#i don't know why i made this list but i made it

[creativepromptsforwriting]

Drabble List #13

75 prompts to write drabbles or longer stories.

"It's time to move on."

"There's no going back."

"Why do you care?"

"This could change everything."

"I need to know the truth."

"We can't give up hope."

"I knew it would come to this."

"They won't stop until they get what they want."

"I won't let you down."

"What are you waiting for?"

"I can't do this without you."

"We need to take a risk."

"How can I ever trust you again?"

"It's not too late to turn back."

"We need to act fast."

"This isn't about winning."

"What did you expect?"

"We need to find another way."

"How can you be so calm?"

"I won't let them hurt you."

"Why didn't you believe me?"

"This is our moment."

"I didn't know who else to turn to."

"We need to stay together."

"How did it come to this?"

"You're the only one who understands."

"We have to be ready for anything."

"I wish things were different."

"It's not as simple as it looks."

"What are we waiting for?"

"You think you know me, but you don't."

"It's not about what we want; it's about what we need."

"I've made mistakes, but this isn't one of them."

"Every choice comes with a consequence."

"I didn't ask for your opinion."

"We have to find another way."

"You're stronger than you realize."

"I can't keep doing this forever."

"What if everything we've been told is a lie?"

"I won't let fear control me."

"Why do you always have to be right?"

"There's no place I'd rather be than here with you."

"This isn't the life I imagined."

"We have to keep moving forward."

"No one said it would be easy."

"We can't let them get away with this."

"It's time to make a stand."

"I never thought it would end like this."

"Do you really believe that?"

"We can't change the past, but we can shape the future."

"I'm not as perfect as you think."

"This is the moment we've been waiting for."

"You can't hide from the truth."

"Everything is falling apart."

"We need to stick to the plan."

"I refuse to give up."

"They don't understand what we're capable of."

"This is just the beginning."

"I never wanted to hurt you."

"We're running out of options."

"This is bigger than both of us."

"I can't believe you did that."

"We're all in this together."

"You have to see it from my perspective."

"It's not as simple as black and white."

"We're fighting for something greater than ourselves."

"I didn't choose this path; it chose me."

"We have to be brave."

"You're not alone in this."

"This isn't a game."

"I didn't come this far to fail now."

"We can't let fear hold us back."

"I'm not the same person I used to be."

"This isn't about revenge."

"I believe in you."

Drabble Masterlist

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[firstruleofmethclub]

I know this isn't technically the tags, but it's because I'm gonna put something else in the tags.

I think that a lot of what is really "worst" movies that are out there are the sort that were made on shoestring budgets. Some microbudget movies are genuinely really good, but a lot just aren't. Often the movies that just don't have a single likeable thing in them are made this way, and getting through them is just a chore. (I'll put a list of some of the most egregious ones in the tags).

But "nothing I liked" is outclassed by "something I HATED". And it's to bigger budgets we turn for things like that. Movies that evoke genuine, roiling anger. Even if they maybe had a likeable person in them, or an arguably good performance, or a good sequence, or a cool design, over all they just infuriate you, and have you shouting "WHY" at the screen. That's the sort of thing you're more likely to find in macrobudget (or when it's in lower cost brackets, it's usually lower cost Oscar-bait).

For mine I think it's a tie between Transformers 4 and Transformers 5. Of the two, I did objectively spend much more of my time in the latter being completely bewildered and saying out loud "Why?? Why is this happening??" than I did in the former. But Transformer's 4 has that thing where they stop the movie dead to look directly into the camera and say "Hey adults in the audience, it's actually cool and normal to have sex with teenagers, here's a legal precedent if you're worried about those pesky 'law' things getting in the way", so, sixawun I guess.

What would you guys consider the worst movie you've ever seen? Not something that's fun to make fun of, nothing you ironically enjoyed, I mean just an absolutely miserable moviegoing experience that you paid for, hated every second, and wish you had walked out of and asked for a refund.

For me, no joke, Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted. It did not even feel like a real movie to me. It made me see red! I was SEETHING with anger and annoyance throughout the entire thing, and I cannot for the life of me articulate why. I saw it once in 2012 when I was 15, I remember almost nothing about it now, but it struck a nerve with me like no other movie ever has before or since.

Tell me in the tags, which movie makes you disproportionately angry just thinking about it?

[avaredava]

Riding whatever jjk man you want in the car? Honestly, the meaner the better.

Oh God I'm drooling already 🤤

Kisses ❤️

Okiee btw i LOVE all your ideas ❤ (please marry me 😁)

MDNI

Master list's

⯌ Sum

Riding jjk men in the car 👄😆(◕દ◕)

⯌Warnings

Fem!reader, dom boys, customized sex toys, money spending (ofc), Satoru sitting beside you and suguru while ya'll fuck but for like a second, edging, clit stim, teasing, degradation, Breeding Kink, Overstimulation, semi-public sex, Degradation, Name-calling, kinda forced crawling, Power Imbalance, Spanking (A shit ton of ass spanking in Suguru's), Cockwarming, begging, Praise Kink, breeding kink, Possessiveness

⯌ The men

Satoru Gojo, Suguru Geto, Toji Fushiguro

_

A\N:

Lowkey made Toji a biker man and fucked you on his bike. i honestly don't think he'd own or afford a car. Its hot anyway 😍

୨୧・・・・୨୧

Satoru Gojo /ᐠ｡ꞈ｡ᐟ\

He'd always spoil his favourite girl. Buttt- he does always spoil himself too. I mean he is rich, so why not. So he has a nice car. Black Ferrari with blue accents. Leather seats.

Black tint.

There are a few reasons why it's fully black and you can't see through it. One being just in case there's a need to change clothes (happened before), number two, cops- he doesn't like to talk about why.

Three.

Making his pretty girl feel special, to fog up the windows, to make jaw dropping pleasure and shaky, loud breaths. And fuck you raw while your tied up or blindfolded with his blindfold of course.

That is his favourite part of having tint.

You were obviously shopping (with his black card), and he made Ijichi drive you both around today. So he could... have some fun. He made sure to get the limo not his lambo so it has the screen to separate the back to the drivers seat.

And a sound barrier.

He needs his perfect pretty girl to scream and cry.

In a good way of course.

He pulled up to the front doors of the wall and you came running out with bags and a ring with his initials, to make everyone know your his.

You have a big smile on your face and he grins coming out of the limo and takes your bags and holds you in his arms and kisses all over your face.

He brings you into the car and closes the screen. Making sure Igichi would not see his girl or more hear his girl. Your moans are made by him and owned by him.

With his money he got a special toy for you. As Igichi drives you're sitting on his lap as he's bouncing his knee bouncing you a bit.

This sex toy was a very small measured (he sent you clit measurements for the place) suction for the clit. It also vibrates and has a small nub thing that rubs on the inside. So it's super stimulating.

He got a key with a box. Is to put the remote in the box pull up your panties with the toy on and lock it in the box and throw the key and make you crawl in the moving car for it.

He starts his plan.

Instead of foreplay... he decided different.

"Strip."

You turn around on his lap with your jaw gaped open. "Toru-"

"Did I fucking stutter?"

You slowly take off your clothes, you know there is no way of getting out of this. You never have. You're left in your panties and bra. He unclasped your bra and you let out a whimper when he puts your nipple in his mouth.

His warm mouth warmed your tit making some feeling that only he can make you feel, no other man made you feel like this so sexy, so pleased. He moaned into tit as you bat your long lashes at him staring at him like he's the most beautiful man ever (he is). It just made his cock throb.

He slides off your panties sucking on your neck as he rubs your folds. He lightly brushes by your clit discreetly putting the toy on your clit. He quickly turned the toy on and you gasped as he threw the remote in the small box and locked it and threw the key across the car.

"Satoru!" You cry out. "What the f-" You got cut off as the vibrations knocked up a notch and he grinned. You crawl on the floor looking for the key as he slides your panties up so it's harder for you to take it off.

"Toru! Please get the remote." You beg as you shake on the floor as it suctions, vibrates and rubs. "Find the key pretty." He bluntly says. You are absolutely shocked. "Satoru, what the hell!?" You try to keep being mad but it feels so good.

You crawl on the floor like a little slut, his little slut, and he grins pouring himself a glass a wine with a smile. He sat all there distinguished in a tie and suit while your crawling on the floor mascara running down you face and in pretty pink panties.

He chuckles and continues sipping his whine. He leaned over and smacked your ass to make you whine out because that's favourite sound and it's fucking music to his ears.

You find the key and crawl back on the seats and shakily unlock the box taking out the remote. Before you clicked the off button Satoru took it back.

"Make me cum and then I'll turn it off..."

"Satoru! Please..." You whine, begging for this overstimulation to stop. "You have a safe word pretty girl. If you want me to stop that bad, I would, you know that."

He grabs your hands and sits you on his lap pulling your panties back down. He pulls out his cock and pumps it a few times before he slowly sinks you on it.

He throws his head back sexily, showing his long slender neck. God that just made you tighten around him. You slowly start to move up and down on his cock.

God the way he smiled it just made you bounce faster.

"Faster."

He slapped your ass again making you ride him faster. He cums inside, you're quite thankful for your birth control or you would be extremely pregnant right now especially the fact that Gojo hates condoms.

He stops the vibrations after you squeeze around him and cum. His dick is sensitive so he pulls you off of him and kisses your sweaty forehead.

He helps you get dressed and kisses your forehead.

"Such a good girl for me..."

Suguru Geto ♡(> ਊ <)♡

One thing Suguru does not give a shit about is where he fucks you. He would of course not do it somewhere you don't want but to him? He doesn't care.

So that's how you ended up taking his cock in the passenger seat while his best friend Satoru is watching you both driving.

"Damn calm down Suguru your gonna break her-"

"Keep your eyes on the fucking road and don't speak or look at her she's mine dumbass." Suguru groaned as he bounced you more on his cock.

Satoru chuckled and pulled over to the side of the road. "I ain't watching this shit anymore." He gets out of the car and walks down the road.

Suguru doesn't care where he's going he's too focused on how good your pussy's sucking him up and taking him.

"F-Fucker." You hollered as his tip bruised your cervix. Wrapping around him like a vice. "You're so tight- shit."

He refuses to be fully dominated so he shakily runs a hand down down your body and he rubs quick circles on your clit.

