#huh?????? its a grant????? you have specific things you need to say???

[sapphicscience]

trying not to become anti ai in a reactionary way but when this coworker starts writing his grant proposals with chatgpt I do start to see red.

[chronicowboy]

tagged by @butchdiaz @eddiebabygirldiaz and @try-set-me-on-fire <3 to do a 2024 fic roundup so here goes! 11 fics and 55k words. this is what final year of uni does to a motherfucker. anyway.

APRIL (huh i wonder what happened in april that reignited my fic writing)

shoot another shot (try to stop the feeling)

And—oh. This is why Buck hasn't been able to think about Eddie too closely since Tommy kissed him in the kitchen. This is why Buck had felt that the moments before the kiss were so familiar to him he could have recreated them by instinct alone. This is why Buck has felt like a perpetual outsider in Eddie's life since he realised his bisexuality—because he'd put himself on the outside. For this exact reason. Utterly petrified of Eddie's eyes dropping to his lips, of leaning closer.

"Eddie," Buck pleads, voice no more than a breath. "Please don't make the same mistakes I did."

guilty feet have no rhythm

They're in the bathroom again. Eddie has lost count of how many times they've ventured to the toilets tonight. All that alcohol, wreaking havoc on bladders and hand-eye coordination and stomachs. This time, Buck's sleeve has been soaked through by tequila, and Eddie hadn't really had an excuse to follow him in here except the thought of peeling himself from Buck's side had sent a wave of wrong through him so powerful he'd thought he was about to throw up the steak dinner they'd sat down for before karaoke.

every part of you (simple as that)

"Nice try, kid," Buck says, ignoring the sudden twist to Eddie's features. "But, uh, n-no. No dancing bribes here. Just..." He swallows thickly. "I just wanted to talk to you about something actually." A quick glance at Eddie then, just to check this is okay, and Buck regrets it immediately when Eddie aims a watery smile at him along with a nod that bolsters Buck just enough to have the bad butterflies in his stomach falling away. Christopher is looking up at him expectantly when he finds the courage to look back. "I, um, well, recently, you know, I've been... I've realised some things and I, you know, wanted to—" Buck cuts himself off with a sigh and drags a hand down his face.

JUNE

a thousand missed chances left on your doorstep

"I know it's selfish, and I don't deserve it—don't deserve you—because I have been a coward at every turn." Eddie runs rough and frantic hands through his hair once, twice, drags them down his face, bunches them into fists at his sides, continues pacing. "But I'm not missing another chance, Buck. Not with you. I refuse to. I've missed too many already, always asking for a little more damn time even though I know that's a luxury I've never been granted before. By anyone but you. You have always given me more than enough." Here, Eddie's voice splits in two, a catastrophically quiet sound that reminds Buck of the little crackle of a fire before it bursts or the crack of a ceiling before it comes tumbling down.

NOVEMBER

i could take you (to have and to hold)

But Buck wasn't a religion to Eddie. Religion was too trivial a thing. All giving. Giving and giving and giving. And God taking and taking and taking. But Buck only ever took what Eddie gave him freely. Most of the time, Buck was giving and giving and giving right back. Eddie didn't need to go somewhere specific to seek out Buck's presence. He found him everywhere. In everything. The way you were supposed to find God in everything. But more often than not, Eddie looked and only ever found an absence. And then that absence was filled with a warmth that could have made even those most atheistic man believe.

worship like a dog (at the shrine of your life)

The apse. Semicircle of sanctuary. Altar embraced in its soft curves. Holiest of holy places. Eddie's kitchen. Holier than the holiest of holy places. The kitchen table a confessional booth to admit to things you can't even admit to yourself. Penance never comes. Forgiveness isn't necessary. The man of cloth, Henley buttons for a dog collar, offers you words of wisdom, safety, reassurance from the altar of the kitchen island. He rips out his own heart in the shadows and hands it over to you, says I hope you can find something in its pages. The kitchen sink a font, dispersing soap bubbles skating across tepid grey dishwater, this is holy water. This is the stuff people die for.

DECEMBER

nursing our wounds

"You two are gold. Your chemistry is crazy. Two of the interns are already giggling about the nurse one nurse two fanfic they're going to be reading when this episode comes out." Casey decides it'd probably be kinder to all of them to pretend she can't see the matching shade of fuchsia they've both turned. "So, this is the start of a gunman in a hospital storyline. Brad's going to save the day fresh off his coma obviously. But there's this scene where one of his firefighters gets shot on their way to visit him, and we need two nurses to tend to him in a hospital storage room."

the door swings open (and you're standing there)

"Tell Chris I say hi," Buck says. An out. Always, always an out. And then, he'd left, and Buck had had to hide behind Tommy instead. But eventually he'd left too, and Buck. Well, Buck had ruined everything. This, however, works exactly as he'd planned. Soothes Eddie's hackles right down and draws out that shaky little smile of his. "Tell him—" The words choke themselves off in Buck's throat. "Tell him I love him." And his voice comes out wrong. Wobbly and weak when this should be the easiest thing in the world to say. "Tell him I miss him, and I love him more than he'll ever know. Tell him like that."

(we tried) we said we'd keep in touch

Buck doesn't run away. Not exactly. That wouldn't make sense for someone who's been five seconds from sprinting all the way to Texas for exactly this at any give moment. But suddenly Eddie and Chris are right there in front of him, his lungs inflating in his chest again—inflating, inflating, inflating—and it's just a little too much. His lungs have grown since he last had them, and he's too scared to lock them back in his ribcage for fear that they'll just find another way to escape. So, he slips into his—Eddie's bedroom, drops the bag to the floor, braces his hands on the dresser, ducks his head and tries to catch his breath.

i can't see you (the light is in my face)

In love with Buck? He's straight. And Buck is bisexual, and it didn't change a thing between them. Like he'd be in love with Buck and not know. Loving Buck is intrinsic. One of the best parts of him. He's pretty certain he'd recognise a change. Would feel it like the earth shifting beneath his feet surely. But Buck is just his best friend. The Best Friend. Eddie misses him more than he can breathe sometimes, but that doesn't mean anything. Eddie is straight. He's straight. And Buck thinks of him like a brother really. And Eddie loves him, but not like that. Eddie doesn't get to love people like that. Eddie's love ruins people like that. So, Eddie can't love Buck. Even if he did, which he doesn't, he can't. Because Buck wants love and marriage and kids and sex. And Eddie ruins people and drives them to divorce and is a terrible father and is straight.

just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has read/commented/liked/reblogged any one of my fics and has been patient with my very erratic posting schedule. i am soso grateful for all of you.

and to my lovely, incredibly talented mutuals who have somehow seen fit to grace me with their friendship. thank you. i love you all so much and admire the hell out of each and every one of you. hope 2025 treats you all as well as you deserve <33

just gonna shove my taglist down here:

@danielsousa @jjudaslips @outdiaz @poughkeepsies @team-118 @that-sounds-mighty-oof-to-me @ambitiousbutrubbish @iamaniamscat @freetreasures @inell @chaoticlava101 @dangerpronebuddie @jacobglaser @doggirlbuck @rainbow-nerdss @faggotjonesss @unsteadylilactree @4thbrighteststar @laurenttheninth @missing-tony @666thtoolofhell @alliaskisthepossibilityoflove @tizniz @maraskywalkers @swiftiesisters14 @yramesoruniverse

[yan-randomfandom]

Hey! I wanted to ask if you could do a platonic peri X female reader? Like reader is his new good kid or something? Do what you want, Love ur stuff byyeee! :D

a/n: my bad its kinda angsty 😭 he made you his therapist,,, slight,, prolly ooc too,, im so off today,, DONT READ THIS STAY AWAY 😭😭😭

💟 ; Peri & Kid!Reader :} no wait :{

"I wish she has her favorite flavor of donut inside that lunchbox!"

Peri lifted his wand, the star glowing brighter as he granted your wish. You grinned, almost mischievously, watching your classmate open her lunch. She's going to be so surprised and happy—!

But you were met with disappointment. She pulled out the donut with no packaging, or even a container at that. It left a mess on her fingers and inside her lunchbox. At this point, it was practically unedible.

"Peri..." you side-eyed him gracefully, your eyes narrowing. He smiled sheepishly in response.

Despite the initial mess, you continued having been lunch with your hopefully permanent friend, yapping about anything that came to mind. Yet, you couldn't help but notice that Peri, disguised as a necklace, was awfully quiet throughout the whole session.

Sure, he was supposed to, but it still felt odd. He usually had a few sassy remarks up his sleeve.

After school, you finally decided to confront him.

"Peri, I'm—"

"I'm so sorry!" he sobbed, a bit dramatically, his arms flailing out. "I don't know what's gotten into me, and I know I'm the world's most godawful godparent—"

You blinked. "Huh? But... you did what I asked you to. I was going to say sorry, and I should've been more specific and told you to give her packaged donuts."

Peri paused, staring at you with a big frown on his face. That face was distracting enough to interrupt you mid-way.

"...Why are you looking at me like that?" you asked, raising a brow.

"You're so different from Dev," he murmured. "Too kind."

Your shoulders slumped. This wasn’t the first time he’d mentioned Dev. In fact, during the first few days, that was all he ever talked about.

"Is that... a bad thing?" you mumbled, looking down.

Peri patted your head, gently ruffling your hair. "You're a good kid. Which is why I'm so surprised you even need a fairy godparent."

His eyes widened at your expression. "No! Of course not, starshine," he floated over to you quickly. "I didn't mean to make you feel that way. It's just... he was my first godkid, and we ended on a pretty bad note."

"Seriously," you said, scrunching your nose, "you say that like it's a bad thing."

His eyebrows furrowed. "You don't deserve to feel miserable."

"If anything, you're the miserable one," you snickered, but your smile faltered when he looked genuinely affected.

"...But I'm glad I met you, Peri," you quickly added, softening your words with a smile. "And I'm sure, whoever this Dev kid is, he'd be proud of you."

Peri mustered a crooked smile, thinking about how, if Dev had heard your words, he’d be offended beyond belief.

±

if you think something's wrong w peri then i think you're absolutely rigt

[withered-blossoms]

➠LAY YOUR GAZE UPON ME: PROLOGUE

A/N: Banners by @cafekitsune. SPOILERS FOR GAME CONTENT. This is gonna be a series, so buckle up. Yes, this is a new writing style that I am experimenting with. Think of it as an experiment to see how patient my readers are, if you will. The chapters will be released in the sequence of the brothers’ birth orders. As for the dateables and finally the new undateables, I'll consider giving them their own chapters as well once I've familiarised myself with their character. As usual, if Luke's chapter is written, it will be strictly platonic. Anyways, enjoy the prologue!

What makes you think that the world is exactly how you see it?

What makes you so sure that the truth is composed of what your eyes send to your brain?

Dear little human, it will do you only good and no bad to remember that nothing is definite. Life is full of changes at every corner. Those seemingly set now may very well fade away later. Anything can turn into sand the moment your eyes land on another object.

This concept applies to fictional works as well. Who is to say that your favourite characters do not exist? How can you all, as measly humans, guarantee that a character is fictional?

Give it some thought, my precious little mortal. How do you know for sure that the characters you make up are not memories of loved ones from the past? Who can guarantee that the tragic backstories you “came up” with are not the tales that your beloved partner, romantic or platonic, divulged to you, perhaps under a starry night with the breeze gently brushing against your cheeks?

I suppose I should apologise for making you waste your time on the contemplation of such matters. As beings with a limited lifespan, it would most likely be better for you to bring those long-forgotten memories back to life once again, while you still have the chance to. Grant them, bless them, gift them, breathe life into them once more, so that they may live under your loving gaze.

