#literature nerds since DAY 1

[nothingtoseeherebyeexx]

the beginning of a beautiful friendship

part one

[metis-iphigenia]

DAMIAN WAYNE SCHOOL HEADCANONS because school opened like 2-3 weeks ago and i need to cope

•since he is 15 years old, he is in 10th grade(not letting dc pull a tim drake and make him the same age forever)

•he used to love chemistry in the 9th grade because the first subject was alchemy if i remember correctly(dc can pry the "al ghuls are alchemists" hc(canon) from my cold dead hands)

but he lost interest in chemistry quickly after the subject passed.

•his all time favourite classes are math and art. im just sure damian's type of person that doesnt separate math and art from eachother

•why art is his favourite is a given but his favourite is math because math is a class based on problem solving(and also because he can do math easily)

but yeah ik his classmates are very very annoyed whenever he says "math is easy"

•I imagine him arguing with his english teacher the most for some reason. there is no reason other than damian is a very educated kid about the english literature(literature in general) so either he doesnt care or he correct his teacher on literally everything.

•i feel like he would either do a very detail research about the book he read and write a very long essay, or make a very short one and not enough detailed. no in between(because he misunderstood his teachers when they said to "keep it short")

•he begged his father to let him take an exam that lets him skil grades based on his level but his father refused so now he takes advanced math etc.

•him and duke see eachother in the morning regularly(insomniac duke, and damian who wakes up at 5.30 is real) and they sit down to talk about random shit till 7 am mostly(duke explained him the fnaf lore and damian talked about creepypastas real)

•he texts with maps both on their way to their separate schools and make plans to meetup after school to just hang out

•damian usually reads or draws in most of the classes since he already knows everything they are teaching but when asked a question, he does yap a lot(dc should bring back yapper damian ngl)

•bathroom breakdowns were very real for 9th grade damian(literally canon event for everyone with social anxiety or people who get overstimulated at school)

•still bullied just doesnt care about it and insults them/messes with them back to get back at the bullies(it stops after him also messing with them)

•he loves playing football and volleyball but not with his teammates(ik hes #3 frat boy hater i just feel it) so he only gets along with 2 of his teammates. i imagine their personality as scott and stiles from teen wolf so yeah

•has one(1) friend and two(2) teammates he doesnt hate in total(girlfailure and girlsuccess damian youre real to me🙌😼)

also he got multiple friends outside of school anyways lmao bro is anything BUT anti-social(to me hes also the type to join his schools projects etc or debate teams)

•he always calls his mother when he makes it to school and whenever hes leaving it because talia worries and he wants ease her worries(ultimate mother daughter duo)

•after school he has a yap session with nika and they talk about everything that happened to them that day(yapper4yapper gravebird my beloved)

•him and stephanie rant about school daily and talk about how much they hate it(but they both wont drop out since steph wants that med school degree and damian also wants it in the future(med student sisterisms real))

•jon may be going to a journalism school(i think??) but hes still a science nerd so their study sessions always turns into an argument about an equation or a science problem

>>> so i think thats it!! please tell me your headcanons too and help me cope with school also because i love reading about hcs(esp thosr about damian) <<<<

[0m0r1k0]

Beyond Fate - Masterlist - Jason Todd x Reader

Series Started: 07-07-2021 Last Updated: 09-23-2024 Series Parts Completed: 1/? Part 1 - Cats Eat Birds ya Know! Status: Complete! Summary: In a strange turn of events, you find yourself as Catwoman's partner in Crime--- and so called "niece." While the night's extravagance calls for you, a run-in with death, and a new friend called Jason, how do you navigate your new life and also keep up with your civilian life? Ch. 1: A Change. Summary: You manage to steal from Gotham's most renowned thief. Ch. 2: Cats out of the Bag! Summary: There’s a reason you follow house rules. In your case, there’s a reason you do the opposite. Ch. 3: Kitty! Summary: Selina has two ideas, one you take more liking to than the other. Ch. 4: Uninvited Guests Summary: In which your heist with Selina is crashed in on and you find yourself a key. Ch. 5: Just Peachy Summary: A team in the day with a rivalry at night? Ch. 6: Deal Summary: A deal is made under the moon. Ch. 7: Whoops Summary: Another deal is struck- this time, with a different boy. Ch. 8: Candy Bar Evidence Summary: While you accidentally meet your rival once more, your rival meets his dear friend instead. Ch. 9: The Penguin Summary: You finally meet the infamous Penguin. Ch. 10: Cleaning & Clubs Summary: While Gotham Academy has various clubs, you simply can’t make yourself join one. Instead, you find a different solution to joining a club! Ch. 11: Six Crows Summary: They say crows symbolize something in literature. At least, that’s what Nerd McGee Jason once told you. So, what does six crows symbolize?? Ch. 12: Tac Kcalb Summary: Death does not come to those who dos not deserve it!  Or, plot revelations: the chapter. Ch. 13: Michi Summary: In which you must face Selina, as well as finally, get what you’ve long since promised! Ch. 14: Thgil Summary: Three days pass which means you have to uphold a deal. Ch. 15: Brother? Summary: Rain plagues your life once more but your knight in shining armor has come to save you! Speaking of which, who knew said knight has a brother??? Ch. 16: I Don't Smoke. Summary: You meet Dick Grayson and Barbara. After a little fiasco at the Wayne Manor, Jason teaches you how to destress. The final day of the Academic year had begun and your club rush seems to bring a stranger at your feet... Part 2 - Family Matters Status: Yet to be published.

[themarsmaiden]

Accolade

Yuri x Gn!Reader

alternate universe

Summary: [Name] and Yuri have known each other since they were kids. Always competing, and now they prepare for their final year in high school. For their colleges of choice, the science fair, and in love.

Case Study 1: Isami Yuri

August, the start of a new school year.

They’ve never liked Isami Yuri. He was conceited, condescending, and most of all he was bitch. Yuri was a self centered, full grown, 17 year old bitch.

[Name] had known him since the first grade, and nothing about him has changed.

Take exhibit a: the first grade spelling bee

“[Name] spell extraordinary”

“E-x-t-r-a-o-r-d-i-n-a-r-y” they smile, proud of themselves, then hear a whisper from their right, “a baby could’ve spelt that.” A small boy stood there, smug and tall.

“Yuri, spell tenacious.”

“t-e-n-a-c-i-o-u-s” he smiled proudly.

This went back and forth for several more rounds until only those two stood. In the end Yuri was the one to win.

[Name] did not hold a grudge over this anymore, that would be childish. However they would hold a grudge over exhibit b: science fair, junior year.

“Second place?! Who won first??” They look down at their computer in bewilderment. How could they not have won this year? They had made a working liver!

Granted it only worked on pigs so far, but it worked it really did work!

They opened and scrolled through the excel spread of names attached to their ‘congratulations’ email.

Lying right above their name was written, “Yuri Sami: Frankenstein’s Monster”

They gawked silently, appalled. Did he really..?

“No. I did not reanimate dead. That would be stupid.”

The man in question appeared behind them, unpleasantly surprising them. “I did a year long study into the care and treatment of a boy named Jiro, successfully waking him from his coma.”

He bragged then left, leaving [Name] stunned alone in their school’s library.

[Name] could not forgive him for the embarrassment they felt after the librarian came to ask them what was wrong, and then after finding out what happened, insinuated that they might actually like him!

They are unsure how anyone could come to the conclusion. How could anyone enjoy his presence to begin with?

Yet here they find themself, studying him from afar.

First period, the first day of their senior year.

August 13th, a Tuesday.

He was alone in the back of the class, his nose stuck in a book that read “Care for the fragile” upon its cover. Class was soon about to start but he displayed no worry.

Soon after, students filled the seats around him. His demeanor did not change.

Only when the bell rang did he close the book and put his attention towards the class at hand.

English Literature

It was not a subject that either of them had paid particular mind to since elementary school, when they both decided to head down a doctoral path.

The rest of the day created a pattern in his behavior:

Get to class early, read, pay attention. (Of course the two did not share every class, so this observation could have its faults.)

The moment when this changed was eighth period Advanced Biology.

This was a freshman topic, however the advanced version of the course was only available to upperclassmen. This makes it a prime choice for two nerds interested in this exact subject.

Yuri gets to class early, the pattern continues, however contrary to his previous behaviors, he does not take out the text book. Instead, he waits attentively.

“With the way you’ve been staring all day someone might mistake your attention as affection.” Someone sits in front of [Name] blocking their view.

The person was none other than Rui Mizuki. “If I knew any better I’d be wishing for your gaze to be on me instead.”

He snapped them out of it, making them roll their eyes. “Can it, Rui.” He laughs at their reaction. “But no seriously, you’ve been staring at him all day.”

“It’s a case study Rui. I’m trying to get into the inner mind of one Isami Yuri to make sure I ensure a victory this year.”

He sighs, “The science fair? Again?” The student in front of him nods in response. “Can’t you let it go? You take these losses too seriously! You should focus on your victories! The second grade spelling bee, middle school valedictorian, and let’s not forget sophomore science fair.” He lists their victories, which seem to go in one ear at out the other.

“You don’t get it do you? It’s not about the victories, it's about the lack of victories! They should all be victories. Losing to him is embarrassing.”

“Your obsession with this is embarrassing.”

“Just because you’re my best friend does not mean you get to say something that insulting Mizuki Rui!”

Best friend: Rui Mizuki

Relation to the case: an outside spector with less than appropriate comments.

This is best understood in exhibit c: middle school.

To save the redundant amount of details, a brief example explains all the accounts.

Yuri and [Name] compete, yuri wins? [Name] complains to Rui and he comforts them. [Name] wins, Rui listens to them brag for a week straight.

It was straightforward, and simple. Of course there was also the added details of Rui practically saving [Name] every time another student thought they were bigger and tougher and threatened them for ‘being nerdy.’ (Cartoony but middle schoolers will be middle schoolers)

They truly owed him big time, but that does not forgive his stupidity. No matter how smart he truly was underneath all his casanova flirting.

The blond was about to retort, when the teacher walked in from the hall closing the door behind him.

It was a teacher they had before, Professor Dante. He was a presumably tall man, who’s height was visually limited by the wheelchair he found himself attached to.

No one knew what happened to the professor, but rumors had circulated about him being injured by a student. Though his condition could very easily as well be from birth.

This was unimportant, as what he was about to say was much more important.

The science fair.

A mandatory part of every advanced science class. Much to half of the class’ dismay, [Name] was thoroughly interested in this topic.

Unfortunately it was skimmed over, along with a mention of a year long project to start next month.

It was no worries, both of these things were to come in due time. And in due time, [Name] would beat Yuri Isami once and for all, and then never have to deal with him ever again.

Dante discussed the syllabus for the class a little longer before dismissing the class to do a simple back to school project.

��Seriously though, [Name], you need to start focusing on other things for once. Like for example homecoming, and who you’re gonna take, and how it’s going to be me.” Rui started talking again, as he picked up his pen to start writing on the small papers that the teacher was passing out.

They rolled their eyes in response, “I’m not going to homecoming, and I certainly wouldn’t take you.”

“You hate me and you want me to die.”

[Name] does not reply to Rui, simply rolling their eyes and getting to work. “Well if you had to take someone to homecoming, who would you take?” He asks, pointing his pen in their direction as he does so.

The student frowns, “You know the answer to that.”

Rui sighs, “Lucas Errant?” he asks, putting his pencil down. “Ding, finally something logical out of your mouth this period.”

Rui finally starts writing on his paper, they were simple ‘about me’s’, an annoying yet necessary part to the start of every class. “You’ve had a crush on him since freshman year.”

