#i wrote when writing virgil's description

[quordleona03]

A Priest in Korea is Moving to the AO3

Many years ago, I was friends with Scarlatti on Livejournal, and I found she had written a whole lot of M*A*S*H fanfiction (twenty stories! That was a whole lot back then!) using the name Iolanthe.

I read all her stories - mostly Hawkeye/Mulcahy: as far as I know, she was the very first person ever to write Hawkeye/Mulcahy slash stories - and I loved them and I started seeing Hawkcahy in the series and one of her stories gave me the idea for the story that eventually grew into Sins and Virtues.

She read the final part of S&V only in first draft - I started sending her sections as soon as I had finished them - because Susan had cancer, and she died, four months before she would have turned 40. Her website, A Priest In Korea (William Christopher's description of M*A*S*H was "Oh, it's about a priest in Korea") fell into the Wayback machine, and last year, thinking of her stories again and looking for them, I found a complete snapshot of her website, and I thought "I could transfer this over to AO3 and let everyone read them: I bet they have a process for that".

They do. Julie was my Virgil as I walked through the Open Doors and now a priest in Korea has moved to AO3: A priest in Korea03. The longest story on site isn't even a Hawkeye/Mulcahy story: it's a Francis Mulcahy & Margaret Houlihan story, Polarity, which uses "a creaky old sci-fi plot device" to put Francis into Margaret's body and Margaret into Francis's -

He grew even more uneasy under the appreciative once-over with which Dickinson now favored him, and a blush warmed his face. When he caught sight of Houlihan's sidelong glare, he wondered how she -- or any other woman, for that matter -- would normally handle that kind of attention.

"Well now, Major, I can see you're a take-charge kind of gal," Dickinson drawled. "Meaning no disrespect. But your C.O. would have my head on a platter if I sent you off without an armed escort. Ain't that how you got into this mess in the first place?"

And the next-longest is also not precisely Hawkeye/Mulcahy, Playing the Game: The night air was pleasant and warm, and I was enjoying the mind-fuzzing effects of several beers, so my pace was unhurried. I'd almost made it to my tent when a man stepped out of the shadows behind the nurses' tent and latched onto my upper arm. "Hold it right there, Mister Vatican," he hissed.

I knew who it was without needing to see his face. No one but Colonel Sam Flagg, alleged CIA operative and all-around loose cannon, had ever addressed me in that fashion. I froze obediently, though my heart was racing and every instinct was telling me to flee for the hills at the earliest opportunity.

"Got a few questions for you," Flagg went on.

(sadly, now and forever unfinished, but rather in the sense of "there should have been more" than "ends on a cliffhanger")

She wrote what is still (as far as I can tell) the only Henry Blake/Trapper story, one of the few Radar/Hawkeye stories, and also Trapper/Mulcahy.

But mostly, she wrote about Francis Mulcahy falling in love with Hawkeye, and Hawkeye's gentle reciprocation.

Between us, we somehow managed to get the tent door open and cross the threshold. At that point, I expected Mulcahy to say goodnight and go pass out in his bunk, which is what I would've done, but instead he had a surprise for me.

As soon as the door closed behind us, he turned in my grasp until we were face to face. Before I had time to fully register what was going on, he'd looped his arms around my neck and was pulling me forward into a kiss.

It was, I think, the softest, sweetest, most tender kiss I've ever received...and one of the most inexplicably erotic.

What can I say? I loved her stories. She inspired me to write Hawkcahy long before that shipname was invented. I never got to meet her. I'd like you all to read her stories, and thanks to Open Doors/AO3, there they are.

They told me, Heraclitus, they told me you were dead, They brought me bitter news to hear and bitter tears to shed. I wept, as I remembered, how often you and I Had tired the sun with talking and sent him down the sky. And now that thou art lying, my dear old Carian guest, A handful of grey ashes, long long ago at rest, Still are thy pleasant voices, thy nightingales, awake; For Death, he taketh all away, but them he cannot take.

This is sort of a sad post, but it shouldn't be: Susan was hilarious, and it's been a pleasure and an honour being her archivist.

Thanks, Susan.

[i-will-physically-fight-you]

So. On AO3 you have a fic called Wonderland. I am curious if you have thoughts to share on that?

For example, I'm curious if it's canon verse or not, if Virgil has been missing for a long time, how he knows Roman (if not canon verse) and what powers Virgil might potentially have :)

And any other thoughts you might potentially have that I am not smart enough to think to ask :)

Oooho! This was not a fic I was expecting but sure! It started off as a tumblr prompt fic (see here) and it was mainly "Let's just keep writing and see where we land up" type of vibes.

This was written in 2018 where I was in my "I'll write Janus as a villain but keep in mind, he's not like other fanon villain interpretations, he's complex and multi-faceted except I fail to elaborate on these thoughts so he comes off " era, not that this fic really touched on Janus outside of Roman's description of him. Given it was a 2018 fic, if I wrote it nowadays I would've included a lot more set-up to the fic to avoid a clumsy exposition dump but I still like the core concept behind it.

My favorite line from this fic is: When in a crisis, memes are always the answer.

In terms of its validity as being a canon-verse fic or not, I actually intended it as an AU, but I really like that interpretation of it being a canon-verse fic that involves fun mindscape hijinks.

In terms of how long Virgil has been missing, Roman hasn't seen him in three years, so that's roughly the length of time he's been missing.

As to how Roman knows Virgil and his potential powers, well. Fun fact, The Chasm of the Night started as a prequel fic to this. The idea I had in mind was Virgil interacting with each of the "Light Sides" and helping them escape their own Twilight Zone predicaments before ending up stuck himself and then getting reintroduced and--yeah, it's a whole mess. As it stands, the two fics don't really connect well, and in fact I've toyed with rewriting Wonderland, but ah. Who knows if I'll be able to get to that :')

Director's Cut! Distract me by asking me any questions you may have on a fic of mine!

[dndeceit]

Meta for my fic Crawl Out Through the Fallout...

By now I have learned two crucial things through writing this series:

Making Virgil a ghoul in this universe was a mistake. He's too OP.

I should never, ever, ever try to write a "short prequel" because that bitch will not be short.

(Quick reminder that "But Some Day the Sun Will Shine" was also supposed to be a "short prequel" to the canon era of the AU when I started it. I have to laugh or I'll cry.)

This one was a rough story to write. I don't typically write hurt no comfort, and so through about 70% of the story, writing it was just gut-wrenchingly painful (satisfying, in that half-sadistic, half-masochistic way that writing often can be, but the story just felt so brutal). Because the thing is? Marcus literally didn't exist in this AU before I wrote the scene he shows up. In my original notes, the ending was going to be a lot more bleak, because Virgil was going to end the story completely alone. But as I was writing the return to the homestead dogs just made sense for a family hoping to protect themselves from threats out in the wasteland. And then the name Marcus just struck me as funny (after the spider mentioned in that one blooper).

But once Marcus existed, once he had a name tying him to Virgil thematically, it suddenly didn't feel right for him to be left behind. And that gave the trajectory of the ending a gentle nudge toward the marginally more optimistic. Because dogs are actually pretty important in Fallout. Most of the games feature a dog companion, as did the TV series. So having Virgil end the story with a dog at his side, with that one small piece of his former life, his childhood, still there to comfort and protect him just kind of felt right.

(And yeah, he's no longer with Virgil six years later when he finds Janus. I'm trying not to think about that too much. But I don't imagine what happened to Marcus was especially tragic or violent.)

In this universe Virgil is a survivor to his core, and I doubt I'll ever write a fic that shows it more than this one. It takes a lot strength to pick yourself up out of the dirt and keep going after an event this devastating. And it takes even more strength to retain as much compassion as he did afterward.

But, ultimately, this is also the story of how Virgil ran from his home (And in a sense he's never really stopped running.)

Artwork:

I'm really pleased with how the images for this fic turned out. Especially the cover. The sun-bleach effect wasn't something I'd planned to do for this one, but I accidentally wound up making the main picture too short to fill the entire template. Rather than having to do the whole thing over, I fussed around with it to find something to fill that space until I happened on something that looked like sun damaged paper, and it just...fit so well with the theme of the fic that I kept tweaking it to get the full effect I wound up with.

The end picture wasn't really needed, but I felt like doing it anyway. The vertibird is a bit of an easter egg and not terribly important, so I didn't want to clutter up the ending with a bunch of description. Plus, it was an excuse to do a HeroForge design of Virgil and Marcus.

Other:

There's a bit of original worldbuilding in this one, though not as much as other stories I've got planned. There isn't much canon material on post-nuclear Florida, so I've given myself a bit of license to make it my own within the setting. In that's really just two things: the recovery of the Florida panther as a prominent predator in the region and the obligatory mutated version: the phantom cat. The phrase typically refers to large cats sighted outside their natural habitats, but in the Florid Wastes, the term has been adopted for a specific form of mutated panther. Phantom cats are hairless, like Sphinx house cats, but more dangerously they possess the ability to blend in with their surroundings, becoming nearly invisible.

This isn't an unheard of mutation out in the wastes, having been observed in some deathclaws (which possess chameleon DNA) and rarely in night stalkers (when exposed to exotic elements). Certain mutagenic serums were also able to bestow this mutation on human subjects.

What is the source of the phantom cat's abilities, then? Who's to say?

[greekmythcomix]

Update 10th August:

TL:DR what I got done yesterday, why I’m doing this project, what’s in it (in more detail), why I love you, and a bonus image of my notes!

Yesterday’s Day Off was a bit of a mammoth session: I worked on the gamebook for about nine hours, had dinner and put my kid to bed, hung out with my husband, then put in another six hours.

In that time, I finally finished the Menelaus section! Why did it take so long? Because of course I put in several new sections, and each section generally needs at least two choices, then the choices split off into alternate versions of themselves, which may then need a different or at least variant outcome, and suddenly you’ve plotted another ten sections.

To give you an idea of what’s now in it, I wrote:

- a fantasy cast list

- a question answer on what Odysseus’ palace might have looked like

- an entire subplot concerning Memphis and Helen’s eidolon in the style of a Greek Tragedy

- a ‘who did it better’ between Sidon and Tyre

- a light murder mystery involving the Aeneid

I have gone rogue. It’s almost writing itself.

And I STILL DIDN’T GET TO THE BIT WITH THE SEAL CARCASES DAMMIT. But it’s plotted out and I’ll write it properly next week… before getting back to Book 13 and trying to plot an actual end for the entire thing.

Note: I can see why Homer keeps his descriptions of places completely vague, other than probably not knowing where they were or what they were like: the research I’m doing on random aspects of Bronze Age Egypt and Phoenicia is insane practically a religious experience 😂

It’s taken me a long time to dig up the courage to finish this in the first place. It’s actually been an entire year since I last worked on it (teaching is intense, and I have a small child), and something that’s been niggling at me this entire time is ‘am I allowed to do this?’ I mean, it’s one of my absolute favourite pieces of literature. It’s my absolute favourite text to teach. And effectively I’m messing with it.

However, joining Tumblr has really helped with this. The undying love I’ve seen for this text and other Ancient Greek mythology, and the *artwork* (sigh), and the fanfiction… 😘👌 It’s made me realise that what I’m doing is valid, it’s Classical Reception, it’s fanfiction, it’s ‘what if *this* happened, it’s practically what Virgil was doing (SEVEN stags, Virgil? Really?😉), and, most of all, it’s FUN and I think it’s going to be very enjoyable in the long run. (I mean, what could be more fun than fanfiction where you get to choose the content?) After all, at the heart of it is the actual Odyssey, as unadulterated as possible, recreated as a gamebook but still containing as many of the literary formulae, similes, epithets, and context of the Odyssey as possible, based on my reading of three very different translations. And the alternate choices are all based on what else happens in the text (like Menelaus’ wanderings) or in other canon myths (lots of references or similar events) and ancient texts (hello Virgil), or things I think after a lot of years teaching, researching and just imagining might happen.

What is truly stupendous to me is that 300 of you have actually signed up to hear about it when it’s finished, even though the OP only has about 1200 notes. That’s such a huge conversion rate, and your genuine interest it’s been driving me to work harder and try and get it done, without compromising on the details or the fun.

So, thank you so much Tumblr for being my divine inspiration! I really appreciate your comments and questions and reblogs and signups (the link is in the update above) and thank you especially to @platosfire for doing a bit of test-reading for me yesterday!

Image - my extremely messy notes for Menelaus and Odysseus going up and down Aiguptos (the Nile):

You Are Odysseus

So

I’m a teacher of Classical Civilisation that has taught the Odyssey for over a decade and studied pretty much every myth and story with Odysseus in it.. I think

and I’m writing an Interactive Fiction (choose your own path) version of the Odyssey, inspired by the Homeric phrase “he turned his great heart this way and that”, where you are Odysseus, allowing you to follow his decisions or make your own

and it already has 500 sections to it - written to emulate modern translations of the Odyssey, including the literary features of simile, formula, epithet, and the rest - and 21 different ways to die, and quite a lot of period and theme-appropriate alternatives

(and if I get time, the option to be Telemachus or Penelope, although that might have to wait because it’s already a monster)

and I’ve tested what I’ve made so far on my pupils, other Classics teachers, and some of the leading (and best-read) Greek Mythology podcasters and YouTubers, all of whom have universally loved it (yay!)

(EDIT: Oops and I presented on it at the Classical Association conference last year)

I’m trying to finish it this summer, but need a bit of encouragement to do so

EDIT: and I forgot to say that ideally I’m planning on it being a beautiful BOOK with an old-fashioned cover and lots of ribbons to mark your place ❤️ (ex-bookseller ofc)

so, please let me know if you’d like to know more!

(EDIT: or sign up here go get notified directly when it’s ready: https://ljenkinsonbrown.wordpress.com/you-are-odysseus-signup/ )

[hyperfixated-homo]

Sanders sides gods au but they're from different mythologies.

Janus is the Roman god Janus (god of doorways, time, duality, ect)

Patton is the the Norse god Frey (god of peace, fertility and summer)

Roman is the Greek god Apollo (god of way too many things, we're gonna focus on sun and light)

Remus is the Greek god Artemis (aka romans less popular brother, god of the moon and the hunt)

Virgil is either the Egyptian god Seth (god of war, chaos and storms) or Osiris (god of the underworld, death and resurrection)

The five meet one day by complete accident. They all come to the modern world looking for ways to get society to worship them again. Of course, none of them are exactly pleased with the fact that the others exist.

They end up arguing about which of them are the "real gods" and make a bet. They would all work to make one human worship them, and whichever religion he chooses to follows first wins the right to gloat about their victory.

They end up choosing to try to win over Logan.

An atheist scientist, who refuses to believe in the supernatural.

[lily-janus]

Funny 1. "Surprise! I'm back from the dead! Isn't that exciting?" with Dukexiety?

Sick Of You

Summary: Virgil taking care of sick Remus gone wrong

Pairing: platonic Dukexiety

Warnings: lots of death mentions jokingly, thinking someone's dead, slight panic from Virgil, not very descriptive illness but there are a few simple symptoms like headache and stuff, Remus being Remus and food mentions. Let me know if I missed any

Thank you so much for this ask! This was a blast to write! Been a while since I wrote and even longer since I had so much fun doing it, so thank you.

.....

"Virgillll! I'm dyinggg!" 

Virgil groaned, he barely managed to be halfway from his sick friend's room before he called him again, for what must be the tenth time in the last 5 minutes. He had half a mind to ignore him and just keep walking. But Remus' screechy  voice kept calling him and he was sure his ears would fall off soon… correction, he was hoping they'd fall soon.

With a deep sigh, Virgil turned on his heels, again, and walked back to the messy room. "You keep saying you're dying but if that were the case you would have been dead by now-" he stopped abruptly.

Remus was lying on the bed, just as Virgil left him… and he wasn't moving.

"Remus? C-c'mon that's not funny." He said shakily, trying not to panic, this wouldn't be the first time Remus played dead just to mess with them.

Remus didn't respond, didn't so much as move. If it were a joke, Remus would jump on him already, his impulsive friend is physically incapable of not moving for more than 30 seconds…

Panic rising rapidly, Virgil rushed to the bed and started shaking him. "Remus? Remus, wake up, this isn't funny!"

Suddenly Remus jerked upward abruptly with a wide grin. "Surprise! I'm back from the dead! Isn't that exciting?"

In an instant, Virgil panic was replaced by rage. "Jerk! You scared the living demon out of me! That's it, I'm done, have fun being sick alone." He got up and walked to the door.

"Aww Virgy you're not going to leave a dying friend in need are you?" Remus flattered his eyelashes at him in faux innocence.

"For the last time, you are not dying!" Virgil yelled.

"But it hurts sooo much!" Remus whined.

Virgil rolled his eyes but sighed. It's not like he can leave anyway, stupid Roman made him promise he'll stay with him. "Whatever, what do you need?"

Remus grinned wickedly. "How about a long, intimate massage-"

"I'll go make you some tea." Virgil ran out of the room, hoping Remus didn't get a glimpse at his red cheeks.

"Lame!" Remus called after him and he rolled his eyes again at Remus' antics. Why did it have to be him?

He returned after a while with a steaming mug of tea and placed it at Remus' bed-side table.

"Finally that took foreverr" Remus whined.

Virgil gave him a look. "10 minutes?"

"Seconds feel like years when you're dying V-man, now, I demand cuddles." Remus made grabby hands at him and Virgil backed away. 

"No way, dude, you're gonna get me all sick- whoa!"

Remus grabbed his wrist and pulled him next to him on the bed. "You're very strong for a dying man." Virgil grumbled.

"A last surge of strength before my body at last gives out." Remus said with a dramatic sigh scooching over so he'll be the little spoon, taking Virgil's wrist and draping it over his waist.

