#if anything this is just me taking notes but I am utterly fascinated by these hidden meanings

[gallifreyianrosearkytiorsusan]

Blend In With The Rest

Author’s note: Torglite in Husbandry. It's his debut! Thanks to @sleepyfan-blog for letting me borrow Darsas and Cedric.

Summary: A Death Guard Tech Priest- a Grand Son of Nurgle lands on Ancient Terra and meets some old faces- familiar and usually friendly ones.

Warnings: None? Let me know if I need to add anything.

Tagged: @barn-anon, @bleedingichorhearts, @c-u-c-koo-4-40k, @egrets-not-regrets, @kit-williams

Tagged: @sleepyfan-blog, @ms--lobotomy , @thevoidscreams, @i-am-a-dragon34, @gra93fruit-blog

Tagged: @felinisnoctis

Torglite had been spreading the joy of Grandfather Nurgle to one of the Corpse Worshipper's Forge Worlds. He had stepped from one part of the alleyway and blinks as he steps forth into sudden dark-light-shadow-cold-heat-everything-nothing.

He stops moving, closing his eyes firmly, before opening his eyes- his mechadendrites moving moving and tasting-seeing-assessing while his mind processes the information.

The amount of natural air- and severe lack of pollutants, still some, but not as much as had been on The Forge World that he'd just been on. He was on a world of much life- of a natural form.

How utterly fascinating he hadn't felt the touch of The Grandfather or his Greater Demons to have him Moved from the Forge World to wherever this lovely planet of green life is.

The storm is ever shifting and changing. So long has he been cast a drift in, so to land somewhere new isn't too surprising, even if he'd been Elsewhere just before.

He murmurs the hymns and prayers and is delighted when he listens in on the Astartes chatter- and is quite surprised to hear such a diverse blend of voices, chapters, and factions of Imperialist Dogs to Chaos Remade and those in between.

Still- one of the voices, two of them actually, are ones that he recognizes, so he trots of in the direction of Hura and Darsas's locations, which are happily in the same direction and they are nearby.

He sends Hura a ping [Hura- what a fascinating place for the storm to drop us in. Greetings brother.]

[Torglite! I'm glad to hear your dulcet voice again.] Hura responds in delight. [I'm with Darsas- and come- there are some people I want you meet. A growly baby- he's someone I'm... wanting as an apprentice.]

[A new apprentice?] Torglite says with delight. [Which Chapter is the young one of?]

[Black Templar, currently, he's still a Loyalist, but I see... potential in young Cedric to be much greater than he is.] Hura sends over vox text.

[... Black Templar?] Torglite responds surprised. [Ambitious of you, take care with that path of Fire brother.]

[I am.] Hura responds with a huff.

[My ETA is five minutes.] Torglite warns Hura.

[Thank you for the warning.] Hura says, [Cedric growls at Chaos aligned marines. It's adorable.]

[Thanks for letting me know.] Torglite says as he shakes his head a little. Hura's always enjoyed very challenging Apprentices.

"Cedric," Hura says to the younger Apothecary, "One of my brothers has newly arrived and is headed this way. He's... Chaos aligned and a tech priest."

"... What?" Cedric says looking and sounding a little concerned.

"Torglite's a wonderful brother," Hura says gently patting one of Cedric's hands, "Very good with younger cousins and brothers."

"Okay... if you say so Hura," Cedric says staring at Hura with big blue eyes.

Hura keeps his body language calm, but neutral. Cute. Cedric can be so adorable and charming in his reactions to things. When he's not being an entertaining terror.

Torglite comes in, his mechadendrites, a mix of mechanical and flesh-like metallic-esque ropes as he nods his greets to his brothers and the rather large Scout-aged Apothecary in black and white.

"Greetings," Torglite says. "To the one in the room who doesn't know, I go by Torglite."

"... Hello sir," Cedric says staring at him with big Dorn-ian blue eyes peer up at him.

"It's nice to meet you, young one." Torglite says. Ah- Scouts. So cute. So sweet. Yet to face all the horrors of the galaxy. He can see why Hura is fond of this one.

"Are you in need of medical assistance?" Cedric asks.

"Not at the moment," Torglite says, "although, some of the chatter I have been hearing over the vox-channels makes no sense."

Hura launches into the explanation that they give to all newly arrived about everything. As well as give him the intake paperwork to fill out and a, "I will still need to check you over just in case, for protocol's sake."

"Very well," Torglite says with a sigh as he takes the wood pressed board and the shocking indulgence of wood-paper and writes his answers to the questions to the best of his abilities.

[narwhalandchill]

okay so. skirk thoughts

first of all: as much as her design is still just kind of an ehhh compared to what couldve been, i do think it looks so much better in the actual game. the sfx in her arms and legs in particular helps a Lot imo. still not a massive fan but given i already loved the hair+eyes as well as the general color scheme, im warming up to it. still unfortunate we didnt get something more ambitious but i can live with this lmao

personality wise i actually really love how they went about her? its a little unexpected but skirk really has that abyss autism rizz to her JSJSIDISGFK love it. like this really isnt someone used to any manner of regular human interactions and it shows. i really like how blunt and utterly unfazed she is even when dropping some insane lore bombs bc theyre just peanuts to her. shes just completely unlike any character from any faction weve encountered before and i rly love the energy they gave her

i also found her little ramble about the value of life and death pretty interesting. it almost makes it sound like she considers herself dead in some way? with how she talks about there being no point in holding onto the bonds and remains of dead things and how this personal philosophy of hers is why she never comes to the surface anymore. like huh. whats up with that.

it also really reminds me of how an underappreciated aspect of childes characterization imo is how like. Incredibly insistent he is on staying alive being the most valuable thing? like this comes up Repeatedly in his voicelines. and now we have skirk literally talking about how to live is in itself a blessing. like i am Not buying this being coincidental at all. so unless they physically disprove me in this somehow down the line im taking this as 100% proof that childes high regard for life is Directly imparted to him through skirks teachings. and thats really interesting to think about.

and like. overall im quite happy with this glimpse of her character we have? i have bigger issues with the overall handling of the childe+narwhal+skirk segment of the AQ but those are narrative problems. skirk really stands out as a character and shes just. really fascinating AND funny as fuck in her nonchalance like. what an icon.

the only real unfortunate thing w her appearence specifically i think just has to do with the way her manner of speech and position as a narrator of dubious reliability to an extent is already leading to some. Quite unfortunate misreadings and/or taking the implications of her statements too far at face value. and i just know fandom will latch onto those forever 😭

(& jic i dont mean dubious reliability in the traditional unreliable narrator or like. lying or sth sense. just that her worldview is so alien and foreign to us that it should be taken into careful account before just blindly running off with any particular thing she claims)

like. firstly. the narwhal. ppl really dont seem to be catching onto how skirks perception of it as just a scuffed pet thats a hassle to manage isnt like. actually reflective of what a massive deal of an entity it is (read the boss fight quest item drop lore i am begging. or just wait for me to start narwhalposting JAJSKDK its coming 100%) 💀💀 what it DOES reflect more than anything is what an absolute maniac surtalogi (+ skirk by extension) has to be in order to claim a creature of this magnitude as a PET of all things. its also good to note that skirk herself readily admits both her highly unconventional view on most things AND that her master wont necessarily share any and all information with her - more so what he thinks is pertinent for her to know. her assessment of the narwhal as a nuisance of a task for a disciple isnt really reflective of the ultimate big picture HSJDKDKSK though it is very funny i have to admit.

im just preemptively annoyed and frustrated by it already bc its highkey giving azhdaha all over again where 99% of fandom just dismissed his deeper lore bc they took the storytellers claims of zhongli creating him at complete face value. like to the point hoyo had to literally add a whole segment at the end of the chasm interlude where zhongli more or less directly wink wink nod nods that a career entertainer isnt giving you the most accurate lore on this stuff 😭😭 like please. ive had the tears from among the stars lore fucking HAUNTING me ever since i first read it. its not just a silly pet whale im hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

and secondly. people really jumping the gun on "haha skirk thinks childe weak" when she was... quite literally speaking in past tense JSJSKDKSISKDK thats ajax 14 not the current state of things. while i do agree skirks power level is still way above his to the point i absolutely do think she considers him weak from her standpoint & ways off from his true potential, id also just.... like to point out that she pretty much confirms that her view of his competence has very much changed too? like please yall

skirk, who in all the years post ajax' 3 day abyss trip made NO effort to contact or keep up with him whatsoever and stated that her disciple wasnt worth even speaking to in the past has now LITERALLY voiced the intent to assign him the task of being a messenger between herself (possibly even surtalogi) and neuvillette. and she has made it VERY clear that she views the communication between herself and neuvillette (and traveler too) as one between equals?

this isnt her assigning childe some irrelevant side quest to keep him busy but actually utilizing him for a task she takes at least relatively seriously. like wdym she still considers him the exact same as before 😭😭😭😭 like obviously childes far off from being regarded as anywhere near an equal by skirk bc SHES just that insanely powerful but seriously. to me this is as clear an acknowledgement of his growth on her part as we will get JSJSKDKFKSKDKJ

but alas. everyone loves a "ha ha childe so weak XDDDD" like they just never wanna let that one go. Man

anyway still rly like skirk!!! all im Really hoping for in the future Especially w how i feel the 4.2 narrative while overall brilliant really sidelined and mishandled the potential and gravity of the narwhal side of things is that like. PLEASE let the interlude be the continuation to this 3rd descender n skirk n childe abyss situation i am so fucking tired of khaenri'ah and the abyss order im sorry lmao

also itll be like 4 years before we ever see her in Real action as a combatant but i am already So hype to see that. especially since her powers are so abyssal and alien in nature like thats going to be So gourmet i just know it.

[dailycass-cain]

My Thoughts on Lazarus Planet: Dark Fate #1 (aka the Cass portion)

An hour past noon. Enough time for some thoughts on one story, Lazarus Planet: Dark Fate #1. Some thoughts to keep us warm until Spirit World #1 arrives...

The thing that always interests me with Alyssa Wong when they tackle Cassandra Cain is they take the character and use stuff Cass has faced and then spin something new.

Cass has only encountered magic a handful of times. Only once in her entire series (ironically near the tail end with Lazara).

In truth, Cass has encountered magic outside her own comic more (Young Justice, the Zee arc in Tec Knights, and just recently the big battle in “Dark Crisis” where she literally was dodging attacks from Spectre) and--

JL: Elite with her and Coldcast being in the "world of shadows" and they encountered some Lovecraftian creatures.

Literally, outside the main universe, Cass encountering mystic stuff seems more common. We have Cass getting Shazam powers in DCeased, her fighting vampires (and teaming up with Frankenstein briefly) in DC vs. Vampires--

-- and another place in an animated adaptation of a comic she was never in originally (Batman: the Doom that Came to Gotham).

So all of this is a nice treat to see Wong take the character outside their "comfort" area and into something that's an open area for the character to explore, magic.

We get the perfect gateway character for that with Cass in the newly introduced character Xanthe.

Though I have to admit this brief little tease Wong gives introducing Cass maybe hints at what she's been up to during the Batman vs. Robin mini prior. Not jobbing, but making the city safe while everyone else was occupied.

