#how long did it take you to write up that rant in my ask box?

[thetrasha]

Hello again 👋 since you did such a stellar job last time, i'm here to request another Ace, Doffy, Law and Zoro story, this time about their first kiss x reader! Tysm and i hope you feel better soon ❤️

Thank you so much, anon. I feel much better, just suffering from a stuffy nose and a bit of a cough now 🫂(❁´◡`❁) It's actually so sweet to have recurring faces in my inbox~ And thank you so much for this request! I was super enthusiastic about writing this and poured everything I had into this 🫡Hope you enjoy it just as much!

PS. I'm so sorry for abusing your request like this, but I wanted to address another anon in my ask box 👀You requested a certain Corazon and hehe, yes I've just reached that part of Dressrosa! I just don't feel confident enough to portray him just yet so your request will be pushed a bit into the future, hope that's okay with you ♥ So excited to write about this man though ╰(*°▽°*)╯

PPS. I cooked. Again!!

First Kiss

feat. ACE, DOFLAMINGO, LAW, ZORO

ACE

Your first kiss was… sweet.

For quite some time, Ace and you have been inseparable. You’ve become fast friends after hitting it off, deciding to even go on missions together. Most of the others have caught onto you by now, silently offering their blessings, but you two were completely oblivious to the budding romance between you. It was perfectly normal to go up to Vista and give him a hug – why would it be different when Ace twirled you around after you returned from your little scout session on an unexplored island? Nobody blinked twice after you spent an evening playing cards with Marco in his room, but low whistles and wiggling eyebrows would follow you when Ace wanted to show you some random trinket he caught with his fishing rod. Additionally, everybody aw-ed and cooed when Whitebeard patted your hair and smiled down at you, but if Ace ever went as far as touch your shoulder out on the open deck, some other commander was always near to berate him on ‘how to treat a lady properly’.

You haven’t been around as long as most of the others, so… maybe this is just how the crew decided to affectionately tease Ace since he was the youngest commander around?

However, Ace was very much aware of the others’ constant meddling and why they were so keen on making his life miserable.

He’d told Marco to back off once – just once! – because the doctor had been acting too familiar with you when Ace was the one who was madly in love with you. That single sentence spread like wildfire amongst the crew and now he cannot even do best-friend-esque things with you without someone else trying to ruin the moment.

It was totally normal to develop a huge crush on your best friend. You are gorgeous, so loving and you care so much – maybe too much.

It was also perfectly fine and not unusual to stare at them for moments at a time, trying to muster up the courage to ask you out on a da-

“ACE!!! YOU’RE SETTING THE BED ON FIRE. OUT WITH YOU!”

Marco’s scream rang across the entire Moby Dick, alerting everyone with ears that Ace had just embarrassed himself again. Originally, he went in to see Marco because of ...certain problems, but he couldn’t quite tell him that you were constantly in his head and making his heart leap into his throat every single time he thought about your smile or how nice you smelled today and how cute you looked in the outfit you showed him…

Sigh.

Luckily for him, you were just within earshot to hear Marco’s crazy rant… that still ran its course in the background, and you immediately sought Ace out to help him.

You had your own hammock with you and let him follow you wordlessly into his room. This time, nobody was even there to interrupt.

You started talking about what you were up to before you heard Marco’s alarm bells ringing in the med bay. Of course, you were a natural at taking care of Ace… but that was very much part of the problem!!

He couldn’t help but steal glances at you with so much longing in his eyes that it would have made anyone blush. You were his missing piece, better half – whatever they want to call it.

You’ve seen him through it all, but you weren’t tired of him. You didn’t mind his quieter moments and you always offered your shoulder to him – just to lean on and cry if necessary.

Of course, you wouldn’t think much of sleeping next to him. Your actions were platonic in nature and Ace would actually quit the crew if he made you uncomfortable in any way… but he almost got pulled back into reality when you innocently pointed at his own hammock, not knowing that he was lost in thought.

“Or do you wanna cuddle?”, you questioned innocently.

...And Ace choked on his own saliva. He just knew that his cheeks were crimson red and boiling. This was humiliating… he unusually had excellent control over his powers, but you rendered him completely powerless against you and you didn’t even know it!

…That being said, of course he wants to cuddle.

He lied down next to you and wrapped his arms around your torso, feeling just how warm you were and how your steady breathing immediately calmed him down. It was like a magical remedy, but he could feel his eyes flutter –

– and that’s when his eyes locked onto yours. You wore a precious smile and you seemed to glow next to him. That’s how happy you looked… absolutely stunning.

But he did almost faint when you leaned in to briefly peck his lips to tell him that you love him, too.

WAIT.

“TOO?!”

DOFLAMINGO

Your first kiss was… dangerous.

“I can’t believe you’d do this to me! You cannot push me around, Doflamingo!”

You spit words of venom at him just after you realised that you were now working… directly under his command, just like he threatened.

Doflamingo, meanwhile, could only grin in amusement. Of course you thought he was bluffing, thinking of you as nothing more than a little plaything. Oh, how utterly wrong you were. He saw right through you – you were probably testing him, just like how he tested your loyalty. You wanted him to take the bait and push you away, just so you’d have a reason to close yourself off again and go solo. He knew those tactics by heart, sweetheart.

No, he wasn’t kidding when he said that you should be working for him. If you wanted to work, that is. You could just enter the family business, love, after all… you might as well be family at this point. Heh.

He’d entertain your need for independence for as long as you want him to, though. This is how he took notice of you after all.

So what if he stole you right out of another underground broker’s filthy pawns? They weren’t fit to stand next to you anyway. You outshone everybody… especially your former employer. Doflamingo’s been watching you for longer than you may have realised, just to find a flaw within you… but when he found none, the obsession swung in the opposite direction: He was no longer pettily snappish towards you for going after his clients to boost your boss’s image, sweetheart no… you were suddenly a woman worthy of his own calibre. No mistakes, no fear and… one glaringly obvious flaw turned asset – you trusted absolutely nobody.

And just like him, your desire for unmitigated loyalty was like a noose around your pretty neck.

You’d no longer have to deal with these rats who waste your talent away for arms deals that amount to nothing, you were meant to shape the new world order alongside yours truly.

You were just waiting for him.

“Say something!”

Doflamingo smirked before he walked up to you, grabbing your jaw with such speed that you barely had the time to react. It was laughable how he didn’t even have to activate his Devil Fruit powers to restrain you. His freakish height didn’t just give him the opportunity to loom over you, it also came with unimaginable strength. He could almost feel your jawbone crack under the pressure, but you would be caught dead before you uttered a single complaint.

“We crave the same thing, you and I. Letting you rot away pointlessly… might as well break my heart.”

A chuckle echoed through the otherwise empty room, but you weren’t amused at all. You rolled your eyes and clenched your jaw. He could feel the muscles beneath his fingers contract and his pupils dilated at the sight and the sensation.

“How dramatic. Almost brought me to tears.”

Your sarcasm earned yourself a laugh. He let go of you, but you could very much feel a string attach itself to your hand. Doflamingo knew better than to turn you into his puppet, but he very much wanted to remind you of what he was capable of. You were above everybody else, but still beneath him. You don’t have to submit, but you should know when to behave.

“You’re the only one to speak to me like that.”, he noted nonchalantly, “And after we’ve been on a bunch of dates, too. Tragic. Woe is me.”

You crossed your arms over your chest, sighing in defeat. You knew that he was right.

Yeah, he might have… pulled some strings to get you to agree to meeting him away from glamorous galas and dangerous deals, but he got to know you and your innermost desire. You wanted to trust someone wholeheartedly.

Well, Doflamingo happened to know just the guy.

“Dates where you’ve tried to kill yourself or me.”, you added just as coolly, voice monotone and face neutral. Totally befitting for a Queen.

“And you kept us both safe, my love.”

He licked his lips before breaking out in a dark chuckle that turned maniacal for just a moment. Oh, he was ecstatic that you’ve proven your loyalty towards him. You were everything he’s ever wanted.

“Now it’s my turn to protect you.”, he vowed before he kissed your hand, looking into your eyes while doing so.

Your pupils were blown out.

Bingo.

“Lean down.”, you calmly ordered.

And it’s one of the only commands he’s ever taken from someone else.

You gingerly kissed him, not even letting him taste a drop of your essence before you pulled away, smirking at him with self-satisfaction.

He turned his head with a smile until you blew him another kiss, turning heel and then walking to your new room.

Damn.

He just let go of the string holding onto you.

LAW

Your first kiss was… an accident.

Law had been pretty nervous about this.

He’s always been a profoundly reserved man who kept matters of the heart private, but he couldn’t deny that he was actually quite excited to take your relationship to the next level. He really, really trusted you – and now that he has you, he’s not going to let go. You’re his forever love now. After all, despite seeming like he couldn’t care less, he was a romantic deep down… and terribly inexperienced. It didn’t matter to him whether you were in the same boat or not, he couldn’t actually care less about that part; he was just insecure about making a decision on whether… he was ready at all to open up like that and offer his heart to you.

Law was very much self-aware and intelligent enough to recognise the signs: He wasn’t just in love with you; he truly loved you.

This bond ran deep.

And although he trusted you completely and wholeheartedly, he wasn’t sure if you wouldn’t be put off by that constant contradiction in his behaviour… most others judged it quite harshly, after all.

He didn’t reciprocate much, aside from talking. Yes, he held you in the privacy of his room and nuzzled his head against your neck, but if you wanted something like that, you could just pick up any stray cat from the streets.

He knew! He knew that it wasn’t enough, damn it. But it was just so hard to keep his composure whenever you placed a gentle kiss against his cheek and lovingly patted his spotted hat before placing those warm hands on his shoulders. You always squeezed him with so much affection and care that he just froze in shock.

The man who couldn’t even hold your hand in public loved you so purely that he wanted to kiss you? How ludicrous.

Most of the people who knew about your relationship probably thought that he was doing you a favour and entertaining the idea of a relationship without actual commitment, but… they had no idea. Absolutely no idea.

Even if he had trouble showing it, Law was proud to call himself your boyfriend. The thought alone made him bashful, though. His breath hitched, those tattooed fingers twitched very briefly before he closed his hand into a loose fist, rubbing his sweaty palms with his fingertips and he could hear his own heartbeat echo in his ear canals.

“I brought you tea, Law. You’re working so hard… don’t push yourself too far.”

…Yeah, he didn’t have the heart to tell you that he didn’t get any work done today; his head was just in the clouds since he’s been too caught up in his own thoughts…about you. These maps weren’t studied at all – all he did was study how soft your lips would feel against his-

“Thank you, (Y/N)-ya.”, he tried to play it off smoothly, but he had to clear his throat after saying your name. His longing for you made his voice a lot softer, a lot more… vulnerable. He didn’t want to scare you off with his sudden change in behaviour, which meant that he had to keep his voice monotone at all cost.

Today, you put your hands on his shoulders first, causing Law to tense up immediately. He turned his head to hide his pathetic blush from you – immediately butting heads with you.

And-

Oh my God.

He tore his lips away from yours. That was so sloppy and clumsy, he-

Law is devastated. If you look closely, you could actually watch his soul leave this plane-

He looked at you, noting how your eyes swam around looking anywhere but him and that you couldn’t contain your smile. The corners of your mouth trembled before curling up into a sweet grin that had him melt on the spot.

“I’m sorry, Law, I didn’t mean to-”

Law couldn’t help but cut you off with a kiss that surprised the both of you. It wasn’t a good one; he was too nervous, too tense, his face was stiff and he couldn’t quite close his eyes, looking at you to burn this image into his mind instead.

You didn’t have to apologise. He didn’t want to make you feel like you had to feel sorry for anything – especially not something as meaningful as this.

Besides, the fact that you enjoyed it just as much and went lax in his arms was… everything.

ZORO

Your first kiss was… powerful.

“Again!”

“…”

“Again!”

“…”

“One more!”

“…Zoro.”

“Just once.”

“Zoro,” you sighed, “You need a break. You’ve been at it for hours now.”

Zoro knew that. God, did he know it. Frustrated with himself, he grunted lowly before lowering his swords. His jaw was already hurting from biting down on the blade’s handle for so long, but he couldn’t help himself.

He’s been living inside the crow’s nest for the past two days at this point.

Two days ago, you got hurt. It shouldn’t affect him this bad… Luffy got hurt, too, as did Usopp, but you were… his partner. Your injuries might as well have been cuts into his heart – he saw you fall into Franky’s arms with a nasty gnash right across your thigh. You were bleeding so much and that scream… it will haunt him now.

Someone thought that you were an easier target than Brook or Franky, who were standing firmly by your side as you bought time for Nami to set sail, protecting the Sunny from any assault raining down on you guys. Zoro could barely watch from the sidelines, too engrossed in fighting his own opponent as Luffy and Sanji took on their captain right next to him. It was obvious to anyone with eyes that the Straw Hats could defeat any enemy with enough time and focus as everyone had their unique skill set and purpose, yet as soon as Zoro’s blades clashed against the fellow swordsman’s rapier, he heard your blood-curdling scream. It must have hurt so bad – he knew what deep cuts felt like and just how badly they burnt when saltwater got into the fresh wound, but he’d been training himself to deal with any bit of pain. You were never meant to be the recipient of an injury at the hands of another, because Zoro had sworn to himself that they’d have to go through him first.

But there were you – crying and hyperventilating as Franky tried applying pressure onto your seeping wound while Brook had to unsheathe his sword and cut down those enemies all by himself now…

Well, until Zoro zoomed across the battlefield with unprecedented fury, pushing himself to his very own limits.

Usually, the crew promised to minimise casualties. In a matter of life and death, of capture or kill, Luffy would always choose capture – he knew that some things had to be done, some sins had to be committed, but overall, you were all quite peaceful…

Until that scream.

“We can ask Sanji for a drink, you know… I bet he’d even make you a snack.”, you mused happily.

Zoro’s eyes snapped up and he calmly took a deep breath in, disguising it as an annoyed huff. You were fine. Well, as fine as you could be. Your leg was swollen and the blood has soaked through the bandages on your thigh, leaving a bit of red residue that perfectly mimicked the shape of your wound. Otherwise, you were okay. You had to redress that cut with fresh bandages every night because of the humid climate, but everything was okay.

Logically, your green-haired friend knew that there was nothing to worry about, but he couldn’t help but feel like a failure.

You were important to him! You… weren’t protected when you needed it the most.

You needed him and he wasn’t there.

You were damn good at what you do. That’s why Zoro often chose to hang off of you, following you around. It was so easy to be around you. Most often, you’d even talk to him… you knew very well that your swordsman wasn’t actually fast asleep, he was just preserving energy if it came down to the worst.

Ugh, it did come down to it and he wasn’t there.

