#lots of bat boys swimming in the water

[kalesaladd]

what if the ghouls had a beach day?

step number one: sunscreen!

most of the ghouls tan very nicely, although phantom burns super fast. dew? dew looks like a lobster when he’s been outside all day.

as a result, aether insists on slathering all of them in a sunscreen balm that he and mounty have perfected! dew fusses the entire time and just wants to GO ALREADY so he can play in the lake with rain! everyone else is very cooperative :)

phantom (victim number two) falls asleep on a beach chair just from the gentle rubbing and touching. mounty and aeth join him in their “dad passed out snoring on the beach” activities.

step number two: water activities!

not even five minutes after they get there, cirrus is yelling at dew for trying to drown swiss… and then at swiss for trying to drown them both. she’s standing at the edge of the water screaming “DEWDROP YOU TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF HIS HEAD THIS INSTANT OR SO HELP ME SATAN”.

mounty and aether also help dew and phantom play chicken in the shallows. rain is doing laps very gracefully or floating perfectly still on his back… while swiss tries and fails to do the butterfly.

rory is chilling on a unicorn floatie in the lake with sunglasses and a drink, sunbathing like the princess she is! once lus is done corralling the boys for sunscreen time, she joins aurora in getting tipsy off wine while floating on the water.

dew & swiss always try to flip the girls over… which often leads to them getting kicked in the face. bug is hanging on to the edge of one of the girl’s floats just loving life!

step number three: sandcastles!

once phantom wakes up, he wants to make sand castles! but sunny wants to play monster and stomp on bug’s sandcastles! at first, aurora is helping bug make castles… but then she starts helping sunny stomp on them.

phantom still has white zinc on his face bc lus keeps making him come back from his sandcastles to slather it on his face (mom activities). she’s saying something something about how he has enough freckles already and she knows dew is gonna get burnt and she doesn’t want to deal with two burnt ghouls.

dew is gonna need someone to untangle his hair later… he didn’t braid it and he has a sensitive scalp. it’s going to be a process.

but wait… what about bathing suits?!

lus is wearing a full get up: one of those old timey one pieces, with her beautiful flowy hair, pretty sandals, a nice floppy hat that matches her suit, and a flowy coverup!

cirrus is wearing a matching bikini in the same pattern as lus’s one piece. her hair is in beautiful french braids so it doesn’t get tangled :)

aeth has got the quintessential (haha get it) dad outfit on: khaki shorts that are too long, an unbuttoned hawaiian shirt, dad sunglasses with the strap that holds them on your head, beat up birkenstock sandals, and white zinc on his nose.

mounty is sat under an umbrella wearing a regular pair of swim trunks, but he’s got a sun hat on, sunglasses, a long sleeve sun-shirt, and lots of SPF 100 sunscreen. he is very fair skinned and freckled as well… and he knows he can’t afford to sit and tan like some of the others.

aurora is wearing a frilly multicolored bikini, fun sunglasses, adorable matching sandals, and her hair is beautifully braided!

dew is wearing long ass board shorts (black… duh) and sunglasses. he’s simple. his hair is NOT braided or tied back…

bug’s swim shorts are purple with little bats on them (a gift from rory). he’s also wearing a bucket hat and those silly arms floaties (cirrus made him wear them bc she’s worried about him drowning).

rainy is so fabulous… he’s wearing 5” inseam shorts in some pastel color that fit perfectly. he looks like a men’s swimwear model.

swiss is wearing a speedo…

thanks to my friends for helping create this silly post :) @passifaggot @nyxiamoon @hanalyrata

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

You should do cheka in 10 yrs maybe hes a first year in nrc

Omg Cheka NRC era?? 😭

A lot of the headcanons I have written here were inspired by child!Simba’s behaviors, just cuz I don’t think he’d yet have the traits of adult!Simba at 15 years old + we don’t know a lot about adolescent!Simba.

What comes after Ever After?

Cheka Kingscholar is one of latest fresh-faced first years at NRC—and, as Fate would have it, the Mirror of Darkness sorts him into Savanaclaw, the very same dorm his beloved uncle once ruled over. Cheka’s so excited about the news that he phones up his uncle on the spot and lets him know!! (“Oi, aren’t you in the middle of the opening ceremony right now?! Sheesh, to think that the heir to the throne has no regard for maintaining decorum during formal functions… Ol’ Kifaji would shed a tear if he knew.”)

Speaking of phoning back home, Cheka keeps lines of communication with his family open! He’s constantly calling or writing to say hi or to give life updates. Boy can yap for what seems like forever, which deeply annoys Leona, but makes his parents gush about how excitable he is.

He’s the bane of most of his classmates’ existence. His cheer and boundless energy alone are annoying enough to deal with, but he’s also got a cocky streak to him. Cheka frequently boasts about how he’ll be king someday and speaks passionately about these lofty, grand ideals he has. It gives the impression that he doesn’t fully understand the weight of his crown quite yet.

His ego has him stupidly challenging his dorm leader like every other week for the seat. Cheka always gets his ass handed to him, but that doesn’t stop him from getting back up and trying again!! His dorm members think he’s reckless, but they have to admire his tenacity.

Cheka’s a “go with the flow” kind of guy. If something goes wrong, he’ll let it slide or shrug it off. He lives by this motto from his home country… Hakuna matata! Ever heard of it? It means “no worries for the rest of your days.” Unfortunately, this also means he had a tendency to run away from problems rather than attempting to solve them. This has earned him no shortage of ire from staff and fellow students alike.

He’s not very interested or gifted in academics; Cheka has a habit of getting distracted in lectures and cutting classes in favor of going on what he calls “adventures” into unknown nooks and crannies on campus, especially the forbidden areas. He’s too curious not to! “Danger?” Cheka barely bats an eye. “I laugh in the face of danger.”

He likes to eat grubs and other bugs in his food, claiming that they “taste like chicken” and that they’re an excellent source of protein. Cheka’s adventurous stomach has made him infamous on campus; he’ll sometimes receive dares to try out strange food concoctions (chocolate milk, corn, and jello was a recent one), which he’s always up for.

Cheka is not as good at magift/spelldrive as he would like (despite pestering his uncle to coach him). He also weirds his classmates out whenever they’re playing a sport and he tries to rally them to do a group chant.

A proud member of the Pop/Light Music Club!! He’s great at improvising lyrics and getting the audience to clap and dance along to the upbeat songs he writes.

Has two bodyguards enrolled at the school to protect him, similar to the hat Sebek and Silver did for Malleus 10 years ago. They’re kinda goofy and laidback, but if Cheka is ever in need of help, they’re there for him.

Sometimes Kifaji pays a visit to Night Raven College to check up on his prince. He usually has a scolding prepared for Cheka, whether it be on his behavior or grades, but it comes from a place of genuine love and concern. Cheka reassures him that he’s doing fiiine, so lay off and let him live a little, won’t he?

Cheka loves to swim around in the Savanaclaw lounge’s indoor pool. He once dove into it from the second story railing and did a dive bomb, sending water flying everywhere.

On nights when he can’t sleep, he gazes out of his bedroom window and stares at the stars. They look so different on Sage’s Island than they do back home—but stargazing always makes Cheka feel less lonely. He knows the great kings of the past are looking down on him, and that his father and uncle are blanketed under this same sky.

[sc0tters]

In The Water | Luke Hughes

summary: Luke has had a wandering eye for you all week so when he gets you in the pool one night it’s finally his turn to have some fun.

request: yes/no

warnings: sexual themes, p in v, swearing.

word count: 1.69k

authors note: I’ve been waiting to write this for weeks! It was fun writing the Luke x Quinn bsf pairing cause it means all I need to do is a Quinn x Luke bsf pairing then I’ve done all of the brother and friend pairings! Part of me is also starting to think that I’ve forgotten how to write smuts because I really don’t know how I feel about this one…

Luke thought the world was being cruel to him.

Originally he was fine when he heard that Quinn was bringing a girl to the lake house. But the moment he met you that idea quickly changed when he realised it was you.

The youngest Hughes boy didn’t know you from a bar of soap but watching you walk around in shorts and your little bikini top with Quinn’s tigers hat on your head made him feel some kind of way.

His speculations that something was going on between you and Quinn weren’t so wrong either, being neighbours in Vancouver you two learnt how to lean on each other during the pandemic and that sometimes resulted in sexual interactions between you two. But your little fuck buddy time together was a mere moment in your relationship and the last time you had gotten on your knees for the Hughes boy was well over a year ago.

But the level of banter that you two seemed to gain from having gone that far.

Quinn was fast asleep as you slipped out of the bed next to him letting your feet take you downstairs as you realised the light outside was still on.

Curiosity got the best of you and you were glad that it did as you walked out to see Luke in the pool.

His back muscles were defined as he would extend his arms with each stroke before he brought them back to his sides “I can feel you staring at me.” Luke mumble stretching his arms as he let his fingers press on the wall in front of him never taking this eyes off of the water.

You took this as a moment to walk up to him letting your legs down into the water as you sat on the side a couple of feet away from him “got a lot to stare at.” You shrugged sending him a smile as you weren’t going to hide that you were indeed looking at him “would have thought you’d want a closer look.” His smirk was clear as he finally looked up to see your eyes staring at him.

Taking in how his curls were wet as water droplets fell against his skin felt like a sight for sore eyes “where is the fun in just giving it to you Rusty?” You raised your eyebrows mentally letting out a silent cheer as Luke listened to you.

His fingers let go of the wall before he slowly swam over to you settling between your legs as he pushed your knees wider apart “think it’s unfair having you on a higher level than me.” Luke frowned as he let his hands run up your legs “can’t be getting Quinn’s shirt wet.” You shot back irritatingly reminding the younger boy about his thoughts of what Quinn must have done to you.

The hockey player ran his tongue over his lower lip “could just get you out of it.” It was the obvious option but the way it nervously came out of his mouth made you smirk “never thought of that one before.” You brought your hands to the hem of the shirt before you pulled it over your head revealing the skimpy little lingerie set that you decided to wear underneath it.

His swim shorts grew tight around his cock as his eyes trailed over your breasts with nipples barely covered by the black lacy fabric of the bra “fucking hell.” Luke mumbled under his breath taking in the sight as his eyes stared at the left nipple as he realised that you had pierced it.

The shiny titanium bar clearly stuck out as you pushed yourself off of the bricks that lined the pool slotting yourself between Luke and the wall as you smiled “you like what you see Hughesy?” You asked letting your fingers run down his abs as you innocently batted your eyelashes at him.

Luke swore that he was a deadman walking as he watched you look at him like he was the only man in the world “it’s all perfect.” His hands ran over your jaw as he tilted it up letting you look at him “like a fucking goddess.” The boy added bringing his lips down to yours.