Which kind of makes sense truthfully for someone of Cass's skillset. Nezha couldn't incapacitate or maybe twist her like everyone else. So the next best thing is to keep her so busy that she doesn't have any time to do anything else.

At least what I'm going with by reading this.

The thing that fascinates me early on in Cass and Xanthe's team-up is how Cass calls the vampires one thing and Xanthe calls them and I love the editor's note here because I'm utterly clueless with it comes to Chinese mythology (save a few things).

I also love that Wong showing their knowledge of Cass knowing what to do due to being such a movie junkie (and I liked that this was brought up. The nod made me smirk cause it's been A WHILE since someone referenced Cass's old habits).

I also just love that this isn't the end of the story and that Xanthe, Cass, and John Constantine (a character Cass has barely any meetings of in canon, but had one out of it in DCeased).

There was SOOOO much of this story and the art by Haining gives us a nice expressive Cass. Again, I don't mind the white eyes when an artist makes them so expressive and Haining gives Cass some nice reactions throughout this tale.

Not to mention some nice fluidity in her move set too. Literally, the only negative I can say is how quickly the story ended and make me hunger for more. Thankfully we only have two more months before we get just that in Spirit World #1.

The premise in that, Xanthe/John in a quest to save Cass. I'm game for. Though I do hope we just see a character like Cass see the Spirt World thru her eyes. Cause body language and also for new readers this be a nice treat.

Plus the chance to see Cass actually struggle not have it be ooc? To learn something new? Yeah, I'm game for that.

The side bonus to all of this is we get a full-on tale by Alyssa Wong. No one part (ala Batman: Urban Legends #8) and a short (but amazing story in DC: Doomed & the Damned #1).  Just a full-on story Wong has with Cass and I'm all for that.

Though I am hopeful that maybe Batgirls can deal with this issue's fallout? I'm game for Babs/Steph to have an issue or more with them wondering where Cass is at? Or maybe Cass show up and have an editor's note (read Spirit World #1).

Just to give that nice bridge to both comics that Cass is in. Besides it gives us that moment with Steph to see her own thoughts when Cass is out of the picture (will she read Cass's letter?).

Not to mention see Babs' thoughts on handling what occurred with Steph in #15 and now Cass going on a crazy Spirit Adventure with others.

If you can't tell I really REALLY dug this story and can't wait for May for more of this.  It truly is a nice surprise to not only get a bonus mini that has Cass in it but is written by Alyssa Wong?

[secretmellowblog]

For the character ask game: Cosette, 2 + 25 👀

Thanks for the ask, even though I'm answering it late! (For this ask meme) #2. Favorite canon thing about this character? My favorite canon thing about Cosette is the way she parallels Jean Valjean-- not just in their traumatic backstories, but also in the way they both often "perform" politeness and kindness. Cosette needs to perform happiness for Jean Valjean in order to convince him to take care of himself, and it's...deeply sad! She has to 'trick' him into not doing self-destructive things by framing it in cheerful lighthearted ways, papering over difficult problems with polite nothings, pretending not to be that frightened or upset, and it's...very sad. And it feels like something that he taught her. The moments when she attempts to stop all the cheerfulness and talk to her father directly always tend to end with Jean Valjean breaking down-- like the moment when she asks "are you angry with me because I am happy?" or her attempts to ask directly about her mother, which both end with Jean Valjean shedding tears and avoiding her questions. There's something very realistic about that failure to communicate. I don't know whether Hugo fully considered this a negative thing-- but I do think he understands the way that children often put on a great performance of happiness in order to help their parents. Cosette is in many ways just Victor Hugo projecting his trauma over the death of his own young daughter onto Jean Valjean and Cosette's relationship, and like. As much as Cosette's writing is often deeply imperfect/ sexist, and as much as I think she should've been given more interiority and agency in the end of the story--- I think you can tell that Hugo did sincerely love his daughter? Cosette doesn't feel like a one-note cloying ingenue to me, but a fictionalized version of a real daughter Victor Hugo sincerely loved. I also think that Child-Cosette in particular is written very well! Lots of authors struggle to write children, but Hugo really captures a lot of the way children think and speak-- young Cosette isn't a cloying innocent ingenue, she's a starving frightened angry child, and it makes her teenage self far more interesting as a contrast. As a random addition: Hugo doesn't go into this, but it's fascinating how Cosette is extremely good at lying. She and Jean Valjean kind of share that talent. Very few people manage to trick Jean Valjean-- Marius fails utterly at pretending he's not in love with Cosette, and falls into all of his traps-- but Cosette manages to hide a secret love affair from him for a very long time. It's interesting how the two of them are very good at lying and concealing things from each other, and I don't fully know what to make of it.

Also my hot take is that anyone who thinks Cosette is a bland one-note ingenue should read Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities, and contrast her with Lucie Manette. XD I used to be obsessed with A Tale of Two Cities, but it's basically just "what if Les Mis was bad and all the criticisms about it were actually true?" That novel also features a young ingenue who takes care of her traumatized ex-prisoner father-- but unlike Cosette, Lucie has no interiority or depth, and doesn't feel like anything resembling a real human young girl. All of the interesting things about Cosette- like her naivete/coming of age story, or the way her excessive bubbliness is often an act she puts on for her father's happiness, or her silly funny dialogue, or her own hard past that parallels her father's-- just aren't there. Again, there are lots of places where I think Hugo's writing of Cosette fails; but there's also a lot of interesting details that are easy for people to explore and dig deeper into in fanworks.

25. What was your first impression of this character? How about now?

My first impression of this character was that she was Fine, but not very interesting? But the more I got invested in the novel and the fandom, the more I appreciated her as a character! Hugo's writing of her is deeply flawed, and she isn't given enough attention in the ending of the book specifically, but there's enough really compelling stuff there to be a great jumping off point for fanworks. I think I already answered how I see her now in the previous question, but I want to add that I also like that she's nicknamed Madame LaNoir, or the Lady in Black. Goth Cosette is canon! That's very fun to me.

[spongeofaces]

Hiii!!! I saw your request and figured I’d drop one in your inbox too hehe. If you’re too busy don’t feel pressured to do this, but a TWST matchup would be lovely!

Personality: I'm a Scorpio, INFJ-T, and in general I'd say I align with those assignments. I'm extremely introverted to the point of being asocial. I spend most of my time by myself, and if I could I'd do everything on my own, since I'm stubbornly independent, and very cautious around people, even those I know well. Despite this, I'm not unfriendly, I just have a really hard time connecting with others due to my social anxiety. I really appreciate people who go out of their way to connect with me, and I make friends with people quickly when I get the chance. Once I get comfy I become very blunt and humorous. I tend to say and do as I please, though never to the detriment of someone else, as I tend to put other's needs above my own. I'll talk for hours about my interests and passions, and I'm always up for a challenge. I also have a very strong moral compass, and I refuse to compromise on it. I try to be kind above all else, especially to those who seem to be in a rough place, as I haven’t always been treated kindly, and I want others to feel loved. I’m known for giving great advice and being a good shoulder to cry on, but I don’t let others take advantage of that. I do well in emergency situations, especially when leadership is needed, but I also tend to crumble under mounting stress, and lash out when upset. Overall I'm determined, creative, and compassionate, but also stubborn, judgmental, and fearful.

Likes: I love horror media and anything deemed unsettling, since things that make me uncomfortable fascinate me. I love animals (especially tarantulas and spiders) and nature, and I spend a lot of time drawing and painting the world around me and taking walks on sunny days. On that note, I’m an explorer, and I tend to get into spaces I shouldn’t be if only because my curiosity got the better of me. I enjoy composing, playing, and listening to music, especially instrumentals, rock, and soundtracks. I also play video games, especially RPGs and FPS games. I’m a boxer and archer, and while I don’t like athletics and sports that much, climbing, running, and adventuring outside is always fun for me, especially with friends.

Dislikes: Inconsiderate people, especially when they’re not aware of how they’re inconveniencing others. Trutthfully, I can be very judgemental and picky with friends or associates, and if someone annoys me even slightly I tend to disregard them. I also dislike those who are arrogant and cruel, and I have a particular distaste for seafood and being touched.

What I look for in a partner: Someone who is kind and understanding of my flaws, and especially someone with a good sense of humor. I feel like I don’t truly connect with people until we laugh about something together. I value honesty and communication as well, so someone who isn’t willing or can’t be open and vulnerable with me is a no go. As pessimistic as I am, I also believe in doing good and making other people’s days a little bit brighter if possible, so I couldn’t be around a cynic or someone intentionally cruel.

Fun Fact: I like to read medical textbooks, and I find visiting cadaver labs and watching medical procedures thrilling.

Again, no pressure, and have a fantastic day or night!!

Not going to lie, my writing quality for this one sucks, so I hope you still like it ❤️❤️

---

I match obsoleteozymandias with...

🌼 Kalim Al Asim 🌼

-:-:-:-

It took a while for him to realize that his feelings for you were romantic. He just assumed he thought of you as a very very very close friend whom he completely and utterly adores. He's totally just a tad oblivious.

He figured out he liked you when Jamil brought up how much he talked about you. Kalim thought that it was normal, but Jamil slowly explained that it sounded like a bit more than a friendship to him.

Kalim would spare no expense to keep you happy. His love language is definitely gift-giving or quality time. Every time he finds something that reminds him of you or he thinks you'd like, he immediately purchases it and gives it to you with a smile. He doesn't quite understand that you don't need all this stuff...

A bit clingy, but if you tell him to back off he will.

Always ready to give you a shoulder to cry on, rant to, whatever. The guy wants to help out however he can.

Asks plenty of questions. Favourite colour? Favourite food? Whatever comes to mind, he'll ask. Please tell him everything about your interests, he'd listen to you talk for days.

Very understanding. He may not be quite sure of all the details in some situations, but he trusts you and your judgement completely.

Adventures, adventures and more adventures! He'll drag you off somewhere fun, like a picnic in the middle of nowhere!

He's willing to try anything if it's for you. Maybe it's a game you really like, or music you enjoy.

Kalim feels sad when you're sad, so he always tries his best to cheer you up. Telling jokes, offering hugs. Whatever he thinks you might need.

Silly, oblivious, please guide him. He doesn't really know what a relationship entails.

Kalim admires you. He just wants to look after you, make you feel loved as you do him.

Definitely the kind of guy who believes that he'll marry his first love.

Flowers, flowers, flowers. Gifts, gifts, gifts.

Honestly, he's just the most compassionate, sweetest guy. Whatever you'd like, he'd get you. Whatever pace you want in the relationship, he'd follow it. He takes your boundaries very seriously.

Other options: Epel and Idia.

[thisaintascenereviews]

Miley Cyrus - Endless Summer Vacation

Miley Cyrus has had one of the most fascinating careers in all of pop music, especially within the last decade. Known as a “pop chameleon,” Cyrus has never made the same sounding album twice, but her newest album, Endless Summer Vacation, seems to be an amalgamation of everything she’s done thus far. I want to preface this with the fact that I’ve never been a Miley Cyrus fan, as I’ve found her various sounds to be not that interesting, especially 2013’s Bangerz, and that weird album she did with The Flaming Lips, but it looks as though she’s growing up and maturing with this one. This album has a sound that reflects a lot of eras in her career, including country-pop, new wave, dance-pop, and more straightforward pop with a dash of blues and hip-hop for good measure. This record runs the gamut of what Cyrus can do, and I don’t mean that in a bad way, because this record surprisingly works more than it doesn’t.

