#or attractions incorrect- please let us know and we will fix it!

[dumbasslesbi2]

Detective (Agatha x Rio) Detective x FBI Agent AU

Summary:

Agnes was finally put back on a case but what she wasn't ready was for who else would be put on it. Based this off of the first episode but basically took out any and all of the witch stuff. Basically Detective Agnes x Agent Rio

Notes:

Tumblr finally let me post this fic! Please tell me if there's any misspelling or grammatically incorrect stuff, I have dyslexia so sometimes I miss so stuff.

Agnes woke up for work the same as she did everyday, with not enough sleep and a raging headache. She always wore the same outfit claiming that it “made it easier”. In reality, she knew it was from her laziness and didn’t have the effort to pick out different outfits daily. Which in fact led her to wearing her usual flannel and jeans as she always did. She went downstairs to get her much needed coffee, while waiting for her machine to finish she was stuck with her pile of files of her ongoing case. She was stuck with a Jane Doe and couldn’t figure out by any means who she could be. Agnes had been wandering all over the town for any clues for weeks now with everything leading to dead ends. She knew it was gonna end up with the chief sending in a third party and if there’s one thing Agnes doesn’t work with, it’s people. She hated having anyone else have control of her cases or have control of anything in her life. The beeping of her coffee machine broke her out of thought and she went to go fill up her thermostat. Finally she was all ready to go back to the station, able to go back to what she was good at and loved doing, solving cases.

“Morning Detective” said the police officers outside the station greeting Agnes back to where she belonged. “Morning boys, don’t get into too much trouble out there” she said back joking at the officers as she used to. Walking through the sliding doors she let out a breathe she didn’t know she was holding. It had been a while since she had been put on a case as big as this one and she didn’t want to fuck it up, not like before. “Agnes! We gotta talk” greeted the chief, walking towards her with an already stained shirt. “Chief we talked about this, if you’re gonna make breakfast smoothies you need to put a lid on, you already have two stains on your shirt” she said walking towards her office. “Oh, thanks Agnes but I ugh…” said the chief trying to get the stains out with a handkerchief he had. “I can already tell, you’re gonna tell me something I don’t like,” Agnes said, stretching in her office chair. “Soil samples from under the fingernails and toenails of the Jane Doe came back. They don’t match the soil she was lying in” he stated, still trying to take the stains out. “That’s no surprise. We assumed she’d been moved.” she retorted, still trying to get rid of a kink in her back. “There were traces of a particular microbial sediment only found in Eastern Europe-" "Now get to the part I’m not gonna like” she interrupted him getting annoyed with all the bullshitting. “Here I am,” a woman behind the chief said. Agnes sat semi shocked but she knew it was coming. This wasn’t just any other third party brought in on her case, it was Rio. Memories hit her back like a freight train, every I love you, every I hate you, and the worst of all, Nicholas.“Okay…” was all Agnes could say, she hadn’t seen her in years and as much as Agnes hated to admit it, she was just as beautiful as the day she left her, if not even more. However, she wasn’t going to let Rio see that.”Fancy dirt always attracts the attention of the Feds” she said, fixing her shirt to make sure Rio didn’t see how pathetic she had become. “Agent Vidal is an asset here, Agnes. More brain power and more resources mean you get to the finish line faster, strength in numbers.Teamwork makes the dreamwork-” the chief said knowing how much this was going to backfire but was once again interrupted by Agnes. “Eat my ass, Chief” she said, hoping he would leave the situation and not add more fuel to her ongoing fire. Rio couldn’t help but laugh a little bit, after all these years Agnes was still the same,still stubborn, still hot headed, still attractive . “I’ll leave it to you then” said the chief, leaving awkwardly.

Rio couldn’t help but scoff a little bit as she went to sit on the couch in Agnes’s office. “It’s been a long time” Rio couldn’t help but say with a bit of endearment. “What are you doing here?” said Anges with a harsh tone, not ready to face her ex-wife. “My job.” said Rio with her usual snarky attitude. “You wanna take control of my investigation.” stated Agnes with pointed eyes. “No” Rio said with a breath still thinking about how they used to be. “If you wanna be in control, you can be.” stated Rio, knowing how much Agnes hated anyone else being in charge of her cases. Agnes couldn’t help but lick her lips, still trying to keep on the topic of the case and not on Rio. “She…” Agnes paused for a bit, getting distracted by Rio. “The body was moved across state lines. Is that your play?” she stated, trying her hardest not to break in front of her ex lover. Rio looked around the room for a bit and couldn’t help but think of how they used to be. “Is this really how you see yourself?” Rio stated, keeping eye contact with Agnes even after getting no reply. Agnes knew the game she was playing, Rio always loved to play games with Agnes but she knew better than to give in right now. “Sure. Let’s talk about the case. What are your theories? How’d she end up in the ravine?” questioned Rio, seeing that Agnes wasn’t going to give in so easily. “No drag marks. Thinking the perp carried her” “Uh… Seems logical. But you don’t really believe that because… Oops.” Rio paused showing pictures from the scene.”No tracks for the perp. Not a leaf disturbed before Forensics showed up. It’s almost like she just magically appeared.” Rio stated, taking a seat on Agnes’s desk. Agnes couldn’t help but scoff a bit “Let’s stick to reality here, yeah?” “Sure” said Rio calmly, nodding her head in agreement. “If there’s one thing we can agree on,it’s that these cases are always about the place. The specific small town,the history of it, the people in it, the secrets buried beneath it. That’s where the answers lie.” she said keeping eye contact with Rio. However, Rio couldn’t help but look away and nod. She took in a breathe, thinking how typical it was of Agnes to not think out of the box. “Well, who better to solve the mystery than one of Westview’s very own? Yeah, you’ve lived here your whole life. Isn’t that true… Agnes?” Rio questioned, keeping eye contact once again with Agnes, hoping that she would at least break this time. Agnes was over it, she was done with Rio’s game. She got up and stood in front of the door, “I don’t want you here” she stated, letting Rio know she was done. Rio knew she was almost there but didn’t want to push it. She got up and started walking towards the door. “Te veo” Rio told her before leaving, she always had to have the last word.