Fucking-

“This isn’t about getting stronger, is it, Zoro?” Your hands grasped at his bulging forearms, strained from swinging his swords at the objects you threw all day, and you affectionately caressed his scarred flesh. You were even kind enough to offer him a sad smile.

“I… You… I… You’re important to me.”, he confessed through gritted teeth, averting his gaze. He tried to fight being obvious about it, but you could feel goosebumps rise beneath your warm hands even though he’d just finished a workout and was drenched in sweat.

“Zoro… You’re important to me, too. That’s why you shouldn’t beat yourself up over this. You were there, in the end, as you always are. I know I can rely on you.”

He shook his head in disapproval but leaned in to press his lips against yours. It was a measured kiss, just long enough to get you to briefly feel his plush lips and get especially close to him while your hands still held onto his arms.

And when you smiled, Zoro knew that… yes, you could rely on him. Forever.

[bewitched-hours]

I'M BACK WOTH ANOTHER ELLIOT REQUEST!! I literally cannot get enough of your writing, it's so inspiring and captivating I can't help but kick my feet and giggle. Anyways, how about some Elliot x GN!Reader where Elliot comes home from a stressful day of work and to help him feel better, Reader cuddles him and gives him kisses? (I'm a sucker for physical affection). Please take your time and don'tfeel pressured to write it! (Also a good song recommendation that makes me think of Elliot is Boyfriend by Hot Freaks so give it a listen if you can hehe) - Lume

Lume you are a goddamn genius, I'm in love with this band now- And I'm a sucker for physical affection too(touch starved mf right here) so you best believe I'll be putting my heart into this one!

As requested, reader's pronouns are they/them!

You and Elliot had been living together for almost 4 months now.

You'd met way back when you worked together because you were just trying to get out of your parents' place.

Not that you had a bad relationship with your family but you felt guilty about living with them without at least a job.

It took 5 months for you two to fall in love. But you made sure to wait for the 'honeymoon phase' to be over before you suggested moving in together.

And it was the best choice Elliot could've made.

You brought peace to his chaos, even when you changed jobs to something that spoke more to your hobbies but paid almost triple with only night shifts. He didn't fault you for jumping at the opportunity.

And now? You were happily playing the 'house spouse' and have a routine of getting home, waking up Elliot for his work and having breakfast with him before he disappears for the day and you get to sleep.

Usually, you had made it a habit to wake up at least an hour before he was set to come home and getting things ready for him to get comfortable after the stress of working at a pizza place.

It was bliss. It was a life you two built together and enjoyed more than anything.

Even your families loved each other and family gatherings would always include both families betting on how long it'd take for either of you to propose. You'd always play into it while Elliot tried to shut you up with a cute and flustered look on him.

And tonight was another night evening.

Elliot came home early for once, almost immediately ranting about 007n7 and c00lkidd while you quickly finished up dinner and quietly rushed to hug him.

That was usually already enough to help him feel better.

You were his peace. His lover. His bliss.

Sometimes he wondered how he got so lucky with you. Little did he know you were dead set on making that last forever.

As you both hugged and kissed each other both gently and passionately, you subtly led him to the kitchen and perhaps you were acting a little too cheery~

"You have a surprise for me, don't you?" He giggled, seeing your cute but shocked face as you knew you were busted.

You hesitated and just told him to eat as you sat down. "It's in the bedroom but I wanted to save it for later because I got a couple days off..." You sheepishly admitted, soon realizing the adoring gaze Elliot gave you. God, it still gave you butterflies to see him look at you so lovingly...

When you were both done, he offered to do the dishes and you took the time to set up the bedroom with a romantic display.

When he walked in, his face was flushed immediately upon seeing you lying in bed and giving him your most un-serious flirtatious look. He almost couldn't stop laughing and it only made you laugh along.

You knew this was a horrible setup usually but for Elliot and you it was perfect.

As dramatically as you could, you rushed to his side and began asking him what was wrong in an over-the-top tone. But soon he began to notice you were calling him your 'husband' and the surprise made it easier to calm down.

That's when you shocked him with a small box and a ring inside.

"Elliot... I know this might be a little soon but I really do mean it when I say I can't see a future without you..." You'd tell him with the softest of voices. "I don't want anything expensive or elaborate. I just want to be able to call you my husband and it being the truth... Will you marry me?"

He was stunned into silence, only to start chuckling which got you confused.

Until... He pulled a ring box of his own out of his pocket.

"I guess we had the same idea... I even took off the next couple of days for this." He'd return your softness and you both quickly slipped the rings on each other's fingers before falling into each other's arms and kissing passionately like there was no tomorrow.

Tonight... You two were more than each other's bliss and peace...

You were each other's everything...

Kicking my feet over my own writing all casually over here-

Anything you'd like to request/ask? Check out my pinned post first and I'll be happy to write up whatever you want!

[somerandomdere]

Yandere! actor x crew member! g/n reader

tags: fluff, slight? yandere themes (duh), you can tell I don't know much about how hollywood scandal works, it's my first fic pls feedback [2]

Fame was everything to Gabriel, it's been his whole life. He was a nepo baby, he has seen the cameras the moment he was born. Blessed with a good face, filthy rich parents, and a flirtatious personality, he was everything ladies wanted in a man.

Until everything came crashing down.

He got into a huge scandal he wasn't even aware of. He was accused of sexually harassing a fellow co actress, when in fact he never laid a finger on her. Sure, he was a well known celebrity and has a history of sleeping around, but that doesn't mean he will force himself on someone without consent!

The scandal got so big he was defamed everywhere. His sponsors withdrew, his parents and friends wanted to cut ties with him, and his girlfriend cussed him out before leaving.

It wasn't him! But at this point, no one believed in him. He started being depressed, having suicidal thoughts, and contemplating on quitting his dream career.

Enter you. Beautiful, radiant you.

After a long day of carrying heavy sets and helping out around the set. You were exhausted, so you went out to breathe some fresh air and smoke. As you lit up your cigarette, the main actor of your current show, Gabriel, seemed to be crying. You wanted to smoke, but you couldn't just leave a crying man alone! and you did want some privacy while taking a puff

"Hey... you alright?" You genuinely asked.

You didn't know much about Gabriel's scandal, since you weren't very interested in the affairs of celebrities and thought that fans should just mind their own business.

And you were just here to make extra money, what's the worst that could happen? You'll be gone in no time anyways. He'll just quickly forget you.

"Hey um..." You started awkwardly, and cleared your throat. "I may not be the best person that can comfort, but you can talk to me. I'll listen."

You thought he would be suspicious of you, because of his celebrity status, but he ranted to you and cried. How he was misunderstood. How the people closest to him never believed in him. How he felt so hopeless after he lost everything.

You reached out to touch his hand. You let him know you understood. How painful this period of life will be and how it will all be fine after.

You told him to take a look around him. Look through a different scope, see the people who actually cares for him. You told him how your uncle never believed any of those rumors and took advantage of this to hire him.

He teared up, not from self pity this time, but from realisation. Maybe he should abandon those people who never saw his true self anyways. For the first time, he looked into your eyes. The sunlight danced over your eyes, it reminded him of the warmth his parents used to give him, before they got too busy.

Maybe that's when he fell for you. He couldn't really point out when he fell head over heels, but he can kinda figure he feelings sprouted here.

He came back, stronger than ever. His acting caused your uncle's movie grossing to skyrocket. It hit the box office, everyone was talking about his movie through social media, how he so accurately acted his role, to the point they shivered. He decided to take this opportunity to clear his name. Due to the how overwhelmingly successful his new movie was, people decided to believe him.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Y/N! My name was cleared!" He squealed into the phone. You sincerely felt happy for him and offered to celebrate with him.

He wouldn't let this opportunity go without a waste! He immediately said yes. He wanted to see your beautiful face again, and finally ask you out.

He will finally be yours, and you will finally be his.

@hana-no-seiiki

@lovverletters

@moyazaika

@yxami

@mightypossibly

@suiana

My inspos on how to write fics (and my fav fic writers!) PLS PLS PLS PLS GIVE ME FEEDBACKKK

[xoxodropletsneedsmorefanfics]

Telling The Jerk Squad Boys You're Pregnant

Heavily Inspired by This Ask from the GB Patch Tumblr. I've reread all the XOXOD Asks on their blog and now I'm strongly motivated to write out some scenarios I found.

The Jerks have different relationship stages btw. Some are married (Nate, Bae, Pran), some are only dating (Everett, Shiloh, Jeremy).

Everett

You scroll through your phone absentmindedly, doing anything to keep yourself busy while you wait for Everett.

It hasn't even been a full year since the two of you decided to move in together, and honestly it was hard to believe it. There was so much of you and Everett scattered around your apartment, that it looked and felt like you've lived here for years. Most of your collective moving boxes were stuffed away into an extra room you never thought you would used...

Oh, how wrong you were.

The doorknob jingles, and Everett's voice could be heard on the other side. "Yeah, Mom. She tried to drop all her work on me. Why should I help her out? If she's not gonna offer me her check, she shouldn't ask me to do her work!" Everett’s rant becomes louder when he steps inside the apartment. He sees you on the couch and narrows his eyes, "You could've let me in." He huffs. "No way, the doors too far Shortie, I can't reach it." You say, draping your arm over your eyes. Everett rolls his eyes, his attention shift back to his phone call...more accurately, his mom.

"Mmhm, I'm just getting home," Everett states, he frowns, "What? Come on, you don't have to hang up...Alright. I'll call you after dinner.. Love you too. Bye." Everett hangs up the phone, taking off his shoes and throwing them in the general direction of the shoe rack Nate bought the two of you because he was tired of having nowhere to put his shoes when he visited. Everett stands in front of you as you lay on the couch, "Alright, move the fuck out of the way." He says, you shoot him a smug look. "Aw, why are so nice to your mom, but so mean to me?" You sighs, Everett rolls his eyes, he grabs your legs and drags them off the couch. You move to sit up, "My mom's not a bitch." He states, plopping down beside you, "I'm your bitch, though? Aren't I?" You can't help but tease.

Everett smirks with red cheeks, "Ugh, I haven't even been home for 5 minutes and you're already trying to get into my pants? Freak." He snorts, wrapping an arm around you.

Oh, yeah. You almost forgot.

"Ha, speaking of getting into your pants." "At least let me shower first-"

"That's not what I mean," You state, Everett can feel the whiplash from how serious you suddenly became "I needed to tell you something." "Ooooh, sounds serious. Yeah, not sure if you've been paying attention, but I just got home. So...no thanks." Everett sighs, immediately growing defensively. You don't falter, you've been with Everett long enough to know that this is how he gets when met with pressure of any kind. Even though he's mellowed out a lot over the years, any form of pressure will trigger him to act like how he did when you first met him. "Come on! It's not even that bad. And I've waited all day to say this!" You sigh. Everett groans, he crosses his arms, "Fine! Fuck. Just get it over with so I can enjoy the rest of my day."

"I'm pregnant." You keep your words blunt and straight to the point. Everett's blue eyes blow wide, "You're...what?" He asks, Everett's throws his head back and shoots his hands up to cover his face. "Fuck. Fuck! FUCK! HOLY FUCK! FUUUUUUUUUUCK!" He shouts, "Yeah, that's kind of how it happened, Shortie." You tell him, your little joke earns you an instant glare, "Please, for once in your life. Shut the fuck up." Everett stresses. You pat his arm sympathetically, "Calm down, Everett. It's not the end of the world." You say.

Everett shoots you a look of disbelief, "Not the end of the...Did you forget who I am?" He asks. Everett grabs your hand and shakes it with a fake grin, "Hi, I'm Everett Gray. The guy who can barely fucking take care of himself, and now he's supposed to take care of a kid. That baby is screwed!" Everett releases your hand, the stress clear on his face. Even after all the time you known him, it's rare you get to see Everett impacted in this way. Sure, you've seen him get pissed so many time, but it was rare you could actually make out genuine fear in his eyes. "Eve, Shortie, calm down. You're not going to be taking care of a baby by yourself. You'll have me, your mom, and probably Nate." You state, Everett takes a deep breath, "...Yeah. Right. We'll probably be shitty parents, but our kid will have the best grandma and uncle..." He says.

Since he's starting to calm down, you decide to let the commet about you being a shitty mom slide.

"Besides..." Everett continues "You're not going to pop that baby out tomorrow. We've got time..." "That we do, Everett. We’ve got 9 whole months to get our shit together." You say with a grin filled with confidence. Everett lets out a breathless laugh of disbelief, cracking a grin of his own. Unsurprisingly, Everett stands up and grabs his phone, “I gotta call Mom back.” He mutters, leaving the room. You roll your eyes with an affectionate smile.

Everett pops his head back into the room for only a second, “Oh, and you’re in charge of telling Nate.” He quickly says before disappearing, your eyes widen.

“WHAT?!”

Nate

Nate walks into your shared bedroom, “Hey. Since when do you let me come home without immediately being at the door to tell me—” Nate pauses, spotting a box of tissues on the bed and a nervous…yet somehow still confident grin on your face.

“…Hey, Nate. Can we talk for a moment?” You ask, Nate’s guard goes up the exact second he hears the seriousness in your voice. You’re never serious. He’s the serious one. What could possibly be going on that you’re acting like this?! Nate stares at you, his eyes are already wide from panic. He shuts them and crosses his arms protectively his chest. “God, make it quick.” He says—maybe a little harsher than he should’ve, but it’s not his fault. All he wanted to do is come home and spend time with you relax.

What if you want to break up with him?

After all this time, you’d still abandon him?

Nate won’t be able to deal with that! You’ve already become so integral to his life!

You know better than to drag things on when Nate’s clearly already beginning to panic and overthink, “Congratulations, Mr Lawson. You are an amazing swimmer.” You tell him lightheartedly, he raises an eyebrow. “What?” He asks, his tense shoulders dropping only a little bit. You shoot finger guns in his directions, “I’m pregnant~”

The world freeze around Nate, his shoulders are tense again, he feels the exact same way he did before, but worse. You watch him carefully, you were expecting a big reaction out of him—like tears or something, but you weren’t expecting him to be so silent. Nate opens his mouth, all that comes out of him is a strained breath. “Candy…hey, can you talk to me?” You ask, cautiously reaching out for him.

Nate’s breathing is short and quick, the tears you were prepared for were already beginning to swell in his eyes. “Nate, listen, it’s going to be ok. A baby isn’t the end of the world. In fact, it just more of a guarantee that we will be together for the rest of our lives.” You tell him as you cup his cheek. Nate flinches before he shuts his eyes, he takes deeper breath, “You’re right. You’re right,” He starts “It’s not like we’re two dumb teenagers. We’re married now. This…this is something that comes with marriage.”