Virgil was burning with embarrassment from the proximity but Remus seemed perfectly content and started snoring loudly in no time.

Virgil sighed once more, not sure how much more of this he'll be able to take, but Remus' weighted blanket and body warmth soon put him to sleep too.

As he woke up slowly he started to feel a bit weak, slowly becoming aware of a pounding headache in his head. He groaned in pain and turned on his other side, trying to go back to sleep, barely recognizing he's alone on the bed as opposed to how he fell asleep.

"Morning sleeping beauty! Good news! I escaped the clutches of death and I feel like my awesome self again!" Remus suddenly burst into the room, his high pitch voice making Virgil's pounding head worse.

Virgil groaned again and tried to cover his ears with his pillow, trying to block out Remus' voice and fall back asleep.

No such luck as his blanket was snatched right off of him, exposing him to the cold air and making him shiver.

"Rise and shine, Virgie! I know you're a late-morning kind of guy but it's almost 2pm!"

Virgil tried to open his eyes but his eyelids felt so heavy and he was so tired and cold and… oh no. "Remus…" he managed weakly. "You bastard, I told you you'll-" he was cut off by a coughing fit. "...Make me sick." He finally finished.

"Oh my gosh, Emo's sick! Oh that is so cute! Now I can take care of you!"

Virgil's eyes widened. "No…" he protested weakly. "Just call Logan… or Patton, anyone-"

"Aww poor thing, doesn't know what he's saying. Don't worry Virgilicious, your dear duke will get you back on your feet in no time!" He declared cheerfully and marched out of the room.

I'm dead. Virgil thought grimly, what a way to go.

He heard rattling from the kitchen and the stove being turned on and he was on his feet before he realized what was happening. His whole body was screaming at him and he could barely hold himself upright from how weak his body was. But he supported himself on the wall and pressed on, flashes from the last time Remus tried to cook going through his head.

But he barely managed to get to the room's doorway before his body's last remaining strength was over and he collapsed painfully to the floor, grunting in pain and cursing.

Remus finds him on the floor and tuts disapprovingly. "Bad Emo, you need to stay in bed, here." Remus picked him up and slang him carelessly on his shoulder, putting him back on the bed.

"You… can't cook… house… burning…" Virgil said weakly.

"Aw c'mon! That was one time! Just sit tight, breakfast will be served soon!" Remus exclaimed happily and went outside again.

Virgil groaned and dropped his head on the soft pillow in defeat, how is he going to get out of this?

He at last gave in to his exhaustion and closed his eyes, falling back asleep despite his never ending worry about Remus burning the house down.

"Wake up, Emo!"

Virgil was jolted out of his sleep to find Remus' grinning face right in front of him.

"Look! Breakfast in bed! And you said 'I don't spoil you'." Remus shook his head with a smile as he shoved a tray into Virgil's face.

Virgil coughed before saying. "I've never said that in my life…"

"Yeah well, in any case, eat up!" Remus ignored him.

Virgil took the tray and put it on his lap, waiting for Remus to walk away and give him some goddamn space. But after a while it was clear Remus had no intention to leave. He sighed, picked up the fork and began eating.

"So how is it?" Remus was still very close to his face and grinning at him excitedly as he ate.

"Ah… it's fine? You just heated up yesterday's leftovers…" Virgil said hesitantly.

"Ha! And you said I couldn't cook! Who's the stupid one now?" Remus whooped in triumph.

"You… didn't cook, though.." but Remus didn't listen to him as he danced victoriously around the room.

Virgil just sighed and continued eating. When he was done Remus sat next to him on the bed with a laptop on his lap, letting Virgil choose what they would watch.

He didn't last long with his body still weak and tired and a full stomach and he fell back asleep in no time, not noticing his head leaning heavily on Remus' shoulder.

[rocksandmirrors]

thanks for the tag <3

(also disclaimer: while this is a TOH blog, i've written other stuff as well and will talk about it)

1. How many works do you have on AO3? 

31 so far, i used to have more but deleted a lot of them (out of shame + during a period where ao3 fics were stolen and reposted on another website and i freaked out about it)

2. What's your total AO3 word count? 

136,340 words

3. What fandoms do you write for?

currently a lot of TOH, but i've written for Sanders Sides, Luca and Danganronpa before!! i still want to post a couple unfinished fics from some of these medias

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Pay Attention - Sanders Sides (Virgil x Remus x Janus) (i'm not linking this one fuck you)

Cleanse Us, Acid Rain - The Owl House (Gustholomule)

One More Ride - The Owl House (Gustholomule)

Italicized Oh - The Owl House

Revenge - The Owl House (Gustholomule)

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not? 

of course!!! i'm a little slow at it (laziness and forgetfulness is a deadly combo) but i love answering comments as much as i love receiving them <3

6. What's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

i struggled to choose, but probably Bat Country. my man Steve's going through some shit rn

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

i'm not 100% sure if that counts, but i was thinking of Lack (not TOH). it's the closest i have to a happy ending imo

8. Do you get hate on fics?

never quite hate, just unwarranted criticism when i was 15 and not looking for that. i don't think the person had malicious intent, but they were still annoying af lol

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

depends on my mood (and i definitely haven't posted a lot of it), but sometimes i do!! it's either very vanilla and emotional or very kinky, almost no in-between, but in both cases there's a lot more talking than action ahah

10. Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written?

not a very crazy one, but i have a wip of a Steven Universe/The Owl House crossover!! Steven ends up in Gravesfield during his trip throughout the country and meets the Hexsquad, shenanigans ensue <3

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

fortunately no

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

a while ago, someone translated one of my fics in Spanish!! i can't remember which one tho, i think it was an old Undertale fic from my wattpad but i'm not 100% sure

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

no, i've had some friends beta-reading old fics but that's as close as it gets to co-written

14. What's your all-time favourite ship?

hhhh idk :(( either Gustholomule or Luberto, they're both so silly and i'm weak for young, awkward love

15. What's a WIP you want to finish, but doubt you ever will?

way too many, i honestly can't choose

16. What are your writing strengths?

definitely dialogues, i know i'm good at making characters interact, whether it's fluff or good ol' angst

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

definitely descriptions of... well, basically anything. my english is alright, but sometimes i tend to go "there was [this], it was [that]" ad nauseam and it gets pretty boring. i feel like i can't get people into the setting like i'd want to

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

it's alright if done correctly. i never had the opportunity to use french in one of my fics, but the way i had to ignore bad use of french in random dialogues annoyed the shit out of me

19. First fandom you wrote for?

*sigh* we're really going down that road, are we

my first fandom was Salut Les Geeks, a shitass youtube show a la Ray William Johnson, and i was OBSESSED with the characters (and the whole show in general bc 14 yo me had bad taste). please don't ask me about this

20. Favourite fic you've ever written? 

Bat Country again!! i put a lot of effort and love into it (and a tiny bit of projection), and despite the couple mistakes in it, i'm very happy with the result, especially how i portray the characters. plus it's inspired by one of my favorite songs by a7x <3 (that you should definitely check out if you like metal!!)

tagging @secretly-of-course @stars-and-birds @raineadey no pressure tho!!

20 Questions for Fic Writers

Thank you for the tag @marimbles! ♥️ No pressure tags: @litfeathers @lollytea @ashanimus @greyhavenisback @princecharmingwinks @tails89 @nutellarghh @ash-mcj @childlikegoblinqueen @daydreams-and-honeybees @avatarmerida @asarcasticwitch @sailahina @secretly-of-course @sapphic--kiwi @haystarlight @zyrafowe-sny @peachytea04 @slightecho

1. How many works do you have on AO3? just hit 100 last month!

2. What's your total AO3 word count? 479,814

3. What fandoms do you write for? I've dabbled in quite a few over the years, but the ones I've written the most fics for are doctor who (eleven/amy) teen wolf (sterek) and the owl house (huntlow)

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos? Error 404: Brain Cell Not Found (teen wolf | sterek) You Always Want What You're Running From (sleepy hollow | ichabbie) What To Do When Your Emotionally Constipated Werewolf Boyfriend Gets Cursed By A Witch: A Guide (teen wolf | sterek) Gold Rush (the owl house | huntlow) Lovesick (the owl house | huntlow) 5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not? I do! Every kind comment means so much to me, so I always take the time to respond to all of them (though I'm not always great at getting to them on time.)

6. What's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Hmm probably The Courtesan and the Writer (doctor who | eleven/amy) I used to dabble in angst a bit more when I first started writing fic, but these days all my fics are pretty much guaranteed to have a happy ending, because real life is hard enough lol

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Pretty much all my fics have happy endings, but one of the happiest I wrote would probably be my huntlow college AU Until You Meet Someone Who Makes The Fall Feel Like Flying

8. Do you get hate on fics?

I wouldn't call it outright hate, but I have gotten a handful of rude comments over the years (complaining that I don't post often enough, telling me my headcanons are wrong, telling me how they think my story should have ended — one time someone yelled at me in all caps because I said that a character chilled red wine lol that one was wild)

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

I do! Smut is fun. Mine is typically more focused on the emotional aspect than the physical, is usually the result of a long tension-fueled slow burn buildup, and is usually tooth-rottingly fluffy, soft, and sweet.

10. Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written?

I have! Back in the days where superwholock plagued tumblr, I wrote one of the silliest cross-overs imaginable, combining doctor who, torchwood, bbc sherlock, supernatural, the avengers, and sleepy hollow: Lords, Gods, and Madmen

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Yup 🙃

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Yes!

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

I have! But most of them never saw the light of day 😂 one that did is called An Eggcellent Morning For Cooking Lessons co-written with @ash-mcj @tails89 and @nutellarghh

14. What's your all-time favourite ship?

I think my top three ships are reflected in who I've written the most fic for: huntlow, sterek, and the eleventh doctor/amy pond

15. What's a WIP you want to finish, but doubt you ever will?

Luckily, everything that's posted to AO3 is finished, but at this point I'm thinking I'll probably never get around to writing the little nightmares, reylo, and captain swan WIPs I've had sitting in my drafts since 2019

16. What are your writing strengths?

I've been told I capture the characters really well, which means a lot to me. I've also been told that my writing is cozy and comforting and fills people with warm fuzzy feelings, which is always nice to hear 🥰

17. What are your writing weaknesses? I will sit there and agonize over the same paragraph trying to make it sound perfect instead of just letting the writing flow, so sometimes a fic will be in the works for a very long time until it's finally ready to be posted (by which time I'm probably sick of it and never want to look at it again 😂)

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

I've dabbled in this a little bit, but it's usually been plot-relevant, like a character learning to speak the language (i.e. when Hunter tried to learn Spanish in Being Human.) When I do write in another language, I always do my best to research and try to get the translations as accurate as possible, and I always include the English translation either in the fic itself or as an author's note so readers don't have to break away from my fic to google anything. (And also so that they know what my intention was, on the off-chance I translated something wrong and accidentally wrote something offensive.) 19. First fandom you wrote for?

Does anyone remember that vampire show that came out back in like 2009? Moonlight? Yeah, that one lol

20. Favourite fic you've ever written? God, that's like asking me to pick my favorite child. Okay fine, it's Until You Meet Someone Who Makes The Fall Feel Like Flying

[oneletteredwondered]

One of the Boys

Virgil is a new tenant to an apartment complex and his landlord seems real nice. He told Virgil that should he ever need anything fixed to just give a call. He managed to get over the anxiety of calling someone for help, now he needs to get over the gay panic he experiences every time his landlord sends ‘one of the boys’ over.

Pairing: Everyone has a crush on Virgil who is also gay for everyone.

Warnings: panic descriptions from talking over the phone/to new people. Possible second hand embarrassment, swearing

Prompt pic at the end.

--

In all fairness, Virgil loves his new place. Way more than the old place he used to live at least. At least here the walls weren’t cracked and seemed sturdy enough that he wouldn’t be able to hear his neighbors through them. While he does his sweep of the place, writing down anything that might be wrong so the landlord can’t blame them on him, there’s barely anything broken or messed up. A clear step up from his old apartment.

“What you say Oogies?” Virgil nods to the black cat lounging on the cat tower after he’s finished his walk through. The cat stares at him, he stares back. They blink slowly at the same time and Virgil puffs out a breath. OogieBoogie wasn’t fond of the move. Complaining loudly at every jostle of the cat carrier. Virgil wanted to let her out but couldn’t until all his stuff was moved in for her safety. Seems like he’s forgiven.

“Come on lazy bones,” He finagles the cat out of the tower and she curls over his shoulders, paws dipping into the hood of his hoodie, and purrs. He smiles and scratches at her chin. For the most part she blends into the patterned fabric, her grey stripes the only thing that pop out, and even then only barely.

Virgil locks the apartment door, cat on his shoulders, and walk-through papers in hand. They walk their way around the complex and to the main office building. Virgil almost hesitates, thinking maybe he should go tomorrow morning at a better time, but OggieBoogie nuzzles his head encouragingly.

“Yeah okay,” He whispers to the animal, knowing she’s smug as he opens the door. It’s fluorescently bright. There’s no one at the front desk. Virgil takes two steps, and nearly backs out, when a friendly face pops out of one of the offices.

“Oh Virgil!” Virgil lets out a sigh of relief. He recognizes the elderly face 

“Hey Mr Sanders,” He gives an awkward wave. The cheery man laughs.

“You may call me Thomas you know,” He says smiling at his cat and waving to the animal. She blinks at him.

“Right, yeah, course, Mr. Thomas yeah,” Virgil says. Thomas gives him a fond smile but doesn’t correct him. Thank god. Thomas helped him fill out lease papers when he first came to check out new apartments. Honestly a blessing as Virgil had no idea what he was doing. Bonus that Thomas professed the place to be queer friendly as well. Virgil hung up his rainbow flag in the window the moment he found it.

“Oh I brought the walk through papers back,” He hands them over and Thomas takes them happily. 

“Everything good so far?” He asks. Virgil nods, nothing on there that he thought needed fixing, at least right away.

“Oh,” Thomas says softly. Virgil tenses and Oogie starts purring on his shoulder to comfort him.

“Are you having problems with the lights?” Thomas asks, very sincerely. Virgil shrugs a little and Oogie shifts to accommodate his motions.

“Not really, nothing serious,” He tries to play it off. Thomas pouts at his papers.

“Some of the plugs not screwed in properly, not working, a light out in the laundry area,” Thomas ‘tsks’ as he reads off Virgil’s writing. He perks up and offers Virgil a bright smile.

“No worries at all! I’ll send one of the boys over to fix it.” He offers Virgil a wink and riffles through his pockets. He pulls out his wallet and inside it a business card for the office that he promptly hands over.

“You ever need anything fixed, do not be afraid to call ya hear?” Virgil just nods, taking the card with him.

“Wait the boys?” He finds himself questioning. Thomas smiles again with a flippant wave of his hand.

“It’s the name of the contractor company I have hired here for the apartments. Someone should be over in about an hour to help you with the lights.” And with that Thomas is walking away to his own office, leaving Virgil to go back to his new home.

“Shit,” He mutters as he now realizes. Company coming over, and his new home is a mess. He walks quicker than he normally does to try and clean a little before ‘one of the boys’ makes it over. Oogie is not as impressed.

--

Virgil does well distracting himself. He organizes the boxes and even rearranges the hazardously brought in furniture to his liking. Oogie is lounging in her cat tower again, watching him try not to be frantic. He’s in the middle of putting some tupperware containers in the cabinets when there’s a knock on the door.

He wipes his hands on his jeans to make sure they’re not sweaty, and opens the door. Somewhere in the back of his mind he debates slamming it shut but in the end remains frozen with the front door wide open. Cause there in front of him is an absolutely gorgeous guy, hair slicked back and a cunning smile.

“Good afternoon, my name is Damien. Mr. Sanders said you needed help with some of your lights?” His voice sounds like silk and though there’s a long scar across side of his face, it takes nothing away from his beauty.

“Uh yeah.” Virgil says awkwardly.

“Yeah, yeah,” He says even more awkwardly and moves to the side to let the guy in.

“Much appreciated,” The guy, Damien says. Virgil can’t tell if the dude is cheeky or not, but damn is he flustered trying not to stare at his arms and the way he moves in those white jeans. Who wears white jeans to fix things? Virgil should send them a thank you note.

“Which plugs were having issues?” Damien asks then and Virgil decides words are not needed just this moment and deigns to gesture as best he can. Damien smiles at him and sets to work straightening some of the plugs out and replacing one in the corner when he notices a crack in the casing.

“Excuse me, miss.” He hears Damien say and peeks over his kitchen counter to see Damien gently nudging Oogie away from some of his tools. Virgil whines.

“Oogies come on let the man do his job,” Virgil goes over and scoops the cat up, petting her head to keep her from getting annoyed that she couldn’t continue with her curiosity. Damien laughs though and stands, now taking out the walk through Virgil so diligently wrote not 2 hours ago.

“You said that some of the plugs don’t work and that some of the switches don’t lead to anything?” He glances at Virgil with just a hint of a smirk. Virgil hugs Oogie a little tighter to keep his gay panic from spiraling.

“Yeah just seemed weird? I didn’t know if it was something wrong or what,” He says with a shrug, trying to seem nonchalant. Damien lets out a small laugh and waves Virgil to follow. He pulls out a small plug in light and pushes into one of the sockets Virgil said wasn’t working. He flicks the switch on the wall and the light pops on.

“Oh,” Virgil says and wants to die of embarrassment. 

“Well now I feel stupid as fuck,” He says. Damien lets out another laugh, flicking the light twice more to demonstrate.

