#i just think it’s fun when they’re brave but still afraid

[straight-to-the-pain]

Thinking about being prepared for what’s going to happen but still not being able to fully suppress your fear of it.

You know you’re about to be hurt, you’ve known that this might happen from the start, and you thought you’d be ready to face it.

But now you’re exposed, feeling the cold air on your skin, at the whims of someone else, completely in their hands, in their power. Maybe they’re holding something sharp, something electric, something you know will hurt but can’t quite imagine how yet.

You try to be brave but your heart is racing. You try to stay still but you flinch as they come nearer. You felt so sure before, as they dragged you into this room, but now you’re having to ask yourself: what if you can’t withstand it? What if it’s just too much to bear?

[gatitties]

Hellooo! Im so happy you opened your request 😩Can i request something for platonic Yandere strawhats (zoro and luffy really) with a teen! Reader who acts snarky and bold but they’re scared of everything form a butterfly to a emperor of the sea so they refuse to join the crew? If possible could you include law as well. Tyy💕

─Yandere!Strawhats (Luffy & Zoro) & Law x teen!reader (Platonic)

─Summary: you are a stubborn teenager and you refuse to have extra 'protection', bad luck for you…

─Warnings: manipulation, death, mention of gutting someone, blood, unjustified obsession, toxic behaviors, yandere stuff...

─ Are you an idiot? Affectionate question that these two ask each other when they meet you.

─ You are brave and stubborn enough to get hurt during a fight but you run away if you see a butterfly because bugs are ugly and scary according to you.

─ And on top of that you deny his offer to be on his crew? Your pride is going to make these two men bald, they are doing all this for your good, you should be more aware of their actions.

─ Luffy is by your side day and night repeating over and over again that you are part of his crew, he will refuse to leave the island without you, you are too young, inexperienced and afraid to survive on your own even if you have family who can take care of you.

─ In fact, Zoro already took care of that, definitely if your family members didn't exceed his expectations, which to no one's surprise, they didn't, they wouldn't be able to protect you like he would.

─ It took them at least a week to persuade you enough with some manipulation, with the help of Robin, and even when you were half convinced to leave in search of not-so-desired adventures, they ended up kidnapping you because you were still stubborn.

─ So you found yourself glued to two idiots against your will, playing games with Luffy that even at your age wouldn't find fun, watching in silence as Zoro flexed his muscles while he trained.

─ And if you thought that someone from the crew was going to help you get out of that spiral of obsession you were very wrong, if they weren't threatened, they would also be somewhat obsessed with keeping you safe after spending some time by your side.

─ They will take advantage of how scared you are, literally anything would make you jump two meters off the ground, once you were scared of your own shadow, everyone will take advantage of it to scare you and make you hug them.

─ No matter how much you fight, Luffy needs at least one hug daily and will wrap his rubber arms around you completely suffocating you, Zoro is not that fussy, but he will use you as a stuffed animal to hug during his naps.

─ Don't even think about seeking comfort from anyone other than them or at least part of the crew when you're scared, they are the only ones who can help you, understand, the others only want to use you and won't take care of you as well as they do.

─ Many failed escape attempts, either because you have been caught or because you were just sailing through waters infected with sea monsters, you always end up locked up overnight as punishment.

─ If necessary, they will knock you out so that you do not put yourself in danger, your sarcasm and sometimes bad temper can put you in dangerous situations and they are not going to go through that, they would have to kill someone again.

─ He was just passing by, your island was in a small fever pandemic and Law was just helping the whole town a little, however you seemed so out of it when you were sick, so lost and hurt, you reminded him of his sister.

─ He simply took you away to, supposedly, cure you since he had better equipment on the submarine, you couldn't even fight against this because seriously, it seems like you have one foot in the grave when you're sick.

─ He got rid of all your discomforts, but he also discovered that you were a big mouth, but hey, no one likes to be kidnapped so he got a good dose of irritating adolescence.

─ It was difficult to make you see reason that you would be much better off with him and that your island was potentially dangerous, it's not like you came to reason but he forced you to listen to him and collaborate with some threats.

─ He was quite surprised when one night you asked him to sleep with him because you saw a spider prowling around your room, even though you were a very sarcastic and sassy person, you were very scared and he used that as an advantage.

─ Do you want to get out of the submarine? It's okay, just hold his hand and you can go anywhere, do you want to go outside alone? No way, do you know about the insects, contagious diseases and monsters that can wait for you out there? Of course not, you're just a teenager.

─ He always makes excuses that something that terrifies you is hanging around the islands where you stop.

─ Maybe if you get too annoying or whiny about not being able to go out on your own, he'll let you go on your own for a bit… although it only gives you a false feeling of freedom since you always have one of the crew members watching you closely.

─ No teenage romance, he is not going through that time, if necessary he will show you the person you like dissected to scare you enough to think twice about trying to escape.

─ Consider all escape attempts a failure because Law has everything really calculated and the crew is too afraid at this point, they were the ones who had to clean the mutilated corpses of the people who were on the blacklist.

─ Because Law wrote down each of the people who have done something to you that he considers bad or harmful to you.

─ He has already lost a sister, he's not going to lose another even if you are not related to him by blood.

[temis-de-leon]

Demon brothers with bold and confident gn!reader

Characters: Mammon, Leviathan and Asmodeus (x reader, separately; could be read as platonic or romantic)

Main Masterlist , Rules for requests

Anon request: Hi, I'm sorry, i have never done a request before 😿, but i really like your writing, and i was wondering if you could do hc on de brothers (or just Mammon, if it's too much) with a really bold gn!reader, someone very confident in themselves. Please have a nice day 💌

A/N: this is so long overdue anon, I'm so sorry <3 I hope you enjoy it!

.

Mammon

Humans are, from his point of view, dumb, weak and gullible, so your attitude shocks him more than he cares to admit.

He tries to taunt you at first, actually thinking that you’re just putting a brave face to not get killed by demons like him, but it doesn’t take him too long to realize that this is your actual personality.

You better believe he’s going to take as much advantage as he can from the situation. After all, although Lucifer still intimidates you, you don’t seem to be too afraid to stand your ground.

Mammon makes you his unwilling spokesman; or, at least, that’s his intention.

His initial plans involve you handling every trouble he causes while he runs away victorious and unharmed.

It doesn’t even cross his mind that if you don’t have any problem facing his older brother when it seems fit, calling him out and making him face the consequences of his actions won’t take too much of your time.

Again, he’s deflated and surprised.

While he still tries to use you from time to time, he learns that hanging around you helps him more than he ever thought it would.

He starts to feel better with himself; more relaxed. The idea of having someone in his corner supporting him when he follows his heart and celebrating when he succeeds gives him a feeling of peace and warmth that he quickly becomes addicted and entitled to.

Seeing you standing for yourself grants him the confidence to do the same and that is something he deeply values.

He still tries to involve you in his schemes, though, so be careful with that.

Leviathan

HOW?

WHY?

He can’t help but hate you at first, it’s in his nature.

He finds it deeply embarrassing, though, so he doesn’t do it.

The strength of his sin and the bitterness fill his heart and make him avoid you for both your and his sake.

He wishes he could feel as good about himself as you do with yourself and he wonders if this is something you learnt, pondering the idea of asking you to teach him as well.

Over the course of time he finds out that your confidence doesn’t come with arrogance and he quickly starts seeing you as one of the main characters from his favourite books, shows and games.

Levi starts to hang out with you more and more, happy to be your companion and enjoy your attitude towards life and your self of individuality.

It’s like being friends with a more approachable version of Diavolo.

He’ll always advocate for his interests, as weird as they can be, but defending himself feels more difficult and pointless, so, while he doesn’t apply your actions to his own, he sees you as a role model and a safe space.

His own attitude may be unknowingly influenced by yours, but that would take some time.

Asmodeus

Oh, he likes you.

He likes you a lot.

There’s nothing more attractive than a positive attitude and you seem to be very aware of that, so getting close to you feels natural.

Your hang outs are fun and light hearted and you quickly become very dear to him.

He doesn’t need any help to feel better about himself, though; after all, his looks and his personality are the best things to ever happen to the Devildom.

That’s how he is as well.

However, there are still moments when that façade falters and he’s left with second thoughts about how to be and look better than he already is and does.

Sometimes, he sneaks into the kitchen at night to eat the sweets he’s unable to consume during the day because he knows they’re bad for his perfect appearance.

He has diets, strict skincare routines and a sleep schedule he dutifully follows to maintain his body. There’s his social media presence as well, which he loves to preserve, but all of that can take a toll on his mental health.

It has happened before.

Having you to keep him going makes him cry out of happiness and thankfulness from time to time and he’s very eager to show you his appreciation.

He’ll pamper you.

