#i'm also working on finding ways to make points be useful

[wildflowersandbarley333]

Welcome to the Family

ˋ°•*⁀➷ Isagi x reader

what's better than dessert after dinner with your boyfriend and his parents?? getting to see his baby pictures <3

wc: 1093

"Here's Yocchan's first time riding a bike," Iyo smiled as she pointed to the old photo of four year old Yoichi.

"Mom-"

"And here's Yocchan falling off the bike, crying because he scraped his knee," she then pointed to the next photo in the album sitting on her lap. "Oh he cried and cried."

"Mom." Yoichi groaned, sinking further into the cushioned chair that sat beside the couch you and his parents were currently seated on. She didn't pay her son's complaints much attention though as she continued flipping through the old photo album, happy to indulge all your questions about sweet little Isagi Yoichi.

Isagi knew this was coming. Since the moment you two started dating, he knew his parents had been waiting for the day you would be in their living room, letting them show you every picture and share every story from his childhood to ever exist. And here you were, the love his life looking beautiful sitting in between his sweet, loving parents giggling at each one of his baby pictures. He loved his parents dearly but god was this embarrassing.

"Is this his first soccer game?" you asked excitedly, holding the photo delicately as Iyo slips it out the album so you can see it up close. You smiled at the image in front of you showing a little Yoichi whose jersey was covered in dirt, flashing a smile with a few missing baby teeth, hands behind his back as he looked up at the camera. You recognized that passion and excitement in his eyes in an instant, as it's one you've seen plenty times watching his games as he now plays for a professional team.

"It was! He was so happy that day," Issei, who was sitting on the other side of you on the couch, smiled recalling the day all those years ago. "Even though I'm pretty sure I remember he passed the ball to someone on the opposite team in the first half." You laughed upon hearing this, turning to face your boyfriend who was trying to merge into the cushions and never be seen again. You raised an eyebrow at him, giving him a teasing smirk knowing damn well nowadays if a teammate had made an error like that he'd show no mercy.

"I was eight!" Yoichi rebutted in an act to save himself from the embarrassment. You and his mom just chuckled, finding his rosy cheeks and slightly furrowed eyebrows amusing. Though Isagi was enjoying seeing you and his family get along so well over the course of the night, he wasn't sure how many more embarrassing childhood stories he could listen to you and his mom giggle over. He excused himself into the kitchen, deciding to start washing through the dishes you all had previously used at dinner.

Due to the excitement of finally getting to meet you, his parents had prepared a whole feast. The meal featured not only all of Isagi's favorite dishes, but also many of your favorites as his mom had texted him the week before asking for a list of your top dinner picks. The lingering embarrassment had vanished from Isagi's mind as he replayed the night in his head. He spent all day telling you not to worry, that of course he parents will love you. And now seeing that in person had him beaming with joy.

"Want some help? you sneak up behind him, kissing his cheek as you stood beside him at the sink.

"Already had enough of embarrassing Yoichi story time?" he pretended to be annoyed, making you both struggle to bite back a smile.

"Be careful there mister," you played along with him as you began joining him with washing dishes. "Or I might just go back to hanging out with little Yocchan in his lobster onesie." You laughed at the way he groaned, removing your soapy hands from the sink to pinch his cheeks as he pouted. As your laughs died down, a peaceful silence fell over you both as you two kept working through the dirty dishes stacked in the sink. You'd shift to occasionally brush your shoulder against him, a soft smile painted across both your faces. You turned to face him as you wanted to make a comment about how nice the evening had been, but the train of thought immediately left as you were met with him already facing you. The lovestruck expression he always had when looking at you still gave you butterflies to this day.

"What?"

"Tonight's been nice," his eyes sparkled as he smiled and it only made your heart flutter faster.

"It has," you smile back, drying your hands off on a nearby towel before wrapping your arms around his neck. Your hands slide up the back of his neck to begin combing through his hair, enjoying the way he practically melts into your touch. "I"m happy I got to meet your parents, I really like them."

"They like you too," he pulls you closer to him, "just like I knew they would." He leaned in to rest his forehead against yours, lips slowly moving closer to yours. You hummed once his lips finally met yours, pulling you into a sweet and gentle kiss. He kissed you slowly, pouring his heart into the action piece by piece, wishing to stay like this forever. The sunset visible from the window casted a glow over you two as you two pulled away from the kiss to catch your breath. You opened your eyes slowly, shifting your gaze upwards to meet Isagi's sparkling eyes. His cheeks were slightly pink, breathing unsteady, and smiling ear to ear. You found yourself lost in the beauty of the moment and his eyes, forgetting the rest of the world around you as Isagi held you in his arms and leaned in to rest his forehead against yours.

That was until a loud "CLICK" followed by a flash that snapped you two back into reality. You two pulled away from the kiss, turning to face the direction of where the sound and flash came from. That's when you saw Iyo and Issei standing under the door frame, camera in hand as Issei handed Iyo the developing polaroid picture.

"For the photo album!" she cheered, waving the developing photo back and forth. You and Isagi exchanged an embarrassed expression before bursting into a happy laughter that echoed throughout the kitchen, making his parents smiles grow wider as they looked at each other silently agreeing you were indeed the one for their son.

[divider by @/bronzewasp]

[nekoboydreams]

Hellooo! I recently played your game and goodness it was a experience! Honestly the whole circus genre isn’t a favorite of mine but your visual novel just charmed me!

If you have time or want to answer my questions, I hope my ramblings aren’t too much 🤧

Harlequin’s story intrigued me greatly! The poor angel though. Speaking of which, how would Pierrot or Harlequin react to the MC’s name being literally Angel? Unsure if the title of the Angel is symbolic or not. Or even better, if MC’s name is literally Columbina? MC must have some weird backstory for why their parents named them that.

How would the cast react to MC being neurodivergent? Like having autism or ADHD(Attentive or inattentive)? I know the circus has been around for a long time and have adapted to modern society and technology. But I imagine they still have a bit of old souls in them, so would they be unsure how to respond to MC’s neurodivergence? Ex. MC avoiding eye contact or not picking up any social ques, overlay express or not expressive enough, unintentionally getting distracted in conversations, or MC passionately infodumping to Pierrot about their hyperfixation?

What if the MC had a sexuality that’s impossible for them to fall for Pierrot or Harlequin? Like they’re AroAce or lesbian. Would that change any of their minds?

Kinda a sensitive topic, and it may be uncomfortable to answer, if you don’t want to answer that’s alright! But what if the MC had some bad experiences/trauma in the past that relates to anything sexual, and anything sexual or too intimately seductive may disgust them or make them uncomfortable in the present? Once Pierrot or Harlequin figure that out(somehow) would they straight up abandon that behavior to make MC more comfortable or hold back a bit?

Reaction to deaf or mute MC?

Is it possible to get the Harlequin himself jealous?

Questions for YOU! Who is your favorite character in this dating sim? Demo and/or future characters? And who is most fun to write? And the most important question of all, favorite carnival snack?

Thank you so much! I'm glad to know that even if you're not into the theme, my game still managed to catch your attention!

They wouldn't be bothered by the word angel. But Columbina would be something too specific they’d find it strange and would become very curious and intrigued by it.

Yes, they are a bit old-fashioned, but they're incredibly observant. Pierrot would notice certain things very quickly and would soon understand the situation enough to keep interacting with MC in the best way possible.

Pierrot wouldn’t be able to stop feeling, even if MC didn’t reciprocate.

He would learn to hold back maybe avoiding too much physical contact if he started to lose control, so as not to scare MC. Arlequim would have a harder time with that. He’d insist a bit more, but if that didn’t work, he’d change his approach.

Pierrot would learn sign language. Just seeing MC using it would be enough for him to pick up a lot in a short time.

That’s an unusual question! Yes, he does feel jealous though he’s very good at hiding it most of the time.

Oh! This is the first time the question is actually directed at me! haha. I’m honestly unable to pick a favorite at this point. I get too involved with each of their stories and end up loving all of them. Pierrot and Arlequim are really fun to write when they interact with each other it’s like the atmosphere around them is about to explode! Though Jester and the Ticket Taker’s dynamic is also quite interesting.

I’d definitely go for the candy apple! Now I’m curious, what would you choose, anon?

[princesa-querida]

¡Feliz Cumpleaños Nanami!

A sequel to this fic.

Pairing: Nanami Kento x Latina Fem! Reader

WC: 3.3K

CW: Fluff, angst, light smut. Mentions of Jujutsu sorcery.

Notes: I wanted to keep writing for this type of reader. I know that being Latina/Latinx has many layers and components, so I kept some details vague. I hope that you can connect with this in some way. Also I don’t use accents lmao

Tags: @pixelcafe-network, thank you for the beta-read @lazyjellyfish300, @haithyums

Timing wasn't on your side the last time. You met a wonderful man who swept you off your feet before you departed back home. For an impromptu date, he took you to the small corners of Tokyo; you remember he took you to his favourite bakery. He didn't show a lot of emotion when he bought you his favourite pastry, a buttery croissant. You told him that butter croissants make your stomach hurt, so he quickly rectified it with a pastry of your choice. All you wanted from him was to tell you about the croissants.

Every passing moment with him made you wish you didn't have to go home. You wanted to stay with him. The way he held your hand a little tighter when you walked together told you that he must've felt the same. The day turned to night.

"Did you pack everything before your flight?" You nodded. You didn't say much because if you did, you didn't want him to see you cry. He understood the silence between you and pulled you gently into his arms.

"Could we stay in touch?" The only words that left your mouth as a few stray tears fell.

"Of course, who knows. I might be in your city at some point."

You look up, and he plants the softest kiss on your lips. You ignored that you had to step on your tippy-toes to be able to reach his lips. With that, you exchanged information before he left another kiss. It was a shadow from the last one, but you knew then you'd never want to kiss another pair of lips again.

The plane ride home left a hollow hole in your heart. You cried on and off, eventually letting the exhaustion wash over you. Your most ardent wish was that he'd never forget about you; you'd never forget about him, even through the chaos of your day-to-day. When you arrived back home, your dad came to pick you up from the airport. He observed that there was a sadness in you, but he couldn't pinpoint what was causing it. He pats your hand; he's just trying to tell you that he missed you at home. You live with your parents, and you don't want to tell them about the most wonderful man you've met. Your mom is in bed when you arrive late in the evening; she fell asleep watching a novela. You go to your room and just let the tears come again. You send Nanami a message.

[You:] I'm home. Thank you for the most wonderful last day.

[Nanami:] I'm glad to hear it. I'll let you know when I visit. As you said, let's stay in touch.

You smile and don't respond to his message. You're a million miles away from him. Would he feel the same way you do right now?

Back in his apartment, he wonders when he's supposed to go on this business trip. It's always work and money on his mind. It's better than the alternative of being a Jujutsu sorcerer, but nothing is rewarding about his job as a salaryman. He does get to travel, but it's all for work. He glances at his phone and looks back at the picture that you took together.

"I'd do anything to see that smile on her face again," his lips curl up slightly. He finds your message thread and types a message, sending it. There's no anxiety; he's confident that you'll be excited to hear from him. In the meantime, he scrolls through his contacts and highlights a name. He is reluctant to reach out to Satoru Gojo.

The following morning, you find your phone in the palm of your hand. You don't know when you fell asleep, but you see a text message from Nanami.

[Nanami:] I have set aside some time to visit in early July. I'd love to spend more time with you then, at your convenience. I hope you'll say yes and pick up from where we left off.

You're smiling ear to ear; It hurts so much. You want to say "yes, yes, a million times yes." However, this isn't a marriage proposal. He isn't a man who would do something impulsively either. You meet your parents for breakfast; they ask you about your adventures in Japan and if it was everything you dreamed of. You tell them that it was, and your smile conceals a truth that you're afraid to share with them: you met someone. You don't want to tell them because then they become overprotective.

"¿Conociste a alguien?" Did you meet someone? Your mom asks.