“It’s to save power that some of the switches lead to the plugs. Nothing broken there. You’re not stupid because you didn’t know.” He takes back his light and once more gives Virgil that sly smile. The worst is he smiles in a way that makes it seem like he knows what he’s doing to Virgil, which is just rude. Except he’s not, Damien is insanely polite which does not help Virgil in the slightest.

“Is there anything else I can help you with?” Damien asks as he puts the last of his tools back in the case.

“Nah. I’m good, thank you,” Virgil says, determined not to make a fool of himself this time. Damien nods his head.

“Have a good rest of your day then. It was a pleasure meeting you,” And this smug bastard winks at him and closes the door behind him. Virgil lets Oogie fall to the floor, picks up the nearest pillow, and screams into it. At least he can do it with proper working lights.

--

Virgil is freaking out. There’s no other way to put it. He is freaking out. So he got a little lazy and didn’t do his dishes. He’s been working so often and never found the energy to keep up. He decided he had a dishwasher for a reason, and even though he felt bad because the machine wasn’t even full, he ran it, and now there is water over the floor. Shit.

He sits on the couch, legs bouncing, with his phone in his hands. Thomas’s number is on the screen, ready to be dialed at the press of a button. Virgil still isn’t sure if this counts as a proper emergency. He managed to clean up most the water with some of his towels, but water is still coming out. Maybe if he just keeps rinsing out the towels and waits for the cycle to be done, he can pretend it never happened.

OogieBoogie jumps into his lap. She kneeds at his leg and is put out when he doesn’t move right away to pet her or give her proper access to his lap. She bumps her head against him and pushes her way to his chest, knocking his phone with her foot in the process.Virgil hisses at the action and ruffles her face in revenge.

“Hello?” A very faint voice calls out. Virgil swears softly and picks up his phone.

“Uh Mr Sanders Thomas?” He says into the receiver, then pulls it away to stare at the ceiling to briefly wonder what is wrong with himself.

“Yes?” Thomas says on the other line.

“It’s Virgil from Unit 16 B.”

“Virgil! How are you?” Thomas doesn’t sound put out that Virgil is calling him, which is a good sign so far. Virgil takes a deep breath, hands working methodically though Oogie’s fur.

“Doing okay yeah, how are you?” He says, it’s important to be polite. Thomas laughs.

“Doing good over here. What can I help you with?”

“Uhm, my dishwasher is leaking? And there’s water on the floor and I don’t know how to fix it. You said I could call if something is wrong and I just, yeah.” Virgil shrugs to himself. Thomas gasps on the other end.

“Oh no! That won’t do. I’ll send one of the boys over to help clean it up.” And Thomas hangs up. Virgil stares at the phone, then at his cat, then back at the dishwasher. He really doesn’t want Damien to see him embarrassed like this  again. He buries his face in Oogie’s side and lets her purr calm him down. He must be there for a while because soon enough there’s a knock on the door.

Thankfully, it’s not Damien on the other end. However, it’s another incredibly attractive guy with a wild smile and even wilder hair that makes Virgil tense up because how. This one wears a shirt with the sleeves ripped off to show how ripped their arms are, and again, white jeans, though this time, the jeans are not as white as they once were, evidence of the work that has been done in them.

“Afternoodle! I’m Remus. The Sander’s Man said something was wishy-washy with your dishy-washy?” His smile in untamed and Virgil stares at him dumbly trying to understand what the hell just came out of his mouth.

“Yes?” He ends up asking more than saying, and moves over so Remus can come inside.

“Much appreciated, now what is gong on here?” Remus smirks down at the mess of the kitchen with his hands on his hips.

“I just ran the dishwasher and water started coming out. I was in the kitchen when I felt it on my foot.” Virgil explains as Remus moves some of the soaked towels over. He finagles the machine to open, something Virgil was too scared to try.

“Oh boy, I see. Give me one hot second here hot tamale, and I’ll get this all cleaned up.” Virgil isn’t sure what he should be more flustered by. Being called hot by a hot guy, or the fact the dude flexed while talking and there is some serious definition in his arms. So Virgil just nods as Remus skips out to the maintenance golf cart outside the door, and brings back in a tool box.

Virgil watches from over the counter as Remus pulls out the racks and practically crawls his way into the dishwasher. Virgil decides it’s a good time to walk away so he doesn’t end up staring at Remus’s ass while he works. That’s not proper behavior for someone who is trying to help.

It’s a few minutes, one colorful yet not quite a swear, and a victory noise later that Virgil feels okay going back to the kitchen area.

“Oh! Hello~ pusspuss!” Virgil gets to watch the exact moment Remus looks up to see Oogie staring at him working. Virgil scoops the cat up.

“Sorry she’s really into strangers.” He says. Though really, she hides from everyone. Remus lets out a cackle of a laugh.

“That’s fine, I’m into strangers too. So I fixed the problem here, no more soggy floors for you. Make sure to run it every so often so it keeps things going clean and unclogged.” Remus says far too quickly for Virgil to respond properly. He picks up his tools and returns them to the case. Virgil does a half-assed job of not staring at his back which is now water soaked.

“Is there anything else I can help you with?” Remus asks at the door. Virgil shakes his head.

“As long as it works I think I’m good,” He says. Remus smiles openly.

“Have a good rest of your day then!” He says and closes the door behind him. There was really no reason for him to flex as he said that but Virgil enjoyed it and no one else has to know.

--

“Shit shit shit,” Virgil is fumbling. He had to go grocery shopping and get some cat food for OogieBoogieBaby. And no self respecting trash panda such as himself would dream of carrying it back inside in more than one trip. So he’s fumbling with his arms lined with bags that would be cutting into his skin if not for his hoodie sleeves, but even then, those are falling and he wishes it wasn't so hot out.

He manages to make it to his door, shift some bags around so he can get his key out, when the bag of cat food starts slipping. Virgil can see it now, cat food all over the front porch to either collect ants, or other cats, or any other large animal. He wouldn’t feed it to Oogie, to afraid of what is on the ground and if it’ll upset her stomach. He braces for impact and for another quick trip to the store.

“Whoa!” Virgil feels the weight leave him but not the crash. He blinks at the ground, then at a pair of white jeans, then at the bag of cat food in someone else’s arms, then up to the face of a bespectacled stranger with brilliant blue eyes.

“Are you alright?” Stranger asks calmly and takes another bag from Virgil that looks ready to topple at a second’s notice. Virgil snaps out of it once it’s out of his hands.

“Shit yeah thanks,” He breathes out in a rush, thankful as all hell as he manages to finally get the door open. He pushes it with his hip and Oogie is waiting at the door for him, meowing up at him. He coos a greeting to her and sets the bags down in the kitchen, the stranger follows only to the inside door and puts the bags down there to not intrude.

“Thank you so much,” Virgil says once he’s done pretending he can carry that much. The stranger just offers him a small smile, kneeling down to let Oogie sniff his gardening glove covered hands.

“It was my pleasure to help you. My name is Logan, I’m one of the workers on site.” He says and stands. His voice is low and calming, it would make for a great audio book, and Virgil is not going to spend the rest of the day thinking about that.

“Though I do apologize for suddenly grabbing your things, I know that can come across as ‘creepy’ and I do not wish for that to be my first impression.” He pries a glove off and holds out his hand. Virgil takes it and gives it a small shake.

“I’m Virgil, and this is OogieBoogie,” He introduces himself and his cat who has deigned to jump on the counter and sniff at the contraption on Logan’s back. He gently pushes the cat away with a soft look in his eyes.

“Pleasure to meet both of you. None for you I’m afraid,” He chides Oogie gently. Virgil swallows because damn, someone interacting gently with his cat more of a heart throb than originally intended. And Logan is nothing if not simply scholarly stunning.

“My apologies again, be sure to let someone know if there’s anything we can help you with. Have a wonderful rest of your day,” Logan nods his head softly and there is just the smallest crinkle around his eyes hidden under his glasses and Virgil is so weak as he closes the door to his apartment. He’s come into contact with one too many pretty people at this complex and it will be the death of him. Still, it is nice to wave to Logan every so often as he preens the landscaping around the buildings.

--

Virgil watches as water drips down the window. It started the other day after some rains. He put a towel under it to keep some of the water from ruining anything, but it’s still going the next day. Virgil sighs and looks at his phone, Thomas’s number on the screen. He takes a deep breath and presses call.

“Hello?” Thomas answers.

“Hey Mr. Thomas it’s Virgil, from Unit 16 B.” A practiced line. Thomas gives a happy gasp.

“Virgil how are you?” Thomas always sounds excited to speak to him. It helps.

“Doing okay, how are you?” He asks, absently petting Oogie’s back.

“Good good! How can I help you?” Thomas asks in turn. Virgil looks at the window.

“Something’s up with my window? It’s like.. leaking.” He explains but not really. Thomas hums.

“Did this start up with the rain?”

“Yeah, I’ve tried cleaning it with towels but it keeps going.” Virgil says. Thomas makes another hum noise.

“Sounds like a problem with the roof. I’ll send one of the boys over.” And Thomas hangs up. Virgil isn’t as put off with the abrupt ending, expecting it this time around. He glares at the window and goes to wait for ‘one of the boys’. Oogie follows over and demands pets. It a decent distraction till a loud knock comes from the door.

Virgil opens it and it's just unbelievable how down right beautiful this guy is. His hair in perfect waves and a charming smile on his face. His sleeves are also cut like Remus's were, but far less frayed.

"Wonderful morning, my name is Roman. Our dear Mr. Sanders told me there were some ill issues with the roof is that right?" He speaks with such confident flamboyance Virgil is a loss for words.

"Yeah," Is all he manages to say. He's pretty. Way too pretty for this.

"Yeah, sorry it's over here," He turns and leaves the door open for Roman to follow. Roman laughs loud and proud and does just that. Virgil shows him the window and does not bit his lip as Roman jostles the frame showing off muscles that are illegal.

"The panes seems closed but I'll check outside as well." He turns and heads out the door. Virgil follows.

"And the roof?" He asks. Roman offers him a dashing smile, checking his tools that he attaches to his belt, holding up pristine white jeans.

"You may hear some noises for a while as I'm up there, but fear not, I'll find the problem." He gives Virgil a wink and with ease, he finds a ledge on the building and hoists himself up. Virgil does not squeak. Certainly not cause he's scared that Roman will fall, and certainly not cause he rolls his shoulders and Virgil can see his body move and god damn it he’s so not straight.

So he goes inside and pretends there’s not a real attractive guy fixing his roof. The noises of fixing continue for an hour or so, Virgil keeping busy with cleaning and some mild work emails. Then the noises stop. Virgil glances at his ceiling curiously.

"Uh, Roman?" He calls from his front door, making sure the dude didn't fall off and die.

"Be down in a moment fair tenant!" He hears. Virgil rolls his eyes and barely turns when Roman suddenly lands in front of him.

"Roof is all set. There were a few shingles out of-"

"Did you just jump off the roof?!" Virgil interrupts. Roman blinks at him and has the nerve to smiling so dashingly again.

"I dare say I did," he says as if it's no big deal. Virgil sputters at the reckless, careless, brash attitude. Roman is far too entertained by it.

"I'm honored by the concern, dearest. Just one more moment to check the window from the other side." He winks again and is walking around the building before Virgil can say anything.

He grabs Oogie and plants his face in her fur. Too gay to function. He talks to her plainly about how unfair it is that pretty boys plague his life, only to find out he can absolutely be heard through the window by Roman asking in a muffled voice.

"You think I'm pretty?" Virgil screams and hides in his room, hearing Roman laugh through the wall. This is how he dies, he decides. This is even worse than the time Damien had to tell him his lights weren’t broken, he just didn’t know how to use them. This is so much worse.

He groans loud and dramatically when there’s a knock on his front door. He doesn’t want to open it. But he does, cause it’s rude other wise.Roman stands there, smug expression and a bright smile.

“Checked everything and cleaned up some water. A few shingles out of place and a loose vent, got those all patched down. If it continues to leak it might be a bigger issue so be sure to call if it does. Anything else I can help you with?” He asks. Virgil takes a steady breath to say no.

“I think I’ve dug my own grave enough for today,” He says, further digging his own embarrassment grave. Roman gives another laugh.

“Enchanted to meet you pretty boy, have an amazing rest of your day.” And then Roman honest to goodness bows and drives off in the golf cart. Virgil closes his door softly and looks at Oogie who stares back from her perch on the counter.

“Don’t even start,” He tells the cat. She looks away like she doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

--

“Boogs! No!” Virgil does not like shouting at his cat. He doesn’t like shouting in general. But it gets OogieBoogieBitchBaby away from the wall she is using as a scratching post. She scampers off as he approaches, fingers going over the claw marks in the wall. He groans to himself.

He moved her cat tower because she kept getting onto his work papers. In revenge for disposing her from her favorite perch and sights of the room, she clawed at the wall instead, leaving a few nasty scratches behind.

“How am I supposed to fix this?” He asks where she’s run off, hearing her run around. He bangs his head on the wall. This is not how he wanted his night to go. In the end, he has Thomas’s number on his phone and piece of paper he tore to shreds in worry over what he could possibly say.

“Hello?” Thomas answers.

“Hey Mr. Sanders, it’s Virgil. I-”

“Virgil! How are you?” Thomas asks. Virgil takes a deep breath.

“I’m- I’m so sorry Mr. Sanders. It was an accident I swear.” He needs to apologize, cause if Mr. Sanders kicks him out, he’ll have to go hunting for places to live again, and who is going to take him with a cat who destroys things, and then because no one will take him, he’ll die on the streets and Oogie will eat his toes.

“My cat Oogie she got upset with me and she clawed the wall and I’m so sorry,” He says in a rush.

“Hey, hey Virgil it’s okay. It happens, our furry friends do funny things. I’ll send one of the boys over to help fix it right up, okay?” Virgil swallows a lump in his throat at Thomas’s easy solution.

“Okay,” He croaks out and then hears the click of someone hanging up. He lets his phone drop and then puts his head in his hands. He doesn’t want to be kicked out his apartment, or to have Mr. Sanders think bad of him as a tenant, or as a bad pet owner. He throws himself back on his couch. He feels so dumb.

Thankfully, there’s a gentle knock to his door. Hopefully his savior in this mess. He opens it to bubbly boy in round glasses, giving him the most cheerful smile Virgil’s ever seen.

“Hey there, evening to you, my name is Patton. Mr. Sanders said we have some kitty claws on the walls?” He asks. Virgil lets his shoulders drop.

“Yeah, I’m so sorry about it.” He says Patton waves his hand.

“It’s not a cat-astrophe, it happens. Can you show me where it is?” He asks. Virgil nods and steps back to let the boy in white jeans in, then pauses.

“Did you just make a pun?” He deadpans. And Patton giggles.

“Sorry, sorry, just slipped out. I’m pawfully bad at them.” He says with a bright smile. Virgil stares at him, then snorts into his hand.

“That was really bad,” He says but Patton just beams at him.

“Got you to laugh though.” And Patton should not sound so proud of making a stranger laugh. Virgil coughs to cover his awkward and shows him where Oogie got to the wall and Patton ‘tuts’ in response, putting down a bag of tools on the floor.

“I have just the thing to get this back in purr-fect conditions.” Patton opens his bag and pulls out some paint and calking. Virgil steps back to let him do his job, very aware that Oogie is hiding somewhere away from him. It makes him nervous to not see his cat in the area. Sure Oogie isn’t a registered therapy animal, but she does a good job of keeping him calm.

“There, al-meow-st done!” Patton smiles at him over his shoulder and adds another coat of paint to the wall, looking good as new. Maybe it’s the puns or the cute, but Virgil does relax.

“Thanks for that.” Virgil says as Patton cleans up. He giggles once more and waves Virgil’s concern off again.

“It’s no big deal, it’s what we’re here for.” He reassures. Virgil sighs and turns to the small meow behind him. Oogie is on the table staring at him. Patton lets out a squeal of happiness.

“Oh she’s precious!” He says in syrupy sweet voice. Virgil snorts again and looks between the two.

“Wanna pet her?” He asks and before he finishes Patton is shaking his head.

“Un-fur-tunately I’m allergic. But she is paws-itively adorable.” Patton coos and waves to the cat, Oogie does nothing in return but that’s to be expected. Virgil rolls his eyes at the both of them.

“Thanks again for your help,” He says. Patton beams and there are freckles on his cheeks. Freckles, too cute, not allowed.

“Of course! Anything else I can help you with?” He asks. Virgil’s turn to shake his head.

“I think we’re good now,” He says. Patton giggles once more.

“Have a claw-some rest of your night,” And that shouldn’t be funny but Virgil snorts again and Patton is proudly walking off.

--

What the fuck, what the fuck. Virgil stares at the door knob in his hand. He just went for a late walk to get his mail, Oogie joining him on his shoulders. Something rattled in the door knob when he opened it, having to actually shove the door open to get back inside after unlocking it. When he went to close the door, the handle came off in his hand before he could close it proper.

What the fuck.

He stares at the space where the door knob was and his open door. His mind immediately races to all the creepy people who can break in and steal things or kidnap his cat. Or even all the bugs that will make home in his food and hair. Nope. None of that.

“Hey Mr Sanders?” Virgil says first, his anxiety over the open door he can not close for fear it won’t open again overriding his normal fear of calling his land lord.

“Virgil! How are you? It’s very late,” Thomas yawns on the other end. Virgil winces. He probably should have thought this through considering the time.

“I’m okay, so sorry to wake you, it’s just. My door handle uh, fell off?” There’s a pause.

“Well that’s not good.” Thomas says.

“I’ll send one of the boys over.” He hangs up plainly. Virgil has enough time to worry if he made Thomas upset by calling so late, and worry Oogie somehow got out only to find her cuddled in her tower, when the bad lights from the maintenance golf cart shine through the crack in the door.

