#i always liked this one

[sunsetno4]

I actually spent yesterday writing, a lot? o: The Heartbreak AU dribble is like now over 3k+ but it’s getting closer to done (I say like I won’t add four more scenes and another 3K+ in the end, lol).

Since I was thinking of silly playground shenanigans too, I revisited another old dribble and added a fair bit too. c: But since it takes me 13 years to finish writing anything, enjoy a unedited and long snippet of Ortega and Ven being stupid at playground.

====

It's a true delight, watching Vendetta laugh like a little hyena as ne clings to the old chains, Ortega pushing nem higher and higher. Ne doesn't even bother helping at all, curled up into something ball-like instead. There's some sirens serenading off in the distance, and the moon shines over them, picking up the small tears in nir eyes. Happy ones, or maybe just bittersweet. Their tears always have the touch of bittersweet.

Eventually though, arms start to hurt and Ortega stops trying to push Ven over the top.

"Giving up?" Ne smiles, voice even more raspy than normal, hoarse from laughter alone.

"I swear someone did it once, right over."

"Doubtful." But Ven's still smiling as ne slows the swing. It still rocks back and forth slowly, and Ortega takes the one next to nem. The plastic box of ridiculously rich cake is still close enough by for Ven to grab, plopping it down on nir lap. Ortega smiles, watching and not expecting an offer to share. Ven never would, and true to nir self, doesn't.

Nibbling on the shitty plastic spork for a moment, a slight frown appears before Ven turns nir head, shooting a look at Ortega. Too pointed to be sweet, too soft to be glare. "I know what you're doing." And just like that, all her blood freezes.

Because she's not supposed to know.

"And what am I doing?" She tries instead, putting on what she hopes is a bit of shit-eating grin. But next on her on the swing, Ven remains as hopelessly unimpressed as ne always is, rolling nir eyes hard.

"I'm…" Ne starts, but the rest of the words just stay on nir tongue. Maybe tangled up in nir head given how hard nir eyebrows furrow. "This is nice. It's just, you know we can't." One more bite of the cake, and Ortega frowns herself. So, it's not… Oh! She bites down her own words, the denial that this isn't a date or anything. It isn't. But she can't say what it is.

"It's not a date." She settles on, taking the moment to think of a good lie. Tales are spinning wildly inside, and not for the first time, she's glad Vendetta can't read her mind. "It's…" A dramatic sigh, playful, buying her more time.

"It's?"

"It's just, things have been so crazy lately." Wrong word, should be better, but excuses are the top priority in her mind right now. "With the Nanosurge and Void amping up again—"

"That asshole with knives was a delight too." Ven deadpans, rubbing nir hand.

"The point is, I just thought we could use this. A night off, a night to just be simple and carefree." It's part of reason she dragged Vendetta to this old playground. Of course, ne hated crowds so clubs and the nightlife that called to Ortega like a shiny jewel called to a crow was out of the question. But also, it was just a feeling that Vendetta was never allowed to be a kid like most people are. And that thought was too sad not to correct, somehow.

Her words hang in the air, as Ven minds them thoughtfully, nibbling on the spork again. Then, holding the box to nir chest as delicately as possible, Ven leans back and lets gravity do its thing, falling onto the sand below.

"Fine, I give up." Ne dramatically sighs, hand pressed as dramatically against nir forehead now the cake box is safe and sound. "I cave. I concede. You win."

"What are you even talking about?" She laughs. Of course, ne protected the cake.

"Isn't this date?"

"I said it isn't!" It isn't! She tried that once, and a month of Vendetta's disappearing act was a strong enough deterrence to ever trying that again. But, Vendetta is still glaring at her from the ground, feet swaying the swingseat back and forth. There's something else swimming in nir not-quite-angry eyes, something out of reach, the gears spinning to try to catch. Talking with Vendetta is like playing Clue. Half of the needed information is available, figure out the rest on your own. So. If it's a 'date', then what? Ven's giving up? Caving? Concedi—

In an instance, Ortega is on her feet and then her knees, dropping down next to her favorite person and kissing nem. Expected. Ven's hands go for her throat when it isn't. She's gotten good at telegraphing at that, she thinks.

"No one can know though. I'm serious!" Vendetta frowns when Ortega pulls back, tucking a stray hair behind her ear. Ridiculously sweet tasting, she doesn't get how Vendetta can stand that cake.