"No, why? You look at her.

"Estas media rara." You're being weird. Taking a bite of bread with some beans on it.

"No, no paso nada." No, nothing happened. Your smile fades, confirming your fears to tell them about him.

"Well, you're back, so there's a long list of things you need to do. I know you have to find work tomorrow, but that doesn't matter to me."

You sigh, acknowledging that your trip is over. You're back to the reality of living with your parents, which at times feels like you have no peace.

"I need you to do this for me. Could you drive me here, please? Don't you have anything better to do than just lie there?"

You never thought your life would turn upside down from meeting him, but you count down the days until he arrives. It's already June, so what's a couple more weeks until July?

You and Nanami go back and forth for the rest of the month. You share with him your joys: you found a job where you'll work with underprivileged youth. You tell him how you grew up with very little and how you've always wanted to give back to your community. You never want to abandon the place that you grew up in, but you feel a little nagging voice in your head telling you that you're meant to see more.

The low being that you live at home with your overbearing parents. The trip to Japan was your escape from them. You share how much you love them, but you also share that you can't simply do anything without them knowing where you are and who you're with.

"I told them I met someone." There's a silence on the other side of the line.

He's glad that you told them, but he can hear the hesitancy in your voice.

"What did they say?"

You pause. You know what they said, but you can't find it in your heart to tell him.

"Darling? You can tell me."

"They…said…" You sigh. "That loving from far is for fools."

He knows that you're something significant at this point in his life. He can't describe it to you either. You both know that it's not love, but you want the room to explore it.

"I can't wait to see you soon. I should probably mention, my birthday is on July 3rd."

"Oh! Why did you tell me?!" Your excitement radiates from the other end of the line. "Do you understand how much we have to do now?"

"I don't see the need why. It's not a big deal."

"It is to me!" You tell him firmly. The change in your voice tells Nanami that there is no reason to fight this. He's seen you at your most determined; there's no point in stopping you. He's going to spend his birthday with someone who's becoming less and less of a stranger every day, taking hold of his heart.

He omitted telling you that he arrives on his birthday. You scolded him briefly, but then you knew that you'd do anything to make anything special. On the day you pick him from the airport, you stop yourself from running into his arms. Instead, you wave at him. It hasn't been that long since he last saw you, but he notes how the sun has given your skin warmth, contrasting with your hair. The weather differs here from Japan, but he welcomes the dry July heat when he exits the airport. He takes your hand as you cross the street together. You ask him where he's staying, and he tells you the directions.

You turn on the car radio, observing that you are listening to Spanish music. "What's this?"

"Oh, this is one of my favourite bands, Caifanes. They're kind of like the Cure, but in Spanish. I like them a lot."

He notes the melancholy tone, but it differs from the way you sing along to the songs. A giant grin appears as you're driving out of the airport, unfazed by the wave of cars.

"No dejes que nos coma el diablo amor, que se trague tu calor…" You sway in your car seat, thrilled to show him where you're from. It'll be different from Japan, but you're hopeful that he'll see the beauty of it, too. When you arrive at the hotel, you wait in the lobby, not trying to worry about how the day will go. You play with the hem of your dress, impatiently waiting for him.

"The room is adequate to my liking. I'm ready when you are." You nod and lead him back to your car. You're a distance away from the first location you had in mind. Nanami quietly observes how the neighbourhoods change; city landscapes staying in the background for more active sidewalks with vendors and pedestrians. When you arrive, you take his hand and tell him about being a patron on this block for a variety of different eats. You tell him what pupusas, atole, and the various snacks you can find here. For today's blistering heat, you choose to get him a mango cut like a rose. His sleeves are rolled up, his tie loosened, and in awe of the creation you hand to him.

"It'll be a little messy, but I think this will help you stay hydrated."

You giggle, blushing as you watch him try to eat the mango delicately.

"You don't have to be neat about it. It's mango, it's meant to be messy."

He grumbles a little, but lets himself go as he gets mango all over his lips. You hand him a napkin, enjoying seeing him let go, little by little. During your phone calls, he would laugh when you would tell him about yourself and the happenings of your day; you only hope that you can see that in person.

He's annoyed at how messy mango is to eat, but seeing your smile makes this embarrassing moment worthwhile. When he's finished, you take his hand, ignoring that it's sticky, guiding him to a bakery. The bakery has a variety of pan dulce; you grab a tray and tongs, selecting the breads that Nanami should try. You went with the empanadas de manjar and the conchas. He's a man of few words, when he takes a bite of the concha he feels the warmth fill his body. The empanada's colour intimidates him at first, but you explain it's done with achiote, but then the custard filling reminds him that he needs to get out of his comfort zone and appreciate the various pastries of the world.

"This won't be the only sweets you'll have for the rest of the day." You assure him, your smile never fading away. "We still have plenty to do and see, but I hope you're hungry."

"You know I'm here for a week, right?"

"Yeah, but there's no reason why we shouldn't have the best day ever. It's your birthday!"

He can't deny you. He doesn't care that much about his birthday, but you do. You are going out of your way to show him everything about you; he's grateful. He wants to tell you about his former life, but he's afraid. "Will this end whatever this is?" He thinks to himself.

"Everything okay? Oh, am I pushing you too hard? I'm sorry!"

He takes your hand and kisses your palm. "I assure you, I'm alright. Show me what else we're going to do next."

You show him the other neighbourhoods that you frequented often. You take him to a record store, and he feels like he's been transported back in time. He remembers his days as a teenager buying CDs, but the popularity of vinyl is intriguing to him. You show him the world section to show him the variety of artists that he's never heard of, and find a few treasures for yourself. He thinks about how much he's been missing out as a salaryman, but how much more he'll miss when he returns to life as Jujutsu sorcerer. Your conversation about giving back struck a few chords in his heart. "She'll understand, but there's no good time to tell her. Today isn't the day."

You observe the shift in his facial expressions; he was becoming more relaxed, but his stance was more rigid. "Are you sure you're okay? We can have dinner and then go back to your hotel?"

"I think it's just exhaustion from the flight." You keep moving along the aisles of records, but you feel something pull you back. He's pulling you back and resting his hands on your arms. "You really don't have to do all of this for me, but I'm so glad that we can spend time together."

"Si tu solo supieras cuanto te quiero." You smile and nod. He's unsure what you said, but he'll ask you later to clarify what you meant.

For dinner, you chose to take him to one of the oldest Mexican restaurants in your city. You tell him how it's been around for nearly 100 years, and how they've been able to expand due to popularity. You select a combination plate with a chile relleno and a chicken enchilada. To become too full, you order the same. Nanami is in awe of how expressive you are when you talk to the servers. He watches your demeanour when you say something to the server and chooses to point at Nanami. You give him a slight wink and return your attention to Nanami.

"What was that?"

"What was what?"

"That wink."

"Oh, it was nothing." Your voice betrays you.

"You're up to something."

"No, I'm not."

"Mija" You recognize that voice. Oh, not tonight. You turn around and it's your parents. You want the Earth to swallow you whole. Of all the times to run into your parents, you run into them here.

"Nanami Kento, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"¿Estas en una cita?"

Your palm rests on your face and nod.

"Nanami, these are my parents." You signal to your parents who he is so they can make proper introductions.

"¡Esta guapo!"

"Please stop talking." You beg your mom.

"Bueno te dejo. Adios." Your dad scowls at Nanami, but you know it's him being protective.

There's a smirk on his face. "What did she say?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

"What does guapo mean? Your face turns into a shade of scarlet, but the dark lighting in the room makes it hard to see.

"I'll just have to find out another way if you won't tell me."

"She said that you're handsome. Please stop." You release a nervous laugh.

"Oh? Would you agree with that assessment?" He's teasing you.

"I think a lot of people would agree with that assessment," you take a sip out of your drink. "Haven't you noticed people have been staring at you all day?"

"I'm not paying attention to others when I have my attention on someone else."

A comfortable silence ensues between the two of you. You know that there's something that Nanami is hiding, but his charm disarms any doubt that you have. He wants to tell you everything, but he wants to enjoy the peace that exists now.

Out of nowhere, the server comes with a slice of Tres Leches cake and a candle that is lit candle. There are no servers to sing him a happy birthday, just the intimacy of the moment between you and Nanami.

"Feliz cumpleaños a ti, feliz cumpleaños a ti, feliz cumpleaños querido Kento, feliz cumpleaños a ti. Ya queremos pastel, ya queremos pastel aunque sea un pedacito, pero queremos pastel."

In this moment, he wants to say, forget the cake and kiss you here in front of everyone. However, he knows your parents are in the vicinity. He blows on the candle to make his wish.

"I hope your dream comes true." You say quietly.

"I think it will."

He hands you a fork to share the cake. He covers the bill, he insisted. When you take him back to his hotel, you're just waiting for him to bid you farewell until tomorrow.

"Do you want to come up?"

You're taken aback, but there's no time like the present. You nod.

When you're in his room, he sits down on the edge of the bed. He pats it for you to join him. You sit, with a small distance between you.

"What did you tell me at the record store earlier?"

You know exactly what you said, but you're scared, trying to use your primary language to conceal what you're really feeling.

"Darling, you can tell me."

The term of endearment helps you muster the strength to tell him what you said. You grip the sheets of the bed tightly. "I said that you have no idea how much I like you." You're telling him a half-truth, not telling him the real meaning. In a sudden move, he moves closer to you, tilting your chin. "Is that what you meant?"

You nod, the words stuck in your throat. "Are you sure, darling?"

"I…" you sigh as his lips ghost yours. "I'm afraid to tell you the real meaning."

"There's so much going on between us, but I just want to tell you that this birthday is so special. I never know if it's going to be my last."

"I hope it's not your last…" His lips graze the corner of your mouth.

"There's so much to tell you, but…tonight, I just want to be here with you." His lips find yours, sweet and tender, just like him. You lose yourself as he lays you down on the bed. His weight on you isn't suffocating. Each shared kiss, growing hungrier, undressing you and him. When he gives himself to you, you feel yourself holding on to him like an anchor. You cry out his name in pleasure. "Te amo…pero es muy pronto."

"Shh, darling…" He consumes every word with a promise that he won't go anywhere.

When he holds you against his chest, peppering your beautiful skin with kisses, placing his arm around your curves, he wonders if you'll run away from him.

"Nothing you say or do can scare me away," you close your eyes, beginning to drift off.

He kisses your forehead. "I'm glad. Are you still awake?"

When he gazes at your face, your peaceful smile indicates that you won't hear him. He holds you just a little tighter, sighing, releasing whatever anxiety may be brewing.

"I'm a Jujutsu sorcerer…it's dangerous, and every day my life will be on the line. Birthdays are a milestone for many. My only wish is to keep sharing my birthday with you. I'll do my best to always come back for you."

You didn't hear him, but you're dreaming of the day that you'll grow old together.

[paramortality]

Homemade Khachapuri

(and no this isn't the most traditional please don't come for me)

In honour of being a Veilguard junkie and the way Neve and Bellara sold that whole conversation, I decided to take a whack at Khachapuri. I'm white as sin and made some mild tweaks so don't hold me at knife point for cultural accuracy I beg.

Go grab a measuring cup and fill it with:

• 180ml of warm water

• 1 tsp granulated white sugar

• 2½ tsp active dry yeast

Give that a brief, gentle whisk to make sure the yeast and sugar get acquainted, then cover that with a cloth and set aside for a good 15-20 minutes. If your yeast mix has made a foamy set up on top by the time you come back for it, you're golden that's exactly whatcha wanna see.

Now go get a decent sized bowl and add:

• 300 grams of flour (all purpose or bread)

• 2 tsps table salt

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 2 tbsp heavy cream or half n half (you can also use 3 tbsp of dry milk powder if you're feeling bougie instead)

Once your yeast is looking yeasty, you'll want to pour it right into the bowl (don't forget to scrape the cup for leftovers!).