There’s an awkward knock and Virgil pulls the door open. He’s not sure who in their right mind has sunglasses on this late, but at least this gorgeous person isn’t using them to hide their bright eyes. They give him a quirky smile.

“Well this isn’t something you see every day.” They remark and Virgil has to huff out a laugh, some of his panic subsiding.

“Evening babes, I’m Remy. What happened?” He asks and goes about unscrewing the rest of the door knob, kneeling down and scuffing his white jeans that nearly glow in the darkness. Virgil tells him the lead up and Remy scoffs out a laugh of their own, giving Virgil a glance, that turns into a once over, that shakes him to the core.

“No worries, I can see the broken piece. Easy fix.” He winks at Virgil and gets a spare doorknob from the golf cart. Virgil stand idly by as he fixes it, keeping Oogie from getting too close.

“Wassup cat?” Remy asks and gently puts his knuckles to her head in greeting. She makes a noise and then trots off, satisfied with the attention.

“What’s their name?” Remy asks while he screws things back together.

“That OogieBoogie, Oogie for short, though she’s been more of an OogieBoogieBastard lately.” She meows at Virgil from the top of her tower. He hisses back at her. Remy snorts.

“Nice, I have an orange cat named Pumpkin.”

“Nice,” Virgil says back. Remy smirks at his response and keeps working. Vigil pretends the look on Remy’s face didn’t give him reckless night vibes, that he would take Remy up on if he asked, cause damn, the dude’s hot.

“May I borrow your key for a second babes?” Remy twists the knob a few times and with Virgil’s borrowed key, closes, locks, and opens the door with no problems.

“All good to go, anything else I can help you with?” He asks as he hands back the key. Virgil shakes his head.

“Nah, I’m good, thanks for that,” He says. Remy gives him a wink.

“Have a good night babes.” Another wicked smirk and Virgil does his best to close his door at a proper speed. His heart is pounding and these pretty boys will be the end of him.

--

“Hi! Welcome in, how can I help you?” Cute, is all Virgil can think when he enters the office. Pastel, is second. There’s a new receptionist at the desk, freckles and a mega-watt smile.

“Hi uh, I got a notification I have a package?” He stammers out. Oogie purrs at his shoulder, reminding him it’s okay.

“Sure! What apartment number?” Virgil rattles off his numbers as the receptionist looks in the package closet.

“For Virgil?” They ask. He nods and takes his box, keeping it away from Oogie as it’s a surprise for her birthday.

“Oh! I’m Emile by the way. I’m working in the office now so if you need anything just give us a call okay?” They’re so earnest. Virgil ends up just nodding his head, only speaking when Oogie bumps her head to his.

“Yeah, thanks,” He says and before he can make an exit Thomas appears from inside one of the offices.

“I thought I head you! Virgil, how are you?” He asks. Virgil gives him a soft smile.

“Good, and you?” It’s only polite. Thomas lets out a laugh.

“Good here too. Say, the staff is hosting a tenant party here, some games and some food, you should join us if you’re not busy.” Thomas hands Virgil a flyer with some gaudy colors. Virgil does a good job of not letting his dislike of the idea show.

“You should totally come!” Emile beams at him and it does something gay to Virgil’s heart. Virgil glances at the two of them smiling at him.

“I could stop by?” He offers not waiting to make them mad at him. They cheer and turn back to their jobs. Virgil walks back to his apartment, petting Oogie as he does.

“What did I just get myself into?” He asks her. She bumps her head to his hand in response.

--

It’s not a bad turnout for an apartment complex party. Virgil does show up, Oogie situated on his shoulders. Even though its closer to summer, He’s still wearing his hoodie if not just to give her a place to put her paws should she wish to.

There’s those plastic cheap tables lining around the pool area, boxes of pizza and some crinkly plastic containers of mini sub sandwiches sit on top. There’s a section for drinks and cups right next to. Virgil gets himself a cup of lemonade.

He glances about. Some people are playing some bean bag toss game, others are playing on the mini putt putt area Virgil didn’t even know they had. Lots of people are in the pool, messing around and splashing water at each other. He sticks to the sidelines.

“Virgil!” Or maybe not. He looks to who called his name and though he’s happy Logan called for him so he doesn’t have to be alone, he’s lamenting the fact that not only is it Logan, he’s also with Patton, Damien, and Remy. Fuck. Virgil goes bug eyed, giving himself a pep talk, helped along by Oogie making a ‘mrrp’ noise in his ear, and walks to his doom.

“Hey Logan,” Virgil says once he’s close. Patton waves as best he can with hands full of pizza.

“Sup babes?” Remy asks with damn smirk, sunglasses appropriate now. Virgil rolls his eyes.

“Damien, if you don’t remember,” Damien holds out his hand. Virgil of course remembers embarrassing himself in front of freaking sleek attractive Damien, but he isn't about to say that. Virgil takes his hand to shake and Damien flips it to bring a kiss to the back of Virgil’s hand. Virgil’s jaw drops as Patton giggles helplessly.

“Dee don’t do that!” He says but there’s not force behind it. Damien just smiles like the cat that got the cream.

“I didn’t know you two were familiar?” Damien turns the attention to Logan now. Logan just pushes up his glasses.

“I admit to helping Virgil carry in groceries more than once.” Logan says, giving Damien a look that Virgil doesn’t have the power to decipher. Patton whines.

“Kiddo you could have asked for more help,” He says. Virgil shrugs.

“Two trips are for the weak.” He and Remy tap their glasses together in a cheers.

“Yes and I’m sure dropping your groceries is also for the weak.” Logan chides and it does hit a little harder, but still Virgil taps his glass to Remy’s again in a cheers.

“Virgil!” Someone calls and Virgil is blinded by the force of Emile’s smile so suddenly in his face.

“You came!” He’s excited. Virgil nods and takes a step back. Oogie murmurs upset on his shoulder.

“Yep, I said I would and hey, free food.” He ignores the looks the others give each other and Emile just bounces.

“Well I’m glad you’re here. Me and Patton were gunna play corn-hole later, you should join us!” Patton gives an equally excited gasp as Emile gestures to the bean bag toss.

“Uh sure,” Virgil says. Emile bounces and waves, and is off to say hi to other residents as soon as he came. Virgil is reeling from the interaction and it only gets worse.

“Is that pretty boy??” Virgil hears the splash before he sees anyone but then Remus is there in his face, shirtless and in swim trunks and dear god, he has a tramp stamp.

“Hello again stranger~” He coos. Virgil musters up a hi when suddenly another shirtless person is standing next to Remus.

“It is pretty boy! How are you darling?” Roman says. Virgil has officially hit gay panic mode. If the earlier mix of suave and cute wasn’t enough to do him in, the pure amount of muscle now is going to do him in.

“Fine,” He chokes out. Remus and Roman both laugh at his answer. Great. If he hoped for any kind of saving from the others, it’s surely a dashed hope by the amused looks on their faces.

“Are you joining us in the pool?” Remus asks excited. Oogie hisses from his shoulders. Vigil raises a hand to calm her and she nuzzles his knuckles.

“Uh not today.” He says, which is the wrong thing to say.

“But another day?” Remus asks all wild excited. Roman shoves him.

“Like he wants to spend time with your gross ass!” Roman shouts playfully. Patton huffs and calls him for his language but he is ignored. Remus gasps offended with a wild smirk on his face.

“Sure he does, can’t keep his eyes off these guns,” And Remus flexes. Virgil smacks a hand to his face. Oogie dips to hide in his hood. Roman lets out a laugh and firmly shoves Remus back into the pool.

“The only gun he needs is a glock to the face.” Roman puts a fist in his hand, flexing as well. The pun does get Patton to giggle though and Damien rolls his eyes.

“Virgil I am going to get some food, would you like to accompany me?” Logan asks finally done with the nonsense.

“How do you know his name!?” Roman screeches.

“I asked.” Roman let's out an outright offended gasp for whatever reason. He doesn’t get to say another word as Remus from out of no where, runs and tackles Roman back into the pool with no such boundaries.

“Food sounds good,” Virgil says. Logan smiles softly at him.

“I think I shall join you,” Damien says looking into his cup which doesn’t look empty but who is Virgil to judge. 

“Come find me and Emile when you’re done okay?” Patton interjects before they can leave. Virgil offers him a two finger salute, and then leaves Patton and Remy to go find Emile, while he finds food.

“Idiots,” Logan mutters once they are away from the pool. Damien hums in thought.

“But not wrong,” He says.

“They aren’t right either.” Logan snaps back.

“Should I go?” Virgil asks as they are clearly not talking to him. Both Damien and Logan look at him scandalized.

“Certainly not!” Damien says and gives him a slick smile. Virgil swallows down his lemonade to keep his throat from clogging up. He spends some time talking to the two of them, making sarcastic comments and opening up. Oogie pops out to lick his hair at one point.

At that, Virgil finds Emile somewhere, letting them know he’ll be right back, wanting to drop Oogie off at home. He’s comfortable enough here to not need her reassurances, besides, she’s tired from napping and needs to go home to sleep. With some ‘hurry back’ wishes, he’s off back to his place.

He makes sure Oogie is comfy and goes to leave, finding Thomas waiting in one of the golf carts outside his door.

“Need a ride?” He offers. Virgil laughs and joins him in the small vehicle.

“Virgil if I may, I have a favor to ask of you?” Thomas says seriously. Virgil nods his head as his lungs refuse to let him breathe for fear of the favor.

“Please be kind to my grand kids yeah?” Thomas asks, an earnest look in his eyes. Virgil isn’t sure what he’s talking about, but then he looks up. All of the boys who have been coming in and out of his life to fix his home are there staring and waiting for him to get back with the same look in their eyes.

Oh. Virgil thinks.

Oh no.

--

AN: Lol that multiship life

Edit: now with a part 2

[arc-gx]

ahem this was supposed to be posted on my art blog @art-gx but i fucked up and wrote it on my main instead so uh. go follow that blog if you want to see me post art every few decades. thanks. on to your regularly scheduled program

this is so very very late but uh. i have good reason it took so long i think. maybe idk. but here @dante1138 i finally finished

welcome back to aris draws one thing every century or so and it looks completely different from the last drawing because i am nothing if not consistently inconsistent.

anyways, on to more relevant discussion; HOLY FUCK DANTE 700 FOLLOWERS THAT'S ALMOST TO 1000 BASICALLY!!! The fact that you're not only my mutual but an amazing friend and so talented and cool and dare i say fashionable is just. thank you for existing. you absolutely deserve this and i can't wait to see that number hit the big 1K!

in all likelihood the 'hiding stuff by making it white so it only shows up when you click' thing probably didn't really work, especially since it's not even the right shade but ʅ（• •）ʃ

image description and some variations without text and me talking more underneath the cut

[image ID: A digital drawing for @dante1138's 700 followers dtiys. Virgil is dressed in his jacket, a ripped lavender crop top, a skirt, and semi-translucent fishnet leggings. He's perched on top of a room in a round potion bottle corked on top and cluttered with pillows, cats, and posters. The diversity queer pride flag and nonbinary pride flag hang on the bottle's walls and lights drape from the ceiling. the drawing has "Congrats on 700 followers" across the front and various asides written around in the background. end ID]

[image ID: five other versions of the drawing without writing, three of which feature virgil with slightly different hairstyles, and the last two which show just the bottle, one with a transparent background and the other with a white background. end ID]

pretty happy with how the bottle came out! i loved doing all the details and stuff and getting the perspective right. i still cannot draw humans satisfactorily for me tho :/ most of my struggle was getting the legs right and then trying to make the hair look right and idk if i succeeded but. i can still be proud of this cause it's still improvement

[thepenguinclub]

a cautionary tale

read the first installment of the teacher virgil series here, and the next one here. masterpost here.

virgil and oc, part of a series, read the first one for more sanders sides content but this is a stand alone, the oc is my baby boy respect him

Summary:

“What I don’t think you know, or what you don’t understand, is that there are consequences to your actions. This stuff you’ve been getting away with for who knows how long? You’re going to stop getting away with it, and when that happens, it isn’t going to end well. This shit you’re messing around with, it has real world consequences.”

“I don’t care,” Kane bit out sharply, meeting Mr. Sanders’ gaze. His teacher raised an eyebrow.

“You don’t care?” he repeated.

“I don’t care.” Kane shifted in his seat, tightening his still crossed arms. Mr. Sanders nodded slowly, and leaned back again, spinning slightly in his fancier chair.

“Alright,” he said after a second. “You don’t care.” He gestured to the door. “You’re free to leave, then.”

---

Kane is what people call a delinquent. A mischief maker. A bad kid and a worse influence.

Kane is, at heart, a kid who needs a helping hand.

————

hello! yeah so this is something i turned in for my creative writing assignment to write a cautionary tale. and of course my brain immediately went 'hmmm.... how can i sneak fanfiction into this' so here we are.

i know this is not the sequel people were expecting but give it a chance! i think you'll like it.

thanks to @sunbrightshadows for betaing, and for the very nice person in my cw class who gave me a wonderful peer review, as well as wrote a very nice story.

the junior lit. and lang. class of mr. sanders and what happens in it takes place in november. this takes place in april of the same school year, so after tjllcmswhit. why is that name so long honestly who named it that. oh right.

(virgil is a genius and graduates college early, which means he's 19 when he starts teaching (also 19 in this fic) for those reading as a standalone.)

enjoy!!

WARNINGS: swearing (lots), smoking, police, police stations/holding cells, descriptions of school fights (not very graphic), allusions to child abuse, mentions of parental deaths and unhealthy coping mechanisms for grief (i.e. overworking and fighting)

if i missed anything let me know!!

————

Kane ducked as Jackson’s fist sailed over his head, right where his nose had been. He reached up and grabbed Jackson’s forearm, twisting it to his left as he stood back up to his full height. Jackson grimaced, grunting as he used his other hand to try and get his arm free. Kane just smirked, using the opening to knee Jackson in the gut, causing him to double over with a pained wheeze.

“Finish him off, dude!” Dylan yelled from a few feet to his right, snacking on a bag of potato chips noisily. Kane spared him a roll of his eyes before following his advice, clasping his hands together and raising them above his head. Before he could bring them down on Jackson, though, the telltale clicking of heels reached his ears. He and Dylan locked eyes.

“Teacher,” Kane mouthed, and then they were off, leaving Jackson to catch his breath just as the teacher rounded the corner. They ran around the building, through the underpass, and all the way until the bleachers of the stadium field, where the junior army kids were practicing. 

“Shit, that was close,” Dylan panted next to him, pushing his hair off his forehead. Kane just nodded, taking deep breaths as he fluffed his own hair. “What was she even doing out there anyway?”

“Don’t know, don’t care,” Kane replied, shaking the leftover adrenaline out of his limbs. “All that matters is that Jackson is gonna snitch because he’s a little bitch, and we’re gonna take the fallout.”

Dylan swore under his breath. 

“We could spin it that you were just defending yourself,” he suggested half-heartedly, both of them knowing that there was no way out of it.

“Eh,” Kane shrugged. “What’s one more black mark, right?”

Dylan let out a little “amen,” before nodding in the direction of one of the school’s back doors.

“First period starts soon,” he said, and Kane grunted in response. They both walked through the doors and blended into the crowd of other students, following the flow to the fourth floor until they reached their destination, slipping through the doorway as the bell was ringing. 

“So close,” Mr. Sanders sighed. “One day you two’ll be late and I’ll finally feel vindicated.”

“I feel like you’re conforming to a stereotype because of our appearances,” Dylan replied breezily, sliding into the desk closest to the bookshelf against the wall as Kane flopped into the one next to it, both of them dropping their bags heavily next to them.

“Those were some big words for you, Dylan,” Danny quipped from behind Kane, who turned around in his seat to scowl at him. Danny just flashed an overly wide smile, batting his eyelashes. Danni, his partner, looked at him unimpressed from behind Dylan.

“Do you need me to dumb it down for you?” Dylan replied, smiling innocently back. 

“Boys,” Mr. Sanders called from the front of the classroom, tone sounding bored. “We do this testosterone competition every class and it never gets more entertaining, so, unless one of you has magically come up with some new material, shut up.”

Kane huffed, but turned back to look towards the front, Dylan following suit.

“Wonderful,” Mr. Sanders deadpanned, before pulling out the attendance clipboard. “Alright class, today we are going to do your favorite hot drink.”

Kane zoned out, only answering with a flat “coffee” when Mr. Sanders called his name. He liked Mr. Sanders, really. He was the youngest teacher in the school, having graduated much earlier than average people, and wasn’t much older than Kane himself. He and Dylan purposefully tried not to skip first period because of how much they liked him, actually. When there was a class you liked, it was smarter to go, that way you could get away with skipping others. That’s what they had learned freshman year, and they’d both been operating fine under that rule since.

Still, it was Lit. and Lang. Not exactly the most interesting class in the world. So, when Mr. Sanders opened with, “Alright, kiddies, today we are continuing with Dante’s Inferno,” Kane felt completely justified letting his head fall to the desk with a thud in disappointment.

“Mr. Barns is exceedingly excited about this news,” Mr. Sanders continued, amused, and Kane flipped him off without lifting his head up. “Oh, look, a bird. I wonder how that got in here.”

The class erupted into giggles, and Kane lifted his head up only to glare at his teacher, who just smiled cheekily back. Dylan patted him consolingly on the shoulder, and Kane glanced at him with a raised eyebrow.

“It was pretty funny, dude,” Dylan explained unabashedly, shrugging. Kane grumbled nonsense to himself.