Agnes couldn’t help but still be in the office till late, trying to solve the case. She was getting close to something, she could feel it. However, it just wasn’t making sense, to Agnes it had to be logical and make sense in some way but everything was leading her into unreal or unnatural. There was clues of something dark and sinister behind it but that didn’t work for Agnes. The supernatural wasn’t real or true to her, it needed to be something based in reality. “Go home Agnes” said the chief seeing Agnes was still in. “Iam home” stated Agnes, trying to hone in on a clue just as the light went out. “Hey!” yelled Agnes. “Go home.” stated the chief, not taking no as an answer. So she did just that, tired and achy she put her jacked and badge on the living room table. Seeing Rio had brought back too many memories that she had put away. She couldn’t help but go into a room she had looked at in years. Nicholas’s room. The memories of having him and being so happy with him and Rio came flooding back. Before she could even start crying about it again she heard a knock at her door. Swiftly she closed the door to go see who could be at her front door at this hour. “What” she stated annoyingly as she opened the door. What she didn’t expect was to see Rio, clearly holding something behind her back. “Did you know that it is a universally acknowledged truth that a lady cop cannot be good at her job and have a healthy personal life at the same time?” Rio stated, showing the pizza box she had hidden behind her back. “Hungry?” she questioned.

Agnes doesn’t know why but she let Rio in. At first it was awkward but after a couple beers and some pizza it was like they had never left each other. Rio couldn’t help but stay longer than she wanted to and next thing they’re having more beers and sitting in Agnes’s living room. Agnes sighs and continues her story “So she’s a rookie, granted, but I say to her, “Has the suspect been seen in the last 24 hours?” And she says, “Only on TikTok.” And then I say, “Well, did you learn anything?” And she says, “That I was totally using the wrong foundation brush.”” Agnes says laughing at her own story. Rio laughs along with her but can’t help but be enamored by Agnes, all these years later and she still feels the same way around her. She should equally be upset at Agnes like she is at her for leaving her all those years ago but she never could. She could never hate Agnes, she could only love her. While Agnes is still chuckling she hands Rio another beer and takes a sip. “I have a lead in the case.” Agnes states after a bit of silence. “That’s not why I came over.” Rio stated, trying to see if she could get her to break. After a bit of silence Rio gave up and said “But go ahead.” ”There was a car wreck, about an hour before time of death.” stated Agnes, not ready to face the actual topic of Rio yet.“Where?” Rio questioned, remembering she had an actual job to do sometimes. “Eastview.” “Eastview? See, I thought you turned into a pumpkin that far afield” stated Rio, knowing how much Agnes hated traveling and loved staying in her small town. “Hey, I travel. I’m worldly.” stated Agnes, knowing that it was a full on lie. Rio couldn’t help but chuckle, knowing that Agnes was bullshitting and just had to call her out on it, “Where have you traveled?” Agnes knew she was fucked and couldn’t say anything, Rio had gotten her this time. While Rio enjoyed moments like this, she couldn’t help feel a bit bad for Agnes and changed topics, “Okay, so what about the car wreck?” “Bloodstain in the back seat.” “You think that’s how they moved her?” “Front two airbags deployed.” “Maybe two perps?” “Maybe” Agnes said with a sigh, she knew there was more to it but didn't know what. “But you don’t like it” said Rio, still able to read Agnes like the back of her hand. “My gut tells me they’re related, but I can’t shake this feeling I’m seeing it wrong” said Agnes, still unsure of what she’s suppose to be seeing. “Can I ask you something?” asked Rio, unable to control herself anymore. “Yeah.” said Agnes without really thinking, she was still too focused on the case. “Do you remember why you hate me?” asked Rio holding eye contact. “No” replied Agnes almost instantly. “Are you hiding evidence?” she asked. “No” replied Agnes again almost instantly. “Well, you’re only lying to yourself.” stated Rio, taking another sip of her beer. “What do you-” before Agnes could finish asking her question she heard a noise coming from upstairs. She got up after she heard another rumble and checked her bedrooms upstairs. That’s when she saw the precipitator, “HEY! FREEZE!” she yelled and ran to get them but they escaped from the window. If there’s one thing Agnes wasn’t, it was a pussy so she said fuck it and went through the window. Only problem is that she wasn’t as in shape as she used to be and when getting down from the roof to follow her perp, she ended up slipping from the roof gutter. She didn’t care though, she got up and continued on foot to follow them. Luckily Mrs. Hart was driving and had almost hit them which gave Agnes enough time to get them while they were down and arrest them.

Agnes took him to the station but not without calling in Rio. Agnes doesn’t know why she called her and Rio doesn’t know why she actually showed up but here they both were. At one point in time this was how the two of them were, good cop bad cop. Well in reality, two bad cops just one was psychological and the other was your typical mean cop. “Well, he won’t give his name and he’s not in the system.” Agnes told Rio looking at them through one way glass. “First offense. He take anything from your place?” Rio asked, still not sure why she showed up for this. “No, but not for lack of trying. I think it’s time for a good old fashioned chat with Edward Scissorhands in there.” Agnes said ready to go and do her “bad cop”. “Go get your perp.” said Rio looking to the side, trying to suppress the feelings of old times she was having. Agnes stood there for a minute also reminiscing on themselves before nodding and heading in to get her perp.

