#im working up to it. it’s glacial. sometime this year maybe?

[tomatoluvr69]

Sitting down to floss and brush my teeth has been lifechanging. On a completely unrelated note how the fuck am I supposed to have this skeleton for several more decades. It’s all over for me lads 😔

[takerfoxx]

An entirely too long ramble about how much Imperfect Metamorphosis means to me

(Tumblr please actually show that submissions are not just text posts please)

So. It’s almost the last day of the decade. I usually get weirdly sad and nostalgic in the last 30 minutes of New Year’s Eve, but this time it’s been like, a whole week, and I’ve been reflecting on this decade as a whole as well as like, my path in life.

The 1990’s were the decade of my birth and early life.

The 2000’s were the decade of being REALLY into Harry Potter.

And my 2010’s were, wholly and singularly, defined and shaped by Touhou. 

I got into Touhou sometime around Easter 2010 when McRoll’d came into my YouTube feed, and something about the music was just so god damned catchy I just had to know where it came from. So I discovered Flandre’s fight and from there, I learned just how great the music of this weird bullet hell game made by some rando in Japan. It quickly became my Thing. When I wasn’t playing sucking at the games, I was listening to the music, and if I wasn’t listening to the music, I was at school (where I’d probably not be paying attention let’s be real here).

So there I was, happily consuming fanart and fansongs and fangames and doing that little smile in appreciation when you see a reference to a thing you like (shoutout to raocow for also playing a few Touhou fangames way back when). It expanded my gaming interests into the sphere of “modding games to make them harder can be fun and cool”, which then lead to a general interest in playing modded and moddable games. It even made me interested in visiting Japan (on my bucket list), not in that stereotypical “weeb” way of visiting all the anime and manga stores, but more in the “something I like put a country on my radar and holy shit some of those restaurants, l want to eat at ALL of these places because they’re gorgeous” way.

You’ll notice that I specifically withheld from mentioning Fanfiction. See, as a teenager who did have the “try something once and if I don’t like it I’ll probably hate it forever because it’s always like that” mentality, I had the unfortunate experience of coming across My Immortal. 

That, and the fact that one of my close friends in High School had taken to reading Twilight Fanfic (and complaining at almost every story she read and their bad use of tropes) kinda solidified fanfiction as “something dumb and stupid written by people who solely want to roleplay fucking the protagonist”. And on that pedestal sat the entire concept of fanfiction for a long-ass time (actually it was about a year and a bit).

Fast forward a while. Patchouli had cemented herself as All Time Favourite Character, I’d begun to grow out of my Harry Potter phase in search of new stories, and I’d made some new friends, one of whom said they read fanfiction all the time and some of it was actually better than original, published books because they had the freedom to explore ideas that weren’t entirely publishable. But also to roleplay fuck their waifus.

At some point in Summer 2011, not too long after it came out, I decided to replay Portal 2, and something about the story left me feeling… incomplete. Empty. I sought people discussing what they thought of the story and hidden nuggets of info peppered throughout the game, and at some long buried comment section on YouTube, someone mentioned how some fanfiction went into a headcanon and took it further. I read it, considered it for a moment, deemed it worthy of being called “not trash”, and immediately set to looking at the Touhou section on FF.net.

The first fanfics I read of Touhou were… Well, they were. There were some good ones and not so good ones. But they were all, in some way, at least interesting. I quickly discovered the frustration that New Friend had brought up once, of when you discover something great but it’s over all too soon. Setting FF.net’s search to include only 100k and up fanfics, I was delighted to discover that there was a fanfiction called “Imperfect Metamorphosis” that was over 350,000 words long. And then my carefully crafted plan of going to bed at a sensible time to maximise Summer Gaming Time was devoured by staying up until 4:30am, reading fanfiction on a shitty laptop that could barely run UFO. Thank fuck it was the summer holidays.

There was something special about Imperfect Metamorphosis. The characters all had their own personality, their own history, their own implied history beyond what was written, they had goals, thoughts, feelings, and different takes towards other people working to further their own goals. And it was all wrapped up in a package that started with a simple premise, grew to encompass a world more broad than mere canon or fanon, and then billowed into an eldritch monster of ungodly size (hi, Yuuka!)((kind of like this post huh)). 