Only in your memories will they truly live.

So boldly tell their tales. Spread the word, invest time into their “creation” and pen out the details personally.

Because this is the only way they can make you remember them again.

…….

Apologies become meaningless when they are spilled repeatedly from one’s lips. To make it up to you, let me direct your attention to the new game in the market. I’ll be sure to give you, my dear little lamb, an unforgettable tour. Think of this as a little gift from me for the time you wasted trying to understand my delusion.

Obey Me’s the name, and your memory’s the game.

Those advertisements with weird dialogues, game characters with characteristic hair colours and ridiculous “choices” certainly do ring a bell, don’t they? It makes me wonder why the developers choose that specific advertising style when the real gameplay is nothing of that sort. Or well, its quality is a lot higher.

God, even Solomon can’t give them reliable advice when to comes to humans huh? Where is Leviathan when we need him to roast the choices made by the others on the committee?

Come now little lamb. All you need to do is to push that download button and you’ll be able to see who I’m referring to again. You’ve got plenty of storage after all; it wouldn’t be wise to lie to my face now, would it?

So that’s what you do. Download the game, and immerse yourself in its plot. Weren’t expecting for “your vessel” to be kidn– invited and whisked away, pardon me, to Hell on the first episode now did you? Well, it would seem that the darling lamb does not have a choice, since you were summoned under the personal orders of the heir apparent after all. Just go along with the flow, won’t you? They won’t harm a single hair on your head. You have the word of the first-born, the Avatar of Pride, Lucifer, as he is named. Besides, you’re under the protection of Diavolo and by extension, Barbatos, steward of the Crown Prince who you will meet later on. Their names sound familiar? You must be imagining things; just ignore that feeling of déjà vu. The human mind can be incredibly deceitful after all, so see to it that you fall not for its traps.

As we go down memory lane the storylines, you are introduced to the brothers one-by-one. Some are currently present, some are not. Worry not though, eventually you’ll get to know them again. To sum it up for your sheepy brain, you’ll be living with the seven Lords of Hell, who serve the Crown Prince. We have Lucifer, Mammon, Leviathan, Satan, Asmodeus, Beelzebub and Belphegor. Find it hard to remember? It’s alright, perhaps you’ve already known it before my introduction. You just have to dig a little deeper and –

Alright alright, I’ll take your word for it and stop squawking. After all, I’m just a little crow, what would this bird-brain know?

[entering--hyperspace]

going to bother you about the Rytleo BUT who between them initiates kisses more often and what does affection between them usually look like.

Would you believe me if I said Rytlock.

I see Rytlock to be a man of action that struggles with conveying feeling/emotion verbally, even in more personal relationships. And between the two of them has always been the more physically affectionate one, specifically in private. Rytlock so extremely loyal to the people he cares about and has a softer side he just doesn't publicly show because its reserved for very specific dynamics.

Meanwhile Leo had never experienced a long term relationship and even made it a point to avoid them, so I think physical romantic intimacy was outside of his wheelhouse, and Rytlock was fine initiating that sort of contact. It makes me feel insane knowing that despite their history of being intimate for 6 Years before they officially get together they never actually kissed, Leo is the one to kiss him first. It's a big moment for the two of them that cements them officially entering a long-term a relationship with each other.

(I have Thoughts on the implications of legion charr deciding to choose mates in a society where its very uncommon. But that gets a little off topic.)

Anyway!

In terms of like, "Love Languages"/ how affection looks for them, I see Rytlock as prioritizing Physical Touch and Acts of service. He respects Leo deeply, and there has always been a bit of gentleness thats granted to him, I also think between the two of them hes able to shed a certain demeanor of expectation, so I think doing small things like sharpening his sword for him, having their armor prepared for the next day, bringing a meal back for him. In physical touch this is more generalized but I think they have a little night ritual where Rytlock will usually groom him bc it makes Leo go to sleep easier <- gripping my chair abt this. Rytlock being the big spoon is a privilege Leo gives him and only him. This also sorta changes in HoT/Ls3 Leo is often the one caring a bit more for Rytlock as he adjusts to being a revenant with Leo doing his best to help him where he can.

I see Leo leaning towards "Quality time' and "acts of service/words of affirmation"

Leo is the one to pull them both out of the constant whirlwind of events to take a break or at the very least taking a mission thats just the two of them. Rytlock tends to tunnel vision and bulldoze ahead on things that he kinda needs Leo to grab him by the ear sometimes and break that for a bit. Smthn smthn Leo is 80% of his impulse control. And doing small things for the other extends to Leo as well. Leo is also the more verbally affectionate/playful of the two of them and is more willing to initiate physical affection "publicly " as long as theyre away from the Citadel or yknow things that would require them to be more professional ofc. Theres a moment later in the story I can pinpoint where Leo does something that very clearly shows theyre together and half the group is like HUH and the other half is looking at them like ermmmm yeah thats been a thing for years (it hasnt. Kinda.)

I will say I think the thing I imagine them doing the most is the big cat head/neck rubs, its just such an endearing cat behavior and sooo sweet to me.

[edgybutnotveryedgy]

My Very Unhinged Lila Theory Part 1/3

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Lila isn’t a good liar. From the beginning she has told lies that a even a fifth grader would never take at face value. Let alone adults. Yet she has so many people who believe these lies to the point that she has multiple women convinced that they are all her mom. She is enrolled at multiple schools. She has a secret lair in the Paris catacombs. She has been caught in her lies multiple times even, yet it wasn’t until Confrontation that she was caught in any of these lies. 

The easy thing to do is to say that this is just lazy writing or plot convenience or something, but I don’t like that answer. It’s boring and lazy and I like to have fun. That being said, I think to begin with the real question we should be asking is: why do people blindly believe Lila? 

Knowing what we know about Lila as of season 5, I think that it is worthwhile to look back on her former appearances. Going through former episodes, I have come to the ultimate conclusion, I don’t think that Lila is just a good liar, even in universe. I believe she is using some sort of power or magic to make people believe anything she says. 

To begin with, I would like to address the following. There are canonically other forms of magic and superpowers in the Miraculous universe. Obviously we have the Kwami, but on multiple occasions Plagg mentions other kinds of magic. In Origins Part 1, Adrien, after putting on his ring, says “No way! Like the Genie in the Lamp!” followed by Plagg saying “I met him once. So he grants wishes. Big deal. I’m way more personable!” There’s also mention of Dragons a few times in the series, as well as United HeroeZ showcases many different heroes and villains who have abilities of their own. There’s also The Legend of Ladydragon with the Renlings, who are similar to Kwami, but still are not Kwami. 

Furthermore, Miraculous is a part of a shared universe. Any show that goes under the Zag Heroez brand is a part of the shared universe. This includes Zak Storm, Power Players, and Ghostforce. Obviously Ghostforce has its ghosts as its main supernatural element. Power Players has a life giving magic called minergy that brings inanimate objects like toys to life. Zak Storm has aliens, witches, ancient gods, Atlanteans, time travel shenanigans, magic wizard aliens, star people, magic guardians, and skeletons. And that’s just scratching the surface. (seriously please watch zak storm. It is so underrated and needs more eyes on it.) These are just the shows that have aired. There are more shows that have been stuck in production hell, like Fairyon, Pixiegirl, and others that all have other magical elements. Bottom line is that a character in Miraculous having powers that aren’t connected to Kwami’s is not unreasonable, and in fact would add a lot world building wise. 

To begin with, I want to note some specific quotes from episodes involving Lila that I believe suggest her having some sort of abilities. I recommend that any readers should go rewatch the episodes themselves. In this post I’ll just be covering episodes in season’s 1 and 2. So lets begin!

Volpina 

When Marinette first gets to school she hears everyone fawning over the new girl Lila. Here is her dialogue

[Shortly after watching Lila drag away a clearly uncomfortable Adrien.] [Marinette is panicking because she thinks Lila is going to seduce Adrien and then he'll never love her.]

Marinette: *gasp* "where are they going? Alya! We've gotta stop them."

Alya: "You need to chill out Marinette. My Ladyblog has the highest number of hits ever after that Lila interview!"

Marinette: "what's going on? I mean has this Lila girl hypnotized everyone or something?"

Tiki: "You wouldn't be a little jealous, Marinette?"

Marinette: "huh? Me? Jealous? No way!"

[Marinette proceeds to run after Adrien and Lila]

...

While Marinette is spying on Adrien and Lila, Adrien is looking at the book he stole from his dad. Lila comes over talking about doing history homework with Adrien.

Lila looks smitten with Adrien. 

Her eyes look down and she notices the book Adrien has, then she immediately looks shocked.

Lila: "What's that?"

She pulls the book over to herself to look at it while Adrien starts to panic.

Adrien: "uh.. Nothing! Just stories about superheroes." (Smooth save bro)

Lila puts her hand on Adrien’s hand.

Lila: "I love super heroes!" (It feels like she's specifically trying to form a character that she thinks Adrien will like)

Lila turns the page and it shows Ladybug.

Lila: "Ladybug?" (She seems genuinely excited when she sees this.)

Adrien: "She's amazing!" (He's so smitten)

Lila suddenly has a jealous look. She puts the book down and moves herself and her chair over closer to Adrien.

Lila: "A girl doesn't need to wear a costume to be amazing, you know."

Adrien panicking autistically: "uhh, i don't know? I mean i-"

Lila: "so! You've got a little soft spot for the bug huh?"

Adrien: "me? Oh no. Not at all!"

Lila: "You know, I actually happen to be very close friends with ladybug." 

Adrien: "Really?"

Lila: "We can chat about it if you want! Not here though. Why don't we meet at the park after school, and I'll tell you everything."

Adrien suddenly has to go to fencing practice, and he drops his bag. Meanwhile the book falls out, and Lila slips it away with her shoe. Before giving Adrien back his bag.

Why is she so obsessed with getting Adrien to like her?

Heroes Day Part One

Lila has apparently convinced her mom, the ambassador Ms. Rossi, that school has been closed down and isn't reopened due to akuma attacks, as well as apparently she has convinced her mom that ladybug is useless and unable to save anyone. Like... Doesn't her mom watch the news? Or go outside? She's an ambassador. There has to be more to this than just Lila being a good liar. Especially to her own "mother."

While in her room looking over the heroes day footage

Lila: "Liar! Traitor! Coward!"

Gabriel comes up on the screen to announce his contribution to the parade as well as to denounce Volpina.

Gabi: "in honor of the wonderful Ladybug who has saved my son Adrien and myself, and who relentlessly protects all of us every day. I have financed this tribute to Ladybug, because Ladybug is the only true hero unlike her mediocre imitations, such as Volpina."

As soon as Gabriel comes on screen Lila goes quiet and is suddenly very interested to know what gabe has to say. I just think this is interesting. 

After hearing what Gabriel says about Volpina, Lila gasps and looks upset. She then proceeds to throw her laptop against the wall, then dramatically yell

Lila: "I HATE YOU LADYBUG!"

Next the scene cuts to Gabi doing his Hawkmoth thing. He sends an akuma out to Lila. 

Lila is just sitting in her room looking very alone and upset.when she hears the akuma wings fluttering she looks up. Suddenly she looks frightened and jumps back a bit gasping before it goes into her bracelet. 

Hawkmoth: "Volpina."

Lila: "Hawkmoth!" (She says this very happily)

Hawkmoth: "Your dreams were once a reality, until Ladybug turned them into a nightmare. Regain your power of illusion, and make this heroes day a nightmare for all Parisians!"

