for that, right?

when you find out (because the immortal tells you, as a concerned friend would) and reprimand him, he seems ashamed. and crestfallen. he rushes to defend himself before coming to the realisation that… his reasoning doesn’t matter. he’s still disappointed you. he apologises (only to you, though) and says he’ll correct his mistakes. it won’t happen again, he assures you. you say you hope it won’t, and he feels his stomach plunge. he really messed up, didn’t he?

after that, he throws himself into his work even more. if everything he did before had a lot of vigour, he’s giving it his 200% now. he… has to make up for his mistakes and become your most useful tool again. he has to earn your forgiveness. if he can’t… if he can’t, what worth is he? he’ll be no better than his past. it doesn’t matter with who you’re happy with, as long as you’re safe and healthy and happy. your scolding made him remember that again, and while he’s ashamed that that’s what it took for him to regain his bearings, he’s grateful. of course it was you who reminded him of his rightful path. of his duty.

watching you die again would be unbearable. he’s lost you before, and he’s not sure he’d be able to do it again. training for years to better serve you was hellish, even if he knew that was what he needed to do, and he’s unlikely to get the chance to find a time stone again. he’s even more unlikely to find someone who’s due to be summoned by you and be able to take their place again. he can’t go through all that again. even if the pain was all but made up for the second he saw your face again, losing you even one more time would be unbearable.

so he’ll keep you safe and sound, he promises. even if you know nothing of his pain and sacrifices, it doesn’t matter. as long as you’re okay, nothing matters.

[earlronove]

I did this over at the ol’ twitter (template here) because it seemed like a neat idea to reflect what I’ve done. I actually did a LOT of writing this year! If you’d like to read some writing rambles and my overview of my 2022 writing adventure, you can click the keep reading! I’m very wordy!

Overall, my gut reaction is to say I didn’t do well this year because my sole focus was to get The Divine an agent. Though I did not do that (and am incredibly fed up with the entire system and how much of a dumpster fire trade publishing actually is), I do feel more emboldened to try self-publishing even though my personality may not be quite suited for it. Even self-publishing tires me out because a lot of advice I get needs you to spend money--lots of it--but it’s like, writing is already gatekept enough. I’m fucking poor! I don’t have 1000 dollars for a good editor. I barely have money for bills at this point.

At the very least, ignoring advice that expects you only to self-publish when you either have a lot of cash just hanging out, a spouse you can depend on, or just make it work I guess, self-publishing is still a very viable avenue I’m a little excited to learn a little more of.

So, that’s something! Maybe nothing will come of it, but I do feel excited to try it. I can format the inside of a book pretty well and I think I’m comfortable enough with my art to make a cover (and the cover I’m making for The Divine is amazing if I do say so myself).

Otherwise, what other writing have I done?

The biggest project was Wherever the Stars Call--my Vampires in SPACE. I had unused ideas from Vagabonds (I still need to figure out what I want to do with that since it’s basically 3 books worth of material), so I was like okay I can use those up but with what? And then it became a thread of “but what if vampires in space?!” and while largely, the focus shifted to the queer runaway leads, vampires still play an important part of the story. I adore these characters to bits and I think the story is a fun space adventure. Leaves itself open too if I ever get enough ideas for a sequel (there is some in the works but nothing that pieces together well). I’m pretty confident in this project’s commercial viability, but given my opinion on agents and the publishing world, I don’t quite know if I want to go through the crushing rejections The Divine had to go through right this second. Or even deal with the inevitable “well, one of the leads should get together with the vampire since that’s what young adult books do” or “if the leads aren’t a couple by the end, we can’t sell it” and have to change my ideas to fit whatever mold the market wants. Not that I would change either of those above, market be damned. Regardless, my big goal is to at least try which is why editing it is my #1 goal for next year to get it polished and ready.

Alongside that chonker of a project, I managed to squeeze out three short stories (I meant to do more but then two novellas turned novels happened and then so did the novella that stayed a novella). all my ghosts is my favorite only because I tried something new (way more contemporary than I usually do without anything hugely fantastical (beyond the ghosts) while also vaguely exploring queer identity and the meaninglessness of doing what you think you ought to) and I think I did a good job.

I also began the year posting The Devil in the Woods. 12 part supernatural novella dealing with disaster teens making disaster decisions concerning a demon inside the woods. Overall, I still think I failed the project because it just wasn’t perceived. I’m still not quite sure what I did wrong except maybe my audience really isn’t into that kind of story (contemporary leaning with vague horror vibes). I like the story a lot and I’m learning more trying to get an e-book version of it (images do not play nice). Hopefully next year, I’ll get an e-book version out and a physical copy for myself at the very least.