You move quicker chasing your orgasm before he takes his hand away leaving the burning feeling in your stomach as he stops you from moving too.

"P-Please don't stop, Sugu, it hurts!" Tears pricked at your eyes as he slapped your ass as he continued to cockwarm him.

His tip was pushing against your g-spot so that didn't make it any better. It was so hot and sweaty and cramped in there all you wanted to do was cling to him.

He kissed your forehead and you moaned from his touch alone. God this man was breath taking.

"Beg."

Your eyes widen as that one word escapes his mouth. "W-What?" You stutter out still sensitive from everything. "Did I fucking stutter?" He looks you dead in the eyes with a cold serious stare. But that mean grin just got you wetter.

At this point you had to beg.

"Please Sat- I mean Sugu." You accidentally almost said Satoru. You're too cock drunk to know the difference. His eyes filled up with something you've never seen in him.

He grabbed your hair and pulled your face closer to him. "Your gonna fucking take something before you get my cock. But you're gonna sit here on my cock with no movement. Such a bad girl."

He turned you around on him with his cock still inside so your ass is facing him. You grab on to the dashboard as you feel his hot breath on your neck.

You know you're in trouble.

He lands a hand to your ass causing a pleasurable sting. He keeps hitting till your ass was cherry red. Tears roll down your face from the pain but then again it's Suguru so you don't have much say.

He starts to feel a little bad and rubs your ass, gently kissing your neck. He turns you back around and kisses your lips. He starts to bounce you on his cock.

The pleasureful burn in your stomach reappears. You let out a small moan at his thick cock hitting spots that only he can reach. Instead of stopping he continues.

He rubs your clit extremely fast once more making you bounce harder and at this point your moans turned into screams.

You finally cum in unison with him. His cum warming your walls as your squirt drips down on his cock.

He pulls you off of him as you sit on his lap wincing at the burn on your ass.

You instantly fall asleep.

He dresses you and holds you on his lap holding you close kissing your forehead.

He looked up and saw Satoru in the bushes with his cock in his hand grinning at him when they made eye contact.

"For fucks sake-"

Toji Fushiguro ⁄(⁄ ⁄•⁄-⁄•⁄ ⁄)⁄

It was late at night, the air was crisp and cold. You're walking around a parking garage trying to find your boyfriend- Toji.

You quickly found him standing by his motorcycle with one of compression shirts and his grey sweats.

He gives you a tight hug. "Hey pretty." He says in his deep enveloping voice that send shivers down your spine.

His musky scent makes all your senses water. God this man was fucking perfect. All though to him he's nothing. He swears you're the most gorgeous, perfect thing in the universe.

But you always remind him that he's perfect too. Reminding him of that, maybe being cuddles, compliments, or something like that. But his personal favourite is your special compliments to his dick.

God that makes his ego spike over the roof.

"I need some support baby, I'm not feeling 100%..." He said in a sappy tone. You were about to get sappy for him but then...

It hit you. He never would get all corny like this unless it was for sex. But you decide to humour him anyway.

"Oh no baby? What's wrong?" You say in an obvious sarcastic tone. "Something wrong down here?" You pat his crotch and he jolts with that handsome smirk of his.

He holds you close. "Maybe I do." He says in that tone of his that makes your thighs clench and your panties wet, no soaked.

He flipped up your skirt up and pulled your panties to the side making you bend over on his bike.

"Toji we are in fucking public!" You hissed at him quietly. There weren't many people around but still there might be cameras or people since it's a fucking parking garage.

He took out his cock and slapped his cock against your folds and swiped it making sure it's soaked with your juices. Making sure it's lubed enough because he is quite big and he would never want to hurt his pretty girl.

He slowly pushed it making you grab on to his bike and squeeze your eyes shut at the immaculate stretch.

"Y-Your so big..." Fat tears rolled down your face as he began snapping his hips, his tip hitting your cervix and his thick veins massaging all your sweet spots.

You finish on him and he cums inside, massive fucking amounts of it.

He pulls out fingering the cum back inside before he sits on his bike. He pulls you on his lap and bounces you on his cock.

"What kinda boyfriend would I be if I didn't make you come not once but twice."

There you were riding his cock, feeling so fucking good. You didn't care about being caught anymore, all you cared about was how good all of this felt.

His happy trail was scratching against your clit and it made you whine out and he grabbed the plush of your ass helping you move up and down faster.

You finally squirted with one of your squeals and your walls gripping his cock all so nicely he came too.

You were so stuffed with his cum it was dripping out.

He stood up and pulled your panties back up and your skirt back down and not scrunched around your hips.

"It's messy..." You whined into his ear with a pout and he kissed it because how cute it was.

"Good because you belong to me sweet girl, never forget that. And this is a good way to make sure you feel it too."

୨୧・・・・୨୧

Ya'll this was in my drafts i forgot to finish it sryyy but now it's done <3 😭

[be-xkyy]

Hello! Since I read your Yandere stories, my head began to ask these questions, how many children do our yanderes want to have for us? Would they get a little jealous when our babies are feeding from us?

Hii Dear Anon!

First of all I'm glad you liked my content, thank you! And secondly, your question is very good Anon, although this will be a bit short, I hope you like it! 🖤

How many children would the yanderes have with reader? Would they be jealous of their children?

Tagging list: @kthehoeforfictionalmen ★ @dreamlessnight ★ @riawrld ★ @darkuni63 ★

Yandere Farmer Link

This man definitely wants lots of kids, five or six at the very least and about nine or ten at the most, I think he'd mostly prefer to have boys (since he thinks they're easier to handle) but he wouldn't mind having one or two girls, he has a big farm so he doesn't worry about space and he makes enough money from the cattle and crops to support them all.

As for being jealous of his children when they're breastfed or jealous in general, I don't think so. I honestly don't think he's the "Stay away son, she's mine" type but he also wouldn't let you have much time with the kids especially if they're boys since if you spoil them too much he thinks you'll make them "weak" and "mama's boys" which he doesn't want, so when they learn to walk he'll take them with him to do the farm chores.

"The kids are coming to work with me today. What if they're three and four? That's the perfect age to start getting to know everything, don't question me."

Yandere Cowboy Link

He would want at least 3 children, two boys and a girl, although he might want more, depending on his mood.

And regarding getting jealous when watching his child eat or in general, I think he would get a little jealous, although he would try to be playful and downplay it, saying things like "He's a little chubby, don't you think you feed him too much?" Or "Look, it's 1 PM, isn't it time for a nap? Come on, son, it's time to sleep." Of course you don't let him take the baby away, it's not his bedtime yet.

"Baby doll, when I was a child I was fed and put to sleep at any hour even if I didn't want to, and look at me, everything turned out fine!"

Yandere Dilf Link

This poor man wants to have two girls, two little princesses that look like you, he already has one son so you'd rather have girls but he doesn't care if one is a boy or if they both end up being boys (although not having a daughter that looks like you would break his heart) he's one of the few yanderes that promises to have only two children and keeps it. He doesn't force you to have more even if the ones you give birth to aren't the gender he wanted.

Well now I don't think he would get jealous of his children while breastfeeding, rather I think he would touch the baby's head while breastfeeding even leaving kisses on its chubby cheek, although seeing you breastfeeding might excite him a little (he has a thing for tits and milk, okay?) but he wouldn't try anything at that moment on the contrary he would try to hide it.

"You're so pretty little girl... look at that little nose and those round cheeks... you're so precious sweetheart... just like your mommy"

Yandere Sugar Daddy Link

Another one who wants to have two kids, only he wants to have a pair a boy and a girl, no more kids, just two. Not one more, not one less. I think he would have favoritism with his girl and the boy would be more attached to you as a result.

He would get jealous, he doesn't even want to hide it, although he would be more mean if the one you were breastfeeding was the boy, he would stare from the leather chair right in front of you, watch you rub the baby's head while he eats and make comments like "You don't rub my head when I suck on your boobs, don't rub his head either" or "You know there are high end milks on the market made from breast milk, why don't we try giving him that instead of your milk?" if you scold him or look at him the wrong way he would throw up his hands in surrender and say in an offended voice.

"Hey! Don't look at me like that! You should be grateful that I care, that brat will make your tits sag!"

[anmwrites]

Stubborn

Xaden Riorson x Reader

Hi friends! I was originally planning on posting one of my already written fics, but since this was requested I made it first priority! I hope I did the request justice (and didn't miss anything when I proofing it). Forewarning, I feel like I absolutely suck at ending stories, so I apologize if the ending is terrible >:( This was written as a FMC as well, but please change to whatever makes you feel comfortable when reading.

Warnings: Cursing, slight sexual innuendos (?), and faint mentions of childhood trauma.

Other Notes: Xaden being more fluffy, maybe, than usual; reader being moody and not really knowing why she's upset (I think I put some of myself into that oop); pretty rusty at this so I hope it doesn't suck lol.

I also want to go ahead and say that I take trigger warnings very seriously as someone who has struggled with mental health, so for future fics please let me know if I miss anything. This one felt a little lighter than some fics I've written in the past, but I don't want to hurt anyone in any way. Please always take caution even though I will list any warnings. Your mental health matters!

On that note, I hope everyone enjoys and finds a little escape with our favorite shadow wielder! (Disclaimer: I do not own any photos below)

To say the adjustment to training with and well, in general, to having fliers around was easy is a lie. A complete. Fucking. Lie. The only thing both riders and fliers had in common were the amount of fights they caused with one another. That was it. 

Y/N tried. She really, really tried to make the best of a shitty situation, but she was almost at her breaking point. Especially with Xaden’s ex roaming the halls. She was one bad comment away from Sgaeyl biting her head off for snapping at him. 

“He’s not into her anymore,” Violet said, snapping Y/N out of her thoughts as she stared, more like glared, at the short-haired bitch from across the dining hall. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Y/N snipped back. “Yes, you do. You are this close to starting a fight with her. Don’t be like Ridoc, you’re a lot more level headed than him,” she said, pinching her fingers together to show a miniscule amount of space. “Hey! It was one fight,” Ridoc exclaimed from across the table. 

“One fight too many,” Violet mumbled rolling her eyes at their spastic friend. “I’m fine,” Y/N huffed. The entire squad gave her a knowing look. She rolled her eyes, “Whatever, I’ll see you losers in class.” Ridoc gave her a cheerful smile as she stood, everyone else grumbling their goodbyes. 

