#me n my pool noodle ship

[treemaidengeek]

Jin Guangyao awoke in a panic of suffocation. The gilded walls, the brocade quilts, the warm bodies sharing his bed - all seemed to close in on him, trapping him in place. He couldn't move. He couldn't breathe.

He tried to kick the covers away, and - he couldn't. Mingjue and Xichen weighed the bedding down on either side of him, he didn't even have the strength to wriggle out from between them, he would die here–

“A-Yao?” Xichen’s graceful hands smoothed his sweaty hair back from his face, pushed the quilt back from his shoulders. “A-Yao, are you well?”

“Mmmmrgh,” Mingjue grumbled from the left. “Trying to sleep. Conference.”

“Mingjue.” Xichen gathered Jin Guangyao to his chest in a careful embrace, comforting without constricting. “He’s had a nightmare, I think.”

“S’have it quietly,” he muttered. He rolled over, taking half the quilts with him.

(from upcoming ch 5 of my fic Teeth Marks Behind My Eyes, which centers on Wen Zhuliu / Jin Guangyao & heavily ft the Wen remnants & 3zun)

[jackhues]

it's not hate... | oscar piastri

note: okay so i was bored and i got a random inspiration i hope y'all like this <3 i think this will have 3/4 parts, but they might be split up if i reach the picture limit.

pairing: oscar piastri x fem!reader, logan x best friend!reader, one sided!enemies to lovers

next

faceclaim: various, from pinterest

youruser & logansargeant

liked by y/bffsuser, oscarpiastri, yourmomsig & others

youruser: gang's back together 🤘

pinned youruser: welcome back to america @/logansargeant glad you could join us! -> user: i love how she seems sarcastic but i know babes is so happy he's back

user: logan living out his frat dreams

user: this would be logan daily if he didn't go into racing

user: wait i'm confused... who's this? -> user: y/n y/ln! from what we know, her and logan are best friends since they were born or something. she finished her undergrad, but i think she's doing law school now (?)

user: i ship -> user: ew

y/bffsuser: not pictured is the entire drink falling out -> logansargeant: it wasn't my fault! she moved her head -> youruser: yeah okay, blame the woman -> logansargeant: i blame when she's wrong. and you are. -> user: stop they're so sibling

yourmomsig: aw no one posted the pic of y/n falling off the bed during the fight -> youruser: MOM! -> logansargeant: i tried but she stole my phone -> user: well we know who the favorite child is now

y/bffsuser: @/yourprivuser no photo creds -> user: IS THAT Y/N'S PRIVATE USER???!!! I NEED TO BE ACCEPTER NOWWW this comment thread has been deleted

oscarpiastri has requested yourprivuser!

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y/bffspodcast

liked by user, user, oscarpiastri & others

y/bffspodcast: surprise episode out now! take a listen for exclusive deets on logan's love life, his best friends, and the time he almost became a dad to a baby crocodile

tagged: logansargeant

user: i'm sorry, logan did WHAT NOW?

user: A CROCODILE?? -> user: well he does live in florida

user: it's a crime that y/n and oscar haven't met before. i need the irl best and the f1 bestie to get together and spill tea on logan -> oscarpiastri: well we might have to change that this weekend -> user: OSCAR??!! PLEASE DO IT! I BEG!

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Y/BFFS PODCAST - TRANSMISSION timestamp: 4:40-8:23

y/bff: i mean, you've known y/n your whole life, right?

logan: my whole life, yup. like, i was maybe only a few hours old when i saw her for the first time. you already know this, but like we have the same birthday, december 31st 2000. and we're also born at the same time, in the same hospital, literally right across the hall from each other.

YB: same time? like seriously? how did i not know that?

LS: *laughs* i mean, same time. down to the minute, at least. it's why we call each other 'twin', we're born at the same time. and like our parent knew each other and joked that we might be born on the same day... little did they know

YB: *laughing* that's insane. oh my gosh, and you guys have just been best friends since then. i love that. i assume you're the one who's got all the younger high school stories about her. i got some college ones, but you have the real gold mine, don't you?

LS: i've got my fair share of our insane stories, yeah

YB: mind sharing one?

LS: i'm trying to think of one that's not absolutely insane... oh okay! so one time, we were in the pool, it was summer, and then y/n just stops trying to murder me with the pool noodle and goes still. i'm confused as hell, so i'm trying to see what she's doing but she tells me to shut up. she's watching the bushes around the pool, so i swim to the edge of the pool next to her, and the two of us are just watching the bushes. i have no idea what's going on, but y/n's waiting for something. and then, a baby croc starts walking out of it, and it's so small, but like it's mom was nowhere. we didn't know what to do. and y/n *laughs* y/n goes, "oh we have to adopt it". i'm like what? but she just start spiraling "oh we're his parents now. he just saw us. what if the mom died? i don't know how to feed a baby croc? but i have to learn, it's my baby croc now." finally she calms down, and we get everything sorted out, but she cried when we had to leave the baby crocodile. adopted it and all within three seconds of seeing it

YB: *laughing* i'm dead, oh my god that sounds like her though. that's so fucking funny, she made you a crocodile dad!

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Y/N ADJUSTED HER SUNGLASSES, the Miami sun nearly blinding her as she walked towards the paddock. Next to her, her racer best friend, Logan Sargeant, nearly skipped along next to her. She could feel his excitement at being able to race so close to home again, and it honestly helped lift her own spirits.

Logan smiled and waved at some cameras and fans nearby, grinning brightly and taking the time to stop and sign some stuff. Once the fans had trickled away, Logan made his way back to his best friend, throwing his arm over her shoulder.

"You okay?" he asked, turning his head away from the cameras so they couldn't read his lips.

"I'm great," she promised.

"It's not too late to change your mind," he reminded her. "We can say you were sick, or you weren't feeling well, or you just forgot, or-"

"-That I have diarrhea?" Y/N grinned a little. "You know, all of your solutions to this thing seem to involve me just running away or ignoring it."

"I mean, it's how you take on most of life," he shrugged.

"I've never felt more called out in life," she rolled her eyes. "Look, we've got a plan. I head over to the garage first, take a few pics, then say 'oh I have to go. I haven't even been to Williams' garage yet'. I've got this Logie, I promise. Besides, I don't even hate him. If I did, there would be a lot more violence threatened and swearing involved. I also would've blocked him."

Logan didn't look necessarily convinced, but he didn't argue either. He pressed a kiss to her forehead, "If you need anything, send me a 911 text. I'll be on standby the entire time, I swear."

Y/N smiled at the boy, waving goodbye as she dropped him off to the Williams garage.

"I know you'll be there," she smiled. "It's what we do. Be there for each other."

MEANWHILE, IN THE MCLAREN GARAGE, the Aussie driver was pacing back and forth, turning back to the entrance every few seconds.

"Yeah, great job at being subtle, Osc," Lando Norris, his teammate, commented sarcastically. "Who're you even waiting for?"

"Y/N," Oscar answered simply.

Normally, he'd engage in banter with his Brit teammate, but he was too nervous to give answers longer than a few words. He was finally going to see Y/N, in person. Not on the other side of a screen, not a flash of hair that ran away too quickly, not a caller ID he'd see on Logan's phone all too often. After all these years, he was finally going to be able to see her, face to face.

He had to admit, he did seem a little pathetic trying to contact her. But the DM he'd sent years ago on her public account had never gone through. And he'd left it, thinking maybe they weren't meant to know each other, simply to know of each other.

But then he'd seen her private instagram, with so few followers, he knew that she wouldn't be able to miss it. But maybe she didn't use it, or maybe it was an old account, but he had no luck on that account either.

He finally mustered the courage to ask Logan for her number and just reach out. He was surprised and a little shocked she said yeah, but he was in too deep now to change his mind.

"Oooh, who's Y/N?" Lando teased. "Is she a girlfriend?"

Oscar whipped his head towards his teammate, narrowing his eyes at him.

"Why are you a literal child?" he asked. "Y/N's a friend. Well, she's a friend of Logan's. His best friend. And everyone found out the two of us never met each other, and they went crazy saying we have to meet and whatnot. So I invited her here to take a few pictures."

Lando tilted his head, almost as if he was dissecting the truth behind Oscar's words.

"Logan? Logan Sargeant's best friend? Her name's Y/N?"

"Yes, Lando. And everyone says I'm his best friend in racing, so we have to meet or something."

"Alright, I believe you," Lando decided. "Call me when she gets here, I want to take pictures with her too."

"Sure," Oscar answered nonchalantly.

Turns out, there was no need to call him over, because a second after he'd said that, she walked in.

Oscar stared at her as she looked around the garage, her eyes drinking in just how different it was from the Williams' garage that she was used to.

Lando made a noise between a snort and a laugh, causing Oscar to glare at him.

"No, nothing," Lando nodded to himself, ignoring Oscar's silent question. He cupped his hands over his mouth, shouting across the garage, "Y/N!"

Her head whipped over to the sound of her name, her posture relaxing the slightest bit as she realized it was only Lando and Oscar and not some random person. She didn't exactly know them, never even met them, but she knew enough of them to be a little comfortable.

She smiled slightly as she reached them, "Hey. How are you guys?"

Lando looked to Oscar, who simply stared at Y/N, before decided to take the reigns. "We're good, thanks for asking. I'm Lando, my friend here is Oscar, and I assume you already know that."

"Yeah, I watch enough F1 to know that," she smiled, falling into easy conversation with the Brit.

"Well it's nice to know you didn't take an invitation from a man who's name you didn't know," Lando joked. "That's what I call important information."

"I went a step further and made sure he was known by a friend of mine," Y/N continued the banter. "My best friend." She turned to acknowledge Oscar, "Logan spoke highly of you for a long time now. It's nice to finally be able to meet you."

"Yeah, same," he nodded. "I mean, Logan's spoke a lot about you too. All the time. He still does. It's nice to meet you too."

Oscar resisted the urge to close his eyes and curse himself out.

Y/N didn't seem to mind his stuttering and stumbling. In fact, her posture seemed to straighten out a bit, and her smile turned a little bit more warm.

She was beginning to realize that no matter how bad Logan had gotten it, Oscar was human too. He was new to this, and he probably had someone defending him the way she defended Logan. Maybe she was a little harsh on him. She just didn't like how it wasn't fair.

It was why she wanted to be a lawyer. She wanted to try and make things fair for people.

But in defending Logan with her entire heart and soul... she was being unfair to Oscar. She could try and be nice. It's only for a few minutes. After that, she could go back to avoiding him.

"So, how do you wanna do the pictures?" Y/N asked. "We should get them done now, I might have to leave early if my laptop doesn't work. I have a few assignments due."

"Right, yeah," Oscar nodded. "We can- uh-"

"The lighting's nice over there," Lando pointed out. "I'll take the picture of you guys."

"You don't wanna be in it?" Y/N asked.

"No, I'm alright," Lando smiled. "Unfortunately, I'm not best friends with Logan, unlike you two. Besides, I'm pretty good with a camera."

Y/N frowned at the reminder that Lando was one of the drivers who wasn't friends with Logan. She quickly fixed her expression, but Oscar noticed (only because he'd has his eyes on her ever since she entered). He was tempted to ask her about it, but she smiled and his brain froze up.

"Alright then, let's take the picture."

--

youruser

liked by oscarpiastri, logansargeant, y/bffsuser & others

youruser: miami, you were fun 🤍

tagged: logansargeant, landonorris, oscarpiastri

pinned youruser: to my haters: fuck you, i'm always proud of logan. no matter what. i chose him as my best friend and i'll choose him again every time. i'm just sad y'all have never loved someone so much to understand what it means to always be proud of them, no matter any outcome. he's my best friend, my brother, and the outcome of race isn't going to change that

pinned youruser: i heard there was a logan's besties meet up @/oscarpiastri -> oscarpiastri: oh yeah, did you end up making it? -> youruser: swipe to find out!

landonorris: same time next race 👀👀 -> youruser: wanna do my class for me?? -> landonorris: i will understand nothing. -> oscarpiastri: as if you understand anything ever -> landonorris: all grown up now, are you? -> oscarpiastri: shut up

mclaren: it was a pleasure having you stop by! next time, you should stay for longer! -> williamsracing: stop stealing her from us

williamsracing: loved having you around for the weekend!

alex_albon: wowwww, i didn't even make the cut this weekend -> youruser: all the pics i took of you were 0.5s -> alex_albon: thanks for showing some mercy

user: stop she looks so pretty

user: logan bestie meet up... but where's logan? -> user: getting attacked by a haas in his home race -> user: oof

user: TELL EM GIRL!

user: i want what she and logan have. like they'd DIE for each other

oscarpiastri: it was great to finally meet you! hopefully it's not the last time either -> user: boy please TRY to be subtle

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PART TWO

notes: i hope y'all liked this, don't forget to like + reblog! alsoo... comment on this part (not any others) if you want to be tagged, i might not respond but i'll add you to the taglist if you comment.

but my tags don't always work, so you might want to follow my writing tag 'naqia writes!' or the tag for this short series 'the bsf of my bsf! series' so they show up on your dash at some point :)

[yszarin]

tagged by @bittercape <3

Rules: Go to your published works on AO3 and list the first fic you ever published there, the last fic you published, any fic that you wrote for a fandom/ship only once, your favorite fic you wrote in the fandom/ship that has the most works, the fic you wish more people read, the fic you agonized over the most, the fic that sprang fully formed from your mind without any effort, and a work you are proud of—for whatever reason.

First fic published on Ao3: House of Red Dreaming, a post-S4 Whitechapel fic following the detectives as they attend a remote team-building session which was definitely haunted. Intended to be the first in a series which would resolve the Louise Iver arc. Baby Duck was ambitious.