Now you'll need to knead this mixture for 10 whole minutes! You can put all this in a stand mixer. However, I'm unhinged and a traditionalist and wanted to have fun with it. So I grabbed a glove, greased it with olive oil, and went to town jamming to Heilung until my timer scared the hell outta me. I think I did pretty damn good for being left-handed with the general strength of a wet washcloth.

Once your bread dough is kneaded to perfection, grease a bowl lightly with olive oil and plop your dough in. Cover that with a kitchen towel and let it rest somewhere warm and dry for the next hour and a half or until it's doubled in size.

I think we can safely assume mine did pretty okay.

While waiting on the dough to rise, get to work on your cheese mix.

You'll want about 150 grams each of your 3 cheese blend. Traditionally, Khachapuri is made with Ricotta, Feta, and Mozzarella. But I wanted to try making it with cheeses closer to what I might find in Dragon Age so I swapped the Ricotta and Feta for Parm and a Triple Creme Cambozola. Because Laird (my Rook) LOVES blue cheese and bc I couldn't find any Emmantal but swiss wasn't strong enough for me.

Don't overthink trying to cut soft ripened cheese just do your best.

You also want to grate about 4 cloves of garlic! Because I used a much heavier creme cheese, and bc I'm a garlic monster, I added 2 extra. The tube paste garlic would also work here.

Then about 2 tbsp of parsley!

Now comes the messiest part. Actually building the shape of the Khachapuri.

Pull your dough when ready and punch it down back to size. Entirely optional but since I used bread flour I fid a few stretch and folds before dividing it up.

Cut it up into four even balls and sprinkle some flour onto your counter top. This dough is sticky, so I ended up using about 1/4 of a cup.

You'll wanna roll them out into an oval-esque shape, about a third of an inch thick. Make it too thin and the base of the bread will tear and get mushy.

Once rolled out, transfer them to a well oiled baking sheet with parchment paper. This is where we stuff the crust!

Take as much mozzarella as your heart desires and line the edges. Carefully fold it over and crimp into the bottom. Don't want all that cheese splooting to the inner part.

Once they're stuffed and folded, toss them back into a warm dry place to proof for about 45 minutes!

And we're almost done! Stick with me!

Once proofed, wipe those edges with a light eggwash and put your cheese mix in the center!

Now, traditionally it's JUST the cheese mix but this was my whole dinner so I added some veggies for flava flav. Personally I've been on a jalapeno kick which is weird because usually mild buffalo sauce is enough to make my nose run.

Heat your oven to 375°F and pop these in for 25 minutes.

Now to make this more authentic to the Gregorian style, pull them at 25 minutes, crack an egg on top, and cook them the rest of the way for an additional 10 minutes or until the egg whites are set.

Gods feeling favourable, congratulations! You just made Khachapuri from scratch!

Tagging @yappacadaver @strugglinggranola @andthekitchensinkao3 @redheadsramblings and @thenymphia bc you all said yes to this when I originally asked x3 also @trage-deigh bc I saw your reblog and didn't want the algorithm to leave you out ✌️

[siren-of-fire]

What Ace said about Pangi yesterday to Bad was worth analysing from his perspective. What exactly and how exactly is Ace seeing Pangi now is worth knowing because it might just have a solution-

(link to the transcript of the whole conversation made by @innerclouddaze - https://www.tumblr.com/innerclouddaze/788022164976795648/corrupted-trbbh-and-ace-transcript-of-their-first?source=share)

[One of the first things I will say is Ace sees situations differently, in a much larger picture because he has both Mocha and Pili 2 memories. That doesn't mean he understands or wants to understand the feelings behind the decisions made by both of them. It is simply information to him. Also we don't fully know how Ace acts yet. Ace unlike Pili 2 doens't care about connections the past versions made, for Ace he is his own top priority. He will see things differently because everything is just information to him that he uses. He is not Mocha and he is not Pili 2, he didn't make those memories and connections so there will be a disconnect in how he interprets things]

"Pangi's concerned about you. Oh. Why? He believes that you're corrupted, and that it's my fault. Is he concerned about you? No."

-now what led to that idea exactly. Is he perhaps comparing how Pangi seems to be so much concerned about curing Bad but wasn't worrying the same amount for Pili 2/Ace? Did he want the same caring treatment and urgency of curing from Pangi which Pangi is showing Bad? Pangi cares about Bad that much is obvious but is Ace thinking since Pangi didn't behave this way with him that means he doesn't care?

"Why? I'm quite the opposite. He actually...I think he's mad at me. You know what? I think Pangi cannot handle being told the truth. That's what I think. Why do you think that? Oh, he just kinda said something amongst the lines of, I don't wanna talk to you anymore. After I told him the exact truth of the situation that was happening."

-this is about corrupting Bad, Ace and Pangi talked about it before. Ace says Pangi is blaming him for corrupting Bad on purpose. Which is true, both Lukey and Pangi weren't believing why Bad would willingly eat Pili's arm. But it is true that Pili never forced it on Bad. Ace told this to Pangi and he didn't believe him and later told Ace to leave.

"Cuz he is dumb, because he can't comprehend basic things. Hmm...I don't know. He seems very caring. He is caring, but that does not make him smart. At the end of the day, if he can't comprehend the real world scenario and how everything really works in life, then what's the point if he's really caring?"

-now this feels to be about the whole destroy the world vs corrupt the world. Ace doens't see a difference in both of them and was willing to help Pangi with his plans but Pangi did see a problem in Ace's corrupting plan. Those both seems like the same thing to Ace so he doens't understand why Pangi has a problem with his idea but is clearly fine with destroying the world.

"He lacks experience. I feel like... How I'll describe it is sometimes you're still living inside of a bubble, and you think the world worked in a certain way, and you think that you're doing the right thing, but once you realize in the greater scheme of things, that doesn't really matter that much."

-again about the same thing as above. According to Ace those both situation mean the same thing. But Pangi doens't find corrupting people right and that's obviously why he is against this and wants Bad to be cured but that goes against what Ace wants (just the first one mostly). Working with Ace means working with corruption. They both are the same entity at this point (this is something he and Pangi talked about a few weeks back as well). They coexist, it's impossible to differentiate what part is Ace and what part is corruption.

"What is the difference between a scenario where the world is ending and the corruption is there, or a scenario where the world is ending and everything gets vaporized by a meteor? At the end of the day, the truth is that the world will still spin. Life somehow will make its way with the corruption or without the corruption. And it doesn't matter because they're both mass extinction events. And the people in this world will cease to exist so it doesn't really matter to them because they won't be there anyway."

-Ace sees both things in a much larger context. He is a immortal just like Foolish and Bad. He knows no matter which event happens life will still somehow find it's way even with or without corruption. Pangi plans to end the server with the OBC so he doesn't understand why Pangi is so against wanting Ace not spreading corruption once everybody is gone. For him it isn't that big of a deal, while from Pangi's perspective that isn't the case.

"I think...that Pangi just cares...a lot. I think he cares about you, and about me. He does not."

-again the same thing. Ace believes Pangi doesn't care about him. One of the reasons I already mentioned before but another reason could also come from before he had given up his feelings or Pili 2 side. Pili2/Ace before this had feelings for Pangi which he even confessed, and he saw how Pangi ran to Lukey and that bothered him. He wanted what Pangi was giving to someone else but he kept telling himself to not be selfish and just follow whatever Pangi told him to do, or do things that were in Pangi's best interest. Now Ace with no feelings like that can see the wrong logic behind those actions, and he might have directly correlated that to Pangi not caring about him at all. Another thing to remember is that Ace knows about both Pili 1 and Pili 2, doesn't mean he can understand those feelings. He might look at those memories in a much more logical and cold way.

"Well first of all, I don't give a fudge about Pangi at this point. Listen Bad, sometimes you need to realize that you can give everything to someone. But no matter how much you give to them, they will never give that same amount to you. And sometimes it's okay to be selfish. And sometimes it's okay to drop someone, but they don't care about you. As much as you care about them."

-and there it is, probably one of the main reasons. Ace saw Pili2 side give everything to Pangi but no matter how much he gave he didn't get half of that amount. His feelings were more stronger and he wanted more and it bothered him that he didn't get the same back. And Pili 2 side always was the type to keep suffering and never speak up, he did that quite alot, with yellow, with Zam and later with Pangi. He always just let himself suffer quietly and didn't say a word. Ace sees the stupidity behind this, he sees others treating Pili 2 so badly and that's the conclusion he reached. What did Pili 2 even gain by being a people pleaser? He wasn't happy, was constantly sad and left alone, was overwhelmed about emotions and kept seeking the white room. Nothing came out of him feeling those strong feelings towards Pangi (and also others) other then hurt. So seeing all that why wouldn't Ace prioritise the selfish route, the route where he finally stands up for himself and doens't let people walk all over him and degrade him. Pili 2 might have been fine with being friends with people who don't care about him but Ace is different. He saw the wrong and isn't gonna let everyone else step over him or talk down to him.

"I'm just gonna say that I think if Pangi cared a little bit more, he would've put more effort for this whole thing to be avoided. At the end of the day, he did have a say in this. No, actually, let me backtrack. He did not have a say. He didn't even commit. He just said, "Okay!". And carried his own way. He could've saved his friend multiple times, yet he didn't."

-I kinda expected this to come up again at some point, the bitterness and wrong treatment towards Pili 2 being vocalised. This seem like a mention from before the merge with Ace happend. Why didn't Pangi cure Pili 2 if he was friend with Mocha? In Ace's eyes if Pangi is so worried about Bad being corrupted then why didn't he actually do the same with Pili 2? And before you say the cure didn't exist back then well nobody told that to Pili ever. Pili doens't know any of Lukey's back story or how and when was cure formed. He only learnt a cure existed from Aimsey when the merge had already happened. Even after the merge it was Pili 2 being in control and even then Pangi (because of reasons from his pov) never cured Pili and Ace is holding that against him. His logic seems to be- if Pangi cares about Bad and wants to cure him then since he doesn't want to cure Pili that means he doesn't care about him (which yes had reasons from Pangi's pov but Ace is not gonna get that reasoning )

"Do you remember all those times where...Pili 2 was around? No one really cared to help him. No one really cared to hear him. There was clearly something wrong with him, yet...Oh, it's okay, you know. He's just like that. There was a moment that maybe this whole thing could have been prevented, stopped. But no one really did anything, just point fingers. Because the truth is that everyone saw him as a bad guy. But in reality, they were making the bad guy everyone's actions. The things that a lot of people did to him were mean. And maybe that's why everything is like it is today."

-This point was gonna come up eventually. Pili 2 was wronged. Pili 2 in more ways then one was something everyone failed. Just look at how Pangi and Bad were treated when they were corrupted and then look back and compare it with Pili 2, yeah the difference is crazy. Foolish was the only one who even treated him right back then. In the meeting after the 3 people were sent to Null the point of Pili being corrupted was brought up but everyone just pointed to him and glossed over it. Other then Foolish everyone fully knew and believed he was corrupted but how many of them even looked for cure for him? Did any of them even talked to the keepers about it? Some would say Aimsey did but the intentions behind that weren't great, it was malicious and wrong in ways. In a way everyone failed Pili 2 because there was point in time when he himself knew he was corrupted and was looking for a cure and he told this to Pangi, but was ignored. He was clearly sick but getting rude treatment and isolation was what he was subjected to.

"And I'm gonna be honest...I think Pangi...He's confused. He doesn't really know what he wants. He just acts on emotion. He lacks that...rational...thinking...or whatever. He likes to please everyone, but he can't even please himself. And that's why he always ends up losing every single friend. He lost his spirit for his friend, and he keeps fighting his friends and having conflicts and everything, cause you have to realize that you can't really please everyone."

-more of Ace's view about Pangi. Kind of true from his pov I would say. Again quiet a logical conclusion.