A silk-like touch wrapped around her ankles as she made her way out of the dining hall. Y/N didn’t have to look to know Xaden sent his shadows trailing after her, a silent inquiry as to where she was going. She just shook her foot, not wanting to think nor speak to her boyfriend. As if Zihnal himself had a personal vendetta against her, though, a rough hand grabbed her arm. 

Y/N turned to find Xaden staring down at her, a hint of concern written in those beautiful eyes. “Where are you going?” he asked. “Kill time before our next class,” Y/N shrugged, refusing to look at him. Truth be told, ever since she found out Cat was Xaden’s ex, she really tried to avoid him, a nasty feeling permanently making its home in her stomach. 

“Well, I gathered as much,” Xaden rolled his eyes, releasing her arm. “I can come with,” he suggested, his tone much softer than what the entire riders quadrant would ever hear. “I’m fine, thanks,” she said flatly. Xaden made a face. “What’s wrong?” 

“Nothing.” “You’ve been saying that for the past two weeks now. Yet I barely get to see you, and you’re avoiding me.” Y/N just shrugged, “I’m busy.” Xaden scoffed, a darker expression replacing his concerned features. “C’mon,” he said, grabbing at her waist before running his hand along the curve of her body. She felt her breath sweep out of her. “Don’t you miss this?” He leaned in, whispering in her ear. He planted a feather-light kiss on the shell of it, sending heat rushing through her body. 

Y/N almost forgot why she was so mad. Until a nasally voice cut through the air. “Xaden!” she practically shrieked. Y/N cleared her throat, taking a step back out of his embrace. “I’ll see you later,” she mumbled before melting into the crowd. A furious expression graced Xaden’s face as he watched Y/N retreat before turning to face Cat. “What do you want?” he snapped. She sauntered over with a flirtatious smile. “Trouble in paradise?” she drawled. Xaden just crossed his arms. Cat flashed him a saccharine smile, “You know, I can always make you feel better. I do know how to make you feel better.” She smirked, and tried to reach her hand out to touch his face. Xaden shot a hand out, forcefully gripping her wrist. “You don’t get to fucking touch me anymore,” he snarled. Her swaggering facade fell slightly as she squirmed to try and get out of his grasp. 

“Fine,” she snapped. He released her. “You’ll come crawling back to me once you get bored with that one.” Xaden glared at her. “I don’t do sloppy seconds,” he spit before turning on his heel and leaving her. 

__

Maybe you should just talk to him, Nordys, Y/N’s black scorpion tail huffed as they lounged in one of the many fields within the nesting grounds around Aretia. That’s not happening. Nordys’ head swiveled in her direction, coming eye level to her. His green eyes narrowed into slits. You’re being childish. He is your mate. 

One, ew he’s not my mate. He’s my boyfriend. And two, what am I supposed to say? ‘Hey Xaden, I fucking hate your ex-girlfriend. She makes my life and my squadmates’ lives a living hell. Drags up very painful memories from my childhood. Can I please incinerate her?’ Nordys let out a chortle which was eerily similar to a laugh. Yes. Essentially that. He is the wingleader. And I would be happy to oblige by incinerating her and her mount. Y/N smiled softly at the thought, leaning against his side. At least someone understood. 

Tairn just said he would turn a blind eye to it as well. Sgaeyl agreed too. We would have free reign to kill them all, Nordys continued. That’s a shock considering they won’t let Andarna do it. 

Andarna is a petulant adolescent. She must learn patience and discipline. At least that’s what Tairn told me. 

Y/N sighed. I just don’t know what I’d say to him. I’m not mad at him. He’s entitled to have ex’s. I would be shocked if he didn’t. It’s just…I really hate her.  

You are ten times the human she is. You do not need to worry about your position as Xaden’s mate. Y/N groaned, Stop calling him that. Boyfriend, he is my boyfriend. We’ve talked about this. And I’m not worried about my position with Xaden. It’s just…well, I’ve told you before. My mother chased after rich men her entire life. They basically used her for her body and left her in the gutter. 

I will call him as I see fit and you are not your mother. You are a rider, Nordys huffed, before laying his head down and closing his eyes. You need to go to class now, he said after a moment. Y/N groaned again. He was right. She was going to be late, and Professor Emetterio would have her head. Fine. Have fun doing whatever it is you do, Y/N grumbled, gathering her things. Nordys let out a hot breath in her face before launching himself into the sky leaving Y/N to trek to class. 

__

Y/N’s moment of peace was ruined the moment she stepped into combat training. The fliers were gathered on one side of the mat while the riders stood on the opposite side. “I see immersion into our current living situations are going well,” Emetterio mumbled mostly to himself. Professor Devera just let out a quiet laugh from where she stood beside her colleague. Xaden was standing near the door, pointedly staring at Y/N while she was doing everything she could not to meet his hard gaze. 

“Well, since everyone wants to fight everyone outside of this class, we will be pairing riders with fliers,” Emetterio’s voice boomed through the room. There was an audible groan from both sides. 

“Good, now then!” He continued. Y/N zoned out as everyone began pairing off while he called names. Only when her name and her opponent was called did she really pay attention. Her blood ran cold as Cat stared back at her with a dark grin on her face. 

“You’ve got this,” Violet whispered from her right. Rhiannon nodded in agreement from her left. “You’ve been trained by Xaden himself. You’re one of our strongest fighters,” Ridoc came up behind her, clapping her on the back. Y/N just gave them a look before stepping on the mat. “Begin,” Emetterio called. 

Cat smirked and she began dancing around on her feet. “It’s about time we got paired together,” Cat commented. Y/N snorted, watching her closely. Timing was everything. Xaden taught her that. Study your opponent and assess their weak side if possible. Especially when you go to the mat during class. His voice rang clear in her head from all those late nights spent training. 

“Let’s make it interesting,” Cat continued on, “Winner gets Xaden?” Y/N glared back at her, “He’s not some trophy.” She let out a sultry laugh, “You’re right. He isn’t. He’d be one for you, but not for me. You see, we’re royalty, him and I. So it’s just the perfect match.” 

Y/N let out an inhumane snarl before lunging at her. To her utter shock, Cat maneuvered out of her way resulting in Y/N punching the air. She swung around and landed a sweep to Y/N’s legs, knocking her on her face. Fury rippled through her as she swung around trying to knock Cat off her feet with a swift kick, but to her surprise, yet again, Cat took the hit and rolled right back into her stance exactly…exactly like Xaden. 

Her cackle was like nails on a chalkboard. Y/N pushed herself up quickly, going through the next steps just like Xaden showed her, but Cat didn’t miss a beat, moving just like how Xaden would when they trained. 

Y/N froze for just a second, as she watched for the fifth time, as Cat moved just like him. Her moment cost her, and next thing she knew, a fist met her face. Y/N stumbled towards the edge of the mat where Violet and Ridoc caught her and kept her from falling over. “S-she was taught by Xaden. Every single one of his moves. She knows them,” Y/N panted. “It doesn’t matter. Focus,” Vi encouraged. While Y/N thought no one noticed, she was really wrong. Cat got under her skin. Everyone could see it. 

“Finish it,” Ridoc snarled at her, his hard stare on Cat, who was still laughing. “Ready to tap out yet?” she goaded. Seeing red, Y/N shoved herself off of Violet and Ridoc. Faster than she had ever been, she lunged for Cat. Her fist met flesh with the satisfying crunch of Cat’s nose. 

Cat snarled before whipping back up, slugging Y/N in the face again. “You bitch!” she hissed. Y/N laughed, the coppery tang of blood filling her mouth. “You broke my nose,” Cat snarled. “Sucks to suck,” Y/N smirked. “Argh!” Cat exploded, reaching in her belt and ripping out a dagger. 

Y/N had moments to react. She went straight for the onyx hilted blade at her side, barely blocking Cat’s attack before she could leave a permanent scar across her face. She felt a faint sting on her cheek, but that was the least of her worries because Cat lunged at her again. Rage built within Y/N. She began striking back, dodging every one of her blows. She was fairly certain Cat was using her abilities on her to rile her up, but she didn’t care. Part of this anger was all Y/N’s.

She could barely hear Emetterio yelling at them to drop the weapons. Barely hear her squadmates and the fliers edging on the fight. It was turning sloppy. Both began ripping at each other’s hair, trying to cut one another. Until strong arms wrapped around her center, yanking Y/N off of Cat, who’s entire face was bloody. 

“You won,” a soft voice caressed her ear. “Sweetheart, you won. You proved your point,” Xaden’s shadows wrapped lovingly around her struggling form. Y/N was still seeing red. Cat was shrieking profanities at her as her friends were trying to hold her back. “You fucking whore!” Cat screamed, “He’ll come crawling back after he gets sick of fucking your pathetic ass–” “Cat!” Xaden’s voice boomed. 

Y/N snarled and went to lunge again, but Xaden whirled on her, body blocking her with his chest. “Darling, calm down,” he said. “Look at me!” Two hands gripped her face tightly and she felt the fight slowly slip away. Her eyes met his beautiful gold-flecked onyx eyes. “There you go. Calm down. It’s alright, you won,” he was breathing heavily. Nothing but pride filled his face. 

The high wore off and she finally took a moment to breathe. Y/N glanced around and saw Violet and Rhiannon give her a grimace, but they looked happy nonetheless. Ridoc looked like he just had a blast, and everyone else began whispering excitedly as Emetterio dismissed them. 

She looked back to Xaden who was still staring at her intently. “You were fantastic,” he breathed. “I’ve never seen you move that fast. Albeit it got sloppy there at the end, but still.” That ugly feeling resumed its place within her as the reality of what just happened sunk in. “She fought like you,” Y/N whispered. Xaden tensed. “She fucking fought like you because you trained her,” Y/N hissed, stepping out of his grip. 

“Y/N,” Xaden sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. She just shook her head and turned on her heel, storming out. 

“Y/N wait!” his voice followed her out as she stormed through the halls. Y/N nearly made it to her room before Xaden caught her arm. “What is going on with you?” he asked, with an exasperated look. “You fucking trained her Xaden!” she shrieked. Emotion began pouring out of her. “It’s one thing that I have to pretend to be civil with your ex when all she does is spew shit out about how she’s royalty and that I’m just a side-piece! And now I find out you taught her how to fight?” 