Then came the two novellas that turned into short novels in their own right. Angel Wings follows Asher as he gains angel wings and has to maneuver through what society expects of him with said wings and how much he wants to break the mold he’s being forced into. Angry gay breaking things, the novel. I liked writing it because it felt cathartic with Asher being frustrated and angry at his perceived place in the world and how much more he believes he is in spite of it. No one wanted to beta-read it, but that’s okay! It’s categorized under “Weird Novels Ronove Loves That No One Else Might” and I’m largely okay with that. Maybe one day it’ll have its day to shine! 

The second novella turned short novel was Star Scourge. Last year, I wrote Light of the World which was about Nayir and his quest with Ara, a little piece of a god that sought to end the world, to maybe finish ending the world. While the description is a downer, the novel ended up being hopeful as Nayir pieces himself back together and as Ara sees the world her god tried to drown and how wrong that might have been. It still needs its editing finished, but as a whole I loved it. Then, here comes Star Scourge which takes a similar premise, localizes it, and puts the one who can end the world at the center. Sol is a fallen star who is prophesied to save the world just like all the fallen stars before him. Except, he recognizes it’s a cycle and one that will not break if he follows the path all the other fallen stars have taken. So, like Ara, he plans to finish ending the world. Unlike Light of the World, this one is a somber downer where Sol is faced again and again with reasons why the world really doesn’t want saving or that it’s simply not worth it. It’s setting is a world literally steps away from being wiped out altogether and how Sol interacts with that and his own desires. It was incredibly interesting to write (I wanted to say fun, but that’s a weird word to use, haha) and I think a good exercise after writing Light of the World where literally, hope was still there. Star Scourge doesn’t have that. A sour band of heroes trying to do their best by the world alongside the star who is secretly planning to end it. Sometimes, we just write sadder things and it’s okay!

Then, finally, I began to write The Magician & the Bard because I’ve always wanted to write a sword & sorcery kind of romp where the fate of the world wasn’t the focus of the fantasy, rather what the characters did within this world I created. It has been a lot of fun to plan (I have so many hi-jinks they can get up to) and it’s been a blast writing and getting to know these characters further. I missed writing pure fantasy and I like that their adventure is a bit more upbeat in general. And though I feel it’s having the same problems as Devil in the Woods at being perceived when I post it, I think more people are keen on reading it! I definitely don’t feel as down after finishing posting the first arc as I did with Devil in the Woods. I just want to write more and throw Vahn and Hawke at any silly idea I can! I have one more arc fleshed out and another one with the broad strokes written down and a bunch of one line ideas to throw them at. One idea even has a dragon!

All in all though, 2022 I think really shows that at heart, I love writing. In the fact of total rejection for the Divine, I’m still writing. And I don’t think that’s going to change. I have so many half-baked ideas just waiting for their chance to shine that I hope I can really get going on in 2023.

Thank you for reading! I felt very pensive about my writing journey this year and I think it helped to write this all out.

[dawnstarranger]

@imperial--orthodoxy

…I did this to myself, so here we go lmao

(Im on mobile so the formatting will suck. I make no apologies lmao. I had to close out of the screen a bunch so I saved as a draft rather than trying to reply to your ask.)

1. Nope! I try not to dwell on it though.

2. Also no?

3. Statistically probably, but not everyone lucks out.

4. Not really.

5. Nope, found family counts too.

6. Yes. Friends are important!

7. I am!

8. I think it’s the same emotion, it just manifests differently.

9. Not as happy, but people do live fulfilling lives without finding romance.

10. Yes.

11. Absolutely lmao.

12. I don’t think so?

13. I don’t disbelieve in it, if that makes sense.

14. I mean, if reincarnation is how it goes, that’s just the way she goes.

15. Cosmically special, no. Special to friends and family on the micro level, yea.

16. Yeah. But debate for the sake of your own understanding. You’re never going to convince everyone else to see things your way, so don’t expect to change minds.

17. Can favorite characters be like imaginary friends?

18. I say no to this because I’m not involved in anything organized and am not looking to be. Insert “the gods are names for what’s already in your heart” here :)

19. I don’t, but I feel like it’s one of those things that if life leads me to change my mind, I change my mind.

20. Isn’t that just life?

21. I mean yeah? Different circumstances would have probably led to me finding love with someone else. I don’t think it’s healthy for current relationships to dwell on “well, what if…” for too long, though.

22. So previously I would have said a loooong fucking time. However, I knew I was with the right person in a matter of about a month, so I guess when it’s right, it’s right?

23. I think it takes a very special relationship to survive when there is no “convenience.” Yes, yes, love is magical and can transcend barriers and whatnot, but long-term I think the simple things like being able to tolerate living together matter a lot, maybe not to the emotion of love, but to the act of it.

24. I think so lol.

25. Probs not as fluid as if I were gen z, but people are people and love is love.

26. Going to college and pursuing what I’m passionate about.

27. I’m a little afraid of losing out on things I want to do, but not especially.

28. Based on family history I will definitely live for at least a century lol. Would not want to live forever though. Maybe it would be cool to have an elven lifespan, complete with slow aging?