"Hmm...but...I think sometimes, Pili...that...it's possible...that he can realize the mistake he made. That it takes something else happening, for him to realize how bad he treated someone else. And then he can make up for it, and apologize. And I think he's trying to do that, because another one of his friends is being affected. The truth is, he's worried about you, and he's blaming me for it. But is he not also worried about you? No, he's not. In fact, I could feel his anger, his rage, at the words that I was saying, and to some extent, there were moments when I felt like he was going to pull the trigger on me again."

-this thing makes me believe that Ace might genuinely be over Pangi. Bad says Pangi can learn from his mistakes and change but Ace again just emphasise how Pangi cares about Bad, implying he doens't care about him. He again for the third time says Pangi isn't worried about him and was angry at him after he told Pangi the truth about giving Bad his arm and his plans of corrupting world. Ace never said no to helping Pangi with his plans but Pangi on the other hand in that conversation was doubting and untrusful about what Ace said. You see the disconnect here, he really believes Pangi doesn't care/is concerned about him, and thinks Pangi doens't trust him either. His line of logic is probably making him think if Pangi really did care about him then why would he have been so angry and looked like he was holding back from pulling the trigger, that's not something you do towards people you care about.

"Hmm...but isn't that what he should have been doing, trying to cure you the whole time? No. Killing me is what brought me here. Maybe...maybe if he talked more about how he was feeling, or maybe if he expressed himself more in a better way, in a healthy way. Maybe if he stopped being so emotionally driven, and opened his eyes, and think for once, and try and understand the scenario and the situation of what was happening in front of him. Which is kinda crazy to even think that his little boyfriend, uh, creature, Lukey, um...He kinda figured everything out...easily. And he was kinda the newbie. He was here for about, what, like a couple of weeks? He caught on real fast, but somehow Pangi never really realized."

-Killing Pili is the worst thing you can possibly do. It was the kill that caused Mocha to suffer Burden and corruption and brought Pili 2 in this world. It was again a kill this time by Pangi that made Ace show up. That conversation right before between Ace and Pangi could have gone a better way, but the way it ended with Pangi being angry and telling Ace to go away didn't sit right with Ace which is valid. Calmly talking and saying i don't support you or am willing to help with your plan of corrupting people instead of looking like he was about to kill Ace was one of the ways that the conversation could have gone. Too bad other then maybe Lukey nobody is healthy in communicating on this server.

The answer to this whole thing seems to be simple. It feels like everything really is relying on miscommunication here. Just make Ace see and believe Pangi cares about him, that's it. It can't get any simpler. Even Pili 2 was somewhere thinking that Pangi doesn't care about him as much as he does and now Ace believes that Pangi isn't caring at all. Then the solution really is well, show him that you care and love him. Being angry and looking like you are holding the trigger back is definitely not gonna achieve that though. But hey W miscommunication and angst I suppose. Ace reaching a conclusion that is wrong because Pangi did care about him and Pangi not realising that what he said and did might just push Pili even further away, classic Pangili I suppose.

[thattimdrakeguy]

Wonderful Examples, Showing Why TIM DRAKE Is Such An Excellent Character!

Was going to call it quits for the night, because I'm sure I am absolutely overwhelming the Tim Drake tag right now. But dammit, good content is good content, who cares that much?

Another thing that endears me a lot to this series, is that it's dedicated to making sure Tim's still relatable and grounded. Since he's adopted by Bruce Wayne at this point, they could've easily decided to go full generic Batkid, school hardly matters unless mentioned, but they don't.

They continue to honor that part of the character, because it's part of what made him so likable to his reading audience. And that's exactly the right decision to make.

And to avoid overwhelming people with fifty more posts. I'll just add onto this one.

Because a lot of writers around this time mistaken more talent, for being more interesting, and that's a sore mistake to believe in.

This run remembers Tim is an underdog, his appeal is being underestimated all the time. So it keeps it up and finds fun ways to incorporate it into it's stories instead of ignoring it.

I'll go as far as to bite the bullet people don't talk about, and include this, if only for the sake of Tim's characterization, definitely not Cass's.

But Tim is at the brink of death, he has a knife to his throat, and here he is caring about someone else's life...a murderer. Because though he hates the scum bag (it's David Cain), and will throw him right back in prison, his inability to believe in murder is still strong, and this is after all the loss he felt up to this point.

This is the climax of this arc. What it's all been building up to, and what they chose to focus on is the compassion and conviction of Tim Drake.

Most other writers would have Tim use his brain like he's a super genius. Though I hope by now we all know he's just very clever.

Is it a thought out intentional decision? Who knows. I am not Adam Beechen. However, it works a lot. It circles directly what makes Tim, Tim, in an issue that is meant to be a soft reboot (as was One Year Later in general) so would be many's first issue.

Also Cass is taller than Tim. Respect Freddie Williams III, for just being the guy that GETS IT.

He's been put in a similar position before in his first mini-series, the mini-series that showed just how successful Robin can be...by Lady Shiva, Cass's own mother.

(Again, Cass is written terribly. But Adam Beechen was made to make her evil. So give him a bit of a break here.)

It's a full circle moment...and this is after Tim's been broken by so many losses...

And he isn't the same kid, blinded by his naivete and lack of world experience...

Maybe he is still naive because he's idealistic despite it all...but it's his power in the end...

Even though Tim is still a character...that often enough...doesn't always win...

But look at him...he still holds out hope. Bound to his idealism. He can't help himself.

"We'll get you the help you need."

This is what makes Tim Drake, Tim Drake. No stupid gimmicks. No artificial traits. Just pure, good hearted, boy hero, doing the right thing and trying his dang best even if he can't always win.

He wasn't born into this. His parents were both still alive when he took on this role. He has no obligation to be Robin. He does this because this is who he is, this is what he cares about. He can't sit by, knowing what the right thing is to do, and not do that thing. He can't stand it if he didn't try.

After all, you can't keep a good Boy Wonder down.

And like any good run...they find a way to keep you waiting to see more.

And this is the arc people hate from this run lmao

Also by the way, he totally freaking loses at the end of his arc. Anyone that thinks he's a Gary Stu, has no idea what they're going on about, honestly. Tim often doesn't win his stories. It's another thing that makes him so magnetizing. You don't always know what to expect, and keeps you feeling for him.

Just some more examples of what makes Tim Drake so great as a character for ya, in case you've forgotten or never knew.

[rauferes]

Pregnancy side fic for ask game

(WIP ask game)

This one is a side story for Isolde (There Was Only One Bed - Touch Starved Edition) and I'm so soft about it. It's completely canon for their relationship, I just figure I'll include it as a second work in the same series on AO3, since I know that pregnancy and kids can be a huge turnoff for a number of readers.

In Isolde's story in general, I'm playing around with non-human biology. For kids, my take on the canon is that human-elf babies (Human-blooded, by DA lore) are generally only possible if the elf is a magic user. The genome suppression involved to make them compatible is just too much to ask if we're talking just ambient "elves are always a little bit magic" situation. Isolde is an elven woman with no magic, so, they're basically working with the assumption that they're completely infertile, and they'll adopt children when they're ready. That's also a really sweet moment, by the way, they're both orphans, so it's kind of emotional:

She miscarries at about 6, 7 weeks. Sits on the floor, crying without realizing it. When Emmrich finds her, and asks her if she’s alright, she lifts her face to him and tells him that she won’t be able to give him children. He doesn’t have time to wait around with her, not at his age. He should find someone else.

He looks completely taken aback. Sits at her side.

"Do you even want children?" he asks her.

She thinks of holding his baby in her arms. Of a child, sitting on Emmrich’s lap, kicking their feet and asking him endless questions that he answers so patiently. Of a teenager, almost as tall as he is, grinning with his arm around their shoulder, impish and sweet. A boy in the kitchen, tongue between his teeth, measuring flour. Of whittled child’s toys, and one day, spoons for the household they have made for themself--

The longing is sharp and sudden. She squeezes her eyes shut, turning her face away.

"Oh, Isolde," Emmrich says—so softly that he must have seen. He wipes away the trails of tears. "Come, my love, there’s no need for grief."

"But—" she says, and her throat closes.

He kisses the top of her head. In that same soft voice he says, "When the time comes, we shall make a foundling child—or children— very happy indeed."

Blindsided: it tears her heart open. "I’d like that very much," Isolde manages to say. She begins to sob, and he gathers her into his arms. Presses a cheek against her hair, strokes her, waits for the storm to calm.

...so it takes them completely by surprise to learn that Emmrich's magic is enough to enable a pregnancy. (An elven-blooded child, with the human side suppressed: a phenomenally rare occurrence.)

When Isolde first realizes she's pregnant, about six weeks in, she knows that she can't tell Emmrich. She can't let him get attached to this little life that they won't get to keep.

But nine weeks in-- exhausted and periodically nauseous but trying so hard to hide it-- she goes and takes a midday nap. When Emmrich comes to wake her, nuzzling up to her, she flinches-- her breasts are too tender.

Realization dawns in his eyes, and he tells her she may be pregnant.

She panics-- "No!"

"You weren’t supposed to know yet. I’m only going to lose it," Isolde says, in a small, upset voice. "The thought of you getting so excited, only to…" Emmrich places a warm, tender hand on her belly. "I will love it for however long it is with us, whether a day or a lifetime," Emmrich says.

But she doesn't lose it. Against all odds, their child grows.

At some point-- right around the time that the baby starts moving in ways Emmrich can feel-- Emmrich realizes that it has a spark of magic.

A spark of magic that feels just. like. his.

It also turns out they're the sort of couple that find pregnancy to be a transformative, transcendental kind of experience, something that shifts the way they relate to each other in beautiful, unexpected ways.

They also can't keep their hands off each other lol. It's adorable, but also absolutely insufferable for their friends.

When their daughter is born, a healthy and hearty 5.5lb/2.5kg (elven babies are small) Emmrich weeps for an hour straight.

This baby is their first and only biological child. She's followed a few years after by several adopted foundlings <3

[innerclouddaze]

Corrupted TrBBH and Ace transcript of their first conversation (Bad POV)

VOD ID Bad's stream : 2502083599

"The Realm SMP - Day 210 - Learning and Growth"

Time stamp : 01:22:36 - 01:49:21

B = trBadboyhalo (corrupted)

A = trPili/Ace

====================================== B: Hello, Pili Dtowncat.

A: Full name is crazy.

B: What are you up to?

A: Oh, nothing. I'm in my house.

B: Did you need something?

A: I needed to talk to you, yes.

B: Oh, okay. What do you want to talk about?

A: About life, you know. Just in general?

B: How are you feeling?

A: I'm feeling good.

B: Ah, that's good.

A: Um...Bad, are you corrupted?

B: That would be crazy.

A: Yeah, wouldn't it, right?

B: I just had a little snack.

A: You just had a little snack, but you're not...corrupted?

B: Ha ha ha ha. That's a good one, Pili Dtowncat. Why, do you ask?

A: Pangi's concerned about you.

B: Oh. Why?

A: He believes that you're corrupted, and that it's my fault.

B: Is he concerned about you?

A: No.

B: Why?

A: I'm quite the opposite. He actually...I think he's mad at me. You know what? I think Pangi cannot handle being told the truth. That's what I think.

B: Why do you think that?

A: Oh, he just kinda said something amongst the lines of, I don't wanna talk to you anymore. After I told him the exact truth of the situation that was happening.

B: Oh, I see.

A: Uh, yeah. I'm not gonna lie, I'm a little bit disappointed. I thought he'll be a little bit smarter, but he wasn't.

B: Why do you think that?

A: Cuz he is dumb, because he can't comprehend basic things.

B: Hmm...I don't know. He seems very caring.

A: He is caring, but that does not make him smart. At the end of the day, if he can comprehend the real world scenario and how everything really works in life, then what's the point if he's really caring?

B: I see. Do you think he's naive?

A: He lacks experience. I feel like...How I'll describe it is sometimes you're still living inside of a bubble, and you think the world worked in a certain way, and you think that you're doing the right thing, but once you realize in the greater scheme of things, that doesn't really matter that much.

