#i think it could be really fun is my point and i (more than any prior fic) want to create smth very similar to fkmt's work

[starmaidengarden]

Hello, I wanted to tell you in advance that I like the way you write and that I find your posts quite entertaining ^^.

I could ask for an octotrio with an s/o who has made several deals with Azul and has not lost any, emerging victorious by mere luck or by technicalities that the reader saw and took advantage of?

𝐬/𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐨’𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐳𝐮𝐥 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭

— Azul : Jade : Floyd : x gn!reader. no cw/tw. established relationship. Pic: Leo08ph on twt, dividers: uzmacchiato

note : Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m glad you enjoy my posts!

Azul Ashengrotto ༉⋆｡˚

⭑.ᐟ Azul is baffled and increasingly frustrated, though he tries to keep up his usual composed front. He takes a lot of pride in how solid his contracts are, so it really gets under his skin when you keep finding loopholes—legally speaking, of course. At first, he thinks it’s just bad luck. But by the third or fourth time, he’s going through his contracts at least three times before he hands them over to you.

⭑.ᐟ worst part? You’re not even being smug about it. You’re just being clever, like when you casually point out, “You said I couldn’t use magic to do the favor, but you never said I couldn’t get someone else to do it for me.” And Azul is just sitting there, nodding along because you’re kind of right.

⭑.ᐟ He starts developing a fascination with you—not just because you’re his s/o, but because you’re a wild card. There’s a thrill in never knowing if he’s outsmarted you this time or if you’ll find another loophole. “One of these days, dear, you’ll sign a deal even you can’t wriggle out of.”

Jade Leech ༉⋆｡˚

⭑.ᐟ Jade is delighted. He finds your crafty—or incredible luck—absolutely charming. The fact that you can go toe-to-toe with Azul and come out untouched? That’s practically entertainment. He’ll always be lurking in the background when you’re making deals, silently watching with an amused glint in his eye.

⭑.ᐟ He knows Azul never offers a deal that he doesn’t expect to win. But somehow, you—you of all people—manage to dance through every trap with a smile and a perfectly timed clause in your favor. He watches your expressions, your word choices, the way your eyes flick toward a clause, or how your tone subtly shifts when you’re asking for clarification. You're like a fascinating book, and Jade can’t get enough of learning from you.

⭑.ᐟ But there’s a sharp glint in his eyes like he wants you to find the loophole again—because it thrills him. Watching you outsmart Azul is like watching a predator dance around another predator’s jaws. And he loves that kind of tension.

⭑.ᐟ He starts playing his own subtle games with you — just out of curiosity. It's like little brain teasers, confusing questions, and riddles that keep you guessing. “You're not just lucky. You’re clever. There’s nothing more attractive than a mind that can dance.”

Floyd Leech ༉⋆｡˚

⭑.ᐟ Floyd thinks it’s hilarious. Every time you win a deal, he practically howls with laughter. He lives for the chaos of watching Azul go stiff with rage as you hand over a technically correct reading of the contract.

⭑.ᐟ He gets genuinely excited like he’s watching a high-stakes game. He’ll sit cross-legged on a couch, snacking on candy, practically buzzing with excitement as you go over a contract. And when you find a mistake or bring up some random rule that lets you walk away scot-free? He dies laughing. Gives you a big slap on the back. Twirls you around like he just scored a big win at the carnival.

⭑.ᐟ At some point, he starts asking you to help him with bets or negotiations, either for the fun of watching people squirm or just because you’re weirdly good at it. He likes that you keep things interesting. Even if he doesn’t always get the rules you’re using, he’ll follow your lead just because it’s fun. “You’re a sneaky little shrimpy, let’s see who can we mess with next.”

[prometheus-rewound]

Uh oh you flew to close to my hyper fixation now I have to talk about it XD

(tldr: It’s really important to analyze queer mythic figures in their historical context. That being said, the fact that Dionysus has face this level of scrutiny regarding his gender and sexuality may suggest that the ways Dionysus was being depicted/worshipped could have been queer in the contemporary context.)

I think historical context when discussing figures like Dionysus is super important and really fun. You’re so right that there’s so much conflation of actual Dionysian/Orphic practices with later Christian writings that were meant to trivialize Dionysian myth. Even way older than that actually, the Athenian state did not like the cult of Dionysos bc it wasn’t registered with the government (and bc it empowered women but that’s a whole other story). I need to look into this epithet In particular though— I’ve not seen it a ton in actual sources older than the Byzantine period. I’d love for you to send me some sources to look at though.

—

I’d actually argue though that you lay out some really solid evidence for Dionysus actually being a queer figure at the time of his worship.

I would agree in saying he’s not trans, or even gay. Those are modern terms created in a western, 19th/20th century context. However, queerness is an academic term that denotes expressions of gender and sexuality that break the norms of a specific culture. (I’ll reblog this with some good articles when I get the second)

A lot of the derogatory language, that actually references real practices surrounding Dionysus, I think actually is more evidence of him being queer in the context. As long as those derogatory statements can be traced back to contemporary portrayals obv.

It’s 100% true that being in mlm relationships was not inherently queer (also this depended on the time and area.). In Athens, it wasn’t queer to be in a sexual mentorship. Being in an equal mlm relationship than would be queer. This is where you usually see the whole ‘bottom is derogatory’ language. It’s a very Athenian thing lol. This though was different than Thebes, in which sexual relationships between men on equal standing was not queer if done in the context of warfare. (I’m making generalizations obv and these things are very Classical period specific).

But like you point out, male figures depicted as playing the younger, feminine, or more bluntly “bottom” role in the relationship were commonly mocked (especially in late-classical Athens in particular, and later).

This though is queer. Dionysus is performing a gender presentation that is out of the norm (because in this case sexuality does connote a separate gender presentation. The two are tied. A modern example would be like how Butch is a specific gender presentation that also implies the person’s sexuality). Even when this is depicted in comedy etc if it’s in a contemporary time all depictions are adding the to cultural idea of a queer Dionysus.

I would (and have lol) argued that there are a lot of Greek figures that actually are queer because in context they are breaking gender norms that we today don’t notice. Big examples are any man who swears off women and/or marriage. This often leads to their downfall due to them breaking these norms— and then implying that that specific presentation of masculinity is wrong and likely a queer presentation. Further more, a lot of older myths that depict queer relationships (that may not have been seen as queer at the time of their origin) often get reinterpreted as being deviant later on when norms have changed, or being reimagined to fit the new norms. This is all actually one of my favorite topics actually but I’ll hold back for now.

—

I think though that part of your argument seems to be that there isn’t a ton of evidence of Dionysus having gender play as apart of his worship irregardless of the cultural acceptance (I may have interpreted you wrong, I can’t tell if you meant the epithet specifically or w/ Dionysos’ gender-queerness overall).

For one thing, almost every cult (OG Dionysian cult, Orphic practices, Eleusinian, etc) that worshipped him was super secretive so we as archeologists are particularly screwed regarding that. However, from what we do know, there is a decent amount of evidence for this being the case. Like not that Dionysus was “trans”— he wasn’t a person or even worshipped like he was a person with a specific identity (i.e hero cults). Like he’s a concept— greek gods were NOT treated as anthropomorphic deities like some other pagan pantheons despite how modern depictions describe them (this is also a way more complicated topic)

However, him having a some-what fluid gender is pretty well documented. I mean the Bacchae (Euripides) characterizes him as an effeminate and with a man (Pentheus) lusting after him. Pentheus id mocked for cross dressing though so make of that what you will. I’ve seen a decent amount of articles arguing that the Bacchae is based on actual rituals but you know Euripides is a silly guy XD. That play is definitely all about breaking gender roles but it’s hard to know if it wasn’t just Euripides commenting on stuff. He’s pretty much the oldest concrete depiction of Dionysus like that besides the Homeric Hymns which I’ll talk about.

It’s honestly really hard to find older sources about Dionysus at all ya know, mystery cults. The story that comes up the most is the one w/ Dionysus being disguised as an effeminate young man.

The earliest example of Dionysus being depicted as somewhat androgynous (I mean the adj not the epithet) is in Homeric Hymn 7. It could be older than the Bacchae actually but Euripides goes really in detail lol. Ovid (much later but still contemporary with Orphic worship) goes super into detail about how girlish Dionysos was in this story ha ha but that’s bc it’s a retelling of the Bacchae and gender is a big theme there like I mentioned.

There is also the story of Dionysos being raised as a girl. The earliest mention of that is from Apollodorus I think from the late Hellenistic period.

However, in art, there is a big swing after the Bacchae of Dionysus being depicted as androgynous and young. There seems to be some thought that Euripides was the cause of this but it’s kind of a chicken and egg scenario.

It’s very likely that the oral storytelling of these myths are obviously far older but it is true it’s hard to know how much it was influenced by that late Classical shift towards effeminate Dionysus. There is Archaic pottery of Dionysus turning pirates into dolphins, however he’s depicted as already revealing himself and at this point is depicted as a bearded man.

More generally, from what I’ve seen the more androgynous depiction of Dionysus really gets popular in the late classical period. I do think though even before this Dionysus is depicted as being primarily worshipped by or at least surrounded by women, which I think hints to a non-standard relationship to gender especially in a patriarchal society (though the extreme gender norms was really an Athenian thing specifically, so take that with a grain of salt).

Overall I think reconsidering how queerness applies to ancient culture is super fun! I’d love to know other people’s thoughts.

I have been seeing some posts for Dionysos Androgynos popping up lately with lovely prayers and offerings ! this is wonderful, but it makes me want to clarify something. His epithet Androgynos is not related to gender identity as we know it now nor was it used in worship denoting queerness. I have seen people talking about this epithet being worshiped but there isn't much tangible evidence for that (that I know of).

it generally means "man-woman" and it refers to the position a man takes during sex—"both taking and receiving penetration during sex". being a man who was in the woman's role during sex wasn't a flex back then, they were seen as naive and lesser than the older man on top. I've seen suggestions that this epithet (along with "chickpea Dionysos") may have been used more derogatorily.

Dionysos is a wonderfully queer deity in the modern age, but we have to remember Ancient Greece is an entirely different culture and ideas. we can't directly exchange values with a culture 2,000 years removed from us. It's totally fine to reclaim this epithet, but claiming it is historically a trans epithet is incorrect.

[xjulixred45x]

I just need to say that I LOVE your work, especially the ones that can be read as platonic.

So as an inverse of the parent Yuu post, let me suggest a child!Yuu, you can decide the age, but I was thinking like under 10 because

1. It is very funny to imagine a kid being involved in all the teenager drama.

The way that thing would go is just so funny. I am a pacifist, guilty, fan of Papa Crowley, but imagine him as a person who still would give Kid!Yuu the tasks as the original one is hilarious.

3. Platonic twist boys, my beloveds.

And I think that Kid!Yuu could be those kids who are a little up on the time; ngl, I like neglect Reader/Mc/Yuu content a lot so lets put a little a bit of it too.

I guess this is it; it sounds more like me divagating than anything else, but okay. Remember to eat something, stay hydrated, and keep up the good work.

-🐦‍⬛✨

Aww, thank you so much! I love the platonic content in any series, but especially in Twisted Wonderland because I relate to many of the characters' struggles (I had a really difficult period of depression as a teenager, among other things), so part of me just wants to go and give them a hug.

Technically, I already have a series of posts as Child! Yuu, but I understand what you're saying and I like it!

Probably Child! Yuu did something rash like letting go of their parents' hands while crossing the street and was hit by the black carriage and transported to TWST. Either way, at first they didn't see the gravity of the situation, precisely because of the childlike mentality of now being in their own version of Alice in Wonderland (not in those exact words, but definitely with that train of thought).

In this way, they quickly becomes friends with Ace, Deuce, and Grim. After all, there isn't much to do while Crowley tries to "bring them back home." So they tries to have fun however they wants, without worrying about anything until the incident with the monster in the mine (perhaps it happens slightly differently here, but with the same essence and result). It's from this point on that Child! Yuu is generally more protected by Deuce, Ace and Grim.

Crowley lets Yuu live within the institution instead of Ramshackle, and is surprisingly present when it comes to the little child from another world. It's not uncommon to see Yuu sleeping in his office, stealing his hat, or even tucked into his coat when there's nothing else to do. When they ask Crowley about it, he simply says he allows them this kind of closeness because he's "very kind," but the truth is everyone can see the clear favoritism (which is why, if any student breaks something, they blame Yuu directly, knowing it will simply be swept under the rug. If it were any other student, it would be an instant detention).

Riddle is sincerely concerned that Ace and Deuce will be bad influences on Yuu, so he lets them know that he won't tolerate any out-of-character behavior with such a young child present (things like rude gestures, swearing, obscene signs, as he says, will be severely punished even without Yuu's presence). However, he also has his restrictions for Yuu, such as a limited amount of candy (he doesn't want the kid to get cavities so early in life), they can only play with the hedgehogs for the same amount of time they studies/reads a book, etc.

Riddle post-Overblot is much softer on Yuu as a child, especially if Yuu themself has a history of neglect from their family in their world. Riddle himself has fresh childhood wounds, so he doesn't want this GOOD child to end up swallowed up by pain and trauma the same way he was. If he can contribute to making Yuu's childhood happier, then he'll gladly do so.

Leona doesn't like children; I think we can consider that a universal truth. At least not loud and nosy children, and Yuu initially counted as loud and nosy, though one thing Leona found funny about them was that the child acted much older than they actually was, as if they could do something to him. Yuu isn't scary, not one bit, but they're not afraid of anything, so Leona respects their courage.