29. Yep.

30. I like to believe in free will, at least to an extent. Such as life is, we usually aren’t as free in our choices as we think, or wish, that we were.

31. I’ve survived my mental illnesses so far, so with that off the table I have no idea lol.

32. Ummmm no. If I had a dollar for every time someone asks me this after I tell them I study astronomy…

33. I really don’t think adulthood kicks in until 25ish.

34. By drow standards yes :)

35. A million dollars

36. I married that person and we either get along perfectly or literally not at all.

37. In some things, yes.

38. Absolutely not and I’m glad of it.

39. Sure. Kind of. Maybe.

40. Trying to do what you sincerely believe is good, as long as you’re reducing harm to others. I try my best.

41. Being independent and pursuing what I care about.

42. Kind of, yeah. Most of us are pretty boxed in by various limitations.

43. I used to be much more artistic than I am now. I’m no art major, so I’ll leave the definition to the experts here.

44. I’m generally truthful. Sometimes people don’t need to know your business.

45. Hopefully I’ll be remembered for groundbreaking research one day.

46. Probably not.

47. Suffering is part of the human condition, so yeah. It doesn’t have special meaning, life is just hard and arbitrary sometimes.

48. Insert “there is no freedom, there is only survival” here. Freedom is relative and somewhat up to how you define it.

49. Yes.

50. Honesty, loyalty, and a willingness to tolerate my bullshit.

51. I really don’t know. Probably a few on this list would be good contenders.

52. I’m sure I have inherited beliefs just like anyone else. I try to be able to justify what I think, at least to myself. Should I get really cringe and add “little of what I say or do is opinion”?

53. Could be any of them. I’m not an expert on plenty of things, and I tell to take the approach of time and experience will tell in the end.

54. I don’t think so, not at present, anyway. As a physicist I’d obviously like to, though!

55. I suppose? But that does open the door to the whole “what counts as consciousness” and can AI ever get there and what about really smart animals etc etc etc

56. Useful, inevitable, and very dangerous to society.

57. Yes, and yes, but I think it’s part of what makes us human, and it isn’t a bad thing.

58. Statistically yeah? Probably? But that shouldn’t stop us from continuing to create art.

59. AI generated 15 second clips of remixes lol

60. At the moment we seem to be bringing back the ‘00s, who knows what’s next?

61. Everyone thinks they’re living through hard times. With that said, I do think technology plays a role in how crazy the modern day feels compared to times previous.

62. No and fuck no. I don’t like actual current me enough to want to deal with a clone.

63. I’m not, but fake it till you make it, amiright?

64. Not remotely.

65. Honestly I don’t know. There’s an argument to be made for raising the voting age, but also I don’t think that younger adults are voting “stupidly” more than much older adults.

66. It’s destructive and petty and unfortunately for the world I am a destructive and petty little bitch.

67. A Karen :)

68. I like it fine.

69. If you’re really truly in love with someone (assuming monogamy here) I think part of that entails respecting the other person enough not to dwell on crushes to the point that they get that far. Sometimes it happens, but I don’t think it plays out as nicely as it does in the movies.

70. Bruh, I’m alive. That’s the tragedy.

71. I wouldn’t go see it.

72. Uhhhhhh well, we prosecuted nazis who were acting with the full support of their own laws, so in some cases yes. Maybe just as importantly, we should pardon and rehabilitate people who were arrested for things that have since been decriminalized.

73. To defend it, yes. I live here whether I like it or not.

74. Yes. I do think it’s an important goal.

75. Yes, I think the consequences for not taking care of others is higher than many people like to admit.

76. I crave positive academic feedback and the warm fuzzy feeling I get when my grades are high.

77. Ask Shakespeare.

78. Idk but your mom said I was satisfying ;)

79. I listen to whatever, usually not dependent on mood.

80. I listen to whatever I happen to feel like. I’m not a big mood listener.

81. No can do, am already tied down.

82. Lmao probs not

83. Uhh maybe? I’m happy to do my thing from earth, but the temptation is there. #rememberthecant

84. Binch I don’t have the first clue who people think I am. I don’t even know who I think I am half the time.

85. “Would I be happier if I was born into a perfect and advantageous body instead of the one I’m in” yeah duh, but I still wouldn’t want to flip a switch and change like that.

86. All of them:)

87. Not as easily as in years past.

88. Im definitely more on the jealous side.

89. Maybe some of the same core traits, but I’d be so different without my memories that I don’t know if it matters.

90. That’s a 50/50 question. Some days yes, some days no.

91. Absolutely, and I fucking hate [REDACTED], obviously

92. I’m working on a German minor but I am NOT fluent at all

93. I don’t draw meaning from them, but I do tend to have vivid dreams. Sometimes they’re like a nice little vacation :) sometimes they’re fucked up tho

94. Consistently

95. Really depends. I feel like if it’s unrequited, you aren’t able to get to know that other person on the level it takes to create genuine, long-lasting love. You’re in love with the idea of them more than with the actual person.