You wanted to push onto your toes as his lips against yours and the boy smiled at your desperation “what do you want princess?” Luke smirked as you brought your hands up to hold his.

The hockey player watched as you let your lips form a pout “just fucking kiss me already Luke.” Your complaint was short lived when he captured your lips in a kiss.

It was hot as his tongue ran over your lower lip wanting to slide it into your mouth “please,” you whined feeling his bulge against your core “you sure?” Luke pulled away with big eyes full of concern “I don’t have a condom-” he added as he didn’t even have one upstairs and going into either of his brothers rooms to get one was just asking for a disaster to strike.

You pecked the boys lips wanting him to shut up “I’m on the pill and clean,” your tone was suggestive as he smiled “I am too.” Luke nodded as his heart practically pounded out of his chest “come and get me baby.” You mumbled into his ear before you pushed him away trying to swim away as you wanted to tease him.

Luke took a mere few seconds to reach out and grab your foot as he pulled you towards him “I don’t like chasing.” The hockey player muttered as his hands moved to your bra unhooking the back of it.

He wrapped his hands around your legs as he picked you up “have your way with me Lukey.” You smiled as he dropped his head to your pierced nipple.

His mouth wrapped around the sensitive peak “fuck Lu,” you cried as his tongue swirled around your piercing “you’re so good,” you cooed totally unaware of how each cry that left your lips went straight to his cock.

Your fingers locked into his curls as Luke brought his hand up to your other nipple making sure that it wouldn’t feel left out “I want you cock Luke.” You blurted out making him smile as he pulled away from your breasts “let’s get you out of these then.” Before you both knew it there was a wet mound of clothing that sat next to the pool as Luke ran his fingers over your stomach.

It was almost sweet as he backed you up against the wall “you sure you want this?” Luke asked you as his hands went to either side of you “yes Luke.” You nodded softly kissing his lips as he brought his cock up between your legs teasing your clit “shit!” You groaned as his cock slid down your slit before he trusted into your cunt.

Luke’s hands gripped at your sides as you adjusted to his size “move, please.” You gritted out making him nod “can’t believe how good you feel.” Luke blurted out as your picks moved up to wrap around his waist “been thinking about this all week.” He added making you smile through hooded eyes.

His breath fanned against your skin as you brought your hands up to lock in his hair again “should have made a move sooner.” You gritted your words out as your pussy clenched around his cock.

The hockey player nipped at your neck “can’t have hickies.” You shook your head “like my bikini.” The reminder of the tiny pieces that you wore made Luke smirk “want the boys to know you had a good time.” Trevor had been trying to flirt with you since the moment he arrived so this all was doing absolute wonders for Luke’s ego.

Water was pushed around you both as mini waves formed with each thrust of the boys cock “Luke-” your complaint was cut off as his hand slipped in between you both reaching down to your clit “oh my god!” You slapped your hand over your mouth as his cock began to throb between your legs.

Luke shook his head pulling your hand away “it’s just me baby.” He smiled pecking your lips “boys so asleep they won’t hear you.” The boy added knowing that each of the boys in the house were not going to be coming outside regardless of if they heard your moans or not.

Your legs tightened around his waist “I’m not gonna last.” You confessed letting your hands pinch at your breasts.

It made Luke smirk at how he knew he was making you feel “let it go baby.” The hockey player nodded pecking your lips as he wasn’t far behind “let anyone out here hear how good I make you feel.” He added sucking at your earlobe as you cried out.

It was hot watching you come around his cock as you body shook showing him just how good he made you feel as you brought your hips to grind against his bringing Luke’s orgasm on in the process “don’t stop.” You moaned letting your head fall back as he continued to fuck you through your orgasm.

As you both came back down your breaths were heavy “that was hot.” You blurted out smiling as you pecked his lips when he slid his cock out of you “you think you can survive for another one?” Luke asked as he watched you make your way over to the other side of the pool “it’s getting late.” You sighed motioning to the sun that was starting to rise over the water as you pushed out of the water letting droplets run down your naked body.

Luke smirked as he watched you pull Quinn’s top over you “both need a shower before we go to bed.” The boy loved how the grey fabric clung to your wet breasts “grab those clothes and meet me up there.” You smiled as he sent you a salute pushing off of the wall to the other side of the pool before he followed your wet footprints into the house.

[im-totally-not-an-alien-2]

Okay so we've done "Lazarus water is ghost booze", "Lazarus water is rotting ectoplasm", and even "Lazarus pit as spooky swimming pool" but consider:

Danny getting dunked in the pit waters and being contaminated with constant pit rage. He's destroying everything around him and his friends + sister+ clone must work around/ sabotage the JL, JLD and GIW in order to save Danny from them and get close enough to try to filter out the Lazarus water from his body using one of the Fenton Parents inventions.

The GIW keep interfering with the JL and JLD, hilariously insisting they have authority here and trying in vain to chase the heros off. Sometimes even actually fighting them. Or well, trying to at least.

Phantom doesn't exactly have the greatest reputation. Between the media blackout over Amity and what little that does get through painting him in a bad light thats not really a saprise.

Still, not everyone is convinced Phantom is a villian. Superman thinks Phantom is being mind controlled while most of the bats think the teenager was drugged and is on a rampage because of it.

Jason swears up and down that he felt the pit in that kid and he was swallowed up in pit rage the likes he had never seen before. Jason is determined to help this kid because if he can save this kid then maybe there's some hope for himself. Tim offers his help as well, suspicious of how similar Phantoms eyes are to someone suffering from the effects of the pit and at least partially convinced Jason is right.

It all culminates into Team Phantom saving Danny with the Justice Leages help and slapping the GIW all the way to thier new jail cells. Danny, after emptying his stomach contents into the ground, gets asked some medical questions, like his name and what day it was.

Turns out Danny thought it was the day everything started and had no memory of anything that happened while he was rampaging, which his friends and family thank thier lucky stars for. The boy can't handle much more trauma. Anywho, Danny gets placed in the watchtower medbay while they filter out any lingering L water and he's placed on an iv drip to replenish all the vitamins and hydration he lost while he was out of it.

Batman, Superman and others have all had talks with him, comforting him and actually listening to what he had to say. Something not many adults in dannys life did. Hood swiftly became friends with the kid and they bonded over being "Death Buddies" and Danny eventually told them about Vlad and Freakshow and his parents and how they all need to be stopped. He begged for leniency for his parents as they were genuinely insane and needed help.

Danny and his team get placed in a witness protection program of sorts and is visited by a lot of heros from time to time.

[popironrye]

The Lost Boys

Leisure Headcanons

💋 David 💋

Is a skilled fire arm shooter. (Loves the cowboy aesthetic)

Has his own gun hidden in the cave.

Doesn't get the chance too often, but will ride a horse when the chance arises.

Likes wood carving. Mostly non specific whittling into basic shapes or animals. It helps him relax.

Movie nut! When the boys go the Max's store to fool around, David makes sure to tuck a movie or two that catches his eye in his coat. Tends to watch them alone, all the questions from Paul would just grate on his nerves too much.

I imagine David would be like REALLY good at origami for no particular reason. He doesn't even try, just once the boys do it just because and he's just the best at it.

I don't know if vampires can emerge in water in the lost boys lore, but if they can David loves to swim. Chilling in water clears his mind.

💀 Dwayne 💀

Skater boi! Does a lot of sick tricks, but when you can levitate it's less impressive. XD

Doesn't care for guns, but likes archery. Hammers his own arrow heads. Dwayne and David like to pick a spot in the woods to shoot make shift targets.

A real book worm. Will spend a lot of time just silently reading for hours.

Takes up knitting from time to time. He prefers hand knitted blankets and throws rather then the store ones.

Likes to make jewelry. Made his own necklace.

Enjoys all types of puzzles. Cross word, jigsaw, and brain teasers.

Can sew and offers to sew up holes made in all the clothes the boys decide not to get new ones.

🌿 Paul 🌿

Can play the guitar.

Also likes to sing, and is pretty good at it. Wanted to start a band, but the other boys weren't up for it.

Has the biggest music collection and is always hogging the tabletop/cassette/cd player.

Amateur photography. Just likes to take photos randomly. Some are really artsy.

Got really into tie dye for a while. Although he might have just been high.

When he wants to relax, Paul really likes to stargaze. Laying outside the cave looking at the sky and hearing the waves of the ocean just makes him feel at peace.

When David isn't using the tv monitor, Paul enjoys quite a few video games. He also likes to take on the arcade and carnival games at the boardwalk.

🪶 Marko 🪶

Aside from pigeons, Marko will try to domesticate a number of animals to the cave, including stray dogs, cats, deer, badgers, squirrel, foxes, bats, and even a black bear once.

He in fact did NOT domesticate a black bear, but he did wrestle one.

He does his own patchwork on his jacket.

Like David, he likes to sculpt into wood, but he usually carves patterns and landscapes into more grand pieces.

He's also a skilled painter. Mostly he'll paint murals on sections of the cave David says is ok for him to paint on.

He collects sea shells on the beach.

He'll style the others hair. Especially David who he'll cut and dye in the way he likes best.

🔥Pack Activities🔥

Dart throwing. The bigger the target the better. David and Dwyane are very competitive at this one specifically.

Rollerblading. Put wheels on shoes, what more can you want?

Listening to music. The boys have very wide music tastes and sometimes they cross over and they all like the same stuff. They take turns around the player of their choice to just smoke, drink, and listen to the sounds of the music plays.

Card games. Specifically poker when they're all together. They make things more interesting when they make bets.

And of course motocycle cruising and board walk loitering.

Something that always strikes me with vampires in fiction and indeed with any immortal creature with the high and emotional intelligence of humans. IMMORTALITY IS FUCKING BORING!

I mean, think about it. Imagine you're given all the free time in the world with very little responsibility with no fear of getting sick or tired allowed to do pretty much whatever you want. What would you do? Cause I would go stir crazy. So I came up with these dumb little head canons on how I image the boys specifically would pass the time in their little vampire lives that doesn't revolve around murdering and feeding off of people.

Of course cruising on their bikes come to mind. And there's a couple in the movie we get to see like Dwayne's skateboarding and Marko's fondness for pigeons but I wanted to throw more possibilities out there. :3

[101maverick]

Prompt request: Secretly Atlantean gothamite saving Dick Grayson Robin from drowning in the bay. She recognizes his voice as her classmate crush.

They would ideally be 13-14 ish

A/n: okok this is soooo original i’m in loooveee. I did some research to find out where exactly the Gotham bay is in terms of city area and I hope i got it right :)) Also let’s ignore the fact this took me a whole month to finish, okay? Very sorry about the wait, life has been kicking my butt recently😅

Fishy Business

The water in Gotham was shit.