Lila: "With great pleasure Hawkmoth."

...

After Volpina does her whole thing and makes everyone in Paris worried,

Hawkmoth: "Dear Volpina, you've performed your role well for the time being. We will meet again very soon."

Volpina: "I'll be waiting, Hawkmoth."

After being detransformed, Lila looks up, and she has a very sinister smile.

About Volpina

Powers of Illusion. She uses her powers to make people believe what she wants them to believe, such as in her debut episode, where she uses these powers to convince Ladybug and Chat Noir and Adrien as well as all of Paris, that she is amazing and that she accomplishes great feats. As we know though, this is all an illusion. Much like her lies. She also uses these abilities to ruin the reputation of Ladybug in Hero’s day, as well as to attempt to trick Ladybug and Chat Noir. This mirrors her behavior in later episodes as well. 

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

[polypodweek]

Chapter 2

A backwards glance, a mad dash for the nearest box, a jump and the last member of the group makes it over the chasm stretching between the sky-tram and the platform, landing in an awkward, lounging forward motion and only staying upright with the help of the rest of the team, before they're off again, the shoebox sized crate still clutched tight.

There's no time to waste, no time for caution, no time to check whether the officers have risked jumping after time or whether the large group of people coming up the main stairs are there for them, or just passengers in hurry to get onto the incoming train. The only thing on their minds is the rickety fire escape to the side of the station which, as they reach it, appears to be blessedly empty of more enemies.

It's only then they get to stop, take a deep breath and look at their unexpected haul with equal amounts curiosity and suspicion. Whether the because nobody expected the cargo to be intercepted or because this really is their area of expertise, it doesn't take long for the team to open the box up.

"I knew it! I knew it! And you just had to take it, didn't you?"

What sits nestled in the middle of the crate, propped up almost like a ring in a jewellery box, indeed resembles a circlet, a sleek metal ring with little decoration and a set of chips at the front, like a high tech tiara. There's a beat of silence that stretches far longer than would be comfortable as the group comes to terms with what they've got their hands on.

"Frontal cortex implant, huh? Self installing too."

"But what does it do?"

There's another tense silence as everyone considers their find, unwilling to be the first one to take it out of its case. It sits quietly there in all of its glory, until finally somebody answers.

"It's some kind of technomantic interface, I think. I've only ever heard rumours of these but- It's a master key, of sorts, for technology. It might be limited to specific devices or a have limited physical range but, yeah. That's what it does. Grants full access without anybody else's say so."

"And it, uh, attaches itself to your brain?"

A shrug. "That's what frontal cortex chrome does, yeah."

The fact that nobody entirely trusts what, for all they know, might be an experimental piece of cyberware that they know little about, doesn't need to be stated. Yet not everybody is entirely on the same page on just how much it should be distrusted.

"We don't have to use it, you know. We can just take it with and decide what to do with it later."

And that's the best they're likely to get right now. There's far more important things on the agenda tonight, and as they leave the station behind, the overwhelming stature of The Lighthouse staring them down, reminds them once again just how much is at stake here.

It's almost surreal that one can just take a tram to the very entrance of a building such as this, it feels like it should be hidden, protected, shrouded in mystery like so many other aspects of its existence. Yet, for plenty of people, this is just a workplace like any other. They walk through the large, glass double door of the front entrance, they clock in like they would at any other job. They work long hours and take smoke breaks by the side entrance the team was supposed to take.

"Fuck."

It's an apt enough description. This throws a wrench into most of their plans - if they can't get in here, then their planned route will be likewise inaccessible. A confrontation was almost inevitable, but this is just an unsuspecting employee, not the chromed guards they were expecting. But it is just one guy that would be easy enough to take out for the little while the team would need to get inside. The shift in the air is nearly palpable as almost everyone gets ready for a fight. Almost everyone.

"You know, we don't have to fight that corpse over there. There is another option if we wanted to try something a bit more elegant."

[dxy-drxxm]

⭐ | COMMISSION V : Engagement Planner

"So, you're telling me that drinking an entire glass of Fire-Water is a sign of complete trust in Snezhnaya?"

"Of course. How many times have I told you that, dumbass?"

"Ugh, I hear you. Good Lord, Kuni..."

In all honesty, Navina knew Kunimitsu was the more... Suited for this commission. He wasn't in Snezhnaya anymore (or affiliated with the Fatui, for that matter), but his knowledge to their culture can certainly help them in planning the engagement.

"Considering it's an engagement party, what food do you think snezhnayans like?" Navina asked, raising an eyebrow as they both planned the matter out. "Do you think they'd enjoy Borscht? I remember seeing it in a few books..."

"Borscht and Pierogi. Those are the most common you'd see in parties," Kunimitsu replied, jotting down a few things on the list. "Oh, and as far as I've remembered when I attend those blasted meetings, seafood is what's commonly served there. It's rare to have meat in our cuisine."

"I see..."

Despite the silence permeating through the room with the duo, Navina found themselves pondering over the matters of their own culture. They've gathered books for this specific commission, because they thought that he wouldn't help them out in this one.

And although he did say he didn't want to... They were surprised that he changed his mind. Maybe he thought that they wouldn't be able to do things on their own? Or was it something else entirely?

... Navina didn't know the answer.

"... and you should add this— hey, idiot, aren't you listening?"

"Huh?" Navina blinked, suddenly caught off guard with the piercing stare from their partner.

Oh, right.

"Ah, sorry... I wasn't paying attention," they apologized, laughing nervously at the deadpan stare Kunimitsu gave them. "I was just thinking at how you were so willing to help me."

He seem to huff but shake his head, answering, "The only reason why I'm helping you is because you'd be failing on this without me. Now, are you going to finish this?"

... Still a prick.

"Yes, sir," they said, rolling their eyes as they wrote down what he just mentioned. Although, they seem to ignore the look from their partner as they drafted up their final report.

To the entrusted individual,

Hello. It is of our utmost respect to have granted your commission in search of an engagement planner. Due to your troubles, my partner, Kunimitsu, and I have decided to take on the daunting task to form one that can be quite easy to follow.

Due to the fact they are from Snezhnaya, we have looked into the matters of their culture and cuisine. If you wish to host an engagement party for the lovely couple, make sure to have seafood on the table as that is what they primarily eat. Alongside that, it is best to prepare bottles of Fire-Water, due to their culture having mentioned that drinking a full glass is a sign of trust.

For specific dishes that is related to their culture, Borscht is a good dish that can be served in the table. However, should the couple wish for something else, Pierogi is another dish that can be swapped should it be necessary.

Finally, it is best to have the families of the couple involved in the engagement. After all, it is the norm of people in Snezhnaya due to its harsh climate. Should it be requested, please send an invitation for their families and reserve seats for them to be near to the couple.

It may seem daunting to have these requirements met, but we can both assure you that we both put our time and effort in looking to the culture of Snezhnaya and their traditions. We hope that this may be of use to you and your planning should you need a reference.

With best regards,

Navina M.

(P.S.: If you want to set a date for the engagement party, you should set it to the date of Krsnik Noc. It is akin to Lantern Rite in Liyue, and I'm certain that the festival mood will alleviate the couple's as well as the guests. I hope this can help you planning out the date of the engagement, and best wishes to the couple!)

[calumhoodgoss]

i'll start with a disclosure that i'm not a cal girly, aka i don't have emotional reactions to his partners like i might with my fave(s)... i never thought nia was that bad when it came to relationship "hinting" or "shady lyrics" like other anon suggested. i would say that without them being photographed together, you wouldn't have known who she was talking about (they were so lowkey that people on this site would argue with you that they were never a thing!!!), unlike brandy's very specific comments over time (australian, nz sports jersey, the star clothing). nia and cal were both into the poetic/artsy side of things if they did mention relationships or post lyrics, whereas brandy wanted to straight up tell the whole world and brag. the 180 that happened with the breakup was so so so weird to me, "@ my boyfriend's fans, look at me, i'm dating your celebrity, like my pics, listen to my music" to suddenly "please don't ask about my personal life" was insane and nia didn't do anything like that. HV as a band had a genuine business relationship to the SOS, being signed to their sub-label and touring together, that was a natural overlap of fandoms, fight me on this.

it ends the same way however, you could compare brandy's post-breakup posts to what nia said via many ig stories from 2018-2021 in conversations/ q&a's with her followers, where they both talked about being torn down by other's fans who didn't like them or their music, it was essentially identical situations, i think they're allowed to talk about that! nia often frames it under the context of the overall music industry, touring with male bands, that she dated at least one other band member (earlier in the social media timeline, before the rebrand as HV) like it's never all about cal...

sorry, i think there are 5sos stans who need to let their hate for nia go. brandy was "the worst" in terms of overall privacy, imo. i'm surprised calum tagged her in as many posts as he did, and allowed her constant posting from his house.

thank you so much for this!! this was so eloquent and completely agree with everything you said

nia's attitude towards social media and her relationship with cal (whilst together) could not have been nore polar opposite to brandy's attitude. they handled things completely differently in regards to privacy and fan interactions and it shocks me that people would even hate on nia?? granted i didnt follow the relationship so don't know the full lore, but hate just seems so uncalled-for. my whole quam with brandy is that she very intentionally commodified their relationship and then turned around and pointed her finger at us. like girl literally huh???

honestly me too. im shocked she made as much public as she did when its so obvious cals not a public person. whether he said its fine or not, i feel like that respect for privacy should be somewhat inherent. like she could of just posted him on her priv story for friends and family to see. there was literally no need for all that to be shared with us

granted i do miss seeing pics of him lol she's the only one that fed us (proves the point even more that her digital activity is the only thing out of line with his effort for privacy lollll)

[kafkaoftherubble]

呀哈哈！正式离婚了！！！离婚了！！！！

再见，你这个lanjiao project! 他妈的不要再有续集了！滚出去！你娘都不要你，为啥我会要你呢？！

Now that it's gone and I have only one project currently to occupy my time, I can finally gain purchase on the things I actually wanna do. Gotta plan again!

Still haven't finalized my New Year resolutions. Bit tardy, sure, but it ain't the Lunar New Year yet! Ha! Time to use THAT as an excuse!

------

I gotta proofread Lyishere's grant proposal! Gotta make sure it sounds persuasive to the Singaporean government! I really hope things will work out in her favor. She's been questioned enough about her "employment status" last year since she finished her PhD, and of course, the good old "so you spent all your time studying to this level only to not have a job?!" and "Are you lazy? Can you please be productive?" tracts from good old Older Generation Asians. Ugh. I get that parents are eager to make returns on their investment, but let her take a break, man.

It's actually related to neuroscience, you guys! This is why she needed our help to proofread her grant, inter alia, because I'm more familiar with the field than she is, whose expertise is in operating biotech machines.

She did mention that if it went through and her fellowship is a go, and she gets to hire her own research assistant... guess who might get to do that? Haha! It's such a nice prospect, innit? Did we get in, Future Lyns? Who was the lucky one who got to witness that moment? It's alright if it didn't happen—my help comes with no strings attached, like always—but it's also really swell if it does. We've always dreamed of being a part of academia. Maybe this could be the path back in? Maybe?

-------

Crow dropped me a legal report on a case one Davinder Singh had worked on before. Who's that? Well, apparently, he's the HIM in the Singaporean law circle! We got to this point because I asked Crow about this corruption case, which somehow made it to my attention. So I'm gonna read that report too! Or as best as I can as a complete noob shit, hahaha! Only then she can talk about why Singh is HIM and I'll at least get it.