“So I’m curious.What compelled you to break into the home of a decorated detective?” Agnes asked as she leaned back on the door. “When you say “decorated”, do you mean suspended without pay?” The teen boy asked while Agnes gave him a pointed look. “Yeah, I know who you are.” He said not caring what Agnes would do to him. “Let’s talk about you, then, you little dirtbag. Is B&E your regular gig?” said Agnes, still trying to put her best bad cop. “Hmm? ‘Cause you’re crap at it.” she said as she walked around the table.”What were you looking for in my house?” Agnes said while putting her files down on the table. “The respect of your peers and a fulfilling home life.But you were fresh out of both.” said the teen boy but was almost immediately on the ground after saying so. Agnes didn’t care anymore about keeping it tamed, she kicked his chair under. Rio grunted, knowing that this would happen and knocked on the glass giving Agnes a finger wave, she knew she always found it cute when she did that. Rio had always been the one who grounded Agnes when she got fired up, she always knew just what to do or say. Agnes put her hands up as an apology and let the teen get back in his chair. “See…The things that you’re roasting me for are the things that make me dangerous.” Agnes told the teen, which was very much the truth. Ever since losing Nicholas and leaving Rio, Agnes didn’t have anyone to control her, which is what led to her small suspension. She was now an untamed fire that stopped caring about anyone and everything. If anything the teen was lucky that Rio was there or else the situation would have taken a whole other turn. “So you wanna keep poking the bear?” Agnes asked him, giving the teen an intense stare that he could not look back to. He was finally intimidated by the detective and Agnes could tell. Her bad cop was finally working.”Good. Now…What were you after?” she asked, wanting to get this over. “I don’t know” he said unsure why he was doing what he was doing. “New question. Where were you last night between the hours of 1:00 and 3:00 a.m.?” she asked not satisfied with his answers. “Asleep. In bed.” the teen told her honestly. “Asleep in bed.” she repeated while writing on a note pad. “Total LOSER? OR TOTALLY LYINGGGG, LET’S FIND OUT” she yelled while overexatrally writing everything on a note pad.”What do you know about this, huh?” she asked, showing him pictures of the body of the jane doe. “Nothing. Nothing!” He yelled looking at the pictures. “Tell me who she is!” Agnes demanded, now getting tired of his incorporation. “What are you talking about? These are just flowers!” He exclaimed, still not sure what she wanted from him. “What?” Anges asked, taken aback from his response.

“They’re just pictures of someone’s front yard or something” He explained, still not sure what answer she would want from him. Agnes looked down, she brought the wrong pictures. She had such a mess of files that she fucked up and brought the wrong pictures. “You got to be fucking kidding me” she exclaimed as she left the interrogation room. “You really got him right where you want him, don’tcha tiger” Rio told her just to tease her a little bit.” Don’t even start right now Vidal” sighed Agnes, still embarrassed from what happened. “Just let the kid go for now Agnes, I really don’t think he’s one of the perps sweetheart” Rio told Agnes, hoping the endearment would calm her down. Agnes sighed, still angered she knew Rio was right, Rio was always right. “Why don’t we let him go, I drive him home and then I’ll take you home, that sound good?” Rio asked in a soft tone that Agnes hadn’t heard in a while, god how she missed this. “Yeah, that sounds good, lemme let him out” Agnes said with her eyes closed, still taking in the whole situation. Agnes went back into the interrogation room “Alright, you’re free to go, Agent Vidal and I will be giving you a ride home, I know you didn’t want to give me your name but maybe you’ll want to give it to Agent Vidal” Agnes told him, holding the door open. ‘What?!? But I- I broke into your home! You chased me and everything?!” He asked in total shocked, ready to be stuck in a jail cell for the night. “Yeah well, I changed my mind, consider this a warning especially since you're a minor” Agnes said not looking at him. “Thank you, you’re not as bad as people say in this town” He said getting up and out of the room.

The car ride was awkward to say the least. After dropping off the teen the car was as silent as could be. Rio pulled up to Agnes house, unsure what to say. “Th-”said Agnes “I-” Rio interrupted, making them both shut up. “You go first, I’m sorry” said Rio. “Thanks for everything Rio. I uh, I missed this” Agnes said, not able to face Rio. Agent Vidal couldn’t help herself and touched Agnes hair, causing Agnes to moan. Agnes couldn’t help herself and turned back towards Rio and hugged her tight as she could. The both of them had been longing for each other’s touch since they saw each other. However, neither of them wanted to be the first one to break. Agnes pulled back and cradled Rio’s face, she noticed her lipstick had slightly smudged and fixed it with her thumb. She couldn’t stop herself anymore, she caved. Agnes moved in and kissed Rio, fuck their stupid game. She didn’t care anymore about not giving in, she broke. After a while they separated. “Stay the night, please” Agnes asked just above a whisper. “Of course” Rio responded, she couldn’t say no to Agnes, she never could.

[halfbakedspuds]

OC incorrect quotes

Cause why not. Most of these are mine, btw, the rest are from audio clips I thought fit well.

Adrian: Honestly, I was starting to think you'd sleep in and forget to meet me this morning...

Lyanni: Wouldn't have forgotten if I was sleeping with you.

Adrian: ...But look at thi- Jesus

Adrian: I don't know, hey. I've just had this massive recurring headache for a few weeks now.

Lyanni: *Literally just walks into the room

Adrian: And there she is...

Lyanni: I know two hundred ways of killing a man.

Adrian: You can tie a bucket filled with rats to their stomach and heat it up so that the only way the rats can escape is by eating through their guts.