The pollution typical of every big American city was one thing, but whatever the heck Gotham had was ten times worse. Like, Chernobyl level bad.

Whatever filth was thrown in the waters of the Gotham Harbour on the daily definitely saw a lot of local chemical creations, the ones the city’s rogues were so fond of coming up with to terrorise the population.

Needless to say you would not be swimming in open waters any time soon.

You missed the ocean. You missed being in your element.

The fact you weren’t stupid enough to dare a swim in chemically spiked water didn’t negate the fact the Gotham Harbour was the only body of water you had available though, if not only to look at wistfully while mourning what you had before having to come to this forsaken city.

And that’s what you were doing when it happened. You had been stood up by your classmate and crush, Dick Grayson, for your chemistry study session. Neptune only knows how much that boy sucks at the subject, and the fact he skipped out on your study session made your insides flare up in indignation. Coming to the nearest body of water and reminiscing was the best way you knew of for letting go of ugly feelings.

Just letting your hair be lightly whipped around by the wind, staring wistfully into the last blazing scorches of the dying sun, standing on one of the docks and pretending the overwhelming smell of fish came from the dredges of the seaside market you used to camp out near as a kid.

Then, of course, it happened.

A loud crash startled you out of your musings, and you turned around just in time to see a figure splashing in the water a ways away.

Who the hell goes for an evening swim here? You thought to yourself as you made your way closer to the perturbed water, keeping to the elongated shadows born of the fish crates scattered around.

Once you were close enough to distinguish more of the figure, your eyes widened considerably.

The body flailing around in the murky water of the docks was none other than Robin, infamous sidekick to Gotham’s resident bat-themed vigilante.

Gotham’s resident vigilante that was very clear about his stance on super-powered beings in his territory.

You considered your options. If Batman knew his sidekick was saved by someone with very obviously atlantean powers he no doubt would clock you as somebody who wanted to mess with him, who was probably even spying on him due to the conveniency of the coincidence.

You did not want to find out what Batman did to people who not only disregarder his rules by merely existing in the wrong place, let alone what he did to people he thought were meddling in his business.

Plus, surely Robin could swim, right? He would have no problem getting out of the water by himself, so there was no need for your water-manipulation abilities anyway.

Despite your self-reassurances and the fact you should have been hightailing it out of there as fast as possible, uncertainty kept your feet rooted to the rotten wooden panels.

And so you kept watching, growing increasingly worried as Robin failed to keep his head outside of the water for more than a few seconds at a time.

You made it approximately thirteen seconds before saying ‘fuck it’ and stepping in, emerging from the shadows you had found refuge in just enough time get a good stance, planting your feet and raising your arms while letting your abilities reacquaint themselves with the water near you.

It was a fast affair, getting your powers to grasp at the water Robin was perturbing and pulling, violently yanking both the liquid and the boy out of the Harbor and onto the dock.

The vigilante gasped, gripping the material under him while hacking coughs wracked through his chest as he expelled the water from his human lungs.

You remained hovering above him, watching him, immensely glad the visible part of his face was regaining its normal colour instead of the red-purple it had previously been.

You had always looked upon Batman and Robin as pretty unapproachable, two beacons of justice and penance for Gotham’s criminals, who struck fear into even the most hardened thugs this rotten city had to offer.

But- but Robin was light to Batman’s darkness, and he always had a smile on his face in the grainy pictures that sometimes appeared in the newspaper, and if you focused your inhuman hearing on your surroundings late enough at night you could hear laughter mixing with the swoosh of the wind and the rustling of heavy fabric and the rhythmical zapping of a rope through the air.

And plus, Robin looked so human in this moment, so defenceless while he coughed his lungs out, that you just couldn’t reconcile the boy in front of you with the pillar of rambunctious justice fixed in your mind. And above all else, you couldn’t leave a human, one with so many enemies at that, alone while there was still the risk of him not being completely out of danger.

So you stayed.

You stayed, sat on an empty crate beside him, and kept vigilant with your enhanced senses to avoid any unwanted attention. As he calmed down he seemed to slowly gain awareness of his surroundings.

After what seemed like an eternity, he got his arms under him and slowly lifted himself up into a sitting position. That’s when he took notice of you, still watching him intently.

His eyes weren’t visible through the white-out lenses of his mask, but the way his forehead creased and his mouth opened a little more around his still heavy breaths made you able to accurately guess his surprise. “You- you just…what was-“

You interrupted him before he could keep voicing his question. “Look, just don’t tell the Bat about me and we’re good, okay? I really don’t need the trouble, plus you owe me one.”

Robin just kept looking at you, chest rising and falling with each deep breath, tiny shivers coursing through his soaking-wet form.

After a few beats that felt like eons, he nodded. “Yeah, yeah, don’t worry.” He half-gasped out, voice breathy with exertion. “Won’t tell a soul.”

His voice… it was achingly familiar.

You studied the unmasked portions of his face more closely, more attentively, your superhuman eyesight undisturbed by the darkness.

You were able to make out sun-kissed skin, soaked inky locks you fantasised about running your fingers through every day during chemistry, a defined jaw, high cheekbones and lips that pulled into semi-rare but blinding smiles. Lips you dreamed about kissing at night, while you lay on your bed thinking of your life.

You were sitting face-to-face with Dick Grayson. Robin.

You nodded, looking right into those white lenses. “Good.” At that, you looked around the empty area of the docks, spying the area sounds of fighting were coming from. “Well, I, uh, better go.”

You turned to him. “Try not to drown again, thanks.” And with that you stood.

Before walking away you turned around one last time, unable to stop yourself. “And, by the way, you stood me up for our chemistry study session. We’ll catch it up tomorrow.”

Before he could reply, you ran away from the docks and into Gotham Proper.

Gosh, you really were an idiot, weren’t you?

——————————

A/n: If you like my work, please consider reblogging and checking out my other works through the master list in my pinned post<3

[inaris-mage-of-storms]

Warning for alcohol use, vomiting, and swearing. Read on AO3.

--

When Scott dreams, he dreams of the sea.

Not a single soul would bat an eye at that. He's a pirate, after all, born and raised on an island. He wouldn't be surprised if one day someone cut him open and seawater poured from his veins instead of blood. The ocean is his home, and he knows that to his core.

What surprises him is that it isn't this sea he dreams of. It isn't this ocean that calls to him, whispering promises of safety and warmth. Instead, he dreams of a different island - if one could even call it that. It's tiny, smaller than any island he's ever seen in his waking life, with nothing more on it than an equally tiny hut. In his dreams, he sits in the shade of his hut with his feet in the water and feels at peace.

Danger is there, somewhere, but on his island he feels safe. His clothes are tattered and coral lines his pockets instead of gold, but he feels content. It's home, and it calls to him, and every time he wakes from that dream he aches with a longing for a place he's never been. 

He hates it. He can't get enough of it.

He wonders, leaning against a wall in the shadows of whatever alleyway he'd stumbled into, if he'll dream of it tonight. His head swims with every movement, and he thinks it's just as likely that he'll simply pass out until Cleo finds him and wakes him with a thorough scolding for leaving the tavern without them. You never know what's lurking in the dark, they had admonished him more than once. Rules only went so far, and it wouldn't take much for a dead-drunk Denholm to become a dead Denholm, if the wrong person found him alone.

Sometimes he dreams of Cleo, too. Like the island, they feel like home and safety. It doesn't surprise him, though the pallor of death that clings to them worries him. He wonders if it's an omen. It's why he normally never does leave the tavern without them, fearing for their safety as much as they fear for his. Sometimes he wakes up and has to reassure himself that there isn't a gaping hole in his best friend's ribs. 

He wonders if he'll ever find out why they're always dead in his dreams. He hopes he never does.

He dreams of a lot of people, and he wonders who they are. Scar is there, sometimes, with a grin that matches Cleo's, and he wonders why the swindler he's barely spoken to is in his dreams. He dreamed of Scar before he knew him, and it makes him wonder if he'll meet the rest of the strangers someday too. He wonders if he'll ever meet the red woman with the sharp grin and lonely eyes, or the blond man on the burning building. He wonders if he'll ever find out why his heart breaks every time he looks at either of them.

Most of all, he dreams of Martyn.

That surprises him more than anything else, that the man he disdains and who disdains him in return, is ever-present in his dreams of this home that doesn't exist. In his dreams, Martyn is wild and dangerous and beautiful. He's like that in the real world, too, but in his dreams that wild, dangerous, beautiful man looks at Scott with a softness he's never known and holds him with a gentleness that doesn't exist. 

He wonders if he'll ever find out why.

"Well! Look at you, crawling in the gutters in the middle of the night. Guess the golden boy has a human side after all."

"Dream of the devil," Scott mutters, getting a perplexed what? from Martyn as the man crouches in front of him. "Go away. I'm just resting a moment, that's all."

He knows he's not fooling anyone. His words are so slurred it's a wonder Martyn can even make out what he's saying, and he leans over to retch up what little bile has collected in the stomach that emptied earlier, but he'll die before admitting weakness to a Kestrel. Especially to this one. Why did it have to be this one that found him?

"You're an idiot," is Martyn's simple response, and Scott scowls at him. "Up you get."

"What? Wait - " Martyn tucks himself against Scott, one arm around his waist and the other pulling Scott's arm across his shoulders as he hoists him to his feet. "I told you, I'm fine! Just gonna wait here for Cleo."

"I mean, if you want me to leave you passed out in a heap for everyone to see what a mess you are come morning, I can do that," says Martyn, pulling him down the road. "I doubt Cleo's waking up anytime soon. Maybe I should leave you here. A little humble pie might do your prissy ass some good."

"You talk too much," grumbles Scott, and after a moment adds, "Now I want pie. Fuck you."

Martyn laughs. "Maybe when you're sober. Ow! Bite me again and I will leave you in the road, you little shit."

His thoughts are still too murky to come up with a witty retort, so Scott allows himself to be helped home by the man who hates him and feels like home. He can feel himself teetering on the edge of passing out, and knows he won't be dreaming tonight.

Shame. Martyn's gaze is soft and his hands gentle as he lowers Scott into bed, and Scott wonders if the man loves in the same way he does in his dreams.

"Stay."

Martyn looks surprised when Scott catches his wrist. "Geez, how much did you drink? Just because we look the other way when you sneak out of Sausage's room in the morning doesn't mean your mates will do the same for me sneaking out of yours. And you hate me, remember?"

"You hated me first." Scott's hold on Martyn slips away along with his hold on consciousness. "Don't hate you," is the last thing he mumbles, and he wonders if Martyn hears it.

He doesn't dream of the sea, not tonight. He dreams of Martyn saying I don't hate you either. He dreams of a hand in his hair and lips on his forehead, and wonders about the way a whispered I miss you sounds so sad. 