I was so fucking hooked on IM. I went back to school with theories buzzing about my brain as to what was going to end up happening, my mind wandering to the latest chapter and the bits I thought were cool, actually having the drive to focus and actually learn something about story structure in English Literature. I suddenly had the tiniest flame of interest in creating. Maybe one day I could write fanfic, and do my tiny part in expanding the universe of fan-content.

Regardless of the fact that my own attempts at conjuring stories weren’t successful (for a while), IM was there to be read throughout my last years of Normal Schooling, and it served as both a rock and an escape from the stress of school. I laughed with the jokes, I took Marisa’s death harder than the sum total of Harry Potter’s entire bodycount, and I could never hear Soulja Boi without thinking of Mima trolling Satori.

Just like how Touhou expanded my gaming and cultural horizons, Imperfect Metamorphosis expanded my horizon with Literature. I got into reading Neil Gaiman’s work, I read some Lovecraft, I consumed all kinds of works of fiction, across a multitude of genres, which all felt, in some way, like I was reading them because of IM. I mean I only started watching Madoka, and any anime beyond that, because of Resonance Days. Interesting way of coming across a show filled to the brim with spoilers.

It’s been three years since you put Imperfect Metamorphosis onto hiatus, and I have never read anything that has filled me with such emotion to the same extent. Other things have come close, some of them were even written by other people! (the most recent mega-update of Walpurgis Nights hit me particularly hard). And Swiftly Descending Darkness has been such a great read thus far, the slowly ramping tension is so. god. damned. good.

And as I think I mentioned a while back, I finally managed to start grinding out a touhou fic at my own, absolutely glacial, pace. I always find myself asking “is this canon to Touhou, or is it just canon to IM?”. The line has forever blurred in my mind.

I’m not asking anyone to read my work. This isn’t a plea for you to return to the original IM at any speed, I just wanted to say thank you.

Thank you for writing Imperfect Metamorphosis. For the work that’s been a steady constant throughout the vast, vast majority of this decade. For inspiring a wealth of emotions and ideas in the mind of a British guy who you’ll never meet. For just, plain writing a good story.

And for making Marisa the biggest badass to grace the land.

Here’s to the 2020’s not sucking, and to the ever expanding list of stories written by Internet user Takerfoxx. Here’s hoping you find great success.

Thank you.

P.S. Oh, and The Friend Who Said Fanfic Was Good Actually? They’re now my Fiancée, as of last month. Funny how the world works like that.

@diggertron, dude, you honestly have me feeling pretty humbled right now. I have to admit, it’s getting harder and harder not to see anything but the flaws when I look back on IM or RD, to the point when anyone compliments me about my writing my reflexive response is to be self-deprecating about my weaknesses, but this has helped me gain some more perspective about my older work, and for that I thank you, and am glad you have stuck around for so many years. 

And congratulations on your engagement as well!

[fakeasskpop]

AO3 Fic Rec

*** are personal favourites

BTS:

All:

The Adventures of BTS (Barely Trained Superheroes) by  blurrylines

Super Heroes Academy AU. Seven different boys each possess a unique Power, to be trained and controlled within the classrooms of the Academy. In a surprising turn of events, the unlikely group of boys must work together to overcome the greatest threat to their Academy and all they believe in.

Taegi:

large, extra cheese, extra sauce (extra you) by vminism

Taehyung starts everything by procrastinating. Even unhealthy crushes on the pizza delivery boy.

the engineers of a special kind of craft by peachguk

A merge of requests, but he likes ‘im anyway.

dream on you (dream on me) by jaqueenilini

In which Yoongi can't sleep and only Taehyung can help

Home (It's With You) by arabellarosebts

Bangtan gets the gift of going home for Christmas ~ Taehyung & Yoongi go back to Daegu

Taekook:

pick me up, buttercup by vppa

AU where your soulmate's first words to you will be tattooed on your wrist when you meet. Which freakin sucks, because Jungkook's forearm will now forever read "Hey baby, if you were a booger, I'd pick you first." What the fuck, universe.

whatta man (good man) by aeterisks

Out of all the kinds of blogs Jeon Jeongguk could have run, never in a million years Taehyung would have expected him to have a porn blog. (Or, Jeongguk runs a porn blog and Taehyung not so accidentally finds it.)