I don’t want to say that this record is one of my favorites of the year, but it’s got a lot to enjoy, and for the first time, I can say that I really enjoy her voice. Her voice is a big reason why I’ve never been a fan, because her rasp just never sounded good to me, but it sounds nice here. She can adapt to the different styles presented, and it works well for the most part. “Flowers” is the biggest song from the album, but it makes sense, because it’s one of the best, if not the best song. The hook is utterly impeccable, and her voice reflects that, but other songs, such as “Thousand Miles,” “River,” and “Jaded” sound great, too, and reflect the different facets of the sound on here, whether they’re new wave, country-pop, or more straightforward pop.

There are a few misfires on this record, such as “Handstand,” which is a super weird spoken-word new wave-ish song that doesn’t quite amount of anything or do anything of note, or the Sia-assisted “Muddy Feet,” which has some bad lyrics and a faux-blues sound that doesn’t do anything interesting, but for the most part, the album works somewhat well. It doesn’t blow my mind, but the album has some nice hooks, her vocals are solid, and the lyrics reflect a lot on a relationship gone awry. Cyrus said that the album is broken down into two parts, the AM and PM, and you can hear it, for sure. The first half of the album is more straightforward, slightly slower, and more reflective, whereas the second half is more energetic, more fun, and takes more chances. That’s where the album falters for me, but only slightly.

Overall, Endless Summer Vacation feels just like its title — a summery album that doesn’t have much of substance, at least anything beneath the surface, but the hooks are there, and the lyrics are relatable on a surface level, too, and Miley’s vocals are the best they’ve sounded. It’s clear she’s done a lot of growing up, and the lyrics reflect some of that, but this album isn’t anything to necessarily write home about, either. I’d say it’s a solid record, and in terms of pop records, it’ll get the job done, but including the couple of misfires this album has, there are better albums out there, even if listening to this one won’t hurt.

[araneitela]

A canon-strict and lore-heavy portrayal of Kafka from Honkai: Star Rail, written by Sae (30+). It is worthy to note that my writing for her does not take anything from Honkai Impact 3rd. Instead, you will find selective inspiration drawn from her namesake, Franz Kafka, as the choice of name is certainly no happenstance. Furthermore, my activity here will also be sporadic and will fluctuate, due to my time being split between here, Yelan, and Guizhong.

The phonograph record is being played, spinning nonstop. Even the sounds of all those hoarse shrieks cannot escape the heatwave and are dampened by its tepidity. She seemed unprepared and utterly enthralled by the fascinating melodies: it started with sincerity and anticipation, followed by a passionate catharsis, with one climax after another... Until the record's spinning came to a final stop and those hoarse shrieks were no longer audible.

Mains: daybreakrising. resolutepath. hxkerwxlf. astrxlfinale. avaere. apocryphis.

Quick Navigation: Threads. Meta 1 (2) Memes. Mains Self promo. Inbox call. Rules under the cut if you prefer a dash view of them!

Writer/Disclaimer. I'm Sae, I just hit and entered the dirty 30s and while I was born and raised in Rotterdam, in the Netherlands, I currently live in France, which places me in the GMT+1 timezone. I'm a proud Frenchie in both heart and mind, and I'm your (apparently) a typical INTJ. My experience with this concept that we call 'life' has gotten me to bear a fair bit of unpopular opinions 'round these parts of Tumblr, but I have always been taught the extreme importance of respect and civility, and so I practice them both commonly. Extreme topics aside; disagreeing with another person is perfectly okay. Discussion is good.

Forget all about fanon. Before anything else, I cannot iterate how desperately I urge you to forget any and all fanon takes of the character of Kafka if you choose to look through my blog. I do not adhere to 95% of the fandom's takes on Kafka. But it's also incredibly important to note that I am exceedingly canon-strict, which means that, well, apparently fanon and I just strongly disagree; this seems to be a consistent thing with me. My portrayal of Kafka touches on a modern woman, meshed in with a very archaic and conservative traits and tropes. She is not a dominatrix, she is not power-hungry nor does she flaunt her power, she is not a hater of men, she is not some sex goddess, and by all that is holy and unholy, Kafhime will not find any sort of reign here. In other words, please take Kafka's own words before you dilly-dally your way through my blog: you won't remember a thing except me. In other words, forget everything fanon has ever taught you.

Mains. I practice them, and you can find all the information needed over here!

Shipping/Romance. I'm exceedingly particular about ships beyond canonically confirmed pairings, and quite honestly, while I write my own fair share of romance-oriented threads and love to do so, I don't go out of my way to seek to write such material. Now, Hoyo is rather good at keeping a lot stuck in insinuations, but I am an avid shipper of both Kafblade and KafCae. If these aren't up to your fancy, that's quite alright, I have tags that I tie to all posts that relate to either that allow you to blacklist them if it's preferable to you. Any judgment will be promptly deleted, as I'm quite frankly not here for it. Now, I'm not stuck to merely to those ships, but I'm a very firm believer in chemistry, development and realism. It is worthy to note however, while I can ship Kafka perfectly fine with women, I do not ship Kafhime, nor am I fond of Kafstel. No, in regards to the latter: I don't hate women, I simply think that there's an immense significance to the power dynamic when it comes to Kafka.

Social Politics/Etc. This is incredibly simple: your mess is your mess and it is no one else's. Take it to the dashboard and I will unfollow you. I'm too old and too tired for this, I don't do and never have done call-out culture, I don't do anon-hate, I don't do pettiness, guilt-tripping and quite frankly, I have zero interest in seeing people take advantage of having an audience of followers to air any kind of dirty laundry in front of. I'm simply not here for it. In other words, I will unfollow you if you're guilty of any of this. And also, as it's happened in the past— I do not and will not engage in white-knighting of any kind whatsoever, and this rule counts, again, regardless of my connection with you.

[independentzaun]

✘ *Poorly disguises herself as an anon, but it is totally obvious it is Sage* So, Silco, buddy, friendo! Since you have to tell the truth, I am going to seek this opportunity out! What draws you in to Irisa, and why? It doesn't have to be sexual, per se. But, I was curious as to what makes you want to… talk with her, or even having your little… endeavours with her. Okay thank you, byeeee!

Walking outside the last drop Silco’s steps had found themselves stopping as the “absolutely not sage oh no” anon approached. The sudden question made his eyebrows raise upwards before he sighed. “Truly? You feel the need to ask this?” The man sounded almost disappointed as he shook his head. “Potential.” Stepping forward he waved for the “anon” to follow. Silco had no desire to continue this conversation in front of the Last Drop.

“There are certain people that have a tremendous amount of potential, but those around them refuse to allow them to access it or they have to go to extraordinary measures to allow it to emerge. Some people have things handed to them like that bitch sheriff Caitlyn. The boy, Jayce, I have a feeling I’m missing information on. However Viktor even if he went to the wrong side of the river I’ll give him credit for doing what he had to so he could unlock that potential wasted though it be. Jinx obviously is another example. Sevika’s potential would have been utterly wasted if she’d been stayed with Vander… My own potential, well if things had been different I’d be just another miner or at best a shop keep. We all had to make a choice, and to reach for something.” A dark little chuckle came from him as he glanced to the “anon” following him.

Steps not ceasing his eyes narrowed, and Silco decided to continue speaking. “Power, real power comes to those who will do anything to achieve it my dear. However most people are not willing to do “anything” to achieve it. Which makes things easier for me even if it is a pity as it’d be fascinating to see what would happen if more people strove for their deepest dreams to become reality. Most people need a bit of a push to reach that point, and to be able to grow afterwards to become who they truly are deep inside.” Pulling out his cigarette case he took a moment to light a smoke before taking a drag off of it still without ever stopping as he headed towards his house.

“Irisa is far stronger than she imagines. Despite the hold her bastard father who I want dead had over her she still came down to Zaun, openly showed she was a mage, and has stayed down here helping us. That woman has an impressive strength of will even if it falters at times. I am very curious to see who she will become when Irisa allows herself to be more comfortable with her own strength. Something I believe will happen in time as she stays here in Zaun. In short…” Glancing over he offered a little smile. “I’m waiting to see her bloom into her full potential, and what she will do with it.”

Pausing a few steps away from his house Silco sighed and frowned. “If you must have the full truth she is also a very beautiful woman with an impressive amount of intelligence and compassion who extends that compassion even to me, and that is not something I take lightly. Not after years of people being fearful and of Piltover’s anger… I appreciate her company, and presence in my life.” Eyes narrowing there was a particular possessive note sliding upwards in his voice as he murmured. “If she decided to leave it would be...a pity indeed. I’m quite sure she would be missed.” Studying his cigarette for a moment Silco smiled tossing it to the side. “You have a good evening. Hooded One.” Turning he headed into his house even as he wondered what Irisa’s reaction would be if he invited her over once again.

[corrie-zodori]

KICKS IN THE DOOR HOLDING A BUNCH OF PAPERS AND RED STRINGS ALRIGHT Y'ALL STRAP IN because I am on a Deltarune lore high I am here to info dump about stuff that I've picked apart from some things people may not have dug into. SPOILERS AHEAD just in case!! ---------------------- So as y'all know there are hidden lyrics in the song "Big Shot". Both in the middle, and at the end (which sounds like gibberish, and only plays IN game. It was removed in the official track.) Said gibberish, when slowed down, to me sounds like "Think its coming for me, I cant explain until youre all alone" Layered over one another. These lines are highlighted in gibberish, for some reason. I can't find a video on it, but you can slow down the gibberish and kinda make it out fairly easily. I don't feel like Toby would put this in for no reason. Keep a pin in this.