96. Again, I can’t read minds so I literally don’t know lol

97. Yes

98. All the time, but I think a lot of people feel that way on some level

99. Not especially. I think there are things we can’t yet explain and may never fully explain, but I don’t believe in magic per se.

100. You only get so many good rolls per dice per dnd session, and you should try not to use them up on stupid shit (this belief is nothing but logical)

[renegadesfic]

Repossession - Vex/Zahra

Vex/Zahra smut, set mostly within the bounds of TLOVM. This is pretty much entirely gratuitous NS/FW so if that's not your thing, scroll past. Spoilers for early TLOVM season 2. Posting from mobile so if I need to touch up formatting later I will. AO3 Link

"You still owe me."

Vex quirked an eyebrow. “I had kind of assumed that would be disregarded, considering… everything.” Osysa letting her go had been an indicator of that in itself, she had figured, although it wasn’t unlike Zahra to pursue her own avenues of repayment for a debt. Vex remembered too many hookups for that - and cursed herself now for even thinking about them, trying to turn her head before Zahra could see her cheeks brighten just a little.

“Not money, Vex. You showed me up. I don’t take well to being shown up.” Zahra, either not noticing or ignoring Vex’s attempt to break eye contact, stepped back into her field of vision. “So you owe me.”

“How exactly do you expect me to repay a debt that isn’t much more than a stubborn woman’s metaphor?” Hopefully the flush had faded from her cheeks, because Vex really wasn’t in the mood to deal with whatever teasing Zahra would have her endure that was more than she was already putting her through.

She mustered a dramatic roll of her eyes. At least there was that.

Zahra didn’t answer immediately, instead grabbing Vex’s arm - oh gods, she could feel sharp nails dig into her skin ever so slightly and it was ever so slightly too much - and pulling her several steps away from the rest of the party. “You plan on resting for a night before pressing on, yes? I have some ideas…” she trailed off. Vex knew damn well why she was trailing off, not that she wanted to acknowledge it. This was a proposition, and even if she didn’t know Zahra’s mannerisms well enough to notice it in itself, she certainly knew the subtle transition - not subtle enough - from fingertips on skin to sharp, almost claw-like nails.

“You are fucking insufferable.”

“And yet you have suffered me so many nights before. Can you really tell me you’re not interested? Have you found some new commitment since you made off with the Take’s hard-earned coin?” Vex blushed again, this time not turning her head away quite fast enough for Zahra to not catch the heat in her cheeks. “No, you’ve not. Are you still living in fear of commitment? Still-”

“I am not afraid of commitment,” she hissed. “I am, if you haven’t noticed, rather busy saving the world.”

“Yes, of course. You do well at keeping yourself busy, Vex’ahlia.” Was that meant to be taken at face value? Was there an intentional, if subtle, innuendo somewhere in there, or had she been spending too much time listening to Scanlan talk?

Or, worse, had she been indulging in her fantasies too much to not read more into it?

“I get it, you want to have sex,” she growled - was it a growl or a grumble? “But as I said, I’m rather busy. And you and Kashaw had probably better be going home.”

“And miss the opportunity to spend a night with you again? Do you think I don’t miss you?” Zahra smirked, earning another grumble from Vex. It wasn’t something she could ignore at this point, the heat slowly pooling in her gut, but she would have to try - she wasn’t giving in to this. Not now, of all times, when they were so busy, when she had just-

She’d rather not think about what she’d just done. That was the last thing she wanted to think about.

At some point, thinking about Zahra’s nails dragging lower than they had any right to had climbed several spots on that list.

“I don’t think you missed me at all. I think you will take any opportunity to get under my skin.”

“I don’t want to get under your skin, Vex’ahlia.” She paused, contemplating. “Just under your clothes.”

Ah. Pretending to contemplate. Gods forbid Zahra ever say anything unplanned. She was, unlike many other members of the Take, incredibly good at restraining her impulses. Rough-and-tumble mercenary work does tend to invite people with a tendency to jump the gun, to stab first and ask questions later. Zahra, she presumed, had gotten as high in status as she was by doing things the slow, cautious, and painstaking way - by thinking before speaking, thinking before so much as twitching a finger toward a weapon.

“Bear got your tongue, darling?” Vex was drawn from her thoughts by a snide remark, punctuated all the worse by Zahra’s nails pricking marginally deeper into the skin of her upper arm.

“Shut up,” she half-hissed. “I am not in the mood for games, Zahra. It’s been a long day, and I’m tired. Dying will do that to a person.”

“Understood,” Zahra said, immediately pulling her hand away.

Was that it? It was that simple?

When Vex dared to steal a glance at the tiefling again, she caught a glimpse of what might have been guilt crossing her face.

Oh. She genuinely did feel bad about it.

Well, that made her feel worse, not better.

“Zahra?”

“What?” There was an edge to her response, a bite to it that Vex knew from experience only came up when she really was upset. She swallowed her pride. It wasn’t that she wasn’t interested in what Zahra was proposing. It was just…

“It’s been a while,” she finally said, “since I’ve done anything like that.”