He wonders if he'll ever find out why.

}{ Part Two }{

[neverland93]

Peter Pan imagine/ Yesterday

Wendy had cheated on Peter, why you may ask ? I have no idea. With who? Daniel.

Daniel was the equivalent twin to Peter, blond chestnut hair. Green eyes, strong muscular arms, and a smile that could kill.

So why the hell would Wendy look for sex in someone else?

Well…

*******

“Peter can we please spend quality time together?” Wendy begged Pan

He half laughed and shook his head

“The boys and I have plans, it’s Friday night.” He stated

“But you swore Friday nights were our nights.” She said softly

“Plans change Wendy, we see each other all the time.” He said folding his arms

“Bullshit, I only see you when it’s convenient.” She challenged him

He cocked and eyebrow

“You might wanna shut your pretty mouth of yours before you get in trouble.” He said looking at her intensely.

*********

There was only so much Pan could do, keeping Wendy satisfied that is.

You see , Pan was-is King of Neverland.

He has to make sure the food supplies doesn’t run empty, the rum never runs out, the mermaids are safe, from the horny lost boys, the Indians don’t harm themselves from all the potions they make on a daily basis, as well as the lost boys so that they don’t run off a cliff playing hide and go seek, and the fairies, making sure there’s always faith trust and pixie dust.

Pan had a lot on his shoulders and Wendy crying was the last thing he needed or wanted.

********

“One day you’ll regret this.” Was all she said walking away.

Later that day Wendy has been working on the garden, planting and picking fruits that were blossoming.

When Daniel come over to her.

“Whatcha up to?” He said leaning up against a tree

“Just picking.” She said bluntly

“You look hot.” He said

“Excuse me?” She turned around about to swing on him only to find him handing her a drink of water

“Oh..” she said

“You’re sweating out here, why does Peter have you doing the hard work?” He asked

“I guess I’m not that important huh ?” she said smiling

“Man, if I were Peter you wouldn’t have to lift a finger.” He said smiling

She laughed at that, “Well maybe you should be King of the island.”

“Maybe I should so you could be my queen.” He said looking deep in her eyes.

********

It wasn’t long til Peter caught Wendy and Daniel in their bad together.

It was so odd that night.

It seemed like a normal night, everyone sat around the campfire, and Peter had his arm around Wendy , all the while Wendy kept batting her eyelashes at Daniel.

Peter had went off with some of the older lost boys claiming to be back in a couple hours knowing damn well he wouldn’t be back til the early morning.

Now some say he deserved it, some say he didn’t, but it happened, and here’s how he handled it.

Peter had a early night that evening with the lost boys, they had went exploring in a cave and had a few cups of rum but the boys had been tired from swimming in the lake the day before, it had been almost a 100 degrees and the boys were just blowing off some steam.

He had his cup in his hand drinking whatever was left and opened the door.

To see Wendy face down ass up and Daniel had his hands wrapped around her hair and waist.

But he didn’t scream, he didn’t kick Daniel’s ass, he didn’t slap Wendy, he didn’t make Daniel walk the plank, he didn’t banish Wendy, he simply turned around and and closed the door and never said a thing about it.

That’s what made Pan 10x more frightening.

********

About a year later you came along, you were just a girl who was lost, came from a fucked up childhood and needed to be around good people.

“So basically you’re gonna be doing a lot chores, laundry, dishes, cooking, if that’s not okay I can send you back to-“

“It’s fine!” You said eagerly

Pan cocked a brow, “That bad?” He asked.

“Yeah.” You said softly.

He nodded and that was that.

Everything was fine for a couple days, til Daniel talked to you.

“Are you new here?” Daniel asked you folding his arms

“Visiting.” You said not wanting to say too much.

“It’s so hot I just wanna stay in bed all day.” He said

“Yeah a nap in bed wouldn’t sound so bad.” You said

“With me?” He added

“We just met and you’re already talking about getting in bed with you? Not very subtle.” You said

“Oh laddie subtle never been my strong suit.” He smirked

You just laughed and shook your head

“So, have you talked to any other lost boys? Are you interested in them?” He asked

“I have a rule on not talking to lost boys, I heard they’re bad news.” You said folding your arms

“Good thing I’m not a lost boy, I’m second in command.l he said confidently

“Daniel are you hitting on me while I am dripping sweat picking fruits and vegetables in a garden?” You asked

“Is that so wrong?” He asked

“Y/N.” Peter said nodding at you.

You nod back

Peter looks at Daniel and punches him in the face

You gasped and put your hand over your mouth.

What the fuck.

********

Peter and Wendy went to go talk the chief of the Indians.

“Punching lost boys Pan?” The chief said

Peter rolled his eyes.

“I had a reason.” He said

“Oh really? Now would someone tell me what the hell is the reason and what’s going on?” He said angrily

Peter looked at Wendy, waiting for her to say something.

“Daniel, well he, well I.” Was all she could get out.

“Daniel and I were best mates.” Peter said clenching his jaw

“And?” He asked

“And uh, well they were best mates, until Peter found me and Daniel in bed together.” She stated looking down.

The chief looked at Peter

“You put your weight into it?” He asked

“Yes sir.” Peter nodded

“Well then, alright, see you guys at dinner.” He said leaving you two.

Peter just folded his arms, the truth just came out, and everyone was going to know.

********

Meanwhile you were taking care of Daniel’s cut

“Me and Peter has always been into the same type of girls.” He admitted

“Oh..” you said not knowing what to say

“You know what’s funny? Peter walked in on me and Wendy and he just turned around and walked away. But he sees me so much talking to you and I’m on the ground bleeding. Interesting don’t you think?” He looks you cocked a brow and smiled

“Shut up.” You said putting more alcohol on his cut to distract him for a while.

Meanwhile your brain is going 100mph

Daniel was right, why did Pan care if he talked to you?

[alln64games]

Legend of the River King 64

JP release: 27th November 1998

PAL release: N/A

NA release: N/A

Developer: Pack-In-Video

Publisher: Victor Interactive

Original Name: Nushi Tsuri 64

N64 Magazine Score: 56%

Nushi Tsuri is a series of fishing RPGs that were released between 1990 and 2007. A few games have received western releases under the name Legend of the River King on the Game Boy and Game Boy Colour. Some of the later games were called River King in North America, but Harvest Fishing in Europe, to try and market it as a Harvest Moon spin-off (the mainline games of both franchises were made by Marvelous, but River King was first).

While the N64 version of Legend of the River King was marketed for a western release at some point, it ended up getting cancelled, so we’re left with a Japan-only game, which heavily relies on Japanese text. Google Lens is fine for rough translations, but is unfortunately not quite up to the task for specifics like translating fish names and other technical things like baits and lures. Still, I tried out what I could.

The game is presented as a top down 2D RPG and it looks lovely in motion, especially the water. Movement is surprisingly unrestrictive as it seems you can climb up any surface and swim through the water – there is one section where you’re blocked that’s part of a lengthy quest to reach the main objectives. The setting seems to be based on the British countryside (my girlfriend even commented on the look without seeing the red post box or football field), but with Japanese buildings.

The game stars a large family, and you get to choose which one to play as. While most of the game is the same for each, they have their own end goals. The girl I picked wanted to find a rare fish that uses a nest because it’s something her fiancé wanted to see. Along the way, you need to hone your skills by catching fish in order to get better equipment and win tournaments.

While the game is pretended in a cure and lovely 2D format, it changes completely once you get a bite on your rod. You are presented with a 3D view of the very nicely detailed fish. You need to use the analogue stick to make the fish think that the bait is real (it’s very difficult to figure out the tight motion) and use the a button to reel in. If the rod starts to strain, you’ll feel a rumble and you’ll need to let go until you see enough slack on the line to start reeling in again.

I found the fishing to be very difficult, even after reading tips online, and still struggled with the little indoor fishing that lets you fish as much as you want without using resources. You need to keep your eye on both your supplies and the quality of your rod.

Exploring the areas of the game (that I could access to – I never got the bridge repaired to access the blocked off areas), I did manage to find an old man that talked about the fish my character was after, as he laments that the species is now incredibly rare due to pollution. I did attempt to fish in this area on the off chance that I would find one, but I couldn’t even get bite, even trying lots of different bait.

I imagine that the information needed to figure out what kinds of rods, lures and baits you need to use in different locations is somewhere, but as Google isn’t great at translating those kinds of things, it’s lost on me, so this was kind of the end of my adventure. I did manage to catch a few fish, and you fill out an encyclopaedia with information – and you can make the model of the fish move its mouth by pressing A, so I had fun making it sing along to the tune of the music.

There is also more than just fishing. Wildlife will also attack you, either form you walking into them on the map or random encounters. Everything – seagulls, mice, eagles, cats, starfish – is out to get you, and you have three options: placate them with food, attack them or run away.

On top of catching fish, you also collect bugs and flowers. With bugs, you find them on the map and use your net to start the “battle” phase where you use a net or your bare hands to collect the bugs in a first person view. Cutting flowers is a bit more simple.

Legend of the River King seems like a nice and relaxing game, and it’s a shame that the language barrier makes it difficult to fully play and enjoy. I do really like this kind of RPG where the “combat” is something that isn’t a battle system, such as the handheld Mario Golf and Tennis games.

Even though I couldn’t get very far in the game, I enjoyed the time I spent with it.

It’s almost impossible to get a decent way into it if you’re not even slightly conversant in Japanese, such is the option-heavy nature of the text – but we did have a fair amount of fun once we discovered how to fish.

- Jes Bickham, N64 Magazine #26

Remake or remaster?

It would be nice to see an English translation of this game – and perhaps a Story of Seasons fishing game.

Official Ways to get the game

There is no official way to get Legend of the River King 64

[xandriagreat]

Ballister | Chapter 13

Prologue | Last Chapter | Next Chapter

Notice/warnings: food, pain, wounds, attack(s), arm chopping/exposition, fire, screams, crying, ANGST

▪︎▪︎▪︎

Ballister flew high in the sky.

He was crying as he flew.

'I can't believe it... I lost another friend... Because of me...' Ballister thought as he flew.

Before he got to the wall, his bat ears overheard a call that the guards of the wall were getting.

The call: “Guards, keep an eye out for the monster. It’s trying to escape!”

Thinking quickly, Ballister quickly flew down into the woods to avoid being spotted.

He shapeshifted into a fox when he got close to the ground and started to run to anywhere where no one would find him.

He ran until he tripped over his paws and started to tumble until he slid to a stop.

“Ow…” Ballister groaned as he slowly sat up. 

Ballister shapeshifted into his teen form as he looked up to see where he was.

He was in a familiar small clearing of the woods with an old wishing well.

Ballister stared at the well before looking at the huge statue of Ambrosius in the distance.

