#mary: medical rabbit

[a-titty-ninja]

「🐇」 by RUHEE ルヒ | Twitter

๑ Permission to reprint was given by the artist ✔.

[cruelangel94]

GOLDEN COIN RUSH

[zorkaya-moved]

SVETLANA MOROZOVA:  ZAYCHIK / 27 years old / Russian / Mutation (Ability) type: Physician - Medic. 

Svetlana, dearest Svetlana... A young woman who remains the heart of the team. A woman who stutters yet is able to bring up valid points and make the whole team shut up and listen to her with an angry frown and suddenly voice raised an octave higher. The Physicians have been kidnapped the most out of all mutants for their capability to heal. It made scientists wonder: Will organ transplants carry the mutation over and help heal anything? Could they grow those organs? Could they mass-produce this ability? Morozova is one of the doctors who was working in a hospital in Russia, a diligent and kind-hearted woman who became well-known for her captivating skills and steady hand despite her shy and modest behavior. Many noticed that the room gets quieter whenever Svetlana speaks: either because her voice is so tiny to hear outside of the operation room or because others have respect for her medical talents. After all, she and Andrea are the only ones who graduated from their fields so young to become so popular. However, Svetlana's fame and her ability were discovered by the wrong group of people within Russia. They kidnapped the woman one day and dragged her to an unknown place where human experimentation was happening on mutants with similar powers: they wanted to farm the mutation of Physicians, thinking they would be able to do so without knowing how mutation truly worked. Hit, cut, injected with poison and chemicals... Svetlana had gone through many ordeals within the facility, almost losing hope if not for protecting the kids with the same ability. "Take me!" She would always say, withstanding and enduring every pain she was inflicted with... She didn't know if her exceptional powers as a Physician-Medic were a curse or a blessing, as she was able to heal herself and others without even leaving a scar behind. However, her sacrifices were not always helpful. Many kids and adults were taken when she was asleep or too exhausted to continue, but one day... Finally, someone broke down the door of the hidden facility. Svetlana would find herself staring at a figure with golden eyes, covered in the blood of those who dared to stand in the way of the beast. At that moment, Svetlana wondered if angels truly existed. Even if this person killed everyone, even if this person committed even more atrocious crimes, it was better than what she survived. It was better to take the hand offered by the devil than a faux angel in white. After all, the kids who were left alive... the little Azalea... did not die.  

EVGENIA POGORELOVA: PALACH / 29 years old / Russian Polish / Mutation (Ability) type: Physician - Medic. 

How do you live when all you knew was to be a weapon? Just because you are one who carries the power to 'heal' doesn't mean that you cannot kill. Evgenia's life has been used as a tool, as a weapon, as a hunting dog. Ever since she was born, she was nothing in her father's eyes. A mother was killed right in front of her eyes at the age of three, but her father - upon striking a young girl - saw how she was already healing her injuries immediately. Crying and kicking didn't help, begging to see her mother didn't help; nothing helped when your father was a politician and you were a politician's child out of wedlock. So what happened then? Manipulation, repression, beating, and training. For years, Evgenia had to become the perfect hunting dog for her father. She was forced to train endlessly, to kill, and to never show her emotions. It became so bad that she simply stopped... thinking. What was her order - she would do. It alleviated the pain, it made her forget, it made everything easier to live through. However, she was suffocating. Order after order, kill after kill, she was growing restless. Her father's laughter became an irritable white noise; she wanted it to stop. No one cared about her life, no one cred about how beaten up she would become. After years, she became known as the 'Berserker' (Берсерк) in the world. A woman who didn't care about her injuries at all, a woman whose healing abilities made her neat and unstoppable. A chemical poison? She was in pain but healing herself over and over. A broken rib? She would heal herself in a second. It didn't matter; she got used to pain. Pain no longer was registering in her mind, but one day... She was forced to hunt someone who couldn't be hunted down. She was able to defeat the man who tried to protect her, she gravely hurt another, she made a fellow Physician-Medic cry with her presence, but she had never seen eyes so cold and so terrifying then. Eyes of gold were the eyes of an apex predator, if she didn't escape, then - it would've been the end of her. It was her first failure... but it was also her last. Her father was angry, angrier than ever, as he hit her, screamed at her, and told her to do her job right. Evgenia had never felt fear so strongly as when those golden eyes pierced into her. At that moment, her father's screams, and his abuse suddenly became not as scary. If anything, Evgenia would raise her hand to strike her father herself then. Then hit him. Again, and again, and again. Until his face was unrecognizable until blood would seep into that disgustingly expensive white carpet, until her fists were covered in his spit and blood and whatever his brain turned into. It was then that Evgenia breathed out, suddenly tearing up and crying for the first time since her mother died. After, she would exit the room only to... find the very person who she was sent out to kill before, standing behind the door, waiting. She was there the whole time. She listened, she didn't interrupt. Evgenia thought she would die that day. And she did. She died and was given a fresh start... As Evgenia Pogorelova. Oh, did you really think her true name was [Evgenia Pogorelova]? How cute. 

ANDREA ESTRADA:  VULTURE / 32 years old / Spanish Turkish / Mutation (Ability) type: Physician - Plague. 

Andrea is known as the current vice-leader of the team despite being the latest person who had joined the team aside from Azalea. He is a scientist from MEU, the very place Zarina and Yaroslav have been called to help the facility of researchers evacuate and save themselves from the grasp of greedy and cruel governors. His mother was the very person who Zarina and Yaroslav also met in the facility; he was one of the researchers who was also stationed there. He witnessed the power of the Natural Disaster - Zarina Sokolova - and grew fascinated with diving deeper into the research of the mutation. He and Svetlana are researchers who have delved deeper into mutations and where they came from. Andrea is a sarcastic yet easygoing man with a laid-back attitude. He is confident in his knowledge, and he is confident in his strengths as a researcher and as a survivor. He fought for his life back in the facility before the unit where Yaroslav and Zarina had arrived. A man of class as well, Estrada is an avid enjoyer of luxury and someone who is well-known within the criminal world for his intelligence and his capabilities. His mother might be an upstanding citizen and a wonderful scientist serving the best, but he had a curiosity, and he inherited his father's tenacity. He yearned for change, yearned for knowledge, and he found that ladder to his intrigue through meeting Zarina - one of the rarest mutants in the world. And then he met Victor, and then he met Lyaisan. To have three Natural Disasters in the same family? Andrea couldn't help but be thoroughly amazed at the coincidence, or was it a coincidence? As a scientist wishing to learn more of the truth behind mutation and its origin, he wanted to dig deeper to find the truth. However, with time, he found out that... maybe, it wasn't bad to work in a team like this. As someone who didn't have a warm home to come to, and who survived alone, the team became his new home. A man so confident and so successful enjoyed his evenings in this unique company, learning how it feels to have a place to call [home]. Perhaps, that's exactly why he accepted the title of vice leader. All because he truly came to care about everyone he met and because he will not let this [home] be taken away from him, nor will he let the woman with eyes of gold cry alone again. 

[plurinerd]

Wow, actually fascinating

I’m a magician in the sheets 😏 *pulls a rabbit out of my pussy*

[the-raindeer-king]

Matching Halloween costumes with the 141

Simon Ghost Riley

- insists that he's not going to do anything for Halloween. He wears all that silly skeleton stuff year round. Halloween ain't any different in his eyes.

- I mean, until you ask him to go to a friend's Halloween party with you. Asking timidly as if you're scared he'll tell you no. Babe, you've got this man wrapped around your finger. He'd steal the crown jewels, if you asked.

- You go as Morticia and Gomez Addams, and Simon swears you've never looked more beautiful. He's definitely started to understand why Gomez was always so obsessed with Morticia.

John Soap MacTavish

- You've had these plans in place since last month, agreeing to go to his family's Halloween party. The only issue is agreeing on a costume.

- Soap wants to go as Harley Quinn and the Joker (except he's Harley Quinn) but you're not totally into the idea.

