#i wish we had more happy time of them all together ALIVE and bonding like the found family they are my poor witches

[end0r4]

Lilia and Alice being absolutely adorable together

+ sweet words

requested by @madamspellmans-met-tet

[lullabyes22-blog]

"I think the cycle only ends when you find the will to walk away."

Got a lot of Q's for this in my inbox. Figured I'd just address them here.

tw: mentions of suicide, suicidal ideation

Re: the ending of S2:

Jinx did not die.

She symbolically killed her old self, and with it, her last ties to the past that imprisoned her. She understood that for her sister to move on and live her life - be happy without guilt - she'd have to renounce the bonds that held them together.

Her talk with ghostly Silco was the 'sign-off' she'd been waiting for, ever his dutiful daughter. Throughout S2, she kept hoping he'd haunt her, and in doing so, offer some impetus given her aimlessness. Maybe just straight up boss her around, and tell her how she's supposed to exist now that he's no longer there to be a (subversive if loving) guiding hand.

But it was the promise of time (as represented by Ekko) healing old wounds, and the courage to feel, as she once had - a hopeful child with a hopeful future - that allowed Jinx to commit impetus to action.

Her blimp-ship in the climactic battle is a tribute to Isha - but also to the child in Jinx's own fractured psyche: Powder. She's letting both little girls have one last hurrah before she takes care of business - and cuts off the last oaths, duties and commitments that bind her to a past whose parameters she's outgrown.

Better still, she knows she's got the capacity to outgrow them.

That was the point of Jinx's arc with Isha, and why, no matter my misgivings on Isha's character herself, I found Jinx's trajectory towards a more nurturing and fun-loving figure more life-affirming and positive than the straightforward 'Daddy's Villain Goes Postal' shtick.

It's even why there's a minigame titled Jinx Fixes Everything. It's Jinx, struggling and stumbling, as she tries to rewrite her narrative, and finds in herself the capacity to do good.

To fix things that seem irreparably broken.

And to understand why she's reached this stage, we've got to let go of our tendency to project our own stuff onto Jinx (precious meow meow, unrepentant terrorist, manic pixie crazypants, edgy hot psycho) and acknowledge the purpose she plays in Arcane's thematic structure.

Jinx's character comes off as a death-seeker, and that's no shocker. She is hounded by terrible guilt and loss. She's got blood on her hands, and ghosts on her heels, and no matter what she does, she can't seem to be rid of them. Her inner mind's fractured, her mannerisms ooze pure chaos, and she seems a creature of pure feral impulse and no mercy.

That's the Jinx we're accustomed to seeing in S1 - except that's also both the front she's most likely to put on during that timeline, and the persona that is necessary for her to inhabit to survive, as Silco's daughter and his top enforcer.

Then Silco kicks the bucket, she symbolically fulfills his dream by shooting at the Council HQ, she accepts that she must inhabit this path of shadows and loneliness (as symbolized by her starkly decorated chair in the tea party scene), she accepts the fragmented push-and-pull between past and present, and...

And now what?

Silco's given her a semblance of direction for six years, and he's gone. Vi, the sister she'd hoped would return, and whom she'd hinged so many childishly idealized hopes on, is herself traumatized, and afraid of what her sister's become.

Jinx has her shadows and her loneliness. Jinx is traumatized. Jinx is suicidal.

But Jinx is still, whatever else, alive.

And all living things need connections.

That's why we as the audience enjoy her little found family dynamic with Isha and Sevika. It's Jinx, taking the first tentative steps to reach out to people beyond Silco and Vi, and realizing, wow, she enjoys the pay-off.

And all throughout S2, we see Jinx growing more and more comfortable in this newfound space - even jealously guarding it at the expense of Zaun's liberty, and Silco's wishes, because she can't bear to lose what she's found.

And what she finds empowers her enough that, when Warwick shows up, she's actually willing to reach out to Vi, and call upon their family connection, because Jinx is learning the value of bonds, not as baling hooks of guilt, but as buoys to carry her forward.

That's the story Jinx's relationships serve to tell in S2. Each one shapes the choice she makes in the finale. Until she learns to accept the past (Vi), to lay the monsters to rest (Silco and Vander/Warwick), forgive herself (Caitlyn) trust that time heals all wounds (Ekko), and hope for happier new beginning (Isha), she'll never trust herself enough to just seize the chance.

Jinx's culminating arc is not about death, much less self-erasure. It's about resurrection, and embracing the sublime chaos of a freed mind, and a lightened spirit. That's what she craves beyond simple death, and what her baptism by fire, blood and riverwater, has been about.

Each trial grinds her down into someone else. Someone new.

Someone closer to who she is meant to be, rather than who she's expected to be.

That's why she's so glad to make the sacrifice for Vi. She's not dying as an act of self-immolation. She's giving her sister - the one who's proven she'll never give up on her - the ultimate gift, and showing Vi that she deserves to live.

She needs Vi to live, so Jinx, the persona, can finally die.

"He (Silco) didn't make Jinx. You did."

She's basically saying, "I love you, I will always be with you, but you are no longer responsible for my actions. Please move forward with your life, and grant me the choice to do the same."

It's two sisters embracing everything they've meant to each other, acknowledging the pain weighing them down on both sides, and welcoming the new so they can each slough off old paradigms and live life as a whole person - or at least take steps to remembering what wholeness feels like.

That's the reason the show's final shots linger on the Hexgate tunnels, Jinx's monkey bomb, and the aircraft.

It's the show's way of reminding us that Jinx has ascended to a different version of her identity - one removed from the past that haunted her. It's Jinx, finally striking out alone, away from the sister whose memory she clung so desperately to, and who was, in turn, horrified by her hand in making Powder a monster (perceived guilt or real, fandom may debate ad nauseum) due to past mistakes and abandonment.

The ending of Arcane isn't tragic. It's deeply hopeful, and serves as a reminder that no matter how damaged you think you are, and no matter how monstrous the world finds you, there are still ways to come back to yourself - or to walk the path toward a new you.

Jinx is symbolized by crows. Jinx is shown with firelights emerging from her mouth. Jinx is depicted holding a torch like Janna ushering in the winds of change.

Thematically, Jinx is change.

And the best way she can embody that change is to write her story, and make it her own.

[reginalusus]

Just a sketch that I was too tired to finish... And since it's Father's Day I'm just gonna dump a bunch of my more silly (mostly) headcanons about their dynamic below, teehee.

General - They argue. A lot. About anything. Jason is the instigator. Harvey is almost always correct. - There has been a karaoke battle at some point. - They smoke far too much and smoke breaks are common occurrences during anti-hero outings. They are no longer mere breaks; they are rituals. - One of the only things they are comfortable openly bonding over is their alleged hatred of Bruce - and weapons. - Actually work very well together in combat. Jason's accurate, hard-hitting martial arts expertise and agility compliment Harvey's more elegant and violent approach. Gotham's scumbags are cooked. - They were both slain by Gotham, and reborn. They are now both living their second life - neither want to admit to each other that they find comfort that they're not alone in this. - They will take any opportunity to bring up each other's past interactions; the two-toned car, the two-story building fiasco, the kidnapping, anything. - Jason's biological father is the root cause of their most explosive, brutal fights. Both of them, however, are exhausted and have other shit to worry about, so they avoid this topic as best as they can.

Jason's POV - Teases Harvey about twos, duality and doubles to distract from the horrors. - When angry, will call Harvey 'Apollo' to piss him off. Sometimes it's 'Ex-District Attorney', with emphasis on the 'Ex'. - He doesn't like it very much when Harvey attempts to get close/connect with him; relationships are transactional. At least that's how Jason views them. - Hates being passenger in Harvey's car because he doesn't get any say over the radio. - He does view Harvey as a parental figure, or something like it, but he's conflicted. - Actually appreciates it when Harvey helps him through PTSD episodes. - Sadly, he isn't very good at helping Harvey through dissociation/depressive episodes yet. He sort of stands there like the man emoji. - Will randomly come out with courtroom related lines when Harvey does something bad, like: "Your honour, my client would like to plead Gemini," or "Your honour, in my client's defence, he didn't know the safety lock was off." - Makes jokes about Harvey's thugs all wanting to have 'a night' with Harvey. - Absolutely refuses to call Harvey "dad", even jokingly. He will have sightseen everything in Hell before that happens. - But at the same time he cries out for a father figure, one that is proud of him, that loves him. He secretly loves it when Harvey pats his shoulder or gives an approving nod.