The shapeshifter shapeshifted to his child form, hugging himself as he remembered his side of the hero and monster story…

◇flashback◇

Ballister was a newly formed shapeshifter, living in a village of mythicals (or monster, some people would say) and some humans.

Ballister can shapeshift into a lot of humans and animals. But he has three favorite forms.

A seal, a cat, and his human form.

His human form is a 6 year old British-Pakistani boy, since he's young and new. So it would make sense that his human form is a child.

His human form wears an old light gray shirt and brown pants, black hair was short to his ears and two different color streaks of light blue and dark indigo in his black hair.

Ballister was walking through the village, saying ‘hellos’ to some of the neighbors as he got ready to go explore beyond the village. 

When Ballister was ready to explore beyond the village, he went to the edge of the village.

As he took in a breath, he heard familiar running footsteps and giggles going to him.

Ballister turned around to see a group of village kids running to him.

“Hi, Ballister!” a few of the kids of the village called out to him, running to him.

Ballister smiled and said, “Hey!”

“How are you?” Teddy, one of the kids, asked when the kids got to him.

“I’m good. How are all of you?” Ballister said to them.

“We’re good. Want to play with us?” Abigail, another of the kids, asked excitedly.

Ballister smiled a bit sadly at the kids as he said, “Thanks for offering but no. I’m going to explore beyond the village.”

“Aw…” the kids said in disappointment.

“Sorry…” Ballister said to them.

“It’s ok, Bal.” Frankie said, handing him the ball. “Mind starting us off?”

Ballister chuckled softly as he nodded and took the ball from them. Then he tossed the ball in the air to start the game, which made the kids cheer excitedly.

Ballister waved at them before shapeshifting into a fox and going on an adventure beyond the village.

◇

Ballister looked around as he went through the woods.

He was trying out different forms as he went.

He changed from a fox to a bear to a wolf to a squirrel. 

He noticed a finch bird on a tree branch.

Thinking that he could make a new friend, he shapeshifted into a finch bird as he flew up to the branch. 

He landed on the branch, which got the finch’s attention.

As he got a few tweets out, the finch flew off to other finches that were flying, leaving Ballister alone. 

The young shapeshifter sighed and flew off, looking for another possible friend.

Ballister noticed a river and a school of fish swimming. 

Thinking that he could make at least a new friend with one of them, he dove down and shapeshifted into a fish. He swam to the group, attempting to join the school of fish but the fish all swam away from him.

Ballister blew out some bubbles before shapeshifting into a wolf to get out of the river.

He shook some water off of himself as he got out of the river.

Then he noticed couple of deer bounding by

Thinking that he could make a new friend at least one of them,  he shapeshifted into a deer and ran after them.

He prancing after the couple other deer, mimicking their every move.

The deer noticed him and just continued to bound off, leaving him alone again in a clearing of the woods.

‘Dang it…’ Ballister thought as he stopped following them and sat down. 

He shapeshifted into a cat and he curled up.

Then he heard faint humming and giggling in the distance.

Ballister perked up and looked at where it came from as he got up before walking over to it.

Ballister hid in the bushes as he looked at a wishing well. He also saw a human village in the distance behind the wishing well. 

Ballister shapeshifted into his kid self.

Then he saw a little boy, who was walking to the well while carrying a bucket.

The little boy was wearing an off white shirt, a blue jacket, brown pants, and brown boots. He also had a red scarf wrapped around his head.

The little boy looked at the village for a moment before taking the scarf off, revealing that the boy is blonde east asian.

The boy put the bucket down to pick up two small stones and climbed up on the well. He looked at the two small stones before looking at a nearby tree stump, smiling.

From the shadows in the forest, Ballister watches the boy play by throwing one of the stones into the nearby tree stump.

The stone landed into the stump.

“Woo!” the boy said excitedly, carefully jumping on the well wall.

The boy threw the second one but it missed the stump and landed near the bush that Ballister was hiding in.

The boy sigh and jumps down from the well, walking over to get the stone.

Ballister was about to step back, to still be hidden, but he didn’t look where he was stepping as he stepped on a twig and it snapped it, which got the boy’s attention.

The boy picked up the stone before going to the bush and pulling a few branches back a bit to find Ballister.

“Hi there!” the boy said, smiling at Ballister.

Ballister waved nervously and awkwardly to him.

“Hey, it’s ok.” said the boy, who gave Ballister the stone and helped him walk out of his hiding place with a smile. “Want to play with me?”

Ballister was unsure but nodded with a smile.

He tried to throw the stone but it landed at his feet.

The boy giggled at that and explained, “That’s not how you throw.”

The boy taught Ballister how to throw. 

Then they both played, laughing as they played.

The two of them laid on the grass at one point, both of them giggling.

The boy looked at Ballister and asked, “I hope you don’t mind me asking but, what’s your name? My name is Ambrosius.”

Ballister just stared at Ambrosius.

"Can you talk?” Ambrosius asked, sitting up and looking down at Ballister.

Ballister looked at the boy and nodded. “My name is Ballister.” he said, smiling at Ambrosius. 

“That’s a pretty name.” the boy said, smiling.

That’s when Ballister made a new friend, Ambrosius.

◇

For the past couple of weeks, Ballister and Ambrosius meet by the well. 

They normally go into the woods, but not too far into the woods so Ambrosius could make it back home in time for dinner.

The things that they normally do in the woods is walking through the woods, talking about a few things (Ambrosius would do most of the talking while Ballister listened), jumping on stones of rivers (Ballister did save Ambrosius from falling into the river one time), and have sword fights (well- a wooden sword and a stick fight). A few times, they sometimes take nap in the woods.

But sometimes, Ambrosius has to be in the village to do chores.

So, Ballister goes into Ambrosius’ village and they normally play tag or just chase each other while doing chores. 

Ballister and Ambrosius was grabbing some apple picking baskets as they noticed Ambrosius’s father working on a lance, adding something to it.

“So, what’s your father working on?” Ballister asked as they walked to the apple picking field.

“He’s been adding a type of machine to the lance, you know the pointy wood thing that knights use to knock other knights down.” Ambrosius explained as they got to the field and starting to get some apples. "I don't know why."

Ballister hummed and started to get some apples too.

They put the apples in the baskets.

It was just them.

Ballister set a basket of apples down as he noticed that Ambrosius was struggling to get an apple out of the tree. 

When the little boy was about to give up and lay on the ground, Ballister shapeshifted into a little bird in front of Ambrosius for the first time. 

Ballister got the apple down and shapeshifted back to his little boy self as he caught the apple with a smile. He held the apple and looked at Ambrosius, who looked at him in a mix of shock and amazement.

Ballister’s smile faded into fear when seeing the look. “I-” he started but was cut off by Ambrosius exclaiming, “Wow! That was amazing! How did you do that?!”

Ballister didn’t expect that but he smiled at him again. “Well, to let you know, I’m not really human. I’m a shapeshifter. To answer the ‘how’ question; it’s more like what I’m feeling or I think of what I want to shift into.” he explained with a chuckle.

“That’s so cool!” Ambrosius exclaimed again. "Are there others like you?"

Ballister nodded, still smiling at him.

Then Ballister told Ambrosius to keep about him shapeshifting a secret and Ambrosius agreed to keep it secret.

◇

Ambrosius and Ballister’s friendship grew more as they got to know each other more for the past few months. 

They have gone on adventures into the woods and Ballister shows more of his shapeshifting to Ambrosius when they ’re in a good spot of the woods.

He shows mostly animal forms.

Ambrosius was amazed by all of the forms.

They were very happy with each other.

But that all changed one day, when the sun was setting…

Ambrosius and Ballister were playing with each other. Ambrosius had his wooden sword and Ballister was in his bear form.

Ballister playfully swats at Ambrosius before hugging him. Ambrosius giggled as he hugged him back before gently tapping Ballister’s head with the sword.

Ballister started to go back and did some somersaults, still hugging Ambrosius.

The both of them laughed as they hugged and somersaulted.

They were having so much fun that they didn’t notice that they were no longer in the woods and at the edge of Ambrosius’ village.

They stopped somersaulting at the edge of the village. 

Ambrosius was on top of Ballister, laughing while the shapeshifter smiled at him.

Then he noticed that his claws accidentally caught on Ambrosius's scarf. Carefully, Ballister was flapping his paw to try to get the scarf off.

Ambrosius noticed and he took of the scarf as he started to say, "Here, let me help yo-"

Then there were screams from the grown ups of the village. 

“Ambrosius!” Ambrosius’ parents shouted worriedly.

“Bear! There’s a bear in the village!” a villager shouted, warning the other villagers.

The next thing Ballister knew was that Ambrosius was pulled out of his arms by Ambrosius’ father and took a few steps away from Ballister. Ambrosius’ mother ran to her husband and son as some of the villagers ran over to help take care of the bear.

Ballister looked at himself, thinking that this form is scaring them, before shapeshifting into his little boy form, showing that it’s him and there’s nothing to be afraid of. He still held the scarf and he offered it to them.

But instead, that made all of the grown ups of the village start to freak out.

“What is that?!” one villager asked in fear.

“Get the kids inside!” one of the parents shouted to their kids to stay inside.

“Stay back!” another villager shouted at Ballister, pointing a pitchfork at him.

Ambrosius noticed that the grown ups started to get weapons.

“No! Stop! Stop! He’s my friend!” Ambrosius cried out to the grown ups. Then Ambrosius’ mother turned him around and said, “No, he’s a monster.”

Ambrosius started to get visibly shaken by his parents’ reaction. His apprehension grows as he looks at Ballister while more grown ups of the village run over with weapons, mostly pitchforks and torches.

Ballister was getting more scared as the grown ups of the village surrounded him, afraid and angry looks on their faces.

Ballister tries to explain but they relentless and don't listen to him.

Ballister shapeshifted into a cat as he tried to run but there was no way as the grown ups surrounded him, blocking him from running.

Some start to poke at him with their weapons, making Ballister more scared and shapeshifts more.

Ballister’s different forms started to blend together as  Ballister got pushed around and poked at more, leading him to be more defensive. 

His eyes burn with fear and anger as he lets out a piercing roar and slash his claws at the air.

The crowd lurches back in fear as Ambrosius’s father grabbed lance that he work on and pointed at Ballister.

“Everyone, watch out!” Ambrosius’s father shouted at the mob.

The mob got out of the way as the pointy part of the lance opened up.

Ambrosius saw this. 

Without thinking, he got out of his mother’s grip and grabbed his father’s arm to try to avoid Ballister being shot as the weaponized lance shoots.

Ballister was shapeshifting when the weaponized lance went off and it hit him. It sent him almost flying back when it hit him. Ballister hit the ground while a big piece of him, that was on fire, flew in the air and then landed on dry grass, starting a fire that became a wildfire that spread quickly to the village.

