#on behalf of Win

[voiceoffenrisulfr]

On The Tide - Chapter Six “There’s nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline, no matter how many times it’s sent away.”

Things are tense after the accidental kiss, and Lieutenant Tyne learns more about his newest recruit. Prompts met; - ‘Youthful Freckles’ - @multifandom-flash (Dozen); - “I Don’t Know What to Do.” - @fandom-free-bingo (Frosty Edition); - ‘Déjà Vu’ – Multifandom Flash (Beehive); - ‘Still Smells Like Them’ – Bug’s First Bingo (@unfortunate-beetle-and-friends; - ‘Painting a Scenery’ – Winter Wonderland Bingo (@seasonaldelightsbingo); - ‘Found Family’ – Winter Wonderland Bingo.

CW: Mentions of homophobia and criminalisation of homosexuality, vague references to theoretical SA. Banner by Win! <3

Boards at the bottom. Check the chapter out below, or on AO3 here!

My eyes fluttered open to chocolate gaze peering at me, examining my features with intense curiosity and making me blush.

“What?” I murmured, burying my face in the pillow shyly. He snorted gently as I glanced at him, his expression unusually vulnerable in his sleepiness.

“I like your freckles,” he whispered, seemingly as reluctant as I to break the hushed reverence of the moment. “They make you look younger. Less… World-weary.”

Scoffing quietly, I felt my cheeks flame under his gaze. “They make me look younger, definitely…” I agreed, shrugging. “I kinda hate it.” His eyebrow arched curiously, inviting me to continue, and I shrugged again. “They make me look about twelve.”

With a soft smile, he reached out, skimming the pad of his thumb feather-light over my heated skin. “They make you look cute. Well… Even cuter.”

I grinned shyly, all but squirming at the compliment and his rapturous touch – but the warmth fizzing in my veins faded quickly when he drew away, clearing his throat. “Anyway, I, uh- I apologise for the imposition. It’s just that- well, I mean… I was worried. Secondary drowning, you know,” he added quickly as he got to his feet, adjusting his sleep-rumpled clothes. “You needed supervising. Figured I was likely a more comfortable bet than most of that lot.” He jerked his head toward the cabin door with an uncomfortable smile, and I nodded mutely, once again stunned to silence by the speed of his emotional changeability. “I should, uh…” Another head-jerk, and he blew from the room, leaving me confused between his bedsheets, touching a finger to the still-warm spot on my cheek.

I’d lain in his bed a little while longer before I felt ready to face the day – or as ready as I could’ve, at least. Between my embarrassment at his sudden departure, and the deep ache in my chest from coughing up seawater after my impromptu dip, it was a struggle to force myself to rise from the sheets, imbued with the scent of man and salt as they were.

But nonetheless, I headed out to face the day – albeit reluctantly – face flaming as half a dozen pairs of eyes turned to me the second I stepped on deck.

“Good afternoon, sleepyhead!” Neri called from overhead, scrambling down the shroud with a broad grin on her face. I flushed deeply, rubbing a hand over my face as she landed before me, wincing in apology.

“You should have woken me,” I murmured, grimacing. “I had no idea it was so late-”

She shook her head quickly, still smiling with ill-disguised glee. “We weren’t allowed. I asked the Captain if he wanted me to get you up a little before midday, and he all but bit my head off at the suggestion. Said you needed your sleep.” Her eyebrows wriggled pointedly, and I let out a humourless laugh.

“No. Nothing like that,” I attested, shaking my head right along with her. “More like… Déjà vu.” She cocked her head curiously, leaning against the bulwark, and I sighed as I rested beside her. “I… I get this impression, every now and then, that maybe he… Likes me, or something.” She grinned and opened her mouth to respond, but I raised a hand quickly. “No, no. It’s weird. I don’t know what to do… Every time we start getting close, he all but runs away from me. I’ve no clue what I’m doing wrong – if it's me, or something I’ve done, or just his own problem, or…”

Her joyful beam faded to a sympathetic smile, and she shook her head. “It’s not you,” she reassured me, resting a hand on my forearm tenderly. “He sailed under a pretty traditional Captain in the Navy.” My confusion must have been evident on my face, because she sighed quietly, turning to gaze out at the ocean. “It wasn’t so long ago that Royal Navy sailors were hanged for being gay. And far more recently, it was still a crime. And the guy in charge of Lieutenant Tyne back when he first joined… Well, he was very vocal about the opinion that it should still be a hangable offence.”

