#if you want to know stuff about me just check it out on the intro post tag

[someinstant]

You know what I want every episode of television to be, ever? A spy thriller. Also every movie and at least 65% of all written fiction.

Which is to say that my notes over ANDOR Season 2, Episode 5: "I Have Friends Everywhere" are something like six pages long. Because I cannot help myself.

Okay, starting this episode—which is SUCH a LeCarre novel—with the tuning of a comms system to different frequencies is amazing. We hear a call from Ryloth and Corelia—and there’s a man’s voice between the two, saying, “…and I told him, basically, ‘Stay in that corner, stay there, forever.’” And I swear to god, that’s Melshi’s voice. I’m 90% sure. I need someone to confirm for me, okay? Because it’s driving me mad. Anyway. Comms in the intro music.

It’s a good segue into Kleya working the comms, hearing a snippet of conversation from something identified as being Sculdun—that one of the pieces in his collection is a forgery. This is obviously of concern to her, but she’s interrupted by Luthen, who tells her that “their friend” is on his way.

We cut to Cassian walking through the undercity of Coruscant—it’s clearly the same night as the end of Episode 4. And damn, this set is awesome. Like, not to just beat up on the Obi-Wan series, but you know that cyberpunk planet in the second episode? This is what that set wished it were. It’s damp and gross, and the lights reflect off of the streaks of water on the pavement, and you just know it smells like shit down here. Cass heads to a derelict-looking travel agency that looks to be closed—he bangs on the window, and a woman comes out wrapped in a red robe, and clearly not wearing anything else. She and her friend have been—interrupted—and she’s not best pleased. “Ghorman?” Cass asks, and she replies, “Visiting friends?” and I was SO EXCITED, y’all, because we’re getting fucking passcodes and it’s subtle and good. Cass asks if it matters, she says she’s curious by nature, and then: “I have friends everywhere,” Cassian says. The passcodes are good, and she hollers for her friend, who is a BIG boy.

I kinda want to know everything about that couple, honestly. Is she the muscle? She looks like she wouldn’t take shit from anyone. Does Bon do the costumes and covers? Luthen told Cass to check in with Kleya for his cover, so presumably she sent him here—so how do they know Kleya?! I need to know everything.

AND NOW WE LISTEN AS CASS GETS HIS BACKSTORY AND COVER VIA DISTORTED AUDIOBOOK WHILE WALKING PURPOSEFULLY THROUGH THE GRIMEY STREETS. It’s so good. Give me all the tradecraft forever.

And just in case you weren’t understanding the relevant parallels, we’re now going to cut from Cassian heading to Ghorman to Syril revealing that he’s planning to travel back HOME to Coruscant. He’s on a call with his mother, which—of course—is being listened to by the Ghorman Front. But as he’s explaining that he’s coming home for a quick visit because there have been rumors of travel restrictions, in march the jackbooted thugs of the ISB to his office. The Ghorman Front pull the connection on their comms in time, but the ISB inform Syril that there’s a listening device in his office (GASP!). Syril channels all of his inner theater kid energy to insist that NO, that’s ABSURD, also HE’S IN CHARGE, so NO ONE should be LOOKING IN HIS OFFICE! It’s probably convincing enough, because this ain’t the A-Team.

But let’s stay on that listening device theme, shall we? Back in the antiquities shop, Kleya is doin’ fancy stuff with the comms array. She pulls up the fragment of the Sculdun transmission she heard earlier and basically: Sculdun got scammed. One of  his fancy antiquities is a forgery, and now he wants his whole collection reauthenticated and examined. Which is a problem, because there’s a listening device in the piece he bought from Luthen. WHOOPS.

Side note: I initially thought that the piece that was the problem was ALSO going to be one from Luthen’s shop, which would be interesting! I’ve often wondered how correct the authenticity is for the antiquities Luthen sells is—it requires an absurd amount of specialized knowledge to be able to do this sort of curating work, and if you don’t mind separating the occasional idiot from their money, art fraud isn’t a bad way to make some money.

I just want to take Enza and the rest of the Ghorman Front gently by the face and say, “If you are trying to turn a double agent and their record seems perfect for your needs—like, say, they’ve had a dishonorable discharge and a nasty run-in with the ISB—YOU NEED TO BE MORE CAREFUL,” and then I want to kiss them softly on the forehead and SHAKE THEM TO PIECES. JESUS CHRIST DO SPY NOVELS NOT EXIST IN A GALAXY FAR FAR AWAY. DIG A LITTLE DEEPER DARLINGS.

“Many of us believe the Emperor has no idea what’s being done on his behalf.” Oh, dude, that’s such a good and accurate coded way to talk in an authoritarian state. I studied in Cuba for a bit, and—yeah. That’s right. It doesn’t necessarily mean that the person actually *believes* that there’s some sort of Shadow Government nonsense; it’s often just the safer way to offer criticism of the regime if you’re not entirely sure of the allegiances of the person you’re speaking to, because it’s a somewhat ambiguous statement.

I adore Bix’s momentary horror of seeing Luthen at the safehouse door—the only reason she can think he would visit her is to tell her of Cassian’s death. This whole scene is—not kind, but honest, after a sort. I like watching them interact—they can both read each other, and both know when the other is full of shit. It’s good.

On D’Qar, Wilmon is trying to teach one of Saw’s Partisans how to manage the rhydonium-driller-thingie. It’s not going great. It’d be going better if the Partisan dude would shut up and focus and stop asking questions, but Wil is admirably closed-mouthed and on-point. Doesn’t say anything when the dude asks who taught him to use the drill-thingie, but—it’s gotta be his dad, right?

In the Ghorman Bureau of Standards, Syril is making a backup of the Imperial transport records. For REASONS. And I would just like to say that, once again, the screens and technology in this show are glorious and look real and retro-futuristic in a way that I adore and cannot get enough of. Also the disc he saves the data to is slightly larger than a 3 inch floppy, which feels right. He then trades the data disc to the dude on the plaza who sells candy-filled spiders to tourists—who is, of course, part of the Ghorman Front.

And of COURSE, just as Syril gets off-world, HERE COMES CASSIAN. Ahab and his white whale, Jean Valjean and Javert, Cassian and Syril. So close and yet so far.

Or rather: here comes Varian Skye—fashion designer. Fancy blue suit with a cape-y thing, cool sunglasses, gloves, slicked back hair. He checks into his hotel and gets right to work, getting a sense of the local feelings—makes a show of blundering into the topic of the Tarkin Massacre with a bellhop, who is reluctant to tell this Coruscanti dandy anything about the local tragedy initially. And then Cassian-as-Varian turns on the charm: “I’m just a designer,” he says, leaning in—honestly? A lot closer than is generally considered acceptable in most places. “I’m curious!” I really like how he walks over to the window, gesturing emphatically—that’s not how Cass uses his hands, that’s a Varian thing. He looks out the window, and we have this lovely moment where we, the audience, can see Varian recede and Cassian’s face emerge again—calculating. He’s waiting to see if the bellhop will take the bait. But when the bellhop tells the story, explains how his dad died saving him from Grand Moff Tarkin’s ship—Cassian isn’t anything but kind. He’s listening, deeply. There’s a resonance there; this young man lost his father to the Empire, Cassian lost his family on Kenari, and then lost Clem on Ferrix. He gets it.

Look, I adore this character in all his forms. But one of the things I love most about Cassian Andor is how much of an asshole he is at times, and has been since Rogue One—and yet he still has these moments of incredible, honest sweetness and empathy. And I think they’re real—both the petulant jackass and the deep sincerity. We all contain multitudes, yeah?

So we go from that deeply emotional moment to—OH GOD.

Look, nothing will haunt me more than Dedra saying, “Turn out the lights,” because she and Syril have one hour before he needs to go stay with his mother for his cover during his time on Coruscant. Like, I don’t want to think about their sex life.

AND YET I CANNOT HELP IT. I’m pretty sure we’re dealing with dry handjobs and some serious impact play. I’m SO glad there were no sound effects, because I feel like it would have just been crying and the sound of two sheets of sandpaper rubbing together.

NOTHING ABOUT THIS IS OKAY.

Other things that are not okay: ENZA JUST WALTZING INTO THE CAFÉ AND PROCLAIMING CASS’ COVER OUTLOUD LIKE SHE’S IN A MUSICAL. Girl. GIRL. I need you to calm down. I love that Cass waits to read her the riot act until the patrons from the table behind him leave. “I am who you want me to be,” he says, “but that’s just you getting lucky.” And then—this is so good—the camera pivots to focus on Enza’s reaction to all of this, and we can see that next to the table is a mirror. And there’s Cassian, saying, “People die rushing.”

There’s something happening with mirrors this season. Cassian’s not looking at himself, and Enza’s not looking at the reflection either—but it’s there, and in a moment when Cass isn’t acting particularly kind or righteous. I want to see how this visual theme plays out the rest of the season, honestly.

Eedy and the spider are just marvelous. SHE’S THE WORST AND I LOVE HER.

And this is a great transition—creepy Coruscant morning show about Senate Investiture Week (we get a quick drop that there are going to be parties, so—hey Mon!)—and the shot starts panning left in Eedy’s apartment, crosses the holoscreen, and ends in the safehouse with Bix—who is crashing out.

Bix, sweetie. This ain’t good. This is full self-medication mode, zoned out on daytime TV and take-out. And worst, you’ve got a blaster in your hand. Honey, can’t Luthen set you up with some anonymous talk therapy?

Meanwhile, Varian Skye goes to visit the fabric shops of Ghorman! Cassian is just—he’s not unsympathetic, you know? He just can’t stand the credulity of these folks. You have a source inside? Really? How’d you vet him? How do you know this isn’t a trap? And—if you remember—he had the same questions about Gorn on Aldhani. It wasn’t until Vel gave him the read on Gorn’s background that he bought into Gorn as a legitimate part of the plan.

Syril has no fucking idea what he’s doing, and no idea what Dedra and Partagaz are using him for, and I cannot wait for this to blow up in his face. I’m trying to decide if Dedra feels guilty for using Syril the way she is—because she is—and right now? Jury’s still out. Unsure is Dedra feels, full-stop. I like knowing that Denise Gough did research of female psychopaths for this season—apparently they kill far less often then male psychopaths, because they mostly get other people to kill for them. Which seems correct for Dedra.

Side note: Syril is wearing the same brown suit in this scene that he wears for his interview at the Bureau of Standards. I wonder if he thinks it’s lucky or something?

On D’Qar, Wilmon enjoys a barbeque while Partisan engineer dude tells Saw he knows all the variations to the drill doo-dad. Saw’s like, kid’s seen too much, he’s gotta die, and the engineer dude tries to convince Saw that Wilmon’s too good an engineer to waste like that. And THEN, he segues into how HARD keeping all the variations straight is, and how it would be easier if he just knew the target—

The theme for this episode is SOME PEOPLE NEED TO LEARN SUBTLETY.

You are so dead, my man. We’ve known for ages that Saw doesn’t play. Don’t ask for info you don’t need.

Speaking of information: Kleya tells Luthen about the Sculdun Problem. Luthen does NOT look thrilled.

On Ghorman, Cassian takes a tour! He watches the convoy in the rain! He goes down into the sewers!

At the gallery, Luthen is LOSING HIS SHIT. “Let’s keep making avoidable mistakes!” he says (which could be another title to this episode). Kleya is unimpressed. “This solves nothing,” she says while her boss (?) rants at her. What’s brilliant about this scene is how it parallels the ISB scene from Episode 4: the nascent rebellion has lots of information coming in through these bugs and radios and frequencies, but which ones are useful? Which information is worthwhile, and which is a distraction? How do you separate the wheat from the chaff? They need more ears, but they don’t dare bring anyone new on-board.

Back on D’Qar, Saw checks in with Wilmon and engineer Partisan guy—Pluti, I think? “Is he ready?” Saw asks, looking to confirm that Pluti can do the job. Wilmon says, “I think so,” and Saw pulls his blaster. “You think, or you know?” And Wil is smart enough not to lie to Saw. “It’s ‘neither,’” he says. “I’ve done what I can.” And blam, blaster shot through the back of Pluti’s skull.

Conveniently, Two-Tubes finds a comm on Pluti and Saw declares him a traitor, posthumously—he’s been transmitting to the Empire! Is that true? Ehhhh. Maybe. I kinda think Pluti was a traitor, what with all the questions, but to carry a comm around Saw—that’s twelve kinds of stupid. Anyway: guess what, Wilmon? You’re riding with Saw Guerrera now. Don’t fuck it up, kiddo.

We leave the hard-core violence of Saw’s revolutionaries, and now we’re back in the hotel lobby bar on Ghorman. (God, this set is so fucking beautiful. I want to go there. Like, I have been to cafes in Vienna that were not as beautiful as this, and I desperately need one of the pastries.) Rylanz is asking if Cassian is going for reinforcements, or if he’s running away. He asks Cassian’s opinion about the op the Ghorman Front want to carry out, and I really love Cass’ assessment: that yes, you can hijack the carrier and steal its cargo. But getting away is the problem—and that’s ALWAYS the thing Cassian focuses on: how do we get away from this? That was his concern with Aldhani, with Narkina 5, with Ferrix. Even with Scariff, at the start. But Cassian points out—the Ghorman Front won’t be getting away. They’ll be living at the scene of the crime, and they’re planning on advertising what they’ve done. And the only thing that can possibly lead to, in Cassian’s estimation, is death. Lots of it. I think he’s remembering Ferrix, honestly. Like, was that resistance admirable? Yes. Did it kill his friends and make it so that he and what was left of his family could never return home? Also yes.

And I think he doesn’t think these people have any idea what that really means. Not yet. He heard the bellhop. He listened. He knows they’re suffering. He knows that the Empire cannot be trusted, and that it has to be fought. But I think Cassian believes he—and they—have more time to build a better form of resistance than they do. We hear the chimes at the start of every third episode; Cassian doesn’t.

“Not much of a revolutionary, are you?” Oof. But there is such a difference between a revolutionary and a rebel, you know?

Revolution, after all, is not for the sane.

Forrest Whitaker, you are such a gift. The way this monologue starts so incidental—just in the background, while Wilmon carefully, carefully manages the drill. It’s there, but you almost try to ignore it, like you’re Wil, and you’re trying to focus on something dangerous and potentially fatal. And then Saw creeps closer, his cadence more unpredictable, excitable, as he describes the itch and burn of the rhydo in the jungle of Onderon. And when the valve opens and he inhales the spilling gas, we can hear his voice fraying at the edges, the mania and joy and volatility of the gas in his delivery. “Look at us,” he tells Wil, a hand on his shoulder. “Unloved. Hunted. Cannon fodder. We’ll all be dead before the Republic is back and yet… here we are. Where are you, boy? You’re here!”

We’re the thing that explodes when there’s too much friction in the air. Yeah. Yeah, you are.