“Yeah, this is fine. I’m fine. I would—and will—be a wonderful dad.” Nate says “Yep. The best of the best. Expect no less from Nate Lawson.” You agree, the tenseness completely disappears from Nate’s body. “Come on.” He says, grabbing your hand and pulling you out of the bedroom. You raise an eyebrow when he grabs his car keys, “Where are we going?” You ask. Nate looks at you with a determine grin, “We’re going to look at cribs and bassinets. There’s no reason we shouldn’t start planning early.” He says. You laugh, “I guess you’re really gonna bring your A Game even in parenthood, huh?” You nudge him gently. Nate chuckles, his grin showing no sign of leaving anytime soon, “It’s the only way to be.” He says.

Shiloh…

Uh, I feel like I should mention that for this I’m writing “Mr Fields” Shiloh, (according to the OLBA wiki: “The “best” version. He’s polite and friendly and seems to mean it when he says he doesn’t want to be so phony anymore.”) mixed with my own interpretation of the guy. I honestly can’t remember if he was the version of Shiloh that had a dog, but he’s gonna have one anyway. The dog’s name is Popcorn, I’m stealing my neighbor’s dog’s name.

Shiloh sits at his desk, occasionally stopping whatever it is he’s doing to watch Popcorn run back and forth around the room. Shiloh chuckles, “You have a lot of energy. Just like your mama.” He says, resting his head on his palm. Both Shiloh and Popcorn snap their heads towards the door when they hear the doorknob jiggle.

You walk into the room, you pause when you see Shiloh’s wide grin. “…What did you do, Shya?” You ask knowingly, Shiloh only chuckles, “Nothing, but we were just talking about you literally a second before you came in. Your ears must’ve been burning.” He states “Huh, looks like I’ve turned into the stalker in this relationship,” You snort, Shiloh says nothing to confirm or deny that, “Anyway, listen up, Shya. I got something important to say—” “You’re pregnant.” Shiloh hums.

“How the hell did you know that?” You ask with wide eyes, “There were a lot of signs. You’ve been extra snippy and your period’s late are a few signs.” Shiloh explains. You stare at him with a dumbfounded expression, “Glad to know my assumption was right. I think that’s nice. So, is it mine?” Shiloh asks, he’s way too comfortable with casually asking you if you cheated on him. “What the—of course it’s yours!” You say offendedly, Shiloh’s causal grin drops slightly, “Huh…even it if is mine. Don’t you think you should fine someone else to help you raise it? We wouldn’t want me corrupting the poor kid with all my…issues.” He states.

Shiloh watches you, there’s a hopeful glint in his eyes. Whether it’s because he’s hoping you’ll stay or hoping he won’t have to raise this kid is mystery. “No way. I’m not just going to let you ditch me with that shitty excuse! If you can make the baby, you can raise the baby.” You tell him firmly. Shiloh stares at you with an unreadable expression, after a few moments, he smiles widely.

He stands up from his desk and wraps his arms around you, “Well, then…Ok! That’s amazing!” He says, pressing his freckled cheek against yours. Shiloh chuckles dryly, “Let’s just hope for the sake of humanity that this kid only inherits our good qualities…” He sighs gently. You pat his cheek, “All our qualities are good, Shya.” You state, Shiloh shakes his head, his smile strained and exhausted. “And thanks for not ditching me. I mean, I wouldn’t have let you, but I do appreciate you not putting up a fight.” You add, kissing his cheek.

“Anything for you…”

Bae

Shortest one because this pregnancy was actually planned

“Well?”

Bae sits on the edge of his seat as you exit the bathroom. He stares at you expectingly, “It’s positive.” You announce. Bae uncharacteristically launches up from his seat and wraps his arms around you. “Finally! Very soon, Muffin, we will have a baby. A perfect little bundle of joy.” He says “It’ll be the start to our army, huh?” You chuckle.

“Oh, yes, Starfish. We’ll be able to take over the world very soon. Once the baby starts walking it’ll be all over.” Bae jokes alongside you.

Jeremy

“Thanks so much for locking up for us, you two!” Jennifer says, she and Jackson wave goodbye as they make their way to the exit, “It’s no problem,” You say “Me and Jerebear could use the alone time. Huh, Jerebear?” You nudge him with your elbow. “Get away from me.” Jeremy sighs with zero hostility.

Jennifer and Jackson share knowingly looks before Jennifer chuckle, “Well, we will definitely get out your hair then. Make sure to clean up when you’re done, I don’t want any stains—” “MOM!” Jeremy snaps, she shoots her hands up with an unapologetic grin. The pair get into their car and drive off. Jeremy shudders in disgust, “Why must you always set her up for comments like that?” He asks “I can’t help it. It’s in my nature.” You snicker.

Jeremy rolls his eyes, walking away, “Slow down there, Jeremy.” You sigh, Jeremy shoots you a disgusted look, “Please don’t tell me you’re seriously trying…ugh, no. Not here. Especially not when that’s what Mom already thinks we’re going to do.” He says bitterly. “Not that. I had something important to say to you.” You snort, placing your hands on your hips. “Oh…? Uh, what is it?” Jeremy asks, raising an eyebrow.

“I’m pregnant.”

Jeremy’s eyes widen, “U-uh. Uh….um…” He mutters, Jeremy takes a second to study you as he tries to figure out what to say. He’s shocked expression fades once he sees how happy you are, he cracks the smallest of smiles and finally settles on saying, “Um…ok.”

There’s a pause, “Congrats?” Jeremy offers awkwardly. You laugh, “I don’t know why you’re congratulating me. You’re apart of this too.” You remind him. “Sigh, I know. But what else am I supposed to say here?” Jeremy sighs “Would’ve been a nice time for you to finally make good on that proposal you promised me.” You tease, Jeremy tenses. Right, he did agree to marry you at graduation…but it’s been a few years and you haven’t mentioned it until now. He thought you forgot about it.

Of course you didn’t forget…

“You still want to marry me? The past 5 years we’ve been together hasn’t scared you off yet?” Jeremy asks, and you notice that a lot of this conversation has been him raising his eyebrow or looking at you with wide eyes. “The part 5 years we’ve been together hasn’t taught you that you’re never ever getting rid of me?” You ask, Jeremy squishes his face into a pout, “Fine, but we’re not telling anyone about the baby until after we’re married.” He states.

You tilt your head in an unspoken question, Jeremy answers, “Everyone will probably assume this is a shotgun wedding.” “Ha, yeah, this is the setup for a shotgun wedding, isn’t it?” You laugh. Jeremy smirks a little, “Since this wedding is happening, you have to take over the cleaning.” He states “Uh, excuse me? And why can’t you help?” You ask, watching Jeremy walk off to another room.

“I have to make our wedding rings.”

Pran

Moonlight shines through the window as Pran quietly sketches on a large king bed. It wasn’t rare for him to be awake during the night. For most of Pran’s life, the late hours of the day was the only time he’d get to himself…it was the only time he could be himself. This still hasn’t really changed for Pran, whether he was staying with Jeremy or on campus at SSB. Even in his early adult years…now, Pran still refuses to sleep at a reasonable hour. This is the only time he can just exist as himself, by himself.

…Although, that’s technically not true anymore.

Pran glances away from his sketchbook to look at you. You were silently curled up in the blankets beside him, sleeping with a relaxed smile. Because of you, Pran doesn’t get to be alone anymore when he shuts himself off from the rest of world for the night. You’re here…you’ll still be here.

Even when Pran pushes you away, even when he purposefully tries to make things harder for you, even when he tells you again and again and again that he’s not worth dating.

You won’t go away. You’ve stuck by him more than his own parents would’ve…

Night time is the only time you’re quiet. Maybe except a little snores and deep breaths every now and then. It’s the only time where you’re still enough where Pran can truly look at you. Maybe even…appreciate you.

The sounds of Pran moving pencil is the only thing that can be heard in the room right now. He knows he’s never going to show you this sketch, but he wants to get the details right. His attention slowly shifts from your face to something further down.

Practically glowing in the moonlight, a ring rests on your finger.

Pran married you, he legally agreed to be stuck with you for the rest of his life…

And he’s…happy about it.

Your body tenses and your face hardens. Pran raises an eyebrow as your mutter to yourself. “Nooo…Panda…I’m sorry…” is the only thing he was able to make out. All your squirming and whining for him was starting to really make Pran feel…bad. And you’re supposed to be one of the few people that didn’t make him feel bad. Pran shuts his sketchbook and places it on the side of the bed. He shakes you awake, you flinch and look around with wide eyes. Your attention lands on Pran, the two of you stare at each other for a moment. “You were too loud.” Pran decides that will be the reasoning he gives you for waking you from your nightmare.

“Pfft. Sure, Pran. You’re not worry about me at all.”

Of course, you know him too well now…

Pran doesn’t bother responding to that comment, he has other things on his mind now. “What did you do?” He asks, raising an eyebrow, “Huh?” You ask. Pran narrows his eyes, “You were muttering apologies to me. What did you do?” He asks suspiciously, you frown. Well so much for telling him in the morning.

“First of all, I didn’t do anything. We’re both responsible for this.” You state, Pran looks more confused…until you utter out the words “And second…I’m pregnant.”, now, he just looks…horrified. Pran says nothing—which is common in your relationship. What isn’t common is for Pran to seem so…affected by your words. “Pran…?” You ask gently, you poke his cheek with your finger. Pran snaps out of his horrified state, he frowns and his eyes shift to glare at the floor.

You let out hum, “I know it’s hard to believe since I’m so talented, but I’m not a mindreader, Panda. Can you tell me what you’re thinking?” You ask. When Pran first met you, he would’ve saw that confident smile and assumed you were taking the situation or him seriously. But now he’s been around you for half a decade. Sure, your smile’s confident, but your eyes…your eyes are filled with fear.

Did you think he was going to leave you to take care of the baby on your own?

“I…” Pran sighs “I don’t know the first thing about being a parent.” You smile sympathetically, “Well, I hope not. I’m expecting this kid to be your first.” You joke. Pran still frowns, “Come on, Panda. I don’t know much about being a parent either, my only experience is that one time I worked at that daycare with Bae,” You state “Actually, you know what. I’m basically an expert. So, don’t worry. I’ll help you understand fatherhood. Besides, you could never be worse than your own parents.”

You wink at Pran, he rolls his eyes, but you could still see a small smile forming on his face. “Fine. You’re right…there’s no parent worse than my parents.” He states, letting out a quiet sigh to calm himself, “Exactly.” You say, you glance at the clock. “Oof, it’s that late? Well, I think that I’ll be able to rest easy now. Night, Panda. Try not to stay up too late~” You chuckle, blowing him a kiss as you lay into a comfortable position.

Pran doesn’t say anything, he waits a few moments until he hears the soft snores leaving your mouth. He leans over and picks his sketchbook back up.

If he wasn’t motivated to sketch you before he sure is now.

…

What? Thought I was done? HA! Nope, one more person!

Jerk Lynn

Jerk Lynn is 18 in this, but you guys are still in your senior year of high school.

Lynn’s eye twitches in annoyance, “I can’t believe this…she asks me to take time out of my day and meet her, and she can’t even show up on time?” He grumbles to himself. He whips his head towards the sound of footsteps, he glares at you once you’re in his sight.

“Oh, finally! Do you know how long I’ve been waiting?! Unlike you, I actually have better things to do than go on dates-” “Lynn, shut up for a second.” You sigh, rolling your eyes. He does stop talking, but it does nothing to soothe the irritation radiating from him. “Look, we need to talk.” You start, Lynn’s eyes widen, “There is no way in hell you’re breaking up with me. You don’t break up with me, I break up with you.” He says.

“That’s not what I called you for, but I’m glad our relationship means that much to you.” You scoff lightheartedly. Lynn rolls his eyes, “Yeah, right, Twerp. Let’s not forget, you’re lucky to be dating me, not the other way around.” He states, stuffing his hands in his pockets. “If it’s not to break up, why did you want to meet?” He asks. “You and that stupid thing in your pants got me pregnant.” You say bluntly, Lynn stares at you.

“There’s no way-”

“There is.”

“And it’s mine?”

“No, duh, dumbass.”

Lynn groans, “How are you gonna take care of a baby?! You’re supposed to be taking care of me.” He sigh, stomping his foot against the path. “Wow, yeah, that’s the main concern here. How am I gonna take care of you—not the new life I’ll be bringing into this world or whatever.” You scoff “You can focus on both.” Lynn huffs, you shake your head. “Man, it’s a good thing you’re hot and I’m shallow…” You sigh. “Whatever, Twerp. It doesn’t really matter how, you’re stuck with me.” Lynn snickers.

“Now, was that it?” Lynn asks, you wave him off with an annoyed sigh, “That was it.” You state, pinching the bridge of your nose. Lynn smirks at your reaction, “Good. See you around, nerd.” He says as he walks away. His expression grows more and more panicked the further away he gets. “Shit. Shit…” He sighs, kicking a soda can into the street…

Whatever, he’s not going to let some kid ruin the good thing he’s got going with you. He’s not going to let you go, and you’re not getting rid of him that easily.

[musings-ofthe-unamused]

Obey Me Headcanons: First Kisses

Characters: Lucifer, Mammon, Beel, Satan, Levi, Asmo, Belphie Warnings: Lucifer, fluff

Ask Box: Open

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Lucifer:

He’s pushy, we all know this

When he gets stressed, he turns to you as your stress reducer

But that gets tiring because all he does is rant, rant rant

You just can’t take it anymore

“Lucifer?” “Yes?” “Shut up.”

He gets offended at first

But then he gets curious 

What happens if he continues to press your buttons?

You grab him and kiss him, of course

If your lips are on his, he can’t complain

He now asks for a kiss instead to help him stay stress free

Mammon:

Most definitely shyly asks you for a kiss

Like it’s the cutest thing ever

He has this whole date planned of a movie and dinner

You think you guys are just hanging out like normal

But he’s acting weird

You guys make it back to the house and he grabs your hand to keep you from going in

“I had fun tonight.” “Uhhh me too?”

He just kinda pauses and then goes “Can I kiss you?”

He’s blushing and looking away with a tiny pout

You realize that you were on a date and suddenly your heart is poundind and you just silently nod

And then he kisses you and its so soft and sweet

Then he runs away

Levi:

Video game time!! Which means competitions

Which means making bets

If he wins, he gets to kiss you 

He said it was a joke, but we all know he was trying his hardest to win

Three rounds

At a game you completely suck at

He did this on purpose. 

You obviously lose

“I win! But..you don’t have to kiss me if you don’t want to! I mean, I don’t know why you’d wanna kiss a loser like me.”

“I want to.” “What?” “I want you to kiss me.”