Be My Eyes by jxnghoseok

Blind au

***the moon and the stars (are nothing without you) bywowoashley

based off the prompt: "Taekook college AU! The college tour guide raved about the uni's friendly atmosphere and amicable student body, but wanted a high five from a cute student and all he got was a glare"

five fingers on it (hit it like you own it) by prkjimin

“it's nothing that bad, gukkie. i just want to be choked a little, maybe. pin me down, pull my hair, call me names. nothing too intense, but everyone's too delicate, or they just don't do it right.” taehyung complains and suddenly sitting so close feels like a bad idea to jeongguk.

Shameless by foolishbangtan

it started out as a simple gesture, a normal pat on the ass. neither of them anticipated this.

Let me Dream with the Stars by hippocrates (BlueCyanide)

Falling in love with Kim Taehyung is easy.

hide in you awhile by gentlestars

“Come on,” Jeongguk says, long fingers tangling up with Taehyung’s and he squeezes his hand. He motions with a simple nod of his head towards the bathroom door. “Come take a bath with me.”

Under The Rug by dehluxes

Taehyung didn’t know when all of it exactly started. Probably yesterday, when Jeongguk texted him about the date he attended and Taehyung knew he shouldn’t have felt envious of the fact but he still did. Or probably when he got in the basketball varsity and, the famous, Jeon Jeongguk smiled at him so genuinely while welcoming him to the team. Maybe not that, maybe it was the time when Jeongguk told him that he felt most comfortable with Taehyung than with anyone else in the team, that the bond between them was tight and healthy. If it’s not one of those three things, it could have possibly been the time when Jeongguk told him that Taehyung made him the happiest with the biggest smile on his face while looking at Taehyung so fondly.

I Missed You (Did You Miss Me Too?) by officialkth

Taehyung gets home from America, Jeongguk wonders if Taehyung is as happy to see him as he is to see Taehyung.

it was a big world (but we thought we were bigger) by  jhopeg

At the age of five, Jeongguk wanted to hate Taehyung. At the age of sixteen, Jeongguk wanted to kiss Taehyung. At the age of eighteen, Jeongguk really didn't know what he wanted. The story of two childhood friends slowly inching towards each other.

you're my favorite song by heytaetae

taehyung goes on to too many dates and jungkook can only wait

You been ridin' three-wheelers all your life (and I mean literally) by  chardonnay

Jeongguk is pretty damn sure that cycling isn't a life skill. Like what could you even do? He can probably run faster than Taehyung can ever pedal on his crackpot bike, but okay. Whatever he says.

fever chills by  cleo_withoutthepatra

"Taehyung looks down at the thermometer and feels his blood run cold and there it is - the moment you realize you've let things go on how they are for too long and now it's too late." or, alternatively: the one where jungkook works himself straight into sickness (per usual), only this time is different and the hyungs don't know what to do

***Taehyung's Currency by TaeAndKookies

The five times they kiss and the one time it means something.

before the tide by blushmark

Taehyung is full of great ideas, starting with convincing his bandmates to go on a beach vacation. Or: 5 times Taehyung doesn't act like a hyung and 1 time he does

***Hercules by GinForInk

Taehyung forgets his strength kink until Jungkook picks him up during a group project meeting.

love is a laserquest by sassyneki 

When Jeongguk's wet dreams turn into daydreams about his best friend—furniture shops, purple daisies, and all—he knows he's fucked.

Feel it Kicking in by  rix

Jeongguk and Taehyung are just riding it out together, getting high on waves and drugs and each other—platonically, of course.

hold me like i'm hope by jjks

“Uh,” he says eloquently, looking back at Taehyung. “Do you, like, want something?” “Nah, I’m just popping in,” Taehyung says, looking around the place again. Jeongguk stares at him in confusion. “Wh–” he starts to ask when he’s interrupted by Taehyung grinning at him. “Yeah, I’d like to schedule a time to get a tattoo.” “Of course he wants a fucking tattoo, dumbass, why do you think he’s here?” It’s Hoseok, and honestly that warrants another punch to the shoulder, but Jeongguk decides to play it nice. He’s a good boy. OR: let me present to you the most cliché trope of all, starring tattoo artist jeon jeongguk & florist kim taehyung.