[bruhstation]

can't it even be more obvious thomas. why are you surprised that a sudrian historical site filled to the brim with armor and weaponry that dates back to the middle ages has old people afflicted with the gold dust working around the castle

[muscariii]

RASHA COMIC

As I'm working on this thing I figured I'd make a pinned post with links to all the parts so they're easier to find :3

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

[deldaydreams]

Mafia Au/Good luck while running away from mafia part 5

İntro, Part 0.5 , Part1 , Part 2 , Part 3 , part 4 , part 6

Warnings: yandere stuff, my not too good English, mentions of death , fighting stuff, too long?..

Tags: @hrhqueenfox , @hasty-desert , @oceanside-pixie , @lianreine , @h3apm3ch4n151m , @cecilebutcher , @ayachansan , @roseapov , @randomlyappearingartist , @serenity-loves-red , @wonderlandcrown , @nightw-izhu , @moonlight-nightwing , @lorkai , @lucid-stories , @morokumi, @lloyura , @juliechi , @noemiaaomi , @eternal-ways @stingywiththeirusername , @00hellohello00 , @bougrell , @akumo-shioki , @beutifulthingsiadore, @kchan3s , @aryuunachigiri , @literallyangy , @sxftiebee

The sound of hard and fast footsteps echoed in the hallway. You suddenly opened the wooden door. The dark-skinned man sitting in the room was startled by your sudden opening of the door. However, he grinned when he saw that it was you who entered.

“Oh my little imp~ what wind brought you here?”

He opened his arms affectionately. However, you did not answer. You closed the circuit breaker of the room. Then you drew the curtains.

“Uh Y/n?”

After looking around for a while, you sat on the chair across from him.

“Please give me your phone.” You said coldly.

“Uh Y/n, you are acting really weird right now-“

You cut him off.

“Please give me your phone and any recording device you have, otherwise I am not responsible for what happens Sam-san.”

He gave you his phone in confusion. After closing up his phone , you threw the file in your hand on the table between the two of you.

“This?”

“I will be frank. We both know you sent this, Sam-san. The seal gives you away, I think you used it. To get me to come to you. Explain. Is what it says here true?”

The dark skinned man grinned. He leaned back in his chair.

“Look, I don’t know what you’re talking about-“

You pulled a check from your pocket and placed it on the table.

“Talk.”

The man’s eyes lit up when he saw the check.

“Oh, they really pay you well, huh? Okay, let’s talk then. Yes, I sent it and you know I do my job well, everything it says there is true.”

You clenched your teeth . You tensed up because you heard something you didn’t want to hear, but you had to stay calm.

“Someone must have asked you to send me these documents, otherwise I don’t think you would send me this just to do me a favor. Tell me, who was the client who asked you to look into these documents and send them to me?”

“Oh, my little devil, please you’re breaking my heart. I’m not that bad of a person, but yes, a client of mine asked me to look into this, but I can’t tell you who it is.”

“How much do you want?”

“Oh sweetie, I can’t answer this question even if you give me your entire bank account, I’m sorry. Another question?”

“Why? Why would they do something like that? The executives… why would they frame me? What have I ever done to them?” You were trying to control your voice.

“Well, I don’t know. No one knows what’s going through those maniacs minds. But it’s not a complete lie, I mean I’m talking about your blood relationship with that man-“

“I eliminated that man, and as my first duty! I didn’t even know about that man… until I got my hands on these documents. But I never betrayed the organization. Why?.. so who knows about the current situation?”

“So as far as I know, the executives naturally. Me, you and my Client.”

“So are you and your client on my side?”

“I don’t know about my client, but I only care about my money and of course it depends on the risk involved.”

You stood up. You adjusted your suit.

“You won’t tell anyone about our conversation today, Sam-san. Also, I have a job for you. I want you to report to me every step the executives take. Understood? if you do anything wrong-“

You took out your voice recorder from your pocket.

“I’ll drag you with me. Understood? Good. If anyone asks, I was here for the tea.”

You walked towards the door. Sam stood up at your words.

“Hey, how am I supposed to follow all of them at the same time? Hey Y/n!”

He tried to protest. You turned around before leaving.

“That’s your problem. And I’ll pay you as much as I can, don’t worry.”

And you left the information dealer alone in the room.

-

As you walked towards your office, you noticed that the door wasn’t locked. When you opened the door, you were met with Deuce. The moment you entered, the navy-haired Heartslabyul boy turned to you.

“Deuce? Why are you here?”

“Oh, hello Y/n. Trey-san made a strawberry cake. He asked me to bring it to you.”

“I see. Thank you…”

Your eyes drifted to the potted plant behind Deuce. He was busy with it until he noticed you had entered.

“By the way, how did you get in?”

“Oh, the door was unlocked.”

The door was unlocked , you thought to yourself.

“I see. If there’s nothing else, I’ll see you off. Don’t make Riddle-san mad with your absence, hmm?”

You tried to send him off.

“Oh, yeah…Right. See you then, Y/n.”

After sending the navy-haired boy away, you slowly walked towards the potted plant. You slowly started to water the plant.

You found the small black device you were looking for among the leaves. I found it, you said to yourself. Apparently there was an extra camera in your office. An unwanted camera…

- Current Timeline

“Look at the state of yourself . You’re a complete mess .” The black-haired beautiful boy criticized you.

“As if I care that much.” You replied indifferently. You were checking the cables of the machines while eating your sandwich.

“By the way, it was almost impossible to get into the city. I would like to point out that they have posted men at all the entrances and exits. How do you plan on getting out?”

The black-haired boy spoke again.

“That’s my problem Neige, just focus on your job.”

“…what exactly did you do that the entire mafia is after you right now? You’re the most talked topic in the underworld right now.”

You didn’t answer. You just focused on your job.

“Hey, I provided you with all that food, water, clothes, weapons and vehicle. Can I at least get a proper answer?”

Neige whined. But you just ignored him.

“By the way, this is an old abandoned place? What are we doing in this amusement park?”

The black-haired assassin asked.

“We’ll hunt.” You replied. You had completed the final checks by now.

“We’ll hunt? Aren’t you the one being hunted? Besides, you’re injured.”

“Just do what I said. I’ve already paid you and your boss owes me. Besides I thought you wanted to see Vil-san.”

The young assassin opened his mouth to say something but chose to remain silent.

“Whatever. Look, the plan is that either Ignihyde or Pomefiore will most likely attack. Diasomnia usually prefers to be the last one to show up . Your job is to help me escape from Vil-san, okay? It’s that simple.”

You explained your plan to him.

“They will catch you anyway. Why are you running away? Nonsense.”

You took a deep breath.

“I wish your mouth was as pretty as your face… Just do what I say, you understand.”

The young assassin shrugged and you two started to wait.

“Here they come.” You said as you watched the footage of the camera you had repaired

“You’re lucky. Vil-san came too.” You said as you cut the cable of the camera you had repaired earlier.

“Uh, why did you only fix one camera and then cut the cable again?”

Neige pointed to the cable you had cut.

“There’s a good chance they’ll split up and someone will come here to check. Anyway, let’s get to work.”

-

“So, they are hiding here?”

The Rookie assassin asked as he got out of the car.

“Mmh. According to the road records we got, yes.” The blonde sniper confirmed.

“Anyway, there’s only one entrance and exit to this place, and that’s here. Rook, you stay here. Epel, you’re coming with me.”

The Pomefiore executive said.

“I can do this job on my own-“

Epel tried to object.

“Are you stupid? Even though they are injured, Y/n was trained by Divus Crewel himself. If you go one-on-one with them, your chances of winning are very low.”

Vil stopped him.

“I don’t think there’ll be any problems. If there’s a problem, we’ll notice it through our communication devices. Let him do what he wants.”

The sniper intervened. The blonde manager sighed.

“Okay. But your communication device will always be on, is that clear?”

-

The young assassin walked forward with confident steps. What a big amusement park, he thought. He headed towards a tent that looked like a large circus tent that caught his eye up ahead. Perhaps the person he was looking for was here.

Y/n L/n is the right-hand man of Boss Crowley, the apple of eye of the executives, and according to some rumors, Crowley's heir. Before Epel met them. he found them annoying. He thought it was ridiculous that all executives were circling around one person, but after meeting them , he understood why. Y/n wasn't perfect, but there was something about them that drew people to them, something he couldn't quite put his finger on...

Y/n was affectionate, they would intervene whenever Vil would scold him or punish him. Sometimes they would bring him gifts from their business trips. They would have regular movie nights with the other rookies…but everything was ruined. Y/n ruined everything. They betrayed them...

When Epel entered the big tent, he was sure that it was an old circus tent. He started looking around… I guess they are not here, he thought to himself. He had just turned around when something fell on him from above. Someone.

The young assassin jumped back reflexively.

He was speechless when he saw the person in front of him.

“Oh, it’s just you. I thought it was Vil-san and got excited. Anyway, let’s finish this quickly.”

Neige LeBlanche. The best assassin in the underworld outside of Vil. The assassin who was always compared to Vil by many people. Just like Vil’s nickname was Poisoned Apple, Neige’s was Snow White. He was also the assassin of the rival mafia.

“So Y/n really did betray us, huh?” Epel said nervously.

The black-haired assassin didn’t answer. He just smiled…

-

Vil walked forward with firm and confident steps. For some reason, he had a feeling that the person he was looking for would be here, in the mirror maze. He stopped and focused. There were faint footsteps…they are here, he thought to himself.

He focused on where the footsteps were coming from…Clank!

“Oh, I broke the wrong mirror.” And again, and again…

The sound of mirrors breaking echoed through the maze.

And again, Clank!

You jumped back.

“Oh, I found you!” He grinned mischievously, like a child who had finally gotten a toy he had wanted for a long time.

He swung his dagger at your injured shoulder, but you managed to dodge.

“Bastard.” You said.

He grinned. You dodged as he attacked.

You could have attacked him if you wanted, but no. Vil’s goal was to distract you. You had to focus on and avoid his attacks . At least until Neige came.

Vil’s nickname wasn’t poisoned apple for nothing. He would kill his victims by poisoning them. He would also poison most of the weapons he used. So that dagger should never touch you.

You jumped back again. But suddenly Vil stopped.

“Look at you, nch nch nch… you are a mess. How much can you resist me, hmm? Besides, you are injured. If you surrender, even though you are a traitor, I can help you with your punishment. ”

“Traitor? Oh no, you are the one who betrayed. You betrayed me! All of you! I am only saving myself.” You said harshly.

Vil’s face tightened when he heard the word betrayal.

“We didn’t betray you. We just took precautions.”

You laughed unwillingly at his words.

“Precautions? Who do you think you are kidding? I heard those conversations with my own ears. Whether you accept it or not. You stabbed me from my back . I was going to be declared a traitor one way or another.”

Vil started to attack aggressively again, and you got defensive.

Where was Neige?..

Vil tried to hit your injured shoulder again, and just as you were about to retreat, a voice came.

“Vil-san!”

Neige LeBlance had finally arrived.

You backed away while Vil was distracted by the voice.

The black-haired assassin quickly attacked the blonde assassin.

“You’re late,” you said.

“Sorry, I ran into a little rookie on the way. Well, the rest is up to me. You can leave.” Neige replied.

“So you’re working with RSA, huh? And you’re saying you didn’t betray us!” Neige’s presence was more than enough to drive Vil crazy. You knew that very well. That was one of the reasons you wanted Neige. He was Vil’s greatest enemy.

You grinned and ran away from the mirror maze.

-

As you expected, you saw the blonde sniper at the entrance. He was waiting cross-legged.

He must have noticed your arrival because he stood up and smiled. There were only a few meters between you.

“It’s been a long time, huh? You have no idea how much I missed you.”

“I suggest you run, Rook. Vil obviously placed you here just in case, but I advise you not to waste time with me. I don’t know how your little rookie Epel is doing right now.”

The blonde man’s eyebrow rose at your words.

“What do you mean by ‘I don’t know’?”

You grinned to break the sniper’s composure.

“It’s true that I can’t ‘harm’ him, but who knows what an enemy assassin might do to him? If I were you, I’d hurry up and find him, otherwise…” you didn’t finish the sentence. Your words were enough to make the sniper nervous.

He looked at you one last time.

“You’ll get caught sooner or later, you know that.”

He said and walked away to find the young rookie as soon as possible.

And as for you, You got into the car you asked Neige to provide for you and drove away.

-

“Agh! You’ve got to be kidding me!” Ashton Vargos, once again frustrated, took the money from his losing bet out of his wallet and reluctantly handed it to Sam.

“It’s going pretty well so far, huh? But some people seem to be in a bad mood.” Crowley sipped his tea.

“Stop messing with Crewel, Crowley.”

Mozus Trein said.

“Trein-sensei, I didn’t do anything.” Crowley said mischievously.

“ You are truly the devil himself .” Trein sighed.

“You’re breaking my heart, Trein-sensei. I’m a real gentleman. Everyone knows that.” Crowley said, his voice wasn’t like the voice of someone who was upset, but rather a mocking tone.

“Of course, whatever you say. It's not like you killed the previous Boss and framed Ramshackle, who was the biggest threat to your seat. Now you're doing the same to them ... are you having fun?" Mozus Trein said. His voice was calm, perhaps because of his age.

"Very much. I'm having so much fun."

[edamameimei]

the sidelines (megan skiendiel x reader)

"watching the world from the sidelines, had nothing to prove. til' you came into my life, gave me something to lose."

synopsis: megan doesn't know much about the universe, but she does know she is very lucky to exist at the same time as you. tags: angst, a few fluff moments here n there. lots of talk abt philosophical things lol an: just want to put out there that this is not a REAL portrayal of the people mentioned in this fic. all events are fictional and are for entertainment purposes only. CW: reader has a medical condition. wc: 5333

⏯ now playing: sidelines - phoebe bridgers

Megan Skiendiel doesn’t know much about the stars and constellations. The amount she knows is only the Zodiac. She had basic knowledge of the subject and if anyone were to ask her about the different signs, she thinks she’d be able to give a decent description of them. She knows astronomers have provided their concepts of the constellations and storytellers well before her time have given them a meaning that many people have changed as those stories were passed down. Megan loves the stars. She can’t point out the shapes they form and she doesn’t know any of those stories, but she loves to stare at them. 

She wonders as she stares at you in class, if you ever think about the stars. She wonders if you knew about the constellations and their stories. 

She thinks, you probably do. You look like you do. 

The class you two share is Intro to Philosophy. 

It’s a required subject and to Megan, it’s a bit boring. A lot of reading that even her accommodations couldn’t help her manage. She doesn’t care to know what Socrates thinks about good versus evil, and she wasn’t even paying attention when they talked about Plato. She does know that you’re a good student. She often watches as you write notes quickly, listening to every word your professor says. You participate often, always raising your hand and giving an answer that didn’t make a lick of sense to Megan, but it always ends up being praised by their professor. The Chinese girl sometimes thinks about picking at your brain, wondering what other bit of knowledge it holds. But that requires her to interact with you. 