I flinched sympathetically, staring absently out over the water. “I… Didn’t know that.”

She shrugged minutely, sighing. “He doesn’t talk about it often. It… Kinda screwed up relationships for him. But just give him time, okay? I’m pretty certain he likes you. He just… Needs a little patience.”

I nodded once, my uncertain sadness and irritation at the emotional whiplash I’d been experience fading into a profound guilt. “Of course. I definitely understand. That sounds… I can’t imagine what it would’ve been like for him, being trapped on a ship with that guy.” My head turned automatically to seek him out, stood at the wheel engaged in deep discussion with one of his crew. I couldn’t help but track the sharp cut of his jaw and the curve of muscle along his shoulders, sighing softly to myself. “No wonder he left the Navy.”

“Oh – he didn’t leave because of that,” she offered. “There was- well, it’s not my place to tell you his history. But… Yeah, he was already on a different ship by the time he left, but the damage had been done, I guess.”

“Yeah…” I watched him curiously, head tipped. “… I wonder if that’s why he’s a Captain now. Can’t have anyone force their opinions on him.”

She chuckled, shaking her head. “I certainly don’t think anyone could do that now. We might be a family around here, but… He doesn’t suffer fools lightly.”

Snorting, I nodded, pushing myself away from the wood with a fond smile. “I know. He tore me a new one for jumping in the sea after him, remember?”

With an affectionate eye roll, she stood upright, stretching her arms high with a sigh. “Right. Enough of the socialising. You’ve had rest enough this morning, time to put you to work!”

By the time the sun had set, I was leaning against the bulwark once more, revelling in the empty deck and the clear sky. My notebook was resting on the wood before me, pencil moving ideally, my gaze flicking from the page to the stars carving a crevice of blues and greens into the darkness.

“They’re always so beautiful at sea. The stars, I mean.”

I started at the quiet voice behind me, snapping around in shock. “I- Captain Tyne. I didn’t hear you- didn’t know you were there…”

He came up beside me, leaning his forearms on the wood, peering curiously at the notebook now pressed to my chest protectively. “What’s that?”

I blushed deeply, tightening my fingers around the leather-bound book. “Nothing interesting. Just… Sketches, I guess.” His eyebrow arched, and he turned to face me a little more fully.

“You never quite struck me as the artsy type.”

“I had this… Friend, growing up. We actually served in the army together. It was more his thing than mine, but… I dabble,” I admitted sheepishly. “He was a real talent, though.”

“Was?” he pressed softly, and I nodded, eyes lowering. “…Ah.”

“It helps me to feel close to him,” I explained quietly, shrugging a little. “He… He applied so many times to join up. Got 4F’d at every single one. But then some idiot let him get away with it, despite weighing in at about 90lbs soaking wet and barely able to walk more than ten paces without wheezing…” I winced as I remembered the fierce determination on his face, his adamant refusal to give up no matter how many times he was rejected. “It’s why I signed up. I had to try and keep him safe; he was like a brother to me. Guess I failed.” I shrugged again, and he paused only momentarily before reaching out to rest a gentle hand on my shoulder.

“It’s not your fault,” he affirmed tenderly, my gaze flitting to his with a weak smile.

“I know that, really. There was only so much I could do. But… I still can’t help but feel like I should have done more, you know? Told someone he shouldn’t be there – that he’d lied on his forms and some dumbass didn’t call him on it. He’d have been in a ton of trouble, but at least he’d have survived…” I frowned, and he offered me a tentative grin.

“Sounds like he’d have found a way to get involved no matter what you did. You did your best, soldier. I’m sure he appreciated it.” I nodded once, sighing again, and his eyes shifted briefly to the book I still held tightly. “… Can I see?”

With a half-dramatic sigh of resignation, I turned the paper toward him, and he leant closer. I watched the starlight reflected on the water sparkle in his gaze as he examined my work, trailing along the distinctive, infamous stripe that dominated the page in an explosion of colour. “… Huh.”

“It’s hard to work out here,” I defended quickly, cheeks flaming as I went to pull the page back. “It’s not like there’s a great deal of light, and I’m working with largely negative space, and I-”

He caught my wrist, shaking his head softly without looking up. “No- it’s… It’s incredible. You’re incredible.” I blushed even deeper, and he glanced to me at last, irises shining a burnt sienna in the refracted illumination of stars. My heart stuttered minutely as he moved closer, leaving me silent when his body pressed the notebook between us as he leant in to skim his lips over mine.