Suddenly he gets so flustered and his face is all red

He starts stuttering but all you have to do is grab his hand

Levi looks at you and then

smooch

It’s quick and awkward but now he wants to have bets like this all the time

https://64.media.tumblr.com/c079a798fbcf72cb417bfe18e580cdd8/7c40ac6e565497ed-27/s540x810/0329251d21ab87bc7a724d78f92f136179bfa43c.gif

Satan:

I actually had already started writing a short story about this

You go to his room to study or read

You’re both chillin, not saying much just enjoying each other’s presence

You then want to show him something and he is close

He stares at you. You stare back

His eyes flick back and forth between your lips and your eyes

He leans in, his lips brushing against yours

When you don’t pull back, he goes in and kisses you

The both of you kinda get heated 

He finally pulls away for some air and rests his forehead against yours

“I’ve been waiting for that.”

Asmodeus:

With the way he’s so flirty, its a wonder how he didn’t make a move before

However, he’s kind of a romantic

He wants to have one of those cute movie kisses

Preferably in the rain

So he watches the weather, hoping, praying for some rain

And there is! 

He drags you outside despite your complaining

“Why are we standing in the rain” “So we can kiss!” 

You don’t know whether to be mad or kind of flattered that he wanted to kiss you in the rain

He goes all dramatic and dips you down, giving you a very wet kiss

He almost drops you as he squeals in happiness

“I did it! I finally did it!”

You hate him

Beelezebub:

Jesus he’s so damn CUTE

This is during a baking session for sure

Making some cookies for him the brothers

Things always get messy because he wants to eat everything every step of the way

You’re just finishing up the batter when he comes up behind you

“Can I have a taste?”

His deep voice scares you and you accidentally get batter on your face

You turn around and scowl at him

But…oh my god what is he doing?

“You have something on your face

He grabs your shoulders and brings you close. 

He licks the edge for your lips. 

“Tastes good,” He mumbles. “More.”

And then he kisses you

After it happens, you are red in the face and just bolt out of there

“What about the cookies?!”

Blephegor:

100% kisses you by accident

Its nap time which means you two are in his bed taking a nice long nap

While also hiding from Lucifer

You had woken up an hour ago, and saw that two have already passed

Belphie was still passed out cold

You tried moving, but instead was met with his arms wrapping around you

He let out a groan and a “Don’t go”

You can’t tell if he’s still asleep or not

“Belphie, I need to go pee. Let me go.”

He mumbles something and holds you tighter

You’re trying to pry yourself away from him when he starts kissing your neck. Then your jaw. Then your cheek

“More.”

And then he gives you a gentle kiss

You’re frozen as he opens his eyes then stares at you

“I just had the weirdest dream.”

“Yeah…”

[joezworld]

Christmas Story

The letters continued... 

Threats were issued:

“He’s dead if I ever see him.”

“-and if he ever shows his face around my shed, he’s a dead engine.”

“HIS COMPONENT PARTS WILL REGRET BEING ATTACHED TO HIM.”

“I’ll show him exactly what kind of a terror us diesels can be.”

“Personally, I’d have introduced his teeth to his superheater…”

-

And welcomes were given.

“I suppose this makes you one of ours now.”

“It’s nice to increase the ranks for once.”

“Can we keep you and trade Mallard to the Western?”

“I, for one, welcome you with smooth rails and green signals.”

“-and don’t worry! You’ll fit in just fine!”

-

Forgiveness was given, despite not being asked for. 

“We have heard about your recent change in “livery” and we understand.”

“Considering what’s happened I don’t blame you for tossing us into the bin.”

“-I’ve heard talk that some engines are quite taken with what you’ve done. Might be a trend!”

“Usually, old allegiances die hard. In your case, I’m surprised it lasted as long as it did.”

“Perhaps some day we can dispense with the old rivalries altogether…”

“YOU DESERVE BETTER THAN US.”

-

And declarations were made.

“ - you will always be one of us, and we love you.”

“I can’t wait to see you at the next gala!”

“YOU’LL LOOK GOOD IN BLUE, I GUARANTEE IT.”

“Keep us in your memories, but go wherever your heart takes you.”

“Don’t let engines like him keep you in a bad place, okay?”

-

Then there were the signatures. 

Your Brother

Your Sister

Your Friend

Your Compatriot

YOUR FELLOW WESTERNER

Your Eastern Acquaintance,

Caerphilly Castle

Evening Star

Deltic

Flying Scotsman

King George V

PENDENNIS CASTLE

№1306 Mayflower

D7017

D7018

D7026

D7076

Western Prince

Black Prince (92203)

Mallard [Who is writing this under duress]

Aerolite

26000 (Tommy)

№ 1420

D9500 & D9531

Lode Star

Green Arrow

№ 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley

The Engines of the Vale of Rheidol Railway

D821, D818, and D832

Blue Peter

55 022 (Royal Scots Grey)

Tuylar

Dominion of Canada

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Bittern

92212

Western Ranger

55 016

№4588

Alycidon (D9009)

№ 65462

Western Champion

Bradley Manor

7819 Hinton Manor

D9002

Royal Highland Fusilier (D9019)

№ 6412

Clun Castle

6990 Witherslack Hall

Sir Hadyn and Edward Thomas

№ 18000 (Kerosene Castle)

4488 (Union of South Africa)

Morayshire

Olton Hall

Hagley Hall

55 021

King Edward I

King Edward II

Western Courier

Western Lady

D9534

№ 7293

Western Campaigner

----------------------

Then they opened the boxes. 

The small ones were addressed to Duck and Oliver. The first few were opened up, revealing, “Name plates? Why name plates?” 

“Well, hang on a minute, these don’t look like any name plates I’ve seen before.” 

“Ah, wait, that’s it. They’re usually curved, to go over the splashers.”

“And they’re not red.”

“Well, they are if… ooooh.”

“What?”

“They’re Eastern. With the red backing. These’re LNER plates.”

Oliver stared at Duck, ignoring how the men were opening up a separate box with a similar return address.

“It’s a builder’s plate?!”

“It’s an LNER builder’s plate, see the shape?”

“Forget the shape, it says London and North Eastern on it.”

“Oh gosh, this is serious, innit?”

“That’s borderline sacreligious is what it is. Lookit that! It says Swindon on it!”

“Gordon is going to be insufferable about this, I just don’t know how.”

-

There was an identical plate for Duck, and… glory be, it really was an LNER-styled builder’s plate, made out with his information. They even found out his original works number.

He breathed in deeply. In through the nose, out through the mouth. He mattered to them, in a way that felt just as, if not more personal than the pile of letters on the floor. Maybe it was the shock, the lingering feelings from hearing Truro’s unhinged rant in the cold December air. 

“I think,” he looked between the plate, and Oliver. “That we’re at a moment in our lives that we can’t go back from.”

-----------

The boxes addressed to Bear were much larger, and were in greater quantities. 

“Oh look, this one’s a headboard!” exclaimed his driver. 

Bear’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when he saw that it said THE FLYING SCOTSMAN on it. 

The note attached was short, but sweet. “‘Tis nice to have another Eastern Diesel. Mayhaps someday this shall be used again in anger.” It was signed “Royal Scots Grey”. 

-

The next one had the GWR crest burned into the surface of the crate. Opening it revealed a rather lengthy nameplate wrapped in cloth. A note was tied around it. 

“Dearest Bear,” it read. “He’s done, even if he doesn’t know it yet. This raises an issue - we do need a “City” in our ranks. We think you can take up that role.”

The wrapping was undone, and Bear could feel a shocked tear build up in his eye. 

The words CITY OF TIDMOUTH glinted in the lights of the shed, the letters done in shining brass, just like the steam engines of old. 

-

Another package, this one from an address that he vaguely remembered as being an old Eastern Region TMD, contained a host of plates both large and small. The largest of them was a bright red rectangle, with silver letters that read BEAR. After looking it over, his crew deemed it to be a dead ringer for the name boards on Eastern Region diesels. 

“Which means…” said his driver, rifling through the smaller plates, each the size of a medallion. “That these must be from all the different Depots. Yeah, yeah, look. This one’s Stratford, and here’s York. Blimey, I didn’t know that anyone had a Colchester one.”

This went on for several minutes, as plates from seemingly every Eastern Region TMD were removed from the box. Bear’s eyebrows rose until they could go no higher. 

-

The next morning, his crew busied themselves with attaching several of the plates to his sides. There was some argument as to where they should be placed, and how to avoid making Bear look like “he was covered in fridge magnets.” 

Said argument was still ongoing as Gordon rolled by. His suddenly-wide eyes went from the Eastern Region name plate to THE FLYING SCOTSMAN headboard in shock. 

Bear ignored his crew, who were intently measuring the “CITY OF TIDMOUTH” nameplate like it may suddenly change size, and fixed Gordon with an intent look. “This is unequivocally your fault,” he said, keeping his tone serious even as he started to smile. “Thank you.” 

----------

A few days later, as the mail started to peter off, a deeply overstuffed document mailer ended up at the shed in Arlesburgh, addressed to Oliver and Duck collectively. 

It was a long and dry letter, filled with passages about duty and honor, dictated by King George V, the “self-proclaimed pro tempore leader of our kind, now that Truro is out.” 

Naturally, Duck found it fascinating, while Oliver would rather gnaw off his own buffers. It grew so dull that eventually the stationmaster got bored of reading Duck’s copy of the pair of identical letters aloud, and fetched a sheet music stand from the station, placing the type-written pages across it for the two engines to read at their own pace before leaving for the station. 

Oliver’s pace was “no, thank you, but I’d really rather skip to the end,” but Duck was insistent on reading the entire letter aloud. 

“-I humbly ask you as a fellow Westerner, free of all but our Swindon metal, do you have any interest…” Duck abruptly trailed off. 

“Hm?” Oliver said, blinking himself to attention. “Interest in what? Don’t tell me you’ve gotten bored now?”

Duck ignored him. “They can’t really-”

“Really what? Out with it!”

“Look!” Duck yelped. “It’s right there, on the fifth page, towards the bottom.”

Oliver rolled his eyes, but eventually found the sentence. “-any interest in becoming the new figurehead of the Great Western? What?” He squeaked in surprise, eyes skimming the preceding paragraphs to see what in the world they were on about.

“-perhaps the most unfortunate part of Truro’s fall from grace is that he is - or perhaps was - the most recognizable member of our lineage by a wide margin. While it remains true that the enthusiast may recognize myself or Caerphilly, the general public likely knows Truro for the same reason that they know Flying Scotsman. The name Great Western, and what it stands for, is vestigial at best. 

That being said, a new opportunity has presented itself. As I am sure you are aware, the books by the Reverend Awdry featuring you and Oliver have spawned a television show, which has in turn re-ignited popularity in the books. Already I have had to field queries about your Island from children clutching copies of “Duck and the Diesel Engine.” Many who have no other knowledge of our ways have nonetheless made the connection that we Westerners all know each other, and have asked me about you and Oliver. Strangely, none have asked about Truro; in fact, one child, who I have been assured does not yet know how to read, mistook me for Truro, and asked me what visiting Sodor was like. (I did not dissuade him of this view. I hope that I was correct in my assumption that Sodor is very pleasant in the summer.)

I’m sure that you can see the common thread here. You and Oliver will have an uncommon familiarity with the next generation, and possibly many more beyond. While I, Caerphilly, and the rest sit quietly behind ropes, you will continue as a working engine, adding to our common lore, and preaching our gospel. You are the highest ranking Paddie Shunter to survive the purges of Modernization, and you know more of Our Ways than even I do. 

With this in mind - and please do not take this as an obligation, a chore, a weight against your buffers - I humbly ask you as a fellow Westerner, free of all but our Swindon metal, do you have any interest in becoming the new figurehead of the Great Western Railway?”

--

Neither engine got any sleep that night, and it was a very bleary Duck that took the first train into Tidmouth the next day. 

“You look terrible,” Gordon sniffed unthinkingly. “Do you not sleep at night? Too much rearranging of your goods yard, perhaps?”

“Gordon, please-”

On the road opposite Duck, Bear raised an eyebrow. “It’s too early in the morning for either of you to start.”

“Oh fine,” Gordon huffed as the last of the passengers flooded into the express. “But it’s rather undignified for an Easterner to be so disheveled. Just look at us for an example, Duck!” 

Point made, he set off with a whoosh of steam, and within a minute the train’s rear lamp was fading into the distance. 

Bear didn’t say anything for a long while. Duck wondered if the diesel wasn’t saying anything because Gordon was right - compared to Bear’s mirror-shine paint and Gordon’s polished brass, he looked awful.

Or, the vicious little voice in the back of his mind piped up. He still doesn’t want to talk to you. Considering how you sided with Truro over-

“So, I got a letter yesterday.” Bear said, apropos of nothing. “From King George V herself.”

“Oh?” Duck seized the chance to get out of his own mind. “What about?”

“Seems like the Great Western needs a new figurehead, considering that somebody has lost all his prestige.”

“O-oh…” Duck warbled. “You got that too?”

“Mmhmm.” Bear wasn’t looking at anything in particular. “Apparently the television show is driving people to the books; people seem to like conflict in their children’s books. Something about being able to show right from wrong.” 

“Do they now?” Oh, if only the rails could swallow him whole at this moment. 

“Oh yes.” Bear looked contemplative. “It also helps that nobody really likes diesels. Smelly, underhanded things. It’s quite nice to be able to have one cause trouble and then get sent away for doing that in one single book.”

“Yes, I-I’m quite aware of what happened…” Maybe his boiler could explode. That might fix things. 

“And everybody loves a runaway train.” 

“Well, I -uh, I wouldn’t- um…” 

Bear smirked. “Obviously I don’t include you in that.” 

“W-w-well of course, I-”

Bear didn’t say anything for a second, and Duck continued to trip over his own tongue, until: 

“She’s right, you know.”

“Wh-what?” 

“King George. She’s right about you. Every child in the country is going to know your name someday, especially if they put you on the telly. And there’s not another engine alive who knows all of the history that you do.”

“Bear,” Duck finally managed to find his voice. “I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Why not?” Duck was floored. “Bear, you were there! I just followed along behind him, doing whatever he said to-”

“Duck,” Bear cut him off and looked him straight in the eyes. “He was City of Truro. Who would have expected that out of any engine, let alone one of his stature?” 

“But - but - but I-” 

“Acted childish, perhaps,” Bear continued, gently. “But he revealed himself to you at the same time he did everyone. Even I didn’t think he’d hurt me on purpose!”  

“But I should have noticed!” Duck cried. “And I didn’t! What sort of leader would I be?”

Bear was unmoved. “It’s true that you didn’t notice then, but look at what you’re doing right now.” 

“What?” 