As it stands, in my opinion this is the clearest version of the middle lyrics we are going to get. https://youtu.be/KEATCOOzDYE?t=28 What I PERSONALLY hear is this: "Think it's coming for me answer the phone, I can't explain til you're all alone, it pulls the strings and makes them ring, can't tell you much - it's breaking up! (or until your heart is breaking up?) Think it's coming for me, answer the phone, pulls the strings and pulls the strings and tell you what you big sh- (bitcrushed, goes back into the song but we know it'd say big shot)" I am pretty stuck on the lyrics "can't tell you much - it's breaking up! (or until your heart is breaking up?)" as it's the hardest for me personally to make out, so if you hear something different, let me know what you think! Also, a thought that I had, is assuming it IS accurate lyrics, "I can't explain until you're all alone" in the song could be something to chew on because of one odd thing. We've seen ralsei talks to kris when they are alone/off screen from the player, explaining something (see: "so that's why-" in chapter 1 when we cut back to them, and he stops.) If such is no coincidence, why does this line appear in Big Shot? Is this connected to spamton (who we already know like 99% certain is connected to gaster, as is potentially jevil)? Or is this connected purely all to Gaster specifically? I think Gaster might be WAY more connected to Ralsei than we think. (Or, a more cracked theory, gaster is controlling ralsei, or ralsei is one of Gaster's followers. But this might be a stretch.) Now, something I'm not sure if anyone has done, is reverse these hidden lyrics. And so I did, and what I found was *very* interesting. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TQTBiBsmtsAnHXP7aEpDbINk8zHDIV5E/view?usp=sharing What I can make out is: "Help me kris - in the tears- all alone - Are you there? Are you listening? Hear me in the tears - listen for me" I presume the rest is intentional gibberish, maybe to imply that gaster is trying to communicate, but is having trouble getting through. It's literal garbage noise with actual words sprinkled in. The tears thing especially is interesting, because of this poem that is supposedly linked to Gaster. (SEE: The bottom of this rant.) Also related to Ralsei, I already personally, do not trust ralsei. He comes off like he knows too much, he is hiding the upstairs part of the castle (which could just mean its for future chars in later chaps idk), he knows where specific things are in the light world (see: when he asks kris and susie to go back to the school in a very specific spot), and he brushes off the thing with spamton neo even though something CLEARLY wrong. I love Ralsei ofc, but I feel like there is something sinister about him, or at the very least something very hidden. I speculate that Gaster may be trying to make his own vessel. For what reason, we aren't sure. Either create in some way, or corrupt even (perhaps if they aren't worthy/capable/compatible?), but all of his experiments failed (except, perhaps, who we know as Kris.) What we know (assuming that his lore from undertale DOES carry over here) about gaster is that he supposedly split apart. Maybe creating a vessel is his way of somehow becoming whole again, or returning to the light world? Why do I think that Gaster might be one of the main plot points in the story? Well, at the beginning of the game when you make the vessel, the theme that plays is called "another him" and it is literally a mix of Gaster's theme slowed down. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8U9yBPM1gY Anyways, Other hidden lyrics I noticed potentially are REVERSED things. One isn't necessarily lore, just kinda funny, when you reverse the regular spamton theme, it sounds like he's saying "give me give me, give me the key!" and "hey everyone" layered over one another. Referring perhaps to his "hey every buddy" greeting he tends to do, and referring to the keygen he sells you, which is important to him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV58sCaHJPE And this one? This one is interesting to me. I

am 90% sure this is coincidence, BUT I think the clearest thing I can hear in this is "help me Kris!" Which is... very ominous. Everything else, I'm not sure. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PadUojqDog ------------------------ All of this is, ofc, speculation, and what-ifs. As we know, Toby Fox rarely puts things in for no reason, but some things COULD genuinely be coincidence. We've seen him put hidden things in songs before, reversed or not, sped up or slowed down, etc. So, potentially, take this babble with a grain of salt. There is a LOT more I could talk about especially regarding Gaster and his potential role in the story, and his interactions with these characters, but for now just have this!!

[jessamine-rose]

༻ The Golden Ratio ༺

Another deleted scene from Chemistry which I just had to recycle. May you all enjoy this fluffy, non-yandere take on Dottore and the science of love (≡^∇^≡)

♡ 0.9k words under the cut ♡

“Zandik, look over here! Aren’t these specimens remarkable?”

“Yes, they are,” he replies dismissively.

You frown, turning away the patch of Rukkhashava Mushrooms. Your classmate is still tinkering with the Ruin Guard, completely absorbed in his research.

“Liar. You didn’t even look at it.”

He doesn’t even try to deny it. “Can’t you see that I’m busy? If you allow me to finish my research, I can promise my full attention later.”

“But that’s what you said with the last sample,” you point out. “Is it too much to stop and admire the scenery for a few minutes? You are utterly rigid.”

Though you wouldn’t have fallen for him otherwise.

Zandik gives you an unamused look. “And you are too carefree, though I may recognize such childlike curiosity as befitting of your Darshan.”

You give him a bright smile. “Thank you for the acknowledgement!”

Was that a compliment or an insult? Either way, Zandik has been observing you!

As of now, your research expeditions have yielded little progress in your relationship. Your crush remains distant, focused on his work, at odds with your research approach. Still, you are thankful for the opportunity to witness him in action. To spend time with him.

Your own research is sufficient. You sit on the grass and watch Zandik, committing his visage to memory. After a few minutes, he breaks the silence.

“I am intrigued,” he says, “by your attitude to my research. The Sages always scold me whenever I express my fascination in these ancient machines.”

His research notes are neatly arranged beside his tools. The pages are marked with meticulous reports and detailed drawings. His enthusiasm practically bleeds into the paper.

You approach him, uncaring of your close proximity to the Ruin Guard.

“Well, I must disagree with them. No matter how dangerous those machines can be, they are still something to study. One might claim they are no different from my research specimens.”

“Ah, yes. Your little plants and animals,” he replies, glancing at your research notes. “And why do you research those subjects, may I ask?”

“Should there be an important reason?” you ask, adjusting your Amurta scarf. “It’s because they’re beautiful. Simple as that.”

Beautiful, mysterious, vital to this world.

“I did not take you for the poetic type,” he muses. “Anything can be deemed beautiful from one’s subjective perspective.”

“That is true,” you agree, “like your interest in the Ruin Machines. But objectively speaking, there are mathematical theories which can explain our prevalent standards of beauty. The golden ratio, for instance.”

“Ah, yes. That old thing.” A confident smile appears on his face. “I’ve read a thesis about the golden ratio in relation to facial aesthetics. Apparently, I am a good example.”

“Not a surprise. Many people find you handsome.”

“And what about you?” Zandik resumes eye contact, scarlet eyes tinged with amusement. “Do you agree with that conclusion?”

Your cheeks flush. “W-Well…yes, since you claim that your face fits the golden ratio.”

“That is an inadequate basis for your answer.” He stands in front of you and caresses your cheek, preventing you from looking away. “Why don’t you personally test that hypothesis? I will do the same with your face.”

He’s so close.

“All…all right.” You stay still and focus on his face, making the mental measurements.

His facial proportions are more or less congruent with the golden ratio. There are some details which may serve as basis for a counterargument, however.

His bangs obstruct your complete analysis. You’ve always adored his messy hairstyle, those stray curls which complement his character. You know from previous interactions that his hair is soft to the touch.

There is also his boyish, sharp-toothed grin which is equal parts manic and mischievous. His calm, close-mouthed smile is more aesthetically pleasing, but it lacks his unabashed ardor. Nevertheless, you are captivated with both versions, especially when those smiles are directed at you.

His eyes. They are like red suns, always bright and intense. There is a fascinated gleam in his gaze whenever he comes across something new.

It is beautiful. All of him.

His voice is what brings you back to reality.

“I am done with my measurements,” he announces.

“I…I see.” You give him a nervous smile, acutely aware that he is still touching your face. You’re blushing; can he tell? “So am I. Why don’t you go first?”

“You are beautiful.”

What?

Zandik taps his fingers on your cheek, tracing lines on your face. He’s close—too close, your flustered expression trapped in his ruby eyes. His expression is serious yet neutral, as though he is merely studying a specimen.

“A…according to which theory?” you stutter. “The golden ratio?”

He smiles at you. “I am speaking from my own personal opinion. If the laws of nature say otherwise, I must disagree and prove them wrong.”

A specimen worthy of his full attention.

Words fail you. What can you possibly say after receiving such a compliment?

Ever the diligent scholar, Zandik lets go of you and returns to the Ruin Guard.

“That is all I have to say,” he says. He picks up a rusty cog and takes notes. “And what of your observation? Do you find me beautiful, ______?”

You remain in your spot. “...Yes, I do.”

His tone is smug. “Objectively or subjectively?”

Honestly, why did you fall for someone like him?

“I’m not sure,” you admit.

“I see.” Zandik gives you one last smile, a knowing twinkle in his eyes. “Let us continue this experiment later. I am not one to be satisfied with ambiguous results.”

♡

This was originally written for the second chapter of Chemistry, but it felt too “close” for Dottore and Assistant! Darling’s early relationship. So I just edited and moved it to the last few chapters. But I couldn’t waste the lovely thought of Dottore’s s/o falling for the parts of him which aren’t considered beautiful by the golden ratio, so here we are~

Anyway, I hope y’all enjoyed this deleted scene ft. college crush Dottore ૮ ˶´ ᵕˋ ˶ა

Tag a Dottore enjoyer!! @gum-iie @sirbotik @surveyycorps @boundinparchment @ruayiri @darherwings @oofasleep @oh-no-i-am-here @nicebonescomrades @diaboliravioli @ryo-ri @unloadingdata @sodomewithlifern @maaarshieee @dottoreslittlelabrat @poweredbyghostadventures

[absolutebl]

BLs with the most interesting & unique premises

I like me some pretty standard romance trope foundations. We Best Love is one of my favorite BLs, and there is absolutely nothing unique about the story. But there are a few BLs out there that really do have something DIFFERENT going on with their narrative. Not just different as BLs but also different as romances. So much so that I would pull them out of the BL universe, and put them up against the best romance dramas and romcoms on the basis of concept. And I don’t say that about BL often. 

Color Rush

For a reader of genre fiction the premise of this world is a very in your face allegory, but in BL we NEVER get this kind of thing. Magical realism isn’t completely absent from the BL cannon, but this type, were it’s a blatant representation of the homophobia experienced in a hostile society is really fascinating and rare. Especially as we get to watch Korea dance around its own social norms so dexterously. I’m reminded of Star Trek’s “Let That Be Your Last Battlefield” (1969). Like that episode, from an outsider/future perspective, Color Rush probubly could be regarded as clumsy, but also like that episode it’s important in context: for what is says about the time it was made and the culture it’s sitting inside. Both shows got to be brave BECAUSE of their SFF elements. As a long time geek about high concept genre narratives tackling subversive materials in interesting ways, I am HERE for Color Rush and will never not support it.

Also from Korea?

First Love Again - I just love the gay twist on the tired reincarnation trope, it’s a clever new way to get at bisexual awakening and identity crisis, it was just that the shortness of this series didn’t allow for it to be adequately developed and Korean social norms didn’t allow it to to be full explored and focused on. Review here. 

Love Class - a university class focused on relationships is an interesting twist on fake dating and forced proximity tropes, but ultimately I found that aspect the least successful thing about this show (it probubly would have been better as a longer treatment with more time spent in the classroom and on the assignments). Review here. 

Nobleman Ryu’s Wedding - Korea is famously fond of a crossdressing historical, this was our first man crossdresses as a woman version and one of the first blatantly BL historicals. I really enjoyed its almost fairy tale execution. More are coming, so it’s about to be rendered mundane in retrospect, but at the time it came out it was revolutionary. Review here. 

In general, Korea really enjoys high concept romance with a strong POV that’s sometimes considered a bit in your face (on messaging) by mainstream western audiences (but which is very successful when applied to genre, see Squid Games or Uncanny Counter). So I expect to see more and more from them in their BL too. Fingers crossed. 

Until We Meet Again 

Fated mates (or soulmates) and reincarnation aren’t unusual. in fact they’re particularly popular as they activate both long term pining and reunion romance narrative foundations. (Not to mention being the ultimate version of “the only one for me.”) However, the way UWMA handles the red thread trope, and the cleverness of its interweaving past/present story structure is entirely unique and vitally gay, not just in BL but in fiction. I’ve never read anything as tidy and well executed. It’s a genuinely awe inspiring narrative structure. 

Also from Thailand?

Cutie Pie - this one is noted for taking the SUPER classic romance trope, arranged marriage, and doing a BL based on it. Is that absurd? Yes. Also turning ARRANGED marriage (by its nature disallowing choice) into a propaganda piece for marriage equality (all about choice) was very much an “oh, Thailand” moment. But hey, it’s utterly unique as a BL, and likely to remain so. Review here. 

