#maybe he was a mistake but he is definitely the best nephew we got and I love him in all imagined versions

[ducksinspaceadventure]

Phooey Duck is canon to me and always has been and he will be. Prove me wrong.

[turtlesnails]

👥

🧸

💬

❗️

🌟

Firstly, thank you to the anon who sent me the request! :)

👥️ - who are two characters that never got to interact that you would like to see talk to each other?

Jack and Yassen.

I feel like Jack would be angry at Yassen, given everything Alex told her. Possibly getting upset at him for working with Cray and for killing Ian. But, also feeling thankful that Yassen kept Alex save and spared his life.

It would be really interesting to see the two of them have a conversation or even have to work together to protect Alex. It’s something I would like to see, although it probably won’t happen.

🧸 - do you believe alex was specifically being trained to be a spy as a child?

I think Ian was training Alex, but I think it was more for Alex’s protection if ghosts of the past came after them. I could also see Ian encouraging/manipulating Alex into being a spy when he got a bit older. But, I think Ian would have wanted Alex to finish his A levels before getting in the family business.

Book verse; If Ian survived stormbreaker I could very well see Blunt convincing Ian to send Alex to Point Blanc for a few weeks to just look around. Or convincing Ian to take his nephew on more and more missions without Alex really knowing what was going on.

I do think that Ian did take Alex on missions as cover, even if the plan was just for Alex to chill at the hotel. Christmas at gunpoint is a good example of this theory, and in the book verse, Alex brings up a few other holidays he spent with Ian.

💬 - favorite quote?

Oh this is a hard one. I only saw the show once so I don’t have much of the dialogue memorized. I remember that Tom had a few good lines. (Tom is the absolute best boi).

The only line that comes to my head right now is Yassen’s. Both the conversation between Yassen and Ian, where Yassen is almost apologetic at having to kill Ian.

And, later when Yassen said, “Another time, maybe.” When he runs into Alex at the school.

In the Book Verse, Alex has a few funny one liners in the books. I like to moments when Alex is being Alex. In book one, one of my favorite lines is when Sayle and Alex are talking about the Portuguese man of war; Sayle says“You see, it [portuguese man-of-war] reminds me of myself.” and Alex’s response was “It’s 99% water. It has no brain, no guts and no anus.”

Alex in the books is immediately realizes his mistake and feels bad.

Alex says this line in the movie, too. But, it’s not as funny, but definitely comes across rudely- which I guess is how Sayle takes the comment.

❗️ - what was a moment you didn't see coming?

Season 1: Really surprised me. At first I was a bit disappointed with the changes they made from the books, but by episode three I was hooked on the plot. They did a really good job of changing things that need to be changed, and adding plot points and characters that were exciting. So basically the whole season one of TV show.

I really liked Tom’s character and his plot. The big twist I did not see coming was him getting kidnapped by Michael Roscoe and pulled into everything because of his friendship with Alex.

Season 2: I thought it was a bit more predictable and hit more of the plot points of the original books. I was not expecting Kyra to show back up in season two. At first I was feeling “Meh” about her character (since she mainly fills Jack’s role in Amsterdam), but I think they made the right call with creating team Alex (Tom, Kyra, and Alex).

Season 3: Well….. We will see 😉

🌟 🦂 who's a character you could see working for scorpia in a different timeline, and why?

Blunt. Because he is an evil character and shows time and time again that he does not care for Alex and just uses him. We also see Blunt do rather evil things in the books. He sent a sniper to scare Alex into working for him again in Scorpia Rising, so I can see him going to extremes to convince Alex to do what he wants or keep his own secret.

[arttrampbelle]

lord shimura self ship asks/hcs part2

Here is some more ghost of tsushima self ship hcs for shimura.

Cw: mostly fluff may have some angst and implied nsfw but not really.

🌸💕🌸💕🌸💕🌸💕🌸💕🌸💕

• Who do you self-ship with? What’s your ship name together?: Lord Masato Shimura from the ghost of tsushima game. (I gave him a given name since in canon to my knowledge they never gave him one so im making my own hcs now. Plus i just feel like he should have more to him then what was shown) my ship tag is 💕🌸heart of a samurai🌸💕

• How long have you self-shipped with them?:  well not for a long time. More so recently. I just have a newfound absolute love of this character.

• When did you get together in your shipping canon?: well my self insert oc kurisuta. (Which is just essentially myself) met him after he saved her from bandits. He retired after the war and appointed a new jito with the permission of the shogun. And lived life in peace for the most part. (There is some angst with jin,his personal honor,etc but yeah that's pretty much how it goes)

• How did you meet?: after he saved me from bandits.

• When did you first know you loved each other?: well if was after a few months of staying with him. After helping some people from pirates. We went back to his home and estate and kinda had a moment.

• Who made the first move?: technically we both kinda confessed in a way.

• What was your first date like?: it was a nice ride to an onsen and a nice picnic out. Very sweet. It was summer and we had melon.

• When did you first say “I love you” to each other?: again it was after our big battle with pirates.

• What are the most important relationship events for you? Drop a timeline!: well besides the big pirate fight. Another is when he made amends with jin,who was still wanted by the shogan. But another is when we married.

• How extensive is your shipping canon?: its simple. But i added more to shimura and his backstory more because i wanted something actually somewhat better than what we got. (Again no shade. I looooove this game. But even thru its amazing storytelling....it has some things i dont like and is worth a critique. I dunno i guess i just wanna rewrite it with just a bit less romanticism towards the samurai code a bit. Because historically shimura shouldn't be acting the way he does sometimes in canon im just saying. You could argue with hypocrisy or even more of the thing of he just wanted to help his people the best way a leader could as much to his ability. Same as any warrior leader. But i still personally have a gripe with it slightly)

11-20 - ATTRACTION

• First impressions of each other?: at first he thought of me as a sweet woman. And surprisingly a decent warrior. But as we grew close. He thought of me as more than that. He felt at peace and ease. For the first time in a long time. He fell in love but not just as a lover....but also as a friend and life companion.

• How close were you as friends before you got together?: most definitely. He's a great friend to have. :3

• Who fell for the other first?: i kinda hc it was mutual,but there was HELLA pining.

• What initially attracted you to them versus what they were attracted to?: well he was attracted to my genuine kindness. I loved his courage but his compassion. He cared for his people,deeply but he is only human and him retiring was his own personal way of atoning and still able to be samurai in a way. He has made mistakes and he felt this way he could help his nephew jin while making amends and letting things go.

• How do you match up with your first crushes?: i dunno this is kinda its own self contained thing.

• Your top 3 favourite things about them versus theirs about you.: my fave 3 are his smile,his laugh,and his heart. His fave or mine are my smile,my heart,and my arms around him. Maybe my sense of humor. It gets him thru.

• The physical traits you love of theirs.: his eyes,his strong arms,and maybe his beard. (Im a simple person to please ok?)

• The personality traits you love of theirs.: again his heart and courage. Despite everything he still loves his nephew. He never let this war ever change that.

• How publicly affectionate are you? Is it cringe, embarrassing or do you love PDA?: for me? I dont care really. I have no preference. Hand holding is simple and enough for me. I actually dont really like overwhelming pda. But I'll tolerate it. As for masato? He would rather show his super "cuddly" side in private. But he will not hesitate to flash a smile or grin.

• Is sex important to this relationship? Why or why not?: it's not super important. However there is a lot of tension at times. 😏

21-30 - ROMANCE

• Do you have pet names for each other?: blossom,momo,and chou-chou which means butterfly. Darling,dear,beloved,and my love are used too. Other than that its our names.

• What are your go-to date night ideas?: as long as we are together and having a good time. Anywhere really.

• Do you get jealous or protective over your partner(s)?: jealous? Eh. Not really. Not for me. For shimura? Not really. He doesn't get jelly. Its rare if anything. Protective? Yes. We both get that way. Him more so than me. But he has his reasons.

• What’s a gift that you’ve given each other that means a lot to you?: he actually has a silk hair tie he gave. It was a partly of his old armor. He wanted to make for me. I wear it both in my hair or around my head. I gave him a beaded charm bracelet,it's supposed to give him protection and luck.

• What are your love languages?: honestly we need all of them. But i feel like just a simple reassurance. Like a simple im jere for you,a care about you. That kinda thing. Acts of service especially. But he does love giving gifts. Simple and sweet.

• What’s ‘your song’ with them? Does it remind you of each other, or have special memories attached to it?: honestly i haven't thought about it yet.

• What places are special to you guys? Is it because of a memory or is it somewhere you want to go?: there is a small place ontop of a cliff that overlooks the ocean and is a huge field of flowers. He and i rode there after our big battle with the pirates. It was our first...well you know.

• What things in daily life remind you of each other?: for him,wisteria or purple flowers remind him of me,sometimes small bells. And plum blossoms actually remind me of him. Sometimes chrysanthemums. The gold trees too. Waterfalls.

• Do you own anything that’s symbolic of your relationship i.e. charms, souvenirs etc.?: we do have an omomori charm that hangs near our bed. But he has a bell attached to his sword. To have a piece of me wherever he goes. And i have one around my neck.

• What do you guys believe is the most important part of any/your relationship?: communication,trust and honesty.

31-40 - INTERESTS

• Do you share any of the same hobbies/interests/passions?: poetry,art,and song. But also bird watching.

• What’s something you want to try together?: he's always wanted to try this spicy ramen,but its hard to come by because the ingredients are imported and kinda pricey. But i know how to make it.

• What’s something you can do but they can’t? What’s something they can do that you can’t?: honestly im not sure. I guess fall asleep easier. Not by much but still. But we all have our quirks. *shrug* i guess i dont really think about that. Lol

• What do you do together on a bright and sunny day?: depends,is it hot out? But enjoy the sunshine. Maybe sunbathe.

• What’s something you do together if you can’t go outside?: write,read,i paint. Sometimes he'll do flower arrangements. We might sometimes if we are really bored....do things...

• How do you usually relax and wind down together?: most of the time drink tea and talk about life. Maybe past adventures or our childhood. But sometimes if we are in a really good mood. A nice cup of sake or two. Or three. Hee hee

• If you’re away from each other, what do you prepare for each other? Welcome back gifts, setting time aside etc.: he will set aside time most definitely. Sometimes he'll have a nice meal prepared. Pretty much the same for me. I will however run right up to him and hug him tight.

• What is a guilty pleasure/something that you’d be embarrassed to tell them about, but want to share?: ok sfw would be he actually loves board games and gambling games but he kinda doesn't want me to get into it due to it's...notoriety. a nsfw thing would be shibari. He absolutely is into that.

• What do you find weird about each other? Is it endearing or an actual ick?: its not so much weird as its odd and curious to him that i can eat so much and yet... stil have room. Also how much spicy i can eat.

• Are you guys superstitious? How do you see belief in luck, ghosts or aliens etc.?: sometimes. He feels there is logic to things but he wont ever rule out the ways of spirits and kami.

41-50 - PREFERENCES

• What are your names saved as in each other’s phones?: lol dont apply here. But well if we did it would be momo-chan for me and 🌸💕masato💕🌸 in mine

• How do you guys take your coffee/tea? Do you know how the other likes it?: mine is slightly sweeter than his. And yes.

• Where do you get takeout? Who usually pays?: we cook at home for the most part.

• What’s your favourite (type of) show to watch together? Do you watch on routine or set time aside to binge?: lol again dont apply.

• What roles do you take on when you play games together? It can be co-op, or talk about how you play games in general.: well we do have a slight competitiveness to us. But he tries to be easy on me even if i say dont.

• How do you dress? Do you look like you match as a couple, or are your styles different?: its different but complimentary colors

• What could you not live without? Does your partner know what it is?: my bow. His sword. And my zazen bracelet.

• Where do you like to be touched? Innocent or suggestively.: honestly hand holding like i said is underrated af. And kissing the hand. But im not responsible for him if he kisses my neck. >:3

• Mix your favourite colours. What is the resultant colour?: purple and red. A deep purple red? Yellow and purple is strange tho.

• Who needs space, and who needs more attention? Do you cling together or are you loosely together?: depends on the mood and situation?

51-60 - DAILY LIFE

• What does the daily schedule of this home look like?: well we both usually get up around mid day. But sometimes he gets up early than me. He makes tea and breakfast.,we bathe if needed.Then we do our daily chores,pack a lunch and then go riding,have lunch. Then we come back for dinner. And then relax. Sometimes soak in the onsen.

• Who is more of a homebody, and who’s the breadwinner?: i dunno if it applies here.

• What do your sleeping arrangements look like? Do you sleep together, or in separate beds?: together. It was separate,till we got together tho. But it was nearby. He just joined our futons together at that point. The bedroom basically joined together for a bigger space.

• Who’s the early riser, and who has trouble getting out of bed? Who falls asleep first?: masato is an early riser usually. I have problems sleeping tho always. Depending on how tired i am.

• Who handles what chores around the house?: we both do.

• Who deals with the spiders/bugs?: we both try to deal with them.

• Who’s the better driver? Do you argue on the road?: he is definitely a better rider. Not always. Depending.

• When you go shopping, who takes the longest? Who’s the worst to shop with?: depending.

• How comfortable are you with sharing? Clothes, personal items, spaces like the bathroom etc.: we are comfy. Well more so after we got together and definitely when we married.

• When you take pictures together, how do you pose? Do you like taking pics together?: i love painting him.

61-70 - SITUATIONS

• If you got into a physical fight, who would win? Would you let them win?: him more likely. But he'd let me win despite my complaints.

• When you upset each other, how do you make up for things?: we do talk about it. Like anyone else?

• Do you take care of each other when you’re sick? Who’s an absolute mess when they’re sick?: yes. We both are.

• How are you when travelling together? It can be in general or to a specific place.: we love traveling and exploring.

• You run into your ex/their ex while you’re out - how do you react?: oof. I hope not. I dont have one here. But oof.

• If either of you got into any serious trouble, would you bail each other out? In what conditions?: yes. Of course.

• Could you start a musical act together? How good are your musical skills?: i hc he actually can play flute.

• What Alternate Universes have you thought of for yourselves? Fantasy, royalty etc.: modern. Since it's in canon its feudal japan

• How would you react if you swapped bodies?: panic than laugh.

• If the world fell into an apocalypse situation, would you stick with each other?: yes? Duh

71-80 - DIFFICULTY

• What’s the longest time you’ve been apart?: a whole month. Oof

• What do you argue over most? How do you resolve things?: probably about my safety. But we usually can resolve this. He has reasonable fears tho.

• What do you find is the most annoying thing about each other?: him hovering,like i can do things. But he wants to help. He likes taking care of me tho. Ugh. I just let him sometimes. My stubbornness tho,he raises a brow at.

• What can you never seem to understand about each other?: honestly we both are understanding. But his past has hurt him so i can understand sometimes why he is the way he is. Oof.

• What’s the worst thing you’ve done for your partner?: honestly im not sure.

• Do you have any insecurities about your relationship?: not really,other than the normal fears. Nothing in particular.

• What would you guys consider cheating?: going behind eithers back? I mean cheating is pretty obvious and fucked up. He'd never do that tho. Ever. He'd rather just leave than that. He finds that abhorrent and no man,nor sensible person would do that to someone they love so why would he a samurai. Ever do that?

• What was a moment that really put your relationship to the test?: when he made amends to his nephew. We had some arguments about it a bit. But it needed to happen. But other than that we've been good.

• If you could change one thing about your partner, what would it be?: nothing. Why would you change someone. They wouldn't be that person you fell for then.

• In relation to your exes, how do you stand against each other? Would you say you’re better than their exes and vice versa?: it doesn't apply here.

81-90 - DIFFERENCES

• Who’s older? What’s the age difference?: well he is older most definitely. But i hc shimura is around maybe late 40s? Im 30 so...yeah.

• Who’s taller? What’s the height difference?: i hc he's taller than me but shorter than kazumasa. Jin and him are the same height roughly,jin is only slightly taller. Not much to tell tho.

• What are your star signs? How compatible does it say you’d be?: well im a leo sun. I hc him to maybe be a very chill aries or leo too. Either that or a Taurus or has earth in his chart somewhere. Maybe some water. Im not sure.

• What is your MBTI? How compatible does it say you’d be?: i dont do mbti cuz it actually said to be kinda problematic and not really good,but im not sure. Plus i dont care for it personally.

• Who’s more introverted/extroverted?: ot can go either way.

• Who gets the most stressed and why?: both

• What are your biggest differences from each other?: besides the obvious. He's more grounded in some areas than me definitely.

• Who’s more romantically experienced?: maybe him?

• Are you guys more overprotective and jealous? Or are you chill with others around your partner(s): we chill....so as long as they stay in their lane.

• If you were in high school together, what cliques would you have been in? Would you have gotten along then?: lol. Dont apply here.

91-100 - RELATIONS

• How do you describe each other to your friends and family for the first time?: well i hc jin is the only living family member shimura has. And he's cool with me. Jin was more shocked on how much "softer" his uncle has gotten. It makes him happy that his uncle is happier now.

• What do your families think about your relationship?: again happy that he's happy.

• What do your friends think about your relationship?: pretty chill with it. Kinda teasing about how I'm with a former jito now.