Harvey's POV - Will make jokes about Jason being alive again to distract from the horrors. - When angry, calls Jason 'Robin' or 'Pup' (name of a baby bat) to piss him off. - Tries to bond with Jason - he *wants* to - but he's a big dumbass about it. - Does not understand Jason's music taste and doesn't have any desire to. - Views Jason as the child he never had the chance to have. In a sense, that makes him quite protective of Jason, but he hides this. He tries desperately not to be like his own father. - Is quite good at understanding Jason's emotions; he knows how to deal with his attacks and does, begrudgingly, use tips he learned from his previous therapists. - Doesn't wish to burden Jason with his own episodes. Unfortunately it's not always possible to hide them. - Just as Jason tortures him with puns, Harvey will do it right back. He'll come out with things like, "We only put up with you because you were the SECOND Robin," or "How would you like to die a second time?" - He will stand and stare awkwardly when Jason brings (sneaks) lovers back to the hideout. But he minds his business. - May have accidentally called Jason his son a few times. Or his "kid". But not to Jason directly, only in his talks between himself and Two-Face. - He likes seeing Jason happy. So many kids and young people are let down by Gotham's corruption and he'll be damned if Jason becomes a victim of it (again).

[doumadono]

A toast to the past - Dabi x Reader

Warnings: a lot of sadness, grieving

Synopsis: some bonds and moments never truly die, no matter how much time passes. This is what you've learned not only from the League of Villains, but mostly from Dabi himself

A/N: as we say goodbye to 2024, I want to take a moment to wish you all a very Happy New Year, filled with good health and an abundance of positive energy. A huge thank you to everyone who has taken the time to visit my blog, read my stories, or offer the support - your kindness means the world to me. I’m looking forward to welcoming the new year and sharing even more with all of you. Here's to more adventures together in 2025!

MY HERO ACADEMIA MASTERLIST - PART II

The icy wind gnawed at the edges of the dilapidated bar, rattling loose boards and curling under the gap at the door. The League of Villains’ ramshackle hideout wasn’t exactly the place one might expect to find themselves celebrating. It wasn’t often the League found a reason to celebrate, but tonight was an exception. New Year’s Eve was as good a reason as any to drag out the stolen liquor, laugh a little too loudly, and forget - if only for a few hours - about the vain world of heroes that loomed outside.

Yet, the hideout was alive with chaos. 

Spinner had begrudgingly joined Twice and Toga in their frantic attempts to decorate, though the results were predictably awful - streamers dangled half-heartedly from the ceiling, and a mismatched assortment of paper lanterns cast flickering light across the room.

Mr. Compress sipped his drink, attempting to draw Giran into the conversation.

Shigaraki, for once, seemed to tolerate the festive atmosphere, though he sat hunched in his chair, lazily swirling a glass of a cheap champagne, scratching idly at his neck and glaring at anyone who came too close, his Switch laying on his lap.

Kurogiri had been busy behind the scenes, thoughtfully preparing colorful drinks for everyone. He made sure to mix several non-alcoholic ones, particularly for Toga, knowing she would enjoy them without the risk of getting drunk.  He'd always kept an eye on her, knowing well that she could easily lose control if left unchecked, just like Tomura. At the same time, he carefully prepared extra shots for Shigaraki, who had openly mentioned earlier that he wanted to get wasted to dull the unbearable itching sensation crawling beneath his skin. Kurogiri had always been attentive, and tonight, he was doing what he could to ease the discomfort of his comrades, in his own quiet, efficient way.

And then there was Dabi.

The black-haired man, as usual, lingered on the outskirts of the noise, a silent observer. He stood by the window, cigarette in hand, eyes half-lidded as the faint orange glow reflected off the sharp planes of his face. The scarred corners of his lips twitched occasionally as he watched the others, though whether in amusement or annoyance, it was hard to tell.

It was a strange thing, this party. A group like yours wasn’t exactly built for celebrations. You were all too fractured, too worn by the world to embrace something as frivolous as joy. And yet, here you all were, crammed into this shabby room with mismatched streamers hanging crookedly from the ceiling.

"Five minutes to midnight!" Toga announced, clapping her hands together with a giddy grin. She darted to Twice, who was balancing a precarious tower of plastic cups, and immediately knocked it over in her excitement.

"You little menace!" Twice cried, his tone swinging wildly between indignant and adoring.

It was impossible not to laugh. Even Shigaraki's lips twitched in the ghost of a smirk before he buried his face back in his hands.

You glanced at Dabi, who hadn't moved from his spot by the window. Smoke curled lazily around his head, his expression unreadable. Something about his stillness drew you in like gravity, and before you realized it, you were walking toward him.

"You're missing the party," you teased, stopping just short of leaning against the same wall.

He exhaled slowly, his gaze flicking to you. "Looks like I'm not the only one."

"Fair," you admitted with a small smile. “But you’re really going to sulk through New Year’s?” You leaned your hip against the wall, tilting your head as you studied him.

“Sulking implies I care,” Dabi shot back, but the retort lacked its usual venom.

The countdown began, Toga’s voice leading the charge. “Ten! Nine!”

As the countdown began, the League’s mismatched voices filled the air, a cacophony of excitement and half-hearted participation.

Dabi didn’t move. He didn’t turn to the others, didn’t even glance at the clock. His gaze remained on you, sharp and heavy.

“Eight! Seven!”

“You’re staring,” you said softly, though your tone lacked any real accusation.

His lips twitched into something that might have been a smirk. “So are you.”

“Six! Five!”

You opened your mouth to respond, but the words caught in your throat as he took a step closer. He stopped just a breath away, close enough that you could feel the heat radiating from him despite the chill that crept through the cracks in the walls. His hand came up to cup your cheek, rough fingers brushing against your skin with a surprising gentleness that made your breath hitch.

“Four! Three!”

The noise around you faded into nothing, the room dissolving into a blur as his thumb traced along your lower lip.

“Two! One! Happy New Year!”

The room erupted into cheers, Toga’s high-pitched squeal cutting through the din as the others toasted and clapped, but none of it reached you. 

Dabi leaned in, his lips crashed against yours. It wasn’t soft or tentative - he wasn’t the kind of man for that. Dabi’s lips were firm, his touch possessive, the kiss rough and consuming. The heat of him, the faint taste of smoke on his lips, made your knees weak, and you clung to him as though letting go wasn’t an option.

The world seemed to pause, time itself holding its breath as the moment stretched. 

Dabi pulled back, his forehead resting against yours for a moment. His breath ghosted over your lips as he muttered, “Happy New Year, doll.”

Before you could respond, Toga’s delighted giggles shattered the moment. “Dabi kissed Y/N! I knew he would!” she crowed, clapping her hands in glee.

Twice let out a loud, exaggerated whistle. “Didn’t see that coming. Well, maybe I did. No, I definitely didn’t!”

Even Shigaraki seemed momentarily stunned, though he quickly muttered something about idiots and looked away.

Spinner groaned, muttering something about how he couldn’t believe he was spending his New Year with these people.

Compress raised a toast to the unexpected romance, and Twice fumbled with the camera app on his phone to snap a blurry picture. 

But none of it mattered. 

All that existed in that moment was the way Dabi looked at you as though the world had narrowed to just the two of you.

“Alright, show’s over,” the black-haired man groaned, shooting a pointed glare at Toga before grabbing your wrist and tugging you toward the door, leading you straight to his bedroom.

The night passed in a blur of heated whispers and shared warmth, his body a steady presence against yours as you made love for hours. The two of you stayed wrapped around each other long after the world outside went quiet. Dabi’s arm draped over your waist, his breath steady and warm against your shoulder. Neither of you spoke, content to exist in the stillness, in the rare, fragile peace of the moment.

The memory still lived in your heart, as vivid and searing as if it had happened yesterday. The hideout filled with laughter and chaos, Toga’s delighted clapping, Twice’s off-key singing, and the way Dabi’s lips pressed against yours at the stroke of midnight - it was a fleeting moment of happiness in a world that had given you so little.

But that was last year. That New Year’s Eve was the last you all spent together.

Everything changed after that night. The war came, tearing through your lives like a storm, leaving devastation in its wake. Too many lives were claimed, too many futures snuffed out. The League, the world, you - it all fractured, irreparably changed by the battles fought and the losses endured.

Now, you sat cross-legged in the grass, the late afternoon sun warm against your shoulders. A simple summer dress clung to your frame, and a gentle breeze whispered through the trees, carrying the faint scent of wildflowers. In your lap was a handmade bowl of soba, steam curling lazily into the air.

“I started a job last week,” you said, your voice soft but steady. “It’s nothing glamorous, just working in the back of a diner. Washing dishes, peeling vegetables, that sort of thing. It’s hard, y’know? People don’t exactly trust someone with a past like mine.” You picked at the soba with your chopsticks, twirling the noodles idly. “People stare. They always do. Even when they don’t recognize me, they can tell there’s something off, like they can smell the smoke that clings to me. I can’t blame them. It’s not like I’ll ever really blend in.” You laughed softly, though the sound was hollow. “It’s funny,” you continued, wiping your cheek where a tear had fallen unnoticed. “The normal life we used to joke about… it’s so much harder than I thought it’d be. People don’t smile much, not really. And some days, it’s like I’m invisible. Maybe it’s better that way.” 

You held the bowl tighter, your knuckles white against the handmade ceramic. “I brought this for you,” you offered, shifting slightly to place the bowl in the grass. “You probably would’ve made some snarky comment about how it’s not your style, but I thought… I thought you might like it anyway.”