“Done what?”

Was she really going to make her say it?

“Had sex,” she muttered. “Since I’ve had sex.”

Zahra quirked an eyebrow at her, finally turning to face her attempted conquest again.

“Is that an invitation?”

“It…” she hesitated. The rest of the group hadn’t seemed to notice, even now, that they had drifted from them to talk, and it seemed they were settling down for the night. If there was a time, it would be now, before things got too dark to find a good place for their… activities.

“It could be,” she finished, “if you’re still up for the challenge.”

Zahra smiled. Not a smirk, not this time - a genuine smile.

“I am always up for a challenge, Vex’ahlia.” She turned to the others. “Vex and I will be back in a few,” she called. “We’re going to have a meeting of the minds.”

Is that what she was going to call it?

Her brother, ever wary, narrowed his eyes. “Are you sure, sister? It’s…”

“It’s been a long day, yes, I know. I’ll be fine. Just away a few minutes.”

She didn’t miss the look of fear that crossed his face, if only for a moment.

“Fine,” he acknowledged. “Be careful?”

“I always am,” she smiled, and turned on her heel.

—-

“So,” Zahra began. “How do you want me?”

“Getting straight to the point, are we?” Vex smirked, which earned her a wink in response.

“We did say we wouldn’t be long.”

“Mm… and here I was looking forward to taking our time.”

“Maybe you should have come up with a better excuse then,” Zahra purred, pushing Vex back a few steps. She felt the bark of one of the pines lining the clearing they’d found prick into her back.

“You’re the one who told them we were leaving,” she grumbled, resisting the urge to arch her back as the other woman placed her hands delicately around her waist. “Maybe you should have come up with a better excuse.”

Instead of saying anything back, Zahra closed what had previously been a rapidly narrowing gap between their mouths, kissing her hard and fast and warm, gods, her mouth was warm, she knew tieflings ran hot but fuck…

She pushed back into the kiss, a whimper escaping her throat as the tiefling nipped at her lower lip with her teeth, sharper than average, sharp enough to sting. Zahra’s right hand moved from its place around her waist to find purchase in her hair, first curling her fingers lightly between the strands. Vex knew what was coming, of course she did, they’d done this more times than she’d care to admit - she cared to admit less that she’d lost count - and braced herself.

The moan that escaped her when the fingers curled hard, sharp, sudden into her hair, pulling it tight from her scalp, was not something she was quite capable of bracing herself for. Vex felt the other woman grin against her mouth, pulling away only long enough to take a breath before going back to her work, tongue hot and wet in Vex’s mouth. She moaned again, hands grabbing more desperately than she’d like at Zahra’s clothes, trying to draw her closer despite their bodies already pressed together. The tiefling’s other hand trailed up her stomach now, sliding carefully under her top, testing the waters. Rewarded with another whimper and an obvious arching of her conquest’s back, she continued, finding the soft, delicate skin of Vex’s breast and running her nails gently over the sensitive flesh.

Oh, gods.

Zahra pulled away again, mouth separating from Vex’s with an audible pop.

“Having fun yet?” She smirked, winking at her prize.

“Stop talking and take me,” Vex growled, and the tiefling’s smirk grew wider, her lips curling further as she suddenly tightened her grip around Vex’s breast, her mouth moving from just in front of Vex’s lips to the crook of her neck, kissing and sucking at the skin.

“Don’t you dare leave a mark,” she hissed, but Zahra paid no mind, catching a mote of skin between her teeth and biting down. That earned the loudest noise Vex had made since this whole thing began, her hands tightening on the fabric she had been holding onto as if it were a lifeline. Again, she felt Zahra’s lips curl against her skin, the kissing stopping for a brief moment as if she needed to savor the moment.

Vex was sure as hell savoring it, so she couldn’t really blame her.

The pause ended as suddenly as it began, Vex beginning to shudder as Zahra kept at it, tugging at her dark, now tousled hair again as she continued toying with the skin she had been given free rein to torment. Whimpers came more quickly and openly now, bubbling up and spilling out of Vex’s open mouth, desperate, wordless pleas for more interspersed with loud gasps, attempts at keeping air in her lungs as Zahra forced more out with each bite, each movement of fingers over skin. She flicked a nail across Vex’s nipple, and the half-elf very nearly came undone at the motion, a long, loud whine escaping her as she almost crumpled. Zahra took the hint, stepping back just a few inches and nearly dragging Vex to the ground, forcing her legs apart with one hand and placing herself between them.

“You want me?” She looked directly into Vex’s eyes, a burning passion reflected in the expression she wore. Whatever carefully curated energy Zahra normally carried herself with had been tossed away, as Vex’s shirt now was, a mix of ferocity and desperation taking its place.

“Please,” Vex gasped, digging her hands again into the loose fabric of Zahra’s clothes.