Ingredients - look it’s a weird long form advertisement Gold Blend couple style only gay, in lockdown, and hella domestic. Yet we loved it. But as a premise, pretty fucking unique. As a narrative? No there isn’t one really, but do we care? Nope. Review here. 

Love Sick - it is unique for its time and IMHO the world’s first gay YA soap opera. Sure we got gay soaps (Queer As Folk, L Word) but not set in high school. Certainly more are happening now with Heartstopper etc.. but Love Sick happened in 2014. Never forget, never surrender. Everyone should watch this show. It’s messy as all get up, but it holds up, and it’s a great example of emotional chemistry. We unquestionably watch these two boys fall deeply in love and then have to deal with the fallout. 

Lovely Writer - the first BL that stuck to its guns as a BL and still decided to take the BL industry and fandom to task, there were others coming out around the same time (Call it What You Want) and since then a few have been doing this in more subversive ways (Not Me, Bad Buddy, Secret Crush On You) but Lovely Writer was the first super successful attempt. Review here. 

Like with Cutie Pie, Thailand has done a lot of classic romance tropes first in BL: the reaper lover (Dear Doctor), lots of body swap (Great Men), kink (DSN), time loop (Triage), it’s just these tropes are ubiquitous to romance in general and I’ve kind of always expected them to transition to BL. You see, they often work better with a bit of queer coloring them up for range. Arranged marriage, on the other hand (outside of a historical cross dressing sitch, which probubly wouldn’t work for Thailand given their period clothing options), none of us really expected this one. Honestly it’s why many of us are patently waiting for Thailand to give us the gay Boys Over Flowers. Making popular Asian romance tropes gay is what they do best. 

Seven Days

Speaking of clever. The premise on this (what amounts to a very simple) contemporary YA romance, is so perfectly tight and unusual that there’s an “idea theft” scandal around it. (An author wrote an English language book that is clearly derivative. Before we get into it, you can’t copyright ideas, and if you see the tropes tracked in this blog I hope you can see why. There are no new ideas, there are only twists on old ones.) Review here. 

Also from Japan?

Cherry Magic AKA 30-sai made Dotei Da to Mahotsukai ni Nareru rashii - another magical realism take, like Color Rush, but without the allegory. Still it’s utterly charming and unusual, although of a style we see in manga and het Japanese romcoms a lot. 

Silhouette of Your Voice AKA Hidamari ga Kikoeru - probubly one of the first BLs to tackle disability, ultimately (I feel like) the source material (manga series starting with I Hear the Sunspot) is successful but this adaptation is not. It’s sad because the cast is great and the premise solid, it just didn’t push itself enough. 

Japan doesn’t really like high concept so much as they love exploring the boundaries of romantic subversion, kink (particularly fetishes), and just plain weirdness. Trying to describe Japan’s relationship to the romance genre (especially romcoms) to someone unfamiliar with their oeuvre is exhausting. I usually point people at the popularity of Kimi Wa Petto and back away slowly. I recently watched Ase to Sekken and the degree to which I enjoyed it I think says more about my willingness to swim through the mires of Japan’s quirks than it did about the success of the show. Which is a long way of me saying, I’m not sure how good I am at judging Japanese stuff anymore, since I seem to be firmly stuck in the weeds. But I can confidently say that even with BL, Japan is more likely than not going to push your expectations and limits of what romance actually even means. The best example of this in BL form is Utsukushii Kare. If you watch that, you’ll understand what I’m talking about. 

DNA Says Love You

This is a BL that tackles subject matter that usually makes said BL fall out of BL-dom by becoming too queer and realistic (and often depressing). The fact that DNA brought it around and made it end happily (and made it very BL) is part of it’s uniqueness. Because it’s a twist, I can’t really talk directly about it but trust me, it’s pretty darn unique in the arena of BL. And you’re safe, it is a BL with a very happy ending. 

Now, there are a few queer dramas out of Japan and the west that tackle this particular subject matter more directly. But I don’t want to spoil anyone by naming them, because they are all known for what they rep. If you want recs I can put some in the comments. 

Also from Taiwan?

Innocent - short but VERY unusual take on romance in, around, and (in certain ways) WITH an extreme neurological disorder, and yes it’s happy in its way (and more honest about mental health than usual for Taiwanese or Chinese romances) - or romance in general, for that matter (and yes I am looking at you, The Tuxedo) 

Papa & Daddy - less a BL than a slice of gay life, I’m mentioning it because it’s so different and so very queer - the narrative, however, is still pretty pat 

Taiwan actually has the social capacity to push this more than any other country, but they don’t have the funds or the industry. I’d LOVE to see them put a love rivals to lovers tope on screen, for example. Speaking of which... 

Hay Rival, I LOVE YOU! 

Two boys (jock & nerd) learn that they are both dating the same girl. At first they hate each other, but then they decide to get together and take revenge. In the process they fall in love with each other instead. This is a classic love rivals to lovers story, which by its nature MUST be queer. It’s my favorite trope of all time and it’s so rare to find in use. (Waves and Jack & Koh in Gen Y 2). To my knowledge this short is the first time it’s been put on screen ever, maybe. 

Also from Vietnam?

My Lascivious Boss - it’s fake identity, but the queerest take ever. Look we have gotten some falling in love with a cross dressing “boy,” but I wouldn’t call it ubiquitous. And mostly they deal with a trans identity. This one is about drag, and falling in love with a drag persona. In that regard, i think this is a first, certainly the first pure romance based on this premise, and unquestionable the first BL. Review here. 

Honestly, Vietnamese BL has a lot of unique qualities married to premise, it’s one of its charms (in addition to their ultra high domesticity). It’s just that there is so little VBL, it’s hard to make firm judgement calls on taste and trends.  

Gameboys 

This is notable for being not just the first lockdown romance we got in BL but one of the first lockdown romances the world got at all (on screen). Certainly plenty were written. But a combination of speedy production and engaging cast made this (originally intended as a fun webs series) get picked up for wide distribution pretty much instantly. Not everyone wanted to experience love in lockdown, many viewers who might have watched didn’t because they wanted escape from reality. But plenty of others wanted to watch the possibility of love in lockdown. They wanted the see two adorable boys find love virtually in our times, and then end happily, so they had hope for themselves. And this show did THAT perfectly and with such an honest queerness it found a home in people’s hearts all over the world, well beyond BL fandom. 

Also from the Philippines?

Rainbow Prince - the first high production Disney-style BL. There have certainly been gay musicals before (see Were the World Mine) but this one set out to be very BL about it. Was it successful? That depends on your tolerance for such cartoony things. Mine is low, and i don’t love musical theater or singing feelings, so for me they didn’t manage to limbo under it. 

Like Taiwan, the Philippines has the capacity for greatness in regards to unique premise and story but not the capital. I’m hoping Rainbow Prince was successful enough to give us more, but I’m afraid it was not and might be taken as a bellwether for them to retreat to less experimental safer (cheaper) arenas of BL. 

Sirs Not Appearing on The Above List

I just know someone is gonna jump into my comment thread and mention some of these. Now, I don’t entirely consider many of these BLs but as there is a case to be made. And as they are on my spreadsheet of doom and certainly tangential to the genre, they get shout outs. 

Manner of Death

Gay romantic suspense is common in the romance world, basically it’s own sub genre. But this is the first time I’ve seen it coupled to the BL market. I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s successful as a show in balancing the two, neither the suspense/mystery element nor the romance elements were particularly well done by modern standards, but it’s still a REALLY fun show. The action sequences are decent, and the chemistry cannot be faulted, even though the show depends on MaxTul’s established chemistry rather than bothering to establish it itself. You read me going though the rollercoaster of figuring out this show here. 

Not Me 

I talk a lot about why I don’t really think this is BL but, like it’s forerunner (3 Will Be Free), it is a very special and unique take on... everything. The romance is underdeveloped and secondary to the plot, but that plot is not quite strong enough to carry a show. Still, what it’s trying to do is very interesting and what it accomplishes as a queer narrative is kinda remarkable. Like Manner of Death, though, it’s lazy about establishing the romance arc, relying on OffGun’s established chemistry to make the couple pop off the screen. And they do pop. Review here. 

I feel bound to mention the excellent 3 Will Be Free, which is so unique and different I really don’t think it qualifies as BL at all. It is excellent though, I highly recommend it. 

Guardian

Parallel fantasy world, or what amounts to urban fantasy with superhero elements and a police procedural foundation is actually not uncommon in gay romance (we’ve even got police procedural before from China as a censored bromance see S.C.I Mysteries), but I’ve never seen it on screen before in this guise. Of course it’s China so its censored. Still it’s a very interesting series. I don’t love it the way some do and, as with everything not-het out of China, be wary of the ending. 

Untamed and Word of Honor probubly also should go here. I just don’t personally consider either of them that interesting or unique since I’ve seen both the setting and the romance pairing archetypes quite a few times before. Also, since they were so censored and caused such scandal within China, I don’t see them impacting the BL genre going forward, and I don’t think we’ll get more like them for a long while, if ever. They are unique because of oppression, and that makes me sad to think about. 

(source)

[wonderful-writes]

Presume (Part 2)

Pairing: Tom Riddle x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 1k (1,053)

Author’s Note: I originally intended for “Presume” to be a single oneshot based on an idea that a friend gave me (shoutout to @bellaswansrealgf). But the wonderful reader @bluehydrangea-cherry very nicely asked for a second part, so here it is! I hope you all enjoy it!

Part 1

Tom Riddle hated many things in life. Loud noises, people who chewed with their mouth open, melted ice cream, puppies. But above all else, he hated being wrong.

But that’s exactly where he found himself when it came to you.

No matter how well he thought he could read you, he could never hit the mark. Ever since his assumptions about your intelligence were proven to be far from the truth, you’d assume he would stop judging people without knowing them. He continued to guess, however, and came up empty-handed every time.

He couldn’t help himself, really. It was easy to make predictions of what you were like.

He imagined you to be the haughty sort, the kind of girl to brush off anyone who was of lesser intellect. He was surprised to find that you were instead very humble, refusing to acknowledge your smarts unless absolutely necessary.

He also pictured you to be someone who tailed around boys like a lost dog. He was equally confounded to learn that, although you had many admirers, you had no interest in any of them.

He imagined you to enjoy sweetened tea, only to discover that you took yours plain.

He assumed you preferred to sleep in, but then he saw you outside on an early morning walk.

Being proven wrong repeatedly didn’t deter him from being fascinated by you. If anything, he was even more determined to know everything about you. He never paid much attention to you before, but now he couldn’t help watching your every move from afar.

He wanted to know what your favorite food was, what you liked to do in your spare time, how many pairs of pristine white socks you owned, how you managed to look so good without even trying.

But he couldn’t bring himself to do the obvious thing, to actually talk to you.

That would be preposterous. The Tom Riddle talking to a girl? And a beautiful one, nonetheless. Utter insanity.

So he resorted to studying you. Eyeing you as you sat down in class to know where your preferred seating was, paying attention to how long it took you to finish an essay, closely monitoring how many sips you took of your apple juice at dinner before you deemed it too sweet for your liking. He wanted to know you like he knew himself.