"No one will know." Ortega repeats though, still wanting to run to a rooftop and just scream. Oh, how she gets that now. It's a visceral need, not just some old Hollywood cliche. But Vendetta keeps on glaring, reaching up to not so gently squeeze her face.

"Jello. Listen." Ne starts, and Ortega does. Focuses. Listens while her heart is doing cartwheels around her brain. "No one can know. You will never see me again if this gets out. Never." It's said like a threat, a promise, an inevitable end. Ortega just wants to kiss nem again, so she does.

"No one will know. I promise." The look of pure doubt Vendetta gives her just makes her laugh again. "Hey, I can be subtle. It's not that hard." Today was proof, not that Vendetta knows. She can keep secrets, even from her hyper-perceptive yet completely oblivious telepath.

===

(For context, Ortega thinks it’s Vendetta’s birthday and just wanted to secretly spoil nem for a bit.)

[fandomsandfeminism]

Dust of Snow

BY ROBERT FROST

The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree

Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued.

[zelkams-art]

in all timelines in all possibilities only you can show me this

[captainjonnitkessler]

>Join a union

>Hear people constantly complaining that the current union leadership is super corrupt, it's all just the same ten guys making all the decisions in secret and nobody else in the union ever gets to know what's going on

>Go to the monthly union meetings that are completely open to all 1200 union members

>The only attendees are the same ten guys every month, giving detailed reports about everything that's going on

[starridge]

puppet hour was brutal

[morganbritton132]

No one tells you when you get a Big Serious Job™ how many fucking abbreviations you’ll be forced to learn.

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

The math just adds up!

[gongyussy]

i'll let phie-san say it:

[dickgraysonmybeloved]

Bruce, High on pain killers: I hate to tell you this, but one of you is adopted

The Batfam: …

Dick: .. only one?

[beepboopappreciation]

Is this anything

[frownyalfred]

actually the idea that Dick, the eldest, the only one who ever wore the cowl long term, the only one who raised a Robin on his own, is also the only one who can successfully, perfectly replicate that barked ROBIN! in Bruce's voice? the only one who can pull that exact tone from the depths of his soul, to the point where his voice is identical, so identical that old Robins like Jason are obeying before their minds even realize their bodies are moving? that Dick is the only one, has always been the only one, who can channel Bruce's voice? can channel Batman himself? I am going feral

[kimquatz]

process of drawing an OC: - you design them - you get attached to them - their hair gets bigger without you realizing it

[mawvax]

watched transformers: one and it was so good it made me draw again. Even my sibling who isn't into tf loved it. i need transformers: two IMMEDIATELY.

some spoiler art below v

Please for the love of everything that has ever existed... watch the movie and support it in cinemas or streaming - wherever - so that we have a trilogy . . .

Future meet Past

THAT scene k i l l e d me. I was in pieces when megatron was born. Completely rocked my world. God I'm so happy to be alive to witness this movie and this breakup again and again in different continuities.

Edit: the “selfish and reckless” line is intended to be Optimus blaming himself for D-16’s drastic change - it’s how I imagine Optimus rationalising how things became so wrong. Sorry for the confusion!

[cheruib]

every time i feel like i haven’t done enough things to be proud of myself during the day there’s the voice of louise glück that emerges softly in my ears and says if you missed a day there’s always the next and if you missed a year it didn’t matter the hills weren’t going anywhere the thyme and rosemary kept coming back.. and i feel like life is beautiful and kind to me again

[stealingpotatoes]

the illness post is still getting notes (???!! <3) and that means people are still telling me to get better soon, which is really nice but im gonna be too powerful if i get any better

[corviiids]

my top bit of advice going into the new year: compliment people. especially strangers. literally everyone you interact with if you can. when you buy coffee in the morning compliment the barista's tattoos. when you're chatting with a coworker tell them that by the way you like their outfit. always find something they've chosen to do on purpose. nail polish, jewellery, tattoos, hair colour/style, statement accessory, outfit, etc are all good bets. things people hope will be noticed. things that aren't too personal so it doesn't make them uncomfortable (eg probably not their physical features). i've gotten into the habit of scanning everyone i talk to for something about them that i think is cool so i can tell them. it's a great habit because it makes me notice people and realise just how many neat little details there are in people's presentation of themselves that might pass me by if i wasn't paying attention. and it brings out so much joy. you'd be surprised how much it disarms people to receive an unexpected compliment from someone they don't know. it is the most sincere smile you will see all day long. it feels nice to make people happy but it also means you win the social interaction. establish dominance by complimenting a stranger's earrings and disappearing into the fog