So, she sits at her desk and shyly glances at you during the lecture. She hopes for the day you forget a pencil and may need to borrow one from her. 

It ends up not being a pencil you need, but the notes from class on Thursday. 

She lies, telling you she also was not in class that day. In reality, she was too busy sulking over the fact you weren’t there to take notes. Even if you were, she still wouldn’t have anything to provide. She wasn’t much of a notetaker, she just hoped for the best on the exam. You look at her, a bit disappointed. When you turn back around in your seat, Megan couldn’t help the frown forming on her lips. It was her first real interaction with you and it was so short. She is about to look back down at her notebook but you turn around again, a sheepish look on your face. “Can I borrow a pencil? Sorry, I’m a mess today.” Her eyes light up, immediately nodding. She hands you the only pencil she had and you smile at her, grateful. “Thanks, Megan.” You turn back around, continuing what you were doing, unaware of how red Megan’s cheeks were. 

You knew her name. 

The most surprising thing about you is that you’re always five minutes late to class. 

With how prepared and diligent you are in the classroom, it shocks her every time you enter the room mid-lecture. You would walk in, an unreadable expression on your face as you walk toward your desk that is in front of Megan. She watches you put your stuff down and notices how you’re never in a hurry to unpack your notebook and pencil. It’s as if you were taking everything one step at a time, your mind checking off the boxes as you move throughout your day. Megan zones out, just looking at you. She widens her eyes when you turn around in your seat, handing her the pencil you were given last week.

You smile at her gently and whisper, “Sorry. I forgot to give this back to you.” Megan looks at the pencil, taking it from you. She bites her lip to try and contain the huge smile that wants to form. She looks at you and wonders if you notice the hearts in her eyes. She whispers, “Thank you.” You nod in response, turning back around to finally grab your notebook and pencil. 

It was all simple, really. But Megan’s heart skips a beat every time she thinks about you smiling at her. 

At one point during the lecture, her head finds the table comfortable, and falls asleep. She feels a light tap on her shoulder at the end of class and she slowly raises her head, confused. She looks around the room for the culprit and her tired eyes catch a glimpse of you exiting the room. She rubs her face with her hands and curses herself internally for falling asleep in class. She begins packing up her stuff, grabbing her laptop and blank notebook. Underneath her notebook were a couple of papers Megan had never seen before. She picks them up, trying to decipher what it was. She realizes they were the notes for today’s class. 

At the top was the date, your initials, and the subject for today’s lecture. 

Megan hates reading but she reads your notes about Existentialism like they were assigned to her. 

In her defense, it was assigned. It just wasn’t her work. And she most definitely will not be opening her philosophy textbook to get a better understanding. She finds your handwriting very neat, easy to read. She thinks the way you cross your T’s and write your Y’s is adorable. On the sides, you write your own formulation of the information. It was as if you were talking to yourself, having your own conversation inside your head. On the very bottom of the page, in dark red ink, lays a question that makes Megan’s brow furrow. 

‘Why do I exist?’ 

She hands you back your notes two days later in class. You smile at her softly, taking the notes from her. “I hope those were helpful.” Megan nods. She notices you wearing glasses today and she loves when you wear glasses. “They were so helpful. Thank you so much, Y/n.” You smile even wider at her, a chuckle escaping your lips. You say, “I hope they weren’t too messy, sometimes I get ahead of myself.” She shakes her head and gestures to your notes with an impressed look on her face. “No, they were so easy to understand, trust me.” You smile at her words, standing up to continue packing up your stuff. Megan stands awkwardly as she watches you, not knowing what else to say. She wants to continue talking to you but there is only so much to say with the little to no information she knows about you. 

When you finish packing your stuff, you put your bookbag on, giving her one more glance. You wave, “I’ll see you next week, okay?” Before Megan could respond, you turned away, walking out of the classroom. She sighs. 

A lightbulb goes off in Megan’s head one day when she looks down at her blank notebook during class. 

She looks up and sees you packing your stuff up. She stands, leaning over her desk to tap on your shoulder. You turn to look at her and she notices the tired look in your eyes. She almost decides against asking you the question on her mind but she wills herself to be brave. She takes a deep breath, asking, “Can I… Use your notes again?” You look down at her blank notebook and chuckle, looking back up at her with a raised eyebrow. “Fell asleep again?” Megan shakes her head, feeling her cheeks heat with embarrassment. She replies, “No I just. I’ve never been a notetaker…” She looks down, feeling silly. She continues, “I have… I’m dyslexic. So, it’s kind of hard sometimes.” She knows it’s a bit ridiculous to use that as a way to talk to you but she has been feeling desperate the last few days. 

There’s a pull toward you. It’s gravitating. 

She looks up and sees you digging through your bag. She bites her lip when she watches you pull out of your notebook, handing it to her without a second thought. “Here. You can take it after every class from now on, okay?” Megan shakes her head and takes the notebook from your hands. “No, that’s okay. Just today.” She says shyly but you wave her off, zipping your bookbag. You swing it over your shoulder as you reply, “No, every time. It’ll motivate me to take better notes.” You wink at her before waving goodbye. “I’ll see you on Thursday, Megan.” She waves back, feeling frozen in place as she watches you exit the room. She looks down at the notebook in her hands and squeals quietly. 

Apparently, absurdism was the topic of conversation in today’s class.

She reads through what you’ve written and she decides she hates the concept of this theory. It’s dark, pessimistic. Megan didn’t like the idea of the world not having meaning. And she can’t help but ask her own questions to counter the philosophers’. Why is it so absurd to add meaning to everything? Isn’t it human nature? To live with meaning, to find purpose in everything you do? How could you live life without the drive to find purpose? It was ridiculous. And Megan is glad you felt the same way. On the sides, like always, were your own thoughts and criticisms. She giggles at the frowny faces you drew, the poorly drawn thumbs down in response to a quote made by one of the fathers of absurdism. 

She stares at a sentence you wrote down. It sits with her as if the weight of it also affected her in some way. 

‘I have meaning. I have a purpose.’

She walks into the classroom on Thursday with your notebook in her hands. To her surprise, you were already at your desk. She walks up to you with a teasing smile. “You aren’t late today.” Her statement makes you laugh– a genuine laugh that makes you throw your head back. She places the notebook down on your desk and you look at her with a twinkle in your eyes. “Yeah. Just wanted to make sure I get everything for you.” Megan feels her heart beat rapidly in her chest. You came to class on time for her. A month has passed in the semester and you changed your habit for a complete stranger. 

The words tumble out of her mouth before she can stop them, “Can I get your number?” Her cheeks burn with embarrassment but the kind smile you give her eases the anxiety. You nod, pulling out your phone and handing it to her. “I was going to ask you after class today but you beat me to it.” Megan tries to keep her cool, nodding frantically. She puts her phone number into your contacts and saves it under the name, ‘Megan from Philosophy.’ She hands your phone back to you. “I agree with your notes,” She says quietly, she continues, “Like, your sidenotes. I agree with them and… I was hoping we could talk about it?” There’s a hopeful look in Megan’s eyes. She hopes she isn’t coming off as desperate, that’s the last thing she would want from this interaction. 

You open your mouth to respond but your professor walks in. Megan quickly walks to her seat, her cheeks still burning. She berates herself internally for being so weird. At some point during the lecture, she feels her phone vibrate in her pocket. She pulls it out subtly, checking the notification. She smiles widely at the message on the screen. 

You texted her: “Let’s do it. I’ll text you after I’m done with classes today.”

You text her: “Absurdism. Thoughts. Go.” 

She replies: “I think everyone has a purpose. Like, I think that’s what makes life so much fun.”

You text her: “Yes. Yes. I agree 100%.” 

She replies: “Absurdism is absurd!!!!”

She texts again: “Sorry. That was stupid.” 

You reply: “You said what you said.” 

You text her again: “Absurdism was created by cowards. I love making meanings out of everything.”

And again: “Do you wanna go to the library with me tomorrow?”

She replies: “Yes.” 

Megan meets you in the library.

She finds you already sitting at a table with your headphones on. You’re typing on your laptop, clearly zoned in on the assignment you were working on. Megan approaches you slowly, not wanting to startle you. She sets her stuff down and pulls out a chair in front of you. When she sits down, you finally look up from your laptop with a tired smile. You take your headphones off, setting them on the table. “Hey there,” you say softly. Megan waves at you before pulling out her laptop along with her notebook and pencil case. Your eyes light up at it. It had the Sanrio characters on it, all of them wearing cute little ballpark hats. Megan watches as you pick it up, analyzing it with bright eyes. “This is so fucking cute.” Your statement makes the Chinese girl laugh. 

She would have never taken you as a Sanrio person.

You set it down, an adorable smile still on your face. It makes Megan melt at the thought of you liking such cute things. She wonders what else you like, she wonders what kind of music you listen to. She wonders if you have any thoughts on the secrets the universe may hold. 

She settles for asking you what kind of music you like. It’s less of a mouthful. 

Conversation with you is easy. She finds herself laughing at everything you say, smiling during all of your stories. In return, Megan shares bits and pieces of herself with you. She tells you about about her friends on campus, how she chose her major. Megan shares things with you that she hasn’t talked about in a long time. After rambling for so long, she would pause to look at you, as if scared you had become disinterested. But you keep your attentive gaze. The same smile you had before stays on your lips. Megan felt seen by you, a feeling she doesn’t get often. After two hours, you two finally decide to work on your assignments. 

Megan looks at you as if you created the stars, handcrafted them, and placed them all over the sky with purpose. She looks at you as if you hold all the answers to the world. She only met you this semester but she can’t help but feel she has known you her entire life. You’re unaware of her staring as you check the time on your watch and for some reason, Megan chuckles. It catches your attention, making you look up to see the Chinese girl attempting to cover her small smile with her hand. You look at her curiously. “What’s so funny?” She points at your watch, her tone playful, “Do you forget to put that on when we have Philosophy class?” 

She notices the way your cheeks redden. You look away, rubbing the back of your neck. “I’m… Well, usually, on the days we have Philosophy…. I have to go to the school clinic right before,” you clear your throat before continuing, “I have a heart condition.” Megan’s heart drops to her stomach at your words and she immediately begins to feel bad for the joke she previously made. You notice her expression and shake your head. “It’s nothing serious. Don’t worry, honestly.” 

Whenever you’re late to class, Megan now finds herself worrying about you. 

Today, she watches you walk into class looking more tired than usual. She tries not to overanalyze you but she can’t help it. Her eyes follow you until you sit down. You don’t even reach down to pull out your notebook and pencil, simply putting your head down on the desk. She looks at you and she wishes she could ask how your appointment went. She wants to ask what you do at the clinic. But she isn’t sure if she was there yet with you. Everything with you so far has only been surface level and she wants so much more than that. Megan looks up at the board and sees a question written on it:

‘Is happiness the answer?” 

Megan leans back in her seat. For the first time since the semester started, she takes the time to listen to her professor. 

At the end of class, Megan walks over to your desk. She taps you on the shoulder and you look up with wide eyes. You sit up immediately, rubbing your face with your hands. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry!” The apology tumbles out of your mouth quickly. You’re about to say something else but Megan places a note in front of you on your desk. Written on it was the question from earlier and you stare at it in confusion. You whisper, “Is this what we did today?” You look up at Megan again and she smiles warmly. She nods, “I actually paid attention today. Wanna walk with me on the quad and I can explain it to you? I don’t know how good I’d be at it but–” You stand up, grabbing your bag. You look at her with a twinkle of excitement in your eyes and it makes Megan’s heart beat quickly in her chest. 

Oh, to make you look at her like that again. Forever, maybe. 

You two make a habit of discussing the topic of the day after class now. 

Megan finds you fascinating. The way you articulate everything so passionately, the way your brain makes connections to previous things told in the lecture, everything about you was so profound. 

Today was a Thursday and you find yourselves lying on the grass on the quad. 

Megan looks at you as if you were the only thing worth paying any attention to. She counts the freckles on your cheek, she loves the way your lips curl into a smile when you have a funny thought to share. She still thinks about asking you about the stars and constellations but she isn’t sure if it’s the right time yet. This moment with you was hers, and she wants to stick it in a locket as a keepsake forever. Without looking at her, you speak up, “You know the real question I’d like an answer to?” She smiles, whispering, “What?” 

“Does pineapple belong on pizza?” Megan giggles loudly, not expecting that question from you. She covers her mouth, her eyes turning into crescents as she continues laughing. For some reason, the randomness of it makes her stomach hurt with laughter. You join her, your cheeks hurting as you smile widely. As you both finally calm down, she glances at you again, a playful look in her eyes. “Are you being serious?” You nod, furrowing your brows, “Megan. I’m being very serious. These are the real questions those stupid white guys needed to ask.” 

The Chinese girl laughs again, her hand finding your shoulder to brace herself. She smiles at you with her whiskered dimples, responding through her giggles, “Those stupid white guys… It’s always a stupid white guy.” You nod in agreement, looking back up at the sky. At some point, you shifted closer to Megan, your shoulders touching. Megan’s breath catches in her throat when you turn your head towards her again, your noses only inches apart. You whisper, “So, does it? Pineapple on pizza?” She lets out a breathy laugh, her eyes looking into yours. Her fingertips brush against your hand and she wants more than anything to connect them. To feel that spark of electricity she knew would be there. Your skin is soft and she wonders if you’ve thought about her like she thinks about you.

“I think it does.” 

You scrunch your nose, sitting up from the grass. She watches as you grab your bag and she can’t help but laugh at your dramatics. “Y/n!” She says through her giggles. You bite your lip trying to contain your smile as you stand to your feet. Megan copies your actions, a wide smile on her face. When she grabs your wrist, she proves herself right. There’s a spark that sends shivers down her spine and when you turn to look at her, she wonders if you feel it too. 

She tilts her head, her eyes softening as she asks, “Can I wait for you at the clinic next week?” 

There’s a silence between you two. Her hand is still around your wrist and your eyes speak silently to each other. You blink at her as if waiting for her to take back what she said. But she doesn’t. She waits, patiently for an answer. 

You nod, replying, “My appointments are always at 9:30 AM, Tuesdays and Thursdays.” 

Next Tuesday Megan is sitting on the bench in front of the school clinic at 9:15 AM. You stop in your tracks when you see her, your eyes wide. You didn’t think she would actually come. Megan stands up from the bench when she notices you, waving excitedly. 

She doesn’t know this, but your thoughts run wild. The grip you had on the straps of your bookbag loosens and it scares you. 

She texts you: “How are you so smart?” 

You reply: “I’m not that smart. Philosophy is just interesting to me.” 

She texts you: “I need your brain.” 

You reply: “I like your brain.” 