If it was under any other circumstance, he would have found his own behavior appalling. Ridiculous, even. Who were you to have him so enraptured to the point of complete foolery? Why were you so special? And how could you make him feel so utterly whipped with just your existence?

~

He was finally put out of his agony on one balmy morning. You were reading under a tree by the Great Lake, so immersed into your book that you didn’t notice the tall boy taking a stroll not far away.

When you finally lifted your eyes from the pages, you saw that the boy was none other than Tom. The very same full-of-himself wizard that caught your attention some time ago.

“Tom!” you called from your shady spot. You sent him a wave, amused at his startled expression.

He made his way over to you and asked, “Did you need something?”

He didn’t tell you how his heart was racing and his mind was reeling at your simple utterance of his name. The effect you had on him was much more all-consuming than he cared to admit.

You smiled up at him, scooting over to allow him room to sit. “Not really. Just thought you’d like to keep me company. It’s Saturday, so I didn’t think you’d have anywhere of importance to head off to.”

He awkwardly stood there, towering over you. He didn’t dare accept your offer to sit, too afraid that it would turn out to be a cruel joke. Despite his indifferent persona, he didn’t know if he could take it if girl he was so enamored with admitted to wanting nothing to do with him.

“Well?” you prodded. “Hello?”

“Why?” he simply asked.

“Well, you’ve been spying on me for the past few weeks, maybe months, even,” you answered with a smirk. “I assumed you’d want to actually talk to me.”

“You shouldn’t assume,” he replied, not relinquishing his hold on his nonchalant facade. “Not everyone is falling over themselves to have a conversation with you.”

You feigned hurt. “How could you say that? And here I was, trying to be nice and to get to know you.”

Tom was taken aback. Were you teasing him? Did you actually want to talk to him as much as he yearned to spend time with you?

Realizing too late that he could have come off as cold and uninterested, he quickly added, “I only say that because assuming never does me any good.”

You smirked at him. “I know you’re only second best in our year, Riddle, but I thought you would’ve been a little more observant. You can trust me, you know.”

He scoffed at that. “Who says I don’t? I’m not afraid of you. And I’m not second best.”

You rolled your eyes playfully. “If you’re not afraid, actually come down and sit.”

“What do you want from me?” Tom longed for nothing more than for your words to be true. He was far too invested in you for any games or tricks. But he was too proud to let you know that.

“For some reason, you took a liking to me,” you stated plainly. “But you aren’t doing anything about it. So, here I am, throwing you a bone and asking to get to know you. Is it truly so hard for your half-sized brain to comprehend?”

He couldn’t stop the upward quirk of his lips as you said that. Even when you were poking fun of his abilities, he found you to be incredibly endearing. He decided to take a chance.

“I suppose I could spare a few minutes,” he said with fake boredom as he finally sat down beside you. He was attempting with all his might to remove any trace of eagerness from his voice. “You might not be terrible company.”

You hit him lightly on the arm. “Riddle, I am wonderful company.

And in time, he learned that to be true.

[bloomyagi]

beautiful, beloved, mine (m)

summary: you set him ablaze. he can only hope you like watching him burn for you. alternatively: this love for you is consuming him, and it all comes out in a badly vomited confession after he corners you at a gala.

pairings: shouto todoroki x f!reader

genre: pro heroes au, characters are aged up 20+

warnings: smut, dry humping, shouto comes in his pants, sub!shouto, he’s a good boi for you, he loves you very much n wants to be your baby

length: 2,447

notes: can u tell how much i love him pls -

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“Can I be yours?”

Shouto Todoroki, ranked third pro-hero in Japan, has his strong arms braced around your head. In all your years of friendship, he has never been anything but exceedingly polite. He is well-behaved, thoughtful and sharp. He is guarded, though not intentionally, not anymore—it is reflex, a shield he has never really learned to lower. A reminder of his childhood.

You think he’s drunk. He must be, beautiful dual-coloured locks dishevelled, black button-up half-open and exposing his gorgeous collarbone. You watch, unwittingly, as a bead of sweat trickle down his neck. His sleeves are rolled up to his elbows, biceps flexing.

The dimmed lighting unfairly accosts you with his devastatingly handsome features and muscular body. And his eyes. His heterochromatic eyes are alight with something fierce and intense. They are also clear, glowing, almost, in the dark.

The two of you are somehow on the balcony, shut away from the rest of the world, the bass and the sounds of life fading in your little bubble until all you can hear is the blood rushing in your ears, the warmth of his breath, the heat of skin and the fluttering of your heart in your throat. The cement wall digs into your back.

No, you correct yourself. He isn’t drunk. He’s barely tipsy. He doesn’t like to drink, rarely acquiesces to Kirishima’s insistence of shots.

He doesn’t smell like alcohol. His scent has always been calming, detectable under the thin layer expensive cologne he uses—he doesn’t like perfumed smells either, only uses it on nights like these, when he’s obliged to look the part—that fresh, cool scent. Of clean sheets, laundry detergent.

Still, this is out of character. Todoroki has never once crossed a line with you, with anyone. He’s quiet, reserved, though he smiles more now, the forming dimples in the corner of his eyes a living testament to his character growth. He treats others fairly. He is not unkind, honest and straight-forward. He is many things, and with the way he’s gazing down at you now, you are suddenly reminded of Midoriya’s hushed remarks earlier.

“You can’t see it, but Todoroki-kun treats you differently. He thinks about you, what you’d like and what you like. He cares about you so he’s careful around you. He wants to cherish you. He’s cold because he uncertain. He doesn’t know what to do. This is all new to him.”

“What is?”

The number one pro-hero had looked at you strangely. “Being in love.”

Midoriya is indisputably Todoroki’s best friend. Still, his actions are baffling. Why you? Why now? No, you couldn’t see it at all.

“Todoroki, are you drunk?”

“No. Though I required a little … liquid courage, as they say,” he rasps. He’s so close. His voice, so deep and husky, has you biting your lower lip. His gaze falls immediately.

He doesn’t touch you. The way his arms flex, hands clenching and unclenching, and his stiff posture tells you he wants to. He’s visibly restraining himself. Waiting, watching. Hoping.

“You never … why me?” You say softly.

“I could not. I wanted to, so badly. I have always wanted you. I always thought it was impossible for someone like me—to find someone I would want to share my life with, given my upbringing and dysfunctional family. But then things changed, got better, and then I met you.” He takes a shaky breath.

“I found wordless comfort in your mere presence. I found I could be emboldened, empowered, changed by your words. Every day I wondered how I could be worthy of you—if I could ever be worthy of you. Then I realized it was you … it would not matter to you, so long as I was honest with who I was. That is just the kind of person you are …” He shuts his eyes. His lashes are so long, you note absently.

“I am touched by your existence … I find joy in your spirit, yearning for your embrace, for the heat of your skin pressed against mine, I crave it … these foreign desires, they elicit something dark within myself,” he continues, breathing a little ragged now.

“This need, this desperation, like fire spreading in my veins, uncontrollable and hungry … I feel restless, itching for something, someone … Now I finally understand. I feel like I want to—to devour you. It is no longer enough, seeing you as I do, being as we are, mere friends … I want more, need more. With this desire to monopolize, I fear I have become … insatiable,” he trails off, turning his face to the side in shame.

Oh. Shouto Todoroki is in love with you, you realize with a jolt. He longs for you. For your companionship, your wit, your soul and your body. Your heart.

You reach up with a trembling hand to touch his jaw, guiding him until he looked at you once more. He doesn’t resist, pliant and eager as he leans into your hold.

“Only if I can be yours in return,” you say.

He lurches forward, knees nearly giving out as he slumps in your arms. “Oh, thank god, I … I was anxious I would have ruined everything. I knew it was unlikely they would be reciprocated, but I—I had to try,” he gasps. “This desire, it was consuming me.”

“Todoroki …” You thumb his cheekbone. He sighs faintly, body curving over yours as he presses close. “Call me Shouto, please …”

“Shouto.” He makes a strangled noise.

“Again. Please. You must understand, I have longed for this for so long …” He pleads shyly.

“Shouto,” you whisper, stroking his cheek. He’s so unexpectedly adorable. So, so adorable.

“My apologies, darling. I know I’m taking liberties, but I’m weak … I’m not strong enough to resist such temptation. Not while you are here, in front of me like nights when I dared to dream… So beautiful.” He nuzzles your palm.

You flush at his term of endearment, at the rawness of his tone. He has laid himself bare, singing his truth like a Shakespeare sonnet.

“You woo me like you’re waxing poetry … does this often work with others?” You murmur. You think you’re in real danger of melting.

His eyes fly open in alarm. “No. Never. It has only ever been you. I speak only from the heart, I have never—never done this before, am I explaining myself poorly? I am often told my words could use some more tact …”

Your heart swells.

“I’m just teasing, Shouto,” you say softly, combing a hand through his locks apologetically. “Your words are beautiful, I’m touched, truly.”

He relaxes, curling closer in your embrace.

“You don’t know … how I dream of building a home with you, of sharing all my firsts with you, cooking and setting the table with you … breakfast after long nights, filling the space between us with laughter and joy. Sleeping next to you,” he slurs. And then he goes on plainly, “How I fist myself every night thinking of the swell of your hips, the curl of your lips, your sweet, enthralling scent …”

You inhale sharply. Part of you is entirely taken back by the dual-haired hero’s use of uncharacteristically vulgar descriptions. His words drip over you like a honeyed aphrodisiac. Sweet and addictive.

“May I?” He draws closer, hands releasing you to brace against the concrete behind. Your body shivers involuntarily, missing the heat of his palms immediately.

“Yes,” you whisper.

Shouto dips his head, beautiful heterochromatic eyes watching you carefully for any sign of hesitation or indication you wanted to stop. Ever the gentleman.

This is who he is, you realize. Respectful of your boundaries, honest and, with you, gentle. He eyes flutter close when his lips touch yours. They’re warm, sweet with a hint of the alcohol he consumed earlier. Your fingers bury themselves in his locks, the kiss unhurried, savouring each moment.

Then you open your mouth, tongue touching his. And Shouto falters. He groans throatily, your nose tickling at the scent of ash. Ah. He’s losing control. He jerks away quickly, right hand enclosing over his left.

“Don’t tempt me,” he rasps, blush rising.

You snag the rumpled collar of his shirt, pulling him close. “Kiss me again.”

And when you guide his hands over your hips, he grips them tightly and crushes his mouth against yours, kissing you hard. Spit runs down your chins, messy and sensual.

Something hard presses against your inner thigh. You push his legs apart and shove your leg in between. He chokes, eyes rolling back.

“Ngh—!” He gasps. “More—hngg—please!”

You pull back to survey him. He chases after you, lips slick and swollen.

“Shouto. You like this?”

He pauses, sucking in a breath sharply, eyes flickering. And then—

“Yes,” he whispers, a whisp of flame flaring on his left.

Your core clenches over nothing at his needy, humiliated tone.

“I like this too,” you confess, trailing a hand over the ridges of his abdomen, fascinated by the way the muscles clench.

Shouto mewls, chest thrusting forward when you pinch his nipples experimentally through the cotton. “Ah—ughh—yes!”