“You can ask nicer than that.”

“Please, Zahra. Please, gods, take me.”

“Please what?” As if Vex’s cheeks couldn’t get any brighter.

“Please, ma’am…”

“Good girl.” From there, the tiefling wasted no time, pulling the fabric away from Vex’s lower half, tugging hard to expose sensitive skin to the cold air of their environment. Vex shivered for a moment, a chill setting over her.

That chill was quickly replaced by two warm fingers at her cunt, aching and wet and wanting. Fluidly, slowly, not quickly enough, the digits were pushed inside her, Vex moaning low and long and loud as Zahra touched her in a way that was familiar despite years of its absence, the slickness she had produced making every movement nearly effortless as she slowly came undone. Zahra pressed deeper, free hand coming to trace patterns from Vex’s jawline down to her collarbone, one thumb pressing gently against her throat as the other rubbed small, fast circles against her clit. The noises Vex made were unignorable, she could only hope that they had gone far enough away that no one would hear.

Or she would hope that, if her mind were not entirely consumed by the almost too warm fingers thrusting and curling inside her, nearly bringing her to her breaking point within barely a couple of minutes. It didn’t feel like such a short time - it felt like hours, Zahra continuing to drag desperate whines and ragged breaths from the half-elf with every movement of her fingers, Vex squirming and writhing beneath her as her entire body warmed with the all-encompassing pleasure of being touched like she hadn’t in years. Whatever she occasionally indulged herself in with her own fingers, in the privacy of a rarely-earned room to herself in an inn, was nothing compared to what Zahra could do to her with just a few minutes of undivided attention. And undivided it was - the fierceness in her eyes did not seem to fade, at least not for the moments where Vex could keep hers open long enough to look at her.

“Good girl, Vex,” Zahra purred, the half-elf still whimpering beneath her fingers, wet and warm at her touch. “Very, very good.”

“Zahra,” she gasped, the first actual syllables she could muster the will to release from her mouth in place of the desperate whines that had been filling the air before. “Zahra, please-”

“Please what, darling?” Darling. How dare she turn the pet name she loved to use against her, what a cruel twist to her words. What a way to get under her skin. What a way to make her come undone, the heat in her gut bordering on burning her up, her hips rocking hard and forceful against Zahra’s torturously steady movements within her.

“Please let me cum, ma’am,” her voice broke as she forced the words out, no choice but to acknowledge the unavoidable sensation of her body being pushed to its farthest limits, her restraint barely holding itself together as Zahra continued her pace.

“Good girl,” Zahra purred again, but did not give her further instruction, and Vex knew what would happen if she came without the woman’s permission, so she couldn’t, instead resorting to desperately grinding her hips in the vain hope that Zahra would let her finish.

“Zahra- ah- please, ma’am, please-”

“Cum, Vex,” and with the simple, one-word order whatever was left of her restraint left her, a strangled scream tearing itself free of her throat as Zahra curled her fingers just right, just right into that sweet spot that made Vex come entirely undone beneath her, writhing and moaning and gasping for air as her body shuddered with wave after wave of blinding orgasm, her vision going white for a moment.

When the haze over her mind cleared and her body stopped the worst of its shaking, she opened her eyes just enough to see Zahra licking her fingers clean, the tiefling leaning in close to bring their lips together again. Vex could taste herself on the woman’s tongue.

She had, in fact, missed her. And after that display, she was pretty damn sure that Zahra had missed her back.

Zahra offered her her clothes back, Vex still struggling to hold herself together as she clumsily dressed herself again. She shook as she stood, steadying herself against the tree Zahra had pressed her against just a few minutes before - how long had it been? Minutes or hours? - as the tiefling wrapped an arm around her waist.

“Well?” Zahra asked, her lips curled up in a smile again.

“Holy fucking shit,” Vex breathed, no other words filling the space.

“You definitely missed me.”

“Yes.” Vex answered without hesitation. Zahra just smiled wider.

“I think that will do as repayment for that debt, Vex’ahlia.”

[herz-korper-seele]

“Fall in! Formation! Attention! Left face, right face!” In that instant, Rhizhka does the opposite… Right face, left face. He’s always made me laugh, even if I shouldn’t.

«УРАА!»

It’s been a while since I’ve written to you, my dear, It’s been hard to find the time. When we’re not marching through white fields to nowhere or digging at frozen dirt, we’re cleaning the Colonel’s shit out of the toilet. We’re supposed to be killing people. Maybe they are waiting for spring.

You know how terrible I am at letters— you’re the writer, not me. I love you.

Peroshchin found a dog while he was in the field, I’m not sure how it got through the wire, but it followed him all the way back to the barracks. Thigh-height, blonde fur. I convinced the boys to let me name it Koshya, just for you. A warmth in my bunk I could pretend was you. I’m surprised they let us keep it, I suppose Command is getting lonely out here too.