But then, as usual, he was gone, stepping back with a hand through his hair. “Sorry- I should… I should g-”

“You don’t have to do that,” I interrupted quietly, looking down. “I get it, you know? Neri told me about your old Captain – the asshole one. But things aren’t like that anymore, and you answer to nobody. You don’t have to fear the court of public opinion out here, Greg. Not on your own ship.”

He paused in surprise, and I could see his head cock curiously. “… Neri told you about my CO? Why?”

“Because she thought something was… Going on, between us, and was incredibly surprised when I corrected her. I told her I didn’t know what to do about all the mixed signals,” I admitted. He winced visibly, and a pang of guilt tugged at my chest. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything, should I? It’s not my place to-”

“It took me a long time to work through the shit that guy put me through.” His voice was quiet but clear when he interjected, laden with an old, tired anger. “I had a lot of shame by the time I got away from him. But… I’m over it. Like you said – times have changed, and this isn’t the Navy.” He moved infinitesimally nearer, drawing my eye once more, and offered me a thin smile. “But it’s not the opinions of a prehistoric homophobe that drives me away, Winter.”

“Then what is it?” I pressed quietly, the scars at my shoulder and chest burning pointedly. “… Is it- are you… Is it because of my arm? Or the… Way I am?”

He laughed shortly, but grew quickly silent when I set my jaw, an eyebrow arching in surprise. “How could it be you? Clearly, no matter how hard I try, I can’t keep myself away from you, Sergeant.” I blushed, and he smiled softly. “No… I’m your Captain. It’s an abuse of power for me to have an interest in you. I wouldn’t want you to feel like you were obligated, or like I expected…” He grimaced, and I blinked in surprise.

“… That’s what’s had you running away from me?” I pressed, and his cheeks pinkened minutely in the dim light.

“Well… Yeah.”

I snorted, moving a little closer, heart thrumming eagerly in my chest. “Lieutenant Tyne, I have never in any way felt like it was anything but entirely my choice to kiss you. There was no doubt in my mind that if I’d told you not to, you wouldn’t have. It’s sweet that you worry about that, but entirely unnecessary. I know I’m not obligated, or expected, or-”

My words were abruptly cut off as his mouth met mine, hands grasping my face as he kissed me. There was no soft, hesitant brushes here, and I whined quietly when my body was pressed to the wood, pinned against his, his own enthusiasm prevalent against my hip.

By the time he drew back to breathe, I was all but squirming against him, back arching to press myself closer needily, panting quietly. “I, uh… I-I’ve been pretty eager to do that for a while…” he murmured, smiling softly. I blushed and grinned, one arm coming up to pull him closer by the back of his neck gently.

“Well then, by all means, sailor…”

[thefeastandthefast]

I'm OBSESSED with the terrifying Princess Wanning and want ALL the backstory about her time as a hostage and everything she did to survive (and possibly even thrive?) in such a situation. Please, drama, give it to me! (Do I feel fic urges coming on?)

She's over-the-top and openly, gleefully cruel and sadistic in a way that female villains don't often get to be, but the actress makes her chillingly believable. The actress Li Meng oscillates so naturally between all the minute shades of her many malevolent moods and is clearly having a ball playing her. Li Meng was great in The Bad Kids and now I know I will definitely be seeking out more of her work. Suggesting two men murder each other in front of her as a job interview is exactly the kind of unhinged psychotic creativity that I appreciate about Wanning.

[imminent-danger-came]

I am so ready actually

MK destroyed that pillar. MK destroyed that pillar!!

[rhapsoddity]

VIGILANTE SHERIFF AU TOURNAMENT TIME!

GO VOTE HERE

I didnt want to run 2 sets of polls, so its only on twitter I'm afraid, but yall can rig it how you'd like!

[awaybacktothen]

so they really gave ukrainian performers like whole one minute in a 4h long show huh

[cerealforkart]

Objectively I think Carlos is the correct option. I think there’s a correct answer to the question “who is sexier” and I think it’s Carlos. BUT I think Glenn is the funnier option which is why I voted for him anyways

[sophfandoms53]

Ppl on Twitter are going crazy over Cory’s interview answers about Cirie’s game bc he doesn’t see her making it to final 2 bc of how dominant competitions are in the endgame and he believes no one will take her to the end.

And ofc ppl took this as Cory downplaying Cirie’s game and her influence but that’s not really what he said.

Here’s the difference though between how Cory’s mind worked in the game compared to a lot of the remaining people in the house: He has common sense LMAO

Any smart person in the game would realize taking Cirie to the end is an automatic loss for them because of how well she’s played.