Bear smiled gently, his new nameplates gleaming in the station lights. “You’re giving yourself the third degree over this. It’s been six months, Duck! Even I’ve moved on from that, or I would, if you’d let me. Truro’s got his just desserts, I’ve found that more engines care about me than I previously thought possible, and Oliver… is Oliver-ing along like nothing ever happened. It’s just you who hasn’t moved on from this yet, and that is the true mark of a leader.”

“No, Bear,” Duck started to stammer. “But-I can’t. Surely-”

“The only sure thing is that you’d do a good job.” Bear said as the last of his passengers boarded. “Besides, if you do badly enough…” The guard blew the whistle, and waved the green flag. “You’ll look really good in garter blue!” 

And then he was off, engine roaring. The train sparkled against the early summer sun as it left, and Duck was suddenly alone at the platform. 

“He does make a good point,” Well, he was almost alone. He was still coupled to Alice and Mirabel. “What do you want to do?”

Duck didn’t say anything for a long while. 

He had a lot to think about.

[bekolxeram]

So... I said I couldn't wait for the plane disaster arc to be over, and I still stand by that statement. If you read my blog regularly, you'd know I loved it, the more plane stuff the merrier, but at the same time, it was a huge relief for me to finally be able to move on.

Warning: long rant incoming

I joined this fandom last season because of my love for BuckTommy and aviation, I've made it clear many times before. I saw comments downplaying Tommy's role in the cruise ship rescue, and I thought, well I know a thing or two about how hard flying is, especially flying a helicopter, so maybe I should write something about it.

Fast forward to last month, someone asked me whether Tommy could fly a plane realistically, so I answered it as they asked, realistically no. I can imagine him flying a light plane as a hobby, but never a four engine turboprop military plane that takes 5-12 crew members to fly, or an airliner that's basically a flying computer. I wasn't even aware of the Airport 1975 pilot transfer theory at first, so imagine my shock when I woke up to multiple posts naming my theory by name, (yeah, I said the water bomber in 2x14 belonged to CAL FIRE, I made my first post about this a long time ago, and I don't think anyone from the other side even made the effort to dig this deep, so those posts were referring to me) each with 400+ notes, and many reblogs by people I'd been following, telling me to shut the fuck up. It wasn't even aware that my aviation hc would be anything close to controversial, it deeply upset me and it fundamentally changed my interaction with the fandom as a whole.

I tried putting my more aviation focused posts under a specific tag that people can block if they're not interested, still, like clockwork, some posts popped up in the main ship tag around 6 hours later, digging up old interviews from Tim saying "Tommy did the water drop, just off screen" or expressing their disbelief that there were still people out there who thought Tommy didn't fly the air tanker.

I wanted to explain my reasoning, but I knew it would come across as needlessly confrontational, so I kept my mouth shut. I saw the pilot transfer theory gaining traction, I knew it was too crazy and too expensive for the show to pull off, but I kept my mouth shut. I even leaned into that theory at one point saying Tommy could be flying the helicopter in that stunt, but still the theory was hyped up more and more and its supporters were gradually getting more annoyed by me. I knew I would feel bad whether Tommy rappel into that cockpit or not, because on one hand, I hate that film with a burning passion, on the other, I basically stood back and watched everyone got their hopes way up then witnessed them getting crushed in real time.

Now Schrödinger's cat box is opened, without Tommy in it, I guess there's no need for me to self censor anymore. So here are some stuff I was too afraid to post when people were still deeply invested in their theory, before we all move on from this disaster arc.

The writers don't care about timeline, they can't even get when Tommy transferred out of the 118 right

Tommy supposedly left the 118 right before Buck joined, so 7 years ago, but in 7x09 Tommy said he joined Harbor 5 years ago. My very first post on this site is about this timeline conflict. My explanation was that it takes some years of training before you can even touch a helicopter at Air Ops (in real life LAFD sends you to LAPD for basic training), so Tommy probably only officially transferred to Harbor 5 years ago.

That led to a lot of comments saying the writers just didn't give a damn, they didn't care to google or get their story right, just accept it. But you don't even need to google. The description Tommy gave Buck in the Harbor tour scene was lifted straight from the LAFD Air Ops website, and you know what? If you scroll a little bit further down, you can clearly see the "at least two years of LAFD AIr Operations training line". It takes less than 5 minutes to read it all through.

Tim said Tommy did the water drop, so it's canon he flew that plane in 2x14

Someone pulled out Tim's interview specifically to disprove my CAL FIRE hc. Yeah, he did say Tommy did the water drop:

But I've never heard anyone from the show said Tommy was literally grabbing the yoke, pulling the thrust levers, flying the plane. A C-130 (or L-100 as the civilian variant) is not a single engine water scooper, it's a four engine monstrosity.

The heavier the plane, the faster it has to fly for the wings the generate enough lift to keep it in the sky, right? Well, in order to drop water/fire retardant in an accurate and effective fashion, the C-130 has to fly low and slow enough that the flight crew has to get used to hearing the "terrain! terrain! pull up!" and "stall! stall!" warnings at all time during a mission.

In fact, the C-130 water tanker usually flies behind a lead plane, most of the time a lighter business jet that surveys the area and plots the optimal route for the water drop. It fires a line of smoke to mark out the designated location for the payload, the C-130 behind it just has to release the water/fire retardant once the nose of the plane hit the trail of smoke.

That coordination is extremely cool.

The C-130 takes at the very least 3 crew members to fly: 2 pilots and a flight engineer, no fly-by-wire on this one, but it usually takes even more for a safer more accurate operation.

I can absolutely picture Tommy being one of the people sitting behind the pilots in 2x14. They didn't have a lead plane, so maybe the CAL FIRE guys asked him to pull his weight, since he was the one who asked for the favor and he was also an aerial firefighter, they needed an extra pair of professional eyes anyway. So technically he did the water drop, but he flew no plane that day. (I have a fully developed backstory in my head about Tommy's involvement in that episode, but unfortunately I'm not a good writer, and it'll probably piss people off more than it entertains them. It's about a clandestine mission à la 7x03 and Tommy's meet cute with his ex boyfriend)

If you've made it this far, you probably really like my blog or aviation stuff, and I think you for your support. At one point, I told myself I would leave the fandom behind if I saw one more post telling me to shut up, I got so closed to it. Now, reading post after post saying leaving the newly reintroduced pilot character out of the show's plane disaster arc is a missed opportunity just makes me, I don't know, kind of sad? I've always thought he's just a helicopter pilot, he wouldn't be much help in guiding the crippled jet down anyway, that I was right, but then what? It doesn't feel good to be right this time. I can accept not seeing Tommy working with the 118 on the ground, I can be patient and wait for a week longer for his presence, but accidentally annoying people with what I thought was fun trivia, watching hundreds of them clown on me for taking the show too seriously, for being a nitpicker, for being too obsessive, I don't think I can ever erase it from my mind.

Let's just hope we can all move on (mostly on my part), and I can return to making bad quality humorous gifs about our boys. I'll still post stuff about aviation, now that it's less controversial. If you're a brave soul you can go search for the tag I created for others to block (#aviation realism).

[starry-nights-garden]

Fuma ✧ Don’t go into the tall grass

✧ &Team Fuma x gn!reader ✧ words: ~2k ✧ genre: domestic fluff, some humor ✧ warnings: none

Desc.: In which your boyfriend Fuma teaches you how to play Pokemon and he doesn’t expect you to like it so much.

Author’s note: this was totally not written for @tomorrowxneverland who has never played Pokemon in her life <3 …yeah I got a little carried away while writing this, it wasn’t supposed to be nearly this long aklsjdöflksa but I hope you enjoyyy~!!!

“What…?” You watch as your boyfriend’s expression changes, his mouth opening and closing several times as the shock on his face grows, and eventually he manages to form words into a sentence. “What do you mean, you’ve never played Pokemon?!”

“I… have never played Pokemon is what I mean by that.”

“Yes, no, but!” Fuma attempts to say something, but his brain fails him. He’s been excitedly rambling about the topic for almost an hour now, and it’s not that you don’t like listening to him when he gets really into it. It’s just that you never really got the chance nor had any interest in playing the games when you were a kid, and so you have close to zero knowledge about Pokemon - except for a few names you’ve memorized as he was telling you about his collection, and, of course Pikachu, because who doesn’t know Pikachu? And now that you’ve reached a point in the conversation where he decided to ask you about your favourite Pokemon, you just couldn’t avoid addressing the elephant in the room anymore. 

“So yeah,” you start talking in hopes of helping the gears up in his head running smoothly again. “That’s why I can’t really tell you what my favourite is. Or who I always had on my team when playing because… I never did.”

“Well this is a huge problem…” He lifts his hand up to his face, covering half of his mouth as he seems to be sinking into thought, surrounded by some of his Pokemon plushies that he’s spread out on the floor as he was giving you some information about them. 

“What?” you snort. “Can’t date someone who’s never played Pokemon?” Your teasing is met with a strong reaction, your boyfriend immediately waving both his hands in front of his chest and shaking his head.

“Of course not!” he assures. “But… do you want to try? I think I have my old Nintendo somewhere here…”

“I mean… sure, why not?” you agree, and Fuma immediately jumps to his feet to take a few steps towards his wardrobe. Rummaging through a few boxes stored at the very bottom of it, it takes him only a few minutes to pull out the small game console, along with the charger and a rectangular box that can only be a Pokemon game. You’re amused by the few seconds of suspense as he tries to turn it on after sitting down next to you, and the sigh of relief that follows as the two screens light up. 

“Okay… I actually didn’t make all that much progress here so… it should be fine… to start a new game…” he mumbles more to himself than you, but the distress in his voice is evident.

“It’s fine, we can also play where you left off-” you attempt to assure him, but he’s already in the process of resetting the save file. 

“It’s fine,” he repeats. “I played the other version more, so that’s the one I’m really attached to.” You don’t really get what he’s saying, but you’re at least glad about the smile he’s showing you now. And then he starts the game for you and hands you the console.

The first few minutes are pretty self explanatory. You press A to advance in dialogue and tell the game whether you want to play as a girl or a boy and what your name is. There’s some old guy explaining stuff about the fictional world you’re about to enter, and that he’s a professor of some sort, and next thing you know you find your avatar waking up in what must be their room. For now your boyfriend is merely watching what you’re doing, but you can tell he’s using everything he has to keep himself from going on an excited rant and spoiling the entire story of the game for you. 

You don’t really pay much attention to the dialogue, wanting to get to the part where you get to catch some Pokemon soon, and luckily Fuma is right there to hint at what you should do next. You reach the part of the game where you have to walk out of what’s supposed to be your home village and follow your in-game friend.

“But I wanna go over there…” you protest, steering your avatar to the right. 

“Ah, you shouldn’t!” Fuma warns you.

“Why?”

“Didn’t you listen to your mother? There’s wild Pokemon in the tall grass, so you shouldn’t go in there yet!”

“But… if I wanna catch some, shouldn’t I go there…?”

“Yes, later,” he explains. “But you don’t have a single Pokemon on your team yet, and you need one to help you catch more!”

“And where do I get that…?” you ask, causing your boyfriend to chuckle at your impatience.

“Just keep playing for now. You’ll get there soon enough.” 

And just like he said, you do. You choose your starter Pokemon solely based on which of the three looks the cutest to you - Fuma praises you for your choice and explains that the first gym will be easy to beat with the one you picked - and complete your first battle without much trouble. The game teaches you the mechanics anyway, but still you have your boyfriend next to you telling you what to do if you’re unsure. 

“Is it fun?” he asks as the game is going over to the next day. 

“Yeah,” you answer absentmindedly, focusing your attention on the device in your hands. You hear him laughing softly at the image in front of him, and then he watches you play some more.

Eventually you get to the point where you have three Pokemon in your team, and somehow the directions your boyfriend is giving you are getting on your nerves a bit.

“It’s fine!” you tell him. “I think I got it now, let me try playing by myself!”

“Okay, okay…” he says, going quiet as he observes you. You run towards the next city you’re supposed to go to, and you don’t pay much mind to the two newly caught Pokemon both fainting, as your boyfriend had assured you earlier that you can always have them healed again. 

“I think it’s about time you-”

“I know,” you interrupt his attempted warning, not noticing how he watches your next move anxiously. Thanks to your starter Pokemon you manage to win the next fight, but now you find yourself wondering whether you should go back to the last village to heal them or keep walking towards the next one.

“Uhm, actually…” you speak up. “How far until I reach the next… uh… hospital?”

“The next city is still a bit away…” he willingly helps you. “But turning back is risky too. Don’t you have potions left?” You shake your head no. “I see… then you should probably go back to the last Pokemon center.”

“Okay.” So you turn around and you move, running right into a patch of tall grass, when you hear your boyfriend exclaiming next to you,

“Nooo, don’t r-... oh.” He lets out a sound of resignation as a wild Pokemon encounter gets triggered and you hear the unsettling warning sound signaling that your Pokemon only has a couple of HP left.

“So what do I do now?” you ask.

“Well, since you don’t have any potions left you’re gonna lose the battle and faint and then wake up at the last Pokemon center you visited,” Fuma explains calmly.

“Oh… and is that bad? Like, are there any consequences, like do I lose all my Pokemon?”

“No,” Fuma lets out a short laugh. “Nothing bad actually happens, aside from the humiliation of losing at a kid’s game.” You shoot him an empty look as the screen of the console in your hands goes black and it causes him to chuckle. “I’m kidding, it’s okay,” he says, now speaking softly and he extends his hand to pat your head once. “Just so you know for next time - Pokemon tend to appear more if you run through tall grass instead of walking slowly.”

“Oh…”

“It’s fine, everyone learns the hard way that you should always carry enough potions with you and better turn back sooner rather than later to get your team healed. But also…” He puts an arm around your shoulders and then points his chin at the window in his room. “I think it’s about time we get some food.”

“No.” Your immediate response makes him chuckle.

“No?”

“Just until I’m at the first gym.” And now Fuma laughs, leaning back and stretching his back with his hands up in the air.

“That will take waaaaay too long,” he explains. “I’ll have starved by then.”

“Then you get some food and I stay here.”

“Y/N,” he calls out your name, trying to sound strict but he still ends up talking more softly than he wants. “You need to eat well if you want to become the Champ!”

“The what?” 

“Right, you don’t know what that is either…” He lets out a sigh. And then, after a second of collecting his thoughts, he reaches out to capture your chin between his thumb and index finger, turning your head to make you look at him properly. “I’ll explain that to you while we’re eating, okay?”

“Hmpf…” You pout at him like a five year old would as their mom tells them to stop playing a game, but the smile he shows you as his gaze slowly wanders down to your lips stirs up an entirely different set of emotions deep within you.

