#in a way i feel lonely but at the same time quite literally everyone here sucks so much.

[adyophene]

lucifer x husk is something i never knew i needed and as a multishipper im screaming

literally. king of hell x some alcoholic furry guy

i love them i need to know how they wouldve met, fallen for each other and started dating. and how much thatd piss alastor off

Ooh I am so happy other people are enjoying this pair as much as I am! I've gotten a few asks about my headcanons for them, and I am happy to blab on and on. Fair warning. This is gunna be a long and rambling essay.

I'm gunna put it all under a readmore, just cause I want to insert the art I've done of them so far, since I've been half-heartedly trying to tell a visual story through the doodles.

Okay. On we go!

How they met;

We did see them technically meet in the show, where they shared their singular canon piece of dialogue, which was just Husk saying 'hey'. And then in the finale where we see a literal split second moment of Lucifer holding Husk's arm.

(also seeing the sweet looks huskerdust is giving each other here just makes me feel so delulu for writing this all, but crackships are silly by definition, so lets get back to the lucihusk) For me, what I imagined, is after the Hotel is finished its rebuilding, that is when Husk and Lucifer finally actually meet in a proper manner. I think Lucifer would be trying to make a good impression on all Charlie's friends at this point, endeared to all of them from their actions during the finale. Unfortunately, I think he is also the King of Bad First Impressions.

[Note. I think at this point Lucifer wouldn't even remember Husk's name quite yet. I think he would call him 'Keekee' ( by accident) or 'Dusk' (confidently incorrect) or just be like "Hey!.... Uh... You?" until Charlie or Vaggie finally corrected him. ]

Husk, on the other hand, I feel like maybe wouldn't gel with Lucifer right away. Wouldn't hate him, but also maybe not be enamored with him right away. Same as Lucifer, maybe he would have sweetened on him a bit through the hotel's rebuilding, but I think they'd start out at very neutral feelings. Maybe a vague sense of 'He's okay, but I don't know if we will really get along.'

Despite this, Lucifer is persistent, and he's going to be everyone's (except maybe Al, unless they start getting along by s2) buddy. He'd start hanging around the bar and participate in the redemption exercises.

Now, we know Lucifer struggles with depression, and I think he would be trying real hard to mask anything going on during this time. They defeated Adam! They rebuilt the Hotel! He believes in Charlie's dream, and he's more involved with her life and other people than he has been for years.

His only issue being Husk sees right through it, both because Husk is perceptive, but also because even the King of Hell can't help but have a lonely night or two at the bar where he ends up venting about his divorce and subsequent lingering loneliness.

[snapcube ref aside, )I really do think Husk would start to feel more positively toward Lucifer after Luci would drop the act somewhat. That they could bond over feeling both at their lowest of lows, while also being to admit that things seem to be getting better!

This would be about the point that I imagine Lucifer developing more romantic feelings! Husk would be a bit less prickly, and Luci would just absolutely eat up any and all positive interactions they'd have. I like to picture a lot of little shows of care at the this point, like Husk memorizing what Lucifer likes and even making up 'fun' drinks just to try and cheer the guy up. And Lucifer would fun a fun game in trying to get the grumpy cat to smile, and just, lighting up himself any time he was successful.

And that culminating into the two of them making each other laugh, with Alastor being an easy butt of the jokes, and a good way for Husk, himself, to finally get a chance to vent. I think Lucifer would be one of the only 'safe' options for Husk to do that with, in just so far as Al can't really threaten Lucifer, and Lucifer already sees Al as a bit of a manipulative bastard.

Falling for each other; At this point, Lucifer would start being a bit more caring toward Husk, though with that wonderful, oblivious flair of his. I don't think Lucifer himself would realize he'd have a crush up until he'd start feeling protective or jealous over Husk, and it would really throw him for a loop at first.

Because fake dating is one of my all-time favorite tropes, I have always had a idea for a fanfic (or comic) that I haven't gotten around to yet, based around Lilith coming back, and Lucifer panickily asking Husk to pretend to be his boyfriend, so he can appear well adjusted/completely over her. Of course the whole thing would backfire, as Lilith would see through it (as Lucifer wouldn't be as good of an actor as he'd think), and that Husk would end up kind of feeling hurt by the whole thing.

Husk, who'd go along with the plot with an eyeroll, would find himself seizing up through the whole fake date/encounter. Would find weird, sudden emotions bubbling up and absolutely hating it.

I don't think that man would think about the class difference between him and Lucifer up until someone would say something about it, maybe Lucifer himself trying to rationalize the (at this time still fake) relationship to Lilith. Now, Husk feels uneasy about the whole thing and ends up drinking heavily the whole night so he doesn't have to think about feelings. (Blitz and Stolas who? Ahaha. fuck.) Meanwhile, while the date would be fake, I think Lucifer would really rather like having Husk on his arm and feeling like he'd have a love-life again, while also not really getting why Husk's mood would be getting worse throughout the night. I think they'd still end up on good terms, but both of them would have their feelings in a jumble, and Husk would not like it. (he thinks he's lost the ability to love, after all)

I think somewhere at this point, as they are starting to develop feelings for one another, is when Lucifer finally starts really realizing how tied to Alastor Husk is, and he starts to make it everyone's problem. I do think Al and Lucifer would stay snarky at each other this whole time, but that it'd only get worse, as Al would poke back since he'd find Lu's over reactions funny.

I also think Al would be maybe the last person to realize anything romantic would be brewing between Lucifer and Husk, and he'd just think it'd be a purely platonic thing.

Beyond just bitching about Alastor, Lucifer would really be ramping up his attention towards Husk too. Fully in that 'puppylove/crush' stage, and trying his darndest to make Husk feel good and special. Husk would be resistant to it all, thinking it would just be Lucifer rebounding hard, and not wanting to get wrapped up in Morningstar family drama when he could happily (miserably) keep his head down and just keep drinking the days away.

But then Lucifer would find out about Husk's love of stage magic, and his history as a performer, and it'd be all over for the catman. It would become Luci's new pet project to rope Husk into some joyful self-expression, and after a song and dance number's worth of convincing, Husk would start to come around. I have to post all these images now cause- I drew them with the intention of mimicking a musical number! Husk starting off as a bit resistant before jumping in whole heartedly, and Lucifer overexcitedly dragging him along throughout the music number, hyping him up and just all around being smitten.

And this is where Husk would start really falling. Getting swept up in indulging his favorite, least destructive hobby, and having someone who absolutely loves it to bond with. Especially when it would be over. When they would just settle down and talk, and laugh, and bond over what they love about performing. The spectacle, the audience, the love of the craft. Its about the comradery!!!

@belladonazeppole wrote a wonderful series of fanfics based off these pictures, as well as the songs from 'The Greatest Showman' that really fit the ship! I would be remiss to not mention them here, because Bella and their fics are just wonderful!

How they started dating;

Now. Don't think just cause they both caught feelings for each other, that they'd immediately admit to it. No. I think both of them would drag their heels. I don't think Husk would admit to them at all, without some outside force effecting it. I think he'd stubbornly try to ignore the crush or drink it away, rather than let his heart become vulnerable to anymore damage.

Meanwhile, Lucifer would be struggling between his feelings for Husk and Lilith. (In the actual canon, I do think they might try to rekindle things, depending on what kind of person Lilith turns out to be, but I digress.) Part of him would be so swept up in a giddy kind of excitement, while the other would be set firmly in the camp of 'this is a bad idea, this won't work out, just look at what happened to your last relationship'. It wouldn't stop him from being outwardly more and more affectionate, but it would be weighing on him.

I do think Lucifer would end up being the one who would be thinking; "What am I doing. He'd never like me back." While Husk would be just sitting there (echoing what was said in the ask- sorry I went all wild and wrote this much about the ship dear god)- "I'm just some fucking furry alcoholic, what the fuck would the king of hell see in me??? Am I delusional? What the fuck is going on??" And I feel like this stage would go on for MONTHS and drive everyone else nuts. It would be clear to everyone (except Alastor, who again, would be just this meme

Though that wouldn't stop him from getting a little pissy about it) And then it would all come to a head during something benign, like a board game night. There would be flirting, there would be jealousy, there would be arguing, and then finally, loudly and with a lot of feeling, Lucifer would shout his way through asking Husk out on a date. A real Date. A capital 'D' date out on the town, dressed to the nines and a real good time. The board would be knocked over in the fray, game pieces raining down upon them while Husk would just stare blank faced, trying to process what just happened. An awkward half-minute would pass before he'd finally, trying to play it cool, shrug out a 'sure'.

How much it'd piss Alastor off;

In the aftermath, a radio static would just lowly grate everyone's ears as Alastor would be slowly coming to terms on how just annoying it would be to have his friend (/Unhealthy co-dependent pet friend possession??) romantically involved (ew) with the King of Hell (double ew)??? Then, either it would be something light hearted like 'he keeps trying to break them up but failing cause he hates interacting with romance' or a darker route where 'he keeps trying to manipulate them into breaking up by preying on all their worst insecurities in the relationship'.

And that, my friend, is all I have in mind so far for this delusional crackship au! There is more I could flesh out, of course, like Angel's role as a friend or potential third in the relationship, or what I imagine as Husk becoming like a stepdad to Charlie, but I've typed enough for the whole month. Hope any of that was coherent! I did not bother to edit or proof read it. Just pure stream of consciousness.

[fairydares]

loook i get why the idea of riding the "anti/pro" fandom disk horse makes people gag a little in their mouth and try to opt out entirely, but here's why i went from feeling exactly the same way to taking a firm profiction stance. I've been meaning to make this post for a while.

~10 years ago, I posted a fic for the first time and it got its own harassment campaign. The fic wasn't even sexual, and wasn't going to be (it remains incomplete). It was accurately rated T on fanfiction.net. Anyone in the Fairy Tail fandom will understand this: I literally got harassed for writing a "Lucy leaves the guild" fic💀.

After many nice comments, someone left a pretty nasty one. Hurt, I messaged them back. They acted super attacked that I'd responded (lmao) and after we argued, threatened to "rip my shitty story apart in the comments section" if I responded again. I told them "go ahead lol."

They went ahead.

Now know that it was a relatively small harassment campaign, but at the time, it was devastating. Right around then, I wound up in the hospital. After I got out, I went to excitedly check my fic, and found several reviews saying things I wouldn't repeat to my worst enemy. I was suicide-baited more than once, told "thank fuck you finally abandoned this shitty story, dumb cunt," stuff like that.

There were several accounts involved, and I can't say for sure, but I suspect at least a couple different people were involved, though probably at least half of it was one person.

All the other comments were screeching about how I hadn't updated, mostly. "NO UPDAAATEE WHY DOES THIS ALWAYS HAPPENS TO MEEEE??!!!" was one that stood out after I'd been miserable in a hospital for an extended period of time.

Idk what people think is going on when FT fic authors write this trope, and frankly I don't give a fuck. Because while I was partly writing the story out of some young, cringe feminist rage, I also did genuinely have a real story I was compelled to tell. I was inspired by another, popular fic I loved which used the trope to talk about how trying to shoulder our burdens alone really just hurts both ourselves and everyone who cares about us.

My own story was ultimately going to have similar themes, with more focus on strength, what it means, and in what contexts earning and having it actually matters. In retrospect, no wonder I wound up in hot water, because at the time "Lucy vs. Strength vs. Misogyny" was the FT fandom's Designated Nonsensically Activist Debate™. But that's partly why i wanted to write about it; engaging with the fandom had gotten me thinking about it 🤷‍♂️

Not too long after that, FFNet oh-so-benevolently granted us the ability to delete comments from our own stories (they never took my reports seriously at all, afaik). I deleted all or most of the harassers' comments (may still be a one or two up, and i'm fairly sure there's a couple comments defending my fic from the harassment) without saving screenshots, which I really regret now. I was just so mortified and full of self-loathing about the whole thing that i wanted to forget it completely. Something that had brought me joy at a very lonely, vulnerable period of my life had turned so negative, and i couldn't even tell the people closest to me about it without being made fun of for writing anime fan fiction.

I didn't understand why this happened at the time, but--after a period of trying to forget/bid out of it all with a slight anti lean (a common approach I see people use, and one which I'm not proud of adopting)--I just had to figure out What the Fuck Even Happened There. And I'm telling you, after years of reflecting, wrestling with both sides, and educating myself, that this "status quo of harassment" culture which pervades fandom goes way deeper than you think and comes out of a way darker well than you probably realize. An astonishing amount of this is, quite literally, TERF shit and evangelical shit.

Trying to be in fandom and take a stance of, "Anti/Pro shit? Ew, I'm Not Touching that," is like swimming in a heavily polluted river and being like, "Poison? Cringe. Not me lol."

You might be lucky enough to be in a less-polluted part of the river (AKA a relatively non-toxic fandom, in which case good for you!)...but tbh this rhetoric and peer-signalling will still seep in.

I can't stress enough that pro-fiction, AKA "proship", is the normal, leftist-about-art-and-sex opinion. Pro-ship is against all the horrible things you're against; in fact, pro-ship isn't trivializing real trauma by equating it with fictional trauma, or trying to apply literal evangelical/radfem solutions--which are proven not to prevent or help. Profiction/proship is literally just saying, "Fiction is fiction, reality is reality, and the two don't have a 1:1 relationship. And historically, trying to censor just things we've decided are bad has done nothing but get LGBTQ+ and POCs censored. Therefore, depictions of illegal things shouldn't be censored." That's it. "Proshippers all ship problematic ships," is a brazen lie. Many of them share other fans' disgust for those ships, they just don't believe in censoring fic authors over it.

It is also taking a stand against harassment because--and I hope my own story has helped drive this home--as with all groups who adopt ingroup/outgroup thinking, antis are defined by their tactics, not actual stances on real, serious issues. What happened to me was absolutely a result of anti, "it's okay to 'bully out' anything I just don't like" mindset pervading fandom. In a way, this was the mindset's final form. They didn't even feel the need to cite a reason the trope was "bad" or "wrong"; it annoyed them, and they viewed their own feelings as a valid enough pathway for policing to go right ahead and do so.

In the interest of offering solutions instead of just bitching about problems, I might make a "how to know if you've bought into these types of views"-type post sometime. Also might come back to this and provide some sources/citation.

[0hitsjustkat]

random samily headcanons (a little lengthy uhhh)

really inconsistent capitalization ahead

sam wakes up early to jog in the morning and sometimes emily adjusts to her schedule so she could jog with her (they end up walking and talking the entire time 🧍‍♀️ ).

Emily cant get mad at sam for long let alone be serious abt it (sometimes they argue but it’s really just Emily).

EMILY HYPERFIXATED ON TRYING TO SEE SAM WITH HER HAIR DOWN FOR A MONTH ‼️ (sam took it down for like ten minutes and it was never seen again. Emily cherished every second).

she secretly smiles when she realizes sam refills her coffee/puts a blanket on her back when she naps at her desk. She makes sure Sam doesn’t see that stupid grin.

emily forces herself to walk normally despite the limp, she’s also quite insecure. if the pain gets too much, sam offers to carry her (emily isnt a huge fan of it and mostly endures it until they get home).

When sam massages/kisses emily’s leg scar emily catches herself smiling like an idiot.

Emily cant cook for shit. While sam can, they mostly go out to restaurants or get take out to eat instead.

emily spends her time before dates to make sure every restaurant they go to is vegan. She’d sue the hell out of them if they lied.

emily hates it when sam kisses literally anywhere but her lips.

Sam loves it when emily only kisses her lips

Emily tries to move her head so sam actually kisses her lips but sam is way ahead of her (“ugh sammy whyyyy :(“ or “what the fuck sam”).

if sam ever leaves town for whatever reason, emily gets lonely really fast. When sam comes home however she acts like she never missed her (shes more clingy than usual though).

Emily spoils the shit out of sam

Emily doesnt like it when sam buys gifts for her though.

emily prefers little things, like sam holding her hand when they walk together or sam squeezing her shoulder when she walks by to let her know shes here. emily doesn't want to be alone again and likes knowing her lover is nearby.

emily loves dressing sam up, especially knowing that sam’s wardrobe is basically workout clothes and plain shirts (sorry sam).

emily isn't too fond on physical touch (she narrates whenever someone is touching her “this is a really long high five”), but she starts opening up more to sam, like hugging her from behind. even if she's not too vocal about it.

emily feels really comfortable around sam to the point she doesnt have to worry about sam ever leaving her because she’s too “frigid” (fuck you m*ke).

ever since sam went hearing impaired, emily taught sam asl so they could communicate a little better.

emily hates sam’s dog because it keeps chasing her. The only reason why she hasn’t considered feeding him chocolate (🧍‍♀️) is because it’s sam’s.

sam is too paranoid to take baths, even with emily. shes scared someone or something will film her again. emily has to reassure her yet ends up showering with her instead.

Sam and emily mostly take turns having nightmares, with both of them comforting each other when it happens (emily dreams about beth’s head, the mines, and when m*ke tried to shoot her. sam dreams about being filmed, watching her friend “die,” and the wendigos.)

sam and emily mostly cut contact with everyone after the incident. emily only ever talking to sam (she pressed charges on m*ke for attempted murder). sam barely talks to the rest, mostly avoiding them. she did convince emily to visit jess in the hospital to rekindle their friendship (and surprisingly, it works).

when emily gets a little too mean for sam’s liking, sam gives em a look. it only dumbs down emily’s witty comments for a moment, but it pleases sam the same.

Sam calls emily em or emmy (if i recall, in a certain language for until dawn, sam calls emily emmy). emily calls sam sammy or straight up samantha to get sam’s attention (it works… i suppose)

emily said i love you first.

this is my first time making headcanons like these so bear with me 😔

[committingwarcr1mes]

mitski once said:

“i don't need the world to see that i've been the best i can be, but

i don't think i could stand to be where you don't see me”

and now i have to write this.

i really don’t get why people are so superficial about griffith, y’all like “nah, he always was evil vicious callous etc 🙄🙄🙄” and not even trying to look beneath, which is really discouraging because the eclipse arc made it very clear and showed everything in the most obvious way possible.

oh, remark: it’s only about berserk 1997.

so let’s start from afar. “griffith never cared of his people and friends, he easily betrayed them for batman costume 👻👻👻” like WTF?? he DID. he DID CARE. he sold himself to feed and equip his people, and it wasn’t like “he enjoyed f***ing that bearded guy ahshdjsa lmao 😂🤡🤡” (btw i don’t get this crap cause it seems like y’all are so obsessed with rape theme, but while feeling sorry for one victim you at the same time make fun of another. the hypocrisy of this fandom i can’t--). but return to what i’ve started. griffith always cared for his people; he never showed it and never admitted it even to himself, but he remembered everyone who died fighting for him, and i guess sometimes he really blamed himself for that — but again, never admitted it. those scenes weren’t given just for drama or something — these contradictions were always an important part of his character and determined his sight. failure would make victims meaningless. like people died for nothing.

another thing people don’t understand is that griffith never cared only about the power and the fact of becoming the king. people never strive to go on top just to go on top, all our actions are motivated by deeply personal reasons. so i think he really wanted people to follow him, believe in him, attach with his yearning. it always feels good when you see that people like you, need you, rely on you. that is what makes a leader a leader. of course you can say that it’s a selfish and vain wish, but aren’t all people selfish? you always set guts against griffith — so weren’t guts’ wishes and life stance selfish? i think it ridiculous to judge such things.

and now we get to the core — the need for love. love of thousands is pleasant, but in the end humans need something more than that. it’s lonely at the top, as they say. you still need someone to be close to, to trust and rely on. for griffith that “someone” was guts. “ wELL aCtUaLlY hE wAs NeVEr iN lOvE wiTH gUtS 🤓” oh STFU. you didn’t get the homosexual drama, but i did 🤭

and now i’m not going to speculate on was it healthy love or sElFiSh or tOxiC or pOsSeSiVe, i don’t care, you need to get that love can be twisted, sick, destructive, wrong, but it still LOVE. i agree that griffith did use guts for his own affairs, pulled in palace intrigues and etc, but it doesn’t change the fact that he had feelings for him that were able to confuse and mess him up.

“amongst the thousands of comrades... and the tens of thousands of enemies... there was only one man... you were the only one... who ever made me forget my dream” like WHY DO YOU THINK THIS NEEDED TO BE SAID??

their relationships deserve a separate paragraph actually so i won’t drive too deep. all we need to understand is that guts became too important to griffith and it was literally the end to everything he worked for during all those years.

so, guts decides to leave, nothing now can stops him. griffith is messed up and disordered, he’s crushed and isn't really aware of what he's doing. and it is a very good subtext here — he feels rejected, so he goes to charlotte who’s obviously in love with him and has sex with her. it’s a reckless impulse, a moment of weakness, and it leads to the only mistake that cost EVERYTHING. and then griffith is tortured, mutilated and losing even the possibility to talk.

retreat: i find quite interesting how easily he lost that fighting with guts. you can say “well it’s just because guts is stronger blah blah blah etc 🙄🙄🙄”, but i think it was probably about griffith’s subliminal unwillingness to hold someone who’s already decided to give up on him. however…

what is going on in griffith’s head during all these horrible events? guts. guts guts guts. logic chain is simple: he got here because of guts, he lost everything because of guts, guts is the reason for everything he has to pass through now. i’m not blaming guts, but it’s just how griffith was thinking there — which is not surprising, like imagine yourself going through this kind of torture while remembering whom have you been and what you were striving for. all can imagine, but not all can understand.

“and yet… here, in this empty, hollow world… one thing is clear in my mind. him alone… like lightning splitting through the darkness… he appears in my mind so vividly. over and over again like the waves of a tsunami… hatred… friendship… jealousy… frustration… helplessness… affection… sorrow… they all come together into a giant vortex… they pin my fading consciousness down so that it doesn’t slip away. the one who caused this… my confinement in this darkness… will now… become the only chance at survival. when did it happen? this man, whose life was once in my hands… when did i fall into his powerful clutches? and now… in my mind i see him radiating so brightly it pierces in my eyes. guts!” IN BLACK AND WHITE

and this was the moment when love started to turn into hatred; when the pain of abandonment is so strong that it destroys the rest of the feelings. no one made griffith go to charlotte and do what he did, and yet he was so messed up with guts’ leaving that he went and did it. and now he isn’t even able to talk, to walk and to hold anything with his hands. no more fighting, no more winning. no more way to fulfill his dream. all because of guts. and still, affection is living. that moment when guts & co came to save griffith and guts holding him, griffith stretches his arm to touch… or to choke him? guess we’ll never now. however, some kind of hope flared up in him again. guts came back, and probably it will get better…

but oh, it won’t. only worse.

moving on scene when griffith lays in carriage and hears guts and casca conversation on the outside. it’s a VERY important moment that many people overlook, but it is exactly what led to the eclipse events as they are. so, guts is going to leave again and offers casca to join him, casca refuses because she needs to take care of griffith, and when she said that guts decides to stay. with HER. for HER. not for griffith. the story repeats itself, and griffith is still not that significant for him.

and look what happens here. griffith’s people saw his injuries and knew that he can’t lead them any longer. one part of them is going to follow casca now, the other one — guts. they all gave up on him. so did guts. the last one, whose affection griffith desired the most. what is for casca… it is a pretty complicated moment, but a part of the problem here is feel of betrayal. you can think as you wish but i’m considering casca as more like a sister, a fellow, a loyal companion and an assistant to griffith, than a love interest. like yeah, he had a dream where he lives with her taking care of him in small nice house, but… i think it is a question of a habit. we saw two women in griffith’s life: casca and charlotte. charlotte could be a key to power, but i don’t think that griffith wanted to even remember her after the torture. casca, on the other hand, was the one who was near him for quite a long time. she cared for him, supported him. so if griffith needed to give up and live normal life like simple men do, he would choose casca as a partner just because there is now other woman. but at this moment casca took guts away from him. another betrayal. and of course, it starts the jealous.

after overhearing guts and casca’s conversation griffith gathering his strength and drives horses to… somewhere. i don’t think he was fully aware of what he was doing, most likely it was just an another reckless impulse, but he gets into a river and decides to 💀 himself. it was a peak of his despair, but accidentally the red behelit returns to him — and the eclipse starts.

no need to retell, just want to make clear two things: 1) why did griffith betrayed his friends for batman costume 👻👻👻 2) and why he raped casca

moment №1.

besides obviously outlined in the series “he built his way on corpses and he must go on with no regret blah blah blah ☝☝☝” there is a much more important element of disappointment. like yeah, griffith is definitely disappointed about people and affections by this point. he’s not a leader for his people anymore; if they still feel something for him, it’s more like a pity for the cripple. and of course — guts. affection that cost everything, the reason why he appeared in such a position.

so now he has a choice: to sacrifice something that only ruins and ruins and finally get what he dreamt of the entire life, or to choose things that once already destroyed him and live the rest of the life as a cripple even unable to speak. noble are those who chose the second option, but i absolutely and with no doubts understand griffith’s choice here.

so yeah, now griffith chooses the power over everything indeed. he chooses himself and only. good for him <3

moment №2.

the rape. and the reason why that sacrifice was so bloody and brutal. yeah, all the people who appeared there with griffith went through hell right before their death. i don’t think all these sufferings and such nightmares were needed, like just blood & flesh & bone would be enough to give a body to femto, and still it was as it was. why?

it was said that femto will be born on the ruins of griffith’s dream. THE RUINS. so i think there was ruins of his personality either. during the last year griffith survived dreadful torments, the physical pain he suffered is unimaginable, and the trauma that leaves after such horrible events is immense. and it’s not a rare thing when people who survived violence now want to bring that pain to others — to make others suffer like they have suffered. femto is a product of griffith’s worst angles of personality, of darkest things that lived in him. so yes, everyone had to anguish and die the most dire way possible.

same thing is with casca. griffith NEVER wanted to rape her, like WHY WOULD HE EVEN DO, but he was angry and jealous because guts chose her over him. femto soaked it and just did the worst thing possible to avenge. and THE CORE: femto did it in front of the guts, so HE could watch. it was never about casca. only about guts.

idk what to write in conclusion. griffguts completely devastated me. love is an evil thing. never do such 💋

[luxstring]

Written by the lovely @ceruleancattail , thank you so much for doing this art trade with me, it was a pleasure doing this with you. You were easy to chat with, direct & a fast worker [my god ur speed]. I hope to do another trade with you in the future ^v^. Now I feast.

The abundance of the stars in the sky isn’t something that’s celebrated often enough.

Pollution has congested the sparkling lights above, rendering the night sky as a void rather than the divine sight that our ancestors once behold, many an age ago. If you’re lucky, you’ll see the moon. Maybe the North Star.

That’s about it.

Not that most people notice, either way. Children of men were always so absorbed in their own lives, bustling around here and there in order to strive to make a living. Working, studying, all in a flustered rush.

No one really has time to take it slow and look up anymore. It’s a pity, truly.

For taking it slow is all that Malleus knows.

It’s an unfortunate characteristic of someone of his lifespan. Why rush about when you have quite literally almost all the time in the world? The Fae have long laughed in the face of time, prancing around on earth’s time-worn surfaces still as youthful as the day they were born.

Unfortunately that sort of existence tends to get... lonely, sometimes. Knowing that everyone you meet is flowing in a different time as compared to you. He’s gotten to know many, over the years... he doesn’t know how they’re doing, anymore. Malleus has never been too overly fond of goodbyes.

He loathes them, in fact.

If he had it his way, everyone would last forever, in this picture perfect fairytale with him. Happily ever after, as most stories go. Yet life doesn’t work out that way, does it? So Malleus resigns himself to walking at his own pace, exchanging brief moments of time with the short-lived.

However, it’s surprising to have someone who’s able walk through life the same

“Draconia.”

A soft, gentle voice rung out, as sonorous as a church's bell. It echoed through the silent landscape, a wonderful sound so familiar to Malleus himself. Something he's heard, over and over again, through the flow of time.

A finger pokes Malleus' cheek gently, the touch much like a refreshing night breeze.

"Spacing out again, are we, my prince?"

Chuckling, Malleus shoots the newcomer a gentle smile.

"No. I was simply... appreciating beauty."

A twinkling laugh, as bright as the stars in the sky. A tall figure slides through the foliage, every footstep as light as dewdrops on grass. Grey hair flowed down his scalp, framing his face perfectly. Clear azure eyes peered at Malleus somewhat curiously, a faint amusement twinkling deep within.

The entire world seemed to fall silent when Stolas spoke. As if they were waiting with bated breath just for the sound of his voice. Sometimes, Malleus felt the same way.

It was an odd feeling, really. Malleus wasn't ever one to wait on others. Others waited for him, made allowances for him, as a member of the Draconia family.

His heavy name came with pressure. Malleus was rather accustomed to the weight on his shoulders. A regal mantle laid upon him, to be borne by his body until the day he finally breathes his last. Every single one of his movements was calculated, was done with purpose. Scrutinised by all eyes in the room, whispers echoing off the walls.

However, whenever he was with Stolas, he didn't feel that pressure. There was something about Stolas' manner that set Malleus to ease. Almost like being blanketed by the swirl of stars in the night sky, gently embraced by the night's breeze.

Perhaps it's the maturity of Stolas' age. Malleus admits that it's a comfort to have someone who's lived as long as he has by his side. Perhaps.

The ghost of a grin playing on his lips, Stolas withdraws his finger, chuckling softly.

"You jest. I am not one of your precious gargoyles."

Tilting his head slightly to the side, Malleus regards Stolas with a renewed interest.

"You wouldn't be a gargoyle, Stolas Minci."

Blinking in surprise, Stolas asks:

"Oh? Then do pray tell, what exactly would I be, my dear prince?"

Pausing for a moment, Malleus hums to himself. Carefully thinking about what exactly Stolas was. What he was, to Malleus himself.

Stolas was the faint glow of the stars, pinpricks of light in the night sky. He was the North Star, always within view, ready to guide the lost back home. A reliable presence of stability, a trustworthy being. Someone who's lasted for millennia, still glowing as brightly as he did, decades ago.

Stolas was gentle touches, careful brushing of fingertips against each other then they walked side by side.

Stolas was midnight walks done around campus, silently observing the beauty hidden by the dark shawl of night.

Stolas was... someone Malleus loved, truly and deeply.

Muttering softly, Malleus let those words of truth slip from his lips.

"You are Stolas Minci. Nothing more, nothing less. I wish not for you to change.

You are....precious to me, after all."

[robinvomit]

Yeah… I recall a couple times mentioning as anon that I know nothing of DC aside from reading a bit of WFA (even though not canon), to get an idea of the characters, and, uh… got ripped to shreds. Apparently a lot hate WFA with their soul, like it personally killed their grandma. Felt super bad and stopped mentioning it every time I asked for help. OTL Never actually got helped in the end every time, too. Just an earful of hate about the WebToon comic.

Also, I guess you can also count the 2003 Teen Titans cartoon as part of what I know (along with a couple Batman movies, Batman vs. Superman, and Suicide Squad). I’ve re-watched the cartoon too many times. You’re the first nice person I’ve come across that wants to help. My heart’s gonna burst 🥺🥺🥺🥺

Anyways— um, is it genuinely too much if I ask for mainstream, mainline, oneshots, timelines and ect with multiples? I want to know everything and where to start and to continue. Despite Google being free, it’s hard finding a starting point or something a lot of people agree on (or it could just be me—). 🙏😔

Yeaah. Wfa not being canon and butchering characterization makes it pretty unwelcome — I like some of the art, but I'm also not a fan. But, that doesn't mean I'm going to make you feel bad about it. Elitist fans can kiss my ass. They treat babybats like this then wonder why the comic industry is dying — if I wasn't someone who avoided fandoms? I'd never be here. They have ruined it, it's insane. I've made some comments before.. like, the fact everyone doesn't understand the new Superman trailer because he's in pain because of healing.. like.. canonically, yeah, having your bones and organs heal at rapid speed hurts him! lmfao.

But, I have a little rule of sorts. If you don't read comics, don't speak on comics. If you don't watch dcau, don't speak on dcau. It's not in a mean way — it's more to keep that toxic bs where it belongs; away from people.

Wanting to learn is NOT and NEVER will be a bad thing. I have seen Teen Titans 9327042 over.. I could probably recite it word for word.

I don't believe in being cruel to someone just because they don't have the same knowledge as me. What the actual fuck is the point of knowing so much if I can't share? It's just pointless, tbh.

ANYWAY.

➴ V1 Tim Drake.

Robin: A Hero Reborn ( 1991 ) - first solo arc.

Robin ( 1993 - 2009 ) - a must read solo run. #1 - #100? pure v1 chaos.

Batman: A Lonely Place of Dying - this is the journey to becoming robin.

Young Justice ( 1998 - 2003 ) - half soft, half dickhead. pivotal relationships.

Teen Titans ( 2003 - 2011 ) - a bit more serious, leader tim, a bit older, emotional things.

➴ V2 Tim Drake.

Red Robin ( 2009 - 2011 ) - shows him a bit darker, grieving. must read.

Detective Comics: Rebirth ( 2016 - 2019 ) - getting into soft leader with strong team vibes.

Young Justice ( 2019 - 2021 ) - quite literally a love letter to how he was and what we lost. also, reuniting with his best friend.

Batman: Urban Legends ( "Sum of Our Parts" #4 - #6 ) - good modern Red vibes.

DC Pride: Tim Drake Special ( 2022 ) - not bad writing, explores the shift in his identity.

Extras:

Batman: War Games / War Crimes.

Batgirl ( 2000 - 2006 ) - bunch of crossovers and interactions.

➴ Jason Todd. ( I might catch shit here, idc. )

Batman: A Death in the Family ( 1988 ) - welp. we're gonna start with his death.

Batman: Under the Red Hood ( 2004 - 2006 ) - angry res arc.

Red Hood and The Outlaws ( 2011, New52 ) - redemption, found family, etc.

Red Hood and The Outlaws: Rebirth ( 2016 - 2021 ) - deeper writing.

Batman: Urban Legends ( "Cheer" #1 - #6 ) - one of the best versions of modern jason.

Extras:

Batmin & Robin ( 2009 - 2011 ) - bunch of clashing, dick & damian.

Three Jokers ( 2020 ) - stupid ass emotional arc otl

➴ Dick Grayson.

Batman: Year Three / A Lonely Place of Dying - early transition to nightwing.

Nightwing ( 1996 - 2009 ) - the iconic solo.

Nightwing: Rebirth ( 2016 - ongoing ) - modern, humor, warm.

Grayson ( 2014 - 2016 ) - undercover spy.

Nightwing: The Target ( onehsot ) - a great single. a lot about his morals.

Extras:

Batman and Robin Eternal ( 2015 - 2016 ) - leader dick.

Titans ( 1993 - 2003 ) - classics.

➴ Damian Wayne.

Batman and Son ( 2006 ) - not his first appearance but first big one.

Batman and Robin ( 2009 - 2011 ) - dick as batman, wonderful duo.

Robin: Son of Batman ( 2015 - 2016 ) - obligatory batfam redemption arc.

Super Sons ( 2017 - 2018 ) - side eyes dc. don't get attached.

Robin ( 2021 - 2022 ) - growth, friend stuff- actually a teen.

Extras:

Teen Titans ( 2016 - 2020 ) - leader dams, dark shit.

Detective Comics: Rebirth - and again with our family tension.

➴ Kon-El.

Adventures of Superman #500 ( 1993 ) - first appearance post Superman death.

Superboy ( 1994 - 2002 ) - ssooollloooo, my favorite.

Young Justice ( 1998 - 2003 ) - sorry, it's an obligatory run.

Teen Titans ( 2003 - 2011 ) - older, mature, character development.

Superboy and the Ravers ( 1996 - 1998 ) - basically a coming of age movie.

Extras:

Superboy: Man of Tomorrow ( 2023 ) - It's not exactly 90s Kon but it's basically all dc is willing to give us that's recent otl

Dark Crisis: Young Justice ( 2022 ) - the dialog is fucking hilarious and awful but it's a throwback.

[greetingfromthedead]

10. Loose Ends

Series: Apple Blossoms Pairing: Knives x GN!Reader Word count: 3.4k

Author's Note: A massive thank you to everyone who has shown support for this series! I can't thank you all enough! It truly means the world to me and it's the whole reason I am really inspired to continue with this series. I can't wait to dive into the next arc, I've had ideas for it for a long time now and I am buzzing to put them into words. Still, it will have to wait as it is time for me to give some attention to my other ongoing series, Vash's Mermaid!AU Depth of Despair. So with my focus shifting to that and other personal life things, Apple Blossoms will be on hold for a little while once again, but not to worry, I have every intention of returning thanks to you! Until I'm back with new updates, perhaps my other writing will hold you off.

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Patient after patient after patient shuffled through the clinic. Quite literally, the whole town stopped by to be seen by you and Jenny. A few were healthy; most needed attention. It seemed never ending. From morning to sundown, you spent tending to the people here. From the walk-ins to the ones you took care of the night you arrived in Silvercrest. Not everything went smoothly. While the treatments seem to be effective, more than a few people got the infection again and required you to repeat the cruel procedure. And still there were those who you couldn't save despite your best efforts.

The nightmares have continued too, haunting you every time you close your eyes. Each morning you wake up in a cold sweat having tossed and turned all night. To your relief, you didn't find yourself curled up in Knives's arms a second time, but from the dark shadows under his eyes, it became clear that he didn't sleep much while you battled with the guilt that came with doing what you had to. So when the receptionist told you that a second room became available, you took it without hesitation, hoping that at least Knives would be able to sleep in peace.

The night you did spend beside him, Knives was awake for all of it. He watched you for hours as you turned one way and the other. He watched the furrow of your brow and heard the choked sounds escaping your lungs. More than once he raised his hand to shake you awake, but then pulled back, reminded of the way you looked pressed against his body and the curve of your side under his arm. He doesn't want a repeat of that; he has enough unwelcome thoughts and feelings inside him as is; he doesn't want any more. Yet when he was left alone in the room after you got your own, it felt empty. And while he refused to admit it, it also felt lonely. It was the first time since arriving under your care that he did not hear you in the night. Even in your house, he heard your mattress squeak as you turned, but now he is left in silence.

"I am sorry it has taken me so long," you say as you remove the stitches from Knives's wound. "I should have done this days ago."

"You talk as if I am the neglected one," Knives replies almost coldly.

Ever since waking up in his embrace, Knives has mostly turned back to the same uninterested and distant facade he used to constantly have up. He speaks less, his answers short and lacking emotion. You really thought you had made progress with him, getting him to open up and speaking to you without hesitation. He hasn't put up all of his defenses, remaining somewhat open for a conversation, but it is nothing compared to what he displayed just a few nights ago.

"What are you saying? I have neglected you." you continue as you pull out another thread, "Part of the reason I dragged you along was to take care of you. Instead, I have put you in danger, taking you with me to see infectious people with festering wounds while you are at high risk. It is irresponsible of me. I am sorry."

"You always find something to apologize for. How irritating." Knives says more to himself than to you. This comment takes you by surprise; it is the first time he has complained about anything. Your forceps snag a little bit of skin, pinching Knives on accident, and you hear an ever so slight hiss as he winces.

"Sorry," you mumble, forcing your head back to the task at hand.

"Here you go again." Knives rolls his eyes at you, determined not to study your face and your hunched over posture as you work on his side. "There is always something."

You fall silent, focusing all your attention on his wound that is mostly healed, but compared to all the other cuts and injuries, this one closes slower. It worries you as you smear some ointment on it before covering it with a clean bandage. You hope it will heal soon, so you can stop fretting about it. The bandage is securely stuck to his skin as you run your fingers along the edges of it, making sure the adhesive does its job. Knives sits shirtless on the chair by the window, his eyes fixed on the view outside. He feels your fingers run gently upward from the bandage, along the red angry lines of his scars. You check them one by one, feeling the raised skin under your touch, making sure they are healing properly. Knives senses the tingle of where your fingers have been and the anticipation of where they will go next. You don't cause him pain, but he still feels uncomfortable, exposed, and strangely vulnerable. You lift his arm to check on the cuts there and to make sure the joints work as they should.

"What are you doing?" he asks without turning his head towards you.

"Making sure you've healed up well."

"You haven't been that thorough in a while."

"I should have been," you answer, but as you don't get a reply, it makes it clear he knows you're at least partially lying. "Fine, I am stalling. But that doesn't mean I am not interested in your wellbeing."

"Stalling? Thought you would be running out the first chance you get, just like every morning, neglecting to get enough sleep and food. Just rushing off to fix everybody, whatever it means."

"I want to leave this place. As soon as possible," you admit, "I've been hurrying, both to help these people but also to get everything to a point where Jenny can take over. We need to leave."

"Does it have anything to do with that military police officer? Stephen?" Knives asks, shocking you with the insight.

Stephen arrived shortly after you did with his partner, but while the other man left, Stephen stayed in town. He gave the excuse of being worried since he is almost a local to the area. He kept coming by the clinic and lending a hand wherever he could or you would let him. Every day he returned, talking to you, asking if you would have time for him, each time you brushed him off.

"It has everything to do with him," you sigh, finishing your examination of a scar that runs across his chest, and you look up just as Knives turns to face you. "Listen to me."

Knives is immediately captured by your gaze. Your face is so close to his as you look up at him, your hand still resting on his chest. The same annoying fluttering pit forms in his stomach; part of him wants to pull away, the other one is completely paralyzed by the sight of you.

"He shouldn't be underestimated," you emphasize. "He acts like an ass, but he is actually smarter than he looks. As long as I can excuse hiding our faces, I have hope, but he will get suspicious soon. He will recognize you, and I want to be long gone before he realizes anything of the sort."

"So it's not that you want to leave, but that you want to get me out of his radar," Knives speaks, his eyes slipping over your face, from your eyes to your lips.

"Yes and no. I don't want to put up with him, yet I might make an exception so I could stay and take care of the people here. But I made a promise, and until all your wounds have healed, I will not let you wander off, and I will do what I have to to keep you safe."

"All that for a troublesome promise," he mumbles, more to himself than to you, as he looks into your eyes again. They seem so fearless and so kind. That's not how humans look at him. He remembers enough to know that. "You don't have to keep it."

"I do and I will," you smile and pull back, taking your hand from his chest, where it lingered for too long. "We're almost there. It's just the one that's still left, then you can finally get rid of me."

A horrible thought crosses Knives's mind for just a moment. That singular, unwelcome intrusive thought passes so quickly and is so thoroughly shoved aside that Knives can almost pretend like it was never there. But it was. He doesn't want your time together to end. Quickly he conjures up a hundred excuses to justify that thought in case it does emerge from its banishment. He is just using you: for resources, for knowledge, as a guide, as a potential bargening chip. Everything he can think of to justify that blip of a thought and the stinging feeling in his chest that accompanied it.

"Yes. You can focus all your energy on others without having to worry about how I am doing. You can go your own way and not be kept back," Knives asys, standing up to pull the shirt over his head.

"Well, not quite," you scoff, cleaning up after yourself. "I have grown quite used to your company, and I will continue to worry no matter what. I told you I would."

You did as much as you could. You wrote down treatment plans and recipes for pain medications. You helped to take inventory of the supplies, and you taught Jenny more tricks she might need. Everything you could think of, you passed on to her. She took it well, telling you over and over again that the worst is now over thanks to you.

"I will come back. As soon as possible, I will come and check on everyone. I'm just going to go get some supplies; I am all out of medications," you explain.

"Well, it might take you longer than you think to get those supplies," Marvin chimes in. "The trading routes have dried up; not much is moving along them 'cause the stores are empty. They brought what was left last time around."

"You can stock up on what we have here. It's the least we can offer," Jenny suggests.

"No," you shake your head. "You will need all of it; I can't take it."

"Your best bet is Octovern City. From what I've heard, the newcomers set up their base of operation there. If it is true that they are offering supplies there, you should go stock up. While you're at it, maybe you can get us some of the potent stuff too, just until we get back on our feet. We will fund our share, of course."

You know Marvin is right; your best bet is indeed Octovern now that November has been decimated. But taking Knives any closer to the brunt of Earth's forces and the location that turned out to be humanity's last stand on this planet would be far too risky. But there isn't a better plan you can think of either.

"Yeah, you're probably right," you sigh. "If there's any place to get medical supplies, it's probably there, but it is a long way away. I'll go along the villages; maybe I will get lucky, and there are some traders around that can give me a boost in that regard."

"Maybe you don't have to go all the way to Octovern; perhaps the traders are stocking up there for the journey back." Jenny suggests.

"If that were true, we wouldn't be scrambling for supplies," Marvin explains. "Doesn't mean there aren't traders dealing, just that those are not our guys."

"Yeah. There are always resellers; they just haven't made their way here yet. If I am lucky, I won't have to go all the way to the city; I can return sooner in that case." you contemplate, partially telling the truth but leaving out the part where you're traveling with a wanted criminal.

"I can't believe you're leaving tomorrow!" Jenny exclaims sadly, "There is so much more I want to learn from you! And I am so grateful you came!"

"Yeah, I really don't want to think about what would have happened if you didn't arrive so quickly. Thank you. And tell Dave we are grateful for him too." Marvin says with a smile.

"You're welcome! I will be back. I believe in you, Jenny!" you say.

"I promise I will do everything just like you showed me and just like you wrote down! Everyone will be in top shape when you return!" Jenny promises, and you can't help but look at her warmly. You know the people here are in good hands. She is a quick study and takes long strides in her work.

"I wish you the best of luck! I do believe things are looking up, but it is too early to say for sure," you remark, standing up to head out. "Keep up the great work, and I will see you tomorrow. I gotta make sure I have all we need for the road."

You go back to the clinic, only lighting the one oil lamp that you need to shuffle through the supplies to find the bags you brought yourself. The room is quiet, so different now in the dim circle of light compared to the daytime when the suns pour their brilliance in through the windows, the silence replaces the chatter and yelps of pain and surprise. You find the bags you took with you and sort through them, dividing them up into what Jenny might need and the bare minimum you want to keep for yourself to hold you off until you can stock up. Some bandages, suture kits, small vials of strong alcohol, one dose of painkillers, tools, cloth, and cotton. The pile you're willing to leave behind is larger than what you plan on taking with you, compressing the multiple filled bags into just one. You pick out your water skins, filling four of them for the journey ahead and leaving the others. Moving from village to village has its advantages, including not needing to bring too many supplies, counting on the ability to restock on your way.

You're almost ready when you hear the clinic doors open, and you assume it is Jenny or Marvin who followed you, but the heavy boots quickly tip you off. Turning around, you see Stephen's silhouette approaching, with his back straight and chest puffed out in a self assured manner, displaying all of the confidence of a military police officer.

"Good evening, Mousey," he speaks softly, but you hear an edge to his voice.

"Evening, Stephen. How may I help you?" you echo back, staying cordial.

"Why so formal? You act as if we're strangers. You'll hurt my feelings like this," he says more lightly, but you recognize that there is more hiding behind those words. "I am here to ask for you to join me for a drink, like always. You deserve it, and as I hear, you're leaving town tomorrow morning."

Jenny must have told him. She is a chatterbox, and while it usually plays into her strengths, in this situation you wish she would have stayed quiet. Not that she knows that she should; you haven't told her anything that would make her think that.

"Yes, I am needed elsewhere too. I have to pack up my things, so I am sorry, I don't have the time to have a drink with you," you try to brush him off, turning away from him again to collect your things that you plan on taking with you.

Stephen comes closer, standing just a step away from you, and says, "You know I don't like to be told no."

"Yes, that's why we find ourselves in this situation in the first place," you respond firmly, a touch of impatience seeping in.

You feel his hand land on your shoulder as he turns you around. His towering figure takes a step closer, making you press yourself against the edge of the table and tilt your body back. The lamplight casts long shadows on his face, emphasizing the darkness in his eyes.

"How long do you think you can keep avoiding me?" He asks in a low voice. He tilts his head as he leans closer. Your fingers hurt from the force with which you clench the edge of the steel table. His hands hover just over your cheeks, like wishing to cup them in his palms but being unable to follow through.

"You should know," you nearly spit the answer out. "I told you that I don't want anything to do with you anymore the day that I left you. Just leave me alone."

"But I don't want to," he whispers, his eyes looking into you with a fire in them.

"I don't care," you hiss, not looking away from him.

"But you care about everybody else."

"There was a time when I cared about you too."

The clinic doors open again, one side swinging outward with enough force to slam into the wall with a loud crash. It makes Stephen back off. He straightens up, his arms lowering to his sides, but his eyes never leave yours. His lips turn into a tight line, as if holding back a flood of words.

"I guess I can give you a rain check on that drink. I understand that you are busy," he says more gently than before, but you don't believe the tenderness of his tone.

He backs away further before turning away from you, giving you the chance to shift your gaze to the door. A large, broad shouldered figure stands in the doorway, holding open the door. He doesn't say anything, but you recognize him anyway. The sight of Knives ties your stomach into knots; your only hope is that it is too dark for Stephen to see his uncovered face. For good measure, you shift yourself more in front of the oil lamp, and you see how the officer only briefly looks at Knives, probably recognizing him as your so called apprentice but not seeing enough to get suspicious about his true identity. Neither of them says a word as they stare at each other.

As Stephen leaves, a moment of tense silence remains before you finally let out a long, slow breath and relax, leaning against the table not in fear but in relief. With a squeak, the doors of the clinic close, and Knives takes a few steps closer.

"How did you get here?" you finally ask him. "I thought I told you to stay in the inn."

"I did; I was looking at the books when Marvin came in and told me you needed some help." Knives speaks, his voice level and unbothered as usual, but you see his clenched fist and wonder why that is.

You're not sure if Marvin suspected Stephen giving you trouble or if he wanted you to have a hand with packing up. Whatever the reason, you're grateful for Knives's arrival.

"Thank you for coming to help me," you say softly. "I packed up our things. I think we should take them back to the inn, in case someone comes and messes up my system."

You watch as he walks closer. Unlike Stephen, his presence makes you feel safe and glad that he is here. Somehow you get captured by the shadows dancing on his shirt and on his face; you don't move even as he stands before you. His face is the same as usual; it doesn't depict any particular emotion; it seems cold and uninterested, but his blue eyes looking into yours reveal something you haven't noticed before—a hint of something more, a flicker of some sort of emotion. You can't quite put your finger on it, but it's there.

He reaches past you to take the strap of one of the bags; by doing so, he leans closer, and you get a whiff of his familiar scent. His eyes remain on yours, piercing through the silent tension between you. It is a stark contrast to how Stephen made you feel just moments ago. Knives's presence isn't threatening to you; it makes you feel safe, but also something else, a feeling of longing and comfort that you can't quite explain. As he helps you with the bags, you can't help but wonder what goes on inside his head. What does he think, and why did he slam the door the way he did?

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[liliallowed]

dusttale papyrus if he locked the fuck in:

brother as much as I appreciate you finally doing something productive with you time *smacks his gaster blaster and it yelps cancelling the beam* killing everyone just to beat a lonely sad gamer in a lobby wipe out is not the type of behavior I expected from my brother. HAVE SOME STANDARDS SANS!

sans: huh.

papyrus: look morals aside, objectively speaking. COMPLETELY unbiased regarding the wrongness of taking someone else's life, sans. you do realize they're invested in this as a competition now right. you realize you made everything worse.

sans: literally tried everything.

papyrus: I mean... fair! I don't expect you to tell me the same explanation. up until now that could be a valid excuse but *deflects his fatal attack* IM NOT GOING TO JUST SIT HERE AND TAKE IT!

sans: welp there goes my chance...

papyrus: sans I know you've probably had this conversation with me and how painful it is to say things you've already probably explained. I understand. but have you ever listened TO ME!? like... present me. question. is this the first time I'm asking you this question.

sans: actually yeah.

papyrus: that'll be our deal! if I saw something new you'll have to agree to my terms! no killing the entire undergrounds to get the human to ragequit. you're a horrible influence sans. you're enabling them.

sans: I... you're actually... you...

papyrus: yes I'm caught up. don't worry about the traumatic experience of getting betrayed. we'll cry about it later! right now though I want to show you something BRILLIANT! I'VE DECIDED TO CHALLENGE THE HUMAN INTO FINDING ALL THE EASTER EGHS IN A TIMELINE PUZZLE MAZE! if they kill anyone they won't find the secret messages and passagesssss!!!!

sans: you're... what...

papyrus: you see I couldn't help but notice that they treat this world as a game. what if they're doing this because it's not... fun? what if I helped them explore new things? what if they're alone and just want attention sans. what if killing everyone is their way of seeking attention. and they feel like everyone always forgets them no matter what they do so they invent a whole villainous persona to be infamous and be popular and be on everyones minds and maybe it'll full the empty lonely hole they have in their heart!?

sans: ...

papyrus: I'm going to be their friend no matter what.

sans: bro they're literally a world ending demon thingy what are you-

papyrus: IF THERE'S ONE THING I KNOW ABOUT SOULLESS BEINGS OBSESSED WITH MALADAPTIVE COPING MECHANISMS AND HAVING POWERS THEY DON'T QUITE UNDERSTAND... IT'S THAT CURIOSITY AND CREATING A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT FOR THEM TO DO HARMLESS EXPERIMENTS US KEY TO YOU GODLIKE CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT!

sans: papyrus what the actual fuck are you talking about.

papyrus: I had my depression arc with a flower person sans. I KNOW HOW TO DO THIS JUST LET ME SHOW YOU. if it doesn't work I'll agree. you can kill me and everything else IM BETTING EVERYTHING ON THIS PLAN! IT WILL WORK! AND NO ONE INCLUDING THE DEMON HAS TO DIE! WE CAN ALL GET ALONG! EVEN IF WE'RE EVIL SOULLESS UNFEELING PSYCHOPATHS:D not... -the literally definition of psychopathy of course they're otherized and discrimted often because of something that's beyond control. and there's always nuance to every person and we shouldn't use name calling as a way to present certain groups as evil-

ANYWAYS. WHAT IM SAYING IS LET ME COOK SANS. YOU'VE BURNT THE KITCHEN. NOW IT'S MY TURN.

sans: you're not going to aknowledge the war crimes.

papyrus: I am but now is not the time! HURRY SANS WE HAVE TO PLANT THIS CIPHER AND USE MORSE CODE HERE! THE HUMAN WILL LOVE IT! TRUST ME!

sans: ... dejavu.

papyrus: listen you might be good at threatening toddlers in restaurants and brutally kicking their ass later but... this? this is what I've learned in my loop okay? and I'm sure you've changed and you probably think you've turned evil but I've changed too. I want to... I want to show you that I can be enough too. that you don't have to just face it all alone. and that despite everything some things will never change. you know? this is important to me sans. I know it's hard to look me in the eyes. you don't have to. just be there okay?

sans: *nods*

papyrus: *picks him up* ALRIGHT OFF WE GO!

sans: bro you forgot your notes.

papyrus: OH! wait so you were actually listening? I'm so used to your looped version dozing off at my brilliant plans...

sans: you're so cool bro.

papyrus: that... sans please don't say that to me again okay? like you I've also changed a lot. I'll always be cool but hearing that is a little triggering okay?

sans: oh... that's gotta get annoying to hear over and over huh.

papyrus: no! it's not about that it's just that I think the great papyrus... wasn't really all that great you know? I'd like to just be papyrus? I'd like to... you know? I want to just be myself. and define what being great actually means instead of chasing after empty dreams like being the hero.

sans: ...

papyrus: that reminds me do you have a specific trigger in your... loop adventure?

sans: ... don't die.

papyrus: will do. I'll have you know I have outlasted you in many resets. rest assured you aren't going to watch me die again.

sans: *nods*

papyrus: WHERE THE FUCK ARE MY NOTES!?

[baalsdungeon]

whats ur fave magi arc?

Omg! The answer to that one might surprise you. Because everyone I've ever met assumed on the spot that Kou's war Arc is my fave, given that Judar and Hakuryuu are my favorite characters and I also ship them to the moon and back, but the Arc I hold a special place in my heart for is the final arc of it - hear me out!

Maybe its because of people heavily critizizing it at that time, but it's genuinly way better than given credit for. While there's some pacing issues and a lot of interessting development being left out in the time skip or entirely, I love some aspects of it so much.

For example it's the true Juhaku arc even with way less panel time. Hakuryuu isnt entirely focused on his mission and revenge anymore, and genuinly seems to care a lot for Judar, wanting to know him better and seeking his companionship. Before this arc people assumed Judar would ditch Hakuryuu entirely for kind of redeeming himself (or trying to) and becoming a "good person" again. He didn't. Judar's loyality towards him is unquestionable, no matter what Hakuryuu does. They also both accepted themselves, their fates, and their lifes, and becoming two people that are in now way perfect, but feel human and real. Judar was introduced as evil, while Hakuryuu seemed nice and caring overall. Judar showed to be vulnerable, lonely and not as cold-hearted while Hakuryuu clashed out in anger during. They both embraced both sites of themselves in this arc.

Their development was greatly summanized during their clash against Sinbad in the sacret palace. Because Hakuryuu offially lost the test of convincing Sinbad to change his mind, I think he showed he had grown so much compared to their first meeting. And I think he won here. Because both Hakuryuu and Judar managed to understand the limits of their abilities, while Sinbad couldn't admit to have done anything wrong until the end.

Let's also talk about Sinbad because when he first "died" you just had to be there. The whole fandom was in literal tears. And later people tended to dislike both him and the plot centering around him becoming god. I get that it was a heavy shift in tone for the manga in general, but this also recently happened in another more popular show: Arcane. Everyone talks about how great and complex Viktors arc was, but he and Sinbad quite literally had the same motivation and storyline in season 2. I think Sinbad in the final arc was well-written and tied perfectly to Sinbad no Bouken manga.

I loved the fight of Yunan and Hakuei(Arba)!

I also liked Alibaba's arc, even through he appeared a bit too accepting, selfless and nice. But I also have the same problem with Morgiana and Aladdin sometimes. I think for them to sometimes during the manga showed jealousy, anger or frustration more instead of instantly forgiving would make me like them more. Especially Aladdin, who wasn't even a little angry at Arba for all she had done.

All in all, the greatest issue in this arc for me wasn't what was there, but what we havent been shown. Tess reuniting with his mother, the reveal of Judars true name etc. I think with it being hinted so much, Othaka initanally planned to include those things, but simply ran out of time here. And I don't like the last chapter, even through it leaves us with a whole new world of possibilties to expand in fanfics etc.

Sinbad choosing Alibaba as the "one true king of the world" felt like Game of Thrones declaring Bran the king of the iron throne because "who has a better story?" Everyone else. Kouen, Koumei, Hakuei. Maybe not Hakuryuu, because lets be real, it wouldn't end well, but Alibaba? No.

Aside from all of that, Kou war arc is PEAK shounen and is clearly on par with it. I'm still mourning the artstyle change towards the final arc. Nothing, for me, will beat the fight Gyokuen vs Hakuryuu and Judar.

I say final arc because other arcs are more loved than that, and while they feel more even or exciting, I appreciate it. I also started reading the manga just before the time-skip, so this was the first one I actively read together with the rest of the fandom.

Good times- Judar where are you? memes and all.

[zalrb]

PLL 3x15 Review - As Per Anon Request

"Is it a bad time?" and she quite literally broke into Hanna's room. Oh, Mona.

"But Hanna, you're different."

I don't know, I just feel like there's nothing heterosexual about this scene.

Should've made them bi and in love.

"You're putting an alarm on my window?" You literally killed your ex girlfriend's stalker, Emily.

Every time I cry for Shay's eyebrows. THEY NEED REST.

"Dad, I raised 274 dollars in pledges" you also had to kill a dude and the people around you keep getting shot or strangled, Emily. He's not being unreasonable.

"Well, I'll tell you what, she sneaks in my house past midnight--" Aria, girl, shut up. We all know no one is going to your damn house. You're safe. Just sit there in your tacky blazer and tackier dress and drink your coffee.

"I'm not going to go to my dad" omg shut uppppppppppp. Spencer had to confront her sister about being Ali's killer. Hanna had to confront Caleb about spying on her. You'll be fine.

OK but why this necklace

"Maybe you need to give this girl a chance to win you back." Mmhmm.

Why does Mona look like she's pretending to hide her face from paparazzi. It's hilarious.

She's good Mona now so she dresses like Spencer

"Please stick a fork in my neck." Do it, Emily, it's the most danger Aria will ever be in.

tuuuuuuuurn around. every now and then i get a little bit lonely and you're never coming 'round.

tuuuuuuuurn around. every now and then i get a little bit tired of listening to the sound of my tears.

is that song not them or what?

Like for what reason.

Hair just standing in the background being hair watching Mona and a cow brain. Are you not an adult, an authority figure in this school?

"Mona is a lot stronger than me, I would've lost it." We know, Aria.

"I felt sorry for her." "Me too." Spencer:

"Face it, Caleb, we were never under the radar." Better yet, the radar does not exist because no one CARES.

Like, is he a human person?

The way that A terrorizing Aria has more to do with Ezra and the fact that he potentially has a secret son, which makes it more of a devastating realization for HIM than her is so indicative of the writing for her character.

*sigh* none of the dudes on PLL are attractive enough for topless shots.

Spencer: [Hair] Mona is dangerous. She once tried to kill Toby by unscrewing a piece of scaffolding

Hair: Idk, I just feel like it's wrong to judge people tho.

"Hey, feed me. I'm starving." There's a LINE, Caleb. I don't know the boys on this show are all passively the worst while the men are just monsters.

"Before we what, let her destroy our lives again." Aria, WHO is "WE"?

The funniest thing about Spencer and Toby scenes is how half of the time, Spencer isn't even paying attention to Toby

and considering that Toby is also supposed to be as intensely stubborn and inquisitive as Spencer, they could've just made them a non-toxic Chair but instead it's this.

None of you need significant others.

"Right now, I think Mona is the best argument we've got against human cloning." What a BIZARRE insult because what it really should be is that Mona shouldn't reproduce but I guess they won't say that on a teen show. Just add in more blind jokes.

Speaking of, why haven't I heard a blind joke? It's been 27 minutes.

"I miss you." "I miss you too." You nearly killed him, Hanna.

Aria and Caleb look like siblings.

"Have you ever thought of what your life would be like if your dad had been around when you were, like, six or seven." Well, maybe he wouldn't have had to live in school vents.

They're trying to make Caleb deep here and I simply do not care.

I like how Hanna's grandmother is more Hanna than her mom.

I remember being in the States for the first time and seeing everyone put their hands over their hearts during the National Anthem and being freaked out and then people glared at me because I wasn't doing the same. Good times.

"The bag was right here wasn't it?" As if people don't move things.

and the diary just HAPPENS to be open to the page about Aria's dad.

Ali just out here extorting grown ass men.

"It doesn't matter, we were just SO lucky you were here." You're acting like you were all about to be murdered. Creepy Harold dude just took the diary page out of Aria's hand.

Lol, Mona injuring Meredith as a sign of remorse.

It's odd that they're giving Hair a semi shirtless scene when the scene is him interacting with his half-sister.

Ah, Mona.

[littlemissmanga]

Hey love! Here with that quote i was talking about!

“may my heart

be the softest place you fall,

may this love

be the wildest place you run”

Let your inspiration flow and decide which clone boy this vibes best for! 🩵

DUDE I was struck with instant inspiration when I saw this. That is a beautiful quote! This was almost stream of conscious writing and I am actively in love with it. Thank you so much for this prompt!

Wedding Speech

Pairing: Echo x Reader

W/C: 490

Warnings: None, slightly emotional but happy, so much fluff

The clinking of glasses fills the room, slowly at first until the cacophony echoes through the hall. The chatter of conversation falls away in much the same way, ending with a deafening silence.

You steady your breathing, actively keeping the tremor in your hands minute enough that you can read off your datapad. Opening your mouth, you realize you forgot your own glass. You hurriedly grab it before looking out at your family and friends, the warmth from their gazes flooding you.

“Welcome,” you say, letting your voice rise from your chest to carry through the room. “Thank you all for coming to celebrate our wedding. I know it was a long time coming.” A gentle laughter rolls from table to table, a few teasing looks are tossed your new husband’s way.

Husband. The word still felt odd, foreign. But so right it fills you with certainty.

“I promise I won’t keep you long. I just have a few words for my husband, and I wanted you all to hear them, too. They would have been vows, but someone didn’t get around to writing his.”

Playful jeering has your spouse rolling his eyes and shouting at his brothers. “We were literally running from the Empire!” His reasonable defense garners no sympathy. You are clearly their favorite.

When the roar calms to a whisper, you continue.

“My love, I know the road you’ve walked has not been an easy one. Some parts were quite lonely. My own has had some rough bumps, too. And while I wish I could take away your pain, I can’t regret the circumstances that brought you to me.

“Now, our paths have merged into one. I cannot promise the road ahead of us will be smooth. In fact, we both know it likely won’t be. But what I can promise is that you will never again walk it alone.”

You hear and feel your voice shaking, but it still rings clear and loud. You take a quick, shallow breath, knowing you are going to lose your composure as soon as you lift your eyes to meet your husband’s. A smile overtakes your lips without conscious thought as you vision blurs.

“No matter what we face, I pray that my heart will be the softest place you fall, and this love be the wildest place you run. I love you, Echo.”

You blink at your tears, forcing them over your lids to slide down your cheeks. With clearer vision, you can finally see how Echo is looking at you with the softest eyes you’ve ever seen. All the love that fills your heart to bursting is reflected back at you in his eyes.

He stands and in one quick step, his arm is around you and his lips are on you, kissing you deeply. Claiming you in front of everyone who means something to you for the second time that day.

“I love you so much, cyar’ika.”

Taglist: @dreamie411 @wings-and-beskar @starrylothcat @blueink-bluesoul @wolffegirlsunite @secondaryrealm @idontgetanysleep @freesia-writes @clonemedickix @multi-fan-dom-madness @@dystopicjumpsuit

[nalpurex]

i got souyo brainworms again and i gotta share some thoughts i have

this ones a long one so ill put a 'keep reading' thing here just in case yall dont wanna scroll past a wall of text

basically some headcanons about a healthy mix of chad narukami and normal yu, injecting loads of gap moe into this guy

(and it eventually devolves into some weird semi-story because my brains really spiralling here)

okok so, hear me out, chad narukami isnt that bad as an idea...? maybe as a more calm iteration, just another layer to yu

in the p4 manga, we get to see some of yu's backstory. (its been a while since ive read it so i might get some details wrong but) his parents are very busy people, always working and moving around, so yu's always moving around with them

because of this, hes a very independent but also lonely kid. poor guy doesnt talk much with his own mom and dad, and he never really have a good enough chance to form lasting friendships

so when he moves to inaba and starts making friends there, hes like 'oh i really want to keep these guys around...' so he starts putting up a bit of a persona (hah), some cool, unfazed guy that everyone can rely on thinking thats what people might like more. to his credit, it works pretty well, but its a bit stifling for yu himself. hes never had this many friends though, so he'll keep it up

we all know yosuke admires him quite a fair bit as is, just as a dependable friend and a strong leader. he looks up to yu in these aspects, thinking hes basically the perfect guy. (and lets never unpack that thought.) talented, charming, 'gets all the ladies', that kind of stuff

at some point its just the two of them, maybe walking home from school or something, yu gets pretty comfortable and his facade slips a little. maybe he says something completely silly, or heavens forbid theres a stray cat along the road! ("awww look at the little guy, cmeree, pspsps- oh- ahem- uh, its pretty cute...") it surprises yosuke quite a bit. he's thinking about it a lot as they part ways, it was... definitely a new side to his partner, but its also not a bad thing...

after that, yosuke starts noticing more small things about yu. whenever he invites anyone to share his lunch, its always something they like. whenever the IT are talking, he makes sure no one feels left out. he likes cats, a lot more than hes willing to show, and he loves nanako a whole lot too. his partner's... a bit of a softie under that calm and collected vibe, isnt he?

(alternatively, it'd be really funny if the entire IT knew? like "yeah, hes got a straight face all the time and sparkles fly around him whenever he strikes a pose, but hes got a dedicated schedule for hanging out with us and hes always asking when we're free. hes a big puppy, really.")

anyways, yosuke tries to encourage him to show more of this other side of him. stuff like "c'mon, we'll think you're cool either way!" and yu at first is a little hesitant, so yosuke suggests he just try it out with him

he feels some pride about it, because hes the first to learn about this side of yu! his partner trusts him the most, hes the most comfortable around him! (whats this strange other feeling? hm. dont like that.)

yu takes a little more time with the others, but theyre very welcoming about it nonetheless. specifically, they find it very charming! (making cute shapes in your bento? sewing cute stuffed toys with kanji? playing with literally every single stray cat you lay your eyes on? hell yeag.)

of course the facade doesnt completely shatter, because some parts of it are still true to yu. its just that he'll now crack the dumbest joke youve heard in your life with the same old straight face

(aaand now to derail for the sappy stuff huhuhu)

because yosuke's usually the first to be exposed to whatever new shenanigans yu's up to, eventually he starts getting some... weirder things. he brings some of it up to the other IT members and he looks insane, like:

"what? he hasnt been giving you guys origami?"

"why would he? i mean itd be cool, but thats just his part-time job isnt it? hes probably sick of paper cranes!"

"cranes... haha, yeah..." (as he thinks about the row of stupid paper animals sitting on his windowsill)

yu over time starts getting real sweet with yosuke, and he kind of gets the feeling he should just... keep this to himself...? especially when he doesnt see him acting this way with anyone else, and a small part of him wants to keep it to himself. all of this, just for him.

but that would be kind of gay, wouldnt it? hes not gay, is he...? he gets pretty happy whenever yu smiles at him, whenever he does something for him, but its just because he appreciates him as his partner... right?

eventually it all comes to a head when yu invites him to that... that spot high up in inaba. (ykno the one, its got the railing and shit.)

yosuke's climbing the hill, wondering whats yu gonna tell him, and at the top he sees him already waiting there as the sun's about to set on a nice breezy day

he kinda jokes a bit about it, like "damn did you ask me to come here now for the atmosphere?" but yu's strangely quiet

so they kinda just stand in a bit of an awkward silence before yu clears his throat... and confesses to yosuke.

...

they just. stare at each other for a bit. yosuke's at a loss, heat slowly rising in his cheeks, because what the hell?

and then yu explodes into a flustered mess, bumbling about "hey yeah man you dont have to accept if you dont wanna, i was just saying things yknow? you dont really have to-"

yosuke cuts him off, sighing a little. he tells him its okay, hes kinda had a feeling he felt the same way but he wasnt ready yet... and now his partner's confessing to his face, he cant really put it off anymore, can he?

("by the way, did you plan this? like, the timing and everything?"

"i... had a hard enough time saying 'i like you' with a straight face as it was, i kind of had to..."

"... ah.")

[lily-alphonse]

hihi!! i read ur sandy fic literally today and i couldn't get it out of my head im so obsessed😭it hurts SO good i just finished rereading it again, and I was wondering, since Steve refuses to talk about his previous experience at the End, what actually happened there? :0 (sorry if this is smth that's easy to piece together I'm not very bright sometimes T-T) Also, did you have any ideas on stuff that happened in other cycles that you didn't end up including? Hehe, personally my headcanon is that for their first hug in a future reunion, Steve would try to hug Sandy for as long as he can before Sandy learns that it hurts him, so that he can get his proper hug dosage in. Sandy give that lonely man a hug damnit :') He's been waiting for like 3 lifetimes!!

EEEEEEEEE

Ok first, if you are reading this and haven't read Sandy: An Enderman Tale, here is the AO3 link, this is going to be a spoiler-filled discussion

And second I want everyone to know that fic writers DIE for this level of engagement, I'm deceased, melted into the ground and incredibly flattered, thank you 😭🪦

Now to answer

Oh gosh the End. Oh man. Well consider this, right. How many Enderman does the average player have to kill to even open the End portal?

😬

Lmao yeah... that's... not something Steve is proud of.

I hadn't put much thought into it before but here is how I imagine things would have gone before the events of the fic, which will also explain Steve's hangups surrounding the End.

Steve wakes up in the world of Minecraft with no memory. He only knows his name, and that he is not of this world. He begins as an even more reckless adventurer than he is now, and just wants to experience everything the world has to offer

He kills a ton of Enderman and uses their pearls to find and open the portal. He knows somehow this portal is his escape out of this world

He makes it to the End and dies in his first attempt to kill the dragon. It was a rash decision to even try, he isn't even all that certain he wants to leave this world yet. He intends to go back some day, maybe once he is tired of being immortal.

It is at this point that he meets Sandy. Sandy saves Steve, playing out much like chapter 1 except for more hesitance on Steve's part. They have a tenuous ally-ship, mostly held up by the fact that Sandy won't quit following Steve.

Steve is hesitant to accept that Sandy could be good because of all of the Endermen he's slain assuming they were mindless monsters. What if one of them was Sandy? What if they are all like Sandy?

While he is in denial and trying to process, Sandy just keeps following him. Like I'm imagining he even builds a base under a lake only for Sandy to pop in as soon as he builds a ceiling tall enough lol

Steve lashes out at Sandy in misdirected anger at himself. Ok wait Ive just decided something very dramatic, he strikes Sandy when they won't stop following him. He's almost surprised when Sandy subsequently goes insane and hits him back, and he actually ends up killing them.

Instant regret. The Enderpearl left behind fucking haunts him. He goes to the End again out of desperation. Maybe there is some kind of answer to be found there, maybe Sandy will respawn there somewhere.

He finds nothing. It's exactly like the last time. Just endstone and faceless Endermen and a dragon that wants to kill him. But in a way everything has changed since the last time he was here. HE isn't the same.

As a last ditch effort, or maybe feeling sorry for himself, he makes eye contact with an Enderman. Sandy doesn't come to save him this time, and he is ripped apart. It feels fitting, in any case, that they should have a tiny taste of retribution for what he's done to them.

A long time passes before he encounters Sandy again. He's decided he's not leaving this world. Clearly there is so much more to experience that he can't even fathom, if his friendship with Sandy was even possible.

When Sandy finds him again he is beside himself, and actually scares Sandy away with his intense reaction. So he learns to be more casual about it in the future lol. He also learns that explaining what happened at the End is a no-no, because when he mentioned attacking the Enderdragon, Sandy got angry and went away for a long time.

There is a lot of trial and error in this go around. Sandy would either die because of rain or getting in the way of a monster again. Or maybe they attempt the Nether and Steve learns, no more Nether, lmao.

I did want to expand on the concept of the End with that in mind. It becomes sort of a symbol of his past failures and who he used to be. Even the fact that he nearly killed the Enderdragon and escaped this place haunts him.

He still has a lot of growing to do, he still displays selfishness and recklessness, but his relationship with Sandy is steadily making him a better person.

I love that you have a headcanon that's so fun for me. I would also like them to have a very long hug BUT it wouldn't be in the beginning since Sandy is easily spooked at first. At the end of the last chapter, Sandy is more accepting of the physical affection. So it just takes a while for them to warm up to the idea. It would prbly also help if Steve didn't make them kill him at any point lol. I see them making hugs a regular thing in a future lifetime, as long as Star is sitting somewhere out of sight!

Thank you for your ask and your incredible support my heart is warm ♥️

[rabbitenn]

Not sure if you finished DanMaca since you just finished Part 4, but I’d love for you to write HCs for Vida, Schau, Kabane and Kuon. I’ll leave it up to you in terms of free creative liberty. 🥺🫶

WHERE THE SKIES END.

What are they like, when it comes to you?

ft. Vida (Kujo Tenn), Schau (Osaka Sogo), Kabane (Izumi Iori), Kuon (Nanase Riku) x gn! reader.

cw/genre: fluff, some angst, comfort, danmaca au, so I’ll be using the names of the characters they play to refer to the boys. Spoilers for La Danse Macabre.

thank you for requesting this, dear ! I hope I managed to portray everyone according to your expectations <3

♡ VIDA (Kujo Tenn)

“Lay your burdens on me, I can bear all the weight of the world with you on my shoulders.”

— Vida, strongest fighter on the Surface, leader of Kokujohyako, wielder of a mighty scythe that can slice through anything as long as it's guided by his hand.

— In truth, he’s just a lonely man, whose heart had to become of iron and barbed wire in order to not sink alongside district 12.

— Bloodshed and death are his closest comrades in this desolate plane.

— And they must continue to be in order to keep those he loves safe.

— That’s his two friends, and, above all else, you.

— How did someone as bright as you bound up in such a region in the first place?

— You always had that sweet smile dancing on your lips, becoming sharp edged and mischievous when needed; you weren’t afraid to get your hands dirty and fight.

— Vida wishes you didn’t have to. What would it have been like, if no blood had ever stained your skin?

— From the top of a building that somehow has endured all disaster, he sighs. A gust of wind ruffles his hair, akin to threads of stardust carrying scattered wishes into a sunless sky.

— He hears steps. He knows that pattern by heart, his muscles relaxing; no need to draw his scythe, for no surprise enemy attack is coming.

— Just your footsteps, followed by your arms wrapping around him from behind.

— Your head rests on his shoulder, lips brushing the shell of his ear, his sweet scent dancing all around you, as the evening begins to settle in, the wind picking up with darkening skies.

— “Something on your mind, my Vida?”

— He sighs, those sunset eyes of his fluttering closed, hooded by the constellations in his lashes, at the same time the horizon dyes starlit.

— A soft sigh escapes your lover’s lips.

— “Nothing, nothing.” He says, that unadulterated smile that only appeared next to you, now on his features.

— “Are you sure?” You hug him a little tighter, your gaze focused on his perfect profile.

— He never really wanted to tell you when something was burdening him.

— Vida was always the type to shoulder everything alone, for the sake of those he loved.

— And yet, you knew. You knew what weighed down over his imaginary angel wings that at some point became tainted in soot and the darkness of death.

— He turns around, his warm stare and the crimson of his jacket, seemingly the only things still not devoid of color in this decaying world.

— “I am, now that you are here.” He whispers, with a kiss to your forehead.

— Vida is also the protective type (Tenn is too, if we consider how he acts towards Riku; in the same way he wants to keep his brother away from harm, he would do the same for his s/o, which applies to Vida as well).

— He doesn’t like it when you have to get involved in quarrels, and even less when you get hurt.

— The fate that awaits the unfortunate soul who ever dared to touch you in the first place… Well, let’s just say they’ll be begging for death soon enough.

— Feelings of guilt are not unusual guests in the strongest warrior on the surface’s mind either.

— For you to have to live like this… In absolute misery, quite literally fighting to stay alive every day… Vida just wishes, one day, district 12 could become a safe and happy place for you.

— Please, take his hands and comfort him in moments like this… No matter how deadly he can be in a fight, his soul is fine glass, the rose thorns enveloping it, a double edged blade, piercing his heart at the despair surrounding you.

— If it’s with you, however, Vida feels like blue skies are at the edge of his fingertips. The vivid gazes you send his way, all the sunshine he needs.

— He’ll find a better life for the two of you, and for his friends, he thinks, tightening his fingers around his poleaxe.

♡ SCHAU (Osaka Sogo)

“I’ll be there when the guns break out, ‘til the storm is over.”

— Schau, the apathetic and cold sniper of the Unity Order.

— To anyone else, he’d seem unapproachable, completely disinterested about everything happening around him. A conformist, if you will, as long as his peace and commodity are not disturbed.

— However, what most people don’t know, is the violet garden flowering on the other side of the icy waterfalls of his harsh stare.

— In the middle of that secret paradise, there was you.

— You, whose gentle fire melted the ice bullets lodged into his heart.

— By your side, the sharpshooter’s expressions became more noticeable, his lips tilting up in a rare crescent, often only seen on the sharpness of his precise shots.

— Schau might have held no regard for anything or practically anyone surrounding him, however, when it came to you, his blood pumped vigorously.

— His cool aura fell away, a rainbow of emotions gathering in whirlwinds ready to ride or die next to you.

— When it comes to romantic gestures, turns out the Unity Order’s marksman is quite the charmer.

— And without even trying.

— His touches just fluster you at the most unexpected moments.

— Like Vida, he is protective. Very protective (so, if anyone pursuing you is smart enough they’ll keep their distance. The guy carries a rifle around… I mean, I would not risk it.)

— Sometimes it’s one of his hands on the small of your back, as he escorts you to safety when he has training or duties to attend to. The way his touch lingers, hand hooking a little around your waist if anyone looks at you for too long, to let them know you’re taken… it makes your knees weak, butterflies spreading their wings in the pit of your stomach.

— On other occasions, were you to find yourselves under enemy fire, Schau shields you, one of his arms wrapped securely around your shoulders, pulling the two of you behind a wall.

— Using his other hand, he fires his rifle, taking down anyone who could ever pose a danger to you, no questions asked (he is very much like the actual Sogo in this aspect, you see).

— Honestly, it’d be pretty hard to fluster him.

— You’re his, so Schau just sees it as the most natural thing in the world to show these small (and a little possessive) affectionate gestures.

— However, when you return the actions, a warm feeling he hadn’t quite known before spreads through his chest.

— He likes it.

— He lives for those special moments with just you and him.

♡ KABANE (Iori Izumi)

“We knew this day was set long ago; and when the sharks smell the blood, they will all see it’s their own.”

— Smart, cautious and sharp, Kabane often lets out remarks laced in dark humor, regarding the regrets he holds for his immortality.

— If you happen to be a mortal, then his sorrow is infinitely more unbearable; condemned to endless wandering amongst the shadows of an underworld that won’t get to see your light anymore after you inevitably part.

— Thoughts of a future ominously nearing, compared to his centuries of existence, are enough to keep him awake at night.

— It doesn’t look like the moon will keep him any company down here.

— Rainy midnights are contained in the depths of his deep stare as he looks up at a solid sky.

— “Can’t sleep?” A voice he wishes would never be snuffed out asks, followed by the sound of light steps landing right by him.

— He lets out a breath, shoulders slumping. This isn't good, he isn’t being rational… Of course your paths will diverge someday but… that’s just how it’s bound to be.

— And he could never take that away from you, even if you’re the only thing that, right now, makes his existence bearable.

— “No, I guess I can’t.” He mumbles, to himself or to you, he is not entirely sure.

— You reply with a tender smile, scooting closer to him.

— “That makes two of us, then.” You rest your head on his shoulder; the lit torches, the closest thing to stars you could wish upon down here. “It’s hard to sleep when you’re not around, you know.”

— Those last words resonate in his mind like the chimes at midnight, as reality comes crashing down on him.

— There will come a day, when you will go your separate ways. What will it be like, when eternal sleep wraps their cloak of darkness around you forever? When an empty space is all that remains by his side?

— No, Kabane shakes his head. He can’t let such baleful thoughts take command of his mind.

— For as long as you’re here, he’ll protect you.

— He shrugs off his cape, wrapping it around you. You’re here with him; his coat, akin to a spell, making you invisible to the cold claws’ of the bitter end.

— At least, for a little longer; a lifetime to you, milliseconds to him.

Ah, the cruelty of the curse.

— If, on the other hand you’re immortal like him, then well, the withdrawn underworlder has at least one reason to not despise his existence so much.

— With you, the bleakness of the Underground lights up in colorful sparks, the glow of a thousand galaxies causing heat to rise to your partner’s cheeks, reflecting the colors you ignite inside his heart.

— Like the previous two boys, Kabane is pretty protective too. He’s always the one to patch up the bruises you get while exploring, his deft fingers delicate against your cheek as he disinfects the small cuts.

— His brow furrows in concern; no matter how much you insist that he needn’t tend to you like this, that your wounds will heal alone.

— You always love to pat his head in these instances, if only to see the cute blush that tints his pretty face.

— And honestly, eternity sounds very appealing to Kabane right now, if it means being on the receiving end of your tender affections.

♡ KUON (Nanase Riku)

“Our stories are past the horizon, we’re chasing the sun till we find them.”

— You always knew that, behind that innocent and enigmatic smile of his, a story of heartache and melancholy was waiting to be unfolded.

— Kuon was to you like some sort of fairytale; a little magical, mysterious; poetics you could spend hours attempting to decipher.

— You liked your time with him.

— You like him.

— If you’re a mortal who happens to stumble into the Underground, he doesn’t say anything about his past at first.

— Kuon will give you hints, however, in that roundabout way of his; the words he spins for your ears only, the code he desperately wants you to decipher.

— He is ready for the fleeting nature of your unforgettable presence through his endless existence.

— The ex celestial knows he’ll come to mourn you when you depart, but he’s more concerned as to how you will react when you figure out you’ll be unwillingly leaving him behind one day.

— That same melancholy smile is the first answer he offers you the moment you decode his message.

— No matter how much you beg of him to ask Kabane to make you immortal, or to at least investigate a way for you to stay with him for more time, he refuses.

— “I just can’t do that, my dear [Y/n].” Your lover utters, in that soft tone of his, smile never leaving his lips.

— “No! There must be some way!” You protest, bunching up your fists by your side. “I don’t mind living for an eternity, I don’t care how painful it becomes, I want to be with you, Kuon!”

— He doesn’t avert his gaze, reminding you of bright autumn leaves you can no longer quite remember.

— “It has to be like this…” He tells you, arms holding your shaking shoulders. “But I know we’ll meet again, after that, our paths are entwined, you know. They’ll eventually merge back together.”

— You are not certain how much of that statement is the truth and how much of it is just him trying to cheer you up.

— But whatever the case, you’ll make each moment next to Kuon one you can remember, looking back at it with a fond smile.

— If you’re immortal like him as well, then that’s okay with the both of you.

— Kuon might feel guilty for having burdened another person with the curse of never ending existence.

— However, you’re more than happy to spend centuries, millennia, with him.

— Waking up to your kisses and falling asleep with you in his arms… Those are pleasures the former celestial could never grow tired of.

— As long as he has you, every forever is a precious constellation of petals swaying to the melody of you.

[summersmithlatinxgyatt]

GoTron Was Another Summer Best (another Summer yap session)

Let's start with one thing. I felt generous and tried to watch Rickdependence Spray. I turned it off after 10 seconds. In fact, I paused after I saw that horse breeder thing for longer than I watched the intro Tried watching the Thanksgiving episode which was, just fine. Although nothing Summer caught my eye. I did this to finish up Season 5 but it was not worth it

You know WHAT was worth it, though? And what a few of you guys recommended?

'GoTron Jerrysis Rickvangelion'

I now see why this was recommended to me, and by the way it means a lot that most of you guys want me to write about Summer :3

It's almost Summer's episode, focused on her dynamic with Rick too and how it can clash with Morty

(FYI the wiki doesn't have a gallery for this episode I literally will rely on Google for this shit)

Right from the start we see that Summer is basically Rick's right-hand man. I know many people have pointed out (and it's outright said) that Summer is enabling Rick's obsession, which is explained IN the episode and something I'll return to later. Part of this episode is not only her relationship with Rick but with herself. Morty sees this as some sort of sabotage when Rick goes with her opinion and sees Morty as sort of an enemy for not going with what he wanted

She not only LITERALLY becomes a right-hand to the GoTron itself but oversees these Rick meetings instead of just hanging out with the other Summers. I mentioned the fact that Summer holds family in such a high regard. Whether or not they did this because this was also a Goodfellas parody, any good parody utilizes its characters purposefully, so I think it still works. There's also several lines where Summer talks about keeping the family close, and considering the blog I wrote about Rickmancing the Stone that mentions her being the glue that keeps the family together...yeah. When I say she's consistent and has a clear arc, it's because I managed to break her down and see the same attributes pop up here explicitly

Rick congratulates Summer for being the one reason he's even doing this GoTron shit and calls her a queen (queef first tho). Considering Season 7 where he says Summer reminds him of Diane, every time he cherishes Summer it's very genuine and because of how special and important she is to him

I know that the plot was hinging on Morty pointing out Summer being a negative influence but I still understood what she was going for. If my points sound hollow, it's because from now on I don't want to sound like a broken record whenever I mention the words 'Family' and 'Summer'

Like I said I was not a fan of Naruto and the fact that this show says the phrase 'giant incest space baby' more than once, which no show should ever do. But when Summer talks about how lonely she feels, it felt fitting. Sure, it's a...gross incest baby, but Summer felt basic motherly instincts kick on. She also wanted him to escape from there because she knows about the literal feeling of being cooped up. Like...how often does Summer go out?

With whatever friends she has she usually just stays inside. I am writing this AS I'M COOPED UP INSIDE AS PER USUAL I'D KILL SOMEONE TO GO OUT. The point being that avoiding this is something she actively does. That's why she was surprised her mom didn't originally want to use the GoTron Ferrets and why she kept enabling Rick. It's not an agenda, she just wants to bond more and go out more

However, I want to know - does this contradict 'Big Trouble in Little Sanchez'? I bring this up because it's an episode where they're supposed to be bonding and Summer is rational enough to know Rick is being harmed, yet everyone hates her for it. Why didn't Summer stop enabling Rick if it meant he would've been obsessed further? In that episode, it quite literally was killing Rick. Here, different universe versions of the Smith family come together as if to emphasize the point further. The actual issues were ones that Summer weren't aware of, but I just bring this up because no, this doesn't contradict any earlier episodes. Plus, Summer is obviously changing

Also, Summer's speech was fucking amazing. She mentions how lonely she feels in her OWN FAMILY because she has no one and went with Naruto, which is also temporary. She'll take any chance to bond with anyone

To wrap this up - Summer's place in this episode IS the crux of the plot. The family is brought together in more ways than one, with the robots and alternate universes coming together. This also makes sense with Rick having Morty and Beth having Jerry 'naturally', so to speak. If these people have each other, who does Summer have?

Her family

And even if she doesn't have ONE person to always fall back on (as she tends to be around Rick AND Morty), she'll be the one that chooses to keep everyone together. What I said in 'Rickmancing the Stone' and the trilogy I analyzed was true, Summer is the glue that keeps the family together

oh also im gonna be making a blog on the voiceovarians and a theory on Night Summer so keep an eye out for that guys

Thanks for reading!! <3

[olivia-anderson-fanfic]

Have you never heard of such a thing, darling?

(The Timari Buzzfeed Unsolved AU)

Chapter 2: The Mysterious Case of Haly’s Circus

The video opens, as always, with Tim sitting on the couch, ramrod straight despite the apparent comfortableness of his cushions, smiling in a way that he knows will set people on edge.

People who have been watching Tim’s channel for a while are suddenly struck with the same feeling that new viewers endure when they open one of his videos for the first time. There is something wrong here, though they can’t quite put their finger on what, exactly, is off.

It is never quite scary. It is hard to be scared of a teenage boy. But it is certainly unsettling.

The reason becomes apparent soon enough: the couch is not pressed to the wall as much as it usually was.

Not that this was an easy thing to realize… until someone pops out of the gap for no reason outside of wanting to be dramatic, smiling widely at the audience.

“I’m back by popular demand!” Marinette says. She leans her arms on the back of the couch. “I’m not sure why I agreed. He doesn’t pay me. I’m being exploited.”

“I literally do pay you.”

“Riiiiight, of course you do,” she says, winking. “Don’t worry, GCPD people watching this, I am well taken care of. There is no fraud going on.”

“I don’t think I like this bit,” Tim mumbles.

“Sucks to suck! I do!”

He huffs. “Why did I invite you along again?”

“Because Alya said that I didn’t complete the bet and you’re lonely?”

“You know, at some point, I’m going to sue you for slander.”

“Public figures can’t really sue for slander!”

Tim’s eyebrows raised. “Is that true?”

“Yeah. It’s why tabloids get away with everything. Probably worth a google.”

He groans and rests his head in his hands. This does not entirely hide the faint smile on his face or the way his shoulders shake with barely restrained laughter. But it’s the effort that counts. Probably.

“Okay. Editor!Me, roll intro.”

The terrible dubstep intro is back, to everyone’s utter dismay. ‘The Gotham Files, with Tim Drake’ bounces around the screen once again, but it ends soon enough, thankfully.

Unfortunately, it is quickly replaced by another intro, complete with a different terrible dubstep song and set of strobe lights, proclaiming that ‘Marinette is also here!!!!!!!!!!’

People who listen closely can hear both of them giggling in the background.

Then, there is a hard cut to the two of them standing outside of what looks to be a run-down carnival. The sign above them declares the place to be Haly’s, but it has long since been graffitied over to say ‘Hell’s’ instead.

Marinette does not seem particularly happy about this change, gripping her new ‘company-provided’ flashlight (Tim gave her a spare he found lying around his house so she wouldn’t drain her phone battery) like it was a lifeline.

Tim pays it no mind, other than a murmur of how cliche it is. He smiles at the camera. “Now, since my intro was so rudely interrupted by Marinette –.”

“Popping out from behind the couch was your idea.”

“– I will explain everything now! We are at the site of Haly’s circus. Twelve years ago, tragedy struck during a seemingly routine circus act. A trapeze line snapped, and John and Mary Grayson fell to their deaths, right in front of their young son.”

There is a moment of silence for the two fallen.

Tim brightens up the moment sixty seconds have finished passing. “And, dear viewers, this particular case is a special one, because I was there when it happened!”

Marinette frowns just slightly.

Tim laughs and waves her off immediately. “I was three, I don’t remember any of it, don’t worry about it.”

She looks somewhat unconvinced, but glances at the camera and decides to drop it. Her concern is wiped from her face like it had never been there at all. She smiles and elbows him in the side. “I guess it’s… a plan to conquer trauma by adding another trauma on top of it. Men would rather visit a haunted theme park than go to therapy.”

He rolls his eyes. “I’m not adding more trauma on top of it, I’m not going to be traumatized. There’s nothing here that can traumatize me.”

“The ghosts are going to make it their mission to prove you wrong, you know.”

“Yeah yeah, my hubris will be my downfall, of this I am aware,” he intones. And then he goes back to addressing the camera. “Now, to this day, people suspect foul play, but police refuse to investigate. Perfect conditions for a possible ghost, don’t you think? So, as always, we are here to solve the mystery of whether the supernatural exists!”

“It does. Can we go home now?”

“Thank you for your investigative journalism,” he says sarcastically, but he slings his arm over her shoulder regardless, pulling her into his side. “Besides, you don’t have to worry. With all the stuff I’ve said to diss them over the years, ghosts – if they were real, which they aren’t – would go for me first.”

“Then could you please let go? I don’t want to be near you when that happens,” she teases.

He huffs a laugh and lifts his arm, allowing her plenty of time to get away. She remains close to his side.

He snickers and lets his arm fall right back into its seemingly perpetual spot around her shoulders. “It’s just an hour.” On cue, bright red numbers appear in the top right corner of the screen, a timer waiting for them to step over the threshold before it could start. “Then we can both leave, yeah?”

“Just an hour,” she mumbles disdainfully.

“Hey, I usually stay overnight. We can do that instead, if you want.”

The video cuts to show… someone, sitting at a desk, in the dark. Their silhouette is rather chunky, it is clear they are draped in one of the biggest, fluffiest blankets known to man. But they are not the focus. No, instead the camera zooms in, to look at the two different computer screens in front of the person. One of them is clearly editing software, and the other is on YouTube. Viewers can see that he is apparently listening to the ChipiChipiChapaChapa song on loop, and has been for at least three hours. Now, though, he finally opens a second tab. The keyboard clacks as they google ‘what time is the sunrise in Gotham’. The mouse circles the time stamp on the bottom of the screen, and the person mumbles under their breath. Apparently doing math, because they edit the timer to say 8:06:45.

The viewers are back to the actual video, where Marinette is laughing.

Tim does not join her.

Her laughter does not quite peter off, but it does gain a slightly nervous edge.

“That’s… a joke right?” she says. “You don’t actually stay in haunted places for hours every time, do you?”

“Well, no, but the only reason I don’t is that there is no such thing as a ‘haunted place’. I do hang out at attractions like this overnight, though.”

“Actually, an hour seems fine.”

The video pauses. Editor!Tim heaves a deep sigh and the clock changes back to its original one-hour-long countdown.

“Also, you’re the most stubborn person I’ve ever met,” Marinette huffs when time returns to normal. They finally step into the carnival together, and the timer starts ticking down. “At least try and pretend like you think ghosts could exist, to make things fair.”

“You think that this place has a house of mirrors somewhere?” he asks. “Because I would like to introduce you to the most stubborn person to exist.”

She huffs. She might have rolled her eyes, but she was too concerned with drinking in every detail of the world around them, searching for anything amiss.

There was a lot amiss about the place, to be fair to her. Old popcorn bags lay forgotten on the ground, abandoned in a rush and trampled under hundreds of feet, their previously bright colors muddied by the elements over the years. What had once been gleaming, colorful rides were now rusting. A family of opossums peers at them suspiciously from behind a couple of molding stuffed animals, their eyes gleaming hauntingly when their flashlights turn on them.

But nothing supernatural.

The longer they go without finding anything of note, the more Marinette relaxes.

She tugs at Tim’s backpack, and he gives her a mildly questioning look, but lets her open it and pull out a spray can of bright red paint.

“How –? When –?”

“A lady never reveals her secrets,” she says, smirking, tossing the can from hand to hand.

“Isn’t that saying supposed to be about – uh – demonitizable things?”

“Probably,” she shrugs. “Not my problem, though.”

“Uh. I think it is, actually,” he laughs. “You’re going to give the viewers the wrong idea about you.”

“Oh no. The supernatural-obsessed, parasocial people in your comment section are going to witch hunt me. Oh nooooooo.”

“You know, they’d probably be happy if they managed to kill you. More things for me to investigate – and with a personal element.”

“They’re just mad because they get no –.”

No one can guess what word is bleeped out here.

He groans, but he is still grinning widely. “Don’t insult my audience and their lack of... dates! You know how important my viewer retention rates are to me!”

She sticks her tongue out at him, slipping out from under his arm and walking over to the nearest contraption. It’s a gravitron, from the looks of things – one of those rides where they spin you around so quickly that you can stick to the walls.

Marinette tugs her shirt up to cover her mouth and nose (Tim quickly shifts the camera upwards at the sight of the barest sliver or midriff with mumbles of ‘demonetization’) and spray paints the words ‘Marinette and Tim were here’.

She looks at it for a moment, seemingly thinking hard, before adding a tiny heart next to their names.

Tim groans. “You’re going to make the shippers freak out.”

Her shirt falls away from her face when she tips her head back in a laugh, and she tosses the can into a nearby trash can. It thumps against something inside, but no pissed-off animals come seeking revenge, so they pay this no mind.

“You can always cut it out in editing.”

“Mmmm trueeeeee,” he says, humming thoughtfully. “But I’d prefer not to. Engagement, you know?”

She gives a little hum of her own before leaning in to press a kiss to his cheek.

His face flushes pink. “What was that for?”

“Engagement.”

He gasps and presses the back of his hand to his forehead, like a Victorian woman who is about to faint over a couch because she happened to catch sight of a collarbone. “Oh of course it’s for the views and not for me,” he pretends to pout.

She grins widely, opening her mouth to respond, but it seems that they are not allowed to enjoy themselves and have fun.

For, in that second, the carnival whirrs to life.

Lights, muted and strangely speckled due to the accumulation of years of grime, shine down on them. The speakers crackle to life, playing songs they hadn’t heard in years. The rides creak as their rusty gears are forced into motion once again.

If you, dear viewer, pay close enough attention, you can see the exact moment the light in their eyes dies.

It coincides pretty well with the lights in the park flicking on.

Hence why paying close attention is vitally important.

Needless to say, the kids are stressed. Probably because the abandoned amusement park does not seem all that abandoned anymore.

“Any chance we tripped a motion sensor somewhere?” Marinette asks.

Tim looks like he has accidentally swallowed a lemon. “Uh… I don’t think that they would still be working after this long…”

“Great! Great. That’s what I thought, too,” Marinette says, her voice squeaking in a way that suggests she does not, in fact, think it is great.

“But – but! There is always an explanation for supernatural phenomena,” Tim says, though he is eyeing the contraption warily. It is hard to tell who he is comforting – Marinette, or himself. Hopefully himself, seeing as he was utterly failing to calm down Marinette. “Noxious fumes causing hallucinations, confirmation bias, a trick done by living people for the sake of monetary gain (a la Scoobert Doo), the wind...”

“You know, at some point this loops around to being in denial,” Marinette mumbles, pressing so close to his side that it starts to look like she is trying to meld with him.

“Shut up,” is all he can manage in retort.

There is a loud bang nearby and the pair of teens scream. Their heads spin on a swivel, and the video is briefly impossible to watch without getting sick. By the time things stabilize, the teens have come up with a solution. Marinette points at the big top, the largest and most instantly recognizable building. It’s the only place that would provide proper cover.

Not that that would do that much good against a ghost, but you have to at least try to survive in situations like these.

“There! C’mon!”

Tim makes a vague sound of protest, but Marinette is already running, and he is dragged along for the ride.

Perhaps that is not the best phrasing, since a kiddie ride they pass screeches off the rails, and they only barely stop in time to avoid getting run over by a roller coaster car.

The ghost is hot on their heels.

Marinette and Tim hop the car, adrenaline fueling them, their feet thudding against the dirt.

Neon lights spark and shatter overhead, raining sparks and gas down upon them.

Marinette’s shirtsleeve catches, and Tim is quick to put it out for her, because she doesn’t even seem to notice, too focused on helping him into the circus tent.

It is as if they have walked into another world. A kinder one, without weird ghosts that are trying to kill them for intruding upon the place they had once died. It is blissfully dark, the only sound their own ragged breathing. After all the bright lights and loud sounds and near murder attempts, it is nice.

Electricity whirrs.

A spotlight blares down on them, briefly, a clear I know you’re here, before it slides away, down to its natural resting position in the middle of the tent.

Now, you may know I am here, too.

A man in a torn circus uniform sits in the spotlight, sobbing into his hands. A tarp lay stretched beneath the long-since broken trapeze, almost mockingly, as if the ghost is making a joke about how easily avoidable their deaths had been, if only they had used a net that night. The dust they had kicked up upon entering catches in the spotlight, making it look as if the air itself is reacting to the ghost, dancing with shimmering lights.

Marinette is physically shaking by this point, her nails digging into Tim’s arm hard enough to draw blood. Tim doesn’t look much better, either, his face an ashy gray color.

Red pools in the sand the ghost kneels in.

“... wait,” Tim breathes.

He moves as if to take a step forward, but Marinette is still holding onto him, and she clearly has no intentions of getting any closer to the ghost.

Tim meets her eyes.

“Trust me.”

She bites her lip, but when he moves again she allows herself to be pulled with him.

They make their way down the steps.

He moves to make his way over the railing and jump down into the sand pit, but the lights flicker and go out.

The hand Marinette has on him is the only thing that stops him from braining himself on the ground. He wouldn’t have died, probably, but it still would have been quite an embarrassing moment to have caught on camera.

When the lights turn back on, Tim sends her a grateful smile.

Marinette doesn’t return it. Her eyes are locked on where the ghost is.

Or, was.

She doesn’t seem much more relieved by the lack of it.

Tim jumps down and helps her come down after him. Slowly, they make their way over to where the ghost had been.

He crouches to squint at the pool of blood. Marinette gags and drags her shirt up to cover her mouth and nose again. Tim looks like he very much wants to do the same, but he has other things he needs to do, first. He rifles through his backpack, his eyes never leaving the ground.

“Tim…” she says, quietly. “We should go.”

He sends her a hesitant smile. “I want a sample of this.”

He pulls out a flashlight and points it out into the darkness provided by the tarp.

There stands the ghost.

Well, it isn’t a ghost. A ghost wouldn’t cringe away from a sudden bright light being shone into their eyes. Nor would it be wearing stage makeup.

The grimy-looking clothes check out, though. A+ for effort on that, that trapeze outfit definitely looks like someone died in it.

The man glances behind himself briefly, as if considering running, before his shoulders slump in clear defeat.

He groans. “What gave it away?”

Tim points at the blood on the ground. “It should be dry by now.”

“It’s –? I’m supposed to be a ghost? The blood being wet is not the most unbelievable part?”

There was a long beat of silence.

“Oh,” says Tim.

The man – Dick Grayson, the sole surviving member of the Flying Graysons – looks like he wants to scream. Which he does, but not in the traditional way: “Jay! Cass! Come out!”

Two people step out into the light, looking just as irritable about the whole situation.

They, too, are wearing ratty clothes.

Oh. Praise revoked. The clothes are not a Choice. They are simply poor.

Marinette groans and slumps into Tim, burying her face in his shoulder as if she can’t bear to see the world anymore. He loops his arm around her, dragging her ever closer.

“Ready to stop believing that ghosts are real, yet?” Tim teases softly.

She groans. Again. Louder. She beats her fist against his chest, but there is no real power or anger behind it.

And then she fixes the three homeless people with a tired look. “I understand why you’re doing this and all… like, the economy sucks, get that bag – or free housing, I guess… but…”

There is a long string of beeps as Marinette lets loose a frankly impressive number of swears. It’s doubly impressive when one remembers that she isn’t even speaking in her first language. Go her. Clearly, she took her English lessons very seriously.

When she finally feels better, she flashes a smile and sticks her hand out for the second guy to shake.

“Hi! I’m Marinette Dupain-Cheng.”

The guy looks confused, but he shakes it.

The video cuts abruptly. The three homeless people are waving them off as Tim and Marinette head back to his car. The viewers would never get to know exactly what was said that day, but it seems they're leaving each other on well-enough terms.

“Sucks that we went through all of that just to not be able to post any of it,” she sighs. “The GCPD would probably arrest them or something.”

“Nah, it’s fine. We can just cut around it and say it was a front for the mafia. The police hate the poor, but they won't mess with organized crime. Because a lot of them are in it.”

“Oh! Great!” she says. Her tone seems to be almost sarcastic. Almost, because why would it be? It is a great plan.

“I’ll keep the real footage on my Patreon, though. My journalistic credibility shall not be marred.” He winks at the camera. “Say hi to the Patreon viewers.”

While she does lift her hand in a vague wave, she does not seem particularly soothed by his words. Perhaps because his ‘journalistic integrity’ was not at all what she had been concerned about.

“Alright, now, we need to convince the nonpaying viewers that we are scared out of our minds because of mafia b.s., so put on your best concerned face.”

Marinette looks at him.

“Perfect! And we’re rolling again!” He turns to address the camera, all wide eyes and frantic hand movements. “Okay, so, it turns out this place is a mafia hideout. Who knew?”

Marinette’s lips begin to twitch into a slight smile at his antics. “Well, I’m going back to France in a few days, so this is not my problem.”

He gasps. “You’re going to leave me here to die?! After all we’ve been through?!”

“Yep.”

Tim looks devastated.

She giggles. “Fine, fine, I’ll stuff you in my backpack and you can come with me.”

He lights back up again instantly. “Ohmygod! We can have The Gotham Files: World Tour!”

“Mmmm, I only live in France,” Marinette points out, which certainly makes the ‘World Tour’ seem less than stellar all of a sudden.

Tim takes it in stride, though. “The Gotham Files: France Tour!”

She rolls her eyes, but her smile is nothing but fond. “Nice save.”

“I know. I’m kind of awesome.”

“And always right!” she adds, in the kind of tone that suggests they’ve joked like this before many times offscreen.

“And always right,” he agrees, nodding along, sage in his always right-ness.

“Except…” Marinette says, smirking. “You were almost convinced about the ghosts for a second there. I think that means that, somewhere, you know the supernatural exists.”

He doesn’t rise to the bait. He shrugs lazily. “I just think that, if ghosts were real and could affect our reality in any meaningful way, white people just wouldn’t exist anymore.”

It is quiet for a solid nine seconds.

Marinette has stopped walking. Tim slows, turns to look at her, mildly concerned.

“Mari –?”

“Fuck, maybe ghosts don’t exist.”

The video ends.

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

Chapter 3