“So what if I taught her how to fight?” Xaden snarled, his temper flaring. He could not, for the love of Amari, figure out what the big deal was. “I-I, just don’t know,” Y/N muttered, exhaustion finally sweeping in. She could feel her cheeks dampen as tears rolled freely down her face. Embarrassment coursing through her. She didn’t even know when she started crying. 

Xaden threw his hands up in the air, still clearly frustrated. “You don’t know? You don’t know? I have been trying to talk to you for two weeks now! How many times do I have to tell you that I am in love with you? So deeply in love with you!” he shouted. Y/N just stared at him.

“Are you mad at me? Jealous? What is wrong!” he asked. Y/N opened her mouth and then closed it. Was she mad at him? “No,” she exhaled, “I’m not mad at you. I, I just don’t know why I’m so upset. I mean there’s a very large possibility that Cat has been manipulating my emotions, but I’ve just had this horrible feeling sitting in my gut ever since I found out about your history with her,” she concluded.  “You have nothing to be worried about,” Xaden sighed. “That feeling, my dear, is called jealousy.” 

Y/N just shook her head. In all reality, she really didn’t want to talk about it with him. He knew what her past was, but just because he said it didn’t bother him didn’t mean it never bothered her. 

She pushed open her door planning on slamming it in his face, but he caught it and followed her in. “Just talk to me. Please, baby, just talk to me,” he said quietly, resting his hand on her cheek and wiping a stray tear away. Y/N squeezed her eyes shut. “It’s just…you were going to marry her. Marry her, Xaden. She’s practically a princess where she comes from. She was practically your first for everything. And she struts around here like she’s still going to be married to you, calling me a whore and all of the other names in the book. Constantly reminding me,” Y/N let out a shaky breath and opened her eyes, "reminding me of where I came from that I so desperately want to forget.” 

Xaden studied her for a moment, his features visibly softening. “You aren’t your mother,” he said quietly. Y/N scoffed. “You really aren’t. You didn’t end up like her.” “What? Fawning over rich, powerful men who only cared when she spread her legs open for them?” Y/N mumbled.

“Is that how you think of us?” Xaden questioned. “No? Yes? I don’t know. It’s just with her here, it’s what it felt like,” Y/N whispered. Xaden let out a breath before wrapping her in his arms. “It’s not,” he murmured into her hair, “It’s more than that. I love you for you. For your light, intelligence, your stubbornness…absolutely everything. She may have been my first but you will be my last. My heart has always belonged to you and will always belong to you in this life and the next.” 

Y/N felt a wave of calm and reassurance wash over her. She melted deeper into his embrace, breathing his all too familiar scent. “I love you too,” Y/N grumbled into his chest, “And I’m sorry for not talking to you sooner.” Xaden chuckled, pulling away slightly. “It’s fine my sweet girl,” he gave her one of his smiles only she was allowed to see. 

“Now can I kiss you or are you going to bite my head off?” He smirked. Y/N rolled her eyes, gripping his face and pulling it down to hers. Xaden’s lips met hers in a fervor. The taste of him all consuming. Kissing Xaden was like a dream, but this? After two weeks of walking on eggshells? Well, Y/N was practically floating. 

His tongue swiped her bottom lip, asking for permission. Y/N happily obliged, parting her lips to give him access. His hands roamed freely all over her body sending lightning cascading down her spine. She let out a soft groan as he deepened the kiss, both of them moving in tandem backwards towards the bed. Y/N hardly registered her legs bumping into it before she fell backwards. The soft duvet fluffed up around her as Xaden followed in suit until he was settled in between her legs. He leaned in bearing more of his weight down and – 

“Oof,” she grunted, a zap of pain shooting up her back. Xaden froze, pushing up off her. “I’m fine,” she whined, staring up at him. “You took a nasty beating,” he commented, pushing fully up and off of her. Y/N just let out another pathetic whine, missing the feel of his lips and body on hers. 

Xaden just chuckled and held out his hands. “Not until you’re cleaned up and feeling better,” he tutted. “Up.” Y/N rolled her eyes, but grabbed his hands. He did have a point. Her whole body had begun aching. “Fine,” she huffed. “But as soon as I’m all patched up, can we go back to kissing?” He let out a glorious laugh, “Yes, love. We can go back to kissing.”

____________

See, I told you my endings are always lame. I'm so sorry. Will also start building a Masterlist soon too.

[scurvgirl]

How do those human stories start? Ah, yes. Once upon a time, there was a cave.

It was a glorious piece of draconic real estate located in a picturesque mountainside. The best opening to the cave looked over green, fertile lands fit for growing...whatever it is humans here like to grow. Potatoes? It must be potatoes.

And like many dragons of similar age and stature, I was looking for a new home. I made a list of desires like any prospective home buyers - access to running water, high high ceilings, a spacious vault for my sizeable and sure to grow hoard. The must-haves, you know.

And like so many dragons, I faced...peculiar responses to my real estate acquisition.

Firstly, I assure you, it was all above board. I arrived at the cave, roared at the occupying goblins to announce that a superior life form had arrived to stake claim. I gave them a full week to move out (a testament to my generosity!) then began the arduous task of secretively transporting my hoard from my previous, now unsuitable lair, to my new luxurious abode.

The humans heard the roaring. I made sure to circle the mountain three times. I even started a small, manageable fire to say "yes, I'm here, but not to fear, I'm not here to cause issue." All true! I hate mutton and potatoes (is it potatoes?) do not entice me to any sort of violence.

And yet, humans being what they are (skittish and unfortunately dimwitted and fatalistic), decided that I simply must be dealt with. The first two generations sent knight after knight and really? Sending armed intruders to your neighbor? It was intolerably rude. I dealt with them as any homeowner facing invasion would - I incinerated them. Well, almost all of them. The last time, I left one alive and told him to go back to tell the humans to stop and just leave me be. Of course, the fool tripped and fell down the mountain, breaking his fragile neck.

The third generation, or the current one I suppose, decided to take a new, horrific approach. It began with a gong. The wretched thing rang and rang and - do you know how much sleep a dragon of my stature requires? It is substantial and it is of utmost importance that this rest be achieved so that I may continue to increase my stature and acquire more treasure. So you can imagine how this gong vexed me.

Finally, I had no choice but to fly to that malodorous village and roar, "Cease that incessant ringing! Can a dragon not sleep anymore?".

I thought that would be the end of it. It was not.

The gong rang and I flew back out and below me I saw a horrendously butchered sheep. It was so offensive to me I set it ablaze to longer afront my eyes nor nostrils.

The next week, the gong rang again. Once more, I left to shout - to find venison. Hm. Well. I do happen to enjoy venison. I landed, took the meat and flew back to my home to properly cook the meal.

The next few weeks went similarly but quite frankly I'd rather them leave me be than even offer me, albeit free, food. On the sixth week, I destroyed the gong with a decisive tail thwack and left the venison.

Somehow, the following month the gong returned. How, why - who is to say when it comes to foolish, stupidly scared humans who don't know well enough to when to leave things be! Incensed, I flew from my roost, breathing fire into the sky to make my intent known. Stop this madness!

I went to the gong, expecting to find venison to find....a horror.

There are things that even beasts weep for.

Things that should never come to pass, yet inexplicably do.

A human baby squirmed upon the alter, crying out for a parent that...that...how could anyone do such a thing? A dragon would never leave their defenseless young to the elements, let alone a creature that could surely kill it.

With as much care as a dragon of my immense size could, I landed beside the alter to inspect the offspring. What a small thing. Squishy. Without scales or sharp teeth or claws. I could not begin to understand the purpose of this, but I knew one thing for certain - the offspring was not responsible for the foolish acts of the idiots in the village. If anything, the creature ought to be liberated from the village to have any hope of survival.

Well. What other dragon of my incredible abilities could claim to have so precious to humans as one of their offspring in their hoard?

Decision made, I used the utmost care to take the handle of the basket in my mouth. I took off and flew myself and my new treasure home.

In the following years, I have made the realization that parenthood is challenging. A challenge worthy of a dragon such as I. The little one has grown, though is still rather small. They are quite adept at learning things such as language and arithmetic, but of course they are! They are mine after all.

I was in repose, sunning myself on the far side of the mountain that overlooks an arid landscape, when I heard the small pitter patter of feet. What perhaps does the little one wish?

"Dragon! I've come to slay you!" What a surprising thing to say! I rose to my feet and turned my head to peer down at the youngling.

"Oh? Have you been reading Nanny's books again?"

"I am going to take your treasure! Haha!" They brandished the wooden sword their Nanny (a "witch" similarly cast out from the village who foolishly sought out my cave; in turn, I made her my servant!) made for them and waved it around in a most uncoordinated way. Perhaps they required another tutor.

"No! You shall never take my treasure!" I roared dramatically before pushing my great nose to their mid-section. I lifted them up to the sky on the edge of my nose. They laughed and clutched at me, wooden sword clattering to the stone beneath us. I waved them around in the air a while longer before setting them down. It took long minutes but eventually their laughter died down.

"Can we have potatoes for dinner?" They asked, bright faced and excited. I sighed.

"Alright, potatoes it is."

"Yay!" They celebrated before running back into the cave, shouting the news of dinner to Nanny.

"Dragon, I've come to slay you!" Confused, you look at the unarmored child pointing a wooden sword at you.

[hellishunicorn]

No, because I'm not done talking about Burt.

After last episode I've seen a few people saying how they genuinely thought outie Burt had retired in season 1, which confused me, because I thought it had been obvious from the start that he didn't retire. He was fired. In the video his outie made, he never specifies retiring, just that it's his last day, like I already covered in my post here.

The thing that bugs me, however, is that he was for sure fired because he was the one to form the connection between the two departments, MDR and O&D, that are not supposed to interact with each other, when, in episode 4 in season 1, he shows up at MDR with the tote bags, with a map to O&D and an invite for them to come over and visit. Then later, when all of MDR go to O&D in episode 6, Burt is the one to make a concrete plan for him and Mark to go check out the mammalians nurturable together. Now, granted I don't think he was intentionally working against Lumon at that point, but that's not the point. He is still offering members from a different department over to his, therefore creating a connection that can spread along the severed floor, ending, possibly, in an uprising against the company, when they eventually find out what exactly is going on there.