“Can you come like this?” You wonder absently as you twist his perked nubs harshly. He moans brokenly, hips jerking.

“I—I d-don’t­—kno—hah,” he pants, eyes half-lidded as he struggles to focus. Pleasure clouds his senses, head fuzzy and vision hazy.

“Can you get off here, like this?” You ask softly. “I want to see you come undone.”

Shouto blinks blearily at you, nodding eagerly. “Hng—yes, wanna be good for you,” he slurs. Oh. My. If you weren’t dripping before, you certainly are now.

He stumbles a little as you push him against the wall, switching positions. He’s barely standing at this point, leaning heavily against the cement as he gazes up at you with glazed eyes. He looks utterly fucked out and utterly delectable.

You undo the remainder of his buttons, holding him back firmly when he whines, pawing at the fabric, wanting to rip it off.

“We still have to walk out of here,” you remind him, giggling. His only blinks at you blankly as if to say and? Too gone to think of the consequences.

“This view is reserved for my eyes only,” you murmur, nails scraping against his nipples. He gasps, back arcing. “Yes, yes!” He agrees mindlessly.

He grinds against your thigh desperately, the weight of his cock heavy and hot. He throbs at every touch.

“Kiss—kiss, please,” he whines, reaching for you. You oblige, internally fawning over his cuteness.

His hips move faster, chasing release as he moans and keens into your mouth.

He parts from you with a gasp and wet shlick. “Feels so good—sho good—hngg,” he babbles. His asymmetric temperatures intensify, the heat of his left searing you and the chill of the right piercing you.

“Oh—I’m—I’m c-cu—” he cries out, gripping you tightly as he fucks himself against your thigh urgently. You push your leg against him harder, nails digging into his stomach.

“Come for me Sho,” you murmur, biting his lower lip. His mouth parts in a silent wail, head tossing as his eyes roll. His body shudders, something warm seeping into the fabric of your jeans.

With a strangled groan, he sags against you, exhausted and spent. You stroke his hair soothingly, brushing back the sweaty locks and peppering chaste kisses over his face as he comes down slowly.

Faintly, you register someone calling your name.

“Oh, Midoriya. Over here.”

Shouto is too out of it, still coming down from his high, his soft moans tickling your ear

“Oh, there you are! Have you seen Todoroki-kun? I—oh!” He squeaks loudly, spinning on his heel immediately and covering his reddening face.

What a sight the two of you must be. A perfectly debauched Shouto, shirt falling over his broad shoulders, the fabric clinging to his glistening skin, raised lines over his bare chest that appear angrier in the darkened lighting, slumped over you, body trembling from the aftershocks of his orgasm.

The One for All user pales when he spots the noticeable burn the size of a palm on the wall behind your head.

“Uh—neverminditwasn’timportanthahahaohsomeone’scallingmegottagobye!” Midoriya practically screams in your face before bolting from the scene in the next beat.

Shouto manages a tired chuckle as you blink in the wake of his dust.

“You’re surprisingly shameless,” you remark when you turn back to him.

His wry smile slips, letting out a weak mewl when you squeeze his cock over his slacks teasingly. He’s already chubbing up, hips rolling slowly against your touch.

“I told you, didn’t I? I’m insatiable when it comes to you, darling,” he murmurs, cheeks dusting.

“Then let’s continue,” you say, helping him stand. He valiantly tries to salvage whatever is left of his shirt, but it’s hopeless. He gives up, letting it drift apart, sculpted abdomen and chest in full view.

“Hmm. I quite like this view,” your palm rests on his stomach, smiling when he jolts at your warmth.

“My place or yours?” He breathes, pulling you flush to him.

“Yours, I think. I’ve been meaning to try out your new jacuzzi,” you rest your cheek against his chest, tracing nonsensical patterns on his pec. Goosebumps rise on his skin, and you can hear the rapid fluttering of his pulse. He’s—nervous?

“I built it for you,” he confesses, burying his face into your hair. “After you mentioned how much you wanted to try one, I thought—well, I don’t know what I thought. I only know that I went out the next day to hire a contractor and expand my bathroom. I suppose part of me nurtured a hope I’d one day pluck enough courage to ask you to come over and give it a try …”

You pull away, looking up at him in disbelief. He laughs dryly at your expression.

“Yes. I know. It sounds as irrational as it felt. I still haven’t used it yet.”

“Then …,” you hesitate. And then you say shyly, “Then if you’d like … we could try it today? Together?”

“I … yes, I’d love that,” Shouto swallows thickly.

You take his hand as the two of you start to make your way back. He squeezes your hand once.

“Let’s go home,” you say softly. The corner of his heterochromatic eyes crinkle, lips curling into a gentle beam. He looks radiant, beauty amplified by his dishevelled and unkept state. He leans down to kiss the corner of your mouth.

“Yes,” he says. “Let’s.”

[inexplicifics]

on progress, geralt will certainly find talented, loyal, and fearless members for his court. but upon living at KM, there must be growing pains: the cold, the stairs, the lack of privacy, the need to make new friends, homesickness. all things one CAN moves past, but rarely without crying SOMETIMES. how do witchers react?

Oooh. Hm.

*

Bianka sits down on the hard stone steps and buries her face in her hands, trying hard to muffle her sobs. It's so cold and she doesn't know anyone and she's lost and she's going to disgrace herself and be sent home -

"Hey," someone says, and she looks up to find that her terrible day has just gotten worse: there's a Witcher crouched in front of her, two steps down, and he'll surely tell the Wolf she's not strong enough, not capable enough to be here, and - and -

"Hey now," the Witcher says, eyes going wide. "You're not hurt, are you?"

"N-no," Bianka sniffles.

"Right, good, not hurt is good," the Witcher says. "Uh. D'you - can I - can I help at all?"

Bianka swipes at her wet cheeks and shivers as someone opens a door somewhere and a chilly gust sweeps up the stairway. The Witcher frowns and tugs off his own jacket, draping it around her shoulders. It's much too large and very warm, and Bianka huddles into it with a little gasp of relief.

"That's better," the Witcher says, and sits down next to her on the steps. "Right, so, really, what's the matter? If someone said something mean to you I'll punch 'em for you. Oh - I'm Byrtel."

"Bianka of Mirthe," Bianka says, offering a hand. Byrtel takes it rather awkwardly, like he's not sure what the polite response is, and gives it a little shake. "And no, no one has been rude to me; everyone has been very polite, really."

"Well, that's good," Byrtel says, grinning. He's a tall man, and lanky, with messy brown hair and a lopsided smile, and Witcher-gold eyes with laugh-wrinkles at their corners. His medallion shows a crane's head and wings. He looks maybe five or six years older than Bianka is, which probably means he's at least that many decades her senior. "So what is troubling you, Bianka of Mirthe?"

Bianka flushes. One of the points most heavily emphasized in the pamphlet Consort Jaskier and Lady Oliwia gave the new inhabitants of Kaer Morhen was the absolute necessity of never lying to a Witcher. But her troubles seem so small, so petty. "I - I'm lost," she says at last in a very small voice. "And I'm lonely."

Byrtel's eyebrows go up. "Well," he says, "Those're pretty fair problems. I cried for days when I got brought to the Cranes' keep, years ago, and I sure as hell didn't leave as much behind as you did."

"I don't regret it!" Bianka says hastily. "I don't want to be sent back!"

"Nah, 'course not," Byrtel says calmly. "It's just a lot, coming here. Was for us too, you know. So many other Schools, so many humans - hells, just adjusting to Jaskier was a hell of a thing. Cry yourself out, no point holding it in."

Bianka sniffles again, and fishes a handkerchief out of her sleeve to blow her nose and dry her eyes. "I think I may be done for now, but thank you."

"Alright," Byrtel says, nudging his shoulder gently against hers. "Let's problem-solve, then. Where were you trying to go?"

"My rooms, to change for supper."

"Right, then, we've got you all in the same wing, I bet I can get you pretty close," he says, rising and offering her a hand up. "And - aren't you one of the lasses our lovely Livi is going to have organizing the Schools' records?"

"I am," Bianka says, taking his hand and letting him pull her effortlessly to her feet.

"Well then, come and have supper with the Cranes," Byrtel offers. "And if you like us, you can work on our records. We've got a lot. Mostly of what sort of explosions we've caused, admittedly, but still."

Bianka's always been more fascinated by how things work than is really appropriate for a noble lady. What she's seen thus far of the Cranes' contraptions has been utterly intriguing. And now she's being offered the chance to see their records?

"I would like that very much," she says.

"Great!" Byrtel says, and leads the way down the stairs, hand still clasped around hers. "And we should come up with some way to keep you warm, too - I bet it's a lot warmer down in Temeria, no wonder you're freezing - some sort of personal heating device, maybe? Though we'd have to figure out how to keep it from burning you, or keep you from having to lug around a pot of coals all day - maybe something with barghest bile, that burns for a long time -"

Bianka giggles, thoroughly distracted from her tears, and makes a mental note to find a folding slate like the one Consort Jaskier carries. She'll be needing one, if the rest of the Cranes are anything like Byrtel.

[fanmoose12]

I'm sending this to multiple authors because I just think this is fun but: Imagine Levihan and a blooming romance set at your current job/current course

It all starts with a physiology lecture.

Levi arrives to the auditorium only a minute later than usual, but his place is already taken by a bearded asshole in glasses. Arguing with Zeke isn't his favorite past time, but an acute necessity, and Levi debates if he should throw the asshole out of his seat, but professor enters the room just a second later, and so he has no choice but to find another seat.

The only available one is at the front of the auditorium, and Levi cringes as he realizes it. The front of the auditorium is always occupied by the same few people - the star of the course Hange Zoe and her squad of brainiac nerds.

All of them are notorious for their smart remarks and additions, but no one is quite as annoyingly good at it as Hange Zoe. Her answers are always unnecessarily lengthy and complicated, and she amazes every professor she comes across.

Levi is as annoyed by her loud personality, as he is fascinated by her dedication to the studies.

But he never approached her, never exchanged with her even a single 'hi' or 'do you have the copy of last lecture'. And so the prospect of sitting down next to her makes him more than a little bit nervous.

But professor clears his throat, urging Levi to move. He grits his teeth, but surrenders to his fate and takes a seat just at the edge of a row.

Hange shoots him a quick smile, but then turns her attention to the lecture and doesn't bother him until the very end.

Levi escapes the auditorium as soon as the lecture ends, and hopes this beginning was the end of his and Hange Zoe's relationship.

At the next lecture, he finds out he was wrong.

He makes sure to come early, so Zeke won't take his place once again. And he succeeds - Zeke isn't there.

However... Hange Zoe is.

"Hi!" she waves her hand energetically, her smile far too wide and bright for 8 AM lecture. "You don't mind me sitting here? I liked sitting next to you last time."

Levi doesn't quite understand what Hange liked about last lecture since they haven't exchanged a single word, but her open, friendly face and big eyes quickly render him unable to reject her offer.

"Just keep quiet, four-eyes," he mutters and takes a seat next to her.

And that's how it truly begins. The physiology curse ends and biochemistry starts, and Hange sits next to him there as well.

Soon she starts inviting him to study sessions and house parties, and, even though, he doesn't accept these invitations, Hange still somehow manages to get his phone number, and then begins to bother him even on weekends.