I actually also wanna read other stuff she dropped on my lap the last time. The legal debates and all; those concern ethics. Ugh. If only I'm not slow...

-------

Speaking of reading, I have my own books I gotta read! I haven't been studying my own materials for two weeks! Urgh, I must slot the time for them. My memory might wane if I wait any longer. Stupid limitation of adult brains! Why can't I be like a child, with neurons just branching out without pruning? Hmm. I'm sure there's a biological advantage to this.

And I have put a pause on my podcast listening for more than a week! We've been busy. New episodes had come out and I haven't vetted them before placing interested episodes in Listen While Doing Chores (Not Songs). That shit is more-than-a-week late for new arrivals and updates.

Let's restart the podcast listening with science. I have decided to re-listen—because my memories have faded—to episode 34, "Paul Bloom on Empathy, Rationality, Morality, and Cruelty" from Sean Carroll's Mindscape. I picked this for its pertinence. Specifically, it complements what I'm currently reading from the fiction side...

Paul Bloom is one of the most well-known psychologists in the camp opposing the lionization of empathy. If I recall correctly, he believes that empathy is actually what enables humans' propensity for cruelty. He champions "reasoned compassion" instead.

A lot of the people in his camp wave the flag of compassion, huh? Makes sense; the two are not the same. But those who disagree with Bloom think that compassion is very much dependent on empathy, or at least, it's driven by it most of all.

I don't know where I stand as of now. Both camps—and everyone in between—are intriguing. His ideas are seductive, but it's way too easy to see why I would say that. I lack affective empathy, and yet I fancy myself a pretty stand-up person. That is itself grounds for bias. Of course I'd want someone to validate me. Which is why I shouldn't so easily nod to it.

When we wanna learn about someone who isn't within our actual social vicinity, like a famous thinker, we always look at their critics first. Detractors, skeptics, dissenters. That way, I'll get to formulate a Roadmap of Curiosity, with points of intrigue and objections and questions and skepticism. It makes me a more lucid recipient of information, methinks. Open-minded enough to listen, but not so much that my brain falls out. Less possibility of being dragged by the arbitrary constraints of a narrative, innit?

So I've read some of the criticisms against Bloom's ideas, and I think they hold water too. I will do it again before engaging in that podcast, though Sean already adequately posed as a challenger the last time I listened. Sean is really one of my favorites! A theoretical physicist who's nonetheless a generalist drawing different ideas together, and not afraid to hold his guests' feet to the fire. I really like seeing such a high-profile and intellectually honest generalist. It's someone to look up to.

----

Speaking of reading!

One of our resolutions this year is to "finish five books." Well, here's something Lyndises of the weeks before did not account for:

We did not specify the qualification of fiction in this situation.

I mean, well—it's not like we predicted ourselves reading fiction this much this year. We've always just read nonfiction, and would always choose this by default. And nonfiction is either a huge ass tome, or it's so packed with information that we take a crawling speed to complete it. That's why it's only 5 books.

But I got a feeling that the first "book" I'm gonna finish this year is gonna be a piece of fiction. There's no way a nonfiction will be first. No way. I read this one almost every single day (except today, because After God happened. OOPS!).

Should we qualify a manga like Ajin to be a "book?"

I mean, it's not a bad fiction by any stretch. Hell, I honestly love it! So much! It's not like I turn my brain off when I read it; quite the contrary!

How is 睿芒 so consistently good at recommending stuff? 果然操千曲而后晓声，观千剑而后识器。佩服嘛！不过也没很意外，毕竟我也觉得他真的挺多令人欣赏的地方。

So to exclude it on the account that it's a manga is just a weak argument. It's as if being fiction makes it less worthy, which I disagree with. And yet, to compare easy reading—like a manga—to books like Behave and The Lies that Bind: Rethinking Identity is also unreasonable. One side is clearly a knowledge juggernaut. The other... is a thrilling romp.

I propose we reduce the value of fiction! Instead of making it a whole number (1), let's make it ⅛. Complete 8, and we get 1 count!

If there's any objection, let the next Lyn decide!

-----

Well, there is more fiction stuff to be slotted in.

I should find ways to squeeze in that Totally-Not-Romantic-Trust Manga. I really hope there isn't any eldritch kissing anymore. And it's not that stuffed with romance. I get so bored of those things so easily. I still can't believe I got sucked into engaging with romance in general. Fucking Apothecary Diaries, I swear.

I am hella interested in that Bibliomania thing. I don't know what it's about at all and I don't wanna look it up. It sounds like something to read blind!

I should also! Find ways to stream videos on Discord!

And then I'll ask Crow for her scheduling! So we can watch Mononoke together! Ahhhhh, so excited!!!

I hope I can watch it in the living room. But Mom is always nearby, in the dining room, watching her shows in OLD PEOPLE VOLUME. She complained about me talking to Fionn (I'm glad she's grown so accustomed to this, because this has been happening since childhood, that she never seemed to wonder what was wrong with me enough to make me stop. She just thinks I'm talking to myself), and nowadays complains about my game being too loud, or the sound of me pouring tea, or the sound of my controller. Bruh, yours is in OLD PEOPLE VOLUME! I can hear every fucking scene, fucking ambient sounds, and fucking!

Anyway, even if I watch this with 二韵 The Headphones, I'm still gonna talk and talk and talk to Crow. And based on our textual conversations alone I'm confident to predict that our interaction is gonna be Lyishere Style. That means, like when I'm with Lyi, we become more and more excited and louder and louder and noisier and noisier and cackle more and more and become more and more unhinged aaaaaand Mom will beat me up.

Nah. She can't pull that sort of thing off. She's grown old. She's grown tired. Her knees are weak. Her knees are weak points. But I don't think I'll resort to that, so maybe stop glaring at me, Fionn.

I think I'll inform her about it. I'll tell her it's the same Singaporean friend who sent me a cool-ass New Year card and one day might go to Kuantan. The same one she said would be "fine" to lodge in our house before I even asked. Well, that was what I kinda wanted to happen in the future, so good to know. Crow got so much tea I cannot wait to hear her going full-blown tai-tai!

Uh. Where was I? Oh yea. Livestreaming stuff on Discord. Mononoke isn't gonna be the only one this year. There's also Higurashi, which is slated to happen after we finish Ajin. Once I know how shit works because of Mononoke, Future Lyn wouldn't have to worry about the basics of live-streaming anymore.

Instead, she has to worry about something else! I should ask 睿芒 if it's safe to be shown in the living room. Just in case Mom decides to walk past to see what I'm looking at.

Remember the last time when that Lyn watched Devilman Crybaby in the living room? Shortly after Dad died? With his altar and picture aligned enough to look at the TV showing people in the club doing drugged-out violent sex and sexy violence? I don't think we should make a repeat of that. She traumatized our sisters accidentally with that back then, ha! And now Bugsy is always so worried about our "Horror Horror..."

Alternatively, I could just watch it in my room. It's not as big as the TV screen, but it's my room. My favorite place in the entire universe. Second place is Ayutthaya, obviously.

Anyway, it's not gonna happen yet. Let future Lyns worry. Mononoke first!

Shit! I have a birthday gift to compile! It's for the Ricecooker. Damn, I have to do it before February hits! I gotta remember to do that soon!

-------

Hey, guys?

Ya know. There's a reason one of the first Lyns who started this Tumblr thing decided not to private posts like these. It's because we are leaving this for Future Lyns who might not know the password to this account or just wanna ghost-read it.

We also know that this means non-Lyndis can also read posts like these. But we kinda always hope that the sheer length and banality will turn most people away. I mean, we assume that no one would be interested enough to wade through all of this. We are seriously not that interesting.

But what if there are people who stay to read it all?

I don't think the probability is high, but it's not zero.

If I'm being frank? I don't mind it that much. The possibility is always at the back of my head, so all of us had only written stuff after vetting our thoughts and decided that they were okay to be here.

And yet, I kinda wish it's not everyone. As in, not everyone reads it, and certainly not everyone finishes it. If they finish it, I'll start to wonder why. What's so gripping about our stupid log entries?

Some posts are way more fun to read! Like reports on events! I really liked reading about our Coldplay experience and our CF stuff. I would love it if my friends read those! It's so fun!

But entries like these are kinda... huh. I don't know. Again, I am not gonna stop any curious cat from reading these at all, but I really assume no one would. Honestly, what's remotely interesting anyway?

Oh, why this sudden tangent? Nothing. I just thought of the possibility that this could be happening and wonder how I think about it.

Well, I guess this is my thoughts on the matter.

Should I ask whoever reads this myopia-inducing banal-ass ramble to let me know they have been reading it? Of COURSE I'm curious if such a person exists. I think it's a very low chance, but it will be so funny if they exist anyway. I will be so excited to know why they even read them, or if it's fun, or what they think of me now.

At the same time, do I really wanna know? That knowledge would stifle my illusionary, but useful, freedom to babble things for our future versions. I will probably suddenly feel so self-conscious I don't wanna write certain degrees of thoughts anymore. Wouldn't that bereft Future Lyns posts of meaning and worth?

Or... this could all just be nothing. Again, do I even have evidence, beyond circumstantial ones, that there have been people reading these things? Even if I do, it's evidence for that specific post and not all posts of this nature. And what am I gonna do? Prosecute them? Hahaha!

Nah. I think I'll thank them. I mean, imagine being interesting to one person. It feels unreal. It's like when you're a ghost and yet somehow, someone saw you.

[notgoru]

Title: Her Call

Description: She receives a call from her dad. He’s in trouble. Guess who has to protect her?

Author’s note: ENJOY READING! this is inspired by the character; Ghost from COD/MW2. I really love the concept of a mask! this is going to have multiple parts just idk how many

Sometimes I wondered where the money came from.

Yes, I could confirm that it was frowned upon to ask too many questions about it. Yes, I knew that I was blessed in multiple ways because of it. And of course, I was grateful and thankful for the opportunities and wishes that were granted through the money—but sometimes, I wondered where it all came from.

My wondering was always short lived though. Once my stilettos stepped foot into this building—a building that had my name printed in big letters—all those thoughts went to the left. I took a note from Beyoncé’s book and threw my baggage so far from the right because I accomplished my dream. I owned my own business and I was blessed.

Blessed that I had a father who could grant all my wishes. Blessed that I had a parent who will always provide for me. Blessed that I was surrounded by people who wanted the best for me.

I felt bad that I was unconsciously ignoring the second most important person in my life—Ryan. My best friend and personal assistant had spoke again,

“Hello, Senna? You there?”

“Sorry, I was in my thoughts again.” I told her while refocusing my gaze on her face. “And no, that’s all I need. Thank you.” I had previously called her in my office to request for her to schedule a meeting with an important future client of mine. She followed my request, as always.

“Great. I’ll send those emails out and I'll see you. . .want to get dinner together later?” Ryan asked, her eyes ridiculously pleading for me to say yes.

I paused and thought about my schedule for the rest of the day—I think I should be free for dinner. “Yes, that sounds great! I’ll see you later.”

She smiled and nodded at my response. I watched as she happy-danced out of my office. I watched her with a big smile on my face. I was equally excited about this dinner. Recently, work has been stressful. I had deadlines to make and the holiday season was right around the corner, so this was always a busy time at my marking company.

Right when I was about to dive myself back into my work, I got a call.

I looked at my personal phone, where the call was coming from, and spotted my father’s name on the caller ID—which was very weird to see. My father never called me when he knew I was at work. Hell, my father barely called me period. If some thought I was a workaholic, he was the face you saw when you looked up the definition of the word on google. I had to force myself into his house at least once a month or I wouldn’t see him at all. That man stayed in his house and specifically, his ass stayed glued to his office chair.