Yoonjin:

***Laws of Attraction by whenflowersbloom 

Jin leaves to film Law of the Jungle. Yoongi shouldn’t be missing him that much, right? Right.

The Garden of Words by  miskeen 

just a lazy sunday afternoon with a pair of boyfriends

I could take you home (if you let me) by beeminie 

The issue about having a dog isn’t that it can be an absolute hell sometimes. The issue about having a dog like Jjanggu is that it’s always an absolute hell.

Yoonjin oneshots by baapsae

A collection of short yoonjin stories

***Cleaning House by itsdatrollmon

“Oh my god, that is it!” Seokjin bursts into the bathroom, where Hoseok is not-so-miserably cleaning the toilet because yeah, it’s the grossest chore in the entire dorm but if he doesn’t do it then who will (nobody, that’s who). -- In which Seokjin has had enough of being the 'mother-in-law' of the house, Yoongi has a lot of things he isn't saying, and Hoseok plays mediator.

Bed Space by troubleseason 

Sometimes comfort isn't just a place, it's a person.

Namjin:

I Dream in the Shape of Your Mouth by jonghyun

Seokjin spends a lot of time in the library. Now, Namjoon does too. Taemin tries to summon Satan, and Jimin is a fuckboy.

***all you need is love (and pink) by vppa

Most people only have one miniature angel or devil riding on their shoulders to serve as the physical manifestation of their conscience. Poor Namjoon has five, and they're all telling him the same thing: "fucking talk to him god dammit what the fuck is wrong with you"

Four Years by serenemelodies 

There’s slow and then there’s glacial.

***Beta Tau Sigma by bazooka

A collection of events occurring within (and without) the walls of the Beta Tau Sigma fraternity house. At Beta Tau Sigma, there are only a few rules: 1) have a declared major in the College of Music; 2) keep your GPA above a 3.4; 3) don't let Taehyung into the liquor cabinet; 4) don't fuck up with Kim Seokjin. The rest is all fine print.

Yoonseok:

Hyung, Let's Play A Game by Lindanele

Hoseok has always wanted Yoongi to look at him. Shame Yoongi is too busy looking at someone else. *Dope Era*

I'm Looking at the World in Your Eyes by infinitizeit 

Yoongi has been busy with work and Hoseok is more than patient and lovely as usual.

Yoonkook:

can you trust me? by minniemonnie 

Jungkook takes a deep breath, “ I t-think,” he curses himself for stuttering. “I think I’m gay.” Silence.

over time (i love you more) by heartbee4

Jungkook stopped signing in shock, staring at Yoongi, mouth slightly agape. Yoongi didn’t look away, refused to; he watched every expression that ran over Jungkook’s face – surprise, confusion, fondness, happiness, love. (or: Yoongi learns sign language to communicate with Jungkook).

***riding the wavelength by siderum  ONGOING

"i was asking jungkookie about how yoongi hyung and he could read each other's minds, and yoongi hyung was completely out of earshot, but when i said, 'is it dark in there?' hyung told me to shut up from the other side of the room. he wasn't even looking up from his phone" - park jimin

Window of Sin™ by yoooongi (Stellaluciano)

Yoongi expects a kid Jungkook is most certainly not a kid you can see where this is going

9 Benefits to Dating Min Yoongi by Haru207

On most days, Jungkook thinks to himself that there are definitely benefits to having Yoongi as a boyfriend. First. It means that it only took Jungkook nineteen years of living to discover that anime hair colours can actually look fashionable.

***You Stir up a McFlurry in My Heart by tau

Jungkook is completely and utterly screwed the moment he develops a crush on the voice behind the McDonald’s Drive Thru speaker.

HopeKook:

No One But Me by Lindanele

Jungkook loved his boyfriend to death, but damn could Hoseok be oblivious. (aka Jungkook is a jealous boyfriend and Hoseok can’t take a hint)

VHope:

Dancing on Quicksand by lethallergic

Who needs a functional relationship when you dig your step-sister's boyfriend? Not Taehyung.