B: Hmm...I see.

A: Hmm...Let's put things like they are. Let's just say, A, there's a scenario where...The world would end up corrupted, right?

B: Yes.

A: But it already is corrupted. The corruption had existed before, now, and it will start existing even in the future. No matter what happens, right?

B: Yes.

A: But also, B. Let's just say that there's a mass extinction event, like the dinosaurs. We can talk about the dinosaurs. Let's say that there's a meteor, a big one, that blows everything up and kills everything in it. What is the difference between a scenario where the world is sending and the corruption is there, or a scenario where the world is sending and everything gets vaporized by a meteor? At the end of the day, the truth is that the world will still spin. Life somehow will make its way with the corruption or without the corruption. And it doesn't matter because they're both mass extinction events. And the people in this world will cease to exist so it doesn't really matter to them because they won't be there anyway.

B: I see. Does it matter if the corruption goes extinct then?

A: The corruption will never go extinct.

B: Why?

A: Because the creators, and the beings that keep us here, they are all made of corruption at the end of the day.

B: Yes.

A: The corruption was here before us, and also be here afterwards. It will always make and find a way to come back.

B: Yeah, hmm...

A: So. I'm gonna ask you...because this is a genuine question.

B: Yes.

A: Are you gonna drop the act?

B: Hmm...Am i acting?

A: Yes.

B: Oh...*looks down and walks behind Ace* *trBBH's tone shifted* I don't know, Pili. I see what you're saying. I think I understand, but...

A: What do you see? What do you feel?

B: I think...that Pangi just cares...a lot. I think he cares about you, and about me.

A: He does not.

B: Hmm... But would it be so bad, Pili?

A: For what?

B: To be cured. What they call cured.

A: *laughs* I would love to see them try.

B: I understand, Pili. What you said...it's true. It's like...having...a big hug from a friend. A friend who's always there. A friend who never leaves you. A friend who always cares about you. That's what it feels like.

A: Yeah, I said that. This is why I like the corruption. And this is why I'm working with the corruption. But I'm also that friend. To you.

B: But is it real? Is the feeling real? Is it worth the pain that it causes Pangi, causes the people who care about us?

A: Well first of all, I don't give a fudge about Pangi at this point.

B: Oh...*looks down and off to the side* Hm...

A: Listen Bad, sometimes you need to realize that you can give everything to someone. But no matter how much you give to them, they will never give that same amount to you. And sometimes it's okay to be selfish. And sometimes it's okay to drop someone, but they don't care about you. As much as you care about them.

B: I see. And you think Pangi is like that.

A: Well, I'm just gonna say that I think if Pangi cared a little bit more, he would've put more effort for this whole thing to be avoided. At the end of the day, he did have a say in this. No, actually, let me backtrack. He did not have a say. He didn't even omit. He didn't even post. He just said, "Okay!". And carried his own way. He could've saved his friend multiple times, yet he didn't.

B: *looks down and up at Ace* You are correct, Pili.

A: Yes. Do you remember all those times where...Pili 2 was around? No one really cared to help him. No one really cared to hear him. There was clearly something wrong with him, yet...Oh, it's okay, you know. He's just like that. There was a moment that maybe this whole thing could have been prevented, stopped. But no one really did anything, just point fingers. Because the truth is that everyone saw him as a bad guy. But in reality, they were making the bad guy everyone's actions. The things that a lot of people did to him were mean. And maybe that's why everything is like it is today. And I'm gonna be honest...I think Pangi...He's confused. He doesn't really know what he wants. He just acts on emotion. He lacks that...rational...thinking...or whatever. He likes to please everyone, but he can't even please himself. And that's why he always ends up losing every single friend. He lost his spirit for his friend, and he keeps fighting his friends and having conflicts and everything, 'cause you have to realize that you can't really please everyone.

B: Hmm...but...I think sometimes, Pili...that...it's possible...that he can realize the mistake he made. That it takes something else happening, for him to realize how bad he treated someone else. And then he can make up for it, and apologize. And I think he's trying to do that, because another one of his friends is being affected.

A: The truth is, he's worried about you, and he's blaming me for it.

B: But is he not also worried about you?

A: No, he's not. In fact, I could feel his anger, his rage, at the words that I was saying, and to some extent, there were moments when I felt like he was going to pull the trigger on me again.

B: Hmm...but isn't that what he should have been doing, trying to cure you the whole time?

A: No. Killing me is what brought me here. Maybe...maybe if he talked more about how he was feeling, or maybe if he expressed himself more in a better way, in a healthy way. Maybe if he stopped being so emotionally driven, and opened his eyes, and think for once, and try and understand the scenario and the situation of what was happening in front of him. Which is kinda crazy to even think that his little boyfriend, uh, creature, Lukey, um...He kinda figured everything out...easily. And he was kinda the newbie. He was here for about, what, like a couple of weeks? He caught on real fast, but somehow Pangi never really realized.

B: Hmm...Yes. They are different. *looks off to the side*

A: Yeah.

B: I think killing Lukey might help Pangi see the mistake he made.

A: Oh, yes! See, now you're saying awesome things, Bad! Do you think killing Lukey will help Pangi? I don't think so.

B: I think it will help him see what he did wrong faster.

A: I mean, to some extent, sometimes it takes someone messing up to realize...I also feel like maybe...Here's the thing, it's just oh my God, can I just even say how much of a- Ooh, I can't swear in here, can I? Oh, Lord. Oh, there's so many times where the little guy just wanted to say what his heart felt and what his mind was thinking, but he just held back and guess what? He's dead and he died because he never spoke his mind. And if he doesn't speak his mind, maybe Lukey's also gonna die. Isn't that crazy? Oh my God. I don't know, Bad. I- do you think killing Lukey will help? Maybe, yeah, maybe it will. Maybe...And-And hear me out! Lukey is on two lives! It doesn't really matter that much. Like one more, one less, right? He'll probably lose it to himself somehow.

B: Hmm...*looks down* I see...I just...I feel like...

A: Do you wanna kill him? What do YOU want, Bad?

B: I want...us to be friends again. I want us to be normal.

A: Who is us?

B: Us.

A: Me and you? We're still friends.

B: Me, you, Pangi, and our new friends. All of us.

A: Why?

B: Because it's important to me.

A: You know that I'm still your friend, regardless, right?

B: Yes.

A: Okay, so, um, I've worked with situations like this before, yeah, we can do this. So what we're gonna do is, we just gotta act like we're fully corrupted, okay? Yeah, no, we-- I am-- I don't know about you, but we gotta act like corrupted, okay? So, um, what we gotta do is, we gotta make them BELIEVE that the corruption is making us act this way. And then we magically get cured and it'll be like, "Yo, oh my god, my dear friends!" You know, it's kinda like when someone gets sick and they get cured and everyone's oh so happy and it's like, Oh, I wanna spend so much time with you now that you're back. Oh, woo! Let's spend eternity together. Let's go grab food and let's make a cake and let's do this and oh, my dear friend is back! Right? Does that sound good to you? Does that work for you?

B: Yes.

A: Okay, good.

B: And we can all be friends again.

A: Yeah, just like, you know, full of like, the protocol or whatever, once you get like, healed and you say like, I'm sorry I did the horrible things I did. I didn't mean it, blah blah blah blah. It was a mistake, blah blah blah blah blah. You know the script, right? Like, you just...Say sorry, whatever.

B: Yes.

A: Okay. So...Does that sound like a plan?

B: But...Is it real?

A: What? What is real?

B: Like Pangi. Will he really...Will our friendship be real?

A: Yes.

B: Okay.

A: Yes. He will because he's a- he's a dumb little guy that completely forgets about situations and completely forgives everyone for everything, so.

B: Oh...*looks down* Hmm...

A: I don't know! What like- what do you- what do you want from me?

B: I don't know...

A: What do you want?

B: What do you want? Both of you.

A: That's a conflicting question.

B: Yes.

A: I just want to have fun. But also to be happy.

B: Oh. Okay.

A: What?

B: I just...I thought understanding would help. But...I don't know if I completely understand.

A: Me?

B: It. This.

A: Corruption?

B: All of it.

A: Does it not make sense to you?

B: It makes a lot of sense. But...it still...isn't clear.

A: Maybe you just need more of it.

B: Maybe.

A: Like...not to be that guy. But you kinda look like Pili 2 when he just brought...got in here.

B: Hmm..

A: I just feel like you need a little bit more...Ooh, a little bit more cooking in the stove, you know what I mean?

B: Oh...Do you think?

A: 'Cause I'm fine! Why wouldn't you be fine? Right?

B: Oh...

A: It makes sense to me, why is it not making sense to you?

B: So, I just need more cooking.

A: Well it did take me a couple...days to get to this state, so...

B: Have you tried...Hmm...*looks off to the side*

A: What?

B: If I tried more corruption, maybe you could try...less.

A: Whoa, you wanna take me off my meds? Do you know what it's gonna do to me?

B: I don't know.

A: That's crazy, man. Okay, I'll do less.

B: Is that what it's like? Is it medication?

A: Maybe. Medication for the pain.

B: The pain Pili 1 went through.

A: The pain that we both have to burden, Bad. The pain that not everyone can understand and empathize with.

B: But won't that hurt Pangi more?

A: But WHY does it matter? Why does it matter? You should be your top priority! You should be selfish! You should put yourself first!

B: Because--

A: What does it matter if Pangi's not happy if you cannot be happy yourself? You have to be happy first to make the others happy.

B: Because he's Pangi.

A: Yes, Bad. Was Pangi happy before? You got like this?

B: Yes.

A: I don't think he was.

B: Oh...*looks off to the side* What is happiness?

A: I think you're asking the wrong guy.

B: Are you not happy?

A: No. I've never been.

B: Then why? Why the corruption? Isn't it a cure for sadness.

A: Yes. But the absence of sadness does not just...It does not equal happiness, Bad. It's just numb.

B: I see. So, this warm blanket is more of a cold blanket.

A: Not really. My situation is different. I cannot feel happiness. I'm sure you can. This does not have to do with the corruption, Bad. This is anything but the corruption.

B: I see.

A: I'm sure you get happiness. I just...I just think you're getting used to the change like I did.

B: Hmm...Maybe. I am learning.

A: Remember, you gotta cook it a little bit more, Bad.

B: Let it grow?

A: Let it grow~ Yeah, like the song.

B: Okay.

*Lukey says good night to everybody and logs off*

A: Urgh this guy! No! Damn it! Oh no. I'm gonna kill him.

B: Well I guess we can talk later.

A: No, it's okay. No, Bad...uh I'm sorry.

B: Yes.....Don't be sorry, Pili. I just want to help.

A: You're helping. Believe me that you are.

B: I am?

A: Yeah, you are helpful. You've always been helpful.

B: Okay. That's good. *nods*

A: I need to ask you, do you really want to be corrupted?

B: I really just want to help.

A: You know how you will help me?

B: How?

A: By killing Lukey.

B: Would that help Pangi too?

A: Yeah.

B: Okay, then I'll do it.

A: On the long run, yes. It'll make him be more grateful. Kinda like a little wake-up call, you know?

B: Okay. *nods once, looks down and walks to the exit*

A: Wait. Bad.

B: Yes?

A: It'll be okay. At the end of the day. If anything happens, feel free to blame me. You can always blame me. Okay?

B: Okay.

A: If anything, it's my fault.

B: Okay. Take care of yourself.

A: You still need to cook a little bit more. Okay?

B: Okay.

A: You'll start to feel better soon. I'll make sure of it.

B: Okay. Thank you, Pili.

A: No worries. That's what friends are for.

B: Yes. *few vigorous nods* Yes. That's what friends are for. *jumps a few times*

A: Exactly.

B: Okay. Thank you, Pili.

A: In fact, I think you'll get more friends soon...in a couple of days.

B: I will? Oh boy. Just like the old times. *looks back and walks to the exit*

A: ...

B: *looks back at Ace*...... See you soon, Pili.