The grown ups quickly went to get the fire put out.

Ambrosius looks around at the chaos before just stares in fear at Ballister, who just shapeshifted back to his little boy form.

But this time, the form looked different.

Ballister had a fresh scar over his right eye and he was missing his right arm. Instead there was a black burnt shoulder and a small bit of an arm stump with some red.

Ballister was crying as he held his shoulder and had his right eye closed. He still held the red scarf. He looked at Ambrosius and noticed that he was scared.

Ballister tried to speak to explain but was in a lot of pain. The only thing that he could say was, “R-R-Rose…?”

Ambrosius took in a breath, mustering all the courage he could as he picked up and held his wooden sword at Ballister.

“Go back to the shadows from whence you came…” Ambrosius said in a loud clear voice.

Ballister stares at Ambrosius with a broken heart before he backs away and then disappears into the shadows.

That wasn’t the last time that Ambrosius said those words to Ballister or the last time they saw each other.

◇

Throughout the years, the village became a kingdom.

When Ambrosius became a grown up; he became a knight and helped train knights to help him fight the monsters, which was mostly Ballister.

But that didn’t stop Ballister from trying to have a conversation with Ambrosius or just seeing him from the shadows of the woods to see how he was doing. 

It did break his heart when seeing how happy he was with his own family. But he was happy for him.

One point, Ambrosius led a hunt for Ballister, to end the mayhem and chaos that he made.

Ambrosius and a big group of knights chase after Ballister to catch him, but that leads to their undoing.

After catching Ballister, Ambrosius and the knights ran into a few of the monsters of Ballister’s village. They were very angry at them while the knights had fear.

Then a fight started.

No one knows who started it. 

But it ended when  all of the knights’ lives were ended and Ambrosius was knocked unconscious.

Ballister got freed and was about to be on his way but he noticed that Ambrosius was still alive and badly injured.

So, when no one was looking, Ballister carefully picked up Ambrosius, put him on his back as he shapeshift into a horse, and took him back to the kingdom.

Ballister shapeshifted into a traveler before they got to the kingdom. 

The shapeshifter noticed that a wall was being built around the kingdom as he carried Ambrosius. ‘What’s the use for that? I can just fly over it or dig under it.’ Ballister thought, still carrying Ambrosius.

“Help!” Ballister calls out in a deep voice, getting nearby people’s attention. “This man needs help!”

A few people ran to them and guided Ballister to get Ambrosius some help.

After Ambrosius got some help and lay on a bed, Ballister looked at the injured man who he used to call his friend.

Ambrosius didn’t look very well. His skin was becoming more pale, his blonde hair was a mess, and he looked very weak.

Ballister sighed and shapeshifted into his little boy form when it was just the both of them in the room.

Ambrosius groaned a bit as he woke up and looked at Ballister. 

The weak man glared at the shapeshifter and asked with a growl, “What do you want?”

“I just want to give you back something.” Ballister answered before taking off the red scarf and putting it on the bed.

Ambrosius stared at the scarf before looking at Ballister again.

Ballister nodded and said, “I thought that you need it more than me.”

Ambrosius stared at Ballister for a moment before looking away. “You should take it and leave…” the man growled low.

That caught the shapeshifter off guard. “What-?”

“JUST GO!” Ambrosius shouted at Ballister.

Ballister jumped at that and grabbed the scarf, wrapped it around his neck. He shapeshifted into a bird before he flew out the opened window.

Ballister glanced back as he flew, seeing Ambrosius’ family enter the room to check on Ambrosius, who was crying.

Ballister started to cry too as he flew up in the sky, leaving the man who he called ‘friend’.

◇back to present time◇

Ballister was crying as he stared at the statue of the kingdom’s hero. 

A lot of people think that Ambrosius passed away as hero, but in reality, he died as a broken and injured man.

Ballister looked down as he started to remember all of the bad things that people have said about him.

‘What is that?!’

‘No, he’s a monster’

‘Freak!’

‘Monster…’

'You freak!'

‘What are you?’

‘Was everything, you helping me clear my name, was a lie?’

‘Go back to the shadows from whence you came…’

The words got louder and faster that they overlapped in Ballister’s mind.

Ballister started to believe the words as he stared at the statue of Ambrosius.

Then Ballister started growling and breathing heavily.

Ballister began clutching his hands as he started to shapeshift into a sometype of beast made of shadow and smoke. He was growing bigger and bigger as he shapeshifted, leading him to scream so loud that it could be heard everywhere.

[theoceantot]

Chapter 4

Fast forward a couple weeks and Perse was adjusting really well to her new living conditions. Tim and Dick were here brothers and Barbara was a mother figure to her. Brushing her hair, feeding her, and just all in all spending time with her. Barbara was definitely her main babysitter when Bruce was busy with work and being batman. Barbara would be talking to him on coms while you were in your play pen playing with toys or napping.

"Papa I here!" Perse yells from her play pen so he can hear her

"Baby, he can't respond to you right now he's beating up bad guys"

"Oh otay" Perse sadly said and went back to playing with her stuffed animals. Lately her papa hasn't been spending a lot of time with her. Always busy with something. And now he was transporting Joker to arkham asylum. again. Now she was just waiting for him to get home so she can get some much needed attention. Dick was swimming in the indoor pool with her while she was sitting on top of the water something she recently figured out she could do.

"Perse, is everything okay? you're not playing with me like you usually do" Dick asked with worry and held her in his arms bouncing Perse a bit since that usually calmed her down. Not today though. She broke away from Dicks arms and swam underwater to the bottom corner of the pool which was 8ft deep. Somewhere she was NOT allowed to swim while little. Perse didn't need to come up for air either since she could breathe underwater and she didn't float up either she she could just sit in the corner and pout.

Dick got out of the pool to find Tim and Alfred since he didn't know how to deal with tantrums.

"I'd say a timeout is in order Master Dick" Alfred declared.

"Are we sure we need to do that?" Tim asked not fully agreeing with the idea.

"How about we just ask her to come out? Im sure she just forgot she wasn't supposed to go over there.

"Sweetie, you cant be on that side of the pool you need to come out now okay?" Tim asked nicely.

"No"

"What do you mean no?"

"NO COMIN OUT"

"Well that worked buddy" Dick laughed.

"Ms Perse if you don't come out im going to inform your papa of this misbehavior" Alfred demanded

Perse didn't want papa to be mad at her so she swam up and Tim pulled her out of the pool wrapping her in a towel. Alfred leads her into the corner where she stares at the wall disappointed in herself.

'What are they gonna do to me? Make me eat tomatoes? Slam the doors? Poke me with needles?'

Dick watched Perse begin to shake and start crying hitting her head against the wall. He quickly ran over and held her close.

"NO I NO WANNA NOT AGAIN"

Perse was obviously having some sort of flashback.

Dick tried to get closer but all she did was scream, scared that he was gonna hurt her like those awful people did to her. Instead they gave her a few minutes to calm herself letting Perse figure out they weren't gonna hurt her. She calmed down and stood up slowly wobbling as she walked over to Dick.

"S-sorry"

"Princess, it was only a time out why were you so scared?"

"Da tomatoes and da shots it hurt me"

"Tomatoes?" Tim questioned

"They gross they make me eat them"

Nobody wanted to question her anymore not wanting to make her break down again. They could ask another time.

"And we forgive you honey" Dick said and picked Perse up holding her close before Tim carries her back to her nursery where he tucks Perse in her crib and turns out the light.

Everyone watches the tv as Batman is about to fight a titan affected Joker. All were watching intently praying he would be victorious again.

"Ya know bats I never struck you for the type that would take in a girl who sliced up my boys like lunch meat" Joker taunted as tried hitting Batman who quickly dodged. Joker knew about Perse. That wasn't good. Now there's a chance he could target her to get to him. He wasn't gonna let Joker hurt her. Not a chance. Batman ended up defeating Joker hoping this time would be the last but of course its never that easy with him. He would be back but for now it was over.

When he got back to the batcave everyone congratulated him. Dick was the one who had to break the news that Perse had a tantrum but they were all more concerned of just how terrified she was that they were gonna hurt her. Batman decided that tomorrow he would try to figure out who she really was and where she came from but for now all he wanted to do was see her. He stood over her crib and watched Perse sleep peacefully.

Perse wakes up next morning and doesn't feel small anymore.

'Im still so tired but I need to find Bruce and tell him everything'

I get out of my crib and slip on a pink dress with black polka dots with black heels. I've never had good clothes like this so I feel insanely confident. Bruce must have heard me on the baby monitor because I heard him coming up the stairs and opening the door. He must have been suprised to see me out of my headspace because his eyes widened a bit.

"Hello Sir" I greeted looking at the ground.

"Good morning Perse. And theres no need to call me Sir just Bruce is fine or whatever you're comfortable with"

I nodded and slowly looked up at him.

"I know you want answers from me and i'll tell you what I know"

I started from the beginning. How I was an orphan that was abused by everyone until I ran away and was experimented on. I also explained my trauma with tomatoes and needles.

"Im not used to talking this much. I wasn't allowed to talk for years which I guess I didn't care too much about since I never really talked anyway"

"I see. Thank you for telling me this im sure this wasn't easy for you. Just know that all of us are here for you and if you want I can train you to become a hero like us but thats up to you"

"I don't want anyone to go what I went through so fuck it im in"

[yeehanfrf]

Week 16 Recs: You Don't Want Sand There

For Week 16, we're celebrating the start of summer in one hemisphere and maybe providing some warmth for anyone missing it in the other hemisphere!

I asked for "summer vibes" and y'all didn't disappoint. Behind the cut, you'll find the fics gathered from the Yeehan community, organized by rating and then alphabetically by title.

General Audiences

A Summer's Promise by Rikkichi [9,254 words]

Hanzo was there, kneeling down by the water, and he had some kind of bread with him. Hanzo was tearing off small pieces of the bread and tossing it to the water, letting the fish swallow the bites whole. During all of this, Hanzo had a smile on his face. A smile that Jesse had never seen before, but that he definitely liked. It looked way better than the scowls Hanzo had been wearing a few days prior when they had met for the first time. "Hey there," Jesse said, grinning as he waved to Hanzo. Upon hearing a voice, Hanzo looked up very quickly, acting like a child that had been caught in the cookie jar. As soon as he saw Jesse, though, the other boy scowled and moved to stand up. That was when Jesse realized he had disturbed some sort of private moment, and he felt a pang of guilt. Hanzo had been enjoying himself, so why was having someone else here a problem?

Teen and Up

Mid-Mission Summer Break by wyntera [4,609 words]

With an afternoon to kill, McCree encourages Hanzo to have a little fun.

