#intellectual bonding

[aventurineswife]

Barbatos x gn!reader, study date, maybe fluffy but you can do what you want. Well, tbh, it wouldn't be much of a study for him because I feel he would already be well-versed in the topics they study at RAD, so either it would be a refresher for him or have occasional topics of development that he hasn't heard of yet. Because he's so old he probably has a semi-history in his mind of different discoveries and theories and the public's reaction to historical events and I just think that's neat sksksks

I hope I did that right? You can tell me if I didn't. I'm not used to sending writing requests.

Study Date w/ Barb!

Summary: You spend a quiet evening studying at RAD's library, only to be joined by Barbatos, who offers his company and vast knowledge. What begins as a study session quickly turns into a fascinating journey through historical anecdotes and philosophical discussions. Barbatos’s insights and calm demeanor provide not only clarity on your studies but also a warm, meaningful connection.

Tags: Barbatos x GN!Reader, Fluff, Study Date, Light Teasing, Intellectual Bonding, Soft Moments.

It was a quiet evening at RAD, and the library was more peaceful than usual, save for the occasional rustle of pages and the soft clicking of pens. You had been spending hours immersed in the dense pages of your textbooks, trying to grasp some of the more complicated concepts of the latest lesson. You weren’t struggling per se, but the material was certainly taking some time to digest.

A familiar figure appeared at your side, his calm demeanor as impeccable as ever. Barbatos, dressed in his signature elegant attire, offered you a soft smile.

“I hope I’m not interrupting,” he said, his voice as smooth as the fine china you’d seen him use to serve tea. His eyes gleamed with a subtle warmth. “I thought you might appreciate a bit of company during your study session. It’s not often I get the opportunity to enjoy a quiet evening with you.”

You couldn’t help but smile back at him. His presence was always calming, and the thought of him offering to study with you felt like an unusual, but welcome, treat.

“No interruption at all,” you replied, gesturing to the empty seat next to you. “I’d love the company.”

Barbatos settled into the chair, smoothing out the cuffs of his white gloves. His movements were practiced and precise, the epitome of grace. He glanced at your open textbooks, a small, knowing smile tugging at his lips. He had likely already mastered the material you were studying, but he didn’t say anything—he was always polite, ever the thoughtful gentleman.

You watched as he flipped through the pages of a different textbook you had left open on the table. "Ah, the developments in ancient demonology," he remarked, his voice quiet but laden with a hint of interest. "I remember when this theory was first introduced. The public reaction was quite… enthusiastic. Some hailed it as groundbreaking, while others dismissed it outright as fanciful. I wonder how they’d react to the modern interpretations now."

You blinked, taken aback by his knowledge. "You were around when it first came out?" you asked, trying to suppress the awe in your voice.

He chuckled softly, the sound warm yet slightly mischievous. "I’ve been around for quite some time, my dear. There are a few events that remain fresh in my memory." He turned his gaze back to you, his eyes softening. "I must admit, however, there are some modern developments that have eluded me. I find it… fascinating to see how some of the theories have evolved."

You smiled, grateful for his input. His centuries of experience made him a walking encyclopedia of history, though he didn’t boast about it. It was moments like these that reminded you of how much you could learn from him—not just about academic subjects, but about life itself.

"So, you don’t mind a little refresher?" you asked, a teasing note entering your voice.

“Not at all,” Barbatos replied with a faint smirk, his fingers lightly tapping the edge of your textbook. “It’s always a pleasure to revisit old material. Sometimes, the smallest details can make the difference in how we view the present.”

As you continued to discuss the material, you couldn't help but notice how deeply engaged Barbatos was. His observations were always insightful, drawing connections between historical events, theories, and even the way modern society approached those ideas. You found yourself asking questions, not just to learn, but to hear him share his knowledge.

“Did you know,” he continued, his voice lowering as he leaned slightly closer, “that during a particular revolution in the Human World, the public’s reaction to the first mass production of a certain item caused widespread debate? Some believed it would be the downfall of society, while others viewed it as a blessing.” He paused for a moment, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “I, of course, knew the outcome.”

You raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And what was the item?"

"A printing press," Barbatos said, his smile barely contained. "It changed the course of history, but at the time, most people thought it would bring ruin. It’s amusing how much the human perspective can shift with time."

You laughed softly, charmed by his knowledge and the way he seemed to enjoy sharing these stories with you. "I guess that makes sense," you said. "So, what was the general reaction when that happened in the Devildom?"

Barbatos’s eyes darkened for a moment, as though he were pulling a memory from the depths of his long existence. “In the Devildom, I’d say the reaction was more… indifferent,” he said thoughtfully. “It wasn’t until much later that the value of such a development was fully understood, but the difference between human and demon responses is always fascinating.”

The two of you spent the next few hours in an easy conversation, with Barbatos providing insights into history, philosophy, and modern-day theories. As he spoke, you found yourself captivated, not just by his knowledge but by the way he effortlessly made the most complex topics seem like stories of old. It was as though you were sitting with a living piece of history, someone who had seen the ebb and flow of time and had the wisdom to match.

Eventually, the quiet of the library enveloped the two of you once more, and the only sounds were the occasional turning of pages and the soft clink of Barbatos adjusting his glasses.

"Thank you for this," you said, breaking the silence. "I think I’ve learned more in these few hours than I have all week."

Barbatos smiled at you, a warmth in his gaze that spoke volumes. "The pleasure was mine," he said softly. "Sometimes, it’s not about learning everything all at once, but understanding the journey of discovery. And if I may, I believe you’re well on your way."

You felt your heart flutter at his words, and for a moment, the study session became less about books and more about the connection you were sharing. Barbatos, always so composed, had a way of making you feel seen, not just as a student, but as a person. And you couldn’t help but look forward to the next study date, knowing it would be another opportunity to learn from the enigmatic butler at your side.

[imaginaldisk2024]

i keep seeing the take that "Katniss doesn't love Peeta she's just trauma bonded to him" it's making me lose my mind.

First of all, all the superior TikTok and Twitter psychologists aren't even using that term correctly. A trauma bond implies an abuser using the trauma as leverage. Neither Katniss or Peeta are abusive and you can't even make an argument about that so automatically this idea is untrue.

but more importantly- what's wrong with, outside of the abusive context, using trauma as a bond? Why does that mean that they can't love each other? This idea is so ridiculous. Peeta understand best (more than Haymitch and the other victors) what Katniss is going through. Very few people can provide emotional support to her. She has severe PTSD and the most powerful man in the entire country is attempting to plot her assassination because she's been made the face of a rebellion, in an act of defiance Peeta was also present for. Peeta, already astoundingly sympathetic to her (and others), is able to fully empathize with her. They have a shared past and have an experience that nobody else in the entire history of the games has ever had. Like are you saying Katniss feels strongly towards him because he understands and can relate to her? literally what is unhealthy or weird about that? It would be one thing if Peeta was abusive but he's not. In his normal state, he has never used the games or the shared bond they have against her and his basically only used it to help her, as well as himself.

like the basic implication is that people who have similar trauma don't actually love each other, which is just so astoundingly untrue it's really hard to even wrap my head around the idea. and if the idea is that Katniss and Peeta never would have been together if they hadn't been reaped (or she hadn't volunteered) is also not very smart, because it quite literally doesn't matter. These are the events that happen in the book and the alter Peeta and Katniss' understanding of both one another and the world at large. 2 hunger games and a rebellion is bound to fundamentally change a person in some way.

[coloredsnowo]

im not even into jrwi anymore but i was looking at this video and i barely remember who these characters are but the ending actually had me gagged

[ambafaerie]

You can’t have Old Man Yaoi without Chess.

[icharchivist]

that was so hot of him btw.

love also the focus on Solas just freeing slaves wherever he goes, without a single moment of hesitation. guh what a guy.

[3cosmicfrogs]

https://www.tumblr.com/3cosmicfrogs/734988131799072768

You get a cookie of first reblog to correctly tag who this post is about

yesssss trans mingjue truthers Rise! RISE !!!!

[mishkakagehishka]

Not even sorry for being passionate about the arts and my opinions on it being the hill i chose to die on. You followed the ValkyrieP. It's on you if you didn't expect this.

[piperslovebot]

nikkileia would make a cute college romance

[cumgrandpa]

"jojos but for war guys" is an incredible description of metal gear. youre so right

THANK YOU..... MY TARGET AUDIENCE PRESENTS ITSELF!!

[antigerrymanderingspiderman]

i added grenadine to my lemonade and not im going to analyze a james bond scene

[hazbinbabbling4ever]

Imagine what a kiss can create: a sensation of intimacy with the other person, of emotional rawness, the raw honesty stripped of all pretending to be just colleagues, human connection, emotional bonding etc.  They might be supernatural beings but they also inhabit human bodies and have for millennias, that kind of thing is bound to shape the entity into the shape it inhabits. After all... “Form shapes nature”.

Still stuck on how Aziraphale ate that meat like he was starving. Like he’d been starved for millennia, and he hadn’t even known it, because he’d never once been fed. But we know they don’t have to eat (nor sleep, etc.), so what he’d been starved for is pleasure. Being present in his body, feeling the joys and longings it could feel. Understanding what taste buds were made for. He hadn’t known; he’d never learned to miss it.

Now imagine what a kiss has done to him.

[i-need-of-a-hobby]

stan is the only member of the pines twins^2 to never make a deal with bill and i think he needs more credit for that.

ford makes, just, so many deals with his demon boyfriend

dipper literally trades his body to bill in sock opera

and while i will die on the hill that it was never her fault, mabel is tricked into making a deal with him for weirdmagenon.

but stan never gets tricked. the only time he comes close was when he was pretending to be ford but that was with the sole purpose of getting bill erased. never does bill get to him or twist his thoughts. for being the "dumb one" he's surprisingly rational in this was.

nobody matches bill intellectually, ford's fatal flaw is that he thought he did, and the pines family wins because they have an emotional core that bill never had (the power of sibling bonding saves the day and i love it) but ill go out on a limb and say that out of everyone, stan is the only one to match bill's street smarts.

bill's a master manipulator but stan is a professional con-artist with no respect for the law, you tell me who's coming out on top.

stan successfully faked his own death, ran a business for 30 years, taught himself some sort of advanced engineering to repair the portal, evaded local, federal and international authorities from the age of 18, and did it all without any support.

and going back to when he pretends to be ford to get bill to enter his mind, that scene makes stan the only character to ever outwit bill.

anyways this has been a stan pines appreciation post, thank you and goodnight

[aria0fgold]

Mirabelle from isat meets Snow and White from mhyk and mistakes them for being connected to the Change God due to the circles in their eyes.

[r4tv0mit]

james bond more like james balls

[hailsatanacab]

Sorry, but this was such a cool idea that I couldn't help myself - really enjoyed the premise so much!!! Hope you enjoy this little ficlet 😊😊

--

"So it's settled, then. Captain Marvel, Red Hood, Constantine, you'll be heading out tomorrow to deal with—"

"Tomorrow?"

"Is there a problem with that, Constantine?" Batman asks, his voice flat, because there’s no way anyone should have a problem with one of his orders.

Look.

John won't lie, he wasn't exactly paying attention to everything that had been said in the meeting, but in his defence, it was a waste of time!

From what he can see, the issue isn't anything more than a disgruntled witch acting out, and even if it did turn out to be something more, the residual magic left on the bodies didn't exactly scream power. Any one of the JLD would be able to deal with it alone, it seemed like overkill to send in both him and Captain Marvel. He doesn't even know what the Bats was thinking of, sticking a guy like the Red Hood with them, too. Yeah, the murders happened in "his territory" but what's he going to do, shoot a spell? Sure.

"I've got a thing tomorrow, can't do it."

"You've got a thing."

Christ alive, he's so condescending. John's eternally thankful that the JLD and the JL don't cross paths much.

"Yup. So, I'll leave it in your capable hands, Captain, and I'll just—"

He doesn't even get half way out of his seat before the big, bad Bat shoots him back down with a glare.

"Need I remind you why you're here, Constantine? You can't just pick and choose which missions you'll accept. Justice doesn't wait until you have the free time."

"You don't even need me there, the Captain is more than enough—"

"What could you possibly have to do that's more important than the mission?"

Thankfully, Captain Marvel intervenes before John can so much as suck in a breath.

"I'm more than happy to do it without John, Batman, it doesn't seem like a particularly hard case. He deserves some time off, it's fine."

Captain Marvel, always the gentleman. At least he has a head on his shoulders and can see that this case is bullshit. Barely even warrants a meeting, let alone three JL members.

"If it's any consolation, B, I don't particularly want them in Crime Alley, either." Red Hood finally stirs, his helmet shifting to look towards Batman.

"There you go, see! They said it's fine, so it's fine!"

"It's not fine, Constantine, this is no longer about the case and is now about your constant need to disobey and undermine orders."

"Undermine orders? Undermine you, more like, you stuck up toff. You really think you can make me do what you want just because you 'order' it? Piss off, mate."

Oh, John is really going to need to vent after this. There is no way he's not getting tomorrow off. If he doesn't get to blow off some steam tomorrow then he might just blow up in Batman's face. Actually, it'll be cathartic either way... Except blowing off steam tomorrow doesn't come with the same lasting consequences as a pissed off Batman does.

"I've had the date marked off as leave every year for the past five years, Batman. I'm not missing it for some Mildred Hubble wannabe."

"Tell me why it's so important for you to have it off."

Honestly, John can see why half the population of Gotham is in Arkham. Having to deal with the Bats is going to make him lose his mind, too. Well, fine, if he wants to know so badly, then let him know. If the explanation isn't enough for him, then John's just going to teleport out of here in the next ten minutes. Fuck him.

"It's War Day, Batman. I ain't fucking missing War Day."

"You're going to war?"

"It's War Day tomorrow?" Captain Marvel's chair crashes to the floor as he leaps up, laughing in surprise. "Batman, can I take tomorrow off, too? John, can you take me? I can't believe you never told me you got invited to War Day!"

"What is War Day?" Batman growls, and really, his constant need to know everything is starting to piss John off. Well, maybe not starting.

"Exactly what it sounds like." John reaches into his pocket to pull out his packet of cigarettes, before he remembers where he is and sadly slides them back. "And I'm not missing it."

"It's legendary in the magic community, Batman." Captain Marvel picks up the explanation, the bright smile still on his face. "It started about seven years ago, when the new High King of the Infinite Realms ascended to the throne."

"There's a new High King of the Infinite Realms?"

"Oh, bloody Nora, this is gonna go well, thank you, Captain." John rolls his eyes and slumps down into his chair. This meeting just got ten times longer. Can't make his escape now, can he? Not now he has to make sure Batman keeps his ugly nose out of Infinite Realms business. He's not ruining this for John. War Day is the one day he looks forward to each year, he'll be damned if he lets Batman fuck that up.

"What? I was just—"

"The report you submitted about the Infinite Realms stated that the king should never be freed from his captivity or he would destroy and enslave the entire universe."

How he manages to retain all of that information, from... eight? Nine years ago? Is beyond him. John actively tries to block out anything older than five.

"Yes, yes, Pariah Dark is a nightmare and won't hesitate to wage war between all dimensions should he ever be released again. But!" John holds up a finger when he sees Batman puff up his chest to argue back again. "But, like Captain Marvel said, there's a new king. He's a bit rough around the edges, a bit young and inexperienced, but he's a good guy. The Infinite Realms have never been more stable."

"A stable Infinite Realms means a stable Material World." Marvel joins in, standing straighter with an earnestness that has his eyes flashing deep as they do when the knowledge of the gods is flowing through him. "High King Phantom is the best thing for the Realms, you don't need to worry."

Batman looks between them both, the ever present frown on his face giving nothing away.

Red Hood just looks bored. Or he's asleep, honestly, John can't tell with that stupid helmet covering the entirety of his face. Actually, perhaps John should get one of those. It would make these meetings go a hell of a lot quicker if he did.

"See?" He says, turning back to Batman. "You don't need to worry, so let me take my day off and everything can be hunky-dory."

"You still haven't explained War Day."

The groan that John lets out isn't very dignified, but to be fair, he's been stuck in this meeting room with Batman and the others for three hours now. They're lucky it's not a stream of swears. Yet.

"It's War Day, Batman. Clue's in the name."

As always, Captain Marvel is his magnanimous self and takes pity on the both of them.

"It's a free reign, all bets off, showdown. For one day a year, every being in the Realms goes to war, Hunger Games style. I've heard it's great."

Red Hood suddenly straightens in his chair, head swivelling to look at Captain Marvel with an interest he hasn't shown throughout the whole of his time in the Watchtower.

"A whole day where people just go apeshit on each other?"

"Yeah," Marvel confirms, eyes wide and voice filled with a wondrous excitement that surprise John a little. Guess everyone needs to let off some steam sometimes.

"Huh." Is the only reply that Red Hood gives, before going back to... staring at the table. Probably playing poker in his helmet or something.

"What's the point of this day?"

Sometimes, John thinks that Batman was put on the earth to push all of John's buttons. Here he is, back on his bullshit, unable to just let things lie. John sighs and rubs a hand over his face. Just a few more hours and he can start having some actual fun. Lord knows he needs it.

"Point? What do you mean?"

"Why does he host this War Day? To boost morale? To train his armies? To accustom his subjects to war? Why?"

"This is why you can't have nice things, Batman. Why are you always looking for an ulterior motive?"

"Why does he host War Day?" Batman repeats in a growl that's louder than he strictly needs, but John supposes it's the only way he can be heard over Red Hood's laughter.

"Because it's fun, you miser." John answers, with a roll of his eyes. "Fighting is how they bond. They beat the everloving shit out of each other until the bell rings, then have a banquet at Phantom's Keep. It's basically Thanksgiving, but everyone's actually happy."

"Phantom's Keep? Does the High King Phantom join in?"

"Of course he does, it's his idea."

Batman tilts his head with a hum, considering, and suddenly John is filled with dread.

"Oh, no. No, no, no, you are not ruining this for me, Batman! Do you know how hard it is to get an invitation to War Day?"

He sinks his head into his hands with a groan, and pushes his palms hard enough into his eyes with the hope that the sudden vision of Batman flying in to interrogate the High King of the Infinite Realms disappears. It doesn't work.

"It's very hard to get an invitation to War Day, you gotta be tight with a ghost from the Realms. I didn't even know Deadman could get in! Which is why I'm very lucky that you're extending your invitation to me, aren't I, John?"

John just groans louder. This is not how he pictured his day going.

For a blessed few seconds, there's silence. John hopes this means everyone's left and that when he opens his eyes it'll all have been a horrible dream and his War Day can go exactly as planned.

As always, his dreams are dashed when Batman opens his mouth.

"There's still the mission tomorrow—"

"Mission's off, B." Red Hood stands up, his voice modulator louder than Batman's exasperated growl. "Turns out I got something I have to do tomorrow."

"And what's that, Red Hood?" Batman doesn't even sound surprised, just resigned.

"Beat the shit outta some ghosts, win me a War Day. You know how it is. Pick me up tomorrow, Constantine?"

"Only if there's no way I can change your mind."

Red Hood just stares, the whites of the eye shapes in his mask the only indication that he's looking at him.

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow," he sighs.

At least he can watch him realise that you can't shoot a ghost. That'll make up for crashing his War Day.

"Constantine."

Great. Great, this is great, this is the best thing that's ever happened to him, because he knows exactly what Batman is going to say and it's fan-bloody-tastic.

"If we participate in this War Day, will we be able to speak to King Phantom?"

"If I say no will you leave me alone?"

The only indication that Batman even hears him (let alone acknowledges him) is a slight deepening of his scowl.

"He'll be fighting all day, and he'll be hosting the banquet. It won't be a private meeting, but I'm sure introductions can be made."

"Then we're all going to War Day."

"Great. A work outing. That's exactly the way I wanted this to go."

Captain Marvel gasps and claps his hands, a huge grin on his face that just makes Constantine, and the Batman, scowl harder. At least someone's happy.

"This is gonna be so much fun! I haven't let loose in ages!"

"You'll be representing the Justice League, Captain Marvel, I shouldn't have to tell you to behave in a respectable manner."

"Don't listen to him, Captain, there's no such thing as a respectable War Day. If you don't bring your best, you'll be laughed out of the Realms, and I will be very embarrassed. Don't embarrass me." He gives a pointed look to Batman. "Either of you."

Batman goes to open his mouth to probably say something stupid and pompous again, but John beats him to it.

"If you're coming with me, I have some ground rules. Number one: don't embarrass me, bring your A game. If you get knocked out in the first five minutes, I don't know you and I'm leaving you there. Number two: don't harass the Ghost King, dear Lord in Heaven, do not harass the Ghost King. He's a good kid, Batman, but he's the ruler of an entire dimension and we don't want to be on his bad side. Let me or Marvel do the talking."

Marvel is nodding along to each of John's points, very seriously taking them onboard. Batman looks like he's biting his tongue and fighting down the urge to argue. That, or he's extremely constipated. It's a toss up, really.

He holds up a third finger.

"And lastly, number three: we're bringing Martian Manhunter."

"Why?" Batman sounds just about as resigned as he does when he's dealing with any of the vigilantes in Gotham.

"Because I know you're not going to stick to rule two. Martian Manhunter is going to be our peace offering when you inevitably fuck it up. Deal?"

"Deal."

John sighs. Great.

"Happy War Day, everyone. See you tomorrow."

War Day

After Danny was crowned he decided that the truce party had to have a counterpart, after all ghosts became friends mostly through battles, and he assumed that one day letting them fight wouldn't be a bad thing, it might even help stir up some grudges.

This was how High King Phantom, ruler of the infinite realms inaugurated the long-awaited "Day of War" or just "War Day", a moment when the Infinite Realms naturally became chaotic; alliances were allowed but it was not advisable to trust on them.

And of course, you were free not to participate, you just had to put a blue or green band on your arm, or a little green clock in the backyard of your haunt so the ghosts would leave you, your haunt or your territory in general alone.

Danny thought of it as some kind of giant paintball day, only with no paintballs and full of aggressive ghosts with various powers, it was especially exciting since everyone knew there would be no hard feelings after it and they would end up in the king's palace eating sweets as little children.

They usually celebrated it on a day close to any celebration related to death in human world, when their powers were especially powerful and therefore everyone could have more fun.

The problem was that since Danny had human friends (liminals?) who came to play, they didn't really consider it weird when some humans fell into the realms by a natural portal, and since they weren't wearing any blue or green arm bands they were definitely in the game.

For their part, the family of bats along with some League allies found themselves literally standing on a field of war where everyone seemed to be going for the kill, Jason was strangely excited about it, as was Damian.

When Dick asked one of the locals for an explanation, a guy on a motorbike threw him into the air laughing and yelled "LET THE HUNGER GAMES BEGIN!"

[puddleofsapphicsoup]

poem in alt