- You two eventually agree on Jessica Rabbit and Roger Rabbit. Except Soap's dressed as Jessica. It gets y'all a good mix of laughs and compliments.

Kyle Gaz Garrick

- You two are staying at home for Halloween. The original plan was to go to the club, but Gaz injured himself on his last mission and is currently on medical leave.

- You end up going to his mum's to help pass out candy to trick or treaters.

- Funny enough, Kyle is the one who wants to dress up. Originally, you were going to be characters from the Winx Club, but you both agree that that's probably not a good idea. You two end up agreeing to dress up as Mario and Princess Peach.

John Price

- This man throws a crazy Halloween party. I believe it in my bones. It's elaborate and extravagant. I'm talking the whole house is decorated. There's a fog machine in the front yard, a whole scene sets up with the yard decorations. There back patio is covered in lights and fake webbing.

- The guest list is crazy too, ranging from people you've never met to the Task Force, plus Laswell and Nikolai, to both of your families.

- You two dress up as Duchess and Tom O'Malley from The Aristocats. (Soap and Gaz fight over who gets to be Marie. Ghost is just glad to be Berlioz.)

[suffersinfandom]

I went down a bit of a rabbit hole earlier today and stumbled across some of the most misguided, mean-spirited, and downright cruel OFMD takes I've ever read. Instead of sharing them and making everyone else miserable, I just want to say:

OFMD and time spent in the fandom have genuinely made my life better.

The characters of Stede and Ed (who are not -- and I can't emphasize this enough -- their real-world counterparts) have helped me come to terms with and accept parts of myself that I previously hated.

OFMD is earnest and sweet and silly. It's full of love and fun, and it's almost impossible to watch it and not feel a little better.

The show's diversity is incredible and unlike anything I've been able to find elsewhere. Even shows that have similar amounts of onscreen diversity fall short behind the scenes and in the writers room.

OFMD's cast and crew are absolutely lovely. Being treated kindly (and even actively embraced!) by the folks who made the show has been a pleasant surprise.

OFMD's fandom has been so, so much kinder than any others I've been in. I'm constantly seeing people uplift and encourage each other, and the fandom has collectively raised at least $50K for charities. How cool is that?

This fandom's art (all forms of art) is incredible. I've never been so spoiled for choice when it comes to well-written fic to read or beautiful artwork to look at.

Ed and Stede are characters of all time. Top tier. Flawed, sympathetic, gentle, bitchy, sweet, unhinged, profoundly in need of therapy and medication. (I'm not saying bupropion would fix Ed or sertraline would help Stede, but I don't think they'd hurt.)

OFMD's supporting cast is unparalleled. Frenchie, Roach, and Fang are my best friends even though I know next to nothing about them. I forget that Mary "the Widow" Bonnet and Spanish Jackie have, like, ten total minutes of screen time each because they're both fully developed people in my head. Zheng Yi Sao and her extended polycule are everything to me and I need their spinoff on my television immediately.

The fandom's not perfect and sometimes I want to pull out my hair when I read meta I disagree with, but the truly bad actors are a minuscule minority. Most fans are kind, supportive, and extremely funny and talented.

I love it here. I don't plan on leaving. Even if OFMD takes a backseat to a new obsession in the future, it will always be a part of me. I'll always come back (I'll never leave).

[ohwatson]

Hie!!

Do you have any johnlock fic recs :3

( or parentlock, it consumes me )

Ooh so you want to go down this rabbit hole with me, then!

These are in no particular order, just fics I've read recently or just a handful of the many authors this fandom has to offer whom I respect deeply.

Parentlock has been all I've been reading for the last several weeks, honestly, been on a real kick & need it like oxygen!

I can't reccomend anything by JenTheSweetie on ao3 highly enough - her Parentlock is just deliciously in-character, witty and tangible. instruction manual not included and Immune to Your Consultations (feat. teenage Rosie, which we don't have nearly enough of in my opinion) have been my most recently read and are just *chefs kiss*

@lurikko also has written Ten Years (feat. scheming matchmaker Rosie) and A Weird Place (which is tagged 'Just raising their kid and being confused' and...yeah, succinct, brilliant summary, have re-read this one several times)

@arwamachine has written Indefinite Lines, a gloriously long post-S4 casefic featuring lots of lovely family dynamics between Sherlock, John and Rosie in between (one of the parentlock fics of all time, in my opinion) and I also got done reading Winning the Goat, which is so amazingly witty and comical and just generally wonderfully written.

Swan Dive by @hitlikehammers is 5+1 featuring an emphasis on the relationship between Sherlock and Rosie and is once again, brilliantly characterized and wonderful to read

Keep on Changing by philalethia is a good, spooky post-S4 parentlock fic (read it for Halloween, did not disappoint!)

I know @missdaviswrites has also written heaps wonderful parentlock stories and there are plenty of stories that feature Rosie as a character and lovely domestic/parenthood fluff out there on ao3 that I haven't listed (these are mostly ones I've read recently or that come to mind)

As for general Johnlock fics...! (Most of these, again, are what I've been reading recently or first come to mind)

until we fall asleep by @itsonlytext is set post-TLD and is angsty, tense, realistic, soft, quiet, and in-character all at once and is such a little hidden gem that not nearly enough people are talking about right now!

A Thrill Failed to Deliver by @jbaillier who I know by her dozens of stunning medical realism and angst fics, in my opinion never disappoints. Have never been happier to see an author come back from a hiatus, lol!)

An Ounce of Cure by @bakertumblings is another great medical realism fic, this time with John as the one getting hit with all the angst and whump

What it Can Be by @naefelldaurk is a spin on the end of TLD and offers a much more satisfying end, brilliantly in character and wonderfully paced.

@calaisreno just finished When Harry Met Mary which follows the events of S3/4 through Harry Watson's POV (brilliant fic for those who are sick of Harry getting reduced to nothing more than John's alcoholic sister; her role in this is brilliant, developed and enjoyable). Also read Déjà Vu which is part of her genius Off-Axis series (frankly in love with all of her AUs)

The Fallen series by @engazed is one I've started just recently but has already hooked me!

Thirst by @holmesianpose is another one I've just started, so not too far in, yet, but still wonderfully written thus far!

@gaylilsherlock wrote Cutting Out the Middle Man recently (along with the several other Johnlock fics they've been putting out at admirable speeds), featuring getting-together between John and Sherlock and Greg Lestrade as a wingman and the delicious Watson & Lestrade pub scene!

Double or Nothing by @crowson75 is a study in John's bisexuality, gripping casefic, wonderfully smutty and realistically characterized, post-S4 and finally sees these two idiots figuring themselves out.

Not a Johnlock fic (there is background Johnlock, though!) but instead it’s a Mystrade one, is The Habits of a Lifetime by @out-there-tmblr and is definitely a Greg x Mycroft story but also a beautiful and realistic 54k words of a Mycroft character study and is just too much of a favorite of mine for me not to put on a rec list.

I also highly reccomend anything written by @totallysilvergirl, @the-reading-lemon, @weeesi, and @7-percent.