Now, I understand why they might not have wanted to tell him that reason, since that might lead him to start some investigation on the outside, similar to what maybe Irving was up to (if the list of severed employees and the news article are anything to go by). So, they go with the other thing he did, form a romantic connection with another severed employee (although they vastly embellished that description) as a reason for why he was fired, not knowing, of course, that innie Irving would find him, show up on his doorstep, shouting his name, leading outie Burt to get suspicious and follow him around, before offering him over to his house for ham and a talk.

[lilypotter6457]

The Love of My Life

Multi-Fandom One Shots

•|Master List|•

🏒Luke Hughes x Reader: Choreographer💝

REQUESTED BY: No One

Prompt: "I don't really know how to dance..." "It's never too late to learn"

Type: Fluff 💝

~•~•~•~•~•~

Luke was the outgoing type, always surrounded by friends, partying whenever he got the chance. He's a hockey guy, it made sense.

He was only at University of Michigan to advance in hockey, so while he kept his grades up, he never really cared. He has two brothers in the NHL, it made sense.

So what didn't make sense was his behavior recently.

His head was in the clouds, he wanted to do more in certain classes, and his friends were confused.

Until they saw her.

Y/N L/N.

A dancer, with connections across the industry.

They were unsure what about her was so special to him, especially because she was the complete opposite of Luke.

Quiet, introverted, few friends, never partying, his attraction didn't make sense.

But not everything about Luke had to make sense.

But, despite his fascination with the girl, it never went anywhere.

He eventually got drafted to the Devils, leaving Michigan to play in Jersey.

Meanwhile Y/N went to London, to help choreograph a movie.

To Luke it was the end of his chances, but the universe had different ideas...

~Time Skip - Fall 2024~

Y/N now worked in New York City, living in Hoboken, New Jersey though.

Now starring in The Great Gatsby on Broadway, being the assistant choreographer/dance captain. She was also in the ensemble.

Luke, playing hockey for the devils, lived with his brother in Hoboken as well.

It was a shock their paths never crossed.

Until a certain day.

Luke, leaving his apartment early one morning, his brother blowing his phone up that they were gonna be late.

Rushing out of the elevator, towards the lobby, he almost made it to the door when he suddenly hit something.

Or someone.

Falling back, he heard a voice "ow."

Looking up, he made eye contact with a certain girl.

The girl he was obsessed with.

Y/N.

"I am so sorry" she says, standing up, helping him up.

He looks at her, "it's my fault, should've been paying attention."

He looks at her face, seeing the same girl he remembered from university, still as gorgeous with a new charm.

"Well, I'll see you" she says, walking out.

His eyes follow her, watching as she walked to the elevator.

He was only taken out of his thoughts when Jack honked the car from behind him.

Rushing to practice.

~~

Practice was hell for Luke, he tried to focus but his mind kept going back to the girl, and Jack noticed.

Just because he was in the car doesn't mean he didn't see the interaction.

Having heard the stories over the summer from Luke's friends, talking about his obsession with some girl he doesn't know, it wouldn't take a genius to figure that out. And that's why Jack put it together so quickly.

The ride home was silent, Jack plotting to get his brother to grow some balls while Luke's mind was on the girl once again.

Back at the apartment building, they walked in, heading towards the elevator, Jack spotted his brother's crush.

She was on a couch, looking occupied on her phone.

But that's no matter, Jack had a plan.

He suddenly tripped himself, pushing the full 184 lbs that was Luke Hughes over, resulting in him landing on the couch.

Directly on the girl.

"Ouch" she says, shocked by the impact.

Looking down, she spots the same boy from earlier. The boy who had been on her mind all day, the boy who she had noticed in Michigan but knew she didn't have a chance. How would a star hockey player like himself want an introverted theatre nerd like herself.

If only she knew.

"Hey stranger," she jokes, looking at the boy on top of her.

"I- I- I'm sor- sorry" he stutters out.

Both red faced, he quickly gets off of her.

Standing up, he apologized once again.

Walking away, Jack interjected, not wanting time to be wasted, the season is approaching and Luke can't have his mind in the gutter.

"Hey, I'm Jack, and that's Luke, you are...?" He starts, stopping Luke.

"I'm Y/N, nice to meet you Jack" she responds happily, shaking his hand.

"Well Y/N, it's nice to meet you, if you're ever bored, I don't think we'd mind having some company over, right Luke?" He says, towards his brother.

"Y-yeah" is all Luke manages to get out.

"Well thank you, I think I have time before work if you guys are free?" She asks, unsure.

"Yeah, we just got done practice so give it like an hour and we can meet back here," Jack says.

"Okay, see you guys then."

~One Hour Later~

Luke took forever to get ready, wanting to look perfect for this as he knew this could be his chance.

If he grows some balls anyways.

Jack texted Quinn, making him aware and telling him that his brother better grow up or he'll strangle him.

Meanwhile, Y/N was calling her close friend, Sam. She knew she needed some Sam Pauly advice right about now.

"Just be straight up, if he doesn't reciprocate then he's crazy. Any guy would be lucky to have a talented girl like you, and if he can't see that then he isn't worth it," she says, being straight up.

This leads us to now, the three at a small coffee shop, talking about life.

"So Y/N, what do you do for work?" Jack asks, trying to get more information for his plan.

"I'm currently in The Great Gatsby over in the city," she says.

"Wait that's a musical?" Jack asks, acting as if he had even read the book.

"Yeah, I also am the assistant choreographer," she says.

Great. Jacks plan was forming by the second.

"Oh, so you dance?" He says, pretending to be interested.

"Yeah, I've been dancing since I could walk, I went to Michigan for a while before leaving to pursue a job over in England."

"University of Michigan or Michigan State?"

"University of Michigan, I'd rather jump into the river before going to Michigan State," she jokes.

"Well, Lukey here also went there, isn't that right?"

"Y-yeah" he says, being to intrigued by the girl to speak.

"Oh that's cool!"

"Yeah, well maybe one day you can teach us to dance sometime, Luke especially needs it."

"Hey!"

Y/N and Jack laugh as Luke looks embarrassed.

"Don't worry, everyone starts somewhere, and I'll gladly help if you want,"

They plan to meet that weekend to learn some dance, Jacks plan has fallen into play.

~That Weekend~

Luke looked at the time, seeing his brother getting ready. But not to dance.

"Where are you going?" Luke asks.

"Out, I have plans" Jack responds.

"What about the dancing?" Luke asks.

"I already told Y/N I can't make it, have fun and don't mess it up," Jack says, grabbing his keys to leave.

"What does that mean?" Luke yells after his brother.

"You know exactly what it means, and you better thank me later!" Jack says, walking out of the apartment.

Luke wasn't sure what he'd do now.

Eventually Y/N got a knock at the door, opening it to see Luke.

In a black Devils sweatshirt and grey Michigan sweatpants.

Letting him in, it was awkward and intense.

"So, because it's just us and I'm not sure your skill level yet I thought we'd start with something basic," she says, pulling up a video for Luke to see.

Luke watched, intrigued by the dance, but more intrigued by the girl next to him.

Y/N started to teach the moves, Luke however wasn't picking it up.

He was trying, sure, but his mind was distracted.

He's in the apartment of his crush, alone, as she is in a crop top and very short dance shorts. What else could you expect from the boy.

Y/N notices his struggle and says they should take a break, they sit on her couch, waters in hand. Silence filling the space.

"Is everything okay Luke?" Y/N asks, breaking the silence.

"Y-yeah, why?" Luke asks.

"You just seem," Y/N starts, scooting in to be closer to him, "out of it."

Feeling her closeness, he tenses slightly, "y-yeah, sorry, it's just-"

He stops, realizing he didn't have the guts to tell the truth.

Feeling her scoot closer, he does the same, their bodies practically touching.

"I don't really know how to dance..."

"It's never too late to learn"

And with that, their lips collided.

It was nothing either of them had felt before.

Sure Luke kissed many girls, but they weren't anything compared to Y/N.

And sure Y/N had gone on for Eva, getting to kiss the Jeremy Jordan a few times, but there's a difference between kissing your married coworker for a scene and kissing the guy who you've had a crush on for 4 years now.

Breaking away for air, Luke rested his forehead against Y/N's, their breathing steadying.

"I think I'm going to need more lessons, your dances are difficult," Luke says.

"Yeah, maybe we should have weekly lessons," Y/N responds, pulling herself closer to Luke.

"Daily may be better" he says, pulling the girl to lay on top of him.

"We'll see about that"

Their lips connect once again, and they did a different style of dance that night.

~~

A/N: I hope you enjoyed this, comment a request below plz cuz idk what to write

Published: Feb 18, 2025

Word Count: 1605

[andersunmenschlich]

Of course sorting the infinite combination of human traits into two boxes is problematic. But that's what humans do: we simplify and categorize. We do it with personality traits; we do it with racial traits; we do it with sex traits. Heck, we do it with species traits. And it's all problematic. But it (mostly) works for us, so we keep on doing it.

I don't think it's harmful—so long as we remember that all of these categories are made up for convenience. Reality is never that simple, so when our simplifications break down we need to be willing to drop convenience in favor of accuracy.

It's convenient to say "people with clits are female, and people with dicks are male."

But are people with small dicks less male than those with large ones? Are people with big clits less female than those with small ones? What about people whose junk is somewhere in between these two options? Are these people less male? Less female? What? Do, perhaps, the other traits in the "male" and "female" boxes impact our decisions here?

The simplicity of categorizations like "man/woman," "tall/short," "mammal/reptile," etc. is extremely useful... most of the time.

Gender is a simple system: two boxes of traits. Throughout history, different traits have gone into each box. Reorganization is eminently possible. In fact on a sociological scale it happens all the time. You've listed the stereotypes as you know them—they differ from place to place, time to time, and even (a little) from person to person.

Why is the choice between keeping the bad traits so unbalanced and throwing the whole thing away?

[coimbrabertone]

The End of an Era - Philip Morris Has Left Ferrari

I was considering writing about the Daytona 500 and the state of superspeedway racing, but quite frankly, I didn't want to go on a super negative rant saying a thousand things that have already been said about NASCAR plate tracks.

Fortunately for me, something else happened.

The Decalspotters twitter account noticed that Philip Morris International is no longer listed on the bottom of the page sponsors on the Ferrari website. Using the wayback machine, I was able to confirm that the Philip Morris International logo was still there in November 2024, so they were removed specifically for the 2025 season.