There are some things Yuu says that show they didn't have a good upbringing in their world, and that leads to something new: sympathy. Leona isn't easy on the kid, obviously, but he doesn't leave them to fate (whether it's sending Jack to make sure the kid stays alive or Ruggie to bring em something extra). Let's just say that Yuu and Leona, in a weird way, understand each other.

Azul definitely tries to take advantage of Crowley's favoritism toward Yuu to get him to make a deal with him, but fortunately Yuu understands the concept of "stranger danger" and avoids him at all costs. After Book 3, however, Yuu started stopping by Octavinelle if he wanted something better than cafeteria food (or the food Crowley gave them). Floyd especially loves to play (non-lethal way) with Yuu; it's not uncommon to see him running around campus with Yuu on his shoulders (usually screaming, either from happiness or fear, that is the question).

I don't think Child!Yuu can join the first-year classes for obvious reasons, but Azul is quite willing to give them private lessons so they doesn't stagnate in their education (with a small fee that Crowley has to pay, of course). Though sometimes it seems like it's just an excuse for Yuu to come to Octavinelle when they're too overwhelmed by Crowley's disasters.

Kalim finds Yuu adorable! He has some trouble taking his hands off them—he just wants to squeeze their face, hug them, and GHAAAAA! He totally has bouts of cute aggression. With Kalim's massive amount of siblings, you can expect him to be especially empathetic and protective of younger Yuu; he can't help but see them as his little sibilings.

Kalim gets really sad whenever Yuu mentions anything that implies they didn't have loving parents or a happy childhood in general, which can lead to a cuddle session on his part, assuring Yuu that they'll never want for anything while in Scarabia (and Kalim makes sure he lives up to that promise). If it weren't for Crowley (and his age), Kalim would have already adopted Yuu as a little sibiling.

By the events of Book 5, Yuu is already showing more signs of nostalgia and missing their world than before, even to the point of changing attitude. Vil is probably one of the people who notices this change when he sees them interacting with Ace and Deuce (during their time in Ramshackle). Vil isn't gentle with anyone under any circumstances, but it worries him a little to see this normally cheerful and energetic child suddenly so downcast and sad. That doesn't look good, honey. No child should look so broken.

Vil is probably the only one of the dorm leaders who goes directly to Crowley with his concerns. Even if he takes the director's promises with a grain of salt, he does make it his mission to make sure Yuu is okay, both physically and psychologically. This includes using an outing or event as an excuse for Yuu to have fun, or even turning a blind eye to things he normally wouldn't allow (eating sweets or junk food, getting dirty while playing, etc.).

Idia knew about Yuu from the rumors surrounding them, but he didn't really think they'd ever really interact until the events of Book 6. After that, there's a good chance Ortho and Yuu became good friends (being the closest in age to Yuu), so Idia went from never seeing Yuu to seeing them a few times on an average day. Sometimes the older brother instinct extends to Yuu too (maybe because they reminds him of Ortho in a way), in things like keeping Yuu from touching things they shouldn't, patting them on the head when they gets an answer right, etc.

Idia is...awkward for comfort, but he tries, genuinely tries. Besides, it's very likely that he himself is looking for a way to get Yuu back home, not only because he KNOWS Crowley isn't doing shit, but because there are surely people going crazy looking for Yuu in their world (maybe not the parents, but another family member must surely be very worried about them).

Malleus was always curious about the human child who unexpectedly arrived in his life. Not only was they not afraid of him, but they saw him in a way that Malleus could only describe as fascination and curiosity, something truly incredible to him. For this reason, Malleus constantly followed Yuu, whether to prevent the kid from hurting themself or being hurt by others, but he also ended up enjoying their company, their simple way of seeing the world, even seeing him.

For this reason, Malleus quickly noticed when his young friend began to become more discouraged, struggling to keep up with the tasks the adults assigned them (quite irresponsibly, he could say). Malleus understands to a certain extent (he compares this to how he used to miss Lilia when he went on trips), so if Yuu needs someone to listen to them the way they listens to others, Malleus has his arms open.

________

(ESPAÑOL)

Awwww muchas gracias! Amo el contenido platónico de cualquier serie, pero especialmente en Twisted Wonderland porque me identifico con muchas de las luchas de los personajes (tuve una etapa depresiva muy difícil en la adolescencia, entre otras cosas), por lo que una parte de mí solo quiere ir y darles un abrazo.

Ya tengo técnicamente una serie de posts como Child! Yuu, pero entiendo lo que dices ¡y me gusta!

Probablemente Child!Yuu hizo algo precipitado como soltarse de la mano de sus padres al cruzar la calle y fue golpeado por el carruaje negro y transportado a TWST. De cualquier manera, al principio no veían la gravedad de la situación, justamente por la mentalidad infantil de ahora estar en su propia versión de Alicia en el país de las maravillas (no con esas palabras exactas, pero definitivamente con ese tren de pensamiento).

De esa forma se hace amigo de Ace, Deuce y Grim bastante rápido, después de todo no hay mucho que hacer mientras Crowley trata de “regresarlo a casa”, asi que trata de divertirse como quiera, sin preocuparse por nada hasta el incidente con el monstruo en la mina (talvez aquí pasa de forma ligeramente diferente, pero con la misma esencia y resultado). Es a partir de aquí que Child!Yuu es mas resguardado por Adeuce y Grim en general.

Crowley deja que Yuu viva dentro de la institución en vez de ramshackle, y es sorprendentemente presente cuando se trata del pequeño niño de otro mundo. No es raro ver a Yuu durmiendo en su oficina, robando su sombrero o incluso metido en su abrigo cuando no hay nada que hacer. Cuando le preguntan a Crowley al respecto, el simplemente dice que le permite este tipo de cercanía porque es “muy amable” pero la verdad todos pueden ver que hay un claro favoritismo (por lo mismo, si algún estudiante rompe algo, directamente culpan a Yuu, porque saben que entonces simplemente será barrido bajo la alfombra. Si fuera cualquier otro estudiante seria detención instantánea).

Riddle sinceramente está preocupado de que Ace y Deuce sean unas malas influencias en Yuu, por lo que les hace saber que no va a tolerar ningún comportamiento fuera de lugar con un niño tan joven presente (cosas como gestos groseros, malas palabras, signos obscenos, como él dice, serán severamente castigados incluso sin la presencia de Yuu), sin embargo, también tiene sus restricciones para Yuu, como un número limitado de dulces (no quiere que el nene tenga caries tan temprano en la vida), solo puede jugar con los erizos el mismo tiempo que estudio/leyó un lbro, etc.

Riddle post Overblot es mucho más blando con Yuu niño y más si el propio Yuu tiene un historial de negligencia por parte de su familia en su mundo. Riddle mismo tiene heridas de la infancia frescas, por lo que no quiere que este niño BUENO termine absorbido por el dolor y trauma de la misma forma que él lo hizo, si él puede contribuir que la infancia de Yuu sea más feliz, entonces lo hará encantado.

Leona no le gustan los niños, creo que podemos considerar eso una verdad universal. Al menos los niños ruidosos y entrometidos, y Yuu al principio contaba como ruidoso y entrometido, aunque algo que Leona encontraba gracioso de él es que el niño actuaba como si fuera mucho más grande de lo que realmente era, como si pudiera hacer algo contra EL. Yuu no asusta, ni un poco, pero no le tiene miedo a nada, por lo que Leona respeta sus agallas.

Hay algunas cosas que Yuu dice que dejan ver que no tuvo una buena crianza en su mundo, y eso lleva a algo nuevo, simpatía. Leona no es suave con el niño, obviamente, pero no lo deja a su suerte (ya sea mandando a Jack para asegurarse de que el niño siga vivo o Ruggie para llevarle algo extra). Digamos que Yuu y Leona, de una forma rara, se entienden.

Azul definitivamente trata de aprovecharse del favoritismo de Crowley hacia Yuu para que asi haga un trato con él, pero afortunadamente Yuu conoce el concepto de “peligro extraño” y lo evitaba a cualquier costa. Después del libro 3, sin embargo, Yuu empezó a pasar por Octavinelle si quería algo mejor que la comida de la cafetería (o la comida que le daba Crowley). Floyd especialmente le encanta jugar (de forma no letal) con Yuu, no es raro verlo correr por el campus con Yuu en sus hombros (normalmente gritando, de felicidad o de miedo, esa es la cuestión).

No creo que Child!Yuu pueda unirse a las clases de los de primer año por obvias razones, pero Azul esta bastante dispuesto a darle clases particulares para que no se estanque en su educación (con una pequeña cuota que Crowley tiene que pagar por supuesto). Aunque a veces parece que es solo una excusa para que Yuu venga a Octavinelle cuando esta muy sobrecargado de los desastres de Crowley.

Kalim encuentra a Yuu adorable! Tiene ciertos problemas en quitarle las manos encima ¡simplemente quiere apretarle la cara, abrazarlo y GHAAAAA! Completamente tiene ataques de cute agression. Con la cantidad masiva de hermanos que tiene Kalim, puedes esperar que sea especialmente empático y protector con un Yuu más joven, no puede evitar ver en ellos a sus hermanos pequeños.

Kalim se siente muy mal cada vez que Yuu menciona algo que denota que no tuvo padres amorosos o una infancia feliz en general, lo que puede llevar a una sesión de abrazos por su parte y asegurarle a Yuu que nunca le faltara nada estando en Scarabia (y vaya que Kalim se asegura de cumplir esa parte). Si no fuera por Crowley (y su edad), Kalim ya habría adoptado a Yuu como hermanito.

Para los eventos del libro 5, Yuu ya empieza a tener mas signos de nostalgia y de extrañar su mundo que antes, incluso llegando a cambiar de actitud, y probablemente una de las personas que se da cuenta de este cambio es Vil cuando le ve interactuar con Ace y Deuce (durante el tiempo que estuvieron en ramshackle). Vil no es suave con nadie bajo ninguna circunstancia, pero le preocupa un poco mucho ver a este niño normalmente alegre y enérgico, de la nada, tan desplomado y triste. Eso no se ve bien, cariño, ningún niño debería verse tan acabado.

Vil es probablemente el único de los líderes de dormitorio que va directamente con Crowley con sus preocupaciones, aun si toma con un gran gramo de sal las promesas del director, lo toma en sus manos asegurarse de que Yuu esté bien, tanto física como psicológicamente, ya sea usando de excusa alguna salida o evento para que Yuu se divierta, incluso haciendo la vista gorda de cosas que normalmente no le permitiría (comer dulces o comida chatarra, ensuciarse al jugar, etc.)

Idia sabia de Yuu por los rumores que había a su alrededor, pero realmente no pensó que llegarían a interactuar de verdad hasta los eventos del libro 6. Después de eso, hay una buena posibilidad de que Ortho y Yuu se hicieran buenos amigos (al ser lo más cercano en edad a Yuu), por lo que Idia paso de no ver nunca a Yuu a verle unas cuantas veces en un dia promedio. a veces el instinto de hermano mayor también se extiende a Yuu (talvez porque le recuerda de cierta forma a Ortho), en cosas como evitar que Yuu toque cosas que no debe, darle palmadas en la cabeza cuando dice bien una respuesta, etc.

Idia es…incómodo para el confort, pero lo intenta, genuinamente lo intenta. Además, es muy probable que el mismo este buscando una forma de regresar a Yuu a su casa no solo porque él SABE que Crowley no hace una mierda, sino porque de seguro hay gente que está perdiendo la cabeza buscando a Yuu en su mundo (talvez no sus padres, pero otra familia de seguro debe estar muy preocupada por ellos).

Malleus siempre sintió curiosidad por el niño humano que llego de forma inesperada a su vida, no solo no le tenía miedo, sino que lo veía de una forma que Malleus solo podía decir que era fascinación y curiosidad, algo verdaderamente increíble para él. Por lo mismo, Malleus seguía constantemente a Yuu, ya fuera para evitar que el niño se lastimara o que lo lastimaran, pero también termino disfrutando de su compañía, de su forma simple de ver el mundo, de verlo a él incluso.

Por lo mismo, Malleus noto rápidamente cuando su joven amigo empezó a estar más desanimado, a tener problemas para estar a la altura de las tareas que le dejaban los adultos (de forma bastante irresponsable, podía decir). Malleus entiende hasta cierto punto (compara esto con como el solia extrañar a Lilia cuando se iba de viaje), por lo que, si Yuu necesita a alguien que le escuche de la misma forma que el escucha a los demás, Malleus tiene los brazos abiertos.

Shares, reblogs and comments are very welcome!

[jelzorz]

210.

The thing about being king is that it's hard.

Ez doesn't know why this surprises him so much, but every day is something else. It's always some new treaty to negotiate, some new budget proposal to review, some lord causing trouble for the peasants working his land, and that doesn't even touch on any the Aaravos stuff. Now there's this.

There were six of them this morning. Six! Ez has been seventeen for all of two weeks and the letters are already coming in droves, each more insistent and presumptuous than the last.

"I don't know how you've been dealing with it," he whines to Aanya. He is in Duren today. If he's honest, he's in Duren every other day these days, and when he's not, she's in Katolis because, Duren-Katolis alliance aside, they're friends. Ez likes her company, not just because she's fun to be around, but also because she's the only other person who really gets it, y'know? The complexities of being a monarch. The weight of being a child.

"I've been burning them," says Aanya frankly. She is peeling an orange over her desk and the smell of citrus wafts pleasantly over Ez's nose. "I've been getting them for months and I gave up sending responses after the first couple of weeks. Every suitor bold enough to try is an automatic no from me."

Ez snorts a little at that. "No one's been on your case about it?"