She texts you: “I don’t think like you do.” 

You reply: “But I like the way you think.”

You text her again: “What is your favorite thing to do?”

She replies: “Dancing. And making music.”

She texts you again: “How about you?” 

You reply: “Being alive.” 

You text her again: “I also really like going on walks.” 

When you walk out of the clinic on yet another Thursday, Megan stands outside with a cup of coffee in one hand and a cup of match in the other. You look at the green drink with raised eyebrows, “Is that matcha?” She nods, forcing it into your hands. “Yeah. I looked it up and even though it doesn’t have as much caffeine as coffee, it still gives you the energy you need.” You look at her, still confused. Megan sighs, walking ahead of you. She doesn’t want to look at you as she talks, “You said you’re always so tired after your appointments but you can’t drink too much caffeine so… I thought that would be the best alternative,” She continues, feeling her cheeks burning with embarrassment, “I know some people hate matcha but I don’t know. If you hate it just let me know so–” She feels your hand on her arm. You spin her around, wrapping your arms around her tightly. 

She widens her eyes, not responding at first. She stands awkwardly for a moment in your arms, her hand clutching her coffee cup. After her mind finally catches up to her, she hugs you back, her arms around your neck. She buries her face into your shoulder, the scent of whatever perfume or cologne you put on filling her senses. She notices how warm you are, hugging you even tighter. You whisper, “Thank you, Megan.” She can’t help but notice how vulnerable you sound. Your voice was hoarse and there was a tinge of sadness to your tone. Megan was never the best at words, so she just held you. After a while, you finally pull away, your eyes glistening with tears. 

You had been crying. 

Megan reaches up and wipes your cheeks with her thumbs. She asks, “You’re not a matcha person, are you?” You laugh shakily. You sniffle as you shake your head but you still bring the cup to your lips, sipping the drink. You grimace but you quickly wipe it away, hooking an arm around Megan’s neck as you continue walking to class. By the time you get to class, you finish your matcha. You throw away the cup with a satisfied smile on your face. 

“Is memory enough to prove existence?” 

You and Megan sit with each other in your apartment, staring at the question for your essay. You look at her as if asking what she thought about it. She raises her hands in defense, “Don’t look at me. You’re the one who actually likes this class.” You roll your eyes, chuckling. You lean forward, grabbing your laptop off of your coffee table. “I never said I liked the class. I said I think philosophy is interesting.” She scoffs and gives you a pointed look, “That’s the same thing, isn’t it?” You shake your head and lean back against your couch. You stare at your computer screen, deep in thought. Megan leans her shoulder against the couch, propping her head up with her hand. She studies you like she always does. She smiles as she watches your glasses begin to slide off the bridge of your nose. 

She reaches over and fixes them. She asks, “Well, yes or no? Is memory enough?” You quickly respond as you type something on your laptop, “Yes, of course it is.” You look away from the screen, your brows furrowed and your lips pursed. “But I don’t think I agree enough to write like 5 pages about it…” You groan, closing your laptop shut. You shift your body, mimicking the way Megan sits. You both look at each other in silence, not saying a word. It isn’t until you snort, covering your mouth as you laugh. Megan looks at you, giggling, “What?!” You shake your head, zipping your lips as if what you thought about was confidential. Megan swats your arm, glaring. 

��Wait! Tell me!” You shake your head again, shrugging your shoulders. Megan feels her cheeks heat up. From the first moment she heard you speak in class, she wanted to know every single thing that went through your head. She wanted to know if you often thought about the universe like she did. She watched you from afar for months and she would be damned if she didn’t get to be inside your head just this once. She launches herself at you. She only intended to grab your shoulders, but instead finds herself toppling on top of you. 

She widens her eyes, looking down at you. She’s sure she is as red as her hair and she knows she should get off but you don’t make a move to push her either. You just stare at each other, wide-eyed. She breaks the silence, her voice shaky, “Do you know anything about the stars and constellations?” She says it so quickly that you almost don’t understand her. You tilt your head, an amused smile on your face. You reach up and tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear as you whisper, “What?” Megan giggles nervously, she looks away from you for a moment, biting her lip. When she looks back at you, she takes a deep breath. “Do you like. Know anything about the stars and constellations? Like… What they mean and stuff.” 

You look up at her, a warm smile on your face. You say, “I don’t actually. Do you?” 

Megan shakes her head, her smile getting wider as she responds, “No. Not at all.” She glances at your lips and whispers, “I’d like to learn though.” She looks up from your lips to your eyes. Your hand reaches up to cup her cheek, not breaking her gaze. As Megan’s eyes flutter close, as she leans in closer, you whisper, “We can learn together.” 

She texts you: “How many pages do you have now?” 

You reply: “Megan it has only been 30 mins.”

She texts you: “Well I have 3 so.”

You: reply: “Me when I’m a liar.” 

She texts you: “Yeah I like lying.”

She texts you again: “At least I don’t have to write the whole five pages.” 

You reply: “Two, right?”

She texts you: “Yeah. You’re a loser.” 

You reply: “Try asking for my notes tomorrow, Ms. Skiendiel.” 

She texts you: “I will literally fail the class without you don’t do that to me.” 

But, you don’t show up to class. 

And you don’t answer her texts asking where you are. 

She usually meets you outside the clinic but today you had an early appointment at 7:30 AM and you had to beg her to not show up. You told her to get rest and that you’d see her in class. 

But you aren’t in class. You were nowhere to be found. 

Megan doesn’t know the topic for today. All she could think about was you. 

Your grip was always on the handle of a suitcase. It waited to be packed and loaded into a car to go to its next destination. You always found it easier to be the first one to leave. Staying in the same spot for far too long always puts you in distress. When you were younger, you always groaned and wept about standing in the grocery line with your mother. The days when you were able to frolic amongst the dandelions in the springtime were your greatest memories. Your soul was vibrant yet quiet at the same time. 

Quiet enough for you to sneak out the back door. So quiet, you were always able to leave without a trace. It was less painful that way– to leave. 

When you were told about your condition, it didn’t phase you much. You saw it as another way to live your life with no strings attached. You were okay with never leaving a mark on this world. As long as it left an impression on you, you were satisfied. Sure, college weighed you down but you treated it as a side quest. The real adventure was what life had ahead and you were ready more than anything to take it into your hands and call it your own. You planned to coast through college, give your best in everything you did, and leave without a footprint to say, ‘I was here.’

The funny thing though, is that you didn’t take into account that you would meet someone like Megan Skiendiel. 

And then suddenly leaving became hard. The thought of never seeing her again made your body go cold. 

The grip on the handle of the suitcase loosened. Every time she looked at you, you felt like you were in a field of dandelions. Perhaps if you made a wish right now on one, its rays would whisper her name, almost pleading. If you could plant yourself anywhere, it would be wherever she was. That night in your apartment, as you looked at her, you realized you had found an answer. 

The proof of existence was being loved. And there was one thing your condition couldn’t take from you– the ability to love someone back just as much. 

Megan doesn’t fail the class. 

In her essay, she writes about you. She could have written an entire book about you but she settles for the 5 pages. She writes about you and your ideas of the world. She writes her essay as if she had been paying attention the entire time. She remembers your sidenotes, the little drawings next to them. She mentions the irony of how being alive was one of your favorite things to do.

When she gets her essay back, at the top right-hand corner is an ‘A+’ written in red ink. 

She smiles. She doesn’t care what those white guys say, this was enough to prove you exist. 

Megan Skiendiel still doesn’t know much about the stars and the constellations. But she does know that you didn’t either. Out of all the questions she had this semester, she’s glad that was the one she got the answer to. And with all the answers she was given, that one was her favorite.

a/n: i took a philosophy class last quarter, can yall tell? lol n e ways. hope u all enjoyed, lmk what u think!

requests are open

[bellametre]

Some Ultimate G/T Favourites

I've wanted to do this ever since I saw @gullivertravelstowonderland post the idea. I added a category or two because there's some media I just had to include, but here we go:

Favourite Tiny: Spiller

This shy, wild, golden-hearted dreamboat catalyzed everything for me. I became utterly smitten at the age of nine and went on to watch him in every Borrowers adaptation ever—an obsession that’s still going strong.

Favourite Giant: Optimus Prime

I was so jealous of Shia LaBeouf back in 2007. I don’t even have the toys, but I’ve consumed nearly every comic, show, and movie Optimus Fine appears in. When June Darby in Transformers: Prime says, “And I wore heels and everything”? Same, girl.

Favourite G/T Movie: Ultraman: Rising

If you haven’t seen this movie yet, why are you still here? Go watch it. It’s about a snarky, size-changing superhero who has to look after a baby kaiju. If you need more convincing, just look up a picture of Kenji Sato.

Favourite G/T Show: George Shrinks

Fellow Canadians know this was the show back in the day. Banging intro, unique plot, confident little genius of a protagonist—seriously, this kid made me covet being four inches tall like nobody else. And no, his Zoopercar was not cheating.

Favourite G/T Book: Valiant

Sarah McGuire delivers here: a host of giants, a kick-butt heroine, a villain with a superiority complex, and an attractive lord who gets injured so badly that one of the giants has to “cradle him like an infant” to carry him to safety. Good stuff.

Favourite G/T Manga: Godaigo Daigo

For yet another story about giant heroes protecting cities from monsters, this was a pleasant surprise. Kounosuke showcases all kinds of G/T relationships—coworkers, friends, parents, and romance—and every arc absolutely slaps.

Favourite G/T Webcomic: Piper

The fact that Dr5spectre has been on hiatus for almost two years now is one of the greatest tragedies of our time. But I beg you—check out this comic, especially the AUs. The Goblin of Dornenholtz is so soul-filling it hurts.

Favourite G/T Song: Touchy Feely Fool

It definitely has to be AJR. Not only did I grin like a maniac when I watched the music video, but I like to think the lyrics are about a tiny person who wishes they didn’t have feelings for a giant anymore but simply can’t help themselves.

Favourite G/T Magical World: Roshar *Art by Rocío Sogas

This is probably one that isn’t very well known in the community, but Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive is full of great G/T moments, particularly between the main character Kaladin and his companion Syl, a shapeshifting spren.

Character I Would Like to Shrink/Grow: Loki (MCU) *Art by keiidakamya

Guys, we were robbed. He’s literally part Frost Giant! Yes, we got a taste of it in What If…?, but imagine how the movies could have gone if this had been a form he took when he gained or lost control of himself. Robbed, I tell you.

· · ·

Ahh this was so much fun! I hope some of you feel inspired to try this; I think it would be a great way to find more quality (or not-so-quality) G/T content. There’s so little of it out there, after all.

[gin-juice-tonic]

You guys can read more of what I wrote for that episode if you want.

It connects back to this post about candy asking dipper and mabel for help with the man who lives in her attic, continuing from there

INTRO: https://gin-juice-tonic.tumblr.com/post/677209717915959296/this-is-how-the-episode-starts

(needs re-writing)

CANDY, MABEL, AND DIPPER ARE WALKING UP THE PATH TO CANDY’S FRONT DOOR.

CANDY: I heard you were called like, the “mystery twins!” now. So I thought maybe you could help me with my mystery.

DIPPER, SLIGHTLY EMBARRASSED: Well, that’s more of a working title, but it’s not really importa-

MABEL: Ohhhh I’m so excited to see inside your house, Candy! I hope it’s exactly like my dreams.

CANDY: I’ve had a few dreams of your house as well! Though, I hope it would be nothing like my dreams. It’s usually made of indescribable geometric shapes, shifting forms at high speeds.

CANDY: The furniture is very uncomfortable.

ALL: ...  

CANDY, DIPPER, AND MABEL ALL ENTER CANDY’S HOUSE. 

CANDY: Well, welcome to my home. Please take off your shoes.

IT IS FILLED TO THE BRIM WITH STUFFED ANIMALS (SHOW SEVERAL SHOTS OF ABSURD AMOUNT OF STUFFED ANIMALS)

[MABEL SCREAMS]

[MABEL AND DIPPER TAKE OFF SHOES WHILE LOOKING AT HOUSE]

MABEL: AOOHHH!!! Candy!!! It’s like a build a bear exploded in here! It’s all I’ve ever wished for!

DIPPER: You wish for build a bears to explode? [MABEL SMILES AND NODS]

CANDY: The plushies are all my mom’s. She's been collecting them since before I was born. She likes to display them around the house in various everyday situations. 

CANDY: See? Those two are on their first date. 

[SHOT OF CUTE ANIMALS ON DATE]

MABEL: Aww!

CANDY: And those two are rerouting the wires put in by the shoddy electrician who built this place in the 80s.

[SHOT OF TOY BEARS DOING DANGEROUS REAL ELECTRICAL WORK]

MABEL AND DIPPER LOOK OVER MILDLY CONFUZZLED: Huh.

CANDY: But anyway, we have more important things to discuss. Please sit down. 

CANDY GESTURES TO A SECTIONAL COUCH WRAPPED AROUND A TABLE

[CANDY AND MABEL TAKE THEIR SEATS, STUFFED ANIMALS ARE STILL EVERYWHERE - INCLUDING AROUND THE COUCH]

DIPPER IS FORCED TO SIT NEXT TO ONE OF THOSE CUTESY DOG ANIMAL PLUSHIES WITH THE BUTT-HOLES ON THEM. IT’S ON A SHELF EYE LEVEL WITH HIS HEAD. HE IS CLEARLY UNHAPPY ABOUT THIS. (S&P would likely not allow this. I do not care)

DIPPER, TURNING HIS HEAD AWAY FROM THE PLUSHY’S BUTT: So… what’s the deal with this attic guy you’re asking us about? 

CANDY CLOSES HER EYES AND MAKES A GRAVE EXPRESSION

CANDY: The Attic Man has been in my life for as long as I can remember. Always stomping around in the ceiling and scratching around in the walls when he knows I’m home alone. The closet in my room has a door connecting up to the attic… Sometimes, when I stay up too late, I can feel his eyes stare at me.

CANDY OPENS HER EYES

CANDY: I’m pretty sure he comes in my room when I’m asleep, and I spend every night wondering when he’s finally going to come down and take me away.

CANDY TURNS OFF A FLASHLIGHT SHE HAD BEEN USING FOR MOOD LIGHTING

MABEL: That’s so scary! What does he look like?

CANDY: I don’t know. I’ve never actually seen him. 

DIPPER: You’ve never seen him? How do you know it’s not just a racoon or something? 

CANDY: I’ve had my parents check up there more than a few times. They looked and set out traps, but have never found anything. If it was an animal, it would’ve been caught by now. He must be something at least as smart as a man to have evaded capture for so long.

CANDY: Additionally, the other day, I found… This. My first concrete proof of his existence.

[CANDY HOLDS UP A GUM WRAPPER]

DIPPER: You found some trash? 

CANDY: Not just any trash, Dipper. A gum wrapper! And look!