“Can you blame me? He is the perfect man, by all logical reasoning he is the only choice.” They finish up the small ‘about me’, and slide it towards the edge of the lab table they shared with Rui. “You’re done?”

“I was actually doing it, instead of gossiping. Which proves all prior points about my priorities.”

Rui rolls his eyes and finishes up his paper, “It does not, but to each their own, my love.” He slides his paper to be where [Name]’s was.

“Of course vermin like you would spend all the allotted time with drab chatter.” Yuri comes around and grabs the papers on the tall table.

“At least I have friends.” [Name] retorts back.

“I have friends!” He stutters out.

“Jiro doesn’t count, he's a patient.” They refute.

“Well-” Just as Yuri was about to speak, Professor Dante comes around and grabs the papers from his student and interrupts his voice. “It’s the same every year with you two. Would it kill you to just get along?”

Without missing a beat they both respond “Yes.”

He sighs, “You two are seniors now, it’s time you start acting more mature. At least start acting cordially with one another during this period.” They both stay silent. “For me? Or else I’ll force you to work together until you can.”

The two seniors glared at each other, and then the bell rang.

“Let’s go Rui.” [Name] picks up their bag and walks out the class, Rui rushes to join them.

It seems a new challenge approached Case Study: Isami Yuri, acting cordial with him.

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

“Dante has no idea what he’s talking about!”

It had been a week, and nothing has changed in Dante’s favor. [Name] and Yuri were still bickering and competing as always.

Just today, the two competed over who could finish a lab the fastest. A group assignment that was supposed to take a while.

“I’m sure he does.” replied a voice from above the couch that [Name] had slumped themselves upon.

It was a maroon velvet couch with elaborate detailing dyed into it, classic decor of the voice who was speaking to them.

Edward Hart, a stay at home shut in who spends his time doing online school and watching twitch. The entire concept brings a tear to [Name]’s eye, they might keel over if that were them.

Luckily, it wasn’t. Though they couldn’t fault the man either, it was hard to go out due to his condition. They could get on him for slacking off though, but that was a topic for case study: Hart Edward. (a document that has already been made)

“What do you mean by that?” They look up at him as he moves to sit next to them. “Just that, perhaps, it was time you started acting more mature. In the real world you’ll have to work with people you don’t like all the time. I think he wants you two to know that.”

[Name] sighs, “I can work with people I don’t like! It’s just Yuri that I can’t tolerate.” Edward shakes his head, “There’s also the fact that as a teacher, having two intellectuals constantly fighting like children might not be the best thing in the world.”

“You talk like you have experience Ed, may I remind you you have none??” They point this out to the dark haired man next to them.

“I may not have experience, but YouTube does.” His rebuttal wasn’t a strong one, but [Name] wasn’t about to argue with him today on something this trivial when they can turn their attention to Rui who was walking into the living room with a plate of freshly baked pastries.

“You know I think Dante is onto something as well, it’d be nice to hear less about Yuri and more about myself for once.” He jokes, setting the plate down on the dark oak coffee table that sat in front of the couch.

“I don’t talk about Yuri that much!” [Name] raises their voice slightly, shocked and appalled that their friend would say such a thing.

The other two gave them an unconvinced look, “You literally only talk about beating him at science fair.” Rui says, picking up a sweet and popping it into his mouth.

“Do not! I also talk about my grades, and maybe video games, and yeah maybe the science fair but! Not always.” They complain back to him, grabbing a sweet for their own and tasting it.

“Exhibit A: Today, at lunch, I could not talk about my homecoming plans without you mentioning how homecoming was unimportant because you had to start on the science fair, so you can beat Yuri.” Rui retorts, mocking them a little by doing so.

“Or how about exhibit b? Last week’s rant about him from the first day of school.” Added Edward, who had previously been too busy eating a pastry to talk.

“Fine! But can you blame me?” They got a similar uninterested look, “Ok whatever, but you’ll see this will all pay off when I’m accepted into an Ivy League and he isn’t.”

“Whatever you wish to tell yourself, I will not stop you.” Edward dismisses them, to which Rui sighs. “Same here, I know there’s no stopping you when you’re already committed to something. But I do still think you should be a teenager some more! We don’t have long left.”

“I know, I know, I’ll take your suggestions into consideration. But only because it’s you.”

The conversation dropped and the 3 teens began talking about less important things, like what to watch. They ended up putting on Alpharad, by suggestion of Edward until the night got dark.

Edward and Rui lived together with another roommate named Lyca, who had been busy at the moment. This leads to [Name] often staying the night when they needed some space from home, or it got too late when hanging out.

It also helps that they live walking distance, which is how [Name] met Rui to begin with. (Of course when they met, his parents were still living with him and not out traveling the world.)

The rest of the month passed in a flash. School was slow and easy as everyone was getting back into the pace of things. Homecoming came and went. (Which [Name] did not go to, much to Rui’s dismay.) And Case Study: Isami Yuri saw no improvements.

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

A/N: first chapter :3 this will go on ao3 soon!!! I hope you enjoyed this one!! Updates will probably 3-5 days depending on how inspired I am ^^

MasterDoc

Next

[lnsfawwi]

why steve&bucky being artsy people matters (to me)

Steve, canonly an artist; Bucky, canonly a book nerd and possibly an art student as well

and I cannot stress enough how much that means to me

I know people, including myself, have written so many metas about them being female coded but this is important as well.

hypermasculine heroes and the sentimental art & literature don't usually go together. usually when the hero appreciates art it is usually a plot device and they come off as snub and arrogant (look at our protagonist, how knowledgeable he is!).

heroism in MCU seems to be exclusively tied to masculine traits such as good at math and physical strength, and the former usually is valued more than the latter, especially when the 'brain' of the Avengers are always stem bros, even Thor knows his space science in Ragnorok. if you don't know how to build a rocket, throw one, flex those biceps, that'll show the audience how heroic you are.

for example, magic was ridiculed for being feminine in Thor 1. Steve in catfa is specially shown to be clever, he was street smart, but that doesn't really count, does it? after all, everything special about him came from a bottle, right?

even the female love interests in Marvel are often masculine: Jane is a scientist. Peggy & pre-serum Steve's dynamic was also a reversal of traditional male/female role since her introduction was focused on her superior status and physical strength.

the idea that one has to be stem smart to be smart is discriminatory and sexist. more importantly, men don't get sentimental nor do they appreciate art, male heroes aren't supposed to be associated with feminine traits and/activities.

but Steve has always been an artist, he is always emotional and sentimental and he CARES so much. I'm sure Bucky was good at stem but at the end of the day, he's a nerd, he likes books and music, he probably took art class simply bc he LIKED it. they were also shown to express emotional support for others, something often missing from male/masculine characters.

Steve and Bucky's superpower is literally just super strong. taken at face value it's the most simplistic, masculine superpower there is. they fit every stereotypical male hero trope but somehow they just AREN'T that.

[sawrinwrites]

Sawrin does Bumbleby Week

I know I said I was going to use this month to focus on OC content, but I am a recklessly impulsive dumbass, so when the prompt list for Bumbleby Week went up and I realised I was accidentally completing the prompt for day 1, my brain went “Welp! Might as well do all 8!” and I agreed.

Some of these are based on concepts I've already been developing for future multi-chapter fics. I've marked those ones with a * by the title so you guys can let me know which ones you want to see the most.

Here’s what you can expect to see over the next 8 days:

Day 1 - Bumblebaby

Title: Expecting

Summary: A new story in the As Told By Ember collection. This tale follows the best girl as she helps her humans prepare for the arrival of their first child.

Author’s Comment: You can thank @reeves3 for this one. Without their suggestion, I wouldn’t have had the inspiration to build out a collection of Ember’s adventures.

Day 2 – Jock & Nerd AU

Title: I See You*

Summary: Weiss knows Blake and Yang are in love, she just hasn’t figured out a way to get them together yet. When Blake accidentally submits the wrong poem to her class and Yang ends up writing an essay on it, Weiss finally finds the opening she’s been waiting for.

Author’s Comment: This fit the prompt better when it was from Yang and Blake’s POV, but the story worked better from Weiss’ so that's what I wrote. Bees trauma-bonding through literature (a concept that is very near and dear to my heart).

Day 3 – Soulmates / Reincarnation

Title: And Every Time I’ll Find You

Summary: As another one of Blake’s lives draw to a close, she and Yang return to the place where it all began.

Author’s Comment: My beta reader banned me from writing soulmate stories because of this. It’s a sad one.

Day 4 – Nomad Blake & Farm Girl Yang

Title: Maybe This Year

Summary: The Kuo Kuana dragon riders make their annual visit to the floating island of Patch. For most, it’s a chance to relax. For Blake, it’s a chance to reunite with Yang and wonder how many more times she’s going to be able to leave.

Author’s Comment: Pretty sure the last time I wrote about dragons was when the years still had 00 in the middle of them. My inner child had a field day with this one. A more fun and light fic than the summary might suggest.

Day 5 – Evil Yang / Blake (or both)

Title: A Weak and Foolish Heart*

Summary: Sequestered to a keep in the middle of the Vacuo desert, the blood mage Blake leverages her skills and her history with Yang to try and ascertain the location of Princess Weiss Schnee.

Author’s Comment: This one’s the reason why each day is getting posted as a new piece of work instead of chapters under one project. Tags for blood, gore, graphic violence, and depictions of torture. I spent hours researching tendon names and positions for this. It’s also the fic that most closely resembles my preferred writing style (make of that fact what you will).

Day 6 – Comfort

Title: The Way It Feels*

Summary: Blake and Yang attempt to be intimate for the first time since Yang’s accident but the loss of sensations in Yang’s arm triggers a panic attack instead. Blake comforts her wife in the aftermath.

Author’s Comment: I’m sorry, it wouldn’t be a Sawrin fic without angst before the comfort.

Day 7 – AU Day

Title: Double Date*

Summary: After Weiss accidentally accepts an invitation to be the third wheel at a dinner date with Pyrrha and her girlfriend, Yang, she begs her best friend, Blake, to join as her fake girlfriend. An easy ask, if Blake didn’t find herself attracted to the blonde on the other side of the table.

Author’s Comment: I was going to put up a vote on which AU to do but the second I added “Fake Dating” to the list my brain went “What if the Bees weren’t the ones who were fake dating?” So here you go, fake dating monochrome with (assumed) Greek fire. Bees & Schneekos endgame. Also an excuse for me finally write Blake into that dress.

Day 8 – Bonus / VA Appreciate Day

Title: Downtime

Summary: Blake and Yang discuss the lives of their VAs, as well as their own budding relationship.

Author’s Comment: The shortest one of the lot, this is really just a small love letter to the Bees and to Barb and Arryn.

I'll be posting a link to each fic under the Bumbleby Week tag as they go live.

[no-where-new-hero]

Fire and Hemlock Readalong: Chapter 0

I’m starting this a day early because I realized that I had so much to say about the front matter that I didn't want to clog my discussion of Chapter 1. So here’s a little teaser to whet your appetite for tomorrow!

I always love entering this book because, much like entering a fairy tale or a ballad, it offers many introductory signs along the way to alert you to the textual milieu. The first is the part name: New Hero. If your edition has a table of contents, as mine does, you see that each of the four parts are anagrams of the same letters. Of course, this will become thematically important (as every other paratextual guide in the book is) but for now, we know that this part will introduce us to a new hero: Polly Whittacker. It also signals not only a protagonist, but heroism as a theme: though the novel's setting is grounded in 1980s England with only a few overtly magical moments, the events are filtered just as much through the heroic mode of adventure stories, fairy tales, and myths.