Lyanni: ... two hundred and one, plus a mental note to never piss you off.

(Watching Lyanni in a tavern brawl against eight other people)

Evelyn: Should we perhaps go help her, Sir?

Adrian: *Getting his camera out* Why'd we do that?

Evelyn: Maybe 'cause it's about to go from a barfight to a bloody street brawl?

Adrian: *Starts filming* Nah, she's got this. Kick him in the balls, Blosjin!

Evelyn: Well that was horrifying. Has anyone got the number of a good therapist?

Evelyn: Wait, fuck, I'm the therapist, aren't I?

Adrian: Where are my fucking guns?

Lyanni: Language, Starman.

Adrian: My utmost apologies, but may I humbly request ascertainment as to the location of my fucking firearms?

Adrian: I'm bi, which means I'm 10% attracted to men, 10% attracted to women...

Adrian: *points at Lyanni over his shoulder* ...and 80% attracted to that dumbass over there.

Lyanni: Life is like a game of chess...

Adrian: ... We both suck at it.

Strax: I sleep with a Nucleic Destabiliser in my room.

Evelyn: I sleep with a Dahltech 308 special under my pillow.

Wilhelm: I sleep with a gravity rifle under my bed.

Adrian: Amateurs.

Evelyn: Alright then, boss, enlighten us to the deadly weapon you sleep with?

Adrian: *Smirking and taking a deep breath* Lyanni Sverik... and my revolvers.

Lyanni: I just don't understand why he's being such an arse about this mission.

Evelyn: *Fixing the gun on her warsuit* Well, maybe it's because deep down he cares about you and is afraid you'll get hurt or killed but is too emotionally repressed to know how to say anything about it.

Everyone:

Evelyn: Oh, was I... not supposed to say that out loud?

Wilhelm: I, for one, love that you did. Please, do continue.

Lyanni: And then he took his shirt off, and like my body had a reaction...

Evelyn: Please keep this to yourself, I don't need to hear about that.

Lyanni: I was just sitting there like "Boy, how in the hells are you still alive?'

Evelyn: ...

Evelyn: Okay, native, you have my attention now.

Adrian: *Showing Lyanni how to use a gun* in this line of work, you'll quickly see a lot of people become priests.

Lyanni: ...what?

Adrian: Extra holey.

Adrian: Let me be Frank-

Lyanni: Who's Frank?

Evelyn: Shush, I want to hear what Frank here has to say.

Adrian: Throne, give me patience instead of strength because I will strangle this lot if you give me strength...

Some random IUC guard: *To Adrian* Someone should put freaks like you in a mental hospital.

Lyanni: *Frothing at the mouth, barely being held back by Adrian* Someone should put you in a box floating down the river, grandma!

(Wilhelm and Adrian's first meeting in a nutshell)

Wilhelm: Who the fuck are you?

Adrian: Who the fuck am I? Who the fuck are you?!

Wilhelm: Better question, why the fuck are you?

Lyanni in her cell: I'll do both of you boys one better: How the fuck are ya'll and where the fuck am I?

Lyanni: I work fine under pressure.

Adrian: I mean no disrespect, Velsjen, but I've tread on landmines that handled pressure better than you do.

Lyanni: I want to wake up to your face every day for the rest of my life.

Adrian: You do realise that I'm up two hours before dawn almost daily, right?

Lyanni:...

Lyanni: I want to see your face at some point every day for the rest of my life.

Edit: posted without tags. Eto bleh

[unknown-hq]

Hi all! Here is an update about the goings on for the Festival starting this weekend.  Once again, if you would like your character to miss all or some of the event, you just need to fill out an ‘Event Time Off’ form which you can find here! 

As always, travel, hotel, food, etc. will be provided by and paid for by Unknown Events. While everyone will be staying at the hotels mentioned below, we did not set up roommates this time around.  Rooming is up to your character or their management team or however you want to plot it out! 

If you would like to make an activity or mini-event for people to optionally attend on their days off, just send us and ask and we will add it to the schedule.  Everything below is mandatory unless you will out the form to miss part of some of the event. 

Thursday 12/26 - Friday 12/27: Fly to Seoul, South Korea & check into your hotel - The Oakwood Premier Coex Center, Seoul

Your characters may start their travels whenever suits them best so up to you when they leave for Seoul.  Some people like to rp the realistic amount of travel and others speed it up - we’re perfectly ok with you doing whichever works best for you and your character. 

Saturday 12/28 - Monday 12/30: Sand & Snow Festival Seoul at Seoul Olympic Stadium 

This is not a pure concert festival.  While musicians will play a show on one of the three days, there will also be panels, Q&A’s, party with celebs, meet & greets, sponsored parties, etc.  Think of it like attending Coachella where celebs not performing are still spotlighted and do interviews about the events. We are open to adding events in that you would like to collaborate with other members- for example if your character would like to do a fashion show for their clothing line and have one of the bands play the music during the show,  vloggers & e-gammers and actors teaming up to do a skit or comedy show (ie. Captain Marvel plays The Sims 100 Baby Challenge or Aria Stark reacts to Clickbait… idk im not paid for this…) If you have any ideas, let us know and we will add them to the events list! 

Tuesday 12/31: New Years Eve Rave at Suwon World Cup Stadium

Everyone is invited to attend the NYE Rave as guest.  However, if you would like your character to hold a one hour DJ set that evening, just send us an ask! Any character no matter their job or fame level can have a set so don’t let that hold you back. You can post a few songs from your setlist too.  If you don’t want to have a set, you will attend the event as a guest and party all night long.  Everyone that works for Unknown Events will have All Access credentials so they may go backstage, to the VIP box seats, and use their pass to get free drinks and food. 