He’ll love you to death.

.

.

[stellar-waves]

silly fears

. . .

[ boondock saints : murphy + fem!reader ] fluffy february : prompt 24 ⚠ warnings: some strong language, mentions of phobias, teasing, established relationship, canon-adjacent A/N: Please note that I am not trying to make fun of anyone who might have this similar phobia. I simply picked something that would be out of left field, especially for Murphy.

. . .

His eyes widen, a concerning look of distress growing on his face. “Murphy?” You figure saying his name softly might calm him down before he gets too anxious. But he stands there frozen, unable to move or even blink. 

You follow his gaze to see what the hell he’s staring at, and when your eyes land on the rubber duck on the edge of the bathtub, you can’t help but laugh. “Seriously? The rubber duck?” 

Murphy quickly narrows his eyes toward you, scoffing. “No! What are ye talking about?” But the shade of pink in his face gives him away, despite his denial. 

You tilt your head sympathetically, but your smile remains. “Oh, Murph. I didn’t know rubber ducks freaked you out.” 

He presses his lips together. “Didn’t say they did.”

“You don’t have to. I can see it in your face, dumbass.”

He shifts his weight nervously, shoving his hands into his jeans pockets and shrugging, still trying to play it off like you’re full of shit. “I’m not freaking out, lass.”

You sigh, softening your face as you think of how best to comfort your usually brave boyfriend in this strange situation. “It’s okay. We all have something we’re afraid of. Me? I’m afraid of clowns.” 

“That’s different though. I’ve read that Stephen King novel. Ye have every right to be afraid of clowns.” You love that Murphy is rationalizing your fear, but you hate that he’s still avoiding his fear. 

“And you have every right to be afraid of—”

“I told ye, I’m not!” 

You tap your foot a couple of times, crossing your arms over your chest because now you’re annoyed by his typical Murphy-stubbornness. “Alright, then go over there and grab it for me.”

His face falls, that worry washing over his features again. “Why?”

“Prove to me you’re not afraid of that little rubber duck, Murphy.”

He lifts his hand, unable to hide his nerves as he chews on his fingernails and shakes his head. “No.”

“Murphy.”

“Ye can’t make me.”

“I promise you, it cannot hurt you.”

“Oh, I know that. I just think they’re evil.”

You really have to hold in your laughter, swallowing it back down your throat. Your boyfriend, Murphy MacManus, Saint of South Boston, enemy of mafiosos and evil men…thinks rubber ducks are evil. Like…how is that possible?

Your nose scrunches as you silently search your brain for the useless trivia of weird phobias, realizing the closest name you could give Murphy’s fear is anatidaephobia—the fear that a duck may be watching you. You hesitate, taking a deep breath before asking, “Do you think real ducks are evil too?”

Murphy shakes his head no, able to break his gaze from the bath toy and looking into your eyes. His face relaxes a bit, and he tries to explain why rubber ducks are evil. “Maybe it’s because of their lifeless eyes just staring at ye, especially when ye’re naked, taking a bath…”

“And when you’re the most vulnerable?” 

He nods. “Aye. And they’re trying to steal yer soul or something.” 

You look back at the tub, studying the bright yellow, harmless toy that you’ve never thought could cause paranoia in someone. And now that you know, you begin to understand. You love Murphy too much to let some silly fear break him. 

You step toward the tub, but Murphy stops you, grabbing your arm with wide eyes again. “What’re ye doing?”

“I’m going to get rid of it, Murph. What do you think I’m doing?”

He loosens his grasp, letting his fingers slide down your arm. “Oh…okay.”

You raise your eyebrows. “Unless you want to leave first?”

“Can I?”

That smile you only give Murphy, the witty one full of love, breaks across your face. “Go on,” you answer, nodding to the door. 

Murphy returns the smile, tapping the door frame as he stalls. “Thank ye, love.”

A kind laugh falls from your mouth, and you nod towards the door again. “Now get the fuck outta here so I can take care of this evil duck.”

. . .

[foreststarflaime]

Ok so I was translating the Iliad for fun last night as one does and oh my god it’s them?? Genesis Rhapsodos is a homeric hero in this essay I will

“Sing to me, goddess, of the accursed wrath of Achilles son of Peleus, who caused countless pains for the Acheans, and sent forth many stout souls of heroes to Hades, and made them spoils to dogs and to every bird of prey, and the will of Zeus was accomplished, from when first the son of Atreus ruler of men and divine Achilles stood apart in strife.”

-Homer, Iliad, I.1-7 (translation is my own)

But like the more I think about it, the more it just…fits him perfectly? Strap in boys this turned into a long one, I’m putting my ‘useless’ degree to good use

So a huge drive for Homeric heroes is pursuit of kleos (κλέος, meaning glory), it’s what their societal values are built off of, and it’s what Genesis builds his life off of too. It’s why he can’t let himself coexist peacefully with Sephiroth—for Genesis’ glory to spread, it can’t be eclipsed by Sephiroth’s. Kleos is earned primarily through being remembered in song, and you don’t see Shinra making any propaganda with Genesis in it (at least disproportionately not as much as Sephiroth).

And that’s another thing—Genesis’ desperate will to live. A big part of the appeal of kleos is that it grants you a sort of immortality, to live forever in the minds of humanity as long as the songs about you persist. There is a way to earn kleos without being the best hero around, and it’s to be killed by the best hero around—in passages where heroes go on killing rampages, there’s little catalogues of everyone they kill, like little graveyards of poetry that let them live on after death. It’s not a dishonor to them, rather the opposite since they died bravely fighting someone they just couldn’t beat.

This isn’t the way Genesis wants to earn his kleos, though, and he’s desperately afraid of it. We see in his reaction to degredation that he will do anything to avoid his own death, lashing out against everyone in pain and fear. He wants more than anything not to die, but he doesn’t want to end up a footnote in the rampage of someone greater. He wants Achilles’ fame, but fails to see that this fame was conditional upon his death. The most famous part of Achilles’ story that survived, after all, was his heel.

And then there’s how his friends fit into the story. As you can see in the quote from earlier, Sephiroth fits well as the Agamemnon to Genesis’ Achilles. Agamemnon leads the assembled Greek forces because he has the most men, the most fame, but Achilles (putting aside the matter of whether he is or not) doesn’t want to be seen as inferior to him, and is infuriated when Agamemnon does something he sees as a slight against his kleos. From Genesis’ perspective, this fits Sephiroth exactly. From Sephiroth’s perspective, naturally this is not the case, but therein lies the problem—he’s in a different genre from Genesis, one that becomes incompatible when put in the context it’s in, and this dooms them to tragedy.

It’s a similar problem with Angeal. Honor and glory are similar enough to be the best of companions, but they are not the same thing, and it’s something that is easy to forget. The difference is most clear, again, in the context they’re in. Genesis is so busy chasing immortality in kleos that he forgets that honor is not immortality, and Angeal’s will to live fails when his honor does, and he loses him.

Angeal and Sephiroth are both their own genres, causing misunderstanding and ensuring the tragedy that occurs, but they fit in just enough with the context of Homeric heroes to not let Genesis see his mistake.

Important for him also is the definition of monster to a Greek—two different creatures mashed together in a way nature isn’t supposed to go. That’s it. And by that definition, he is a monster, though we’d still call him human by our definition. And that’s just…ouch. In the fundamental rules of his world, he is inarguably a monster.

But the tragedy of that is that he’s just so painfully human, as are all Homeric heroes—so horribly, humanly flawed in such a loud way that the world cannot ignore it, and is pulled down with him.

Okayy wrapping it up with a few fun facts because this is turning into the essay I didn’t mean it to be, his last name Rhapsodos (Ῥαψῳδός) is a Greek word that translates roughly to bard, and specifically to a bard that recites epic poetry. Like the Iliad. It’s so unbelievably perfect for him, good job square enix! And the fact that this quote from the Iliad has goddess instead of Muse like the Odyssey, it was fated! Also, not that noun genders really mean anything, but the Greek noun genesis (γένεσις) is actually feminine, so win for genderqueer Genesis propaganda

Anyway where did my afternoon suddenly go, this was supposed to be a short fun thing, I should really be working on my thesis (which coincidentally was inspired by him, I’m in too deep send help) if you read all this I love you forever lol bye

[decayleside-blog]

for your rdr2 ask game ;)

9. high honour or low honour? (and i’m curious as to why, too!)

12. funniest or dumbest way you’ve died?

lol, didn't see your message until now. Sorry about that. Anyway—

9. Low Honor

The reason is that, while high honor fits Arthur, it feels unrealistic to me—for many reasons. It romanticizes him too much, almost making him seem like a hippie at times. Aside from Micah and Dutch, the rest of the gang isn’t inherently bad. For most of them, the gang is all they’ve ever known (John and others grew up in it). So, even though they’re adults, we can’t entirely fault them.