The words caught in your throat, and before you could stop them, the tears came - hot and relentless, spilling down your cheeks as though the dam you’d built over the past year had finally broken. You didn’t bother wiping them away. What was the point?

It took everything in you to get here. Reaching out to the Todoroki family - people you’d once thought of as enemies - had been harder than you could have imagined. But you needed to know where he was, where they’d laid him to rest. You couldn’t keep carrying the weight of his absence without a place to grieve.

The breeze shifted, and for a moment, it seemed to carry a faint, fleeting scent of fire - charcoal and smoke. It wrapped around you like an embrace, stirring the strands of your hair. It was fleeting, barely there, but it made you pause. Slowly, your lips curved into a small, trembling smile. “You’re listening, aren’t you?” you whispered, wiping at your face. “You always were good at pretending not to care.”

What you didn’t know - what you couldn’t know - was that he was sitting right there, just as you’d imagined. His spirit leaned against the gravestone, one knee drawn up, his chin resting lazily on it. He was watching you, his pale eyes filled with a mixture of longing and sorrow. He reached out, his fingers ghosting over your cheek, aching to wipe away your tears. But it was futile, of course. You were here, in the world of the living, and he was there, trapped in the world of the dead. Dabi whispered, “Stop crying, doll. You’ll ruin your pretty face.” But the words faded into the breeze, unheard and unspoken.

He watched you carefully: the way your hands trembled slightly as you set the bowl down, the way your lips quivered as you spoke his name, the way your tears reflected the light of the setting sun.

You couldn’t see the way his jaw clenched, the frustration in his eyes as his hand passed through you like mist. The space between your worlds was too vast, and all he could do was sit and observe.

You didn’t know he was there, couldn’t feel the weight of his gaze or the ghostly touch of his hand. “I miss you,” you whispered, your voice trembling as you rested a hand on the cold stone. “Every day, Touya.”

He closed his eyes, his head tilting back against the gravestone as if to steady himself. The scars on his face softened in the glow of the afternoon sun, and for a moment, he looked almost at peace. “I miss you too,” he whispered, though the words were meant only for himself.

The sun dipped lower on the horizon, casting long shadows across the cemetery. Your fingers brushed over the gravestone, tracing the letters carved into the cold stone: Touya Todoroki. The breeze swirled again, wrapping around you like an embrace. It felt warm, comforting, almost like him.

“I miss all of you. Toga, Tomura… even Twice and his constant grumbling.” You laughed weakly, but the sound was hollow. “The world’s quieter now, but it doesn’t feel better. It feels empty.” And with that, you sobbed more. “I’m sorry,” you choked out, your voice trembling. “I’m sorry I couldn’t do more. I’m sorry I couldn’t save any of you. I’m so fucking sorry…”

When you finally stood  and brushed the grass from your dress, you glanced back at the tombstone one last time. “I’ll keep going,” you whispered, your voice shaky but resolute. “For you. For all of you. I promise. I promise I won’t let go. I’ll never forget you. And you guys will always live in my heart.”

He watched you turn to leave, his gaze lingering on you as if memorizing every detail - the way the sunlight caught the strands of your hair, the way your shoulders straightened even under the weight of your grief, and a faint smile crossed his lips as his scarred hand rested on the top of the tombstone. “We all know that, doll,” he murmured, his voice soft and low. “Live the life we weren’t destined to have. And don’t forget - I’ll love you forever.”

As the wind swept through the graveyard once more, Dabi’s spirit winnowed like mist under the light of a chilly morning, fading into the air that surrounded you. And a promise, carried on the breeze, was as eternal as the love he left behind.

tagging: @pixelcafe-network

[m9rtality]

I don't smoke

SYNOPSIS ; You think you're inlove with a man that's inlove with another, until you meet him.

CONTENT WARNING — Angst, symbiotic relationship (not being inlove, depending on eachother for emotional stability), major character death.

GENRE — Angst

“If you need to be mean”

I smiled painfully as I watched my boyfriend with his best friend, Gojo Satoru. I knew they were in love, it was so unbelievably obvious by the way they looked at each other. I knew it’d never be the one that own his heart but I was okay with being his second place. There’s a lot of things about Gojo Satoru that I could never compare with, he’s strong and smart but also has playful aspects and his personality is one of a kind. I’ll never be Gojo so I’ll be the next best thing, or at least I’ll try to be.

I sat at the bar while Shoko flirted with the bar tender while Gojo and Suguru danced together with drinks in their hands, Suguru was smiling bright than he ever did with me, when he looked at Satoru, his Satoru I could see the overwhelming look of love in his eyes. I wish he looked at me that way, yeah he loved me but never like how he loved his soulmate, his other half. The one person he wanted the most, he couldn't have so I was what he settled for.

“Be mean to me.”

I comforted Suguru in his depressive state, when he was at his weakest I was always there for him. I promised Gojo and Shoko that I’d always be there for him, no matter what type of mental state I’m in he will always come first. I didn’t mind because I loved him, Suguru was my soulmate but I was not his, and I was okay with that. At least I think I am.

I wish I could have Suguru all to myself, but he brought home two sweet girls named Nanako and Mimiko. I loved them dearly and I thought of them as my own daughters and it was obvious that Suguru felt the same way but never actually showed it. The girls worshiped him and it was sweet of how they looked up to him.

“I can take it and put it inside of me”

I stood by my fiancee’s side, I didn't agree with his beliefs but I stood by him anyways because that’s my job as his spouse. I stood by him as he wanted to get rid of all non-sorcerers, I stood by him during that entire time because I told him no matter how evil he became I’d always be on his side. I promised the girls that no matter what their father did he was a good man and he loved them more than life itself even if he never told him that because I knew he felt that way.

I was a sorcerer so Suguru kept me alive, but I missed the man I met before we got married. I missed how happy he was even if it wasn’t because of me. I missed when he cuddled me and kissed me, even if he belonged with another he still loved me and I missed when he showed me that. He now barely even touched me, kisses were more rare than seeing him because he was always saving non-sorcerers from curses then speaking horribly about them to Nanako and Mimiko.

“If your hands need to break”

I felt my heart shatter when I heard my husband had died. I couldn’t believe what I was being told by the man my husband loved, the man my husband loved more than me telling me that my husband, my lover is dead. The man my husband would always choose over me had killed my husband for ‘the greater good’ and now here I was holding him in my arms as we cried together over the man we had an shared love for, a man we both wanted but was fated to never belong to us.

I never expected that Satoru and I would bond over the man we loved, that we’d bond over the shared pain we had after loosing him. I never expected that I’d be continuing becoming a sorcerer just because Satoru had convinced me it’d be fun and I could teach the students with him.

“More than trinkets in your room”

I never thought that I’d be okay after Suguru died, I never thought I’d be happy without him but I feel horrible to say that I’m glad I’m away from him because I’ve never felt happier. I don’t have to deal with the pressure of walking on eggshells around him because I don’t know which version of my husband I’d get, I love Suguru and he’d never hurt me but he’d yell so much and I finally feel free.

I loved my husband but I’ve never felt happier without him and that makes me hate myself, but I shouldn’t. Satoru helped me accept myself, he helped me learn how to accept Suguru’s death and not let that make me end up like him. I never thought I’d fall in love with anyone that wasn’t Suguru, but here I was catching feelings for Nanami, I went to school with him at Jujutsu high but I never spoke with him much and now here I was, giggling and laughing while Nanami and I did cleaned the messy classroom after the 1st years chaos.

“You can lean on my arm”

I leaned on Nanami’s arm after a long day of teaching. I never felt happier than I did with Nanami, I thought I was in love with Suguru but I don’t think I ever was. I think it was just a Symbiotic relationship because we may have kissed, touched each other but that was only when we were in a bad state of mind or needed emotional support.

All the times we exchanged I love yous were simply a lie because I never loved Suguru and he never loved me, but I’m happy that I got time with him. I’m happy I was in his life an he was in mine. But I’m happy I lost him because now I know what it means to be in love and be happy, I’m finally happy.

“As you break my heart”

Everything went so fast. I was on a mission with Yuuji and Nobara and now I’m laying in my sweet student’s arms while they cried for me to keep fighting, for just a little bit longer. Yuuji said he’d get help and I’d be okay, Nobara repeated that Nanami will be happy to see me again. I could tell Nobara was trying her very best to get Yuuji to accept the fact that I was dying.

“I’m so proud of you two.. You both are so strong.” I said softly as I felt my vision slowly getting blurry and fading to black.

I never would’ve thought this would be how my life turned out, but I’m glad it did. I’m glad I was the way I am and I have no regrets in my life, I just wish I could’ve seen my sweet girls one more time. I haven't seen them since Suguru’s death and I wish I could see my girls one last time.

“Mommy?..” “Mama!..”

“Nanako?.. Mimiko.. You two shouldn’t be here."