Now, Philip Morris hasn't been on the cars in awhile. Their last attempt, on and off from late 2018 until 2022, was with Mission Winnow, a brand seemingly created for the sole purpose of subliminal advertising.

By 2023 they seemed to have abandoned this plan and the logo on the website changed from Mission Winnow to Philip Morris International, which is how it was all the way up until the end of the 2024 season.

Nobody has run with the story quite yet, but it appears that Philip Morris has finally left Ferrari.

You can still access the Philip Morris page on Ferrari.com if you search for it specifically, but the same thing applies to Santander, and we know they're gone. Ferrari has even signed UniCredit as a replacement bank sponsor.

This is huge, as Philip Morris has been in F1 in some form since 1972 and has been with Ferrari in some form since 1973 when they became a driver sponsor. 1973 to 2024 is perhaps the longest sports sponsorship ever, and even if you don't want to count the driver deals, they've been a team sponsor of Ferrari since 1984, which is still a forty year run.

So is this the end of tobacco sponsorship in F1?

Not really.

McLaren has a partnership with British American Tobacco (the same company that owned BAR and also acquired Rothmans International in 1999, which had sponsored Williams with its Rothmans and Winfield brands). BAT dodges restrictions in a number of ways, with the A Better Tomorrow subliminal advertising brands, as well as Vuse vapes and Velo nicotine pouches.

Vapes, all the health risks of cigarettes with none of the coolness.

I say that flippantly, smoking isn't cool: it stinks, and it kills you.

Tobacco liveries did, however, have a great aesthetic to them. I wish the likes of Marlboro, Player's, KOOL, Benson & Hedges, and all the rest would make like teddy bears or koala heart transplants or something because they made a lot of pretty race cars and their money funded a great deal of racing teams.

Though the problem there is that the very reason why tobacco got so big in motorsports is because they weren't allowed to sponsor anywhere else. Marlboro poured millions into Ferrari, Penske, and Ducati because those were the only places where they could still show their logos.

The most iconic racing sponsors only became iconic because their products were so deadly they couldn't advertise anywhere else.

In fact, a small part of the reason why NASCAR got so big is probably because tobacco liveries weren't that big in NASCAR. The series had a title sponsorship with Winston, and because of the Viceroy Rule - something I've discussed previously on this blog and itself a product of tobacco sponsorship - none of the other cigarette companies could touch NASCAR teams.

So instead of the best drivers being sponsored by Marlboro or Camel or West, they were sponsored by DuPont, Kellogg's, and Home Depot.

Brands that you could market to anyone, even kids.

Thus, the kids of the 90s and 2000s grew up with NASCAR diecasts and wearing M&Ms jackets instead of repping tobacco-laden F1 or CART merch.

There's a lot more to NASCAR's rise than that, but it likely has something to do with why, when the average American thinks about racing, all they know is NASCAR.

And when the entire field decides to wreck repeatedly so that the guy who starts the final lap in ninth manages to stumble into the win, that ubiquitousness of NASCAR makes all of racing look bad.

Positive though, stay positive...

How about a quick rundown on Marlboro in F1?

Well, the story begins in 1972, with Marlboro signing on to sponsor the BRM team. BRM was British, as the name British Racing Motors may suggest, but like their name also suggests, they made their own engines. BRM weren't a garagista team running the Cosworth DFV (Cozzeh!), instead, they were running their own 3.0L V12.

It was in one of these 3.0L V12 BRMs that Peter Gethin drove the car out of a giant Marlboro pack to unveil the car. The Marlboro era had begun.

They won their first race that year with Frenchman Jean-Pierre Beltoise winning in Monaco.

That was their only major success that year, as that win, paired with a 4th in Germany, and then 6th in both Austria and Germany was only good enough for 7th in the standings.

1973 was even worse, as despite running a stacked lineup of Beltoise, Clay Regazzoni, and Niki Lauda, they were still in seventh. In fact, their points total slipped from 14 to 12, and they didn't even have the saving grace of a win or a podium.

Thus, Marlboro went to McLaren for 1974, while Lauda and Regazzoni went to Ferrari, where they'd wear Marlboro patches as well.

The Marlboro McLaren partnership was obviously successful, with Emerson Fittipaldi winning the title in 1974, James Hunt in 1976, Niki Lauda in 1984, Alain Prost in 1985, 1986, and 1989, and Ayrton Senna in 1988, 1990, and 1991.

The success continued when Marlboro went to Ferrari, where Marlboro progressed from mere sponsor in 1984 to main sponsor by 1993, and finally becoming title sponsor from 1997, after the McLaren deal had ended.

Ferrari won the constructors' championship in 1999, followed by Michael Schumacher winning the drivers' championship in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004. Kimi Raikkonen would add a title to the list in 2007, Ferrari's last championship to date.

The team was still officially Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro all the way up until the 2011 British Grand Prix. After that, Philip Morris' sponsorship became more subtle, first with the new-for-2011 Scuderia Ferrari logo that many accused of mimicking the Marlboro logo - and it didn't help that it took the engine cover placement that Marlboro's bar code filled until the 2010 Spanish Grand Prix - along with a similar rebrand from Ducati Corse in MotoGP.

That part is all pretty well-known, but what some people may not know if how widespread Marlboro sponsorship really was.

Back in 1973 and 1974, while Marlboro was sponsorship the BRM and McLaren teams, they also supported the original Frank Williams Racing Cars team, with the cars initially known as Iso-Marlboros.

Not too long after, Marlboro would sponsor the Alfa Romeo team from 1980 to 1983, during their McLaren years.

Then from 1988 to 1992, Marlboro would sponsor the BMS Scuderia Italia team, an Italian backmarker that is best known for becoming a Ferrari B-team in 1992 and 1993, the first of those years being with Marlboro, the latter year with Chesterfield as sponsor.

Merzario, Team Rebaque, Fittipaldi, Spirit, Rial, EuroBrun, Onyx, Arrows, Minardi, and Forti would all also carry minor Marlboro sponsorship at one point or another.

That's just the team deals, if I tried to list out all the drivers that Marlboro sponsored...we'd be here all day. Plenty of drivers would have Marlboro on their helmet or overalls with driving for a team with different sponsors.

One such case was Michele Alboreto, who was at Tyrrell in 1989 and had Marlboro paying his salary at the unsponsored team...until Ken Tyrrell secured Camel as a sponsor. Alboreto refused to break off his deal with Marlboro, so Tyrrell had to fire him and replace him with a young up-and-comer named Jean Alesi.

Michele Alboreto then lost his Marlboro sponsorship because he didn't have a ride anymore.

Two races later, Micheel Alboreto found a ride at Larrousse...which was also sponsored by Camel. Meaning Alboreto was wearing Camel stickers on his helmet and overalls anyway.

A very pointless episode, but one that kicked off the career of Jean Alesi.

Jean Alesi who would then race for the Marlboro-sponsored Ferrari from 1991 and 1995.

Tobacco money made everything go full circle.

[gothamite-rambler]

Batman: I'm confused, who are you?

Punchline (striking a pose): Punchline.

Harley sucked her teeth trying to remain silent.

Batman: Right... and you're Joker's henchwoman?

Punchline: Well, it's a little more than that, we have a strong bond. We get each other. He's hot, you know?

Batman: No... Harley, how do you feel about that?

Harley: I feel like you better change the subject.

Batman: Punchline, you're not his henchwoman, but you mention strong bond... are you-

Batman hesitated trying to choke down bile as he said the next sentence.

Punchline (evil giggle): No, no, no, no... we're much more than that. I'm not some stupid girl who thought she had such a chance with the Joker that I ruined my entire psychiatric career when in reality he didn't give two pennies about me. We're- Wow, she looks mad!

Batman: His girlfriend?

Punchline cackled as Harley had to be physically restrained by Batman. She cussed and swore trying to reach for the woman's smug face as Punchline crossed her arms.

Punchline: I don't stick to boring monogamy, I just am a fan, have sex with him, work with him, sex with him.

Harley: You stupid whore, you think he wants you! He doesn't love anybody!

Punchline (smug tone): I don't listen to a participation trophy. Why don't you go back to your old- You lost your old job because you didn't know your worth.

Harley: Batman let me at her! Let me go! Let me beat her ass!

Batman (walking back with her): Harley, remember your progress. She's not worth it.

Punchline: The best part about Joker and I is I just have sex with him and can deal with you mimes by myself. You couldn't be trusted to tell a joke right.

Harley: I did get the joke! And he's not even good at sex! He has a crooked d-

Batman: Would you stop talking! I have to ask her questions!

Batman put Harley down on the ground making her whine loudly. When she noticed her hero friend staring at her perplexed by her behavior she shrugged.

Harley: I’m over him, but she will not insult my character because I made a bad decision like her dumbass is!

Batman: I hate Joker and I’m adding to my list that he was able to get two women who appear to be out of his league in numerous ways, seriously why and him making you laugh doesn’t count!

Harley: I had a sucky home life! Just go over and talk to the wannabe me!

Punchline: Oh honey if I wanted to be you I’d wear an awful harlequin costume.

Batman sighed, shaking his head.

Batman: This is going to take longer than I expected.

[stuckytoyoulikeglue]

I just saw a post on Facebook about how crazy it is that so few MCU characters have secret identities when that used to be such a big part of the superhero genre, and I thought that was actually a really interesting point, because the only big movie character that has one now is Peter Parker and it made me wonder what changed over the years to bring us to this point.

Only THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE in the comments saying 'oh no, that's a DC thing, Marvel comics were never like that' has genuinely blown my mind.

I mean, I didn't grow up reading comics and I would be the first to admit that I know next to nothing about the extended history of these characters, but over the last year or so I've been reading some of the earliest marvel comics (I'm currently loitering around late 1963) and everyone has a secret identity.

So far I've read: Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Ant Man & The Wasp, Sergeant Fury & The Howling Commandos, and Spiderman.

And Fury & the Howlies are the only characters on that list that haven't got fully secret identities. Cap is hilarious, because Private Rogers always ends the issue peeling potatoes as punishment for having gone AWOL again while Captain America was busy saving someone/everyone/the world, and I've actually been getting quite upset for poor Dr Blake, who's been trying his very best to be the kind of man Jane wants, only to be constantly compared to Thor, as if they weren't one and the same.