• Who is most supportive of your relationship?: i feel jin is. But there are actually many who are happy for masato.

• Is there anyone on your partner’s side that you don’t like/get along with, and is there anyone on your side that your partner doesn’t like/get along with?: not really. Everyone has their quirks. There isn't anyone that i dislike. Neither does masato.

• How do you act differently when in the company of people from when you’re alone with your partner(s)?: not much different. Tho we are way more intimate for sure. Especially masato.

• How did you tell people you were going out together?: well it kinda just happened.

• Do you have mutual friends or are your friendship groups separate?: well kinda separate. But my friends kinda became his friends i guess.

• What’s a common misconception about your relationship?: there is many "rumors" but we scoff at them. We know each other. That's all that matters. (Tho there is times where things do get to shimura.)

• Has your romantic relationship affected any other relationships?: eh not really. Maybe. I don't really pay attention to that.

101-110 - FUTURE

• Are you engaged/would you get engaged? Describe/Show a picture of your ring.: (considering that traditional Japanese weddings including samurai. Were different than western weddings. No rings are involved.)

• Are you married/would you get married? Describe/Show the aesthetic of your wedding.: technically yes. And we got married in spring. It was semi traditional. Not a lot of people i knew came. Jin cake but was watching in secret due to him still being wanted. After the wedding and celebration i brought him some food and a thank you gift.

• What does your ideal home look like together?: well we already live at his estate.

• Do you have/want kids? If not, would you have/want pets?: well he does want a family deeply. Eventually we could have children. But for now our cat miki will do.

• If you have/want kids or pets, how would you name them?: well our cat is named miki. But if we had a son we'd name him kentaro,and if a daughter akari or ayame

• If you could give advice to yourselves when you started, what would you say to each other?: that it's ok to start again.

• What do you look forward to the most in the future of this relationship?: peace

• How long do you think you’ll be together? How long do you want to be together?: as long as our lives will let us

• Do you think you’ll continue to self-ship with them for a while?: yeah

• In real life, are they someone you wish would be your partner?: (well irl im taken and i self ship for both fun and to cope)

111 - What does this self-ship mean to you?:

Honestly i love this game series and it's a lot of fun and i love the story and characters. I of course have my own takes and aus but for the most part i have loved this game from start to finish.

[mycartoonmonster]

Stanley loves his family.

He was treated as an unwanted and bad, stupid child by people around him excluiding Carynn, constantly compared with his smarter brother. So he can understand the feeling of being less than your sibling given his talents.

He sees himself in this sweet weird kid (And someone pointed out that Carynn looks like Mabel with her hair down so maybe he does also feel inclined towards her) but has enough self awareness not to project onto her like Ford does with Dipper, even if the similarities are there.

(I love Ford but again Fildbrick turned him into the egocentric man we see later on always looking for approval to the point of making Ford an easy target for manipulation and he played a part in the Stan twins relationship souring that Ford cant let go of a mistake of many years ago and without noticing he projects himself onto Dipper-not unlike Bill did with Ford but also having his nephew's best interests in mind- and tries to live through him by giving him the chance he never got in life; not taking into consideration his life in California, his studies nor his relationship with Mabel nor how she might feel about it too csuse he cant help but view another case of a twin holding the other one down even if unintentionally. Also lets be real Stanley's life is messy but Ford was alone and choosing his studies over his family led him to ruin his friends life and be haunted by a demon)

Both are artists (Lil Stanley and the Mystery Shack's attractions plus some artwors that depict him drawing), both like animals (Stan's relationship with Shanklin the Opossum is a parallel to Mabel's relationship with Waddles not to mention they inmediatly get attached to the mutated cow in the shorts) and often are seen as the dumb one even if they're street smart and more emotionally mature (Despite her selfishness at times, Mabel is very empathic, tries to help others out and do the right thing and apologizes for her mistakes and Stanley has a sense of family loyalty and recognizes when he messed up and tries to make up for it)

He makes sure this little girl doesn't feel like a dissapointment; he indulges her in some of her schemes (as long as they aint too crazy) and even after she loses in minigolf and comforts her with the fear of highschool looming over her future. Constantly using terms of endearment like Pumpkin and Sweetie, not unlike his mom did with him. He even has some of the things she gives him in his room.

Although he does struggle with Dipper, he loves him still and does give him advice when needed and he's not nearly as cruel as his dad was to him with his attempts to toughen him up so he can defend himself against the world which works as seen in his fight with Bill and Gideon Rises and other instances throughout season 2.

He even states he's reminded of him in Dipper in a couple of occasions which could explain why hes so proud of him when he stands up to others even himself included, cause he couldn't do it with his dad nor the bullies in their youth that tormented him and his brother in a definitive way.

He makes sure both him and his sister are loved and that they know.

Stan's not perfect of course, in trying to shield him and protect him form Gravity Falls's weirdness he ends up gaslighting Dipper into thinking hes crazy and that the weirdness and paranormal stuff isn't real which pushes him into doing something dumb and dangerous in his desperation like raising the dead and this is where Stan stops pretending and promises to stop hiding the truth about Gravity Falls but continues hiding the truth about Ford and the portal until the day where the portal is ready and he tries telling them but can't cause its a lot. And after everything hes not mad at Dipper for not trusting him after everything they went through that day.

But despite everything he never raises his hands nor his voice at them; the worst he did was intending to ground Dipper after possibly getting them into trouble with the goverment.

And after Ford comes back, he warns Dipper not to get too close to Ford in order for him to be safe as Ford's work is far too dangerous for him and just wants to keep them safe.

Also he's okay with them spending time with Ford as long as they're okay, since Stan sees Dipper clearly likes Ford. He's just mopey about being alone or the twins liking Ford more cause he's been alone for 40 years.

And in Weirdmageddon he goes against the plan to rescue Ford not cause he doesn't care about Ford (he does and had no idea what Bill was doing to him) but because of his niece and nephew's safety (alongside the surviving creatures and townsfolk) and when the plan goes sour (Ford didn't need to correct his grammar and Stan didn't have to fight him) he's more than willing to basically lay down his identity (his life) to make sure his entire family is safe, even if it meant the possiblity of not coming back to his old self ever again.

Heck he cares so much for them that he wrote "Come back soon" in the "See you next summer" note Dipper was given by Wendy

So yeah its nice to see that in spite of all the trauma Fildbrick made Stan go through (as well as Ford and Shermie), Stanley cant bring himself to have anything but love and affection for his niece and nephew, even if its hard for him to show it.

I love Stan's relationship with the kids so much.

GF emphasizes a lot of very real trauma in Stan's past. Everything from child abuse, homelessness, drug abuse, and survival sex work. And the way that meshes with Mabel being this truly genuine depiction of a weird little girl creates something that is very unique to the series.

It's really touching how Mabel just being Mabel heals Stan's inner child and the way he naturally clicks with her. The weird and creative little boy he used to be, before his father's abuse and toxic masculinity beat that joy and optimism out of him.

It's just damn good. It's a really beautiful depiction of an intergenerational relationship. And I haven’t really seen anything else quite like it. Because there’s also Dipper.

There’s this wall between Stan and Dipper that goes beyond his similarities with Ford and its gender.

Dipper is a boy and Stan clearly doesn’t really know how to handle that. He was taught that boys are raised in a very specific way. And like we see how Stan really struggles with his past, the way he talks about the boxing lessons in particular.

Masculinity is so deeply entwined with Stan's pain and it’s something he can’t easily unravel. How is he supposed to be able to criticize his father for 'toughing him up' when he feels like punching things is one of the only things he’s good at? It's fucking sad.

[mymomisdrunkagain]

Ouch.

For several years in a row, while my niece and nephew were between the ages of like 12 and 20, I had decided it would be best to skip family functions with my dad's side of the family. I've led a rather ... unconventional ... life, and I didn't want any of my past mistakes? choices? lifestyle so in anyway have some sort of negative influence on how niece and nephew grew up.

I may be wildly overestimating my influence over people in my family, but I do remember parts of my life around that age, and I recall being desperate to grab onto even the slightest hint of anything subcultural-- partly as an escape from my own life, and partly as a "fuck you" to my family.

And, now, as I'm trying to reconnect, of course things are strained... I assumed they would be, but I guess part of me was hoping I'd be getting invitations to all the family things again, like I used to. Instead, I just have to kinda show up, or send repeated messages to my dad or sister.

I get that I've probably hurt them by my absence, or whatev. I guess I don't really have any kind of clue about what they thought/think about all my missing time. I'm pretty sure they don't think its anything like the "noble reason" that I stayed away.

At one point, after we'd broken up, I found out that while I was with an ex of mine, he had actually been working at the same restaurant as my niece! I don't know if he knew she was my niece, but I'm stuck on the thought that, if he did know-- well, either way, really ... he could have said or done some pretty damaging things by telling her all kinda shit, real or made up.

Several years ago, I asked my sister if my niece had known him, and my sister said, enthusiastic as ever, that she'd ask my niece and let me know. Time passed... nothing. A year passed... nothing. Years... nothing.

And, finally at my most recent birthday dinner, last October, when it was just my dad, sister, and my niece, at an awkward silence, it dawned on me that I never heard an answer to that! So, I asked my niece and she gave me the weirdest look, looked across the table to my sister, then back to me and said, "Well, yeah! But that was such a long time ago!"

And, I proceeded to say, "yeah, such a small world. we used to date. he actually lived with me for a year or so..." and nothing more was said on the topic.

Now, fast forward ~6 months, and I haven't heard word 1 from any of them. I got a message from dad making sure to invite me to christmas b/c he was concerned my sister didn't invite me.

I went to christmas. it was the standard awkwardness. I bumped into my step mother, and she said, "oh hi! I didn't expect to see you here." and i took that to be just her being a bitch, as usual.

I know my dad has known I'm gay for at least 20 years. I'd assumed my sister knew too, tho I've never directly told her. I know my step-brother has some deeply rooted good ol' boy american racist tendencies that pop out at randomass moments, and so now I'm thinking maybe the disconnect and the resulting total cold shoulder is b/c either my sister _didn't_ actually know, and has a problem with it, or, she had been hiding it from my step-brother, and since i'd brought it up to my niece, maybe she told her dad, and now it's all just gone to shit.

all this just help to mark another few tallies on the "FAMILY SUCKS" side of the Life Experiences board. It's really at the point where there is only one member of my family, my aunt, helping me hang onto the wild concept that "FAMILY IS GOOD." She's an amazing person, in general, and as a family member... well, she's definitely worth holding onto the idea that family is good.

[queenofbaws]

stay with me on this one, but if we’re saying until dawn and the quarry take place in the same universe AND we’re saying jacks related to the hacketts and is now staying with them at the motel to help with the werewolves AND we’re saying the ud kids decide to become councillors to try and get over their collective fear of nature can you IMAGINE the record scratch horrified pause when jack sees them and they see him and they just dont know what to do with themselves

((ash. ash i gotta be real with you. i have no idea if you intended for this to be a legit prompt or not, but the moment i saw it in my inbox i astral projected into another plane of existence and when i woke up i was sitting in front of a word doc with all this, so. i figured i might as well share it.))

definitely more than six sentence sat(or)sunday!!!

If the redhead hadn’t gone and dropped her cup like that, he might’ve thought it was all just a hallucination. The stress-induced dealies that snuck up on you sometimes when you least expected, creeping in slow and sinister-like from the edges until you let your guard down long enough for them to take hold. She might’ve been a floater in his eye, a nervous mistake, an old memory rising up to the top like a body bloating in a lake. But she dropped her cup when she saw him and her face went grey, and she grabbed hold of the one sitting next to her, and when he turned, well...then Jack just knew.

“You have got to be fuckin’ with me,” he said, watching as, one by one, the Blackwood babies drank in the sight of him in like cyanide, choking and coughing and sputtering as they tried to get it down.

“Hey, whoa, hey! Language!” Chris said from beside him – khaki Chris, not-exactly-cousin-nephew Chris. He wished he could’ve said dumbass Chris, but all of a sudden, there were two of those in Hackett’s Quarry, wouldn’t you know.

It was right about that time the rest of the picnic table realized something was amiss, the kiddies sitting opposite the Washingtons’ friends turning round to try and figure out what the fuss was about. He watched the math happening in real-time, the cogs in their cute little heads whirring at breakneck speeds: He’s a mean-looking SOB, sure, said the looks on their faces, But I wouldn’t mess my pants at the sight of him.

Then, surprising perhaps everyone except for Jack, Mr. Action Movie stood up and waved him a tepid salute. “Holy shit,” he called over, “Creepy Grandpa’s back! ‘Sup, Creepy Grandpa?”

Beside him, Chris reeled back like he’d been slapped across the face, whirling to look their way. “Creepy—”

Only Jack beat him to it. “Well, if it ain’t the dumbass who stuck his hand in a loaded bear trap,” he replied, approaching the table and taking careful note of which kiddies did and didn’t flinch the nearer he got. “How’s it going, dumbass?”

“Bear trap?” the girl from the mines spat, the tough cookie with the fancy clothes. She whirled on him like a rattlesnake, her eyes narrowing. “You said you lost your fingers from frost bite, trying to get to Jess.”

“I…” Caught dead to rights, Mr. Action Movie spluttered, “Whose word you gonna take, Em? Huh? Mine or his?!”

From across the table, another girl spoke up. “You…put your hand in a bear trap. For bears.”

“And you willingly make out with Jacob sometimes! We all do things we’re not proud of…”

“A bear trap,” she repeated, and now that he was closer Jack could see her expression was all but identical to the girl from the mines’s, maybe just lacking some of the venom. “The thing used to trap bears.”

He turned away from their little snit and instead turned to the other three he’d had the most cause to deal with that night back in the Pines, the redhead and the blonde and dumbass Chris, all three of them doing their level best not to meet his eye. They seemed to understand what none of the rest of their ragtag little group had grasped yet; that if he was there, something was very, very wrong with Hackett’s Quarry indeed.

Beside them, the Washington boy was all agitated knee-jiggling and prolonged glaring; unlike his buddies, he seemed to want to keep a good bead on him at all times, lest he disappear into the wind…or start whacking at him. “Not big into background checks in these parts, huh Mr. H?” he called, his eyes still on Jack. “I’m gonna go ahead and guess you don’t have the most, like, comfortable relationship with the local police force?”

“Uh,” is what Chris managed to get out. It was probably for the best that that’s how it happened.

“Is this place cursed?” The redhead got it out all in one big breath, a nervous wide-eyed rush that had him, just for a moment, standing back in the great room of a very different lodge, the wind screaming outside the windows as something worse stalked them from the treeline. “If it’s cursed, you have to tell us. You…I remember…they can’t be in the light, right? They can’t be in the light because it hurts their eyes, but you said it only happens after someone eats someone else, and, and…” Her head whipped around, her frantic gaze moving past him and towards Chris, who was by all accounts still just standing there dumb as a deer in headlights. “Do you have a history of cannibalism here?!”

“I…wait, hold on…” Another one of the kids from the other side of the table, the – ugh, he hated even thinking the dumbshit word – Hacketteer side, turned around and looked about the room. “Okay, I gotta hand it to you guys, this is…the weirdest episode of Punk’d I could imagine, but like…props for creativity, I guess.”

“Wait, cannibalism?!” asked another redhead, somehow even tinier than the first. “Like…like people eating other people?”

“That’s usually the definition of cannibalism, yeah.”

“Ryan, c’mon. She’s freaked, man.”

“Why?”

“Okay, know what? No. Nope. Nuh-uh. Not today. Sorry, I know we said we were gonna do this, but just…nope. Nope!” Dumbass Chris stood from his side of the table, taking the Washington boy by one arm and the terrified redhead by the other, the blonde following close behind. “I knew something was weird about this place. I knew it! I told you guys...we told you guys, but nooo, no one believed—”

“Oh my God,” drawled one of the two he’d dragged from the cave-in, the girl who’d been all but naked under a miner’s coat and high school jacket. So far as he could see, she’d recovered from the frostbite better than he would’ve thought. “You just don’t like the outdoors, Chris. And Ashley’s scared of everything. And Josh is…” She rolled her eyes. “Josh.”

The table, both sides of it, seemed to rumble in agreement at that last part.

She gave him a slow, apprehensive finger-wave, the little frostbite queen, her lips turning up in a confused smile. “I really don’t remember you,” she admitted, searching the face of the young man beside her for answers before both of them shrugged. “But I’m pretty sure I can figure out where we all know you from.”

“Creepy. Grandpa,” Action Movie repeated, having resorted to sitting on the hand what was missing fingers, if only so the others couldn’t get a good look at it. “Remember? He pulled a gun on m…oh, right, you guys weren’t there.”

“Yeah, no thanks to you,” muttered the one beside frostbite queen.

“Man, screw you! I tried!”

“Yeah Matt, Mike tried!”

“I…I’m sorry.” From the Hacketteer side of the table, some shaggy-haired kid turned around, giving Jack an uncertain look of his own. “Who are you? And how do you guys…?”

Jack jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “I’m that one’s uncle.”

Doing nothing to help the goddamn situation, Chris finally found his tongue. “No you’re not.”

“I’m sort of his uncle.”

“That’s still not totally right either.”

The Blackwood kids all exchanged a look at that little revelation…the ones that remained, anyway. The Washington boy and his three nervous nellies were already high tailing it out of the lodge and towards…well, Jack couldn’t rightly say. The cabins, maybe. He could imagine they’d want to get out of Dodge as quick as humanly possible.

“You’re a Hackett?” the girl from the mine asked, her eyes zipping between him and Chris, no doubt plumbing for a resemblance that just wasn’t there.

“I’m a Fiddler,” he corrected, and her entire face seemed to curdle.

“Yeah, think I’m gonna stick with Creepy Grandpa,” Action Movie said, trying to keep his tough-guy act going with a smirk and a snicker, but coming across more twitchy than anything else. “Uncle Fiddler just is not good.”

“No one’s arguing you on that, Mike,” said one of the Hacketteers, a girl with a dark bob and inquisitive eyes. “Still doesn’t answer how you guys…know each other…though…”

The girl from the mines set her chin in her hands, fixing Jack with a stare the likes of which almost had him missing the Wendigo. “What is it?” she asked plainly, leaving no room for hemming or hawing. “What’s wrong with this place?”

“There’s…there’s nothing wrong with the camp!” Chris laughed as though it were the most ridiculous idea in the world, standing there beside Jack with one arm slung (unwelcomely) across his shoulders. “Tell ‘em, Uncle Jack. All we got here is sunshine and fresh air and—”

“Werewolves,” Jack said matter-of-factly, watching how very differently the two sides of the table reacted.

The Hacketteers paused, looked at one another…and then began to giggle.

The Blackwood kids, however, well. They paused too, looked at each other too…and then stood from the table as the others had before, not a one of them so much as glancing Chris’s way as they passed by in single file, silent as specters and tired as martyrs.

“Well!” Chris said, dropping the arm from Jack’s shoulders to clap his hands instead. “Who wants lunch?”

[angsty-twihardxx]

Heartbreak Led Me Back to You | E.M

Chapter 5 | When It Rains It Pours

Prologue | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 6 |

Pairing: Eddie Munson x fem!reader

Summary | You and Eddie were childhood friends, best friends even. When your life changes drastically you run away from Hawkins, leaving Eddie and Wayne without a goodbye. But when things go wrong she has no choice but to go back, a second chance for the two to finally admit their feelings.

Warnings | (18+) Adult Themes that some may find upsetting, mentions of abuse, alcohol/drug abuse, slurs directed at reader(f), swearing, angst, sexual references and eventual smut. Pls let me know if I missed anything x

A/N | Sorry it’s definitely been a while, I’m busy taking care of tiny humans,  and also working on an Eddie x Hopper! Reader fic ;) sorry if it’s rushed in advanced

Likes and reblogs are highly welcomed:) x

Taglist | @haylaansmi​, @aedicn​, @kimmi-kat​, @lil-quinnie​  (if you would like to be added to the series taglist lemme know x)

You should’ve suspected that today was going to be a bad one. From the moment your alarm clock stopped working, letting you sleep in for over thirty minutes. “Shit!” You exclaimed, jumping out of bed, getting Chris up and ready and out the door to the Munson’s trailer. 

“Y’alright?” Wayne questioned as he raised a confused eyebrow at his nephew, the both of them watching you fret over Christopher. Evaluating the current whirlwind that was you, merely a blur as you moved in a blur.

Sure, you had run late numerous times, this isn’t the first time you’ve bursted into their dwelling. You looked exhausted, most likely from the industrious work day you endured just yesterday. Not even giving yourself a day's break, needing to keep busy in order to be distracted from your ‘husband’.

“No time to talk– late.” Hastily you said your goodbyes, but not before stealing a piece of Wayne’s toast and running out the door before he could chide you into taking a break, to relax.

“That girl doesn’t know how to slow down does she?”

It was even better when you managed to get stuck at every. red. light. And to top it off, you couldn’t find a single park that wasn’t at least two blocks away. It really felt like the world was out to get you. Treading on the cement walk path you felt erratic, at the edge of a nervous breakdown. Maybe an intervention was what you needed. Just one more thing going wrong till you snapped.

The first half of your shift went slowly, any other day it would be a blessing. But no–you swore at yourself for complaining that it wasn’t fast enough, like an idiot. You seriously couldn’t enjoy the peace and quiet.

You realised you made a mistake when you got paged over to the ER. Then like a total shift in mood, it was so busy you didn’t even have enough time to gather your thoughts. Maybe this was just what you needed.

And of course it got worse. A part of you seriously wanted to be done with it all, to go home and snuggle on the sofa with your son and pretend that your life totally wasn’t falling apart. “Y/N? There's a phone call for you.” Amanda, today's receptionist called out to you as you were taking down patient notes. Worry flashed over your face, your brain began coming up with every worst scenario. The only person that would call you at work was Wayne, if there was something wrong with Chris. “Hello?” Your worried voice almost passed off as harsh, not that you really felt bad, with the day you’ve been having you couldn’t really care less. “Y/N? It’s Howard, we spoke on the phone yesterday?” 

Oh that's right, your lawyer, a Hawkins local who was very close friends with your parents. Someone that would help you just from the sheer fact that he considered you family. “Oh Howard! Yes sorry, I completely forgot. Is everything alright?”

“Well, that’s actually what I’m calling you about. I think it’ll be good for us to meet up as soon as possible. I was wondering if this afternoon would work for you?” 

“I mean, I finish in a couple of hours. Can it wait till tomorrow?” You tried to hide your agitation but you really didn’t have the time for this. “I know it’s inconvenient.” You scoffed lightly– yeah no sight. “But Michael is really trying to push this through. I thought you might also want to get this over and done with.” You realised he was right, if Michael wanted this so bad you might as well give in. The less arguing was better for your son. “Yeah okay, I can swing by after work.”

“Thank you Y/N, look how about we meet at the diner, it's more of a relaxing setting.” 

. . . 

You couldn’t actually believe this was happening, you were walking to go and sign your divorce papers. Michael didn’t even have the guts to come to you himself. He was the one that kicked you out and yet he’s the one that’s hiding away from you– pathetic. 

The door chimed as you walked into the diner, Howard was already sitting and waiting for you. He smiled an awful lot for someone who is handing you a piece of paper to end your marriage. “Did you want to order anything before we get started?” He asked over a plate of fries that were placed in front of him. “No, I’d rather get this over and done with honestly.” You replied uninterested, the man before you swallowing the fries in his mouth, dusting his hands awkwardly.

Noticing the heavy tension, Howard sighed as he retrieved the paperwork he had stacked neatly away in his briefcase. “If you want to keep this over the weekend to go over everything feel free, but please try and bring it to my office by the end of the week. He’s really been up our asses trying to get this all approved.” Howard adjusted his neck tie as he spoke, it didn’t surprise you– he was always impatient.

“It won’t kill him to wait for once.” You muttered, mindlessly going over the many pages, one in particular. It was hidden right near the end, a highlighted list, conditions. “Do you understand what this means?” Howard asked as he watched you gaze at the words in front of you. It seemed like all the words were in another language, you didn’t speak lawyer. “It means that you will have complete custody of Christopher.” He chose his words carefully, slowly. “I’m pretty sure I already do.”

“But you will be his sole guardian.”

‘Sole guardian,’ as in his only one, as in not Michael. 

“So what you’re telling me, he wants nothing to do with his own son.” Your voice was slow, precise. Feeling your stress being overtaken with anger. No– you weren’t going to let him hurt Chris like this. “These are his terms he had agreed too” 

“And if I say no?” 

“Look Y/N, I understand your upset but I recommend that you agree–” 

“No– Look Howard, you can tell Michaels lawyer or whoever that if he wants me to sign these, to grow some balls and see his son. Those are my conditions.”

. . .

Eddie sat comfortably on the sofa inside your trailer, a ritual for him when he watched Christopher for you. He never minded doing these things for you, he always did extra things like this– just so he could see that smile on your face. A part of him wanted the rest of his life to be like this, you, him, Chris and Wayne– their perfectly imperfect family. 

Yet tonight he found himself watching over the clock, and worrying about you– you weren’t here yet. You would always call him and tell him if minded staying and watching Chris for a little longer, and he always accepted. If it weren’t for Christopher telling him how he tired he was, Eddie would probably be alright, he totally felt out of his league. 

“What’d’ya need buddy?” Eddie croaked, kneeling down towards the small child before him who tiredly rubbed his eyes. “M’tired Eddie.”

“Yeah, okay–uh how does your mum usually put you to bed? Brush your teeth then bed?” Eddie let out a breath he was holding when Chris nodded, his small lips pushed together in a pout. Eddie thanked whatever gods for the few times you would briefly get Chris ready for bed when he was there for dinner.

“C’mon bud, let’s  get you to bed, yeah?” 

“Is mummy going to do it?”

“Uh, not tonight buddy, but she’ll be home soon. I’ll tell her to tuck you in when she does, alright?” Chris nodded sleepily, happy with his answer. He let out a tired yawn as he finished in the bathroom, holding his arms out for Eddie to pick him up off the counter– simply too tired to walk. 

. . .

Bright headlights shone into the glass window of your trailer, where Eddie laid awake on your sofa, the tv dribbling a bright white light over his slumped figure. He lifted his head off the pillow, waiting to see your figure walk through the door. When he heard the car turn off but no footsteps he sat up properly, maybe you were waiting for him to barge out and scream at you for being late, from what you had told him anyway it sounded like a recurring theme. 

He waited a few more minutes for you patiently, maybe you just needed a minute, work has been busier than usual. And you did seem really rushed this morning. Okay, maybe more than a minute, had you fallen asleep in your car?

With a groan he reached up to his feet, giving himself a moment to adjust to being vertical. As his feet hit the wooden planks that was your patio, his eyes squinted as he looked for your silhouette. When he didn’t he frowned with concern, making his way to your car. 

When he got closer he still couldn’t see you, but he could hear you. The muffled sound of sob coming from the back seat, “Y/N? Oh sweetheart.” He sighed deplorably, taking in the sight of you. Your small frame crawled into your chest as you hugged your knees, sobbing into your lap. Your face leaned into the crease of the seat, your back to Eddie who leaned into the car.  His saucer eyes took in how defeated you looked, he wished he could make everything better. “Come on, let's get you inside sweetheart.” He patter your thigh, using his other hand to beckon you out with him.

With a sniff and a quick wipe of your tears you joined him, not yet ready to say anything about the horrible day you’ve had. You wanted to just enjoy being next to him. Eddie, being the perfect gentleman that he is, opened the door for you. Bowing and extending his arm for you, a small huff of air fell from you, Eddie could swear that he just made you laugh– but you weren’t going to let his ego get to his head. 

“You go lay down, y’want some water?” Eddie asked softly, taking another step towards you lifting his larger hand to gently tuck a strand of your hair behind your ear. You took a deep breath, taking in the familiar smell that was Eddie. The faint smell of cigarettes lingered behind what was unrecognisably your son's strawberry scented toothpaste. You chuckled at the thought of Eddie helping your son brush his teeth. “Sorry I was late, that you had to put Chris to bed on your own.”

“Stop apologising! We had a wonderful time, even when Chris managed to get his toothpaste in my hair.” Eddie chortled as he placed his hands on your shoulder, guiding you slowly through the hallway towards your room. Knowing you, you’d probably stay up all night being upset, a habit of yours since you were a kid. “But I’m his mum, it should be me doing it.” You sighed as you fell onto the edge of the bed, watching Eddie as he did a quick take of your room. He hadn’t been in before, no reason until now to go in. It was– plain, it wasn’t loud with colour like your sons, devoid of any personality. “Hey, that doesn’t mean you have to do everything on your own, you’ve got me and Wayne.” Eddie quickly moved to sit beside you, his words came from a warm place, you knew that.

Though you couldn’t help the sad feeling coming back again, because you were going to be on your own. Even if you didn’t always get along you at least had Michael, he was at least there for Chris, but now he was leaving the both of you for good. Eddie and Wayne meant well but it was different, you couldn’t expect them to do everything. It just wasn’t the same. And here comes the tears again.

“You don’t get it, I am on my own, I always have been. My own parent’s left me and now my husband is leaving me!” You sobbed into your own, not caring how silly you looked. 

But Eddie never thought you looked silly, ever. Instead he held onto you tightly, bringing you into his chest. “C’mon, why don’t you tell me what’s going on love?” His voice was soft, contrasting his usual brass voice, his hand rubbing comforting circles on your back. “Michael filed for the divorce, which is fine- he’s an asshole. But he wants nothing to do with Chris, like absolutely nothing.” You cried into Eddie’s shirt, a damp patch developing on his shoulder. For a moment, Eddie didn’t know what to say to you that would make you feel better. “Shit, Y/N I’m so sorry.” 

There was a beat of silence for a moment, the two of you just holding yourself close to one another. “But uh- you know that I’m always going to be here, no matter what.” 

“Eddie, could you stay here with me tonight? I don’t want to be on my own.” 

In that moment, all Eddie saw was you when you would tap on his window late at night in the pouring rain. When it seemed that the world was against you, you could always come to Eddie without judgement. He would without a doubt always capture you in his warmth, the safety that was always Eddie. 

“Of course.”

. . .

You didn’t have the strength to endure a warm shower, you knew that tomorrow morning it would be all the more rewarding to feel the scalding water on your skin. You did at least change into your pajamas though, retreating to the privacy of your bathroom to change. 

Eddie then slid into the bed beside you as you returned, your bodies were inches from one another, but not touching. You could still feel the heat radiating from his body, you wanted nothing more than to touch him, have him touch you all over. 

Instead you rolled over to face him, the moonlight casts a white glow over his cheekbones that bunched together into a smile. The two of you looked into one another, waiting to see what would happen next, no one daring to make a move. “It’s been a while since we’ve done this, hey.” You joked making Eddie chuckle, his movement made your arms graze on another. Your arm burning at his touch, you craved his contact.

 Eddie must’ve known this, reaching his arm out over your shoulder and pulling you into his chest. His lips finding its way to the top of your hair. “Eddie,” you reprimanded, “I probably smell like a hospital.” You whined into his chest, hearing him take a deep inhale pressing his nose into your hair, making you laugh. “No you don’t, you smell like Y/N.” 

“Oh and what do I smell like?” You dared him to answer, raising your head out of his chest to look at him. “Well, you uh smell like–” He dragged out, taking another whiff. “Hmm, I’m getting a hint of watermelon?” 

“That would be my shampoo Eddie.” You giggled into him again, just enjoying this. The two of you are tangled in Eddie's arms, totally just enjoying being next to one another. Eddie let out an astonished ‘ah’, like you had just given him an important piece of information. 

The two of you laid together silent, for the short moment you saw his lips under the small light and wandered what it would be like to have them on yours.

“Hey Eds, what do you think you would do if I kissed you right now?” Your question took him by surprise, freezing him in his spot. Hell, you even surprised yourself. He hoped that you wouldn’t hear how fast his heart rate accelerated. “I uh- we ah– why do you ask?” He stuttered, you had completely taken him aback. Suddenly feeling embarrassed you tried to take it back, “You can say no Eddie, y’know if you don’t want t–” 

“No, I–I want too, trust me. It’s just your feeling alot of emotions right now, I don’t want you to regret it later is all.” 

“I’ve wanted to for years, I think I’ll regret more if I have you here with me and don’t kiss you.” You spoke truthfully, your face still pushed against Eddie's chest, your eyes watching for his reaction carefully. Just waiting to see how he would react, the smile that grew on his cheeks settled your panicking heart. “So this was all a huge scheme to get me in your bed? Wow Y/N, I can’t say I would expect this from you.” He feigned offence as he gently pushed you away from his embrace, making you let out a shriek. “Okay, you know what?”

You grasped his cheeks in your hands and pulled his lips onto yours. Kissing him was everything you had always thought it would be, messy, hungrily. He leaned forward, deepening the kiss.

He answered your question by wrapping a strong arm around your waist, lifting up against him. You snake your arms around his neck, about to pull yourself on his lap when you feel his hands gripping yours. Eddie gently pulled away from you, a quiet sigh escaping from your agape mouth. “Hey, as much as I enjoyed that,” He threw a playful smile your way, minimising the embarrassment. “Let’s just take it easy tonight, yeah? I just want to enjoy having you close to me. Also you're still technically married.” He threw a gentle chuckle your way, letting you know– this is okay. 

You nodded, contempt with yourself as you scooted back facing him, allowing Eddie to wrap his arms around your middle. His head now tucked into the crook of your neck, god you’ve waited so long for this. 

“Night Eddie.”

“Goodnight Y/N.”

[beautiful-morningstar]

The king of the earth knew that he'd thrown the beautiful queen for a loop, they had never once said aloud how they felt, but they knew how they felt about one another all the same. After all, no one simply offers themselves up to another, as prideful as Via - without an emotional connection somewhere. They'd had many years with one another, many years of relying on one another for comfort and patience, when the fucked up ugly world tried to break them far further than most.

They both had very ugly sides to them after all, ones that they weren't exactly comfortable sharing with anyone else, but from the very beginning he'd always been the first to extend his hand to the fiery blonde who'd at first insisted: he was fine and didn't need him. That hadn't lasted long, he remembered fondly all the times he'd sneak in to his playmate's room as a child, and annoy him with his persistence. They'd end up cuddled together for the majority of the night, before Izzy would wake early enough, to kiss his friend's cheek and slip out before he got caught.

There were many memories that he held dear, he gave the blonde time to recover from being thrown off kilter, and then of course came his response. A beautiful threat that if these precious words were ever questioned or forgotten, he'd make him suffer for it, and even though anyone else would have probably shuddered -- he was flattered. Via's threats weren't just idle, they were promises, and he'd always keep them. He chuckled at each bit of affection mixed with sinful, awful promises that just earned his full attention.

"How could I possibly forget?" Strong hands start smoothly running down the prince's sides, allowing him to move freely, but his touches were surprisingly loving as he let him half playfully bitch at him some more. He loved this man. He really did. However, there was definitely something that kept pricking at his mind, and how could he possibly refuse sharing? After all, the thought was growing more and more appealing as the minutes ticked on. "Hey Via~?" When the prince looked to him, he gave an awnry yet sinful grin. "My nephew and sister-in-law are leaving for the holiday...maybe we should go tell Mukani in person that his brother isn't up for grabs?"

A thought that definitely earned his own spiteful glee, he couldn't stand the fact that that man thought he knew best, and he definitely wouldn't mind being extra loud if his brother made the stupid mistake of allowing them to stay. "He wouldn't be sleeping, that's for sure." He then playfully reached down and tugged at his tight jeans, eyeing the blonde who still sat upon him, "You wanna take 'em off or should I give you a show?"

He was quite pleased with the frustrated reaction he earned. To see the proud lion trapped beneath him was more than enough. Oh how he loved the thrill. Would it last? No, not at the least. He couldn't recall a single time where he’d managed to overpower this brat but the battles they had were fun regardless. He loved the back and forth, the looks of shock, the growls of ire, he loved the tension, the way fire built from their stubborn determination to overtake one another. To watch this man squirm beneath him was hot in its own right. Oh, he could think of so many things he wanted to do to Iziryia right now. 

But as quick as those thoughts behind, they were snapped short by vines breaking and bursting away and strong arms snatching him. “Kha-!” He’d been so distracted, he’d had no time to react. As he was pinned back against the strong and sturdy chest of the lion, he found himself stunned for half a second. However, the moment his senses returned and those claws peeled at the last bits of fabric on him, he found himself whining to the sudden movements. “Now listen here you, I just started to get into it-~!” He knew the beast didn’t care - it was all just a game to them both, the whining, the complaining, the quips and struggle back and forth, it was par for the course. Some part of him was sure Iziryia even enjoyed making him whine like this.

But… he listened- his trousers were at the very least safe. And he found he couldn’t really care much for his stolen freedom as that deep voice growled against his neck. He shivered from top to bottom at the way his voice vibrated down his spine. Oh that was nice… - then came sweet little kisses back and forth, grazes of fangs, knicks of claws drawing along his back. For a moment… he was torn. The warmth and pinpricks of fire his touch left were nice… the compliment however - paired with where he was… Playing with that nasty, ugly mural that branded his heritage onto his skin… How anyone found that gorgeous was beyond him. However… because of who it was holding him - he could accept those words a little better. After all… they were the same, now weren’t they?

“...~ Of course I am…~ I have to give you something nice to look at when I tie you down and don’t think that’s over either♪” His voice didn’t lose a hint of the fire in it. Though, yes… the sweet kisses and kind words might have mellowed him for half a second, he clung to that stubborn, proud soul of his. And once he was plucked to face the beast that held him, he found himself drowning in beautiful pools of amethyst. Then, the kiss… 

He was more than compliant, more than happy to greedily drink from the oceans of affection he offered. With a pleasant hum, his arms draped around the man that held him, tightly clutched around his shoulders as he pressed into the firm body he settled atop. His lips meshed well with the lion’s, but something was different. Gone was the playful fire and aggressive nature - there was something more here. The slow drag of their bodies together, the careful way their lips pressed and moved into each other - the emotion and untold words dripping and feeding between every deepening kiss they shared was… well maybe not so much new, but not as expected nor common to him. He adored anything he got from this chaotic creature - but he was thrown back by the shift in tune in their play.

Then, their lovely passionate exchange had broken with a sweet utterance against his ear - like a taboo spell, forbidden words that had never been exchanged before. It was like cold water washing over him all at once and fire thrumming in his chest at the same time. Had they ever exchanged sentiments like this? It wasn’t as if he didn’t know… it wasn’t so strange, like the world’s worst kept secret. Of course he loved Iziryia! And he never doubted that he was loved in return! So… why did hearing the words themselves bring such a … change?

“...” There he rest, chin on his lover’s shoulder, staring with a strange, dazed gaze to the walls of the gymnasium. With a faraway look, he simply bathed in the words he was told, studying them, the tone they were ushered, like a delicate secret only for him… He wasn’t sure what to think at first. His arms instinctively wrapped good and tight around his partner, he’d buried himself against his shoulder and let himself relish in the warmth of the moment. “... You just had to find a new creative way to get the better of me mn~?” Though his quip was playful in nature, it lacked the combative spirit it had earlier.

“... “ His voice was softer, much like the very same whisper ushered against him, in the same, quiet, secretive, special way. “I love you too.” He needed a moment to gather himself from that, but the moment his nerves were settled, he sat back, took his partner’s face in his hands and stared him down with a reignited blaze. “And if you ever doubt that~ I’ll be sure you spend every waking moment of your life regretting that while I etch it into every fiber of your being, you got that?”

He’d pressed a kiss to his lover’s lips first. “I’ll draw it in your skin with ink and fire.” Then a kiss to his neck. “I’ll stain you from the inside out and completely override your scent with mine.” A nip to his shoulder. “I’ll break your mind so I’m the only thing you ever know.” And down to his chest, a loving kiss above his heart, a playful nip against his skin, a drag of his nails along his chest. “And I’ll twist your heart until it bleeds for only me - until mine and yours are so tightly threaded together, not a single creature will have a second guess on their mind.”

[robininthelabyrinth]

I am *endlessly* curious about how Wei Wuxian ended up at the Cloud Recess, and very satisfied my internal suspicion that the Lan and the Jiang were busy rebuilding their power/plotting a coup was right. Though I'm now curious about their reaction to 'Meng Yao is being kept around, and as Empress at that'.

spontaneous fic extra for Good Help - ao3 link

-

Good news! one of Nie Huaisang’s letters started, which was never good news. My brother has finally become gainfully employed! He will no longer be a burden on society, a good-for-nothing that does nothing but idle his days away, bringing shame upon our family name.

Wei Wuxian blinked down at the letter. “Jiang Cheng,” he said. “Did I manage to hit my head and wake up in a world where Nie Mingjue is not the Empress?”

“No,” Jiang Cheng said, looking bored. He was officially there on Jin sect business, though everyone politely pretended that he wasn’t very clearly there to see Wei Wuxian or, for those not in the know, sent by his husband, who had virtually no cutsleeve tendencies at all, to get him somewhere that wasn’t Lanling. It was an excuse they used rather a lot to get Jiang Cheng to where he needed to be. “He’s definitely still the Empress. Keep reading.”

Wei Wuxian kept reading.

“You have got to be kidding me,” he said a second later. “Someone mistook him for a guard? How?!”

“I mean, it’s not as ridiculous as you might think. No one’s seen him in years,” Jiang Cheng said, finally breaking his mask of boredom in favor of a grin. “He’s always behind all those veils – I’m pretty sure his fashion sense as Empress is ‘how much can I look like the curtain I’m trying to hide behind’.”

“But he’s so –” Wei Wuxian moved his hands around in an attempt to encompass very broad shoulders, a narrow waist, muscles, and also height. “Notable!”

“It’s been a while since you’ve been to court, hasn’t it? He’s always up on that platform far away from everyone else – you know how Wen Ruohan likes to look down on everyone – and everything around him has been resized for him; he looks more proportional that way. And if you didn’t know, and there’s no reason that this Meng Yao fellow would know…”

“Still!”

“No, really, it’s not that strange! You know how Wen Ruohan’s guards of the inner hall are dressed, all fancy Wen sect robes, and that’s all Nie Mingjue has other than his Empress get-up, which obviously isn’t appropriate for when he wants to go outside to train Baxia. He would’ve been wearing the right clothes and walking in the right place, and he is what you’d expect a guard to look like…if you bumped into him at random, as happened here, it’s a reasonable mistake to make.”

“He hired him as his secretary,” Wei Wuxian marveled. “Just – wow. Wow. Mingjue-xiong is going to break him in half, the first time he tries anything.”

“Maybe,” Jiang Cheng said. “Maybe not.”

-

Someone needs to go assassinate this Meng Yao person right away, Nie Huaisang’s next letter – nominally addressed to Lan Wangji this time – said. I think my brother might actually like him. A upstart Jin bastard that worked his way up through the Fire Palace – do you think all these years with Wen Ruohan has rotted da-ge’s sense of taste?

“He doesn’t actually mean that we should assassinate him,” Wei Wuxian told Lan Wangji, who nodded in agreement. “We still need the viceroy to remain in his place as the target. He’s just being dramatic.”

If Nie Huaisang actually wanted Wei Wuxian to assassinate someone, he had other ways of asking.

That was a fair portion of what Wei Wuxian did these days, actually, other than work on his ideas for demonic cultivation and warm Lan Wangji’s bed. Ironically enough, of the three, the last was his actual job: after Wen Chao had his golden core destroyed as punishment for having dared fight back when the Wen sect invaded the Lotus Pier – a temper tantrum at not being allowed to do the same to Jiang Cheng, Wei Wuxian suspected, since Wen Ruohan had even then already planned to sell the heirs of the Jiang sect to the highest bidder – Lan Wangji had, after quietly rescuing him at Jiang Cheng’s frantic instigation and with Nie Huaisang’s connivance, announced that he was keeping him as a personal pet.  

Wen Ruohan had been pressuring the Lan sect to adopt some vices, simply because he knew it would make them uncomfortable – Lan Qiren had been a particular target – and he’d been satisfied by the notion of one of Lan Qiren’s precious nephews, the Jades of Lan, deciding to keep a whore, even if he’d insisted on having Wei Wuxian inspected to make sure he’d been thoroughly used.

(Proving it had not been a hardship, not when Wei Wuxian had a lover as thorough and tireless as Lan Wangji. Joke’s on you, Wen Ruohan!)

Still, even as Wei Wuxian did (in his opinion) some of his best work on his back and puzzled his way through demonic cultivation as the only possible route for him now – Lan Qiren helped him with some of the musical cultivation bits, and also in arguing to the Lan sect elders that some type of cultivation was better than nothing, and anyway there was a limit to how much trouble he could cause while under close supervision – he had also started up a sideline in taking out their political enemies on account of being the one of them that people would least suspect. No one even remembered his name anymore!

“Maybe we should go to court and check him out,” Wei Wuxian added thoughtfully. “See what he’s like, make sure he’s not leading Nie Mingjue down the wrong path, that sort of thing.”

They could pass along some of Nie Huaisang’s messages, too.

There was that whole coup they were planning, even if it was far less interesting than Nie Mingjue actually making a friend for the first time in over a decade…

“Mm,” Lan Wangji agreed. “Wei Ying has good judgment.”

“I do! If he’s nice – though there’s no chance he’ll be nice, he’s from the Fire Palace – I’ll tell Nie Huaisang that I approve,” Wei Wuxian decided. “If he’s awful, I’ll send a ghost to haunt him until he can’t sleep. If he’s a little awful but seems salvageable, I’ll…I don’t know…I’ll set some dogs on him!”

Lan Wangji’s eyebrows went up.

“You’ll set some dogs on him!”

The eyebrows went down.

“Rude, Lan Zhan. Very rude.”

-

“So having now seen Meng Yao and my da-ge interact with my own two eyes, I’ve decided that they’re going to get married,” Nie Huaisang announced.

“Is that wise?” Wei Wuxian asked, even though he actually thought Meng Yao was pretty cool. He was so good at being nice to people that he disliked, so incredibly efficient, so thoughtful, and best of all only very rarely followed up on the occasional murder-eyes he liked to shoot people when he thought no one was looking; it had actually been the fact that he and Lan Wangji had both vouched for him that had convinced Nie Huaisang to change his plans to account for his brother’s preferences. “Making him the Empress? He’ll be bossing your brother around in no time.”

“He’s already bossing my brother around, and that’s the way my brother likes it,” Nie Huaisang said. “Making Meng Yao the mother of the Empire – above ten thousand, below one – is the ideal way to sate his hunger for power in a way that makes him feel confident that he won’t be so easily replaced the way a viceroy or prime minister would be, and therefore unlikely to betray us. Also, it will make Jin Guangshan have an aneurysm, and that will be hilarious.”

“I like that,” Jiang Cheng said. “Also, didn’t we agree that you were going to be the prime minister?”

“No,” Nie Huaisang said patiently. “You are going to be prime minster, and I’m going to be your empty-headed but pretty former Imperial Consort wife.”

“I’m pretty sure ‘former Imperial Consort’ isn’t usually a thing.”

“Yes, well, it’s a coup, we make the rules. It’d be such a shame not to use this nice bureaucracy that Wen Ruohan set up for us…Wei-xiong, what about you?”

“What about me? I’m very happy as Lan Zhan’s whore.”

Jiang Cheng tried to hit him, but Wei Wuxian dodged, cackling. “Maybe I’ll start spending his money on fancy clothing and living it up now that I’m his official mistress,” he said. “I have Wang Lingjiao’s example to look up to, don’t I..?”

“I would like to marry Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji opined, and Wei Wuxian suddenly felt all gooey inside.

“I meant what will we do with him in the government,” Nie Huaisang said, long-suffering. “You’re all useless – though not as useless as me, of course.”

Jiang Cheng pressed a kiss to his cheek. “No one’s as useless as you, my little good-for-nothing.”

“And don’t any of you forget it!” Nie Huasiang exclaimed, then elbowed Jiang Cheng in the ribs. “Don’t touch me, you married man. Get a proper divorce before you try making your way into my bed; what sort of girl do you think I am?”

“You can’t be serious!” Jiang Cheng spluttered. “Jin Zixuan is drawing up the papers right now –”

“I feel like I deserve a proper wedding, don’t you?” Nie Huaisang asked Wei Wuxian, who started laughing. “I didn’t get a proper one the last time around –”

“We’ve been sleeping together for years!”

“We were having a thrilling affair under the nose of an evil tyrannical dictator. Who’s to say that the spark’s still there?”

“Oh you want spark,” Jiang Cheng said. “I’ll give you spark –”

[ray-ray-writings]

Oh Boy!-BadBoyHalo

One of you lovelies requested a part two to Oh Baby! So here you go! I hope I do it justice and that you enjoy! 

This is a BadBoyHalo x gn!reader. Again this is pretty heavily fem but I know there are people that do get pregnant that do not identify as a woman, and for that reason this is gender neutral. Also, COVID-19? We don’t know her in this fic. 

How Darryl and Y/N tell their families, friends, and fans that they’re expecting. 

Y/N’s POV

After Darryl and I celebrated our good news, we decided it would be best to make a doctor’s appointment to check how far along I was and make sure everything was alright in my uterus. The doctor determined I was 6-7 weeks along and everything was going fine. Darryl and I once again celebrated by ordering food from one of our favorite places. 

“When do you think we can tell  people?” Darryl asked excitedly, picking at his food. I chuckled as I swallowed the food in my mouth before answering, “Well I definitely want to make sure that I get out of the first trimester before we tell anyone. I just want to be extra careful incase things go wrong,” I explained softly, a hand falling to rest on my stomach. Darryl nodded understandingly, “That makes total sense and I agree.” “Maybe when I hit 14 weeks we can tell our parents. And then maybe you could even invite the boys down at around 16 weeks and we can tell them in person,” I stated, shoving another forkful of food in my mouth. 

Darryl let out a small gasp, “You’d let the boys come over and stay with us?” I giggled and nodded, “Of course! They’re some of your best friends and the most important people in your life. You know, we could even have our gender reveal party while they’re here! We could record some of it and upload it somewhere and announce it to your fans, if that’s something you want to do!” I stated excitedly, my mind already racing with ideas. A soft smile fell on Darryl’s lips. He quickly leaned forward and pressed a small kiss to my lips. “That sounds perfect baby. I’ll talk to them about it tomorrow!” He exclaimed giddily. “Sounds good!” 

*Time skip. Many weeks later*

Keeping the secret was really hard for the two of us. But somehow Darryl and I managed. We did have a few close calls. A few slips of the tongue that caused raised eyebrows and hushed whispers, but we always managed to recover from the small mistakes. 

I was so excited to finally be out of the first trimester. Darryl and I planned a dinner for both of our parents. We invited them over under the pretense that we simply wanted to see them and catch up. The four didn’t seem to bat an eye. They came over and enjoyed a really nice meal with a very sweet dessert. After we finished our plates, I offered to brew some coffee for our parents. When everyone agreed, I immediately made my way into the kitchen, Darryl following close behind me. We had to keep our giggles quiet as we poured coffee into the four new mugs we had purchased. 