Micah is my favorite (alongside John) because he’s the most realistic bastard of the bunch. He’s hated Arthur from the very start, and it’s no secret. There’s also this camp event where Javier punches Micah, and the rat responds with a weak retort: “I like the way you dress… all feminine.” Arthur just laughs, and Micah immediately follows up with, “I’ll wipe that smile off your face one day. Believe me.” That’s THE foreshadowing for Arthur’s low honor death! Micah would absolutely make sure Arthur dies by his hands—unlike in high honor, where he just... walks away!? It makes no sense!

Micah is opportunistic and cunning. He waits until he knows he’ll win, with Dutch backing him and the Pinkertons closing in. By then, it’s too late.

I also prefer Arthur’s personality in the low honor route. Before the final missions, he writes in his journal: “I am not afraid.” Meanwhile, in high honor, he tells Sister Calderón the opposite (that scene almost made me cry, which is rare for me!). The low honor dreams (or nightmares) also hit harder. The coyote, instead of the buck, is menacing and eerie—it’s also a warning.

But... who does the coyote represent? Arthur? Or perhaps Micah? I’ve seen some say it symbolizes Micah, which would make sense, considering there’s another dream sequence where the coyote is feasting on a dead buck. If high honor is canon, then maybe the coyote is Micah. But who knows? The fact that the coyote can be interpreted in different ways makes it even better than the buck for me.

BTW

Low honor Arthur accepts his fate. He doesn’t change—it’s too late for that. He helps some people at the end, but when a woman tells him, “You’re a good man,” he scoffs, knowing one act of kindness won’t redeem a lifetime of bloodshed.

Arthur goes down bravely instead of being afraid. Now there’s only one thing left to do: kill Micah, kill Dutch, end this once and for all. Save those who can still be saved, but Arthur himself? He stays damned until the very end.

Saving John and his family is the last thing he does before he dies.

Then we see the coyote one last time, disappearing into a cave—which, again, many believe symbolizes Arthur’s descent into hell.

And that’s my long (ass) essay on why I love Low Honor Arthur :D

Also, fun fact : Both RDR2 and RDR1 have strong religious imagery. The Strange Man may be the Devil (or Death itself), but one thing is certain—he tests people… by their honor.

In RDR1, he tested John through side quests that were directly tied to his honor. But he was also testing Arthur the whole time. In fact, the Strange Man's shack changes depending on whether you have high or low honor. And if he really is the Devil, well... low honor enjoyers are definitely taking a trip to hell~

12. Dumbest way I died?

The legendary alligator...

I was watching it through my rifle scope, thinking I was at a safe distance. Getting closer... closer...

CLOSER...

Headshots after headshots, but the damn thing wouldn’t die. I figured I still had room, so I lowered my rifle—

And it was right there! Just a few steps away from me!

I turned and ran, but my horse noped out and left me on the spot. I got mauled, and it looked like something out of Looney Tunes :T

[between-two-fandoms]

Thoughts on Buck ever meeting Captain Gerard? Like… maybe they’re at the FD/cop bar and Gerard shows up while Hen and Karen, Chimey and Tommy and Eddie are all there and it’s so awkward and Tommy wants to lash out and Eddie looks like he’s gonna beat someone’s face in— but then Buck is there defending his fam? I donno why but i feel like I need this…Athena meeting Gerard would also be a THING I NEED.

oooh, I haven't thought of this one yet!

I can picture them all at the badge and ladder bar, and Gerard winds up at the bar ordering something and spots Tommy first so he moseys on over to the 118 crew/firefam. And Buck is sitting there next to Tommy. He notices how Tommy's usual suave confident nature falters in front of his old captain. Buck takes it all in for the first time, leaning into Tommy as he tries listening to old stories from Tommy's first captain.

It's clear Hen and Chimney are immediately uncomfortable with this smelly old man's presence at their table, but Bobby doesn't make him leave so Buck follows Bobby's lead at first and tries to be nice to Gerard. But then Gerard starts cracking offensive jokes. First at Buck's expense, because Buck's got a reputation a mile-wide from his 1.0 era and that's fine. Buck can handle jokes being made about him. He's a big boy. Tommy's hand grips his thigh under the table, grounding him.

(more under cut)

They're all still humoring him an hour after Gerard tells a couple of stories and lays off the jokes for a bit, but Buck has already decided he loathes this man who thinks he can get away with talking to his family like this. All the snide comments and borderline offensive one-liners. And then Gerard starts cracking jokes at Hen and Chim's expense and gets offended when Tommy doesn't play along. When Gerard starts turning his attention to Eddie he tries making a joke about Christopher when Eddie shows him a picture. Before anyone else can do anything Buck snaps. Maybe he feels brave enough for confrontation because he's had a couple beers so he's not able to control his emotional stressors like usual, or maybe he's just fully pissed off at this sorry excuse for a fire captain for thinking he's one of them.

How dare he think he can make fun of the 118 like this? They're heroes compared to scraggly old man ass. They're Buck's family. Bobby is a hundred times the captain you'll ever be Gerard! Tommy's grown into a person he can be proud of! Fuck off you asshole. He's a great boyfriend! kisses Tommy aggressively to make a point then rounds on Gerard again Chim is the best older brother ever. He's an amazing paramedic and he's going to be at the 118 longer than any of us! And how dare you insult Hen and Karen! Karen is a rocket scientist she's a million times smarter than you'll ever be asshole! Hen is my sister. She's the best paramedic in the state. how dare you talk about my sister like that! When he's done everyone looks at Buck kind of afraid but mostly just thankful he had the guts to say what everyone's been thinking.

Then Gerard gets scared off, and Buck's coming down from the high, still seething a little. Everyone thanks Buck for sticking up for them, but they inevitably decide to call it a night and taper off until it's just Buck and Tommy left. By then the exhaustion washes over Buck and he just buries his face into Tommy's chest. Tommy (who is a little turned on by Buck yelling at Gerard and being all protective over everyone, but now's not the time) wraps his arms around him telling him how brave he is, how strong he is, how much he loves him, and then he takes him home.

[casanovawrites]

random sentence prompts  ━ from various tv shows, part 6

you saw me as someone worth saving.

i didn’t want what happened to change the way you saw me.

we’re gonna get through this. we kind of have to.

sometimes our mistakes follow us.

in fact, i did not start out a bad person.

glory’s fine. revenge is more fun.

as usual, i make the wrong decision.

i was scared. i’m just tired of being scared. 

all that rage is bad for your complexion. 

you are so sweet and naive and dumb.

curious. how many more rock bottoms are you going to have to hit before you start taking care of yourself?

i used to think a lot of shit matters.

talking makes things real. and real things end.

i wanted to be a part of your world. but i didn’t know your world was like this. 

i’m so sick of people telling me who i am.

the guilt of it all. what are we supposed to do with that? 

i don’t want to be afraid anymore.

it’s like i always used to need someone else to make me feel whole. 

you didn’t let me down.

you’re this fiery, passionate person.

we’re working to stop the monsters and to stop people from turning into monsters.

it’s important to have an exit plan that’s more than just an exit.

maybe it’s not so bad when you’re the one holding the knife.

at least i know who i am.

i’m nobody’s guiding light.

i don't belong to anybody.

i was alone. surrounded by people, but still alone.

rise and shine, we’re in hell. 

this is the worst it’s been. that feeling in the pit of my stomach.

you’re going dark on me again.

if you’re bullshitting me, i don’t care.

i never wanted to be the bad guy.

why did anyone ever do shit for me when all i ever did was let them down?

look at you, always standing in my fucking way.

your memory is like… lethally selective.

what if we end up making each other freaking miserable?

what if i hurt you? i’ve hurt people before. very badly.

for what it’s worth, i’m proud of you.

you’re the future, kid. never forget that. 

i guess i just want it to make some kind of sense.

however this plays out, i’m seeing it through with you.

you’ve done a lot, no question. but there is always more.

you believed in me when i didn’t.

this may shock you, but not everyone here likes you.

this place makes you face your demons or something, and turns out, your demons are really fucking ugly.

maybe in the end it’ll be me and you trying together. 

maybe it makes me selfish. i don’t think it makes me wrong.

there’s a whole world out there for you. go. fight for it. be brave.

i'm talking the greater good. doesn't always have to be what's best for everybody.

it doesn’t matter how shitty they are. it still fucks you up when they’re gone.

sometimes, someone comes into your life at just the right moment, you know?

stop being mad at me for wanting a different future.

you’re not like the others. but you know that, don’t you?

this isn’t pressure. it’s winning. 

i want a life where we can just… be. 