[springtiide]

‼️ long post alert OH BOY

Being transgender is hard, especially in countries like the US or in the Middle East, but I’m doing my best to look not at everything we risk by being transgender, openly or otherwise, but instead look at the wonderful experiences we gain. Here are some of my favorite things about being trans (I’m ftm, so some of these may be transmasc specific!):

Gender euphoria is an obvious one, but!! I’m so serious! Getting gender euphoria from tiny things especially. Taking my T shot and putting on ✨ dinosaur footprint bandaids ✨ (so boy core), my dad cutting my hair for me when it grows out too much, finding new and creative ways to bind more comfortably, and the realization that the dysphoria has finally begun to not get worse, and has instead begun to get better.

Having the experiences of two sexes! I am a man, I identify as male, but I’ve had the same experiences many young girls have all the same, and I don’t see that as a detriment! I feel like I can be so much more open minded, so much more understanding, and as someone who wants to be a therapist, being able to do that is monumental. It’s hard some days, but I like trying to embrace the “”girly”” parts of my childhood too, even though I was lucky enough to not be super confined to my past gender role as a kid by my family.

Doing things as a boy. Full stop. Baking, cooking, sewing, drawing. Doesn’t matter how simple. It is now my boy activity to do as boy. I’m not saying these are boy exclusive activities, but that they hit different when I participate in them as my preferred gender!! /pos

Being able to be gay in a relationship with men. I love my boyfriend so much, he is fantastic.

The bonus hole™️

Getting to truly own my body at the end of the day and really call it “home”. Getting to mold it to fit what I love and who I am. Understanding that my old body was not a bad one, but my new one is so much more me. And I did that. Maybe I won’t make the incision when I get top surgery, but I will guide the cut, and when it’s all said and done, my body will be really and truly mine.

The journey. I love the journey. It’s not easy. Sometimes it sucks. Sometimes I wish I was just cis. But I’ve met so many wonderful people through this journey, and formed bonds that would take the weight of mountains to shatter. I’ve experienced the joys of starting HRT. Of getting my name changed. Of getting “M” on my drivers license for the first time. So many things that cis people take for granted—a deep voice, matching genitals, etc—but also things that they will never get to experience, that are exclusive to trans people. I love that my experience is unique in that way.

Giving advice to other trans individuals. Being able to tell them it will be okay. Passing forward the knowledge that was passed down to me from so many trans people and allies before me. Protecting trans kids and giving them hope.

Comparing my experiences to trans people on the other end of the spectrum! I love it when trans mascs and trans fems trade experiences. When they help each other, and laugh together, and get along. I love my MTF friends and I love so much that the girlhood that didn’t suit me makes them so, so happy. Love the girlies out there and I wish you all the femininity you desire, or masculinity if that’s more your speed! Masc women are awesome too 😎👏

Being alive in a time when, even though things aren’t perfect, I still have spaces to be myself, and still have spaces where I know I am loved. That can’t be taken for granted and can’t be forgotten, especially today.

Never forget that you are loved, if not by anyone in your life, then by ME, goddamnit. And never forget that your experience is beautiful, worthwhile, and deserves to be listened to. Even the rough patches. Especially the rough patches. But for today, If anyone else wants to share their top five or top ten or even their one positive trans experience I would love to hear. I at least could use some more positivity right now!

🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈✨

[hanafubukki]

Okay so. At some point soon Malleus is going to feel guilty and hate himself just for existing because if he hadn’t been born then Lilia wouldn’t be dying, and Silver wouldn’t be crying, at least that’s what he would think. And then Lilia would get mad at him for thinking about himself like that. And Malleus tells him in tears that he should’ve just left him to die in his egg so he wouldn’t have to live the rest of his life alone and without his family…and then they hug and Lilia promises that Malleus will find something to live for…..just like he did…

(Yana make this happen)

Hello Fruity 🌺🌷💚

Oh Fruity, the day we get that cutscene!! I will never shut up. Only tumblr post limit will stop me 🔥💚

The day we get that inner monologue and we see all the inner pain Malleus had to go through. The centuries of loneliness.

How he wishes he was dead because his birth was what caused his loved ones pain (sounds familiar doesn’t it?!? See the hundreds of ways I can cry!!).

His parents wouldn’t be dead, Lilia wouldn’t have lost his best friends or been exiled/insulted, his grandmother wouldn’t have lost her daughter, and Silver wouldn’t be loosing his father!!

He should have just died while he was in that egg, at least that way, Silver and Lilia would have more time together.

What was the point of living? If he lost everyone in the end? What was the point of this magic if he was so useless??

(The fact he refers to himself as useless, this fae that loves Lilia and Silver, helped raise Silver, taught Silver and Sebek magic, helped at the VDC, saved Vil, etc). 😭😭😭

How Lilia was his only light at that lonely castle and then when he was finally old enough and strong enough, that cottage was his home because the inhabitants there was family to him, and how those lonely years were bearable because he had Lilia, Silver, and Sebek at the end of the tunnel.

How Lilia visiting him with gifts and making him shaved ice made life worth living.

How holding little Silver and seeing him grow made him happy and seeing how Sebek and Silver cared compassionately brought him joy.

His family.

That family is breaking right in front of his eyes: Lilia leaving and Silver crying.

And he can’t help them, but to find out he’s the reason for Lilia dying? For him loosing his magic and running away?

The source of torment? It’s true what everyone has been saying, he truly is a villain isn’t he?

And I want Lilia to just be furious! To tell him that’s not true! Hug him and tell him how loved Malleus truly is. And how he held on during exile because he knew that Malleus was alive. How him hatching was really his happiest moment and how much he loves him.

And that’s why, Malleus too will learn and make bonds. And this is his gift to Malleus. Their gift to him.

Lilia learned he can love because of Malleus, he changed because of him, and that is what Lilia wants for him.

For him to make many bonds and for him to love, as he has loved Lilia, Silver, and Sebek. Because that was the greatest gift Lilia has ever received. The love he got from his boys.

And Malleus will live a long life being able to form these bonds and connections and how, no matter how long, they will always be with him.

Always.

Because that’s what love is, isn’t it?

Everlasting.

(Yana please, please yana please 🙏🙏🤝)

[sage-nebula]

since we're now three episodes into Mega Voltage, I'm going to make a little likes and dislikes list to sort out my feelings thus far. I'm going to put it under a cut though, for anyone who doesn't want to see the dislikes.

Likes:

-- The timeskip designs. Liko's in particular I feel is the strongest. It's a clearly older, more mature look while not deviating too much from her previous fashion sense. The others I have varying opinions on, but Liko's is really strong.

-- I really enjoy how we've seen Liko's adaptability and strength for strategy continue to grow, particularly in ep 91. Long, long before we ever had Meowscarada, I had thought of combining Double Team with Flower Trick in order to create illusions of multiple bombs for diversionary tactics. I'm pleased to see that Double Team isn't even needed for that to take effect.

-- I like that the main plot seems to be centered around Rakurium, picking up where we left off, as well as touching upon the negative perception the world now has of the Rising Volt Tacklers. I'd be gutted if we were stuck with another "let's wander around and train" arc, so I'm glad that's not the case, even though both Liko and Dot need access to mega evolution.

-- I like that we can see that Liko in particular is clearly affected by what happened, given the flashbacks that she keeps having to what went down in Rakua. It makes sense that there would be trauma, and while it's clear the show doesn't want to linger too much on it, I'm glad that we're at least getting some of it.

Dislikes:

-- Uruto. He's annoying. Hopefully he gets better but right now I really wish he wasn't here and don't see a real use for him.

-- I already had a lot of trepidation going into this arc about how they were putting Cap on Roy's team, and three episodes in, I'm not really feeling any better about it! The best consolation I have is that the magazine spread specifically named Cap as Friede's partner, wondering where Friede is (and the visual metaphor with the goggles). But even the bit where everyone was together in the ending sequence had Cap on Roy's table, with Roy's pokémon, despite Friede still being alive. (Arguably it was to show how separated Friede and Charizard are from the rest, but it really wasn't needed in a scene that allegedly took place in the past.) Additionally, it would be one thing if he was with Roy when it was just the two of them, but then spread his time equally between Roy and Liko; but he didn't even interact with Liko once in episode 92. All of that, combined with him taking commands in battle like Roy really is his partner now (instead of him doing his own thing like I'd hoped) . . . yeah, I don't like it! It really, really bothers me and I don't like it at all. If this series ends with either an alive Friede passing Cap onto Roy, or Friede being dead when all is said and done and Cap staying with Roy because of that, I really won't be a happy camper.

-- This is petty, but I really hate the music they're using for mega evolution in this series. It honestly just sounds like a bunch of noise. The theme from the Ashime was much better, and for Alan mega evolving Lizardon specifically they often used the Keldeo theme from one of the movies, to the point where this uploader thought it was Alan's theme (and I thought so too for awhile) . . . like, listen to that and tell me it's not so much more beautiful and more fitting to showcase the ultimate bond between trainer and pokémon . . . but then again, Alan's mega evolution invocation was deserving of Keldeo's theme ("Key Stone, respond to my heart . . .") whereas . . .