Mr. Sanders continued the lesson, discussing the latest chapter of Dante’s Inferno that Kane had spent three minutes skimming on SparkNotes. It was a pretty average English class, which meant Kane was staring aggressively at the clock the whole time, willing it to move faster. The only thing he really paid attention to was when, about halfway through, Mr. Sanders got a call on the school landline, which wasn’t very common. All he said, though, was “yes… okay… okay, thank you,” so it was only a little more interesting than the material.

Finally, after an eternity, the bell rang, and Kane swung his bag onto his shoulder as he stood up. Freedom was in sight.

“Kane, Dylan, stay back for a second, please.”

Freedom was lost, never to be attained.

The rest of the class filed out of the door, Kane watching wistfully, before he slowly slumped up to Mr. Sanders’ desk, Dylan a few steps behind him.

“Yeah?” he asked rudely. Mr. Sanders leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. Kane swore internally.

“Dylan, what’s your next period?” he asked. Dylan didn’t reply for a second, probably trying to remember. He usually skipped the next period.

“Latin,” he answered slowly. “Shit, I have a test, I think.” 

Mr. Sanders just stared at him.

“Go to class and do me the favor of, at the very least, cramming before the test instead of just trying to bullshit the whole thing,” he finally said. Dylan smiled a bit as he nodded, and Kane had the lingering thought of ‘take me with you’ as he walked out the door.

Mr. Sanders turned to look at him, and he cringed.

“I know for a fact you have art next period, which you skip, even though you’re a good artist, so you aren’t getting out of this, Kane.” He gestured to the desk in front of his own desk, where the deaf girl usually sat. “Sit down.”

Kane sat, letting his bag drop again. He rested his head on his hand morosely.

“I got a call from Mrs. Meyer,” Mr. Sanders stated. “She said she caught you beating up another student while Dylan observed.”

“She’s so wrong, I would never-” Kane went to protest, but Mr. Sanders held up a hand and he stopped talking.

“Now, I don’t particularly like Mrs. Meyer,” he continued. “And I don’t believe you were kicking around a kid without any reason. So,” he leaned forward, “what was your reason?”

Kane contemplated sticking with the lie that he didn’t do anything, but the look Mr. Sanders was giving him was screaming ‘don’t fucking try me,’ so Kane just scoffed.

“He was being a dick.” He crossed his arms to match Mr. Sanders, hunching in on himself. “He was starting something he couldn’t finish, and I told him that, but he didn’t listen. So I finished it. Simple.”

“Right,” Mr. Sanders agreed amicably. “Simple.”

Kane nodded stiffly, and Mr. Sanders sighed. He uncrossed his arms and leaned forward.

“Look, Kane.” He ran a hand through his hair. “You’re a smart kid. When you apply yourself, you do well in this class. You’re a great artist, and if you actually attended those classes, you would be even better. I want to help you be a better student, and with anything you need help with.”

Kane had been shrinking into himself during Mr. Sanders' whole speech. In his entire life, he had never had someone reply to one of his fuck ups with compliments. ‘I want to help you’ was pretty common, but never with the sincerity that Mr. Sanders was giving him now. It all had a quality that made Kane feel worse, like he had a wad of chewing gum lodged in his stomach.

“What you’re doing right now,” Mr. Sanders continued, shaking his head, “isn’t working. You aren’t doing well in your other classes, are getting marks on your records, and beating kids up? That’s assault, if they want it to be.”

“I know all that,” Kane replied quietly. 

“I know you do,” Mr. Sanders replied even faster, speaking calmly. “What I don’t think you know, or what you don’t understand, is that there are consequences to your actions. This stuff you’ve been getting away with for who knows how long? You’re going to stop getting away with it, and when that happens, it isn’t going to end well. This shit you’re messing around with, it has real world consequences.”

“I don’t care,” Kane bit out sharply, meeting Mr. Sanders’ gaze. His teacher raised an eyebrow.

“You don’t care?” he repeated.

“I don’t care.” Kane shifted in his seat, tightening his still crossed arms. Mr. Sanders nodded slowly, and leaned back again, spinning slightly in his fancier chair.

“Alright,” he said after a second. “You don’t care.” He gestured to the door. “You’re free to leave, then.”

Kane narrowed his eyes suspiciously, glancing between Mr. Sanders and the door. After a full minute, he decided it wasn’t a trick, and he slowly stood up, swinging his backpack onto his back. When Mr. Sanders just watched him, he gained more confidence, striding over to the door. He was halfway through the doorway before he was stopped.

“Mr. Barns,” Mr. Sanders' voice called from behind him, mention tone here. Kane didn’t turn around. “Think about what I said. Even though you don’t care.”

Kane paused for a second, but that was the end of it, so he walked out the door and into the empty hallway. 

He ignored the gum in his stomach when he turned in the opposite direction of his art class.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Brian Xander was the biggest kid at Westburrow High School.

He was a senior, so the grade above Kane. He’d been held back three years running, and the rumor was he was shooting for a fourth, which also made him the oldest kid in the school, by a long shot. He was muscled, with tattoos stretching over his skin and studs on his clothes. He smoked outside instead of attending class, he and his revolving door of friends claiming the best spot to smoke, under the bleachers. This meant Kane, Dylan and the rest of their friends were banished to the cut-out in the back of the school, where the dumpsters were.

But Xander (not Brian. Some people said that not even his parents called him by his first name) and his gang were suspended a few days ago, which meant that, considering Kane and his friends were the next in line, they had taken the luxury of the bleachers during the last period of the day.

Which was good, because it was an uncharacteristically hot April day, the kind that teased the summer that was approaching, and the dumpsters would have smelled horrible in the thick, warm air. 

Instead of suffering, though, they were in the blessed shade of the bleachers, a paradise in comparison.

“This is nice,” Dylan said next to him where they were both leaning against the wall. Smoke filtered out of his mouth when he talked, wafting upwards gracefully. Kane nodded his agreement, removing the cigarette from his lips and breathing out through his nose, tendrils of his own smoke floating to join Dylan’s. Mr. Sander’s warning was long pushed into the back of his mind, something he had committed to ignoring. All in all, it was pretty nice.

Of course, that was when things went wrong.

“Yo, freaks,” a voice called out, and Kane furrowed his eyebrows, turning towards the voice curiously. There weren’t a lot of people who would be confident enough to antagonize their little group.

Unfortunately, one of the only people that was exempt to that statement was indeed standing at the mouth of the bleachers, looking pissed.

Kane tried not to obviously scramble to his feet in front of Brian Xander, but he wasn’t sure if he succeeded. Next to him, Dylan stayed sitting, watching with a hesitant expression.

Kane should have said something like, “Do you want to join us?” Or maybe, “What’s up?” Or a simple, “Yo.”

Instead what came out was, “I thought you were suspended.”

Kane cringed, because that was definitely not the right thing to say. Xander seemed to agree, because he sneered.

“So, what, I’m gone and you fuckers think you can just waltz in and take our spot?” He glared at Kane, who looked at Dylan for help. He just parroted Kane’s own wide-eyed stare back at him.

“We weren’t trying to-”

“You know what?” Xander asked mockingly, stepping forward. “I really don’t care.”

Kane ducked as Xander’s fist sailed over his head, breathing in so quickly he choked on the air, causing him to stumble away from Xander, coughing and sputtering. The bigger man didn’t care, and it didn’t take long for him to go after Kane.

His other friends, the absolute dicks, ran as soon as it was clear this was going to be a real fight. Dylan, the only one that Kane actually trusted, caught his eye, turned around, and started running. Kane didn’t have time to think about that before he was being pushed back against a wall, his head hitting it painfully, causing sparks to dance around his vision. It cleared just in time for him to dive out of the way of a punch that would have broken his nose, instead causing Xander to slam his knuckles into the brick and swear loudly. 

“I’m gonna kill you for that,” he growled, shaking his hand out and wincing. Kane just stood up. 

He knew how to fight. He knew how to fight, he’d been doing it since he was thirteen. This was just another jerk, one who couldn’t keep their hands to themselves. There was nothing different.

At least, that’s what he told himself. He wasn’t sure if he believed his own lies, but they tasted sweet in his mouth, so when Xander came at him again, he faked a hit to the other boy’s face and instead punched his gut, kicking the side of his knee when he paused to grunt and regain his breath.

Kane backed up quickly, clenching his hands into fists to stop them from shaking. Xander stood up straight, and caught Kane off guard by just charging him instead of making some comment. 

That was what decided the tone of what was about to happen. Kane got some good hits in, enough to know Xander would be feeling like shit for the next few weeks, but for every hit Kane landed, Xander landed three. Kane was wiping blood from his nose and wheezing when he breathed, scrambling away from the looming figure that was backing him against a wall, when Dylan showed up, three security guards, a teacher, and the principal in tow.

“Mister Xander!” the principal yelled, causing Xander to pause, looking at their new audience and sighing aggressively at what he saw.

He looked back at Kane consideringly, trying to figure out if he could land a few more in, but two of the security guards came up behind him, one clapping him on the shoulder.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, kid,” he said. “Police are on their way, and it wouldn’t do much.”

“Besides,” the other one added, looking down at Kane, “he’s getting the same wrap as you. I mean, you are trespassing on school property, technically, but he’s not coming off clean, if that makes you feel any better.”

Xander smirked down at him, as if Kane’s stomach hadn’t just dropped straight out of him, then turned in the guards hold to walk back over to the group, letting the third guard handcuff him.

The first guard came up to him and offered a hand up, which he took, grunting when the action of standing up caused his ribs to scream in protest.

“Come on, kid,” the guard said, leading him out to everyone else. Police cars were pulling into the parking lot. Dylan gave him an apologetic look, which he nodded at in acknowledgement. It was the best thing he could have done, and Kane recognized that. The guard pressed something metal against his wrist, which Kane realized were handcuffs. He swallowed.

“Here to pick up some delinquents?” a police officer called from the front seat of his car. The guard led Kane over, opening the door and sliding him in. Kane watched numbly as the guard leant down to peer at him from outside the car.

“Have a fun ride,” he said. Kane just breathed in heavily.

The car door slamming startled him enough that he hit his head on the roof of the car. The officer in the front seat just chuckled lightly and started to drive.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kane was in a holding cell.

He was sitting on the bench, hunched over, with his elbows resting on his legs and his head in his hands. The position was hell on his ribs, but he was tired, and that was the way he felt most comfortable, so that was the way he sat.

They had given him a few bandages and bruise cream, as well as checked him over for a concussion (he didn’t have one, just a lump on the back of his head), so nothing was as bad as it was when he first got to the station. That didn’t mean he didn’t feel a bit like a giant bruise, though.

The officers had told him that they were keeping him until someone came to get him and had paid what needed to be paid. Which, normally, meant for a few hours.

Unfortunately, Kane was not normal, which meant that his mom was out of state for work and he had no other family. And also, even if his mom was fifteen minutes away, he wasn’t totally sure they could afford bail anyway. For all he knew, this cell would only be the first. Kane blinked back tears, not for the first time since he had arrived at the station. What had he been thinking?

This wasn’t what was supposed to happen. He was supposed to mess around a little, pass his classes with Cs and Ds and work right out of high school.

Instead, he was sitting hunched over in a holding cell for the foreseeable future. He dimly wondered if they’d give him a pillow for the next few nights.

He sighed, and immediately regretted the action when his body berated him for it.

A door opened, a few heavy footsteps entering the room around the cell. Kane didn’t look up. Just officers passing through.

At least, that’s what he thought until a familiar voice was telling someone to “let me inside.”

Kane’s head snapped up to watch Mr. Sanders raise a patronizingly calm eyebrow at the sputtering police officer.

“We can’t do that, sir,” the officer said, crossing his arms almost self-consciously.

“He’s a seventeen year old child,” Mr. Sanders replied drily. “I think I’ll be safe. I promise I’ll scream if he’s about to murder me, though,” he tacked on, sarcasm thick in his tone. The officer sputtered again, but unlocked the holding cell door like he said, allowing Mr. Sanders to stride into the cell confidently. The door closed behind him.

He came over to sit next to Kane, who had been watching him with a look he was sure was entirely surprise and shock.

“What are you doing here?” he finally asked when it became clear Mr. Sanders wasn’t going to start the conversation, having just leaned against the wall behind them casually. 

It was then that Kane noticed his attire. He choked on his own spit.

Mr. Sanders (his teacher!) was dressed like a drugstore emo, complete with ripped black skinny jeans and platform Docs that must have been an inch thick at least, and a purple band shirt that was almost completely obscured by the leather bomber jacket that hung loose of his frame. His hair was still the same, a purple-black ombre that fell into his eyes, but not enough to obscure the fact that he was wearing eyeliner.

Mr. Sanders watched in amusement as Kane tried to recover his breathing, only frowning when Kane winced at the spasm of his chest that caused his ribs to twinge painfully.

“Are your ribs injured?” he asked.

“What are you wearing?” Kane asked in reply, not even purposefully sidestepping the question, just overwhelmed by the level of flabbergasted-ness he was experiencing. Mr. Sanders’ lips twitched upwards.

“I do have a life outside of being a teacher, Kane,” he reminded him, crossing his legs with an indifferent air.

“Yeah, but I didn’t realize that involved… whatever this is!” he exclaimed, gesturing broadly.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say I was being insulted,” Mr. Sanders said, and Kane backtracked.

“No, no, I mean- I didn’t-”

“Relax, Kane,” Mr. Sanders put his hands up in a calming gesture. “I was joking. I know you aren’t insulting me.”

Kane nodded, then furrowed his eyebrows.

“What are you doing here?” he asked again.

“I’m here for you,” Mr. Sanders answered easily, as if it was the most simple thing in the world. “Dylan emailed me about what happened, and I called your mom, who won’t be back in town for a few days. She gave me full permission to pick you up and drop you off at your house, or my apartment if you want to stay with me.”

Kane stared at him as if he was speaking another language. 

“What?”

Mr. Sanders smiled slightly.

“I’m here to pick you up, and either bring you back to your house or mine, whichever you prefer,” he simplified. Kane still didn’t understand.

“I don’t understand.” 

Mr. Sanders sighed through his nose, and Kane immediately felt like he had done something wrong.

“Kane,” Mr. Sanders started softly, “you very obviously didn’t listen to my warning. Why was that?”

Kane shrunk in on himself a bit, ignoring the way it made his ribs throb. He didn’t say anything.

“Okay, you don’t have to answer.” Mr. Sanders was quiet for a moment. Kane glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. He was leaning against the wall with his legs crossed still, his eyes closed, looking like he could be taking a quick rest in the park, or maybe napping in a café. The dreary interior of the holding cell didn’t match the picture.

“My dad died when I was eleven,” Mr. Sanders finally said. Kane startled, hissing a breath out through his teeth in pain, but Mr. Sanders didn’t react. He just kept talking. “He was my best friend, and then one day he was just gone. It was really hard for us, especially since my mom was pregnant with my little brother. I worked as hard as I could to take care of them, and the way I did that was by going as fast as possible. I graduated as soon as I could, sped through college, and took the first job I could.” He paused. “Don’t get me wrong, I love my job, but being a teacher was never my grand plan. My dad had those.” A ghost of a smile flitted across his face. “I was going to cure cancer, or feed millions of hungry kids, or be the first person on Mars. He liked to believe that because I was smarter than anyone my age, I could do anything. Despite the fact that I haven’t done any of that stuff, I think he’d be proud of me. I hope he is,” he added, almost as an afterthought.

Mr. Sanders opened his eyes, and turned his head slightly to look at Kane, making eye contact. Kane didn’t know if he could look away. He didn’t know if he wanted to.

“Your dad wasn’t like that, was he.” It wasn’t a question. It was a statement, and suddenly Kane, despite being bigger than almost any other person in the Junior class, despite being seventeen and roughed up after a fight, suddenly felt very small.

Still, he managed to shake his head.

“I’m sorry he was the way he was,” Mr. Sanders said. “I know that hurt you. I understand what it’s like, to have so many feelings and not know what to do with them. I put them into work, to the point that it was unhealthy. You put them into…” he trailed off, not breaking eye contact. Kane was filling in the blanks without even realizing he had started talking.

“Anything,” he whispered. “Anything that he would hate. Anything that made me seem cool, that made sure people wouldn’t pick on me.”

“Pick on you like he did,” Mr. Sanders elaborated, and Kane felt himself nodding. Mr. Sander’s eyes were green. He’d never noticed that before. “Your mom’s worried about you.”

That was what finally let Kane break away from the eye contact, the statement causing his head to duck ashamedly, almost involuntarily.

“I know,” he muttered. He didn’t mean to worry her, but he just couldn’t help it. He almost didn’t know how to do anything other than smoke and skip and fight, even though he knew she hated it.

“I told her you didn’t mean to,” Mr. Sanders said, and Kane was starting to wonder if he was psychic or something. He told him as much, which made Mr. Sanders laugh loudly. Kane felt himself smiling too, despite the fact that it pulled on the bruises on his cheek uncomfortably.

“It’s my special teacher powers.” Mr. Sanders winked, and Kane huffed out a laugh. Mr. Sanders smiled at him, then started to get up. Kane followed his lead. 

Mr. Sanders called for an officer to let them out, and soon Kane was being led by his Lit. and Lang. teacher to the front desk at the police station. On the way there, an officer handed him a bag of all his belongings, and he gratefully slipped his phone into his pocket, strapping his watch on as he walked.

“I’m picking up Kane Barns, “ he said smoothly, professionally. “His legal guardian, Bella Barns, should have called earlier giving permission.”

The receptionist nodded amicably, typing away on her computer.

“Yes, Ms. Barns called. Are you paying the bail or is she?” 

“I am,” Mr. Sanders answered, pulling his wallet out and handing over his credit card, as well as his license. The receptionist took both with another nod, both of them acting as if Kane wasn’t having a heart attack right next to them.