“Come on,” he says. “We can play more later.”

“Only if I get a kiss…” you try to bargain, but Fuma just laughs at you and then he gets up.

“Come get it then,” he says, walking towards the door of his room slowly, giving you enough time to rise to your feet as well and to catch up with him. He willingly lets you spin him around as you reach him, and he meets you in the middle as you lean in to kiss him. His lips move against yours gently as he sets the pace and you have your palms placed on his shoulders to hold onto him. Too soon does he pull away, shooting you a grin that tells you you fell into his trap, but when you kiss him again you catch him off guard. And then, once you part you spin on your heels and walk back to where you had put the game console.

“Go get some food now,” you say, sitting back down and returning your full attention to the game. “I’ll tell you if I get stuck somewhere.” You hear your boyfriend letting out a massive sigh of disbelief over how him trying to trick you turned into him getting tricked himself. However, he knows any effort to try and convince you one more time to put the game down would only be in vain, so he simply accepts it and disappears out the door. 

You don’t think much of it anymore, simply focusing on the game in front of you, but when a few minutes later you hear him entering the room again, you look up in surprise.

“Not eating? Oh.” He sits down right next to you with a bowl of more leftovers than he can eat by himself, and as he holds out a bite to you, you find yourself grinning from ear to ear.

“Thanks,” you mumble, accepting the food he’s holding out to you, and bumping your head into his shoulder as you continue to play.

[a-cure-for-hysteria]

A RANT ABOUT PARTY DRUGS AND PSYCHIATRIC DRUGS

(Expect little cohesion, don’t want to edit this after writing)

Another thing about medicine (both psychiatric and otherwise) is the lies we - collectively - tell ourselves about them. After seeing Dopesick on HBO, even my most conservatives relatives would agree that it’s “such a shame about that girl” and “who’s to say we wouldn’t end up like that with her life”. Basic empathy - finally - but bear with me.

The characters in Dopesick are pretty much fine until they are so tolerant or have been on Oxy so long that no doctor is willing to prescribe more. Then, they’re off to the streets, doing anything they can for oxy, heroin, later fentanyl. The only thing they had in common was some sort of injury happen to them, and a doctor sponsored by Purdue Pharma.

Personally, I have (due to a long list of diagnoses, of which none have been revoked as I got new ones, for some reason) automatically renewed prescriptions in almost all the drug categories. I have amphetamines, cannabinoids, zolpidem, pregabalin and benzodiazepines. If I ask nicely and have a good reason, I get Oxy too - luckily for me, my body has some sort of allergic reaction to opioids, so addiction is unlikely.

However, my cornucopia of legally prescribed substances is a constant, looming threat to my continued well-being, made even more so by the fact that I need them to survive. I just have to NOT go overboard. Sometimes that’s easy, sometimes it’s hard.

I’m 30-something now. I live a pretty calm life - child free with cats and a loving partner, somewhere in rural Northern Europe. Before that, I partied hard. I’ve tasted all the substances for fun (and later; out of social necessity) and let me tell you - the effect I get from a rail of amphetamine snorted from a CD cover at 02:47 AM on a Wednesday, at a party (three tweakers in a dirty apartment) I’d never attend sober… that clear, ready feeling, it’s the same as what I get from 60 mg of Vyvanse each morning.

“People with real ADHD don’t get high from their meds!” you might say. Your ignorance is forgiven. There is so much we don’t know about the brain, about ADHD (if it’s even ONE thing and not several, if it’s generic or trauma or both) and let me tell you - me being high on my meds IS what makes me do the dishes. Go to work. Remember how my partner feels before I take all the dinner scraps without asking if they’ve eaten. I am high. I have taken speed at parties and I know. Every day, I know.

There is no inherent difference between the speed you do at a party and the speed your doctor gives you. Sometimes prescribed speed is tied up with lysine, making you wait an hour before it kicks. Sometimes you get BAD speed at parties - levoamphetamine and not dextroamphetamine. Sometimes it’s cut with bad stuff. But - it’s the same. It’s the same it’s the same it’s the same.

I am as addicted as the guy living under the bridge. However, I get to call it meds and everyone is so happy about my go-getter attitude at work, and how I am a valuable asset to the company. My partner rejoices upon learning I now do my half of the chores. My mom says I seem happier, more well-adjusted. A friend tells me she considered just leaving me alone because I never seemed to get my shit together, but now my shit IS together. Nice!

I recently upped my dose from 30 to 2 x 30 mg Vyvanse. No problem - it even says so on the prescription that I can. I’ve been taking out two boxes at the pharmacy every month, but haven’t taken the correct dose since I started. I just didn’t need to, except now and then on stressful days. Now I need 60 mg, and it doesn’t even feel like 30 did in the start. What happens when 60 is no longer enough for me to feel the high that allows me to get anything done? And, am I lying to myself? Would 30 have been fine? I need, need, need the clear, ready feeling. And I need to get shit done. I need people to be happy with me.

Yes, that’s it. I need people to be happy around me. Is there a rehab for that?

[natashasbitxh]

Finally got to see Peter Pan Goes Wrong in West End with Charlie Russell, Matthew Cavendish, Greg Tannahill, Matthew Howell, Harry Kershaw, Clark Devlin, Jamie Birkett, Chris Leask, Ellie Morris, and Jean-Luke Worrell! They were all amazing, I thought I'd share some of my fav bits! (Warning: There's a lot)

• Firstly, programme stuff: the note from the director basically just being Chris and Trevor arguing like a married couple. Chris being too scientific and Trevor having to remind him it's supposed to be festive.

● Them leaving a note asking if anybody was a flying operator as they didn't currently have one😭

• Robert leaving the children of the Cornley Youth Theatre abandoned in a forest with limited food and knives,to prepare for their performance of Lord of the Flies. NSPCC and police had to intervene, 2 of the children are still missing today (Ben McIntyre and Sarah Cordell)

• Jonathon's interview where's he's practically begging the interviewer to take note he was 'fashionably late', when he was actually waiting for 6 hours.

• Jonathon saying (in the interview), he's been focusing on humanitarian work, such as adopting a child from Ethiopia and a child from Vietnam. And then the interviewer just replied with "That is Brad Pitt. Everything you have just said is about Brad Pitt and not yourself."

• In the cast section, Chris Bean writing "I would like to remind my father that there is a spare ticket at the box office for him if he chooses to show up." That's so sad😭

• Trevor's section ended with "trevorzbeatz/YouTube.co.uk" 😭

• Pip (assistant stage manager) just says: "They call me Big Pip up north. Trevor's cousin. Out and about and that. Nice one." Like okay yh me too Big Pip

• They tried to feed the crocodile an alarm clock😭 (RIP Nadia tho😔)

• Annie left a little note saying she's "looking for a man" and then there's some description of what she's (not) looking for

• A page saying welcome to the theatre, but it is still very much in character😭 "Director Chris Bean always fulfils his promise of giving us a show we will remember for a very long time."

•Pre-show antics: one of the assistant stage managers (I'm gonna guess Pip? Not too sure tho) was walking around looking for a hammer. I noticed that he'd act like he was looking around and then when he spotted a child he'd go and ask them. I thought that was cute🥹

• I couldn't see the wires going through the audience cause I had seats up high, but I did see Robert pulling the end of the wire whilst on stage with the help of an audience member

• Dennis was late I think, ran across the stage from the audience with a bag on

• Lucy suddenly ran off stage, Robert not far behind shouting things like "You have to do it!" (And then later on she ran back on stage,but it seemed Robert got caught up in a convo)

• Now onto the actual show, I thought Dennis singing les mis due to his headgear was pretty funny seeing as les mis was about a door or 2 down

• At one point we were clapping for something (can't remember what, but it was during the beginning Darling Family scene), and Max joined in with the clapping. Sandra had to tell him to stop with a pointed glare and a lil hand gesture

• Every appearance with Robert as the shadow was amazing, I know it's simple but I'm always impressed with the rug pull and the way he lands

• During the bit where there's too much smoke and it engulfs the pirates, Trevor comes to the rescue but does hit Chris in the arse by accident, christrev anybody?

• I will forever love Robert trying to get Dennis to pick up the sword, Dennis picking up the boat paddle and Robert going on a rant about how he's been moving his arms for the past 5 mins why would he need the paddle

• During the interval the lights would still go out occasionally, fun touch

• As Jonathan flew up before crashing down, a banner fell down with Robert holding a bean, a reference of his show Jack and the bean

• Before this, I'd only seen the BBC recorded version of Peter Pan Goes Wrong, so I rlly enjoyed the changes. Such as the mermaids, but I RLLY laughed at Robert being the Mr Bumble in Oliver that killed a child. Especially when he went to be Peter Pan before starting to sing 'Food, Glorious Food"

• The whole poison bit was incredible, Harry's improv was on FIRE. We obvs did the traditional pantomime business which made Chris mad, he very much gave teacher vibes as he sat down on the set and said it was our own time we were wasting. He also complained that this was only the matinée and they still had an evening performance to get to. Then he pointed out how somebody in the audience was hissing, "Nobody goes to a show and says 'Yeah it was good but the person in the fourth row wouldn't stop hissing'" (this resulted in a lot of children hissing whenever he appeared on stage). Then when it got to the poison bit, a child was yelling at him to hurry up, causing Chris to go on a rant about how he didn't even want children there, sitting there on their booster seats. After the child yelled at him multiple times, Chris gave up and told the child to open it for him, which they did. Then as he was leaving, we were booing again and he was like "NO NO DONT BOO ME, IT WAS THE CHILD THAT POISIONED HIM." Then as he exited, he said something along the lines of "blame the child murderer." It was insane.

• Then, when Peter asked who would try to poison him, Tink/Annie pointed at the child that opened the bottle. I think Chris Leask actually had to turn his head downwards and to the side to hide his laughing.

• I've pointed this out before, but I'm so endeared with how worried Chris was when Annie was unconscious. HE KNEELED THERE HOVERING OVER HER BODY JUST LIKE TOUCHING HER FACE, NOT SPEAKING FOR AWHILE. Adorable. Every characters reaction was adorable...sorry Annie

• I just have to say Francis' Cabaret performance to distract us from Annie was amazing. Loved the audience clapping along as well and the rest of the cast looking absolutely shocked and confused

• I loved that we heard a whole marriage fall apart through Dennis' headgear. I want to know more abt them, the husband that took over to help Dennis sounded sweet

• When Lucy slid down the ship in her wheelchair she was flung out and then caught by Trevor in a sort of bear hug, Lucy's legs wrapped around his torso. Trevor was SEVERELY judging the cast HE WAS NOT HAPPY WITH THEM. They're besties ur honour, I thought it was so cute

• Loved Francis' Cabaret performance again during the big fight scene with the set moving.

• Trevor saying something like "You've got to be joking" when Lucy picked up the book 😭

• I wanted to scream laugh at Chris lying in the bed like an ill victorian child as Lucy closed up the story, and then Dennis choosing to lie on the squished bottom bunk

• As Lucy continued to read, Chris, Sandra, Trevor, Dennis, and Max were all checking up on one another in the background. Hugs, shoulder grabs. Guys, I love Sandra and Chris' dynamic so much, Sandra was making sure he got off the bed alright and then gave him a hug

• Of course the whole end song, Max as the crocodile encouraging us to clap

It was so amazing, everybody was fantastic!! My jaw still aches from laughing so hard! Hope ppl found this interesting cause I always love when other ppl share what happened during their show😭

[itzpristelle]

In the Heights (ft. Russell x Vinnie x Sunil)

Sunil, Vinnie, and Russell revisit some old memories in Russell's childhood treehouse.

===

“Say, uh- your treehouse is so cool, Rusty! We should start hanging out here more,” a young Vinnie beamed at his friend seated across him.

“Trying to distract me with compliments so I forget to shout the important word? Not a chance!” Russell glared at Vinnie, before placing down his second-to-the-last card, “UNO!”

“Aw, man, I was looking forward to giving you the shame of having to pick up a few extra cards…” Vinnie said, dealing one of his cards as well.

And with that, Russell placed down his last one, “I win! Gimme the cards you have left so I can count the score.”

“Hnngg- fineee,” Vinnie did so, handing them over in defeat.

"So, I take that you two are done?" Sunil was sitting in the corner of the treehouse. He looked up from the child's magazine he was reading to look at his friends.

"Mhm. And even better, I win!" Russell cheered.

"Not fair!" Vinnie crossed his arms.

"Well, maybe you should have been a bit more strategic."

"How much strategy can I really use? If you want strategy, let's play something else."

"Okay, fine. Do you wanna play Monopoly next time then?"

"…N-nevermind. Let's stick to UNO…"

"Umm…" Sunil stepped between his two friends, "Hey! Uh, I was reading this magazine, and… I found an idea that might be really cool to try!"

"An idea? For what?" Vinnie asked, curiosity piqued.

"You know how we keep growing?"

"I mean, of course. It's a natural part of human life, where we grow and develop our minds and bodies as time goes on-"

"Okay, nerd, we get it," Vinnie interrupted Russell's little monologue.

"Hey! You say nerd as if it's an insult."

"Get to the cool idea, Sunil!!"

"Uh, w-well… Russell, is it okay if we write on the walls of your treehouse?"

"As long as it's easily washable, maybe."

"Would chalk work?"

"Sure."

"Alright! So, I was thinking… what if we marked our heights? And- let's say, every year, we can record how much taller we've gotten!"

"Sunil, that's a genius idea!" Vinnie exclaimed.

"Yeah, we could totally do that! Lemme just go back down to ask my dad for some chalk," Russell said, opening the door to exit the treehouse, and climbing down the ladder.

"Woah. You guys actually want to try the idea?"

"Why not? It sounds fun!" Vinnie said, "You're so smart Sunil, you know?"

Sunil blushed at the compliment, "I-I guess…"

"Found some!" Russell climbed back into the treehouse, a box of chalk in his hand.

"Let's start then!"

The three boys got to work, though not without a few obstacles.

"We'll mark our own spots with the same color as our hair!" Russell declared, bringing out a green chalk from the box, "Vinnie, you can go first. Alright, so, take off your shoes just for a bit, and stand right there… hey, no tiptoeing! There we go. And… done!"

Once all their heights were charted, they took to making observations.

"Hmm… I'd say generally, we're all the same height right now," Russell started, "And differences are minimal."

"So no teasing about who is shortest or tallest?" Sunil asked.

"Nah. Not yet, at least," Vinnie whispered to himself.

"Yet?!" Sunil cried out.

"Hey, you never know! Russell said it during his nerdy rant- we'll keep growing! And what if we don't grow the same amount? Then there's gonna be one of us who's shorter."