**There will be Unknown Event only charter busses to take you from the hotel in Seoul to the Suwon World Cup Stadium.  That means you can preparty on the way there with all your friends and sleep on the way back. 

Wednesday 1/1: Day off to explore

The day is in your hands. You may stay in Seoul or travel to nearby attractions. You can use your day to visit museums, shop the malls, visit a spa, hike the Bukhansan national park... Or get a little quirky and head to a raccoon cafe, good luck toast shop, or even hop on the train to Imsil to a Cheese Theme Park.  You’ll be given cash from Unknown Events to cover travel and food for the day.  

Thursday 1/2: Travel Day fly from Seoul to Busan - stay at Lotte Hotel Busan

Hop on an Unknown Events chartered plane and head over to Busan.  The flight isn’t too long so spend the rest of the day exploring and having your own adventure. You will check into your new hotel and have the evening to enjoy the pool, spa, and walk around, take a night cruise, or head to the observatory for lovely views of the lights and stars. 

Friday 1/3 - Sunday 1/5: Sand & Snow Festival Busan at Busan Asiad Stadium. 

This will be basically a repeat of the first festival, but now located in Busan.  Once again, it will not only be a music festival, but also include panels, parties, interviews, etc.  When you aren’t busy with your own festival duties, you may check out the musical acts, visit any of the parties, or go back to the hotel for a nap if you need.  There will be charter vans to take you back and forth from the hotel and stadium.  

Monday 1/6: Day off to explore Busan 

Explore Busan and the area around it any way you want.  You can hang out in the city or travel to nearby attractions that you’ve always wanted to visit. Theres the Cimer Spa for some luxuriant hot springs, Haeundae Beach but it might be a lil too cold to swim, Gwangbokdong Food Street filled with food stalls, the Modern History Museum and more! 

Tuesday 1/7: Day off/Travel Day bus ride from Busan to Yongin

Unknown Events will load up in charter busses and take you to the city of Yongin.  You will check in to the The Soom Forest Hotel and get to explore Yongin for the evening.  You might wanna head to the Folk Village or grab some food at the Jukjeon Cafe Street. 

Wednesday 1/8: Everland Theme Park Meet & Greet Takeover  

Everland was Korea’s first family park and is still one of its most popular. There is a safari area featuring lions, tigers and bears, a water park, and some of the country’s most famed, lush Gardens.

The theme park is open all day for you and your friends to enjoy as you wish.  At night, the theme park will be closed down for just Unknown Events members and 100 lucky fans that won a ticket to spend the evening with their favorites.  You will be partnered with a fan to go on rides, grab a bite to eat, and take lots of photos together. 

Thursday 1/9: Day off/Travel Day bus ride from Yongin to Seoul

All your work is over and time to relax.  Grab a seat on the UE charter bus and head back to Seoul to catch your flight home.  Unless you’re staying for some vacation time- that’s always an option too! 

Friday 1/10-Saturday 1/11: Travel home

[arodabi]

Whats an aromantic flag and why you should include it in your pride posts

disclaimer: i know theres fighting every year about who should and shouldn’t be included in pride posts, this isn’t to argue with people who just hate aspec ppl, this is an informational post. don’t send me bullshit about it

Why should you include aro flags?

many people believe that aromanticism is covered under the asexual flag, so if they include that they’re including aros, however that’s not the case. aro and ace people share the aspec community, but one identity does not fall under the other. It’s less like using the trans flag as an umbrella for all trans and nonbinary people even if there’s a separate nonbinary flag, and more like using the transmasc pride flag to represent all transmascs and transfems. Aros are just not covered under the ace flag because both groups are separate identities. people can be aro and ace but not all aros are ace.

aro is also an incredibly important identity for a lot of people, something we take a lot of pride in. we get relegated to “minor or add on identity” all the time because people keep thinking of us as the -romantic version of asexual. we have multiple terms, multiple flags, and a huge array of different aro experiences, we are not a subset of asexuality and many of us wish for that to be more respected.

last on the reasons of why you should include aros in pride posts is that we have no larger umbrella flag, unless we’re counting the rainbow flag. the aro flag is the umbrella flag for arospec identities. if you don’t include it then we aren’t being included. and this isn’t me telling you you have to include an aro option for everything you make (tho that would be nice) ppl have the right to choose what flags they want to include. but theres been many times when i see people add  flags representing all parts of the community except aro, and then add on smaller more niche flags. i don’t want this to come across as another post like “how dare you include X flag but not Y flag!!!” because i think everyone should have the joy of representation, i just think many people don’t realize they’re even leaving aros out. either through lack of awareness or lack of knowledge on what the aro flag actually is, and that’s what i wanna help with this post.

What even is the aro flag?

Let’s start with what it’s not:

[ID: a flag with four horizontal stripes. from the top down they are green, yellow, orange and black. End ID]

This was the first proposed aro flag. We do not use it anymore for a couple reasons, the main one is that it resembled another countries flag too closely and was getting confused. I’d think this one would have died out by now but i literally just saw a post include it today.

[ID: A flag with five horizontal stripes. from top to bottom the colors are dark green, light green, yellow, grey, and black. End ID]

This was the second popular aro flag. It is very close to the main aro flag now except the middle stripe is yellow. That stripe was changed due to causing some people sensory problems. This one is sometimes still accidentally used, probably because it looks very close to the main flag, but it’s not the main aro flag either.

