#neutrality is a lie

[moonyswoony]

Heart of the cleanse

Pairing: five hargreeves x reader

Summary: with the Keepers hot on your tail and the Cleanse raging, you and Five realise some things can’t say hidden forever.

Warning(s): making out, you and five being stupid.

You and Five had always made one hell of a team, your powers complimenting his abilities. While he blinked in and out of space, taking out enemies with surgical precision, you used your telekinesis to clear paths, shield him from objects, and hurl the occasional chunk of concrete at anyone who got too close. It was dangerous, chaotic, and more than a little terrifying, but it was also familiar. This was how it had always been, ever since you’d first met at the Commission all those years ago.

“Could you maybe try not to drop a building on me?” Five called over his shoulder, his voice tinged with sarcasm as he narrowly avoided a collapsing wall.

“Maybe if you didn’t keep blinking in front of the buildings I’m trying to drop on the Keepers,we wouldn’t have this problem!” you shot back, grinning despite the tension.

He rolled his eyes, but you caught the glimmer of amusement in his expression before he teleported away again. The banter was comforting, a slice of normalcy in the middle of the chaos. But even as you fought, you couldn’t ignore the way your heart pounded and the way your breath hitched whenever he was in danger.

The truth was, you’d been holding onto these feelings for years, since your days at the Commission, when you’d been nothing more than coworkers thrown together by circumstance. Back then, you told yourself it was nothing, just the bond forged between two people who had each other’s backs in the worst situations. But now, as the world threatened to end, those feelings were becoming impossible to ignore.

As you blasted another chunk of concrete away with a wave of your hand, you realized that this might be your last chance to say something, If you even survived this. But there was no time for confessions, not yet. The Cleanse was intensifying, and you could feel the energy crackling in the air, making your skin prickle with unease. Five appeared beside you again, his brow furrowed in concentration.

“We need to get to the source of the cleanse,” he said, his voice low and urgent. “Whatever’s causing the Cleanse, it’s at the center of the city. We have to stop it.”

You nodded, the seriousness of the situation pulling you back to the present. “Right. Let’s go.”

The two of you fought your way through the chaos, moving in perfect sync, just as you always had. But as you got closer to the center, you could feel the tension building between you, an unspoken weight that neither of you could ignore for much longer.

Finally, you reached the heart of the city, where the energy was strongest, and the ground was shaking beneath your feet. The air was thick with power, and you could feel the strain in every fiber of your being. Five stood beside you, his eyes scanning the destruction, searching for a way to stop it. But there was something else in his expression too, something that made your heart skip a beat.

He glanced at you, and for a moment, the world seemed to stop. There was no noise, no destruction, just the two of you standing together in the midst of it all, just like you always did. “I can’t lose you,” he said suddenly, his voice rough with emotion. “Not now. Not after everything.”

The words hit you like a punch to the gut, and for a moment, you couldn’t breathe. You’d always known that there was something between you, but hearing him say it out loud made it real in a way you hadn’t expected.

“You won’t,” you whispered, your throat tight with emotion. “I’m not going anywhere, Five. Not without you.”

His jaw clenched, and he took a step closer, his gaze never leaving yours. “You don’t understand,” he said, his voice low and urgent. “I’ve spent my whole life running—through time, from the Commission, from everything. But not from you. Never from you.”

Your breath caught in your throat, and you felt a tear slip down your cheek. “Five…”

Before you could say anything else, he was kissing you.

You kissed him back with everything you had, your arms wrapping around his neck as you pressed your body against his. The world was falling apart around you, but all you could think about was him. His lips, his touch, the way he made you feel like nothing else mattered. The heat between you was overwhelming, like an all consuming fire.

His hands roamed over your body, slipping under your shirt to trace patterns across your skin, leaving a trail of fire behind. You gasped against his mouth, your fingers clutching at his shoulders as you arched into his touch, needing more, wanting everything.

His mouth left yours to trail hot, open-mouthed kisses down your neck, his teeth grazing your skin in a way that made you shiver with desire. Your hands reached the buttons of his shirt, desperate to feel his skin against yours, to lose yourself in him completely.