Seas the Day by PersonalSpin [3,198 words]

Overwatch beach episode, written for the Summer Gift Exchange on the McHanzo Discord!

the turning of the tides by fishpoets [5,431 words]

The end of summer doesn't have to mean the end of summer love. (Or, Hanzo goes for a swim, has a haircut, and feels a lot of feelings.)

Explicit

a cold breeze, a warm sea by extra kanin (gracon_bacon) [4,458 words] Reccer comment: "only got one this time but it's about a sweet, sweet vacation on a private island"

When you have only two days off in a month, you make the most of it. For lack of anything better to do during his rare vacation, Hanzo decides to go to a remote island with McCree. It's a day he will never forget.

Away by Vimeddiee [29,154 words] Reccer comment: "Viv's 'Away' is a masterpiece so pls go read it"

Hanzo awakens to the feel of grit in his eyes and the crunch of sand between his teeth. This in itself doesn’t rudely force him into consciousness, but the insistent flicking against his nose that he groggily attempts to bat away, does. “High tide’s coming, you better nap someplace else.” AKA I wanted to write Cassidy as a slappy boy so I DID.

Binary by mataglap [4,380 words] Reccer comment: "when I thought 'what's a summer vibe?' I thought 'Cassidy pulling the ~popsicle maneuver'"

Hanzo is arrogant and Cassidy is stubborn, which results in the world's strangest game of chicken.

Catch and Release by robocryptid [19,481 words] Reccer comment: "Catch and Release, of course. Lifeguard Cassidy as a damsel in distress and cyberninja Hanzo as his swoon-inducing savior!"

Lifeguard Cassidy works at a beach currently being terrorized by an octopus-obsessed omnic. Cyberninja is on the scene!

Coyote Lovely by t_pock [WIP; 38,969 words] Reccer comment: "Coyote Lovely (t_pock) always gave me summer-in-the-desert vibes, even though I don't know if it's set in that season specifically. Either way, it's one of my favorites even though it's not completed."

After a mission gone wrong, Hanzo and McCree must lie low in New Mexico for a week. Together.

In the Summertime by ChillieBean [41,644 words]

Halfway around the world, Cole starts a new lifeguard gig at Bondi Beach, Australia. A destination on his bucket list, he was expecting rescues, keeping people safe, laughing and joking with the locals. He was not expecting Hanzo Shimada.

on a day like this (it feels like summer) by motorghost [WIP; 4,504 words] Reccer comment: "this one by motorghost breaks my heart bc it has the loveliest liminal vibes, but it was never finished :( it's still great as a one shot though!"

Cole enjoys cushy undercover work as a lifeguard on a small, calm beach with a handsome local fisherman, but summer can't last forever. Or can it?

Today is a fine day for... by hunahuna_un [4,058 words]

After getting away from people, he takes another – closer – look of the picture he received. It is from Hanzo. And it is a picture. Hanzo is still home, laying lazily at bed, fresh out of shower, hair still dripping wet – and the bastard knows how Jesse is weak for that – naked in all his glory, holding only a small towel over his crotch, hiding his goods. Bridge piercing between his dark eyes, that promise naughty things. The nipple rings shine from morning light and his skin is still wet with droplets. Jesse lets out contented sigh and feels his cheeks becoming even more red. He curses and grits his teeth. He can feel his swimwear becoming tighter as his front gets interested in the picture he just saw. That goddamn son of a bitch.

---

That's it for Week 16! I hope you're feeling the summer vibes! Thanks so much to everyone who submitted a recommendation.

If you find a fic you love using this rec list, be sure to leave the author kudos and a comment! Even "I found this fic because someone recced it" is a lovely thing to say.

Coming up for Week 17: "Better Get Comfy." This one is another word count rec week, where the only criterion is that the fic be between 25,000 and 50,000 words.

In the meantime, you can also check out the Week 15 recs here, or check the full list of past and future themes here.

---

Curious about the icon and some of the fic titles? This rec blog supports #EndOTWRacism, a fan campaign asking the AO3 to make good on its 2020 promises to address racist harassment on the site. Fans of color deserve to feel safe and welcome in fan spaces. To learn more, please visit @end-otw-racism and read their Call to Action.

[rainy-roof]

Miu

From 2018

Character info

Name: Miu Sakurai

Alias: Sula Nebouxii

Birthday: Year 2000, 13th January

She is a second year in Nashi Gakuen and is a member of the art club. Early in the mornings during the weekends she heads to the city pool and swims for about two hours. Besides swimming and art, she also enjoys literature and baking. She got interests in lingerie, fashion and flowers. She tend to tease people she likes but when she herself gets the same treatment she does not take the bait, or in rare cases: blushes deeply.

She actually got dark brown eyes, but she likes using blue or pink contact lenses in her free time. She loves wearing alternative fashion and at first, when her group of friends from Nashi saw her in her casual clothes were they surprised, but now they do not bat an eye upon it whenever they meet up. She likes to collect mascot items from gachas, such as gudetama, line characters or piyo. On her birthdays people tend to give her bird plushies.

Miu likes to use water colours whenever she paints, and her favourite motive is flowers. She paints in a very small scale, ex. on A5 or A6 but every once in a while she works on bigger projects. Sometimes she sketches in charcoal, and other times she draw with black markers. When she heads to the club during the summer she usually brings a bottle of water with her, and sometimes she uses the water as her motive. During the school festival in her first year, she exhibited a big painting of the Wisteria Park. Her favourite painters are Claude Monet and Leonid Afremov.

She applied for the academy together with two of her close friends, Yamaguchi Akira and Sakurada Asahi. Miu and Akari first got to know each other back in middle school, while Asahi is a childhood friend. Miu and Asahi dated from year 5 to year 9, meaning they were together for about 4 and a half years. They had been a lovey-dovey couple but in the last year of middle school their romantic feelings faded and so they decided to stay friends.

Her group of friends likes to call her MiuMiu, Mi-chan or Iu. They are about eight girls and six boys. When the whole group get together they tend to get pretty loud; which is not odd since they are 14 people after all. Most of them are second years but there is one from the third years and two from the first years. Everyone gets along well and laugh a lot when they are together. During the breaks the girls usually sits or stands next to one of their desks and flips through fashion magazines and speak of trivial things. They like to talk about love, sweets, fashion, beauty products, shows and movies. Sometimes they make each other's hairstyles or listen to music (earsbuds). It is a very fluffy atmosphere.

Miu fell in love again back in her first year. But it is a love that always will be unrequited. She has not told anyone who it is, although her friends knows she likes someone. At first she just admired this person but one day she felt like she wanted to convey her feelings somehow. And so, she began writing love letters. Her first letter was a short poem, and her tenth said "I like you" and her 50th said "I really like you". Sometimes she just writes about how the weather is to-day, or how the night sky looked yesterday. About a scenery she saw and what she thought about it. Sometimes she writes about how simple things makes her think of that person; like a flower, falling leaves, jewellry or the sunset. When she is filled with agony or joy she writes cryptic poems. If she discovers something new she says it to the person through the letters, for example, a word or a place. Sometimes she writes about nice memories she has, like her summer vacations in her childhood. If she mentions her friends in school she gives them nicknames. For example: Asahi and Akira turns into Taiyou-kun* and A-chan. Mikako turns into Cacao-chan. Her other friends Makoto and Nagisa turns into Ko and Umi*. And when adressing the person in question, she first wrote "Mori-sensei" and later into, "Mori-san". Then she decided to be familiar and came to call the person "Ricchan".

Miu uses cute letter paper and envelopes, or notebook paper and simple envelopes. She tends to doodle hearts, animals and stars on the letters and add stickers. She always signs it Sula Nebouxii with western letters. And so she places the letter in the teacher's shoe locker, either early in the mornings or in the afternoons when she has finished her club activities. During winter breaks and holidays, she ends up with several letters that she puts into the shoe locker the following week when school resumes. As the Valentine's gift placed she a pastry carton with homemade chocolate muffins together with the usual letter in the locker. The Christmas present was placed in the locker the day before winter break, and it were mint and opal earrings. On the teacher's birthday there were two jewellry boxes that contained a thin golden bracelet with small pearls and then swan earrings in pastel. Since Miu always is anonymous, she never gets a reply. For all she knows, they could just have thrown all the presents and letters in the trash can. But she still keeps writing.

Story takes place in 2016.

Obs! A few of the first years in Nashi Gakuen are Hayakawa Campanella, Aozora Yukiko, Emilia Lee, Hoshino Mikako and Kawamoto Tomomi.

* Asahi got a lot of meanings, but mainly "sun" and "morning". Taiyou means sun. * Nagisa means "beach/shore" "water's edge/shore" "lull, sand" and so Miu calls her friend Umi, because it also means "sea, beach, shore".

[moonieshinesims]

Generation 2 - Chapter 9

Michiko finally has time to meet up with Phoenix and his new contact to discuss specters. However, during their visit, something awful happens!

"So... where am I exactly?"

Phoenix had told Michiko to meet him across town in the more derelict area of Strangerville. She and Phoenix grew up on the wealthier side of town, so she never came over here out of fear of being met with violence.

She was supposed to be meeting with him at a weird little roadside motel. Apparently that's where their contact lived. She'd never heard of anyone living in a motel before, but thought the idea seemed kind of quaint.

When she finally arrived, she saw Phoenix standing with an older guy, possibly in his late teens, in the parking lot of the motel.

Michiko looked the guy up and down. He was pretty cute!

Maybe it was the way she looked at him, or the way her cheeks had turned pink upon arriving, but Phoenix could tell what she was thinking and he wasn't too pleased with it.

They were there for business! Not for Michiko to develop a crush on their new intel!

Michiko could tell that Phoenix was getting a little prickly and jealous. She'd always thought it was funny that he was so clingy. The boys on TV didn't usually act like that, so in a way it was cute.

The three of them went to the little diner inside the motel lobby and talked for a bit. Sol told the two of them that he would actually have to get in touch with a contact of his own in order for them to gather the most information, but from what he knew, specters meant trouble.

"The thing is, they don't communicate in a normal way. So, you asking them what they want, and why they're following you isn't going to get you anywhere. You have to catch one, and then..."

He placed his finger on his chin and tapped it, "See... this is why we need my friend with us. He knows more about this. There's something you have to do in order to actually get answers from them, but I don't know what it is."

The majority of their conversation ended there. Sol said he'd get in touch with his contact and then let Phoenix and Michiko know.

Before taking off back to his own business Sol let the two know that they could hang out as long as they liked. "While you're here, if you want to swim in the pool, you can! Nobody's gonna yell at you."

"Making them talk seems like a harder task though..." Michiko added, "I don't know if it'll be as easy as you seem to think it is."