the worst has already fucking happened. i don’t think i’ve got it in me to be that scared about something that could be good.

we can’t save anyone until we save ourselves.

if you’re with me, i need you to say it.

what gives you the right to choose who lives and who dies?

i don’t know how this is going to end or what happens to me, but for whatever it’s worth, i am with you. 

why am i always doing bad things in your dreams?

you don’t trust anybody else to take care of things.

enough people have died. 

tell me you didn’t kill anyone. if you say it, i’ll believe you.

thank you for believing in me. 

i don’t wanna die.

i was just following your lead the whole time. we all were.

i’m not a hero. i’m just helping a friend.

i don’t think this is goodbye. 

you need someone to help get you there, and you have to get there.

i’m sorry you met me, but i’m glad i got to know you. i’ll never forget you.

can’t i just blame everything on my mother and be done with it?

the whole world’s haunted.

i did monstrous things. 

you’re happy. which you’re allowed to be, in case you didn’t know.

just because someone saved your life doesn’t mean you have to live the rest of it for them.

it is not up to you to carry everyone else.

put your trust in other people. in me.

sometimes, helping hurts like hell.

i just wish sometimes i had a map to figure you out.

it’s a crazy world out here, full of people who sometimes disappoint us, but it’s damn beautiful.

i’m sorry. small words for something so big.

what do you live for? living takes effort now, it takes everything. those still alive have their reasons.

the world is nothing without hope.

think about what you want. what you truly want.

the bad things we do must be done. we carry that burden so the others don’t have to.

i’m gonna screw with your life just like the way you did with mine.

this place, it’s safe. it’s good for everybody.

we take what we got, and we make it work.

they changed the game, so we change how we play.

oh my god, you killed him.

[j2zara]

@neerdowellnarrator sorry to snoop but, I have something along those veins? I caved so here is the other half of the unfinished wip—the part where LJ3 are arguing over the what they're gonna do about The Name. It's in a state rn, but I thought it was kinda fun and melodramatic and at least kiiindda matched both prompts?

_

“It’s not going to work…”

Ellie doesn’t know how long they’ve been lying there, the springs from her mattress digging into her sides, but it’s not until she can hear Blue’s quiet snores that she braves herself to speak.

“Hm?” says J3, half asleep, shifting so that his chin rests on her shoulder. “Wha’s’at?” He stifles a yawn, a sound that Ellie finds precious despite herself. Despite everything.

She takes J3’s arms wrapped around her waist and holds them tighter to her person—her last indulgence since their break. She can’t help herself. It’s one thing to give up sex, it’s another to give up her one fool-proof trick for a full night’s sleep free of nightmares. 

She’s always told herself that when she broke her rules, it was for a good reason. But she knows it’s bullshit.

She just doesn’t want to give up her last good thing.

But this time, she needs the comfort. When she thinks about what comes monday—the student president election, it’s like her brain just—stops. Their whole miserable half-lives have led up to this. Life in Jaceprime’s basement has been hell on earth, but at least there was ritual in the mundanity. At least she knows who she is when she’s resisting captivity.

What happens when the God of War gets exactly what he wants? What happens when he doesn’t?

Maybe she doesn’t have to tell him how she feels. Maybe they really are matching spares. Maybe, just maybe, he can just feel her tremble, and that is why he gives her hand a reassuring squeeze.

“Ellie?” he tries again.

“The, uh… The ritual. It’s not going to work.” Ellie’s always thought of herself as someone who was unafraid to speak her mind. Hell, she’s gotten into shouting matches with the guy who locks them in the basement every night. So why is she so afraid to speak? “The—The name is wrong, J3.”

The quiet is painfully long. Finally, he says, “Are you sure?”

“Yes. Positive.”

She expects more questions, maybe pushback. Instead, he says, “Okay. I believe you.” A beat. “Does Porter—”

“No. Not yet, at least. But when he does—”

The sound of shifting blankets from across the room, and she can feel J3 stiffen beside her. She, too, has gone completely still.

What do you think he’ll do?

J3’s voice in her head when the rustling stops. A Message.

Well… says Ellie, If he doesn’t smash us to bits—send in the Ratgrinders on the cloudrider, I guess. So close to the deadline, the attack on Seacaster Manor is our only chance to get it.

Makes sense.

And he’ll probably send Boss in to supervise.

Or one of us, says J3.

She nods. Or one of us.

Deadened silence.

You still have that ring I gave you, right?

Ellie touches her Ring of Disguise Self, turns the band around on her finger—a reflex. She can feel her cheeks flush, and she’s grateful to be turned away from him. Even though she’s mad at him, she can’t bring herself to give it back. “Yes. I—of course I do.”

Okay. Good.

J3 is quiet.

What are you thinking? asks Ellie.

I’m thinking… You should volunteer for the cloudrider mission.

“What?” says Ellie, too loud. She hears a quiet, disgruntled mmph from Blue, and the creak of a mattress. More quietly, she tries again. “What? Why?”

‘Cause I’m gonna take your place.

Ellie jerks around to face him. She’s been trying to keep her cool all evening, but she can’t. It’s no use. It’s not who she is.

“No!” cries Ellie, and J3 shushes her, glancing over at Blue’s bed. Thankfully, the curtains are still closed, but she doesn’t care. She opens her mouth, intent on giving him a piece of her mind, but—

There’s something so resolute in his expression that she forgets to breathe.

He has the audacity to smile at her. Like they’re having a slumber party, exchanging secrets late into the night. Instead of plotting treason. El. Think about it. They’ll never know the difference.

“You’re insane.” Ellie sits up. You can’t do that for me, J3. Besides. Boss’ll never believe it. He’ll know something is up immediately. She hesitates. She’s disgusted with herself for even entertaining the idea; disgusted that a part of her is moved. But it’ll never work—not when she’s J4. She’s not the precious gift, or the shiny toy, she’s the mistake. “You know me, I’m—I’m whiny and stubborn, and—”

J3 follows her. The blanket falls to the floor. His eyes are wide, animated—he’s speaking with a fervor she’s never seen from him before. He takes her face in his hands—Which is why we’ll—I’ll— convince him that it was his idea. Like, it’s, I dunno—a punishment.

Ellie doesn’t answer.

C’mon, El. He’s still smiling. Like this is some sort of game. You know I can do it.

A beat. How does she tell him that that’s exactly what she’s afraid of?

“I—I can’t, J3.”

You can’t deny it, El. You know they’ll both be preoccupied during election night. It’s the perfect window.

A beat. The thing is—he’s right. They both know it.

And it might be your last chance, before—

“No.”

“Yeah. I know it’s not all that, but we don’t have that much time, alright? I figured we could at least try… y’know?”

“No, J3. ‘No’ As in. I can’t ask you to do this for me.”

You didn’t have to, El. You—You deserve a real shot out there, you get that, right?

Ellie’s heart is hammering in her chest. Talking to J3 has always been hard enough when he’s flirting, cracking jokes, doing what he always does. She didn’t realize how much worse it was to talk to him when he’s being sincere. 

He really believes in her, doesn’t he? He always has.

J3 is still cradling her face in his hands.

Stupidly, Ellie yearns for him to lean down and kiss her—when that should be the last thing on her mind. Instead, she murmurs—“But what about when he finds out the truth, J3? What then?”

The corner of his mouth tugs in a small smile—bewitching and infuriating.

Well. You’ll be long gone by then.

“Don’t be stupid!” says Ellie, wrenching away from him. I’m not leaving you.

“Why?”

The utter confusion in his expression could break her heart. She knows who to blame here. Knows that He is the reason J3 is the way he is. Knows she can’t just cut and run like J3 wants. Come Ascension day, she’s going to take the Big Guy’s maul and drive it straight into His face.

“What do you mean ‘why’? You know why!”

Ellie hates feeling this way. She wants to tell J3 that she is not like Him, she will never be like Him. Wants to tell him that he’s never been a spare, that she would never, ever, use him as a shield. Wants to tell him the truth about her plan, that she’s not going anywhere—at least without taking the Big Guy down with her. Wants to tell him that she can’t go alone—that she can’t see a future without him.

She wants to tell him that she loves him.

J3 is the first to break the silence. “Why won’t you just let me do this for you? I’m dead either way, at least this way—”

“Will you quit talking like that? What I wanna know—is why you’re so insistent on this. You know full well I can’t go anywhere. Not without being Dispelled.”

J3 is quiet.

“J3. What did you do?”

“I cut a deal with Him, ok? With, ah, the Big Guy.”

A beat.

“You did what?”

J3 is avoiding her gaze. “He knows the name is busted, he found out yesterday. And so I—I made the terms. I get him the name, he becomes a god. You get True Life, and you’ll be gone before Jace knows anything.”