-- Why do Roy's and Uruto's mega evolution invocations suck so bad. Both of them are just talking about power in their invocations, and that's not the point of mega evolution! That's not what it's about! And like, I could get it for Uruto, but Roy? His terastal invocation showed no hint that power would be all he'd care about for mega evolution. No wonder his Lucario seems to have no personality. Why bother to give it one when the only reason he has it is for game promotion / power? Christ. Fucksake. Liko and Dot better get better invocations when they get access to mega evolution (and they BETTER get access to mega evolution) or so help me god.

-- I understand that they're really wanting to promote mega evolution right now because of Legends Z-A, but I really hated how, in episode 92, the battle against the Rakurium-crazed steelix ended only when the boys got to show off their super strong powers while Liko and Dot just got to stand back and watch 🙃 Considering Liko was the focal protagonist before this point, + the fact that it's the boys taking care of things while the girls stand back and watch, it's pretty bad optics! It's not great!

-- For all the weight that was put into Pagogo being stuck in his ball for a year, and how that weighed on Liko, I think he woke up way too damn early. Like okay, there's that angst solved in episode three! I guess we at least still have the Friede angst (and now the Amethio angst for people who care about him), but considering no one has touched on that at all except for the visual metaphor of Cap wearing his goggles and Roy saying that they "got separated from one of [their] crew members when leaving Rakua" . . . it's not doing too much for me right now.

-- I get that the RVTs allegedly disbanded, but Murdock, Orio, Mollie, and Landau aren't dead (or believed to be). So why can't we get an update on them? I would rather hear from them than Uruto.

-- Get Dot out of her room and away from her computer. I know it'll happen eventually, given the updated design, but yeah, I don't like her just being the man in the chair right now.

-- Speaking of designs . . . I wish Roy's new look wasn't copping Friede's style so much (especially if they're not going to comment on it), and instead felt more like him. Roy already struggled with identity, IMO, given that his characterization has always been very reminiscent of how Ash was written post-OS. (I would go so far as to say post-DP, even . . . OS!Ash was a particular flavor of brat that was delightful, but his characterization in AG and DP still felt like that to a degree, just more mature. They didn't start resetting his characterization every saga until BW, and outside of XY(Z) they mostly settled on enthusiastic, battle-hungry kid character that they carried through with Roy, I think to try to get Ashime fans on board with the new series given how different Liko is.)

Anyway, before that parenthetical tangent -- Roy already struggled with identity issues in making him his own character, and while his personality is feeling more similar to XY(Z) Ash now (more mature and reliable), making him emulate Friede in terms of that vest is . . . not helping. I want Roy to be more of his own person, and if that was something I thought they were intentionally exploring I'd be on board, but it really doesn't seem to be.

The other design complaint is Dot's headphones. Girl, put that fucking cord in your pocket where it belongs.

Overall, I have a lot of discontent with Arc 5 right now, to the point where I feel actively bothered while watching the new episodes. I'm sticking with them because I'm invested in the main plot (and I need to know what happened to Friede; like I know realistically his insides would have been liquiified at best upon contact with the ground and it's very likely limbs would have been separated from his body upon impact, but this is not a realistic anime and so I'm sure he somehow survived), and I'm hoping that the things that are bothering me end up not being issues in the end / get fixed. After all, the boredom of Arc 3 was followed by the banger that was Arc 4, so hopefully all is not lost.

But if Liko and Dot get left out of mega evolution so that the boys can steal the show for the whole arc I swear to god I will mcfuckin lose it.

[shady-scripter]

Zag and Achilles bonding?? Father and son?? The lights of my life??

Also zag teasing Achilles about his husbannndddd heheh

The River Styx Promise

(I know you sent this a while a while ago, but I just had an idea for them so it’s here now😌)

Everytime he looked at him, he remembered that he had a son. A son that never knew his father. He was a father that will never know his son.

Maybe Zagreus knew that. Maybe it was the way he talked to him or the way he never went fully onto Zagreus when he was teaching him.

After all, he was Aristos Achaion, Greatest of the Greeks. He was the strongest of his generation. He didn’t want to hurt Zagreus.

Achilles, son of Peleus and the nymph Thetis. Known for his famous rage. Known for dragging a corpse around the walls it should have been buried or burned in.

Achilles, the man who’s hubris cost him the love of his life. Achilles, lover of Patroclus. Achilles, father of Neoptolemus. Achilles, mentor of the son of Hades.

He didn’t have his spear with him this time. Zagreus had found the twin fists, Malphon. They were essentially gloves, so he thought that him wielding a long ranged weapon wouldn’t truly be a good way of training.

Zagreus moved with a precision like his own. Though, unlike Achilles, who’s battle prowess came from how nimble he was, Zagreus’s strength was in his arms.

Achilles didn’t finish training untouched. Zagreus had gotten a few good hits in, creating dark purple blotches on his form.

While Zagreus caught his breath, Achilles took off his cape and shirt, leaving him with only his bottom. Zagreus had paused then.

“You have bruises?” The question came out as if the boy was quizzing him. “I thought…”

“You’re right, lad. Shades shouldn’t bruise. However, I am, more or less, closer to being alive than most shades,” Achilles said, taking a seat on the floor next to the Prince.

Zagreus’s eyebrows furrowed as he stared at his water. “Is something wrong?” Achilles tried his best to study him.

“I will get you back together.”

Achilles gulped. “My Prince, you shouldn’t meddle with-“

“I promise-“

“Lad?”

“-on the-“ Achilles covered his mouth so fast, a loud smack echoed off the walls. Zagreus groaned under Achilles’s hand.

“Do not ever promise anything on the Styx!” His voice rose louder than it has in a while. “Or you will curse yourself!”

Zagreus shoved his mentor’s hand away. “I mean it!”

“We mean a lot of things!” Memories of holding a hand on top of a mountain, staring off into the sunset, flashed behind the shade’s vision. A memory of a promise. A promise that put them both in this mess in the first place. “But we can’t keep every promise we make. No matter how much you wish you could, some things just won’t happen. The fates do not ordain them.”

Zagreus hugged his knees, pulling them to his chest. “What was it?”

“What?” His eyebrows furrowed.

“What did you promise?”

A breath caught in Achilles’s throat. He let out a dry laugh and looked down at the colorful tiles that created a picture on the floor. A picture depicting a skull that looked to be screaming.

“I was a kid. Seventeen, I think. I’m not sure, but I was still training with Chiron on Pelion.” Achilles sighed, the centaurs form passed in his mind. “It was there that I promised Patroclus that I would marry him.” He let out a dry laugh. “I told him that I would live happy with him in the end. I thought I would.”

Achilles turned to face Zagreus, a look of worry on his face. “Zagreus, my prince, please know this. They never let you be famous and happy. Something always happens to heroes. I should have known that I would be no different.”

“I don’t want to be a hero. I want to find my mother.” Zagreus huffed.

“You don’t sound that way. You free Orpheus, reunite him with his love. Now you try the same with me. You must focus on your mother, not those around you.”

“I just want to help.”

“So did Theseus.”

“Do not compare me to that guy!” Achilles laughed. A real laugh. Zagreus joined, but died down soon enough.

“I’m sorry for scaring you,” Zagreus nearly whispered. Achilles patted his shoulder.

“It’s fine.” He hummed and stood on his feet. “How about we resume practice?” Achilles held out his hand. Zagreus smiled and put the twin fists back on. Then he took his mentor’s hand.

“You’re on.”

[safely-in-vhagars-belly]

Vhagar's diary (The Point of view of a dragon) ((Slight spoof)

This fanfic has been dedicated to my friends, who told me to start writing and to kinda dont give a f what people think about it, tbf people will always moan.

The majestic dragon Vhagar shares her story, in a exclusive interview/tell all biography. What does she remember and what can she tell us about the past? What do we know? Vhagar tells all is part of a mini series featuring three parts of Vhagars life leading up to house of the dragon, with her ...unique thoughts and perspective!

I have always been a simple, elegant and well-educated dragon. I was born at Dragon Stone, which would become the ancestral seat of the Targaryens. The Targaryen family has plagued me for as long as I’ve been alive. From the very moment I hatched, I was wary and paranoid of those white-haired people. It was very clear to me, as with any other sane soul, that there was something incredibly wrong with them. So, naturally: I felt right at home in their presence!

I could hear the swords clash whenever Aegon, Visenya and Rhaenys were around. I could smell the sweet smell of blood whenever they were near and feel the fire burn in their veins, yes all that is true. But I must admit that I never felt more comfortable as I did at Dragonstone. It is perhaps a bit childish, but I hatched there. It shall always be my home.

What did I think of the three conquerors personally? Aegon smelled funny. He smelled like cattle and he had a big dragon called Balerion. Aegon was a true Targaryen in name, and birthright, and shared this wonderful bloodthirsty mind that befitted a Targaryen. He also gave me treats whenever Visenya would look away. Aegon married both Rhaenys and Visenya, for some reason I as a dragon quite don’t understand. But he preferred Rhaenys over Visenya, unfortunately. 