Realizing so many of these are post S4 or S4 compliant but I just love some good fix-its, I suppose. Hope some of these are to your liking, as they are all certainly to mine :)

[evenfallwriter]

evenfall's aftg masterlist

(the masterlist's pretty much just have mood board's in them along with me talking about the au and throwing ideas around)

to be buried six feet under || presumed dead nathaniel au - au masterlist - let bygones be bygones ⇏ [🖋 ♥ ● ] [Nathaniel is both the best and the worst thing that has ever been given to Mary and Nathan, is the one to get injured as he tries to protect his brother and is left to watch strapped to the medical bed as Jean and Kevin leave the Nest. The first time that he allows himself to act selfish is when he joins the foxes.]

to be a fox || neil klose au - au masterlist - teach me how to be a fox ⇏ [♥ ●] - (currently working on it) ⚠ [🖋 ♥ ● 🗡] [Nathaniel is brought to death's door at his father's hands when he is 14 years old, after Nathan is cast away by Kengo. Stuart is able to save his nephew on time, but not having the heart to look at the boy who has lost his memories he ends up sending him to Germany instead. There, after an unfortunate accident, Neil finds himself getting adopted by the Klose family.]

those of fortune || fortune/chaos au - au masterlist - misfortune of the fortunate (rewrite) ⚠ [🖋 ♥ ●] - misfortune of the fortunate ones (old version - being rewritten) [In a world where humans are put into different classes based on their core energies, Nathaniel is a child of dusk, a part of the rarest class. Joining the foxes, a group mostly consisting of children of night and dawn is like a death wish for someone like him. Yet he still takes his chances, knowing that he'd rather die than let go of Exy, the only thing that makes him alive after all that he had been through.]

if we have eachother || mamma betsy & abby au / andreil different first meeting au - au masterlist - little oasis [● 🗡] - night's filled with hot choco and peach tea ⚠ [♥ ●] [Mary kills Nathan before leaving with little Abram, soon enough leaving the boy in the care of a friend of hers who ends up brining Nathaniel to an orphanage after Mary ghosts them. Neil is put into foster system soon enough, and in one of the houses he finds himself befriending Andrew. Soon enough, they both decide to protect one another from the rest of the world.]

all for the menu || the menu & raven nathaniel au - au masterlist - the fox trap ⇏ [● 🗡 ☁︎] [Nathaniel was never supposed to go to a remote island with Master and a couple of other Raven's as Riko's date, but after Riko's date dumps him and he can't go alone if he want's to impress his father, Nathaniel has no choice but to dress up as his 'girlfriend'.]

blood stained bare teeth || spies & hackers au - au masterlist - to hunt a rabbit ⚠ [🗡] - (planned) [♥ ] [The foxes are hired by Stuart Hartford to find the whereabouts of his nephew and to protect him, which is easier said then done.]

was there any truth to it, to the pipe dream that you once were? || andreil soulmates au - au masterlist - more than just a pipedream [♥ ● ☁︎] - (currently working on it) ⚠ [♥ ● 🗡 ☁︎] [Everyone had different marks left on their soul by their other half, something that bound the two souls to one another. And Nathaniel, he had his dreams.]

we can meet again somewhere, somewhere far away from here || espers & guides au - au masterlist - promises better left unkept ⚠ [♥ ● 🗡 ☁︎ ] - (planned) ⚠ [♥ ● 🗡 ☁︎] [In a world where dungeons, esper's and guide's exist, Neil is an esper who is hiding from the government with no memories of his past, while Andrew is an official guide of the foxes, who is searching for a boy named Abram, whom he can only remember the name of.]

we ain’t angry at you love, you’re the greatest thing we’ve lost || foxes time travel au - au masterlist - till forever falls apart ⚠ [♥ ● 🗡 ☁︎] [Neil dies in Baltmore, crawling in a desperate attempt to get to his foxes till his last breath. His foxes, who grieve him for years, who one day wake up in the past and decide to protect the redhead this time around.]

the martian au - au masterlist [≡ ♥ ● 🗡 ☁︎] [when he is just a kid, nat meets matt on the rooftop of the apartment him and his mother has been living in for a while. they are quick to become friends, and when matt shares his dreams with the younger boy, they soon become neil's too. their dreams are what ends up saving them in the end, giving them a much better future than the one that had been promised to them due to the life they had been born into.]

highschool/apocalypse/time travel au - au masterlist [≡ ♥ ● 🗡 ☁︎] [neil josten is the last man standing at the end of the world, surrounded by millions of zombies with no way out. when he closes his eyes he doesn't expect to open them once again, but when he does he finds himself 5 years in the past.]

normal & trans neil josten au - au masterlist [≡ 🖋 ♥ ● ☁︎] [neil josten is a nobody that finds himself in millport after running away from home. He decides to join his schools exy team after the coach finds him sleeping in the lockers, being in the wrong place at the right time. that all changes when david wymack comes to recruit him for the foxes along with kevin day and andrew minyard.]

transmigrator au - au masterlist [≡ 🖋 ♥ ● 🗡 ☁︎] [neil finds himself in the body of a side character that is going to die soon enough just for the sake of plot development.]

nobody's son, nobody's daughter || coach neil josten au - au masterlist [≡ ♥ ● ☁︎] [neil josten hasn't been a coach for much long, but he has still managed to charm the kids whom he looks after, and neil finds himself caring about the kids just as much if not more. he hasn't had much problems with the kids parents before, but that all changes when the kid that andrew minyard starts fostering, whom had been one of the brats that neil took care of before the kid lost his parents, is found in the locker s of his club again and again.]

ghost foxes au - au masterlist

short fics - devils come out when the sun goes down ⇏ [♥ ● ☁︎] [foxes + katelyn go to eden's together for halloween]

- i know that i did you wrong (but will you trust me when i say that i'll make it up to you somehow) [♥ ● 🗡 ☁︎] [rather than a countdown on nathaniel’s birthday neil was given a gift in the form of a promise instead, one that after all that he had been through, he hadn’t dared to hope for. one which tasted too much like what he had once supposed freedom would taste like.]

SMALL KEY!

[♥ - fluff] [● - angst] [🗡- character whump] [☁︎ - hurt/comfort] [🖋 - canon rewrite] [⚠ - ongoing] [⇏ - on hold] [≡ - kevandreil] - otherwise it's andreil

[aftgficrec]

Hi! Thanks so much for doing this i have wanting to catch you open for so long!! How are you? I hope you have a good day!

I was wondering if there were any fics focused on neil and mary/neil and Nathan? Like his emotions, thoughts, etc, and the things he went through bcs of them/how they still affect him even now? Thank you so much in advance!

Our poor traumatized Neil! Yes, there is much to explore on this topic. -A

most previous asks lead to more recs:

angsty bad days for Neil here

Neil with ptsd here

more Neil with DID here

Neil cries, comforted by Andrew/foxes here

Neil says ‘it’s fine I’ve had worse’ here

Neil’s scars 2 here

scars and healing here

Neil goes to therapy here 

Neil attempts suicide here

‘You're Wonderful’ here

‘Hold My Hand?,’ ‘I'll Still Solve You,’ and ‘Fear (but not of you)’ here

‘The Books of Baltimore’ series: ‘Ghost of You’ here, ‘Run to You’ here

‘the upswing’ (completed), ‘please (don't bite),’ ‘Will you love me for who I am…’ ‘To be safe,’ ‘Safe with him,’ and ‘i called your name ‘til the fever broke’ here 

‘my friends and I…,’ ‘Pasts Intertwined,’ ‘My Stomach is a Wasteland,’ ‘side effects may vary’ ‘Bad Apple,’ and ‘You Are So Much More Than Your Father's Son’ here 

‘Medicated rabbits don't run as fast’ here

‘Broken Symmetries’ and ‘No More Fucks To Give’ (updated) here

‘24 Floors’ here

‘A Quiet Little Seedling,’ ‘If I Knew You,’ and ‘Step By Step’ here

‘slow down (you crazy child),’ ‘Make a Home’ (updated), and ‘make me a promise’ here

‘Dreamed in red’ here

‘...Just Us, and Y(our) Friend Kevin’ here 

‘Nothing Mattered Until You’ here (jeanneil)

amputation or permanent leg damage:

Neil's legs (the fucked up edition) here and here

Neil dies/amputations in Baltimore here

‘La jetée n'est plus loin’ here

‘I’m More Than This Body of Mine’ here (completed)

‘Next to You’ here

‘Rare pair hell series’ part 9 here

‘Live for you / Stay for me’ here 

‘“I pick up daddies at the playground.”’ here

‘lie to me (for i do not wish to live the truth)’ here

‘White Hands’ and ‘If Neil, Then Fox’ here

‘(don’t fear) the reaper’ here

‘Under the kitchen lights…’ here

‘Point Nemo’ here

‘Lifelines’ here

‘does the dog die at the end’ here

you may also like:

Neil runs after joining the foxes 2 here

andreil on the run from the mafia here

soulmates who feel each other's pain here

Mary/Nathan's people come back here

Mary tries to take Neil from the foxes here

Neil kills Nathan here

tell me where i came from, what i will always be by geeseproblems [Rated G, 317 Words, Complete, 2021]

She lives in his body like no other.

tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: canonical character death

Down with Something by pawnofkings [Rated T, 3051 Words, Complete, 2021]

Neil is sick, and he does his best to keep anyone from finding that out. He collapses in the middle of practice.

tw: implied/referenced child abuse

you asked for this by Anonymous [Rated M, 790 Words, Complete, 2022, Locked]

Neil Josten and guilt

tw: implied major character death, tw: child abuse, tw: emotional abuse, tw: blood, tw: negative self talk

A reflection or a lie by ShadowDolphin [Rated G, 839 Words, Complete, 2022]

Sixteen year old Neil Josten has an identity crisis cuz depersonalization is a wonderful thing that exists and he doesn't feel real

tw: implied/referenced child abuse

i know you'll take me with you by lil_macaroon [Rated T, 6129 Words, Complete, AFTG Mixtape Exchange 2023]

Neil has feelings that make him want to run. The only thing that keeps him at Palmetto State, hell, what keeps him in South Carolina, is the promise he made when Andrew asked him to stay three years ago. Unable to run, it all keeps building within him until one day, Andrew puts him in the car, and they go.

keep your head above the water (I can’t) by drewdrop44 [Rated T, 1156 Words, Complete, 2022]

The feeling of water moving over his head, swallowing him whole. Neil woke with a scream trapped in his mouth.

tw: drowning, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: violence, tw: nightmares 

It's a punch and a kiss, I'm trying to remember by beckdarkthrone [Not Rated, 18604 Words, Incomplete, Updated June 2024]

He has a hold on himself as Neil, as Abram, as Nathaniel.. Until he doesn't.

tw: graphic depictions of violence, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: implied/referenced torture, tw: dissociative disorder, tw: blood, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: implied/referenced self harm, tw: internalized homphobia

NB: this author has a podcast with aftg-centric episodes; check out ‘So You Think You Like’ on spotify.

We're all Monsters Here by serene_chaos [Not Rated, 892 Words, Complete, 2022]

"I am part of the slaughter house. I feel that makes me more of a monster than you.” “Don’t look at me to absolve you.” Andrew flicks his cigarette towards Neil. Sparks landing inches from Neil’s hand. OR Neil doesn't think Andrew is a monster, but thinks he might be.

tw: childhood trauma, tw: implied/referenced abuse, tw: implied/referenced torture

Who Am I to You? by serene_chaos [Rated M, 91907 Words, Incomplete, Updated April 2024]

Neil Josten was born with violence in his blood and raised as a weapon to hide in plain sight. And then he finds himself surrounded by foxes and his usual survival tactics ruined by a five foot goalie. The whole mobster mafia problem isn’t helping either. -- Cue a Neil who cares a little less, a past raven, and potentially a little something more to live for.

tw: attempted rape, tw: graphic depictions of violence, tw: murder, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: attempted nonconsensual drug use, tw: panic attacks, tw: flashbacks, tw: homophobia, tw: alcohol abuse/alcoholism, tw: animal abuse, tw: implied/referenced self harm 

you will always be my favorite form of loving by something_boring [Rated T, 15831 Words, Complete, 2024]

5 times the Foxes tried to take care of Neil and 1 time they didn't have to.

tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: implied/referenced torture, tw: panic attacks, tw: nightmares, tw: alcohol abuse, tw: blood, tw: vomit, tw: violence, tw: bullying

pain our brain has made by pipedreamaddy [Rated M, 16052 Words, Incomplete, Updated July 2024]

Neil and his discovery that he has trauma-induced migraines because we all know how he neglects his health. Between everything else going on with him, a migraine seemed very minor to him. But now that he is in a healthy, safe, and loving environment where he is thriving, he can take care of himself—theoretically speaking, at least. Or the fic where Neil finally gets the healing that he needs.

tw: needles, tw: implied/referenced abuse, tw: childhood trauma, tw: implied/referenced torture,  tw: flashbacks, tw: ptsd, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: implied/referenced self harm, tw: implied/referenced murder

Keep Your Head Down and Don't Look Back by Capheira [Rated G, 775 Words, Complete, 2024]

Neil has spent most of his life running from his past but perhaps this time he was a little too efficient.

tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: panic attacks

Scars Like Stars by Kory_Rory [Rated T, 3429 Words, Incomplete, Updated June 2024]

Neil deals with his trauma by biting himself while being completely oblivious to the harm he's putting himself through. But it's okay cause the foxes are there to help him :)

tw: self harm, tw: body dysmorphia, tw: implied/referenced torture, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: negative self talk, tw: flashbacks 

I’m not used to all this water, love (it’s true) by niicowo [Rated T, 1415 Words, Complete, 2024]

Neil never thought anyone could ever love him. His parents never made him feel loved. But then again, what did he know about love? Nothing, he guessed. But one thing he did know was that Andrew loved him. And he just may love him too.

tw: past suicidal ideation, tw: implied/referenced self harm, tw: implied/referenced child abuse

Razor’s Edge by godless_writer [Rated T, 2178 Words, Complete, 2023]

Neil Josten, a caring, shit-talking, striker for the Palmetto State Foxes. Nathaniel Wesninski, a runner, and the son of The Butcher of Baltimore. When Neil thinks that Andrew is in danger after he walks into Kevin and Andrew fighting, his world turns red and those lines become blurred.

tw: implied/referenced torture, tw: implied/referenced murder, tw: dissociation

Don't let me be by Cutie_Wan [Not Rated, 1983 Words, Complete, 2023]

Neil suffers a major dissociation episode in front of the Foxes.

tw: dissociation, tw: self harm, tw: violence

grin and bear it by wlwmlmsolidarity [Rated G, 1221 Words, Complete, 2024]

neil has chronic pain due to lola and tries to just ignore it and push through on a bad pain day, andrew forcefully makes him relax and accept help

tw: implied/referenced torture, tw: chronic pain

NB: includes fanart by @clementinecloudz

scream and yell but i feel speechless by DepressedTerrestrial [Not Rated, 6770 Words, Complete, 2023]

Neil had some unnecessary surgery done when he was younger. No one (including Neil) knows how to handle this except for Andrew (kind of).

tw: past medical abuse, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: implied/referenced torture

Isn't he the monster by DarkD [Not Rated, 16033 Words, Complete, 2021]

On a day when Neil "wakes up" in a particularly bad mood, hearing anyone being cruel to Andrew becomes unbearable to the point that he is on the verge of an explosion.

tw: violence, tw: blood, tw: self harm, tw: dissociation, tw: panic attacks, tw: child abuse

Art

Day 19: bullet and Day 4: stitches art by @thefluffiestbird

Nathan was known for his extravagant parties and incredible entertainment art by @mac-monsters; twitter

Neil & Mary on the run edit by @romanovass

These ouches feel a little rough for a child on the run. comic by @softerstorms

“Don’t you dare be more afraid of me than you are of Andrew” art by @rainbowd00dles 

There’s nowhere to run art by @/tryashaa on instagram

“I’m fine” - *literally dying* art by @/koldangrey_art on instagram

[randomestfandoms-ocs]

Time For Tea: Introduction

Lavender Haze ( Violet Kingsleigh & Cian Hearts ) has now been merged with Long Live The Queen ( Queenie Hearts & Ace Hearts & Maria Frollo & Helena ) to create a clusterfuck political intrigue series, and several more Wonderland characters have been added to the mix

PS: huge thanks to @cecexwrites @ginevrastilinski-ocs @the-witching-ash for listening to me completely lose my mind and jump all over the place as I figured this out!