She shrugs without looking up. "A couple of my advisors disapprove but what are they gonna do, really? Why? Is Opeli giving you grief about it?"

Ez barks out a laugh. "Yes... No. I don't know. She just keeps saying it's something I should consider, which feels kind of like a double standard because Callum and Rayla only got married when they were both twenty-one and Soren's almost thirty and I don't see her bothering him."

"Mm." Aanya clucks her tongue and dusts the peels into the bin under her desk. "To be fair, Callum and Rayla were basically betrothed by the time they were our age and I think we both know why Soren doesn't get any trouble from her." She snorts a little and proffers half the orange at him. "Just say no."

"What, you think I've been saying yes?"

Aanya laughs. "I'm just saying, you're the king. You don't have to do anything you don't want to do."

"That's a lie and you know it."

"About getting married, I mean," she chuckles. "It's low priority and there's other stuff we have to deal with right now. Other problems on the horizon."

Ez grimaces, and she doesn't have to say it but he knows she's talking about Aaravos and his impending return. Their seven years of peace and prosperity are almost up. It makes Ez's stomach roil with dread.

"Do you think we've done enough?" he asks quietly after a moment.

"We've done what we can," says Aanya. "I don't know that anyone can promise more than that. Our alliance feels pretty secure and we've got all the Fire Rubies on standby, you've got the Nova Blade, Callum's been researching the whole time... We're as united a front as we can be. There's no point worrying more about it until it's a problem."

Ez lets out a sigh. "You're probably right," he mumbles. "The only way we could be more united is if you and I—"

He stops. He flushes. Aanya looks up and Ez finds himself infinitely grateful that the darkness of his skin doesn't let him visibly blush.

"Is if you and I...?"

Ez flushes more and looks away. "You can forget I said that."

"Are you suggesting what I think you're suggesting, Your Majesty?"

"Stop, oh my gods."

"Are you adding yourself to my list suitors, Ezran?"

Ez tosses an orange segment at her, and Aanya laughs in an uncharacteristic display of her age. "What would be the point?" he says, his cheeks warm. "Any suitor bold enough to try is an automatic no, isn't it?"

"I mean." Aanya looks away this time, and Ez thinks he can almost see pink in her cheeks. "I'd think about it. If it was you."

A pause. A breath. Ez presses his lips together and wills his breathing and his heartbeat stay even. "You wouldn't burn my proposal if I sent it?"

"I wouldn't burn any letter from you, Ez."

"Oh."

The silence that settles over them borders on awkward, but Ez lets himself chuckle and reaches across the desk for her hand. "That's something worth considering, I guess," he says.

Aanya chuckles shyly and takes it. "Indeed."

[peachhcs]

What would happen if a player publicly made it known that he has a crush on Sammy and asked her out on live television. How and what would Will do? How would he react?

oooh omg wait that would be such fun little drama. i loveee writing a good jealousy trope. i feel like will would get really jealous, especially if it happens at a game he's playing at like someone from the other team. samy being samy would find it cute, but one look at will and he'd be like seething through his teeth because shouldn't everyone know she's his??

ok this is lowkey unrealistic bc what hockey player is gonna confess their love on live tv like this but let’s just go with it 🤗

au masterlist

the sharks were playing well tonight, but islanders had the upper hand with a 3 point lead. the new york team was kind of killing them, but the boys wouldn't let that show. they were determined to scrape up any points they could manage in the 2nd period to hopefully bring it together in the 3rd.

will was up there with the older guys searching for points. him and mack were a power duo, but it unfortunately wasn't enough to pull them ahead. not to mention, there was a kid on this team will wasn't too fond of.

finn connors was one of the new rookies for the islanders after coming up from the ahl. for the past few weeks, he'd been making remarks on his twitter about samy, basically trying to flirt with her as will put it. it was starting to drive the blonde up the wall because why did this 21 year old think it was okay to basically flirt with his girlfriend like that? when will found out they were playing one another tonight, he couldn't wait to give the connors kid a run for his money.

samy was in the stands front and center. she disagreed with will about finn flirting with her, making the excuse that it was stupid to flirt with someone over twitter. plus, he had nothing to worry about. samy didn't even know finn. unfortunately, will continued to think otherwise. he trusted samy, but he did not trust finn. he knew the reputation hockey players had and while will couldn’t really talk because he was a hockey player himself, something about finn wasn’t rubbing him the right way.

the 2nd period ended 3-2. samy clapped for her boyfriend as he followed his teammates back down the tunnel. fans stood up to grab snacks or a bathroom break during intermission. the soccer players waved to some of them who recognized her, offering photos for those who wanted one. she was completely oblivious to the intermission interviews happening down on the ice, specifically with finn.

“so finn, tell us about the 2nd period. your team has been pulling ahead,” the reporter questioned as their interview appeared on the jumbotron.

“yeah, i mean we’re just giving it all we got and it’s paying off. it’s awesome with it being my first game in the nhl and all,” the boy smiled.

“how does it feel to be playing with these guys now?”

“i love it. they’re such a great team and they’ve really made me feel like i’m at home.”

“what are you looking forward to being on this team and being in the nhl?” the lady wondered and finn thought for a moment.

“honestly just meeting new people and playing some good hockey. it’s been a dream of mine to play up like this and i couldn’t be more grateful to finally get to do it. i owe it all to my teams past. i’ve definitely already made some great connections too,” the brunette chuckled.

“anyone special?”

samy finally started paying attention the the interview. she’s seen a lot of pre and post game interviews before and she definitely thought this one was on the more stranger side. the reporter seemed a lot more interested in finn’s personal life than the game at hand considering the reporters generally just asked the players about how the game was going. instead, it felt like the arena was getting an entire backstory about finn. she watched the way the boy blushed at the lady’s question while her own skin paled a bit.

maybe will wasn’t so wrong after all..

“well, there is someone who i’ve got my eye on. i actually think she’s in the crowd right now..” finn’s gaze flickered up to the stands while the others started “ooing” and wondering who he could be talking about.

“well do tell,” the reporter encouraged.

finn finally made eye contact with samy up in the stands and the girl’s heart dropped.

“i see her right up there. samy hughes, i think you’re one of the coolest girls around. i’d love it if i could take you out sometime,” finn said confidently and proudly despite knowing samy was in fact already taken.

the other fans around her cheered while samy completely froze. this had never happened to her before nor did she know what to do except stand there while the camera panned to her in the crowd. at least some of the other fans around her were confused and booed because they knew she was taken already.

will, on the other hand, had watched the entire thing from inside the locker room with a fuming expression. his teammates were shocked by what just happened out there.

“what the fuck?” eklund exclaimed.

mack glanced at his friend’s expression, about to say something but will bolted from the bench and pushed past everyone else to get out there. he wasn’t even fully dressed in his gear as he skated back onto the ice.

his anger was too strong to stop what he was about to do. how could someone willingly ask his girlfriend out on live tv knowing she was already taken? did none of those things matter to the piece of shit hockey player? will was angry.

samy saw him skate on and she could already see the anger radiating from his body. she finally came to her senses seeing will on the ice darting towards finn and the reporter.

it happened so fast.

will lifted his balled fist and the next thing he knew his knuckles were colliding with finn’s jaw and the other boy was falling backwards. the entire crowd gasped. the other sharks players were rushing onto the ice, but they were too late as will went in for another punch.

the islanders were on the ice moments later too and the next thing samy saw was an entire fight breaking out.

her phone was blowing up in her pocket probably from all of her friends who were watching the stream.

“will! will, chill out man!” mack tried pulling the blonde away as more punches were given out in the chaos.

“don’t you ever fucking dare think about going after my girl again!” will yelled at finn who bled all over the ice from his broken nose.

one of the older islanders got in between and took will down in one quick punch. something cracked as the boy stumbled back into mack.

“hey! hey! get off him!” toffoli was in the middle now trying to mediate. the refs got themselves on to try and stop the fight.

samy stood there in a daze. she saw her boyfriend bleeding from somewhere while holding his jaw and finn pouring blood from his nose. it was becoming too much for her and she needed to leave, so she did. she quickly hurried out of her seat and up the stands. she knew will got aggressive on the ice sometimes, but she’d never seen him like that before..so..possessive and so..jealous.

the fight finally broke. will skated off with a broken jaw, nasty bruises, and a half broken nose. finn wasn’t any better as the medics got him a towel to hopefully slow the bleeding.

“dude, what the hell happened?” mack asked as will sat down with a towel.

“he deserved it,” the blonde mumbled.

“dude,” mack shook his head.

“dude? he fucking asked her out on live tv. he knows i’m her boyfriend,” will snapped angrily.

“that doesn’t mean you go and punch him until you break his nose,” the brunette grumbled.

“and what else am i supposed to do? sit back and let it happen?”

“yeah, you let it go. he’s not worth fighting like that. jesus,” mack let the medic look at will’s nose and jaw that had swelled significantly. he went to go look for samy instead after seeing her escape from her seat.

the younger hockey player found her outside the arena. she was pacing back and forth when she saw mack.

“you okay?” he called to her.

“yeah, i-i think so. it just..caught me off guard,” samy mumbled.

“i-i don’t know what got into him. he’s never usually like that..” mack frowned when he saw the slight fear in the girl’s eyes that she wasn’t expressing.

“i’ve just never seen him so..angry before? i don’t know,” the girl frowned and sunk onto the bench. mack slid in beside her.

“it was uncalled for and he shouldn’t have done that. i don’t know what his problem was.”

“he was jealous of finn. he has been for awhile. i didn’t actually think finn would like..try to..do that. i..i..i just didn’t know what to do. i froze. i looked like an idiot and then will just..there was so much blood,” samy stuttered a little as she remembered seeing the blood spread across the ice and the way finn’s hand was covered as he tried stopping it before getting a towel.

“i can call blaire if you wanna go. i’ll talk to will,” mack offered which samy appreciated because maybe she did need to just leave and settle down before making any rash decision.

“yeah, actually. that’d be great. thanks mack,” samy managed a small smile.

“yeah, of course. i’ll go call her.”

blaire picked samy up 20 minutes later after her skating practice ended. she took the brunette back to her dorm while mack went back in to talk to will, hoping he was calmed down a little bit more.

will was inside the locker room in the corner. it was silent which never meant anything good. mack eyed his teammates as he went to will.

“how are you?” he wondered.

“this shit hurts like hell,” will mumbled.

“well, yeah. you broke your jaw,” the younger rookie stated. the blonde rolled his eyes though.

“i think you really freaked samy out. she left. blaire picked her up,” the boy continued.

“she left?”

“yeah, will. you fucking punched a guy until he bled to death. that’s..fucking scary,” macklin stated simply and the realization slowly set into will’s features.

“i scared her?”

macklin nodded and he watched his friend deflate and the reality of what just happened finally started to set in more.

“holy shit,” will mumbled.

“give her some time, but i’d talk to her. i think she’s just..startled is all,” the younger boy advised.

—

“and then he just..punched him. like..full swing and everything,” samy explained while blaire’s eyes widened.

“what? no way..i didn’t even know will had that in him,” the girl exclaimed.

“yeah, me neither..” samy was still thinking about earlier and how her boyfriend took finn down without any hesitation.

she knew will would never intentionally hurt her but she couldn’t help but think how badly he could hurt her if something ever were to happen. she would be quite defenseless..and not to mention how any guy was capable of something like that.

the whole idea just wasn’t sitting right with samy. she knew she had nothing to be scared of when it came to will, but seeing him like that tonight was like seeing a whole other side of him she’s never known.

“shit, samy. that’s..crazy stuff. i don’t even know what to say,” blaire admitted.

“it’s okay, i wouldn’t know what to say either,” the brunette frowned.

the door opened and blaire’s roommate came in. she smiled a bit, “hey. uh..just so you know, will’s downstairs. he’s asking for you, samy.”

the girl’s face paled. she looked at blaire who nodded encouragingly. “you should talk to him.”

samy glanced between the two girls before slowly getting off of the bed and slipping her sneakers on. she slipped out of the door and to the stairs where she braced herself for the worst.

through the door windows, she could see will sitting on one of the couches, slumped down with his hood up, probably so no one really recognized him. samy took a deep breath before pushing the door open and making herself known.

“hey,” she mumbled.

will’s head shot up and that’s when she saw the massive bruising all along his jaw and up his eyes. a small gasp escaped her lips.

“hey,” the boy croaked.

“is that all from..”

will nodded. samy shut her mouth and froze herself in front of him. the boy coughed and then sat up a bit more. “i’m sorry you had to see that.” he began.

“i had no idea you could punch like that,” samy said.

“i shouldn’t have gotten so angry..i just..i was mad because it felt like he just didn’t care that i was your boyfriend and he just wanted to get a rise out of me. i know that’s not an excuse though and i shouldn’t have punched him like that. i should have let it go and not done that in front of everyone,” will admitted upright which samy appreciated. she didn’t think she’d get an apology so soon.

“you know i would’ve said no anyway, right? you know i know i’m yours. some stupid ahl player isn’t gonna change that for me. no one could change the way i feel about you, will,” samy said and the boy frowned.

“i know, i know and i trust you. i never thought you would do anything..i just..i don’t know. i got mad and i shouldn’t have. i should have kept my cool and just ignored him,” the boy hung his head and samy frowned.

she finally sat down beside him and carefully inched her fingers under his chin so he’d look at her. she examined the sensitive purple skin and the way will’s jaw was swollen. he winced a bit under her touch.

“it’s surprising how this isn’t the first time,” samy hummed and will flushed.

“i guess i have to control my jealousy issues,” he admitted.