Last fic published: A Village Built on Bones, a Midsomer fic in which Barnaby & Winter investigate the murder of a gothic horror author. Not entirely sure when I'll be able to update it, what with Whumptober and NaNo coming up, so it's languishing a bit on the to-do list. Adult Duck is. also ambitious.

Fandom/ship I only wrote once: There are a few of these, but I'm going with Pyre (in which Owen has fire trauma) because frankly only having written once for Parkdale Haunt is an error I'm hoping to correct.

Favorite fic in most popular fandom/ship: Assuming the most popular ship I've written for is TMA's Jon/Martin (which I've not checked, but. it's Jon/Martin), Autumn, in which Martin is Missing Presumed Gone and Jon has feelings about it. It was the first Jon/Martin fic I wrote and a friend told me it made them cry at their workplace, which is the kind of review I'm proud of.

Fic I wish more people read: Going to go with Firelight's Edge/Paper Boats, in which a traumatised Nelson returns to Midsomer but can't quite make it home, and Winter tries to help while ignoring his rapidly-developing crush. Because it's my most Winter/Nelson fic so far and presumably if more people read it, that would mean that there were more people thinking about my pool noodle ship, and the more people think about the ship, the higher the odds of someone else also writing for it? This is how maths works, right? Also I think the fic's pretty good.

Fic I agonized over: I have 107 fics posted and I don't think there's a single one I didn't agonise over. So. All of them. Especially the ones I didn't post. For the purposes of this, though, between the dark and firelight, a RQG fic following Tjelvar, Edward and Carter as they're hired to seek an artefact that could bring magic back to the world. Big Bang fics are always agonising, trying to strike the balance between The Vision (TM) and what you have the time and ability to write, and this one had the additional difficulty of dealing with characters who were deeply traumatised in ways that made them behave badly towards others (and trying to treat that sensitively), while also trying to contain an adequate quest and romance arc. Might just be a case of "most recently quite agonising", though.

Fic that popped out fully-formed: prooobably blood on the beach and a wreck in the water, currently my only fic for The Secret of St Kilda, feat. Lockie hiding an injured Matthias post-S1, because if I don't see the body there's no MCD, and good luck with that in an audio medium, okay? I'd been struggling with writing and then I was poking bits of this out on my phone and the words came easily and felt good as I was writing them which. never happens. I'm scared to look at it again in case it isn't as good as I remember thinking it was.

Fic I'm proud of: uhhhhhh proud of things I've written isn't really a state that comes to me naturally but I guess I'll take In Sunlight, in which Edward searches for Tjelvar after escaping Rome. Ed/Tjelvar is a very special ship to me, as it started off as just me and two people who are now some of my fondest friends, one of whom worked with me on this fic as my Big Bang artist. It was one of two RQBB fics I wrote that year (we've since changed the rules not to let people do this because it turns out it's a fast-train to burnout, who would have thought?), so I'm kind of baffled that I finished it, and it had a great response for what will always in my head be a rarepair (though apparently has 88 works now? wild). The (69) comments assure me the fic is good which is very nice of them.

No-pressure tags for @an-anonymous-friend, @badgerhuan, @icescrabblerjerky, @kd-heart, @pjmarvell <3 also anyone else who sees this and would like to do it pls take this as a tag for you

[nervous-tic]

half promise, half warning | part two the evening

pairing: spencer reid x fem!reader category: angst, fluff, smut (18+) content warning: cm typical violence, unhealthy relationship & breakup (w/ omc), allusion to abuse, cussing, vomit mention, smoking (lmk if i’ve missed anything!) word count: 4.0k a/n: happy return of the tagging system, folks :’)

<< the morning | masterlist | the long night >>

. . .

There’s an obvious exit strategy for this whole mess. A tiny lifeboat clinging to the edge of a larger, sinking ship. The only issue being, there’s only room for one.

“Sooo,” I nervously drawl, mindlessly twirling my chopsticks in my chow mein. Emily, Jennifer, and I are sitting on the kitchen counter, each indulging in our first real meal of the day. At sundown.

“Is anyone ever going to tell me about Mel and Pattie?” I kick my legs with what I hope to be whimsy and not anxiety-driven restlessness.

I know for a fact the two women share a look.

“Were you close with them?” Emily inquires.

I shrug. “Not really. Some of the girlfriends are super tight, but besides who we date, I don’t really have anything in common with them.”

With her mouth full of fried rice, I think I hear Emily mumble, “Fair enough.”

Realizing her colleague isn’t about to play messenger, Jennifer sighs and explains haltingly, “Since the men were taken to a different location, no one even knew anything had happened until Melanie and Patricia’s bodies were found.”

I swallow thickly. “But didn’t they both have protection in their homes after receiving the, um, the feet?”

“Well...,” Jennifer cautiously starts. From the corner of my eye, I see her nudge Emily, but to no avail. She sighs and continues, “...after Melanie and Carter received the coach’s foot, they had two cruisers watching from outside. Then Patricia and Freddy got Carter’s foot but refused help from the local police and chose to hire private security instead.”

“And now Lachlan and I have Freddy’s foot, and the FBI are here to protect us,” I lamely conclude. “But what happened to Mel and Pattie?”

“They...were both stabbed multiple times. The ME said they probably passed out from the pain or blood loss. The official cause of death is exsanguination.”

“Oh,” I say into my box of takeout. The noodles pinched at the end of my chopsticks jiggle and splatter sauce along the interior of the box. I tilt the container and watch the dark liquid pool together. The sauce is just thick enough to resemble something else. My appetite, already a shrunken and pathetic thing that’s taken all day to muster, vanishes for good. I put my food down.

Trying to appear casual, Emily also sets down her food and grips the counter, peering around Jennifer and me. We both follow her eyes and see what — or who she’s on the lookout for.

“Is it because of what Reid said to you this afternoon?” Emily whispers, angling herself toward me. Unfortunately for Jennifer, sitting in the middle means her space is our space now. I parrot Emily’s movement.

“Kinda.”

Jennifer’s annoyance about the breaching of physical boundaries disappears as she flashes me a dubious look.

“Okay,” I admit, “it has everything to do with that. But in my defense, it’s fucking scary to be told that you’re a dead man walking because you don’t matter.” The last part wasn’t meant to come out as a hiss.

When Emily sympathetically hums in agreement, we return Jennifer’s right to eat, easing out of her space. The fried rice finds its way back into Emily’s hands. Before shoveling a cold spoonful into her mouth, she consoles, “And you have every right to be scared. That was a horrifying thing to say.”

Jennifer, discreetly wiping the corner of her lips with her thumb, adds, “There’s also nothing about the unsub’s behaviour that says he’s targeting any significant others. He’s taking the men alive. Athletic men. It’s risky and requires a lot of energy. He knows that including another person into his fantasy increases the chance of something going wrong.”

I urgently press, “But, including Coach Lee’s new girlfriend, every significant other has been killed, right?”

Emily warily confirms this. “But we believe the reason for that is simply, they were at the wrong place at the wrong time.”

I try not to immediately spill over the idea that’s been lodged in my brain all afternoon. It’s difficult when Emily says exactly what I want to hear.

“What if I wasn’t here then?”

The two of them blink at me, puzzled. That’s all it takes for me to surrender to my own impulses because fuck it, it’s pointless to pussyfoot around.

“What if I stayed somewhere else? Because... b-because IwannabreakupwithLachlan.”

There’s so much more to say, of course, but I anticipate their reactions. They’re both trying to gauge which part of my suggestion should be addressed first: the part where I’m ready to bolt with my tail tucked between my legs, or the part where I want to breakup with my long-term partner in the midst of an investigation.

But when their reactions reach the point of being vocalized, it’s simultaneous.

“What do you mean—”

“You’ll need to say that—”

“She said she wants to breakup with Lachlan.”

Fuck. Fuck. I curse whatever higher power there is. How could three paranoid women — two, who are equipped with guns — miss the casual approach of another person?

Emily deadpans, “Thanks, Reid. We heard.” He misses the occasional social cue, and I hope he piped in because he genuinely thought neither women had heard me. I hope hard because the alternative is that he’s fucking with me.

I hang my head, refusing to look at him.

Quietly, I whine, “Emily, I thought you were on lookout.”

She’s sputtering. “I am! O-or I was, at least. For a second, I did look out! I didn’t know— I didn’t think boy genius here would leave his little cavern of files!”

Might as well get it over with, dignity be damned. I look up.

I’ve never been so aware of all the muscles in my face before. Putting on a neutral expression is an impossible task. Reid’s doing the same, but clearly with less effort because there’s just something mocking about the way he scrunches his lips for a second.

Okay, so he’s definitely fucking with me.

Reid glances past me and smiles. “Hey, JJ.”

“Hey, Spence.”

At least Jennifer has the decency to sound sheepish.

“You three enjoying dinner? Because I ordered the ginger beef, and it was bland to say the least, but did you know—”

I couldn’t care less, and he knows this. I hop off the counter. My palms are pressed together as I interrupt him, begging, “Please don’t say anything to him.”

When Reid furrows his brow with a superficial innocence, his eyes widen behind his glasses and there’s a slight pout. Behind me, I hear Emily and Jennifer snickering. Under her breath, Emily mutters, “Isn’t that his poker face?”

(In response, Jennifer presses close to Emily and explains, “It’s the look he used to get when he lost a game of chess to Gideon. Gideon was immune of course, so Reid’s just learned to weaponize it against us.” She’s just loud enough for me to hear.

“That bastard.”)

Reid tilts his head, teasing, “And why would I ever tell him?”

Half-heartedly, I bite back, “Because you’re a bully who gets off on making me upset.” I don’t mean too much by it, but it’s still satisfying to watch the hitch in his demeanor. With a noncommittal noise, I shrug and say, “God knows I’m used to being collateral damage to someone’s ego.”

The farce drops immediately. He crosses his arms.

I’ve noticed over the course of the team’s stay that everyone’s immaculately dressed in the morning, but as the heat seeps into the afternoon, the team also has a tendency to loosen or strew their clothing around their workspace, making peace with appearing dishevelled — the exception being Agent Hotchner, of course. But Reid, with a blazer folded over a couch and a sweater vest haphazardly stuffed into his bag, is the worst of all; the knot of his tie isn’t even at the base of his throat anymore, but rather, hanging somewhere above his collarbones, which I can almost see because he’s undone the top two buttons of his dress shirt. I momentarily forget about my comment when the slight gape of his shirt reveals a warmth – something so pink lazily colouring his neck.

Reid shifts uncomfortably under my gaze, dropping his arms with what I suspect to be a desire to not appear defensive.

“That’s not fair. JJ said—”

“Nope, Spence, nuh-uh. Do not drag me into this.”

Reid looks like he’s lost a lifeline for a second, but he skirts around it with: “Are you still upset about that?”

I hear the noises of disapproval from behind me. There’s even a flash of regret on his face, but I’m livid at the idea of him immediately surrendering an apology. A genius with such meticulous memory should be more mindful about how sticky thoughts can get. How inviting they are to obsess over.

Brick by brick, a wall gives. Everything that Jennifer soothed and comforted away this afternoon suddenly comes pouring forth.

“Of course I am!” I seethe. “Not just upset either. I’m mostly scared, Reid. Like god-fearing, pissing-my-pants scared. Because of something you said.”

Emily and Jennifer are debating if they should intervene.

“You think I’m doing this because it’s the opportune time, hm? Imagine walking away from a decade long relationship — what it would take, what you would have to feel — and then ask yourself why I’m more inclined to run after your threat rather than a fucking foot in a box.”

At the edges of my anger lingers a dreadful smugness, the kind that many work hard for but few ever appreciate once its theirs. But I’ve been down this path with Lachlan many times before. The feeling is never less awful than how I remember it, which is why I’m thankful (somewhere deep, deep down) for how quickly Reid squashes it.

It’s calculated and low when he tells me, “It’s spineless to pretend like I have anything to do with your failed relationship. You know, I know, JJ and Emily know – everyone under your roof knows exactly what’s about to happen. Don’t blame me if you’re too much of a coward to do it and Lachlan’s too stupid to figure it out.”

I flinch.

I nearly lunge for him.

The counter is vacated, Emily and Jennifer scrambling to do damage control. Reid’s stare is eerily focused while Jennifer rests a hand on his chest, coaxing. If it wasn’t for the persistent flush that darkens his ears, I wouldn’t have the slightest clue that he was bothered.

Jennifer’s scolding, “Spencer, walk away.”

Emily, bless her heart, is tasked with comforting the stranger of the two who are locked at the horns. I assume it’s why she doesn’t touch me, opting instead to make demands. Demands like, “We need to go outside now,” and, “You’ve said your piece, now let’s go.”

I lean over the arm she’s using to cordon me off. “I don’t know what your fucking complex is, Reid, but the answers must seem so simple to you when you think we’re all fucking stupid.”

From the corner of my eye, I see Morgan rapidly approaching, muttering, “what the fuck?” to no one in particular. Reid and I know that once he’s made his way over here, the altercation will be over. I’ll go out kicking and screaming while slung over Morgan’s shoulders. I don’t care.

The collectedness of Reid’s voice is practised. It’s a disadvantage for me to not make a living from hunting and interrogating some of the world’s most dangerous people.

“I don’t think you’re all stupid,” he calmly retaliates. “But it’ll be a lot easier for you when you can admit your boyfriend’s an idiot. And a pig.”

That final statement irks me in a way I can’t place. I know it’s not true, but there’s a twinge in my stomach.

I grit out, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I’ve seen the way he holds you,” he snaps. Something finally gives in his voice. Judging by the way he clenches his jaw, he knows it too. “We’ve seen the way he treats you.”

I’m relieved when Morgan zeroes in on his colleague. However, I don’t escape reprimand; Derek shoots me an exhausted look, but it’s not without bewilderment.