I answered the phone on the second ring, “Hey dad?” It came out as a question. Why was he calling me?

He took a big sigh of release. “Senna? Fuck. Thank fuck.”

“Dad? Hello?” Why did he sound so relieved?

I heard a lot of shuffling going on in the background then he spoke, breathlessly, “Look sweetie—look, I don’t have a lot of time.”

My office chair spun on its wheels and I ended up facing the window behind me. This conversation was going to need my full attention and my laptop pinging with emails was definitely going to distract me.

“Don’t have a lot of time?” I repeated back. My heart was beating ten times faster after I heard that sentence. “What are you talking ab—“

“Senna, I fucked up. I fucked up.”

“Dad, what are you talking about?”

“Listen sweetie—I love you. Never forget that.” Why was he being cryptic? Was why he talking like that? “I need you to get the envelope, Senna. Please find it and get it for me. Please sweetie. That’s the only thing that can help me.”

“Huh? What envelope? Dad explain what is happening!” I pleaded, the phone slightly shaking in my hands.

But it was spoken to death ears. He only said, “Pin and Cent are two names you need to remember. Pin and Cent. Please find them—they are the only two people that I trust to look after you and get me out of this. Find them, talk to them, and them only.”

My voice wobbled. Was he in trouble? What the fuck was going on? “Dad, I—I don’t understand what you’re asking. Where are you going?”

More movement in the background occurred. My dad started to whisper. “They’re coming. I don’t have a lot of time. I will call you when I get a new phone, sweetie. First thing. Please sweetie, get the envelope.”

“Dad, dad.“ I shouted at my phone. “What is happening? Please please tell me everything.”

“I will, sweetie. I promise. But I have to go now, okay? Go to a place called Plaza Walls and there you will meet Pin and Cent. I love you, Senna.”

“Dad I love you too, but wh—“

I didn’t get to finish my sentence. The call ended.

[hqmillioncorn]

Lalapril 4/3: Affection

“There he goes again! He’s so in love! As if lightning struck him from above! I LoOOooOve you my hero~! You are my trUuUE LooOoveeeE~! Butter won’t you stop your silly dreaming please?!”

Butter took in a long and heavy sigh.

The foyer was completely empty except for him and Cinnamon who was sitting silently on the coffee table in front of him, munching on a regular sized strawberry wafer cookie. 

She had been watching Butter as he did his moping thing, hoping that he would be able to snap himself out of his funk on his own.

Cinnamon was sure that Butter’s current mood was the result of what happened when everyone had left from Limsa Lominsa. She hadn’t seen it herself but Butter made sure to tell her and Pancake that Babycorn had waved him off personally from the boat.

As if that hadn’t been enough Babycorn had also apparently told Butter something along the lines of, ‘Take care! I’ll miss you Butter!’ It was specifically being called by name that sent Butter cartwheeling off the docks while giggling.

Having to be fished out of the ocean aside, Cinnamon expected Butter to be in an even better mood than usual for at least the next few weeks.

Instead, he collapsed into a pile of sadness the moment he stepped back into the mansion.

Since then, Butter had been sighing to himself in different parts of the house. Pancake assumed it was just his usual romantic yearning and left him on his own to hang out with Linnet and the others.

Cinnamon stayed behind (not because she didn’t have anyone to hang out with or anything!) and watched Butter brood around the mansion. At some point Butter had grabbed the blue rose Babycorn had given him and twirled it around by the stem in one hand while also wistfully staring out a window.

Cinnamon couldn't believe it had come to this.

She set her regular sized wafer cookie down and flew over to where Butter sat.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this but could you be any less in love?” Cinnamon feared that the next thing after this would be Butter going to stand at the docks every morning just in case Babycorn came back that day.

“...Huh?” Butter looked up at her, “Sorry Cinnamon. I’m just…” There was another looooong sigh from him and Cinnamon could feel her mental fortitude breaking down.

Cinnamon flew in a circle around Butter’s head, playfully tapping him on the forehead. “Hellooo?! You should be happy that Babycorn said goodbye to you!! She didn’t say goodbye to anyone else!”

Granted many of those that Babycorn would call her good friends were actually going on the trip with her so there would be no need for her to wave goodbye to them but that was besides the point.

“I am happy!” Butter blushed, a dumb smile on his face, “Like super duper happy…”

“Then what’s going on?” Cinnamon was literally out of ideas of what could be going on with him.

“I’m just thinking…What if Babycorn isn’t into guys like me?”

“Guys like…you?” Cinnamon was a little lost.

“You know!” 

Cinnamon looked him up and down. “No I don’t know.” She raised one of her sleeves up to her chin to think. “Do you mean she doesn’t like guys with pointy hair? That would make her kind of a hypocrite. Since her hair is plenty pointy.”

“Noooo! I’m not talking about my hair!”

Though Butter had said that it still didn’t stop him from tugging on one of the spikiest parts of his hair.

“That’s not what I meant…I meant…”  Butter let out another lovesick sigh while still tugging at his hair spike, “I meant-I’m pretty short aren’t I?”

Cinnamon’s wings froze in shock for a few seconds.”Whaaaaat?? No! Of course you’re not short I mean-! Look at you! You’re taller than me!”

“That’s true but…” Butter sat back down on the couch, putting the blue rose back into its vase. “I might be taller than you but it doesn’t really matter unless I’m taller than Hildibrand.”

Butter probably hadn’t really noticed it but the way he had said the inspector's name had carried a lot more venom to it than Cinnamon, let alone anybody else, had heard his voice carry.

He let out another long sigh. “...Or as cool as him. Or stronger than him. Or more handsome than him……” Butter kept on listing more and more traits that Babycorn had told him about Hildibrand over the years. As every time Babycorn had come back from an adventure with the Inspector she would rush over to Butter with all the details.

Cinnamon couldn’t bear to watch this anymore. Something had to be done.

“Wait here! I’ll be back in a bit!!” Cinnamon waved her sleeve at Butter to get his attention.

Then, in a flash Cinnamon had flown away and then flown back. She was carrying a large sheet of paper. Its weight was clearly causing Cinnamon some distress, judging from the way she was quickly flying lower and lower to the ground. So Butter swooped in from the couch to give her some much needed help she would never admit she needed. 

After regaining the composure she never lost (allegedly) Cinnamon flew in between Butter and the paper, sitting herself down on his left hand.

“What you’re looking at right now, my dear Butter, is the handiwork of me and Pancake’s hard work!” Cinnamon smirked and stayed confidently silent while Butter looked at the piece of paper in his hands. 

What he was holding looked to be some sort of chart with several names and drawings of people.

Most of them were people that Butter recognized.

He also recognized Pancake’s writing right away and it was clear that this project must have been done more than a few years ago. Butter knew that she had recently started writing her letters with a bit more flair than she used to. 

Butter would have to compliment Pancake on her improvement next time he saw her.

Butter’s good mood came to a dead halt when he recognized Hildibrand’s face on the chart. His face made a sort of grimace that Cinnamon instantly caught on to. Hildibrand was about the only thing that made Butter upset nowadays.

Not even his own neglectful parents got this much of a rise out of him.

“Don’t worry your little lovesick heart Butter! Hildibrand is the reason me and Pancake made this chart!”

“You made it for him?!” Butter sounded distraught.

“Wha-?  No!!” Cinnamon angrily flapped her wings, they glowed a little bit more red than usual. “We made this to combat anyone that got in the way of you finally dating Babycorn!!”

“Oh!” Butter was almost speechless. “That’s really sweet of you two…”

“See over here?” Cinnamon flew over and pointed at a quickly drawn picture of Raya-o-Senna. “There was a rumor that Babycorn had a little thing for her once. So we wrote down that while it could work she’s a pretty low level threat because they don’t see each other too often.”

“What what-?”  

Butter caught sight of a drawing of Hildibrand, because of course he would be on here. Why wouldn’t he be?

“Why does it say ‘will be eliminated’ under this drawing of Hildibrand?”

“Don’t worry about it.”

Under him was a picture of Emmanellain. “This guy we filed under low level too. He might be rich and from what I hear-charismatic. But he’s nothing to worry about! Since he’s from Ishgard.”

Butter’s face lit up. “Is it because Babycorn doesn’t like the cold?!” 

“Exactly!!” Cinnamon crossed her arms, “Look at you Mr. Babycorn expert. You got it even worse than I thought.”

Butter looked away and blushed. “That’s not…! Everyone knows that! She makes sure everyone knows so that she can pack her favorite yellow sweater that pushes her cheeks up and makes her hair look a little fluffier from the back!”

Cinnamon raised an eyebrow at him.

Butter waved his arms up and down. “It’s true everyone knows thaaaat!!!”

“No they don’t Butter!” Cinnamon flew over and grabbed the top of the chart and slightly wiggled it. She was, in fact, trying to severely shake it but with her size she only managed a slight wiggle. “Trust us! Me and Pancake did our research and NONE of the people here are a good enough match for Babycorn!”

“Cinnamon…”

“You just have to learn to have more confidence in yourself!” Cinnamon flew around him in a circle, “You got all the makings of a perfect Babycorn boyfriend! The chart says so! The science says so!!”

“I-I mean if you say so!”

He didn’t have the heart to tell either Pancake or Cinnamon that in the end it all really depended on what Babycorn would choose for herself. Even if he was perfect for her. According to love experts Pancake and Cinnamon at least.

Of course Butter would be heartbroken if she chose someone else, but in the end all he really wanted was for Babycorn to be happy. For her to live her very best life with the person she loved the most.

Even now Butter could still see Babycorn’s little lopsided smile looking back at him.

Waving back at him.

He sighed, with a smile.

“I’ll wait patiently for her and I’ll never stop loving her no matter what happens.”

While Butter was distracted looking longingly out into the distance he didn’t notice how Cinnamon rolled up the chart into a large tube of paper until it was smacking him on the back of the head.

“Ow?!” Butter held up both of his hands to the back of his head and looked behind him. Cinnamon was flying in place and barring her surprisingly sharp teeth right at him.

“What did I just say?! I told you! Don’t wait! You take the initiative!!”

Butter blushed a deep red. “...But it’s embarrassing…” When the topic of confessing to Babycorn ever crossed his mind his speech became nothing more than an alphabet soup of words.

“You’re going to have to figure it out eventually…” Suddenly Cinnamon looked like she had an idea. Specifically her wings stopped flapping and she got a mischievous grin on her face. “I’ve got it!!!”

Butter, ever the supportive friend, could almost never catch up to Cinnamon’s true intentions.“What’s up?” he asked.

“Once Babycorn and the others come back! That’s when you’ll make your move!”

“Huh?!”

“Imagine it Butter!” She flew in close enough to his face and grabbed at his coat with her sleeves. “They’re all back from their long trip, a loooong boat ride back home. Babycorn starts to get off the boat-!” Cinnamon flew back and took some invisible steps off of an invisible boat.

“She looks around to get her bearings…When BAM!!”

“Bam??” Butter had no idea where Cinnamon was going with this.

“Bam! You’re there Butter! With your best clothes! A bouquet of flowers in hand!! Then before anyone knows what’s going on-! You ask Babycorn out on a date!!”

“WHAT?!” Butter blushed and his face felt the warmest it had felt since they left Limsa Lominsa that morning. “I-I-I c-can’t do that!!”

“Not right now you can’t!”

“What?”