“Um, what,” Kane croaked out, feeling as if he was dreaming. Mr. Sanders just spared him a careful glance.

“I’ve already discussed it with your mother,” he said. “She was very thankful, and gave me full permission.”

“I can’t- you shouldn’t- but-” Kane stuttered, trying to find the right words to say ‘what the fuck is happening, I can’t let you do that, you’re so nice what’s wrong with you???’

“Kane,” Mr. Sanders interrupted, giving him a smile as the receptionist handed him back his card and license. “It’s fine. I wouldn’t be doing this if I couldn’t afford it, or if I didn’t want to.”

Kane opened his mouth with a rebuttal on his tongue, but Mr. Sanders just gave him a look, and before he knew it he was closing his mouth and following Mr. Sanders quietly out of the station and up to a plain black car parked close to the doors. Mr. Sanders unlocked it, then slid into the driver's side as Kane awkwardly dropped into the passenger seat.

Kane stared at the little black bat plushie hanging from the rearview mirror as Mr. Sanders pulled out of the parking lot, watching it swing back and forth.

“I’m assuming you know how to get to your house,” Mr. Sanders said after a moment, breaking the silence. Kane jumped a little before he comprehended the words, then nodded. 

“Turn left in two streets,” he replied quietly. That was how they passed the fifteen minute drive, in silence that was only broken by Kane’s muttered directions. Kane let his mind wander throughout the ride, keeping his gaze on the world outside. It was dark, the clock on the radio reading ‘8:45pm’ already. Kane sighed. He wasn’t looking forward to his empty house.

Eventually, Kane was telling Mr. Sanders to stop in front of a plain looking townhouse. It was on the smaller side, even for a townhouse, and it wasn’t as nice looking as the others around it, but not so much that it stood out as an outlier. 

“Thank you for the ride, Mr. Sanders,” Kane said truthfully, hoping Mr. Sanders would understand the hidden meaning behind the words. ‘Thank you for everything, thank you for not being disappointed in me, thank you for paying the bail, thank you for still caring.’

“You’re welcome,” Mr. Sanders replied with a smile. He glanced back at the townhouse. “Do you want to stay here tonight or stay at mine?”

Kane paused on his way to opening the door, turning back to his teacher in surprise. 

“What?”

“Your mom was worried about you staying home alone,” Mr. Sanders explained. “She gave permission for you to stay with me until she gets back in a few days. You can call her, if you’d like,” he added. 

Kane nodded slowly, pulling out his phone. He dialed her number.

She was worried about him, which he wasn’t surprised about. She seemed understanding, though, and confirmed everything that Mr. Sanders had told him. She encouraged him to stay with him while she was gone. 

“I don’t want you alone right now,” she said, concern evident in her voice. “I want you to stay with someone, and Virgil seems like he’s a very sweet man. I trust him with you.”

Kane glanced over at Mr. Sanders, who was on his phone, turned away from him. Obviously trying to give him the semblance of privacy.

“Okay,” Kane finally conceded quietly. “If it’ll make you feel better.”

“It will,” his mom replied quickly. “I’ll let you get settled there, but call me before you go to sleep, okay?”

“Okay,” Kane said again. 

“I love you, honey,” his mom finished softly, and Kane muttered a quick ‘love you too’ in return. He hung up, and turned to Mr. Sanders.

“Guess I’m staying with you.” He tried to put as much levity into his voice as possible, and could here himself fail. Mr. Sanders didn’t comment, just gave him another smile. He pocketed his phone and gestured to Kane’s house.

“You can run in and pack a bag with clothes and toiletries, I’ll sit out here.”

Kane nodded, opening his door and stumbling out of the car. Before he was able to close it, though, Mr. Sanders called his name. Kane bent down so he could make eye contact.

“You do realize that this means you aren’t going to be allowed to do any of that shit anymore, right?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. Kane nodded.

“I know,” he replied, because he did.

“Are you okay with that?” Mr. Sanders pressed. Kane paused, then dipped his chin in a slow nod.

“I am,” he said, realizing only after the words left his mouth that they were true. He really was fine with changing everything around.

“Good.” Mr. Sanders leaned back in his seat. “Don’t take too long, we’ve got a rave waiting for us back at my apartment.”

Kane let out a surprised laugh, barely even noticing the ache in his ribs. Mr. Sanders smiled at the sound. 

“Sounds exciting,” Kane quipped, smiling back happily. He slammed the door shut, and started up towards his house, grinning the whole way.

————

hopefully you liked it! honestly expect a lot more sneaky fanfictions that i wrote for creative writing in the future.

reblogs and notes are my life blood so i appreciate them all. i also have an ao3 (thepenguinclub) if that's your thing, i'd love to hang over there.

remember that you are loved, and appreciated, and if you've been online for a while maybe take a little break, yeah? i hope you have an amazing rest of your day!!! <33

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[illusion-of-evil]

One Too Many: Chapter 5

Also on Ao3

One Too Many Masterlist

Summary: Oh you’ve got to be fucking kidding him. A group project?

In the very distant reaches of his mind, he remembers reading about this project when he first reviewed the syllabus at the beginning of the term.

Somewhere back there, he also remembers shrugging it off and saying to Remy “Eh, that’s a problem for future Virgil.”

Yeah, he’s starting to feel that regret now.

Author's note: A longer chapter! Let's go!! If you have any comments, please post them! I always try to read them!

Pairings: DLAMPR, DRLAMP, LAMP. Along with background Emile/Remy. Romantic with platonic creativitwins.

Warnings: Violence, blood, manipulation and mind control. Remus being Remus. Self harm and suicidal thoughts. Also a forced relationship.

Word Count: 4297

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Words

“I can feel your judgment… What’s wrong now?” Lazy violet eyes raise and glare at the hawk perched on the table in front of him, miraculously not disturbing the student sitting not even 3 feet away. The red tail just shakes its head, beak pointing across the room towards the door.

Today, he was presented with the two most serious soulmates he had, Navy, the hawk, and Viper, the snake. Lucky for him, they so happen to also be the two most relaxed. Yeah, they both tried to guide him as well, but instead of pulling and making unbearable noises and being a distraction, both opted to just tilt their heads in directions and move to certain areas. Virgil still didn’t follow them, but it was a pleasant change of pace from the hyperactive Coon or the overly cuddly Coyote and the… well… the Lion was a thing all on its own. He wished Princey learned to take a chill pill. He almost fell down the stairs after being bodied and pushed into the theater by the red-eyed creature. The only good thing was that the acting class didn’t notice him and he was able to duck out of there, cursing Princey the whole way. At least it had the wherewithal to look guilty.

But with Navy and Viper, he was able to work through this Creative writing class, he even decided to include them in today’s speed-write. All he wrote was their descriptions and how they interacted with each other but included them nonetheless. The two were quiet and reserved, he hoped that if he met them, they’ll be this composed.

Not that he plans on ever meeting them

Ugh, his brain, it was all fucked again. Ever since that… incident in the campus hub, his head has been everywhere but where it needs to be. Dodging interactions with her has been a trip. There were so many times where she would saunter up to him while people were blocking the exit and she would just smile. His head would feel like it’s splitting in half, then that draining feeling would return, something- Something- escaping him. Something important, but it’s all just static. He would ask and beg and plead, but it only made him feel more empty. What is wrong with her? What is wrong with him? This isn’t something normal. Not something human, but when he tries to tell himself that, all he’s getting is static. It’s so obvious that he’s imagining all of this, making this all up. Because if he isn’t, then what the hell is going on? It must be in his mind, it must be fake.

It's all he could do to look up at the teacher as he got the class’ attention. 

“Okay, for this next big project, you’ll need to be put in groups of three! I have decided that you’re all adults, so I assume you’ll be wise enough to pick groups that you may have fun with, but you’ll also get work done. This project is The One Sentence prompt in the syllabus-”

Oh, you’ve got to be fucking kidding him. A group project? 

In the very distant reaches of his mind, he remembers reading about this project when he first reviewed the syllabus at the beginning of the term. 

Somewhere back there, he also remembers shrugging it off and saying to Remy “Eh, that’s a problem for future Virgil.” before going back to eating the taco that was kindly brought for him. Emile went on to say how he’ll regret it if he doesn’t bring attention to it soon and made some friends in his CW class.

Yeah, he’s starting to feel that regret now. It’s scary how much Emile just gets right.

A harsh exhale whooshes through his nose as he watches everyone lean over to talk to their friends, already discussing the aspects of the project while the professor goes on to explain the main points of the work and the multiple deadlines and checkups in between. The project will last a month and be 20% of their grade. It’s to practice working together and sharing ideas and finding a middle ground- blah blah blah. He couldn’t be bothered to listen past that point, he knew what he needed to do. They work together to write a detailed, in-depth story about one odd sentence that each group is given. There has to be at least one detailed location, at least three characters, and an event that personally affects the characters, but in different ways. For Virgil, it was simple to work. He already had ideas…

The issue would be working with strangers and their odd ideas. It would be best for him to go out and pick people who he knew weren’t slackers, but he couldn’t find the motivation or confidence to do that, especially when it was clear most people had their groups all set up. The professor had finished talking by now and was waiting at his desk, being approached by sets of three so their groups could be recorded. 

Well, it’s the waiting game now. Usually, whoever was leftover was paired together for assignments, Virgil usually ended up as one of them too. 

Needless to say, he was caught completely off guard when someone slapped their hands against his table, effectively startling both him and his animals. Viper let out an angry hiss, grip around his neck tightening. Navy flapped their wings, hopping back then giving the stranger a withering look. Shaking his head, Virgil looks up at the owner of the offending hand, his shock growing more when he was met with a manic grin and smothering green irises.

“Hey! You don’t have a group right?” Remus’ voice was vociferous, utterly uncaring of who heard him. 

Why was he talking to Virgil?

“Uh...no..?” 

“Great! Me and the dork need a third and your writing fucking rocks, like the story about that chick who gets stuck in the radio and watches people who can’t hear her screaming?? Fucking. Awesome!” A snicker follows, the tan man oblivious to Virgil’s internal dialog as he rambles about the short the goth made a few weeks ago. It was cute, but still, Virgil didn’t understand why Remus was talking to him. They never interacted once, not even a glance, at least, not from the hyper man. So what changed? Was it because of the breakdown he had last week?

He’s not an idiot, he had seen how differently people had been reacting to him. They would stare at him more, some moving away when he got too close. Constant looks of pity, but there were also whispers. Nothing was discreet about how they made fun of him, referring to him as ‘the kid who was crying in the dining hall’ and ‘The one who broke down with Azalea.’ The whispers never seemed to stop and his music could only drown out their voices, but not their stares. He still felt empty since that day, sure, it was slowly being filled, by what? He’s not sure, What’s being filled? He couldn’t tell you, but something was happening and he wasn’t sure what. 

Fuck, how long has Virgil been just sitting there, gazing at Remus who seemed to now be talking about… fucking a radio? What?

The twin was wearing a leather jacket with a black and green tee-shirt, it being tied into a crop top that easily showed off his abs. Black cargo pants sat loosely around his hips and the same boots as before were on his feet. Every time he shook his shoulders, his jewelry would jingle and attract Virgil's attention. He wasn’t the only one interested either, neither of his soul animals had looked away from the taller man. However, their gazes have gone from annoyed to almost… well, he wasn't sure what that look meant, but it was way too soft for his liking.

“Remus, have you inquired if Virgil will be joining us?” And there was L kid, standing there with his arms crossed and wearing a purple and blue necktie. His piercing gaze drifted from Remus to Virgil and the emo was vaguely aware of the Hawk perching on the newcomer’s shoulder before disappearing. Oh, the time must be up at least for the Hawk, he could still feel the pressure of Viper around his neck.

“Oh right! You never responded Virgin~”

“It’s Virgil…” It takes him a moment to actually speak, dragging himself out of his head so he could respond. The two continue to stare at him expectantly and it took him another few seconds too long to figure out why. Right, they’re asking him to join their group, for some reason. “Uh.. yeah sure, I’ll join..”

No, he didn’t blush when L seem to relax and Remus’ grin grew impossibly wide. 

“I’ll go tell the profucker!” The wild man cackles before rushing off to the front of the class, leaving him with- uh…

“Apologies for him, his mind runs metaphorically 100 miles per hour.” Attention was back on him, dark blue eyes seeming to examine him.

“It’s fine... I can tell that he’s a handful… Uh... I’m Virgil.”

“Logan Sanders, a pleasure to meet you, Virgil.” Logan holds out his hand and Virgil reaches up to shake it; his handshake was weak compared to Logan’s firm grasp. “And I am sure you already know Remus Prince.”

“Hah, I’m sure everyone knows him and his brother.” Virgil rolls his eyes. A light chuckle escapes Logan, a smirk rising on his face.

“Indeed, they both seem to attract attention, do they not?”

“From what I’ve seen, they’re impossible to miss.”

They both laugh this time, Virgil trying to hide the flush growing on his face as he watched Logan’s face soften at the thought of addressing Remus. Maybe they were soulmates? Fuck, does that mean he’s going to be the third wheel in all of this? He really hopes not.

Hey, he had nothing against soulmates, but all the fuzzy kissing and cooing over each other could get annoying. He always felt bad for aromantics who had to deal with that on a daily basis, both uninterested and sometimes not understanding, not seeing the appeal...  Then again, these two don’t seem like the type to do that… in front of people at least. Hopefully, that won't change when the three are working by themselves, if they can stay focused then Virgil will be happy.

By the time Remus returned, the class was over and people were heading out with their groups while others stayed behind and started to plan. The leftovers were addressed by the professor, just being placed together. This is the first time since college started that Virgil wasn’t a part of that group. 

“So, where to fuckos? We can stop by the hub, I’m fucking starving!” The tan man grins, Virgil just now noticing how oddly shaped his teeth were, almost perfectly white with his canines being just a bit off, too pointy. Weird.

“Food sounds adequate to me.” Logan nods in agreement and looks to Virgil. “Are you fine eating at the Campus hub? We can eat somewhere else if you wish.”

So they did know about it, great. 

“I’m fine with it, I'm starving anyway.” His voice was a bit too bitter, but he tried to pass it off as nothing as he grabbed his bag and headphones, starting out the door without them. It’s safe to assume they’ll follow, and he was right when he heard footsteps behind him. 

It wasn’t a lengthy trek, the two chatting in the back while Virgil took the lead.

“Did you know that the skin on the lips is the same as the one on the anus? You could get lip surgery, attach your ass skin and tell people to ‘kiss my ass’” Cackling followed soon then a fond sigh. 

“The type of skin is called the mucosa. The reason that the mucosa is on both your lips and anus is that they are two ends of a pipe called the Alimentary Canal.”

“Haha! C-Anal?? It’s like J-Anus!!”

Okay, Virgil is going to be perfectly honest right now. He had absolutely no idea what those two were talking about. He didn’t know how these two are soulmates either, but at the same time, he could kinda see what Fate did. Oddly, they complimented each other. Remus would make an uncouth comment and Logan would reply, usually with science that’s on topic with the comment. Logan will talk about a professor he was having problems with and Remus would threaten to attack them in Logan’s honor, always finding a way to make a snort leave the man. It was cute, sorta, the way their dynamic fit well. But at the same time, it does feel like there should be more to it. Maybe there is. 

Then there was a hiss in his ear and Virgil jumped, just remembering that Viper was still there, staring at him than pointing at the two with its tail. He thought the snake had left by now, but he guessed not. The viper kept on nuzzling his cheek and nodding to the two of them with a sly look in its eyes. What’s up with them?

“You alright V?” Remus popped up next to him, making the pale man jump once more. Why does everyone take pleasure in scaring him?

“Yeah fine. We’re almost there.” He mumbled, narrowing his eyes at the snake who leaned closer to Remus’ neck. Virgil picked up speed, pushing open the glass doors and waiting for the two to catch up before speeding his way to the salad bar, making a point to avoid the burger joint.

Feel, bite, scream, white, static-

No, not again. He refuses to have some sort of trigger from being in the Campus hub!

“I’ll go find us a table.” Logan’s deep voice breaks through his thoughts, strong and stable. Without another look, he walks to the booth area, leaving Virgil and Remus. Turning, Virgil continues to the Salad Bar, leaning forward and telling the woman working there what he wanted in his salad. 

Once that was all said and done, he returned back to the booth area, seeing Remus with a sub and Logan with tupperware. With a small bit of hesitation, Virgil made his way over to the two, planting himself next to the chaotic green-loving man. It was quiet for a moment as they ate.

“So, Vig! Whatcha major?”

Should have known Remus couldn’t even get through chewing before talking again.

“Ah, Creative writing with a Minor in Art.”

“Wow really? People actually major in Writing?”

Another weighted exhale, he was ready for the usual laughing or judgmental comments.

“That’s really fucking cool! You’re a great writer too. The shit you write really got me feeling and squirming!” Virgil looks over at Remus with wide eyes, taken aback by the response.

“R-Really?”

“Fuck yeah! I’m a Game Design Major! I wanna make horror games and those really weird games that get stupid popular! I have a dream to make the shittest horror game in the world!”

“Woah! I want to make comics and maybe have my own series, also maybe want to write a novel or something.” The grin of excitement Virgil receives makes him relax and feel super warm like he was being cuddled and held tightly. He couldn’t help smiling back, his own rush of passion dragging through him. Viper hisses next to him, nuzzling his nose and coaxing him on.

“We could totally work together on something then! We could make some old-style pixelated horror game with your story about the dollhouse family! Your comic art mixed with my pixel art and our combined storytelling-” Remus’ exhilaration only grew as he went off, talking about how each family member could be brutally murdered by each other. Surprisingly enough, Virgil wasn’t bothered by this, if anything, he added his own input between bites of his food, added how they could structure the house as a mansion and have secret passages to survive. By the time Virgil was done eating, he had his sketchbook out on the table, sketching out a grey-skinned little girl with deep sunken eyes, both of them agreeing to name her ‘Gamma’ because it sounded cool.