“Don’t!” Reid warns, brushing aside Jennifer and Derek. “I’m going to bed. Wake me up when it’s my shift.”

The four of us watch him stalk toward the stairs, jerking his tie loose and over his head. It swings in his fist as he retreats up the stairs.

And for a moment, I feel out of sync without Reid. Without the rhythm of our back-and-forth. It’s like reeling a racket back, anticipating the communion of plastic strings and bouncing rubber before watching the ball get plucked midair. Nobody wins.

When a door slams upstairs, I understand the appeal of retreating to a bed. I understand because the tension slinks out of my body and I nearly follow it to the ground. Slowly, I rub my hands over my face. It’s a short-lived way to avoid the three pairs of feet that pivot back around with accompanying eyes.

Emily cracks first.

“What is wrong with you two?” Her tone catches me off guard. Even while my eyes readjust to the kitchen lights, I see her figure, blurred around the edges, throw her hands up in exasperation. “How could you two possibly hate each other that much after a few days?”

Jennifer approaches, no longer cautious. She presses a hand above my breastbone. It’s not unlike the way she touched Reid.

“Go get some rest. Please,” she insists. Once again, her love and care for her team are extended to me as she assures, “Don’t worry about the food. It’ll take two seconds to clean.” It’s somehow more devastating than Emily’s outburst. There’s disappointment in the way Jennifer pats my chest to send me off; the motion is too rigid.

I don’t know what I’m apologizing for when I murmur, “I’m sorry,” seeking validation from Jennifer first, then Emily. Derek is less forgiving, but that’s more than acceptable. I’ve been lighting the fuse on their colleague – their friend, all day. It’s not just biting at the hand that feeds me; it’s chomping, gnawing through skin and bone.

I ask the three of them with darting eyes, “Where— um. Where’s Lachlan?” No one answers right away. Their hesitance is justifiably founded in the fear that I’m about to do something utterly foolish and selfish.

Getting the answer from Derek is unexpected. “He was finishing up in the gym. Probably in the shower or in bed by now.” My heart breaks when he offers, “Do you want one of us to go with you?”

I grimace. Lachlan and I have never been physical towards each other. Cruel, possessive, and manipulative, yes. What had Reid said? I’ve seen the way he holds you. We’ve seen the way he treats you. If a mere seventy-two hours is all it takes for a group of people to come to the same conclusion, perhaps our charade as a happy couple is much less convincing than we think.

I sadly scoff, rebuffing Derek’s offer as kindly as possible. “It’s– I’ll be fine. Nothing’s going to happen.” And when they continue to examine...whatever it is that profilers examine, my shoulders drop in defeat, asserting, “Nothing has ever happened, you guys.”

Finally. They finally find a little confidence in me.

“Good,” Jennifer nods. “Do whatever you need to do, but remember, you can sort the details out after this is all over, okay? I’ll get someone to escort you wherever you need to go tomorrow afternoon.”

Emily reminds me, “If you need anything, there’ll always be two of us down here, no matter the hour.”

“Here,” Derek holds his elbow out for me, “I’m about to switch shifts with Hotch. I’ll walk you up.”

My mouth opens, but it’s without words. Instead, I return a tight smile, embarrassed. Linking my arms with Derek, I wonder what it’s like to be so kind all the time. He pats my arm as we head for the stairs, Jennifer and Emily wishing us goodnight.

“Goodnight, ladies,” Derek croons. He catches the sharp exhale through my nose, a noise of amusement. I think this is the first time he’s regarded me without concern or annoyance. He smiles, questioning, “Something funny?”

“Nothing,” I shake my head. “I like seeing how you all interact. Especially when it’s not about death and dismemberment.”

We ascend the stairs, still joined at the crook of our elbows. I’m always a step ahead to compensate for our difference in height.

“Ah,” I hear from behind me. “Well, we’re family.”

“Obviously. Half the time, Agent Hotchner looks like a father trying to survive a road trip with his five kids.”

“Kids?” he laughs. Our voices lower as we reach the top.

There are a dozen doors leading to guest and leisure rooms along the hall, the master bedroom centered at the very end. I can’t remember how many of the rooms are occupied by resting law enforcement.

“Hotch is good to us though,” Derek muses, “and I’d like to think we’re good to him too.”

We make it down most of the hall before he continues, “But he’s juggling a lot. Our team’s a man down, and now he’s gotta figure everything out with...with Reid.”

Derek waits for a reply, but I really have nothing to say.

“Without getting into it,” Derek picks back up, “the kid’s having a hard time, and it doesn’t excuse his behaviour, but,” he falters. It’s odd to see a man who exudes so much confidence mull over his words. “But like I said, we’re family, and all we can do for each other is extend our support and patience.”

I hum in understanding, but only because there’s a lump, heavy in my throat. After hearing all that, I try to hold the guilt down, mostly because I know Derek had no intention of bestowing it to me. And in retrospect, it makes sense. This was a tightknit group of fiercely generous people with no room for an outlier.

It was easy to imagine Reid differently; a softer man who saw the potential of kindness through his intellect, who knew the personal cost of his career and still threw his whole livelihood into it. Just like everyone else on his team.

We reach the master bedroom. I take a shuddering breath before unlinking our arms.

My voice is weak, but I manage to confide, “I hope you all know how grateful I am for you all to, um, share that support and patience with me.”

It’s nice to see him smile.

He points to one of many doors, saying, “I’ll be in that room. Come get me if anything happens.” Wringing my hands, I thank him again. He doesn’t depart by bidding me goodnight, but instead, “Good luck.”

I shake when I begin to realize the mess I’m about to make behind these doors. Derek’s walking just loud enough for me to know he’s still there in the hallway, watching over me. I swiftly push through the doors and hope he’ll take it as a cue that whatever’s about to happen is beyond his responsibility.

I hear the torrent of water from the bathroom. Doing my best to calm myself, I attempt my nighttime routine. The ritual does little to ease the adrenaline – the rushing in my head and the ringing in my ears.

When Lachlan steps into the room, he sees me perched on the edge of the bed, hair knotted up and changed into a slip. The sheer ignorance of his seductive, “hey,” is baffling. My leg is bouncing and I’ve picked my lips near bloody, but all he can say is hey.

He thinks he’s so slick when he trots to the dresser and drops his towel. Rifling through a drawer, he drawls, “Crazy day, huh? But man, these feds are gettin’ on my nerves.”

“They’re protecting us,” I mumble.

“Like that did Carter or Freddy any good.”

I huff, pinching my thigh to kickstart something. Lachlan doesn’t notice the nuclear meltdown happening on the other side of the room. When I open my mouth, I know it’s a 50/50 chance of either words or vomit. I’m lucky it’s the former.

“Put a shirt on. We need to talk.”

. . .

What’s the saying? The death is quick, but the dying is slow? I can’t remember.

All I know is that the conversation lasts all of thirty minutes, more or less. It’s easy when you both know there’s nothing salvageable. That doesn’t mean Lachlan wasn’t angry though. He was just angry about the wrong things.

I look out the balcony doors and see Lachlan smoking one of my secret cigarettes. The remaining carton goes into my duffle bag. It’s petty, considering I have no intention of touching them. I’ll sacrifice a sweater if it means making space for my spite.

Objectively, I know I’m making the right choice, yet my body is an oversensitive traitor, wracking my entirety with quiet, ugly sobs. It’s the type of crying where cheeks bloat immediately and ears become itchy with heat. I don’t know exactly what I’m packing for the week, but at this point, it doesn’t matter. I zip the bag.

There’s a sudden prick of familiarity, a strange sensation. I look up to see Lachlan twisting his head to stare back at me in the same moment. I’m almost touched to see his swollen eyes. When I give him a single nod, as if to say goodbye, he rolls his eyes and turns his back on me for the last time. From his hand, a flick of orange arcs into the air. I know the cigarette will land in the pool and it will cease to be my problem.

. . .

When I’m back in the hallway, the strap of my duffle cutting into my arm, I quietly hiss, “fuck,” at myself. It’s the middle of the night and I’m barefoot in nightwear. I curse myself once more when I hear Lachlan re-enter from the balcony, slamming the door shut. There’s no turning back.

My pride stops me from doing the easy thing, which is to head down the stairs and ask for the support of those who are more than willing to give. Oh, and maybe a pair of shoes. But no, instead, my pride steers me through the door on my immediate left.

It’s pitch black. The curtains are always drawn because sunlight’s a bitch and will eat away at the pigments and papers that are carefully framed across the walls. I drop my duffle bag with a thud and easily — desperately navigate my way toward the promise of sleep.

What I often don’t tell others is that most of my time in the study is spent lazing about in the daybed that I tucked window-side years ago. Like a cat kneading its claws into cushions, I shaped the space into my idea of perfect comfort by sheer force of will. It seems fitting for me to spend my final night in this mansion sleeping in a corner that I carved out for myself.

Weaving around the armchairs and cherry wood side tables is easy. A path that I’ve committed to memory. When I feel the seam where the coarse antique rug ends and the cloudlike fur rug begins, I know I’m within arms reach. I fall forward, hands eager to sink in with a trust that only people can have with inanimate objects — things without a will of their own.

Or so I thought. It’s another betrayal for the books when something that’s notably not a twin mattress meets my palms.

I let out a throaty yelp. The thing beneath me wheezes, wrapping itself around multiple parts of my body to seize my limbs. Luckily, my one hand breaks free and I throw it toward the window, yanking the curtain open. The moonlight pours through, revealing this terrible, terrible vignette.

“What the fu—!”

“Reid?!”

. . .

series taglist <3 @thatsonezesty13 @loki-is-loved @youracidqueenmina​

[le4ftea]

BNHA Boys Scenario in Amoung us.

Fluff, Imposter x crewmate, protecting, sacrifice,blood warning,gore,Gender neutral reader, some sad parts,kisses or hugs(depending on who it is.),villian like I guess,yandere.

I'm in love with Amoung us. Honestly. So this is many bnha/mha boys if they were the Imposter, and you were a crewmate. I'll take request for more characters but for now I'll just do the dekusquad.

●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●

Izuku Midoriya

Midoriya had killed two people already. Smirking down at Kaminari's corpse, blood pooling out of him as he whimpered in pain.

He jumped into the medbay vent and vented out into electrical.

Without realizing that you were fixing wires in there.

You gasped at his sudden presence and blood splatter on his helmet.

Your hands trembling, you slowly wipe the splash of blood from his view.

The gentleness you showed him was very unexpected do to the law of finding out someone was not a crewmate. He thought you would run away trying to tell everyone he was an imposter.

His heart jumped in awe, wanting to keep you safe from any harm.

He hugged you in a comforting way, holding tight to you as if you would slip at any given moment.

You both walked with one another, hand in hand. You did your task but also made sure it was near someone, so he could kill them.

He would always giggle gently when you would help him clean up, washing his gear and making sure his health was fine.

He was in love with you. Never wanting to harm you or leave you.

Until he did.

Oh how stupid he was, he left you in reactor for a second. To kill someone in security.

Only to come back with you being held by the neck, half your body on the floor.

The second imposter killed you with no mercy.

Momo turned to face Midoriya, only to be shot in the stomach.

Rage filling his heart and eye sight going red. He was cold.

His bones ached and his heart throbbed, the pain was the most painful thing in the world.

He gently picked up your upper half and crests it with the softest touch, his body shaking with sadness.

Whimpers and sobs echoed in the room.

"Its okay...I'm here now. You are safe, I promise." He whispered to your lifeless body, your face still caring in a way.

Another gun shot was heard as there was a safe atmosphere to the ship.

Midoriya floated above his body with tears still falling.

Until...

"Izu-kun?" A familiar voice, the one he loved hearing in each given day.

He quickly turned to see you floating with grace and beauty.

He choked on his words as a giddy smile jumped to his face.

He instantly grabbed you into a tight embrace, laughing and crying into your ghostly form.

Now no one could hurt Both of you now.

Tenya Iida

All the crewmates had turned in different directions. Yet Iida seemed to be lost at first, yet you thought that he was just new and needed help.

You tapped his forearm and asked the buff boy if he wanted to stick with you.

He seemed to hesitate but accept your kind offer.

You both had went everywhere and did your task that was assigned to you, you were about to ask Iida where his next task was until.

The lights went out, you gasped not moving from your spot.

Then a splash of blood was heard from beside you, you yelped and called for Iida.

Lights go on and the only thing you saw was a man covered in blood, but not just any man.

Tenya Iida.

He stood there staring, waiting to see what you would do.

Hearing voices coming closer, you panick and grab his wrist.

Pulling him away from the body.

He closes the door in security, looking back at you, who is standing at the far end of the room.

He locked you in between him and the wall as he takes off his helmet, he then takes yours off.

Before you can speak he devours your lips with his own, a blush spreading a cross your face.

The kiss was gently tender, a kiss that was only found in a fairy tale.

Making it so much harder to hate him.

After that you had covered for him and people believed he was innocent, the angel of everyone.

Yet, a pink suited female found you two very sus.

Uraraka had called an emergency meeting.

"(L/N) is the most sus. They are always with Iida who is CLEAR and somehow is always close to the body. It must be them." She pointed to you. Eyes blazing with fire.

You opened your mouth until, others started to see her point. Finding you to be the imposter.

Iida was trying to clear your name but all of them said "they are just using you to keep themselves alive." Hurting his heart with every word.

The one person he found to love more then anything in the world was taking blame for his killings and his mindless murder.

Tears started to show in his eyes, he saw how quiet you were being and took all the blame.

You finally looked up to all of them as they voted your name, you smiled gently.

A pained smile that everyone could see.

"You're right. It was ME." You were tied up by Kirishima and Bakugou and taken to the ejector.

Iida ran to stop them but it was too late.

They had pressed the eject button and you flew out of the ship into a dark pit of nothing, to die in cold space alone.

Iida banged at the window as you floated farther and farther away.

He cried and cried as the others watched him break. Until the notification of what you were, came up.

"(L/N) was not the Imposter."

Everyone turned to glare at Uraraka.

Especially iida.

His eyes were stabbing knifes into her stupid life filled body.

Uraraka was voted off and many others as iida killed with no mercy for they had killed you with no mercy.

He wiped his knife on his cloths as he looked at a photograph of you smiling with him, eating some instant noodles.

He smiled warmly to you.

"I'll be with you soon Darling. But these idiots must pay for killing you."

Shoto Todoroki

He had stood at the card swipe for hours, trying to do it but not being able too.

Getting frustrated with every beep of the machine, he groaned to himself.

Suddenly he heard someone coming, finally he had a chance to kill. He got himself ready to kill whoever walked though the door until.

He saw you skipping into admin. The happy aura around you just made him curious, he watched you swipe the card once and get the green light.

You smiled to yourself and started to walk out until you saw the boy.

"Todoroki? What are you doing just watching me? Its kinda creepy bro." You giggled nervously.

He cracked a smile and asked if you would like to stay with him, claiming he would protect you with his life.

You both walked around the ship and did the tasks together.

Todoroki always slightly behind you, killing people secretly. Thinking that you didn't know he had killed many.

You had gotten use to him stabbing people, because the Todoroki you knew was a kind and loving man.

And he only loved you.

Todoroki had messed up though.

He had killed infront of another crewmate, Bakugou.

He had killed Kirishima but did not see Bakugou who was fualing the top engine.

"You. I knew it was you icy hot bastard. Now you're going to die in space." Bakugou spat, getting ready to report the body.

BAAM

A gun shot ripped through Bakugous head.(sorry bakubro)

Todoroki stood there in shock as you had stolen a gun and killed a fellow crewmate.

"Y-You knew...?" He whispered.

Giggling softly, you nodded.

Running past the bodies and hugging him. You clinged your helmets together.

Pulling away and looking into his love stuck eyes.

"Now let's finish them off."

○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○

I hope that was good lol, you can request any Haikyuu,Bnha/mha, and demon slayer content and I'll do my best.

[tiger-in-the-flightdeck]

Sneak peek at another new longish fic I’m working on. Because I have no self control.

In another way his life had greatly improved of late, John’s was able to sleep through the night without being woken up with terrors. His dreams were quiet, and mundane, and he almost always woke up feeling refreshed. 

Which was good, because he was also frequently woken up at the arse crack of dawn by a massive hellhound bounding onto the bed and demanding walkies. 

“Dammit, Maggie, that’s my fucking kidney.” John pushed at the hound before she could start licking his face. Her paw didn’t shift and she put all of her considerable weight on him until he snapped his fingers off to the side, hoping to distract her. It did nothing but make her strong tail wag harder, smacking into his leg. “Come on, Mags. Off. Dow-” She started to lick. Her breath smelled like brimstone and Lamb N Rice Prime Puppy Chow. “Who wants a treat?” he tried again. 

“Margaret, down.” 

She hopped from the bed and crossed the flat to sit primly at the First’s feet. 

“Show off,” John grumbled as he sat up and lit himself a cigarette.

Don’t mind me. Just paddlin’ my pool noodle of a ship over here.

[jinkicake]

Heart of Gold

Is fixing someone’s heart worth destroying your own?

Kurapika x Reader 

I totally forgot that it was Kurapika’s birthday yesterday, jail time for me. (T＿T) To be truthful I don’t know what this is, all I know is that I wrote it after I finished the first season of hunterxhunter when I wanted nothing more than Kurapika to be happy. Now though, I want my man to get his revenge and I will keep waiting for that to happen. Fck the spiders, next. I don’t really write for hxh characters because I find it difficult to, but it’s his birthday and he is my favorite charavter so bon appétit.