The second signpost is “allegro vivace”: I actually never looked up the translations/definitions of the musical notations in the book before, so I figured now was a good time. This one means "fast and lively," instructing a brisk pace of energy and dynamism, which sets up the vitality of Polly's youth and its concerns. The musical direction signals a tone for the initiated, and to those who aren’t, it establishes music as another major theme, alongside literature and stories.

Finally, we have the epigraph at the start of the chapter ("A dead sleep came over me / and from my horse I fell") taken from the 17th-18th century Scottish ballad, “Tam Lin.” Fire and Hemlock is most obviously a retelling of the ballad (though it retells and draws from other tales, as Diana Wynne Jones has cataloged in her essay on the novel), and interweaves the original material throughout. Later epigraphs will also be drawn from a medieval lay, Thomas the Rhymer, which is typically accepted as Tam Lin's direct antecedent.

It isn’t necessary to know the plot of Tam Lin to appreciate how the themes comes in—partially thanks to these epigraphs—but I also wrote my senior thesis on the ballad, so I’m going to offer a summary anyway: Janet, a noblewoman’s daughter, goes into the forest of Caterhaugh, where Tam Lin lives/hangs out. They have a sexual encounter, initiated by Janet’s own confidence. She becomes pregnant, and her father, not knowing who the forthcoming baby’s dad is, wants to marry her off to one of his nobles. Janet prefers to abort the baby and is about to do so when she meets Tam Lin again, who tells her to keep the child. He explains that he has been placed under a curse by a Fairy Queen, and unless Janet liberates him, he will be offered to the devil as a fairy tithe. Janet agrees, mostly to legitimize her child. Through holding onto Tam as the Fairy Queen attempts to shapeshift him into submission, Janet turns him back into a human (there is an assumption throughout that he is a bit fay himself, though born a man) and the queen rages at them for having escaped her control. The ballad ends with an unspoken HEA. Several of these thematic resonances will become really important as we work through F&H, even though the plot itself is altered (crucially, neither a sex scene nor a pregnancy feature in this version, though sexuality and transgression and also creation certainly do).

This particular quotation is an interesting choice from the ballad itself, if you excuse my nerding out: it doesn’t feature in the main version but in one of the variations, and it is spoken in Tam Lin’s voice, which contradicts the immediate narrative expectation of a line in Janet’s voice (since Polly is pretty consistently Janet throughout). But what’s most important about it is that Tam says this line (and only in a variation on the main version, incidentally) to describe what happened when he fell under the Fairy Queen’s thrall. At the outset, it signals us to enchantment: as a reader, following Polly’s navigation of this perilous world she becomes drawn into, but also merely as readers. One of my favorite things about this novel is DWJ’s ability to pull her readers into her richly felt, incredibly paced world. The first time I read this, I gulped it down in the course of an afternoon, and when I finished, I surfaced feeling as though I had woken from a dream. This book is a beautiful enchantment, and it very kindly lets you know so.

[illprotectyou-hearteyes]

Much Ado About Nothing: No Good Very Bad Version

Hi hello I'm having my semi-yearly Much Ado fixation. I was going to handle this with an overly long comparative post about productions I've seen, then quickly realized it would be too expansive for even a 'read more' to cover its sins. So instead I'll be spamming the dash with individual rants on productions. Because this is all I can currently talk about.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

First up: the worst Shakespeare adaptation I have ever seen.

Much Ado About Nothing (2012), dir. Joss Whedon:

There are no pictures for this one because I simply will not be revisiting this film to find them. Sorry.

It's so rotten ya'll. Yeah it's on me for putting on Joss Whedon's Much Ado, but it's short and my parent's copy of it was right there one day so I put it in. And then kept it in out of morbid fascination.

Full disclosure I watched it maybe a decade ago. But to my memory it's so bad it almost circles round to being an instructive case of How Not To Do Shakespeare.

My understanding is that Whedon basically invited a bunch of friends over for the weekend on a whim to film this, which I knew going in. So I wasn't expecting a polished masterpiece or anything, but one would like to imagine you'd get some fun, playful improv energy from a bunch of friends coming together to create something on a tight timeline like that. You don't

I'm not going to judge the actors' abilities on their performances in this on account of how hastily it was was tossed together. But not since high school have I heard Shakespeare read in a way that made it seem more dead-in-the-water. The lines read as if the actors are reciting from cue cards without having been given 5 minutes to figure the rhythm of the verse or what the fuck their characters are on about. For all I know they might have been.

Actually, my apologies to my high school classmates. We were a small group of theatre and/or literature nerds, and in retrospect we were probably insufferable, but we had an interest in the topic and two weeks to read each text and a great teacher who gave us notes to help us understand and emote the text when we read in class. We sounded better than this.

Okay okay. So by now I can't remember many specific choices this production made, But I sure do recall that instead of leaving Beatrice and Benedick's past to the ambiguous history implied between them by a few key lines of dialogue and the general built-up tension between them, Whedon chose to explain away this history with a flashback. In which the whole complexity of their past is that they slept together one time and Benedick left without saying anything. It's one of the stupidest adaptation choices I've ever seen, because. because. Okay look:

1. The (from what I can recall) two whole lines of vague dialogue about Benedick and Beatrice's history manages to imply so many more interesting potentials than—that. I'll save you the close reading in this already too-long post, but they gesture towards what may well have been the beginnings of a romance between them at one time; a potential fear of commitment on Benedick's part; some action that Beatrice felt as betrayal, and perhaps deception. These suggestions segue into what you see of them in the present: e.g. Benedick's insecurities—his misogynistic obsession with the idea of women's unfaithfulness, which at times topples towards the admission of fear that he's specifically afraid no one would be faithful to him. Further, in the course of the play choosing Beatrice means rejecting the boy's club that has given Benedick companionship, yes, but also protected and cheered on the worst of his behaviours—might he (in presumably less dire circumstances) in the past have been less willing to stand by brash Beatrice in the face of their teasing, and perhaps scorn? Or perhaps it was simply that their inability to 'woo peaceably' made a ruin of matters at a time before they built up sufficient trust in their mutual affection to take the poison out of it. At the end of it, there's no knowing the specifics, but the relationship in the present is tangled and interesting enough to stretch into a complex of potential pasts. Whedon's pat summary of that past in a silent insertion does not contradict those potentials, and could tie in well enough with some, but he put in no work into so tying. Instead he seeks to swallow the might-have-beens into a single, pat event, waving away the feeling of calcified layers of affection and resentment in to explain away their history without deepening it. 2. If he had to try explaining their present dynamic through a single past event, it would have been cool if he'd put at least a gesture at a thought towards selecting an event that would be thematically resonant. Again, it could even have been the exact same event if it tied in with anything at all. If I'm being really very generous despite the nothing he has done to earn my goodwill, I'll admit that owning up to the vulnerability of using words honestly to express their emotions is one of the things the characters need to learn to do, and it's a failure on this point that causes the rift in Whedon's version. But 'communication is good' is such a skin-deep layer-one read of all the play has to say about words, about their pitiful insufficiency and frightening strength, the reality they can lay bare and the terrible viciousness they can disguise. 3. The choice also hobbles the dramatic tension of the accusation of Hero. For as much as the accusation concerns Hero's supposed cheating on Claudio, there is an inescapable emphasis on female 'purity' and chastity. The weight even the most sympathetic characters place on the mindset is quite unbalancing enough to many modern viewers, especially when the production is set in a place such as present-day America, as this one is. Having Benedick and Beatrice sleep together in a sequence that implies all the issue lies with the lack of communication and in no way suggests danger to Beatrice's reputation and future from the act itself results in the 3rd act turn coming even further left of field, and makes the characters' ethical perspectives borderline incoherent. 4. Okay yeah it's starting to feel weird that I've spent that many words ranting about a quick insert of Benedick and Beatrice having sex. You have to understand I have so much pent up rage about this production and this is one of the only concrete details I can recall to direct all that at. To clarify I'd love for them to have all the sex they want and be as conflicted about it as they fancy as long as it is thematically coherent with the narrative. Yeah I'm also not sure that sentence made this any better. Can you tell I'm asexual

Anyhoo that's it for the ranting. This production does have precisely 2 things to recommend it:

Nathan Fillion is good at Shakespeare apparently. I have no particular feelings about him as an actor outside of this, but he is The person in this film who says the lines like he has any clue what words are coming out of his mouth. Also, he plays Dogberry. And I'll be honest—I usually find the Dogberry scenes a bit of a drag. I looked forward to them so hard in this production. They were the only times I laughed. Dogberry suddenly seemed vibrant, alive, the soul of the play. I understood him for the first time. If I was in a dark parallel universe where this was the only Shakespeare I'd watched, I'd remember Dogberry as his greatest creation.

It's made by Joss Whedon, which means I get to be mean about it without feeling bad :) However I offer my sincere condolences to any decent artists who got roped into his vanity trashfire. Except Nathan Fillion, who somehow came off looking better for it. Any warm feelings I have towards the man are for making some minutes of this atrocity bearable.

Fin.

[dixidin]

Genshin Impact hcs for every nation pt.1

Mondstadt edition!

Info: OOC? Mentions of other characters, writing sucks, sorry if I get some lore wrong with some characters! Fyi, none of this is cannon besides the occasional lore mentions (also I am trying to clean out all of these hcs before fountaine comes out and I am SPRINTING)

Albedo: Since he's not a human, he didn't know how to react when he broke one of his bones. Thankfully, Sucrose was there to help him and took him back to Mondstadt to get his broken bone bandaged up. Jean demanded (intimidated) Albedo to rest until he was healed, safe to say he was not happy.

Amber: When she was a kid, she loved apples and even had a tree for apples. When she was hungry, she would climb up the tree and try to get as many as she could. Most of the time, she fell and got some sort of scar of her knee or elbow, but as she grew up, she got better and more agile.

Barbara: She visited Liyue once, and since she's an idol, she got a lot of praise there. The bad part was that some of the guys there were very creepy to her, but she formed a friendship with Yunjin and Xinyan, and they scared them away. Even Xiao since it's his job to protect people in Liyue! They formed an unlikely friendship, and they still write letters to each other (Xiao always asks if she's been doing okay).

Bennett: Bennett has a bunch of pressed four leaf clovers for bookmarks. He'll even go out of his way to search for new four leaf clovers just for luck, he doesn't really care if he gets hurt.

Diluc: Diluc actually has a very good singing voice and knows how to dance very well! But he doesn't sing or dance much since he's so busy, but he finds himself humming to a song that's playing on his record player.

Diona: She has claws but clips them often, but one prominent feature of hers is her nose having a line connected to her mouth, showing some more cat features of hers.

Eula: Whenever her terrible parents weren't looking, she would snatch some candy/sweets and hide them. She once got caught, but luckily, it was by her maid! And her being the wonderful maid she was (also knowing how rude her parents were) let Eula go on multiple occasions.

Fischl: She had a huge interest in string instruments and worked hard to practice with any of them she could find. To this day, she knows how to play a bunch (ex: bass, fiddle, viola, harp, ukulele, etc.)

Jean: She has a bunch of rare allergies, so she's very grateful not to be allergic to pollen, which is why she loves flowers so much.

Kaeya: When Kaeya was growing up in the Ragnvindr family, he learned some English through Diluc. In return, he taught Diluc how to speak some Khaenri'ah.

Klee: She has gotten in trouble so many times to the point where Jean has made a cardboard 'jail cell' for her.

Lisa: She cannot keep a plant alive for the life of her, due to her sleeping so much. On multiple occasions, she has woken up to a dead flower and has had to profusely apologize to Jean for letting her perfect, growing flowers die on her.

Mika: He is an absolute nerd when it comes to literature, so when Razor asks him to teach him some 'fancy words'. Mika was more than happy to help (some times he has to apologize when Razor gets confused when Mika starts spitting our larger words that Razor is still, very new too)

Mona: Unlike Lisa, Mona is a big plant mom, and if any of them were to die on her, then she would cry her heart out and make a funeral for it. She especially loves her Bonsai tree.