"Fair point, Vinnie," Russell said, putting one arm around each of his friends, "Though, I like to think that one day, we'll all grow big and tall!"

"Yeah!!!"

Several years later….

"Well. Introducing our relationship to Jerry went better than I thought!" Vinnie stretched his arms up above his head, feeling the cool breeze of the evening air hit his skin.

Russell and Sunil followed. The three of them found themselves in the backyard of Russell's childhood home.

"I'll say. I felt like I was gonna faint back there..!" Russell put a hand on his forehead, a bit dizzy…

Sunil knelt on the ground and took hold of Russell's back, pressing a little kiss to his cheek, "Russell, relax. It went well! And we're still here, together. We don't have to worry about it anymore."

Russell felt himself smile.

"Th-thank you…"

"Anytime, dearest."

"No, I mean. In general. For everything. And to both of you. Thanks for sticking with me."

"We're your boyfriends, Rusty! You think we wouldn't?" Vinnie bent down to join the hug.

Russell relished in the sensation. Vinnie and Sunil. Love. Warm, fuzzy, happiness…

"Hey, Russell?" Vinnie said, "Can I ask something?"

"Anything."

"The old treehouse… is it safe to go up there?"

"The treehouse?" Sunil asked, "It's been a long time since we've last been in there, don't you think? It might have been worn down by the elements, or…" Sunil shuddered, "…eugh, perhaps bugs have taken over."

"If what my dad said is true, he's been looking after the treehouse all these years. Even though, well, it's been forever since-“

"Good enough for me!" Vinnie said, already climbing up the ladder to the treehouse, "Come on!"

"I- Vinnie! WAIT! WAIT FOR US!"

Sunil and Russell followed right after.

-

"I know it is the fact that we grew, but it more so feels like this place shrunk…" Sunil said, crawling around the perimeter of the little treehouse. If he stood up at full height, he'd have to bend, which wasn't very comfortable. He'd rather much crawl, in such a case.

Russell and Vinnie were a bit luckier- while Vinnie had to duck a few headboards here and there, he could still walk and stand well enough. Russell could just walk normally like he does anywhere else.

"Your dad wasn't lying when he said he's been taking care of this place… The goddamn electricity still works!" Vinnie repeatedly flicked the light switch, watching as the bulb that hung by the ceiling switched between on and off, on and off, on and-

Russell grabbed Vinnie's hand and pulled it away from the switch, "Please don't do that."

"Okay okay! Sorry."

"Either way- I think my dad moved a lot of the things back into my room in the house-" Russell talked as he approached a toy box in the corner of the treehouse, opening its lid, "-though a few things are still here- Monopoly, surprisingly. And…"

"Oh hey, my UNO deck!" Vinnie reached into the box and grabbed the aforementioned card game. "I was wondering where it went! I knew it was probably somewhere in here."

"Well, that's one happy reunion. Hey, Sunil! Come on, there are a few things we can check out in this box, and- Sunil?"

Sunil was elsewhere- physically and mentally. He was seated in front of one of the walls of the tree house, reminiscing…

"Oh, right. Our little height chart," Russell approached Sunil. He took a seat next to him and leaned on his shoulder, "Been a while, huh?"

"Mhm…" Sunil hummed, "I'm surprised rainwater hasn't washed the chalk away. It looks so fresh and new."

"Like Dad said, he's been taking care of the place. Maybe he redrew over the old lines to keep them looking new?"

"That seems likely."

Vinnie, from behind the two of them, said, "Hey, idea- what if we recorded our heights right now?"

Sunil scoffed, "If you are willing to break the ceiling so I can stand properly? Then sure."

The three of them shared a laugh.

"I don't think it'd be a problem for itty-bitty Rusty over here." Vinnie chuckled.

"Hey! I grew, like, what? One foot? Two?" Russell retorted playfully, "Not that bad, right?"

Vinnie finally took a seat- just next to Russell, leaving Russell sandwich between the two.

"I don't think it matters. You're our Russell, and we like you just the way you are."

Sunil nodded in agreement, "Absolutely."

"Oh? Awww…"

Russell must have done something very good to deserve these two.

===

Day 18: tree house

🎶 I must have done something gooooddd…. 🎶

Aaaaand yeah I think i'll start putting summaries for the fics now.

I intended this to be a platonic thing but whoops my hand slipped I wrote polyboys.

this fic is very specific to my humanizations, since Russell is shown to be the shortest one. not just out of the boys, but like- all of the main 7 lol.

[pure-ablution]

Hi Kitty,

This is a bit embarrassing but I've never really learned how to study. I got through school by cramming and creating positive relationships with teachers and professors. I've signed up for a very difficult comprehensive finance exam (CFA) at the end of August and I'm deathly afraid of it--I've barely made a dent in the material and I'm honestly so lost about how to approach such a gargantuan task. Do you have tips for developing a study routine and getting through vast quantities of material when it feels almost hopeless? I've tried to stick to study routines before but have never been successful at it. I saw that you mentioned having ADHD and this is something I struggle with too.

Thank you!

You have 6 months to improve your study habits, learn a lot of material, and prepare for your exam—it’s a lot, but it’s totally doable.

The first thing I would recommend is looking at resources specifically aimed at those taking the CFA. Different exams require different approaches, and it’s so helpful to know what’s expected of you. I’ve quickly looked on Google, and it seems there’s a subreddit specifically for the exam—this is great news! I would definitely avoid spending long hours scrolling through it, because most of the posts are going to be long rants and lamentations from fellow exam-takers, but if you search strategically for recommended resources and study techniques, it could be really helpful. I’d also suggest looking for official textbooks and unofficial study guides (download both for free if you can; this should be easy considering how popular the exam is) and any well-made YouTube resources.

Once you understand the format and expectations of the exam, and the structure of the content, then you need to create a study timeline. When you have ADHD, you naturally want to leave everything until the last minute and cram like crazy, but what actually works for you is likely to be studying a little amount each and every day. When I prepared for my university entrance exams, I did one past paper every day—and absolutely nothing more than that. It was the first time I’d really been so structured and diligent in my revision, and it paid off, because I scored an unheard-of 100% in that exam rather than my usual upper end of average. This method is also really good for easing the nerves and jitters, because it lets you tick off your daily tasks, visibly see your progress, and reassure yourself that you’re doing enough and that you’re on the right track. You need to break down the study material into manageable daily chunks, regularly review and refresh it, and just keep moving forward.

Specific techniques: personally, I learn best from analogue methods. This might not work for you, but it works best for me and for my other friends with ADHD, too. Writing my notes by hand, and making physical flashcards and putting them into a Leitner box, is what helps everything stick in my brain. You have enough time to experiment, so try digital notes, flashcard software like Anki, paper notes, mindmaps, etc. until you find something that feels comfortable. I personally love a physical Leitner box for flashcards, sticking to the pomodoro technique, and following my own exam revision schedule detailed here.

Please send me another ask or write to me privately if this hasn’t covered all of your questions, but in the meantime, I hope this is helpful!

[zhoras-bitch]

I'd like to hear about your vendetta with TCH xD

I am so sorry for taking so long to answer! It’s completely on me, I’ve just been busy and I knew that once I went into the rant mode, it would take a while, so I had to put the ask away for a while. You have no idea what you're getting yourself into, please, take a seat lmao.

Keep in mind I’ve only read 4 chapters of book 2 (I will finish it… eventually…), so this is all about book 1.

TL;DR I hate TCH for not being what I wish it was. It combines aspects that I love with aspects I vehemently despise, and it frustrates me endlessly. Kieran is fucked up in ways that are entirely uncompelling to me. Radiance is fucked up in ways that are extremely compelling to me, but they are not the main character. It would be easier if I could just tear TCH to shreds like the shitty books of the Choices library, but unfortunately… it’s an objectively a good piece of writing (I say, clenching my teeth so hard blood starts running down my chin).

The writing is so poetic. The soundtrack is perfect. Visually, the book fucks so hard. The secondary characters are fantastic. Leaf is the love of my life. The fae and the twisted fairy tale are some of my all time favourite tropes/aesthetics. I should adore this book. 

…Then there is the romance.

(OK this is the part where I go into the petty complaints. Please don’t come to me explaining how these things make sense narratively, I KNOW.)

Kieran and MC are every trope I hate in romance novels. Cold, brooding LI with anger management issues (which are considered sexy for some reason). MC, who is in every way inferior to LI dynamic-wise (as in peasant-prince, mortal-immortal, strong-weak etc.) Also that trope when being good and compassionate makes a character naive like a freaking five year old. That kink thing when LI is so tall and strong and MC is so small and weak and LI overwhelms them physically and that particular brand of ‘sexy’ violence they do in the ‘BDSM’ scenes. Withholding (or failing to communicate) information about their world that is crucial for MC’s survival, like ‘Hey btw MC, since you’re human, you should probably know that most fae are racist dipshits who treat humans like pets, brainwash them and force them to do their bidding with magic. FYI.’

And a bit more on the anger management issues thing (ugh, this is the hardest part to articulate but let’s try). The way Kieran is written — at least in the first half of the book or so — just didn’t make me feel for them. Them lashing out makes sense given their backstory, but it’s some combination of those reactions being so overblown and the way they themselves reacted to those outbursts afterwards (not trying to make things right or showing some indication of remorse or trying to do better) just rubbed me the wrong way. I just, don’t like when people use trauma to excuse being shitty towards others, and that’s what the narrative was kind of doing with Kieran to me. Like, I understand their curse took away their heart, but did it take away their ability to say ‘sorry’ too? Because I don’t remember that part. And of course they change for the better in the latter half of the book, but that initial irritation really spoiled the well for me, and I just can’t enjoy his character anymore. (I told you this is petty.)

Also, in a book full of gender non-conforming fae in flowing silks and glittery makeup, they force me to romance the most conventionally masculine, minimalistic black suit wearing tall and dark one that looks like 90% of the romantic fantasy LIs? Insulting (jk).

In contrast, Radiance checks all the boxes on the list of things I do like in fictional characters. (I mean, I love Aerin, so this should come as no surprise.) In the ’dark is not evil’/‘light is not good’ dichotomy, I am always more fascinated with the latter. The Sun Court’s ostentatious purity and nobility masking their true rotten, egotistical and manipulative nature drives me insane in the best way possible. And Radiance is the embodiment of all those qualities in a human form (with cute fluffy hair!). They are a manipulative, calculating, power hungry bitch in sheep’s clothing and they are so good at being that, which, hot? They are also a product of their fucked up upbringing, which promotes them from ‘there’s something wrong with them <3’ to ‘poor little meow meow’ levels of brainrot to me. They turned their sister into a bear for power. They also love her deeply. My point is, every time they are on screen, TCH is a 12/10 book for me. Then it cuts back to Kieran's bullshit and I'm forced to remember the book is not about them.

So that’s the gist of it, I think. Thanks for the ask! It took forever, but it was strangely vindicating to write out? Lol.

[pageofheartdj]

Hi! Autistic aroace anon here!

Can I say I got all gushy when you said “I love your rants”? I’m not even sure if it was indeed for me but I was all

Also, YEAS!! Exactly!! I dislike, although I get it, how the fandom goes “they only fit in this box”, no! They’re amazing and we’re so involved with them bc they got layers!! I love rottmnt rather than any other tmnt franchise bc THEY. GOT. LAYERS!! (They’re onions, Shrek!)

It’s the first time you CAN’T define them by a word. “Oh Raph’s the violent one, leo’s the leader, Mikey’s the clown and Donnie’s the nerd”. NO! They finally went and showed who’s these characters truly are (also, kinda controversy opinion, but bayverse kinda did that as well, but not as good, they got layers there but still kinda.. not rlly) ((I love that movie but once again hate the sexual-romantic tension btw April and the turtles. Bc its always only that!!! For her to end up with Casey ANYWAY!!!))

•cough• SO! We finally get to see how Raph is still head on on stuff and kinda short fuse, but that’s bc he cares and worries and is overprotective. And with the other brothers as well, you have no idea how HAPPY I was when Donnie got in the fight and wasn’t a helpless nerd whose only trait is computers, like in the others. Yeah, he asks for help (his comedic “help! Help heeeelp!” In the giant bird episode is amazing), but it’s not only him, all of them do at some point.

They finally showed who they are and why they’re like this! So the fandom taking away this important trait of them always makes me go feral.

My memory suck but I think I remember what your asks were, so YA! =3 (Plus I think you are the only one who gives me this long asks?? I think???XD)

Like I get flanderization in fandoms, especially when there is no new material, and fans are playing so much with fanons, they kinda get lost in it too much, so they forget the canon and strip off the characters of some of their traits!

Like, 'I like this one trait/I want to explore this trait more', this is liked by many, it gets explored some more and in the end people forget that it wasn't the only trait and it wasn't even that prevalent in the first place. Like Donnie's touch aversion. Some wanted to explore it, cause autism and all that and that's fair. But after some point people forget that he is aversed like 10% of the time. Which is NOT a lot, not the way people write him 'he is in a good mood so he bares his brothers touching him for a few seconds' =/

I won't say other versions didn't explore turtles characters cause I don't remember much xD I just know the basic characterisations. And I LOVE Rises spin on them!! Raph is still hot headed and angry, but he also directs it into aggressive protection and it feels REALLY nice, not just 'I am angry cause I am' xD Like I am sure other versions are protective too, they suppose to care, but I dunno, I don't remeeember if it was explained as well as with Rise Raph x) I like Rise Leo even more cause he is much more different from other versions while still having his core characteristics, like he is smart and observant and strategic, that's so cool!!! But he was not burdened by being a leader so he is a goof, which is kind of similar to 2012 Leo xD Donnie is just. Superb in every way xD He can fight, he LIKES fighting, he LOVES creating his tech for fighting XD Mikey doesn't need to be The funny one, cause they all are <3 So he gets a bit of different role that still feels similar <3 (Can't say much about Bayvesre caaaause I just can't get behind not 2D xD That's why I just couldn't stick with 2012, barely finished S1 xD)

[name-s-are-not-important]

Woah, the anon who got mad over a story a stranger writes in their free time and posts on the internet for free, was hilarious actually. I almost laughed.

To the point: Your answer to their ask inspired me to ask my own question - would you like to maybe share some historical inspirations that lead you to create The Iron Song the way it is? Or maybe drop some more historical facts; the one about ages of royals' marriages was really neat.

Wish you a nice week, love your stories, byeee~

I laughed too, what a beautiful scene.

Oh wow, I love this question…. You have hereby opened Pandora's box, dear questioner, for this is a subject I love and could rant about endlessly. So, get ready, here's the short version :) (Thank you so much for this question!).