WC- 1,472

~~~

Your breath hitches in your throat as you feel the intense pounding of their heart in their chest. The crowded street holds hundreds of people, all whose heartbeats sound like small raindrops compared to a canon. It’s not hard to find him, your eyes land on a head of blonde hair and your own heart constricts in your chest. For such a calm looking boy, that much heavy anger must be a hell of a burden. 

You trail behind him, following him into a noodle shop, hiding your own presence by stopping your heart. It’s not long before you’re underground and are handed a badge. With a sigh, you look around at all the intense people and start to wonder just where the hell you are. 

Quickly you notice a few feet ahead of you that a random man walks towards the group you were following. You notice them talking and gasp when you can feel the lies he is spitting out from his teeth, your eyes narrow as you walk over to them. However, before you can do that you feel the presence of someone else approaching you.

“What’s a little girl like you doing around here?” A grimy man stops you, standing right in front of you and blocking you from your point of interest. “This is no place for a precious thing like you baby.” His voice makes you feel sick and you lift your hand up beside your face, zoning in on your palm and closing your hand into a tight fist. You can manipulate to feel his heavy heart in your hand.

“Disgusting.” You close your eyes and grimace as he lets out pained moans before you yank your hand to the side. A chorus of gasps is heard as you open your eyes once again, teeth-gritting as you stare back at them. The man’s heart appears at his feet and he falls over, dead. “I overdid it this time, didn’t I?” You pout and start to feel disappointed in yourself. 

A wave of nausea washes over you as you feel the angered heart from before, even in such a large room like this. With another worried glance, you let out a sigh of relief when the boys from before had distanced themselves from the conniving short man.

“How did you do that?” A small boy asks from behind you and you flinch as you feel his lonely heart. His white hair dips as he looks down at his fists before yanking it, trying to mimic your actions. Fondly you smile at him, feeling heartache for such a tortured heart at his young age.

“I’m (Y/N).” You first introduce yourself and place your hand out, he looks hesitant to take it into his own but does as he reveals his own name. “Killua I’ll tell you one day but for now,” You circle your index finger watching him stiffen as he feels the pull on his heart. “let me make you feel lighter.” With a soft coo you watch him relax as you take some of the pain out of his heart.

You only took a small portion but even that almost brought you to your knees. “I’m sure you’ll find a good friend soon. Come find me later.” You stick your tongue out playfully before looking back over at the crowd, the angered beating still loud as ever surrounding you. 

Foolishly you stare at the blonde-haired boy and circle your index finger once more, however before you can even take a pinch of the pain, you feel a stabbing sensation in your own heart. You’ve heard of pains that are so guarded that even trying to touch them can kill you. At that moment you learned two things about the blonde boy. He’s unbelievably strong and protected, your heart only sinks lower. 

Killua watches you closely, running his mind to try and figure out how you can manipulate a heart without even touching it.

-.-

“Killua.” You smile politely as the small boy as you come across him in the hallway of the ship.

“Ah (Y/N) you made it this far? I’m surprised.” He raises an eyebrow and stuffs his hands in his pockets which makes you laugh. 

“Aren’t you going to rest?” You can’t help but worry over the small child and he narrows his eyes at you.

“Leave me alone, you’re not my mom.” He hisses and you let out another light laugh, slowly twirling your finger behind your back.

“You’re right. I���m sorry.” You apologize, trying to hide the pain you feel as you try to relieve his heart more. With a sigh he crosses his arms over his chest, staring out the window before muttering.

“I’ll rest after I finish hanging out with Gon.” He tells you and you feel your own powers enhancing by the lift of his heart, happy that he has made a friend. 

“Have fun.” You lift your hand to wave before walking towards one of the rooms, glancing in each one to find an empty one so you can rest. After opening a random door your eyes land on a blonde head of hair, you softly gasp at the sight before making your way in. Maybe with him asleep his heart won’t be as on guard, even with your own powers fully charged and his heart vulnerable you can still feel the mind splitting pulses he is sending out. 

You lift your hand, trying to ignore the way you finger shakes out of fear. With a deep breath, you sit in front of him, crossing your legs and closing your eyes as you focus on his one heartbeat amongst the others on the ship. It’s dangerous but as you can feel some of the anger nipping at your finger, you know you can do it. It won’t be a lot but maybe just a little bit. Before your finger can even spin all around it’s stopped by another force. Your eyes drift open and you stiffen when you see his hand wrapped around your finger, his eyes bore into yours. 

“What are you doing?” The strength of his heart is even stronger than before due to him now being awake. A soft whine leaves your lips as you place your hand over your chest in an effort to soothe the ache.

“Trying to relieve your pain.” You confess, there was no point in lying. “I’m sorry for doing it without your consent, it’s just easier that way.” You shake your head and he doesn’t let up the tight grip on your finger. 

“Don’t manipulate my heart.” His eyes are hard and you feel a frown covering your own face. Before you can hold yourself back you place your free hand on the swell of his jaw. Tilting his head to get a better look into his eyes, when you can’t read a heart then the eyes are the next best thing. The boy can only push himself further into the wall as he tries to create space between the two of you, the feeling of your touch burning his skin. 

“I wasn’t. I won’t ever.” You tell him and watch as his pupils dilate before growing smaller. “I’m (Y/N).”


“Kurapika.” His eyes dart to the ground and you let out a frustrated huff. Easily you snap your finger out of his grip and place your other hand on his cheek, forcing him to look at you. As your eyes search for anything in his eyes you remembered something from a long time, to share the pain you seal the connection with a kiss. 

The pain in his heart could easily kill you. Moving your hand from his cheek, you rest it on his collarbone, a weak spot you recognized on him after a few seconds of watching him. In this state, you thought you had him under your control. 

“Let me take care of you.” Your eyes harden as you stare into his own, the effect you expected was for him to soften in your hold not turn to the side and close his eyes.

“No. If you don’t get off of me I’ll end up hurting you.” His heart rhythm levels and your breath hitches in your throat as his words register in your mind, he’s completely serious. You can’t help but think what kind of healer would you be if you didn’t take a risk. 

“Kurapika I’m really sorry about this.” You apologize and before he can react your lips are gently pressed against his own. It only lasts for a second before you’re flung across the room, your body trying to stop you from the damage already done. You feel as if you’re suffocating and tears are pooling in your eyes as you try to lift up your own hand, your vision grows blurry and Kurapika only stares at you still in his own shock. His heart now feeling dramatically lighter. 

[awintersrose]

For the latest ask meme:

N, Q, R??

N - Name three things you wish you saw more or in your main fandom (or a fandom of choice)

Things are gonna get a teeny tiny pinch salty in here for a sec, I think. Not much though, I promise. So three things...

More mixing between divisions within the fandom. Everything feels a lot more categorized by who ships what now, with some exceptions--but those exceptions don’t seem to be the rule. In the past it seemed like this was not always a determining factor behind the crowd you interacted with, and I feel like there was more varied support in action, with a wider sense of community. Granted, I do know there is a downside to this possibility as well since anti activity seems to be higher now, so perhaps the two go hand in hand.

More true support for rare pairings in fanfic. There has always been a lot of lip service and praise surrounding the concept, but often the only time this is put into action is when rarepair content is written or created specifically by BNFs. It can be pretty discouraging for new authors and old ones alike.

More general interaction and less passive consumption across the board. And I don’t necessarily mean comments - reblogs alone are so, so helpful. But I think you’ll be hard pressed to find a creator who doesn’t feel this way.

Q - A ship you’ve abandoned and why

I don’t know if it’s really abandoned, but I don’t seek out KakaSaku much anymore. I think perhaps my pool of ships got a lot wider and their dynamic was not as compelling as others to me? I’ll always have some fave stories, and there is a lot of fantastic art, but of late it doesn’t seem to draw me in the same way.

R - A pairing you ship that you don’t think anyone else ships

I’ll have to fudge this one a little bit, because even the tiny ships I think don’t appeal to the wider fandom have a couple folks clinging to their respective pool noodles with me. JiraDan is one of them, RasaOro is another.

[ fandom meme: come at me friend ]

[good-and-colorful]

Okay, this story is too perfect not to tell.

Buckle up kiddos, it’s about to get weird. (It’s also long, so continue at your own peril).

So a little over a year ago, I had to apply for a security clearance as part of the onboarding process for an internship. As part of this massive pain-in-the-ass ordeal, you have to go get your fingerprints... scanned? Yeah, we’ll go with that word. And you have to go to a specially designated location to do so. Now, you would think, with the number of students at school who have to do this, the designated location would be close to campus.

And that would be reasonable, wouldn’t it, Tumblr?

But this is the government we are talking about, so the nearest location to school is a town 45 minutes away called Monticello.

Now, Monticello is an interesting little town. Its entire economy is based on tourism; you see, Monticello is home to an amusement park. It’s called Indiana Beach (yeah there’s a body of water there) and its motto is “There’s more than corn in Indiana!” (As a lifelong resident of Indiana I cannot disagree more). This amusement park is not your average Six-Flags style deal. Oh, no. That would be normal. No, this place looks like the county fair came to town in 1986 and never left. It is astounding that nobody has died there, either from a freak roller coaster accident or from a heart attack while eating one of their $5 buckets of fried whatever.

Monticello also has meth, which probably explains a lot of what is about to happen but I digress.

Now the place I had to go to for these fingerprints was called Ship n’ Dip. What the fuck is that, you ask? Well you see, I can describe it physically but in order to truly understand the supernaturally fucking weird aura of this place you’ll just have to drive out to Monticello yourself. 

Continuing:

I arrived at Ship n’ Dip on the morning of my appointment and parked in their gravel parking lot next to their hand-painted Ship n’ Dip sign. Across the parking lot, they are advertising FedEx shipping. Odd, I think. That can’t possibly be the same business. I enter the store, and I am immediately taken aback by the smell of old wood and the frail figure of an old lady behind the counter immediately to my right. We are the only two people in the entire store. I look around, and it appears that this woman has stolen a lawn decoration from every grandma in the state of Indiana and is now selling them to the citizens of this meth town in the middle of nowhere. I am the youngest thing, living or not, in this store. The old lady takes one look at my confused ass and goes,

“Are you here for the fingerprints?”

I am no longer in the twenty-first century, and I’m willing to bet I am no longer in this plane of existence.

I fill out the paperwork and she walks me to this fingerprint scanner nestled in one of the displays. I feel like a spy. Here behind this rack of dusty stuffed animals and ball caps is this high-tech government-issued machine. It’s green, like the watch from Ben 10.

She spends way too long trying to get my fingers to scan right on this thing, and like every old lady who ever existed, has to call someone for help. A very tall, very heavy younger man materializes behind us and gets it all to work. 

With twisted knuckles I get back in my car, drive back to school, and promptly forget everything.

An entire calendar year passes. @imcoolwithonions​ has to get his I-9 verified for a completely different internship, and for whatever godforsaken reason this needs to be done at a government-designated location. Now, you would think Tumblr, that since so many students likely go through this process, the nearest location is probably close to campus. 

Tumblr, do you know where this location was?

I am minding my own business on a wonderful July afternoon, innocently doing my work like a good noodle, and I hear from the other room, “Where the hell is Monticello, Indiana?” 

Do you know what it feels like to be a sleeper agent? I think I had a pretty good guess on this July afternoon. 

He explains to me that he must go to a store called Ship n’ Dip, and that it is a store that sells hot tubs. Now I don’t recall there being any hot tubs in this establishment but this entire thing is weird enough already, fuck it, they sell hot tubs now. @imcoolwithonions​ drives to Ship n’ Dip in Monticello, Indiana, and I spend the afternoon trying to remember if they sold hot tubs. Stumped, I give in to my curiosity and Google search Ship n’ Dip, assuming that it never actually existed in the first place and all who go to Monticello are brainwashed into believing they went to a place that takes a different form for each person who visits it. 

No, it’s real, and here is the list of goods and services they offer:

This place inspired the Hot Tub Time Machine cinematic universe. This place is New York’s hottest club as described by Stefon on Saturday Night Live. This place scans people’s fingerprints so that the federal government can grant security clearances. This place spells gift shop “gift shoppe”.

It finally dawns on me: 

FedEx shipping.

Pools.

Ship. Dip. 

I astral project to the top of the sketchy-ass ferris wheel at Indiana Beach. It smells like fried things and sweat. In the morning, I wake up a changed woman.

Two more weeks pass. (Oh you thought this story was over? You thought it was weird enough already?? Strap in, folks, we’re not done yet!)

Two weeks pass, and I accept a job offer out East. I’m home now, still in Indiana. I’m filling out onboarding paperwork and applying for apartments. My guard is down.

I received an email this morning, Tumblr. 

I must go verify my I-9 at a government-designated location.

The Earth King has invited me to Lake Laogai, and I am honored to accept his invitation.

I log into the stupid website, hands shaking, hoping that the nearest place isn’t fucking Ship n’ Dip. 

It’s not. It’s a place in town that, despite living here the majority of my life, I have never heard of. It is next to Round the Clock Restaurant, which is a restaurant that I have driven past countless times without ever really paying attention to it. My grandma took me there for dinner once and made me order milk. This is my only memory of Round the Clock.

My appointment is on Monday. If you don’t hear from me, assume that I have been assassinated by one of the other-dimensional beings occupying one of the liminal spaces masquerading as a government-designated location.

Godspeed, Tumblr. 

[dndeed]

Critical Role Miniature Rollout: C2E98

With Andrew Harshman

An archive and review of the minis used on Critical Role.

Quite the consequential and gripping episode. D&D often catches flack for having long, drawn-out combats. This was indeed long and drawn-out, but it was also very engaging. Two hour combats are not always so, even when you’re playing. Well done Critical Role.

Don’t get too attached to your spell component diamonds or your green party members, it’s time for Critical Role Miniature Rollout Campaign 2 Episode 98!

The List

Dungeons and Dragons Condition Markers by thelukec

Arcknight Spell Effects

Mats by Mars: Dark Caribbean Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat

@Minileed Custom Ship

Legendary Realms Bed (out of print)

Legendary Realms Bed, Double (out of print)

Legendary Realms Crate and Barrel (out of print)