“Everyone said they would be gone for a while right?” Specifically Cinnamon remembered that Lunya said they would be gone for an undetermined amount of time. Which Cinnamon had personally translated as ‘a long time’ of course. “That gives you enough time to get ready!”

“I-I mean I don’t know…!”

Cinnamon interrupted Butter before he could say anything else. “This is it Butter! It’s now or never!” It was almost certainly not, now or never, as Cinnamon suspected but she was willing to say anything to give Butter that extra push.

Butter closed his eyes and sat in silence for far longer than Cinnamon expected him to.

Then…

“Okay!” He nodded, “I’ll do it! I’ll ask Babycorn out when she comes back home!!”

Cinnamon couldn’t even begin to contain her excitement, she must have done a dozen loops in the air at that very second from the sheer amount of happiness she was feeling at that moment. “Yesssssss!!!” She couldn’t wait to tell Pancake about this!!

“Butter! You are going to ask her out perfectly! Nothing will go wrong!!”

Butter laughed awkwardly, he was beginning to regret his abrupt decision already. Though a part of him was also metaphorically doing loops in the air out of excitement. Especially if Babycorn’s answer would be ‘yes.’

“If you say so…”

[winterlogysblog]

FAIRY TAIL FANFIC

Title: Cirencester

Summary: A small town, a simple mission, what could go wrong?

Character/s: Greige Fullbuster

---

"This one isn't too hard," Nasha said, waving the flyer in front of her teammates.

Justin took the piece of paper. The job is to catch robbers that have been stealing precious and valuable items from the citizens of the town of Cirencester.

"It's not bad and the payment can be easily split between the three of us," Greige commented, leaning in to take a good look at the flyer.

"Then what are we waiting for, let's go!!" Nasha cheered.

------

The town is incredibly lively and the people are really nice as well, the group started investigating to simply collect some information about the robberies to figure out if there is a pattern of some sort. Everything is going smoothly until they enter a specific house.

The house is a small cabin and an elderly couple lives in it. The group greeted the couple before being invited inside. Greige noticed a small teru teru bozu doll hanging by the doorframe he smiled and gave it a little nudge.

"So, the items that are stolen from you, what are they?" Justin asked.

"My spellbook, my wife's jewelry box, and a box filled with junk, to be honest, that last item really doesn't matter." The old man said however, his wife seems rather hurt by his words.

"A spellbook you say," Nasha said.

The old man nodded, "When I was your age I too am a Wizard, I was planning on selling the spellbook to an auction of some sort."

"The robbery happened at night, I heard some rustling, I went back to check but there's nothing like they disappeared immediately."

"I see." Justin nodded. "No need to worry, we'll get your items back."

"That would be very appreciated." The old man nodded.

The group was about to leave when it suddenly started raining heavily.

The old man grumbled a bit, seemingly not liking the rain one bit before going over to the kitchen to brew some tea.

"The box my husband talked about." The old lady suddenly spoke.

"The one filled with junk," Nasha said. "I was actually curious why the robbers even took it."

"That box was my daughter's that box is the only thing I have of her. I need it back."

"Well, calling it junk is a bit harsh." Nasha huffed.

"My husband, he never viewed her as his own." The old lady lowered her head.

"Damn, and here I thought that the old man is really sweet," Greige said.

"But, where is she now?" Nasha asked.

"She's dead." The old man's voice suddenly returned.

"That girl is a disgrace to all water mages everywhere."

"Hey, Greige you're a water mage maybe you know her." Nasha giggled.

"That's not how it works." Greige rolled his eyes.

"Water mages are rare." The old man said. "Because with water magic one must have full control over it while giving the element its freedom. Not everyone has that ability."

"Huh?" Nasha tilted her head in confusion.

"My mother actually says the same thing," Greige said.

"Well, your mother sounds like she's quite an impeccable wizard." The old man said.

Greige giggled. "I don't mean to brag but she's the greatest one out there."

Nasha rolled her eyes. "Mama's boy."

"You kids, stay here for a bit until the rain stops." The old man said.

"No need, Greige can fix it." Nasha said proudly.

"No, I can't." Greige retorted. "Way too advanced for me."

"But you can make it rain, surely you can stop it."

"Making it rain and stopping the rain are two different things." Greige pointed out. "Granted I can stop the rain that I created but stopping a natural downpour is really difficult."

"You kids are welcome to stay here for the time being, we don't mind." The old lady said.

"Thank you... Mrs..." Greige smiled.

"Vivian and this is my husband Rafael."

The group stayed indoors for a while waiting for the rain to end, once its time to leave the group bid the old couple goodbye and continued with their investigation and ended up pinpointing a specific time when the robberies were taking place, they scouted the area and just as predicted the robbers came right on schedule. The group beat them up easily and demanded to take them to their base.

Once they reached the location the group tied up the robbers and grabbed all the stolen goods and brought it all back to the city where the robbers are rightfully punished.

The group also helped the citizens separate the goods to give back to their rightful owners, however, one item, in particular, took Justin's interest.

"Greige, I think you need to see this." Justin gave the box over to his friend.

Greige looked at the box and traced his fingers at the words engraved in it.

Property of Juvia Lockser

Greige felt like he stopped breathing for a second. Nasha and Justin looked at him with worried eyes. He looked back at the box, he needed clarification on why this item was there.

"I asked around and apparently this box belongs to Mrs. Vivian," Justin said.

"Does that mean?" Nasha turned over to Greige who looked like he was in deep shock.

"I believe so." Justin nodded.

Greige took and deep breath and stepped back a bit.

"Are you okay?" The old lady asked.

"Yeah." Greige licked his dried lips.

His brain is filled with thoughts that he can barely explain, his mind is a wreck, and he doesn't know what to think or feel about the situation.

He has always thought that his mother was an orphan as a child, but now, here he is faced with the fact that he just met his grandparents. He doesn't want to believe it, he really doesn't but it seems like he doesn't have a choice but to accept it.

Negative emotions stirred within him, it doesn't take a genius to realize that the old man hated his mother for the same reason as everybody else.

"So, what now?" Nasha asked.

"We'll just bring this back to them, there's a reason mom left this thing behind," Greige spoke with an unusually cold tone.

"Aren't you even a little bit curious about what's inside?" Justin asked.

"A little," Greige answered honestly.

"Let's take a peek then." Nasha unlocked the box and opened it. "The contents are just a bunch of letters and a family picture.

"Awww, she's so cute with that little hairstyle." Nasha giggled.

Greige rummaged through the letters, and upon observation, he noticed that these letters were written by his mother to herself, through these she expressed her deepest thoughts. He learned that through time because of how the people around her treated her and her own father as well, she decided to leave everything behind and swore to never come back.

"Okay, Mr. Rafael isn't that nice of an old man after all," Nasha commented.

"So, what are you gonna do now?" Nasha asked Greige.

"Are you gonna tell them?" Justin asked.

"I don't think so?" Greige sighed. "Mom wants to leave all of this behind her, to rot in history forever."

"Damn, I never expected your mom to hold this much of a grudge," Nasha said.

"It best if we don't tell them anything."

------

"Thank you so much for bringing this back." Vivian smiled, holding the box in her hand.

Rafael completely ignored this and approached Greige.

"Young man, I would like you to have this."

Greige tilted his head in confusion.

"You're an exceptional wizard it seems, at my age, this spellbook is useless to me, for a wizard such as yourself, please take it, it'll be an honor."

Greige sighed. "I apologize but I must decline as I said before, my mother is the greatest water mage I've met, I might be biased since I'm her son but I assure you that she has already mastered everything inside that spellbook so I won't need it."

"Young man, this spellbook is written by my own hands, I doubt she has mastered everything in this, no matter how talented she is," Rafael said.

"I've looked through that spellbook myself when we retrieved it and I can assure you that my mother has knowledge of it."

"But how is that possible?"

"Maybe you've met her before, Lockser is a pretty familiar name to me." Greige smiled before leaving.

"But, the only person I taught magic to was my daughter," Rafael whispered.

------

"What happened to not saying anything?"

"Sorry, I can't help myself," Greige smirked.

[dreamkidddream]

Hiya~ Can I request quote 9) "Are you jealous?" for Lucifer in Obey Me! pretty please😊

This was so much fun to write! Luci know that he gets jealous but never wants to admit (his jealousy is worse than Mammon but you didn’t hear it from me 🤭) and sorry this got kinda long! Reader is gender neutral!

TW: suggestive/spicy themes, but nothing extremely graphic is mentioned

Prompt: “Are you jealous?” with Lucifer!

Lucifer is pissed.

He’s tapping his foot, and constantly checking his phone, waiting in his study for you to either walk in or call him. It’s late, and you’re still not home yet. He asked his brothers where exactly you are, and when Asmo told him that you’re out with the same “friend” you seem to blow all of them off for some time now, it just makes his mood turn even more sour, the scowl on his face deepening.

Now, Lucifer is not opposed to you making friends, as long as they aren’t a threat to you, his family, Lord Diavolo and the other exchange students. He understands that it’s very easy for you to connect with others, intentional or not, and he encourages it to a certain extent. However, this same “friend” that you’ve been increasingly been hanging out with for the past couple of weeks is starting to rub him the wrong way. Of course he’s met this “friend”, a classmate from your Seductive Speechcraft class (which just made him feel more unease with you being with them), and they seemed harmless enough (for a demon at least). Annoying, but harmless, at first.

Then began the constant need for your attention.

It started with the messages and calls under the guise of studying, the “innocent” demon begging you for help so that they can pass the class, and you being the naive nice human that you are of course obliged their request. Then it escalated from once a week, to three times a week, to almost staying after school every day just to “help”. He didn’t like that, as it’s him or his brothers that always walk you home every time, and this demon (who he found is Yuki, a demon who feeds off of sexual energy nonetheless), is messing with the routine, but he kept his cool and forced his brothers to do the same. He- They weren’t happy about this, but at the end of the day, you’re still coming home to him- them, and nothing is changing that. Not to mention how he made sure that someone had their eyes on you, whether it’s Mammon, Beel, or even himself (which he preferred).

Until Yuki decided that you need to hang out more, without him or his brothers.

That’s when he made it known of his dislike towards them, and dislike is putting it lightly.

You started to come home right at dinner, right before Beel devoured your plate. Mammon obviously voiced his displeasure aloud, with the others silently agreeing or making passing comments, but Lucifer would just shut the conversation down before anyone gets too upset, mainly for himself. He doesn’t want to lose control over something trivial like this, he can’t, he won’t- he’s well above some minuscule pest like them, and it would be a waste of time and energy to be worried about someone who is clearly below him!

He’s already irritated with Yuki integrating themselves into your everyday life, but he’s also trying to fight the increasing sinking feeling in his stomach the more you both bond.

The more you two become more than acquainted with one another, the more Lucifer tries to fight and hide this feeling. He buries himself in more paperwork, practically locks himself in his study, avoids anyone’s questions or concerns, and has become overall snappier than usual. He’s even snapped on Lord Diavolo, Lord Diavolo of all people!

(Granted Diavolo just thought it was overall stress, so he just simply laughed it off, but it didn’t go unnoticed by everyone, including you).

Now Lucifer is not stupid, he’s a very intelligent and powerful demon, and he doesn’t have to say it to be known. He made sure to do some research himself on Yuki, and didn’t put anything past them. You’re still surrounded by demons who wouldn’t hesitate to swallow you whole if allowed, and some are still desperate enough to try anything, so he’s very cautious with others being around you.

Which leads to now, you being out again with that demon at The Fall. Ever since, Lucifer retired to his study, constantly checking his phone for any updates. He refused to look distressed in front of everyone, and he knows that you’re smart and not so gullible, you’ll be okay, you had to be.