VMin:

it's your heart i wanna live (& sleep) in by knth

The first time Jimin sleeps over at Taehyung's, it's an emergency. The other times after? That's a different story.

our sinking friendships (we drown them all) by skateboardsound

Like most bad decisions, it could be traced back to cheap alcohol—the kind with a taste that clung to your tongue too long and gave you a hangover before the high was over. And like most bad decisions, it had also seemed like a great idea at the time.

for you, anything. by kadotas

in which Taehyung and Jimin navigate through married life together, realising belatedly that it’s not always smooth sailing.

Taehyung:

***i do by skswriting

“Are you guys going on a date?” “We’re headed to the bridal show.” You and Taehyung go to a bridal show for the food and end up with more than you bargained for. In the best way possible. white lines, pretty baby by darkparadises (queenhinata)

[mika24449]

Unusual Asks

Spotify, SoundCloud, or Pandora? Sound cloud and Pandora

is your room messy or clean? messy in the process of being cleaned

what color are your eyes? blue and green

do you like your name? why? yah, because its super ethnic and reminds me of my roots and the arch angel michael

what is your relationship status? single 

describe your personality in 3 words or less : intillectual, creative, stubborn

what color hair do you have? naturally light brown but i dye it dark brown

what kind of car do you drive? color? i dont have a car but i drive my moms car alot which is a honda suv

where do you shop? everywhere

how would you describe your style? irish school girl / armenian professional with a propensity for knee socks

favorite social media account - instagram

what size bed do you have? queen

any siblings? 1 brother

if you can live anywhere in the world where would it be? why? Northern california probably, because that was where i felt most happiy in my adult life

favorite snapchat filter? dont use snapchat

favorite makeup brand(s) - i like drug store shit 

how many times a week do you shower? i dont have a set regiment about it

favorite tv show? shameless, its always sunny in Philadelphia 

shoe size? american 9

how tall are you? 5′4

sandals or sneakers? sneakers

do you go to the gym? no but i should work out more

describe your dream date - as long as it was with a decent dude who actually liked me idk anything would propbably be cool. maybe like... we go to a nice restaurant on the beach or we go get shakes somewhere and then look at the stars hmmm

how much money do you have in your wallet at the moment? none just some coins

what color socks are you wearing? grey

how many pillows do you sleep with? 5 or 6

do you have a job? what do you do? right now im just enrolled in school. imr eturning froma rmenia and looking for a job

how many friends do you have? not sure really maybe 2 or 3

whats the worst thing you have ever done? no comment, the shame of my life

whats your favorite candle scent? pumpkin pie or any of those spicy autumn scents

3 favorite boy names - right now? Markar , David, Khachadour

3 favorite girl names - Vartoohee, Anaheed, Scarlette 

favorite actor? All of them 

favorite actress? Scarlette Johansson,all of them idk

who is your celebrity crush? jeremy allen white from shameless

favorite movie? uuuum..... i have so many... one that comes to mind is Pulp fiction, and also True Romance

do you read a lot? whats your favorite book? Yah I do. One off the top of my head is The Brother Karamazov and also The Sherlock Holmes Series by Sir Arthur Conan Doyl

money or brains? Brains for sure

do you have a nickname? what is it? I have many, Miko, Mika, Mkay, Nay, K K, Mikkey, Kales... It seems Im destined to be given nicknames 

how many times have you been to the hospital? um for major things? idk once 

top 10 favorite songs - dddknow- i listen to so much music it always chyanges

do you take any medications daily? no,... unless you count food herbs and tea as medicine which i do. so in that case chi tea is a regular fixture.. and lots of vegetarian fair

what is your skin type? (oily, dry, etc) combination when i eat dairy and meat - pretty normal /dry when i eat straight vegan

what is your biggest fear? being ugly. getting old

how many kids do you want? idk 2 and onwards

whats your go to hair style?its straightened past my shoulders with side bangs dark brown

what type of house do you live in? (big, small, etc) - right now its like medium 

who is your role model? nicole kidman, miyamoto musashi, g- eazy, marylin monroe, dostoevsky, che guavara, jesus

what was the last compliment you received? you look really pretty where are you going but it was from an incredible source

what was the last text you sent? uuuh... i actually was quoting a song to my friend anthony. that sone west virginia by the front bottoms

how old were you when you found out santa wasn’t real? i was a child i figured it out on my own out of suspicion sadly

what is your dream car? something durable, strong, cheap idk

opinion on smoking? its not a good idea but its addictev. i liek to eb around people who smoke but dont really want it for myself.