Mantic Games TerrainCrate Dungeon Debris Crates

Treasure Items Accessory Set Chest

Rusty Dragon Inn Dressing: Table

Steamforged Games Critical Role Miniatures

Axe N Shield Single Flyer Risers - Clear Mithril

D&D Spell Effects: Arcane Fury & Divine Might

Custom Lollipop Spiritual Weapon

D&D Spell Effects: Halaster's Tumultuous Templates

TerrainCrate Campsite Bedrolls

Dwarven Forge Furnishings Pack Chairs and Beds

Tiny Furniture Carved Chest of Drawers

WizKids Deep Cuts Unpainted Miniatures: Cannons

Steamforged Orly Miniature

Steamforged Games Veth Brenatto Miniature

Tomb of Annihilation #024 Yuan-Ti Broodguard

Monster Menagerie 3 #012 Tridrone / Kraken Priest

Waterdeep Dragon Heist #039 Lord Victoro

Storm King's Thunder #015 Bandit

Waterdeep Dragon Heist #019 Renaer Neverember

Classic Creatures Sahuagin Mystic

Classic Creatures Sahuagin

Monster Menagerie 3 #023 Sea Spawn

Maze of Death #018 Urdefhan Necromancer

Valor Maps ship deck paper maps on cardboard

The Characters

Orly Steamforged Orly Miniature Alternate paint photo sourced from the Steamforged blog

Hey Orly, sweet baby blue Fullmetal Alchemist military uniform! This fine figure is part of the Steamforged Critical Role resin series. I picked up an Orly model kit at ECCC 2019. Tortles are still pretty rare to encounter in-game, so I’m not in a huge rush to construct and paint it. My home campaign is not really in need of extra tortle figures. Let alone one with a nautical theme and body mod bagpipes. 

The core concept of a turtle tortoise person is rather goofy, but this sculpt looks far from ridiculous. This is a very cool take on a humanoid turtle. Orly looks capable and impressive.

Veth Steamforged Games Veth Brenatto Miniature

I’ve been unable to find any decent photos of Sam’s new mini. Not much to say at this point, aside from I assume this is as nice a model as the other Steamforges. At a distance, her headband and ears line up in such a way that they look like WoW elf eyebrows. But hey, that’s very anime, very on-brand for CR.

The Terrain

Lucidian Ocean Mats by Mars: Dark Caribbean Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat, @Minileed Custom Ship, Valor Maps ship deck paper maps on cardboard, assorted terrain accessories (see The List).

A brutally brilliant map setup! A spectacular naval display the likes of which streaming has never seen. The Ball Eater model by @Minileed returns! This map layout is a great way to track action across multiple multiple decks. The lower levels of the ship are paper maps attached to cardboard and the furniture contents are from Dwarven Forge, TerrainCrate, Hirst Arts, Wizkids, Tiny Terrain, and others.

Many of these models have been featured on past maps. The Tiny Furniture chest of drawers is new, it looks very stylish, very post-d20 Modern. The Wizkids cannons are also new. They look slick, the paint work is precise and clean. The fact that these are from an official D&D lines is good news for fantasy setting firearm enthusiasts. Guns and those to sling them have been in Critical Role from the start and it’s nice to see wider D&D setting acceptance of such tech.

The Spell Effects

Area Effects D&D Spell Effects: Halaster's Tumultuous Templates and Arcknight Spell Effects

At first, I scoffed at the Halaster’s Tumultuous Templates $59.99 MSRP. But now that I’ve seen them modeled by Matthew Mercer, I’m more liable to purchase them. These templates look splendid both on the battlemat and on the DM Matt.

The Villains and Monsters

Uk’otoa Acolytes Classic Creatures Sahuagin Mystic and Classic Creatures Sahuagin Image sourced from minisgallery.com  

The two Sahuagin minis that appear in this episode are from the D&D Icons of the Realms Classic Creatures set. A boxed set including 9 classic monster minis designed to look like the original Advanced Dungeons and Dragons Monster Manual art. Good idea, bad execution.

The sculpt fidelity and paint quality throughout is rough. These miniatures needed to be larger scale with higher sculpt resolution to properly capture the art style and creature design of the old school art. Quite a bummer. For comparison, here are some D&D Miniatures Game sahuagin and a Pathfinder Battles sea devil:

What a difference. Sure the above models are bulkier, but they have so much more character and detail. Shockingly, the rightmost figure (Skull & Shackles #008 Sea Devil Champion) and the Classic Creatures miniatures are both manufactured by Wizkids. What gives, did they forget how to make aquatic monster humanoids over the span of several years?

Sea Spawn Monster Menagerie 3 #023 Sea Spawn

Not a huge improvement over the Sahuagin, but the detail is a tad better. The face is distinct and the paint work is passable. This is a serviceable minion. 

Uk’otoa Acolyte Maze of Death #018 Urdefhan Necromancer

I’m conflicted about this figure. I like the character design, pose, and paint. However, the level of detail in the casting is disappointing. This is most apparent in the arms and hands. They hardly look like limbs and digits, more like pool noodles really. This doesn't sink the model for me though. On the whole Urdefhan Necromancer is a quality villain miniature.

Closing Thoughts

Not the best episode for monster models. But the good news is that the party has two clerics with two diamonds and we are unlikely to see the worst of this episode’s minis again. Uk’otoa needs to find some more stylin’ acolytes.

Pedantic monster model complaints aside, this combat presentation was glorious. And even the uglier miniatures looked reasonably good on camera among the high quality terrain and professional lighting conditions. 

Episode 99 will presumably involve the diplomatic ship meeting. If the peace talks are disrupted, the resulting encounter map is sure to be incredible.

#criticalroleminiaturerollout

[lowlywriter]

NyQuil and Chill

Back with another Colby x Reader fic! I have so many prompts saved on Pinterest that I never felt I could do justice for with the ships I usually wrote for. So, I’m gonna keep posting Colby imagines- but feel free to give me prompts or anything (please do).

This one is sick!Colby x reader and it’s very fluffy. Basically just fluff, actually. (Also some protective!Sam, because their friendship is so pure)

Warnings: Like one swear word; sick character

Word Count: 2,220

“I'm sickk…” Colby whined over the phone.  

There was a distinct scratchiness in his voice and he sounded nasally even over the terrible phone line.  

“Aw, babe,” you frowned lightly. You were curled up in your bed at your apartment, since it was your day off from work. These days were usually the days you’d just have some down time- since Colby was always busy during the days between filming and visiting his YouTuber friends.

“Are you at work?” Colby questioned, a pathetic sniffle following. You couldn’t help but smile at him- knowing he couldn’t actually see you. He was just so clingy and cuddly when he wasn’t feeling well, and you already knew where the conversation was heading.  

“No,” you told him, throwing your covers off and standing from your bed, “I have the day off.”  

You put the phone on speaker, listening to Colby’s uneven breaths as you started changing into a clean shirt and pair of pajama bottoms.  

“You should come over,” Colby suggested pitifully, milking his illness completely, “I’d feel better if you were here.”

“I don’t know, babe,” you joked, “I’m pretty cozy here.” You tried not to laugh as you tied your hair up in a loose messy bun. You continued to your door, phone in hand, then proceeded to slip on some socks and a pair of shoes.

“Babeee, I’m sick though,” Colby whined, “don’t make me come to you...”  

“No.” You said firmly, opening your door and stepping out, then locking it behind you and proceeding to your car, “stay inside if you’re sick.”

“But-”

“I’m in the car,” you cut Colby off with a little laugh, “is there anything you want me to pick up on the way?”

“I’m out of NyQuil... And some orange juice would be nice,” Colby said quietly. He usually hated making you buy things for him, often refusing whenever you’d offer.  

“Alright,” you said quietly, settling yourself into the driver’s side, “I’m going to go now, I’ll see you in like twenty minutes.”

“Love you!” You could practically hear the cheeky grin in Colby’s tone.

“Love you too,” you laughed, hanging up the phone with a shake of your head.  

--

When you finally arrived at the trap house, you simply walked into the house. You’d been there enough to know the guys only locked the doors towards the end of the night or if everyone was going to be out. You could easily navigate yourself around the huge house. You carried a slushie, and a plastic bag filled with Colby’s requested items as well as a few other sick related things. You sipped the slushie, even though you’d bought it for Colby.  

“Hey, Y/N,” Sam greeted. He was walking towards you, keys in hand. “I don’t think Colby’s awake, no one’s seen him all day,” the blonde boy explained as he patted down his pockets.  

“He’s sick, he called me a little while ago,” you told him.  

“Is he?” Sam looked slightly concerned, “he did jump in the pool with me yesterday.”

“You guys are idiots,” you laughed. Sam only grinned.  

“You go on up then, Kat and I’ll be back later. I was just heading out. It’s just you, Colby and Aaron home, I think.” Sam explained, giving you a quick side hug before slipping out the front door, “just give me a call if you or Colby need anything.”

“Okay. Have a good date,” you waved him out. You slowly trekked up the stairs as you listened to the sound of Sam driving away. You paused outside Colby’s door, listening to his uneven breaths, and occasional coughs.  

When you finally pushed the door open, you remained quiet. Colby was sleeping restlessly. His breaths short and shallow. His covers were only covering his legs, but he was shivering.  

You didn’t have the heart to wake him up if he was asleep- albeit restlessly, but it was sleep nonetheless. He did look ill. His face was a weird mix of pale and flushed and he sounded stuffed up and congested even in his sleep.  

You walked silently into the room, setting the convenient store bag on the floor, and the slushie on his nightstand. You pushed his hair back, settling your palm across his forehead to see if he had a fever. He did. He wasn’t overly warm, but definitely warmer than he usually was.  

You pulled his covers up so his bare torso was covered, then leaned over to press a light kiss against his forehead. You left his room, leaving him to sleep in peace while he could.  

It was different being in the house by yourself. Usually it was lively and filled with laughter, but right now it was pretty quiet and the only sound to be heard was little noises from Aaron’s room as he played a game on his computer

You decided to see what you could make for Colby to eat when he woke up. Sam had said he’d been asleep all day and nobody had seen him, so it was pretty safe to assume that Colby hadn’t eaten anything at all that day.

You searched through the shared cupboards, digging out a carton of chicken stock. You found a package of Ramen noodles as well, then moved on to dig through the fridge. You pulled out some carrots and celery.  

After pulling a pot out of a cupboard, you threw together a quick and easy chicken soup recipe. You had to improvise a little, since the guys didn’t appear to have many fresh vegetables. It was merely chicken stock, some seasonings and hot sauce, chopped celery and carrots. You added the ramen noodles at the last minute, not bothering to add the chicken flavor packet to your soup.

It wasn’t gourmet, but it was pretty good considering what you had to work with. Plus, chicken soup was always the go-to food when someone is sick.  

You stirred the soup, letting the flavors develop. A quiet gasp left your mouth when arms circled around your waist and a chin was rested on your shoulder. You tilted your head to see Colby’s brown hair falling over his eyes.  

“I can’t really smell, but that smells great,” Colby mumbled behind you. He nuzzled his nose into your neck below your ear. His voice sounded worse in person. He sounded like he’d been gargling nails.  

“You’re quite the charmer,” you laughed quietly, letting your head fall to rest against Colby’s, “how are you feeling?”

“Honestly?” he muffled against your neck, “pretty shitty. My throat is killing me, and I keep coughing. It feels like someone smashed me in the head with a hammer.”

“Aw, Colbs,” you sympathized. You turned in his embrace, wrapping your arms around him as well, letting your ear fall against his chest. He was wearing his Now or Never sweatshirt merch, and a pair of pajama pants.  

“Thank you for the stuff by the way,” Colby said softly, “the slushie is really nice on my throat.” Behind Colby you could see the brightly coloured slushie cup on the counter. You smiled lightly.

“That’s good. I didn’t know what kind of sick you were, but slushies help with everything.” You joked, receiving a snort of laughter from Colby. He shook his head, kissing the top of your head. “Now, are you hungry? Do you want some of the soup?”

“I’m kind of hungry,” he admitted, “I really want to try your soup.” You served Colby a bowl of you soup, handing it to him. He settled himself at the breakfast bar. You could see, just by the way he was slouching, head cradled in his palm as he stared at his soup that he wasn’t feeling well at all. You felt bad that Colby was actually pretty sick.  

“You don’t have to stay in here,” Colby commented, using his fork to twirl some noodles around the bowl. “Might take me a bit, you go watch some Netflix or something in the living room. I’ll come join you when I’m done.”

You didn’t bother arguing with him. You didn’t want to leave him alone, but you also didn’t want to start an argument when he wasn’t in a right mind to fight back. You passed behind him, fingers running through his hair as you continued by.  

You settled yourself on the couch, legs kicked up on one of the huge bean bags. You didn’t bother turning on the Tv, just scrolling through your phone.  

It wasn’t too long later that Colby stumbled into the room. You could see his frame shaking, from being cold or generally shaky- you couldn’t tell. He clutched the mostly melted slushie in his hands. He walked towards you, seating himself heavily down onto the couch beside you. He cradled the slushie in his hands, lifting it slowly to take a sip.

“Lay your head in my lap?” You suggested. Colby didn’t say anything, but flopped over easily, his head pillowed on your thighs. You pulled the blanket that was over the back of the couch down over him. He held his slushie cup right beside his neck, leaning slightly against your thigh.  

You stared down at him for a while. He looked terrible, and he didn’t sound much better. You set your fingers against his head, gently massaging his head absentmindedly as you resumed your scrolling. The two of you settled into a comforting silence.  

Without thinking, you grabbed the slushie from Colby’s hand, taking a couple sips before setting it on the table beside you. You didn’t want Colby to lose his grip and spill the icy drink all over the two of you and the couch.  

“You really shouldn’t share with me,” Colby’s gravelly voice commented. You glanced down to see his dulled blue eyes staring up at you. “I don’t want you to get this.”

“I’ll be fine,” you promised, smiling softly. You pushed his hair back off his forehead a couple times. You set the back of your hand on his forehead again, and he leaned into your touch, eyes shutting.

You ran your hand down the side of his face from his forehead to settle against his cheek.

“You still have a fever,” you hummed to him. His eyes blinked open at you, focus barely there. You watched Colby turn on his side, eyes shutting in the process, then he let out a quiet sigh.

You smiled lightly, playing with his hair as you once again resumed your Instagram scrolling. Your fingers tangled gently with his hair, tousling strands between your finger as you focused on your phone. Colby slept peacefully, breath deep and even. He still coughed, but you’d simply rub circles on his chest.  

You couldn’t help but just watch Colby every once in a while, as the two of you sat together. He was so cute curled up in the blanket. Only his face could be seen, and he looked so relaxed and peaceful.  

You leaned forward to press a kiss to his head. You sat for quite a while, Colby sleeping soundly. You didn’t look up from your phone until you heard the door open. You waited, hand continuing to trail through Colby’s hair, pushing his sweating locks against his head. Sam walked into the room, eyes trailing over you, then over Colby’s body.

“Y/N, how’s Colby?” Sam questioned, walking towards you.  

“I’m pretty sure he’s okay. Definitely sick, he’s not playing around,” you laughed quietly, brushing his hair back so Sam could look at his face. Sam crouched down, studying Colby’s face.

“Yeah, he’s definitely sick,” Sam agreed, standing up again, “I’ll leave him in your capable hands, holler if you need me.”