It’s well going on 1 in the morning, and you still haven’t answered any of his calls and texts? You swore that you would always answer him, so something had to happen. What exactly were you doing? What exactly were you two doing? We’re you okay? Are you safe? Has that Yuki tried anything with you?

Were you two doing anything now?

All of these questions swirling around in his head, his worry only adding on to his frustrations and building tension going through his body.

He already marched down to the door, coat forgotten and tie undone, flinging it open and scowl so deep that his fangs were bared. That Yuki better hope that you come home in one piece and spotless, or else he will make sure that they regret being alive-

He couldn’t wipe the surprised look on his face when he made eye contact with you, who was matching his own expression, hand frozen in the air mid knock.

“Lucifer? What are you still doing up? Are you about to go somewhere?” His expression quickly morphed to one of high distaste, the irritation displaying clearly on his face and his grip tightening on the door.

“I was still awake waiting for you. Have you forgotten how to use a phone, or are you too good for one now that you’re with your ‘friend’. And I remember specifically telling you to let me know when you leave, did I not?”

“Oh. Well...my phone kinda died, but I was already on the way home and-”

“By yourself?! Do you know how irresponsible that is? Do you forget that you’re a mere human?”

His irritation is rising to pure anger at this revelation. So that demon didn’t even have the decency to walk you home? To make sure that you arrive safe? And yet you still have the nerve to spend time with them and practically ignore him?!-

“Well- um, Lucifer? Lucifer!”

He snapped out of his murderous thoughts, and stepped aside to let you in.

“Come inside now, it’s late, and we have much to discuss.”

Your face scrunched up, showing confusion in how he’s acting. You know that’s he mad about your phone being dead, but he’s mad enough to leave the door barely hanging on its hinges? But you knew that arguing or pointing it out would just make things escalate, so you just stepped past and began to make your way up the stairs.

You can feel his eyes bore into the back of your head, but you just didn’t understand why. It’s about more than just your phone, it seemed like he’s been on edge for awhile now. You want to approach him, to ask him what’s wrong, to have him open up, but of course Lucifer being Lucifer, it was to no avail.

You racked your brain as he lead you to his room and began the “conversation” about how irresponsible you were being (really it’s just him getting whatever he needed off his chest and not you giving any input). Was it because of you going out so late? No, you didn’t drink, you and Yuki stayed together the whole night, and you let him know hours before. Was it Yuki? Now that you’re think about it, he has been frowning more it seemed like every time you brought up their name-

The pieces are starting to fit together now.

Oh my Diavolo.

You couldn’t stop the words escaping from your mouth before you could realize it.

“Lucifer, are you jealous?”

He choked in the middle of his sentence, and the room went quiet. You’re pretty sure that you can’t even hear him breathing, and his face just went entirely blank, no expression whatsoever.

Oh no, you broke him-

A gust of wind erupted, so strong that you had to shield your eyes for a second, and when you removed your arm, you were met with massive black wings and a very enraged demon.

“Excuse me?”

You stepped back until you stumbled onto the bed, as he stalks closer and closer to you.

“Care to repeat yourself?”

You knew better than to respond, and you felt frozen on the bed. You also know that Lucifer won’t attack or try to kill you, but it didn’t take away from the fact that he has moments where he’s very intimidating, one of those moments being now.

He’s looking down at you like a predator would to its captured prey, his ruby eyes glowing deviously in the dim room. He didn’t stop moving until he was on top of you, caging you in.

“Me? Jealous?” He scoffed. “I am the Avatar of Pride, the most powerful being in this house, yet you assume that I’m jealous of a demon that’s beneath me? You insult me, MC.”

He took hold of your chin, “Do you not remember what I said when we made the pact? You are mine and mine alone. Not anyone else’s, but mine.”

You felt like your nerves were getting the best of you, but you couldn’t force yourself to tear away as he leaned closer. He sealed his lips against yours in a heated kiss, one that you gladly accepted, not before uttering the words that made your heart race even faster.

“Maybe I should remind you of who you belong to, hm?”

—-

“Had a fun night, MC?”

“Yeah, it was”, you coughed in your hand. “Very nice, very fun. We had a great time.”

“Hmmmmm...you and Yuki or you and Lucifer?”

“Asmo!”

He giggled, “I’m just saying dear. I don’t sense the pent-up sexual frustration from Lucifer anymore, and he seems back to normal and even relaxed. Though I must say MC, I wish that you had spent the night in my bed instead.”

“Of course you do Asmo.”

“Besides, I would have covered your hickeys much better-”

“ASMO-”

“MC, are you ready?”

Speak of the devil and he shall appear has never been more true than now, as Lucifer appeared behind you both, placing his hand on your shoulder.

“Huh? Oh, yes, sorry.”

“Eh? Where are you two going?”

“Out.”

“And without me?!”

“Yes. Now, leave us be”. Lucifer moved his hand from your shoulder to your own hand, leading you both out the door. You two had plans for the day after the...eye-opening talk from last night, and he didn’t want to waste anymore time than he already had.

Bonus:

Asmo waited until he heard the door click, and then quickly whipped out his D.D.D. to text Yuki. He knew that the plan was going to be a success! A tense Lucifer made things more difficult for everyone, and he has too much pride to open his mouth so he decided to step in and team up with Yuki, who already knew about the whole ordeal.

Lucifer was already on the edge of snapping and letting his primal instincts take over anyway, so Asmo just gave him a little push in the right direction.

Thank Diavolo the plan worked, or else it would be hell for them both. He did owe Yuki some exposure on his socials in exchange for this and backing off of you now, but it was well worth the trouble.

[earlgreytea68]

Heyyyyyy, I bet you were DYING to know stuff about that Google v. Oracle decision, huh?

You may have heard recently about a big deal Supreme Court decision called Google v. Oracle, a litigation that has dragged on for many, many, many years and focuses on Google having copied some pieces of computer programming owned by Oracle and known as APIs. Most of the write-ups I’ve seen about it have focused on its enormous repercussions for the technology sector, which makes sense since it’s a case about computer programming and APIs and other tech-y things.

But the thing about the decision is that it’s a fair use decision. The Supreme Court could have found that the APIs weren’t even protected by copyright. But instead, the Supreme Court used the doctrine of fair use, and this means that the case potentially has ramifications for all fair use situations, including fanfiction!

So, if you don’t know, fair use is a main defense to copyright infringement. Basically, you can use somebody else’s copyrighted work without their permission as long as what you’re doing with it is considered a “fair use.” E.g., you can write a story in somebody else’s fictional universe or draw art of somebody else’s fictional copyrighted characters without their permission as long as your use is a “fair use.”

“What’s a fair use?” is an incredibly complicated question. The long and tortured history of Google v. Oracle illustrates this: a jury found Google’s use was a fair use; an appellate court found that it wasn’t and basically said the jury was wrong; and now the Supreme Court says no, no, the jury was right and the appellate court was wrong. Like, this is not unusual, fair case rulings are historically full of disagreements over the same set of facts. All of the cases reiterate over and over that it’s a question that can’t really be simplified: every fair use depends on the particular circumstances of that use. So, in a way, Google v. Oracle, like every fair use case, is a very specific story about a very specific situation where Google used very specific APIs in a very specific way.

However, while every fair use case is always its own special thing, they all always debate the same four fair use factors (these are written into the law itself as being the bare minimum of what should be considered), and especially what’s known as the first and fourth factors. The first factor is formally “the purpose and character of the alleged fair use,” although over the decades of fair use jurisprudence this has come to be shorthanded as “transformativeness,” and the fourth factor is “effect on the market.”

Most of the energy and verve of a fair use case is usually in the transformativeness analysis; the more transformative your use is, the more likely it is to be fair (this is why AO3’s parent organization is called the Organization for *Transformative* Works – “transformative” is a term of art in copyright law). To “transform” a work, btw, for purposes of copyright fair use doesn’t necessarily mean that you have edited the work somehow; you can copy a work verbatim and still be found transformative if you have added some new commentary to it by placing it in a new context (Google Image Search thumbnails, while being exact reproductions of the image in question, have been found to be fair use because they’re recontextualizing the images for the different purpose of search results). The point is, transformativeness is, like fair use itself, built to be flexible.

Why? Because the purpose of copyright is to promote creativity, and sometimes we promote creativity by giving people a copyright, but sometimes giving someone a copyright that would block someone else’s use is the opposite of promoting creativity; that’s why we need fair use, for THAT, for when letting the copyright holder block the use would cause more harm to the general creative progress than good. Google v. Oracle recommits U.S. copyright to the idea that all this is not about protecting the profits of the copyright monopolist; we need to make sure that copyright functions to keep our society full of as much creativity as possible. Google copied Oracle’s APIs to make new things: create new products, better smartphones, a platform for other programmers to jump in and give us even more new functionality. The APIs themselves were created used preexisting stuff in the first place, so it’s not like anyone was working in a vacuum with a wholly original work. And, in fact, executives had thought that, the more people they could get using the programming, the better off they would be.

Which brings us to the fourth fair use factor, effect on the market (meaning the copyright holder’s market and ability to reap profits from the original work). There’s a lot of tech stuff going on in this part of the opinion but one of the points I find interesting from that discussion is that the court thought that Google’s use of the APIs was not a market substitute for the original programming, meaning that Google used the APIs “on very different devices,” an entirely new mobile platform that was “a very different type of product.”

But also. What I find most interesting in this part is the court’s explicit acknowledgment that sometimes things are good because they are superior, and sometimes things are good because people “are just used to it. They have already learned how to work with it.” Now, this obviously has special resonance in the tech industry (is your smartphone good because it’s the best it could be, or because you’re just really used to the way it’s set up?), but there’s also something interesting being said here about how not all of the value of a copyrighted work belongs *to the copyright holder* but comes *from consumers.* Forgive the long quote but I think the Court’s words are important here:

“This source of Android’s profitability has much to do with third parties’ (say, programmers’) investment in Sun Java programs. It has correspondingly less to do with Sun’s investment in creating the Sun Java API. . . . [G]iven programmers’ investment in learning the Sun Java API, to allow enforcement of Oracle’s copyright here would risk harm to the public. . . . [A]llowing enforcement here would make of the Sun Java API’s declaring code a lock limiting the future creativity of new programs. Oracle alone would hold the key. The result could well prove highly profitable to Oracle . . . . But those profits could well flow from creative improvements, new applications, and new uses developed by users who have learned to work with that interface. To that extent, the lock would interfere with, not further, copyright’s basic creativity objectives.”

This is picking up on reasoning in some older computer cases (like Lotus v. Borland, a First Circuit case from decades ago), but I think it’s so important we got this in a Supreme Court case: if WE bring some value to the copyrighted work through our investment in it, why should the copyright holder get to collect ALL the rewards by locking up further creativity involving that work? Which, incidentally, the Court explicitly notes is to the public detriment because more creativity is good for the public? This is such an important idea to the Supreme Court’s reasoning here that it’s the first part of the fair use test that it decides: that the value of the work at issue here “in significant part derives from the value that those who do not hold copyrights . . . invest of their own time and effort . . . .”

This case is, as we say in the law, distinguishable from fanfiction and fanart. APIs are different from television shows, and this case is very much a decision about technology and computer programming and smartphones and how old law gets applied to new things. Like, fair use is an old doctrine dating from the early nineteenth-century, and here we are figuring out how to apply it to the Android mobile phone platform. That, in and of itself, is pretty cool, and it’s rightly what most of the articles you’ll see out there about this case are focusing on.