So, I don't know, maybe it changed in the comics before the MCU was born and that's why people think it's not a Marvel thing, but when they started out, I can assure you that Marvel comics were all about the secret identities.

[morbid-archive-com]

△Shifting ask game: with Frank⋆˚࿔

⋆˚— What was your first dr? : i know it's cringe but i have to be honest, lt was MHA, i was a very cringy loser kid back in 2020 and watched way too much anime. And for why i switched it: it took a long time but i realized how much o didn't want to be a pro hero and how toxic that dr was. Now my main dr is dead by daylight (my fav game!) and this band dr i really love.

⋆˚— Here my name is Frank Morrison... I stole it! (⁠╥⁠﹏⁠╥⁠) I just didn't have more ideas for names and decided to take one from a fictional character from my dbd dr.

⋆˚— The garage! Just kidding, i stay with my band member in his house but he forgot to tell his parents, his mom saw me on the garage taking a nap and started hitting me with a broom! ರ⁠╭⁠╮⁠ರ

⋆˚— For edits well, it's 2005 so we got AMVs of our songs, clips from concerts going viral and glittery pfp's of my band members. Also stamps and blinkies people use in Myspace about our band! The fandom is pretty chill, mostly people getting wasted and doing pot or teens who hate their parents.

⋆˚— aaw the outfit of the day! I love that part.

well we have alternatives, being a teen fashion icon by the time looks so good.

⋆˚— free time is all the time, if you think about it... Anyways, just hang out with the guys, writing some lyrics or getting in trouble! Setting fire to cop cars is always an option! (I'm joking-not joking)

⋆˚— My non-native english suffered this one... But i think it means like my comfiest and safe dr that feels like a home. Well it's my alt future dr: already 35, life solved, millionare scientist and married to a beautiful husband. It's just the greatest dr i could have.

⋆˚— Punk band dr: 4 junkies with guittars play like shit and go famous.

⋆˚— My brain just spits ideas like a maniac and i make a pinterest board... Everything is in my braing or in notion written down.

⋆˚— i made a post once about it: i met Lu on highschool, Kristen is my mutual on Myspace and Dan works part time at a videoclub i always go to.

⋆˚— family?... what family? you guys scripted a family? The problem is that i didn't have any ideas for parents and it would be a problem for me so i scripted i was an orphan. This is very common so don't act like i'm weird.

⋆˚— the funniest scenario definitely was a my first awarding, i was so out of place between big artists from the time and i was just a little high so i fell asleep. Can you imagine waking up from a nap with your friends screaming and shaking like crazy, spotlights shining on you and a bunch of applause? I genuinely screamed "ALIENS?"... Anyways that was such a cool week, like having 5 star hotels, meeting a lot of people, getting out of jersey to visit Los angeles was something incredible as just a garage band.

⋆˚— Kristens brother, our manager and promoter. Like dude can you not frown and stare at me with hate for once?!? I just had a few shots, definitely not a whole bottle of vodka.

⋆˚— It's a Myspace blog named "The mischief booknote" i just post stuff about music and rebel shit i do for fun, also listing my 46 commited crimes and adding more everytime. Cause setting stuff on fire is cool when you're a teen.

That was fun!!! Thanks for this Asking game @solstices-dreams

ᓚᘏᗢ﹐𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐬𝐤 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞. ⁞ ˎˊ˗

shifting ask game reblog for asks ↻ ‧₊˚.

i’m bored so here’s another ask game, i’ll try to ask to everyone who reblogs, as long as tumblr isn't too glitchy, but feel free to send asks to others

— 💡 : what was your first dr and what is currently your main dr? How and why have you made this switch?

— 🏷 : what is your name for your dr and why is that your name?

— 👜 : what’s your house look like? Do you have any roommates or people who live with you? What’s your favorite aspect of your house and why?

— 🎞 : what edits of you would there be in your dr? what is your fandom like?

— 🩰 : what is your OOTD (outfit of the day) for a dr and why?

— 🏛️ : what do you do in your free time? Who are you with? Where do you go?

— 🗝 : what is your most niche dr and why did you make it?

— 📜 : summarize your dr in a sentence

— 🧳 : what is your favorite way to script and share your favorite dr script

— ♟ : who’s in your friend group and how did you make this friend group?

— 🕰 : what’s your family like? Who’s your favorite person and what are your relationships with your different members?

— 🎻 : what is a fun scenario you have scripted and you excited for? (be detailed! :)

— 💼 : who is someone you don’t get a long with in your dr? Why?

— 🍨 : what are your socials like in your dr? Followers? Username? What do you post?

[hunters-vigil]

The Unsetting Feeling Continues (Part 2/2)

Unsettling Feeling

Summary: Your interactions with The Knave after your conversation with her in Poisson while the Traveller and Paimon slept.

Traveller is written to not obey Teyvat's gender norms so uses they/them pronouns, also means you can pick your Traveller. Reader is intended to be gender neutral, and probably needs some therapy.

"How was your conversation with The Knave?" They asked you once Paimon was distracted enough with the prospect of Lyney cooking her breakfast.

"It bore small fruit. It seems I know more about her history than she does." You brought your cup up to your lips, "she knows something is off about me, but she's only touched the surface. Don't look at me like that, if she knows anything else about you, it'll be from the Director. I told you what I know, well, everything that your sibling allows me to, anyway."

The soft noise that escaped the Traveller's mouth at the mention of their sibling left your heart aching. "I'm sorry, I would tell you everything if I could, but... making more enemies of the divine is not on my bucket list. I mean it. I have faith in you, and that in the end, Teyvat's fate is yours to-" you cut yourself off as Lyney, Lynette and Freminet came into earshot, deciding to finish your drink, then stand up.

"I'm going to get ready for the day." Your hand gently rested on the Traveller's shoulder, their hand reaching for yours as they gave you a look that left you nodding in understanding. One day, they would know the truth of this world... but finding out from your lips would do nothing but taint their beliefs.

Your disappearance gave the Traveller and Paimon time to question the three about Dottore. The 2nd Fatui Harbinger, the one who made your skin crawl, the one who you had to pretend to be asleep around, as you listened to Nahida bargain with him. Would the destruction of a gnosis awaken *them*? The destruction of one of the divine thrones didn't. The elemental authority returning to one of the dragon sovereigns didn't either.

"'Father' didn't come back last night. She's probably still near the shore. We'll be counting on you three to distract her." Lyney stated, his gaze flicking onto you as you walked over, covering your mouth with your hand as a yawn escaped you, "Lynette, you're with me. Freminet, you know what to do. Be on your guard, everyone."

A gentle breeze washed over you as you, Paimon and the Traveller exited Poisson, a soft chuckle escaping your lips. "The wind has ears."

"Paimon should be used to your weird sayings by now, but..." Paimon grumbled, falling quiet as Arlecchino came into view.

"Ah, it's you three. I must say, you look a bit pale. Did you have trouble sleeping last night?" The Knave's voice was emotionless, but an undertone of knowing was there, gently stabbing into her voice as you held back a smirk, giving her a look to challenge her. Did she dare mention your conversation last night?

This look of yours went ignored by her unfortunately, her gaze remaining on your companions instead, listening to their excuses and giving meaningful advice in return. Then came the stab.

"Although I must profess to being curious... without Childe here, how do you plan on distracting me? Unless your friend here has another card up their sleeve that is supposed to surprise me?"

"Am I really that boring that you've decided I'm not worth listening to anymore? What a shame..." you raised your arms in tired surrender, but the sparkle in your eyes failed to go unmissed by anyone.

"Your dramatics are not what I'd call entertaining." Arlecchino brushed you off, but regret began to poke at her, seeing the amused look on your face, "no matter, if you don't have any other plans, why don't you accompany me somewhere? Don't worry, I'll be sure to stay clear of any scheming children."

The rest of what Arlecchino said, well, you weren't one to admit you weren't exactly listening, your gaze remaining on her eyes, trying to see into her soul almost. "Looking into my eyes is ill-advised. I can't promise you'll like what you see."

"The same goes for you." The unsettling feeling of one who does not hail from Teyvat in the presence of those who do was only amplified as you stared Arlecchino down, your eyes almost looking like they were changing colour in the light for a moment. If she had less self-control, no doubt a shiver would have run down her spine. You were not normal. You were not of Teyvat. Did your will rival the world's? Just how long had you been here?

Only the oldest surviving Gods truly knew...

You only broke from your intense staring contest when Paimon whispered rather too loudly that things were getting uncomfortable, electing that the three of you would meet The Knave outside the Palais Mermonia.

"Good things come to children who do as they're told. So I do hope you decide to tag along... if only for your friends' sakes." Arlecchino's attempt at a warning only made you have to struggle to hide a laugh.

The Traveller had seen the birth and death of stars themselves... and you were far from a child. Despite the Traveller being older than you, you had been on Teyvat for far longer than either of the twins...

Well, as long as the fact that the twins arrived around the Cataclysm 500 years ago remained true. What's 500 years to your estimated 2,600? Wait, how long ago was the Archon War again?

"Don't bother with the bird. She'll catch it quicker than a cat preying on a mouse." You stated, hoping that your friend would heed your advice, instead of risking the poor creature falling into The Knave's cursed hands.

///

Arlecchino's rules and stances were improved versions of Crucabena's. Of course, it had been a pain to try dig up any information of that witch of a woman. You even resorted to going to Sumeru while your companions were in the Fortress, asking the erased 6th Harbinger for what he knew.

Maybe you were biased. Having spent time in Khaenri'ah during the Crimson Moon Dynasty, witnessing it fall, and the rise of the Eclipse Dynasty. The twins... the Vinster King wanting you to be the consort to his heir, the abyss sibling. You refused the notion entirely, and the abyss twin... you were too young for them, they harboured nothing for you but the care an older sibling would give to a younger one.

That was one of the secrets you were keeping from the Traveller. You were at ground zero for the cataclysm, and stuck outside while the King took their sibiling to...

"Traveller, your companion, are they well?" Iudex Neuvillette turned his head, pausing the discussion with the Knave in favour of checking on your well-being.

Paimon hovered around you in concern, Arlecchino even glanced at you from the corner of her eye, but you continued to stare into space, until the Traveller gently placed their hand on your shoulder.

"Hm? Oh... apologies. Too many thoughts in my mind at once."

Neuvillette meerly nodded, offering you some water from Liyue to refresh your mind, which you were grateful to accept.

However, the rest of the conversation between Arlecchino and the Iudex went quickly over your head. The analogy of water tasting wasn't something you could process quickly enough, deciding to personally process the taste of the water from Liyue instead of whatever the Knave wanted to arrange...

"Alright, you three, time to go."

Your gaze flickered to the Iudex as you followed the Knave out the door, but you kept quiet, deciding anything said now would be pointless.

///

"Something on your mind?"

"You asked the Traveller to lend their hand to the House when the time comes. You didn't ask me, but you'll receiving an answer nonetheless. If I deem it necessary, I will intervene. Bare in mind, I know your bloodline better than you do." Your voice filled with a venom that left the Traveller and Paimon exchanging glances, Paimon's full of concern, but the Traveller kept up a pokerface. You held back your power, they knew this, and they knew you knew that they held back their power too...

"Just how familiar with my bloodline do you claim to be?"

"Familiar enough that had I known that a child from the Crimson Moon dynasty had survived after all this time, I would have taken you with me without hesitation. Unfortunately, the past is in the past. Time belongs to the Shade, and her Children." If Paimon could have spluttered a drink at that statement, she would have, but instead she hid her face in her newspaper, trying to calm down.

"Tell me, what business do you have with the Crimson Moon dynasty?" Arlecchino was quick to question you, but you didn't back down.

"I was there even after it fell, ask your Director for his version of the details, Peruere. I'll peer review them" You smirked slightly as the child of the Crimson Moon dynasty held back an uncharacteristic huff.

"You expect me to believe you?"

"Believe what you want. If I say anything more, I'll give Paimon a migraine." You only shrugged, going to sit on a piece of the ruins, while the Traveller and Paimon stood there, wondering what in the abyss had just happened, as the Knave began to explain her past.

Paimon's view of the world was too innocent. That was all you could conclude as she learned more about the past House of the Hearth. It was selfish of you to say aloud you would have taken Peruere away from the House of the Hearth, leaving the rest of the children to suffer under Crucabena's hand... but revealing your power through conversation was not how you wanted to reveal it.

The Traveller and yourself were so much more unfazed than Paimon when it came to topics such as murder, or death.

"Peruere won the battle and became a Harbinger herself, after which Her Majesty The Tsaritsa bestowed upon her a new name... Arlecchino." She took a moment before glancing over at you, "your friend over there figured it out a while ago... I do wonder how you did it, but no matter. I left the name Peruere behind a long time ago, I must say, hearing it now... does bring back memories."

Playing with your fingers, you continued to listen to the changes that Arlecchino put into place with her rise to the rank of the Fourth Fatui Harbinger, and her curse. But you were all too familiar with that... the entities made from the flames, less so, but you knew of rumours from back then.

Footsteps approaching caught your attention, you rolled your eyes as you looked towards Arlecchino, "and to think, you called me dramatic."

You, Traveller and Paimon remained silent as the children of the House of the Hearth arrived from Poisson, turning on each other quickly. The children who wished to be Fatui, and the ones who wanted to live normal lives...

From trying to find a descender, to raising child soldiers, the House of the Hearth hadn't really changed. Based on your past experiences with those from the House of the Hearth, all these young Fatui would end up dead one way or another...

The Traveller looked to you, how your hands were clenching in and out of fists, but there was a look in your eye as you met their's. What were you up to? Oh...

All it took was one small nod for them to understand, stepping forwards into the fray, a duel, Lyney, Lynette and Freminet vs their 'Father'.

"I'd like to see for myself what the Fourth of the Fatui Harbingers can do." Your friend revealed their dull blade, much to you rolling your eyes. No doubt they'd not use any elemental powers in this fight either...

"Are you going to do something? Huh, where'd they go?" Paimon gasped as she realised you had moved from your seat on the rubble, but the duel had already begun.

Her attacks were focussed on her vision-holding children, and your friend, leaving you a chance to check in on the bystanding children, who only watched in fear of the results of this duel.

"'Father' said you weren't a fighter like the Traveller..." one of them whispered as you patted their head.

"Always hide your ace with a straight face." You whispered back, turning on your heel as the sky turned red, reminding you of the Cataclysm, before your gaze locked on Peruere, Cinder of Two Worlds' Flames. So she had learned that much about her power, hm?

Your friend going toe to toe with her caught your eye next, but you couldn't help but let out a huff. Power over five of the seven elements of Teyvat, and doesn't use any of them... their sword skills were not lacking however, although that dull blade wasn't helpful at all.

Your feet carried you forwards without thinking as you witnessed Freminet's blocking the incoming attack, Lyney falling to the ground. and Freminet twisting his claymore at the last second of his and Lynette's attack. The boy could not hurt his 'father', despite fighting for his siblings' lives...

"Father, no!"

The children fell to the floor in horror, the fighters tangled up in Arlecchino's trap, while you stood still, keeping them behind you.

The Traveller was quick to break out of the trap, taking the Knave off-guard.

"Made it out, did you?" She sounded almost proud in that moment, "you're stronger than I expected-"

Her eyes began to close, but a flash of silver overpowered the red glow from her eyes, her domain expansion overpowered, as she spotted you standing in front of her, the Traveller standing behind you in shock.

"The Crimson Moon has long set, the red skies have cleared, and the Eclipse has finished. Enough. You've made your point. Let the golden sun rise on a new day." Your voice was void of all emotion, the crimson moon behind you fading to a black sun, before a golden glow radiated over the three of you, just like you said.

"A Crimson... Moon?" Your friend whispered behind you, but you didn't turn your back on Arlecchino, who glanced over every inch of you, trying to figure you out.

You were quick to turn the perception of the environment for the three of you back to normal, Arlecchino changing back to her normal form too.

"To think, all intelligence the Fatui gathered suggested you were a powerless nomad..." She remarked, before moving over to where her children were quivering on the floor, "I believe we can end things here. It's not often we get to enjoy the company of guests after all. We wouldn't want things to get too out of hand."

Arlecchino walked away as she began to monologue, spotting you move back to sit on the rubble again, listening to her talk. Bottled flames that would burn away the children's memories of the House of the Hearth. An execution to kill their childhoods, giving them new identities without the Fatui baggage...

///

Eventually, the children headed back to Poisson, leaving Clervie to come out of hiding to talk.

"You alright?" you whispered to your friend, who only nodded in response, before giving you a look, "what? Did you think I'd seriously let you fight her alone? That move I interrupted, plus seeing the Crimson Moon? Nothing good would have come from it for you. Besides... maybe getting a new sword, since you don't use your elemental powers much."

You kept quiet after that, hearing Peruere talk to the six year old version of Clervie about what had happened up until her death, and after...

Clervie's desire for freedom, yet the heavens did not give her an anemo vision. Was it not enough? This girl died to be free... just like Tadhla...

Paimon poked you in the shoulder, " why don't you tell Clervie about Khaenri'ah, before y'know..."

"Khaenri'ah was a nation that strived to be better than nations ran by the Archons, each dynasty favoured different techinques to rise above the other nations, a Godless nation, but it was full of promise. Before it's destruction, there was glory and beauty, a lot of the people were talented, and so many innocent..." you side-eyed your friends, "did you skip Fontaine or something? My knowledge of Natlan is kind of outdated, and you've not been there yet. Oh, you should tell her about the auroras in Snezhnaya." You directed your comment towards Arlecchino, who raised an eyebrow at you, "I could, but it would mean more coming from you."

"Perrie, you've seen the auroras?" Clervie turned to her childhood friend, all grown up, but time was running out as the sun began to rise.

"Clervie... the aurora in Snezhnaya was just as beautiful as the ones in the pictures." Arlecchino cleared her throat, "now, you've worked tiredlessly from the shadows to overthrow the House of the Hearth. By my authority as The Knave, I shll announce how this matter will end. You are hereby expelled from the House of the Hearth. You are no longer tied to this place, nor are you bound by its rules."

Closing your eyes, you let out a breath as you felt the sun's glow and warmth on your skin. Clervie was finally free...

///

"You're still here?" Arlecchino turned to where she heard your footsteps approaching her in the ruins.

"I prefer not leaving things left unsaid unless extremely necessary." You folded your arms, staring at the sky before turning towards her.

"In another world, Stuzha translates to cold... this project, I don't like it one bit. Have you ever been to Dragonspine, or the depths of the Chasm, Sumeru's Desert, or Tsurumi Island? Each place has had a celestial nail sent down from the heavens, destroying the civilisation present and wrecking the environment there in the process." You let out a breath, steeling your emotions, "let me ask you, what is stopping *them* from waking up and sending more nails crashing down, into the most populated areas of Teyvat? What is stopping *them* from waking up and bringing about another curse? This time, all those who falter from belief in the Gods be turned into an abyssal creature, or cursed with immortality like those purely from Khaenri'ah? What will happen to the memories of everyone in Teyvat once Dottore burns Irminsul to cinders?"?" you caught her attention at the mention of the 2nd Fatui Harbinger. Her hatred for him was nearly on par with your own." What will happen when everyone in Teyvat is dead, and everything is destroyed, and only the Traveller, myself and their sibling are left? We will leave for the next world, and you will all dust and memories."

"Your point?"

"When it all hits the fan. Your best bet is the Traveller." Your eyes lingered on the sky, or maybe something beyond it…

"And what of you? What is your role in all of this? You demonstrated power beyond their capabilities today, yet you encourage me to change sides to your friend's instead?"

"I am not meant for this world. Not like they are. I never was. That throne in the sky is not meant for me. The throne of Khaenri'ah wasn't either, but I never wanted it anyway. I just wanted a home." Shaking your head, you took a step back, "take care of yourself, Peruere... I don't want to imagine how poorly I'll handle it when more people I care about die."

Arlecchino only watched as you walked away, processing what you just said. A sense of calm washed over here the further that you walked... that unsettling feeling leaving her alone. You were definitely more powerful than the Fatui thought, the true Fourth Descender. One who had witnessed so much, yet continued to hide in the shadows, stewing in your thoughts and waiting for the apocalypse. Did the Traveller know the extent to how your mind worked?

She needed to talk to Pierro.

[chloecherrysip]

Let's hear it for the Super Mario Brothers!

[mamawasatesttube]

kon sweetie im so fucking sorry that someone would even say something stupid like that oh my god.