[ID: A flag with five horizontal stripes. from top to bottom the colors are black, grey, white, light green, and dark green. End ID]

I’ve actually seen this flag used a lot by people not very knowledgeable about aros. This is a flipped version of the aro flag. I also for the life of me can’t find an example of this but i’ve seen more than once a version that is flipped and removes a stripe of green so it looks like a recolored ace flag. These are pretty common, enough for me to have seen multiple people selling merch with this incorrect flag. I think it comes from people thinking the aro flag is the same as the ace one which does start with black at the top and has only four stripes.

[ID: A flag with seven horizontal stripes. from top to bottom the colors are black, grey, white, green, white, grey, and black. End ID]

Yeah, this is the agender flag, not the aro flag. I see these get mixed up all the time. It’s not hard so see why with similar colors and a white grey black gradient, but as someone who is agender and aro, it kinda gets on my nerves when people mix these up. Also no this is not the same color palette as the aro flag. I’ve seen people make designs labeled as agender/aromantic that just use the agender color palette. The aro flag has two greens and they’re both different than the agender green.

[ID: Two flags next to each other. The first one has five horizontal stripes. from top to bottom the colors are orange, light orange, white, light blue, dark blue. The second flag has eight horizontal stripes. from top to bottom the colors are dark green, light green, white, grey, black, grey, white, and purple. End ID]

These are two common aroace flag designs. These flags are used by a lot of people and you might see them included in pride posts. These are good flags, however, they should not be used to represent all aros. Including an aroace flag does not mean you’re including all aros and all aces, it means you’re including just aroaces. There’s plenty of aros who aren’t ace and aces who aren’t aro. It’d be like putting a gay trans flag in a post and saying its there to represent all gay and all trans people, when the flag is usually used to represent only people who are both gay and trans. Again, these flags are not bad, and them being included in pride posts is good actually, but they should not be used to represent all aro and all ace people.

Now let’s go over what actually is the aro flag:

[ID: A flag with five horizontal stripes. From top to bottom the colors are dark green, light green, white, grey, and black. End ID]

This is the main aro flag. It’s the one most widely used and recognized. The color meanings are dark green and light green representing the spectrum of aro identities, white meaning friendship, and grey and black representing the spectrum of sexual identities in the aro community.

But wait there’s more!

The aro identity is a spectrum, meaning theres more identities under aromantic, and they have their own flags too. If you really wanna go wild and include some other aro flags heres some more. (this is not a full list of all arospec identities, just some i see around the most. feel free to look into more arospec identities and flags! also all of these definitions are coming from me and my personal knowledge of aro identities, i do not identify as any of these though, only as aromantic, so if i give the wrong definition please tell me so i can fix it!)

[ID: A flag with five horizontal stripes. From top to bottom the colors are dark green, light green, white, yellow, and dark yellow. End ID]

This is the alloaro flag. Alloaros are aros who aren’t ace. They deserve more support and attention because they’re really amazing members of the aro community.

[ID: A flag with five horizontal stripes. From top to bottom the colors are dark green, grey, white, grey, and dark green. End ID]

This is the greyromantic flag. Greyromantic means someone who feels romantic attraction rarely. The term greyromantic is also sometimes used to mean aro identities that still feel some form of romantic attraction.

[ID: A flag with four horizontal stripes. From top to bottom the colors are black, green, aqua, and grey. End ID]

the quoiromantic or WTFromantic flag. It means someone who can’t or doesn’t want to tell the difference between platonic and romantic attraction basically. It’s got a special place in my heart bc i used to id as quoi.

[ID: A flag with five horizontal stripes. From top to bottom the colors are red orange, orange, yellow, white, and black. End ID]

This is the Lithromantic flag. Lithromantic means someone who feels romantic attraction but doesn’t want it reciprocated, or may no longer feel romantic attraction when it is reciprocated.

[ID: A flag with a black, sideways triangle on the left side pointing right and three horizontal stripes. The first stripe from the top is a thick white stripe, the next stripe is thin and dark green, and the bottom stripe is thick and grey. End ID]

The demiromantic flag. Someone who is demiro doesn’t feel romantic attraction until they have formed a deep emotional connection with someone.

And there’s many more arospec identities!

I hope i’ve helped to clear up some misconceptions about aros and our flags! We’re not under the ace umbrella, we’re our own community. We all have different experiences, different relationships to our identity, and I hope to see more people represent aros this year!

Have a happy pride month!

[marvelmaniac2000]

Shang Chi x Reader Scenario #1 Part 1 Of 2 (Imagines)

Storyline: Shang Chi knows you are a very attractive person and men are always admiring you. Even though you don’t pay any mind to it at all, sometimes it can become overbearing. Luckily your best friend is there to stray away unwanted advances.

(By the way, in this short story the relationship is mutual, but Shang Chi has always been in love with you. Also he’s super protective of you and gets jealous a lot.)

Characters: Shang Chi x reader

Subject warning: jealousy angst, mild violence, alcohol use

(Sorry in advance for any incorrect spelling or grammar) I'm trying to improve my proof reading skills.

It was finally Friday and you couldn’t wait for the weekend to come any sooner. You and your partner in crime Shang Chi finished your shift for the week. Your feet ached, but it never outweighed seeing those green numbers in your bank account. The sun was setting late into the night and you made it back home to your crib. In exhaustion you kicked off your work shoes within seconds. The coffee table next to your kitchen was covered with all your artwork and latest sketches you created. Much of the atmosphere in your apartment didn’t feel much like home, because you were always on the go, however this night felt a lot more lonesome than usual in your apartment.

*Buzz*

Your phone vibrates and you mindlessly search in your bag until you find it. Of course no one else would text you besides this “loser” Shang Chi you jokingly thought.

You rolled your eyes at your phone and didn’t respond anymore. If anyone is late to anything it’s this guy.