It was difficult for me when he died, I’ll admit it. I wish I had killed him for the pain he inflicted on Visenya. That will forever be my greatest regret, dear reader. I lit his funeral pyre, but I must admit it is no fun lighting a corpse that has been killed by a better, clever and stronger someone before you.

Rhaenys was a sweet boring woman and therefore never interested me, personally. But as Visenya’s first soldier, loyal servant and beloved pet I had to see and watch how Aegon treated Rhaenys and Visenya and let me tell you it was so difficult to not breathe fire at each of them whenever i saw them together.

Visenya. Visenya was the cleverest sweetest most generous and greatest woman that ever lived and shall ever live, mark my words and count my scales! From the moment we bonded, I knew, that woman was a special soul, like me. I could tell, because these are my words, so you have to either buy them, or leave it. 

I remember after she and I bonded; she did a victory ride, with me, soaring through the skies. I never had been bonded before, and no rider’s bond would be as strong as the one I shared with her. I always suspected that Visenya and I were part of the same soul, brought together by fate. We were meant to die together, too. 

Aegon, the pervert, was watching us, and now that she did have a dragon, he was interested in marrying his other sister as well. Visenya was happy. I think I know why. She was finally noticed. She was finally good enough.

From the moment I hatched, I always have been in Balerion’s shadow. Quite literally. Have you seen the size of that beast? But sadly, it is true, I swear on my beautiful horns. The Black dread, they called him. He inspired genuine fear, true terror in ways I could only dream of. You must know, that I was quite the pathetic baby lizard at that time, but I grew and I grew harder out of pure spite, jealousy, and determination. 

It was a sight to behold, the conquest. So many burning things, so many fleeing things! Visenya and I flew to Stokeworth. I never understood humans very well, but according to Visenya StokeWorth was not first in line when the gods handed out brains. They shot bolts at us until I turned the castle roofs to crisp and ash. 

At some point, they crowned Aegon too, I can’t recall when it happened, as I don’t really care about Aegon, much as you can probably tell.  I do recall Visenya feeding me a nice big cowhead as a thank you for my loyal servitude. I never had any friends, but she comes close to what I would consider a friend if you must know.

Castles fell at our feet, men begged us for mercy, they screamed prayers at their gods as I and the other dragons soared above the skies of Westeros, teaching it the meaning of ‘Fire and Blood’. It felt great to be a part of something bigger than me, something that I would know would last centuries. Something that I would know would last long after I had left behind this, earthy crispy shell of a ball.

It was great. But like all great things, this came too an end. 

The Dornish people killed Rhaenys and the dragon Meraxes in Dorne. Aegon never was the same after their deaths, neither was Visenya. There was this hole left in her soul that no dead body could fill. We went on a beautiful trip to Dorne, avenging the fallen Queen and her dragon. I did not care much for revenge; I was just happy to be invited and to taste Dornish. 

Aegon died in 37 AC, and I was invited to light his funeral pyre. I did so with great pride and effort, happy to see the flames lick away the remains of that man. Visenya had again lost something very dear to her, and she remained close to me. The eldest of the three, yet the last alive.

In 41 AC, I saw my birthplace again. Visenya had taken me back to Dragonstone, when Aenys, one of the sons Aegon had fathered, named another Aegon, the prince of Dragonstone, which made him the heir of the Targaryen kingdom we just conquered. I pray to their ‘gods’ whatever these might be, that this is the final man named Aegon in the Targaryen dynasty, as this dragon already finds this incredibly confusing.  I understand my lady was very upset. We passed the moon, and it turned red, according to witnesses. Well, those had a little bit too drink, I think. I did not see such a thing. 

It fell from the skies and shattered. I did see that. But what they claim? No that’s a lie, my apologies. 

The rest of the tale that follows is the tale of the maesters, of corrupt men writing on powerful women. I would not speak ill of the dead, though I do so with much pleasure, but my Visenya was no evil woman. She was gentle with me, she was good and kind. She had given dozens of reasons to burn her sister and brother alive, jealousy being the main one. I must admit, perhaps time erased all the horrible things Visenya did, and only made her sweet in my memory. I do not see Visenya as some beacon of goodness. I see her as any dragon should see their riders: Once upon a time, I was confronted by a girl who stared into my eyes, tears running down her face, begging for a chance to become a Queen. And I gave it to her.

As a dragon, it is hard for me to remember all this stuff. I did not become attached to much humans in my lifetime. Most I ate. But Visenya was unique for I felt we had a connection. A deep connection that threw us together and bound us. 

It was terrifying watching Visenya visit me, every time a little thinner, and a little thinner. I once shared my cow with her, but she did not like the meat, I think. Visenya was declared dead in the year 44 AC, but she died much earlier, I tell you. I watched her die, multiple times a day, multiple times a year, until I finally felt this, horrible emptiness. I wept and screamed, breathed fire until I had blackened the walls of dragonstone, but none of it mattered. I knew she was gone. Nothing could bring her back. I felt alone, truth be told.

At that moment, all I wanted was to join her. We should have died together, fighting as warriors. They call my lovely lady a Kinslayer, perhaps a Kingslayer and a murderer and an unfaithful witch. Well, let them, I say. My lady remains one of the most iconic queens of the Targaryen dynasty, and I shall forever be proud she was my first rider. 

She was amazing.

Not as amazing as me, but be honest: Who even can be?!

Vhagar's diary ends here. A part two might be in the works, I love vhagar very much and i like imagining her life but clearly she forgets/misremembers things and its so fun to write something else for a change.

[lauronk]

I wish you would write a fic where...

Joel and Anna get together after Sarah goes to college. Ellie is their kid and Sarah is the cool aunt figure.

hi! thank you so much for the prompt! ngl, i struggled with it a little because i do not know how to write Romantic Joel, he exists only as Dad in my head lol but i gave it a good shot, i hope you enjoy!

the best day with you today

length: ~1.2k words tags: canon divergence; modern au; everyone's alive; joel/anna; joel & ellie & anna & sarah; family feels; pregnancy; family bonding; dunking each other in the river; no beta we die like david

Joel had never really planned on having another kid. Hell, he’d barely even planned on having the first - definitely not as young as he’d been - but Rae had gotten pregnant and they’d gotten married and then barely a year after Sarah’s birth, she’d decided she wasn’t cut out for motherhood, and she bailed. Sarah had no memories of her, but other than a few growing pains here and there, she’d never seemed to be worse off without her.

Joel had raised her and watched her graduate and sent her off to college (all the way to San Marcos, which really isn’t that far, Dad, I’ll come visit plenty) and then realized he had no damn idea what to do with his life now. No soccer practice to cart her to, no sleepovers to host, no extracurriculars to plan around.

Now it was just him and his empty house and enough woodcarvings to fill the time that Tommy finally confiscated his knives and said he could have them back if he left the house once a week for two months.

So, after digging around on the internet a little, he’d gone to the library down the street, picked up their calendar, and signed up for the monthly book club and the Spanish conversation group. Both of which, it turned out, were attended by a woman named Anna who had a habit of shooting him amused looks when one of the other book club members made an asinine remark.

True to his word, Tommy returned the knives to him after two months, but they started collecting dust almost immediately because Joel spent all his free time with Anna. A coffee date turned into a dinner date and within two weeks they were seeing each other near daily.

Sarah had been astonished - and more than a little skeptical - when Joel sat her down and told her that he and Anna were planning to get married, with her blessing of course, barely ten months after meeting. Joel could see it all over her face that she didn’t think it would last, that he was having some kind of midlife crisis - not helped by the fact that Anna was nearly ten years younger than him - and that they wouldn’t last the year.

But she could see how important this was to him, so she gave her blessing anyway. No matter her own reservations, she wanted her dad to be happy. And she liked Anna a lot, thought her a good match for Joel, even if everything was moving unsettlingly fast.

They’d done a small ceremony in the backyard, just Sarah, Tommy, and Anna’s best friend Marlene in attendance. And for another two years that had been their family; neither of them had planned on having kids.

But then Anna started throwing up, missed her period, and those two lines on the test turned pink. And suddenly, they were having a baby.

Ellie made her arrival a week before Sarah’s twenty-first birthday, and Joel’s eldest spent what should have been a night out partying pacing laps around their living room cradling her sister, while Joel and Anna snagged a few precious hours of sleep. He’d been worried that getting a baby sister when she herself was full grown would be a problem for Sarah, but it had been the opposite. Ellie was Sarah’s favorite person ever, a feeling that went both ways as Ellie got older.

Wild, Joel thought, watching Ellie and Sarah float in their tubes ahead of him and Anna, how his girls could be so far apart in years and yet be so close and so similar. Maybe not wild, just…lucky.

The two of them are shooting mischievous grins over their shoulders now, and Joel shares a wry look with Anna. Her nose and cheeks are tinted red with the sun, tips of her fingers tracing lightly through the water as they float down the San Marcos River.

“Here,” Joel says, carefully tossing her the small tube of sunscreen. He points to his own nose and cheeks. “Think you need a bit of a touch up, you’re gettin’ a little crispy.”