Noelle: Despite Noelle being very busy with becoming a knight and other work related info, she actually really likes learning about flower languages and all different kinds. Her favorites are roses, which is why she has so much of the on her outfit

Razor: Since Razor has been living with wolves for most of his life, he's developed a strong sense of smell. You give em a candle, he'll smell it and guess the correct answer in an instant without even looking what's scents are in the candle

Rosaria: Rosaria is secretly really good at sewing and can patch up anything! She's also tried crocheting but it didn't go well

Sucrose: Since Sucrose is an animal, she makes sure that her ears are in tip-top shape so they don't get infected or torn

Venti: Since Venti is an archon hiding as a bard, he took inspiration with a newspaper boy cap and Focalor's French like nation where they have something called a beret. Mixing them together and eventually making his hat! It was only till Zhongli explained that he could've just used a regular bard's hat and didn't need to go the extra mile

If you repost this on another website, please give credit. Any like or repost is greatly appreciated -dixidin

Tags:

[valenteal]

Valentine Teal

Things to know about me:

19, afab, any pronouns (I don’t believe in gender and it isn’t part of my identity)

Dyslexia and ADHD (in layman’s terms but really I’m barely dyslexic anymore my biggest struggle that falls under that unintentional umbrella term is nonverbal learning disorder)

Aspiring author and voice actor and maybe regular actor too

Literature nerd and kind of a snobby bitch about it. I apologize if I offend you but also I’m not sorry because I took an advanced accelerated college English when I was 17 and had long covid and was struggling a lot with my mental health and I freaking passed anyway so yeah I know what the fuck I’m talking about when it comes to literature. And that’s not even scratching the surface of how much literature has been part of my life just a really good way of illustrating it.

Proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and supportive of any and all sexualities and gender identities

I will argue with people about the whole TERF thing though. Not because I hate TERFs or because I am a TERF but because the entire debate is a huge misunderstanding and I really wish people would stop hating each other online for stupid reasons when most people labeled as TERFs are just feminists and not trans exclusionary or radical, just willing to view gender and sex as 2 separate things! Which they are! We pretty much all agree on that so what is everyone fighting about?! This is a safe space for everyone regardless of gender or TERF status though I would encourage people not to use the term TERF since it’s a weapon against feminists meant to discredit. But I digress.

I’m an active member of the following fandoms: Star Wars, Harry Potter, DC, Bungo Stray Dogs, My Hero Academia (even though I hate it), Marvel (less so these days), Avatar: The Last Airbender, Merlin, Miraculous Ladybug and more I’m forgetting probably.

I’m a huge fan of Halsey. Like seriously their music is so important to me. Also Dove Cameron. Go listen to The Great Impersonator and Alchemical Vol. 1. You’ll get what I mean.

Anyway this is a mess but I figured a pinned introduction post was in order. I’ve been putting it off for a while because I fear being known but… if you’re reading this blog you’re going to get to know me anyway so might as well get it all in one place. Also I am desperate for any kind of interaction, covid ruined my social life and I’m going to move in a few months so there’s no point reviving it until then. Fuck that’s really pathetic.

[mapplejuice]

Don't forget - Your choices still matter.

Another Deltarune analysis, featuring a non-techie person explaining a bit of tech and why we should probably be aware of it.

Since the day of its release into the public eye, Deltarune has made it a point to tell us that "your choices don't matter" -- whether "you" refers to either Kris or you as the player. Toby's already confirmed Deltarune to have one ending, and the game pokes a lot of fun at giving you choices only for your answer (if it even lets you answer) to be inconsequential. This came as a stark contrast to Undertale, where e v e r y choice mattered in the most unexpected ways. Even the choices we thought we erased, the choices we expected no consequence from, could come back with a vengeance later in the game.

So, before we get to into things, let's talk about how Undertale can make your decisions bite you in the ass.

Undertale has a relatively small SAVE file, with only about 500 lines and flags altogether. In your computer's local app data, you can see up to three true SAVE files: file0, for your actual game; file8, referred to as "Flowey's" file; and file9, which is the auto-save file. Within these files, the game stores your name, inventory, room, and your progress through the story (along with other things). On a typical reset, files 0 and 9 are erased (file8 is suspiciously spared, but surprisingly not our target).

What doesn't get erased during a normal reset is the undertale.ini file.

Unlike the SAVE files, you don't need to interact with a SAVE point to update your .ini--it's automatic whenever certain events occur. And unlike your SAVE, which usually keeps track of events as a "yes" or "no", the .ini is a counter, meaning it also keeps track of the amount of times you've witnessed a given scene or done something.

Here's a snippet of my current .ini file as reference. Among other things, we can see my pie preference (Bscotch = 2), how I've killed and spared Toriel once each (TK = 1 and TS = 1), that I've already walked through New Home the first time (Tale = 1), how many times I've died (Gameover = 1; I got cocky in the Undyne fight), and how many times I've walked through the final door (Won = 5). All of these entries affect what the game does, whether it's Flowey directly taunting me or Goat Mom getting deja vu over butterscotch pie.

In short: Undertale uses an external file to keep track of everything you've done, not just everything you've saved. It's honestly a very simple and effective strategy to make your video game meta. Doki Doki Literature Club actually does something pretty similar, using an external "persistent" file to keep track of what scenes you've played out with each girl and what leg of the story you're in. By having a file outside of your saves, something that can be updated in the background without extra action, you can effectively give your characters a ripple-proof memory-- or thereabouts, anyway.

Savvy players, however, will notice that Deltarune still doesn't do this; when you erase a file slot, there's no residual evidence of it both in the game and in the files. And that's true! There's points to be made about how the SAVE files seem to "hide" certain flags, like your vessel choices and your Eggs (which I could DEFINITELY talk more about in the future), but all of these choices are still confined to the same run.

But Deltarune may not need an all-encompassing persistent file-- just one that sees what you're still doing.

So far, there's only one event within the entirety of Deltarune that hints at the game reading not one, but all of your SAVE files at the same time: when you talk to Seam in Chapter 2.

If you've defeated Jevil in any one of your active CH1 files, you can access the Shadow Crystal and Jevilstail/Devilsknife in any of your CH2 files, even if they're not directly linked. Seam will even talk about you defeating Jevil, and be surprised when you say that you haven't. On first glance, this probably just looks like an anti-frustration tool; after all, the Jevil fight is one of the hardest in the entire franchise, and making players beat him in three different runs might be asking for a bit too much. Perhaps it's nothing...

...But how do we feel about the dr "config" file versus "true_config"? Because I'm a little sussed out.

Lo and behold, opening up the dr.ini file reveals a summary of all your active save files (both CH1 and CH2, in-game and end of chapter) in one place. Unlike undertale.ini, it's a much shorter summary with only 8 variables per SAVE. InitLang, Room, Date, Time, and Name are all self-explanatory; "UraBoss" refers to the secret boss fight of the chapter (0 = not fought, 1 = won violently, 2 = won peacefully).

But how about that difference between Love and Level?

I wonder how that changes during a Snowgrave run, or if future chapters include their own "Weird Route".

I wonder why the other files need to know.

Perhaps Ralsei was right--and perhaps, should we continue anyway, our consequences are not confined to one timeline.

[neurodivergent-fox-demon]

Stackson Week Day 1

The Bleeding Hearts Club

Rating: mature

Other tags: trans lydia, Derek Hale/ Lydia Martin, Isaac Lahey/Scott Mccall/Allson Argent , Peter Hale/Chris Argent, Minor Character Death

triggers: fighting, drug use

Please let me know if I need to add any more tags.

Archive of our own

Chapter 1: Bookworms and Delinquents. 

Stiles sighed, leaning against his locker. The hall was, like always, overly crowded and he just wanted to get to his next class. He pushed off the locker and began heading toward forensics. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to glare at whoever had touched him. “What do you want?” He glared at the chemistry teacher. 

Mr. Harris sighed. “Mr. Stilinski, you have been warned before, but that hair and jacket are not school appropriate. You are out of dress code, again. This is your final warning. Get a haircut this weekend and do not wear that leather jacket again.” 

Stiles scoffed and rolled his eyes. “And what are you going to do if I don’t?” He shifted his backpack higher on his shoulder and shifted his eyes around the hall. “You really should not have the right to tell me how long my hair can be. I’m not even in your class anymore.” 

The teacher frowned. “Stilinski, you are out of line. You have been here for 5 years and are well aware of the dress code.” He grabbed the lapel of the jacket and growled at him. “Can’t you just follow the rules for another 2 months? Your hair cannot be below your ears. Get a haircut.” 

“Fuck you.” Stiles glared, ripping himself away from the teacher. “Do not touch me.” He shook his head and began running toward the forensics lab. He looked back at Harris and sighed. That man has hated him since the moment he stepped foot in the Beacon Hills Boy’s academy at the start of his secondary education. He cursed as he ran into someone, feeling a stack of books hitting his feet. “Dammit. Sorry I wasn’t looking.” He looked up to see Jackson Whittemore in front of him.” 

Jackson coughed and sighed, pushing his glasses back into place. “It is alright.” He bent down to pick up his books. It was his free period, and he had a lot of studying to do. “Um… where were you rushing off so fast?” He blushed as the other man began helping him to pick up the books. 

Stiles sighed, handing the nerd a chemistry book. “Away from fucking Harris and his fucking rules.” He closed his eyes as he stood up. The hall was still so fucking crowded and he just wanted to get to his only enjoyable class. His hands shook as he ran his hand through his hair. “I have to go. Sorry again.” He blew out a breath and began running to his class again. Ha barely made it through the door as the bell rang. 

Jackson nodded, watching him go. He fixed his stack of books and headed towards the library. He really did not know who the other man was, but they had been sharing classes now for five years. Stiles Stilinski was a complete mystery to all the borders. All anyone knew was that he was one of the few students who did not live on campus. Jackson was the son of the head master and had lived on campus for all twelve years of his formal education. He hardly knew anything about the world outside these walls. He entered the library and waved at the librarian before he claimed his usual table, opening his classical literature book. 

📚

“Mieczyslaw!” 

“It’s Stiles.” Stiles groaned and turned around to look at the teacher. He had been at this school for 5 years and everyone still refused to use his chosen name. “How may I help you, Professor Martin?

The teacher smiled at him. “I’m sorry, Stiles. I wanted to talk to you about the upcoming trigonometry exam? In Calculus, last year, your work was phenomenal. I cannot say the same this year. If you cannot pull off at least a 90% on your final, I will be forced to fail you. She placed a hand on his shoulder. “You have so much potential Stiles. I would hate to fail you.” 

Stiles blew out a long breath and stepped away from her, letting her hand drop. “I’ll try to do better.” He stared around the room, glad that it was empty, except the two of them. “Can I go now? My dad is going to be upset if I am late.” 

She nodded and smiled sadly at him. “Yes, please let me know if I can do anything to help.” 

“Yeah, sure.” Stiles sighed, running from the room. He almost ran into Jackson again as he escaped, but the other student was able to step out of the way. “Sorry.” He grumbled, rushing to his locker. His father was going to be pissed if he was late again. 

Jackson watched him with a frown before turning back to the math professor. “Um, you wanted to talk to me, Professor?” 

Mrs. Martin nodded, gesturing to a desk. “Would you like a cup of tea?” She walked over to a table in the corner, putting on an electric kettle. She watched Jackson sit as she gathered her thoughts. “Jackson, you’ve been number one in your class for the last three years, Am I correct?” 