[CANDY OPENS UP THE WRAPPER TO SHOW THE GUM CHALKY RESIDUE STUFF INSIDE. ITS PINKISH]

[DIPPER AND MABEL LOOK AT EACH OTHER] 

CANDY: It’s cinnamon. Nobody in my family likes cinnamon gum! It’s disgusting! 

[CANDY GIVES THE WRAPPER TO MABEL]

[MABEL LICKS THE WRAPPER]

MABEL: Blegh!

MABEL, SURPRISED: Gasp! It is! 

MABEL HANDS THE WRAPPER TO DIPPER.

DIPPER INSPECTS THE WRAPPER INVESTIGATIVELY: So all we have to go off of is a cinnamon gum wrapper… 

DIPPER PUTS HIS TONGUE ON IT ABSENTMINDEDLY

DIPPER MAKES A GROSSED OUT FACE: (quietly) eugh.

DIPPER: -That could’ve been dropped by anyone.

CANDY: Do YOU know anyone who likes cinnamon gum?

DIPPER: Well… no. But-

[NOISES THAT ARE OBVIOUSLY NOT A RACCOON ECHO FORM THE CEILING]

[EVERYONE LOOKS AT THE CEILING IN SHOCK]

[CANDY AND MABEL LOOK AT DIPPER]

DIPPER: Okay. Those noises did sound pretty mannish. I maintain the gum still could’ve been dropped by anyone though.

(cut to black - commercial)

CANDY, STEALING A BRIEFCASE FROM A STUFFED ANIMAL, THEN PUTTING THE STUFFED ANIMAL IN THE BRIEFCASE : He knows what I’m doing! He’s going to get us before we can get him! We’ve got to leave!

DIPPER, STOPPING CANDY. Nothing’s going to get you! Don’t worry Candy, you can count on us. We’re the mystery twins, remember?.

MABEL, CLIMBING THE COUCH AND YELLING AT CEILING: Yeah! You hear that attic guy? The only one getting got is going to be you! When we get you! Before you can get us! 

DIPPER, PACING, THINKING: In order to figure out what we’re dealing with here, we’re going to need to get up into that attic and investigate. 

(Mabel hops down from the couch in a silly fashion)

DIPPER, TURNING TO CANDY: Since you’re the only one out of the three of us who lives here, we’ll need you to come with us to show us around. Can you do that?

[CANDY LOOKS DOWN AT HER BRIEFCASE, THEN UP AT MABEL AND DIPPER LOOKING BRAVE]

CANDY: …

CANDY: Can I be a mystery twin too? 

DIPPER: I mean that’s kinda our-

[MABEL SHOOTS HIM A LOOK]

DIPPER: Yes. You can be the third mystery twin.

MABEL: Alright! Mystery twins on 3!

MABEL: One two three! 

ALL: MYSTERY TWINS!

DIPPER: Three of us.

CUT TO STAN ON THE PHONE WITH SOOS.

https://gin-juice-tonic.tumblr.com/post/677211635075694592

SOOS SHOWS UP AT THE SHACK

STAN LEADS HIM TO A BIG CLOSET

STAN: First things first, before we do any actual cleaning you’re gonna help me throw out stuff from this closet.

[the-enhanced-project]

‎‧₊˚✧ Introduction ✧˚₊‧

Welcome to THE ENHANCED, a personal writing project that is a rewrite of a very, very old story I was working on a long time ago. I will probably never officially publish this, but I still wanted to get it out to the world somehow, so this blog came to be.

(The plot is really old so expect some cliches T-T)

I will be posting chapters (probably in parts) for your enjoyment. I do not have a definite release schedule yet, as I have to actually write it out first, but I will keep you guys updated as much as possible.

My plan right now is to write all of act 1 before I start posting so I can keep a semi-consistent schedule of publication, but that's open to change.

‎‧₊˚✧ About The Author ✧˚₊‧

Hiya!!! I'm Will, a queer, disabled teen author of (mostly) queer disabled characters :) I like to write what I know/can relate to.

You can find my main blog, where I post about the projects I actually plan on publishing, at @write-with-will !

I'm a minor (high school), so be safe when interacting with this blog and my main. I have no qualms against older people following along with this story though, especially since the characters are older. Just don't interact with me in ways a child shouldn't be interacted with and all will be well :).

I’m a boy please pretty please refer to me as such <3

Now that all that is out of the way, onto the story!!!

‎‧₊˚✧ Basic Info ✧˚₊‧

Status - writing!!!

POV - 3rd person

Tense - past

Genre - superhero fiction, urban fantasy

Tropes - found family, team as family, superheroes, superpowers, whump

Other - lgbt rep, poc rep, disability rep (all main characters)

Content warnings - this story includes references to past child abuse, alcohol (the main character works as a bartender), injuries that aren't in a ton of detail, death, past trauma, discrimination, violence, action, and lots and lots of angst

Themes - death, healing, family, platonic relationships, betrayal

‎‧₊˚✧ Synopsis ✧˚₊‧

Anya really, really hates lying to people. Which is weird, considering that when she's not suffering through getting a criminology degree, she has a part time job at the Pacific Northwest chapter of ERGO--an organization that protects and monitors people who were born....different.

The enhanced, they were dubbed, the handful of kids who were born around the world with any kind of 'enhancement'--from being exceptionally strong or fast to having wings. And just like anything new... it wasn't taken very well by the general population.

Anya's newest project should be fairly simple: check out college student Charlie, who they suspect to be enhanced, and to have some unfortunate connections that could be invaluable in the fight for acceptance and safety.

‎‧₊˚✧ Links ✧˚₊‧

(to be updated)

Navigation!!!!!!!!

‎‧₊˚✧ Tags ✧˚₊‧

#project: the enhanced - for any and all posts relating to this project!

#enhanced: character name - for posts about a specific character!

#enhanced: chapters - for the actual writing and chapters for this story!

#enhanced: updates - updates on how the story is going !!!!!! Usually spoiler free—surface level writing stuff

#enhanced: character intros - self explanatory--character bios I post!

#enhanced: lore - lore posts!

‎‧₊˚✧ Tag List ✧˚₊‧

(ask to be added)

@corinneglass @sunflowerrosy @eon-tries-writing @lunesartsworld @ark-inkweaving @nykenima @mymomsaysbobcipher

[angsthology]

THE KANGAROO(KIE) VS. THE WORLD

the misadventures of being the only female f1 driver through the eyes of the grid’s renowned snoopy-loving kangaroo

mostly thank u to @sebscore and @disneyprincemuke for the idea of fem!driver on the grid (i love both of them by them please check it out)

anyway! these are mostly from random spurts of thought i have along with memories of my toddler self who wanted to be race car driver! (did not in fact become one btw. im somehow becoming a law student instead). i also try to not use any y/n (which so far i have succeeded in, hopefully, hehe) and psa, she is often implied as a non-european. (well more on how i write her cause i write what i know)

also, apologies in advance, this is going to have a LOT of projecting <3

talk to meee!!1! (or maybe request just whatever)

tag << everything rvstw (asks, brainrots, & more!!)

ABOUT THE DRIVER

☆ introduction

a little intro into our driver and the likes of her (hcs)

☆ re-intro

idk car stuff and some designs

☆ more

just random stuff about her

☆ behind the driver

behind every little gremlin is a group of tired adults

ROOKIE ERA (2022)

☆ the origin story

the journey of when what and whys of our driver

☆ the kangaroo!

the story of how she got the nickname “roo”

☆ the gig

she’s... in a band?

☆ the presence

roo has been acting a little too quiet and when the drivers take notice of it they had to ask

☆ the figure

it started as an accident, ended with family

☆ the dye

who told him this was a good idea?

☆ the m problem

so... we need to talk about roo?

OH, WELL, THE MORE YOU KNOW! (2023)

☆ the rise

lets get the year started, yeah?

☆ the button (–2024)

it went from that to this

NEW YEAR, NEW ME (2024)

☆ the shoot

welcome to 2024! who is this person...

☆ the streak

she is posessed by the demon (her real self)

HOLIDAY HURRAHS (from summer break to winter breaks)

☆ secret santa

the process of how the 2023 secret santa went

☆ beach day

spending the day at the beach with a large group of f1 drivers may seem like a good idea until you remember some of them are literal children

☆ beach day the sequel

the consequences of your actions and some more actions

PADDOCK ENCOUNTERS (misc & shorts)

☆ chilli-pepper

☆ sold

☆ teenagers and baseball gears

☆ roo vs. the cameraman

BEST OF ROO (the compilations)

☆ radio

☆ incorrect

SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS

☆ after the gig

☆ what’s your roman empire?

☆ there’s another side that you don’t know

☆ new year, new name, and a vacation dump

☆ into outer space

[wisteria-lodge]

hi, i just wanted to drop in and ask if you know of any other blogs that post hp meta/discussion that are also very jkr critical? i love everything you write, but many of the other blogs i find when perusing tags are... questionable. its kind of a requirement for me to know that the people posting hp on my timeline don't hate trans people so if you know of anyone else who meets that criteria, i'd love to be linked!

Okay. Now the last thing I want to do is write a callout post (or the opposite of a callout post? A call-in post?) BUT. I do also know that this site can be hard and frustrating to use before you've built up a good follower list for yourself. I know it was definitely rough for me there at the beginning, when I first exploring HP tumblr.

So, this is not meant to be a comprehensive list, this is me going through my recent reblogs and DMs, and if anyone feels they should be on the list (or wants to be taken off the list - people use their fandoms to have a good fun chill time, and I respect that. Having a good fun chill place to exist is unbelievably important.)

But I would say these are are blogs who regularly write meta about Harry Potter that is primarily rooted in the books, while remaining critical of the books in way that I enjoy, and are some combination of funny, earnest, and academic (and drama-free, that's a big one.) I haven't gone and background checked them all or anything, but these are people who I've either had good, meaty conversations with in the DMs, have publicly posted about disagreeing with JKR and her political views, or that I've just followed for a while without any problems. Or some combo of the above.

As I'm sure some of the people on this list will tell you, we *definitely* interpret the books differently and have different headcanons, but their style of interpretation is one that fits with the kind of experience I want to have.

***

@saintsenara - a new follow, but I'm in the process of reblogging their back catalog, and they've definitely written about how to be a HP fan in post JKR-swan-dive-off-the-deep-end world, in the context of their absolutely hysterical crack ship series.

@thistlecatfics - bio says "fuck jkr in a canon compliant way" which I rather like. Their last post was a link to their new Sirius/Fanon Sirius one-shot - which was so sweet, clever, and well-written. Which I think is very much their vibe. I massively enjoy their "Harry Potter Characters in Therapy" series.

@pangaeaseas - a really fun follow. They post a lot, they're funny and their ideas are unique, original, and sometimes totally off the wall. It's like they keep throwing out fun little bookclub prompts/discussion starters, and then we all have a really nice time.

@its-the-allure - lovely, and my intro into some really fun, chill fandom communities. @etl-echo-audiobooks is fantastic, they do live readings of fic of their discord and then turn them into audio books. Did one of my metas once! Also they're currently running a Drarry fest, I snagged a prompt but there are plenty left.

@the-phoenix-heart - has been a mutual for a while. Their original stuff is mostly art, when it comes to text-based stuff they're more of a commenter and reblogger. But they're a GREAT commenter and reblogger. They know their stuff, and I would feel weird leaving them off the list.

@blorger - always has an interesting take, especially when it comes to worldbuilding, and they always do their research and cite their sources. Their last post was all about debunking the popular fanon that the non-Snape teachers are really prejudiced against Slytherin as a whole. Also, great fic reccomender.

@360degreesasthecrowflies - probably the most political blog on this list, which they would definitely agree with. What I really love about them is the way they're willing to go into historian mode, and find and repost some really excellent HP Meta originally written for Livejournal. I was never on Livejounal, so all this stuff is new to me, and I feel like it also provides a really good perspective on fandom history.

@arkadijxpancakes - really well-written, well-thought out, well-supported meta. Great thoughts on worldbuilding. One of the only blogs I've found that really digs into the Weasleys, but they have great takes on everything. Has a very reasonable, focused, lets-get-to-the-heart-of-the-issue vibe that I really appreciate.

@riddlesmoon - followed me recently, and I know you don't post as much original content as you'd like, but I think your comments are hilarious and very insightful, and you *should* write more meta.

@hollowed-theory-hall - another person who can cite their sources really impressively. Tends to do very comprehensive deep dives into worldbuilding out things like the magic system and in-universe politics, or doing very in-depth text-based character analysis. I also love it when they post designs and art, because they went in a very different direction than the films did, but it still totally works.

@trothplighted - I know them from their main blog, which is about literature in general and not HP, but this post got them to resurrect their HP meta blog! I've had fun discussions with them, and they have good takes on other literature, so lets see how this goes :D

@regheart - A good, mellow follow (but with absolutely zero tolerance for JKR and her antics.) A good blend of art, fic recs, and fun good takes. Just read a post of their reccing fics that are pro-Jilly, but still willing to dig into their potential issues as a couple. Which I think is pretty representative.

I 100% expect to add to this list as I think of/find more people, but that should be enough to get you started.

[aurelim]

Hey do you know any other mermaid/siren whatever of the water merfolk sort IF's? because there aren't a lot

I also loved as the ocean lures, hope to see more of it in the future

thank you so much! I hope to write more of it in the future 😂

As for mermaid/siren/anything water-like creatures, I’ve got a few. Most of them are just intro posts and ones with demos that are pretty short, so I’ll split it up into two categories along with their tumblr blogs. There are some finished ones as well but you’re going to have to pay for the entire game so I don’t know if you’re going to want to pay in order to read the whole thing. I won’t put it but I can add some if you’d like!

I don’t really follow VNs so you’re just going to get text-based games. Sorry about that 😅

There was another demo for a game called Kalopsia but it seems to have been deleted. And there’s another game where you’re found and then saved by a captain. Both were on itch.io but I can’t find either one.

Demos

Abysm’s Veil [thread] by Jacic (inspiration for ATOL, about the rusalki)

The Sea Maiden [thread] by Jacic (they have some other games but they’re short if you really want to check them out!)

Beyond the Waves by @allthatwrites (inspiration for ATOL, related to The Little Mermaid)

Voiceless: A Siren’s Song [thread] by Fare (MC is not a mermaid but they can help one!)

Disenchanted by @disenchantedif (you can choose to be a siren)

Drown With Me by @barbwritesstuff

Siren Call by @darkpetal16 (it’s based on Undertale and while MC is not a siren Sans definitely is)

Intro Posts

…And I Am Undone by @fakeyellow (short story based on Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid)

When Silence Speaks by @whensilencespeaks (seems to be on hiatus but the idea is really interesting!)

In Deeper Tides by @indeepertidesif (Disenchanted spin-off)

Through the Waves by @throughthewaves-if (this just came out recently and honestly I wouldn’t have known about it if I didn’t look at Zee’s reblog of it!)