do you go to college? i do again yah

what is your dream job? actress, dancer, artist, writer

would you rather live in rural areas or the suburbs? either 

do you take shampoo and conditioner bottles from hotels? im down

do you have freckles? no

do you smile for pictures? yah but i hate candid shots of me

how many pictures do you have on your phone? a lot

have you ever peed in the woods? fuck yah, peeing outside is the best

do you still watch cartoons? yah

do you prefer chicken nuggets from Wendy’s or McDonalds? dont like fast food or meat 

Favorite dipping sauce? idk... whatevers good all of it...

what do you wear to bed? a tea shirt and underwear and sometimes socks

have you ever won a spelling bee? no as a matter of fact i blow at spelling

what are your hobbies? listening to music, dressing cute / makeup, maming art, dancing , exersize, vegetarianism, meditation, reading

can you draw? yah actually im pretty good man

do you play an instrument? unfortunately i never took the time to learn

what was the last concert you saw? mmm like a week ago i saw a tiny show on new years eve

tea or coffee? both, but armenian coffee is my favorite int erms of coffee

Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts? starbucks but fuck starbucks

do you want to get married? i guess but i dont really care about that shit anymore

what is your crush’s first and last initial? R. A.

are you going to change your last name when you get married? Not unbless I really like the dudes last name because my last name is pretty dope

what color looks best on you? red, white, grey, black

do you miss anyone right now? eeeh... kindof but i shouldnt miss that person because they werent that good of a freind to me

do you sleep with your door open or closed? i prefer closed but i can do open

do you believe in ghosts? yah

what is your biggest pet peeve? i have alot but i never remember them until they happen. well one is slut shaming and judging people harshly 

last person you called`- jeremiah 

favorite ice cream flavor? all of them man

regular oreos or golden oreos? regular fuck golden oreos

chocolate or rainbow sprinkles? rainbow man but chocolate is good too

what shirt are you wearing? actually its a drake tea shirt my friend bought me like a week ago. 

what is your phone background? a p[icture of  downtown fresno i took one day 

are you outgoing or shy? kindof both

do you like it when people play with your hair? depends on t he person but if i like you then yah

do you like your neighbors? i like evceryone

do you wash your face? at night? in the morning? sometimes. if i feel like it needs to be washed

have you ever been high? yah

have you ever been drunk? yah but i donbt like this stuff really

last thing you ate? scrambled eggs

favorite lyrics right now -  id arrest you if I had handcuffs Id arrest you if I had the time Id throw you down in the backseat As if you'd committed a terrible crime I'd break in a town's worth of houses And rob whole families blind Id do it to you like you'd do it to me If you knew you would get away fine Id drown all these crying babies If I knew that their mothers wouldnt cry Id hold them down and Id squeeze real soft And let a piece of myself die Its hard to be the better man When you forget youre trying Its hard to be the better man Id arrest you if I had handcuffs Id arrest you if I had the time Id wait for you outside the courtroom and taunt you when all your appeals were declined Id drive my car off of a bridge If I knew that you werent inside With the pedal to the floor, who could ask for a more fantastic way to kill some time You could lay on your back and be beaten You could put up your fists and fight You could try and be way off Its hard to be the better man When you forget youre trying Its hard to be the better man When youre still lying Its hard to be the better man When you forget youre trying Its hard to be the better man When youre still lying Youre still lying

summer or winter? depends on where you are. in fresno winter. in other places summer.. i dont like when its super super glacially cold nor when its so hot you feel like your gonna die

day or night? both are good depends on the moment

dark, milk, or white chocolate? all

favorite month? all but i musta dmit i have a special place in my ehart for october and the autumn months

what is your zodiac sign - auquarius but i dont believe in astrology to some degree

who was the last person you cried in front of? my mom uuuugh