The OGs

Ace Hearts [ Curran Walters ] – Long Live The Queen; son of the Queen Of Hearts, Queenie's left hand man & chief enforcer

Cian Hearts [ Gavin Leatherwood ] – Lavender Haze; son of the Queen Of Hearts, invited to the isle because reports say that the child of the Queen of Hearts is running the Isle and they assume it must be her son

Helena [ Tegan Croft ] – Long Live The Queen; daughter of Hades & Persephone, Queenie's right hand man, and other chief enforcer

Maria Frollo [ Elle Fanning ] – Long Live The Queen; daughter of Judge Frollo, grew up locked in his tower and has only recently been freed and brought to Crims, manages Crims

Queenie Hearts [ Madison Davenport ] – Long Live The Queen; daughter of the Queen Of Hearts, unofficial Queen of the Isle, runs her crew with an iron fist and military precision

Violet Kingsleigh [ Meg Donnelly ] – Lavender Haze; daughter of Alice & The Hatter, heir to Wonderland, goes to Auradon because Wonderland suspects Auradon of poisoning the White Queen

The Wonderland Crew

Caoilinn Whittemore [ Florence Pugh ] – daughter of the White Knight & Violet’s personal guard; goes to Auradon with Violet

Arley Whitaker [ Tom Holland ] – son of the White Rabbit & Violet’s personal secretary / manager / wrangler; goes to Auradon with Violet

Chelsey Chester [ Rowan Blanchard ] – daughter of the Cheshire Cat

Tenney Earwick [ Jack Wolfe ] – son of the March Hare

Mallaidh Merrick [ Mary Mouser ] – daughter of the Dormouse

Deirdra Taggart [ Ella Hunt ] – daughter of Tweedle Dee

Deryn Taggart [ Joe Keery ] – son of Tweedle Dee

Duncan Taggart [ Joe Keery ] – son of Tweedle Dum

The Isle Crew

Neasa Kearney [ Kaia Gerber ] – daughter of the Red Queen, runs recruitment & orientation for the crew

Caitria Devlin [ Billie Lourd ] – daughter of the Duchess, crew manager

Keira Knave [ Alba Baptista ] – daughter of the Knave of Hearts, combat trainer

Killian Knave [ Freddy Carter ] – son of the Knave Of Hearts, combat trainer for the crew

Shiloh Reece [ Emilia Jones ] – daughter of the Cook, medic

Bonus – existing ocs who have been added to Time For Tea as part of Queenie's crew

Nettie Tremaine [ Peyton Elizabeth Lee ] – daughter of Anastasia Tremaine, medic

Raisa Rasputin [ Sophia Ann Caruso ] – daughter of Rasputin, barge day coordinator, collector

Rini Bing [ Jenna Ortega ] – daughter of Herman Bing / The Ringmaster, crew manager

Savina Stromboli [ Diana Silvers ] – daughter of Stromboli, collector

Winona Sykes [ Milly Alcock ] – daughter of Bill Sykes, head of inventory

( now need to decide if the existing ocs added to Time For Tea should keep their current titles or become part of Long Live The Queen )

[moviehealthcommunity]

This pinned post contains every movie we have determined to be safe for photosensitive audiences! This will be updated as new titles enter and leave theaters. This is NOT medical advice. These are just titles to which we have given flashing lights scores of 0 or 1 out of 10.

*=currently in theaters

The 40-Year-Old Virgin 80 for Brady Abominable American Fiction Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret Away From Her A Bad Moms Christmas The Ballad of Buster Scruggs The Beguiled The Big Sick The Bikeriders Billy Madison Book Club: The Next Chapter The Breakfast Club Casablanca Challengers Cheaper by the Dozen (2022) The Christmas Chronicles A Christmas Story Christmas Christopher Robin Cinderella (2015) Clerks Cocaine Bear Coco Coming to America Crazy Rich Asians Crimson Peak Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Cyrano Daddy's Home Daddy's Home 2 Dear Evan Hansen Dirty Dancing Dogma Dolores Claiborne Downhill Downton Abbey Drive My Car Eight Crazy Nights Eileen Elemental Elf Enemy Ever After: A Cinderella Story Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile The Fighting Preacher Five Feet Apart Gladiator Going in Style The Goldfinch Good Will Hunting Green Book Heretic The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug The Hurt Locker The Hustle I Don't Know How She Does It The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild IF In Bruges Instant Family Interview with the Vampire It Ends with Us It's a Wonderful Life Jojo Rabbit Kimi Knives Out Last Christmas The Laundromat Little Women (2019) Lizzie Logan Lucky The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Luca Lying and Stealing Ma Rainey's Black Bottom A Madea Christmas Madea's Family Reunion Madea's Witness Protection Maleficent: Mistress of Evil Mallrats A Man Called Otto The Many Saints of Newark Marriage Story Mary Poppins Returns Mary Queen of Scots Mean Girls (2004) The Menu Miracle of 34th Street (1994) Misery Monty Python's Life of Brian Mrs. Doubtfire The Muppet Christmas Carol Muppet Treasure Island Murder Mystery Next Goal Wins Night at the Museum Office Space On the Basis of Sex Origin Pan's Labyrinth Past Lives The Perfection The Polar Express The Power of the Dog A Prayer Before Dawn Psycho (1960) Psycho (1998) Pulp Fiction The Report The Rhythm Section Rise of the Planet of the Apes Roma The Room Rudy The Santa Clause The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause Sasquatch Sunset Seven Psychopaths The Shallows Shanghai Noon Shaun the Sheep Movie The Shining Shrek the Third Smokey and the Bandit Son In Law Spencer The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) Three Thousand Years of Longing Ticket to Paradise Uncut Gems United 93 West Side Story (1961) The Whale Windfall The Wizard of Oz Women Talking Won't You Be My Neighbor? Worth Zombieland: Double Tap The Zone of Interest

[a-titty-ninja]

「メアリー」 by バナ | Twitter

๑ Permission to reprint was given by the artist ✔.

[cruelangel94]

GOLDEN COIN RUSH

[midnightanxietytm]

Hello! I've never requested a writing before. Do you perhaps ... do fluff? Hurt and comfort? I probably should have read all the rules before, but what I skimmed doesn't discouraged it? Anyway, someone headcanoned that the chain cuffs Narinder had on his wrists had spikes in them to prevent them from being moved around, so I would like to request the Lamb tending to Narinder's wrists for the after effect damage of such binding, mostly after being dethroned and Narinder stays in the healing hut to recover. Bonus if you could make him into a lion.

Have a pleasant week grace you, drink water and rest regularly.

A/N: I can in fact, make some hurt/comfort, glad you asked! (the fact that its comfort and not confort still boggles my mind) Anyways, I derailed a bit on this one but I hope you like it either way.

Contents/Warnings: Mentions of ritualistic murder and suicide, mentions of wounds and cuts, brief look into the weight of immortality and godhood.

Summary: Lamb visits Narinder in the healing hut and muses about their relationship.

They probably shouldn't be there.

Narinder had been screaming and thrashing around for days now, yelling nonstop about his godhood, about his divine right, cursing the lamb non-stop until the poor rabbit in charge of the healing hut had to sedate him just to be able to treat him. Lamb imagined they were the last possible person he’d like to see. 

Still, they walked inside, carrying their usual sweet smile and a basket full of camellias. Marie, the poor rabbit in question, sighed in relief upon seeing them, and bowed her head in respect; “Glorious Leader, praise be thy name! The- uh… Lion(?)  is still asleep, but he might wake up soon.” She reports dutifully. The Lamb nods and places the basket in her hands.

“Thank you, Marie, please go put those in storage, I’ll watch him while you’re out.” They order, and she’s quick to obey. Lamb moves to sit by Narinder’s side as soon as she’s out of sight.