I know there’s more, but I just don’t remember them or have yet to see them. If there is, please let me know!

There are some other IFs that are water related like @riptide-if (which is surfer related) but they’re not about mermaids or sirens.

Also, here’s interact-if’s list of mermaid IFs or water-related stuff if you’d like to take a gander. You can also just look up forums and Reddit for any mermaid recs. I’ve seen a few posts for them and people have given some. But I think I’ll cap it off here.

I’m so sorry to all the people I’ve tagged, but it makes it easier for people to just go to your profile and look at the amazing things that are cooking right now. Also because I’ve been making this list for about an hour and a half nonstop and I’d like to give my hands a rest 😅

(although I will tag @elegantunknownphantom as Zee probably has some IFs too that I didn’t list)

[weirdgenetic-fuckup]

No Nut November - Axl

A/n: The writing is going to get better in the other's I promise I just wrote this when I didn't have Wi-Fi and therefore autocorrect wasn't correcting automatically.

Warnings: Smut, no nut November, angst (it goes into self worth and stuff so if that's not something you're comfortable with then don't push yourself to read this :3), I think that's it but if I missed anything please let me know :3

Intro

There was no doubt in Axl’s mind as he left the studio that night that he was going to win this bet and get the 100 bucks. It was just a month of not nutting and he was one of the only ones who didn’t have a partner to go home to, Izzy being the only exception. He was damn sure he was gonna be the winner.

Of course, Axl being Axl he was also a cocky mother fucker and went to strip clubs almost every night, watching as the crowd grew and grew as the days passed. When Duff came in after the first week and said he was out Axl saw just how easy this would be. He was shocked Steven wasn’t the first one out, but it didn’t matter when he’d be the winner whether he was or not, right?

Half way through week two and he was at this new club that had just opened up. It was on a tamer street, a few divebars around but nothing much more than a few stores that closed earlier that day. The club wasn’t advertised as a strip club, nor was it said to be anything sexual, still everyone seemed to get the memo that there was more to it than just sad drunks and a greedy bartender. That was all obviously still there, but so were nearly naked pole dancers!

He walked and saw the dimly lit room filled with people all coming to check out the new joint. There were fancy bars on either side of the room, tables spread speradically about with stages around, some bigger than others to fit multiple at once. No one working there was wearing more than the bare minimum, most were even wearing less.

To the young singers eyes this was heaven. He had a pocket full of cash and a view of wonderful things, all while Led Zepplin’s Dazed and Confused played over the speakers.

Axl walked around, trying to either get a seat or find someone to talk to. He happened to find both when he caught Nikki Sixx’s eye. The poor bassist was drinking the night away while some dick talked his ear off about something or other so when he saw Axl he called him over and, rather rudely, shoved the other guy off his chair.

The man must have been out of his mind wasted because he just kept complaining as he walked off, not seeming the slightest bit mad at Nikki. I mean, all around were hot people, how could he be that upset?

“What’re you doing here?” Nikki asked, happy to have someone else to talk to.

“Wanted to check out the new place, what’d you think I was doing?” He answered confidently as Nikki bought him a drink, a thanks for saving his ears.

“Yeah, but,” he started, glancing around the club, “I thought you guys had some kind of bet going on?” Axl took his drink and thanked the bartender.

“You heard about that?” He took a sip.

“Whole scene’s heard about it at this point.” The raven haired man said as he took a sip of his own drink, a jack and coke. Axl shrugged and set his drink down. “You lose or something?” His attention shot to Nikki at that.

“What? No way, so far only one out is Duff.” Nikki laughed at the gingers immediate defence.

They kept talking into the night until the bassist eventually got bored and went to find someone to take home for the night, leaving Axl to his own mind.

He watched the club, taking occasional sips from his drink. Amidst all the partying he saw many things, a girl yelling at a man, a break-up or divorce as Axl assumed, Nikki heading out with three girls on his arms, one already sucking his neck.

By far his favourite sight that night was this one waitress, she was gorgeous and wearing the skimpiest little bikini, or was it lingerie? Axl couldn’t get a good enough look at it, not from this distance.

He watched as you walked from table to table handing out drinks, chips and chicken, the holy trinity of a strip club. Every time you finished handing things to a table you turned around and waited for them to slip you your tip into the strap of your bottoms. One guy slipped in a ten and smacked your ass so you turned back and demanded a twenty, to which he happily obliged.

Axl loved the spirit you had, he hated seeing some other guy touching you when he so desperately wanted that instead. Seeing that you didn’t take too kindly to it made it all the better for him.

When he saw you coming closer to him, or rather the bar behind him, he took his chance and slid up beside you while you waited for your next tray of beverages and snacks.

“What’s a sweet thing like you doing working here?” He asked with that shit eating grin of his plastered on his face. You turned to him with the most disgusted face you could muster.

“Working.” You looked him up and down, seeing the expensive clothes he’d adorned himself in. “I see you don’t know the meaning.” You muttered. Axl looked taken aback by that comment.

“Don’t know the meaning?” He repeated in an offended tone. “I’m the lead singer of Guns N’ Roses, I could buy you and this club.” He declared. You side-eyed him, still unamused by his presence. He liked that look you gave him, it was a challenge, and he loved challenges. “When do you get off?”

“After your bedtime, sweetheart.” You bit, shooting the bartender a glare as if asking ‘what’s taking so long?!’.

“Oh, come on...” Axl groaned, scanning around the room. “How much for a dance?” He asked, looking back at you. The bartender came over and started making the drinks.

“I’m not doing dances tonight.” You stated.

“No?” Axl thought for a moment, seeing the drinks were almost done and he was running out of time. “How about your number then?” You snorted.

“I only give my number to paying customers.”

“I am a paying customer.” He gave his drink a swirl and took a sip.

“Different customers.” You picked up the tray and started walking away, Axl followed.

“But you aren’t doing dances tonight.” You didn’t reply. “Does that mean I have to come back?” He refused to let up on this.

You managed to slip in with the crowd and he lost you. He could find you and went back to his seat, keeping an eye out in case he could catch you again.

Hours passed, he was about to go home when he just barely got you about to leave to a room in the back. You were talking to one of the security guys there and he rushed over to you.

He reached for your arm when he got to you to get your attention. Of course you turned around at the contact, rolling your eyes when you saw it was him. He pulled out two 100 dollar bills and held them out to you. This caught your attention.

Your jaw dropped and you stared at the cash with wide eyes. “This, for one night with you.” He said with a smile. You looked between him and the money in his hand, chewing your cheek as you thought it through in your head.

“Rockstar, huh?” You mumbled, Axl nodded. “Make it four.” You stated, folding your arms over your chest and holding your chin up high as if you’d won. Then he pulled out two more hundred dollar bills.

“Choice is yours, sweetheart.” You were still hesitant but the money was good, and how bad could it really be?

Axl, on the other hand, was more than happy to be walking out of there with you under his arm. Best four hundred dollars spent in his life.

You got your jacket and bag and left with him.

“My place or yours?” He asked as you both walked down the street.

“Hotel.” You replied as you glanced down the street either way before leading him across.

“My place is nicer than a hotel.” Now that you were out of the crowded club you could really hear his voice, it was deep and already had your mind running. This was just one night, but you’d rather enjoy yourself at least a little, it was better than some of the other guys that had been hitting on you since the place opened.

“I’m not staying at your place, I’ve read too much psych horror.” You told him. There was a hotel not far from the club, since it was so close the two had a deal and all you had to do was show the receptionist a card to get a free love suite.

“I’m not into all that stuff.” Axl said, looking at you, his voice suddenly much more serious now. There was something about that look in his eyes that made you feel safe, but you just couldn’t quite place it.

You nodded and kept walking through the hotel to your room.

You went straight to the bed clothed in black sheets, red velvet comforter and fluffy pillows with a red canopy overhead and heart shaped rug underneath. There was a small kitchen in one corner and a smaller room that was the bathroom not far from it.

The only lights in the room were colourful LED’s and there was a grand window at the other end of the room leading to a balcony. And the best part? Speakers. What more could you want when hooking up with some guy who claimed to be in a band. Of course you’d heard of Guns N’ Roses, but you’ve never seen a picture of them, for all you knew this was just a dick. Still, four hundred dollars is four hundred dollars.

Beside the bed was a small table with a drawer. Inside was a bottle of lube, fluffy handcuffs, a silk blindfold, and a box of condoms. You ignored the kinky shit and grabbed the condom and lube, tossing them on the bed as you took off your jacket.

“We don’t need a condom.” Axl stated.

“Fuck you, you’re putting on a condom.” You barked.

“I-I don’t plan on cumming.” Axl said with a chuckled. Your brows were knitted together as you stared at him. He bit his lip and tossed the box back to you. You were quick to grab it and throw it at him without breaking eye contact, the box hit him in the head.

Not wanting to fight on this Axl just opened the box and took one out before starting to take his clothes off.

He got the condom on and turned back to find you starfished on the bed, looking more ready for sleep than sex. He smiled softly at you and got on the bed beside you. He brushed some hair out of your face, you opened your eyes and looked up at him.

“Tired already?” He asked. You nodded and rolled over, onto your stomach.

“Yeah, can we get this over with fast so I can go to bed?” You mumbled, drawing a chuckle out of Axl.

“Don’t you wanna look at me when we’re doing it?” He asked as he ran his hand along your back and undid your top.

“Not particularly.” Axl hated to admit it, but that kind of hurt. He was determined to get through this night so he could get your number, but also because he wanted to spend this night with you.

He got behind you and poured some lube onto his fingers before spreading it through your folds. You gasped softly at the cold feeling, it turned into a moan when Axl slipped a finger into you.

Slowly, he started pumping in and out of you, stretching you out as he went. You shifted around a bit but always kept your back to him.

Soon he leaned over to whisper in your ear. “If you feel uncomfortable you can tell me to stop.” He assured and planted a soft kiss to your shoulder.

He lined himself up with you and pushed into your cunt. His head fell back at the feeling of your gummy walls tightening around him, he couldn’t believe this.

He waited a moment for you to adjust to him before he started moving. You held yourself up on your hands but you were mostly sitting in his lap, his hands on your hips as he thrust up into you.

Noises left you, soft moans and sighs. Axl’s arms snaked around your waist until he had his right hand on your left hip and his left hand on your left shoulder, he had you pressed up against his chest. His mouth was right by your ear, you could hear every little sound that left him. His deep grunts and groans falling into your head.

“Fuck, you’re so pretty.” He whispered. “I knew it as soon as I saw you walking around that place... You don’t belong there.” His words had you blushing. Not that he could see... Not that you’d tell him, either... 

“I belong here, right? In your arms? On your cock?” You asked, not convinced of this warm persona he had on. He was still a rockstar, you told yourself.

“No.” Again with that serious tone. He brought the hand that was on your shoulder to your chin, turning your head to look at him. “You’re better than that place, and you know it.” His hips stopped for a moment, he wanted those words to really stick with you. “I’m not asking you to love me, I’m just asking you to let me take care of you so you can get out of here.”

You stared into his eyes, they glimmered in the moonlight spilling in through the window. You got off of his lap and turned to face him and sank back down on him. His lips parted in a silent ‘oh’ at the feeling of being inside of you once more.

You wrapped your arms around his neck, holding yourself close to him. Axl’s arms wrapped around your waist, his hands planted firmly on your back. “You’re really beautiful, you know that?” He said, blue eyes sparkling up at you, the smirk he had not long ago traded in for a smile, the corners of his lips curved downward as if this was a new feeling for him.

“You need to stop saying stuff like that.” You muttered with a soft chuckled. You didn’t want him to stop, not in a million year did you want him to stop.

“Why should I when it makes you so flustered?” He rolled his hips, drawing a soft moan from you. “You’re so cute when you’re shy,” you shut your eyes and bit your lip to muffle any sounds that tried to leave you, “when you’re blushing,” again he rolled his hips, “when you try to hide how good I make you feel.” He kissed your lips. You hesitated a moment before reciprocating.

It wasn’t the heated moment full of passion Axl had planned for. No, this was better than that.

He didn’t move any faster than what he was doing, he didn’t go harder either. He was enjoying the warmth that came from you, how you melted into him even after the kiss broke and you were leaning your forehead on his so every soft sound you made fell onto his lips.

“Hah~ fuck, I-I’m gonna cum.” Your voice was airy as you spoke. Axl smiled and brought a hand to your clit, rubbing circles against it with his thumb.

“Fuck- Such a good girl, go on and cum for me, let yourself feel good.” Axl praised. He couldn’t ignore the knot building in his own gut as he continued to rut up into you, all he had to do was ignore it. He couldn’t lose before Steven, he just wouldn’t let himself.

You started bouncing on his cock, doing just as he said and letting yourself feel good. You came on him, shoving your face into the crook of his neck as you did. Your cunt fluttered around Axl and he couldn’t stop himself from cumming into the condom.

You held each other for a long while. You were letting yourself come down from your high while Axl was mentally beating himself up for letting this happen.

After cleaning up a bit you fell asleep together, your head resting on Axl’s chest while he had his arms around you.

The next morning Axl woke up alone. He looked around the hotel suite, hoping to God you were still there, somewhere. All that was left was a note with your name and number on it.

[writingseaslugs]

Diasomnia: When You're Sick

The last dorm, and probably the one dorm you don’t want taking care of you…minus Silver. Hope you guys enjoyed this dorm series, I know I did. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to skedaddle back to work. Also the intro is the same for all parts, so if you’ve read it once, you’ve read it all.

Disclaimer: All characters in this series are aged up. For more information about my version of this world and the type of reader you can expect, please click the “Au Information” below!

Request Information | Masterlist | Au Information

Diasomnia: When You’re Sick

The worst thing to ever happen to you while attending Night Raven College had to be, hands down, getting sick. You were alone in the dorm with only ghosts and Grim to keep you company, and as much as you loved them, they couldn’t take care of you when you became sick. This meant you had to make do and hope that everything was alright. Normally if you were under the weather, you’d just suck it up and go to class so as to not worry anyone. This time however, that wasn’t an option.

You woke up with every muscle in your body feeling sore and aching with even the slightest movement. Your stomach churned something fearsome and you had a runny nose and cough to boot. You had no idea what illness you had fallen to. Having so many symptoms…you could only assume it was the flu or something akin to that.

Still, there was no way you were making it to class like this. So begrudgingly you told Grim you weren’t feeling good and needed to rest, and to go to class and get your homework so you could do it later. The demon cat was grumpy about not having his henchman, but eventually gave in, leaving you alone to rest in your room and hope that whatever you had would go away.

Malleus Draconia

Sebek will be the one mentioning you being sick in passing, noting how Grim had been out of control due to your absence. That’s all Malleus needs to hear before he’s sneaking away from his retainers and going over to your dorm. Thankfully you’re asleep when he appears in your room. He’s standing over your bed, looking over you and placing his large hand over your forehead, noting that it’s warmer than it should be. This prompts him to call up Lilia to inform him of the situation. That’s where the trouble begins.