Jackson nodded. “Yes please. You are correct ma’am. Right behind your son, Levi, I believe.” He took off his hat, placing it on the desk in front of him. “Is that what this is about?” 

She chuckled, shaking her head. “No, Levi is a bit annoyed that he can’t seem to catch up to you, no matter how hard he tries. I imagine that your father puts a lot of pressure on you, but no. That is not what I wanted to talk to you about. I was wondering if you are interested in tutoring a student for me. He is in my basic trigonometry class, and is in danger of failing. I would not like that to happen.” 

Jackson blushed and nodded. “I do offer tutoring services. I usually charge $25 and hours. I can fit him in, if he agrees to this.” He smiled as he was handed a cup of tea. 

Mrs. Martin nodded and sighed. “You see, the thing is, he is a scholarship student, and I am not sure he can afford to pay for tutoring.” She pulled out a chair and sat in front of the other student. “I asked Levi to tutor him already, but he said he doesn’t have the time.” 

Jackson frowned. “Who would I be tutoring?” 

“Mr. Stilinski. You just saw him, running out of here.” She sighed. “He’s really a really bright student, but he’s been sliding the last year and a half. I really would like it if he graduated.” 

Jackson nodded, looking into his teacup. The leaves floated in the shape of a triangle. He closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. “Can I think about it and get back to you tomorrow? It’s not like I really need the money, but my course load is quite heavy this semester.”

“Of course, Jackson. Finish your tea, and let me know how your own classes are going? How is your father?” 

Jackson chuckled, sipping his tea. “My classes are fine. I will be happy to graduate in two months. Dad is fine. He’s a bit overly taxing about me getting into a good college. I’ve been accepted to Oxford, you know.” 

She grinned. “That is great. Levi is heading to the States to study at Brown or Harvard. He has not really decided, but I’m quite proud.” 

Jackson smiled, nodding. “That’s fantastic. I wish him luck.” 

📚

Stiles ran into the police station and knocked on his father’s door. “Come in.” He sighed and opened the door, stepping into the sheriff’s office. “You’re late. Your shift started 5 minutes ago.” 

Stiles nodded, placing his book bag behind his desk. “My trig teacher held me behind.” He went to his desk to start sorting the files. He knew his job was not really going to pay for his college but every little bit helped. Although, at the rate he was going, he was not going to get into college. 

“That’s one of the classes you’re failing, is it not?” The sheriff looked up at him, as he sighed another form. “What did she want?” 

Stiles sighed, slumping in his chair. “Just to remind me that I’m failing. I’m not sure what I am going to do, dad. I have to get at least a 90% on my final.” He chewed his lip, tongue flicking the clear ring he had on the right side. “I hate it. I hate all of it.” 

Noah stared at his son and sighed. “Mischief, you are such a bright kid. You were number three in your class until last year. Talk to me.” 

Stiles shook his head. “I’ve got it. I’ll figure something out.” He knew that he was worrying his dad, but he really could not talk about how the anxiety was destroying everything about him. “Maybe I just need to spend more time studying. The math is not that hard, it’s just… I don’t know.” 

Noah tapped his pen on his desk. “It seems the only class you are excelling in is forensics. That’s all well and good, but you need to do better if you are going to go to college.” 

“Maybe I don’t want to go to college.” Stiles huffed.

The man shook his head. “I know that isn’t true. You’ve always loved school. What’s changed?” 

“I don’t want to talk about it!” Stiles snapped. “Sod off it.” 

The sheriff raised a brow at him. “Do not talk to me like that, Stiles. You know I am on your side. I know you’ll be 18 years old next week, but you are still my friend.” He pushed his paperwork away and walked over to his son, “I know Erica dying hit you hard, but in the last year, I’ve seen you ditch all your friends, change your entire style. Where did you even get that hideous leather jacket?” 

Stiles rolled his eyes, letting his head fall back. “It was in a box of mum’s old stuff. I like the way I dress now. Is it so bad?” He picked up a file and placed it into an envelope for outgoing mail. He knew that he was being a bit of an ass but he did not know how to talk to his father anymore. “Just forget it.” 

Noah sighed and nodded. “Alright. Go home, today. There is not much for you to do, and you’re still grounded.” 

Stiles cursed and grabbed his bag. “Are you going to be home for dinner or am I on my own?” 

Noah shrugged. “I’m not sure. It’s been quiet. If I’m not home by 7pm, get some take out.” He frowned as he went to hug his son and he stepped back. “I’ll see you later.” 

Stiles nodded as he slung his bag over his shoulder and headed out of the station. He climbed into his jeep and headed to the edge of town where he knew his friends gathered. One of his mates from primary school was sitting on a pile of rubbish as he walked up a hill. “Hey.” 

Isaac smiled sadly at him. “Hey.” He tossed him a pack of cigarettes as Stiles sat down next to him. “How are you doing, Stiles?” 

Stiles shrugged, lighting a cigarette. “Fine. Dad is getting on my case. My teachers are getting on my case. You know, the usual.” He leaned back, blowing smoke into the air. “I’m going to flunk my maths.” 

Isaac shook his head, rolling a joint. “I hope you don’t. You’re the only one who is going to make something of himself and get out of this hell hole.” 

Stiles chuckled. “Dad brought up Erica again. You know, she would kick my ass if she saw how bad it’s gotten.” 

Isaac nodded. “She’d kick both our asses.” He lit the joint and passed it to Stiles. “Can’t you get a tutor or something?” 

Stiles laughed, taking a drag. “Yeah, like I can afford a tutor. I’m lucky I’m on scholarship or I would not be able to afford school.” He looked up at the sky. “I’m lucky grandfather was a legacy or I would have gotten kicked out a long time ago.” 

Isaac chuckled. “Not sure your grandfather is the legacy you want to live up to.” 

”Yeah, but it got me into one of the best schools in the five counties.” He grinned and laid back as he relaxed into the drug. “Have you heard from Derek?” 

“Not since he and Levi broke up last week. I know that he’s going to the States, but Derek would have waited for him.” Isaac sighed. “I’m giving him his space. He’s usually gone before I wake up anyway.” 

“Levi has been distant in himself from everyone. He hasn’t even picked up any of my calls.” 

“Yeah, but he’s been avoiding you since Erica died.” Isaac sighed, curling into Stiles’s side. “I have something to share. “Allison and I kissed.” 

Stiles laughed, wrapping an arm around him. “Isn’t she dating Scott?” He knew that Isaac craved touch more than anything and he was more than happy to provide it. He was one of the few people he trusted anymore. 

Isaac chuckled. “Yeah, but they are polyamorous. I really like them.” He took the joint from Stiles and took a drag. “Don’t judge me.” 

“I’d never judge you.” Stiles sighed. He was not sure what else he was supposed to say. “I wish Derek and Levi would talk to me. It’s not like I don’t feel guilty enough.” 

Isaac sat up and hovered. “Hey, it wasn’t your fault, Stiles. You have got to stop blaming yourself.” 

“We would not have even been out there if it weren’t for me, Isaac.” Stiles sighed,closing his eyes. “I drove us out there.” 

Isaac caressed his cheek. “Stiles, we all agreed to go out that night. If it were your fault, It was just as much my fault, or Derek’s. He’s just lost since losing someone he thought of as a little sister. He feels like he was supposed to protect her.” 

Stiles chuckled, wiping tears from his eyes. “We were all supposed to protect her. I still can’t talk about it, but every time I close my eyes I see her falling. I can’t get through a fucking day without panicking about it.” 

Isaac nodded and kissed his forehead. “I know. Look what it is doing to you. I’m the only one who you can stand being around, and I am all kinds of fucked up.” He sighed and laid his head back on his shoulder. “”Maybe you need to go to a counselor.” 

Stiles shook his head. “I can’t... I can’t talk about it. Not yet.” 

Isaac nodded. “Well, I hope you can before you completely come apart.” 

📚

Jackson placed his bag behind his desk and placed his laptop on the surface. He walked over to his bed and fell back, letting out a long sigh. He only had about an hour before he was expected to attend dinner with other boys in his year. He wasn’t sure he wanted to deal with their problems today, but he was head boy. He had a job to do. There was a knock at his door and he groaned as he got up and answered it. “Hello, father.” 

“Jackson, my boy. How are you doing tonight?” The man walked into the room and looked around. “Just wanted to talk before we went down to dinner, tonight,”

”I’m alright.” Jackson smiled, taking his glasses off and polishing them. “I’ve already completed my homework, and I was debating getting started on a couple more admissions forms, for oxford.” He ran a hand through his hair and sighed. “What did you want to talk about?” 

“Are you sure that Oxford is really where you want to go? You have so many choices.” The headmaster sat on his bed and looked up from him. “Never mind about that though. The librarian was telling me that you are spending all your time in the library? Don’t you want to spend some time with your mates?”

Jackson sighed, sitting at his desk. “I really don’t have a lot of mates, dad. And the ones I do have, we’re all getting ready for finals. I’m too busy studying and tutoring to worry about that right now.” 

The man nodded, frowning a bit. “I’m glad to hear you are keeping up with your studies, and helping your fellow classmates, but you need to make more connections outside of class. You cannot get into politics if you do not make the right connections, Jackson.” 

“I know, father. It’s not like I don’t already have a seat in the House of Lords.” He wiped his hand over his face. I just… Don’t I have plenty of time?” 

Mr. Whittemore sighed. “You would think but you have two months until graduation. These walls cannot protect you forever and I want you to have the best in life.” 

“Yes, father.” Jackson smiled at him. He knew that his father meant the best, but the pressure would eventually get to him and he would burn out at the rate he was going. “One of my Professors wants me to take on another student, pro bono.”

The older man grinned. “Great. I’d say you should do it. It would look great on your applications. Who is it? Does he go here? I’m sure that anyone going here could afford to pay, so I assume he goes to another school.” 

Jackson groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. “Stiles Stilinski. I asked her to give me the day to think about it.” 

“I want you to stay away from that boy.” The headmaster sighed, changing his tone so quickly, it had Jackson jumping slightly. “He is bad news.” 

Jackson frowned, shaking his head. “He’s quiet but he doesn’t seem that bad. He was number three in our class until last year. Other than that, no one really knows much about him.” 

The headmaster shook his head as he stood and began pacing. “He is part of a gang out of north Beacon Hills. One of them got herself killed last year, and Stilinski went around the bend. He has been caught with drugs on campus, and been arrested for fighting on numerous occasions. The only reason I have not expelled him is that I was friends with his grandfather, and his father is the sheriff.” 

Jackson frowned. “I… should you really be telling me this? It seems like he needs someone in his corner.” He pulled out his bag and pulled out a notebook. “It won't hurt to tutor him. If I can get him to pass maths, maybe it’ll help him at least graduate.” 

David sighed, rubbing his eyes. “I won’t forbid you from tutoring him, if he agrees to it, but do be careful. Don’t let him talk you into anything dangerous.” 

“Yes, father.” Jackson sighed, taking a few notes. We should probably go down to dinner. My responsibilities are waiting.” 

“Yes, yes. Let’s go. They are serving my favorite pudding tonight.” He chuckled, squeezing his shoulder. 

Jackson nodded as he left the room. 

📚

Stiles sat at his desk and opened his forensics book. He looked up and frowned as Mr. Hale wrote out some questions on the white board. “I thought we did not have a final in this class?” 

Peter looked at him, sighing. “I had not planned on it, but the headmaster is insisting on it. How are you, Stiles?” The teacher smiled, leaning against his desk. “How is my nephew?” 

Stiles looked down at his notebook and shook his head. “He is not talking to me right now. He’s not really talking to anyone since he and Levi broke up.” He leaned back and placed his feet on the desk. He wiped away a tear. “It’s alright. I think he just needs time.” 