He appears to be in a dreamless sleep, and a quick peek into his mind confirms that, if it’s a blessing or a curse, they can’t tell, but his mind surely isn’t plagued with the sort of thoughts and memories to make for good dreams, no thanks to them.

Yes, they feel guilt, somewhat. They never wanted to believe their beloved god, the one that had given them a new life with doting followers and the prospect of a new world, would simply sacrifice them once they ceased being useful, despite the warnings. And when the time came, he was fueled by all the repressed rage at once, and drove a blade through their savior’s heart. Surely they had a lot on them to make guilt fester like an ugly infection.

They moved a hesitant hand to coop Narinder’s; his wrists were bandaged, and underneath them, the rash lines of cuts, bruises and punctures remained, and the Lamb thought that, if anything, at least he was free of those dreadful chains…

The guilt still clenched at his heart, like claws grabbing it and trying to tear it out, but rage was still burning within it; after all, was this cat’s lust for power not the reason he was placed on the beheading block? Wasn’t it his lack of contempt for his domain that doomed them both in the first place?

A careful thumb is swiped over the bandages; a soft act. But then again, now that The Lamb fills the role of death themselves, they can see why someone wouldn’t be satisfied by it… It’s bleak, to see every living thing lose its life, and they can’t fault Narinder for searching for solace in the prospect of resurrection and building new life…

“I… sense your weakness, usurper…” Came the weak and drowsy voice of his former God. The Lamb chuckled, but Narinder paid it no mind, he wished to be heard. “You will fall, I’ll see to it…”

The medication was clearly still in effect; his eyes, all three of them, were half-closed, and he seemed as if he was struggling to form the sentences in his head. Lamb offered them a sad smile. “The crown has chosen, Narinder, you know this…” They say softly, and raise his hand carefully to place a kiss upon his bandaged wrists, they smell blood right underneath it, it’s staining; the hot, flowing blood of someone who is living. “...Rest, for as long as you wish, when you’ve recovered, when those wounds and the scars they leave finally fade, then I’ll lay my life to you. If you still wish me to do so.”

They quickly prodded into his mind again, and gently nudged him back to a dreamless sleep. 

Narinder, not used to the fleeting mortal memory, would forget their words, but the vow would settle the anguish in The Lamb’s heart for centuries to come; their last gift to their deity; a reprise from the suffocating godhood, that was enough for them.

Meanwhile, the deity of the New Faith unwraps the stained bandages around their beloved fallen god’s wrists, and dutifully replaces them with clean ones, even though those clawed hands belonged to the one who wished to coat his freedom with their blood.

Such a weird thing is devotion, thinks the lamb, that it can be freely given even though pain, yet only received in love.

No matter, the Lamb would keep their prayers, their whispers begging for forgiveness and their adoration, until Narinder was ready to receive it. But while he was asleep, they would care for his wounds and bear the heavy crown.

A/N: I like to think that Marie couldn't really tell if Narinder was a lion or not because he was kinda malnourished and his mane was ragged and short because of the chains pulling on it constantly. Anyways, AITA for reducing my former god to a mortal form so he can experience true freedom even if I took his godhood for myself in the process?

[novelconcepts]

I’m curious about your thoughts on Van and the crash itself. Since then, the whole team has been through A LOT (putting it mildly) but Jackie left her stuck there. Do you think that impacted her relationship with Shauna and Jackie? Had she forgiven Jackie before she froze? Which now has me realizing how opposite their situations were. Burning and freezing… sorry that’s off track. Not sure where this rabbit hole thought came from but I’m associating it with your amazing writing. I think my point was (in Van voice): the universe can throw all sorts at you, but they were/are a team.

I absolutely think it impacted her way of looking at Jackie specifically. Shauna, probably to a lesser extent, because Shauna did try to get her out. Shauna was screaming for her as Jackie hauled her away. I don't know how much of that Van remembers, and how much is just a wash of blackout terror, but she doesn't really seem to treat Shauna with any malice in the aftermath. Jackie, though.

I think a huge part of her palpable disgust re: Jackie is the fact that Jackie left her, but also the fact that Jackie doesn't pick up a skill in the aftermath. Like you've got Shauna with the knife, Misty with the medical skills, Mari cooking, Travis and Natalie hunting, everyone else scavenging and doing laundry and whatever else is neccessary along the way--and then Jackie's just complaining. That's not teamwork. It's a weak link. Van's looking at her going "oh, the one thing you WOULD do was leave me, and otherwise it's just all about you?" Like the worst thing a person can do, from the perspective of a team, is sit back and not participate. And from Jackie's POV it makes sense: she's in the grip of utter despair, it's killing her slowly, she's made of bleak terror. But from everyone else's view? From Van's? She's being selfish.

You ask if I think Van forgave Jackie before she froze, and to that I have to point out: Jackie dies immediately after Doomcoming. And what is Van's last real verbalization about Jackie before everything really goes to chaos at Doomcoming? "That's sooo Jackie." Jackie's disappearing with Travis? Jackie's taking something that doesn't belong to her? Jackie's being selfish? That's so Jackie. Van by this point seems to be throwing the full weight of her own fear into reviling who Jackie's become in the woods. It started with Jackie leaving her, yeah, but worse: Jackie's not helping them survive. That, I think, feels unforgivable--at least until the worst happens.

It's one of the most telling moments of Jackie's death dream, that Van is front and center with the we all love you, Jackie. Because: no. No, she wouldn't be smiling at you. No, she absolutely would not say that. She hasn't forgiven you. Only in your final dreams.

[windblume-wishes]

Game of Thorns - A Twisted Wonderland Story

Every rose has its thorns, and with every stab one will bleed bright crimson from that thorns very touch. Riddle is no different, he is a rose with many thorns, but who's not to say even the rose himself will be stabbed brutally with his own protective thorns.

Chapter 4: Learning to Love Yourself

When Riddle awoke the next morning he looked about to see he was all alone in the infirmary, his private room completely devoid of his parents and all that remained was him and a few of his belongings. He remembered that the headmaster told his parents that they could stay in the nearby hotel in Port Town as the private infirmary room was a bit tight to hold three people for the nights they were to stay. Riddle looked to the nightstand and noticed a note written by his mother that was being held in the plush paws of his bunny Alice.

Picking up the letter, he silently read it;

Good morning, Riddle,

By the time you read this we, your father and I will be taking our rest in the Oceanview Hotel in town. I hope our absence will not put you into any discomfort, however, if it does, we are a phone call away- that is why we allowed you a cell phone remember? You are a brilliant boy so I assume you already know that, seeing as you are our son and you inherited our brilliance naturally.

Before we left, the nurse informed us that you are doing splendidly and will make a swift recovery in due time, you are still expected to study and work hard even in recovery though! But, please rest and try not to strain yourself. Also, a young lad named Deuce came by the infirmary with your books so I placed them atop the table under the window.

The nurse also provided you with a counseling session schedule, that can be found with your books- honestly, such a thing being handed to you should be seen as an insult! But, as a medical professional I should look at this as an opportunity for you, an opportunity for you to grow mentally. Mental growth will help you tremendously with your education and life so do take this as a learning opportunity.

Lastly, I was informed that this plush “friend” of yours is named Alice, charming when considering that is your Great, Great, Grandmother’s name. I entrusted this letter to her, your rabbit friend, so I hope this letter finds you well. I know this may come as a surprise to you, son, but I too had a beloved plush rabbit- mine was named Mary-Ann after one of the rabbits in grandmother Alice’s tale. I’m sure she’s tucked away somewhere safely in the basement.

Please don’t hesitate to call your father and I if you need us, Riddle.

Love,

Mum

Riddle placed the letter on his lap, tears flowing from his pale eyes as he reached for his bunny, hugging her to his chest and allowing himself to cry freely as he read the ending over and over. “Love, Mum” spoke volumes to him- did that truly mean that he was loved? genuinely loved and appreciated by his mother?