A: See you soon, Bad. I'm always with you.

B: I know.

*Bad leaves*

[kidspawn]

ADAM AND NOAH USED TO BE THE SAME PERSON... RIGHT.... THEY MAKE ME THINK... like i think i read that textually they used to be the same Character as written by mstief. but also the similarities. quiet, observers, on the outside. brought out of their shell by friends (ronan most notably, in common for both of them- they are both so special to him). violently betrayed by those they're close to, who should have cared for them. forever changed, marked as 'different' from the others (noah "i was more when I was alive", adam becoming more connected to the ley line post cabeswater deal). i wish we'd had more of them in trc... anyway pls if you'd like share thoughts/snips of ur adam & noah ideas i'm so curious!!

OKAY NO SO I THINK ABOUT THIS ALL THE TIME! Because at what point did Adam and Noah become separate? I know it was an early draft, of course, but the parallels?? (Also, Blue explicitly taking time to tell the reader why Adam and Noah differ, I find so interesting?)

I don't have an essay in me tonight, but if I may just bullet point things that keep me up at night over the Adam-and-Noah of it all?

They're both observers, like you said. On the outside looking in. Not quite part of the group, in their eyes. Attached to Cabeswater through a deal (much like Gansey, but Adam and Noah are explicitly tied to these sacrifices.)

Adam + Whelk parallels. What did this originally look like?

The story doesn't work without the Noah subplot, so that means, I assume, Adam's role was not present in this draft?

How close Ronan and Noah are, and how close Adam and Ronan become? There's so many scenes of these three together, chatting and bickering. No wonder I read romantic undertones between Ronan and Noah. (Or I'm a fiend idk)

Adam being actively comforted by Noah being smudgy or faded or rumpled. Feels a sort of comraderie in this regard.

Noah fears for Adam's safety, is present in the background for Adam more than he explicitly talks to him?

Noah + Gansey and then Gansey + Adam?????

The Blue/Noah kiss AND the Blue/Adam side plot.

I could go on. Like on and on and on.

I'll stop now because this will become a problem.

Okay last one: after their associated deals with Cabeswater, each of them is irrevocably changed. And this happens directly after each is severely and horrifically traumatized, like you said, by someone who should have cared about them. How Adam's sacrifice marks the beginning of the awakening of Cabeswater and Noah's sacrifice marks the end. How if you shift the plot half a degree to the left it would be about Noah and Adam.

You mentioned them being different! Yes! Noah is a ghost, something offputting, something other in the eyes of most. Adam is described as ethereal, otherworldly, a creepily clever fuck. They're both explicitly more than human in a way the others aren't?

They both fade into the background until they don't, then they command the room and become the center of the room's gravity.

They're both explorations on loss of self and autonomy, imo.

When I write Noah and Adam it's with the approach of "these are two introverts who are used to observing, not being observed." So I love putting them in circumstances where they sit with one another and just... chat? That sounds boring, I worry. But I think Noah is gentle with Adam, in a way Adam is alright with (as he's explicitly very fond of Noah, considers getting along with Noah a marker of a person's character), and prods just enough so to get Adam to open up and be a little more vulnerable with. I see Noah as someone able to pry truths out of others? He's a confidant of the group, and I see that dynamic working beautifully with Adam. I think it's a matter of what happens when you put two introverts in a room together when they're used to observing and now they are being observed.

It's hard to pinpoint how Adam influences Noah in canon, as mainly Noah picks pieces of Adam apart, gets in his head, provides him with assurance and vulnerability. But my personal way of writing this is that Adam provides a place for Noah to just... ramble on? I worry I'm not explaining this well. Let me just show off a portion from an Adam-centric fic I'm writing (unedited and I'm fiddling with it don't mind it I'm begging you I wrote this at like 2am a few days ago)

“Oh, scarf.” Noah pointed out, “Adele tried knitting this. She's not very good. Ask her if she's gotten better, will you?” “I haven't talked to your sister.” Adam pointed out, “Might want to ask Blue.” Noah shook his head, wove open scales of purple between his fingertips, catching the odd silver thread under fluorescent. “Think the whole ‘my family is a psychic’ thing threw them off. She's not the biggest fanatic of that idea. Magic. Ghosts.” Neither was Adam, but Gansey had pulled him along with magnetism and raw charm. A little coercion, or a borrowed purpose, did wonders.   “She'd like you.” Noah continued, “At least, I think she would. She might have changed. Age does that, I think.” “That's the rumour.” Adam said, with little else to contribute. He rolled his neck along the jut of Noah's mattress, still half propped against the frame, half spread over the floor. Knobby knees and limbs took up some hefty real estate, though neither of them paid that any mind. Noah frowned at the scarf, and draped it over his knee. “Do you think you'll change?” Adam stiffened, though Noah was so fixated on the curve of his own knee it evaded notice.  He was not someone inclined to prayer, not devout or religious in any sense of the word. Where Ronan found some twisted self flagellating delight kneeling in pews under cascading mosaic light, and Gansey made altars in the press of leather and newspaper clippings, Adam sunk his hands in the dirt, gripped the roots of reality and knew the only god to be found was the one within the brush of fingertips. Tangible. Touchable. Corruptible. So, it made no sense Adam prayed - at least, the closest he'd get to prayer - for change. To grow. That the response to Noah's question was a simple, aimless plea of please, let me change, evolve. To remain stagnant was to admit defeat, to succumb to human nature and dwell in the dangers of comfort and self destruction. Nevermind that he knew there was, likely, not a god of any denomination to carry him to the finish line. He'd do that all alone, with his blood and his nerve and the scrapes along his knees reminding him he'd ached for this.

just a way that I think Noah is able to pry thoughts from Adam he doesn't typically give himself permission to think? And Noah, much like how he opens up to Blue, is able to open up to someone as equally inclined to being a listener. If that makes sense.

My other Noah and Adam spiel is solely because of my Noah Swimmer AU! that I've posted a bit about? Where Noah was injured by his high school (homoerotic lbr) best friend and was unable to swim for his college. So he goes to college anyway (omg rich parents) and he's assigned as Ronan's roommate his second year, and one thing leads to another and he lies to Ronan about being on the swim team and offers to coach Ronan's younger brother, Matthew, a college freshman. I'm toying with a background Adam arc and Noah's actually a huge part of that! Because the idea of the fic is exploring the dynamics from Noah's perspective, seeing how he aids them on their own journeys, and how he is equally aided from theirs? Sort of a symbiotic healing process?

Anyway, Noah and Adam strike up this very quiet friendship (according to my outline) and Noah is someone Adam is able to be vulnerable with in a manner he's unaccustomed to? I have a whole scene where Adam, who's recognized a lot of signs of prior abuse and trauma in Noah, kind of takes a moment to relate to Noah, who has a chronic pain as a result of his injury, and opens up about his family history. Which is meant to be huge because Adam hasn't told anyone before. People know, but it's important in my head that Noah is the first person Adam says it out loud to:

Whatever he decided, whatever place on his list of potentials and possibilities this solution held, it satisfied the fidget of thumbnail against enamel. He dropped a palm in his lap and fixed Noah with a resolute set to his jaw. "My father used to hit me." He said, rolled the words like they were a foreign tongue, unfamiliar. It sounded like a secret, the kind one would acknowledge pragmatically but refuse to bring under light. "I'm deaf. In my left ear. Because of him." Noah blinked. Shifted to lean down at Adam, dangled a hand off his bed in offering, "Can I...?" Adam cocked his head. He looked at Noah's fingers like one might approach a loaded gun. "I'm just curious." Noah affirmed. "You can touch mine." He gestured to his knee, his shoulder. "No, it's...." Adam frowned. Or his features were at rest. Neutrality and misery sat identical over mouth and brow and nose. "Sure." Noah shuffled forward, just an inch, and drifted his hand to tickle over the shell of Adam's ear, tinged pink in the shrapnel of afternoon that filtered through window blinds. "It feels the same." Noah said, let a thumb brush to antihelix, to tragus, to canal. "Nothing?" "No." Adam said, eyes vacant. There was little to bring Adam back to his body, in Noah's experience. Escapism was its own balm. "Does it..." He scratched his nail over cartilage, "Do you just not... feel anything?" "It's..." Adam scrunched his nose, still focused on Noah's college-ruled composition book, etching galaxies in the random speckles of black and white. "Lemme..." He cupped Noah's knuckles, palm to jutting bone. Adam's fingers were longer, calluses gritty and harsh where they rubbed on Noah's more malleable skin. He curled Noah's index until it scratched against the shell. "I can't hear it." "My finger?" Adam held his other hand up, a silent request. Noah tilted his head, nose brushing rumpled comforter, offering his ear up. A finger, feather light, tentative, ran a nail's edge across the perimeter. Noah focused on the scrape of it, a sound he'd so often taken for granted it hadn’t registered as something to note. Percieveing it now was... not quite unsettling, but grounded a piece of himself he typically kept adrift. That most people kept adrift. How odd, Noah thought, to lose a piece of yourself you hadn't acknowledged before. "I can't really hear that. I know it's not exactly a noise. I mean it is, its a noise. I just don't..." Adam's breathe feathered Noah's bangs into a frenzy. His stare was intent on his hand. "I don't register it. On my left side." "Oh." "Yeah." Adam slumped back, dropped his hand with a startling smack. Noah wanted to ask why Adam would share this with him, of all people. Why he'd waited for Ronan and Gansey to leave. Maybe there was safety in Noah's status as outsider. Observer. He knew Noah couldn't apply context to something he didn't understand. And he still didn't quite understand Adam. Any of them, really. "When I..." Adam took a careful three draws in between his teeth, out in a smooth whistle. "When this," He pinched his lobe, "happened, I..." Swallowed. If Noah squinted he'd see phantom fingers clamped over the other's mouth, remnants of forced silence. "I thought he knocked something from me. Out of me. Permanently." Noah's skin chilled. He rubbed at his shoulder, the twinge when he rotated too far. "It took me a very," Adam finally, finally, made eye contact, "Very long time to realize I could control what was or wasn't up for taking." From the common room, the lock clicked. Ronan and Gansey back. He clenched his fists in his pant fabric. Adam was still staring, icy and determined as an hour ago when he'd hunched over numerical equations. There was only guesswork to see what value Noah had been designated. "No one broke you." Adam said, as Noah breathed in a way he hoped looked casual. "You're not the product of what someone else did to you. You're the product of what you do with it."

ofc i'm assuming at this point Adam will be in his sophomore year of college and have come to terms with his history? Hence the odd brand of emotional maturity. This fic isn't about Adam, so I won't dwell on Adam's development too hard. And he sees a bit of himself in Noah. so hence the characterization here. Because Noah is angry and genuinely depressed after losing this thing he used to define himself by, and he's caged and closed off, and Adam sees a piece of himself in it.

Anyway, sorry for rambling. One of my favourite types of fic to write are the kind that fuck with canon dynamics by switching things up a bit. And even if the fic is Noah/Matthew centric I've been writing drabbles of the Noah and Adam friendship and it lights me up inside. (I have a really fun subplot I've been messing with where Noah is watching a Kavinsky/Ronan/Adam clusterfuck unfold and going hey what the fuck is going on?)

Sorry this turned into a fic dump ahhh! I just adore picking at Noah/Adam as a duo. Maybe I should make them kiss someday idk.

[cocoa-dile]

Sebek x Fae! Reader Writing Attempt

Warnings / Notes: This is my first time ever writing anything related to fan fiction (and it's terrible), reader is not Yuu/MC and is loosely based on a Twisted Wonderland OC of mine, gn! reader, OOC Sebek (?), reader's parents are more "traditional" in the sense that they dislike humans, story probably has a few holes in relation to canon and I'm not a very talented writer but it's all just for fun and not meant to be taken too seriously :) Also not proofread! So I apologize in advance for any mistakes

What type of fae, how reader looks, etc. is not described outside of one instance of the word "beautiful" being used (intended as a gender neutral compliment). You're pretty much free to let your imagination fill out whatever you want with this

Story is completely fluff (no smut or otherwise 18+ scenarios, no gore, etc.) with some implied and in some parts heavy romantic feelings / tension but is mostly platonic(?)