Yesterday, Darryl and I went out and bought four new mugs. But not just any four mugs. On each of the four mugs, the phrase, “Grandparent. Established: 2021” was written. Bad and I thought this was the best and funniest way to announce it to them, as well as giving each a cute little gift. 

Darryl and I quickly carried the mugs back into the dining room, making sure to cover the labels of the mugs so no one would see before they all were revealed. The mugs were removed from our hands and the four began sipping on their hot drinks. Darryl and I watched with glee as their eyes got wide as they caught sight of the writing on the mugs. All heads snapped to us as we began to giggle at their reaction. “Are you serious?” Darryl’s mom squealed. I simply turned to the side to show off my small baby bump causing the four to gasp in surprise. “Surprise!” The two of us exclaimed together. The four parents stood up and rushed over, wrapping their arms around us in a tight hug. Happy tears fell from everyone’s eyes as we basked in the announcement. The rest of the night was spent sitting around the table talking and laughing. It was an amazing night for everyone. 

*Time skip. Two weeks later*

Today was the day! The boys would be here any moment! Darryl had left early in the morning to pick the boys, Dream, Sapnap, and George, up from the airport. I would have gone with him, but I felt a little too ill. The morning sickness had died down a bit ever since I left the first trimester, but there were definitely days I still felt sick to my stomach. That being said, it did give me enough time to cook up a big breakfast for everyone to enjoy. They had said in the group chat that no one really had time to eat. 

It was perfect timing because as I finished the last pancake, the door swung open. “Honey! We’re home!” Four voices teasingly called from the front door. I quickly turned off the stove and rushed to the door. “BOYS!” I exclaimed in excitement, wrapping my arms around all three in a big hug. “Y/N!” They cheered back, immediately returning the hug. “You’re just in time! I just finished breakfast, come, come!” I babbled, grabbing someone’s hand and pulling them with me. 

The four boys followed me into the kitchen and quickly gaped at the sight. “You didn’t have to do all of this” Darryl whispered, moving forward and pressing a kiss to my cheek. I smiled and shrugged, “I wanted to.” Clay, Nick, and George quickly grabbed plates and piled theirs high of the breakfast foods. “Plus, it makes our announcement a little smoother” I murmured to Darryl as the two of us followed behind the three. 

Once all plates were piled, we moved to the dining room and began eating. We talked and laughed as we caught up with one another, discussing how their flights and things like that. Our discussion was interrupted by a loud beeping from the oven, causing us to jump. 

“Oh gosh! I have a bun in the oven!” I exclaimed standing up and rushing to the kitchen to turn off the stove timer. As I approached the dining room once more, I could hear the boys laughing and when I appeared, they began teasing me. “You’re so forgetful Y/N,” Clay teased, taking a bite of pancake. “Yeah how could you forget your oven’s on?” George also poked, taking a sip of his juice. “Hey, don’t be mean to Y/N! I’ve left buns in the oven before.” Darryl defended, giving me a slight wink. “Oh I remember that!” I exclaimed, “We’re still dealing with that today… And then for the rest of our lives as well.” The three boys fell silent at my statement. Confusion fell onto each of their faces, “What? What does that mean?” Nick questioned. I couldn’t help the grin that covered my face as I rested my hand on my stomach and turned sideways. 

An audible gasp left the three boy’s lips. “No way!” Clay uttered, “No way!” “Way!” I responded, turning to face forward and walk to my chair. “We’re going to be uncles?” Nick questioned softly. Tears pricked in my eyes at the question, but I nodded excitedly. “Yeah, you’re going to be uncles.” The sound of chairs scraping against the floor greeted me before three bodies slammed into me, hugging me tightly. I giggled as I attempted to wrap my arms around everyone to hug them back. Darryl’s chair scraped against the floor and soon his arms wrapped around us as well. 

We stood there for a while, just hugging. Our food was getting cold, but none of us cared. “Do you know the gender?” George asked, pulling his head back a bit. I smiled making eye contact. “I don’t, but our mommas do. They’re in charge of the gender reveal, which is this Saturday. We planned it so that you three could be here for it.” I answered with a grin. The boys seemed to be touched at what I had to say. “You didn’t have to plan your baby’s reveal around us,” Clay uttered softly. I simply scoffed and shook my head, “Of course I did. You’re a part of our family. You’re way too important not to include in this type of stuff,” I answered honestly. Tears seemed to form in everyone’s eyes at my response. “You’re our family too, Bad, Y/N. We love you” “We love you too.” 

*Time skip to Saturday*

Today was the day. We find out what gender our baby is today. I couldn’t help but grin as I watched everyone interact at the party. Darryl and I decided to combine the baby shower with the gender reveal so everyone could get together for one big party. It was also so that the Dream Team could be here for both without having to go home and then turn back around to come for a different party. Besides, they would already be coming back down a month or two after I gave birth so they could actually meet their niece or nephew. 

Darryl’s arms wrapping around me, startled me out of my slight daze. “We’re ready to cut the cake whenever you are,” He murmured, pressing a kiss into the side of my head. I hummed in response and turned to him, “I’m ready”. He ushered me to the table where the cake that our mothers had made. Our moms made a cute cake that was white on the outside with pink and blue decorations on the outside, with “Boy or girl?” Written on the top. “Gather round for the cake cutting!” Darryl called out. 

“Do you really have no preference?” Darryl questioned as everyone made their way over to the front of the table. I smiled and shook my head no, “I honestly don’t care, as long as our baby remains healthy, I’m okay with whatever they turn out to be.” Darryl hummed, kissing the side of my head once more, “I completely agree baby.” Once we made sure that everyone was ready, the two of us picked up the knife together. Darryl’s hands rested over mine as our hands hovered over the cake. The knife cut into the cake easily, a piece was quickly cut. I took a deep breath as we let go of the knife. Darryl reached over and grabbed a spatula to move the cake piece. 

“Ready?” He exclaimed to the crowd. Shouts of affirmation resonated back. Darryl slowly moved the piece out of the way causing blue M&M’s to fall from the center of the cake. Everyone that had gathered around burst into cheers at the reveal. I wrapped my arms around Darryl’s neck after he set the cake down on a plate. His arms came to rest around my waist. “It’s a boy!” I whispered, “It’s a boy Darryl. We’re going to have a baby boy.” “That we are, sweetheart.” 

The two of us let go of our hug and turned back to the crowd. “Well come get some cake!” I exclaimed, motioning for everyone to come forward. Nick, Clay, and George were the first to charge forward. Excited babbles fell from their mouths about having another boys join them. They chattered about how they were going to teach them everything there was to know about Minecraft, not that they couldn’t do that with a girl, but they couldn’t help but be so excited about a boy. A grin fell on my lips and my hand fell to my tummy as I listened to the four babble about everything they were going to do with our baby. Only one thought came to my mind as their words rang in my ears… Oh boy! 

*Bonus*

The day after the gender reveal, Darryl posted a photo of the two of us hugging after we cut the cake. It was a picture that I didn’t know existed, but was so glad it did. The response was overwhelming. The fans exploded at the announcement. Many comments and tweets were so supportive of the two of us having a baby together, claiming it would be the best and cutest kid ever, which I couldn’t help but agree with. Fans being excited about the baby just made me even more excited, I couldn’t wait to hold my baby boy in my arms.

 There you go! I really hope you enjoyed, if so please be sure to leave a like!!

[buckyjamess-archive]

𝓻𝓸𝓼𝓲𝓮 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓲 ❁ 𝓫𝓾𝓬𝓴𝔂 𝓫𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓮𝓼

chapter eighteen • a/n: last chapter folks- wanna thank all those who interacted/read it, I hope you enjoyed it! ♡ gonna miss these fools, ngl • wordcount: 2k • warnings: nothing but fluff. Parenthood. Babies. Kids.

summary

going through  rough years after losing your husband, you try to raise your daughter the best you can. With the help from the wilson's you make the best of it but the road is bumpy when sam introduces you to his friend.

masterlist

His hands are warmer and maybe even bigger as his fingers are intertwined with yours, gently swaying back and forth, his thumb rubbing the back of your hand or a light squeeze to remind you he's still there. 

a few steps ahead, rosie groans, huffs and puffs as she pushes the stroller the best she can. Talking to her little brother who gurgles back just as much. 

"You're really heavy!" 

a soft pink, round handbag with minnie mouse printed on the front hangs loosely in Steve's other hand. Handed to him seconds after leaving the restaurant by Rosie herself as she offered to push her little brother back home. A heavy diaper bag he'd taken off the stroller to take away some weight, hangs of his shoulder– you told him you could carry one of the two but Steve being Steve, refused your offer and instead clamped his hand in yours.

A day out planned by the man walking next to you. A day with the four of you, letting Rosie and JJ get used to Steve being around for more than the two hours every night before getting tucked in. That Steve wasn't just a friend anymore– though Rosie 'just knew' when you told her Steve was more than a friend, a special friend. 

'I don't kiss my friends like that' 

Rosie didn't mind, or at least you think. She was good with everyone, stranger or not. Opening up to Steve wasn't a problem, becoming friends with Steve came easy for the girl. 

And bucky, bucky would always be dad.

'Now I have three daddies. My real daddy, my normal daddy and steve.' 

And though you never intended to let Steve in your life so quickly, it became serious pretty fast. 

Delicately glueing back each other's pieces left of a broken heart; giving solace, a shoulder to cry on and someone to hold. Steve and you never intended to become this, you were just friends, used-to-be-coworkers. It happened. Bucky no longer floating through your head every other minute or feeling that ache in your chest– just you and Steve and for now after the heartbreak Bucky caused you could in all honesty say that Steve Rogers treated you better than anyone ever did.

The stroller comes to a halt when Rosie stills in front of the apartment block. She let's go of the stroller and places both hands on her sides, bright yellow sunglasses resting on the bridge of her nose, she sighs heavily. 

"That was heavy." 

You and Steve chuckle at Rosie her stance as if an old man admiring his self-built furniture, sarcasm dripping from her body yet as innocent as can be. 

"I bet it was, kid." 

"Yes, JJ eats too much." 

"Says the girl who ate all my fries." 

Letting go of your hand, Steve hands Rosie back her own bag which she happily takes– slipping the diaper bag from his shoulder, you wrap your hand around it and carefully toss it over your own. Hand digging in to find your keys. Taking the few steps up the building, you push open the door and watch how Steve casually carries the stroller and JJ up the steps and follows Rosie in the building.

The walk to the elevator is short, the three of you and the stroller packed tight in the small space– you stay quiet, watching the interaction between Rosie and Steve, your heart grows ten times its size. You thank the gods above for giving you all these amazing men in your life, even if they broke your heart in different ways- teaching you the ways of life, giving the best things to ever exist, trusting you, caring about you..loving you.

Riley, your first real love. The one that changed your life forever. Teaching the ropes of this crazy thing called adult life. Be the calm to your chaos. Showed you love like you'd never had before– sure enough about it all to put a ring around your finger and giving you the most important job of them all; be a mother to a beautiful, funny and feisty daughter. Riley who gave you real heartbreak, leaving an empty hole in your heart and took a piece of your soul with him

Sam who stood by your side through it all. Going through the process together of losing a spouse and partner on the field. Your shoulder to lean on when things got rough, a friend of your man turned into your best friend– showing you the meaning of family by letting you into his own.

Bucky who stole your heart so fast, you never had a chance to let it settle– a wild man willing to wait. A wild man who showed you that life after Riley could be something beautiful; taught you how to love again, brought you back to life and gave you the gift you call your son, gave Rosie a father figure. Bucky the best mistake you'd ever made in your life.

And maybe all these men were needed to get you with the one. Without Riley no Sam and without Sam no Bucky, and you'd never have met Steve if you didn't move to Brooklyn. All these men lead you to him.

Steve. The man who picked up the pieces and put them back together– the man you so desperately needed in your life. The calm that Riley once gave you and the wild and silly bucky once showed. The one for real this time.

Even if things didn't go your way, men changing every chapter of your book– life was pretty amazing. 

Steve must've seen the slight wobble of your chin and your eyes filling with tears. His firm hand back into yours, you look up to meet his blues, you shoot him a tight lipped smile.

"Mommy, why are you crying?" 

You inhale deeply, quickly wiping away the tears that have made their way down your cheeks and not trusting your own voice, you smile at your daughter but shrug. 

"You know what I think?" Steve quips, the hand that's intertwined with yours now snaking around your waist to pull you ever closer into his side "I think mom's just really happy." 

Rosie nods unsure but gives a toothy grin "then I'm happy too, then we're all happy." 

"Then we're all happy." 

He reads you like an open book, something you got to love and hate over the last few weeks. Nitpicking little flaws to get under your skin or be the biggest sap whenever you're feeling down; he knows you like the back of his hand. 

"This is so stupid," you breath out a shaky chuckle "Jesus, I'm crying in an elevator–" 

"It's not stupid," Steve reassures "we're all just very happy, right?" 

"Yeah." You nod. 

Squeezing your side, Steve let's you know he's there and plants a kiss to your temple before resting his chin upon your head.

"I love you, sweetheart." 

Bucky can't quite believe it himself; just a month ago he labeled Steve Rogers as his arch enemy and wish bad things upon the blonde and now, now bucky hopes and wishes the blonde would treat you better than anyone else– welcomed Steve into the mess. 

At ease, okay, alright but above all grateful. You didn't kick him out of your life or that of his kids– you wouldn't be the first mother to do such a thing, he's seen it on TV multiple times. Bucky's grateful that you and him still were a thing just not the same. Parents of your kids, friends.

Though jealousy would strike once in a while and he reminded himself of the mistake he'd made, It was good this way.

Big helium balloons in the shape of letters and numbers float above the table shoved against the wall, reading 'JJ 1 YEAR'. Silver birthday garlands hanging from ceilings along the baby blue and white balloons– table filled with snacks, gifts and drinks. Cramped in your apartment but done together– texting back and forth, nights of planning brought you all here, JJ his first birthday.

Friends and family here to celebrate something the two of you made from love.

Bucky leans against the kitchen bar, one hand tucked deep into the pocket of his jeans and the other wrapped around a bottle of beer. Eyes upon the small crowd gathered and lands on Steve, barely on his knees next to a side table, small plastic tiara on his head as Rosie applies makeup on the guy's face from the set she'd just got as a gift from uncle Sam.

Bucky smiles, at least you picked a child magnet, a guy who'll love his kids as much as the two of you do. 

Bucky scans the crowd again and spots you without any problem, another smile on his face at the sight of his godchild hailey holding JJ, probably gossiping around with you.

It's good this way.

"Hey man." 

Snapping out of his own world, Bucky meets the eyes of a man he hasn't spoken to in months; sam. Not since he got to learn about Bucky's mistake.

"Hey." Bucky shoots him a tight lipped smile.

Standing still next to Bucky, Sam leans against the bar in the same stance and follows Bucky's gaze to the crowd to you, his son and hailey.

"He looks like you." Sam confesses "scary." 

Letting his head fall, Bucky chuckles and nods "at least we know it's mine." 

Sam chuckles along till it dies down, silence falling over both men as they keep watching the scene in front of them. How you leave Hailey with her nephew and mingle with some friends– bucky can feel Sam's eyes burning on his face. 

"Told you so, didn't I?" 

Bucky snorts "Let's not go there, I've learned my lesson." 

"Do you?" Sam quips with a grin on his face "No new love on the horizon?" 

Bucky nods, he has learned his lesson and he knows he'll never find someone like you again– he has definitely learned his lesson and definitely not ready for something new.

"No man, I'm going to focus on my kids." Bucky breathes out a soft chuckle "apparently I still have two." 

"Rosie loves you– I have to thank you for that, giving Rosie a father figure." 

"Wouldn't trade it for anything else." 

"I know." 

Another, comfortable silence falls like a thick blanket. Knowing each other well enough to know what they're thinking– a smile creeping on both men's faces at the sight of you pushing yourself past some people and beelining towards the duo.

"Mind If I join?" 

Scooting aside, both Sam and bucky make space for you in between and your arm that snakes around Bucky's back gives him a warm and fuzzy feeling– he pulls you closer into his side with his arm dropped over your shoulder 

"A year ago you nearly passed out." You mumble softly 

"I didn't pass out." Bucky scoffs 

"I said nearly–" 

"Not even nearly." 

"The nurses had to sit you down." 

"They never–" 

"They did!" 

It's a game of back and forth, getting underneath each other's skin and Bucky hopes things like this will never change even if you decided to spend the rest of your life with steve. The silly arguments, the silly fights and the lame jokes– bucky would be alright as long as that stayed. 

The squeeze around his side makes Bucky aware you're still there. Locking eyes with yours, one's he's found himself lost in many times before, he copies your smile. 

"What?" 

"Nothing– we did good." You state.

Though things didn't go the way it was supposed to, the two of you did good indeed, more than good even. 

"I think we did amazing." Bucky smiles back.

Wrapping his arm around your shoulder a bit tighter, he places a quick kiss on your forehead before following your gaze into the crowd, his daughter, his son, his family and steve.

It's good this way.

"So, guys," Sam clears his throat from beside you "really gotta know what happened on hailey her birthday party that day." 

"No, you don't." You and Bucky chuckle in unison "you really don't."

Taglist: @farfromshawn @Nicollettemarie @wooya1224 @felicityofbakerstreet @agentmstark @sierrax023 @lilyevanswhore @qhbr2013 @buckybarnesobsessed @themaddies-obx @aloserwithoutacause @aanngie @sebby-staan @sweetth1ng @starrystarkey93 @libidinexx @dontputyourfckingdrinkonmytable @gasly-kvyat @brown-bi-beautiful @peter-laufeyson @im-squished @meshlababy @lindseyrae20 @cb97skies @qwccrr @ssprayberrythings @yougottalovefandoms @jbcalway @realgaytrash @natyvwe @poetryazenth @winterberryfox @ahahafudge @okiegirl24 @0moondoodler0 @why-wait-4-eventually @abzidabzy

[avatarvyakara]

Strands of Webbing

A Spiderverse Fanfic

Prompts 253-264

“Not Sidekicks”

First | Previous | Next

253. Mentor

The Original Six—the Spider Gang—the Cluster—the Veterans—they have many names. But what they also are, is a rallying symbol. In a cosmos where the Friendly Neighbourhood Spider is so often alone, they're the ones who get it.

Most of the time, they're also the first to find someone new. Someone like them.

And there's always room to learn something new.

254. Nephew

"This is Charles!" says Ham, proudly showing off the tiny spider in his hand. "My great-niece Nelly's kid, she left him to me in her will."

Miles and the other Spiders exchange glances.

"Um…"

SP//dr's face produces an "it's-so-cute!" emoticon, and the robot waves gently.

Charles extends one leg and wiggles it up and down.

"Well done, Charles! The nice lady's name is Takara. Can you say 'Takara'?"

Apparent silence.

"That's neither here nor there, kid."

"What was that?" asks Peter, who quite frankly looks exhausted already.

"It's a spider thing. Now, you guys got any mashed bedbugs?"

"Not in this house, we don't," says Aunt May sternly.

But Ham isn't paying attention. He's turned back to his nephew and is tickling under his thorax. "You're gonna be the best superhero ever! Yes you are! All we need to do is find someone to bite you…"

SP//dr raises its hand.

“Nah, nah, it’s gotta be something different. Something unique...”

?_?

“Not that you’re not unique!”

255. Simian

The first and only time Peter tries to make money in a wrestling match, it's a terrible mistake. The man's gotta be pushing sixty and he's literally got a god on his side, how is he losing?

"Come on, you little masked menace!" calls Crusher Hogan from below. "You gonna get your hands dirty, or are you just gonna sit on that pole jumping around instead of fighting like a man?"

Figures he'd have to go for a "shooter", which apparently means "someone who doesn't fake matches and therefore knows exactly how to hit where it hurts". And here he thought it meant he could use his guns...

Odd, though. He's glowing. His costume is literally glowing Red.

(The Spider-God wouldn't give him the Red unless there was a good reason.)

"Why don't you come up and fight like a spider?" he asks, letting the colour sink into his words.

The old Black man stares up at him for a moment—

And grins.

Uh oh.

"Nah," says Crusher. "How about I fight like a monkey instead?"

The light around the ring turns Blue.

"Oh, son of a—"

POW.

The man just jumped eight feet like it was nothing, grabbed him, and tugged him down into a chokehold.

"Language, son," he says, mildly reproachful. "There are impressionable youths in this place."

Peter loses as gracefully as he can, to the sound of cheering from the (quite young) crowd.

That night, the Spider-Man stops by the arena to see the Monkey King.

“What’s that colour you got around you, son?” asks the surprisingly hirsute hero—more than he was before, anyway. He’s using a long, featureless iron pole as a walking stick. (Definitely for show.)

“It’s red.”

“I wondered. Never seen red before. Mine is blue.”

“I know.”

The Monkey King grins. “That sounds like a tale, young’un. You got time to swap?”

“Maybe. If you can tell me what you’re supposed to be doing with that power.”

“Hah! Nothing too special. Have fun. Keep my family safe. Take what I want from the Man. Help people out on quests. That kinda junk. Wrestling helps pass the time and keeps the neighbourhood kids out of trouble.”

“How often do you get quests?”

“You would be amazed. You good with tea?”

“Much obliged, Mr. Hogan.”

“Call me Crusher. Or Sun, if you want. That’s his name, but he don’t mind my using it. That or The King.”

Now Peter grins. “Guess you’d better shut my mouth and call me Anansi Boy.”

The King of Brooklyn roars with laughter.

256. Uneasy

As far as Mary-Jane Watson is concerned, Carnage is a Symbiote, a remnant of her best friend Steff “Stay” See (who was once the Red Spider and didn’t tell her until it was too late) and the source of Mary-Jane’s powers. It's a way to feel closer to her lost companion, and an ally in protecting her version of New York.

As far as Carnage is concerned, Mary-Jane is a legacy, a comrade mourning their lost friend. And for a while the resentment and guilt battled each other, and so Carnage and Mary-Jane had to make a decision as to which they would follow. But one thing is for certain: whatever darkness lies within Mary-Jane, it is far more manageable than Knull was.

Both of them assume they’re in control. Both of them are right.

(Both of them also agree that, whether Flash Thompson or Venom is in control, the individual on the whole is a bit of a prat.)

257. Duality

Most of the stuff Hida knows about, Peni has as much connection with as Billy has with Peredur’s time, and vice versa. (“No, it’s not magic, you daft brush, it’s not even a particularly good record, the Beatles really went downhill since they brought in Ringo Starr—”) So there’s a cultural impasse. Noir, on the other hand, while much closer in terms of tech level and linked to a spider-spirit directly like Hida is, knows basically no Japanese at all, and what little he knows is from Peni’s time. So there’s a linguistic impasse.

They work on it, together. They both seem quite happy to. Peni learns more about her mother’s ancestral culture, Noir learns his friend’s native language to the degree he can actually manage simple conversations.

And Hida gets better at web-slinging, and her English is pretty good after a year of learning, and they get a chance to work on water combat so she can move better in her home environment. (Well. Swim in a lake uptown. But still, water combat.)

“So...is it like adoption? Did Peni and Noir agree to joint custody of Peni’s mom or something?” asks Miles from the side of a building in Peter B.’s world, to some very weird looks. “What?”

“Think about that sentence for a moment,” says Peter.

“...oh. Oh, urgh, dude, no. Not like that!”

Gwen snickers.

“But I get what you mean,” says Peter. They’re like a brother-sister team-up.”

“Taking care of Peni’s mom. Who is also a demon spider in human form.”

“That would explain so much...” muses Miguel, only for Peter to elbow him.

"Behave. That's my baby sister you're talking about there, O'Hara."

"You don't even have the same parents, Parker."

"Regardless."

258. Combo

Ava Ayala, the White Tiger, huffs in annoyance.

“Really, Spidey? One of you wasn’t enough?”

“You’re welcome,” says Spider-Glitch drily, pulling off the door of the hanging cage. “Think you can get down while the others handle the VENOM agents?”

White Tiger squints. “Isn’t one of them a VENOM too?”

“A Carnage, actually. Don’t worry, she’s cool.”

“I’ll bet.”

Something’s a little odd about the fight down below. The five other Spider-...people?...well, they’re fighting, but whenever they land a hit green numbers appear in the air.

“Bet you can’t beat that, Peni!” crows the little black-and-red spider, after a couple of shots knock three VENOM agents unconscious and reverting back to their original forms.

“You’re on, Morales!” says the red-and-blue giant robot.

Spider-Glitch grins at Ava’s expression. “I think they took to the Matrix pretty well, all things considered.”

“They’re treating it like...a video game?”

“I know, right? I can’t believe Fury never thought of that!”

259. Elastic

“Uhhhh...hey!”

Spider-Man stares.

"Oh. Yeah. Forgot about that." The…rather strange girl (she can't be more than thirteen) shrinks her fist down from colossal size to something approaching normality. "So! …what's up?"

"¿Debería volver más tarde?" asks the Scorpion, fresh from a punch from the aforementioned fist. "Puedo dejar la plata si lo quieres."

"Don't move, this will just take a minute," orders Spider-Man. For good measure, he quickly webs the Scorpion down.

"It is as if you don't trust me…"

“So...can I hang out? Not, you know, as a sidekick, but maybe just kinda shadowing you for a bit? Until I’m ready to work back in Queens. If...that’s okay?”

"Okay, first off, what are you doing out of school?"

"…it's March break and I took the two-week option? Why aren't you in school?"

Miles almost splutters. "Wha—who said anything about being in school?"

(It's his last semester, for your information.)

"And why do you sound like you've got a bad cold all of a sudden?"

"Why does everyone keep saying that?" Then Miles remembers himself. "And what's with the costume?"

The girl draws back, looking a little self-conscious. "It's not like I just have materials that stretch with me lying around…" she mumbles.

"No, no, that's okay. I had the same problem, went around in a store-bought suit for my first few days too. I can help with that if you want," Miles offers, wondering how to explain this to Mrs. Parker. ("Hi, I found a stray superhero and she needs a suit"? Probably not the best opening line.) But the strange girl brightens up a bit, at least. "No, what I meant was, why the Captain Marvel costume?"

"That's because I'm Ms. Marvel!" says the girl proudly. Trace of an accent…Hindi, maybe? Urdu?

“Seriously? You know that’s probably copyrighted, right?”

“Okay, to be fair, you basically just took over the franchise. This is a tribute.”

"I did not—okay, look, bottom line, you do not just go out into the street and start swinging! That's not how superheroing works! You gotta practice a bit, maybe get yourself some decent digs, some kind of support network, again you can start with part of mine, and…and what am I saying? You don't need this kind of life, kid! My advice? Just stay outta the game until you’ve got your future settled. I can handle stuff until you do."

"I think you're gonna be a baaaad teacher," mutters Ms. Marvel, which annoys Miles for reasons he can't quite place.

"Probably!" calls the Scorpion.

"Stay out of this, Marco."

"Wow. It's not like secret identities mean anything around here, is it."

"Cállate."

260. Include

And Kron Stone, alias Venom, is down for the count.

��Lyla? You getting this?” murmurs Miguel.

—well, yeah, but that doesn’t mean I can actually tell you who it is—

Odd way of phrasing it, but...

“Hey!” calls Miguel in his Spider-Voice. “Whoever you are, you did good, kid. But this isn’t safe for you.”

“If it’s safe for you, then it’s plenty safe for me,” says the copper-bodied figure through a modulator. “And I’m not a kid.”

“You sound like a kid.” Actually he sounds like Gabriel with a sore throat.

The shimmering mask of liquid metal (a Stark-Fujikawa specialty—maybe a corporate rival?) twitches into a face like an annoyed gargoyle. “I’m not. Uh...I am the Green Goblin, here to clean up this town!”

“Uh huh.”

“Look, I just saved your life, dude, give me a break.”

“I’m trying to. Go home, kid. You’ve got better things to do with your life.”

“Right about now?” says the Green Goblin, fanged face looking surprisingly solemn. “This is exactly what I want to be doing. I’ll...see you around, Spiderman.”

And he gets on his hoverboard and starts to fly away.

“Hey!”

The Goblin turns in midair.

“...thanks.”

The metal face twists into almost a soft smile, and on he goes.

Stark-Fujikawa tech again. Hmmm...

Maybe he can ask Gabriel if he’s seen anything suspicious lately. He works for Stark-Fujikawa, right?

—honestly I have no idea who that was—

And maybe he needs to bring Lyla over to Xina again, she’s definitely malfunctioning and he didn’t even ask her to this time.

261. Corporeal

The fact that there's another Spider in Miles' dimension? That's…cool. The fact that she's about the same age as Peter Parker, was bitten by the same spider as Peter Parker, and had a bit of a tough time for some reason so she moved out of town? Also cool. The fact that she's got a bit less experience than Peter so Miles doesn't have another mentor (not that he really wants one)? All good.

But San Francisco?

"That's like…the anti-New York."

The ghostly figure beside Silkworm on the rooftop rolls his eyes.

that'sabitrudeisn'tit?

Silkworm (who is wearing what seems to be a yellow and white hanbok-style suit with black web patterns and a domino mask) grins.

"Okay, so it takes some getting used to. But it's not too bad. And hey, it's nice to know there's another Spider around, just in case."

andyou'renotthrowingyourselfatthisoneso.

"Spectro."

Spectro just grins.

Miles blinks.

"I don't think you two have been properly introduced. Miles Morales, Spider-Man, meet my idiot boyfriend, Hector Cervantez. Alias Spectro."

Miles scratches his head. "Uhhh…correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't he…aren't you…"

dead? Spectro finishes. probably.

"Dude, I'm…"

actuallythat'sreallyunclear, butyouknowwhat? i'velearnedtolivewithit. sortof. He smiles. plusitmeansIgettohelpoutabitmorearoundhere.

Silkworm smiles back. With practiced ease, Spectro makes a karate-chop movement, which Silkworm catches easily, and they hold hands for a couple of seconds.

"So…what kind of bad guys do you get around here?"

"Would you believe me if I said Pokémon?"

"Come on," says Miles dismissively. "You ain’t gonna fool a Brooklyn kid that easy."

There's a roar on the horizon, and a large pink dragon soars overhead.

"…man, that's not fair."

Silkworm and Spectro laugh.

262. Wail

Taking a piece of Peter’s grave to another dimension? That’s one thing. Him asking to be carried around all the time? That’s another.

“Gee, Stacy, aren’t you a little old to have a pet rock?”

Gee, Allen, aren’t you a little old to need to get a life?

...okay, fine, she snorted at that one.

It hasn’t been very helpful on the job either. Up until now.

“Any last words?” asks Doc Ock, squeezing tight.

Mind you, now’s not the best time to find out.

Ohmygod ohmygod ohmygod just stay there I’ll help!

“That,” grunts Gwen between her teeth as she tries to push the mechanical limbs apart, “would be a really bad idea—”

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

The sound pierces Gwen’s ears and turns her stomach. Doc Ock is literally blown backwards. Her ears are bleeding.

It disappears as quickly as it started.

A few quick webs and an anonymous text later, and Gwen’s up on the rooftop squeezing the rock tight enough to crush it. (She doesn't. She wouldn't.)

“What the hell, Parker?”

...I’m sorry. Are you okay?

“Never mind about me, what was that? When did you turn into a banshee?”

I didn’t! Honest! I just...gathered up some of the sounds floating around and kind of pushed them out. It’s like how I talk to you, just...not like that. Maybe a bit stronger.

Gwen pauses. “How long have you been able to do that?”

Far as I know? This is the first time I’ve actually tried. I honestly didn’t think it could work.

“...hmm.”

...can I try it again?

She knows the hope in that voice. That curiosity tinged with mild desperation.

“Only on bad guys,” she warns him. “And only in emergencies.”

You got it, Sensei.

“Shut up.”

Hey, how's "The Banshee" as a codename?

"About as on-the-nose as 'The Lizard'."

It's straightforward at least.

"You're gonna be the death of me, you know that?"

I wouldn't dare. You'd give me hell for the rest of my afterlife.

"And don't you forget it." But she's smiling again.

263. Mentee

One evening, Doctor Octavius—not Doc Ock, don't mix lab work with mask work—starts glitching.

"Whoa! Doctor Octavius, are you okay?"

She bats his hand away from her shoulder—and then falls to the floor, starts going fractal again with a noise like a lightsaber put through a DJ mix. "Don't worry, Mi/les, I'm ab/sol/utely f/ine! …owwwww." She cricks her neck. "Just a side effect from a personal experiment."

"This is…"

This is weird. This is very weird.

(And if she hadn't just tried to kill him again last week he might actually be worried.)

She looks at him softly, puts a hand on his shoulder to reassure him. "Hey. Hey, it's okay, kid. I'm alright. Nothing to be s/caaaaaared/ offffffffff. Aargh, that hurt."

Miles winces in sympathy. "What—what can I do?" (Play dumb.) "Can I get you anything to help?" (Smart dumb. Nice.)

She nods, panting. "You think you can g/et a bage/lllllllll…get…get me a bagel from the cafeteria please?"

"Extra cream cheese?"

She grins. "You know me so well, Mister Morales."

Better than you'd think, Miles thinks to himself as he rushes down the hallway.

Okay. Option One, there's a parallel-world Olivia Octavius who's managed to get through. Unlikely but possible. Option Two, travelling too many times between dimensions causes you to start glitching in your home dimension because of the other atomic structures incorporated into you. Again unlikely—he's never glitched at home—but worth talking to Tech Support about. Option Three…

Option Three is that travelling too many times between dimensions when you don't have a stabilizing factor, like, for instance, being a Spider, causes your atoms to slowly fall apart regardless.

None of these are good. Other hypotheses may be even worse.

Much as he has concerns about Doc Ock, much as he really doesn't like Liv based on Aunt May's stories, he doesn't want Doctor Octavius to die. Least of all like that.