‘Tell me, mother, am I genuinely loved or am I simply a trophy child that you wish to display? I do not know anymore… please, mummy… tell me, tell me that I am REALLY loved and not just a porcelain doll atop a shelf…’

Riddle pushed himself against his headboard, shifting his knees so his head could rest atop them, Alice Bunny still pressed against his chest as he sobbed heavily into her soft plush head. Everything hurt, his heart ached and throbbed like he was being squeezed and stabbed by harsh and unforgiving thorns. He felt like his tears were no longer tears of salt water but of blood, the swelling under his eyes and atop his cheeks were from poisonous thorns and not from his tears. Riddle, despite his mother’s letter and unusually kind words. His sobs, while loud, were surprised by the toy’s plush body, however, some sound did emerge and was heard by the last person Riddle thought he’d see.

A knock sounded at the door but through his cries, Riddle did not hear the knocking thus leaving the individual to enter on their own. Riddle looked up the second the door opened, trying to hide his crying by quickly drying his eyes- the sight of the fearsome Heartslabyul Housewarden wailing like an infant would not be a good look to continue sporting. Riddle then remembered that he had his bunny with him, he then attempted to hide her under the covers but without him realizing it, her floppy ear hung out.

“Riddle?” Came Vil’s smooth voice laced heavily with concern, allowing himself into the room and taking a seat on the chair by the bed. “No need to hide the tears, I already know and completely understand. Your tears, while causing your poor skin to puff, are completely valid given your circumstances.”

“V-Vil, I’m sorry you must see me l-like this…” Riddle hiccuped, still drying his eyes with his nightgown’s sleeve. “W-what brings you here…?”

Sighing with a small smile, Vil took out a clean handkerchief and began to lightly wipe away Riddle’s tears. “You missed a housewarden meeting, that’s all, and before you go into a tangent as to why it’s utterly unacceptable to miss an important meeting Trey already informed me of your situation and word travels fast in this school so I knew. Your health should come first and thus I made certain that I come here immediately after the meeting to see how you are doing as well as hand you the information from the meeting.”

Riddle sniffled and nodded, his hand unconsciously grabbing his bunny’s plush paw in an attempt of comfort and to prevent him from bawling in front of Vil, his senior.

“Riddle, come now, I can see you are a rather poor actor at trying to hide your need to cry, you need not keep all that bottled up- you have gone through, to put it frankly, hell.” Vil reached forward, placing his hands atop Riddle’s shoulders, gripping them firmly. “There is no putting it lightly, you went through something so traumatic that it clearly shook you to your core. Let it out. I cannot begin to tell you how awful bottling up your emotions is for your skin! The stress alone will cause a young, bright, and definitely attractive face like yours to wrinkle and sag! So let everything out.”

Vil then reached down, carefully pulling the plush rabbit out from where Riddle attempted to hide her but failed to and handed her to his underclassman. Riddle blushed the second Vil held up Alice, mortified that now Vil knew of his plush friend. Vil only chuckled softly as he handed the small Housewarden the plush, earning a small huff from the younger.

“You do not need to be so embarrassed, I see many in my dorm with plush creatures of their own. I have a few myself, you know. Now, let’s get those emotions out before we move onto some skincare, hm?”

Riddle nodded, bringing Alice Bunny closer, burying his face into her fluff and sobbing violently. His body wracked with his sobs, stunning Vil at the utter intensity. Vil figured that he had pent up emotions but never imagined something so intense, as if on instinct, Vil reached forward and pulled Riddle into a hug. Whispering comforts and encouraging words with gentle rubs on his fragile back as he shook.

Vil felt it immediately, Riddle was dramatically thin, he could feel bone- something was beyond wrong and Vil felt that asking the younger boy what was truly happening would be a terrible idea given how unstable he was. One wrong move and he would likely shatter like glass hitting pavement.

‘Riddle, what the devil has happened to you?! This… I can feel your bones, you are lacking muscle- just what has happened?! Riddle Rosehearts, the young man who follows rules and routines to absolute perfection neglecting his health for whatever reason this is?! Preposterous! I may not know much about him, but I know who to ask if Riddle is too shy to speak up… Clover, you best tell me everything so I might offer my assistance in nutrition!’

Riddle calmed down after an hour, swollen and clearly exhausted from his cries. Vil never once let go until Riddle had regained his breath and at least took a few sips of water for his strained throat.

“Feel better now?” Vil whispered softly, helping Riddle sit up on his bed. The younger nodded with a small hiccup, staring down at his feet in what seemed to be embarrassment. “Good, now I want you to quickly take a warm bath- but not too quickly, you need to make sure you are properly washed so you feel fresh and clean. Once done I will help you with your skincare. Do not try and weasel your way out of this, Rosehearts, you need a personal care day.”

Riddle stood up, took a neatly folded oversized nightshirt and underwear, making his way into the bathroom to freshen up. He slid off the nightshirt and stared at himself in the mirror. Skin and bone, scarred, battered and bruised… gaping holes from thorns with blood oozing from their puncture wounds. He saw a pool of crimson at his feet, soaking his petite toes and covering the floor of the bathroom.

Battered and bruised.

Tattered and torn.

Bloody and beaten.

Unclean and unsightly…

Broken….

Riddle felt sick, he clutched his hand over his mouth and fell to his knees with a thud, gasping for air as he felt his vision go black, body to ice, and sickness flooding over him.

Oh sevens, he was going to be ill…

A knock on the door sounded, Vil must have heard everything and was getting worried. Leaving Riddle with no time to get up and regain his composure, Vil bursted in and bent down to the height of the smaller housewarden.

“Riddle?! What happened?! Oh sevens look at you! Do you need me to contact someone?! Get a doctor in here?!”

Riddle stared up at the elder and shook his head. “N-no… I’m fine… I just… I just slipped. Clumsy me…”

Vil clearly could see through his lies and helped the younger boy up, steadying him and leading him to sit atop the bench against the wall.

“No, you are clearly not fine so do not dare lie to me, Riddle Rosehearts. I understand you have been through plenty as it is and you are uneasy but you are in no condition to be alone. Do not dare tell me you simply slipped, I heard everything.” Vil firmly gripped Riddle’s shoulders, staring into his eyes with a stare that clearly meant not to test him. “Now, I will stay right here with you so you do not injure yourself further. Besides, I need you better as I miss your presence in our Housewarden meetings. You seem to be the only sane one in the room half the time.”

Riddle was too stunned to speak, he could only nod in reply. Vil smiled warmly, accepting that nod as a satisfactory reply, he stood up and turned the bathtub water on, adding bath salts known for calming effects and soothing skin as well as bath oils to ease tension.

“Now, I added bath salts of eucalyptus and spearmint, they have calming effects to the body and the mind as well as eucalyptus oils to the bath so you can let that soak into your skin. Both are from Felicity Cosmetics, a brand I trust fully so you needn’t worry about quality.”

“M-Mummy- I mean mother used to use that when I got sick… it smelled nice…” Riddle mumbled with a smile, remembering that was the one time his mother genuinely retracted her thorns and cared for him and loved him. Though she never rocked him in her arms when he was ill or sung to him, all he needed was her gentle hands caressing his face and hair as he sat in the bathtub trying to bring his fever down.

“Then your mother has a great taste for bath salts and oils, the same brand I suspect?” Riddle nodded with a smile. “Thought so, brilliant woman indeed.”

“Mum is a skilled doctor back home, best in town in fact, she always recommends this brand when children or even adults get seasonal colds and flus…. She always says that for a swift recovery mint and eucalyptus will be your best bet.” Taking the rest of his clothes off he carefully stepped into the bathtub and let himself relax. “She was right, it always feels great and smells lovely…”

Pouring a bit of the matching shampoo into his hands, Vil began to work on Riddle’s hair, making sure to get everywhere. “In that case, I will leave you with this set here, new set from my personal stash so no need to pay me back- only payment I require from you is perhaps a visit to Heartslabyul for tea as it is no secret your dorm has the best tea in the school.”