If anything here is wrong and you think it needs to be fixed please let me know! I have no idea what I'm doing and would really appreciate any constructive criticism. I think I'll probably end up redoing this at some point because I think I can do much better with a bit of practice

Story / bullet points located under the cut

You, Sebek, and Silver grew up together in Briar Valley, but your parents didn't really approve of you spending time with a human and a half fae

Despite your parents disapproval, you continued to pursue a friendship with the two of them (though in secret)

You probably proposed to Sebek as a child and bring it up as a joke to embarrass him, it still makes his face get a bit red (especially if it's in front of other people)

You loved hearing stories from both Lilia and Baur about their adventures or past experiences, and they ultimately fueled your desire to learn more about cultures outside of Briar Valley

After Sebek left for Night Raven College, you two would send letters to keep in touch (as neither of you were particularly skilled with technology as a result of your upbringing, and hand written letters "are more fitting of a knight" after all)

However, as the school year went on, Sebek noticed that you were writing him less and less

This upset him a bit, but unbeknownst to him you just didn't want to distract him from school and his responsibilities relating to Malleus

Sebek has always admired your strength and affinity for magic, and even asked his grandfather and Lilia if you could train with him and Silver when they first started

The two of you swap books with annotations and notes in them, and if he notices that you've highlighted or underlined something that might be interpreted as flirtatious or romantic, even if just to mess with him, it makes him short circuit

Before the Ramshackle Dorm was completely fixed up (between Book 2 and Book 3), Crowley invited you to the campus to help out the Prefect

With what exactly? He wasn't very clear. However, you were starting to make a name for yourself in Briar Valley and word was starting to spread across Twisted Wonderland, and Crowley believed you might be able to find a way for the Prefect to get home

When you arrive on campus, Crowley goes with you to pull the Prefect out of class so you could learn more about the world that they're from - and when Sebek sees you, he almost screams

What were you doing here? How long would you be here? Should he approach you? You hadn't been writing letters like normal, perhaps you were trying to avoid him. But despite all of his questions running around in his head, making him dizzy, he couldn't help but notice how beautiful you looked as you waited for the Prefect to gather their things, and he feels heat crawling up his neck as you glance over at him and give him a small wink

You stay with the Prefect and Grim in Ramshackle Dorm, and almost immediately get to work with cleaning everything up. As was drilled into you as a child by your parents, the state the dorm was in was simply unacceptable

Cleaning and fixing up the furniture didn't take too long with a bit of elbow grease and magic, but you decided to leave the major renovations for tomorrow, when the Prefect and their friends, Ace and Deuce, were done studying

By the time tomorrow had rolled around, you decided to see the Equestrian Club and watch Silver and Sebek

"Wow Sebek, you're such a talented horse rider" "Sebek, you're so handsome!" "Oh Sebby, you're such a valiant knight" <- All said to get a rise out of him and see him blush (which you succeeded in)

When you compliment Riddle for how good he is at riding horses or when you comment on how Silver is so gentle with the horses, Sebek can't ignore the pinpricks that he starts to feel spreading across his body

Riddle is good at horse back riding, that's why Sebek chose to join the club, and Silver is good with animals, he always has been, but Sebek couldn't help but worry that you noticed the way that the horses flinched away from him or that he couldn't hold perfect form because of the nerves from your eyes on him

Sebek truly admired you and wanted you to have a high opinion of him as well, so surely all of those weird feelings he got around you or thinking of you or rereading the sweet letters you sent him were just a product of that

Right?

As you bid him goodbye, you lightly squeezed his hand and watched as his slit pupils dilated even further

He insisted on "escorting" you back to Ramshackle Dorm, and after you gently opened the door and stepped inside, you pulled his face towards yours and pressed a kiss to his cheek

"Thank you, Sebek," you giggled. "I'll see you soon, okay?" You closed the door to the dorm, and he could hear you calling out to the Prefect. "Prefect, Grim, I'm back! Perhaps you should show me about those "movies" you were discussing with Ace the other night?"

As Sebek stood outside the door to Ramshackle Dorm, he tried to gather himself so he could head back to Silver, and eventually the dorm. He prayed that Lilia wouldn't comment on how flustered he seemed, unable to get the feeling of your lips against his skin out of his head

★ I still have quite a bit that could go with Sebek and a Fae! Reader and this didn't really end up going in the direction I had intended (I was possessed as I was writing this I guess lmao), so I think I might do a part 2 or redo this entirely. Please leave any recommendations or feedback in the comments ★

[one-beer-is-not-enough]

I posted my oc Dani and i would LOVE to know how you believe him and Marcel would interact!! It’s my first time posting a Bully oc so im sorta nervous. He doesn’t rlly have a last name and i haven’t made a lot of info pages about him yet but i tried to give as much context as possible :,)

!!! Daniiiii Dani boooyy hahaha!

Sorry abt the shit drawing, traditional art shoved its boot so far up my ass I'm picking shoelaces from my teeth. I swear on my life I'll redraw this digitally when I get back 🙏

These two trying to play it cool with a prefect after quite literally breaking through a dorm door while fighting 💀

Interactions:

Oh boy. Their dynamic is like Dumb and Dumber if they were both escaped asylum patients. Fighting over the crown prize of being public enemy nr 1... by duking it out in public spaces, getting arrested... And then continuing to bicker in their shared jail cell.

Both of them being the preps' errand boys is the way they meet for the first time. That's also when their beef starts and gets progressively worse... And funnier. Expect pettiness of the highest order

Marcel almost surely finds out about Dani's thing with Bif, and uses it as ammo constantly. It's only fair to attack each other over their boyfriends (who watch them in disappointment from a distance)

Marcel would deadass leave hate-mail and break-up letters in Dani's locker for weeks, signing all of them as 'Bif'. He'll even go through the trouble of trying to replicate Bif's handwriting to make it more convincing 💀 Professional hater

Like you said yourself, I think in some weird way they enjoy this rivalry. When you hate someone for surface-level reasons, at some point it just becomes entertaining more than anything

Number one trigger to get Marcel into a fight: insulting Derby. Works like a charm. So he returns the favor by shit-talking Bif to Dani's face (not that he needs the incentive, he hates Bif as it is)

Marcel passing by Dani declaring the most random shit: "Every night before I close my eyes, I pray for your downfall" <- Which Dani follows up with "Why don't you pray for some bitches instead?"

Marcel: If you have a million haters, I'm ALL of them

Dani: 🫵 Unemployed behavior

I feel like either one of them could be having a bad day, but it becomes a little better by just thinking: "Well at least I'm not [Marcel/Dani]."

If Bully had social media, you can bet your ass they'd be sending each other the most aggressive posts. Marcel sees a video of someone being cringy and tags Dani in the comment section with "This is you 👆"

Honestly they're doing Bullworth a favor by messing with each other, instead of using that time to piss off the others around them lmao

Bonus:

Marcel writing hate-letters to Dani like:

[arcadekitten]

So how do you manage making certain characters more overtly asexual than others in a world where sexuality just generally doesn't exist because they don't like- actually have the anatomy for it? Is it that like- you're representing them in such a way that it's known to US that even if they were humans they would still opt out? Or is it more like- they are specifically made to be more asexual-coded than the other ones are? Or something else? Genuinely curious to see your thought processes on how you're approaching it.

Btw it makes me so so very happy that you created a world where people just. Don't have genitals because I've known at my core that I'm asexual since I was extremely young but with our world being so obsessed with...that stuff, and no one actually like, validating that it's OKAY to not understand these things and I don't HAVE to understand them (it's okay to not understand things sometimes even if everyone else DOES seem obsessed with it), and with a certain family member Ive been stuck with for years now telling me "You won't find a man thats okay with that. Men aren't like that." bc a romantic relationship would be soooo nice....it's just.... caused some issues and it's just really really nice to see a world in which those kinds of subtle or not-so-subtle societal pressures are just simply impossible. It feels very safe, very comfortable, and...I dunno! It just helps! Honestly I had considered making a universe myself with people who had none of that stuff and honestly it just inspires me a bit, so I just might!

Haha! It's a bit tricky! And I'd say I want to try handling it in a way that's a mix of what you're describing!

Within Noisrev, while sexual intercourse does not exist, Noisrevian's still have their own method of reproduction. What exactly does it entail? None of our business! Regardless, Noisrevians who label themselves as ace are generally uninterested in this method or are downright repulsed by it.

For your other point--I am so glad!! ♡ Ever since I was young as well, I knew that I just didn't really connect to the kind of "parts" that humans have or what people do with them, at least in regards to myself. It just always felt very unnatural to me.

It wasn't until a few years back that I realized like, if I didn't want my characters to have those kinds of "parts" I could...just DO that. And no one could tell me otherwise, because it's my work and I can do whatever I want with it! And since doing that I've become a lot happier with my universe, too! And it makes me so so happy to know it can feel comfortable and safe for others!! ♡

I am also glad that to be able to explore romance in it! I find the realm of ace romance to be very small, as even when ace characters exist they are often not the center of the stories. Which is fine! But I've always wanted more! So I decided to create the ace romance I have always dreamed of and I am having so much fun with it! I love making ace characters and exploring their various relationships with others!! ♡

I think if you want to create a "null" world too, then you should totally go for it! You can always change your mind later, but for me I have found it incredibly freeing and I really enjoy it !! ♡

[meganooregano]

The Old Guard 2 *spoilers*

This is just a formless rant. Spoilers below the cut!

Okay wow that was a trip.

We started off strong. Nile dressed as Kim Possible. Copley on a mission! Nicky/Joe speaking Italian! Story about a funny death of Booker's! Nile's compassion towards Booker! The thumb thing!! Climbing the wall like a badass! It lacked the precision you would expect from a team that's done this thousands of time, and not a lot of teamwork except between Joe and Nicky, but I could forgive that.

The car chase had Joe calling him Nicolo!! At no point did anyone speak Arabic which is... A choice... Of the racist kind... But hearing both Joe and Nicky's full first name's was nice.

And the drinking scene was cute. We got Joe and Nicky being married AF. The focus is on Andy, with Nile supporting, I could get behind that.

That line Andy says about being at peace was a little cliche in that well obviously now something is going to come blow that up and we know it's Quynh, so I guess there was no point trying to be subtle about that.

From there it just seemed to go downhill.

Nicky being the grudge holder makes perfect sense but idk why else he thought Joe was sneaking around. Their argument lacked the familiarity you would expect from a couple that has been together a thousand years. "you've always been too forgiving," or "I should have known you would follow me," nothing. The speech from Nicky was nice but I was hoping for a stronger reaction from Joe, or an apology for lying, or God forbid a kiss when they are not in mortal peril.

Why has no one else ever dreamed of Discord or Tuah and speaking of what kind of dumb moniker is Discord anyway?!

Wouldn't Nile or booker know if Quynh has been free for months??

Booker's rescue was so anticlimactic. Quyhn wants to hurt everyone but doesn't torture him?? What was the point of the new clothes other than to make booker look as European as possible. Why didn't booker ask for Andy to pick him up if the point was to just be messenger?

Tuah seemed like he was just a plot device. Not much personality. He's supposedly researched immortals but has not ever talked to Joe or Nicky or Booker or Nile or Quynh? And doesn't see Andy often I assume. How can you track their impact if you aren't told about their missions. Or their life. I guess he's the bystander immortal complement to Yitzhak in the comics, but he seemed like just a way to convey info about discord.

Which. Discord and tuah saw Quynh being taking away and 1) didn't help and 2) didn't help find her?? Wild. I have a hard time believing that Quynh didn't know discord was using her. And having Quynh work for her took away so much of her agency. She's free after 500 years, I was expecting hell-hath-no-fury-from-a-woman-scorned, not passively putting the bomb down after cursing out andromache only once. She could have been glorious.