The kiss grew more intense, more heated, as the world around you faded into oblivion. The only thing that existed was the two of you, tangled together in a desperate, passionate embrace that left you breathless. His hands were everywhere all at once, touching, caressing, exploring every inch of you as if he couldn’t get enough.

You moaned his name, your voice shaky with desire as you pulled him closer, your bodies pressed together so tightly that you could feel the rapid beat of his heart against your chest. He groaned in response, his lips finding yours again in a kiss that was so deep, so intense, that it felt like you were drowning in him.

But even in the midst of the heat and the passion, there was a tenderness to his touch, a carefulness that told you everything you needed to know. This wasn’t just about lust, desperation or fear, this was about love, pure and simple. A love that had been building for years, silent but also loud, unspoken but always there , waiting for the right moment to be unleashed.

And now, as the world threatened to end, that love was the only thing that mattered.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, you pulled back, both of you panting. His eyes were dark with desire, but there was something else there too, something deeper.

“I love you,” you whispered, your voice shaky but certain. “I love you, Five. I think I always have.”

He closed his eyes, his jaw clenching as if he was trying to hold back his own emotions. When he opened them again, they were filled with a fierce determination that took your breath away. “I love you too,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “And I’m not going to lose you. Not now, not ever.”

You smiled through your tears, your heart bursting with love for the man standing in front of you. “Then let’s put a stop to this,” you said, your voice steady, filled with a determination. “Together.”

He nodded, his hand squeezing yours one last time before you both turned back to the chaos that awaited you. The world was still falling apart, but you knew that as long as you had each other, you could face anything.

With one last kiss, a promise of everything that was to come, you and Five launched into action, fighting side by side, just as you always had.

[newplace2befrom]

when are we going to discuss on a mainstream level how technology is not neutral like most assume it to be? neutrality is a lie and the algorithm bringing you your content was made by a biased human too im going to scream

[radiance1]

Unintelligible chanting echoed in a warehouse. A perfect summoning circle drawn on the ground with one cultist standing before it with a group more standing behind them.

Even thought the chanting was unintelligible, it was perfect. Not a clipped word or uneven tone out of place as they all, in unison, chanted the words to summon an almighty being from beyond.

Even as interlopers broke in the warehouse, they didn't stop chanting, only the cultists who weren't chanting and were previously standing around the room, broke away in an attempt to stall.

The circle glowed a toxic, unnatural green before growing dark yet darker. A black, mist like substance spreading from its focal point and out into the bounds of the circle before twisting and twisting as the temperature rose and grew into a sweltering heat that could be felt all throughout the warehouse.

They did not stop chanting.

Even as the last of their guard fell.

They did not stop chanting.

Even as some of the cultists at the back of the group started to engage in combat.

They did not stop chanting.

Until finally, the black mist twisted into a brilliant, unnatural black flame as the heat soared and shaped itself in the giant form of a bird before larger than large wings snapped themselves open.

Black flame slide off of the being's form like water, small flickers of deceptively harmless looking flame trailed down the bounds of the summoning circle as the phoenix lowered itself.

"So we meet again." The being spoke, its very presence demanding attention and respect. Impossibly red eyes focused all of their intent on the cultist and the helm. "What do you want this time? I am quite busy, as I'm sure you should be aware."

"O'h' great one," The cultist fell to their knees, hands spreading up and out reminiscent of a prayer. "The deepest flame, the guardian of the blackest fire, rival of the-"

"Enough of that nonsense." The being snapped, scoffing as it turned its head in disdain. "I did not answer your pitiful call just to hear you praise me. Make your demand, now. I have an appointment to keep."

The cultist seemed to deflate, for but a mere moment, before lowering their hands and clasping them in front of their chest. "O' great one, I have sowed the seeds and cultivated a cult in your name through the ages, we are might in number and consistent in our worship."

"I do not need a recap." The Pheonix said, blandly. Looking utterly disinterested in the cultist's words. "Your demand."

"After all of this, surely you would not mind parting with but a bit of your power?" The cultist asked and finally, the Pheonix seemed to stare with something more than mere disinterest before snapping its head up. "Do not interfere, mere interlopers." It snapped.

The heroes froze as, suddenly, they felt held down in place.

It then disregarded them, staring back down at the cultist before him with some level of interest and clicked its tongue. "Already blessed with immortality yet you wish for more? How..." Its eyes seemed to smile. Amused. As it purred. "Ambitious."

"Please, O' great one. Just a bit. A mere fraction would be enough."

"Oh all alright," The Pheonix said, holding up a wing as it plucked off a feather with its beak. "I suppose you have done enough to be worthy of a bit of my power."

The feather flew down from its beak, encased within a ball of black flame that, as the cultist spread their arms, fused into their chest.

"Do try not to be consumed by it. As I do expect noteworthy things from you."

With that, the Pheonix disappeared in a puff of mist like fire. The circle instantly losing all vibrancy and the sweltering heat snuffing itself out.

And the heroes were free of whatever magic kept them bound in place.

The cultist slowly stood up, back facing them as something bubbled up under the back of their cloak before large, flaming wings burst through the cloth of their cloak. They slowly turned around, and the movement almost looked serene, and faced the heroes.

The cultist slowly spread their hands. "I would have thought the Justice League would have handled this matter themselves, not send their younglings after me." They spoke, calm and measured and holding no feeling whatsoever. Black flame spilled from their hands as they stretched their wings.

"Come. Young heroes. You would be the perfect steppingstone to test my new abilities."

[vellichorom]

now, people are free to think whatever they like, i won't tell them that they're wrong, but i'm not sure i entirely agree with the idea that 432 is responsible for the skip button ending happening the way that it did,

rather... i think, quite literally, that they had no hand in it.

[not-with-you-but-of-you]

LNC: JESS MARIANO edition

[andhumanslovedstories]

trying to explain my spiritual beliefs like "yes I believe in God, yes I am an atheist, we exist" but if anyone asks a follow up question, I throw chair through a window and jump after it

[fisheito]

i told myself that yakuei only had one position then i proved myself (sorta) wrong

my fave face here:

[deimcs]

AN ABANDONED MISSIVE, FOUND IN SHARESS' CARESS

Do not remind me of that awful brat, Galatea. Yes, I did know him, in fact we used to work together in the brothel back in Luskan. He was always unsufferable, I never even knew who his mother was, she was already gone when I got there and I'm only a few decades older than him after all. Oh but how he teased me mercilessly, calling me hag and all kind of names! Every time one of us would lose a client to him and his devilish charms, he would brag about it for days! He was such a brazen, vulgar little boy. I've never been happier than the day he went and disappeared forever in the woods near the coast, I heard he struck some kind of deal with a fey lord and calls himself a warlock now. Ugh, I'm telling you honestly that nothing good can come out of a man like him having access to that much power. Tyr willing, we'll never have the displeasure of finding out. In the meantime, do not utter his name in my presence ever again!

[datingdonovan]

a/n: wake up. food's ready. just sat here for a few minutes and rehabbed an old draft that was probably based on this fabulous onceler drabble, I think? also VERY pg13... not really any explicit sex but. it's a lot about sex. my blog and my writing used to be so sfw but cece is back after her most recent troubling sexual relationship and is probably sexier than ever. he he ha ha help me. I hope you enjoy. also reader is gn but does get called beautiful so if that feels gendered or triggering to you please be aware! also mentions of tipsy/inebriated sex!!!! so dubcon in that way? I tried to make everyone not drunk drunk but if tipsy sex is slimy for you watch out for that too

10:45AM

Yamaguchi wakes up slowly, eyes halfway open, naked body warm. And then he remembers what happened. The muscles in his body all tense at once, and it takes every fiber of his being to stay still. No no no no no. That hadn't happened. Shit. That hadn't happened, right?

But it had. His palm is resting on the soft skin of your hip and despite his best efforts he's squeezing lightly, so fucking nervous, and you're squirming toward him, still asleep, smiling softly, and it had, it had happened, oh god, it had.

Fuck. His ears are ringing with anxiety. What had happened? What had happened? He hadn't drank nearly enough last night for this to possibly have fucking happened.

And the information floods his mind as you nuzzle closer to his chest, your skin flush against his, a soft kiss where your mouth meets his shoulder. You, Tsukki, Tsukki breaking up with you — meanly, meaner than was necessary. You, Yamaguchi, and Tsukki, best friends, best friends since freshman year and Tsukki dating you and Yamaguchi shutting up and enduring it and you feeling tired of Tsukki's pretentiousness and his mean jokes and you telling Yamaguchi about it and Yamaguchi telling Tsukki about it and instead of fixing it making it worse and then you. You. YOU.

You with no more Tsukki, crying into his shoulder, and saying you just want to fuck someone. You're not even angry, you knew this was coming, you just want to fuck someone to forget. And Yamaguchi, the ever-loving asshole that he is, saying yes, yes, that makes sense, instead of saying, no, it's a bad idea. And then your dorm room, and then your sheets, and then your skin, god, your fucking skin. And now probably a hundred missed calls from Tsukki when Yamaguchi can chance a look at his phone, and the swirling feeling of bile coming up his throat, but what the fuck was he supposed to do? Wouldn't anyone have done the same?

He'd been in love with you since he first laid eyes on you, and in better, kinder ways than Tsukki, he knew. You were so beautiful, a ray of sunshine, someone who deserved the world, and to be treated with tenderness, and care. Tsukki just treated you like he did any other adoring idiot who was obsessed with him. Yamaguchi knew you deserved someone who was obsessed with you, and he knew he could be that. He knew he could love you. He had to constantly fucking remind Tsukki how you took your coffee in the morning, and what your favorite flavor of ice cream was, and that it did in fact matter when he got home if you were waiting up for him, and that you actually cared about him more than he knew and he shouldn't be wasting this opportunity treating you like an annoyance, like you didn't deserve his attention. Hell, with everything Yamaguchi tried to do to make sure you were treated right, you might as well have been dating him the whole time.

And he hated how his heart twinged with jealousy every time you chose his best friend over him, but he let it happen, because he loved you, even though he just fucking knew that wasn't how it was supposed to be. And then last night, everyone was tipsy, and you were crying, and he saw the chance to show you what really being loved could look like, and he took it. Fuck.

You mumble something soft and sweet against his shoulder and he remembers what he said last night with you on top of him, the only thing he could find the words to say, in every cadence he could think of, even after you laughed and told him to stop:

"I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you."

Yamaguchi swallows hard.

It hadn't been sex. It had been love. And that was so, so much worse.

[ahalcyongirl]

@ahalcyongirl

[veinsfullofstars]

“I. Am going. To kill that rat.” “What was that, Boss?” “I said, BACK TO YOUR POSTS NOW!” “Y-Y-Yes, sir, right away, sir!”

(ID: Kirby series fanart comic, Kintsugi AU, four borderless panels featuring Dark Meta Knight, Mirror Axe Knight, and Mirror Mace Knight, in which the latter two comment on their leader’s interesting new battle scars, much to his restrained dismay. Transcript below the cut. END ID.)

Good thing his minions aren’t the brightest bulbs in the bunch - otherwise they’d’ve found out about all the friendly hugs he’s been getting in his off-time.

(… this isn’t too much, is it? Stars, I hope not. I tried to keep it vague enough that it doesn’t have to mean anything spicy. Maybe it was just a very competitive game of tag. Or maybe DMK couldn’t quite reach an itch between his wings and Daroach got a bit overenthusiastic trying to help. Basically anything that could ruin his “big scary cool toughguy” reputation. As long as DMK is too embarrassed to admit to it in front of his crew, they’re all viable options, haha.)

Started 12/25/23, finished 12/28/23, updated 01/04/24. NOTE: This was originally posted on my deleted account on 01/04/24.

—

Transcript:

Panel 1

*DMK walking forward towards our left, M!Axe and M!Mace passing by in the opposite direction, M!Axe waves cheerily to DMK, who glances at them over his shoulder*

M!Axe: Oh, Boss, there you are! Hey, how was the fight? Didja win?

DMK: Hm? What’re you talking about?

Panel 2

*reverse shot of DMK, still glancing over his shoulder, several pink scratch lines can be seen on his back and the base of his wings, each in sets of three*

M!Mace: Got some new scratches on your back, Boss. Nasty ones, too, by the look of it.

M!Axe: (laughing, impressed) Ha! Musta been one heck of a scrap to leave marks like that! I’d hate to see what happened to the other guy, haha!

Panel 3

*front shot of DMK, his eyes shrunk to dots in realization, as a thought bubble hovers over his head - a simple headshot of Daroach, grinning roguishly beneath the shadow of his hat, showing off his claws as they glint sharply*

Panel 4

*front shot of DMK, sweating and glaring fixedly off to the side, eyes still shrunk, a vivid blush inside his visor, while M!Axe and M!Mace stand where they were before behind him, heads tilted in innocent confusion*

DMK: (strained) … … … Yes. … … A fight. … That’s what happened.

[mobblespsycho100]

the best phrase to describe kabru is "hate the game, not the player" i think. like yeah

[makorragal-312]

Season 2 Buck: "At least when I date someone, I date them."

Season 7 Buck: "I'm keeping my options fluid."

[wizardsix]

astarion stans who refuse to try befriending or even romancing anyone else are the most annoying mfs. "I only romance astarion I just can't relate to the other stories" really? you can't relate to gales deep self loathing? his deep love and loyalty for those he cares about? you can't relate to wylls kind heart and desire to always do good, even if it means he's miserable? can't relate to shadowheart blindly following a god, only to learn the truth and reinvent herself? you can't relate to lae'zel or karlach who were lied to and used as weapons their whole lives, but continue to push on even when they're scared? you can't relate to the overarching theme of authority vs autonomy???

it's not difficult, it's just people refusing to appreciate and explore the game to its fullest bc their manipulative sexy vampire is all they need(something astarion actually loathes being seen as btw). but ok, you can be boring and do whatever you want, but don't lie and say the other stories are bad, because they're not. it's simply a lack of media literacy and critical thinking. because to you, if a character doesn't tell you point blank that they're aware of their situation, it's bad writing. missing the entire point that victims don't always realize the situation they're in. keep in mind astarion and karlach are the only ones who got away from their abusers, which is why they tell you clearly and confidently about what happened to them, fully aware that it was abuse. whereas the others give only their tunnel visioned perspective and speak highly of their deity(not caring about themselves, wish to appease them for something in return).

don't get me wrong (seriously, if I see one person misunderstand me I'm going to lose it) astarion is a good character, but people who only like him need to stop acting like he's the only complex and well written one. stop crying when people with brains call you out for being weird about his ascended ending. the game isn't about him. at least try and show some respect to those who worked hard on the game. make an oc and try new things, i promise the fictional vampire won't care if you don't romance him one run. have a drink with shadowheart, dance with wyll, go to a restaurant w karlach, maybe then you'll calm down.

[it-happened-one-fic]

Hours in the Moonlight: Fairest Midnight - 2. Getting Late

Summary: Halloween was always special, because you could spend time with Vil without worrying about anyone asking questions about his cape or fangs, should they glint in the moonlight and give away his undead nature. But nights wear unsympathetically on, and for better or worse you were a person who lived their life in the light of day. 

Type: Gender-neutral reader/ Fluff / Vampire AU/ romantic/ sfw

Trigger Warning: Vampire

Word Count: 1082

Hours in the Moonlight Master-List

Vil was far too smug for my liking as I gradually got more tired while the night wore unsympathetically on, “All that chatter about us going out and you’re already tired.”

Despite his tone, there was a distinctly affectionate gleam in his eyes as I shot him a look, “Hey, you were sleeping all day. I was busy doing other stuff.”

His eyebrows arched in a still more amused fashion, “Such as?”

I straightened, rolling my shoulders as I glanced up at him, “Helping out Epel with moving some of the apple crates.”

Vil nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing his face, “Epel… He’s that boy that lives close to your apartment, right? Works at the Felmier Apple Store? Short, purple-haired, delicate face….”

I nodded, smiling slightly to myself at the description Vil gave of the young man. It wasn’t inaccurate, but… Well, Epel wouldn’t like it, to say the least. After all, he was determined to become manly as soon as possible.

I shivered, despite myself, as the wind kicked some of the fallen leaves into the air. It was Halloween though; it ought to be chilly…..

I barely got to complete a single shiver before a perfectly familiar cape fell over my shoulders, causing me to look up at the man next to me, who was frowning slightly as he adjusted the heavy fabric around my shoulders, “You should’ve worn a heavier coat.”

I grinned up at him as I grasped the edges of the cape and pulled it slightly tighter around my person, “And miss the chance to wear your fancy cape? You can’t expect me to deny myself such a pleasure, Vil.”

He snorted in response to my teasing, his eyes flicking up from his busied hands that were fastening the clasp to where my eyes were, “Perhaps not… But I can expect you to dress yourself properly.”

I rolled my eyes as he stepped back, at last finished with his work. I shifted slightly, striking a pose with my hands on my hips, “Well, how do I look?”

Vil tilted his head and crossed his arms as he scanned me, “Like someone wearing a cape that’s too big for them.”

Despite his harsh words, there was a smile on his face, half-amused and half-pleased looking as he gazed at me under the streetlights. But after a brief moment, he glanced away, looking over towards where a clock hung with a slight frown on his face, “It’s late, you should be getting home. I’m sure you have plans for tomorrow, after all.”

I nodded, sighing slightly with the motion, but agreeing with his unfortunately accurate assessment, “True that….”

I couldn’t deny that I didn’t want the evening to be over yet, but I also didn’t complain as Vil linked his arm with mine and began to walk me back down the street that would bring us back to my apartment.

“You don’t have to walk me back…..” My words were silenced by a glance from him.

“Didn't you promise me that you’d be more careful?” I shifted, letting my hand slip comfortably against his elbow, so it looked like I was being escorted back home by some poshly dressed male model.

“I did, but you’ll also need to get back before the sun comes out.” My eyes met his as I tilted my head, “You need to be careful too, you know.”

He looked away before I could see if he’d rolled his eyes and nodded, his tone one of grudging agreement, “Very well, I’ll walk you to the street your building is on, and then I’ll be on my way.”

On his way to wherever it was he called home and spent his daytime hours asleep. I had pictured him sleeping in a coffin like in those cheesy horror movies in the past, but I couldn’t quite bring myself to believe that was the case.

I also couldn’t deny I was curious, though, since Vil was ever secretive about anything to do with the vampire side of his life. 

All I knew was that the other vampires in the area either feared or respected him enough to respect his declaration that my apartment complex was officially on his turf.

Though that made it sound like vampires were gang….. But I supposed that could be true. I didn’t know much about them after all. Only that they really liked bothering me for some unknown reason that I really preferred not to ponder.

Vil’s steps slowed as we reached the street I lived on, and he turned to look at me, “I suppose this is farewell, Tater tot.” 

I glanced towards the building I would soon be entering, relieved to see it since I really was tired while also feeling a little sad. I’d enjoyed my evening out with Vil, and these little outings didn’t occur very often.

I started to tug the cape off, only for him to stop me with a gentle hand, “It’s fine, I can just get it tomorrow evening.”

His words, assuring me that he would visit tomorrow evening, brought a smile to my face, and I bobbed my head in a quick nod, “See you tomorrow then. Don’t let the bed-bugs, or coffin-bugs, bite.”

Vil snorted in amusement but stepped away. Raising his hand in farewell before turning to go. He strode down the street as if he were a famous model rather than an undead creature of the night. But that was just the way Vil was. Ever destroying others' expectations. Including mine.

I turned, toying with the edges of his cape as I took off to head back towards my own abode, only to bump into someone almost immediately.

I stumbled backwards, going wide-eyed as I looked at the other person who carefully caught me by the harm to keep me from falling, “I'm so sorry! Are you-” I trailed off as I looked at the young man, because nothing could have prepared me for what greeted me.

An incredibly handsome young man with pale purpley-blue eyes and hair that was almost pure white. He met my gaze with a stoic expression as he let go of my arm, “It’s alright; I should’ve been looking where I was going.”

With only those words, he gave me a polite head nod and continued on his way, leaving me standing there gaping like a fish on land. And here I thought I’d grown used to attractive men from spending time with Vil and Epel.

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[rotzaprachim]

I don’t think people posting “I’m not going to cry about it” [the deaths of anyone] in regards to what’s happening in Palestine and Israel right now realize how fucking callous that is. Well, maybe you aren’t, but some people very much are, and the fact that you don’t hold any emotional, cultural, or familial connections to the victims of violence and can just shrug it off under broader ideologies is a sign of your incredible privilege and remove, not of sensitivity and solidarity