The weather’s been fucking shit, of course. The bogs are terrible when it isn’t frozen, up to my chest yesterday and up to my waist the day before that. Hopefully I’m not drowning the next time. Not to mention how cold it is, I thought my balls would freeze, fall out my pant leg and I’d lose them in the water… I hope it’s nothing but warmth and sunshine for you, dear. Those things tend to follow you.

It’s worse than they say it is out here. I haven’t even fired a shot at a human yet, but there’s already been so much death. We’ve already seen so much. The trees are dead, the horses are dead, even the grass seems sad.. Everything is grey. On a march north, we passed through a village— I don’t know the name— chickens were ripped apart from wild animals, houses had been burnt down… The smell was horrid. I won’t burden your pretty head with any more.

And now my paragraph of professing love to you, just so you know how much I do.. I still keep the picture of you in my necklace, dolled up in your wedding dress, the creases under your eyes from your smile. I’m sure you’ve been taking care of yourself, you always do. I crave your halushki every time I smell food, the warmth of your touch with each breeze that passes me.. I miss your boobs, most of all. Soft, round, more alive and warm than anything in this shithole.. I miss feeling of your heartbeat on my cheek. When I come home, I’ll come with the most grape-y wine that I probably stole from some farmer’s cellar… Hopefully I can buy you something expensive from a shop, if I get the chance.

I’ve saved the bad news for last. I don’t get leave until August, nobody does. I’m sorry, Kosh. You know I wouldn’t have come here if I’d known I’d be away from you for a whole year. I don’t know if I’ll even be able to wait another nine months to see you. I might go insane, actually. Please write back to me immediately, and lather the paper in your perfume.. I love you. My heart aches for your presence.

Yours, ————

[thistlecrimes]

OKAY, I THOUGHT OF A WAY TO ACKNOWLEDGE CONTRIBUTIONS INDIVIDUALLY!!! I want to say thank you so much to everyone out there who’s ever made fanart, written fanfic, or created any fan content for the show, I love all of it and it means so much to me. I’ve been creating fanart myself since I was like 8 and it brings me so much joy to see other folks engage with the thing we’re making that way. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. So, in order to acknowledge each piece, I’ve decided to break it up into multiple posts (hopefully 4?) and acknowledge 1/4 of the pieces in each post, so I can talk about all of them individually! If anyone who contributed doesn’t have tumblr maybe folks can help me find a way to pass along my praise? SO, HERE’S THE FIRST 1/4th - More to come in coming days!

Moderators - Telemartus & Fungh0u1

What an incredibly impressive project! The layout and everything is formatted so well, this turned out so sparkly and so professional looking! Skipping ahead, I love the back cover as well, once again I am obliterated by a Kingdom Hearts quote. the story of my life. But I digress, what a lovely, wonderful thing you’ve organized, thank you for putting together this project, it is an absolute delight from start to finish. 💚 💚 💚 

Pg 1/Cover - Grace Oh my god, I love the linework in this. I can’t stop looking at the hilt of the sword, it’s so fucking cool. I love the composition, the character portraits and the balance of colors. It looks like a real ass YA novel cover and I’m losing my mind about it. Also loving Maeri at the center of everything looking like a total badass, as she should be. Pg 4. - Seth Reyes OH MY GOD SETH!!!! This piece is so awesome, I love everyone’s expressions and the sense of camaraderie at the table, I want to be there. The lighting and atmosphere look so good, and I’m loving the costuming details. ALSO DON’T THINK I DON’T SEE FALEN FEEDING A LIL’ CRUMB TO DARIUS I DO AND I’M INSANE ABOUT IT!!!

Pg. 5 - Mochi KICK ASS!!! The vibe is immaculate. I wish I knew the names of the actual members of Fall Out Boy better so I could make a bunch of dumb jokes, but regardless, these friendos look fucking cool as hell and I would definitely add their songs to my mix cd’s if I was a teen in Estra. Look at that lighting. This rips ass. Pg. 6 - Rosedragon OKAY, OH MY GOD. So first of all, excellent writing, I think the characterization is spot on. And man, this did twist up my lil’ guts a lil’ bit, I got sad, hahahaha, GOOD JOB!! AND THEN?????? I’m all choked up, and YOU GOT ME WITH THE KINGDOM HEARTS REFERENCE?!?!?!?! AKHLFAJSHFAJ. IT IS, ISN’T IT???? I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU BLINDSIDED ME WITH A DIRECT QUOTE FROM THE HIT FILM FRANCHISE SAW!!!!! Incredible. Good work OP.