Bagel. Toasted. Extra cream cheese. Strawberry jam. Some water as well. Bed rest is next, he can handle the project report (a re-evaluation of thread theory based on “anonymous research”, i.e., collider data). He's been at this job for two years now anyway. And then…he hopes Miguel's still up, at least.

Miles doesn't need to imagine how painful it could be. He knows. But he, for one, is not going to wait around and watch.

264. Collective

"See?" says Ham, proud as can be. "Told you guys that Charlie would be amazing."

"Well, yeah," says Peter B., who looks mildly ill, "but…it's not exactly just him, is it?'

"Well, no. But hey, the psychic link seems to be holding up fine. Who would've thought being bitten by a radioactive human would do the trick? Millicent, stop pulling your brother’s legs!"

“How do you even tell them apart?”

“What, like it’s hard?”

The large mass of churning, scuttling spiders in roughly the shape of a human being manages to stand up inside one of Peter’s old suits. It waves.

"How many kids did your great-niece have, exactly?" asks Peni.

"Nelly was always very popular," says Ham, wistfully.

SP//dr, oblivious to her best friend's mild discomfort, waves back eagerly.

"Ladies and gentlemen! I present to you the one, the only, Spiders-Man!"

Now there's just the matter of a mask, which is duly provided, brought up to the top of the pile, and inhabited. There’s a small vocal translator in said mask, designed specially by Miguel.

And so speaks the Spiders-Man for the first time:

“...hi.”

[bloody-bee-tea]

Brotherhood - All Star Xicheng White Day 3

The prompts for the third day of All Star Xicheng White Day were Good Ending/Bad Ending/Normal and I really wanted to give Jiang Cheng and Lan Xichen a good ending here. It's what they deserve.

Jiang Cheng isn’t actually sure what he’s doing with the letter he just wrote up, but he guesses now that he used up some paper and ink for it, he might as well send it off too.

He reads over it again, but there’s actually not that much to it. It’s just an invitation for Lan Xichen to come to Lotus Pier if he should find seclusion or the Cloud Recesses no longer to his taste. Jiang Cheng made sure to stress that it’s open ended, too, because he doesn’t want to pressure Lan Xichen.

Jiang Cheng would have loved to go into seclusion a number of times in his life—after Lotus Pier burned, after Jiang Yanli died, after Wei Wuxian died—but he didn’t have the luxury to do that. But Jiang Cheng also knows himself well enough to know that he would have gone mad if he stayed in seclusion for a longer period of time.

And he just wants to make sure that Lan Xichen knows that he has other options that are not seclusion or diving back into being a Sect Leader and so he sends the letter off.

Coming to Lotus Pier could be viewed as a vacation, or some well deserved time off for Lan Xichen, and Jiang Cheng hopes he will see it like that as well.

Jiang Cheng doesn’t mean to offend after all, and he hopes he didn’t make a mistake writing to Lan Xichen like this.

He doesn’t even know if Lan Xichen will get the letter, or if Lan Qiren and Lan Wangji will intercept it, and maybe if Jiang Cheng flies fast enough he can get it back.

“Stop that,” Jin Ling suddenly says and Jiang Cheng flinches.

“What?” he bites out, but he flushes slightly, because Jin Ling gives him a very judging look.

“You’re worrying over nothing. Lan Xichen will get the letter and he will not misunderstand because you were very clear in your words and now quit fretting over this,” Jin Ling tells him and Jiang Cheng rolls his eyes at him, though Jin Ling is right on all accounts.

“What do you know about this?” Jiang Cheng mutters, but he tries to put the letter out of his mind.

“I damn well know about your crush on Zewu-Jun,” Jin Ling gives back with a teasing smile.

“Language,” Jiang Cheng reminds him instead of touching on what Jin Ling just said, despite the fact that Jin Ling is right.

Jiang Cheng was never under any illusions that he managed to keep his feelings a secret from his own nephew, but the hope was always there.

“I will watch my language if you stop looking like that,” Jin Ling gives back and then turns his concentration back to the paper work in front of him.

Jiang Cheng tried his best to raise Jin Ling as the next Sect Leader, but being thrust into the position so suddenly and so early leaves Jin Ling at a severe disadvantage against the other Sect Leaders and so Jiang Cheng continues to coach him as best as he can.

“Careful, brat,” Jiang Cheng mutters, but he can’t help the fond feeling in his chest when Jin Ling just rolls his eyes at him.

Jiang Cheng curses the day he allowed Jin Ling to pick up on that habit, because it doesn’t feel that great to be at the receiving end of this, but if Jiang Cheng is being honest, it warms his heart to see that Jin Ling picked up anything from him at all.

~*~*~

Nothing happens for a year, and then almost two, and Jiang Cheng can’t say that he forgot about the letter he sent to Lan Xichen, but it moves into the background after a while.

It was an open ended invitation after all, and Lan Xichen is under no obligations to actually come through on that. It could be that he burned the letter the moment he got it and Jiang Cheng would never even know.

And it doesn’t matter anyway. If Lan Xichen is doing well in seclusion then that’s more than alright with Jiang Cheng and he doesn’t care at all if Lan Xichen got his invitation or what he thinks about it.

Maybe Jiang Cheng overstepped with his offer?

Jiang Cheng shakes his head and pushes those thoughts far away. It doesn’t matter. He sent the letter and everything else is no longer in his hands. He doesn’t care what Lan Xichen thinks about it.

At least that’s what Jiang Cheng keeps trying to tell himself most of the times, with various degrees of success.

Mostly he fails pretty spectacular at it, especially going by the numerous eyerolls he gets from his nephew.

It’s really a pain in the ass that he couldn’t keep his stupid crush on Lan Xichen a secret from Jin Ling, because he most definitely didn’t sign up to be judged by a kid.

Jiang Cheng can’t wait for Jin Ling to fall into love, just so he knows what it feels like to be judged at every corner.

~*~*~

By the time the third year mark comes and passes, Jiang Cheng manages to mostly not think of the letter anymore.

At least until a disciple announces Lan Xichen’s arrival at Lotus Pier to him.

Jiang Cheng’s heart starts to beat faster in his chest, but he tries to not let it show outwardly, before he makes himself presentable and then follows the disciple.

Lan Xichen looks bad, is Jiang Cheng’s first thought when he comes into view. He looks like he lost weight and his face is pale and pinched and Jiang Cheng wants to bundle him up and protect him from the world.

“Zewu-Jun,” Jiang Cheng greets him, opting not to go for Sect Leader, because he’s honestly not quite sure if Lan Xichen still is the acting Sect Leader.

“Sect Leader Jiang,” Lan Xichen softly gives back and bows to him, a letter clutched in his hand where usually his sword or flute would be.

Jiang Cheng can’t see either right now.

He wants to ask what brings Lan Xichen to Lotus Pier, without proper announcement at that, but he can guess when he recognizes the handwriting on the letter.

“Your letter said it’s an open ended invitation,” Lan Xichen says when he follows Jiang Cheng’s gaze. “I wanted to take you up on that, if you don’t mind,” he finishes weakly and Jiang Cheng frowns.

“Of course I don’t mind. I meant what I wrote there. I’m just wondering—” he trails off, because he can’t actually ask why it took Lan Xichen three years to follow his invitation. That would be rude, and Jiang Cheng is not about to spook Lan Xichen away before he even fully arrived.

“The three years—it wasn’t quite voluntary,” Lan Xichen mutters after a long pause and Jiang Cheng goes hot with anger.

Even Zidian sparks lightly on his hand.

“What do you mean, it wasn’t voluntary?” he demands to know and forces himself to soften again when Lan Xichen flinches under his gaze.

“It was—punishment, I guess,” Lan Xichen says with a small smile. “The elders decided that I had to repent for my crimes.”

“Your crimes,” Jiang Cheng presses out. “The crime of getting as thoroughly deceived as everyone else in the goddamn cultivation world?” he spits out and Lan Xichen presses his lips together. “I didn’t see your elders go into seclusion so it can’t be that.”

“It was for that, yes,” Lan Xichen tells him with a shrug. “Apparently I let myself be blinded beyond reason and I needed to reflect on my trust in people.”

“Bullshit,” Jiang Cheng immediately says and then scrubs a hand over his face. “So they put you into seclusion for three years?”

“Yes,” Lan Xichen nods. “I did a lot of thinking but—I don’t think it’s getting me anywhere, to be honest. I’m only moving in circles and I still don’t know where my fault lies,” he finally admits and Jiang Cheng lets out a short laugh.

“Of course it’s not getting you anywhere! It’s not your fucking fault and so no amount of thinking will ever make sense of that.”

Jiang Cheng is entirely unprepared for the hopeful and open look on Lan Xichen’s face as he says that, and Jiang Cheng bristles in defence.

“What?” he snaps out but Lan Xichen doesn’t seem to take offence at his tone.

“You don’t think it’s my fault?” he whispers and the sheer naked hope on Lan Xichen’s face is enough to break Jiang Cheng’s heart apart.

“Of course not! If they think it’s your fault then they should also think it’s Nie Mingjue’s fault, because he trusted him, too. And if they think that then we all have to be at fault, too, because none of us saw past his mask. Nie Huaisang is definitely at fault then as well, because he didn’t tell us what he knew.” Jiang Cheng takes a deep breath to calm himself down before he continues. “It’s just a load of bullshit. We all saw exactly what he wanted us to see and none of us were perceptive enough to notice what he was doing. It’s not your fault you decided to trust your own sworn brother. That brotherhood was supposed to build trust, not ruin it forever.”

Jiang Cheng is entirely unprepared to see tears in Lan Xichen’s eyes, and he doesn’t know what to do about that.

“Thank you,” Lan Xichen whispers, once he wiped those away, and Jiang Cheng pretends he didn’t see anything, because that seems like the safer option. “If it’s not too much of a bother I’d like to stay here for a while.”

“I already invited you in my letter, that hasn’t changed,” Jiang Cheng snaps out at him, because anger is always something he feels more comfortable with.

“And this one is very grateful for that,” Lan Xichen says with another low bow and Jiang Cheng waves over a disciple.

“Show Lan Xichen to his room. He will be joining me for dinner,” he says, though he throws a questioning look at Lan Xichen at the last part.

“Of course I will,” Lan Xichen immediately agrees and Jiang Cheng breathes a little bit easier when he sees how honestly pleased Lan Xichen seems with that.

Jiang Cheng just hopes his stay in Lotus Pier will do Lan Xichen some good.

~*~*~

Lan Xichen is flourishing at Lotus Pier and Jiang Cheng has many, many feelings about that.

Lan Xichen managed to stay idle for about two days after his arrival, before he asked to join in on training—though Jiang Cheng has still not seen Liebing anywhere since his arrival—and soon after that he took over some basic lessons for the smaller kids.

Jiang Cheng wanted to protest that, because this whole thing was so that Lan Xichen could heal, but then he didn’t say anything. He was not about to dictate what Lan Xichen needed to do to heal or come to terms with what happened, and so he gladly handed over that responsibility.

And it seemed to do Lan Xichen a lot of good, because barely two months passed before Lan Xichen could laugh like before and Jiang Cheng definitely felt a very dangerous feeling when he heard it for the first time.

But it’s been a long time since then and now hearing Lan Xichen laugh is as normal as hearing the water murmur and still Jiang Cheng is not getting used to it.

Having Lan Xichen stay in Lotus Pier is not helping his crush at all, and by now Jiang Cheng has to admit that his feelings go way beyond a simple crush. Still, he’s not going to say anything to Lan Xichen, because that would put expectations on Lan Xichen and Jiang Cheng doesn’t want that.

Lotus Pier is supposed to be a refuge for Lan Xichen. Not something he wants to avoid just because Jiang Cheng is not able to keep himself in check.

“You’ve been quiet lately,” Lan Xichen remarks that night during dinner and Jiang Cheng shrugs.

They usually take at least one meal together—never breakfast though, because Jiang Cheng isn’t quitebusy enough to get up at five—and it’s become something Jiang Cheng is definitely looking forward to.

“There’s a lot to do,” Jiang Cheng evasively says, and it’s not even a complete lie.

It’s harvest season and that means Jiang Cheng is being pretty damn busy all day long.

“That’s not it,” Lan Xichen immediately says. “You would complain if it was just that,” he very correctly says and Jiang Cheng kind of fears where this is going.

He doesn’t want Lan Xichen to figure out what he’s feeling for him; he is very content to keep spending time with Lan Xichen like that, without anything else happening ever.

“Why did you sent me that letter all those years ago?” Lan Xichen asks him suddenly and that, at least, is something Jiang Cheng can answer.

“Because I thought after some time, you could use a change of pace. Seclusion might be helpful for a while, to sort out your own thoughts, but I didn’t think it would be good in the long run. I wanted you to have options.”

“That was very thoughtful of you,” Lan Xichen says and there’s a dangerous tone to his voice. “It’s just as thoughtful of you to let me teach the kids and help with paperwork and having a meal with me every day,” Lan Xichen goes on and now Jiang Cheng is convinced that he’s teasing him.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Jiang Cheng snaps out.

“Nothing,” Lan Xichen says with a shrug, but there’s a small smile playing around his mouth. “I just think that if you’re grooming be to be the wife of this household you should at least make your intentions clear,” he then says and Jiang Cheng almost chokes on his tea.

“What the hell,” he splutters out once he can take a breath again, but Lan Xichen only keeps smiling at him.

“It’s been what, a year now? I would say you have courted me very thoroughly. It’s time to make an official move now,” Lan Xichen says as if nothing at all is wrong in the world and Jiang Cheng goes bright red in the face.

“I would never have said anything,” he defends himself, because he wants Lan Xichen to know that, even though his reaction doesn’t seem to be all that bad.

“I know,” Lan Xichen says with a nod. “That’s why I am saying something.”

“Oh,” Jiang Cheng says and his heart is beating very fast when Lan Xichen smiles at him.

“So, about that official courtship,” Lan Xichen says and puts his hand on the table, clearly waiting for Jiang Cheng to take it, which he does almost immediately. “I don’t think shufu will object, so maybe write to him instead of Lan Wangji first,” Lan Xichen advises him and Jiang Cheng doesn’t even know what his heart is doing anymore.

“You would want that?” he has to ask, because he simply needs to make sure that Lan Xichen really, truly feels that way.

“I warned him about receiving a letter with that content months ago,” Lan Xichen teases him. “He was very regretful when he told me nothing of the likes had reached him yet.”

“Goddamit, Xichen, now I started off this whole thing by disappointing him,” Jiang Cheng hisses and he has to admit that he feels better when Lan Xichen laughs softly at him.

“I wouldn’t say disappointed. You’re keeping him on his toes. He’s so excited, he writes me every other week asking where your proposal is.”

“I better should get to that then,” Jiang Cheng grumbles and moves to take his hand back, but Lan Xichen won’t let him.

“If you want that. If you want me,” Lan Xichen lowly says, and suddenly Jiang Cheng is hit by the realization that he still didn’t say anything to Lan Xichen.

“I love you,” he says and it’s almost not hard at all. “Of course I want you.”

He is rewarded for that by a blinding smile and just for that, Jiang Cheng vows to say it often.

“I love you, too,” Lan Xichen says and then leans over the table to brush a quick kiss over Jiang Cheng’s lips. “But you really should write shufu first. He’s about ready to make a trip over here, just to kick your ass,” Lan Xichen tells him and Jiang Cheng groans, before he narrows his eyes at Lan Xichen.

“You know what? Let him. I’d like to ask him for the privilege of marrying you in person,” Jiang Cheng decides and watches in fascination as Lan Xichen goes red at that.

“Oh,” he whispers, clearly taken off guard by that and it only cements Jiang Cheng’s decision.

“I want to do right by you. Simply asking for that in a letter can hardly count as that.”

“You are already doing right by me,” Lan Xichen softly tells him, but it doesn’t change Jiang Cheng’s mind.

“I’m glad to hear that,” he gives back and lifts their hands to press a kiss to the back of Lan Xichen’s.

It might have taken them a long time to get here, but Jiang Cheng thinks it’s still a very perfect end for the both of them.

Link to my ko-fi on the sidebar!

[couldntstopmyself]

If you're still taking prompts/headcanons, imagine Bucky baking chocolate potato cake. Sam's terrified of the idea and even more terrified of the fact that the shit tastes good

Hi anon, always taking them 😊 Not gonna lie I did do some research into what a chocolate potato cake actually is, and now I kinda wanna make one. Hope you like it xx

-

Sam had been giving Bucky shit after bringing a store bought ice cream cake to the cookout. He repeatedly offered to teach him how to bake, but Bucky was stubborn and adamant he knew what to do. Technically, it wasn’t a lie.

“Babe, I’m home.” Sam called as he walked into their little house in Delacroix. He took one look around the kitchen and tried not to laugh. “Bucky, are you baking?” Bucky looked up at him and glared, hearing the mocking in Sam’s voice. He didn’t say anything, just turned back around and continued chopping something Sam couldn’t quite see. “Sorry, I’m sure you are a great baker, where did you find the recipe?” Sam just hoped he’d borrowed a book off Sarah or found a half decent website.