"Whatever, I'm just excited we have a plan in action!"

"Be careful, okay? You can call me if you need me."

Michiko pretend-flirted with Phoenix by batting her eyelashes and waving him off, "Always watching out for me, it's almost like, you care about me or something...!"

Phoenix's face turned bright red and he made raspberry noises as he walked towards the door, "Whatever! Just... be safe."

Once Phoenix left, Michiko went into the public restroom and changed into her swimsuit. Lucky for her, she always brought extra clothes in her bag, no matter where she went.

The only other person in the pool was an older woman. She lived at the motel too. It didn't seem like this place functioned as an actual motel anymore, and had instead become a set of affordable apartments.

Turns out, treading water was harder for Michiko than she remembered.

Her legs started to tire pretty quickly, and then before she knew it, something had come over her. Her mind went blank, and she felt two hands pushing her under the water. It wasn't the old woman, she could still see her treading water nearby. It was something else... Something dark and shadowy...

Unfortunately, Sol couldn't swim, so he was completely useless in that sense, but he did manage to call the fire department. Unfortunately, by the time they arrived, so had the Grim Reaper.

Someone else quickly ran onto the scene. A panic-stricken Komorebian with long bleached hair.

Before Ako could even think to jump into the pool to pull Michiko out, the Grim Reaper appeared next to him, tapping away on his death pad.

"Look, sorry buddy, you got here too late. I can't do anything for her. Not in the state she's in right now at least..."

Ako could feel his face drenched in tears. It took a lot to make him cry, but this was definitely one of the things that could do it - the death of someone he loved.

Before he could choke out any more pleas, he could feel that awful sensation of one of his "fits" hitting him again. His body began to contort and his muscles pulled themselves in different directions.

Ako was powerless as the thing, whatever it was, took control of him once again. Grim finished up his business of taking Michiko's soul to the afterlife, and Ako was left to roam until sunrise.

[briamichellewrites]

55

Bria and Phoenix were enjoying a day at the beach in Santa Monica when they were caught by the paparazzi. Did they know they would be photographed? No, they weren’t even thinking about it. They were photographed swimming together in the water, kissing and looking like they were in love. Even though that was their first date. She wore a bikini that showed off her tall, thin body. Her hair had grown back to its natural color. She put it into a bun to keep it from getting wet.

After a wave washed over her, it took off her bikini top. She ducked into the water while searching for her top. There were little children around and she didn’t want to be seen topless. Finally, she found it and put it back on. He watched it happen and laughed once he saw she was okay. Crisis averted! She swam over to him and he made sure it was tied tightly.

Yes, the paparazzi captured that embarrassing moment. After getting tired and hungry, they decided to go to one of the nearby restaurants. She had a dress to put on over her swimsuit for modesty and warmth. After drying off, she put it on. They then went to Crimson, a Mediterranean restaurant. He knew that she wouldn’t want him to spend a lot of money on her. Instead, she just wanted something inexpensive. After the pictures got out, her fans wondered who he was.

briamichelle: It’s happening, you guys! After a week of the cats getting to know each other from a distance, Mama finally let me know she and her kittens were ready to explore beyond their enclosure. Bert and Ernie have already claimed most of the living room but Mama is still a little skittish. Cookies and Cream are giving them space. I’m sure before long, all five cats will be getting along like siblings.

Bria posted a video of Mama and the kittens slowly walking out of the open enclosure to her Instagram account. She poked her head out and looked around before wandering out. Once they were outside, Cookies and Cream came over to say hello.

She and Phoenix stood by in case they needed to break up any fights. Nope. They sniffed each other before deciding they were okay. Bert and Ernie wanted to explore everything! Come on, Mama! She followed closely behind them to make sure they didn’t get into trouble. It was a success! The enclosure was a great idea! It allowed them to get used to their new environment. It also gave Mama the freedom to decide when she and her kittens were ready to come out.

Because of the paparazzi pictures of her and Phoenix, she was getting new views and followers. One of which was Richie. Since her account was public, he could look at her pictures. Mike, Joe, Chester, and Phoenix left comments for her underneath the video. It took a week of patience and love. All five cats wandered around the living room. Bert put his paws on Phoenix’s lap.

He said hello to him and petted his little body. You are so adorable! He climbed over his legs and ducked down out of sight. Phoenix laughed and asked what he was doing. His brother came over looking for him. He meowed because he thought he saw him. Bert poked his head out. Ernie got on his hind legs and looked down to where he had been hiding. Bert batted at him with his paw. He then climbed out and chased his brother around. I’m going to get you!

They came back over and started wrestling each other, like two little boys. Cookies came over to see what they were doing. She made sure they weren’t fighting. No, they were just playing. Bert climbed over his brother after getting him on his back. He then went over to their toys and started playing. Ernie had no idea why his brother had climbed over him. He had his arms up, as he looked around.

“Bert and Ernie are the kitten equivalent of ‘boys will be boys’”, Bria said.

Phoenix laughed. “They are definitely brothers.”

But kittens could only play for so long before getting hungry. They meowed at the humans. Bria got up and went into the kitchen with them following behind. After dishing out their food on a paper plate, she set it down for them. They smelled it before eating. Mama, Cookies, and Cream decided they were hungry, too. With all of them eating, she decided to make dinner for her and Phoenix while listening to music. He looked down at them and laughed.

Bria was a great mother to them. She had patience, love, and a sense of humor. They taught her about unconditional love. He remembered once how she said how humans and pets were different. Pets were not going to wake up one day and decide they didn’t love her anymore. It was heartbreaking but true, especially for her.

Even her children could decide they didn’t love her anymore. He watched in amazement how Mama had slowly gone from being scared of her to trusting her in one week. It made him wonder what she and her kittens had gone through. Unlike humans, they couldn’t tell them their life story. Maybe she would foster abused and feral animals. She could help them learn how to trust again. He could see her telling them she loved them, like she did with her cats.

I love you too, human. It was one of the many things he loved about her. He felt honored just to know her. How did a guy like him get a woman like her? He would never know. The previous evening, he learned what happened between her and Richie. He was so angry but not at her. Mike confirmed it happened because she had told him about it afterward.

Legally, they couldn’t hold him accountable for assault. It could be argued that she consented because she never said no. But, she never gave verbal consent. She just wanted to get it over with. To them, it was sexual assault. Mike was in communication with Jon. He and his band fired Richie. They were looking for his replacement. What was her relationship with Jon? It was sexual. He called her his girlfriend. However, he would respect her being in a relationship.

That’s what he was worried about. They were sexually active, but he didn’t share that information. She let him know she had had a birth control implant that worked for up to four years. Before sleeping with him, she was tested for STDs and pregnancy. All tests came back negative. She then got her birth control renewed.

He wanted children but that wasn’t a conversation they were ready for. Until then, he loved being with her in bed and feeling her inside and out. She was hypersexual and was always ready whenever he was. Mike, Brad, and Rob already knew that. She needed someone who could keep up with her. He was still young and had some years left in him. The only person who could keep up with her as her equal was Chester. He was always ready.

But, she wasn’t Chester’s girlfriend. She was his. After eating, the cats went back out to the living room to continue playing. The kittens had renewed energy they needed to burn off before bedtime. They were like toddlers. Phoenix kissed her cheek, as they ate dinner together. She made a delicious creamy spaghetti with cut-up salmon, tomatoes, and spinach.

Since she couldn’t drink alcohol, she paired it with nonalcoholic wine and French bread. He was not going to go hungry with her! It made him remember his mother’s cooking. She died in 2008 after a long battle against breast cancer. He missed her and he wished he could have introduced her to Bria.

She would have loved her! He, his father, and his brothers mourned her death together. It made them closer than they had been in years. They didn’t have a falling out, they just got busy with life. After her death, they checked in on each other more. One day, he would have her meet them. He thought they would enjoy her sense of humor.

@zoeykaytesmom @feelingsofaithless @alina-dixon @fiickle-nia @boricuacherry-blog

[darklingichor]

1001 Fun Facts, by Píaras Ó Cíonnaoíth

Okay, so I am in the middle of packing for a move, and I pray to the patron Saint of bubblewrap it can happen sooner than we are thinking. The conequence is I have most of my books packed away and I am very very tired.

So, I decided to read a trivia book. And, since I have it on Kindle, I thought why not keep a running comantery on facts I found strange and put them on the blog?

In 2007, a 1000- gallon inflatable swimming pool was stolen from someone's back yard without a single drop of water being found! (Píaras Ó Cíonnaoíth, pg 7, Kindle edition).

Does this mean anything, though? When was it stolen? Was it hot that day? Was it stolen off of grass or a hard surface? In the middle of the night? The point is, couldn't some water have been spilled and dried?

Humans have been performing dentistry since 7000BC, which makes dentists one of the oldest professions. (pg. 15).

But the real question is, did someone just knock someone's teeth out and discover that they liked causing pain?

Anatidaephobia is the fear that somewhere somehow a duck is watching you (pg 19)

I have heard thIs one before and have always wondered why someone would have such a phobia. I mean, fear of ducks I get. Lots of people are afraid of different animals. But the idea of being afraid that one specifically is watching you? So I finally had the presence of mind to look it up. The word refers to a fear of ducks, which, yeah, if you're afraid of ducks, then one watching you would freak you out. But apartently, the specific fear of a duck observing you is fictional.

The average person spends six months of their lifetime waiting for a red light to turn green (pg 20)

Longer if you have ever waited for a light in Aberdeen, WA

The average inmate at Alcatraz read 75-100 books per year (pg 38)

Huh, if this is true, I was only three short of the low end last year. Wonder what that says about my job.

Riding roller coasters can help you pass kidney stones (pg 39)

Who wanted to go on a rollercoster while passing a stone?

Dogs have a total of 42 teeth when they are fully-grown (pg. 51)

Olive has 44 she has two extra molars for some reason

Eye of newt, toe of frog, and wool of bat are just archaic terms for mustard seed, buttercup, and holly leaves (pg. 58)

Really? Now, that makes sense. I mean it is entertaining to think of the witches from McBeth going around Scotland catching newts, frogs and bats only to get the smallest pieces of the first two and trying to figure out how to get the wool off of the last. I always imagine them getting the eye out of a newt and then dropping it, having it disappear into the grass and having to start all over

In New Jersey, it's illegal to wear a bulletproof vest while committing a violent crime (pg 66)

Don't think about this too hard, or your eyes will bleed.

Feeding curry to a sheep reduces the amount of methane in its farts by up to 40% (pg 68)

Who thought to check this?

In 2015, two day care employees in New Jersey were imprisoned for running a toddler "fight club" among a dozen boys and girls aged 4-6 (pg 90).

The question is, were they wearing bulletproof vests at the time? Also a question: What the fuck?

That was pretty fun!