When Sam was gone, you gazed down at Colby to see him looking at you with slivered eyes.  

“Sam worries too much,” Colby muttered, cheeks flushed.

“He’s your best friend,” you reminded, pressing a kiss to his lips, “I’m worried too, you’re pretty out of it.”

“No... you’ll catch this,” Colby mumbled, voice muffled as he turned his body once more, and buried his face in the fabric of your shirt. You laughed, rubbing his side.

“Let’s head up to your room, give you some NyQuil and go to sleep?” You suggested, not bothering to wait for an answer as you started urging him up and off you. Your body was stiff and sore after sitting for hours. You finished off the slushie (it was just flat soda by now). You guys walked up the stairs hand in hand. Colby flopped heavily on the bed, rolling into his covers.

You handed him the NyQuil bottle, and took a couple gulps, not bothering with the measuring cup. Colby set the bottle on his nightstand and you crawled into the bed beside him. You cuddled up to him, pressing another kiss to his chapped lips.

“You’re totally going to get sick,” Colby groaned, wrapping his arms around you and drawing you into him.  

“Yeah, probably,” you finally agreed. You had spent practically the whole day with him, sharing drinks with him and kissing him- so an illness of some sort was inevitable by now.  

“Love you, Y/N,” Colby mumbled quietly, the NyQuil knocking him out pretty fast, as he was already pretty tired.  

“Good night, Love,” you smiled, settling your head on his chest.  

[cruddyborderlandstheories]

GEARBOX THIS IS EVERYTHING I’VE EVER WANTED THAAAAHAHAHAANK YOUUUUU

FUCK OKAY TRAILER BREAKDOWN BECAUSE I AM LOOOOOOSING MY FUCKING MIND OVER THIS TRAILER HOOOOOLY SHIT

POSSIBLE PSOILERS??? MAYBE? GOD DDDDDAYMN WHAT A WAY TO GET BACK INTO THE THEORY SCENE LMAO

SO FIRST OF ALL I’M NOT CERTAIN THIS IS RELATED TO THE BARMAN/SECOND STARS CULT QUEST I FOUND IN THE FILES AS SOME PEOPLE SUGGESTED, BUT I WILL ADMIT IT IS SUSPICIOUSLY SPECIFIC. MAINLY ABOUT A CULT AND THE FACT WE SEE A BAR HANGING OUT IN THE TRAILER, BUT HEY, I AM NOT GOING TO MAKE ASSUMPTIONS RIGHT NOW I AM JUST GOING TO ENJOY THIS WHILE I CAN

ANd breathe in

breathe okay

okay

im okay.

i’ve watched this trailer like 15 times already oh my god it’s so good. i wasnt so hyped about the casino dlc bc, like, i already spoiled myself on it BUT THIS IS (AS FAR AS WE KNOW) UNCHARTED TERRITORY AND

IT’S TECHNICALLY A WATER PLANET

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES

okay

okay

i will stop using caps

for the most part

hhhhhhh

okay.

let’s just be calm. i got this

BUT HAVE YOU SEEN THIS THOUGH????

oh ym goD

the fucking lighthouse sent me. i just. i went feral for a solid hour and a half. just wheezing on my test. i fell onto the floor at one point, don’t remember when. it was so fucking good, i couldn’t feel my goddamn hands

;-; its so beautiful i could stare at this all day hhhhhhh

i just

hhhhhhhhhhhh

oh ym godddd ;-;-;-;-;-;-;

it’s so fucking beautiful

i can’t

okay

we see the gun/health station under the lighthouse so it’s not really THAT big, and we can see a town in the distance. running across the ice sheets is giving me HUGE southern shelf vibes which i am in love with. this whole aesthetic is just ;w; so good

there’s a catch a ride in that town as well so we know this area is fairly big (which is confirmed in a later shot)

and oh my GOD can you imagine seeing some big ol beast lurking beneath the surface of the ice sheets hohhhh

MAN

okay sorry im still not oevr this its just so fckign good

inside the belly of the beast rotting Monster and OHHHHHHHHHHH THE IMPLICATION-s of that. of that. im calm.

we get a look at 2 new enemies and mmmmmm we get a better look at them later on so just look how fuckig beautiful thsi area is with its acid that’s probably rotting stomach acid and AAAAAAAA

first close up of the town, giving me really big uhhhh we happy few vibes? which im not complaining about

TENTACLES asdfghj

anywway more toen, bridge looks like like athenas which is DOPE im hype for more athenas-esque architecture

the TOWNss oh my god im so im love with this aesthetic god. damn.it i need this injected directly into my veins like right N O W

also the bridge is going over another pool of acid, which the tentacle is coming out of. i imagine this monster was sorta acid based, which is funny. since. frozen water planet. and it’s OOZY too. oozy boy means the eridians didn’t make this one! ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

hm who’s ready to face the unintended consequences of our actions?! NOT THE ERIDIANS WHOOO BOY (you cannot tlel me that there are mantakores on this planet and not say there was eridian fuckering going on nooOOPE)

also, side note, DIGGING the spike pit under the house on the bottom right. hope we get to explore that bad boy

ALSO

who are you mysterious figure whose cape billows in the wind? are you just part of the environment?? MAYBE

more town

first look at that BEAUITUFL red barrier which OOOOH I WANNA TOUCH SO BADLY

look at it

LOOK AT IT

NOODLE BOWL

EATS??? food place?? im not sure i can’t read, Jared, 19

see s-ar(?)ed??

THAT

THAT IS BEAUTIFUL

doesn’t look like a corporation shield (no corporation gunk lying around either) and we do know red glowy shit is the New Eridian Aesthetic, so im just saying.

it could be a corporation tho, mostly because uhhh later shots

hold up

that’s not uhhhhhhhhhhh

yeah it CAN’T BE lol

cursetown - something something

these red thingies are probably just rotting monster flesh but it does look very similar to the vines on nekrotefeyo

given how worried wainwright looks i imagine him and hammylocks are being coerced into the whole marriage thing in order to complete a ritual

i mean no judgement but that red background is absolutely garrish for a wedding

1. pirate ship??? please??? look at all the mist outside and the wooden bars

god PLEASE can i get a pirate ship.  CNA I PLEASE GET A PIRATE SHIP

Captain scarlett wsan’t enoughhhh

2. why the fuck does she have a tail

3.

DJ Midnight performing Saturday: The Dark Mix Deep W???? Hear The Voices (hmmm) and Let The Music Enter You

gee i wonder if this is cultist propaganda

I DON’T KNOW WHO YOU PEOPLE ARE

BUT YOUR TIMING

SUCKS

IIIII AM HERMEAUS MORAAA

no wait wrong game

BUT BRO TENTACLES COMING OUT OF THE MAGIC PORTALS???? UFCKF UEYS THIS FITS PERFECTLY INTO H2O A- i mean, damn haven’t we got enough tentacles from the destroyer?? wow gearbox... heh. hm.

SO I AM WONDERING IF MAYBE THE GREEN UNDER THE BRIDGE AND SUCH ISN’T LIKE CORROSIVE ACID BUT MAYHAPS SOME SORT OF MAGIC SLUDGE COMING OFF THE BIG OL MONSTER BOY THAT THESE CULTISTS ARE HARNESSING TO TAP INTO something. i lost steam. but i mean MAGIC PORTALS

and we all know where teleportation takes us

MANTAKORES!!! WHICH MEANS ERIDIAN INTERVENTION SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINE

they seem like fire/ice boys which i absolutely adore

THIS SHOT IS SO COOL OH MY GOD

LIKE I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN IT JUST LOOKS D O P E

WHAT IS THIS??

WHAT IS THIIIS??

CAN I PLEASE HAVE YOUR JACKET

OH ALSO

I MENTIONED IT IN ANOTHER POST BUT THIS

REMINDS ME A LOT OF THIS

IM SURE THERE’S ABSOLUTELY NO CORRELATION BUT I THOUGHTIT WAS FUNNY

ALSO REMEMBER THE BLACK EYES THING I HAVE A WHOLE THINGIE THING IMMA BRING BACK OT IT JUST HOLD TIGHT

THIS SHOT?? OH MY GOD? IT’S LIKE A MOVIE????????? I LOV EI LOVE IT LIV E OT

nND THE WOLFIE BOYS THATTHE ARTICLE MENTIONS

UCKING TENTACLES HFDGDHFGJKH THIS IS SO FUCKING COOL OH MY GOD

HE’ SGOT TENTACLE ARMS LIKE MOTHERFUCKING CHADAM

BRO IM

BROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

AND A GUN THIS MOTHERFUCKER STILL HAS A GUN

WHAT A MAN

MORE TECHONOLOG Y THAT IM SURE PLAYS A ROLE IN THIS SOMEHOW

BEAUTIFUL

WE SLAM THIS DUDE UP AGAINST A WALL SO HARD SHE/HE/THEY (I ASSUME SHE BC WE CAN’T SEE HER FACE AS A COMMON TROPE) 

BREAKS THE WINDOW WHICH LOOKS SUSPICIOUSLY LIKE A WINDOW ON SANC-III BUT IM NOT MAKING ANY ASSUMPTIONS

also red SPARKS WHICH REMIND ME OF ERIDIANS AGAIN

also her whole helmet thingie??? very Guardian-like

THIS SHIT RIGHT HERE IS GIVING ME HUGE HECTOR/KEY/PLANT/ERIDIANBULLSHITTERY VIBES THEY EVEN HAVE THE GLOWING SACS OF OOOOOOOZE

which is another point to the “green sludge is magic/connected to their powers somehow” theory. hmmm i hope we mix neon green and eridium purple. purple/green is my favorite color combo. and ugh with the lovecraftian vibes? be still my beating heart!

WINNIE SHOOTING SOMOHE

i fucking LOVE the laces on this shotgun. so fucking pretty omfg

magic circle MAGIC CIRCLE MAGIC CIRCLE

also new chest it looks like

BROO??? HOLY SHIT?????????

JABBER WOLF!! SO FUCKING COOL

THAT SKULL MOUTH IS SO FUCKING DOPE IT LOOKS LIKE TROY’S TATTOO

ohhhhhhHHHHHH THE MOON IS GREEN TOO DON’T DO THI GEARBOX IM GONNA SCREAM IF THERE’S ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE ERIDIUM

THIS SHOT OHHHH

THE BAR LOOKS FUCKING FANTASTIC OH MY GOD

shots SHOT SHOTS SHOT SHOTS HTOSHSTOHSOHTS

dND the MERFOLK TAIL ON THE FAR RIGHT I DON’T GIVE A FUUUCK WHAT ANYONE ELSE SAYS THAT’S MER TAIL THAT’S A TAIL FUCK U

YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YSEY SEYSEYSE BIGGG

THE BARTENDER OHOH

HAVE I MENTIONED THE GIANT FUCKING MUSHROOMS BTW

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA IM GETTTING SUCH DRAGONBORN DLC VIBES I LOVE IT

SWEETFRUIT VILLAGE BTW THAT’S IMPORTANT

YOU ALLL LOOK SO FUCKING AMAZING OH MY GOD

the bartender!!!! his glasses!! AND THE VOICE MODULATOR???

the netch looking boys are called

slithercresses btw and THEY LOOK STUNNING

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

NEW RED CHESTS??? LOOK ERIDIAN TO ME

WHICH MIGHT MEAN------

ALSO THE DIMENSIONAL TRANSFER PROGRAM ON SANC-III WHERE BBY BOY MAUREICE MAKES US A PORTAL TO HELL??? WHICH GREEN OOZE WHICH IS “HECKTOPLASM” BUT MAYBE ACTUALLY N O T

THE STAR OF THE SHOW BABY GIRL GAIGE WHO’SACTUALLY OLDER THAN ME NOW FUUUUUUUUCK

YOU’RE SO FUCKING BEAUTIFUL II LOVE YOUR NEW GOGGLES

H??????????????

POSSIBLE NEW PSYCHOMASK UNLESS HE’S JUST GROWING THOSE BONE HORNS IN WHICH CASE YOU GO MAN IM PROUD OF YOU

TENTACLE GUNNNNNN WHICH BETTER LPAY A PART ERIRDIANS YOU FUCKS

THIS PLACE IS WHY I THINK THIS MIGHT BE RELATED TO S O M E CORPORAITON? BUT THEN AGAIN IT MAY JSUT BE THE CULT HEADQUARTERS OR WHATEVER, THAT RED BUBBLED MANSION LOOKS P HQ

FOOD CARTS AND ALSO WHATEVERS IN THAT SWINGING BAG LOOKS LIKE BONES HELL YEAH

this this THIS THIS THIS THIS WHAT IS THIS A NEW CIRCL  E OF SLAUGHTEr? ERIDIAN???

THEYRE PUMPING SOMETHING INTO/OUT OF THE CORPSE!!!!!!! ALSO

mutaTED FEET

[something] world! with a skull symbol on the side

both green btw

god YES I LOVE GREEN AND PURPLE IM SO HAPPY

SAILOF HOLE

hammylocks helping us with a fight by some bones and more wolfie boys!!!! i love these little dudes

FIRE MUTATED SLUGS AAAAAAAAA THEYRE SO COOL

ns tHEY CUR L UP INTO BALLS AND ROLL AT YOU LIKE KRAGGONS

AND I WONDER HOW THE SLUGS MUTATED IS IT POSSIBLY THE G R E E EN?

AND THEIR SHELLS LIKE SUCC UP LAVA?????????????

THESE BRAIN-Y BOYS 

SO BLUE I LOVE THEM

AND MORE GREEN MIST BY THE WAY OWOWOWOWOWO

another look at a baddie with STUDS THIS TIME

A MAGIC WARLOCK TYPE BADDIE THIS TIME AND HE SUMMONS A STAFF AND ALSO I THINK THAT’S ERIDIUM CANNISTER BEHIND HIM

AND IT HAS SIMMILAR TENTACLESTO THE GUNS DO YOU THINK WE’RE FINALLY GOING TO GET ANA NSWER ASA TO WHY OUR GUNS ARE A L I V E

MORE SNAIL DUDES AND THE GREEN STUFF IN THE BACKGROUND M A N I LOVE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA SNAILS

OOOOOZE

BACK AT IT AGAIN IN MY CYCLONES

GREEN FUCKING PUDDLES

B O N E S FUCKING I HOPE THIS EXPLAINS HOW THE SKAGS ON PANDORA GOT SO FUCKIN LARGGO OUTSIDE OF JUST ‘YEAH THE SEASONS’

MORE

this

THIS

ONE

THIS LOOKS LIKE A SAURIAN THE ARMORED ONES THE BASHY ARMORED ONES THAT START WITH ‘C’

TWO THAT GUN IS KICKASS

IT’S GLOWING G R E E N AND IT HAS ***THE TENTACLE BARREL***

OHHHH IM SO READY FOR AN EXPLANATION GEARBO X PL E ASE

GIVE IT TO ME

ALSO THIS

IM EXCITED ABOUT

PROBABLY RELATED TO SWEETFRUIT VILLAGE BC THE MUSHROOMS MAYBE THEY USE IT TO MAKE BOOZE MUSHROOM BOOZE EW

WHY IS HE GRAY?????? HE’S NOT WEARING A JACKET MAYBE HES CRYO-FLAVORED

more sluggus THESE ARE GREEN FLAVORED :O

also, side note

PLEASE TLEL ME THIS WAS INTENTIONAL GEARBOX

LEMME SLAP BLANE’S ASS

YOU *GUYS* PLEASE

BUBBLE MANSION??? GREEN OOZY VILLAIN THAT GOT SLMAMED INTO A WALL??? BABY BABY GIRL

THE R E D

and she’s USING A TENTACLE GUN TOO

THAT’S GOTTA MEAN SOMETHING RIGHT

hhhhhhHHHHH

also ther’e sa fridge on the left lol

also the consoles look similar to that one shot with zane which is why i believe this is part of that bubbled-y mansion.

YES ES YES YES YES YESY SYEYSE 

I WANNA RIDE THE SKY TRAM SO BAD PLEASE

I WANNA REENACT UNTIL DAWN

I HAVE A MIGHTY NEEEEEEED

ALSO NOTE THE EYES

AND THE PURPLE HOW IT LOOKS LIKE AN ERIDIUM PURPLE

ANYWAY I HA[VE TO GO EAT FOOD NOW BUT GO LOOK AT THIS LINKN

I LOOKED UP THE NAME OF THE PLANET AND MYTHOLOGY AND NOTHING CAME UP, BUT GOOGLE RECOMMENDED ME 

T H I S

https://pantheon.org/articles/l/lycurgus.html

AND MAN OH MAN

“FAMOUS FOR HIS PERSECUTION OF DIONYSUS” THE GOD OF P A R T I E S LIKE IDK A WEDDING PARTY, WHICH FORCED YA MAIN MAN DIONYSUS TO <JUMP INTO THE OCEAN> WHICH COULD HAVE SOME RELATION TO THE TENTACLES

OH AND ALSO LYCURGUS WAS THEN <<<BLINDED>>>  WHICH COULD PLAY A PART IN THE BLACK OOZY EYES EVERYONE HAS

DIONYSUS ALSO ENDS UP PUNISHING LYCURGUS WITH MADASS AND WE ALL KNOW HOW THAT RELATES

OKAY BYE 

[shadowsong26x]

H, Q, and N for the asks

H.  A Character You Used To Love But Don’t Care For Now?

Probably Qui-Gon, tbh. Although the ‘used to love’ was back in my first go-round in the fandom, back when the prequels were being released. I did genuinely love him then. Liam Neeson in the movie is very Dad shaped, and I kind of shipped him with Shmi? But...IDK, the more I read about him, the more...hmmm...I say he comes across as a self-righteous jerk, but that’s harsher than I really want to be? But he definitely comes across as self-righteous in a way that grates on me a bit.

Q.  Any Rare pairs?

I proudly paddle along on the Bo-Katan/Ventress pool noodle, lol. I mean, I haven’t produced/planned any content for this pairing (as of right now, I don’t intend for it to be a thing in our faces like a mirror, though pooooossibly it’ll come up in the second chunk covering her years with Death Watch; I might work it into the dragonshifters AU I have planned because Why Not; it definitely wouldn’t work in Valdemar AU for spoilery reasons; I don’t think I’ll work with either of them very much in Precipice!verse but who knows; maybe in Devoted!verse?) ...anyway, tangent aside, I haven’t actually produced any content for these two and I have found exactly One fanfic of them, but there’s something that just...appeals, about the two of them together? I can’t even put into words the specific tropes that it hits, and it’s not a purely Aesthetic thing (although, ngl, that is a factor), but I feel like it genuinely could work, if they ever met. They’re both messy and angry and jagged, they’re both actively villainous for a while and then claw their way back but not all the way back (Bo gets farther down that road than Ventress does, but we also see Bo much later than we see Ventress the ending to Dark Disciple is stupid and it should feel stupid). So...IDK. I like the two of them together, and I think there’s a lot of Potential here.

N.  An Underused Character?

Obligatory mention of Finn and Rose in the ST because wow did they get underused.

But going back to my primary wheelhouse (which is the PT/intertrilogy era), there’s a few. Topping the list is Breha, for absolute sure. Padme’s handmaidens are also up there, despite the recent books about them.

Also, while I can’t quite say he’s underused, due to fairly frequent appearances in supplementary canon (to say nothing of how often he’s talked about), I want to mention Bail, if only because the way all those scenes in ROTS were cut really screwed his storyline over almost as much as Padme.

Most of the other characters I’d like to see more of either get a bit more in supplementary canon or I can understand why they’re in fairly contained storylines rather than being repeat characters, so I’m not sure I can call them underused, even if I want more, lol.

Ask me Star Wars questions!

[nikosarc]

Send you a ship thing: Nora's Boys, Pool Noodles, SunnyBees, Guard Dog/Golden Retriever, Nuts n Dolts, Bees Schnees, Jaune x Happiness

Nora’s Boys

literal loves of my life and my actual children. I think I’ve always shipped this in some degree (was jnpr berries until pyrrha died and then...) but it really intensified post v3 when we started seeing more interaction between jaune and ren and nora and it was all just....so soft and good. 10001/10 would die for all of their happiness.

Pool Noodles

That’s jaune and neptune, right? I liked their interactions in v2 but I don’t think I ever actually thought about it as a ship until I saw some fanart about Neptune flirting with Jaune or something as a favor to weiss to teach him a lesson but then he was 100% serious about it and I was like...u know what i can see it. 8/10 solid crackship.

Sunnybees

I think my first exposure to this ship was one of those “blake has two hands” edits. it’s a nice idea but not my cuppa tea. 5/10 bc there’s nothing inherantly wrong w/it it’s just not for me lol.

Golden Retriever

literally my only exposure to this ship has been in the last week through the fandom because i haven’t actually watched the episode yet. I have a feeling I’ll like it but I need to watch the episode first to judge the sincerity of their interactions myself (i’m still p weary of the aceops in general and i’m not taking their interactions with the main cast at face value, this is why I’ve yet to commit myself to fair game despite REALLY enjoying their dynamic). 5/10 because i genuinely know absolutely jack shit about this ship and won’t until I see the episode but it involves jaune and the ship name is cute so. 

Nuts and Dolts

MY ACTUAL BABIES WHO DESERVE NOTHING BUT GOOD THINGS AND RAINBOWS??? I LOVE THEM AND WOULD DIE FOR THEM??? I think my first real experience with this ship was around the time I first joined the fandom (between v2 and 3) and Lindsay was talking about how she ships it at some con or another and I hadn’t even thought about it before but then I was like wait?????i love it??!! and I needed a ruby ship because at the time the only alternatives were wr and l*ncaster, one of which I hate and the other I prefer as siblings, and then i saw some cute ass fanart and I was sold and the rest is history 1000/10. 

Bee’s Schnees

beautiful and pure and the best compromise between bumbleby and monochrome which i both fucking LOVE. ik the show is going with bb and if i can only have one polyship i would absolutely prefer poly jnr but like......in my perfect world bee’s schnees is 100% canon. I think my first experience with it was that one fanart of Tai driving in a car with WBY and they were all exhausted and holding hands and cute and i died 1000/10!!!

jaune/happiness

my ultimate rwby otp 100000000000/10 would die for my baby boys happiness.

[ick25]

Rockman.EXE Episode 42 Review.

I spy Navis from the N-1 such as Blues, Elecman, Bombman, Whaleman and Shiningman. I also see some viruses, one of the robot operators that nearly killed Netto and Commander Beef, and Shadowman and Cutman? How do these people know about them?!

And that’s the Gospel truth...

We open the episode at some noodle shop where Madoi talks about how she is bored with her life, and Coloredman tells her how she used to shine back when the WWW was still active. Madoi then gets a bowl of noodles that she didn’t order.

I wonder who that could be?

Madoi’s mystery order comes with a little note with the seal of Gospel asking her to join them. The mysterious customer then reveals himself to her.

I think Madoi just slapped him after he said that. Can’t have a Madoi episode without someone making fun of her makeup.

After the title card, we see Madoi in her new secretary outfit at Maha ichiban where she breaks the news to the other Ex-WWW members that she is gonna quit to go work for Gospel.

Count Elec and Hinouken don’t like this and yell at Madoi calling her a traitor and such. Mahajarama on the other hand, is cool with Madoi leaving and gives her farewell gift.

Friendship? What would bad guys know about friendship? We know they all stick around together because they have nothing better to do.

Madoi takes the gift and runs out of the shop causing a car crash into it and destroying Mahajarama’s life size statue.

AHHHHH! Mahajarama has eyes!

We then cut to a family retaurant where Netto is in a “secret” meeting with the Net Agents, where he makes a scene after the news they tell him about Gospel.

“Hello, police? There are three terrible cosplayers and a kid talking about the Net mafia out loud at a family restaurant”

They are telling him about a Gospel leader hosting a secret meeting in Japan. Since the cover up for the meeting is a costume party for rich people, the Commader wants Netto to ask Yaito to help them get in, right before this second waitress complements his costume.

This girl has obviously never seen the N-1 Grand Prix.

Anyway, the Commander insists in having Netto talk to Yaito about the party, but that is no longer necessary since Yaito, along with Dekao and Meiru, overheard their conversation.

After this we cut to Madoi enjoying her new job at Gospel resting by the pool, when Gauss appears and asks her to follow him into a skipped scene from the dub. Brace yourself.

The correct question here is, who would buy a toilet with Wily’s face on it?!

Yes, Gauss reveals that he is a super Wily otaku or fan girl, whatever you want to call him. He even shows her a talking life size statue of Wily in a little scene that was kept in the dub.

I would be more impress if you had him saying: “The fact that you keep losing to Rockman is exactly why I’m mad!” (Actual quote from episode 9)

One of the reasons Gauss decided to hire Madoi is that she could share with him her memories of Dr. Wily, reminding us that either Wily is dead or just M.I.A.

Back at the Curry shop, Hinouken and Count Elec are still mad/sad about Madoi leaving them.

Is this an opening for a Count Elec and Madoi shipping? I guess nearly falling to your deaths together in a cold mountain range while hand gliding makes you developt feelings.

That night, we see the cover up party at a mansion by the sea, with Gauss as the host. We see people dressed up as Navis and viruses among other things, but the best costumes are the ones Netto and his friends are wearing.

*Okay, if you’re confused about Netto’s name, scroll down to the end of this review to see the full story behind their group costume. BTW, Miyuki and Saloma are the horse.

Netto and Dekao inmediately start embarrasing Meiru by eating like the animals they are.

 Yaito doesn’t help either because she starts blinding people with her forehead for some reason.

Yes, in fact, this scene was so pointless that it was skipped in the dub.

It is now time for the Net Agents to start their investigation, with style.

If I know my costumes, that must’ve hurt Saloma a lot.

The Net Agents sneak around Gauss’s mansion and come across a hallway with a laser security system, they need to disable the lasers from the cyberworld, and Netto, who suddenly appears next to them, volunteers.

We get a different design for the plug-in animation as Netto sends Rockman into the security system. The Guard Navis attack, but Rockman is so bad ass that he doesn’t need any chips to knock them all out.

Either that or they’re just really weak.

Netto complaines to them about being left behind, and since Commander Beef knows well that he won’t get rid of Netto that easily, he allows him to tag along.

Son Netto, master in the art of convincing!

We then cut to Madoi reminding Gauss about the secret meeting and they both leave the party. During their walk, Gauss tells Madoi that Gospel is nothing like the World Three, hinting that something really bad is about to happend.

Let me get this straight. You’re a fan of wily, but you’re not a fan of the World Three, the organization he created in order to terrorized people, the thing that made everyone realized that he is evil, THE VERY THING THAT MADE HIM FAMOUS IN THE FIRST PLACE!

The Net Agents along with their Navis disable every security system they find as they move on. Before commercials though, Gauss reveals that the Net Agents are heading for a trap. So much for the surprise.

They finally arrive at the meeting room filled with a bunch of covered up guys who look a lot like the disguises used by Bombman and Stoneman’s fake operators from the N-1.

What kind of guns are those? Laser guns? I’m getting ahead of myself, but in Axess we see characters using real guns, so this now seems kinda childish.

Gauss appears before them with madoi wearing masks, because apparently Higure never told Netto that his investor from episode 34 was Gauss Magnets. XP

Gauss reveals to them that the meeting was a trap for the Net Agents and the members take off their disguises, turns out they were all robots, and I am not surprised.

They ARE laser guns! If they were human, then what were they planning to do?Taze them or threaten to cook them alive?

Saloma and Miyuki shoot at the robots with their space era guns, and even Netto tries join in the action by attacking some of the robots.

You are not the monkey king and you are not Rockman either! That would be until Axess. X(

The Commander saves him and Netto then challenges Gauss to a Net Battle because that’s how you defeat the villains in the Battle Network universe.

That... That didn’t work? Am I finally watching a competent shonen anime? O-O

Gauss tells them that his plan was to kill the Net Agents, and luckily for him, they brought Netto so he can kill him too. The room begins to flood, and Madoi apparently has standards because hearing Gauss wanting to kill Netto makes her uncomfortable and talks to him about it after they exit the room.

“Directly” is the key word here. World Three were actually cowards who liked to injured people indirectly by making their Navis set homes on fire, try to crash a train full of people and nearly polluting the water of an entire city. What are you trying to say here, Madoi?

As the room keeps filling up with water, the commander gets a cramp and Rockman tells Netto that there must be a computer from where he can stop the water, and Netto remembers that he saw a jack-in port like two minutes ago with a flashback.

In cased you missed that the first time.

Netto dives and plugs in Rockman underwater because everything is water proof in this world. Gauss discovers this and decides to change his waredrobe to fight Rockman.

I’m starting to think Wily fan girl is the best description for him right now.

Rockman is attacked by Magnetman, Netto tries to send him battle chips to fight, but he is having trouble holding his breath under water.

Magnetman keeps attacking Rockman as Netto swims back to the surface where Commander Beef still has a cramp for another breath of air, but its so deep that he can’t hold his breath long enough to focus on the battle. 

We then see Madoi talking to the life size statue of Wily about how it feels wrong to be working for Gospel, but then she remembers the gift Mahajarama gave her.

Magnetman summons his twin and gets ready for the N-S tackle to finish off Rockman. The two spheres head towards Rockman until they are intercepted by Coloredman’s ball that also breaks a giant faucet that apparently was the program flooding the room and the dreinage system is activated somehow.

Madoi tells Gauss that she is gonna quit Gospel because it is trash compared to the World Three, why? Because, according to her, the World Three... had... Love?.

See? Even Coloredman doesn’t understand her nonsense!

The Magnetmen attack Coloredman again and Rockman protects him with a barrier. Right after that, the Net agents and Netto suddenly appear in the organ room where Gauss and Madoi are, and I like how Netto called Gauss cross dresser. XD

Netto tells Gauss it’s payback time and activates the Elec Brother Style. Unsurprisingly by now, Madoi knows about the Elec Brother’s ability and passes an extension chip to Netto so he can download Coloredman’s data into Rockman. And if you’re a football/soccer fan you’ll like this little scene.

GOOOOOOOOL!!!!

Rockman finishes Magnetman with his Terra Volt and Gauss whines about it like a girl before escaping on his weird flying machine he activates in front of everyone.

At least this time we don’t get to see the whole room remodeling and airship building scene.

Netto thanks Madoi for helping them, Madoi says she only did it for herself and then gives Netto the curry coupon before leaving.

And we end the episode with the Ex-WWW discovering a life size Wily statue in front of their restaurant with Madoi eating curry inside, just happy with being where she is.

My thoughts?

This was a Madoi episode so we get to learn more about her character. I don’t blame Madoi for wanting to do something better with her life, she knows that she has no future working at a curry restaurant in a sad attemp of reviving World Three. You already know that I am not a fan of these guys, but I was actually happy for her since she showed some real character development.

Another thing that I like about Madoi in this episode is that she is not really a bad person, she doesn’t like to be directly involve with hurting people and she saw the World Three as her family. Maybe she came from a broken home, maybe her real family sucks and she found comfort in joining the WWW. Sure, they did bad things, but Madoi never did what she did with evil intentions, she did it so Wily would praise her for her efforts and get a laugh out of the misfortune of others, could it be a daddy issue or something?

The animation was okay, the story too, and I’m glad they cut that scene with Gauss’s Wily collection because it was just too weird and it compleately makes Dr. Wily, the main villain of the classic Megaman/Rockman series, look like a joke.

*Now, let me explain about Netto’s group costume in case you didn’t get it, this will be long.

First, It may be confusing to hear the name Son Goku because the first thing that comes to mind is the Dragon Ball series. Well, let me tell you that Dragon Ball was loosely based on the classic Chinese novel “Journey to the West” with the famous Monkey king as one of the main characters. Goku was actually based on the monkey king, hence the monkey tail he had, his growing staff, the flying cloud, and because of his name. In China, the Monkey king’s name was Sun Wo Kung, but in Japan he is knowen as Son Goku, I dont know if this is a different name or it’s just how they pronounce it Japan.

Second, if you are familiar with the original story of Journey to the west, you’ll notice that Yaito and Meiru’s costumes are out of place. Since they called themselves the “Saiyuki” group I imagine that it had to do do with cultural differences since Saiyuki is how Journey to the west is knowen in Japan.

After doing some research I came to the conclution that perhaps this is a reference to a video game that came out in 2001 named “Saiyuki: Journey west”, since it features a female version of Sanzo, the monk and main character of the story.

I believe that was Meiru’s character, and Yaito was crossplaying as Sha wujing because it was suppoused to be a bald demon.

Netto, Dekao and Yaito were the three demon disciples of Meiru’s character, Saloma and Miyuki were the dragon that shapeshifts into a horse(long story), and the Commander was one of the many enemies that the group would encounter on their journey. 

That’s my theory, but I still dont know why would there be a reference to this game if it wasn’t developt by Capcom? Either Capcom helped with the release of this game somehow, or the anime was just making fun of their competion.

[elfyourmother]

N, R, S, Z for your two most active/favorite fandoms 💓

N - Your favorite fanfiction or fanauthor

I’m sorry but I have to plead the fifth on this one bc i was inadvertently triggered by it. i’m not upset with you or anything bc i didn’t even realize it was a thing but it tweaked my past trauma too much so i just can’t

R - A pairing you ship that you don’t think anyone else ships

honestly this could be half of them, in every fandom. i’m queen of rarepair hell

but DA? Solas/Blackwall is a lonely lonely pool noodle.

in ME it’s Ash/Tali like I’ve literally never met anyone else that shipped it

S - Show us an example of your personal headcanon

this is A Lot considering i basically rewrite 90% of inquisition and huge chunks of me3 but we’ll just go with the main things for some of the newer followers

my Inquisition is a largely secular institution and the Inquisitor title is shared between Gisele, Mari, and Khedira in a triumvirate, they run it jointly.

in ME3 Thane’s fate is prolly the biggest thing but aside from that, Starkid doesn’t exist at all and the Catalyst has an organic and synthetic component. the synthetic is the Citadel itself as Vendetta said in the actual game. the organic component is found in Imani’s DNA, it’s basically the key that turns the lock–to destroy the Reapers she “docks” with the Crucible and uploads herself like in the geth collective and directs the energy using her biotics.

Z - Just ramble about something fan-related, go go go

i’m deeply resentful of the way the dalish dominate literally any discussion of elf shit in da and get the lion’s share of lore/attention in game (even if it’s 99% Awful), and also of how city elves get next to no attention even in fandom (da:i was the first time we never went to or got to help anyone in an alienage despite being a stone’s throw from teh worst most notorious one in thedas). it’s part of why i deliberately threw out the canon lavellan backstory and made khedira a city elf but also, real talk as a slave descended black american i relate far more to city elves and their identity struggles and i honestly feel like the dalish are the equivalent of hotep motherfuckers /shrug