Peter nodded and winked at him. “You all are going to be alright, Stiles. Are you coming over later?” 

Stiles chuckled. “I’m grounded, remember? Dad still is pissed about the pcp.” He rolled his eyes and chewed his lip. “Once Derek comes out of hibernation, I’ll let him know you asked about him.” 

Peter nodded, sitting on his desk. “I should talk to the sheriff. You’ve been grounded for months.” He looked at his watch. They still had a few minutes before the class would start trickling in. “Chris and I don’t see you anymore. And you know how much Allison loves you.” 

Stiles smirked at him. “You see me everyday, Mr. Hale.” He rolled his eyes. “And Isaac keeps me up to date on how Allison and Scott are doing.” He swirled his pen through his fingers. “I miss Chris too, but you don’t need to talk to dad. I think it’ll just piss him off more.” 

Peter nodded. “Well, we’ll be having a dinner party this weekend. Chris would love to see you.  Maybe he would let you go for the night, hmm? I can get you some really good cocaine and watch the new movie you wanted to watch.” 

Stiles groaned. “Fine, I’ll ask him if I can go. I’m sure I can convince him that my favorite teacher invited me to a dinner party.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “Will Scott and Allison be there?” 

“Of course.” Peter smiled, bowing his head. “And Cora, Boyd, and Isaac are coming. I just wish I could get a hold of Derek.” He shrugged. “He’s really torn up, isn’t he?” 

Stiles nodded, pursing his lips. “That’s what I hear.” He looked up as the students started entering the class. “I’ll talk to my dad and call you.” He grabbed Peter’s attendance book and started marking off names. 

Peter nodded as he hopped off his desk and began getting ready to teach his class. 

Jackson walked into the class and smiled at Peter. “Mr. Hale, could I borrow Stiles, please?” 

Peter nodded and motioned for Stiles to get up from grading papers. “Take your stuff with you.” 

Stiles sighed and grabbed his backpack, following Jackson out of the room. “What do you want?” 

Jackson sighed, leading him out to the courtyard. “Sorry, this is my only free period and Mrs. Martin asked me to talk to you.” He led him to the fountain and sat on a bench. “Please, have a seat.” 

Stiles licked his lips and rolled his eyes as he sat beside Jackson. “Let me guess, she wants her golden boy to talk to me… find out why I gave up in her class. I know she wants me to stay away from Levi.” 

Jackson raised a brow at him and sighed. “No, actually she asked Levi to help you first, but he doesn’t have the time.” He pulled out a calendar from his bag and smiled at the other man, adjusting his glasses. “She just wants to know if you would be interested in me tutoring you until the final. If I’m correct, you need at least a 90.” 

Stiles chuckled, pulling a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. He lit one and leaned back on the bench. “No thank you. I know how much you tutors cost and I can’t afford it. I don’t want to hang around anyone that I don’t have to. I can’t be bothered.” 

Jackson frowned, wanting to tell the other student off for the cigarette. “I will not be charging you, if that is your only reasonable objection. It would only be an hour after school. I just want to help.” 

Stiles rolled his eyes, looking the man over. “You want to help? Why would the headmaster’s precious son want to help me?” He took a drag of his cigarette and looked away from him. “Why would Professor Martin put you up to this? I nearly destroyed her little girl.” 

Jackson cursed,  and slammed his date book on the bench. “There is no reason for you to be rude. You know Levi prefers he/ him pronouns, and is a man.” 

Stiles chuckled sadly. “Yes, I was one of the first people he came out to. I helped him pick the name Levi. He was one of my best friends until last year. Do not tell me about Levi. I fucking know all about Levi.” He tossed his cigarette and stood up. “You can take your tutoring and shove it up your arse. I’ll study on my own.” 

Jackson reached out and took his hand. “Please…” 

Stiles ripped his hand away. “Do not fucking touch me.” 

Jackson licked his lips, pulling his hands back, folding them in his lap. “I just want to help, Stiles. I can’t begin to fathom what happened between you and Levi, but I won't ask. I am just here to help you through your maths, and any other subject you might be having trouble with.” 

Stiles stood there, holding his hands behind his back. He felt terrible for snapping at Jackson, but he had stepped a little too far over the line. “I have a job. Let me talk to my dad about staying after school to study.” He turned and began walking away. 

“I always have this hour free. You can find me at the library.” Jackson called out to him.” 

Stiles nodded and waved at him before disappearing back into the school. 

📚

Stiles walked into his dad’s office and sighed as he plopped on top of his desk. “Hey, daddio.” 

Noah sighed, looking up at his son. “What are you doing here? You have today off.” He pushed his paperwork away, folding his hands on the desk. “And no you cannot go out tonight.” 

Stiles groaned, folding his legs up on his desk. “One, the dinner party is Saturday and I was invited by one of my teachers. Just think about it. Two, I needed to ask you about staying after school to study. Mrs. Martin arranged a tutor for me. But you can say no. I know I have a job, and…” 

“Stiles. You’re fired.” Noah smiled. “I want you to study.” The sheriff raised a brow at him. “And let me guess, this teacher is Peter Hale, the uncle of Derek Hale.” 

Stiles frowned at him. “You can’t fire me. I need the money for college. And you like Peter. It’s just one dinner party and don’t you think I’ve been grounded long enough?” 

“We’ll talk about college later.”  The sheriff sighed. “Peter is fine, but you were arrested for carrying angel dust, Stiles. Do you know how dangerous that drug is?” He ran a hand through his hair and shook his head. “Who else is going?” 

”Cora, Boyd, Isaac, Scott, and Allison.” Stiles grinned at him. “We’re trying to get Derek to go, but we can’t get a hold of him.” 

“Fine, you can go, but I want you to come directly home.” The sheriff smiled at him. “If you are lying to me about this party, you’ll be grounded until you graduate. Do you understand me?” 

“I swear. It’s on the level, pops.” He grinned. “Now about the job? Because I really need the money.” 

The sheriff sighed. “You have not applied to one college, Stiles. You need to graduate, and I would rather the money go to a tutor than your cigarettes. Don’t think I don’t know you’ve been smoking.” 

Stiles chewed his lip. “He’s not charging me. It’s not like it’s illegal to smoke.” 

“Then what is the problem? Please, just take his help.” Noah chuckled. “For you it is. You are 17 for another week.” 

Stiles groaned. “It’s no big deal. Can we not argue about that? I do not want to hang out with Jackson Whittemore for an hour a day.” 

The sheriff raised a brow at him. “Jackson? The headmaster’s son? I don’t think you can turn this opportunity down, Stiles. He is a good kid, and he will make sure you pass your classes. Do you want to spend another year in high school? If you repeat a year, you’ll have to go back to Beacon Hills High school. Beacon Hill’s school for Boys has been amazing for you. You don’t want to screw that up.” 

“Pops. I… How do I put this? He is posh in carnet. He is bred for politics.” Stiles sighed. “I could just study harder, and ignore all that.” 

Noah shook his head. “If you want me to lift your punishment, you’ll start studying with Jackson. I’m sorry, Mischief. Those are my terms.” 

Stiles cursed. “Fine, but I am going out with Isaac tonight.” 

His father nodded. “Fine. Be home by 10. I would like to not worry about you tonight. Please don't come home smelling like pot.” 

Stiles grinned, hopping down from the desk. “Thanks daddio. I promise that I won’t do any drugs tonight. Just a few drinks.” He chuckled running out of the office.

“You’re under age.” The sheriff grumbled. “Dammit. Don’t drink and drive.” 

📚

Stiles chuckled, tossing back a shot of tequila. “Isaac, I swear. My dad is all hung up on this tutor thing. I have to spend an entire hour a day with Jackson fucking Whittemore,” 

Isaac sighed, sitting in his lap. The club was not very crowded on a Thursday night and they both were feeling a bit loose at the moment. He leaned his head on his shoulder. “It’s only an hour. You will survive.” He took a sip of his beer. “Jackson can’t be that bad. We don’t know him and you are jumping to conclusions.” 

Stiles chuckled, wrapping his arm around his waist. “Yeah, I really don’t know much about him, but he is the headmaster’s son, and a complete nerd. You should have seen him today when he offered to tutor me.” He rested his chin on Isaac’s head. “We are from two different worlds.” 

“You’re not dating him, Stiles. You are just studying.” Isaac smirked as he squirmed in his arms. “Your dad is right, Stiles. You don’t want to flunk out of school.” He kissed his chin. “You’ve got this, babe.” 

Stiles nodded. He ran a hand through Isaac’s hair and sighed. A man walked by them and grumbled something about the club going to hell with fags. Stiles growled at him and stood up, placing Isaac back in the chair. “You got a problem with us?” 

The man smirked, getting in his face. “This club does not need faggots stinking up the place.” 

Stiles laughed loudly. “Trust me, this place does not help stinking up the place. You are doing a pretty good job yourself.” He pushed the man back. “Just go on your way and let us enjoy our night.” 

“Did you just push me?” The man growled, pushing him back.

Isaac stood up. “Come on guys. Let’s just go our own separate ways.” 

“Sit down, Isaac.” Stiles growled, glaring at the asshole in front of him. “I’ve got this taken care of.” He knew that Isaac hated violence, but he would not allow anyone to push them around. ”You think you can come in here and be a homophobic asshole? Where do get the fucking balls? Cause from where I’m standing you’ve got none.” 

The man cursed and threw a punch at him. Stiles laughed as he ducked and punched the man in the stomach. About five minutes later Stiles had been thrown into the table and the man was being pulled off him. Isaac helped Stiles up as the bouncer began throwing all three of them out of the club. Isaac sighed, glaring at Stiles. “You just could not let it go, for once? they just let us come back to this place and we’re going to get banned again.” 

Stiles sighed, wiping blood from his lip. “You are so used to letting people push you around.” He took the other man’s hand and began walking back to his Jeep. “You’re driving. I have had too much to drink.” 

Isaac rolled his eyes and sighed. “You can’t fight every asshole who insults you.” He took the keys to the jeep and helped Stiles into the passenger side. “I’m sleeping over, and you should get some ice on that eye.” 

“Yeah, I’m sure dad will be cool with that.” Stiles sighed, leaning back in his seat. 

📚

Stiles groaned, sitting across from Jackson, “Fine, I’ll let you tutor me. My dad seems to think it’ll be good for me.” He glared at the man sitting across the table. 

Jackson frowned, looking the kid over. “What happened to your face?” That was probably a bit rude but he was not really sure what else to say. 

Stiles chuckled, pulling out his trigonometry book. “It was nothing but a little bar fight. Some homophobic asshole. Trust me, he got the worst of it.” 

Jackson nodded, opening his lap top. “Oh, I did not know you were gay. That’s cool I guess.” He blushed, bringing up his notes. He had no idea what he was saying. This was not a topic that he knew a lot about. He went out with a few girls but he just did not have time for dating and he never could find a connection with anyone. “So… should we get started?” 

“I’m not gay. I’m just an equal opportunity lover.” Stiles smirked, winking at him.  He chuckled as he pulled out his notebook. “I suppose. I think we have a practice test monday. I wasn’t really paying much attention yesterday.” 

Jackson's blush deepened. “Um…okay. Maybe that is your problem, paying attention in class.” He smiled, pulling out five notebooks. “These are my notes from when I took Trig, last year.” 

Stiles frowned, leafing through the notebooks. “This is like 3000 pages of notes. Do you want me to write a textbook?“ 

Jackson chuckled. “It’ll help you learn trigonometry.” He shook his head and sighed. “Maybe I could break it down for you a bit more.” He looked at the notes flipping to the section Stiles class was currently studying. “This is the bit that you need for the test on Monday.” 