She can feel herself blinking back tears—whether they stem from hurt or anger, she does not know. “How could you do this? You’re working with Him?”

“What do you want me to say, El?”

“He’s evil!”

“Well, I’m not a hero, ok! Not like you. At least this way, everyone gets what they want.”

“Everyone? J3, are you serious?”

“Yes, everyone.”

What about what you want?

“All I know is that—I want you to get out, ok? You deserve to live your life, El. I dunno. Out of all the things I’ve ever wanted, I think that’s the only one that's ever meant anything at all.”

Ellie is shaking—she’s still refusing to cry, refusing to wrangle with the cataclysm of pain and longing and grief that threaten to overwhelm her—which is why she’s running on pure fury and disgust and betrayal when she reaches for him, unsure what she’ll do until she’s grappling him by the shoulders and pinning him to the mattress. J3 struggles against her, but Ellie doesn’t let up. For once, it’s not a game, and he is not getting out of it with a pout and a brat routine. She grabs the butterfly knife under her pillow and holds it to his throat.

A beat. 

He smirks. “See you kept the gift.”

“Shut up,” she growls. She presses the blade further into his skin, watching as his neck flushes red, following the trickle of a single drop of blood.

“There’s not going to be a deal, you get that? I’m going to kill Him. Whatever it takes. Don’t try to stop me. And don’t get in my way.”

J3’s mouth parts—Ellie watches his chest rise and fall as he just breathes, staring up at her. 

“You won’t hurt me.”

He’s looking at her with so much trust that she aches. Ellie can hear the knife clatter to the floor before she even realizes what she’s done. That she’s let go. She leans forward, speaking softly into his ear.

“J3. I swear—if you even think about taking the fall for me, I’ll—” She has to think quick. Something that a long rest won’t heal. Something that will stick—a blemish on that perfect face of his, hers, theirs, Jace’s—so that Boss will never get them mixed up ever again—

Her hand curls around his throat. “I’ll break your fucking nose.”

He's not going to destroy himself for her. She’s never letting anything happen to him ever again.

[big-ass-magnet]

Relatively Speaking, This Will Probably Be Fine (Ch 3)

Fandom: Girl Genius Rating: T Summary: Agatha, struggling at school, feels frustrated and helpless in the face of her difficulties. She looks for comfort from a very unexpected source--or perhaps not so unexpected.

<Last Chapter | Chapter One | Next Chapter >

AO3 Link

Agatha stood in front of the door with her book clutched to her chest.

The room was not forbidden, exactly. It was just…

It had not been the machines crowded around the bed, it had not even been the sight of the body itself. It was when Lady Teodora had said “Saturnus? This is Agatha Sannikova, she’ll be staying with us for a while”, and the eyes had opened and seen Agatha, and filled with such anger and hate.

Master Saturnus did not like people to see him this way.

So Agatha had never gone back in, not once in all the months she’d lived in Mechanicsburg. She didn’t even go near the door, and would look away when Teodora or the doctor went in.

But today…

You may want to consider private tutoring.

You can’t just give up on her! She does her best—she’s dedicated, she studies hard!

I’m afraid sometimes hard work is not enough, Lady Teodora. Some people just…aren’t suited for academics.

The door made no sound, but Saturnus was aware of her the moment Agatha set foot in the room. Their eyes met, and his gaze grew hard and cold. He turned his head away from her, facing the wall. Inwardly, Agatha recoiled. She did not want to be in this room, this tomb of a man who couldn’t finish dying.

But she went in anyway, shutting the door behind her. Beside the bed was the stool Teodora used when tending to her husband; Agatha drew it up and sat down.

“I know you don’t like people coming in here. Lady Teodora says it’s because you don’t want people to see you and think you’re weak.”

Saturnus’ muscles were atrophied, but he still managed to tense at that. He was probably doom-ray frying her in his mind. Agatha picked at the frayed corner of the book’s cover.

“I get these…headaches. They’re really, really bad. I get them when I get angry and sometimes when I think too hard.”

No reaction from Saturnus. Agatha took a deep breath and went on.

“The kids at school make fun of me. Some of the teachers get mad at me. Some of them feel bad for me, and that’s worse. They want to take me out of school because they think I’m too stupid and I’m not, I know I’m not, because sometimes I can, I can see the answer, and I know I know it, but I just can’t get to it. If I could just, just think…”

Tears were welling up in her eyes, frustration making her head pound, but she pushed through it.

“Ms Teodora tries to make me feel better. She tells me that I’m smart in my own way, and that I’m brave and strong and I’ll make it in my own time. And that doesn’t help. She doesn’t understand what it’s like to, to know that you can’t because there is something wrong with you. And then I thought about you and…”

Her throat went tight. Her breathing was shaky and her voice wobbled.

“I thought maybe we could be broken together.”

Fat teardrops plopped onto the book, leaving dark blotches on the cover. Agatha didn’t try to stop them, though she tried at least to cry quietly.

Something brushed her cheek, and she looked up with a start.

Saturnus’ arm trembled with the effort, but he kept his hand outstretched long enough to wipe away the tears on both her cheeks before letting it fall back onto the bed. Agatha saw no pity in his eyes, not even sympathy—only understanding.

Saturnus turned his hand palm upwards. Agatha hesitated a moment, then reached out and put her hand in his. The fingers that wrapped around hers were bony and the grip was weak, but it was also warm and it was a comfort. After a moment, Saturnus released her hand and looked at the book.

Agatha sniffed and dried her eyes on her sleeve.

“It’s a science book,” she said, her voice steadying. “I was reading it. I thought maybe I could read it to you?”

With great effort, Saturnus nodded.

Agatha opened the book and cleared her throat. Saturnus shut his eyes and lay back. As she began to read, his expression cleared. Agatha did not see it and would not have known it if she had, but for the first time in nearly ten years, Saturnus relaxed.

[miss-celestia13]

Begin Again

Jake x MC Fluffy One Shot

Words: 2.8k

It’s Jake’s first day at his new job. His nerves are getting the best of him, but MC knows just what to say and do to get him out of his head. A new beginning, the promise of peace and safety.

The ending of my story made me want to return to these two. While I prepare for my sequel, it was fun and peaceful to write something fluffy again! It’s more tooth rotting fluff and romance! I hope you enjoy it 🥰❤️

Jake

His inner critic was very loud that morning. It was desperately trying to save him from making mistakes, but all it gave him was anxiety, doubt, and misplaced shame. The man looking back at him in the mirror was not the one he was accustomed to. Gaunt, grey and terrified was how he used to look. A specter in human skin who lived in the shadows. Now, a glaze to his eyes spoke of a kinder life and peace, but the harsh line of his tensed jaw and the frown between his brows gave away his fear. He could hear her padding around the kitchen as he finished brushing his teeth and rinsed his mouth, ensuring his hair wasn’t too unkempt before he left the sanctuary of the bathroom to gather his things. Today was no ordinary day. He was starting his new job, the first in five years and one he was semi-confident he would excel at, but his social battery worried him. Would it hold enough charge for an eight-hour workday? He wasn’t entirely sure.

She insisted he spend the night so she could see him off on his first day, and she woke him with his preferred black coffee and two slices of buttered toast. His stomach was a nest of snakes, and she seemed to know he couldn’t stomach anything else. It had settled him somewhat, and her tender, loving touches and smiles helped more. Still, there was a definite tremble in his hands as he packed the forms he had filled in with his shiny new bank details and hunted for his favorite pen, which he found tucked behind her ear as she entered the bedroom to see how he was getting on. She gave it to him with a sheepish smile, and he chuckled at the pink flush on her cheeks.

“You look like a professional.” She teased, eyeing his freshly pressed shirt and black trousers.

“I don’t think they’d appreciate me turning up in a hoodie and jeans,” He said.

“Hmm, they don’t know what they’re missing.” She laughed but quickly stopped as she sensed the tension in him.

“Hey, are you okay? You look like you’re about to be sick.”

Jake swallowed hard, head shaking as he drew in a tight breath, “I’m... terrified. What if I fuck it up? What if they find out what I did? What if-”

“Jake. Breathe,” Her hands were on his shoulders as she looked him in the eye, “Let’s try something different. What if none of that happens, and you love it? What if this is what you need to finally feel safe? You won’t know for sure until you’re there. Don’t ruin it before you get started.”

He knew she was right, but there was an iron band around his chest and a dead weight in his feet that kept him rooted to the floor. He didn’t want to let her down. Wanted to build a life with her, and to do it, he needed a job, and he was very aware of all the ways it could go wrong. Taking a steadying breath, he shook out his tingling hands and nodded, hoping he looked braver than he felt.