“maybe. it..is kind of hot but not when you’re punching someone to the point where they’re bleeding everywhere,” the soccer player said and will nodded.

“right.”

she rubbed his skin and then slowly brought his face closer so she could peck his cheek. his skin heated up and a bright blush spread across his face.

“are you scared of me?” will asked because he’d hate himself if he made samy scared of him forever after tonight.

“no, i’m not. i was just shaken up earlier is all. you could never scare me, will,” she said and kissed his cheek again. the blonde smiled and leaned forward to press his own lips to her cheek.

“i promise i’ll never let this happen again. i’ve learned my lesson,” he said.

“at least you have a cool story to tell now. fought a guy because i love my girlfriend,” samy’s laughter finally eased the tension away. the couple shared a quick kiss before deciding it was late and rest was very much needed.

samy grabbed her things from blaire’s room and headed back to will’s place where the couple would sleep until noon and ignore all the headlines forming about will’s fight.

[wifeiy]

Greetings, Nia~~~ Hope you're having a pleasant day <3 I saw your latest post about TS LIs, and I'm here to talk about certain demon gentlemen we know and love ☺️

Even though Ais only had minor changes in his part, I think the "It's a nice laugh" scene hit hard for all of us Ais lovers (or maybe some idk)I'm still recovering from that scene as we speak. The "..brush away a tear with a MADDENING SOFTNESS" really has me in a death grip. Because wdym by that? Is he afraid his touch might hurt us?? like his touch could burn or something????//// inhale exhaaalllleeeeee

Ok but hear me out, what if; he didn't touch but just stared and you noticed this and asked, "What?" This startled him and his pupils go slit. He wants to say smth but words choke in his throat so he just looks away, rubbing the back off his neck, like he's nervous, covering his mouth with his knuckles. Then he looks at you, eyes softening into crescent. It's subtle but you can see blush paints his cheeks and even his ears. The corner of his mouth lifts slightly, then you heard a whisper, so soft it feels like it was meant only for you to hear it; "It's a nice laugh." ///PUNCHES WALLS-- crying and throwing up

I know of this feels like an OOC but yknow! what if he does hve this side of him? reserved for someone tht he finds truly interesting?? He becomes a bit shy and maybe awkward when trying to show genuine feelings? It’s such a contrast to someone who jst knocked a guy half-dead

IM SO SORRY W THE SUDDEN BABBLE gksajdgas I need the man blush ok,, cuz we got none in this update SOBSSS Aight Imma go back to my basement🧑‍🦯 Have a good day~

KEN!! hi hiii!! my good day has gotten better with your visit! :3 and not just any visit but one with the Sensational Idea of genuine/blushy ais?!?! 🤯😭😵 and now i, nia wifeiy, am here to expand!! >:3 **so sorry this got so much longer than intended. i got Lost in the Sauce idek what my goals were here.

i think it's hard to imagine awkward or shy ais because he's So. Steady and Confident and Open with his emotions. cool considerate consent and communication king. he's just Like That smh /silly. for someone he's truly interested in, in my mind it (sharing genuine feelings) manifests less as shy awkwardness, and moreso pauses before speaking to think about what to say.. 🤔 which i guess is his own way of being shy and avoiding said awkwardness actually. LMAO

so mMMm i see what u mean with feeling OOC. but it's nOT because flustered genuine ais is impossible!! THAT SIDE OF HIM IS REAL! TO ME! but at the start.... harder to find.

like, in the ocudeus scene specifically i think that, to some extent, ais wanted to amuse/relax mc with his comment.. so he'd have to be off-guard/unexpecting to be flustered :0

also ais's base level composure means he bounces back quickly from being flustered.. esp earlier in the relationship (pre-dating) he's more conscious about tucking away that softer side of him? he likes you, but it can't be That easy! THOUGH he might still blush or soften before deflecting/carrying on >:3

SO!! to FIND a stumbling, genuine ais, imo it'd be later when he's realizing the depth of his feelings. Before he reaches the point of trying to cut you off (iirc he was the one who got too attached to vere?). maybe you find him while he's having a Crisis about it and seeing you magnifies everything he's feeling, and for once he struggles with what to say or do. though that's not a fun fluffy scenario anymore... orz

to BRING OUT a shy blushy ais i would attack with sincere affection after an emotionally vulnerable conversation!! or when emotions are already heightened!! his guard's down, his attention is on you, all he can think about is you, etc. like: you saw straight through him/shown How well you know him and he's like [ ! ], you've both shared something really vulnerable, had a near-death experience, or even (gasp!) saying "i love you" for the first time, etc. etc.

YOUR DESCRIPTION OF HIM IS SOOO 😭🫶 Ais... I need him bad. i am here to share some More thoughts !! >:3

the ais in my head is. Hm. i don't know how to explain my ais. he walks the line of having his heart on his sleeve in a specific way that means. a lot of the time if he Is flustered or hiding from you, he doesn't hide the fact that he's hiding from you .? he's not wholly exposed, but to some extent he always lets you see him.... i don't think i make sense. Sorry .

like if it's a sincere compliment. there's the Eyes widening and stare and words getting stuck in his throat (ur a genius 4 that. cool witty guy Can't be cool and witty?? HELL YES!). and then. he doesn't Turn away from you . But he brings his hand to his face and covers his eyes while he softly laughs in disbelief. he covers his eyes instead of his laugh because he wants you to see it. and when he lets his hand fall YES there's a faint blush and his eyes are soft crescents and his smile and voice are gentle YEAS!!

not 2 say he never looks away. i imagine him doing that a lot w his. Emotional Crisis portion of the relationship at least.

covering his laugh with his knuckles.. that's so beautiful to me. i think it's if you do something and his own laughter catches him off guard. and you're like AIS and he's like sorry (not sorry).

^ and wouldn't it be so nice if you said something that caught him sO off guard he covered his mouth but failed to hide a bright smile and laugh. ais's laugh... can u imagine it... i just fell to my knees

also shy flustered ais might appear if you baby him. just being so so sweet on him kissing his face and being affectionate LOLLL like. to be nsft i guess. if it's during or after sex or something.. flustered and flushed ais oh my goodness. HELP ME!! HELP!! orz o(-(

blushy ais when princess exposes him somehow. i don't know how. it doesn't even have to be princess i just think that'd be an incredible move

pouty blushy ais is so cute he looks like he just got in trouble. or, again, you saw straight through him and he's like >:/ because he can't deny it BSJAHDJSHD

& the 'maddening softness' KILLED MEEE like, he told us about ocudeus in a sort of joke-y tone, but probably still prepared for Some sort of Bad reaction just in case—only to be met with Laughter??

that must've been a relief. that it wasn't a bad impression, that talking about something that's probably fucking him up can be a source of reprieve for you (and joke copium for him at the same time). of course he'd wipe away your tear with maddening softness this guy probably can't believe you're still here and he likes the fact that the shitty curse that brought you to him the seaspring hasn't prevented you from laughing like this!! OH MY GOD!! OHHMYGODD OH MY GODDDD MY

[libraryofgage]

Harlequin Prince 5

Debbie and Fester Addams One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six Rick and Evelyn O'Connell One | Two | Three Harley Quinn One | Two | Three | Four | Five (you're here!) 10th Doctor and Rose One | Two Scooby Gang One Jedidiah and Octavius (from Night at the Museum) One | Two Queen Clarisse Renaldi One | Two | Three | Four Leverage Crew One

Today? I bring you a cliffhanger for Harley Quinn AU Steve. Tomorrow? Who knows, probably not much given my current rate of writing lmao

Anyway, have fun reading and if you see any typos, no you didn't <3

-----

“I want to be a Robin.”

The batcave goes near silent save the sound of Bruce choking on his coffee. He swallows it down, clears his throat, and carefully sets the coffee on the console in front of him. Then, he looks at Steve. “I think I misheard you,” he says, voice rough and cheeks still flushed from coughing.

“Make me a Robin.”

“Ah,” Bruce says, a frown tugging at his lips. “No.”

Steve blinks. He didn't think it would take much convincing, but maybe this is a test. He stands from the computer he'd been using to watch Tim and Damien patrol and walks over to Bruce. His computer is showing complicated schematics of a new Batmobile feature promising extra airbags and multiple first aid kits.

“Can I be a Robin?” Steve asks, thinking his approach might have been the issue. Bruce is constantly harping on him about etiquette, even though his mother says none of that really matters as long as he isn’t an asshole.

Bruce frowns deeper. “It takes more than asking, Steve.”

“Isn't that what Tim did?”

“Tim also managed to figure out my secret identity with almost no clues.”

“So, he can solve a puzzle. So can I.”

“You're missing the point, Steve.”

“I can do gymnastics, I know Gotham like the back of my hand, I'm not scared of getting hurt, and I want to stop bad guys. Hell, I've even got daddy issues, if that's a requirement!”

Even though Bruce is looking up at him, literally shorter because he's still sitting, his gaze makes Steve feel small. It’s not fair, the way he makes Steve fight the urge to find a blanket to hide under. He doesn't feel seen, exactly, but he feels studied. Bruce is practically wearing a lab coat and taking notes with the way his head tilts.

“What's this about?” Bruce finally asks, his voice soft and patient and that's somehow worse. He has experience with this. Bruce has a whole gaggle of traumatized kids that he's managed to keep alive (sort of, mostly, kind of) to pull from.

Steve holds strong for three seconds before deflating. He leans against the console, carefully avoiding any buttons that could set off missiles laced with kryptonite. He's seen Duke do that before; he'd rather not repeat the incident. “I just….I need to be good.”

“You're already good.”

“I'm not good enough!” Steve shouts, grimacing as his voice echoes through the cave. He takes a deep breath, slowly letting it out. “I think…I think I know who my dad is. And I just…I never want to be like him. I need to be good and make Mom proud and keep her safe. Isn't that what being a Robin is about? Keeping people safe? Please, Uncle Bruce, just let me try.”

A few beats of tense silence pass. Steve almost starts to think Bruce is going to reject him again when he says, “I understand.”

“You do?”

“I do,” Bruce says, nodding as he stands. He gestures for Steve to follow him as he walks deeper into the cave. Steve hurries after, practically stepping on the man's heels. “I can't promise you'll be a Robin, but you can at least start training like one.”

“What kind of training?”

“Combat, first aid, crisis management, parkour, and a weapon of choice.”

Steve mulls this over for a second, considering what lies ahead. “And I'll be good if I do this?” he asks.

A warm hand on his shoulder stops Steve in his tracks. He looks up to find Bruce staring down at him. “You're already good, Steve. Being good is about showing people you care. Saving them is one way, sure, but you could also just take care of them. Make breakfast, wash the dishes without being asked, always have their favorite snack on hand. Learn what makes people happy and do that. It's the small stuff that really counts.”

“Not the big stuff?”

“Sure, a big gesture once in a while is nice, but it doesn't add up the same. Small things show you listen and remember. That's all people really want, and that's all that being good is about.”

Steve chews on the inside of his cheek, thinking about how relieved and happy his mother looked the one time he did the dishes without being asked. “This doesn't sound like the kinda advice you would give,” he finally says.

“It shouldn’t,” Bruce says, “I learned it from my father, and he learned it from Alfred.”

Yeah, that makes much more sense.

-------

“Hey, I know we're already, like, here and all, but don't you think going inside the abandoned lab for supposed evil is a pretty dangerous idea?”

Steve glances at Robin, taking in her frown as she stares at the building in front of them. “I've been in, like, eight of these before,” he says, flashing a grin when she looks at him. “Don't worry, we’ll be fine.”

“Unless it's funnier if we're not,” Robin mutters. 

Her words make Steve grimace, because he knows exactly what's going to happen now. She's set the scene. Robin has pointed out the gun on the mantle, and now it's going to go off. Because the universe loves a cruel joke every once in a while.

“We’ll be fine,” Eddie says, unaware that he’s hammering nails into their coffin with each word. “We’re just here to explore, right?”

“Yeah,” Steve says, flashing a grin before leading their doomed group into the abandoned lab.

The inside is dusty and chaotic. Furniture is turned over, potted plants are spilling dirt across the floors, and there’s a large stain on the floor that Steve immediately recognizes as blood. Based on the shade, he’d clock the stain as three weeks old. One of the doors across the room is hanging on by a single hinge, leaning dangerously to the side and rendering the ID scanner by it pointless. 

“I thought they just ran out of funding,” Robin says, shifting closer to Steve to avoid stepping on the blood stain. She grabs the edge of his shirt as they slip through, careful to avoid disturbing the door.

“I heard they accidentally blew up the basement,” Eddie says, his voice low and conspiratorial like they’re sharing secrets at a sleepover. He leans even closer, hand on Steve’s shoulder for balance. “Some of the baseball team were around the night it happened. They heard explosions and screaming, something like a monster wailing through the trees. Maybe it’s still here, waiting for its next meal.”

Robin glares at him. “Don’t be such an asshole, Munson.”

“Well, he’s probably right about the monster thing,” Steve says.

“Wait, you were serious about that?” Robin asks.

Steve pauses. “You thought I wasn’t?” he asks in return.

“I mean, yeah? Hawkins has seen some weird shit recently, sure, but monsters are a little unbelievable.”

“He’s literally from Gotham,” Eddie says, gesturing at Steve. “Like, Gotham Gotham. Of Batman fame. They’ve got Poison Ivy and The Riddler and King Shark, sometimes, I think.”

“He’s in the Pacific right now,” Steve says, vaguely remembering the last postcard he got from King Shark about running into an ex on some island getaway. 

“That’s Gotham,” Robin says, “Hawkins doesn’t have shit like that. We just have kids that disappear and malls that explode sometimes.”

“Your mall exploded?”

“Yeah, they said it was a busted gas pipe or something.”

Well, that sounds suspicious. Steve is just about to say as much when Eddie nudges him and points out an elevator. “Think it works?” he asks.

“This whole building has been cut off from the grid for nearly two years. Why the fuck would the elevator work?” Robin asks.

Steve considers this for a moment before grinning and leading them closer. “I mean, it’d be pretty funny if it did, don’t you think?” he asks, looking at both of them as he presses the button.

A resounding ding echoes around them, followed by the whir of cables pulling the elevator. Eddie and Robin stare as it comes to a stop and the doors open. Steve takes a step inside, inspecting for safety. The light is flickering inside and glass covers the floor, but the elevator is otherwise intact. Steve kicks the glass aside and gestures for Eddie and Robin to join him.

The doors slide shut after them, and Steve looks over the buttons before choosing the one for the basement. Tinny, garbled elevator music begins to play as it jolts and starts to descend. “So, uh, speaking of Gotham,” Robin says, fingers tapping against the side of her thigh, “what’s that place like?”

“It’s just a city,” Steve replies, shrugging.

“But have you seen Batman? Oh, what about Harley Quinn?” Eddie asks.

“I’ve heard she’s twelve pounds of crazy in a three pound bag,” Robin says, grinning widely, “And she’s hot.”

Steve grimaces, trying desperately to erase from his brain the connection between his mother and the word “hot.” He knows she’s pretty, of course, but that’s still his mom. He’d rather hear someone say Bruce Wayne is a total knock-out than his mother.

“Bruce Wayne is pretty fucking smoking, too,” Eddie says, waggling his eyebrows like that will suddenly turn Robin straight long enough to agree with his assessment. 

When Steve tries to think about Bruce in that context, all his mind can offer is Bruce hunched over, squinting at a computer screen, three days without a shower, and running solely on coffee and protein bars. 

Smoking, though? Well, Steve has seen Bruce on fire more than once, so it’s with complete confidence that he says, “He smolders, too, sometimes.”

“Ugh, gross,” Robin mutters, rolling her eyes as the elevator comes to a jolting stop. 

The doors screech as they open, making Eddie and Robin wince. Steve just frowns, taking a step forward so he’s the first thing that can be seen from the other side.

The hallway ahead of them has a few flickering lights and a dim red glow at the end, but it’s dark otherwise. Vines creep along the walls, crowding around the elevator, overlapping and competing for space. Something is dripping in the distance, and the smell of petrichor is wrong.

Steve knows what petrichor is supposed to smell like, especially in the presence of plants. It’s earthy and almost clinging. It lingers like mist after the rain. It hugs the streets and people of Gotham like it’s scared something will happen if it goes away.

This, though? This petrichor is overwhelming. It invades and smothers and nearly chokes. It puts Steve on edge.

“What are we waiting for?” Robin asks, peeking around Steve.

He holds an arm out, blocking her path. “Stay behind me,” he says, the sudden seriousness in his tone enough to make both of them listen without questioning. 

Steve walks down the hall carefully, studying the ground to make sure he doesn’t accidentally tread on any vines. Their footsteps echo with the drip, but nothing else can be heard. “This is kinda creepy,” Eddie whispers, shuffling behind Steve until he’s close enough for Steve to feel the heat from his body.

“Yeah, no shit, Munson,” Robin whispers back. “Also, why are we whispering?”

“Seems like the kinda place you whisper.”

They reach the end of the hall before Robin can respond. Steve motions for both of them to be quiet as he sticks close to the wall and looks around the corner. 

The vines are thicker at the dead end of the new hall. They all shoot out from a large opening in the wall, clinging to brick as they grow. That dim glow is coming from the opening itself. Whatever it leads to, a thick fog fills the space between it and the hall. The red dances across the walls and floors, the vines creating shadows large and small. 

Steve narrows his eyes. When he looks close enough, he can see the glint of metal just under the vines around the opening. He traces the brief glints of metal until he lands on what must be a switch in the wall. It, too, is flickering gently, a nearly-imperceptible green drowned under vines and darkness.

“What are we looking at?” Robin whispers.

“A portal,” Eddie replies.

“One we can close,” Steve adds, gesturing to the switch and pointing out the metal beneath the vines. “Whatever they were looking for, they had the sense to make something they could close. We hit that button, the door closes, and we go get pizza.”

“I don’t know if you noticed,” Robin says, “but those vines are in the way.”

“We just need to cut them.”

“Oh, and I suppose you carry a fucking sword around for just this occasion?” Robin hisses.

With such a perfect set up, how could Steve not follow through?

He grins brightly, places a hand on his hip like he’s grabbing the hilt of a sword, and fluidly pulls one out of nowhere. It’s black and red, covered in clubs and spades like one of his mom’s old costumes. With a glance, he can tell it’s a broadsword, huge and unwieldy but perfect for cutting through thick vines.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Robin asks.

“You’re the one who made it possible,” Steve tells her, shrugging as he steps around the corner. “Wait here.”

As he walks away, he barely hears Eddie mutter under his breath about boys with impossible swords. A smile tugs at Steve’s lips, and he twirls the broadsword in his hand just to show off. It’s not nearly as heavy as it looks, but that’s only because he thinks it’s funnier that way. 

A faint humming starts to sound in his ears as he nears the portal. He studies it carefully, adjusts his grip on the hilt of his sword, and slashes through the vines at the bottom. A pained screech echoes through the hallway, and he hears Robin and Eddie yelp.

Steve tenses, waiting for something to attack, but nothing does. He chances a look over his shoulder to see Eddie and Robin catching their breaths. “You okay?” he calls.

“That scared the shit outta us,” Eddie says, placing a hand on Robin’s shoulder and wheezing just to be dramatic.

With a nod, Steve turns back to the vines. He swings his sword again. The vines screech again.

And so it continues for ten minutes as Steve hacks and slices and saws away the vines stretching from the portal. The entire time, he keeps an ear open for any other sounds. Any step, any growl, any shift that doesn’t come from Robin and Eddie, and he’ll turn around swinging.

Nothing happens, though. He clears away the vines, including the ones covering the switch, and takes one last look around before slamming his hand against the thing. Like a rope has snapped, the metal door comes crashing down, cutting off the portal and the little bit of steady light that had been illuminating the hallway.

“Huh, that was easier than I thought,” Robin says, hands on her hips like she’s almost disappointed.

“Yeah, no kidding. I was expecting more, you know, danger,” Eddie adds.

Steve, because he can feel the universe turning and twisting around to get a good look at the show, braces himself. He takes a deep breath before saying, “See, I told you we’d be just fine.”

He was the last to speak on purpose, because then the universe will target him, and he can bounce back from anything. Hopefully, the searing pain of something lancing straight through his stomach is included in that anything. 

Steve hears Eddie and Robin scream as he looks down, a clawed, monstrous hand sticking out of him just below his sternum. A monstrous scream drowns out his friends, making his ears ring as putrid air rolls over him. 

It hurts. Of course it fucking hurts, but adrenaline is rushing through Steve like never before. It keeps him standing long enough to twist around to see the monster currently feeling up his insides without permission. It looks like a person-shaped version of those demodogs from a few days ago, tall and gangly and utterly inhuman.

The thing starts to pull its arm out, raising the other at the same time. Instinct and the voice of Alfred telling him that he should never remove what impales him has Steve swinging his sword around. It cuts through the monster’s forearm, allowing Steve to jerk a few steps away and spin around. 

“RUN!” Eddie shouts, the only word Steve can process before the monster shrieks again. 

It charges at Steve, blood dripping from its stump. Steve takes a moment to spit out his own blood that’s been pooling behind his teeth. He adjusts his grip on the sword, crouching slightly to brace himself. When the monster is close enough, Steve swings the sword in a large arch, swiftly cutting the monster in two across its torso.

He quickly retreats as the monster freezes. A second passes before its top half slides to the ground and the bottom half falls forward. Silence echoes, broken by Steve dropping his sword on the ground and coughing.

The world is spinning, black spots dancing along the edges of his vision as he turns to Eddie and Robin. They’re both staring at him with wide eyes and gaping mouths. “I bet someone found that hilarious,” he wheezes before his knees give out.

He’s barely hit the floor when he feels arms wrap around him. Frantic words fill the air above his head and panicked heartbeats echo in his ears. “Don’t worry,” he says, drawing in a painful breath. “I won’t die. Wouldn’t be funny.”

With that, Steve passes out, knowing his mother and Jason would appreciate his dramatics.

-------

Tag list (there's definitely still room, so please let me know if you'd like to be tagged!)

@nectandra, @y4r3luv, @just-a-tiny-void, @dotdot-wierdlife

@midwestharpy,

@bxnghy,

@twilitdragoneye, @disrespectedgoatman, @lawrencebshoggoth, @gunsknivesandplaid, @sadisticaltarts

Anyway, me rn:

[panelshowsource]

That Robbie Williams post reminded me something I heard a few days ago: I was listening to a podcast, and they discussed who the most famous British people are who are not known to Americans, like the discourse about Robbie Williams when his film came out. I'm British, so I would be interested in your opinion as an American. Who do you think is the most famous British person that very few Americans know?

this is such a fun question!

i feel like my answer 10–15 years ago may be different to now! like, in 2005, it wouldn't have been crazy to say michael barrymore, you know? so i'm going to try and compromise by sticking to my pov as a mid 90s baby and young millennial

i thought long and hard......and......i'm gonna say......ant and dec. that's my final answer. they have been such a constant in the british television industry for 30+ years that every single person of every single age demographic has at some point encountered them, and they're still quite in demand and relevant. i get that these days people may prefer to see claudia winkleman, alison hammond, whatever, this isn't a convo about being beloved but about being FAMOUS—and does anyone in the uk not know ant and dec? because i cannot impress upon you how unknown they are in the states, like absolute and complete nobodies i'm sorry 😭 i genuinely think the only way an american would have come across them is from a viral BGT clip, and even then ant and dec are not the focus of those clips so they just don't register at all. isn't that wild?

my other top contendor was noel edmonds (+ mr blobby), but i felt like he was too much of a throwback since he's pretty irrelevant now. still, if i'm doing my top 5–10, he'd still be in it, and i'd also mention terry wogan, parky, des o'connor, phil and holly (many americans will know the "if my grandmother had wheels she would have been a bike" clip but have no idea where it's from or who the people in it are, so imo it doesn't count as 'knowing' them cuz it's nothing more than a meme), peter kay, lee evans, and a fictional character like phil mitchell, pat butcher, or delboy. i am sorry to agree that take that members like robbie williams and gary barlow certainly qualify as well!

i do understand sports can be a major blindspot for americans — especially football (soccer), snooker, and darts — but there are enough americans who will follow these sports that i don't think the relevant figures win over some of the other people i listed. like, bobby charlton, wayne rooney, ronnie o'sullivan, dennis taylor, eric bristow, i could go on—very unknown in the united states overall, yes, but well known by the select few americans who care about these things. that said, the disparity in the fame a top footballer experiences in the uk vs here is probably the biggest disparity in this whole convo

i didn't really get into politicians (and by extension someone like david dimbleby or moira stuart?), feels like a cheat code to this game

i hope that was fun for any of my british followers to read! hahahaha i genuinely could name so many people because of course british news, entertainment, and sports are a unique culture that does not cross over nearly as much as we assume it does! but these are the people who seem to me to be the most widely recognised in the uk who i guarantee you no americans know

[berrytheicecream]

the voice acting in the alternates series like. actually fire. Especially Travis’s VA (Pat) like oh my gosh I was not expecting all that emotion from this series specifically. this mini-series in general is pretty good, I had a lot of fun watching it.

I wouldn’t consider it a masterpiece or anything, nor is it jess’s best work (I mean, the whole concept of alternates, the main element of the mini series, wasn’t even an original idea) but it’s still a really enjoyable watch if you’re an older fan and want to go back to the channel’s old style of storytelling. If you haven’t already, I would give this series a try, especially since it’s so short. So I wanna yap about it because it’s all I’ve been thinking abt lately

(spoilers after this)

I especially enjoyed Travis & Aphmau’s friendship here, I wasn’t expecting it to last all the way until the end, especially since Travis hadn’t been a main character in Aph’s channel for a while, but they worked together rlly well. And the end was actually pretty bittersweet (until the cliffhanger thing, we don’t talk abt that though my god let them have a day of peace) since they got to talk about their perspective on what had just happened and they’re clearly helping each other heal from all the loss. I think it was done really well.

Also near the end, the unpredictability was actually kinda impressive. Like the first few episodes I could predict what would happen pretty easily, like the plot twists weren’t all that surprising. But like around episode 3 like I had NO idea what would happen and was constantly questioning myself and honestly that’s very enjoyable.

There was even a moment in episode 5 with the cutscenes—aka where Travis was attacking the Pierce spider—that subverted the expectations that the viewer had. Every cutscene animated in that style up until that point had either been a death or some character getting injured, so I was so upset because I thought Travis would die. And he didn’t. That was SUCH a good twist from the norm and actually caught me offguard.

Also this unpredictability not only applies with the story, but also the deaths. I genuinely didn’t feel as if any of them had plot armor by the third episode, I was terrified that they would die. Like especially since the “minor” characters were literally outliving the main ones, aka the ones we see almost every day in aphmau’s channel. What do you mean IVY survived longer than ZANE, I didn’t expect them to do that and honestly. I loved it.

And my god the travelyn in this series was peak (idk if that’s the right spelling for the ship name I haven’t been in this fandom for years guys forgive me) this series has legitimately made me enjoy travelyn more. Before I didn’t care as much about it, but it’s kind of a main focus here and it was really good.

Small thing too but the story itself feels simple but not clear enough to really satisfy the viewer—which I think is fine! It left me wondering what everything even meant by the end of it. In a way, it felt like we have every piece of the puzzle, but just don’t know how to rearrange it correctly quite yet. Theorists, do your thing lmao.

ALSO ALSO a smaller detail but I actually really enjoy the set pieces, too. I’m not sure who designed the mobs/monsters but there’s a lot of care put into them, especially the weird alternate aphmau final boss design in ep 5 like oh my god. And the buildings were made really well too, my favorites are the subway and the house beside the cornfield. The environments are pretty simple but look nice, and because of their simplicity, the alternate designs stick out a lot, which is good!

That’s basically all I can say abt this series—REALLY good. It’s nice to see Aphmau going back to her roleplays that aren’t just entirely “kid friendly,” and “scenarios.” What I mean is that I enjoy this more coherent, thought out stories instead of just “I turn into ____ for 24 hours in Minecraft” every different video. Like the story itself doesn’t need to be super dark or anything, I like the lighthearted stuff with these characters too. In fact, the alternates series was surprisingly darker and more horror filled than I had ever expected. But I wan to actively have to focus on what I’m watching to understand it. With a lot of the channel’s recent content, you can turn your brain off because there’s no real story. Even in the more lighthearted seasons of Mystreet, I still found myself actually paying attention because I was interested in the characters and their interactions and growth. The new scenario-based content had none of that. But for Alternates, like the old shows which came before it, you actually have to pay attention.

So basically, we need to make Alternates more known in the fandom I believe. I would love to read a fic or two about this mini-series. It’s kind of a hopeful gift for the older fans while we wait for season 7 of Mystreet, a way for jess to remind us that she definitely does still know how to write an interesting story. I don’t know how I’d feel about alternates continuing due to the cliffhanger (especially bc Travis would probably die considering he has one leg) but I am hoping the channel keeps going on this same road of reintroducing interesting and well written stories.

that’s it, just needed a mini yap session lawl

[whatever1728]

"What is a 'husband stitch'?"

a/n: I found about this through tiktok and was immediately disgusted... if you don't know what it is I reccomend researching before reading.

summary: The barca players along with the wags play some rounds of 20 questions just for fun. Little did they know that it will turn deep after a couple rounds...

ocs: Isabella is Hector's girlfriend (she is 3 years older than Hector and she is catalan), Sofia is Pau's (she is Brazilian and the same age as Pau and Lamine)

warnings: mentions of sexual and medical abuse, mentions of abuse of power (ig), mentions of vomiting, gets a bit graphic about labour procedure, english is not my first language

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It was a normal afternoon for the barca squad. The players, along with their respective girlfriends and wives where at Hector and Pau's place. After eating, they sat down in the living room as per usual.

A while past and the youngsters of the squad started getting bored.

"Why don't we play something?" Lamine asked, who was itching to do something.

"Like what, kid?" came a reply from Lewa.

"We could play 20 questions? I mean we know eachother pretty well it's not like we will be surprised. The girls also know eachother so no big deal, right? I'm just super bored, pleaseeee" said Lamine, looking at the Polish striker with puppy eyes.

Lewa fell for it in a second and the rest agreed easily.

"Who should start?" Gavi asked lightly.

"You, since you asked so nicely." teased the youngest.

Going clockwise, Gavi asked Pedri: "What don't you like about tattoos that makes you so against getting any?"

Pedri explained"Well, I don't like how extreme they can be. Something small and sentimental, I don't mind. Besides, I think some are cool, like Rapha's for example. I just don't think I would like it on my skin."

And so it went for a while. Pedri asked Pau about his favorite food, Pau asked Sofia about holidays and so on. At some point it was Mikky's turn to ask Isabella. After thinking for a bit Mikky asked:

"What is a disgusting situation you have gotten involved in?"

"Oh... that doesn't need much thought. I have this friend Carla, she is a couple years older. She gave birth last year and she wanted me to be with her during the labor." Isabella paused there and everyone thought that was the whole story. However, she went on:

"For background info, during her pregnancy she wasn't one the best of terms with the father, to the point where she thought about divorcing him after she gave birth."

"She calls me, tells me she is getting to the hospital because her water broke. I get there as soon as possible, go to her room give her a hug and sit by that asshole she called a husband. Fast-forward she gives birth, my goddaughter is healthy and well. And then that bastard of a doctor asks her now ex if HE would like my friend to have an extra stitch! And her ex said yes like it was obvious. To say I was disgusted wasn't even enough. I got up smacked the doctor, punched the husband and asked for security to call the police."

"The doctor ended up without a license and my friend got a divorce."

By then all the girls were stunned. Nobody talked for a while. Pau was the first to speak up.

"Sorry, but for those of us who don't know what does getting an extra stitch mean?"

It seemed that most of the guys didn't know either. The ever wise and mature Frenkie, unsurprisingly, was the one to respond.

"So basically, and girls correct me if I'm wrong, when a woman gives birth, in some cases the vagina tears open in order to accomondate the baby. So after giving birth the doctor has to stich up the skin, since it doesn't heal naturally. Some disgusting men, not even men really since the do stuff like this, want the doctor to make an extra stitch so 'it's' tighter and supposedly more pleasuring for the guy after."

"In most cases that extra stitch makes sexual endeavors painful for women. And if a doctor does something like that he should be sued and the husband should go to jail for sexual abuse, but that's not what happens in most cases unfortunately." Dani continued.

"WHAT???" (Pedri)

"OH MY GOD" (Pau)

"WHAT THE F*CK" (Gavi)

Hector shot on his feet and headed for the bathroom. Coming out he looked pale and green. After the boys where done screaming profanities about how messed some people are Hector stated :"That is at the very least disgusting..."

"I remember when I told you about it and you had the same reaction..." Mikky turned to Frenkie

"How could I not vomit after hearing about that? It's extremely evil to do something like that. Let alone claiming you love the person you do this to." Frenkie replied

"That's when I knew I'd marry you..." Mikky said looking up at him with a sparkle in her bright blue eyes. Frenkie smiled, his eyes mirroring his wife's.

Sometime later, everyone filled out except for Isabella and Sofia who were staying the night. Hector and Isabella said goodnight to the other two who where going to watch a movie at Pau's room and went to get ready for bed themselves. After Hector taking a shower and Isabella doing her night routine, they cuddled in bed and talked for a while.

"I'm so lucky..." Hector said

"And why is that, handsome?" her complimets always making him blush a bit.

"Because, not only is the woman I hold in my arms beautiful, on the outside and more importantly on the inside, talented and smart. She is also extremelly protective of the people she loves and firmlly loyal." he expressed his thought with a smile and adoring eyes.

"Thank you, guapo, but I did just what I thought was right."

"I know and I hope that you also know I would never do something like that..."

"Amor, I know, your reaction was proof enough, don't worry, I know you and that's all I need to be able to dream a future with you."

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a/n: thoughts? also what other warnings should I put cause I feel the ones I put are tame...

[greyskyflowers]

Thunderbolts discussion. Spoilers ~

First of all, I had forgotten how much fun it was to see Marvel movies in theater. I meant to go see the new Captain America no one ruin it for me I still need to watch it in theaters too, but I ended up not being able to. I regret it, though, because I had so much fun with Thunderbolts.

Second, I've seen so much stuff about the end of thunderbolts and SamBucky.

So, I'm going to ramble a bit about it because I can.

I feel like we don't have anywhere near enough info to really discuss the fight.

So it blows my mind that people are actually fighting over it?

Sam and Bucky are very good friends, and if anyone here has ever had a very good friend, then you'd know that fights happen. Sometimes nasty ones.

My concern is that most of you don't seem to actually have friends or go out in the real world. Because some of the stuff you guys say makes me think that you've never had a conversation with another person before. Stg it's embarrassing how proud some of you are about that. You have to learn to work with people in the real world. You don't always agree but you put on your big girl/boy/person pants and get over it.

Sam and Bucky disagree on some big stuff, but they always work it out.

That's how coworkers work. That's how friends work. What's how family works.

That being said,

I'm not shocked if they did have a fight.

A breakup? A divorce? Nah. I don't think that for a minute.

Steve and Bucky butted heads on stuff all the time, and of course him and Sam butt heads over stuff. It's practically Bucky's love language at this point.

In terms of working with/trusting/accepting people who have a messy and violent past, Bucky was the exception, not the standard.

Most people didn't trust Bucky. They thought he needed to be brought in, punished, etc. And that was with them knowing he had been brainwashed and tortured.

Even Sam thought that for a while. Steve only thought different because he knew Bucky.

If Natasha hadn't already been brought in by Shield and working with them for awhile, I'm not sure any of the original Avengers besides Clint obviously would have wanted/trusted her enough to give her a chance. I'm not sure if Sam would have.

And I can't blame them. Would I have given Bucky or Natasha that a chance if I had been in their shoes? I like to hope so, especially because they have both proven to be better/changed/trustworthy/etc but I don't really know. There's a lot of things that would have had me hesitate.

It's logical to be critical in situations like that though.

So, a group of people like the thunderbolts?

I can't imagine really anyone thinking that was a good idea or being 100% on board with it.

I personally think it's completely within Sam's character for him to say no nope not a good idea.

Because it's really not.

There are probably a lot of other things that would make way more sense and have a better chance of success.

I think if Bucky hadn't been directly involved in the thunderbolts, then he would have disagreed with it, too.

We even see that he didn't trust them when he caught them and was waiting to turn them in. He doesn't believe their story because why would he?

This is going to be a hard topic for Sam and Bucky because while rationally they both know a group made up entirely of people who could fit in the category of villian more easily than vigilante isn't a super smart idea, Bucky is a part of that group.

Expressing a distrust that they are capable of change or being better could be taken as not thinking Bucky was capable of those things either.

He only got a second chance because of Steve. What if Bucky is the only way this group gets another chance? Not to mention that he's got to be seeing a lot of himself in them.

From Sam's side though, what the fuck is Bucky doing?

Except Walker. Fuck Walker. He needs so much more character development before I'm trusting him with anything. I enjoyed his character in the movie and in TFATWS, but to me he has not shown himself as a redeemable character at this time.

Could also see Walker being involved as a huge reason Sam doesn't like support it.

He had a good thing going. He was in congress, he was on good grounds with the public, etc. And now he's running around with a group of criminals and calling themselves the new avengers?

Does that put Bucky's pardon at risk?

What if they drag Bucky back into a bunch of bad shit?

Sam cares about Bucky, he doesn't want him back into the dark side of things. He had to watch some of that in Madripoor in TFATWS and it wasn't pretty.

Not to mention just the hurt of not being told any of this. Even though it wasn't planned or intentional on Bucky's side.

It looks bad. It looks bad from both sides.

To Sam, Bucky is hanging out with the wrong people, potentially putting his pardon at risk, potentially disrespecting and not talking to Sam.

To Bucky, Sam is potentially showing that he doesn't think people like the thunderbolts can change/be trusted which is going to hurt because what about Bucky? Who's arguably done much worse than most of them? Doesn't understand why Bucky is doing this, and potentially feels like he's not listening to Bucky.

They're both hard headed and have a habit of talking over each other without listening. I imagine that the conversation was very similar to the conversations about the shield.

They're both coming from valid spots, but they've got to meet somewhere in the middle. They have to listen to each other.

This is also all speculation. We have literally no details about the conversation and trying to take sides based on a comment that it "didn't go well" just shows that you're probably a very frustrating person to work with in real life.

They'll be fine. They're not going to hate each other over something like this.

They'll figure it out.

**Please comment appropriately. Everything discussed is speculation and personal opinion.

Shit comments get deleted, and the user blocked ~

[cuppajj]

You know, I just really, really want to say this. You are an exceptionally talented artist. I was genuinely surprised when you answered that one ask a while ago, saying you're self-taught. Because I truly, legitimately believed you were an art student or something lol. I'm honestly blown away by the fact that you're self-taught. That you figured all of this out all by yourself. Both your Cookie Run stuff and your original work. You should be proud, because I know it must've taken you a lot of time and hard work to get to where you are today. I both admire you greatly and envy you terribly (the latter stings a little to say, but it's true haha). I wish I could do what you can. You make it all look so easy... I wish I could say I'm your equal, but I'm far from it and I'm not sure how long it'll take for me to get there, or if I'll ever get there at all. But seeing what you're able to accomplish now is really rather inspiring. If you can do it, then maybe I can, too. Someday. Somehow. If only it could be today, though haha

Sorry if I sound weird or mushy, I've actually wanted to say this to you for a while now. I sincerely hope you find pride and joy in your art because you deserve to. Your drawings, your animations, even your writing. You're a jack of all trades haha. You're a very talented, creative, fun and hardworking person. And I wish you all the joy and success in the world, all the time. You've got something really great going here, keep it up for as long as you're able and willing to

Aww Merchant, that’s so sweet of you!!

I don’t often think of how far I’ve come mostly all by myself, let alone the message it can carry.. admittedly one of my biggest artist flaws is acknowledging my accomplishments haha, so this message really means a lot!

If I could give any advice for you:

Believe me when I felt like my art style was stagnating for the longest time, but I’ve come to learn that in just four years I’ve gone from having okay-but-mid art to making some pieces that impress the worst critic in myself!! And really the only thing that changed was my mindset. I stopped wanting to make high quality stuff every time and instead focused on the gradual grind. Commitment is what makes or breaks an artist.