Bringing Cirie to the finals is a death sentence to whoever is sitting next to her because she will win 7-0, Cory’s know that, that’s why he wanted to take her out if he ever got the chance and why he clipped Izzy and Jared.

Cory’s also operating under the reality of a Jatt final 2 and with Jag winning HOH again we can’t really blame him, along with how physical the endgame is too.

It’s not Cory downplaying Cirie’s game and threat level, it’s him acknowledging her game and threat level, complimenting it, and realizing she’s impossible to beat in the final 2.

He see’s no path for her to be in the end not because he doesn’t want her there, but because he believes everyone else in the house will also realize just how dangerous Cirie is to have in the end and take her out.

What Cory fails to realize, as he has all season, is that he was in a house full of idiots who do not think with common sense whatsoever and are fully willing to bring comp beasts and social threats to the finals.

[miserycorde]

[ Happy pride :) ]

[papasmistakeria]

Y’know at first I was a bit iffy with people saying the reason Sweden won is cause they let international votes and that non-Europeans and non-Australians just Don’t Get It. But then I open the Indonesian Eurovision group chat and I would like to sincerely and formally apologize cause you guys were right, turns out most if not everyone in the group chat (excluding me and like 2 people) spent their votes for Sweden and you guys are absolutely right we’re not ready to vote

[rosamundpkes]

i was so caught up in the excitement of having a women’s hockey team in my city that it never occurred to me they could lose so much

[joelletwo]

[thinking how a stoic man who plays alone can be so tsundere about raising a cute little talented fox fairy cave girlie to be a worthy teammate by spoiling her w gifts] i do think dokhyuk could do Online Dating. kim dokja would love to catfish a yjh he just thought was a huge dick and scam him for money. yjh would love to be endeared by an annoying little thing who wont give up or go away

[diverging-tides]

Tiger’s Eye

Heylin’s Fall

Part 1

I’m back bitches-sorry for the long wait! I’ve worked through most of the art block to bring you “Heylin’s Fall”-an episode of Tigers Eye featuring Jack and Hunter getting wrapped up in a good ol’ Showdown!

We’ll meet our antagonists next part-and don’t worry if you don’t know what Xiaolin Showdown is, I’m going to try my level best to keep this as true to form as possible without being confusing for those in my audience who have no idea who Jack Spicer even IS-let alone Xiaolin Showdown (the show he’s from)

For those who DO know Xiaolin Showdown- no, Chronicles is NOT cannon to Diverging Tides, so don’t worry about that

For now, I’ll leave you with the fun fact that Hunter calls Jack “Rat Bastard” when he’s being annoying on purpose

Oh, and I finally figured out how to draw Jack in a way that’s both recognizable AND fits with my artstyle-super proud of that

Until next time!

[essektheylyss]

It is wild to me how many people are like, "hahaha op's speech did nothing," as if I am running and participating in these polls to get validation for my blorbo. If I just wanted to be content with my blorbo, I would absolutely not be tossing him up on a platform to be heckled for a week straight. I would be retreating to some echo chamber Discord server to experience the emotional equivalent of everyone gathering around and petting a puppy.

I literally do not think Essek is going to win this poll! I do not think he is going to win the tournament! I seeded Laerryn number one for a reason! For a number of factors I think it would be very difficult for anyone to beat her! I literally put him and Laerryn on the same side of the bracket so that they would not end up in the final, because I did not think it was going to be an interesting fight! We as a fandom beat "Laerryn could smash any wizard in Exandria without contest" into the ground weeks ago! I considered writing a stump speech just for kicks for every semifinalist, because I like to argue things and I love playing up a ridiculous and meaningless kayfabe!

But like, Laerryn has swept many polls, and it's deeply boring to me if she wins in a landslide. I am a polling nerd, and I can confirm that no one watches landslide races. They are not interesting. And this is fully just for the fun of it, so I am gonna make it interesting.

If there's no challenge, no consideration of how the other side might win, then what the fuck is the point of running a tournament?

In conclusion:

[queenlua]

a friend shared this with me like “i never went from so mad to so understanding”

and then i had the exact same emotional arc.  incredible.  jon bois undefeated

[mars-ipan]

this is gonna sound incredibly virtue signal-y i fear but i have been feeling. so fiercely protective of all the transfems i've ever met lately

[mihai-florescu]

Suddenly scared for the switch and eden and knights albums