Anna gives him a wry smile, rubbing a fresh coat over her face. “Not all of us were made to roast in the Texas sun, sweetheart.”

Joel shrugs. “Can’t help it that I tan and you don’t, darlin’. Y’know –”

Something pushes hard on the bottom of his tube, and Joel goes ass over head into the river, the cold temperature jolting him into opening his mouth and damn near inhaling enough water to fill his lungs. When his head breaks the surface a chorus of laughter greets him - six feet away Ellie is clambering back into her tube while Sarah tries to hold it steady. Next to him Anna is howling, her own hand barely maintaining a grip on his tube while the other clutches her stomach. He doesn’t bother climbing back into it; instead he propels himself forward through the water until he’s caught up to the girls.

Ellie shrieks and tries to paddle away, but she’s too slow, and Joel has her flipped into the water in a matter of seconds. He waits until she surfaces, gulps in a bit of air, and then promptly dunks her again.

She comes back up sputtering, a hand frantically trying to wipe her face clean. “Rude!” is all she manages, scooping a hand through the water to splash him. It hits him in the chest - he can still hear Sarah and Anna laughing - and he propels himself forward to hook an arm around her waist and hoist her up over his shoulder. It takes more effort to keep them afloat - his back is gonna hate him for this later, fifty-seven is really a bit too old to be lifting teenagers, even ones as scrawny as Ellie - but he paddles them unevenly back over towards Anna.

“Caught you something, huh?” His wife calls, shielding her face when Ellie aims a splash of water her way too.

“Sarah neglected to mention the river was full of gremlins,” he says back, giving her a grin before sucking in a breath and plunging himself - and his squirming daughter - under the water once more. Only once they’ve surfaced again does he release her, the two of them treading water.

“Anyone ever tell you you’re an ass?” Ellie says playfully, splashing him again.

“Anyone ever tell you you’re a little shit?” He retorts, splashing her right back.

“Anyone ever tell either of you that you're exactly the same?” Anna cuts in from behind them, one hand still holding Joel’s tube.

“No,” they reply simultaneously, and she lets out another bark of laughter, echoed by Sarah on the other side of them.

“I’m never bringing y’all floating again,” she says teasingly, her head tipping back dramatically.

“Oh please,” Ellie doggy paddles forward, hoisting herself back into her tube next to her sister. “You’d be so bored doing this without us. You love us.”

Sarah scrunches up her nose, pretending to think for a moment before she leans over - nearly upsetting her own tube - and smacking a kiss onto her younger sister’s cheek. “Yeah, guess I do.”

thanks for reading!

[zeephyre]

CR3 EPISODE 64 SPOILERS

(im probably missing a bunch of shit since the episode just ended and im sort of rambling)

i did an oopsie and stayed up till 1 am tonight to watch the bells hells reunion and while i don't regret it, now that the party has been split again, im so sad. i understood they couldn't have stayed but it was still so hard.

deanna and frida especially just... fit too well, and i really really fucking hope nothing bad happens to either of them because mentally i couldn't handle it.

laudna and ashton vying for attention with prism was really funny and accurate because I'd argue that she had more a connection with them both. she still had very good chemistry with orym, so it was funny to see her claim him as a bestie.

i FUCKING LOVE AABRIA SO DAMN MUCH SHE'S PERFECTION. it sucks we don't get to see more of deanna and everybody else bc she has such a good spirit and her chemistry with every single person at that table is unmatched. gonna miss her and chetney as horny but beautifully intimate lovers, and im gonna miss her and fcg bickering, and im gonna miss her and fearne flirting, AND im gonna miss her and imogen's sweet dynamic of faith and understanding and comfort, AND im gonna miss seeing her and frida's unbreakable bond.

christian was a gift like no other, and i almost started bawling when fcg and frida had to actually come to terms with saying goodbye. i hope that frida stays safe, and that nothing happens to fcg, and i want them to be together for a long long long LONG time. it's what they deserve.

fearne and ashton had some...vibes this episode and i dig it because it's more fuel for my poly bells hells harem agenda

IMOGEN AND LAUDNA'S REUNION GOD I WISH THEY'D GOTTEN A MOMENT ALONE BUT THE CHAOS AT THE TABLE WAS TOO GOOD!!!! i am so happy that deanna picked up on the imaudna vibes and did her best to make it known that she SEES their bond. she's just like me fr. i love my witches. (also, i was watching laura the whole time laudna was fawning over prism and it's very funny how jealous imogen gets and poorly hides it behind smiles).

i would have liked to see ashton and Deanna become even closer but sadly we cant always get what we want but what we do have is CRUMBS which i will devour with no second thought.

KEYLETH IS ALIVE ‼️‼️‼️‼️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️ injured but not dead, thank GOD. honestly i don't even wanna think abt vax rn 😭😭 all we need now is confirmation of beau and caleb's whereabouts..

‼️‼️I NEED THE NEXT EPISODE NEOOOOWWWWWWW MATT MERCER ‼️‼️

[mostlyghostlyy]

I REALLY liked Alien Romulus, i saw it twice opening night, but I've seen a lot of people complaining about every single part of it (aside from the practical effects and set design). So I'm just going to bitch about it really fast

Alien is my favorite movie/franchise ever, and I've seen the movies countless times. I think everyone is wayyyy too harsh on it. I agree it wasn't perfect, but it was FAR superior to what we had with Covenant. My main complaint was the inclusion of Ian Holm's character. I personally think they should have gone with another David8 model or another Andy model. (Another Andy to make a personal connection with our Andy character)

I think most people have a problem with elements "stolen" from other movies in the franchise. To which I say WHY THE FUCK WOULD YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT. It's an Alien movie ofc it's going to have the laser mist, alien hive, PULSE RIFLES, SYNTHETICS, etc.. it's not "stolen" its just being used and repurposed and it makes it easier to believe the movies have continuity and take place in the same world if they have SIMILAR WORLD BUILDING. I don't even see this as a fucking argument.

But the same people complaining about "ip theft" (From the same franchise lmfao) are the ones complaining that Rain isn't a fuckin Ripley clone. I love Ripley, she's my wife and always will be, she's the og girl boss. But I really liked Rain, which was a surprise for me. Sure, she's not tall like Ripley or have the same physique, but since when do the final girls need to be clones of each other? She had a whole different mindset than Ripley, and she was more emotional, she is younger than her so thats something i would expect. I liked how her and Andy worked together. Their dynamic was insane and I enjoyed it. It was a refreshing take on a synthetic/human bond and one that Ripley doesn't have. I was so happy Rain wasn't a Ripley replacement, I think that would have backfired. Im glad she got to be an actual character.

I know everyone is pressed about the Xeno elevator scene. And if you don't get it, then you're just that fuckin stupid. If you didn't see the facehugger hiding in the shaft with them, or even remember that Xenos take alive and healthy people all the time for incubation, then I really don't want to have to explain anything to you. You're just stupid. Their main objective is to breed as many Xenomorphs as they can. They are smart little bastards, and that's what makes them so scary. So no the Xeno didn't "save her uwu" it had a much worse fate in mind for her.

I agree that the crew wasn't fleshed out the best. I wish we did get more scenes of character interaction. But I don't think this was a problem with a "younger crew." Doing a younger crew is an interesting way to go, and I think it would be almost more suspenseful. I think people just like bitching about younger people in movies as if they don't exist or they didn't have movies with younger casts before. Again, I think this would have worked better if there was more character development.

[dwarf-vader-of-middle-earth]

"Does it hurt? Letting this magic take you?" Thompson asked.

"No. It's peaceful. Your very soul is embraced by serenity, and you know, in that moment, you're forever saved from all death and sorrow," Ilias replied.

Thompson nodded, silent. His face grew sorrowful, his heart aching and sinking into the ocean itself as he remained within it, held by his lover.

"When a Drowned gives the Embrace to a Human, their love is gifted all the same," said Ilias. "I feel it all even without such a bond between us. Your sorrow is great, and your pain greater. You fear and you grieve, but I am here. And I love. I love YOU, Thompson. My Baris. I wish for nothing more than to see you happy again. I can bind us together in eternity beneath the very waters in which we swim, and I will hold you as my own. You will never be alone again. I promise."

Tears now streaked Thompson's face. "What have I done that's worthy of this?" he asked. "To name me anew, and gift me your Embrace? Why me?"

Ilias smiled gently. "Because you are you, my dear. And I love you. None must be worthy of the water's gift. One must simply embrace its love as their own. And I know you long for such a love. But look no further. We are here. Together. Between the stars that guided us to my kingdom, and the oceans in which it resides. Please. Come home with me, Baris."

----------------------------------------

Years ago I wrote the short story "The Drowned", featuring Matthew and Lyrus who fell in love. Within that story, I had a side character, King Ilias of the Drowned, who is Lyrus's father.

Over the years I've developed a bit more lore for this setting, and determined Ilias is untrusting of Humans for many reasons, and thus hides his people from them at all costs. However ever Drowned was once Human unless born from another.