And sadly, art is not easy. You’re going to hate how your art looks. You’re going to be envious of other artists. You’re going to compare yourself. I was like that once, still have those moments today. But the secret to truly feeling like your art is yours is to acknowledge that you’re constantly improving. Don’t call yourself an equal (or a superior or inferior) to anyone, because that implies there’s an established objective tier of artists with you below people you’re inspired by. Every artist has their own flow, their own starting point, their own ways of growing, which makes comparison unfair and more unhealthy than you think!

I’ve seen your redraw of Pepper Jack and Celestial Cheese, and your art has changed a lot within a year for the better. I think that’s a sign! The only difference between you and me is I started before you. But, that’s neither a right or a wrong thing, just a fact that has no effect on you.

I think the only goal an artist should have is learning to appreciate the art they make. I’m still reaching for that myself, and someday you’ll get there if you try! Just be less hard on yourself. Acknowledge where you are and where you were. And most importantly, keep at it! You might be surprised how much can change in another year

[dick-meister]

I’m unhappy.

This is gonna be the last time I say something about this so I don’t sound like a broken record player but this is gonna have all my thoughts I’ve been having recently about Adam, this fandom and so on.

First, I want it to be known that everything said here doesn’t apply to everyone and that a lot of this is built up frustration that’s reached a point where I cannot stay silent anymore. This stuff is supposed to be fun, I shouldn’t care so much and yet here I am.

I love writing Adam. I’ve always loved it and I still do now but I’m upset with how he’s treated and some of that blame falls to me, I understand that. I don’t like pushing boundaries, I don’t like making people uncomfortable and I try to remain realistic and balanced to everything that I do when it comes to RP. And maybe it’s because of that approach I’m in this position because I feel that many abuse that and see my character/characters as something to use in order to bolster the superiority of their own muses.

It’s the worst when it comes to Adam. I feel like most interactions boil down to making him or both muses miserable or antagonistic prodding between muses that go no where. I feel like I’m at a point where if Adam even breathes he’ll be ridiculed or scoffed at. He can’t tell a harmless joke without it being taken offensively, he can’t make any kind of comment about anyone at all ever because once again, it’d be scrutinized and go beyond banter.

If I allow him to get angry and lash out, he’s in the wrong. If I don’t let him get angry and lash out he’s in the wrong. No matter what he does, he’s in the wrong and the people I had to talk to about these things and relate to that no longer relate or don’t talk about it and that sucks. So it just feels suffocating and like a constant air of doom at all times no matter what interaction I have. Like a ticking time bomb that at any point, even if it’s a nice thread, it’ll go to the wayside.

It’s hard to come on here and feel like I’m walking on a thin line or that I need to be the one to change the direction a thread is headed or put in the effort to keep a thread from dropping because how many times do you think I’m willing to do a thread that goes

Adam: *Makes comment*

Someone: *You’re awful and you should feel bad.*

Adam: *Cool*

End interaction.

Like. This isn’t fun and makes me feel secluded to the point where I cannot muster the strength to send asks to people who I know like my muse let alone people who are new/have a certain negative dynamic.

I put so much time and effort to make a muse that could be agreeable, that could make you question moralities and junk like that but it feels like more and more each day people are here to just get a one up on Adam and that’s it. Im tired.

Im sad that when there’s like a mini thing going on with Adam that requires help from outside support, he’s let down by those who can help but choose not to (This is based off IC interactions by people who were participating not those who didn’t see/didn’t want to participate.) it was to the point where people who didn’t meet certain criteria to help considered making new muses to help which is nice and I fully appreciate it so much but the fact that it needed to get to that point in the first place is just… Sad. Idk how to properly explain it.

Unholy Crusade took a massive toll on me as an Adam RPer, it took a toll on a lot of people but it messed me up and I think that’s where a lot of this stems from. Starting that with a poly only to end up abandoned by said poly and having to deal with feeling excluded, neglected and abandoned really messed up my feelings with the verse. I love it, I love the conclusions people had but the road to get there was such a painful journey that is not recoverable and has had rippling effects throughout how my muse treats relationships, group verses and more.

I don’t really have much more to say other than small knit picking things. I’m just exhausted playing a character that is just doomed either by his own actions or actions done by others for the sake of self gratification.

Im sorry to anyone if I forced my muse onto you where he wasn’t welcomed. Im sorry if our RPing experience has made you feel uncomfortable/upset/hurt or any other negatives. It’s not my goal, I’d hate to do to someone else what I feel is being done to me.

Going forward, I’m gonna still be RPing off and on with verses I’m comfortable with and muses I’m comfortable interacting with. I’m gonna be aiming to staying away from dash comms and all that. I won’t be taking a break or announcing a hiatus or anything because I still want to interact but I just needed to vent. I needed to get this out. Even if this is all just a byproduct of my own doing or depression or anything else. This is where my head is at, this is how I feel, I don’t want anyone to change their character for me, I don’t want anyone to do anything special for me I just want people to be conscious of how much shit they’re throwing my way or anyone’s way.

It’s one thing to want and love angst all the time but it’s another to do angst and have 0 recovery through it or expect only angst out of the other person.

I know this is all a mess of paragraphs and feelings but it’s the best I can really do right now. If you made it this far, thank you, I appreciate you reading my words and I hope you have a good day.

[thatdogmagic]

re: this pointless shit again

Well, I'd done pretty good ignoring this as I promised I would, but a third party meddler made that impossible, so here we go.

So, as some of you may know, and some of you may not, pretty much every time I post an update to the website, a trio of stalkers jump on my every word and go on a posting blitz. These are people who very openly just want me ostracized from every community I'm in, at a time when community matters more than anything, and they've proven that they'll invest over a year's worth of time into making that happen.

There are a series of posts about it listed here. I suggest people read Ependa's post especially because she keeps getting ignored in all of this.

I honestly think I took too much of the responsibility for what all happened in the posts that are still up, but it is what it is. I was doing my best to be gracious and diplomatic about it. More's the pity.

Anyway I suppose I should be flattered by the level of effort involved in all of this, but it's still a pain in the ass. I've done my best to ignore it, and was overall managing pretty well, but that was before a third party decided to involve themselves to stir shit and/or score internet points.

In March, after the most recent update and rollout of commission prices, someone kindly reached out to let me know that there was some exclusive werewolf artist telegram group chat going on. Effectively a kind of clubhouse, with a pretty wide range of people in my peer group. The owner followed me, and had gone as far as to send me DMs in the past, but to my knowledge had never extended an invite.

They did, however, extend an invite to one of my stalkers, who, again, for the past full year and change, has been openly calling for me to be publicly ripped apart and ostracized.

This person has not been at all shy about that. The owner nonetheless platformed them for a couple weeks. During that time, they went on near daily rants about me specifically. So far as I've been told, I was pretty much all they could talk about, before they dropped out of the chat on their own accord.

I can't say that the owner was intentionally drama-mongering or not, but it doesn't really matter, at this point. I have a hard time imagining that they didn't know this was going on, however, and have blocked accordingly.

Now, as I said, there was only one person that reached out, and I'm grateful they did. But it is only one out of 70+ individuals, which doesn't feel great. I mean, this is the same community of peers for whom I'm trying to build an entire website. Which was already a lot of work with a lot of uncertainty. Now, suddenly, it was more of both.

I'm bringing this up because, even before all this, uncertainty was a daily issue I had to grapple with regarding this issue. This situation has made me feel like I have to keep track of every moot on a near-daily basis to make sure they haven't suddenly unfollowed. It's made me have to assume every unfollow in my peer group is due to someone buying into the drama.

Some of you have caught mutes or blocks that may have been undeserved as a result. I'm sorry about that; I'm just not interested in taking chances with this, and I don't want someone who may fully believe all the nonsense to have access to me on sites I want to post on comfortably, among friends.

In addition to having to keep all that in mind, I also just generally have to brace for the fact that, every single time I post a site update, I'm in for another round of bloviating. Which isn't fun, but it's decidedly less fun when I have to care about a) any of it, at all, in any capacity, b) how intense it is this time around, c) who fell for it.

It was a lot to keep in mind already. On top of all the actual work involved. It made writing and coding all of these updates even more of a chore, which is arguably the point of the harassment campaign , but, I digress.

So, needless to say, hearing about this, that this was not only allowed, but that people more or less sat passively by...

My motivation was already on shaky ground. And I'm not too proud to say that this effectively killed it.

It's not that I think all the folks in the group chat are awful; I think many of you just plain wanted to stay out of it, which, for the record, I appreciate. But, things being the way they are currently, you unfortunately now represent a level of uncertainty that is way too much for me to take on.

That is to say: I would rather not have to care about unfollows, at all. I would rather not have to care about whether or not someone believes the bullshit. I need to stop caring about it, period. I need as few reasons to care about it as possible, which means shedding a couple-few of them where I can.

So-- for my own sake, I'm stepping away from the idea of this being a larger community site. It's instead going to focus on folks that Angela and I already trust and have worked well with in the past, including alums from the original Werewolves Versus run.

Like I said: I already can't tell the difference between someone who just wants to stay out of it, and someone bought in to all the bullshit. I can't tell the difference between an unfollow for 'eh too much porn these days' reasons, and 'I fully believe she's a ~horrible transphobic rot~ on this earth and should be fully ostracized from the community' reasons.

It's all been a little too 'high school but super high stakes' for me. And in the year 2025, I have to admit to myself that I just don't have the energy for it. Not with fash breathing down our necks every day of the week. Quite literally on the day I've been drafting this, my state governor had to release a statement about how the Feds are threatening to arrest him.

That's the very real uncertainty we're up against right now. Adding 'now regularly give a shit about the fallout of some petty internet drama' on top of it is too much to ask.

We'll leave ourselves open to bringing in additional creators as time goes on, but yeah, the grand vision for the place needs to be set aside in favor of something more manageable. 'Cause, end of the day, I only ever wanted to work on my own shit, and facilitate others being able to work on theirs. The community thing was just a lofty idea tacked on, and it's one that'd be better off being left behind so I can focus on the actual work, and not the popularity contest.

The good news is we're still going to be a small collective of werewolf artists. We're still going to go through with our general mission statement. But our roster is primarily going to be more made up of people we already know, trust, interact with regularly, etc, versus the goal of building up a mod/volunteer team, and eventually taking applications for galleries from the community at large. Someone else with the time, energy and money can take up that task.

And speaking of: now that I've stepped away, as my stalkers were clearly hoping I would, I hope the people in their lives and in their friend circles tell them it's okay to move on to actual projects now. To put all this effort into their own community sites and studios (that are completely real and attached to completely real LLCs). They've got all this energy freed up now, so they should be able to do great things with it, I'm sure.

To anyone who might have gotten their hopes up about what this site could've been: I'm genuinely sorry.

To everyone else: our audience has been wonderful to us generally, through all of this. Thank you for sticking with us, and for believing in us.

And to the hate watchers: stay mad I guess. It's your life, do with it what you want.

[coraniaid]

buffy/willow and/or kennedy/faith

Buffy/Willow is definitely the more interesting option of those two to me. I don't quite ship it (for reasons I'll get into) but I can imagine a world in which I did pretty easily.

1) Why don't you ship it?

Honestly I think the main reason for not shipping it is just that I've not read any take on Buffy/Willow that really leans into the things I find potentially fun or interesting about the idea of the two of them getting together?

I mean, I've not really seen much Buffy/Willow content at all, but what I have seen tends to focus on AUs where Buffy and Willow slowly realize they have other-than-platonic feelings for each other in Season 4 (before Willow meets Tara) or even earlier, and that sort of best-friends-to-lovers, slowly figuring out your own sexuality in a careful and healthy way thing just isn't something I find that interesting for these two? Buffy Summers is so, so repressed and tightly wound and yet at the same time quite genuinely convinced she is (in her own words!) "pretty easy going", while Willow's dreams in Nightmares and Restless suggest on some level she views her entire life as an elaborate public performance where she has to always be wearing the right outfit and saying the right thing or people will see the real her and despise her. If you're going to ship them, why not let them be weird about it?

Also, while I do think Buffy and Willow's relationship in canon is significantly more compelling than Buffy's connection to either Giles or Xander (on pretty much every level imaginable), at the same time I think it damages the dynamics of the Core Four a bit too much if Buffy and Willow actually became some of sort of official couple. I don't put quite as much stock in the Mind/Heart/Spirit reading as some people, but I do think it's an interesting one and I think an actual canon ship would have distracted from that.

And finally I think I just strongly prefer Buffy/Faith and -- while I don't think it's impossible to like more than one incompatible ship at a time -- I guess I'd feel bad for Faith if she ever learned that Buffy was into women after all but was dating Willow of all people.

2) What would have made you like it?

To be clear I haven't ever really given this that much thought before today (except perhaps for that kind of flippant idea I mentioned a year or two ago for an AU in which vamp!Willow comes back in Season 4, gets caught by the Initiative and ends up getting chipped instead of Spike). So, fair warning, this is going to be a kind of rambling answer. But I think it's mostly a question of timing and context. They have to get together after having known each other for a while and in circumstances where it is very obviously not a good idea for either of them. I want messy drama and tears and conflict in my ship, after all.

I think, if I could choose, I'd go for something post-Bargaining, after Buffy has died and been unwilling brought back to life and Willow has at least started on the path down to becoming irrevocably changed by her overuse of magic. As I've noted before, Season 6 is the closest the show ever comes to treating Buffy and Willow as (almost) co-protagonists, as opposed to the previous seasons where Willow is more clearly Buffy's sidekick (even if she sometimes rankles in that role). I think that's when a hypothetical ship is most interesting narratively: when they're at their closest to being genuine foils and having similar character arcs. And I think a relationship when they're both going through some of the worst months of their life would be kind of fun (for me, anyway). There's still some weird power imbalance stuff going on, but it's not at all one-sided.