“Remus, Virgil.” They both stop and look up at Logan. Virgil honestly forgot he was there, so caught up in this new game that he was apparently going to make with the punk next to him. He felt his face heat up when Logan gave them both an amused look. “We should get started working on the project.”

“Aw, come on Loogie!”

“Hey now, if you two can work just as enthusiastically with this project as you did just a moment ago with merely a simple starting concept, then this work will not only be fun, but quick and easy.” Logan pushed up his glasses as if he really made a point, which he did. It was enough for Virgil to put his sketchbook to the side and for Remus to literally shove the rest of his sub into his mouth, chasing it down by the red drink he had.

“Fine, fine! Let's get started then!”

“Well, aren’t you back late.”

“Good afternoon Virgil!”

The soulmates greeted Virgil as he returned back to his dorm after spending nearly five hours with Logan and Remus. He was offered to stay longer, but Virgil still had other classwork to do and his laptop wasn’t on him, he wasn’t expecting to even stay as long as he did.

“Hey, Remy. Hi again, Emile.” There was a smile still stuck on his face as he dropped his bag on the open chair, the couple was resting on the couch together. The small tv across from there was playing Avatar, The Last Airbender. It was made very clear that AtLA was Emile's favorite show, especially after using one of the episodes to explain the importance of self-care to Virgil. He could see how the man was really shaping up to be a therapist.

“Girl, What’s got you looking all-star stuck?” Remy’s smirk was a knowing, but Virgil had no idea why. It’s not like he’s hiding anything.

“Just working on a project with some people in my CW class.” Stretching, Virgil made his way over to the coffee machine, not shocked to see it on already. Remy enjoyed coffee too much for it to ever be off when they’re around. A soft beep let him know the coffee was still hot, so he grabbed a Nightmare before Christmas mug and sat it down before pouring himself a cup.

“Just working?”

“Remy.” Emile must have jabbed them because the artist made a light huffing noise.

“What??”

“Emile, it’s fine. We really just worked and talked. I mean, we had lunch together, but that was because class was over and the hub was open.” Cream is poured into the mug followed by sugar, then Virgil turns back to them as he stirred the cup. “I told them I have to get back, though, because I still had to do work for Astrophysics and English.”

“You mean the work that you literally told me is due next week?”

“Well, you know I prefer to get work done early.” Virgil sipped his coffee, watching as Remy shook their head and lowered their glasses to peer at Virgil from above them.

“Let me get this straight. Well, as straight as I can get. My hermit of a roommate finally goes out and talks to people other than me and his professors. Finally has a great time with people to the point he’s coming back to the dorm grinning like a child who was promised candy. And you decided to come back earlier than needed because you prefer to close yourself up in the dorm and do homework that’s due next week than actually have fun with people you like being around? Is that what I’m hearing here?”

“Well… I mean, when you say it like that- ”

“Babe, you’re killing me. I’m dying right now, that’s how bad this is.”

“They’re strangers!”

“We’re all strangers! Baby, back me up on this.” Remy pushes Emile lightly, the glasses-wearing man smiles a bit apologetically at Virgil. The emo gives a pleading look in return, knowing how Remy gets when they have a point. There was no mercy shown though.

“Sorry, They’re right.” -Damn it…- “Human connection is important and you spend so much time with school work and actual work. It’s good to make friends and give yourself a break. Plus, your anxiety will really like you have more people that you trust around to rely on. To be there when you have your… moments.”

Virgil actively chooses not to look at either of them, instead looking over Emile’s grey wool sweater and Remy’s leather jacket. Then, his mind elects to think about Remus’ leather jacket and how well it filled him out, how nice it looked on Logan when it started to get cold and the sophisticated man started to shiver. It was a small moment that neither of them acknowledged, but it made a home in Virgil’s mind for a while.

Truthfully, the way the two of them interacted had Virgil’s attention. The back and forth, the way they build off of each other. The way Remus was so openly affectionate towards the more reserved scientist, who barely paid it any mind and sometimes reciprocated in small ways. 

Listen

Listen

He’s just observant!

He has mentioned this before.

“Girl, I can tell you’re thinking about them again.” Huh? Oh right, they’re here and he’s been just standing there, staring into space. “You got that smile on your face again.”

“I don’t enjoy you two trying to call me out or something.” A very valiant attempt at schooling his face into a scowl was made, but the most he could get was a pout. He brought the mug up higher, trying to hide his face behind it. “It’s not a huge deal. They’re just chill to be around and we’ll be working together for the next month anyway, so it’s fine.”

Nope, he doesn’t like the way their faces shifted to something even more amused and knowing. The heat on his face spread down his neck and to his ears. Fuck, he didn’t want to know how red his face was right now.

“Okay, before you run off, at least give us names.” -Oh boy…- “We won’t say anything afterward!”

He gives them both suspicious looks, the two of them clearly trying to look innocent.

“Remus Prince and Logan Sanders.”

“What!?”

“Bye!!” He couldn’t run off fast enough.

It was nice and warm in the Dreamscape, the grass felt pleasant under his paws and there was a gentle breeze. Not a lot of sun, but enough where they could see through the forest. Virgil takes a deep breath before venturing forward, moving through the bushes and looking for his soulmates. It wasn’t such a hard feat; Princey was loud, their roars echoing around the area. So he made a beeline through the noises, body popping out of the bushes, shaking off any leaves that got caught on his fur.

Sky’s nose promptly met his face, the normal nuzzle before the canine laid down with the Snake again. After, Viper nods loosely at Virgil, the mouse just nodding back in response before he sits down.

“He was so fucking cute! It’s gross if you ask me!”

Ha…

Excuse me...

What??

“Me and Loogie-”

“Logan and I-”

“-Just couldn’t stop talking to him. Stupid college shit got in the way of us hanging out longer!”

Oh no, oh fuck no. Oh please be some sort of joke or prank or dream! Oh Fate, you little bitch, don’t do this to him! Don’t do it! Not them!

The Coyote barked mildly, tail wagging fast as they stared at the Raccoon. The talking Raccoon. The speaking, not yipping or hissing or chittering, Duke. Duke who sounds painfully like Remus- motherfucking- Prince. The trash man himself's voice leaving the trash goblin who loves to head-butt his hand when he draws.

No, you have to be fucking kidding him. Fate, you cruel motherfucking-

“While I do not agree with College work being less important than us hanging out, I do agree that he was very handsome. It is unfortunate that we could not hang out longer but we have a whole month to work on that.

At least he was right about them being soulmates…

Thanks, brain, that’s what is really important right now… He’s going to cry and panic. Fuck, no, he can’t panic right now because they’ll know and worry and they’ll think about him and- oh fuck, would they be able to hear him crying!?

Kill him. Someone just end him, please.

His own tiny paws raised to cover his mouth, body shaking as he backed up a bit into the bushes. He couldn’t get away in time, because Viper turned and glanced at him. He hissed and the others looked over.

“Fuck, another panic attack?”

Stay quiet, stay quiet, stay as quiet as you possibly can…

Fortunately, the procedure hasn’t changed. Viper approaches first and boops him gently. Virgil doesn’t bother being coy, taking the chance to press his face into the Snake’s body. Hopefully, that will muffle anything that might come out of his mouth. He’s wrapped around lightly and cuddled by the scales. When he has small moments like this, the others don’t join, so thank you anxiety for working with him right now.

“Perhaps just some negative thoughts?”

“I’ll take my morning star to those thoughts faces when I meet them!”

Has he said “Fuck you Fate” already?

[fakeloveaskblog]

Hey, 'tis The Local Demon speaking again! This is the greetings message I mentioned, and I've also taken the liberty to compile some stuff for all our convenience while I was at it?

(If I forgot anyone or you need me to update/change anything, just say so, any of you! Then I can resend it without my diatribes and with the appropriate info! …Now to stop speaking in ‘!’s {exclamation signs} because they prbbly make me sound too loud even through a written medium and let's get into it.)

Usual Blog Watchers / VoidDemonGhosts? Preferred Addresses And Pronouns

• Blog Owner / Lukas (?)

He/him (also okay with they/them)

[Already sent the other ask, but I still wanna say that I hope you're okay and your writing is great! I was very happy to read your response too, so I guess that makes two of us. Also I would so enjoy a hug from a big teddy bear, you have no idea, thanks a lot for the sentiment. And I loved your mental description for me a while back as that void in the corner from whence all darkness comes (and the occasional plushie gets thrown out off), it got a chuckle outta me. Anyway I have no idea how to write send offs so maybe remember to drink some water? Missed writing asks for you!]

• The Local Demon

They/Them (MAYBE he/him?)

[This being me! And oh boy do I agree with your original answer to the pronouns ask, blog owner — it is a very confusing time indeed for me as well. Gender is weird, among other things. I shall needlessly apologize again for the long absence, everything is ugh, but I have successfully caught up now! And it only took me a day, so that's something! Expect that third ask (or more) in a bit, if you do decide to use it (or any of them, in case I do write more today or divide what I have into pieces). Since I'm thinking it may cause something drastic to happen in the story if you do, and this ultimately is your story, so feel free to take what you want from my contributions to it as always]

• ~Ghost

She/Xe/He

[I love how you just stated that! My, do I admire your confidence, I could never! /gen …I also want you to know that I singsong your nickname every time you sign it. I interpreted ‘~’ as that the first time I saw it and now I cannot stop. I physically cannot unsee it. This is not a problem at all btw, I am having fun doing that. You have my respects and it was lotsa fun to read your asks!]

• Hi, Me Again / Lawnmower Ghost / Glow Eyes

She/her

['ey fellow aro aye!!!! I know we didn't really have the time to figuratively cross paths, but I wanna say your facts were entertaining to read and I admire your valiant attempts to fix this asshole of a Virgil. I was glad to see it and commend you for trying — your ask was very well written! — yet I too have tried before, and sadly it panned out as well in the story as you might've guessed. Considering how worse things got in-universe on that front, you actually had far better results in hindsight, so kudos to you! …To be fair to me though, I did punch him I think, so that might've harmed my chances a little. (…I am also glad you mostly kept Remus company while I was gone, so to speak. Was kinda afraid everybody would sent asks focusing elsewhere, and so I wouldn't find much on him when I got back. Which is kinda silly, now I think about it.)]

• Snail / 🐌🕸

(Agender) Any/all pronouns, including neos

[Which is very cool of you btw! You are just generally very gool. That is a weird portmanteau combination of the words ‘good’ and ‘cool’ that kind of appropriately sounds like ‘goo’, now that I've reread it. Don't ask me where it came from. I am currently up far past midnight at the original moment of writing this, and some cables got crossed in my brain when I tried to write one or the other, so I just wrote it that way the first time. Aaand… I'm not gonna go fix it now that I've noticed, cuz it's there now and who am I to argue with my own brain — I mean, no more than usual at least. Point being, since I guess the word exists now, I suppose you are very gool indeed. /lh]

And that should be all I think. Bit of a long ask, but hopefully the formatting will help on that front…? Now @/everyone come be appreciated by an absentee demon! /hj

thanks for compiling all thsi stuff C: my name is indeed still Lukas. I got my big teddy bear to hug the laptop screen so hopefully some of that hug energy transfers over to you 🐻 aw you missed writing asks for lil ol me 🥺 i missed reading your asks C:

it only took you A DAY to catch up!??? That is Wild! You must read so fast holy shit. Well after reading that I'm pretty excited to see that story altering ask. Just so you know it hasn't arrived yet in the inbox. I think we're quite close in time zones? so I kinda hope you choose to catch some extra sleep instead of staying up finishing it. But in case tumblr has eaten the ask I hope you saved it somewhere. I already have 2 asks saved up that I can use to progress the story but I don't got much time to write rn (i uhhh i forgot to write a history essay whoops) so I can wait and read your ask before really digging into those 2 asks

[gumnut-logic]

Thunderfam Appreciation Post

I’m giving this a new post to prevent scroll city, but the original and several reblogs can be found by clicking the above link. Also, it’s an excuse to post a piccy of Virg cos any excuse, really :D

Many thanks to @willow-salix for writing this question list :D

Before I start, I just want to say that I value every member of this fandom. I’m often hopeless at communicating in group settings so I don’t speak to many peeps, but that is my failing, not anyone else’s. You are an amazing group and you have supported me and each other just brilliantly over the last nearly three years that I have been hanging with you guys. Thank you ever so much for all your wonderful support and encouragement. I’ve had so much fun and created so much stuff…you guys are amazing. Thunderfam rock!

Please note that my memory is pathetic and I will fail to mention everyone. Please do not take any offence if you aren’t listed below. That does not mean I don’t value you, I do, it just means I have swiss cheese between my ears.

-o-o-o-

Your favourite writer of your favourite boy.

@i-am-chidorixblossom  You are a whumper and comforter after my soul. You speak the Virg :D @vegetacide I adore your turn of phrase and your description is to die for.

The person who's stories you will always read.

I try to read most fics that come across my dash, but there are a few that have me jumping up and down. @i-am-chidorixblossom , @vegetacide , @tsarinatorment , @scribbles97 , @the-lady-razorsharp , @janetm74 Of course, I regularly fail at this as some of you write a huge amount of fic and I am often playing catch up, but fic!

Who wrote the first fic you read in this fandom.

I landed on FF.net back in May 2018. I immediately ran into @the-lady-razorsharp who I knew from another fandom ten years prior and she was absolutely wonderful, drawing me in and introducing me around. I gobbled up several of her fics in the process.

Person you can talk to for the longest without a break.

I am hard to get started, persistence is required, but once started, it is usually hard to shut me up. @scribbles97 @vegetacide and @tsarinatorment have all discovered that. Dangle a Virg, a plotline and stand back.

Person you can't be trusted to be left alone with.

Um, @vegetacide and I have plotted out the entirety of Warm Rain together…poor Virg. Add @the-lady-razorsharp into the equation and Virgil ends up with a beard, dressed in leather and riding a Harley – that was a hilarious evening.  Between @tsarinatorment and @janetm74 Virgil gets grey hairs and has to go rescue Scott – because Scott inevitably ends up in the story :D  @scribbles97 gets the blame for Gentle Rain – expand your horizons she said ::headdesk:: But then there was the time I left one random line about Eos visiting Virgil in the shower and went to bed. I woke up to hilarity and chaos as Thunderfam took the idea and ran with it! Love you guys :D

Person whose fic made you cry the most.

I know there were at least two fics that made me cry, but for the life of me I can’t identify them. I did cry writing my own fic – Flannel – and don’t tend to reread it for that reason. Purupuss traumatised me with A Quiet Day to the point I had to put it down and walk away for a bit ::wails::

Person whose fic made you laugh the most.

I have no idea. I know there are fic out there and I know I’ve read it, but without a complete list of everything I’ve read, I don’t have a clue.

Person whose fic made you think the most.

Aaaargh, I don’t have a master list so can’t remember everything. Staring at my paltry favourites list on FF.net (which was mostly gathered three years ago and never maintained), Purupuss’ ‘Brothers in Arms’ and her whole Quiet series has me wanting to write a Scott-Virgil telepathic fic (and she has given me permission to run with the idea, I just haven’t actioned it yet). Counterpoint by Swallow and Amazon is amazing and likely contributed to Sotto Voce.

Person you have laughed with the most.

I’m really not liking this ultimate one person idea. I’ve laughed with a lot of people in this fandom. I’ve candy cannoned a bunch of you as well :P There has been mad plot cackling, evil conspiring, fic written to stir pots and delight on purpose. Hell, I’ve even written fic that was purposefully a giant virtual hug because I’m so far away that even if half the world wasn’t in isolation, I couldn’t hug most of you. Sure, I talk with some of you more than others, and there is laughter in those chats…oh, god, so much cackling, poor, poor Tracy boys. But then there are also so many smiles both vocalised and not. Thunderfam is one of my happy places. Bring on the belly laughs :D

Your comfort fic that you'll go back and read again on a bad day.

I will often resort to my own fic when I’m really down simply because it helps me get to sleep :D and it is kinda tailored to me ::grins::  (and my memory is that bad I often forget what I wrote anyway – yes, it is that bad) But there are also a few on my FF.net favourites list. Mostly hurt/comfort in a Virg flavour. Cheesycheese, nhsweetcherry, A Small Rescue by Nalina, Breathe Easy and Under the Weather by @loopstagirl – several of hers, in fact – the Virg ones :D Pretty much anything that has Virg fainting and being looked after apparently :D Chiddi and Veggie fic, of course.

Favourite piece of fan art.

I have never been so honoured by artists before. This fandom has some amazing skills and I have been gifted some beautiful works. You guys are amazing (I keep saying it like a broken record, but you are).

Again, I’m stuck on having to list one and I can’t. I think Fanart Appreciation Month in January pretty much summed up my opinion.

Who have you known the longest in the fandom.

@the-lady-razorsharp followed by @vegetacide both wonderful peeps. I can’t miss out on @weirdburketeer either for her amazing support almost from day one.

Favourite OC.

I have to say that I really enjoy reading about Ray from @i-am-chidorixblossom ‘s fics :D He is so gentle and kind and just ::sigh:: Virg likes him lots :D Selene by @willow-salix is, of course, a major presence in the fandom and amazingly written. @hedwigstalons ‘ Claire is lovely.

Person who supports your work the most.

The Thunderfam? There have been some wonderful people who support all the time. @hedwigstalons  @cg29 @janetm74 @weirdburketeer in particular have been amazing support liking and commenting on just about everything I write. I honestly don’t know how they do it. Plus several peeps over on FF.net and Ao3 who support me over there.