Stiles rolled his eyes and began reading over the notes. “I know all of this, I just can’t seem to remember it when I take the tests. Honestly, I’ve never been this bad at tests before.” He looked up at Jackson. “Do you think you can just give me the answers?” 

Jackson gasped, shaking his head. He pushed his glasses back up his nose and sighed. “That is not exactly how this works, Stiles. That would be cheating. You’re never going to learn if I give you the answers.” 

“But you have them, don’t you?” Stiles smirked, twirling his pencil between his fingers. “I can make it worth your wild.” 

Jackson closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. He could not believe this guy had ever been any sort of competition for him. “Mrs. Martin gives the same test every year, but I am not going to just give you the answers.” He looked up at Stiles. “Why don’t I just let you read over the notes for the weekend and I’ll quiz you before her class, Monday.” 

“No can do, baby doll. I have a party tomorrow night.” He smiled. “There has to be a way for us to come to some sort of agreement?”

“If you are not going to take this seriously, I don’t know why I am going to waste my time.” Jackson growled at him. He rarely lost his temper but this kid was really starting to get on his nerves. “I know that you are capable of passing this class, Stiles.” 

“You know nothing about me, Whittmore.” Stiles scoffed and closed the notebook. “You’re right. We don’t need to waste either of our time.” He gathered his books and stood up, ready to leave. “Fuck you.” 

Jackson sighed, rolling his eyes. “Let me talk to Mrs. Martin and see if we can’t reschedule your test and you can study here Monday instead.” 

Stiles glared at him for a moment before letting his shoulders drop. “Fine. Why don’t we try one more time?” 

Jackson licked his lips and nodded. “You have to really commit here, Stiles. I won’t sell you the answers, but if we buckle down, I can guarantee that I’ll have you pass your final.” 

Stiles slumped in his seat and nodded. “Give me the bloody notes.” 

📚

Jackson sighed and threw his bag under his desk. He laid on his bed and looked at the ceiling. Once he had broken down the test with Stiles, the tutoring had gone a lot smoother. He could not understand Stiles Stilinski. He was smart, but he had zero work ethic. He took off his classes and closed his eyes. He had developed a bit of a headache and he just wanted to go to bed. 

There was a knock on his door and he groaned as he got up. He answered the door and smiled. “Hey, Levi.” 

Levi smiled at him. “Jackson… Can we have a little talk?”

Jackson nodded, gesturing for him to come in. “Of course, Levi. You are always welcome.” He went and pulled out a chair for him before sitting on the bed. “What did you want to talk about?” 

Levi sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “My mum is so excited about me going across the pond for college. I have the opportunity to go to Brown or Harvard. I should be excited right?” 

Jackson nodded. “But you’re not?” 

“… Did your dad ever tell you what happened a year and a half ago? Levi sighed. “It was right before I came out.” 

Jackson shook his head. “He told me the other night that Stiles got your friend killed,”

Levi shook his head. “It wasn’t Stiles’s fault. He blames himself, and he really went off the rails about it. He started pushing us all away. Anyway, he had just gotten his license and we all went out partying. We went out to the preserve… and up to the cliffs.” Levi licked his lips. “We got so drunk, and Erica tripped. She fell so far. Stiles blames himself because he suggested we go out to the preserve and he got ahold of the beer.” 

Jackson chewed his lip. “He could not have predicted that would happen. Why are you telling me all this?” 

Levi sighed. “I don’t want to leave with all of us still so distant. I broke up with Derek because of all of this. We’ve been dating for four years and I dumped him because I could not handle the pressure anymore. I mean I’ll be leaving and I don’t want to make him wait for me. I did not tell my mum that I also got into Oxford. Maybe I should stay here.” 

“That is completely up to you, Levi. It seems like you have a lot to think about.” Jackson smiled and took his hand. “I suggest you talk to your friends though. I think Stiles really needs help, Levi.” 

“I know.” Levi groaned. “We used to be such good friends and I feel like I let him down because I was going through so much. I feel like a terrible friend.” He felt like he was really letting everyone down. 

“You’re not terrible.” Jackson smiled. “You were hurting too. All you can do is reach out and try to make things right now. Now, about the three colleges…” Jackson chuckled. “Your mom will be happy with whichever you choose. She is so proud of you.” 

Levi nodded. “I guess I’ll call Stiles. Allisoon said something about a party tomorrow night. Do you want to come?” 

Jackson shrugged, shaking his head. “No, I wasn’t invited, and I would hate to intrude.” 

Levi laughed. “I’m inviting you and you would not be intruding. It’s at Professor Hale’s house. He’s married to Allison’s father and they throw dinner parties all the time. Mr. Argent always says the more the merrier.” 

Jackson smiled, rubbing the back of his neck. The only parties he had ever attended were business functions for his father. “If you’re sure. Should I bring anything?” 

Levi shook his head. “No, just yourself. I’ll text you the address, and I’ll let Mr. Hale know you are coming. 

Jackson grinned at him. “Thank you for the invitation, then. I would love to come.” He chewed his lip. “Can you tell me a little more about Stiles… He confuses me.” 

Levi raised an eyebrow at him. “I really don’t know who he is anymore. He used to be my best friend. Now he does nothing but drink, party and fight.” He chuckled softly. “He’s pretty hard to forget, isn’t he. He gets under your skin. “ Levi smirked. 

Jackson sighed. “I just feel like he doesn’t want to rise to his potential.” 

“Oh, he doesn’t, Jackson. He is on a path of self destruction. I wish I could tell you differently. I’m just glad my mum has been keeping an eye on him when I couldn’t.”

Jackson chewed his lips. “If you say so. Your mum has me tutoring him. She said you did not have the time.” 

Levi gaped at him. “She never asked me, actually. I guess I can see why. We haven’t really talked in so long. Isaac is the only one who really talks to him anymore.” 

“Isaac?” Jackson smiled, putting his feet on the bed. 

Levi nodded. “His father was the swim coach, but he is in prison now.” He blushed softly. “Isaac doesn’t really like to talk about it, but Mr. Lahey used to beat him and lock him in an old freezer. Derek found Isaac in the freezer and reported it. Derek’s mom Talia took Isaac in.” Levi sighed, curling up in the chair. “Don’t tell him I told you that.”

Jackson nodded. “I knew Coach Lahey went to prison, but I never knew why. Don’t worry. I won’t say anything.”

“But Stiles never stopped being there for Isaac, and he was the same for Stiles.” Levi smiled. “I don’t think anything could break the two apart, but Stiles gets him into so much trouble.” 

Jackson sighed, nodding. “Sounds like they’ve had a hard time.” 

“But that is no reason to self-destruct.” Levi groaned “Stiles got himself arrested for angel dust. How stupid is that?” He looked around the room sighing. “He’s so stubborn. He would not even let his father know where he got it. He’d hate it so much if he knew that I know all this, but the Sheriff gives me updates.” Levi sighed, wiping his eyes. 

Jackson shrugged. “You sound like you really care for him.” 

Levi chuckled through his tears. “I love him. He is still my best friend.” 

Jackson smiled. “Must be nice. I’ve never really had that.” 

Levi blushed. “I thought we were friends.”

“Oh, I… I guess we are. I mean, I like that you feel comfortable enough to confide in me.” 

Levi nodded. “You’re a good listener. All the boys in this house think so.” 

Jackson shrugged. “It’s not hard to offer an open ear.” 

Levi chuckled. “You are so weird.” 

“Thanks… I think.” Jackson laughed. “So, there is a party tomorrow. What should I wear?” 

Levi grinned evilly. “Oh, you have to let me pick out your outfit.” 

To be continued…

[daily-french-words]

Daily French words!

Intro:

Hi! I'm a French college student, and I study English literature and civilisation. I'm starting this page because I have a shit ton of extra French vocabulary to learn for exams, and it's a lot more fun to learn them through a tumblr page rather than just reading a piece of paper for hours!!!! All credits for the ideas for the first 160 main posts of this page goes to both of my French teachers this year, they're the ones who gathered up the lists- I obviously can't name them because I'd rather not dox myself (or them), but thanks!

Form :

(French word) : (French definition)

(example of the word's use in a French sentence)

(how common the word is out of ten, 1 being so uncommon people will look at you weird if you use it and 10 being common knowledge people will go "duh" at. please note this section will be the most subjective of the bunch and is purely based off my impression- the factors, such as social circle, time and place make it too difficult to have a more objective knowledge of how common said word is.)

(a possible translation in English) : (a definition in English because I like definitions)

(extra notes and precisions for context use, potential irregularities if it's a verb, other possible definitions, similarities, faux amis (see frequently used terms lower) or etymology because I'm a nerd)

Schedule :

Each week, ten words will come out : one each Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and two each Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday!

Posts will be uploaded around midday CEST, so between 11am and 2pm, depending how I schedule them/at what time I eat.

Extra requested words can be uploaded anytime from 6am CEST to 2am CEST (the next day).

Every main daily post will be gathered under the "main" tag, extras will be gathered under the "extras" tag, and other random posts I may feel free to upload about the most random college life shit ever (even if probably really rare) will be gathered under the "baguette" tag.

Things to note :

These words are not common! This is vocab improvement. If you're looking for basic knowledge of French vocab or common phrases, you may have to look elsewhere.

I sadly only speak two languages, English and French, so this blog is only accessible to people speaking one or both of these. If you'd like to translate it to other languages (especially since the additional notes are all in English, and a lot of notes and translations vary), feel free to do so but please DM me about it before starting the blog, and of course credit me!

If you'd like to request a word, do so through the page's asks! That's mostly useful if you'd like extra context on the word, its etymology or its history, or if you feel like it could be a cool word to be featured on this page. Of course, these extra words may take time to appear and will be scattered quite a lot through time since they require extra time and research, and I may refuse some of them if I don't think they'd be a good fit on here. Requests made through DMs will not be taken into account. Please only make requests through the ask feature, and wait until the asks open again if they're closed while I sort through them.

At the moment, I have 160 words, so enough content for four months (see schedule above to see how I count them). I cannot guarantee this page will update with the same schedule or update at all once I run out, depending on whether I still like doing it by then or prefer to stop. If it does stop updating though, I will leave all the posts up because knowledge is knowledge, and I may pick it up once in a while if I ever get bored and want to have fun with it again or if the asks supply me enough to sustain the page.

Frequently used terms (that you probably know already but I want to make sure everything is clear):

n. : nom/noun

nf. : nom féminin/feminine noun

nm. : nom masculin/masculine noun

nn. : nom neutre/neutral noun (we probably won't encounter any, but just in case, I'm putting this here!)

v. : verbe/verb

adj. : adjectif/adjective

sy. : synonyme/synonym

ant. : antonyme/antonym

litt./lit. : littéralement/literally

faux ami : expression that refers to a word that resembles another one in the same or a different language but that differs largely in sense.

About sources:

For most definitions and translations, I use the online Larousse dictionary (https://www.larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais/), the Wikitionnaire (https://fr.wiktionary.org/wiki/) and WordReference (https://www.wordreference.com/).

For etymology and word history, I use a mix between the Wikitionnaire and the Centre National de Ressources Textuelles et Lexicale (CNRTL)'s website (https://www.cnrtl.fr), along with paper versions of etymology dictionaries.

[linawritestwst]

Ah! Congrats on 1k! I'm so happy for you! Here's to many more! 💙

I'd like a matchup, but if you get too overwhelmed, scrap mine and do a different one, I promise I'll be okay 😂

Pronouns are she/her, mbti INTJ and Zodiac is Libra.