The plot about the myth was dumb. 6 months since Nile has joined the team and not once has she sparred against Joe or Nicky and injured them? That's all I'm going to say about that. It was dumb.

Booker immediately trying to be mortal and transfer it to Andy was very in character. He didn't stop to think about it or tell anyone, which yeah makes sense for him. HOWEVER he didn't attempt to say bye to anyone which is crazy to me. Joe and Nicky were his brothers, not one awkward I missed you hug and nothing to nile? Also what was that cold shoulder comment from him. He knows what he did. He knew he betrayed them, he said in the last movie he expected a longer punishment. So why is he acting like he doesn't know why they won't forgive him?

Having the entire plot turn out to be because she wants her immortality back is just. Wild.

It's shallow? Or hollow, idk, but there's no substance there?? She said all that crap about them playing God... But wants to be immortal again? For what? She doesn't claim to want power, it's just immortality for no purpose.

We got Booker's death drawn out, and see Andy's emotions about it, but wow they did not grant booker much dignity there in the end. And no time for mourning afterward, there was no mention of Andy going back for him or for Copley. I was expecting a burial or something, but you only see that she took Quynh with her.

And the movie ending where it did was... Blegh. We waited 5 years for that?? If they don't make a third to have everyone be rescued imma be upset.

As someone who made this movie and the comics their entire personality for awhile I had a lot of feelings about this movie and had to get this out!

[numbuh-72]

LIFE UPDATE

Hey guys, Lexi here!

I know I've gone radio silent for awhile especially with my art... So it's time I explain what's been going on;

CW: MEDICAL TALK

After returning from my first ever convention, NostalgiaCon, I've begun having some... Problems physically and mentally.

It started with having bad abdominal pain at work one day, to the point where I could barely stand. I rushed to urgent care straight after my shift and got a UTI. I was given medicine and needed to cut back on a lot of foods and really have more water.

To which I was good after a week, but the next thing to have hit me was chest pain and weakness in my arms. So going to the urgent care again, I have and currently still have, costochondritis. Which is inflammation around the chest area. I was given medicine, but only took it for two days, even if it's supposed to be for 7. The only reason I stopped was because I started experiencing heartburn, struggling to swallow and lack of saliva production... Assuming it's dry mouth rn- Luckily the chest pain isn't like.. As bad, but it comes back round now and then.

Last year, I was diagnosed with heart palpitations... But wasn't sure if it was like a one time thing... But I am seeing a cardiologist about it to be absolutely sure, and the current plan is to give me an ECHO exam; Wearing a heart monitor and keeping it on for 7 days. The reason is to find any abnormality with my heart.

I've also been seeing the doctor a lot lately because of a condition I've had since high school called PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). It's a condition that irregulates my cycles due to me being obese. I used to take those birth control pills, but stopped around 2019. Ever since then... Uh, it hasn't really did me much in favor.

I did get my results very recently from an ultrasound we did around my pelvis area, and they did indeed find a cyst that's about 2 inches... Not only that but because of my UTI that happened recently, it did ring some bells in the bladder... So I need to do another thing for further investigation on that.

I also needed to do a blood test to follow up on my anemia on iron and vitamin D.

Soo... That's as far as physical, now for my mental.

During one of my doctor visits, I was given a test for anxiety and depression.... I didn't think it was that bad-

I got diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

So because of that, I was given a psychiatric to be able to push me through this anxiety. So far it's been working, what's causing my anxiety though is all the medical stuff that's been happening to me. I even brought it up to him and he understood. The goal is to just, continue with this journey and remain calm, continue to use my methods to maintain my anxiety.

So far that journey is making progress, but there is still ways to go.

Andd.... I believe that's all I covered for now... I'm currently in a battle and journey for all of this stuff, but I promise I'm ok! I got my family and friends like you guys supporting me the best way possible.

Now in regards to art, I am slowly making my way back to drawing, but production is slower because of my chest pain... But I am drawing! I am still planning to attend Art Fight, but I've just been working on the ref sheets and line up ATM.

If you wish to see who I have done at least, check out my art fight page! For this year I'm gonna do my South Park OCS! There will be 6 of them! 3 are done so far, but there's still 3 more to go!

For the meantime hope you guys understand my situation, but thought I give this update to reassure some that I am still around!

Thanks for reading! Lexi, out!

[quietplace26]

♡

After Furina!mc, Nahida!mc and venti!mc now i crave for tsaritsa!mc.

Just imagine a very lost tsaritsa!mc who is between still giving her love to her people or not, all the fatui problems, the relations with other natioms etc.

It would be even beter if tsaritsa!mc came here before the others so hear me out- you know venti mentioned begain close to tsaritsa but than somehow he lost connection to her? What if tsaritsa!mc died when begain brought to reyvat for whatever reason so venti!mc when they come to teyvat and after finding about the other mcs somehow make the connections between their irl friend who they lost so suddenly and also the similarity between them and the tsaritsa!mc??? So first venti!mc tries to connect them back but somehow fails and slips these things to furina!mc during their therapy season or while begain drunk? Idk i'm just rambling at thsi point lol

I also would like to think that tsaritsa!mc would help nahida!mc, venti!mc and furina!mc from the shadows because tsaritsa is a smart and a sly woman who openly dares to go against the celestia (given the delusions etc) so i would like to think the tsaritsa!mc would be similar in a way and they would give beter information to the knave and what she should do to help save the nation without traumatizing furina!mc further. Same goes with the dealings in mondstat and sumeru and the other nations? (Maybe tsaritsa!mc decides to not get in contact with the other mcs directly because tsaritsa!mc has A LOT on her plate given the fatui and the on going project of going against celestia- but still tries to help from the shadows because they used to be her friends)

And i also do think the tsaritsa!mc would be a hidden mother bear, has the softest spot for children and would acrually not burn but FREEZE any nation who dares to hurt children the tsaritsa!mc sees as her own, now imagine her during the catyclms just taking any children under her wing- into the fatui, giving them masks to hide their ancestary etc.

By the way i am the same anon who asked abt a more confident furina!mc where she slowly gets her own features back,

With lots of love, and admiration to your work,

♡anon

I. Love. This.

This. Is amazing! Tsaritsa!MC! I never considered something like that cause we barely know anything about her canon counterpart! But you, you, anon, created whole lore about her!

I especially love the idea of her being a mother bear!

And if I'm reading your words right, you're suggesting she takes in children during the Cataclysm? Maybe... Khaenri'ah children? I myself did a small idea on Venti!MC smuggling out some Khaenri'ahian during the Cataclysm, so I would love Tsaritsa!MC doing the same thing!

Oh, and maybe... she meets Pierro this way? Or maybe she finds him AFTER the Cataclysm, hurt, and snatches him up, taking him to safety? Oh boy, imagine him waking up in one of the gods that destroyed and cursed his home, surrounded by orphan, but thankfully not cursed children-

...Hear me out. Tsaritsa!MC x Pierro? Hm?

Tagging: @platinumrosetail, @arn9tails, @bloodytea, @esthelily

[jerzwriter]

I may have disappeared for a bit, but I'm STILL committed to finishing the 30-day challenge. Day 27's prompt is to write an ending without a beginning. Well, y'all know the beginning to this one, but I didn't write it! 😊

Book: Open Heart (Book 3 Timeline) Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x Kaycee MacClennan (F!MC) Rating: General Words: 778 Summary: After living in the shadows for far too long, things are finally falling into place for Ethan and Kaycee.

A/N: Also participating in July's Monthly Challenge: You were never supposed to find out...

The email from Edenbrook’s Communication Team reached Kaycee’s inbox just before noon.

“Congratulations to Dr. Kaycee MacClennan on successfully completing her residency in Internal Medicine and Diagnostic Science. We are delighted to announce that she has accepted the prestigious Rutherford Fellowship in Diagnostic Medicine and will continue her work here at Edenbrook Hospital. Please join us in the Founders Room at 4:30 PM for a champagne reception as we celebrate this exciting next chapter of her career”.

Kaycee leaned back in her chair with an air of triumph; there was no containing the smile spreading on her face. Across the room, her friend, colleague, and as of this morning, her boss, Dr. Tobias Carrick, noticed. He tapped on his laptop screen with a pretty big grin of his own.

“Big day for the diagnostic team,” he boasted, a gleam in his eyes. “I’ve got my sexy new title, there’s your fellowship, and it looks like all your bonehead boyfriend had to do was step aside for you two to be legit. I mean, it’s a lot of administrative shuffling just so you two could hold hands in public... but it works.”

Kaycee’s eyes rolled, but she couldn’t stop the blush rushing to her cheeks. “You know this wasn’t some big conspiracy, Tobias,” she grinned. “Things just... fell in place.”

“I know,” he laughed, reassuringly. “But you’ve gotta admit... we couldn’t have written a more perfect ending.”

“Yeah,” she sighed. “I just hope others don’t view this the way you did just now. If they do, the rumors will start swirling all over again.”

“Ah, screw the rumors,” he said dismissively. “Everyone knows the hospital was desperate for you to stay here, and with Naveen stepping down, Ethan was the logical choice. As for the new director of the diagnostic team, well - I mean – could there be anyone more perfect than me to take over? I think not.”

 “Yeah, I heard it was your humility that sealed the deal.”

“Of course it was,” he winked. “But Case... Seriously, congratulations. On the fellowship - the relationship - you deserve it all. Just enjoy the ride!”

~~~~~

Across the hospital, Ethan was leaning against the nurses’ station when he saw the announcement on his phone. His grin was too big to be ignored, and Nurse Sarah couldn’t let this opportunity slip.

“Big day for Dr. MacClennan and Dr. Carrick,” she beamed. “And – for your - of course.”

“For me?” Ethan glared. “What are you referring to? My position was announced weeks ago. It’s old news now.”

“I’m not talking about your position,” she snickered. “Do you really think that the two are masters of deception, or something? Maybe you fooled some people, but you sure as hell didn’t fool me.”

"You know," he said, stifling a laugh as he pocketed his phone. "YOu were never supposed to find that out."

"Well, I did."

“Of course, you’re exceptionally bright, Sarah," Ethan flattered. "I'm hoping the rest of the hospital was fooled.”

“Mmmh. You make a valid point, but I don't think they're that stupid! Anyway - it’s almost 4:30. Go! Go get your woman, Dr. Ramsey. And be sure to tell her I said congratulations!”

“Because she’s dating me?” he asked.

“Oh, hell no! I’ve already sent her a sympathy card for that! I meant for the new position!”

~~~~~

Kaycee walked into the main lobby just as the afternoon sun began to spill through the glass ceiling, washing everything in an ethereal glow. That included Ethan, who was walking down the stairs. Kaycee didn’t waste a second rushing across the room. For once, there were no curious glances as she stopped before him. It felt... great.

“Well, hello, Fellow MacClennan,” Ethan said, his voice low and a smirk firmly in place.

“Back at you, Interim Chief Ramsey,” she winked. “Any chance you’re heading over to the Founders Room? I hear they’re hosting a little shindig for me.”

Ethan leaned in and planted a quick kiss on her cheek. “Let someone try to keep me away from my girlfriend’s reception.”

“Girlfriend,” she teased, slipping her arm into his. “I thought you hated that word.”

“I do!” he insisted. “But lover sounded too lascivious for work, and partner sounds...”

“Too partnered?” she joked.

“They really do need to improve the English language.”

“Yeah, that or you need to propose real soon,” she teased, following up with raucous laughter. “I’m kidding! I’m kidding!” She grinned, “You’re far too easy, Ramsey!”

Well – that definitely managed to attract some stares, and a few smiles from passers-by... but the world continued spinning as it had before, even as they made their way – hand in hand – to the Founders Room. Kaycee took a deep breath – it felt good. The secrecy was over – finally over – and it felt like the whole world was falling into place.  

@choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics