#maybe ortega needs a new manager

[hislittleraincloud]

Good gods, the tomatometer on Miller's Girl is currently lower than that of Finestkind's when the latter was first released 💀

...'Tis early yet. But so far it don't look great with two 'shitty' movies in a row, and I need to contemplate more before I write any sort of review.

ETA: Oh yikes...

...wait a second...

"ends up presenting the actress with a very similar role as Wednesday Addams, even if she gets to play off the seduction a little more"

Playing off the seduction a little more...than she does as Wednesday.

🫴🏽❤️‍🔥✨

[infernalodie]

𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 || 𝐉𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐎𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐚

“𝘓𝘦𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘨𝘰 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘐'𝘮 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘧𝘢𝘳 𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦“

Inspo: Michael Bublé - Home

Pairing: Jenna Ortega x Male!reader

Summary: The distance made you chose home and you would do it again...

Warnings: Fluffy

Words: 1726

Out on the road, it held some of the greatest moments in your life. Going big and being able to travel across the world or on a tour bus, seeing places, meeting fans, spending years with friends getting to experience all these things together. It truly is a gift that you wouldn’t take back. Fame and the extra responsibilities were meaningless when you got to live the dreams you had since a child.

But as years went on and as you got older, you met people. You had partners that came and left, but none felt like something you wanted to have for life. Until Jenna met you backstage. She was beautiful, far more beautiful than what you saw on the internet or in movies. You two talked until your manager pulled you to the stage. But in those 5 minutes of talking, seeing her smile, hearing her laugh, some part of you had this feeling. It was a swelling effect in the chest that hadn’t been prevalent for so long. So, you had made it your mission to exchange numbers and see if it would work. If it just meant being friends, then that would be enough.

So, on nights when you were laid up in a hotel or on the tour bus and you couldn’t sleep, you sent her a quick text. Feeling your lips twist into a smile when she texted back. She was a movie star and you were just some unknown (almost) jazz artist that lived for the music. Yet, she gave time to you when she was also free. Your friends would joke when they found you smiling at your phone. Teasing you for being so whipped over a girl you met once.

And it only felt inevitable that you guys attempted to give it a chance. When the tour ended, you guys met again and went on countless secretive dates since Jenna wasn’t prepared for that type of press. You supported her and she did you. Most days, you attempted to just call her if she wasn’t busy and would see her when she had a day off. Going with her to TV and movie premiers is a plus one that the two of you labelled as “best friends.” And something about your guys’ relationship being so secretive gave it that much affection and genuine love behind the scenes because it was your guys’ secret. It was only for you two to know, feel, and experience.

That was a year ago. The two of you were still going strong but tours and shows were sucking more of the life out of you. Performing was still magical and a god given gift to you, but being away from Jenna was hurting more and more as time passed. Seeing the fans were great, but you missed Jenna’s arms around you. Hearing the crowd sing the lyrics was exciting, but feeling Jenna’s lips against yours was different and better.

You started touring at 17 and that was after putting out two studio albums. You were 22 now and the love for music was still there, but it wasn’t the forefront like it used to be. And you accomplished everything you needed to. Going to countries and cities you wanted, doing certain events, going on talk shows, meeting your celebrity idols- all of it was done. The last show of your tour was in the 3rd biggest stadium in the world. You had reached the top. So, where else were you supposed to go? There was only so much you could do before the drive was lost and you might’ve wanted to conserve it honestly. Maybe drop the whole music thing for a few years and come back with a fresh mind and new things you’ve experienced. It was a tall order and one you believed and everyone close to you did too.

So, walking out on that stage with the sound of fans screaming in excitement, cheering your name as far back as your eyes would allow you to see, it felt surreal. It also tore way at your heart. But you managed to force the tears down and smile, adjusting your suit and bringing the mic to your lips. “Michigan.” Your monotone voice was overtaken by the screams, making you laugh. “Who is ready for the show?” They screamed again.

The night slowly divulged down into you giving the best performance of your life. Dancing, running, jumping, screaming, you gave your all to the show and the crowd was loving it. But you knew time was whittling down and the eventual final song would have to be performed and you would be left sorrowful. Because you knew that the moment you stepped on stage, this would be the last show for a while. And it almost felt like you were saying goodbye to someone or losing someone. There would be a grieving process and it would take long to overcome it. But you knew it wasn’t over.

Soon enough, that time came and you had to pull the stool in the center of the stage close to the piano and sat down. “Listen, I know I’m 22, but I am getting too old for this,” you grumbled, taking a sip at your water as the crowd laughed. “But I am sure you guys realize that I haven’t played the last song. But there is a good reason for that. I…I am going to be taking a break for a while.”

You lowered the mic as you felt your nose start to tingle and burn. Sniffling as you swallowed the lump in your throat. “I met someone a few years ago and being on tour has been a gift and I love every single one of you, but I need to spend that time with them. They changed my life and so many ways and I love them too much to step away any longer.” you explained. “It hurts being away from loved ones and it hurts more not being able to be in their arms.” Exhaling shakily, you allowed the tears to flow down your cheeks without care. “I’ve been doing this since I was 13. Making music out of my parent's basement and when I was 17, I finally went on tour and it’s been nonstop since. So, I made a few calls and cleared it, but an album will be dropping my birthday with this next song.”

The crowd cheered, seeming to support your decision. It made your face twist in so many emotions and your heart swell in happiness. But when you turned your head, you found her standing on the other end of the stage, tears in her eyes, hands clasped to her chest. Your bottom lip trembled and a choked laugh fell from your lips as you got up and walked toward her. When Jenna stepped out from the curtain, the crowd screamed and cheered.

Yet, the world became so meaningless when you were wrapped in her arms. Her warm tears wet your cheek, which made you sigh shakily. “I love you so much.” It was the truth. In so many circumstances, you felt like the four-letter word didn’t have the much weight as it did now. You also didn’t feel worthy of being the one to say it. But you were giving up so much money to just be with her because she meant more than the money. She gave more memories than the road could ever, so you hoped she knew how much you meant it.

Jenna rubbed your back, pulling away to kiss you on the forehead. Her hands hold your face with her lips etching into a grin. “I love you too,” she whispered. Taking your hand, she pressed a kiss to the back of it and tilted her head. “You gonna sing that song or keep ‘em waiting?”

You smiled, taking her hand and pulling her further out on stage. Raising your interlocked hands, causing the crowd to cheer in bliss. The band began to play with you and Jenna sat at the piano. Her hand rested on your lap as you played the keys just like you practiced so many sleepless nights. “Another summer day. Has come and gone away. In Paris and Rome. But I wanna go home, mmm,” you sang. “May be surrounded by, A million people I still feel all alone. Just wanna go home. Oh, I miss you, you know.”

The crowd was a sea of lights, waving from left to right with the rhythm of the song. Making you smile as you moved closer to the mic and tilted your head to glance at Jenna. Her eyes dreamily admired you as you smiled. “Let me go home. I'm just too far. From where you are. I wanna come home. And I feel just like I'm living someone else's life. It's like I just stepped outside. When everything was going right.”

You had created the song while on the road. A distant cry of what you wished for more than anything else in the world. Just to be with Jenna. You were mainly surprised by the fact that you were allowed to do this. The record company had cleared it and was in full support of the long break from music. And they had been helpful to make things easier to create your new album while on the road. Willing to pay and have equipment set up and ready for you to use.

“Another winter day. Has come and gone away. In even Paris and Rome. And I wanna go home. Let me go home.” Head bobbing to the drums, you looked at Jenna and smiled. Her hand reached up and threaded through your neatly styled hair, gently caressing your scalp in the way you liked it. The sting behind your eyes grew as you licked your lips. “Let me go home. I've had my run. Baby, I'm done. I gotta go home. Let me go home. It'll all be all right. I'll be home tonight. I'm coming back home.”

With the last chord of the piano that played, the crowd screamed and cheered as you sat there with your hands resting in your lap. Blinking rapidly as you sniffled, pursing your lips and nodding. Looking at Jenna, you smiled through the tears. “Let’s go home.”

[thenextdawn-temporarilyclosed]

Fuck dude that was heavy. Your story cheater. Damn. That's actually a big fear of mine loving someone and then falling out of love. Having something special and then loosing it.

Can you do an alt, kinda based of the prompt from cheater, where the reader is madly in love with Jenna on set and the viewers are all over the internet about the chemistry they see. And the directors who are not shitheads decide to make the characters an unofficial couple and give them a kiss scene and then reader is like, yep I love her and confesses. Now I'm not sure how Jenna would react to this entire thing she's still her own person, so weather you think she would fall for the reader or reject them. Do whatever you see fit.

I’ve Been Waiting

Word count: 3.3K

Summary: request above

Warnings: maybe slight angst?

Pairing: Jenna Ortega X Fem!Reader

———

You weren’t that big of an actress, you have never been. Your roles were side roles most of the times and even though you sent auditions here and then you never got picked, this was until you were younger. Eventually though you grew up and started getting better roles. At age 19 you had already done a couple movies and had gained a little following, though not enough to have paparazzi stalking you or to get called on red carpets or to movie premieres, and even though you wanted to be recognized more, you knew you had to keep these “peaceful moments” close, because they’d never come back. Your manager was a great guy and even though you had wanted to send auditions everywhere, he always stopped you because he knew the directors or the movie company and either the actors were treated badly, or it didn’t pay enough.

Recently though you started sending auditions for Netflix shows, knowing that they paid well and that they welcomed new or unknown faces. It was the best shot you had at getting more recognition, plus, working for netflix was the best way to reach younger people. You auditioned for a few roles, and you heard back from only one. Tim burton in person had chosen you to act in series, Wednesday, for season 2. You didn’t know who you would play yet, but the fact that you’d be working for him, was enough to make you happy. A couple weeks later you got your first scripts, and you immediately went through it. Your character, Athena, was a main one, and it would be Wednesday’s girlfriend. You hadn’t watched the show, but you had heard of it from your best friend, Emma Myers. She acted in that show and had been trying to make you watch it forever but you never had time, and you figured that this was the perfect time to text her.

You: hey M&M! Wanna hear the news?👀

M&M💕: SHUT UP I HEARD!!!!!! I’m so excited, I literally can’t wait for you to meet everyone else!!

You: I’m honestly scared though! I mean, I don’t know who the others actors are but I’m sure they’re more experienced than me! I’m gonna suck

M&M💕: nooooo don’t worry! They’re all really nice and sweet, I’m sure you’ll love them! And you need to watch season 1 before coming here!!!

You never found the time to watch it, but you took a look and memorized the scripts. Wednesday sure was an intriguing girl, but your character was way too stubborn to give up on her the first chance she got. Wednesday was a softie deep down and only Enid and Athena saw that. It took your character a while to figure that out, but to her, Wednesday was as easy to read as a book, given that Athena’s ability was to read minds. She knew what everyone thought, she knew everything about everyone. Finally, after a couple months you were on your flight to Romania. You were in first class or course and you didn’t have to hide from paparazzis because there were none for you… of course not yet. The flight was incredibly long and extremely boring, but when you arrived there were a lot of paparazzis.

Not for you though. They were around Emma, who had come pick you up. As soon as she saw you she immediately came your way and hugged you. “Hi M&M!” You smiled and hugged her back tightly, paparazzis shooting pictures from afar, obviously having to keep distances. “I missed you so much (Y/N)! Come on let’s go to the car and we can talk more in there” she said, you gave her a smile and a nod before the two of you headed to the luxurious VIP car with darkened windows, something you weren’t used to yet, but soon enough you were heading to the set of Wednesday. “So, how was the flight?” Emma asked. “Boring. But what flight isn’t?” You laughed and she did the same “what about you? How have you been?” She smiled and snuggled up to you, she has always been very affectionate towards you. “I’m good! Been missing my best friend but now it feels so weird that we get to act together! Oooh wait till you meet the others” she said smiling.

You soon arrived on set and just like Emma had expected, everyone was in a trailer together playing cards. She took you to your trailer to put down your stuff, before going to the trailer everyone else was in. “So… expect lots of questions, they’re really curious people… oh! Wait till you meet Jenna, she’s the one who plays Wednesday. She’s amazing-“ you interrupted her “Emma, you’re more excited than I am” you giggled and soon enough you walked in the trailer. “Hey everyone! This is (Y/N), our new cast mate” everyone waves at you, but a certain brunette caught your eyes. The black hair, brown eyes… she must be Jenna, the girl who plays Wednesday. She was stunning, to say the least. She smiled back at you and waved “Hi everyone… it’s really good to be here. Sorry for how I look but you know, flights” you giggled and scratched your neck.

“Oh don’t worry! It’s not a problem, it’s okay to feel comfortable. I mean look at us.” Some boy said. Everyone was actually dressed pretty comfortably so it was okay. “So, they’re Jenna, Percy, Naomi, Joy, Johnna and Georgie.” You nodded, already having forgotten the name. “It’s gonna take me a while to remember y’alls name, but it’s alright.” Everyone giggled again, and you couldn’t take your eyes off of Jenna. She was… just something else, you have never seen someone as pretty as her “so… how’s it feel to be Wednesday’s love interest?” It was Jenna who asked, as you all sat down round the table. “I mean… I haven’t watched the first season, but from what I read-“ “YOU HAVEN’T WATCHED SEASON ONE?!?!!” Emma yelled in your ears. “Jesus Emma no I haven’t, I thought I told you-“ Emma decided it would be a great choice to interrupt you again. “Okay everyone, I don’t care what you want to do but erase that, we’re watching season one now”

That’s how you ended up binge watching season 1 of Wednesday that same night, and guess were you were sitting? Right next to Jenna. You had to admit she did make you a little bit nervous. Just a little bit, she was so pretty and she seemed so pure and sweet, you HAD to get to know her better. First episode started and when Wednesday said “I’d never fall in love” you quickly said “u-uh! You’ll fall in love with me next season don’t you worry” you said, making everyone giggle. Jenna didn’t usually like watching herself on screen, but you seemed so into it, she didn’t mind. Then the final episode… “OH YES ENID! GO SAVE MY FUTURE GIRLFRIEND!” You yelled, once again everyone laughed, Jenna included. They all liked how you seemed confident with yourself and no one saw it but Jenna blushed at what you said.

The show was finished soon “woah. This was a roller coaster of emotions. It was so good! Now I can’t wait to see who’s the stalker” you said and really thought about it. Curiosity was killing everyone in the room, even if no one yet knew who it would be. “Now tell us a bit about yourself” Percy asked. “What movies did you do?” “Oh… uhm you don’t want to see my movies” you said, color rushing to your face as your cheeks turned red “I only had side roles, secondary characters… I never got more than a line or two. This is my first important project and I have to be honest it feels weird to be here with y’all… I actually think I saw some of you in movies… Jenna I’m sure that I saw you in “The fallout”, you played Vada right?” You asked her, and she nodded happily. “God I loved that movie! So you know Maddie! I was actually on dance moms with her, though I stopped dancing like 5-6 years ago.” You said and watched Jenna’s jaw fall. “That’s where I saw you! You looked so familiar!” You two spent the night talking with them, getting to know them and it was useless to say that y’all immediately clicked together.

Eventually filming started, and you grew closer with everyone, especially with Jenna. Emma was also friends with her and it was hard to see the three of you separated from each other. Stories on instagram of the three of you were a daily thing and even though Jenna wasn’t the social type, she didn’t mind that. Talking again about the filming, you still had to get used to everything, you never had hair and make up done this good, you never acted as a main character before and it was so good to be given this kind of attention for once. However, going forward with filming you later found out that in this season, Wednesday and Athena wouldn’t be together yet, but it served as a way to create chemistry within the two characters, with teasing, flirting and such, which only confirmed that there’d be a third season and that you’d be in it, to finally give Wednesday a couple.

When season two aired, you knew you had reached your dream. You finally had fans of yours, you were finally getting called on red carpets, premieres and people wanted to take photos of you and with you. Of course fans had noticed the chemistry within Athena and Wednesday… but also within you and Jenna. The tension between the two of you has always been so thin to cut. Of course you had told Emma about your so obvious crush on Jenna, and neither you or her ever found out if she liked you back, but it was also obvious that Jenna had grown quite attached to you, sitting on your legs, cuddling up to you… and all of this made you always gay panic. Finally, it was time for the Wednesday season 2 premiere. Your dress matching Jenna’s and paparazzis were so eager to take your pictures and couple pictures with Jenna. You looked at her with heart eyes while she was oblivious of it all, even your fans had figured out you liked her.

With time, you got called on interviews as well, with her and with the rest of the cast. They always had you sitting next to Jenna, and you couldn’t be happier, yet you were always so nervous, especially with the way she looked at you when you answered to questions. You always tried not to brush your hands with her, and you kept your own in your lap, but in this particular interview it was hard, as the couch you two were sitting on was pretty tight. “So, (Y/N), Jenna, you may know that fans noticed that there is a lot of chemistry between your characters. Is there anything you can spoil us about next season?” You smiled as Jenna passed you her microphone, hands touching as your cheeks briefly flushed. “Ooh let me see. So we haven’t seen any script yet, but we do know something. The chemistry between Wednesday and Athena will definitely be stronger and more… palpable.” You nodded, happy with your choice of words as the interviewer nodded.

Then the interviewer moved her attention to Jenna. “So, Jenna, there’s definitely a lot of chemistry between Athena and Wednesday, but people also noticed chemistry between you two in real life. You look like you’re a couple, is that true?” Jenna giggled and you blushed, covering your face “well uhm-“ Jenna turned to look at you. “We bonded really quickly actually. It’s like we were meant to be friends, really good friends. I literally cannot be without her or Emma, they’re the best people I know.” Jenna said and nodded. Friends. That’s what you were to her, a friend. Maybe she said it for the cameras, or maybe it was really true, that she only saw you as a friend. You had to admit, this revelation hurt you deeply. If this was really true, you knew you had to suppress your feelings for her.

For weeks you tried to avoid her, but it was incredibly hard. Jenna’s love language was physical contact, and even if you two were just friends, she hugged you and snuggled up to you a lot. And you let her, of course you did. But you avoided having deep conversations with her about anything, but luckily she didn’t notice… Emma did though. So one night when only you and her were together, she decided to confront you about it. “(Y/N) you’re in love with her! If you don’t tell her it’ll be too late, you need to tell her NOW!” She said, but you shook your head, sighing “Emma she clearly said she sees me as a good friend, nothing more, nothing less and-“ she interrupted you. Now you were used to this, she did this all the time “but that was an interview! I’m sure she actually likes you a lot” she said and you shook your head. “If she gives me more signals, I’ll tell her.”

More time passed and you parted ways, everyone had other projects to care for and it was fine with you, at least you had a little of freedom, you didn’t have to think about your feelings for Jenna, right? Nope, wrong. She’d text you every day. Even privately! She asked for videocalls which you couldn’t deny, and you found yourself falling harder for her, if that was even possible. The situation went on like this until it was finally time to film season 3. You were going through your scripts when you saw it. A kiss scene, between Athena and Wednesday. You knew that this would be your end, this would make you break and you were sure of that. However as hard as it was for you, you needed to make this scene as best as possible.

“And… ACTION!” You were in Wednesday’s room, it being filled with nothing but you two as you had just entered. “Athena. What is so important for you to disturb my writing time?” Wednesday said, as the tapping on her typewriter never stopped. “You’ve been avoiding me, Nes. Care to tell me why?” You asked, crossing your arms as you stared at the back of her head “call me that again and I’ll make Thing rip your tongue off. He doesn’t go easy on people.” She tried to threaten you. But you never got scared of her threats. “I’m not scared, you know that.” With that, Wednesday got up, storming towards you with her fist tightened, god, Jenna looked so beautiful. This is what you kept on thinking, this also contributing to the way you looked at her. “What do you want?” She asked and you took a deep breath. “I’m not sure why you’re ignoring me, but I think that feelings are involved” you said as you slowly stepped closer, she didn’t dare move back.

“Feelings that you’re trying to hide, perhaps” you said and watched how she averted her gaze from yours. “Look Wednesday, I like you. And I know you like me too. But you promised not to be like your mother, you promised you’ll never love someone. But the fact that you love or like someone, doesn’t make you like your mother. You’re your own person Wednesday. You’re way different from her” you continued. She finally looked at you and you felt your breath hitch, god did she look pretty. “Get to the point.” She said and you smiled softly, as you hesitantly moved a hand up to her face. You didn’t caress her cheeks, knowing Wednesday hated physical touch, so you just traced your fingers on her braids. “What I’m trying to tell you is… I would like to try and be something more with you. I want to be your partner… if you’ll allow me”

She didn’t speak a word for a while, but you waited. “Are you aware of the fact that I’ll probably torture you?” She said, and you smirked, grabbing her cold, yet soft hand. “I like a bit of torture.” You said, though she was quicker to reply back to you. “I could hurt you. I could die too, remember I have a stalker.” She said and you sighed. “I would bare the pain. I would die for you if it meant I could save you” you moved closer to her, your lips almost brushing hers “you’re making a mistake.” She said and you smirked “and it’ll be the best mistake I’ll ever make” you said and closed your eyes, finally leaning in for a kiss as you felt her pull you closer from your hips, you smiled as you brought your own hand up to her cheek, to deepen the kiss.

“CUT! that was amazing girls! 10 minutes break” you would have continued kissing her if it wasn’t for the fact that you were filming. In that moment it wasn’t Athena kissing Wednesday, it was you kissing Jenna and it felt heavenly. Her lips were so warm and soft, her skin felt like porcelain under your hands and she just felt so fragile. However you had to pull back when the director yelled cut. You looked at her with heart eyes for a while and she looked back at you with a smile, only for you to storm out running. “(Y/N)! Wait-“ Jenna said and ran behind you, but Emma was quicker. “Hey! What happened?” She asked before Jenna could reach you. “We shot the kiss scene and- and I don’t think I can handle hiding everything for more time” she was about to reply when Jenna reached you. “Jesus aren’t you fast. (Y/N), will you tell me what’s wrong?” Jenna asked while trying to catch her breath.

“Can’t you see what’s wrong, Jen?” You asked her, trying to stay calm and not raise your voice at her. “For months I’ve been hiding my feelings for you but you make it so hard, Jen. You snuggle up to me, you sit on my thighs, you treat me like no one ever did… but then at that interview you said we’re friends- how am I supposed to act? I love you Jen. I’m in love with you just like Athena loves Wednesday, if not even more. But what are we? Are we just friends? Because I would love to try and be more, but it’s up to you…” you said and looked down, though hands in hair. You were lost in thoughts, but she soon pulled you out of them when she walked closer and put a hand on your cheek. “I’ve been waiting to hear you say this in forever” she said as she leaned in and kissed you, but it was a different kiss than the one you shared before while filming.

It wasn’t a “fake” kiss like the ones you share for tv purpose, it was an actual kiss. She pulled back briefly, looking at you this time with heart eyes as well, Her soft lips gently brushed against yours before kissing you again, her hands bringing you closer from your shirt as your hands moved down to her waist, gently caressing it with her thumb. It felt perfect, exchanging hot breaths and soft kissed, it was what you had desired in so long. When she pulled back, she made sure to keep your foreheads attached.

“I love you too.”

[drkmgs]

I'd choose you over everyone.

Lady Lesso x Reader

Warnings: fluff

story type: one shot

The first none Wednesday/Jenna related fanfiction. Why? Because I have writers block for the stories I planned for Wednesday and Jenna Ortega. I'm also obsessed with Charlize Theron at the moment...

No one will deny you are one of the most attractive reader, and you also were the oldest one they have seen. All Nevers and Evers were lining up to get your attention or just throw them a quick glance, but you had no interest in them.

The only person who had successfully got your attention was the dean of evil. You certainly didn't know why, but her vibe and aesthetic were captivating you from afar.

You knew who had her heart, but that didn't hold you back from confessing and trying to pursue her. In the end, it did break your heart to see how inlove she was with someone who was just obsessed with power.

After the school was successfully rebuilt and united, you managed to get home and never looked back. Not until a few months back, a certain Clarissa Dovey sent you an invitation, for all former Readers, there will be a celebration for the unity of the school.

When the day came, you didn't really know what to do there, but you owe Clarissa an apology for disappearing without a proper goodbye, and this would probably be the ultimate test to see if you'd moved on.

You sighed. You walked through the portal, just in seconds, your surroundings changed into a familiar yet brand new place. Stoned grounds, marbled walls, red carpets, and chandeliers were present in front of you.

Former Readers, Heroes, and Villains chatting and dancing in the middle of the ballroom. The smell of food lingering in the air, the festive music playing in the background, and the clicking of glasses can be heard.

"Y/N! I'm so happy to see you!" You quickly snapped your gaze to the woman coming at you with open arms.

"Look at you! You haven't changed at all! Maybe a bit mature looking, but that isn't really a problem. At. All." Dovey, scanning you from head to toe.

"It's nice to see you too, Dovey. I'm sorry for not saying goodbye." You had a sad smile on your face.

"Oh, don't bother! I know you needed to get away from here. I'm just glad I found your right address!" Dovey waved her hand as a sign that you didn't have to apologize. She continued to tell you what happened after you left and toured you around the new castle.

Arriving back at the main hall, both of you stopped by the stairs. From there, you spotted a red-haired woman scoffing at a couple who are obviously oversharing their PDA moment. You couldn't help but snort seeing Lady Lesso's reaction, which didn't get unnoticed by a certain Ever beside you.

"Did you two talk about what happened after the school was rebuilt? You know, when she gave you the invitation..." Dovey asked with caution, which made you divert your gaze back to her. Based on your confused look, it is clear she made a mistake.

"What do you mean she gave me the invitation? The invitation was among my letters." You squinted your eyes at her.

"She didn't talk to you? Strange, she told me she personally delivered the invitation. Ha. Ha." Dovey tried to play it off by her nervously laughing. You, on the other hand, furrowed your brows and diverted your gaze to the red-haired who is now staring at you with wide eyes.

You saw her putting her drink down, slowly turning her body towards the door. As soon as you realize she was making a run for it, you quickly dashed down the stairs and followed her red puffy hair.

You reached her wrist outside the entrance of the castle. Panting you let go of her.

"Is it so hard for you to admit your mistakes and ask for forgiveness?" You say getting your breathing back. Her back facing you, you see her sigh, and her shoulders slumped down.

"The moment I heard from Sophie, you were in Gavaldon, I immediately look for you. I couldn't bring myself to talk to you, that's why I left the invitation among your letters and went back to the school. Who am I to ask you to take me back after all I did to you? I'm not an idiot, Y/N. I saw how many Nevers and Evers were crazy for you, but you never paid them attention, I was the exception, and what did you get from me? heartbreak and misery." She turned her head sideways, the moon reflected on her green eyes and her face glowing as the moon was the only source of light outside the castle.

"Leonora. Isn't it time for you to make it up to me? For all those months you wasted pushing me away, instead of running and hiding from me?" You stood your ground, reached for her waist, turning her around to face you. She couldn't look you in the eyes. With one hand, you cupped her cheek to make her look up at you. She reads your eyes. Eyes filled with love and affection.

"Why? Why me? Why not the others?" She had this begging tone in her voice, but there was also relief.

A gasped and a finger pointing to the sky caught everyone's attention, fireworks. You and Lady Lesso turned around to watch the wonderful show.

"Because I'd choose you over everyone." With that, you sealed it with a kiss that was long overdue. Speaking of perfect timing, the door of the castle opened and all of the Nevers and Evers applauded, and whistled for both of you. You broke the kiss a shy Lady Lesso hid her face in your neck and wrapped her arms around you, which you return.

"I guess, it's never too late for a happily ever after for a villain." You whisper in her ear, which made her look at you. The fireworks reflecting on her eyes and skin.

"I guess, you're right." She smiled and you leaned in for another kiss.

[licuadora-nasir]

Another kind of crash

Pairing: chargestep

Warnings: panic attack reference, blood, Canon-Typical Violence

Summary: What if Sidestep never crashed after visiting Hollow Ground's lair? What if they had to deal with the consequences of a shitty villain reveal without being stuck in a hospital bed?

Notes: Thank you so much @uncreativeboxdraws for proofreading my mess u're my hero

Read it in AO3

"River? Sorry, I guess it's a bit of a shock to find out I've known for as long as I have."

He doesn’t understand, he’s looking at you and he doesn’t get it. 

“We can’t talk about it later.”

“Fuck shit.”  You step on the gas; you need to get out of here now.

Ortega winces as you weave through the traffic. He never liked being in the passenger seat, as much as you’ve always loathed driving in Los Diablos. 

“We’re in trouble.” 

“That’s not nEW!” The car jerks, and you do your best to keep it under control, but you’ve never been the best driver and the car starts skidding wildly, although it looks like the sniper just shot out your tire. 

By some miracle, Ortega manages to pull the hand-break just in time for the car to decelerate and miss the approaching truck. Taking advantage of the commotion, you finally put your shit together and get the hell out of there.

“What the hell was that?!” Ortega sputters, back pressed against the seat, one hand gripping your upper arm and the other grabbing at the door. 

“Good question. A sniper? I don’t think this was Hollow Ground’s doing.” Focusing on not crashing, you shrug Ortega’s hand off and wipe the sweat off your forehead. If Hollow Ground wanted you dead, he could have ordered so instead of letting you go willingly. Or maybe, he changed his mind when he saw who was getting in the car with you.

“Mierda. How many enemies have you made as Riot?” He’s staring at you bug-eyed.

“Ehhh, I don’t know. A few?” Your laugh sounds nervous and suspicious. “Who says that shot was for me and not for you? I’m not the one with a one-man crusade against him.” 

“Of course not, because you’re his little br—” You swerve the car on purpose this time, not looking forward to listening to him finish that sentence. 

“SHUT UP! Just. Shut-up. I can’t drive properly with you harassing me with your pet obsession.”

“Fine. But you’re not running away from this one. Keep driving until we’re sure we’ve lost them and go straight to my place.” He doesn’t take his eyes off you, and if that didn’t make you nervous on a daily basis, right now it’s borderline unbearable. “And don’t try anything funny. You have that look in your eyes.”

“At your command, Marshal. Oops, I mean, former Marshal.” He doesn’t laugh, only keeps staring at you with that look of business on his face and you grow anxious with each second past. 

He’s never looked at you like that. Never spoken to you with that tone. Yeah, sure, you’ve worked with him before and seen how he orders civilians around or interrogates criminals, hell, he’s even had plenty of arguments with other people on your behalf, but he’s never been really mad at you.

Not like now, anyway.  Not because you’ve hurt people. A lot of people. You’ve lied to him, betrayed him and laughed in his face. Put him in the hospital too. And he doesn’t even know about Raine yet. Fuck shit. 

After a while, when you’ve made sure you lost whoever the fuck was trying to blow up your brains, you head to his neighbourhood. As unlikely as it seems, he’s taking your shutting up request seriously, and you think that you’ve never shared a silence that lasted so long.

And because you’re used to his constant rambling and can’t stand his static anymore, you’re the first to break it. 

“What’s going to happen once we get off the car?” 

“That depends on how you want this to go.” His voice is stripped of emotion, straight to the point. That is his way of warning you not to be an asshole. “You can park around here, it’s not a good idea to have the car so close to my building.” 

“You don’t have to worry, I’ll take care of it later.” Of course, you’re lying. Once you stop the engine you’re getting the fuck out here. 

You really don’t want to have this conversation. You’re afraid; not because you fear what Ortega can do to you, you doubt he’ll beat you up too badly if it comes to blows. 

You’re scared of facing the rejection. The prospect of losing whatever is going on between you two after getting back together is more terrifying than any hit he could lay on you. 

But you’re not Sidestep anymore. You’re not the boy who spends his days trying to please Charge and looking for his approval. Your freedom is in your hands now, and you’re not giving it away, not even for Ricardo. 

So you do what you must have done since you got in the car, and when you stop the engine, you break to run. 

Unfortunately for you, you don’t get very far since Ortega has better reflexes than you, zapping you even before you can pull the door handle.

You bite a scream while you dump your head against the wheel, the claxon echoing your pain with a sound of its own. 

“¡River! ¡Puta madre! Te avisé que no hicieras tonterías.” He steps out of the car hurrying to your side, just in time to catch you as you hurry out as well. 

“Let me go you idiOT—” You gasp as he zaps you again and electricity branching down every nerve. Your whole body convulses and Ortega catches you by the waist before it hits the ground.

That electric shock would have been enough to knock someone out and give them some severe burns. But all those years in the farm, while you were submitted to far more painful torture made sure you weren’t anybody. Electric shocks were often used to test how long you could remain focused, and you suppose you have built some endurance to electricity as a result of that.

Regardless, you pretend to be out cold, waiting for an opening to successfully run from Ortega. 

“¡Ay Dios mío! I really didn’t want to come to this…” He closes the car’s door, puts you on his shoulder like you weigh nothing and walks to his building carrying you like a sack of potatoes. 

“Why don’t you ever listen to me?” He sounds tired, a harsh contrast to the determined demeanour he had some minutes before. Technically, you do listen to him. But that doesn’t mean you have to do what he asks. 

When he gets to the building, he feeds the doorman some bullshit story about how you were having some drinks, and you got so drunk you passed out. If not for Ortega’s charm and you being a known face around, you don’t think there’s a chance in hell he’d have bought such a preposterous story. As it stands though, and with a small telepathic push for good measure, he doesn’t suspect anything too weird.

If only they knew you only pass out out of drunkenness alone.

You finally arrive to his flat, and he takes care of the locks and the security system before gently lying you on the couch, making sure the door is locked in case you want to leave. Bastard. 

He heads to the kitchen to probably get a first aid kit, and wasting no time, you grab the nearest lamp quiet as a mouse, getting up from the couch. 

Your beating heart threatens to burst out of your chest. Stealthily, you walk to the kitchen, lamp in your sweaty hands, hurrying up before he turns back. 

The stupid fancy shoes you chose for this meeting with Hollow Ground are new, and the rubber sole makes a barely perceptible noise against Ortega's floor that you pray he won't hear. 

But your derby’s noise might not be so imperceptible to him, given he turns back and dodges the lamp that was aimed straight at his head. Wasting no time, he lands a blow in your face. 

Your body retreats and you take advantage of the new closeness to kick him in the guts, before delivering another kick to his chin and jumping over the kitchen island, making him chase you through the living room.

“River, stop! We can’t talk about this!” He sounds more desperate than angry, but his feelings are quite low on your priority list right now.

“Talk? You want to talk?!?! You’re keeping me TRAPPED you bastard! TRAPPED!” You fiddle with the locks but there’s no use, and as he sounds  his approach you pick the nearest picture hanging on the wall and throw it at him, a petty distraction to jump over the couch and put some distance between you two.

“Stop being so dramatic! We wouldn’t be in this situation if you didn’t run from all your problems, pendejo!” His gaze drips with accusation. The audacity. 

“Me?!” You wipe the blood from your face. Is it coming from your nose or your lip? “I’m not the dramatic one in this relationship!” 

“So we do have a relationship?” For a moment, he looks at you with new eyes, but common sense comes back to him a second later and he shakes his head. “Hey! Stop trying to distract me by bringing up our relationship, that’s dirty!” 

“A relationship? A relationship based on lies and secrets? Is any of this even real?” You sound manic in your ears and Ortega looks distressed.

“Of course it is! Give me some credit, I told you I knew you were Riot and I’ve known you were Hollow Ground’s little brother since you showed me your face.” You’re gritting your teeth so hard you wouldn’t be surprised if they just snapped. 

Ortega and his stupid theories. His pointless obsessions. He’s spent years working on an absurd backstory, believing himself to be so smart and astute, yet he’s oblivious to the truth before his eyes. 

You are not part of this world. You are not part of anything. You can’t belong, you’re a fish in a tank, they made sure of it. Made to fool and pretend, that’s what they taught you. 

They. The static. Ortega’s static. 

“Why won’t you just TALK to me!!” You want to scream from the top of your lungs. Rip off all of your hair. You’re breathing yet air doesn’t seem to reach your lungs, you’re sweaty and clothes stick to your skin in an intrusive way. 

“Stop yelling. Please. I’m sorry.” You’re cracking. Your voice sounds like a hollow whisper, your eyes sting. “Please, you’re scaring me.” Both of you are standing on opposite sides of the dinner table, the only thing protecting you against that dreadful static. 

“I just want to understand you.” You send a glance his way, Ricardo seems as shaken as you. Tired, looks like he has aged 10 years in the span of this conversation. 

“I don’t know how to do that.” Shaky words. Iron and salt in your mouth. You’re crying. “I don’t know how to explain. Where to start?”

“In the beginning? Anywhere? Por favor, inténtalo. Give me anything.” Pleading, he begins to path towards your side of the table, but you hold a hand to keep him in place. 

“I’ll show you.” Stop being chicken. Stop being a crybaby. “I’ll show you, and you can hate me for it later. But don’t move. And don’t talk until I say so.” 

If he wants to know so badly, you reveal to him the truth. Feed him the poisonous orange so he can throw it up later in your face like the disgraceful abomination you are.

[punkranger]

The wild hunt for the Jacket

Post-crash. Antoine is trying to patch up some of the damage it caused, but that requires reaching out and learning to rely on others.

1500 words, some chargestep, banter with Nehal, nothing to warn for

…beep…

…beep…

…beep-click

“Yes?”

Not much to go on, but Ortega doesn’t usually take this long to answer your calls – although you can’t really be sure of that since you don’t usually call him. Either way you can’t help wincing a little.

“It’s me.” You hesitate slightly, Ortega just hums in reply. Better get right to it then. “Ortega, what happened to my jacket?”

“Your…? Your jacket?” At least you’ve managed to make him sound confused instead. Better than the alternative.

“Yes, I want it back. Unless you were planning to keep it hostage in exchange for my good behavior or something.”

“Antoine…” You’re not sure what that tone is but you think it might be frustration. But mostly other things, things you don't want to think about. “There was hardly anything to keep, I think the staff at the hospital threw it away.”

“They threw it away?!” Your voice rises in something far too close to desperation. It’s not like you couldn’t get a new jacket, or like you’re really attached to that one, but… “You just let them throw away my clothes? My possessions?”

The anger is unexpected – too much. It shouldn’t matter, they’re just things. But they were your things, once again other people are making decisions for you, taking things you own and throwing them away like they don’t matter, like you don’t matter-

“Antoine?”

You bite the inside of your cheek hard to keep from cursing at him. Concentrating on your breathing you manage to calm down enough to trust that the anger won’t bleed through.

“Could you- could you ask after it?” You pause. “Please?”

It’s a stupid risk, going back to remind the people who worked at the hospital that they operated on a re-gene. Whether they knew it or not doesn’t matter, when they find out and start asking questions it’ll be another trail leading back to you eventually.

You can’t bring yourself to care.

It’s been weeks and being stuck in bed for this long has been driving you insane. Besides you want your fucking jacket back, it’s your favorite one, despite being old and worn and a particularly ugly shade of orange. But it’s yours and more of a home to you than the apartment you’re currently in.

“I’ll ask, but,” Ortega pauses, sounding weary before his voice hardens, “we need to talk.”

“You know I can’t go anywhere right now.”

“I’ll come to you.”

“No.” Even if Ortega knows everything now you don’t need him snooping around your base, you’ve got enough of a disadvantage already as it is. “And when you find my jacket I’ll send one of my friends to get it.”

“So you don’t count me as a friend?” The tone is slightly teasing, but you have to consciously ignore the brittleness that’s laced in it.

“Don’t be stupid, I’ve never let you know where I live and for good reason.”

“I don’t see why that can’t change now.” Now that he knows.

“Can’t you let me have one fucking thing? Just arrest me next time and have it done with.” You know you’re being unreasonable, but Ortega is as always picking at your sore spots. In this case a few weeks have not been nearly enough to let you forget about the fact that you almost lost everything.

“I guess I’ll have to hold your jacket hostage until you get well enough to get it yourself then.” The words are light, but his tone is serious. Shit.

“Can only do that if you actually have the jacket. Maybe I’ll just ask someone else to look for it since you’re so unhelpful.” Does it sound like you’re pouting? Hopefully not, but the truth is you were counting on Ortega’s help. And maybe you wanted to see if he actually would. Help you. Talk to you.

Maybe you missed him.

“Guess we’ll just have to see who finds it first.”

You smile.

“You're on, old man."

"Hey-!"

You hang up before he can start ranting about not being old. After all, you don't have a minute to spare right now. You need to send someone to look for your jacket before Ortega finds it, not that you care if you have to wait, but you're not losing a bet. That's all.

Picking up your phone you decide to call Nehal. She's the one with the least criminal involvement in the past, so she's the least likely to be recognised.

"Nehal, I need you to pick up something for me. And find it."

"Sure thing boss, what is it, missing your favorite cereal?"

"No, but you can pick that up on the way back since you mentioned it. Seriously though, I need you to go to the Memorial Hospital-"

"The Memorial Hospital? They're not even going to let me through the door." Nehal sounds doubtful, and not a little apprehensive, which is not good. You need her to be discrete yes, but also confident, can't have her mess up because she's nervous. Trust. That's what you need.

"Don't worry about that, I'll let Pelayo know you need to go shopping beforehand." Pelayo, not Eden… that's something you'll have to deal with too. You bite your lip to keep from cursing. Too much to do to be lying around here, but what can you do?

"Sweet! I mean that'll do it, boss!" At least Nehal seems satisfied being given permission to use your funds. This will probably cost you more than a new jacket. "So what was I going to pick up?"

"My jacket, the orange one you know?"

"Hard to miss, you hardly wear anything else." Her tone is teasing and it makes your lips twitch, even if you pretend to take offense.

"Hey, I wear other things too! Anyway, you'll have to ask the staff there, it won't just be lying around, don't mention my name, just describe it, say it's yours or a friend's, just be vague unless they ask for something specific – but I don't think they will. Also, look out for any of the Rangers but especially Charge, don't talk to anyone if he's around, just leave and go back later." You think that's all. You hope that's all she needs to know. It's hard to describe how you think, harder still to get back in the mindset of subterfuge, you had really been letting it go since you set out on this path. Stupid, reckless, but it felt so good at the time to not think about all those things, about Them. Just live in the moment. It was almost enough to make you forget-

"Boss?" Shit. You forgot Nehal on the phone, it's far too easy to do, no thoughts to hear, no presence.

"Yes, sorry, that's all, Nehal. As soon as possible, there's something of a deadline – and a bet is on the line! It's a priority right now."

"Oh, a bet! You should have said so before, boss. I'll do my best for you and the honor of the team! Nehal out!"

At least she sounds excited, you think as you end the call, a small smile on your lips. You don't regret sending Nehal to do this, but now you almost wish you could have been there to have seen it in person. If you'd still been able to contact Dr Mortum she could have set Nehal up with a camera to record it… Ah, there's another depressing thought, better to just imagine Nehal retelling her adventure later.

Now all you have to do is wait. Again.

"What's this?" You ask, bemused, as a bundle is dropped into your lap and you look from it up at Nehal standing next to your wheelchair.

"Your jacket!" Nehal replies triumphantly, then adds, "So, do I get a bonus for this?"

You hold up the shredded pieces of your favorite jacket, trying to keep your expression neutral and not like you're about to cry. It's just a thing, you haven't even had it that long. But you've lost control of just about every aspect of your life and you feel like a glass filled to the brim with water, just another drop might break the surface tension and spill the water over the edge.

"You won the bet, right?" Nehal continues, you're not sure if she's noticed your struggle or if she's so into her own accomplishment she doesn't notice. The reminder that at least Ortega won't have this over you makes you smile a little, and you draw in a shuddering breath, setting your shoulders back and look at Nehal.

"Yes, we've won." You grin as she offers a high five. You can fix this, it might end up being more patches than jacket but it's fine. "Now, if you don't mind doing some more shopping I could use some leather and thread."

"Actually I don't think I want to do more shopping…" she pauses.

"Just kidding! As long as I can get some things for me too," she adds with a wink.

"You're bleeding me dry here," you mock-complain, but hand her a card. You can always get more money.

"Wouldn't want that on top of the broken bones. Don't worry boss, I'll only get the necessities!"

She's gone before you get the chance to reply, leaving behind the feeling of joyous excitement like confetti.

[bclletragedie]

                            @gravefed

LOCATION: the terrors lair/hideout FOR: niko ortega

𝐒𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐒𝐔𝐂𝐇 madness could induce such a high, one better than any other drug. and this time, this one would last. it had been as if the white crocodiles simply hadn't seen them coming, then again -- it was about time the terrors showed these old dogs a thing or two before taking them out with the rest of the trash. while some wore their tattoos with pride, able to take solace that they were a part of the new revolution -- strategically, juliet had known it was best for her to blend in. let them think she was meek, nothing more than a demure little lamb. for they would certainly pay the price for it when the time came.

tonight. oh, tonight.

she had never seen anything more beautiful, a scene accompanied by the sound of cathartic jeers and widespread laughter. the terrors were the reckoning this city needed -- and they were led by none other than juliet's best friend.

niko ortega had always possessed a hard outer shell, juliet knew that much. and yet, there had not been a moment where juliet felt alone in this world, as if someone wasn't in her corner. call her brainwashed, the good girl positioned at the bad girl's side... but juliet knew that niko had never forced a facade upon her, simply removed the mask juliet had worn her entire life and didn't cower from what she saw beneath. instead, she embraced it.

niko had helped her embrace her darkness, and also somehow managed to be her light.

there was no one else she would do what she had done tonight for -- act as one of the foot soldiers in one of the biggest gang sabotages in.. well, perhaps maybe history. not that juliet would even know, having lived a somewhat normal life before now.

" i mean.. it was like they didn't even notice! i know we can't get ahead of ourselves but come on, we really did all that.. and they barely even blinked. " juliet smirked, arms crossed over her chest. she couldn't help but take a moment to admire her best friend. the strong, the powerful. juliet could think of no one else to be a better leader, no one more capable to rule over the underbelly of new york city. " i know we can't get too cocky but holy shit... " she can still hear her heartbeat in her ears. what a high this was. " do we have any next steps? "

[averyaddamsromance]

Tag War: Last Line

I got tagged by the amazing @nouklea and @gardenoblues and @chaoticstupiddm thank you my friends!

Rules: in a new post you show the last line you wrote and tag as many people as there are words.

Ok so, I am in the middle of a moving (sorry maybe you are tired of me saying it but I don't know how else justifying my lack of content), don't have any new videos ready but I am working on a video for the fanfic ALL IT TOOK WAS YOUR SPARK by @wincestation

I am at the point of collecting all the footage that needs to be edited together with Hunter Doohan and Jenna Ortega scenes, to give the impression of watching a trailer for the movie. But those are only words, it remains to be seen if I will be successful. I don't want something cheap. I want something real coming out from it. I really hope to manage to complete it in the next 2 weeks at least.

So here it is a peek of the folder with the footage I intend to use.

I'm gonna tag back these amazing people hoping to get some tasty spoilers from their amazing fanfics SORRY NOT SURE THERE ARE ENOUGH PEOPLE AS THEY ARE THE VIDEOS IN THE FOLDER so I am cheating a bit @suchaladyy @wincestation @ourdramaqueen @wyleriseverything @realmermaid333 @fandom-geek17 @therulerofallpotatos @the-strangest-person @chinita-inzunza, @diamantdog, @penelopwgarcia

and I tag back @nouklea @gardenoblues and @chaoticstupiddm

[iamnotawomanimagod]

2022 Year in Review

I'm so late, pretend I did this like five weeks ago.

I was tagged by the incomparable @lucerants for a 2022 Year in Review!! Here we go! I'm also gonna talk about 'em all so this is gonna get long!

Top 5 Movies you watched this year:

1 - The Medium (2021)

This is an excellent and disturbing Thai horror film about possession. The last thirty minutes are such pure insanity, all I could do was stare at the screen with my mouth gaping. Highly recommended if you love horror.

2 - Encanto (2022)

What a delightful and beautiful film! I loved the themes of family, being true to yourself, and the importance of acceptance. The music absolutely slaps - if "We Don't Talk About Bruno" didn't get stuck in your head this year, did you really live??

3 - The Fallout (2021)

This was one of the first Jenna Ortega films I saw, and I really enjoyed it. She and Maddie Ziegler had great chemistry and did a really good job of portraying their new-friends-but-also-maybe-more relationship. And it was a truly heartbreaking and very real depiction of what being a teenager in our mass shooting saturated society must feel like.

4 - Spiderman: No Way Home

I'm not really into Marvel, as a rule, but I had to check this movie out since they brought Tobey Maguire back. I was surprised at how emotional I got when story lines from over a decade ago got some closure, especially since that closure came with a lot of empathy for the villains. It was a really fun, meta, fan-servicey movie that made me smile, and even tear up a bit at the end.

5 - Everything, Everywhere, All at Once

Technically I watched this movie at the very beginning of 2023, but I'm going to add it here now because I think it's a movie that truly defined and reflected the feeling of being alive in the early 2020s so well. It was so brilliantly written and shot, just an absolute phantasmagorical roller-coaster of action, comedy, and incredibly heartfelt emotion. I had only heard good things going in, and this film absolutely lived up to my high expectations.

Top 5 TV shows you watched this year

1 - Station Eleven

This show changed me. It's truly one of the most beautiful, well-written, gentle, and human stories I've ever witnessed. It took a setting and premise I thought I was done with forever - post-apocalypse fiction - and made something profoundly impactful. Get the tissues. Prepare to feel everything.

2 - Interview with the Vampire

This was such a delightful adaptation, especially in the ways they changed it. Jacob Anderson as Louis captured the character in a way that brings incredible nuance, even more so in his position as a black gay man in the early 20th century. Sam Reid was an electric and terrifyingly appealing Lestat. And Bailey Bass brought Claudia to life and managed to perfectly portray her various life stages, even as she remains ageless. It's just a really, really good interpretation of a story that I already loved, so it was a joy to watch.

3 - House of the Dragon

I love messy blondes, I love tragic love stories, I love women and their complex and tender and vitriolic relationships. Also dragons. I'm interacting with the fandom via a ten-foot pole, and am very pleased that two of my most treasured mutuals (Luce, Rosy <3) were along for the ride with me for s1.

4 - The Wilds (s2)

I'll never forgive Amazon for giving this show the axe. I'll also never forgive the fandom for reacting to the boys so negatively. S3 would've been incredible. But! I'm glad that we got s2, and got to see more from the Unsinkable Eight. I'm glad we got to meet the boys and learn their stories. I'll always be impressed and grateful for the way this show handled a storyline about sexual assault between young men. And even though there are still so many unanswered questions and we needed an s3, I'm glad that pretty much all of the mysteries introduced in s1 were wrapped up by the end. Better to have loved those castaways and lost them than never loved them at all!

5 - Our Flag Means Death

This show was such a salve - a joyful little pirate sitcom that played on sitcom tropes in a way that made every episode a delight. It was funny, charming, and beautifully shot. I'm so excited for season two!

Top 5 DnD Campaigns you watched this year

The biggest shift in my life this year, especially in terms of media I consume, was my discovery of DnD actual play shows. If I wasn't actively watching a TV show this year, D20 was on in the background. I watched these campaigns multiple times each. I am obsessed.

1 - Critical Role's EXU: Calamity

One of the most heart-wrenching stories I've ever seen, beautifully told and acted by an incredible team of DnD players. The ending is so bittersweet and perfect. I caught the finale live and it wrecked me, I spent the last hour of it weeping. (It was also 1am and the end of a six-hour marathon.) What a masterpiece. The Bronze Ring endures.

2 - Dimension 20: Fantasy High Sophomore Year

This is my favorite campaign by the folks at Dimension 20. The fact that it's live, so delightfully chaotic, and has the lowest production value of any other season makes it so charming and comforting to me. Plus Kalina is easily a Top 3 D20 villain.

3 - D20: A Crown of Candy

Coming up at a close second, A Crown of Candy was the first D20 season I finished. I binged it in about two days (didn't watch the Adventuring Parties at first, though) and felt so thoroughly ripped from the world when it was over that I kinda mourned a family of candy people for like two days straight. It's such a fun, technicolor, sugary-sweet world - but the plot and characters are so complex, so dark, that I was completely swept away by their story. It's just a really well-built and clever world, and it features some of my favorite D20 characters ever (Amethar, Saccarhina, Lapin, and Calroy.)

4 - D20: The Seven

Since The Seven is set in the same world as Fantasy High, I went in with really steep expectations. I was definitely not disappointed. The vibes and relationships between all of the women at the table is so genuine and infectious. The story is touching, but there's so much chaos and so many shenanigans from the characters that there's also so much to laugh about. It's another comfort rewatch, for sure.

5 - D20: Misfits and Magic

Aabria as a GM is always a good time for me, and I really loved seeing this cast parody the Harry Potter universe (and associated "kids at magic boarding school" trope) with such affection, but also incisive criticism. It's funny, light-hearted, and also really fun to watch Brennan be a PC, and get to bounce off the other players as a single personality. (Evan + K = 4Ever)

Top 5 Songs of this year

(I'm not gonna take this from Spotify, although all of these songs were in my top 20)

1 - "It's Called: Freefall" by Rainbow Kitten Surprise

This song did it all for me in 2022. It was a comfort song, a pump-up song, a breakdown song, and a sing-a-long and dance song. I don't know why it struck such a chord with me - I'd enjoyed plenty of other RKS songs before, but never on this level. It just resonates. It was my top song of 2022 on Spotify, and given that the four next songs are all by Halsey, that's saying something.

2 - "Whispers" by Halsey

After seeing this song live, it swiftly reentered my top 5 from IICHLIWP. It's an intense experience even just as a studio track, but the way Halsey sang it in person elevated the song to something even more painfully relatable and real. It's a song that's followed me into 2023, that's for sure.

3 - "Bounce Man" by Twenty One Pilots

I didn't like most of Scaled and Icy, but this song was a huge exception. It was my go-to whenever I needed a pick-me-up. That addictively catchy chorus, the fun beat, the lyrics being hopeful in the face of a scary situation (classic TOP) - that's a combination that hits just right on a tough day.

4 - "Fucks Me Up" by Anthony Green

On the other side of the coin, this song will make you cry on that same tough day, but you'll feel better afterwards. My husband and I share a love for Saosin and Circa Survive, mostly because of Anthony Green's incredible vocals. This entire album is gorgeous, but this song (and the last verse in particular) - well, it fucks me up!

5 - "Tree House" by Alex G feat Emily Yacina

This one is sweet, fun, and calming, and is going to remain in my rotation for a long time to come. It reminds me of my best friend (she did show it to me, but it'd remind me of her even if she hadn't,) and makes me feel so cozy and safe. It's just nice. :)

Top 5 albums of this year

1 - If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power by Halsey

For the second year in a row, this album owned my entire life. Most of my top ten on my Spotify Wrapped was devoted to this album. I still go buckwild when I heard "Easier than Lying" and it's my most played song on Spotify EVER, which includes like five years of music-listening. Getting to see most of these songs live (and then some, that 2hr set was crazy) made for one of the best nights of my entire life. It was an emotional experience bordering on spiritual, which is not a place I normally visit. It's Halsey's masterpiece, a perfect marriage of her abilities as a lyricist combined with some of the best production they've ever had. I just love it so goddamn much.

2 - Boom. Done. by Anthony Green

This album is a beautiful, heart-wrenching, honest reflection on addiction, recovery, and trauma. It's sonically very soothing, but lyrically absolutely crushing, which makes for a very tender experience. My husband and I spent most of the end of the year with these songs on rotation when were listened to music together, so this album is going to hold a special place in my heart for a long time.

3 - HOLY FVCK by Demi Lovato

I feel Demi has always been destined to make an album like this. Their voice is perfect for rock music, and the honesty in her lyrics (which reflect her very difficult life experiences) just work so much better with guitars and drums behind them than snyth beats. I didn't love every song on this album, but it's definitely my favorite work by Demi thus far.

4 & 5. Hopeless Fountain Kingdom (Live at Webster Hall) and Badlands (Live at Webster Hall) by Halsey

Although these are two very different albums, I love them for the same reason, which is that they both are records of Halsey performing live. I truly think live performances are where they shine the brightest, and many of the live versions of these songs have completely replaced the studio versions for me.

Top 5 fictional characters of this year

1 - Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower (House of the Dragon)

As Luce said, you cannot separate them, it causes wars. I love them both so much. And I'm gonna love and hate watching them continue to tear each other apart.

2 - Louis de Pointe du Lac (Interview with the Vampire)

Jacob Anderson just killed the fuck out of this role, and made me appreciate Louis in a way I never have before.

3 - Adaine Abernant (Fantasy High)

I actually can't put into words how much I love Adaine, or why. If you know, you know.

4 - Kirsten Raymonde (Station Eleven)

I'm always a sucker for a fierce, protective woman with a metric fuckton of baggage, who still manages to maintain a heart of gold in the midst of a horrible situation. Kirsten is all of that, and so, so much more.

5 - Lizzie Saltzman (Legacies)

I just think she's a really fun extension on Caroline Forbes' character, as her heir apparent, and she was often the funniest and most emotionally engaging character on the show. Plus, y'know, Hizzie.

Top 5 games you played this year

The Quarry

The Mortuary Assistant

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

The Long Dark

Martha is Dead

5 Positive Things that happened, no matter how small!

1 - I got to see Halsey in concert at my favorite venue!

2 - I moved to a bigger place!

3 - I went and visited my best friend in October!

4 - I got a new job!

5 - I spent a lot of really wonderful time on this website making dumb jokes, crying over shows, and chatting with all of you! <3

Since I'm so very, very late in posting this, I'm not gonna tag anyone, but if you wanna tell me about something you enjoyed last year, feel free!!

[kittlesandbugs]

I posted 2,608 times in 2022

That's 227 more posts than 2021!

233 posts created (9%)

2,375 posts reblogged (91%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@kittlesandbugs

@amlovelies

@starrypawz

@revengeofthecis

@ejunkiet

I tagged 2,563 of my posts in 2022

Only 2% of my posts had no tags

#queue'd - 1,625 posts

#sidestep - 248 posts

#fhr - 248 posts

#self reblarghle - 210 posts

#chargestep - 209 posts

#finny friends - 185 posts

#riley owens - 184 posts

#thank friend!!! - 170 posts

#nature - 131 posts

#photography - 130 posts

Longest Tag: 138 characters

#and all they want is/ just a little more time to find/ the strength they needed/ to set the fear on fire (ooh)/ make it look so easy (ooh)

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Time doesn’t heal (AO3 Link) Fandom/Pairing: FHR / Chargestep Word Count: 1838 Warnings: Grief, mourning, little suicide ideation, canon-typical angst Summary: Four people reminisce about the fallen vigilante Sidestep on the third anniversary of the Heartbreak Incident.  One person knows she isn't dead.

Los Diablos, CA

2016

"What's with the sudden roster change?"

You bite back a sigh. "I know. You're off on Thursdays. I need you to switch this once and pick up tomorrow."

"Why?" The question is sharp and hard, and not for the first time you wish Sentinel hadn't retired yet. He would have just signed off on it. No questions, no backtalk.

"Ortega needs it. The new secretary forgot about it."

Her scowl deepens. You're getting better at reading her expressions, the more time you spend with her. At least, you hope you are. Sometimes she's as impenetrable as her own mirrored skin.

"Why doesn't he ask me himself?"

"He thinks he doesn't need it." Too stubborn, the both of them. Like someone else you knew. "I know he does."

She cocks her head curiously. "Been through this before?"

"This will be the third time." You glance pointedly at the calendar on the wall.

She follows and her bristling annoyance eases with realization. She nods. "Alright. Fine."

"Thank you."

"Tell Ricardo he owes me one," she says as she turns on her heel and storms out as roughly as she had entered.

"Tell him yourself," you call after her. You don't really care one way or the other if she hears you. Not your job to settle scores.

You wish you had the luxury to get wasted as you know Ortega will, but it's not in your cards as Marshal. Not that your guts could handle it anyway. You kill the lights and lock your office. No time for your own tortured ruminations just yet. You have one last mission to complete for the day.

Maybe you'll manage to find Ortega before he half-drowns himself in a gutter this time.

___

"Did you know Sidestep?"

The question catches you off-guard. Lost in your own head again. Get it together. You straighten, school your expression, and turn towards the voice. A girl, a teenager maybe? A few years younger than you were when you…

Not the time. You shake that thought loose from your head.

"I… no. I never got the chance," you admit. "But I followed her career closely. She really inspired me. Did you know her?"

"Sort of?" Her gaze falls to the bouquet of yellow tulips in her hand. A good choice, you think. Something a little brighter to offset the darkened occasion hanging over the day. "She wasn't Sidestep yet, I think. Dad said Sidestep started a while after. But she saved me when I was little. From some men who tried to take me."

"I'm glad she helped you." Curiosity niggles at your thoughts and you can't quite resist asking, "How do you know it was her?"

"I could never forget her voice. I heard it on the TV. Dad said I had to keep her identity a secret though." She gives you a hard look. "So don't ask me her name."

"I won't." You can't help the smile in the face of her seriousness. "That's very important for a hero. Thank you for keeping her secret."

"Are you a hero too?"

Breaking into this world is so much harder than you envisioned. You and Josh were so stupid back then. So blind. But there's no going back now. You made a first step at least, landing your first corporate gig. A way to get your foot in the door to join the Rangers. A new purpose in a new identity forged for you.

You just need to live up to it now. Always easier said than done.

See the full post

59 notes - Posted February 25, 2022

#4

A little Saturday morning Chargestep sap. 300 ish words, no warnings. Just something I think about a lot. Ortega POV.

You find her in the kitchen, staring into your fridge. You're surprised by what she's wearing, given carte blanche to take what she needed from your wardrobe. But she's always gone for full coverage before, long sleeves and legs. Now a bright white tank top hangs loose on her thinner shoulders, exposing light brown skin and acid orange lines in the illumination of the open fridge. A pair of your Charge boxers, drawstrings cinched tight and hanging low. More skin, and orange down just past her knees, meeting up with the thick old Psychopathor scar running up her calf. 

More skin than she's ever voluntarily shown outside the bedroom. It's still dark out, 3 am, street lights creeping in at the edge of the blinds. But it's something and it makes your chest feel tight. She feels safe enough to do this. Be comfortable and casually exposed in your apartment. 

She pulls the carton of apple juice from the fridge, uncaps it, brings it to her lips. You stifle your snort. That explains why you've been going through it so quickly, with no extra dishes as evidence. She chugs it down like a desert wanderer who found an oasis, recaps and returns it with a satisfied sigh, and closes the fridge. 

"I see you've made yourself at home."

She jumps, spins, swears, and you catch a beam of light reflecting off narrowed silver eyes. 

"You said I should, idiot," she grumbles, arms crossed defiantly over her chest, daring you to object. 

You can't, any more than you can contain the smile as you approach. It's almost like a dream. You had years of them after Heartbreak, between bouts of depression and drunken hallucinations that couldn't drown them. Until suddenly she was back in your life. Back in your kitchen. She's here, solid and real and warm in your arms, beautiful and bus-haired, tasting like apples and morning breath as you kiss her. 

"It's all I ever wanted."

62 notes - Posted July 2, 2022

#3

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62 notes - Posted June 19, 2022

#2

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85 notes - Posted April 15, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

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236 notes - Posted May 24, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[maxident-xx]

whwhwhwg mizukitty here um sorry for being in ur inbox so often this'll be my last ask of like the week idk i prommy I just like talkin 2 u since ur my only pjsk mootie,,, I'm just here 2 spit out some of my au and hc stuff

-in my head kanade has a basement for the sole purpose of all of niigo being able to live there (they were all gonna move in together somewhere else but Kanade's really attached to living there) so it's jus there for convenience. Kanade uses her fathers old work room as a bedroom, they reworked her parents room into Mafuyu's room, and kanades old room is Mizuki's new room. They have like one of those nice basements and there's two rooms down there and its decently sized. One of tjem is Enas room and the other ones kinda like a recording room of sorts? I'm so normal about tbem

-i wanna make a pokemon x pjsk au,, I could obviously just insert the pjsk charachters into Pokemon but that's boring soo,, one day I came up with an idea for a nemopen au that makes their meeting adjacent to how niigo met. Their dynamic is like,,, ok so it's like kanamafu except um idk. They're more like nenean/mizunene to me but yeag. Penny is a little like Mafuyu and nemonas personality is more like Mizuki's but also maybe a lil Kanade since theyre trying to save penny in this au. I need an alias for both of them still (penny already has cassiopia but like,, I want somethin else,,, maybe I'll just give up and use Cassiopeia idk) I haven't even thought about this au since I came up with it so theres nothing much for jt . Still don't know what to do with Arven an Juliana in this au though. Maybe I could incorporate Kieran into it too. Penny and kieran are friends in my heart

-back to pjsk!! My mizuan (kind of) childhood friends au that I love so very dearly. They meet in middle school and yeah shenanigans ensue. I want a version where they meet Ena too though but all I can think of for that working is an and Mizuki manage to convince their parents to let them go to art school but thwt doesn't make much sense?? Maybe to escape the bullying but eh still? Still childhood friends t4t mizuan au means everytbing 2 me

-holy balls this is long

-OH WAIT I JUST RRALKZED. FOR THE NEMOPEN AU. I COULD INCLUDE TEAM STAR JN SOME WAY. oh em gee. I could. Wait. Ortega as Mizuki. Ohmy arceus. Great starclan. I'm a genius yiu guys. Mela could be ena. They just give me the same vibes yk. I love how it's all team Star and then Nemona's just there

Ok byebye sorry 4 this um dies and

-🎀🌂

honored to be your only pjsk mootie 💪 you're my only pokemon mootie I think <3 i love your au ideas so so much childhood friends t4t mizuan is so sigma and kanade deserves to keep her group mates in her basement 🥰🥰 don't know much abt pokemon but I think that au has potential

[lenievi]

snw2 #8

My personal episode ranking based on my enjoyment: 3 - 6 - 4 - 2 - 8 - 1 - 7 - 5

I read some opinions and I’m mostly just having conversation with those opinions... I don’t really talk about the episode itself.

I wonder if they will also address Kirk’s part in the war - based on TOS, he should fight against the Klingons, he should see planets transformed into slave labour camps, he should have an experience with war.

My HC for years has also been that McCoy participated, but now - unless told otherwise - I’m gonna probably HC that he was ship bound. 

To me, it was always interesting to kind of hc that Kirk, McCoy, and perhaps even Scotty have had a war experience, but not Spock. (which is why I don’t want a war with the Gorn to happen... like a season long arc or something because tos!Spock doesn’t feel like a character affected by war. But it’s possible they’ll make him experience something to better understand Chapel, idk)

Some time ago, I saw someone say that La’an also participated in the war, and I was like hm, I don’t remember that from the show, and I don’t think that, and it’s good that the episode made it clear that she didn’t participate in the Federation-Klingon War, since she didn’t need to sit at the dinner, nor did she have any open hostility toward the Ambassador. I believe that her and M’Benga’s connection is something else entirely. (unless Pike just likes her better and didn’t ask her to participate, or she actually just said no)

in some way, this episode did get some background to the finale of SNW s1 regarding Ortegas. (it still doesn’t truly explain her hatred towards Spock, but maybe Spock broke Chapel’s heart, so she can’t stand him after that idk)

obviously because of the stripes (but stripes are weird) M’Benga always seemed like having a commander rank, but now it was confirmed and it’s like ??? because UNA ISN’T A COMMANDER, SHE IS STILL A LIEUTENANT COMMANDER (I’ll never understand the ranks in SNW)

there is a possible storyline, so it lines with TOS (since McCoy is a lt. commander). M’Benga will have to eventually resign and heal, and after some years, he’ll return back to the Enterprise, but he won’t be trusted with a CMO position again. Perhaps, he won’t even want it. I’ve always got an impression that M’Benga was new-ish during his first appearance, since McCoy had to reassure Kirk that M’Benga knew what he was doing. (Like sure, maybe only McCoy treats Kirk and he never gets in contact with other doctors, but...)

(or they’re just relatives, not the same characters)

people saying how this episode threaded backward, that humanity should be evolved and above all of this imho forget that it wasn’t that way in TOS - people were bigoted, people were prejudiced, and people with not so perfect mental health were accepted into Starfleet. You can’t think of all 23rd century humans as Kirk and you can’t take everything Kirk says as being true for everyone else (it wasn’t even in TOS). The thing with Kirk is, he was bigoted and prejudiced against the Klingons (and not just the Klingons). Period. When faced with something, the Gorn, the Horta, his first instinct was to kill and violence. There was that one episode (I think it was the Spectre of the Gun) where Spock was like “you wanted to kill” and Kirk said “you’re right”. So the violence is still inherent in him (and through him in humanity). But Kirk made the choice not to kill, Kirk makes the choice every single day to be and do better. But not everyone is there. Not everyone has that privilege. 

And while M’Benga is a doctor now, he used to a soldier, some special ops or something. He became a doctor after that.

“Sometimes you pretend something long enough, it becomes the truth.”

He’s speaking from experience. And maybe, it never becomes the truth. You just want to believe it does.

And like the biobed, some thing are broken beyond repair. And all you can do is manage.

In the Conscience of the King, if Kirk wasn’t there, Riley would possibly kill Kodos/Karidian.

Not everyone is Kirk.

But the thing is, because Kirk was the hero of the show, he couldn’t do otherwise in the 1960s. They won’t make Pike kill someone either, most likely. But they can explore these things with side characters imho In TOS there were characters, starship captains even, who did terrible things, but they were always the bad guys, or it was always a mental illness, so I think seeing a character we’re supposed to root for not being able to take a higher ground, is quite interesting

and who’s to say that M’Benga killing someone, Chapel covering it up, Pike and M’Benga’s friendship maybe getting some cracks won’t come back later. This episode ended as it did. Maybe in s3, there will be consequences, maybe M’Benga’s guilt will eat him up, maybe he’ll be send somewhere to heal, because he is broken. And maybe not. We just don’t know and it’s early to judge. Not everything needs to be resolved in one episode, since this isn’t a truly episodic show. And the characters have arcs.

I’m rewatching SG-1 where a lot of episodes just end, typically after something heavy happens, without any real conclusion or judgement or the viewers being spoon fed, and I like that this SNW episode did that. (but also as I mentioned, I don’t think I’m watching Star Trek for “Star Trek”)

in any case, I liked the episode

(I watched the episode twice, and the first time I thought the Ambassador killed himself... my second watch was done after I read everyone saying that M’Benga murdered him... so I’m kind of looking forward to any kind of continuation that will make it clear what really happened)

[arrthurpendragon]

Fic Recs - July 20, 2022

Here are some of the fics I reccomend reading today! They’re on my list, so I’m sharing. 

*I’m not above bribing (haha) If you go leave reviews/comments on at least 2 chapters of one of these fics, send me the link with the platform you commented on and I’ll send you the form for a request! I’ll make you a poster, banner, manip, or aesthetic*

Bulletproof [Mission Impossible] by Winter326

"I'M A TEENAGER, SO WHAT? I CAN STILL KICK YOUR ASS." when alexia ortega goes on an adventure to find her birth father, she gets a lot more than she bargained on for

READ AT WATTPAD

Electric Feel [DCEU] by @wokenhardies​

16-year-old Amber Talbot had a pretty good life; straight As, a job as a babysitter/live-in nanny for the Vasquez family, and a somewhat stable social life. However, when Billy Batson becomes a superhero, Amber winds up getting dragged into the journey alongside him as the Emissary. [First in the Emissary Verse, a DCEU/MCU xover series]

READ AT AO3 + WATTPAD

Force of Nature [Star Wars] by: @darth-caillic​

Sith Acolyte Darth Viveza is sent on a mission to spy on the Queen of Naboo and keep an eye on two enemy Jedi. Her instructions were clear. Do so and nothing more. She has a hard time doing this, due to the younger of the two Jedi.

All she had to do was wait. Then she would get her chance. Killing a Jedi would take her one step closer to becoming strong enough to defeat her master. Right?

READ AT AO3 + WATTPAD

Freaks & Geeks [Stranger Things] by @juliaswickcrs​​

Alicia Henderson doesn't expect this year to be different than any other. Boys, drama, endless homework, and maybe the occasional movie. But then three months after summer break Will Byers goes missing in the woods behind Jonathan's house. And one day later her own face starts to appear on missing posters. But then the impossible happens. Alicia Henderson comes back.

READ AT WATTPAD + FFN + AO3

Murphy & His Law Can Go To Hell [Jurassic World] by @themaradaniels​

Eleanor Scott, Jurassic World's lead paleontologist and a former student of Dr Alan Grant, is tasked with showing 19 year old Joan Grant, the daughter of Alan and Ellie, around the park for the week. Masrani leaves Joan an all-access pass to enjoy the park at her leisure, including the parts normally forbidden to tourists, in the hopes that it might convince Dr Grant to endorse the park.

READ AT WATTPAD + AO3

Pyrogenous: Shadowed Destiny [Merlin] by @oneirataxia-girl​

Born without status or wealth, Lynelda is willing to do whatever it takes to claw her way to a life of peace and plenty; but when she's been living in shadows for as long as she could remember and stumbles upon fate in the form of a bumbling, powerful boy, she just might have to learn how to step into the sun and embrace the call of destiny, and also embrace her steadily growing powers along the way.

READ AT WATTPAD

A Red Sky’s Warning [Pirates of the Caribbean] by @nixdragon​​

Charlotte Swann knows she will hate every single second she has to spend chasing after pirates but with a missing sister and a broken heart, she figures at least things aren't going to get much worse. Unfortunately, everyone else seems to be trying to prove her wrong

READ AT FFN + WATTPAD

Trust Love One More Time [Star Trek] by @starryeyes2000​​

Enterprise's CMO yearns for a family. This need informs his every choice, including joining Starfleet, where he cobbles together a surrogate clan which he protects with the fierceness of a lioness safeguarding her cubs. With time McCoy accepted this new life in Starfleet he prudently constructed as good, as enough. Then an unexpected gift drops into his world.

READ AT AO3

Ultraviolet [Star Wars] by MM1776

Despite her promising future, Indaria Flare remained in the shadows, both because of her job and because of her family's past, one she hasn't managed to escape even after joining the Jedi Order. Since joining the Jedi Temple, Anakin Skywalker had lived in the spotlight of a Universe expecting him to bring peace and balance. Apart they were strong. But together, the light of their love burned ultraviolet.

READ AT WATTPAD

Variations [Marvel] by @ninjasawakenedmystars​​

In 2012 the Avengers' plan to go back in time and steal the Tesseract goes awry and Loki escapes. Even worse, one of the Avengers Sigyn Larsen-a human telepath and telekinetic-gets caught up in his escape while trying to prevent it. 

Declared "Variants" by the TVA, the two have to navigate their way through the mysterious agency that oversees all timelines, all while trying to not kill one another. Not to mention the apparent and troubling closeness of themselves from the sacred timeline constantly nipping at their heels...​

READ AT WATTPAD

[amlovelies]

Phantom Limb

fandom:fhr pairing: Ricardo Ortega/nb!sidestep (Vesper Bui) rating: M death, alcohol, grief, swearing, heavy angst with this one friends words: 1.1k read on ao3

a/n: here’s the funeral fic I’ve been teasing about. yall can blame @plotbunny-bundle for this one. they gave me a couple options for a prompt fill a while ago and it gave me even more ideas.

               Ricardo is well aware of what mask he needs to wear for the funeral. Somber, but strong. Can’t let the public begin to doubt. The media team has drilled it into him.

               We must restore public faith in the Rangers. In your leadership.  

               Well, he’d fucked that up.

               Compared to his long list of regrets, punching that pendejo is just a footnote. Brown had it coming for a long time; at least the rest of the press are keeping their distance. Already got their money shot, he knows they’ll have a field day tomorrow.

               The media team is going to have his hide. Fine. Let them have it.

               He can’t remember the trip to the cemetery. One moment he is outside of the church glaring as Brown is whisked away by paramedics, and the next he is waiting with the other pallbearers. The coffin is too light. Just an empty symbol, nothing left to lay to rest. Just like after the Nanosurge. Too many empty coffins, too many visits to graveyards, and too many ghosts watching disapprovingly from the shadows.

               Not even two years since that funeral. They’d all been in costume then, Vesper, wobbly legged as a new colt, standing at his right hand.  They’d leaned against him during the eulogies, unable to stand on their own for so long. Even let him wrap an arm around their shoulder on the walk to the car. No biting remarks or snide comments, the clearest sign of just how much stopping that tragedy had taken from them.

               Heartbreak had taken more.

               It’s hot, the Los Diablos sun is unforgiving. Too bright, his all-black outfit doing nothing to assuage the heat. Long sleeves, shirt fully buttoned. Too many layers, he wonders how Vesper manages it. No wonder they are—were more comfortable in costume.

               The priest is droning on. It feels like a joke having him here, more for other people’s sensibilities than any belief of those departed. Maybe that’s true about funerals in general. They’re about the living, not the dead.

               Was Anathema even religious? It had never come up, and why would it? They didn’t have to worry about God; they were supposed to be invulnerable. If only that had been true.

               Vesper’s opinions he knew. Knew how little they cared for religion and its trappings. How many times had he elbowed them for rolling their eyes when Mama made the sign of the cross? Not that it ever stopped them.

               Another memory, what was it, two years ago? Three? Vesper on their back, a boot to their chest, the would-be conqueror laughing with a gun pointed at their face, “Get ready to meet your maker.”

               “I already have.” Vesper’s laugh was wild, unhinged. “And I broke his fucking nose.”

               It had been distracting enough for Ortega to get close, to light her up before she could pull the trigger.

               He’d been quick enough then.

               Another swallow from the flask and Luis’ hand is on his shoulder.  

               “Steady, Marshal.”

               He’d almost swung on Luis when he’d pulled him off the reporter. Someone who would hit back, give him the fight he was looking for. Pulled his arm back ready to swing, Luis could have dodged, brought up his guard, but he hadn’t. Just… looked at him with disappointment and maybe a little pity in his eyes.

               Vesper would have punched him. A few seconds quicker, and Vesper would have been kicking the shit out of him, or at least trying to. They never had managed to beat him. Never would now.

               What he wouldn’t give for a good fight now. He’s pulled off active duty, but he knows places he could go. Villain bars in the bad part of town. Plenty of people with anger issues, mix it with a little alcohol. It’d be easy.  It’s what he’s good at after all.

               Really think that’s a good idea, Ricky boy? Vesper doesn’t need to be there for him to hear their objections. You’re too drunk to dodge. I’m gone for a few days and you’re already going to get yourself killed.

               A squeeze from Luis, time to move forward.

               The dirt is dry in his hands, no sign of the drought ending anytime soon; it falls apart, slips through his fingers, and he has to reach in for a second handful. 

               The familiar words, “ashes to ashes and dust to dust.” Is it his imagination or does it sound hollow as the earth rains down on the coffins? Maybe it’s just because he knows they are empty. Knows there was nothing left. No one to say goodbye to. Just emptiness.

               This whole empty spectacle. A city mourning its heroes. Vesper would hate it. Hate the attention and the performative nature of it all. What would they prefer?

               Not to die at all, idiot. It’s too easy to picture the roll of their eyes, the impatience in their voice. For you not to get me killed.

               A stumble, his steps faltering, be careful old man, can’t have you breaking your hip.

               His hands are filthy. He’d pushed the medics away when they’d tried to wrap his hand. His knuckles are bleeding again, the blood mixing with the dirt from the graves and the sight of it makes his stomach turn.  

                The gin from the flask stings as he pours it over his cracked knuckles. Their gin. Their favorite that he made sure to always have a bottle of, just in case. Wouldn’t be needing it now. It feels right to be drunk on it. Some small piece of Vesper he still has.

               He’d never liked gin, but he’s out of tequila and out of beer and maybe a little out of his mind.    

               No maybes about it, Ric. How long before they fire you?

                  It gets easier the more he drinks it. The sharp juniper mellowing or maybe he’s just going numb.

                He remembers numb, unable to feel, unable to connect.

               He can see his legs and scream and scream and scream at them to move but nothing happens.

               He can see Vesper on the ground, so small from such a distance. Is he screaming? He thinks he is. They aren’t moving. Of course, they aren’t.

               Strong hands on his shoulders and he remembers the impact. The bone shattering impact. Nothing would ever be the same anymore. A life left shattered on the ground even if he’s still living. What sort of man would he be if he hadn’t fallen? Would there be less graves here or more?

               Concern on Luis’ face, trying to lead him back to the cars, away from prying eyes, trying to salvage the ceremony.

               There is no fixing this, no medical miracle to bring ashes back to life. Nothing to do but swallow down the regret with another swig from the flask.

               Daddy can’t fix this one for you.

tagging(if you’d like to be added/removed let me know): @dinosaurfucker, @roses-and-roux @lilyoffandoms and @lord-king-saint

[ladyshivs]

How would your Sidestep react to someone trying to break their helmet and expose their face? How did they react to people trying to take their mask off in their hero days?

Oh delicious? Delicious, thank you.

I have....so many thoughts on this nonny. And also more than one step! So we'll start with Richie up top and Lydia and Rohid can go beneath the cut.

For Richard, back in The Good Old Sidestep Days™️, there's a thin line of risk that he tried so hard to walk. Is it someone being a harmless ass to get a rise out of him? A quick knee to the groin will probably solve that problem--Sidestep's wallet could handle buying Ortega a beer to make up for it. Plying Ortega or Themmy with alcohol is an acceptable way to make jokes about being ugly and slipping in a half apology for the violent reaction.

But something more malicious? Somewhere that cameras, lingering eyes, could see? Animal hindbrain panic. He genuinely slips into a fight-and-then-flight mode. If the hand gets to his mouth, he's willing to lose teeth by biting before he lets the mask come off on anything other than his own terms.

But then we get to Mad Dog. And things have escalated in more ways than one. The foundation of so much of Richard's later behavior is self hatred, manifesting itself in as much self harm as he can manage. There's few easier ways for him to hurt himself than by letting someone expose him, although he'd prefer to do it to himself.

I think if it happened during a fight, he would obviously try to protect his identity--but if he's lost the fight, knew there was no way out, there's a good chance he'd go limp and let it happen. Because the second pillar making up that new foundation of his is that he desperately wants someone to know. He wants to be stopped. He wants to be known for what he's doing and what he's done and he wants the consequences. He wants the people that he's hurt to hurt him back. The fight in HNtF with Ricardo ends in very much the way I would imagine he would handle it if Ricardo tried to pull off his helmet in canon: resistance, defeat, surrender.

Lydia is a little less...measured in her responses. If someone tried to peel off her sidestep mask, she's slamming out. Hard. Especially if its someone just fooling around to provoke her. She's spitting acid and going down swinging with every inch. Is she crying? Maybe. Is her voice verging into hysterical even as she slings insults? Most likely.

As for La Bruja, she's more likely to knock herself out before it can get to that point. She'll fight back tooth and nail and foot and every last ounce of psychic ability and if it becomes clear she'll fail or have to kill to win, she'll try to find a way to bow out of the situation entirely. Can't face the consequences if you're unconscious right? Erm....

--

Sidestep Rohid, being faced with someone more teasingly trying to remove their mask is going to immediately make it uncomfortable for everyone. Is it by moaning sexually? Is it by making himself vomit? Why not both? But an enemy trying to expose them is going to be met with a stronger flight reaction than my other steps. They need to get away, anything to get away and get to safety.

Whisper is very much the same. They're not confrontational in that sense. They prefer to move quickly, quietly and to have as little impact around them as possible. So if he's caught and on the verge of being exposed, the main focus is still in getting away. Getting whoever is trying to rip that helmet off away from him and running as soon as possible.

[whalesfallmoved]

hand over wound

round two. 

chargestep, rated t. 1.9k.

a brief, helpless attempt at ortega’s point of view. the shameless flirty banter and back and forth of pre-heartbreak ricardo, whose main goal is being an absolute menace to society- population, sidestep. horribly self-indulgent in every way, but she lets herself get helped in this one, so what can I say.  

ao3 link.

—

She’s got a hard grip and a bite sharp as her bark, and when you finally get her to put her hand in yours it’s not without the same sensation of coaxing a street cat out of hiding, flinching at the first sudden movement. 

Not this time, though. This time, she lets you catch her wrist, lets you turn it over, and— oh boy— this is the most skin you’ve ever seen, sleeve pushed up almost to her elbow, wrists on display, never would’ve thought they’d look this dainty, crisscrossed as they are by scar tissue and branching blue veins and solid as birdbone.

She squeezes that small, angry little fist in your hand and the tendons flex, the knuckles split raw and furious, scabs already coagulating where the damage runs reddest. Her trophies for that blitz quick punch she packs, armorless and fast (but not as fast— not as fast as you— lightning striking twice.)

Fidgeting, antsy, she kicks her feet against your chair, knock-knock-knock, squeezing her mask in her other pink, exposed fist. Jittery, and you bite back something wry and flustering, something that’ll earn you a freeze and an idiot and a blush and oh, you love that even more, how you can watch it bloom freely now, worth the wait and the coaxing to get her to finally tug Sidestep off the rest of the way, leave just Noa and her big, big eyes (deep brown as a hound’s and you weren’t expecting that, for her to be so warm underneath the hard, cold turquoise) and how she desperately needs the mask, they’d never be scared of her otherwise—and with your other hand you loosen her curled fingers free. 

Toss her a grin, tap her leg with yours, pretend you aren’t surprised by how soft her skin is when it’s not covered in skinsuit and blood, the way it’s never seen the Los Diablos sun—at least, not long enough to match the freckles on her doughy cheeks (freckles down her shoulder? her back?) Layers and layers and here she is, in your apartment, hand in hand, and fuck, you can say something about that too. Something about that kiss something about— later.

“So, I was thinking.”

“Wow. Did you hurt yourself?” Reflex, but she straightens up, watches, waits, and you like that too— the way she can’t hear, the way she has to ask.

“A little, yeah,” medkits and rags and clean water, you dab at the cuts and earn yourself a hiss.

“Out of practice, huh?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” You wink and that gets you a scowl, a twist of her mouth, and you’re pretty sure if you weren’t you you’d get her teeth, too. Not even Themmy would get away with that, much as she likes them, they can’t cross the hard line of her last name yet, and you’ve earned smug, you think, you grin, you drag the antiseptic across her knuckles while she’s still glaring and pink at the ears—her hand jerks in yours and you squeeze tighter, gentle. “I was thinking about your suit.”

“Trying to give some fashion advice? Pass.”

“First of all, if anyone here’s in desperate need of it—”

“Jesus fucking Christ, not this again.”

“Don’t get me wrong, you make the unwashed seventeen year old boy look work for you, somehow—”

“Asshole.”

“Sorry, would you prefer sexily disheveled?”

“You— shut up,” there it is, her averting gaze, her grooving brow, her pretty cheeks— ow, fuck— her foot ramming into your calf. “You are such a dick.”

“You love it,” wink, sly grin, she glares harder but doesn’t argue, you’ve got her there and you both know it. “And that wasn’t what I was going to say.”

The split cuts are worse than you thought, wounds wiped clean revealing the deep and the raw all laden on top of each other, opened again and again, her smarting palms scratched and torn, not so different from yours when you try hard enough but it’s different (because it’s her?) and fuck, how long has she been doing this?  

Still can’t win her over with the blue and the white and big capital R and the promise of solid health benefits. Too bad. Can’t blame her though, even if it makes your job twice as hard to let her into the systems, to let her put her darting fingers all over the Rangers’ files, to let her anywhere near the missions you need her most. 

“Well?”

Look up, and she’s watching and waiting still, and you must’ve gone quiet for a moment, turning her knuckles over.

“Your suit’s crap.” Homemade and spliced together, practically sportswear these days, riddled with seams and stitches she’s mended. Not bad for a third-rate vigilante, but that’s not her, not Sidestep, not your—

Not your anything, and she’d eat you alive if she ever caught the tail-end of a thought like that. But she’s going to get herself hurt all the same. More hurt than usual.

“It’s just lightweight. Yours isn’t any different.”

“Mine’s definitely different,” fresh white bandages over red, swollen bruises. You wind them around once, twice, taking care. “The material’s outdated. Where’d you get it, anyway?” 

“None of your business,” she snaps, and you half expect her to rip away, pleasantly surprised when she doesn’t. “And it’s not like I can just hit Uncle Sam up for some brand new state of the art gear.”

“I mean, you could.”

“Don’t.”

“I think you’d look good in blue.”

“Ugh.”

“Just think about it. You. Me. Matching uniforms. We could get you a little lightning bolt, right here,” hand over your heart and she’s definitely going to hit you for that one. “I don’t mind sharing the brand with you.”

“Go die in a hole.”

“Ask nicely.”

“Please go die in a hole.”

“Will you join me?”

“Fuck no. I’m putting you there myself. Can’t stand your ass.”

“Good thing you’re sitting down then. Also, thinking about my ass, hmm? Good to know.” 

“Ugh.” 

“Bad time to ask about what other sounds your mouth can make?”

“Try it and I’ll feed you your own eyeballs.”

“Ohh, promises, promises.”

She wants to laugh, catching it quick between her teeth, a soft indent in her softer cheeks, and if you try a little harder you might be able to shake that grin from her, earn yourself a glimmer in her dark, dark eyes—and she’s running out of bark, out of bite, so the first round goes to you as you set her fist down, wrapped, clean and new in bandages that won’t last the next fight.

You reach for the other and she goes willingly, fingertips settling butterfly-light on you, her thumb to the heel of your hand, scars and nicks aligned. There’s something about it, about the skin, about the colder palm that rests quietly in yours, the mods sticking to your bones, and— yes, you like this the most; the way she lets you touch her, even if it’s just this, one kiss in the aftermath of violence and her wrists on display. 

She breaks the silence not with a laugh or a sigh but a shake of her head, a suspicious cant of her eyes to yours, then away; blushed, accepting defeat. You smile, wash her wounds again with the slow repetition of old, small ritual and she knocks her ankle against yours, knee to knee. 

“You’re a deeply troubled and troubling man, Ricardo Ortega.” She finally says, low and almost sweet, and there it is; a dimple beside her mouth, unwillingly surrendered, and the sight unfurls something achy and bruise-deep in your chest. 

And the truth is, you can’t help yourself. “I love the way you say my name.” 

“I swear—” a gasp, an exhale, her bandaged hand meeting her forehead, fissuring that barbed facade of sneers and razor-edged tongues. “You’re so fucking weird. Can’t you just take an insult like a normal person?”

“Oh, those were insults? But they sounded so sweet coming from you.” You reach for the bandages again. Repeat. Gauzy, featherlight loops around her flinching knuckles. 

“God…”

“No need for that. Ricardo works just fine.” 

“How about idiot?” And oh, you’ve got her soft, how’d you manage that? She’s red from her ears down her neck, flush disappearing beneath the black nanomesh, and you wait for her to smack your knee or bring a little teeth but all she does is squeeze your hand, nose scrunched jaw dimpled, melting, and your heart’s tattooing itself to the ribs—maybe you can get her to let you kiss her again, just to see what her lips feel like when they’re not red-slick with iron and sweat and fear. They were softer than you thought. Desperate, too. Almost as desperate as you, and fear’s a thrill a rush a jump but when you thought she’d ended up mashed on the pavement it—

“Only for you.” A tease or a confession and the most honest lie to cross your lips, you tuck the gauze but keep her hand, and she lets you, thumbs over the boundary line of your wrist. Strange. Almost intimate.

She pulls back just enough to trade places, snaring your hand between her own wounded ones, running circles around the emitter, fearless, unflinching, trusting, waiting. Always waiting and never staying long enough for an answer, like you could give her a straight one either way, like you even know what it is beyond aches and bruises and the pained gasp pressed to your lips when you pried her loose and held her tight, Psychopather gone on the ground, victory in the shape of her mouth.

Still, a skip runs down your spine as she massages down, down into the calloused meat of your hand, not even jumping at the kick of electricity, spiteful as blanket static. 

“What, nothing stupid about kissing it better?” She mutters—disappointed?—and of course, how could you miss that chance—but she’s always been better about the plans, a thousand little ways to sidestep dancing around in that lovely skull of hers when all you want to do is charge right in, and as she pulls away you pull back, catch her gauzy, angry fists in your open palm.

She waits. Waits to see what you’ll do. 

You watch, hold your breath, the biting grin gone now, mask shucked loose for a moment when she looks like that, soft and vulnerable in the white-gold light of your kitchen, and she could pull away if she wants, or careen forward, turn it into a punch, into a throttle. 

But she doesn’t.

Her eyes really are pretty, warm brown like the slow burn of whiskey down your throat, and you keep them as you draw her hands up, bring those softened knuckles to your lips, feel the first twitches of a smile that you press lightly against her and— kissing— 

And she raps the back of her fingers against your cheek, barely more than a tap, a reprimand and hey—! She jerks away, stands up, darts from your grasp, gone again. Moved too fast. You sigh, catch yourself, remember to smile. 

“Idiot.” She scoffs, grabs her mask off the table, ducks her head like she’s expecting that soft hair to make a curtain, a shield, but it’s twisted back at the nape and you chuckle, lean back, because it looks like round two is yours again, and you want— you want—

She’s on the other side of the kitchen, working that mask back, turned away, and you don’t ask her to stay, you already know the answer, but fuck if you don’t love to watch her leave, if you can’t wait for round three.