EDIT!!! I forgot to mention the art! It fits in so seamlessly with the story! But I love it too, I particularly like your Slake depiction, I think you captured them perfectly. <3 Pg. 10 Baking Swords HELL YEAH!!! I love how dense this is, there’s so much happening here and I LOVE it!!! The lil’ sculpted Darius, especially! The chaotic energy is fantastic, I think it suits the podcast perfectly. If the podcast were a cupcake this is exactly what it would look like, love the use of glitter, 10/10 Pg. 11 Miranda M THIS IS SO CUTE!!!! I love the Scandinavian folk art influence, this looks like it was plucked right out of some (hopefully alive and thriving) Ilfran’s living room, big ‘fantasy Minnesota’ energy. Is this knitted? Or crocheted? However you made it, the precision is impressive, it turned out absolutely lovely. <3 Pg. 12 The Z Oh my god, I started smiling at “daycare=the docks” and I didn’t stop until I got to pg. 2 where I was immediately under psychic attack and continued to be through the rest of the list. Bravo. Now we’re going to have to kill Torva even harder. ALSO YOU MADE ME REALIZE I FORGOT ABOUT HOW MUCH I LOVE ARTIE THE ARTIFICER!!! I will invite you to the wedding. Hopefully you can create the agenda. ;) Pg. 14-15 Bri THIS IS SO SWEET!!! I have thought about this kind of scenario too, wondered what kind of conversations Slake and Laika might have. The art is super cute and expressive, but also the conversation got me, I found it very relatable. I hadn’t quite thought about that element of Slake in awhile, I forgot that it’s something I struggle with myself. SO GOOD JOB WITH YOUR LOVELY AND INCISIVE WRITING! I’ll look forward to talking with my therapist! Thumbs up sparkle!  👍✨ OKAY, AND THAT IS PART ONE! I’m hoping by reblogging it to the Dames tumblr folks will see my comments, I just want y’all to know how much I appreciate the work you put in, it turned out amazing! 💦 💯💯💯

At long last, the Roll to Fall in Love!!! zine is available for download! Everything turned out absolutely amazing and we are so excited for you all to see it.

The zine is pay-what-you-want, and all proceeds will be donated to the Wildlife Conservation Society!

Thank you so so much to all of our contributors for their beautiful work and to the Dames/Legendlark team for making such a lovely podcast!!

[kiss-inthekitchen]

make it better | steve harrington

summary: that scene from the upside down where Nancy is patching up Steve except i replaced Nancy with reader bc that’s my schtick. didn’t see enough Steve fic so i’m writing my own <3

wc: 560~

warnings: horniness at inappropriate times, mentions of injury

a/n: posting this from my phone so hopefully the formatting isn’t shit!! tried to just have fun with this one i hope ya dig it!

Steve leans up on his knees, bringing his body closer to yours as you rip a piece of cloth free from the remainder of your skirt.

“You ready?” you ask, holding the fabric out in front of you.

“Yeah,” he grits out, his arms coming up and out of your way. “Just do it.”

At the first press of fabric into his torn skin he groans, and you really shouldn’t notice it, shouldn’t be able to even register it in the situation you’re currently in. But you do, leaning in even closer to him as you wrap the makeshift bandage around his back, bringing the two ends forward again and pulling them tight.

Steve groans again, and you look up just in time to see him drop his head back, both hands running over his forehead and through his hair.

You freeze, your fingers poised to finish the knot but you can’t bring yourself to move. You want to tell yourself that you’re just giving Steve a breather, checking in on him before you put even more pressure over his wound. But when your focus zeroes in on his flexed biceps, you know that’s not the truth.

Can anyone really blame you for being distracted? It’s not like this is the first time you’ve had Steve in a position like this, it’s not your fault his half naked body is directly in front of you, muscles tensed as his head tilts back, his eyes squeezed shut. Obviously it was bringing other thoughts to the forefront of your mind. It was just, like… muscle memory. Or whatever.

You’ve been staring a fraction too long, causing Steve to open his eyes and look down at you in confusion. You feel a flash of guilt for the inappropriate thoughts you’d been thinking, and at the absolute most inappropriate time. Even in the darkness of the upside down, you can’t hide from Steve’s inquisitive gaze. He reads your expression instantly.

“Seriously?” he says quietly, so the others won’t hear. “Right now? Jeez, keep it in your pants, Y/N. I could be dying, you know.”

Aaand the guilt is gone. Yeah, he’s fucking fine. Sarcasm still intact, that’s a good sign, you echo Robin’s earlier statement in your mind.

You scoff, finally unfreezing, your fingers remembering how to tie a knot right over his deepest mark. He exhales shakily as you tighten it, and you have to fight yourself not to get carried away again. “You’re not bleeding that much.”

“Only I would get attacked by a bunch of freak-bats in hell and not even get to be a little dramatic about it,” he pouts.

You step away from him, face burning just a bit still at having been caught, and reach out to help him up.

He quirks an eyebrow up at you before allowing you to wrap your arm around him, leaning his body into yours. And if your very shirtless and not-so-mortally wounded boyfriend just had to press his body right up against yours, well, who were you to complain about that?

“Don’t worry,” he starts as the two of you make your way back over to where Robin and Eddie are waiting. “Once we get out of here, I’ll let you take care of me all you want.”

You huff out a laugh. “And you can be as dramatic about that as you’d like.”