Alternate versions of a story when we change one detail in the whole course of events. This is a construct that has fascinated me for a long time, and which, as part of an ‘exercise’ in history and social theory repetition, I have long used. We take one event out of a process or add an event that wasn't there. What impact will it have if we leave the rest. In this case it was a change of two elements, i.e. Halt's disappearance became a more important event than in the canon because…. well… and this is where my undying love of fantasy and quasi-mythological stories reappeared, hinting at a magic-fantasy setting, but with ‘canon-ish’ realism. No dragons, but with magic. The second element to be knocked out of the sequence of events is Caitlyn's death. Caitlyn is fine and the second most important character besides Halt. What's happening politically, socially, plot-wise now that we have a strong princess who is, to put it lightly, pissed off at what happened to her dear brother. We have a mother who will fight for her child no matter what, we have a sister who will stand up against her brother to protect her brother. We have a princess for whom the nation will go to war, in an age of sexism, misogyny, patriarchy and a prevailing religion that despises women. How did this happen?

I love the role of women in history. I hate the version of history we are taught in schools, kings without mothers or wives who ruled and killed and died, and women in general were there but are not. Hundreds of books in ‘medieval’ realities wonderfully replicate this pattern. One female character per plot and that's enough. Absolutely no RA book would pass the Bechdel test. Not a single one of them. We have so many guys all birthed by women. We have a princess heir to the throne, a bunch of couriers, a queen, a queen mother…. and none are important enough to get even one scene with another woman to talk not about a guy. So my story will be half about Caitlyn, half about Halt. The sequel to ‘the Iron Song’ is already about Caitlyn. That much I can reveal. She is the main character. Give me more strong female characters who are strong beyond the fact that they say they are different from all the girls and are so much more masculine that they can deserve to be cool.

Erasing queer love in the pages of history. We know that history hates queer lovers. A few couples have managed to survive this hatred. We know that Achilles killed Hector only to avenge Patroclus. The grief of how many other Achilles was never recognised as their official reason for changing the course of history? How many Patroklos were buried in oblivion by books written before clerical historians, altered centuries later, censored and castigated? And how many women, queer women, have never moved beyond being ‘dear friends’ with their loved ones? I wanted a story where every important character would be queer. A story about a civil war heroes who met on two sides of the barricade, in love with each other and forced to fight each other. Soldiers who gave up the option of a comfortable life just to be with each other even a few days longer, in danger but together.

Again women, but this time mothers. Such as Eileen, but also such as Caitlyn, and such as Rosalind, and such as Siobhan, and such as several others whose names the plot has not yet given us. Women who was never cared about and whose names we don't know or remember because no one considered them important enough to be recorded in history.

The tragedy of civil wars. My country's history is littered with uprisings. For more than a century we did not exist on maps, trapped under the occupation of three other countries. When ww1 erupted, people called to serve in the occupying forces were pitted against each other. Shoulder to shoulder with the people who had occupated them, but against their neighbours who already belonged to another country. Brothers against brothers, acquaintances, friends. All because someone in power decided the fate of hundreds of thousands. The canon speaks of civil war, but from the POV of a king betrayed by a baron. I like Duncan, I love Duncan, but he was not the person most devastated by the war. He lost his wife later, but saved his daughter. Thousands of people went to fight for him and never came back…. In the history of probably every country there are plenty of dates marked with the notation ‘war’. The king died, long live the king. How many hundreds lay in the ground splashed with the blood of other hundreds is irrelevant to history. What matters is that the king is still there. And if he is gone, another one will be put on the throne.

Religious trauma. Yes, generational, and that of mine a little too. Without going into private details, the topic of religious trauma and its impact on society and the formation of social, behavioural and even legal norms is something that has interested me for a long time. This time I created a new religion, just for the purpose of this story. I was not inspired by any existing religion and if there are elements in common with any, it is a work of chance. This religion was meant to be the most atrocious form of violence against the most innocent, so that the full extent of the revulsion of what kind of person still supports it can be seen. The idea of cutting a child with a knife to rub an infusion of herbs and incense into the wound is meant to horrify and disgust. We experience this religion from the POV of people who have been harmed by it. Directly, like Halt and Óengus, or indirectly, like Caitlyn, or by stories in general, but still, like Crowley. And then we get into the head of someone who was so sure of his faith that he would sacrifice everything and everyone for it. Religious fanaticism, especially mixed with politics, its social effects, the propagation of religion by fire and sword, or in general the idea of religion being imposed on someone by force for the grace of a deity…. all this I wanted to show as horrifyingly as possible, before looking at it from the perspective of the people who grew up with it in a less cruel form than Halt, and the people it gave power to.

Family trauma and violence within the family, especially a high-profile one. Children in good clothes and in a rich home. Screaming behind closed doors. Now it is talked about, but so many centuries of these cries have passed and no one listened to them. In the records we find references to the fact that some king there was ‘eager to anger’. That is to say, he probably beat his wife, children, servants and anyone else who got near. And all of these people had stories that were not told.

8. Brothers but enemies, enemies but brothers. My beloved concept. Right next to unreliable narrator and haunted narrative.

9. Military history, especially medieval history. I love it. It makes my blood boil when I read the ‘bigos’ made by many authors who write about the ‘Middle Ages’. For non-Slavic: bigos is a dish made of cabbage, bacon and sausage, but it was often made with whatever you could find in the pantry after a week's work. A heavy, indigestible, not-so-good-for-your-belly-even-if-smells-yummy bigos. Such is the ‘bigos’ of military history, weaponry, military formations, armour, castles, architectural styles, ways of fighting and commanding an army that is made into many books. I fell in love with ken-jitsu at one time, and then fencing because of it. My country also has a very long history of knights and one heavily-armed cavalry, of which some misunderstood patriotism people are veeery proud. Anyway, this is the knowledge that everyone remembers from the most famous historical movies. It didn't help my special interest in the military through the ages to not develop.

10. The 10th, and probably last, eves of major historical changes. We remember dates when things changed. But how did it change? Well, the king changed. Why? What was happening one, two, ten years before? Sometimes some teachers tell us, and praise them for that, but generally it's just about remembering dates and events. But history is about people. People made it happen. Someone once hit the table one too many times and changed the world. Someone else hit him and there are two political parties with the same idea but great hatred towards each other. Someone else risked everything to protect his family. Who was he in history, a traitor, a hero, a fool or a loving brother/husband/son? Or maybe it all depends on whose song we listen to….

And now 3 funfacts, if anyone made it all the way here - congratulations!!!

The most known type of armour, the full plate armour appeared in the late Middle Ages (14th-15th centuries). It was composed of metal plates joined by leather straps to shield the knight from the blows of swords, lances and arrows. It weighed approximately 20-30 kg. A tunic with an embroidered coat of arms, the knight's family mark, was sometimes placed over the breastplate. Armour was bloody expensive, so if someone could afford it, they were rich and important, and unlikely to fight with a sword against just anyone. The heavy cavalry as a formation was mostly made up of men from noble families, serving in it was a great honour. For all the rest, there was room in the terrified, poor, dirty and poorly armed crowd that was trampled and murdered. In addition, this beautiful armour had one veeery important function - to prevent it from being pierced by a sword. A knight wielding a sword did not hit another knight in full armour with a sword, because this would not be very effective. Against each other, knights fought with lances. The sword was for the hoi polloi. And NO ONE, I repeat no one, rode into battle with their head uncovered. All the epic scenes of taking out a sword against a huge army and knights with bare heads, dishevelled hair and madness in their eyes…. it's as if we took away the soldier's bulletproof vest and sent him in swimming trunks instead.

The whole theme with the heavy cavalry is different in ‘The Iron Song’ but for reasons of social change initiated by religion. Claíomh Deartháir are a religion of warriors, and have controlled the state for three hundred years, training their commanders and dictating political terms. They have introduced quite a few changes. Some of you may have heard the opinion, dating back to the golden ages of chivalry, that one who has the heavier cavalry rules the world. Let's just say that Claíomh Deartháir agree.

Contrary to popular belief, people in the Middle Ages were as concerned about hygiene as they could be. In historical sources, one can find information about city baths available to everyone. The poor and peasants had designated places by rivers and streams where they could wash. The nobility enjoyed oils made from flowers, herbs and fragrant spices. A tiny nod in this direction is, of course, the scene at Araluen Castle where Crowley, brought up in a more poor, farming family, has the opportunity to come across the strange-smelling oily soap-shampoos that Halt was given by the medic. Previously, as a soldier, he preferred the traditional bathing methods for this social stratum. Halt sees nothing strange in this, having been brought up in other realities.

The strangest medieval footwear comes from Kraków (Poland). These shoes are ciżemki, flat with a short upper with an incredibly long ‘nose’. They appeared in the trade around 1330 and became very popular in Western Europe as cracoves or poulaines. The length of the top lengthened and shortened as fashions changed to reach a length 60 cm longer than the foot at its peak. Often the tops of shoes were decorated with additional elements. They were associated with promiscuity and decadence, so much so that at one point the Church issued a decree on who could wear them and who could not. An English poem from 1388 said that because of the long tops of the ciżemki, men were unable to kneel during Mass. The ciżemki fell out of favour around 1480 and did not reappear on a mass scale until the 20th century.

(To take care of the facts and not to rely on AuDHD's sometimes unreliable memory, all facts have been described based on online sources)

And if you'd like more rants, I have a whole lot more :)

Anyway, thank you so much for the opportunity to share this. You've made my day!

You have a great week too, thank you so much!!!

[olivermajor226]

CHOPPER MONOLOGUE

From ArtBomb, chapter 2. I just...it's been so long since I've been able to write him, and of course I'm pulling this out of context, but I think it stands alone enough, and Chopper should get the credit he deserves for this rant.

Sorry, Cass. Whatever goose chase Eirtae sent you and Kay on, well, uh, let’s just say the goose chase she took me on started far earlier. Like this morning. At 400 hours. And it started with calling me over and over, basically throwing a metaphorical stiletto at my head, so uh, little busy right now, and I’m already in deep shit with the other Mr. Syndulla, because we had, well, other plans today, important plans. But when a woman you respect with all your stupid synthetic life asks you to take her off-world, or rather threatens that stupid synthetic life if you don’t take her to Coruscant this instant , I mean, you do the chivalrous thing, yeah? Shit. Probably said too much. Don’t…don’t read too much into that, okay?  

You’re telling me Eirtae was on Coruscant this morning? Cassian asks in code, just because he’s pretty certain, then, Chopper did not get the heads up about the Semantics program. 

And he’s just telling Cassian everything.  

Even as he stands, still looking at the painting, he smiles triumphantly. That got anything to do with her secret plans for today? Cassian toys. 

I can neither confirm or deny…. 

But I just saw her, Cassian baits him

And it’s then he strikes gold.

Well, duh, Captain. Gods, I forgot you’ve like been literally nowhere since the Empire. No double and triple jumps anymore, Andor. We’re an inner rim system. It’s one jump, and only takes like twenty minutes to get to Coruscant, at most. It was actually really fucking bizarre and wild. She told me I wasn’t allowed to ask questions, and anyway, we end up at her favorite department store, and when someone tried to tell Eirtae I couldn’t go in, well, uh, I fear her wrath. She went on a twenty-minute tangent about how I was a decorated war veteran, and when that didn’t work she commed the retired Mon Mothma herself and let her give a piece of her mind to the sad little sixteen-year-old speciest mall cop. It was brutal. Then we’re the fanciest fucking store of my fucking life, just she and me, ol’ C1-10P, tracking dirt into the place, probably, and she’s charging all kinds of shit to her mother’s credit account, saying things like, “we need to defund the wealthy Chop. That’s how you take down the kriffing system.” Then when we were by the loading docks Eirtae tried to…liberate the loading bay droids, right there on the docking platform. Like right then and there. Actually convinced one of them, like the only barely sentient one of the bunch, who is honestly so fucking confused right now. I mean this bastard’s just your basic service droid, maybe a week into understanding he’s something separate from the boxes he’s loading into the Courier, and in his kriffing face is this beautiful, fiery woman delivering this passionate speech about how he’s her equal and deserving of rights and love and he already as her undying respect. Like this lucky son of a bitch who looks like a box, loading boxes, and he tells me he’s been online two weeks and in this once in a billion shot the angelic Eirtae Alniyat herself chooses to grace Coruscant with her presence, which I know she hated doing. Like it was really fucking hard for her to go back there, Cass, and he’s the only one she has time to save so she points to him and says, “you.”  

Chopper’s still going, but Cassian is already laughing out loud to himself, unable, truly, to believe what Chopper’s saying, save for the fact there are all these random snippets of his data of everything, although just visual, because say what you want about him, Chopper tells one hell of a story.

Then she apologizes, fucking apologizes, Cassian! And asks if he has kriffing autonomy, and of course each and every choice should be his. And he’s not so much an idiot he doesn’t directly load his own ass right onto my ship as soon as all the furniture is fucking loaded. And that’s when this woman turns to me and says, “Well, if it all blows up in my face, at least we did one thing right today, Chop. Gods, I love rebelling. Now let’s jump to lightspeed!” And I’m like, “yes, heh, adorable and all, love, but lets leave the fucking landing platform first, but also good idea about hauling ass because we just straight up stole this droid, from a soulless  corporation or not.” Like seriously Andor what in the fucking hell? Who is this fucking woman all the sudden?

Cassian is cracking the fuck up, laughing his ass off out loud, as Chopper keeps going. 

And of course ever since we got back Mr. Luckiest Box Alive keeps following me the fuck around and I don’t know what the fuck to do with him, Cassian. Because Eirtae’s got me on like five thousand errands, promising some shit about a surprise party and how everyone should believe in magic and there’s gold at the end of this kriffing rainbow if I help her and boy did my mind go to dirty places— I can’t help it I’ve had a crush on her forever and she’s so fucking beautiful and special. And even though I laid that all to rest a lonnng way back, really thought I had, today I’ve never seen her so…enraged with the fiery burn of a cause in all my fucking life and so she was just pushin’ allllll my right metaphorical buttons—then she looks at me dead in the optics like now she’s a Jedi fucking mind reader, points at me and says, “Two words for you, you smarmy astromech. Data. Sharing.” And I’m like what in the fucking hell?! So you know I log onto the old awful Network rumor mill and low and behold, what do I find out? Cassian Fucking Andor snogged our only monogamist Eirtae Alniyat and she got angry, slapped him then shoved him into some flower bed or some shit. And before I ask you if any of that’s true I gotta say, you broke this box’s motherfucking heart, because he was pretty sure his future included a lifetime with her, and he won’t shut up about it now, and like I can’t shake him, Cass. I can’t shake him! So either I’ve lost my touch, the whole galaxy’s gone wrong again, or he’s actually a kriffing genius because he’s worse than a motherfucking TIE-defender. And it’s all your fucking fault!!!