With a sudden jolt of excitement you went into your room to change out of your work uniform into something more appropriate. You examine your closet hoping an outfit will magically come to your head.

“Mmm...maybe sexy but not too sexy tonight” You mumbled to yourself.

You finally settle for an outfit that is casual but sexy at the same time. After fixing your hair and applying a touch of makeup on, you grabbed your stuff and made your way out to meet your friend.

“I’m so proud of you, just at the knick of time” he glanced at his watch.

“You look great,” he added.

“Thank you, I tried” you sheepishly smiled

“ Shall we?” he gestured.

“Let's go have some fun” you beamed.

Following two eccentric hours of karaoke, it was time for a couple of drinks to mellow out the fun. The local bar was dimly lit with groovy toned lights. The oversight squelched of young social elites alike. Shang Chi went to the bar and ordered the usual while you skimmed around for a table. You settled for a table in the corner of the dining area and waited patiently.

“Hey sweetheart what’s your name?”

You abruptly looked up and was approached by a guy who was much older and looked very gruesome.

“Oh uh sorry I’m not interested” you said politely.

“Look, a pretty woman like yourself shouldn’t have to end your night on such a bad note. I can make your night worthwhile” The man gave you a rotten grin and creeped closer to you. He put his hand on the back of your chair and leaned in close enough where his face was inches from yours.

“ When a woman says she’s not interested you don’t continue to harass her, so I’m going to ask you nicely again to please leave me alone sir” you raised your voice a tone higher and many people around you began to glance over.

Shang Chi overheard your voice from across the bar area, and within seconds made his way over to see what was going on.

“Do you need help finding the door sir? Because I can gladly show you” Shang Chi’s jaw tightened and his eyes pierced with rage.

The man snickered, “And who exactly are you buddy? The security guard? Can’t you see I’m trying to get laid here so if you don’t mind not being a cock block and skid daddle” the man gestured his hand in a shewing motion.

The man reached out his hand to touch your shoulder and Shang Chi grabbed his wrist and twisted it away. The crowd gradually started to quiet down and drew attention toward what was going on.

“ Don’t you lay a finger on her” Shang Chi sputtered.

Your muscles began to tense up knowing exactly what was about to happen. All you knew was that you were definitely going to need a drink after this..

PART 2

Usually I don't like damsel in distress scenarios, but they are very fun to do in the genre of fanfiction. Other than that I hope you guys enjoy!

[castlevania-afterdark-imagines]

Gotta go a tiny bit dark for a moment, how would trevor, godbrand, sypha, drac, and the forgemasters handle an s/o who's libido fluctuates wildly and struggles a lot with her body image? I'm sorry if that's too many characters, I just really really love them..

Gonna lean more into the body image part of this ask. Bonus Alucard cause I mean, we got the rest of the crew, might as well.

Trevor

General attitude about it is - Why though? (Trevor, please)

Is very much the sort of person who stands by if your body works then there's nothing wrong with it, so it's a bit hard for him to understand.

Okay, maybe he's a little self conscious about the sheer number of scars he has, but that's just because they bring up a lot of questions.

But he likes your body, and what you do to him with said body. So when you have moments where you pull away and look at yourself with disappointment he just can't quite wrap his head around it.

He'll try to be more careful with his comments towards the parts you don't like, cause god knows he'll fuck up trying to compliment them in a way that doesn't sound overbaked.

But when he's making love to you he makes sure to touch everywhere.

Words are hard, but he knows how to work with his hands.

He tries to utter soft praises, but most of it comes out as single word grunts like “perfect” and “ god-yes”

Oh, he'll also remove the eyes of anyone who makes a jab at what you're sensitive about.

Alucard

A bit of genuine confusion about it.

He just genuinely thinks you're the most sublime creature on the Earth so how could you not see that in yourself?

He certainly won't stop you from working on things you want to change, he will train with you if you want to change your body composition or he'll offer to research skin treatments if you have complexion concerns.

But only if you ask, he's never the one to suggest it. As far as he sees it he's just helping you achieve something you want to accomplish, not "improving" you.

However he does know that change doesn't happen overnight, so he gets sad when you express frustration over not being there yet because he can't really fix time.

So he stays close, lets you vent while he gently traces your face with his fingers.

He gets a bit drapey with his affection when you're down. Never pressing sexually, he just sort of stimulates a cocoon of limbs wanting to hold all of you close.

You might also notice more little gifts showing up where you can find them. Flowers by your bedside, pastries by your favorite chair, tokens of affection to assure you he is just as enamored with you when you aren't feeling your best.

Sypha

Is visibly upset when she sees you mentally tearing into yourself,  but that's just because she couldn't hide an expression if she tried.

Wants to talk with you about it, to find out if it was something somebody said or a result of something someone did.

If it's something that is changeable, she'll offer to help you with your goals, keep you motivated while also insisting you do NOT have to do any of this for her.

If it's not something that can be changed she'll try her best to listen, let you vent when you feel frustrated.

She gets conflicted between either wanting to give the parts of yourself that you don’t like *more* attention or trying to make sure to compliment the other parts of your body she loves (aka, the rest)

She might admit to you some of the spots she doesn’t like much either, like the scars on her shoulder, or the stretch marks around her knees.

Regardless she’ll always match your mood, throwing herself at you with gusto when the lust strikes, or being very gentle and soothing when you aren’t feeling up for it.

Gets up in the face of anybody who might make a rude remark, even if it might risk escalating the argument to melting the offender’s face off.

Dracula

Has seen many many many bodies in his lifetime (won't tell you how many of those were no longer living), he sees the variety as a staple of humanity.

So yeah, it distresses him to see you dislike anything about yourself.