And then there are the poor souls who put up with me in chat and listen to my wibblies and whining and character checks and field random chunks of writing that get thrown their way. @scribbles97 @vegetacide @the-lady-razorsharp  @tsarinatorment @i-am-chidorixblossom @onereyofstarlight @godsliltippy  @willow-salix @janetm74 all have had random passages thrown at them at all times of the day and night by a crazy me begging for feedback. Does this work? Is this in character? Am I insane? What the hell is Scott doing? Is this John??? I give up, tell me what to do? Virgil is driving me insane! So, um, yeah

Person who's progress you are the most proud of.

I love those peeps who appear in fandom who start off poking around commenting and generally being lovely and then all of a sudden get out their own pens and start writing and they are frickin’ amazing! Both @janetm74 and @hedwigstalons come to mind in this department. Like holy cow – ‘here is my first fic and I’m not sure’ ::reads it:: Omigod! Where did you come from? That was amazing. Sit down here now, keep doing that writing thing, bloody hell! I think being brave enough to pick up a pen and join in is a major thing :D

Person who's story you think is underrated and should be read by more people.

If I find fic I like, I reblog it and shout about it. What I like is definitely skewed in a Virgil direction and this dictates often what I’m going to read first. I can’t reblog what I haven’t read. So, this equation will always be skewed by ‘reasons I haven’t read a fic’ which mostly involves either Virgil or the fact I’m juggling RL. So, my answer to this is if I think a fic needs to be shouted about, I shout about it.

Something you think people would say about you.

She’s nutty.

Silliest 'thing' you do with someone.

I’ve been known to write fic on the fly directly into chat windows to try and distract peeps going through shitty times.

Favourite pairing you now Stan because of someone's fic.

Virgil/Kayo because of @vegetacide for reasons I have blamed her for multiple times. @the-lady-razorsharp and @weirdburketeer were accessories to the fact.

Favourite headcanon from someone's fic.

Um, Virgil and coffee? I got that from somewhere and it has infiltrated my fic…a lot.

Ultimately, though, I feel most people I interact with contribute to my fic and how I’m feeling. This has been a wonderful experience. I try to return the support as much as I can, but sometimes it is a juggle between writing more, my stupid fluctuating mood, the demands of RL and my own creative drive. I hope I’ve helped a few peeps, because you guys have certainly helped me ::major group hug::

And yes, I hug a lot, because to be honest, I have no other descriptor to communicate how I feel, so you get buckets of hugs :D

Tagging the Thunderfam. Feel free to grab these questions and run with them. You’re all part of the gang whether you write, read, art, gif, screenshot, chat, babble, stare at Virgil all day...I know I do a lot of staring.

Nutty

(Thunderfam rocks!)

[logically-asexual]

Hi!! I read the first few chapters of "I Can Tell I've Rotted In Your Brain" and I think it's super interesting, I just had a few questions if you're ok with people asking you things about your fics!!

The description says that Janus (and Remus) are being nice through him throughout the fic and that there's subtle loceit. I haven't continued reading the fic, so maybe it is clearer later, but I was just... confused by that?

In the very first chapter, Janus handcuffs Logan to a railing and lets Virgil throw knives (at him?) And then leaves Logan there over night because he is "causing Thomas stress" by telling him to get ready for his interview.

How is that Janus being nice to him and a healthy relationship dynamic? I am genuinely curious to know your thought process into that!! I really enjoy the fic so far and I wanted to understand better.

I hope this doesn't sound mean, I can't tell the tone of my text i am so sorry if it is </3

HI im the anon that asked about your fic earlier. I have finally finished it, because I am very hyperfixated on it and couldn't help myself. I think it is written SO good! I love how you write all the sides and your dialogue is on point. I do have MORE questions about your fic. My main one is, why did Janus and Remus restrained and tied up Logan at the end? It read like he was having a panic attack, I don't know if that is what you meant or not, and he was telling them to stop and was sobbing while they were doing it. It was a little uncomfortable read, but I think it's because I don't know their reasoning behind doing that. Will this be something you will explain in the part 2 of your fic?

Hi!! thank you for clarifying the tone of the ask, it's totally fine, i get what you mean.

i am going to reply to your questions but i hope i don't disappoint you with the answer lol. the short answer is that i am not a great writer and i made a bit of a mess in that sense.

putting the long answer under read more because im gonna ramble.

in the first chapter Janus and Virgil are mean to Logan just because i felt that's how the situation would go. They all don't know each other very well, it's several years before the series began, and it's chaotic like that, all the Sides are doing whatever they think is necessary without thinking about the rest. Especially Janus and Logan barely know each other. Also i just wanted to write about that idea of Janus keeping someone temporarily in the dark side when they're "misbehaving" lol.

At first I wrote the first chapters without loceit in mind, and then i went back and added some hints later, which turned out to be a mistake that i now regret. i was actually thinking about going back to delete them before i write part two. but i'm not sure i could do that without making a bigger mess, because i don't know how i would do that to the last chapter, which was written with loceit in mind. so that's a mess you have every right to be confused about and i apologize.

oh and Virgil throws knives at the walls because that's the vibe i get from an early Anxiety who relies on nothing but instilling fear to get what he wants.

(also vaguely related disclaimer: i don't love the use of "sympathetic" or "unsymathetic" to describe the characters because it's extremely subjective and depends on both the author and the character.)

i decided to say Janus and Remus are "nice" to Logan because when i was writing the summary i didn't know what to say and i thought about how in the fic it was Janus and Remus who supported him in being himself and heard him when others didn't. but in my mind niceness looks a lot different for all the Sides. honestly i wasn't thinking that the whole first and penultimate chapter were more likely to be interpreted differently, so you're right to be confused, that was my mistake for writing in the summary in a hurry.

it wasn't Janus and Remus' intention to do that to Logan but, as the characters they are, i don't see them calming him down with hugs and hot chocolate, you know? i was just thinking "it's Janus' job to keep Logan, who is extremely angry, in the dark side, now that Thomas doesn't want him. and the only help he has to do that is Remus. how would that go?" and my answer is well,, messy like that. they came to his room attempting to talk to him, but Logan ran and the first thing either could think of was trying to restrain him, and before they knew it Logan was fighting way more than they expected and it escalated horribly.

i am sorry that i made you uncomfortable with that scene. i should have put better warnings, but i didn't know how to do it. like,, what words to use. if someone reading this would be so kind as to let me know how could a phrase warnings for that scene it would be great.

the reasoning is just that Janus had to keep Logan in the Dark Side, because that's his role, and he didn't want to hurt Logan with Remus' idea, which was to knock him out before he tried escaping and then talk to him when he woke up. Janus thought they could skip that part and just talk, but Logan didn't let them, so they acted quick and without thinking, which Janus then feels sorry about.

i havent begun to write part 2, i just have a very superficial outline, but i could include a moment at the beginning where Logan and Janus talk about what happened.

i am unsure about how to write part 2 because, again, i don't like how the loceit fit in the first part and i don't think i could make it fit in the second part, but now that part 1 is out there i can't just.. ignore what i wrote. so i don't know what i'm going to do and i don't think i can begin writing if i don't make up my mind about it, because that's exactly what led to the mess that is part 1. i might just go back and edit the first part and try to fix it without making it worse, and warn the people that read it that i did that. maybe. sounds awful but that's all i can think of :c

so yeah. all in all. i'm sorry. this is all consequence of me not planning well and doing stuff without thinking too deeply. i hope i can make up for it if i ever write a second part.

[tim-burton-bitch]

Tw: pre-romantic prinxiety, slight near-panic attack mentions, mentions of storms, descriptions of crushing, mentions of deep sea swimming, mentions of lack of escape and difficulty breathing, semi-shitty writing, I think cursing this has been sitting in google for a while I wrote this back in like early November at 3 am let me know if there's any others minor spoilers for FWSA

This was written the same night as this one and takes place after technically it's meant to take place shortly after the 2020 election was called this one is just fluff despite all the trigger warnings it's just an idea of the minor similarities yet differences between Roman and Remus' rooms like how it would feel to be in them and I had to write it out and the original idea had come from think of Virgil going in their rooms and describing how they made him feel so I ended up writing it as prinxiety and I like how the descriptions turned out this follows the same headcanons as the previous one shot added on is Roman is also an insomniac sometimes he has a lot of ideas sometimes he keeps working having gotten absorbed into his work sometimes he's overwhelmed with emotions inspiration or just plain can't sleep

Word count: 1,708 words

Virgil sighed, he couldn't sleep again. Why? He didn't know, sometimes it was Remy being a petty bitch sometimes because his anxiety was running high. Some nights he just... COULDN'T. This was one of those nights.

He had been scrolling through tumblr for a surpls of hours, it was nearing 5am, groaning Virgil decided to head downstairs and get some coffee. No point trying to sleep if it just wasn't gonna happen.

He got up slipping on his hoodie over the My Chemical Romance shirt and sweatpants he was trying to sleep in. Grabbing his phone he slipped out the door and into the hall.

He would have gone and asked Roman if he wanted to watch Disney or something had he known for sure Roman was awake tonight. As he snuck down the hall he noticed Roman's door was slightly ajar, a slight breeze blew from the crack in the door. This would not be the first time Virgil had been in Roman's room. Nor the first time he found out Roman's room could be altered to what Roman wished, imagination and all that. In fact being honest he hadn't been surprised at all when he found out, because Remus' room also held that ability. What had surprised Virgil was not the fact it was altered but insteadd what it had been altered to.

The first time he had found out for sure Roman's room could change too it had been late at night, and he had found Roman in the middle of a feild beneath stormclouds watching a lightning storm above him. Virgil had always found lightning storms relaxing. So long as the lightning was far off. It had never struck him as something that the fanciful prince would also find a peace and serenity in storms. And yet that had been what Virgil found, the prince laying on his back in the center of a feild watching the lightning storm. Explaining when he noticed Virgil come in (and asked him to shut the door) that it was peaceful in its own right and he enjoyed changing his room when he was overwhelmed, sometimes with ideas sometimes emotionally.

Feeling overwhelmed was something new to the prince to admit and right now only Virgil knew his secret. They helped each other when they felt overwhelmed or broke down ever since the day Janus had shared his name and Roman broke down to Virgil.

Virgil stepped up to the door enjoying both Roman's company and Roman's rooms ability, as well as usually finding a common scene they both found relaxing, he was curious to discover what the room was tonight.

Roman did not disapoint

Virgil LOVED space. There was always something about the vast mystery that was space. Calm an peaceful.... He and Logan could often be found talking about space and the night sky. Logan would let Virgil into his room to use his telescope whenever Virgil wished.

Tonight, Roman's room was breathtaking. Roman lay in the center of a greeen meadow staring up into a stary night sky. The green seemed to go on forever and technically, it did.

Virgil stepped into the meadow far closer to a pale blue in the moonlight. He quietly shut the door behind him and walked over the the man who lay alone in the center of the grassy meadow, watching the sky slowly move.

"Hey starry-eyes, room for one more?" Virgil asked as he sat down beside the older sides head.

Roman let out a chuckle eyes focusing on the emo now leaning over him, "Always is room for you, so what do you think?"

"The night sky? Seriously? You're really here asking ME if I like this view?"

Roman smirked sitting up part way resting on one elbow, "I asked if you liked the scenery not the view. You're looking at ME right now~" he sing-songed, causing the other to blush.

"Oh shut up you KNOW what I meant!" Virgil cried out shoving the prince to the side as Roman laughed. They were both quiet for a moment just enjoying the serenity of the meadow and company of one another. A few minutes had passed and a breeze blew when Virgil hummed musingly, "I don't think I can ever get tired of coming into your room. I love it here."

Roman looked over having long ago laid back down. He watched as Virgil joined him in laying on his back. He turned back to the sky above the two and hummed an agreement, "I certainly love my room as well. Is it just that you like the rooms shift ability? Because if I'm not mistaken mine isn't the only room which can. Remus' room and The Imagination can as well..." Roman trailed off turning his head to look at the calm, anxious trait laying beside him.

Virgil let out a lighthearted laugh. "No, definitely not. I've been in Remus' room and yours is just... different. The way it feels is... nice."

Roman was still staring at him now quizzically and Virgil turned to look back at him, "How is that? How does my room feel any different than The Imagination or Remus'?"

Virgil looked back at the stars as he pondered the question. "It's... Kinda hard to explain.... See The Imagination doesn't feel like anything really, there unless with someone doing something it feels like any other room so that one's easy. But to describe Remus and your rooms? I'm not entirely sure how..." Virgil glanced at Roman before looking up once more.

Roman was thinking on Virgil's answer in the silence that had proceeded, "Remus' room..." Roman looked over as Virgil began to speak. "Walking into Remus' room is like swimming under water deep in the ocean. You feel a weight suddenly pressing down on you. There's no where to go no way to escape. It's the end, you're running out of air and you know you'll never resurface in time. But you try to anyways knowing it's pointless. Yet you also feel weightless... the way water can make you. Like you mean nothing. Weigh nothing. About to be swept away. It causes you to panic you just. Can't. Breathe."

Virgil's hands tightened into fists as he explained, his chest tightening just at the thought of Remus' room. "I hate it in there. I can never breathe." Roman nodded understanding. When Virgil didn't continue for a moment he thought that was all. That his room held feeling unlike The Imagination, and didn't feel as awful as Remus'.

Virgil's hands relaxed he needed to calm down which was easier here than anywhere else in the mindscape. "Your room..." Roman looked over at Virgil again noting he had more to say, "Your room is the opposite. You feel light... calm.. content and happy."

Roman looked at Virgil with interest, he never really particularly thought so. Virgil continued thoughtfully, "Stepping into your room you suddenly feel like anything is possible. Like a weight has been lifted from your shoulders and you can fly. You feel like you're about to float away and yet..." His hands closed around the grass beneath him, "You feel grounded. Safe and secure. Whatever mess is outside the room is exactly that... outside. While here it can't bother you. It can't do anything to you. It's easier to calm down in here because of that. It's like... the room itself holds your care and compassion. Not to mention your passion. When it's a STORM it goes as all out as you do."

Virgil smirked, "It feels like stepping into your arms. Safe, warm, welcome...." He turned his head to meet the prince's eyes.

Roman was speechless. He was touched Virgil felt safe and welcome with him. In fact as their eyes met he was beyond speechless.

The stars reflected in the eyes of the man who lay beside him. Virgil was still smirking the shadow beneath his eyes a bright purple, he took Roman's breath away, "Coming in here, is like being able to breathe for the first time. You didn't even realize you hadn't been breathing till you come in. Just like with you."

Roman didn't know what to say. A part of him wanted to kiss the emo right beside him caution be damned. But he knew better. Virgil was sweet with the words but they were friendly and not to be taken as anything more.

Besides as romantic as this was and as many fantasies of a first kiss ran through his head in that moment. He wouldn't, consent meant everything to Virgil and Roman wanted to be sure if it ever did happen, he was entirely comfortable with it. He wanted verbal confirmation.

This was romantic and would make for a great first kiss with non-verbal consent. But he wanted Virgil to KNOW he understood the man's boundaries. He wanted the first kiss to be asking permission and after either a direct nod of confirmation or a verbal queue. So Virgil knew Roman would never do anything he was uncomfortable with and he would always feel safe.

So he just nodded as they stared at one another in the moonlight. Each longing to lean in and kiss the other. One afraid of what might happen the other wishing for another scenario where he could directly ask without it sounding out of place.

They chose instead to just enjoy the rest of the night, together.

Eventually they must both have fallen asleep as the next thing they remember there was knock on Roman's door.

"Hey Kiddo, I'm about to go make pancakes, usually you're already up by now so I wanted to be sure you were alright. Also... have you seen Virgil?"

Patton's voice rang out breaking the silence. The two were now laying on the hardwood floor of Roman's room. "Yeah we're fine we were just hanging out last night!" Roman called out.

"Alright kiddos, well breakfast will be ready soon see you then," Patton then walked off leaving the two to wake up properly while he finished cooking breakfast.

The two smiled at one another memory of the shared moment fresh in both their heads as they stretched. Virgil leaving to go get changed. And they both went about their day.

[whatgaviiformes]

Hulloes~💙

Sending a "Weird Questions for Writers (because writers are weird)" ask~

24. How much prep work do you put into your stories? What does that look like for you? Do you enjoy this part or do you just want to get on with it?

*zooms away again~*💙

Hello! From this list here. Ask me things?

24. How much prep work do you put into your stories? What does that look like for you? Do you enjoy this part or do you just want to get on with it?

*admits* I don't prep; I just write and see where it goes. I am not very good at fleshing out full plots of stories or action and so I tend to gravitate towards moments in time, or deep character studies, or sinking way too deep in to imagery (thanks, Virgil). For that I may have started with an image in my head that I just need to get out - I can't art to save my life unfortunately, so I'll start with capturing those descriptions in my head.

I edit as I go.

There are a few more reasons I write like this 1) I do way too much of planning and prep in my day-to-day job and 2) I actually came back to the fandom after leaving for about 10 years and I haven't written literally anything since my college years - so it's been maybe about the same...

I've been dipping my toes in, writing for exercise mostly. That's why Scenes was a little chaotic if you read it in full now (but I kind of like it that way).

It has worked for me so far - and if I have an idea that tends to need more fleshing out, my process is to bullet pt a few key things at the top of my working word doc and I'll go from there.

I also verbally brainstorm a lot with my husband when we go out to dinner, so I have ideas for Voyage, but nothing is "storyboarded" so to speak. I did try that and it didn't work because i kind of wrote what I wanted as I went.

don't zoom away! I like friends. Come back anytime!