“It was one of my mums from when I was younger.” Bucky stated, still turned away from Sam. Because of this, he didn’t see the pure look of horror that flashed over Sam’s face. Sam also didn’t see Bucky’s smirk. “It was one of my favourites really, I’d always steal my sisters when they weren’t looking.”

Sam smiled at this, the idea of a young Bucky annoying his little sisters, being happy and carefree. “I’ve gotta ask, is this a war thing? Remember we could get any ingredients you need from the store, we’re not on rations. Theirs no way AJ and Cass are gonna eat cake without sugar in.” They’d promised Sarah they’d bring desert when they went over tonight, and Sam shuddered at what would happen if they served up wartime mush.

Bucky sighed and turned around, wafting a spatula at Sam. “Jesus Sammy, it’ll be fine! I’ve made it before and it’s even got chocolate in it so the boys will be happy. See, Chocolate Potato Cake, chocolate is literally in the name.” Bucky stilled, realising his mistake. He wasn’t going to tell Sam what it was called or what was in it. It was the only cake he knew how to make and it always tasted good so it should be okay. If he didn’t tell Sam the name that is. Before Sam could say anything, as if his look of disgust and disbelief didn’t say it all already, Bucky turned him around and pushed him out the kitchen. It was safe to say Sam was terrified.

An hour or so later, Sam had just returned from the shop. He went to buy some cupcakes, ‘just in case’ as he told Bucky. Truth is he was pretty sure whatever chocolate potato cake was, he did not want to eat it. He was also pretty sure that Bucky knew this but was going to make him try it very soon.

Right on cue, Bucky walked out of the kitchen with a plate in one hand and a fork in the other. On the plate was a square piece of cake with a type chocolate frosting on top. It looked normal. Sam could see lumps in the cake though, and that definitely wasn’t normal. He gave Bucky a pained look, hoping his boyfriend would have sympathy on him and not make him try it, but Bucky just pushed the fork towards Sam and waited. Realising he had no choice, Sam took the smallest bite he could. It wasn’t terrible. He tried it again, just to be sure.

“Damn Buck, how on earth does this actually taste good?” Bucky just laughed and rolled his eyes. He knew the cake was good. He may be from WW1, but he still had tastebuds. He watched as Sam continued to eat the cake with a strange expression, half wonder at how it tastes nice, and half disgust knowing what it was made of.

“Told you I could bake.” Bucky grinned, giving Sam his best I told you so face. Sam stuck his tongue out in return. Okay so the cake was somehow edible, but Sam still didn’t know how they would feed it to their nephews. Maybe lie?

Send me asks / head cannons / tiny fic request /the dummest shit you can think of

[ninjas-and-coffee]

WU SUCKS but not the reason you think

I'd like to preface by saying Wu has made a lot of mistakes and should be held accountable. But like the main arguments against Wu be like.

1: Morro

2: Traumatizing kids

3: Keeping secrets

4: Mot treating his nephew like is damn nephew.

5: Flirting with his brothers wife.

And the thing about that needs talked about. 1:Morro. First off getting kids hopes is not cool. It can be detrimental to development depending on the age of the child. BUT. Not a single soul told Morro to train tirelessly for 60+ years after his death to take revenge and be the green ninja. Absolutly no one. Wu had compassion for his failings and wanted to show Morro he could still he great without being the green ninja. But the little brat ran tf off and got trapped and died. And he got cursed, how- we dont know. But its implied that it's either intentional entrapment or you have to be a terrible person, guess which category he probably falls into. Mind you Wu also told our OGs that they could also be the green ninja and none of them went off the rails to settle some invisible score. Morro made his choices and he made shit ones. Wu was an influence but not the problem. Morro is unstable, dramatic, and holds grudges Wu didnt cause that.

2: the traumatic experiences the nina go through are also not exactly his fault. He didnt just pick them off the streets. THERE WAS A PROPHECY. Ok? Yall with me. Fate isnt uncontrolled by anyone the ninja needed to be trained to help Lloyd fight the Overlord. That wasnt his decision. And yall act like the ninja couldn't leave whenever they wanted to. He didnt gaslight them or belittle them in anyway that wasnt for teaching. Please bring me receipts if you think otherwise. I do admit he could help a little more, be more clear, but when has a old magic teacher character ever been straightforward. With that logic fuck Dumbledore, and Gandalf, and any wise old teacher that goes to find chosen one who once again are chosen by fate not the master himself. Yall literally cant blame Wu for Child's Play and you cant blame Wu for their experience with Nadakhan either. The enemies that go out of there way to attack the ninja are not a direct cause if Wu himself. Usually. It be like blaming Garmadon for Chen. Yes they had history but it's still not his fault

3: Secrets. I will admit there is next to no reason for keeping secrets from the ninja. Considering history always has kind of score to settle. But considering his age and the apparent imprisonment or death of his past enemies there no way to predict every problem that comes back to screw him over. The Time Twins for example. Yes they came back for Wu. But he did remove their powers and separated them over 20+ years ago. They were not exactly threats to his new students now were they? Again with Aspheera, who was literally locked in a tomb why take the time to educate the ninja on a problem he had no idea was going to come back for him. Same with Morro to a more confusing degree. MORRO DIED. How was he to prepare the ninja for that? Yes please tell me how they were supposed to prepare for a dead guy. I'll wait.........k. he should be more forthcoming with the ninja, about things he knows could harm them, like the Serpentine after Lloyds released them, Chen, the Overlord, the effects of Travelers Tea, Tomorrow's Tea, Oni, Etc. But most of the time the ninja go and do it first then wonder why Wu didn't warn them.

4: His nephew. Wow his parenting sucks. Morro is not his damn child let's start there. Comparing their relationship is unfair. Wu cared for Morro the way he cares for Kai and Nya. He never accentuates a paternal relationship with then. Cause they are students, students he has to train with he intent to send them out onto dangerous battle fields and mind games. He was alone so yes it looks different but it's also a leap to just assume that Wu viewed Morro as his own despite treating him the exact same way as his 6 other students. Now back to Lloyd. Why didnt he get his nephew from Darkleys where it was known he ran away from multiple times? I DONT KNOW. No one does. That is a bad move I can only theorize about. Maybe Misako said something about staying away, maybe he wasnt kept in the loop about his nephews whereabouts due to idk KICKING HIS FATHER INTO HELL. C'mon yall. Now in the later seasons my best guess is that he doesnt know how to differentiate his nephew from the chosen one side and the goofy child side. Hes never had a child and his early relations with Lloyd were scarce and when Lloyd came to live with him. It's not due to some familial obligation, destiny literally called for it. Putting some definite strain on their relationship. I'm not excusing it he should try better, but he'd have to build a relationship from nothing and most people know their immediate family upon birth or during childhood which is not the case here. Wu treats his nephew more like a vessel of power than a person which isnt cool but knowing that the kid might not come back after every fight is a good damper on happy relationships is it not?

5: Misako. Good lord I don't have to explain this one. No excuse. It shouldn't be happening. BUT. After Garmadons death she was a free woman as gross as it is. It's more a flaw on her than it is him she chose to have a baby with one brother and still try to get with the other. And I know it takes two to tango but dont get mad at the idiot that the cheater is cheating with. Be mad at the cheater. The thing people really dont get about love triangles. The "other guy" brings on the questions/options but the person who cant choose or screws with both parties is the one in the wrong. Lloyd seems ok with it. Because Tommy said so. I dont particular give two shits about his take on the show half the time. If Lloyd were actively against it the Wu would probably stop. If the Fsm family acted like a normal ass family we probably wouldnt be here. But their priorities are a little screwy compared to typical nuclear families. Not an excuse just some perspective

NOW, why he is a bad character despite all of those arguments. he chooses to train soldiers rather than care for impressionable teens. Yes the situation called for it but the pressure could he alleviated if he decided to actually help before the world was on fire. He chooses to teach by experience than be upfront. Which works sometimes but not when actual lives are at stake. His trial by fire teaching works but the possiblity it could go wrong is to big to be brushed aside. His seemingly unreachable vault of empathy is hard to swallow. He rarely actually feels things for other people, his lack of enthusiasm when they pull through something hurts to watch. His lack of empathy about raising his nephew to attempt to kill his father is frightening. The pride he demonstrates by choosing not to disclose his past until it's too late is dangerous. He doesnt directly put down the ninja unless he has to and its more implied than anything and is on his students and this fandom for taking it so harshly. He trusts them a lot because he doesnt see them as kids anymore. They are warriors and it was necesary. He should have more compassion. He should be more straight forward, he should try to act like a person and not some ethereal being of elsewhere that doesn't have time to appease feelings or care about people until after hes wronged them. His values are off kilter sometimes which is whatever until it starts to hurt people

But yall need to stop blaming him for other people actions. Morro was a mess to begin with. His problems are in the past because he took care of them already. Misako came onto him. (He should have resisted but he didnt start shit she did). He needs to try to be an uncle alongside being a teacher. He needs to act like a fucking person more than the infinite cache of wisdom and unforeseen unused power that he acts like. And also it's a kids show. How many children think the way yall do?, we're teens/YAs we're reading into things. A LOT which makes everything more complicated. Comments rebuttals open. There's a collection of little mistakes hes made along the way that dont fit into these categories but these are the main reasons I know people hate him and the little things add fuel to the fire. I will legit talk about anything Except for the morro thing I am so tired of seeing it Morro made his choices hes a fucking Villain Wu didnt make him that way being a bitter asshole did that. Thanks for reading!! :3

[harryissuchalittleshit]

Potters + Cigarettes + Rehearsal Dinners = Shenanigans

Happy Training Prompt Tuesday!! Instead of writing about one ship I wrote about three!! @petalstosarah

1. James and Lily, 1978, Petunia and Vernon’s Rehearsal Dinner

Lily did everything she could to hold in her temper as she felt Vernon’s beady little eyes on her. The only thing keeping her from cursing him was the large amount of Muggles around her, and James’ warm hand on her waist. It was all ridiculous anyways, Petunia didn’t want her here, and Lily honestly hadn’t wanted to spend her Easter holidays as a member of the wedding crowd.

Petunia had been treating her like a slave since the moment she and had come home. She had been nothing but rude and demanding, had ignored James from the moment he introduced himself, and had called Lily a number of rude things within ear shot. But Lily had been the good sister, she had smiled through the pain and kept her emotions in check.

The rope though was starting to come undone.

“You okay?” whispered James, his lips at her ear, his breath tickling her neck.

“I think I need some air.”

This was the best thing about James, he was observant enough to know when she needed her space, when she was holding in too much. It had been years since she had done accidental magic, had a temper tantrum, had an outburst. Petunia was about to break that streak though.

“C’mon.”

She didn’t know how James got so good at sneaking through a crowd, appearing in one place and then in another in the blink of an eye. But it was comforting holding his hand and sneaking through the crowd and out of the banquet hall.

Out in the dimly lit parking lot, Lily pulled her hair out of the stupid twist her sister made her wear and accepted the cigarette James handed her. The smoke was comforting in her lungs, the burn familiar and warm.

“Sorry about all of this,” said Lily after a few more puffs. “I should’ve known t-“

“Don’t worry about it,” said James, taking off his jacket and wrapping it around Lily’s shoulders. She hadn’t realized she was cold until the moment his warmth wrapped around her. “You’re sure that there’s an open bar tomorrow, right?”

Lily giggled and kissed his cheek, tucking her head into his shoulder. “From what I understand, yes, but knowing the arse Vernon is, it’ll only last for a little while.”

James sighed and Lily took another pull from her cigarette, before dropping it on the ground and putting it out with the heel of her shoe. There was no way they would be allowed back inside if Petunia smelled them. Not that Lily really minded, she was still hungry from dinner, nothing had been appetizing and they had been one of the last tables to go through the buffet line.

“Are you still hungry?” Lily asked him, turning to look up boyfriend. “Because I’m starving and the diner should still be open.”

James smiled down at her and Lily felt herself return the gesture. She grabbed his hand and pulled him into the darkest corner of the parking lot, she had no plans to let go of him anytime soon.

2. Harry and Ginny, 2003, Ron and Hermione’s Rehearsal Dinner

“Let’s sneak out, before she corners us again.” Ginny pushed Harry towards the restaurant door, “I don’t think I can handle another lecture from mum sober.”

“Thank Merlin there’s an open bar tomorrow at the wedding,” Harry replied as they snuck through the door unnoticed, “or I would’ve bailed on you the second I met your family.”

Ginny nodded, “I would’ve bailed on me too, honestly.”

Out in the parking lot, it was marginally quieter and Ginny could feel herself think again. It was one thing to trap a large amount of Weasley’s in one room, but add in Hermione’s extended family, and a language barrier, it was means for disaster.

Even if it was nice to have everyone around, the last time they had all been together had been for George and Angelina’s wedding a few years ago. That day had been fun, but it had also been heavy, they were missing Fred and Angelina’s mother and sister. Ginny had been a bridesmaid then too, she had been paired up with Angelina’s little brother David, who was laugh and who she had a lot of fun with.

But this felt different.

“Knut for your thought?”

Ginny smiled and accepted the cigarette that Harry handed her, she had to admit that she didn’t take him for a smoker. But he was getting increasing good at stealing them from Hermione when she wasn’t looking.

“Do you think it’s time that we set a date?” asked Ginny, passing the cigarette back to him and blowing a steam of smoke pass his face. “It’s been what? Almost four years since you proposed?”

Harry shrugged and Ginny wished that he would make a decision on the matter at hand. Even though she had been the one who wanted a long engagement and had given him shit about making her a child bride. But now that George was married and Ron was getting married and Percy was ready to propose to Audrey at any moment from what Angelina had told George who told Ginny. At this rate, she was going to be the last one married even though she had been the first one engaged after the war.

Everyone had given up on Charlie, well, except for their mum, but that was expected.

“Do you want to get married?” asked Harry, leaning against one of the many cars in the parking lot around them. “I thought you wanted to wait.”

“I did,” offered Ginny, because honestly she had wanted to wait. But not she felt like the youngest all over again, like the baby of the family she was born into. “But at this rate Percy’s going to be married with three kids before we settle on a date.”

“August sixteenth.”

“What?”

“August sixteenth,” repeated Harry and Ginny stared at him. It wasn’t that Harry didn’t make decisions, it was just that more often than not he didn’t care about these sort of things. “It’s the day I proposed, the day I knew I couldn’t ever live without you.”

Ginny bit her bottom lip and looked at him, taking in his smile and his dancing green eyes. Maybe he cared more than Ginny thought, more than he would ever admit to anyone except for her.

“Okay,” agreed Ginny, stepping into his arms and wrapping her own around his neck. She felt herself relax into his kiss, her whole body turning into jelly. “I’ll be the one in white.”

“Just meet me at the altar.”

3. James and Marci, 2037, James and Marci’s Rehearsal Dinner

“Why did we bring the kids again?”

Marci stared at her soon-to-be husband and rolled her eyes. She had to admit that they may of made a mistake, but she also knew that this was more about James’ family than their children. They were getting married tomorrow, bringing their families together into one.

There would no longer be Potter children and Abraham children, instead they would all be Potters. James’ three kids and her three kids and their daughter Liliana would finally all had the same last name, and would all finally be of one identity.

“James,” said Marci, wrapping her arms around his neck and tucking her head under his chin as she heard the familiar click of a lighter. A moment later she reached up and took the cigarette out of his mouth, taking a pull before putting it back between his lips.

“Sorry,” grumbled James a few moments and another cigarette later. “I just didn’t do this last time, Lily was the only one of us who had a real wedding.”

Marci smiled and pulled away from him, this was new for her too, she got married at eighteen in a quick ceremony at a Muggle courthouse. She knew that marriage was doomed from the start, how she had allowed herself to be forced into that kind of situation she didn’t know.

She knew that a big fancy ceremony wouldn’t change anything, but she wanted to have it. She didn’t want to feel ashamed to marry James, she just wanted to marry him.

Their wedding party was made up of their children, their nieces and nephews, and their siblings. It was in a dingy courthouse late at night or at the Ministry in the early morning, this was everything that they wanted for themselves, for each other.

“This is all new to me too.”

James nodded and Marci reached for his hand, twisting their fingers together and letting him kiss the ring he had given her the day their daughter was born. They really weren’t doing anything too crazy, too many children would be in attendance, and they weren’t stupid kids anymore.

“By this time tomorrow, we’ll be married.”

Marci felt her heart flutter as James stepped forward and held her cheek. His hand was warm, his brown eyes bright and almost golden, everything about him was warm and soft and home to her. Had been from the moment they had met, from their first smile, first words, first kiss. James was the home that she had been searching for when she came to England with a bag and her three children, Josey, Hallie, and Mike Anthony.

Back then she hadn’t expected to meet James, she hadn’t expected to fall in love with Jason, Kerrie, and Hazel. She definitely hadn’t expected to get pregnant within months of her arrival to the country, but it had all been for the better, for the best of all of them.

“Mrs. Marci Olivia Potter,” whispered James and Marci leaned forward, kissing him softly.

“Just promise me that you won’t forget the condoms this time.”

James smiled and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her back towards the doors of the restaurant they had rented out for their rehearsal dinner. In less than twenty-four hours she would be Mrs. James Sirius Potter.

And she couldn’t be happier.