But this case isn’t just a technology case; it’s also a fair use case that places itself in the lineage of all the fair use cases we look at when we think about what makes a use fair. And, to that end, this has some interesting things to say, about how much value consumers bring to copyrighted works and where a copyright holder’s rights might have to acknowledge that; about the fact that there are in fact limits to how much a copyright holder can control when it comes to holding the “lock” to future creativity building on what came before; about what part of the market a copyright holder is entitled to and what it isn’t. Think about the analogy you could make here: Given the investment of fans in learning canon, which is what makes the creative work valuable in the first place, allowing enforcement against fanfic or fanart would allow the canon creators to have a lock limiting future creativity, which would be highly profitable to the original creator (or, let’s be real, to Disney lol), but wouldn’t further copyright’s goals of promoting creativity because it would stifle all of that creativity instead. And just like Google with the APIs, what fandom is doing is not a market substitute for the original work: they’re “very different products.”

This is not to say, like, ANYTHING GOES NOW. Like I said, fanfic and fanart are very different from APIs. Fictional works get more protection than a functional work like the APIs at issue in this case. And there’s still a whole thing about commercial vs. non-commercial in fair use analysis which I didn’t really touch here (but which obviously has limits, since it’s not like Google isn’t making tons of money, and their use was a fair use). But this decision could kind of remind a big media world that maybe had forgotten that the copyright monopoly they enjoy is supposed to have the point of encouraging creativity; we grant a copyright because we think people won’t create without a financial incentive. (Tbh, there’s a lot of doubt that that is actually a true thing to believe, given all the free fic and art that gets produced daily, but anyway, it’s what the law decided several centuries ago before the internet was a thing.) Copyright is a balance, between those who hold the copyright and the rest of us, and the rest of us aren’t just passive consumers, we have creative powers of our own, and we might also want to do some cool things. And this case sees that. None of us are starting in a creative vacuum, after all; we’re all in this playground together.

[sleephyjhs]

When You’re Expecting (Taehyung Headcanon)

pairing: taehyung x pregnant!reader

warnings: mention of fertility & pregnancy complications

note: i’ve been craving to write a bts x pregnancy series for a while so here we go !! if there’s a specific member you’d like to see next, shoot me an ask :)

m.list

FINDING OUT

even before finding out you were pregnant, you both had so much love for your child

there was nothing either of you could have wanted more than a baby

it was always at the forefront of your mind how much you wanted a little human of your own

it was approaching a year since you began trying seriously

a few false hopes and two miscarriages later, fertility drugs were looking to improve the chances of conceiving

the raging hormones which came with the drugs were all worth the positive test

early september - sickness had hung around your throat for days

headaches lasted longer than usual, and crying at the most mundane things had become an unwelcome habit

in the bathroom cabinet, you’d collected a small stockpile of electronic and stick pregnancy tests

one of them would eventually show positive, right?

taehyung sat on the bathroom tiles with you

waiting two minutes felt closer to waiting two months

he crossed his legs, bouncing his knees impatiently

your knees came to your chin; high hopes weighed heavily on your heart

the alarm set on his phone beeped quietly

your heartbeat rose suddenly to your throat

taehyung reached out for your hand as you turned to read the results

two blue lines - as clear as day

they became less clear as your eyes coated with thick, salty tears

he began to chuckle as his happiness trickled down his cheeks

“we did it baby! we’re gonna have a baby!” he whispered, choked up by his own anticipation

no words were left swirling in your mind

your jaw hung open as though the hinges were faulty

shakily, you lifted the electronic test to triple check

pregnant.

as you crashed into taehyung’s open arms, memories of the past loomed in your mind

it was only inevitable

a positive test was a familiar joy to you both

however this familiar joy had only ever been followed by crippling devastation

as much as you tried not to think about it, you couldn’t help but retain maternal caution

however, this time also felt different

taehyung’s spirit, your spirit - it was as though fate didn’t want to disappoint you any more

someone out there decided it was finally your time to grow a mini human to bring into the world

of course, no time was wasted in contacting the maternity clinic

seeing your baby on a screen was now a top priority

just to see their little head, maybe even hear their heartbeat

just to know they were okay

just to know you were keeping them cosy and safe, that’s all you needed

taehyung couldn’t hold his excitement

from leaving the house to reaching the hospital, his toothy grin never wiped from his cheeks

he never said anything at the time since his main focus was always on comforting you

but losing his babies near enough tore him apart

even when you tried to comfort him, taehyung restricted himself just to protect your wellbeing

of course, the worse had already crossed his mind

but it wouldn’t get the better of him

it couldn’t.

you soon learned you were already 6 weeks pregnant

the midwife had to point out where your little baby was hanging out; they were such a tiny thing after all

briefly, you took the opportunity to hear their heartbeat

it was faint over the machine, but fast

there really was a life within you.

“there’s something else, if you just look over here...” the midwife prompted, turning the monitor so you could grasp a better view

taehyung leaned slightly over your chest to peer closely at the smaller monochrome screen

with the mouse, she circled a second bean shaped figure

“the fertility drugs increase the chance of twins. looks like you guys got lucky!”

twins. you were having twins.

THE PREGNANCY

like with most pregnancies, you were advised to wait until the 12 week milestone to begin announcing your impending delivery

and even though he understood the importance of patience right now, taehyung could hardly contain his excitement

it didn’t help that a little bump had already begun to grow

keeping a secret was much more difficult when the evidence was near impossible to hide

already, taehyung spent early mornings talking to his little angels

telling them stories he seemingly made up on the spot

or even borrowing some from his own childhood

“you know they can’t hear you yet? it’s about 7 weeks until they’ll be able to, honey.”

“i know, i’m just practising for when they can.”

of course, you wouldn’t admit that you did the same when you were alone

you attended more midwife appointments than other expectant mothers might

the pair of you much preferred being on the safer side

in the car, when on a quieter, less congested road, taehyung often reached over to cradle your still-growing bump with a free hand

you slotted your fingertips between his for additional sappiness

“you two have so many people waiting for you here, hmm? many people are already so in love with you both. me and mummy included.”

on a sleepless night, you’d made a small pact with tae

it was a rash decision, but sincere nonetheless

“no matter what, they are always going to know how wanted they were. always.”

taehyung hardly needed reminding of this, but it was still a weight off your shoulders

as you tried to conceive, the pregnancy diet had already been implemented into your daily routines

however now that you were carrying two precious babies, there really would be no more ‘cheat’ days for you

no more extra half cups of coffee on slower mornings

although you usually took over the role of head chef in the house, taehyung dedicated extra effort into preparing you both healthy and yummy foods

sautéd rice with green vegetables and lean meat/tofu appeared to be his go-to

but you still opted to supervise just in case

finally being able to announce your pregnancy was another heavy weight lifted from your mind

the other members were over the moon for you both

particularly when they reminded themselves of the struggles you had experienced previously

and also remembering the utter devastation of their taehyung when he had to break it to them

all of them kept their eye out for little gifts and outfits

each week, taehyung came home with a new stack of pale rompers or neutral-tones teething toys

these babies would have the best uncles; at least that much you could be certain of

announcing your pregnancy on social media was a looming task, but one he was determined to pull off perfectly

for filler content between schedules, the members had been asked to film a 5 minute vlog of their daily life

well, what a perfect opportunity!

towards the end, taehyung made sure to include some shots of your now protruding bump overlaid with some more vintage camera settings

safe to say, that day you had broken the internet

love, congratulations and blessings poured in from every corner of the earth

a few comments complimenting how much pregnancy suited you touched you especially

self image is commonly effected by the progression of pregnancy, and you were no exception to that

although it was amazing how your body grew and made a little home for your tiny babies, it was still quite strange to see yourself changing so quickly

your favourite clothes didn’t fit around your doubled bump anymore

and your skin seemed to hate sharing nutrients with two extra people

but for the days where you struggled to love yourself, taehyung easily filled in the gaps for you

sneaking up behind you in the bathroom

(although the mirror kinda gave him away)

he’d wrap his arms around your just-moisturised bump and carefully rest his chin on your shoulder

“tell me all your worries honey.”

you gushed over how much you missed wearing your favourite jackets

and how strange it was to look at yourself in such a new and confusing way

“i know it’s normal, and i know i have to do it for them. but i guess it’s just weird - i don’t look like myself anymore”

he sighed and planted a kiss on a spot of bare skin

those small kisses still tickled you like they always had

“well, you definitely look different,”

you really hoped there was a second part to that sentence, mostly for tae’s own good

“but why does that have to be bad? not gonna lie, it actually kinda makes you hotter. maybe we should make babies more often!”

“make~?”

LABOUR AND DELIVERY

originally, you had wanted to try and stick to the natural route for as long as you could

but after a few contractions, that idea was immediately out of the window

to help steady yourself and wait out the pain, you held onto the kitchen island and swayed to your own pace

eventually, taehyung joined you

copying the same movements while timing your contractions

“they really must be desperate to come out, huh?”

“well do you think they could hurry it up a bit?!”

the pair of you had been prepared for this for over a month

the hospital bag was ready by the door with all of your essentials packed tightly inside

not forgetting the pots of instant ramen taehyung insisted he must bring in case of an emergency

just as he was readying to back out of the driveway, taehyung took a mental stock check of everything packed in the back

“do you think we have everything?”

“i love you but stop talking please.”

thankfully, he understood well that the sheer pain made you cranky

so long as he assured himself that it was ‘just the contractions’, he’d be just fine

as much as he couldn’t wait to announce he was about to become a father to everyone, he kept himself grounded when walking you to the maternity ward

one corridor in and you’d suggested that a wheelchair might be a better mode of transport

breathlessness and contractions didn’t sound like a favourable mix to you

the assessment of your fast dilation granted you an immediate spot in the labour ward

you’d picked this suite specially due to its expansive space

the option of a birthing pool was still available if you so needed it, but the mood lighting and access to aromatherapy was what attracted you to the room in the first place

a serene paradise for your angels to be born into

it was perfect

taehyung explored while you adjusted to your new surroundings

of course, it didn’t take him long to find the birthing ball

“what’s the difference between a yoga ball and a birthing ball?”

there obviously was none, but you took a few seconds to try and be smart with him

“well, sit on that and you might have a baby the size of a watermelon come out of you soon.”

taehyung cradled his torso and pulled a shocked expression, which was enough to make you giggle and cause another contraction

less than a few hours passed, and you had already attempted to scream the building down once or twice

“get these babies out of me. no i’m serious, i need them out.”

realising your deadpan expression, taehyung soon attended to you at the head of your bed

stroking your slightly sweaty head and patting a ice cold flannel on your clammy forehead

he braced himself for a crushing hand grip which came about sooner than he’d prepared for

you weren’t the biggest fan of commotion, and so being surrounded by nurses and doctors was close to being your worst nightmare

taehyung focused his voice into your ear, trying to minimise the tension coming from below your pelvis

his motivational words were broken up by short bursts of pushes

many of which were followed by a string of curse words which just slipped out

and then, there it was.

the first piercing cry belted across the room

a tear or two may have happened to slip from your eyes

finally the moment you’d waited for, nearly two years in the making, was here

the first of two, a little girl who already had a head full of the most luscious black hair

taehyung wanted to hold back his happy tears in order to show some kind of strength

but you and him both knew he’d never hold it back for long

within the space of 4 minutes, the second baby was born into the world.

but this time, there was no immediate cry

the whole world seemed to slow down in that moment as you waited

and waited

midwifes gathered around the new infant, looking for any kind of obstruction

but, soon enough, your son said his first hello to the world