Let's say things start to diverge from canon around Once More With Feeling. Willow's relationship with Tara is already on the rocks a little at this point -- they're arguing about magic for sure, and maybe Willow has already used the memory loss spell on Tara -- but for her part Willow is still sure she can turn everything back to normal [with magic, naturally] if she just makes a bit more of an effort.

Instead of Buffy being forced by magic to publicly admit that she wasn't in a hell dimension in front of all her friends, something else (non-magical) happens which makes her admit it privately to Willow. Maybe Willow just casually says something to Buffy about how awful her time in hell must have been which makes her snap? That way there's already this terrible secret that ties them together (well, Spike knows too, but I don't think Buffy tells Willow that he knows and it's not like Willow and Spike are hanging out socially).

Obviously Willow is devastated to find out she wasn't saving her friend from a hell dimension after all, as in canon, but she Buffy almost immediately get into a pretty vicious fight when Willow suggests using magic to fix things (again). A furious Buffy tells her how much she hates being back in the world and how far away from "fixed" she feels. Everything she told Spike in After Life, but this time putting the blame solely on Willow. How she "wishes she could feel anything" and she should never have been forced to come back because she knew in heaven that "everyone she cared about was all right". At which point Willow breaks down in tears and insists that that can't be true; that Willow herself wasn't ever "all right" over the summer Buffy was gone, and how could she have been when her best friend was dead? And she admits to Buffy how much she missed her and needed her to come back, "because I couldn't look after everyone myself, and you're my best friend, and I love you."

And then Buffy kisses Willow. And Willow's into it, just for a second, but then she breaks away like she's suddenly remembering cheating on Oz in high school, and she stammers that she didn't mean it that way and she "can't do this to Tara". And Buffy watches her run off without saying anything, and she can't quite figure out why she did that: was it because she just wanted to feel something, or because she's somehow changed after coming back to life, or because a part of her always wanted to but never let herself admit it? Does she actually feel anything for Willow? Is she angry at her or in love with her or both (or neither?). And now the kiss is one more awkward secret that they share (because who's Buffy going to confide in, exactly? Dawn? her new friends at the Doublemeat Palace, once she starts working there? Tara?).

Then, later, after Tara and Willow's relationship collapses anyway (for much the same reasons it does in canon), and Tara moves out, Buffy and Willow start secretly hooking up again. Because Buffy still hasn't adjusted to being back in the world, and because Willow hates being alone and part of her wants to prove she was right all along and that she can make Buffy happy (and, maybe, that she's more than just Buffy's sidekick but somebody just as powerful and special and important as her).

And, while they're spending time alone together, maybe Buffy gradually starts letting Willow try to use magic to "fix" her a little bit after all: instead of Willow getting the magic addict subplot and Rack and bringing Amy back, maybe it's Buffy who starts needing magic more and more in order to feel comfortable in her own skin and be able to get through the day. Not to forget that she was in heaven, but to have brief access to those same comforting fantasies that everything's actually fine for everyone. Willow doesn't try to go cold turkey this time, at least not right away, but she does try to hide her use of magic more (which is tied into all her other secrets). Maybe in this AU Normal Again happens not because of a demon or the Trio but because Willow messes up while trying to cast a spell that's supposed to just give Buffy comforting dreams about a happier time in her life.

And sure, there are some echoes of Buffy/Spike at work here, and of the hypothetical Amy/Willow S6 ship I talked about a few days ago -- Buffy is partly just trying to feel something, and Willow is rebounding from Tara in the worst, messiest way she can. But Willow and Buffy have so much complicated history already -- they both really do care about each other a lot, more than either of them can say, whatever else is going on in their lives -- and I think that makes things more compelling to me. A ship where both participants feel like they're the one wrongly taking advantage of the other, that they're somehow selfishly letting their best friend down. And perhaps part of Buffy still wishes she hadn't been resurrected at all, but the one person who can make her feel fleetingly happy again is the very person most responsible for her being back. That's pretty compelling, to me anyway.

Then, at some inopportune point, everyone finds out anyway (and maybe the others finds out about Buffy having been in heaven at the same time). And of course Xander is weird about it, and Dawn is appalled, and Tara is heartbroken (because hasn't Willow been telling her how uniquely special and amazing Buffy is since they first met? hasn't it always been clear to her that Buffy and Willow are part of an inner circle she'll never get to join? no wonder Willow chose Buffy over her; no wonder she'll always choose Buffy over her). But Willow still does love Tara, she knows this thing with Buffy can't be good for either of them, and she promises Tara she'll stop doing magic or spending any time alone with Buffy.

And for a while things are just incredibly uncomfortable, because Willow moves back to the dorms and nobody is talking to anyone. But then Warren shoots Buffy, and Willow goes on her whole Dark Willow arc thinking Buffy is dead (but actually Tara uses magic to save her, the same sort of forbidden magic Willow used to bring her back to life months earlier -- because Tara did choose to resurrect Buffy in the first place, despite knowing the arguments against it and how it had to be done, and maybe she's not that different from Willow after all -- only it takes her a while so neither of them can talk Willow down and Xander does it, as in canon [but without some of the sillier parts of that plot: no secret master plan on Giles' part this time please]).

And yeah, this wouldn't be a fun time for either of them but I think it could be fun to read about. Because it would be messy, and complicated, and painful, and I guess that's the sort of ship I like.

Alternatively I could imagine a Season 7 AU, where Season 6 played out as in canon, in which Buffy and Willow just gradually fall for each after Willow comes back to Sunnydale. (Starting from that final power sharing scene in Same Time Same Place, I guess.)

I don't really think there's as much potential for drama here, but I do think this is the point a relationship between the two of them would feel most organic. We know Buffy's type is former villains trying to find redemption, after all, and that's what Willow has become now.

And I do rather like Kennedy/Willow, as I've said before, but it's certainly true that Buffy and Willow really don't interact enough this season. So as an excuse for making them do that, if nothing else, I guess having them gradually fall in love this season works as well as anything.

(Combining these two ideas, in a Season 7 AU that follows up the alternate S6 -- a setting in which Tara is still alive because she never did get back together with Willow and so wasn't in the house to be accidentally shot, I guess I can make everyone mad at me by having her end up with Kennedy.)

3) Despite not shipping it, do you have anything positive to say about it?

Oh, yeah. absolutely. Like I said, I don't ship it myself but I absolutely think I could in the right circumstances.

Willow and Buffy are the two most interesting characters on the show to me, their relationship (platonic or otherwise) is one of the best parts of the show (and, as I said earlier, their relative lack of interaction in Season 7 is one of that season's big weaknesses).

It would be a very, very funny resolution to the initial Season 1 love triangle (in which Willow has an unrequited crush on Xander who has an unrequited crush on Buffy) to posit that Buffy in turn had a secret crush on Willow. I mean, I'll always be incredibly glad that the show didn't have either Willow/Xander or Buffy/Xander become a thing [no offence meant to Xander ... well, maybe a little bit of offence meant], but having Buffy/Willow be endgame could have worked too. (It worked for The Legend of Korra, after all...)

And there are definitely a few scenes in the show that you can read as evidence for Buffy having an (unacknowledged to herself) crush on Willow. Among others, we've got:

Buffy's reaction to finding out about "Malcolm" in I Robot You Jane, which can pretty easily be read as jealousy on Buffy's part ("I'm just trying to make sure he's good enough for you")

"I need my Willow" in The Zeppo.

Two scenes in Doppelgangland (Buffy's reaction to meeting vamp!Willow in the Bronze -- "holy God, you're Willow" -- and the way she looks at Willow in the library in the scene she realizes her friend is still alive

Buffy's attempt in Normal Again to assure Willow that the girl she saw Tara with must have just been a friend, because "Once you fall for Willow, you stay fallen." Is she speaking from experience, or...?

And of course it's very, very easy to read Willow's hostility towards Faith in Season 3 as a (probably unconscious) romantic jealousy, or to read something in to her impassioned defences of Buffy in Season 1 and 2 or the way she is so deeply invested in her love life (with Angel, with Scott Hope, with Parker, with Riley...). I don't think that's the intended reading, or even necessarily the only reading, but Willow does almost immediately like Buffy a lot and very quickly stands up for her in ways she very rarely does for herself.

Not to mention the fact that Buffy literally died for Willow just a few months after meeting her. She goes to fight the Master in Prophecy Girl for several different reasons, sure, but the most immediate trigger is talking to a tearful Willow who's just found some of her classmates murdered by vampires. In just a couple of on-screen minutes Buffy goes from begging her mom to let her run away from town because "she can't go to the dance" to telling Willow that nothing matters "as long as you're okay" and promising to do "what we have to" to keep her safe.

For her part, Willow literally changes the course of her whole life for Buffy. Whether that's learning magic or choosing to stay in Sunnydale after high school (I mean, she pretends she isn't doing that for Buffy, but come on) or, of course, bringing her back to life in Season 6. There's a lot of debate online about the ethics and motivation of Willow refusing to accept Buffy's death. Some people think it's selfish and a sign of Willow's increasing arrogance and hubris and she should have let Buffy stay buried and moved on with her life. Some people argue Willow is rightfully worried about what might be happening to her dead best friend's soul after jumping into a portal to a hell dimension, and that it's perfectly understandable to miss her best friend who died violently at such a young age, and that she's only doing what she thinks is right for Buffy and Dawn and the wider world. But surely something we can all agree on here, as serious scholars of the show, is that either way it's ... kind of hot?

I mean, Willow eventually goes on this whole corruption arc this season, and it all starts when she metaphorically sacrifices her own innocence and anoints herself with blood in order to rewrite the laws of reality and cheat death itself just to be reunited with the girl she's been obsessed with since from the very first day they met. I mean, yeah, maybe your favorite ship is cute and healthy and wholesome, but have either of them ever allied themselves with demonic powers in order to pull the other one out of heaven rather than go on existing in a world without them? Oh, they haven't done that? So they're just kind of casual, then? Not really that committed to the relationship yet?

... OK, maybe I do ship it a little bit.

[traincat]

Reading North's FF as my first proper comic run, and I'm enjoying it a lot! Only about halfway in so far. After this, u think I should jump to Hickman or Fraction? I've heard good stuff from the FF fans on twitter from both kinda, and I don't really care too much about reading in order? Secondly, I have absolutely no idea where to start with spiderman comics, but I really would like to get into some. I feel like I need a good beginner-ish run that's not heavy on past lore... Bonus points if it's got good art, I really enjoy that. Any recommendations?

I'm glad you're enjoying North's run! I think, between the two of them, Fraction's will be more similar to North's in tone. Hickman's is very good, but it's extremely -- when I think of Hickman comics in my mind, I think of a "Hickman Plot" and a Hickman Plot is that Hickman is going to blow everything up. He's really good at it, but I think it's pretty different from either North's or Fraction's. It's also more difficult to follow Hickman than Fraction, because of the way his run is structured. Both Hickman and Fraction's runs have two books -- Fantastic Four (the main title) and a side series called FF. Hickman's Fantastic Four becomes FF for a while before they separate into two books, whereas Fraction's books are two concurrent series you read together. So it's kind of just a little easier if you're not used to The Renumbering yet. I also don't care about reading in order, though, so I think you could go with either. I generally recommend Waid's run for newer Fantastic Four readers as a starting point. It's cute, fun, generally has good characterization, emotional, and it's an easy entry point.

Basically:

You want family road trips? Fraction.

You want a lot of plot? Hickman.

You want something I think is pretty in tune with North's run? Waid.

Spider-Man is a whole other kettle of fish. For backstory here, I pretty much just jumped into Spider-Man wherever, read until I got confused or bored, picked another point, and rinsed and repeated.

I generally think Amazing Spider-Man volume 2 (1999) #30 is a good starting point for Spider-Man. It starts off with Peter at a particularly low point in his life -- his wife is in LA and they're not speaking, he needs a new job -- so you're not going to be thrown into the whole cast of the Bugle or all of his friends immediately. The run tends to focus very singularly on Peter, MJ, and Aunt May. (The first five-ish issues of it are also Spider-Man's take on Dracula and it's fun.) In general, I think its writer, J Michael Straczynski, has the strongest modern voice for Peter Parker, so the characterization is really good. Your mileage may vary on the art. I really like John Romita Jr's art, but he has a definitely style and you may or may not click with it.

(ASM v2 #31) Just as a warning, the second issue in this run does deal with a school shooting, if that's something you might to avoid. I think you could theoretically skip over it and be fine with the rest of the run.

Alternatively, you could start with a fairly standalone story like Kraven's Last Hunt, which is widely considered one of the best Spider-Man stories ever written. It's very good, but it's heavy -- for this one I have to warn for depictions of suicide, drug use, uh the cannibal rat man in the sewers (it's not his fault) -- you know, all that stuff. It's composed of alternating issues of n Web of Spider-Man #31–32, The Amazing Spider-Man #293–294, and Spectacular Spider-Man #131–132, so it might be easier to read in trade paperback form.

(Web of Spider-Man #32)

I'll be totally honest: with Spider-Man, it might be easier for me to recommend comics if you can give me an example of the kind of art you like, what Spider-Man characters you feel drawn to, or anything you want to avoid. (This could be specific topics or time periods -- I know a lot of people don't click with '60s and '70s comics, for example.)