“I just hate being scared of everything. It makes me feel useless, weak,” He admitted in a whisper, watching as her brows furrowed. That spark ignited in her eyes, the one that always appeared when he was being too hard on himself.

“I’d be more concerned if you weren’t anxious or nervous. It’s normal to be afraid of something new, especially after what you went through. But Jake, the only time you can ever be brave is when you’re afraid. It doesn’t make you useless. It makes you strong and courageous because you’ll do it in spite of your fear.”

There was nothing but stolid belief and conviction in her tone as she stared up at him, a soft smile on her plush mouth, and he knew she was right and he would adapt like he always did.

“How do you always know the right thing to say?” He wondered aloud and she winked, pushing up on her toes to kiss his cheek before turning to leave the bedroom. Her response was tossed over her shoulder before she walked out the door.

“I just say what I wish people told me whenever I was afraid or anxious. And I know you better than anyone. You just needed someone to remind you who you are.”

Shaking his head, Jake didn’t question it or the calmness she left behind as he zipped his work bag shut and carried it through to the living room. She was waiting for him, a coy smile on her lips as she handed him a lunch bag and ducked her head. His heart swelled and warmed, touched that someone wanted to take care of him. Her quiet care for those she loved was the most beautiful thing about her. He tried to open it, but she stopped him, a note of alarm in her voice that made him arch a brow.

“Wait until lunchtime to open it. I could barely close it; it’ll explode all over the place, and you’ll be late if you don’t hurry.” She rambled, not meeting his eye, and though he wanted to question her, she was right. He had to leave.

“Thank you. I’ll let you know how it goes when I get home. I love you.” He murmured and kissed her softly, smiling into it as she sighed happily.

Parting with the promise of spending another night together, Jake grabbed his car keys and belongings and headed out the door. She stood in the doorway waving and grinning as he backed out of her driveway and onto the main road, beeping the horn before he steeled his spine and followed the GPS to his new workplace. The drive seemed to pass almost instantly. Like he blinked and he was there, he hoped the day went by just as quickly. The parking lot was already filling up, and he had to circle it a few times, his heart rate climbing higher with every turn. Once he found a parking space, he double-checked he had all he needed and got out of the car, feeling his phone buzz in his pocket as he walked toward the building. Pulling it out, he saw her name and smiled as he opened it.

MC: Good luck, love. You’ll smash it. I’ll help you forget all about it tonight ;-)

Jake: Thank you. Enjoy your day, and I’ll hold you to that. :-)

He turned it off as he entered the building, schooling his features into what he hoped was a welcoming smile as he approached the front desk and gave the receptionist his name. The kindly older woman grinned at him and directed him to his floor, handing him a passkey with his photo, name, and title already on it. Security analyst. It sounded very official, and he couldn’t help his wry chuckle as he took the elevator to meet with his boss. If Jake from two years ago could see him now… He’d barely left the elevator when his name was called. He recognized the man’s baritone voice and whirled to face his new employer. His name was Harvey. He was a sauve and perfectly put-together man in his mid-forties. His suit must’ve cost at least a couple month's wages. Jake felt like a boy around him but knew it was in his head as the man gestured for him to follow him inside his office.

Once he was seated, Harvey gave him a lengthy rundown of all that was expected of him and how desperately they needed his help and expertise. It was overwhelming, but he managed to stay on track and digest the urgency of the situation. Jake nodded and asked a few questions, mainly listening as Harvey explained the flaws in their systems and the temporary patches they had in place. It would not hold forever, and Jake’s job was to close all holes and ensure everything ran smoothly. He was being paid handsomely for it and knew he could do it. It was the human aspect of the job he worried over, but he’d cross that bridge when he came to it. There was no point in borrowing problems from the future when the present held more than enough to keep him occupied. His boss seemed to deflate with relief when Jake told him the ideas he’d already had. Still, he wanted to get familiar with the systems before implementing anything. Harvey was amenable to that, and soon, they were on their way to Jake’s new office. An office. His time spent in dingy motels while searching for Hannah felt like another life as he surveyed the room. 

“I’ll let you set yourself up and get a feel for it. If you have any problems or questions, call my office. We’re glad to have you here.” Harvey said with a smile.

Jake thanked him again and returned his goodbye as Harvey closed the door and left him to it. He slumped into his new chair and blew out a breath as he turned his computer on and signed into his work account. He soon forgot to be nervous as the familiar feel of the keys under his fingers and their comforting clacking filled the quiet room, reminding him of being at home. Working on his laptop while she flitted around the house or kept him company. The morning passed in a blur of very little in the way of progress, but he learned a lot more than he thought he would take in on his first day. The size of the company was an issue. As was the fact employees took work laptops home. That wasn’t his problem yet, and he soon began compiling a list of the most glaring, dangerous issues. He sent an email containing his findings to his boss, checked the time, and was surprised to see it was already lunchtime. He didn’t want to leave the safety of his office and decided to eat there for the day at least. Socializing could wait until he got his feet under him.

Signing off for the hour, he reached under his desk for his lunch bag. He set it on his desk, carefully opening it as he remembered her strange demeanor earlier that day. He was smiling as he saw the effort she went to. Along with his well-filled sandwiches were a bag of chips, three energy drinks, and a bunch of his favorite snacks. His chest felt tight and pleasantly warm as he sent her a quick text to let her know how much he appreciated her. He was happily eating a sandwich when he pulled the bag of chips out to add some to it and saw the note at the bottom of the bag. His heart kicked up as he picked it up and read it.

No matter what your silly brain tells you,

you are excellent at everything you do and can do this.

I am so proud of you I could cry.

You have strengthened me in my weakest moments.

I plan to always do the same for you.

Don’t forget how happy you make me.

Enjoy your lunch.

I love you.

His vision swam as he read it again and again. She was always surprising him. He never knew what was next with her, and he liked it, no, he loved it. She shook him out of his rigid numbness and convinced him he could have and be more. She was a balm to his every wound, and he knew she felt the same about him. He saw it in the way she went soft around him, all smiles and gentle kisses. Even when they disagreed, she was never cruel or harsh. She stood her ground, made her argument, and always listened to his side. They were a team, and he was doing this job to make sure that the life they dreamed of came true and she never had to worry about him again. He barely tasted his lunch after that, time passing swiftly as he thought of everything he would say when he got home.

The rest of the work day went as quickly as the morning had, and Jake felt lighter and more sure of himself as he closed everything down and left his office. Harvey wished him a pleasant evening as Jake poked his head into his office to say goodbye and thanked him for the opportunity. He was in his car and on the road home within minutes, music blaring, and the window rolled down as the sun made the tarmac shimmer. Fresh air filled his lungs, and he breathed much easier now the day was behind him. She would already be finished work, and he knew where she would be as he neared her house and slowed to turn into the driveway. Seeing the side gate was unlocked, he knew his hunch was correct and hurried out of the car to find her. Her garden was half-wild and half-tamed. Long grass and tidy borders filled with carefully selected plants and flowers. Birds chittered in the trees lining the back of it, and she was on her knees before a flower bed, hair tied back in a messy bun as she pruned the rose bushes. Their sweet scent hung heavy in the summer air as he approached and admired her in her element. 

Bees buzzed around the flowers as he announced his presence so he didn’t frighten her; their fuzzy jackets were weighed down with pollen as they jumped from bloom to bloom. As she turned to him and saw him smiling, her shoulders relaxed, and her eyes softened as she got to her feet and took off her gloves, tossing them on the ground as she came to him. No hesitation, no second guessing, she invaded his personal space and gave a satisfied little sigh. Her arms wound around his waist. She smelled like earth, grass, and roses, a fragrant perfume he wished he could bottle. 

“Well, how was it? Was anyone mean to you?” She laughed as he wrapped his arms around her and shook his head.

“It was... good. I think I’ll like it there. And no, cheeky, they were nice.” 

“See, I knew you would do great.” She said, watching his face for any sign of discontent and finding none.

“I especially enjoyed the food you packed for me,” He hedged, delighted to see a blush creeping up her neck as she avoided his eye.

“Did you now?” 

“I did. Someone left me a really encouraging note. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?” 

She shrugged, eyes twinkling as she said, “I haven’t the slightest inkling. What did it say?” 

“That you are proud of me and love me. Some other things too, but I don’t want you to get any redder than you already are,” he teased, kissing her forehead as she hummed and cleared her throat.

“I suppose it’s all true... Tell me, did it help?” She asked, and he nodded.

“It did. Thank you, you’re far too good to me.”

She shook her head vehemently, “Nope. None of that. You’re more than enough for me. If I have to tell you -”

He laughed as he cut her off with a kiss that made her melt into him and clutch his shirt in two tight fists. He would never tire of kissing her. That he was able to whenever he wanted felt like a gift, and he would not waste it, not for a second. He’d already spent years of his life as a ghost, he refused to do so again. The feel and scent of her were all he knew as he possessed her mouth and knew this was where he was meant to be. They were only at the beginning. There were so many years and opportunities ahead of them, and he could choose the things that made him happy, not what kept him free of his pursuers. That was the most exciting thing of all, and he couldn’t wait to make mistakes that wouldn’t end his life or put him in jail. Just wanted to make those normal mess-ups that one could learn from. He hadn’t been able to do that in so long. It felt silly to look forward to such a thing, but he knew what life was like without it, and it wasn’t worth it. The world was theirs for the taking, and he knew they would make it to whatever end they wanted. Together, always together. And whether the weather be frost, rain, or sunshine, they would be each other’s shelter. It was a vow he was only too happy to keep.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Thank you for reading! And if you reblog or comment, thank you so much for that, too! I am so grateful to you. I hope you enjoyed it 🥰❤️

[pinkestmenace]

💫 (Shooting Star) - If they were to wish on a clockwork star, like Galactic Nova or Star Dream, what would they wish for?

🥘 (Stew) - Do they have any favourite foods or comfort foods? What are their eating habits like? If absorbed by the Cook ability, what healing item would they summon?

☀️ (Sun) - What’s their morning routine like? Do they take a lot of time getting ready in the morning? How do they groom themselves? What are they having for breakfast?

🐛 (Caterpillar) - What are your OC’s greatest fears, and why? How do they act or react when they’re afraid?

For the pea!!! :D

Oof! Starting off with some hard ones right off the bat! Have fun picking these apart. Heeheehee...

💫 (Shooting Star) - If they were to wish on a clockwork star, like Galactic Nova or Star Dream, what would they wish for?

I think current her (that is, tournament time/space shenanigans her) is pretty satisfied with her life. Enough that she wouldn't want to risk it misinterpreting her and creating some kind of disaster because it gave her more than she bargained for. This goes for 'canon' Hero of Yore her too. At least until it all goes down the drain after the fight with Void. I haven't completely worked out what happens after that. (I still need to iron out some details.) But let's just say that during the period of her existence where she desperately wants to make a wish she's no longer able to. There's no turning back time. It relentlessly marches forward until the past and all that belongs in it is forgotten. The thread of time can be bunched up and stuck in knots, it can be twisted and repeated, even folded to bridge gaps and overlap with itself, but it cannot be fully rewound. Not for her and not for her friends.

🥘 (Stew) - Do they have any favourite foods or comfort foods? What are their eating habits like? If absorbed by the Cook ability, what healing item would they summon?

I don't think she necessarily has a favourite food. She does like vegetables a lot, but she's not picky at all and always open to trying new snacks! ...Actually, if she's having a bad day (or just winding down from a tiring one) she might enjoy a nice thick soup.

She's definitely a big eater and her daily diet probably involves lots of protein and carbs. (She's a jock, pretty active and needs that fuel!) But she's not that strict in her diet. Her goal is being strong! Not being perfectly slim and trim at all times.

The obvious food for the Cook ability is of course pea soup. For food that actually appears in the games the peas in a pod that can be found in Kirby's Super Star (Ultra) or the snap peas in Kirby and the Rainbow Curse. But just for fun I'd like her to spawn a glass of punch or a club sandwich.

☀️ (Sun) - What’s their morning routine like? Do they take a lot of time getting ready in the morning? How do they groom themselves? What are they having for breakfast?

She wakes up and she's up 'n' at 'em! The biggest part of her morning routine is probably combing her hair. (She has so much of it. Where did it come from?? Where does it go?) She does not bother with pretty outfits often outside of special occasions (not that she dislikes them, they just get in the way), but her luscious locks and her long lashes are her pride and joy. Gotta make sure she looks sharp when she's kicking your butt!

Breakfast is whatever she grabs first that's available in large quantities. (She wakes up HUNGRY!) If you gave her a large pile of waffles with honey they'd be gone in the blink of an eye. And then her big ol' eyes will be staring up at you for more.

🐛 (Caterpillar) - What are your OC’s greatest fears, and why? How do they act or react when they’re afraid?

I'd say she's pretty brave, so when she's faced with a threat she definitely tries to fight back. Fleeing is a last resort to make a tactical retreat and try again later.

There are some things that would disturb her. Things she can't fight. She prides herself on her strength and coordination. If she were to lose that, if everyone suddenly saw her as just a weak useless little bug, if she became so clumsy her friends and innocent people got hurt because of her that would definitely haunt her. If nobody listened to her or took her seriously and everyone saw her as just an overgrown child or dumb muscle, or worse something that's outlived its usefulness, that would break her heart. Especially if she believed it's coming from her own friends.

Oh, and she probably doesn't like the dark either. A cloudless night is fine, she can still orient herself by the stars. But finding herself stuck in murky suffocating darkness that stretches out endlessly wide, too lonely and too quiet, to the point where it cuts off the senses and you lose all sense of body, self, time and direction? That's just eerie! She wouldn't wish that kinda nightmarish fate on anyone!

...Actually let me tag @kirbyoctournament in this. For the 🫛 lore!

Masterpost

[malinaa]

as a hunger games and shadow and bones enjoyer, thoughts on a malina thg au, where they’re both tributes for 12?? mal is so peeta “boy next door, boy with the bread” energy

please just the thought of malina in the games makes me sob 😭 alina wouldn’t volunteer because honestly the only person she would volunteer for would be mal (and vice versa). i think at that point alina is just praying to anyone who would listen that let it not be mal let it not be mal not him please not him. but then d12’s escort calls out, “malyen oretsev” and her world crumbles before her eyes.

one of the big differences from everlark is def that malina’s romance dynamic is switched, on the surface at least. alina’s love for mal is so so so evident in the beginning of s&b but you don’t really get mal reciprocating that love until the latter half of the book (mal has been in love w her since he was literally a child.. peetacoded fr but he didn’t like act on it until he realized that he lost her … katnisscoded 🤭).

anyway everyone in d12 knows that they’re in love with each other but the other doesn’t know so the star-crossed lovers angle could still be played. mal is DEFINITELY charming and handsome enough to get the capitol eating off his hand (that one quote in s&s that’s like if you put him in a fjerdan camp he’ll come back on their shoulders etc etc). i think what spark’s the capitol’s interest in them is their closeness. that spark gets fanned into a flame when the tiny slip of a girl from district 12 got a high training score and idk if there’d be any grisha power in this au so use ur imagination. when the interviews roll around, i think alina would talk about mal in a way that makes the interviewer’s eyes gleam but they run out of time before they get to the Big Question. then mal’s interview rolls around and he charms everyone in the audience and when the interviewer asks, “and alina? you two are childhood friends, you grew up together. what was it like being reaped together?” and mal gives everyone a sad smile and says instead, “let me tell you a little story. i was never a brave kid.” and he laughs, self-deprecating. everybody’s attention is on him, their dissent rumbling through the air because there’s no way a d12 kid with a relatively high training score (i’m shooting for a 9 maybe. peeta’s 8 would be good too) wouldn’t be brave. “alina would argue with me just like you all are doing, but i swear it’s true. i was weak. afraid of the dark. the orphanage ran out of candles once during a storm and i couldn’t sleep and even though she was in a completely different part of the building, she knew that i had a fear of the dark, so she ran out in the middle of the night and traded some of her old clothes for a single candle. she slipped into my room, all wet from the rain but i didn’t care. alina lit the candle and all i could think was, ‘she’s so much braver than me.’ she gave me light.” mal locks his gaze with the interviewer. “she is my light.” anddddd time’s up!

the capitol’s abuzz with mal’s declaration. they feel like he’s def in love with her (he is) and she doesn’t know it (she doesn’t—probably thinks he’s playing it up for the camera for sponsors) etc etc. the games start idk they’d try to stick with each other and the gamemakers have sick fun trying to pull them apart just so that a reunion would boost ratings. mal keeps finding extreme ways to help alina and keep her safe and she’s doing the same, but mal is a good soldier. he probably downplayed his skills in training to everyone, even her because he’s a damn good shot and a damn good hunter. the 2 winners from the same district announcement gets made and they run with more vigor to find each other but when they do, they obviouslyyyyy need to have The Cave Scene so mal is injured by a mutt or something idk. the story that mal tells in the cave that gets them a Feast would probably be the similar one that peeta gave (“your hair was in two braids instead of one” blah blah) but mal’s version of probably an amalgamation of something similar to alina cutting up her hand and when baby mal said “i’m going to marry alina” and he definitelyyyyyy tucks alina’s hair back and whispers, “i wanted more for you. a white veil in your hair. vows we could keep.” and they Kiss blah blah u get it. they risk their lives for each other again, at the end mal grabs alina’s hand and positions the knife to his chest but alina throws the knife away and blah blah nightlock or whatever it could be something else. regardless they LIVE and boom. end of book 1 🙏

or you could have a thg malina au with grisha powers (but they’re hidden/not in the capitol maybe or idk) and mal does shove the knife into his heart and alina like Bursts into light and they get miraculously saved by her light and d13 rescues them idk

[kroosluvr]

thinking more abt royal tennis au while i puzzle this fic out…… goro akira sumire all having horrible complicated relationships with the sport and therefore forming stupidly over complicated relationships w eachother bc they all use eachother for their tennis skills and competition/rivalry purposes and don’t try to get to know each other off the court (not really) in fear of it

1) getting in the way of their goals for tennis 2) uncovering something vulnerable and soft about themselves that they’d inevitably hate 3) what if it somehow messes up the relationship they already have as hittjng partners and “”teammates.”” kinda.

i’m making this silly by making goro the one who’s most agitated abt this: he wants to become real friends w akira and sumire bc hes been dead set on tennis this whole time but 1) the tennis thing might not work out 2) tennis is forever. friends are fleeting. so when sumire (stupid) boils down her relationship w goro to Just Tennis it pisses him off . and also w akira who makes assumptions abt goro despite not rlly Knowing him off the court Also pisses him off.

akira has nothing to lose, not really. he’s just here to not feel lonely, after all, but bc he has the lowest stakes in the game he’s afraid of holding the other two back. he’s the brave face …. but also insecure bc he feels he doesn’t have a fire as strong as the other two

sumire. oh sumire. she feels she has no choice, thjs is what she’s banking her entire life on. so it’s tennis to the end. she cannot afford distractions. it’s ironic (?) bc she’s def the most friendly and compassionate of the 3 but her attitude towards the game is so cold and calculating it’s like a murder plot than a sport. smth that even intimidates goro

anyway as u can tell they never get together. jokercrow in particular have a . i guess fwb thing )???) they kiss and whatever and rile eachother up for fun but it doesn’t “””mean anything”””. and sumire is affectionate with the two but they know it means jack shit bc she is only here for tennis . but it’s still sh/uakesu/mi to me OKAY!’!!!! they won’t be happy relationship but hey at least they can play tennis together. :)

edit: like they’re all like “yea they’d hate me if they knew me. but thank god they only know my tennis haha”

[themsource]

Dude. I wish I had HALF the balls you do. Liking certain ships despite it being viewed as extremely problematic and BEING UNAPOLOGETIC ABOUT IT!??!?!! Fuck! I have to hide all the time (which is why I'm on anon) because I'm too afraid of what my friends (on tumblr AND discord) will think if they knew i liked the "BAD" ships. I literally already made sure the ANON option was on, 3 WHOLE TIMES. That's how fucking scared I am. And the idea of anyone OUTSIDE of tumblr finding out?!?!?!? How do you do it!? How are u so fucking brave to exist the way you are and not offer an apology? ..............ur cool bye. (The anon is ON... right? Otherwise do NOT post this)

Oh thank you! <3

It makes me giddy to be told I have balls lol

Well, far as ‘problematic’ goes, I personally don’t believe in that word when it comes to fiction and fictional characters.

So therefore there’s no such thing as ‘bad’ ships, which are reclassified all the time and fickle under such a label.

Like how billford in GF used to be a ‘bad’ ship and had artists persecuted just as badly as stancest ones back in the day. But then you had the creator of the show drop B.O.B and even tease art during a livestream, and suddenly it’s no longer ‘bad’, it’s acceptable and even encouraged despite the fact the relationship is still very much filled with what some do label toxic behavior. All because people saw someone famous that they admired playing with it, and so suddenly it’s no longer stigmatized and applied to a ‘moral’ argument.

And as for the term ‘problematic’, that’s subjective when you try to apply it to art unlike real life. So there’s no point in using it as everyone defines ‘problematic’ differently than they would in the real world.

Art is about self expression and what it is that you’re wanting to explore.

Art isn’t about trying to grand stand by equating consumption to support, or about selling yourself like some sort of corporate asset based on what you make or do so you can get the biggest following.

So I don’t see a reason not to be shameless.

It took me a few years to learn all of this, but once I did I stopped worrying and did start having fun.

I get how you can be scared.

Really, I do.

But let me tell you that those ‘friends’?

They’re not actually friends if they’d choose to ignore the type of person you are over a drawing or paragraph that gave them the ick. The best way to find people that actually care about you and are worth having around are the ones that would be willing to let you do you and not give you crap about it, and then ramble on about the stuff you both do like together.

I’m sorry you feel caged in that way that you get anxiety enough over just making sure to be on anon, but I do understand the fear of loneliness and exile.

A lot of people do.

All I have to say is you only have one life, live it the way that makes you happiest.

And I’m happiest watching characters I love experience love too and the many forms it takes, no matter where it comes from.

As morbid as this sounds: when we die some of us may not die alone, but in the end we ALL do go out of this world alone as an individual experience. So the only one who it’s going to matter to when it comes to something mundane in the grander scheme such as what made up ships you liked or didn’t, is you.

That’s how I do it XD

[smoft-demons]

MC ask game random answers

Link to OG post! Feel free to ask me to answer other questions, from the OG post or otherwise!

(I am answering the questions about Auva, my obey me MC. She is a 20 year old human. Aroace. Loves her seven weirdos so damn much. Aaaaand that about sums her up lol)

Question 2: Do they have a nickname?

Yes, she’s got a whole collection of nicknames! Each of the seven bros call her something different. I guess it’s more accurate to call them pet names rather than nicknames, but what’s really the difference lol

“The baby” is a common one, from Mammon and Beel usually but the others all use this one too every so often. Mostly to make fun of her, but she doesn’t mind. Like they’ll ask each other “where’s the baby” referring to her, and “how could you say that to the baby?!” Etc etc lol

- Mammon is the main one with the “baby” allegations, though “gremlin” and “nerd” and “dummy” and “loser” are all also pretty common from him. All affectionate! She has been diagnosed with baby, he insists. “Human” is the other very common one, that might as well be her name to him. Mammon only uses her name in particularly serious or soft situations.

- Levi’s not exactly big on the nicknames, but he does refer to her as his player two and his Henry very often.

- Beel usually uses her name, but pre-belphie jailbreak he would occasionally call her “bug”. Sometimes, it’s “little bug”. When questioned, Beel just kinda shrugged and said “I like bugs. And I like you. Both are small.” and that was that, apparently. (The way they all talk about her, you’d think she’s so short, but no. She’s 5’7”. It’s just that they’re all taller than her. And older. And she doesn’t mind being babied in this particular way, so she doesn’t bother to stop them.) Post-jailbreak, Beel adopted Belphie’s nickname for her, and started using that one slightly more often than bug.

- Asmo uses nicknames for everyone, and he’s got a whole roster. He uses “hon” and “sweetie” and “darling” and such like punctuation. He really seems to mean it when he’s talking to Auva, though. “Lovely” is one that seems to be just for her.

- Satan aligns with Beel on the frequency of nickname use, so usually just uses her name. If he does call her something else, then it’s “love” or “darling”. He likes the classics.

- Belphie uses her real name more than Mammon and Asmo do, but less than Beel and Satan—and DEFINITELY less than Levi and Lucifer. He calls her mouse, or sometimes mousie. It comes from that period of time a handful of weeks post-jailbreak (and homicide/revival/time travel situation) when Auva was still afraid of him but working hard on trying not to be, because she was sick of it. She had come up with and executed a self-assigned exposure therapy/desensitization plan. She would approach Belphie, shaking like a leaf but still determined, and gradually get closer, more comfortable. He would respond to that with understanding and gratitude, carefully remaining chill and gentle and reassuring. “Brave little mouse”, he commented, when she first got to the point of being comfortable enough to hug him. Intending it to express his understanding of how scary this is, how much stronger than her he knows he is, how threatening he knows that must be, how awed and grateful he is at her determination to be his friend anyway. They think very similarly, so she understood what he meant. Took it as the praise it was meant to be. Brave little mouse indeed.

- The nickname stuck. She is Mouse, to Belphie. Beel adopted that nickname for her too, because he thinks it’s fitting and cute.

- Lucifer is about as big on nicknames as Levi is. Which is to say, not at all. Still, though, very sparingly he’ll drop one. “Little one”, usually. Or “my dear” or “little star”, because Auva is named after a star. It’s in Virgo. (I did that because MY name, Adhara, is also a star! It’s in Canis Major) Belphie occasionally steals that nickname from Lucifer, too. It’s one of the only things he’ll admit to agreeing with him about lol