One night, after Levi just tumbles inside his room after a shift at the hospital, he receives a text with a link to some article. He makes a mental note to read it - he rarely replies to texts from Hange, but he always reads them, however as soon as he comes out of the shower, he falls asleep, overcome with exhaustion.

Next morning, he wakes up later than usual, so he doesn't have the time to read the article before his first class. He hopes Hange won't ask him about it, he'd feel bad about ignoring her, but when he comes to his first lecture, he finds Hange already in their usual place, an excited look on her face.

"Good morning!" she greets, as always far too cheerful for a morning class.

Levi grunts something noncommittal and sits down next to her.

There are a few more minutes before the class starts, and Levi entertains himself with sorting out his textbooks. He remembers the article Hange sent him, but reading it while she sits so close might seem rude. So he does nothing, and stares at the front of the auditorium, waiting for the professor to show up.

Out of the corner of his eyes, he sees Hange shift and fidget, more restless than usually. He wants to snap and ask her to stop, but then Hange leans a bit closer, and whispers,

"Hey, Levi, I think our HLA aren't compatible."

Levi frowns and looks up at her, surprised to find that her face is all red.

"What?" he murmurs, utterly confused.

The red on her face becomes even brighter. "I said..."

"I've heard what you said," Levi grits, for some reason feeling just as embarrassed as Hange looks. "I just don't get what you meant by it."

"Oh..." Hange's face falls. "You haven't read the article. Oh, now this is awkward," she chuckles, scratching the back of her head. "Then, um, forget I said anything."

Levi wants to protest, he doesn't want to forget, he wants to find out what made Hange look so shy, but in that exact moment professor enters the room, and he has no choice but to keep quiet.

His curiosity is far from quiet, though, and unable to stop himself, Levi takes out his phone and opens that article.

Not paying attention to the lecture makes him feel awful, but Levi needs to know the reason for Hange's behavior. Besides, he tries to bargain with himself, the article is somewhat linked to microbiology, so technically he doesn't ignore the lecture completely.

The article Hange sent to him is about a study that focused on the importance of human leucocyte antigen and its many variables that appeared after years of battling with various pathogens. It also demonstrated that people are more inclined to find themselves an HLA dissimilar partner and that relationship tend to be more prosperous if partners share only a few of HLA alleles.

And Hange said their HLA weren't compatible... Oh. Now Levi feels his own cheeks heat up.

He reads the article a few more times, making sure that he understood everything correctly.

Then he turns his gaze towards Hange who refuses to even glance in his direction. The time moves with a speed of a snail, and when the professor finally announces the end of a class, Levi exhales in relief.

He had a whole hour to gather his thoughts and think of his next words, but they scatter, when Hange bolts up from her seat and starts frantically packing her belongings.

"Hey..." Levi calls, but Hange doesn't seem to hear him, or, more probably, tries her best to ignore him. "Hey, Hange..." he tries again, but Hange doesn't stop.

Bolder actions need to be implemented, and so Levi raises up too, holding Hange back by the sleeve of her shirt. "Four-eyes..." he begins, forcing himself to swallow his nervousness. "Sorry for not reading the article yesterday, but..." he clears his throat and locks his gaze with Hange. It's good to know that she looks just as flustered as he himself feels. "I think you're right. Based on what I feel, our HLA seem to be mostly dissimilar."

"Oh..." Hange looks lost for no more than a second, Levi envies her composure. A big grin blooms on her face almost instantly, and her eyes fill with joy. "We can discuss it further, if you want... Maybe, have a small study session."

"And go out for coffee," Levi adds, feeling just a little bolder. "I know a great place."

"Mm," Hange bites her lip, glancing at her wrist watch. "I have another class soon, but I'm free after that."

"Alright," Levi says, his mouth twitching in an attempt to hide his smile. "I'll be waiting for you then."

"Great!" Hange laughs, squeezes his shoulder and hurries away. She walks with a spring in her step, and just before exiting the room, she turns around and shoots Levi another happy smile.

"Dork," Levi mutters, as he watches Hange almost collide with another student.

As he gets out of the auditorium at a more slower pace than Hange, he takes out his phone and opens the browser. Perhaps, he should find an article for Hange to enjoy too.

Perhaps, it would allow him not just join her for a study session, but have her agree to a date with him.

Either way, Levi is eager to find out how his story with Hange Zoe will progress.

[sserpente]

A/N: Request by @sparxxy. Loved this idea! Enjoy, everyone! ♥

Words: 1409 Warnings: fluff and… falling off the roof I guess?

You should have brought your gloves. It was freezing cold, especially now that you were fiddling around with tiny cables and light bulbs on a wobbly ladder. Hypothetically, Tony could have done this in his suit and hypothetically, he wouldn’t run a risk of suffering from hypothermia in the process covered in layers of metal but if there was one thing you were both naïve and proud about, then it was setting up Christmas decoration all by yourself—and that included colourful holiday lights on the roof.

You could do this. It was fun, even more so with so much snow around you. In that hindsight, you were even okay with numb fingers.

You were so focused on setting up the lights that you never heard someone approaching you, even on the crunchy snow. But then again, Loki usually moved with the grace of a cat. Being around him felt like circling a bomb—you never knew if or when it would explode but overall, you were glad the Avengers and eventually even SHIELD had accepted the God of Mischief sticking around after Asgard was destroyed even though everyone but Thor met him with suspicion or even hostility; even you did, for the most part. With Loki, you just never knew. So while the God of Thunder had begun wearing Christmas sweaters, baking horrible gingerbread and asking every single one of the other Avengers what it was they wanted for Christmas to buy them presents with Tony’s money, Loki appeared utterly irritated by the festive season.

“What in the nine are you doing?” He asked, head tilted slightly.

You flinched, holding on to the gutter frantically to not fall off. “Geez, Loki… clear your throat or something!” The God of Mischief only chuckled. “I’m putting up the holiday lights.”

“Whatever for?” You could practically hear his frown.

“So our headquarters will look more festive?” You suggested. “Actually, can you tell me if this is straight?”

“These quarters are in the middle of nowhere. No one will be able to see it.”

“I will. Now is this straight or not?”

“I suppose it is.”

“That is not reassuring.” You retorted.

“Well, what is it supposed to look like? You are only going to injure yourself. This ladder looks rather unsafe and the rungs are frozen.”

“Yes, I know that, Loki, which is why I’m asking you if they’re straight so I don’t have to climb up here again! Don’t be such a Scrooge.” You had gotten him a present—it was nothing too fancy but you had seen him taking notes on a stack of paper he had presumably stolen from your office a lot. Apparently, Loki was quite the scholar. You usually spotted him surrounded by books whenever the Avengers didn’t make him join life-threatening missions. In this aspect, you were quite glad you were only an assistant.

Anyway, you had decided to buy Loki a beautiful notebook bound in real leather along with a fancy green and gold pen with black ink but if he kept going like that, you might reconsider giving it to him after all.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Loki frowned, making you sigh. You were done anyway. All you had to do now was climb off, switch it on with the little remote and see if you had indeed hung it up straight if Loki wouldn’t give you a proper answer.

“Scrooge is a fictional character in ‘The Christmas Carol’ and he hated Christmas. It’s written by Charles Dickens, one of the greatest—argh!” An ear-piercing scream escaped your lips, heart skipping a beat when you slipped on one of the rungs on the frozen ladder, your hands failing to grasp at the cold metal again in time. You hurtled backwards through the ice-cold air so fast you were hardly able to process you were going to kiss the hard ground and likely break your neck in the process, brazing yourself for a painful impact—which never came. Your eyes flew open when you landed in Loki’s arms instead. The God of Mischief, so you realised, must have darted forward to catch you.

Panting, you looked up at him with wide eyes, not even quite able to catch your breath in return.

“I told you so.” He said quietly. Oddly enough though, there was no scorn in his voice—quite on the contrary; you had never heard Loki speak so softly before. His warm breath ghosted over your lips as he talked, his blue eyes glued on your face, likely reddened from the cold.

“T-thank you…” You whispered. Oh Heavens… Had he always been this handsome?

Neither of you moved. Instead, you remained in your awkward position, with Loki still carrying you bridal style and his face only mere inches from yours until a thundering voice ripped you both from your weird trance.

“Loki, have you seen my gingerbread pop tarts? Oh… oh? Am I interrupting something, brother?” He asked with a sly grin. He was standing in the doorway, right underneath a mistletoe and he was holding up an empty box of pop tarts.

“No,” Loki said quickly all the while sighing and rolling his eyes. You only swallowed, finally managing to move your limbs again and struggle just a little so he would put down again. You did not fail to notice that even once your feet were on the ground again, his left hand lingered on your waist just a little bit longer than absolutely necessary—and you would be lying if you claimed it bothered you.

“If I recall it correctly, you ate them all last night.” He continued, clearly unimpressed.

“I didn’t eat all of them.” Thor raised an eyebrow. “Did you eat them?”

“No,” Loki emphasised. “I may be the God of Mischief, brother but I do not have a death wish. Perhaps you should ask one of your mortal companions. Stark likes to steal food quite regularly as far as I am concerned.”

You smirked when Thor pointed at him in a threatening manner. “I am going to rub snow in your face if I find out you’re lying.”

“You do realise I am a Frost Giant, brother?” Oh, yes, you had almost forgotten about that. That must have been the reason why he wasn’t even wearing a jacket.

“M-hm. I’ll leave you two to… whatever then.” Loki rolled his eyes once more. You could hardly complain about his reaction. Thor could be rather sneaky if only he wanted to be and the fact he had interpreted Loki basically saving your life to be something… something… well… what exactly?

You and Loki? He couldn’t possibly think you would… or would you? You cleared your throat once the God of Thunder had disappeared inside again and closed the door, if anything to not make matters even more awkward than they already were.

Then, to distract from the embarrassing situation, you finally grabbed the remote of the holiday lights and pressed the button. Dozens of little bulbs lit up at once, some green, some red, some blue, some yellow, some purple, all blinking away happily. It was beautiful—and it definitely was straight.

You hummed in silent triumph.

“I admit, it does look rather pretty.” Loki suddenly said.

“Come on, it looks amazing! Is that really the best you can do?”

He gave you languid look. But nothing could have prepared you for what he did next. “Oh, what a masterpiece you have created, my dear. This is a truly marvellous sight. You must be a sorceress to have constructed such beauty for this Midgardian holiday they call Christmas. What would the Avengers do without your talent and your skilled hands?” Sarcasm was dripping from his voice, along with a downright theatrical tone not of mockery but pure amusement and teasing.

“Okay, okay, stop it.” You laughed, wouldn’t admit, however, how your heart jumped when he called you ‘my dear’. It took you quite a while to recover from your laughing fit. And if that wasn’t enough already, Loki was actually smiling too. “I’ve got two others to hang up, one on the balcony and one on the terrace.” You announced then. “Do you… would you help me?”

There it was again. His blue eyes locked with yours, capturing you both in another moment full of tension and… fascination. Eventually, the God of Mischief nodded.

“I might as well.”

Huh. Perhaps, Christmas miracles were real after all.

-

A/N: If you enjoyed this story, I would appreciate it so much if you considered supporting me on Kofi! It’s either for caffeine or red wine, I’ll take both. ko-fi.com/sserpente ♥