Malleus has no clue how to care for a human, so it’s already off to a rocky start. Lilia himself knows a little bit, as he had to take care of Silver. The thing with Silver is, other than the narcolepsy, he was always a fairly healthy child…according to Lilia. Really he just always missed the signs that Silver was sick or though it was just a quirk. So now you have two fae over your bed, trying to figure out what’s wrong as you slowly wake up and meet their eyes. You might have a heart attack that devolves into a coughing fit as Malleus is frantically trying to help you.

You’re going to be the one needing to tell them they need to get you the school nurse, and no this is not the time to experiment with treatments. Malleus does so, just because you seemed really adamant, and it’s a good thing. The nurse is nervous with both Lilia and Malleus in the room, but eventually manages to figure out how to take care of you, and even noting that the stuff served in the cafeteria is best for your recovery. Once Lilia knows Malleus has it handled, he leaves. Malleus is doing everything the nurse says, with a little flourish of magic, to make you get better faster. He’s pretty good at reading you as well, so if you move slightly he’s already fluffing your pillow to make it more comfortable, and asking if you’d like more water. He can be very doting normally, and it only increases once you’re sick.

Malleus is going to be relieved, but also not trusting that you’re totally better. Be expecting him to take care of you for a solid week after you’re better, visiting you after classes and bringing you meals, as well as checking your temperature the entire time. It’s not that he doesn’t trust your word, he just doesn’t trust the nurse having the best treatment plan. If he could have it his way, he would’ve brought you to Briar Valley to have one of the doctors there check you over.

Lilia Vanrouge

Lilia had just decided on a whim to visit your dorm the previous night, wanting to see what you were up to. When he found you curled up in bed shaking, clearly still asleep and unaware of your current condition, he decided to just stick around until the morning. After Grim leaves for school, he makes his grand appearance and is asking you what’s wrong. He’s not as concerned as he should be, since he’s seen Silver like this many times and his son has always made a full recovery. Still, he is a little upset to see you in such a state.

He’s not the best, at all, but he kind of knows what to do. He’s taken care of Silver while he’s sick so he assumes he knows what he’s doing…he doesn’t. If you had a fae illness, he'd be perfect. He could treat that almost as well as a normal doctor. A human illness though…well he’s less experienced in that. Still, he’s going to try and do his best before calling the nurse to get whatever medications he needs to hand you. At least he’s willing to call in help once he figures out he doesn’t know how to make you better.

He’s pretty attentive, if not a little teasing while he takes care of you. Again, he knows you’re not dying so he can have a little fun with it. He will try to put some medicine on a spoon and pretend to be a bird as he brings it to your mouth. Show him the most unimpressed look and he’ll break out into a fit of giggles. Just make sure when it comes to meal times, you request being brought something from the cafeteria, letting Lilia know that his seasonings would be too much on your stomach right now. He agrees and brings you proper food, even if he really wants to add something to it.

He’s going to be over the moon when you’re all better, telling you how happy he is and asking if you want to do something fun now. There’s no resting time after being sick, he’s been so good the past few days waiting for you to be better, that now you need to go and do something with him. He’ll be happy if you agree to sit with him in his dorm room and play a few rounds of a video game though. He’s just happy to have you back honestly.

Silver

He’s another one who finds out through Sebek. He’s half asleep when Sebek begins shouting about how you’re missing and Grim is causing havoc and how he won’t stand for it. Silver only hears you’re missing and after asking he finds out you’re sick. He knows just how bad it can be, being sick with nobody to take care of you. Most of the time Lilia didn’t even realize Silver was sick growing up, so he was on his own. This is going to prompt him to go ahead and check in with you.

Silver is actually pretty good at figuring out what to do while you’re sick. Since he normally took care of himself growing up (even if half the time it was sleeping it off) he at least knew the basics. When he noticed you had  a fever he was looking for things to help with it, alongside something for your cough and stomach. In no time he had all the things he needed to take care of you, and was able to do it without much of an issue. Good news for you, he is very quiet while he speaks to you, so you don’t need to worry about his presence causing you more of a headache.

He’s not perfect at it, but he tries to keep a good schedule up to make sure you’ll be okay. He can cook you something to eat as well, that tastes pretty okay so he doesn’t need to worry about running to the cafeteria before it closes. For the most part though, you both are asleep. In fact, sometimes you need to nudge him awake to grab your medicine, which he will sleepily do and mumble something about being sorry about falling asleep like that.

He’s relieved to know you’re all better and that he managed to help you, but he’s exhausted afterwards. Let him crash at your place and possibly also check in on him to make sure he didn’t catch whatever you had going on. Once he’s awake he’ll just smile and say he’s grateful you’re feeling better, but he needs to get going since you’re both behind on school work. He doesn’t need anything in return for helping you, but if he ever does get sick it wouldn’t hurt to help him out. He was good to you, so returning that favor is needed…especially since Lilia might not even notice Silver is sick…again.

Sebek Zigvolt

He’s going to notice right away once he sees Grim by himself, doing whatever he wants. He’s going to say the only reason he’s going to check in on you is because the sooner you’re better, the sooner you can control Grim. After all, Grim being crazy can disturb Malleus and cause distractions, and he would be a horrible retainer if he allowed that to happen. Nobody but Lilia and Silver would comment about how he was more fidgety the moment he found out, and how he bit down on his bottom lip, gnawing it with worry for you.

Sadly he’s another one who’s totally hopeless when it comes to taking care of someone else. More or less…it’s a bit disastrous. He’s too loud and causes headaches by accident, and he hasn’t the faintest idea on human illnesses despite being half human himself. Normally when he got sick, nobody knew if it was a fae or human illness, so he was treated for both. Which doesn’t bode well for you since he’s going to use that to try and treat you initially.

Once he realizes his efforts aren’t making you better, he’s going to call Silver to help out. He doesn't want to bother Lilia for something like this, and Silver is the only human he likes other than you. Thankfully Silver explains what to do and Sebek will do so, but stumbles a bit. At least you’ll slowly be getting better, and he’s not an idiot and will make sure you’re eating good food. He’s determined to make you better, and eventually he forgets all about the horrible excuse he told others, letting his worry take over for you. After letting him know his voice is a bit too loud, he’s going to quiet down for you. 

He’s relieved to know you’re better and for a while he’s significantly less tense, and everyone notices. Lilia is going to be teasing him about it, making poor Sebek go bright red since he’s been outed for caring about a lowly human. When you thank him, he’ll go back to the lie he told everyone else about wanting Grim to be properly handled, but the red on his cheeks is persistent enough to let you know that it’s a horribly fabricated lie…though you would’ve been able to tell either way.

[janecafe]

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i mostly spend my day offline on socials, reading tons of books and manga, casually drinking 3-4 cups of coffee and gardening. i started practicing tarot three years ago, i've not known much but i am hoping and thirsty to learn more.

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[antimony-medusa]

How To Set Up An Ao3 Exchange

One of the first things I say whenever anyone asks me about running exchanges is that if you have more than about 30 people in the exchange, do NOT try to match it by hand. That is so much work and takes so much time. Use Ao3's matching algorithm. And people say sure, and then they look at how Ao3 works and they go uhhhhhhhhhh I think we can make a google form work. Because google forms are reasonably intuitive to make work, and Ao3 exchanges are— not.

But the thing is, once you understand the underlying logic for Ao3 collections, they are not that bad, and seriously I can't overstate the benefit of having Ao3 do the matching for you. That's like the difference between 80 hours of curating data as it comes in and then matching it (what happened with hand-matching 325 people for holiday exchange), or 2 hours of double-checking the matching (what happened with matching 125 people for 48 hour exchange). You have to put in extra work to get an Ao3 exchange set up, but it super pays off in the end. So! Here is an intro to how Ao3 exchanges work on the back end. This explanation assumes you know how to sign up for an exchange because I've posted ones like that before, for example, here.

Let's get into it.

THE COLLECTION

The first thing you want to do is set up your exchange collection. If you go to your right-hand drop-down menu, you click on My Collections.

That brings you to every collection you have ever made, and you go to to the right and click "New collection".

That brings you into the back end of the collection. You want to go down and put in a name for the collection that will be the url (so no spaces), a display name, an email for the collection to email when something happens to the collection (this will be public, so use a fandom email), and a basic description.

There's places there to do custom icons and headers, but those are optional, but you can go in and make your exchange pretty later if you want!

We are still in the "setting up" stage of the exchange, so once we go to preferences, you want to select all the tick boxes and make it look like this.

Moderated means that you'll have to manually approve things to be added to the collection (not absolutely necessary but can keep out trolls, and it also means that you can manually check that gifts meet minimums before you let them in to the exchange), Closed means that no one can submit things to the collection yet (once you open your exchange you de-select this), Unrevealed means that any works in the collection will show up as "mystery works" and not be readable (so you keep it unrevealed until the posting date, so people can post early but not spoil the surprise), anonymous means that all authors will be anonymous (this depends on if you have an anonymous portion of your exchange, so it's optional), "show random works" just means that you get a selection of different works when people visit the collection at different times, "send a message to the collection email" is optional but is useful for moderation (like if you're checking people off a list when their gifts get delivered), and "type of challenge" you want to be set to "gift exchange".

and then on this page the only other things of concern are places where you can put in an FAQ, a description and some instructions, but those are all optional! I normally host the FAQ on tumblr, so I just say "go check the tumblr at [link]".

And then you hit the submit button.

Now we get into the nitty-gritty.

First up is some optional stuff— you can add in the times that you're going to do things! This is useful for communication, but not necessary. We're still setting everything up, so you do not want Sign-Ups to be open, that is only selected once you have everything ready to go.

Then scrolling down, you get to Requests and Offers.

This is where you specify the absolute minimum ships or characters that you want people to give you to sign up. 10 is the maximum Ao3 allows, so I always set it to 10 for both "allowed", which is the maximum the site will allow. And required is the low number. I usually set it to a minimum of three, to make sure someone doesn't sign up with "i will only write one ship" or something. This way, people will have to do a minimum of three separate requests and offers.

The "requests visible" is part of the back end thing, and it's up to you if you want to select it or not. If you keep it unselected, the only person who will be able to see requests is the mods, and eventually each person will see their assignment. If you select it, people will be able to browse everyone's requests and both maybe target offers so they can write for a specific person, and be able to find treats (extra bonus gifts) to write for people whose requests they like. Each side has its own benefits or negatives, it's up to you which ones you want to go with!

And here we get into more of the matching info! Let's look at Request Settings.

Now this is what the settings would look like for a multi-fandom exchange. The "details/description" box you want to make mandatory because that is where people will put their DNW and their prompts (and you absolutely want to make sure everyone has a DNW), and the url is an optional one which lets people link an off-site letter on google docs or dreamwidth.

Fandom allowing up to three fandoms means that people can do crossovers if they want (or tag a request something like 3rd life/hermitcraft), and if I wanted to say that people had to request 3 separate servers I would say "must be unique" but I'm okay if people sign up with three Dream SMP relationships in this idea hypothetical exchange, so I'm not selecting the unique button.

I'm ignoring the characters button cause that's extra complication, the only other thing I want to look at is the relationship button. A minimum of 1 ship per request (and there's a minimum of three requests), and let's say you can go up to 20, so people can request LOTS of different ships. I did select "must be unique" so someone can't sign up with the same ship three times. The "allow any" button is off, which means that I will have to select relationships that fit under the fandom that I selected one up, I can't request Shubble/Niki Nihachu (Origins), and put it with a fandom request for Hermitcraft. This has set it so that the absolutely minimum someone can sign up with is 3 relationships (3 requests * 1 relationship each), and the absolute maximum is 200 relationships (10 requests * 20 relationships each).

Requests will look much the same, except I am not putting down details/description or a URL, because I'm not letting people submit requests about what ship they "really" want to match on, they are going to be equally matchable to everyone they offered. Some exchanges will let you submit a requests DNW, but honestly that is so much extra work for the mods, I would not recommend it unless you think it's necessary to stop people from dropping their gifts later.

Okay, so now we take a brief digression into a tag set.

THE TAG SET

Okay so basically a tag set is an extra set of sliders that lets you fine-tune your exchange. If you do not use a tag set, when people sign up they will be able to use every canon tag on the archive, and only canon tags. Which is a LOT of tags, but when I ran an exchange without a tag set there were multiple times of hitting non-canon relationships or tags. But it's also a definite extra complication, tag sets are extra fiddly work and they are even less intituive. If you just want to go without a tag set, skip down to the matching segment. If you do want to avoid hitting people signing up with non-canon tags, keep reading.

I'm gonna say right off the bat that tag sets are the single most like "oh I am getting into the GUTS of the machine" part of running Ao3 exchanges, but if you can make them work they can super streamline both the sign-up (for your participants ) and the matching process (for you).

Oh boy, tag sets. Here we start getting into how exchanges start squeezing the interface to make it do what we want it to. I'm using a tag set, so first I clicked on the "tag set" url there and I made my tag set, and then I came back and selected its name from the drop-down menu on the collection.

When it comes to the relationship settings, you have three options:

Leaving both boxes unticked will allow someone to input any relationship that has been wrangled into the fandom and any relationship in your tag set.

Clicking Fandom Only will allow people to use any wrangled tag that has been associated to this fandom— but only those tags.

Clicking Tag Set Fandom Only will allow people to use any tag in your tag set that is associated with your fandom— but only those tags.

Fandom Only is not very useful for how we're using tag sets, because we specifically want non-canon unique tags we are designing for our purpose. Both boxes unticked is only useful if you want people to be able to do mash-up signups where someone puts ZombieCleo & LDShadowLady (3rd Life) on a signup for a fandom of Dream SMP— which in most cases you don't want, because matching that is gonna be very difficult. (We do something like this for mcyt recursive, but recursive is— weird.) The usual and simplest way to run is to click Tag Set Fandom Only, and that way your participants will get a drop-down autocomplete menu of the tags in your tag set, the ones they can use, when they sign up. Easy and simple!

I am leaving characters unchecked, because in both cases selecting a box will restrict the options available to someone signing up to character tags that have been associated or wrangled into a fandom, and we are either a) not using characters at all, or b) using the character field for gift types (more on that later), and we specifically want unassociated gift type tags that are not affiliated with any specific fandom. What tags? Well. Let's move over to the tag set itself.

So, I started a new tag set, and I'm over there on that screen, looking at it. What does that screen look like?