Personality : I like to joke that the only personality I have left is "tired" 😂 But other things about me are, I'm a little wary of new people, but once you're in I'm ridiculously loyal (like a cat). I take care of everyone before myself. Think mom friend. I'm kind of a nerd....(don't look at my blog it'll out me as a huge nerd, just trust me) . My only hobbies right now are writing and video games, but I have a "secret" past as a reader, and a theatre kid. I have been described as "the darkest lightest person I've ever met" "if you were a puppy at a shelter, I'd adopt you" and "you got that fae vibe, like if I give you my name or say the wrong thing, you'll own my soul." I can't make decisions and have memory issues. I like dragons too much, and I hope to one day afford to dress like a well educated pirate, who still pillages the village, but waxes on about the state of humanity as she drinks chamomile tea. A pirate witchy dark princess vibe, you know?(idk if that helps 😂)

What I need in a partner/don't need:

I am heavily introverted and socially anxious...but I only make friends when an extrovert just adopts me. So I probably need an extrovert, or an assertive introvert.

Imy love language (receiving) is quality time and words of affirmation, and (giving) gift giving and words of affirmation.

I have lots of texture issues, so maybe someone who's not super touchy. They can be a little touchy, though, since this is fictional.

Someone not to loud too. I get panic attacks when startled, and cry around loud noises sometimes. (Oh my God, I'm literally a rabbit 😭)

Silly things about me for if you are having writers block: I'm 5'3 1/4", I have been told I have the worst handwriting in the world, I am known for tripping over nothing, I don't sit still for long, I get distracted by shiny things and cats, I hate to be warm, and love the cold, my friend and I write modern comedy adaptations of Shakespeare, and other literature.

Hope this is enough. Again, congratulations!!!!!!!!!!

thank you so much!! 🥺💖💞 i hope you like your matchup <3

the character that i think would be a good partner for you is..

malleus draconia!

now, this one might seem obvious or predictable because of your pfp but!! i really do think you and malleus would be a cute couple!!

i'll explain why i chose him:

okay, yeah, malleus would definitely appreciate having a loyal partner. your kindness is one of the many reasons why he loves you, but he'd want you to take care of yourself too though :( and don't worry about being a nerd!! he's a nerd too!! have you seen how his eyes light up whenever gargoyles are mentioned?? and he would love to know more about your interests, he doesn't think they're "boring" or "weird" at all!

oh, this man would want to protect you from everything so bad. he's surely intrigued by that mysterious energy you have, but he still focuses more on that soft and cute puppy vibe. because come on, he's malleus draconia, he's the one with the dark fae energy here HJSHJNDJDJD. and you liking dragons makes him so happy because it means you most likely won't find his dragon form scary! also i find it cute to imagine you two sharing a braincell because i think it's not that easy for malleus to make decisions sometimes, haha. though he would probably wait for you to decide, because he just really wants to agree with you and go "!! you're right!! we're gonna go with this option then :)" so take your time, don't worry, he's very patient when it comes to you at least

i don't think that malleus is that extroverted, but he would probably be a more assertive kind of introvert when you're around. and i think malleus is sort of.. "forced" to be an introvert? considering that he wants to socialize, make friends and attend parties and events, but he doesn't always have the opportunity.. also, he just gets that protective instinct when he sees you, so yeah, you're adopted now. about your texture issues, malleus would make sure to respect your boundaries and even though he would love to hug you/hold your hand/etc, he doesn't want to hurt you, so he will be careful! he can express his love for you in other ways too :) and he's not the loudest kind of person, so you don't have to worry about that either!

[mcrmadness]

Tagged by @theydoctor, thanks!!! ^^

1. Were you named after anyone?

Well, my first name comes from somewhere in the family tree, and the middle name apparently was picked by my dad from an Italian or French opera cos he's a nerd. I haven't changed my name but if I did, I would never name myself after someone else. I want my name to feel like me and not like a random copy of someone else. (This doesn't mean I'd have this opinion on anyone who did name themself after someone else, I personally just don't want to have namesakes nor be associated with people who are my namesakes.)

2. When was the last time you cried?

Does onions count? If so, then 30 minutes ago when I was cooking those on a pan.

3. Do you use sarcasm?

YES. Altho, I often find it difficult to tell my jokes apart from my sarcasm because my humour in general is very dry and dark, and so is my sarcasm. And I often make jokes that sound sarcastic so I really don't know of which one it really is. But have to say that I often am careful with whom I show the sarcastic side because not everyone gets my humour, and I easily manage to make people offended because they don't realize I was just using dry humour.

4. What's the first thing you notice about people?

Their aesthetics? Like, the colour scheme and style. I focus on that more than I focus on anything else, solely because I am so visual person I can't help it but notice the visuals as the first thing, especially if I like those visuals (aka the colour scheme).

5. What's your eye colour?

Blue-grey. On a good day you can see random green dots here and there but usually only when it's very bright as the dots are normally hidden behind the irises.

6. Scary movie or happy ending?

Hmmm... I don't like scary movies, so of these two I have to say: happy endings. Otherwise I don't need my movies to always end happily as I also enjoy very bizarre, anti-cliché endings that leave the viewer with more questions than answers. Such as Christopher Nolan's movies which often have a happy, yet "wtf???" type eding.

7. Any special talents?

Maybe cooking and baking? And taking care of plants. Like, I have some natural talent for cooking and baking, as well as a secret green thumb, and it pisses me off so much because NONE OF THESE is a passion of mine! I don't even know wtf I'm doing with my plants but apparently something right since they've still alive and I even got one of them to make flowers and my mom has had its parent plant for decades and it has never made flowers. All I did was just water it so idk what was that. So idk if this is a special talent but it sure is a weird talent. (And other is probably my brain's ability to absorb and memorise information about die ärzte...)

8. Any pets?

Currently I don't have any pets but I love cats (and animals in general) more than anything and want to have cats in the future. Pets are not allowed in my flat, but my parents have 3 so at least my life is not fully cat-free and I might go crazy if it was.

9. What sports do you play/ have played?

None, I hate sports so much it's insane. The only sports I've been even mildly interested in is horse sports, and mainly the harness racing/trotting as I'm actually a horse groom by my profession and specialized in that. Also horseback riding was my hobby when I was a teenager but I quit after I fell for the first time ever (after 6 months) and broke my arm.

10. How tall are you?

156cm, if you don't speak metrics, unfortunately you have to google it if you really find my height that interesting.

11. What was your favourite subject in school?

I used to like arts, but the art education was really bad in junior high. But since I've always loved visual arts (and I'm so annoyed that it is NOT my special talent, fml :DDD), I was usually in my element there anyway. I also liked biology, and I guess Finnish even tho the subject is known as "mother tongue (and literature)" here in Finland. I also really loved the IT lessons as that's what sparked my interest towards video editing when I was 14 or 15. (Windows Movie Maker!!!)

12. Dream job?

My dream job would be to be able to study all kinds of things without ever having to settle down for just one career path. I have so many different interests that I could never combine them all into one, but I also wouldn't want to make my life be all about just one, but I also have no energy for having 5 jobs at the same time. But if money didn't exist and I was more creative what comes to original content, I'd definitely be a comic book artist! From my existing profession I'm a horse groom, and currently I'm studying media and visual expression and I'm very interested in video editing, maybe making music videos, even. But that's just me in this very moment. I'm also interested in everything from linguistics and languages to horse colour genetics.

Not tagging anyone, but feel free to tag yourself if you are reading this and want to answer these questions.

[jermeyscreams]

Hello and welcome to jermeyscreams! This is a semi-literate roleplay blog for an original character set in the “Scream” (1996) universe. Buckle in and let’s get into introductions and rules!

Let’s set some ground rules, no?

RULES:

1: I have a strictly no NSFW rule for all my roleplaying blogs. No smut. I’m okay with jokes here and there, maybe some spice dialogue, but nothing strictly nsfw.

2: No pedophilia, nor anything else of the sort is tolerated on this blog.

3: No minors! Sorry, I don’t feel comfortable roleplaying horror with minors.

4: I will discuss topics of the roleplay and the overall intended storyline with my partner before posting a starter! In my experience it makes things clearer on both sides and more enjoyable.

5: DNI if you’re a Trump supporter, JK Rowling Supporter, transphobe, homophobe, irl-serial killer simp, racist, etc. Be a nice person!

6: Please don’t pressure me extensively to respond. On a rough week it’ll probably take me 3-4 days to write a decent response, and I’ll DM my roleplay partner or it’ll be longer than that.

Introductions: Jermey

Jermey Welcher is a strange guy, and considered an outcast by the student body. He is a freshman in college, majoring in journalism and minoring in forensics, and was held back last year due to him not attending for over half the school year. He is almost always peering over his shoulder or murmuring to himself, partially due to his extreme shyness and not-so-slight paranoia due to bad experiences with friends in the past. He always slouches, his hight clocking in at 6’0 while hunched over, and a respectable 6’4 when his spine is straightened. His fragile frame is hidden by huge sweaters, which make up 90% of his wardrobe, accompanied by frayed blue jeans and sneakers with the soles falling off. If you have a chance to sneak a glance at his face before he turns away, his cheekbones are noticeably sharp, and his pale sunken cheeks are even more prominent, the bags under his blue eyes a telltale sign of insomnia. A badly cut mullet adorns the top of his head, his hair too unruly to truly obey the style, the ginger curls easy to pick out from the crowd..or to see in the dark of a room, huddled in a corner clutching a phone. Jeremy views himself as a queer boy, in the most literal sense, he is a gay man in the 1990’s but doesn’t outwardly express his orientation, partially due to social backlash and mostly due to no one knowing him intimately enough for them to know this information. If someone did know him intimately, they would know many things, including him being a huge nerd for literature and film, but he refuses to watch Halloween under any circumstances. He loves knitting in the seclusion of his apartment, where he lives alone with his cat Molly, and he always keeps his living space tidy and locked up tight, taking comfort in a small space where he can be alone and safe. There is something he, nor anyone else knows, he takes comfort in fear. He feels fear so regularly it has become normal, and he is able to think more clearly in terrifying situations, becoming emboldened and possibly even defiant under the right circumstances. That is to say, he’s a veteran of fear, strong in mind. Though strong in mind, his muscle strength is extremely lacking, and he would probably not be able to fend for himself without a weapon.

Introductions: Mun

Hi, I’m Billy (no, not the Loomis one), I’m 21, and I’ve been roleplaying online since I was twelve. I’m mobile-Tumblr bound, so sorry if my banner or format is weird! I’ve recently started hyperfixating on Scream (mostly the 1996 film and Dead By Daylight) and I’d like to roleplay in this fandom! I’m honestly not sure that people are still interested in roleplaying for this fandom, but I’m hoping there are some characters out there, especially Billies and Stu’s, maybe even some Dannies! I’m open to roleplaying outside of the movie, but I don’t know much about the franchise besides Scream (1996) and Dead By Daylight. I enjoy doing my roleplay via reblogs and writing 3-4 paragraphs per reblog, I can adapt to my partner’s roleplay style if asked! I also like to joke around or comment on the roleplays in tags such as: “((OOC: Holy shit bro just did a flip))”. Small note: Please interact with this post if interested!

Boundaries

I am seeking interaction with canon characters, but OC’s are fine too!

I’m fine with AU’s, different settings, and other things along those lines! I’m very flexible when it comes to roleplays, just ask me about the AU or scenario you want and I’ll most likely be down for it!

I’m fine with gore, stalking, violence, horror, etc. I mean, it’s Scream!

I’m open for romance between characters, but only male ones in accordance to Jermey’s orientation.

There are smaller boundaries I have, but it would take a while to list them here. Ask me before we start a roleplay about anything you think could be a possible boundary-breaker!

Tags

Active roleplays will be tagged: “🔇Stay quiet! He’ll hear you.”.

Out of character posts will be tagged: “‼️Billy! Billy! He’s in the house!”