Riddle laughed a bit, it was indeed true that his dorm had the finest tea in the school- much of it coming directly from the Queendom of Roses which was known for its tea culture. The dorm’s students all had a loving for tea whether it be hot or iced, sweetened or unsweetened, infused with fruit or not- it was always there and ready for any occasion.

“Indeed, I dare say Trey prepares tea the best out of everyone in the dorm- you have been over before, I’m sure you have sampled his Shamrock Isle blend which is known for its strength yet exquisite taste, yes?”

Vil nodded, remembering how delicious that tea was and how it was likely enough to cause a new addiction if not careful. “That I have, strong, yes, but it was definitely a good tea. Trey tells me you fancy milk teas and the occasional Earl Grey, yes?”

‘Earl Grey… yes, when was the last time I had that?’ Riddle thought to himself, ‘When I get better, perhaps I can ask Trey to brew make some for the make-up unbirthday party’

“Yes, I do quite fancy those teas, though, I am open to more options to broaden my palate.” Riddle let out a soft chuckle, practically melting from Vil’s soothing hands tending to his hair. “Have you any suggestions in terms of tea, Vil?”

Vil thought for a moment, he based what tea he would drink on specific health benefits and occasions. Chamomile and lavender fit sleep perfectly, mint was best for focusing on studying and calming nerves, hibiscus was excellent for the heart, and ginger was for illness. Basing tea flavours and types was crucial to him as it had to fit the occasion and fill a specific role.

“Hmm, well I suppose if you are unwell, ginger tea is the best solution- post workout, cardio to be exact, do hibiscus tea…” Vil replied with a slight shrug, “I can already imagine you drinking a warm cup of chamomile before bed so I suppose you do not need that as a suggestion.”

Riddle nodded, taking mental notes to every bit of Vil’s words. If Vil Schoenheit himself recommended a specific product, diet, or even brand, it usually was a perfect choice and received incredible results and praises from many.

“I would also recommend apple tea for lowering cholesterol levels. It contains high amounts of magnesium, potassium, vitamin C and sodium, all of which can help build strong bones- which you need after this ordeal.” Riddle nodded in reply, bending forward to allow Vil to pour water over his head and rinse out all the shampoo and conditioner remnants.

‘Drink tea based on health… As much as he sounds like my mother I know he is right. Vil’s students are always in incredible health and shape thanks to his dedication to nutrition- perhaps listening to him will do me good…’

Riddle let out a sleepy yawn, the scents of the bath salts, oils, and hair products began to make him sleepy, the warm water wrapped around his beaten and tired body cradled him, inviting him to sleep. He knew he had to keep awake for a bit longer, he wished to soak in as much of this experience as possible. It was not every day one could be pampered and cared for so tenderly by the Vil Schoenheit.

“Oh~? Falling asleep on me, Rosehearts? Fufufu~ come now, if this is making you sleepy then it looks like my hard work is paying off.”

“N-no actually I was merely yawning!” Riddle let out a sleepy pout, failing to hide everything miserably as his acting skills were rather poor.

Rolling his eyes, Vil sighed and helped Riddle out of the bath and into a soft, fluffy towel. “Denial will not get you anywhere, your acting skills need work, you know?”

“I- You! Hmph! I suppose I should get some rest… but only after a face mask…” Riddle sighed, letting out another yawn as he buttoned up his oversized nightshirt. “I will admit, I never imagined you of all people would help me out during this ordeal, Vil.”

Vil looked up from folding the towel and smiled understandingly, “Of course I would help you out, when I heard about what happened I knew I had to offer assistance somehow. I even spoke with Trey as you know, he even asked if I could help you in recovery as he knows that I have a few tricks up my sleeves.”

Vil hung the towel up and sighed, facing Riddle with a face that clearly meant worry. “And because I was worried about you, it may come as a surprise to you but everyone in the Housewarden meeting today expressed worry for you. Even Leona, who let’s face it, rarely ever cares for anyone but himself. While Malleus was not in attendance as per usual, Lilia offered his own assistance if ever needed. Malleus spoke with Trey and myself and offered to grant you a blessing of good health if you need it.”

‘I worried people…? Night Raven College is notorious for having people who only care about themselves and a specific quality that the Mirror of Darkness desires… I have caused a lot of trouble… Tell me mummy, what rule is there to make all this go away…? To make everyone know I am sorry?’

“I-I’m… I’m s-sorry! I-I did not mean to cause t-trouble!” Riddle let out some small sobs, trying his hardest to stop them, using his sleeve to wipe them away. “I caused so much t-trouble… I just want all this pain to g-go away!”

Vil bent down and hugged Riddle tight, not daring to let him go. He needed to know he was not alone, that no one was going to hurt him, that no thorns were to stab his flesh.

“Riddle, let’s pause the skincare routine for now, I think it is best you get some sleep. Remember that you are not a burden, that you are important, and that you need not care about troubling anyone. Just put your health first. Mental and physical. If you need someone to talk to I’m here, so are Trey and Cater. I do not know the full reason for your Overblot but whatever it was had to have been rough, so definitely take some time to focus on you.”

Vil pulled away from Riddle and led him to his bed, noticing how Riddle was barely responding to his words as his eyes dropped and his normally proud steps became sleepy shuffles on the wooden floor. The elder boy chuckled softly, helping the younger into bed and tucking him in. Immediately Riddle fell asleep and his body curled into a loose fetal position as an arm grabbed Alice Bunny out of habit. Vil then grabbed a piece of paper and scribbled down a letter to Riddle for when he woke up as well as instructions on skincare.

“Sweet dreams, Riddle… Please regain your strength soon.”

________

Vil exited the room quietly only to come face to face with Mrs. Rosehearts who boasted a rather cranky face. He kept his composure, refusing to let this woman get the better of him and dare to give him attitude.

“Ma’am? Do you need something?” He asked politely, refusing to let his voice be laced with anger or frustration. He played the kind act, not letting his true emotions show.

She glared into his eyes as if to detect any trace of insincerity but was clearly failing against Vil’s world renowned acting skills. “Who are you and just what do you think you are going near my son?!”

“Firstly, I am Vil Schoenheit, Pomefiore Housewarden and third year. Secondly, I was simply paying him a visit. As his senior and fellow housewarden I took the opportunity to see how his recovery was and offer my assistance in skincare and healing techniques.” Vil replied smoothly and calmly.

Cora sighed, allowing her guard to be down seeing as the young man had no ill intent towards her son. “I see, I expect you used eucalyptus and spearmint for his bath and possibly lotion? I can smell its calming scent from you so I assume you used such.”

Vil nodded, impressed by the woman’s straightforwardness and attentiveness. “Indeed, I used the very bath salts and oils you used, Riddle confirmed the brand was the very one you recommend to your patients. I must say, to hear you recommend Felicity Cosmetics was quite the interesting information.”

Cora huffed with a smirk, the very smirk her son would give when he felt cocky or proud of himself. A smirk all at Night Raven knew well because of the amount of times the crimson haired Housewarden flashed it after taking the head of an imbecile rule breaker.

“Oh? Well I suppose one in my position can only recommend the beat of the best. I would not want my patients to have anything less than top notch quality of product to ensure health and wellness. Health is of the highest priority, I’m sure one in your profession can understand, Mr. Schoenheit.” She stated as a matter of factly, adding a small huff at the end as if to emphasize her point.

“Crystal clear, ma’am. I know health and beauty go hand in hand.”

“Indeed, good day to you, Mr. Schoenheit… and thank you for looking after my son…”

Before Vil could reply she was already in the bedroom likely sitting at her boy’s side as he slept. He stood there for a second and listened to her mumbling softly to a sleeping Riddle.

“I almost lost you once, I cannot lose you again…”

Vil shuddered at those words as he walked off, knowing he had to speak with Trey immediately over what he just heard.

‘Clover, I believe it is time you and I had a long conversation about Riddle… this whole situation has me sick to my stomach with worry…’