Okay so, part of the appeal of a tag set is that your participants are able to specify the difference between "Rendog & InTheLittleWood" and "Rendog/InTheLittleWood". You don't have to worry about people getting undesired shipping, because people were specifying if they wanted shipping when they signed up. You can reduce a great deal of people getting matched badly by using relationship matching, because most of the time even if people want a Tommy-centric fic, there's a pretty big difference between people who want "Tommy & Technoblade" and "Tommy & Dream". By specifying who you want the gift to be about, you remove a big hurdle of matching right away. That's why most exchanges run on relationship matching.

However, if there are 37 people on a given server, that's something like 2,600 possible combinations of people if you include both romantic and platonic, and that's before you start getting into trios, and that's just way too many tags for the mods to enter manually. So what you do is run a nomination period, and for a week or two weeks you go to all your participants and you go "do you want to sign up for this exchange? Nominate the tags you want to use now! If it doesn't get nominated, it can't be used!" And then people head to the tag set to nominate.

So, on this page, you want "visible tag list" to be selected, because you want people to see what's already been nominated so they don't duplicate, and you want "currently taking nominations" to be selected because you will be taking those nominations instead of doing them all yourself.

So you have to set up limits on those nominations.

The point of taking nominations is to make matching easier, so people normally use the same fandom and relationship limits as they are going to use on the sign-up, to make sure there aren't dozens of tags in the tag set that nobody's using, just cluttering up the space. It also helps stop the issue where someone sees a tag in the tag set, goes "oh man I love that ship" and signs up, but its an extra tag that no one intended to offer, so they don't match to anyone. That's why sometimes people keep the amount of tags that can be nominated low, I've seen people limit this to 10 tags per fandom, or even 7, so that's up to you.

And you save, and now when you link your participants the tag set, they will have a "nominate" button.

They will hurry over to press that button, and then they will see a page that looks like this.

This is a thing where you absolutely want to give your participants detailed instructions, because what Ao3 will try to do is auto-fill people's nominations with canonical tags. WE DO NOT WANT CANONICAL TAGS. CANONICAL TAGS ARE THE ENEMY OF EXCHANGES. CANONICAL TAGS ARE THE ENEMY OF MCYT EXCHANGES IN PARTICULAR.

Remember back when we clicked the button that says tags have to be unique? The canonical tag for Philza & Technoblade doesn't have a server on it, and people might want to be requesting that relationship for SMPEarth, Dream SMP, Origins SMP, or arguably even QSMP. If you only have the canonical tag, people can only request a specific dynamic once, for one server. And that is a problem for every situation where people interacted on multiple servers, and with the network of overlaps that is Empires/SOS/3rd Life/Hermitcraft and DSMP/Origins/SMPEarth/QSMP, that's going to lead to unhappy participants. So you tell people to nominate the ship and also "disambiguate" it, and add the server in parentheses. And then all your participants will hit the button to submit, and you will go into the "review nominations" button, and you will let those tags into the tag set.

Now I just distributed the tag set to a couple friends, so let's look at what this looks like behind the scenes.

Brace yourself, it's gonna be wild, but I believe we can get through it.

Now here is a perfectly standard look at tag set nominations after a few people have gotten into the tag set. This is why they pay tag mods the big bucks.

As you can see, there are a few things to be gathered. The first things is a bunch of people used the canon tags (because that's what Ao3 tries to get them to do), someone else nominated an x-reader ship, we have one tag there twice (spelled differently), and the tags are Piped (they have both the person's tax name and the username). (You can let tags in that are Piped, but I find that it makes the tag set harder to read, and usually exchanges are character-focused unless you're writing video blogging rpf anyways, so I ask people to submit tags unpiped, using usernames.) And for the tags that were nominated in a way that I want (unpiped, and disambiguated so they're unique), Ao3 is trying to get me to use the canon tag. But I don't want the canon tag, I want a unique tag, with the server on it, with no pipes. So.

So were I moderating the tag set, after a few minutes it would look like this.

That's going through and disambiguating the tags (adding the server, which I could tell because of the fandom it was nominated under), removing the piping and using the usernames instead of tax names, and then re-ordering the names so they're alphabetical so people can find them on the list later, rejecting the x-reader tag, rejecting the duplicate and allowing the one that's spelled correctly through. Amazing. I have tags that I want to use (I did some other tags that were ready to go in other fandoms as well). I hit submit. Am I ready to go?

Not yet! First, associating tags. If you accepted the tags through the tag nomination process, you will have a button up there that says Review Associations.

If you click on this, on the back end, anything that you accepted under a previously accepted fandom will be helpfully paired up with this fandom, with Ao3 trying to say "ah, does it go here?"

You just go down the list, and if is trying to put it in the right fandom, then you click the box, and at the bottom of the page you press submit, and then there's your tags sorted out to your fandoms! Bingo! Are you done now?

No.

Because tag sets are the most complicated part of exchanges.

So. if you open up your tag set, and you scroll down to "Unassociated characters and relationships" there are a bunch of tags that are are lost, Ao3 doesn't know where to put them. This happens when a) you accepted a tag that was associated with a fandom that hadn't been accepted yet, b) it was trying to associate it with a basket fandom that you don't want to associate it with so you couldn't accept the suggested associations (for example: Philza hardcore tags will show up in Dream SMP but you don't want to associate them there), c) sometimes Ao3 just breaks, spaghetti code d), you had manually added these tags on the Edit page— more on that later. So all of these tags you have to manually associate.

You hit the Edit button on the tag set, and scroll down to the bottom, to "tag associations", and start selecting where tags go.

Honestly this is a great time to be listening to a stream or a podcast or something, and then you have the tag set open in another tab so you know what all the unassociated tags are, and you just go down the list like a databasing machine. It is not hard, cause you disambiguated each tag with its own server, it's just time consuming. Note. This is why people go in and accept tags regularly during the nomination period, because if you do this all at the end you've got a BIG job ahead of you.

So, you turned on your VOD playlist and you associated all your tags, and all the tags are where they are supposed to go. You have a beautiful tag set.

But wait, you say, looking at this beautiful tag set. Some of those tags look at little different. What is the "Dream smp and only dream smp" that a couple of them have?

Well.

You see.

Ao3 designed tag sets to work a certain way, and nobody uses them that way. It turns out that "Quackity/Wilbur Soot (Dream SMP)" is a wrangled canon tag, and the system goes "ah, I know where this goes, this is a sub-tag of the major tag, and the top-level tag is Video Blogging RPF, so it goes under Video Blogging RPF, as all MCYT tags do. I am very smart. I have stuck this Dream SMP tag under Video Blogging RPF. I am a good machine". And then you go AUUUUUUUUGH, and then you turn up the podcast a little louder, and then you sit down and you delete the old tag and you write out a new tag that the system doesn't know what to do with, and it goes uhhhhhhh and sticks it in "unassociated tags" and then you go in again and you manually associate it into the right server.

Edit in 2024: I use (DFE) at the end of the tag now, because it's shorter.

It's not hard, it's just time consuming. Shouting at the tag set like STOP TELLING ME WHAT TO DO as it helpfully tries to stick dsmp tags in SMPearth and you wrestle it out of SMPEarth and into the right fandom bucket.

Deep breath moment. Honestly that's the most fiddly part of a fiddly process, so if you can get through this you're absolutely golden.

Anyways. You got clean disambiguated unique tags, and then you associated them in the right spot, and then you found the ones that got sorted to the wrong spot and you associated them yourself, and now you have a beautiful tag set ready to go. It's a thing of beauty. Shed a tear. Your participants can select from anything in this tag set, and you know they want to use these specific relationships, because they submitted them to you. What next?

THE MATCHING

Okay. You have your tag set set up and it's accepting nominations. Your participants are filling it out right now. You go back to your collection. it's time to tell it how to match.

This is the "minimum number to match" pane, and this is the minimum numbers to make a successful match. You want 1 for Fandom, and 1 for Relationship, and that's it. People will show up to the machine as a viable match as long as they have submitted a fandom and relationship that matches someone else's offered fandom and relationship.

This is a minimum viable exchange. You're ready to go. As soon as your tag set is done (or immediately if you're not using a tag set), you're ready to go back and open your exchange to sign-ups.

Congratulations!

FURTHER TWEAKING

HOWEVER. There is more that you can do. For example, do you want to allow people to request or opt into NSFW? There's an easy way to do that! First thing is you go back to your tag set, and you scroll down to the "ratings" section that you've been ignoring.

You select G and E, and that way, if people are opting into explicit that means they're okay with NSFW, and if they only select G, that means they only want a non-explicit piece.

Then on the collection you switch the requests and offers sections to include a place to specify a rating.

You want them to definitely specify at least one, and if you maximum allowed is 2, people can opt into both and say "i'm good with whatever"!

Then you scroll down to the matching section, and you tweak that to make sure that people will match on Fandom, Relationship, and at least one Rating.

Bingo. You now have a toggle to turn NSFW on and off.

But a lot of people like to match by TYPE of gift too, specifying if they want art or fic or playlist or web weave etc. How do you do that? Ah, at this point you are master of all you survey, and you can make tag sets do absolutely anything you want. Remember we talked about using the character slot? You go back to the tag set and you scroll down to "characters".

Now we were matching on relationships, so the character box is unused. And it lets you put in your own tags. So what you do is you start to add in custom tags.

And then you go back to the Collection settings, and on the requests and the offers you go in to the "characters" section and you say "must select at least one, can select up to six".

And then, you guessed it— you go back to "minimum number to match" and you set that "characters" tab to 1 minimum, 6 maximum. Now people who specified that they wanted Art can be matchable to artists who Offered Art. You have unlimited power, the world is at your fingertips.

There's even more customization that you can do, too! There's "additional tags", which is entirely custom tags you add yourself, that can be anything from specifying if people want fluff or horror or hurt/comfort etc— with the recursive exchange we used it to specify the works people were recursing— I'm considering using it for holidays with the holiday exchange. You can let people opt in or out of major archive warnings by selecting "archive warnings" as a thing that's in the tag set and that you're matching for. Once you understand how the underpinnings of how the machine works, you can wrestle it into almost any shape you want.

So. Whew. That's how exchanges work, under the hood. When I say that this is significantly easier than hand matching the holiday exchange, I ask you to picture just how complicated hand matching gets. Go forth! Thrive! Set up exchanges if you want! The world is your oyster!

Feel free to message me if you have further questions.

[bushnellswife]

college student!charlie is late and then gets jealous when his team mate talks to tutor!reader. he can’t take his eyes off of her while studying after.

main page . masterlist . college student!charlie intro

warnings: nothing really besides strong language maybe? (english is not my first language)

you check your phone for the third time in the last ten minutes. the screen lights up — 4:17 p.m. — and still no charlie.

you lean back in the chair, trying not to look annoyed. the table in front of you is a quiet mess of notes, highlighters, a copy of intro to american literature, and the study guide you put together last night when you should’ve been sleeping. he asked for help, and you said yes. not because he’s some helpless case, but because he’s charlie bushnell — loud, cocky, stupidly charming — and something about the way he grinned at you when he said, “guess you’re gonna be my tutor now,” made it hard to say no.

the library’s quiet this late on a friday. a few scattered students pretend to study, but most are already thinking about the weekend. you could’ve been, too. “hey,” a voice says behind you.

you turn, and it’s jesse. football player. loud laugh, messy hair, always looks like he just got out of bed. you’ve seen him around with charlie — same team, same parties, same ego “waiting for charlie?” he asks, eyes flicking to the empty chair across from you. you nod, barely glancing at him. he doesn’t get the hint.

“he’s probably still at practice. coach had them running drills all afternoon. brutal stuff.” he leans against the edge of your table like he belongs there. “you know, i could use a tutor too. get a head start before next semester.” you raise a brow. “you’re not even in the class.” , “details,” he says with a grin. the library doors open.

charlie walks in, hoodie damp with sweat, hair a mess like he didn’t bother to stop anywhere before coming straight here. his eyes land on you instantly — then jesse — then back to you. his expression darkens. you straighten up in your seat. jesse doesn’t move. “well,” jesse says, backing off with a half-smile, “looks like i’m not needed. wouldn’t want to interrupt your little… study date.”

“get lost,” charlie mutters, not looking at him. jesse just laughs and strolls off, like he’s got all the time in the world. charlie drops his bag in the chair with more force than necessary. “you always entertain my teammates when i’m late?” you blink. “i was waiting for you. for twenty minutes.”

“i got held up,” he says, not really apologetic. he sits down, flips open the study guide you made, doesn’t even say thank you. “didn’t think i’d find you flirting with jesse.” your eyes narrow. “wow. are you seriously jealous right now?” he doesn’t look up. “don’t flatter yourself.” but his jaw’s tight. his ears are turning red. and he’s definitely not reading the page he’s staring at.

you lean forward slightly, just enough to mess with him. “you’re kinda bad at hiding it.” he flips to the next page like he’s trying to ignore you. “you’re kinda annoying.” but he still hasn’t stopped glancing toward where jesse disappeared.

this session’s going to be fun.

charlie doesn’t say much at first. just flips through the pages you printed, pretending to focus. you watch his eyes scan the same paragraph twice, maybe three times, and he still doesn’t underline a single thing. you point to the question at the bottom of the page. “you gonna answer this or just stare at it until it disappears?” , “relax,” he mutters, grabbing a pen. “i’m reading.”

you don’t call him out on the fact that he’s not. you’ve seen him actually focused before — during the last session, when he was trying to figure out metaphors and ended up ranting about how poets are just “drama queens with better handwriting.” this isn’t that.

this is… distracted.

you circle the question. “okay, tell me what the narrator’s tone is in this passage.” charlie doesn’t answer right away. his pen taps the edge of the table. you glance at him — he’s not looking at the book. he’s looking at you. you shift in your seat. “charlie.” he blinks like he just got caught. “what?”

“the passage.”

“right. yeah.” he looks down, jaw tight, then shrugs. “i don’t know. kinda sad? like… bitter?” you raise a brow. “you guessed that. you didn’t even read it.” he smirks, just a little. “maybe i’m just emotionally intuitive.”

“or maybe you’re hoping i’ll give you all the answers.” his eyes flick to yours again, slower this time. “maybe.” you look back at your notes, ignoring the heat in your face. you underline a sentence and hand the book to him. “read this out loud. maybe it’ll help.”

he takes it from you, fingers brushing yours briefly — not enough to mean anything, but enough to notice. you don’t say anything, and neither does he, but the air shifts. he starts reading, voice low and steady. and even though he’s finally doing what you asked, he still glances up at you every few lines. like he’s checking if you’re listening. like he wants you to be.

and maybe you are. when he finishes, you nod. “better. now tell me how that tone shows up in the language.” charlie groans, leaning back in his chair. “this is why i hate english. everything means something. can’t a tree just be a tree?” , “not if it’s wilting and alone in a cold field at sunset.”

“see?” he says, pointing at you. “drama. the whole major’s just vibes and heartbreak.” you laugh, and he doesn’t even pretend not to look this time. and suddenly, the study session isn’t really about literature anymore.

©bushnellswife 2025 ˊˎ-