Matthew was Human made Drowned to keep him from dying. But while alive he was loved and cared for by a hospice nurse named Thompson. This man treated Matthew like his own son, having no children of his own. And when Matthew left the hospice to become Drowned and cure him of all sickness and disease, Thompson was alone once more.

Until Ilias learned of what the man had done for Matthew.

Ilias, after the events of the original short story, loves Matthew as his other son, considering he's Lyrus's partner. And when Ilias goes to meet Thompson to thank him, he sees the man sorrowful and struggling.

As the two learn more about one another, Thompson reveals that he has been outcast and rejected by his family for being gay. He and his partner at the time were planning to marry, and they tried for a child, but this child never made it, and the boyfriend miscarried. The two learned it was because the boyfriend was extremely ill with ovarian cancer, and by the time they learned about it, they were too late. Thompson's lover passed away, and he was left alone ever since.

Ilias tries harder after this to form a stronger bond between him and Thompson. He never thought he'd feel this way for a Human.

And when Thompson reaches his breaking point, Ilias is right there, and guides the man into the oceans which he rules, hugging and holding him gently. He begs Thompson to let him turn him to Drowned, so that their love can grow forever and the sorrows can be carried away. Ilias calls him "Baris", a Drowned name, granting the Human a chance to leave behind his Human sorrows and tragedies, and join the Drowned at his side forever.

And Thompson agrees, taking the Embrace from his new lover.

[myckicade]

Thoughts on the Finale Double-Header

Because I have so many, I want to corral them into one post, instead of the fifty or sixty I could make.

I'm genuinely surprised by all of the posts concerning dislike - and even hatred - for the finale. Not calling anyone out! Everyone gets their own opinion, and I stick by that, 100%! While I feel that it could have benefitted from another episode or two, or even another week for the final episode (which was surely impossible due to the Season Opener of the NFL next Thursday night), I loved this season. I think it contains some of their best stuff yet. The inter-character growth has felt fantastic, everyone getting closer, even without openly admitting it in audible words. Every episode made me feel something positive, which was nice. (See my notes on Mayans M.C. for how I react to negative feelings... Heh...).

I'll dive into the Nandermo first, because why not? This entire season has been about hiding betrayal, which has been just delicious. Like a group of friends who uncover infidelity amongst a long-married couple, unsure of what to do, but not wanting either party to get hurt. (They knew the guilty one had it coming, but they still tried to keep things hush-hush). I loved that Nandor knew not only what would draw Guillermo out of hiding, but he knew where to find Mama de la Cruz. (Because, let's face it, he was never going to hurt the woman. Fucker nearly got staked because he was so distracted). The intensity of Nandor's forgiveness, for lack of a better term, the whole time they had that stake between them? MM. It was better than makeup sex, because it was heartfelt, and genuine, if a little raw and drowning in hurt. Nandor getting everyone together for his turning-back ceremony? Happily staking the fucking guy who turned his familiar? Knowing Guillermo wasn't ready. The glasses. The effort. The love. That is the kind of Nandermo I enjoy seeing. Would I be upset if they (eventually) got to something romantic? Of course not. But now is just... not the right time. There is so much healing to be done now. Regaining of trust. Rebuilding of bonds. A romantic relationship right now would be the equivalent of a divided couple having a baby to save their union. It wouldn't look good, and it would be a set up for utter failure.

Speaking of that damned ceremony. The fact that everyone came together to save that boy's bacon? Come on. Come on. That even Baron Afanas and Goëjlrm turned up? Even if that part was just for sake of realism, they could have easily said no. They all give a damn about Guillermo, and that was wonderful to finally see. Words are a dime a dozen. Actions are where the proof hides.

FURTHERMORE, everyone checking in on Guillermo made me so happy. The kids coming to see him. Nadja scolding him for speaking to Derek in a manner ill-befitting his station. Even if they were mostly shit at it, aside from the Guide and the Kids, they kept a close eye on him, and that warmed my heart.

"We have a babysitter at home." That made me simultaneously AWWW!!!!, and wonder whether the poor sitter was going to be alive by the time they returned. Y'all know I'm all for their domesticity, so that little snippet was just perfect for me.

While Derek got the short end of the stake, he now has what he has always wanted. Friends. Community. Somewhere to belong. It's just a terrible, ugly way to have to get it.

I want so much more for the Guide. I do. I do agree that they all collectively suck nut at being good to anyone, more than 90% of the time, but that chick was well within her mind to pull her stunts at the Manor. I really do wish we could have had a twelve-episode season, at the very least. Both of last night's episodes deserved to be two-parters. Mm.

Good on Nadja, too, turning the noisy neighbors into an opportunity. She's an enterprising, resourceful broad, that one. Just love her. <3.

I'm still fucking floored, by the way. If someone had asked Nandor from the fucking beginning, this whole season could have been avoided. Granted, yes, that was the point, but it deserves the spotlight for a moment or two. He's such a dumbass, but he knows his vampiric shit. And really, so much good came out of everyone else being dopey as shit for a change. Guillermo learned a valuable lesson. New little lives were created. (R.I.P. to the one those that were ended). The secret surely broke up the monotony for the household for a little while. And, of course, my personal favourite... There are new parents in New Jersey! I'm so giddy for that one!

Liked it or hated it, one thing is for sure. Season Six is going to bring so much inner conflict for Guillermo, and a change of dynamic amongst the household, that I just can't wait!

[izartn]

I would love a fic where the Tsubasa crew ended up in the RG Veda world after all the canon happened, and end up passing a few days with Yasha and Ashura.

If we go by post canon Tsubasa, this means it's only Syaoran, Kurogane and Fai, but that's fine by me too. I prefer them all settled on their skin.

Imagine those three finding again Yasha and Ashura, only this time the two are alive and together as their counterparts in the country of Shura/Shara wished, and still gods, but at the cost of loosing everything else. I imagine it's be a very bittersweet feeling.

Imagine the Tsubasa trio (and oh, syaoran only has the memories but he never really met Ashura in person after all. maybe he takes care of remembering everything to tell his parents when he gets them back. the end of the shara arc was so melancholic and sad),

Imagine the Tsubasa trio swapping stories with the RG Veda duo, and the surprise and sad happiness at the recognition of their past companions names, living other lives, happy lives, in other worlds without them. Just the duo reaction to Kendappa being the ruler of Nihon, with Souma as her loyal retainer and a little sister to take care of and spoil, and Ryu having been a close friend of past Syaoran in Outo and also Souma of that world, and misterious Kujaku who helped Syaoran and the rest in Nirai Kanai, still someone of great power and kind nature.

I would love to read it if written skillfully, it could lead to pain, like Ashura deciding it was due to not being born in those places that everything went well, and Yasha reasuring them that it has nothing to do with anything. Maybe TRC-trio revealing what happened in the Shura-Shara world, that they were kind if misguided and people were happy with their rulers and remembered them for centuries.

They both died at the end of course, but given this is the og RG Veda counterparts, Ashura letting go of life after realising there would be no bringing Yasha back makes perfect rational sense to them. It was what Yasha intended to do in this world if there was no bringing back Ashura alive to themself.

Fai getting chills when TRC gets the resumed story of what went wrong in this world and it starts with Ashura going, my father Ashura-ou heard a profecy that I would... I don't think Fai says anything to them? But getting a conversation with Kurogane about the like good of it being the same Ashura-ou who raised him and fucked him up at the same time, and brought the destruction of Ceres by the end... Some startling parallels there, CLAMP did well in choosing the figure of Ashura-ou for Fai father. Didn't our Ashura also had a twin who was killed at birth or something? Or just the living half brother?

Maybe Fai does end up talking a bit with Ashura about the madness of Ashura-ou. And the fucked up thing about destinies and curses that others impose on you. And being saved by meeting their guys and a new family.... And then it gets melancholic and a but sad ;_;

But I belive that Yasha and Ashura are living incognito between humans, although without mingling much, so this visit from the TRC crew maybe makes them realise that although their lives are short, both of them deserve to care and be cared for their new friends and neighbors. Leave them in a better please than the desolation of, at least we both have each other for ever and ever of RG Veda ending, please. More like, without you by my side I wouldn't be able to enjoy life, but together we can be happy and meet new people and new places and help others.

Syaoran telling Sakura about this world, Kurogane and Fai meeting the true Yasha after his feather fake on Shura and realising how much was missing and not, and the measure of the love that's it's there across dimensions and lives for these disasters, Fai and Ashura awkwardly bonding, Syaoran realising this Ashura has never been a ruler of anyone and how that affects then, Yasha being a bit distant from these weirdos who galled through the sky until they sit talking and then warming up bc he's fond of their devotion and follow through, etc, etc.

Just. All these people meeting and being themselves, and the funny realization that Yasha and Ashura had been very powerful and/or gods the two times they've met, deciding the future of their worlds. That nobody is ever all gone.

Lovely lovely.

Of course I also want more Yasha/Ashura fic in general, but also more tsubasa proper crossovers with other clamp verses, or other canons in general so this scenario is like catnip for me, specially considering the arc of shara/shura which adds the extra knowledge for the TRC trio here.