But he also knows that’s not something he can just tell you you’re incorrect over and be done with. It’s not something he can actually control.

So he simply makes himself available, however you need him.

You in the mood to get dicked down? Yup, he can do that and mend the bedframe afterwards.

You need a few slow days with minimal touching? Okay, he’s got all the time in the world. He’ll stay within earshot until you call him, then he’ll cater to whatever you need.

He’s not super keen on trying to use any sort of magic to alter your body, even if you ask. Unless it’s life threatening of course.

He also makes it a mental note to be exceedingly clear that each time he has you bare before him he regards you like a devout cardinal would his holy texts.

Divine.

Godbrand

(Why, why ya’ll gotta pick the hard one for sensitive topics)

He thinks you’re hot, all the time, any time of day. So when he notices you going from a sexual high to a sexual dry, he honestly thinks it’s his fault.

Starts apologizing about whatever the fuck pops into his head (though this is a Godbrand apology so it’s stuff like “I’m sorry I dropped your favorite mug three months ago but I told you not to leave it on the edge of the counter like that”)

When you first explained to him what was actually up he’s...confused.

To behonest probably first went to his favored huntsmen and asked them what the fuck to do

Which was met with equally confused shrugs and panicked “Why the fuck would we know better?”

In the end he sort of resorts to brute forcing through it.

He sees you take a little too long in the mirror looking at yourself. Nope, no, nu uh, he hauls you up and finds something to distract you with.

He’ll try to offer ideas of how to help if it’s something you can change, if not he’ll just be six times as loud when he’s boasting about how perfect his partner is to the village.

Hector

Oh nooooooooo this gentle man, he’s so concern

He can pick up on your mood shifts as if he could hear them announce their presence.

He’s just as good at silently reading into what you want him to do next.

Sometimes it’s just to lie with you, touching your hair and face, murmuring sweet nothings into the space between you two. How lovely he finds you, how happy you make him.

He knows how cruel the world can be, especially over something as fickle as appearance. He hates that anyone could ever have instilled in you a disliking of your own body.

He’s never pushy about his more carnal wants, and never makes it about your attraction towards him. He trusts that you’re still interested, you just need time here and there.

Sometimes he will get a little flare of adoration when he sees you, when he remembers the areas you told him you aren’t fond of, and will absent mindedly want to touch them. Gentle brushes of fingertips, a soft smile resting on his lips until you bring him back to reality.

He might not be verbose in his support, but you’ll never shake him from it.

Isaac

Is honestly the one mostly likely to get frustrated over what in his mind is a baseless insecurity. Never shows it, but internally has trouble understanding it.

He gets the social troubles, humans being vain and cruel creatures, but to him a body is like a well-worn tool. What you don’t like you work to either change or adapt to.

But he also knows that mindset does not arrive overnight, and though internally he might feel a tug of irritation when he can feel you pull away he is very careful to not show it.

He’s never going to convince you of his adoration for the temple that is your body if he gives in to his temper and tries to force the change for you.

So he will be patient, offer you guidance when you ask for it, remain silent when you don’t and you simply need to speak your insecurities.

Though you might see a flash of bewilderment in his eyes when you mention something new that upsets you about your body he is quick to bury it and return to attending you.

He’s always delighted when your mood lifts again and he can resume touching you as he likes, fingertips digging into your skin and humming softly with satisfaction.

Carnal pleasure might be a more primal vice, but he doesn’t mind giving in to it when he can use it to show you exactly how much he likes the “tools” you were given.

-Mod Soviet

[ma-lark-ey]

! Content warning on this post for some sex discussion regarding Fitzroy Maple court,,, nothing to in depth. But I still do dive into how fandom should handle him in the presence of current NSFW fanfiction !

Appearantly since Fitzroy was confirmed asexual, people have stopped shipping him? I'm sorry, what?

As someone who's asexual, that breaks my heart. Fitzroy can still love people!! He can still crave romance and marriage!!

Now, I cannot speak on asexuals as a whole on this. But, I've always been very in my community and from other asexuals I've spoken to on their identities and sex lives, I feel like this is the best way I can put how we (at least, me and some asexual friends of mine) feel on these kinds of topics! Please, if you're also ace and you have a different take on this, share it with me!! Its good to have varying opinions on such. If you think any statements in this post may be incorrect or ill-informed, let me know and provide me with materials to try and fix that!

Whoever you shipped Fitzroy with before his confirmation, if you stopped because he's now ace, why?

This also makes me feel the need to clarify what asexuality means at its core (and I'm not saying this is the kind of sexuality Griffin is aiming for, we can only know what he wants with Fitzroy as the series moves forward. BUT)

Asexuality means the lack of sexual attraction or desire of intercourse. In short; Fitzroy doesn't do horny.

The fact Fitz doesn't get horny has no bearing on if he loves people romantically! If it did, he'd be on the aromantic spectrum as well, but he's not. (Cause y'all know homeboy Griffin would've made it clear if he was ace AND aro). Hell, in some cases it doesn't have any bearing in a sex life! Plenty of asexual people will participate in sex for the sake of their romantjc partners benefit, just because they don't really get anything out of it means nothing! Now,,this isn't saying Fitzroy's asexual identity doesn't really matter, it absolutely does. But, its not something to hinder your spirit.

In the case of shipping Fitzroy; please keep in mind he's a sexy asexual man who cracks LOTS of sex jokes. Let Fitzroy talk about sex, man. Man cracks jokes. I, as an asexual who also cracks too many sex jokes, love that aspect of his character!

Its also no crime to write a smut fic with him, guys. While, you need to keep in mind Fitzroy probably won't have much pleasure from the whole affair, he'll definitely just be in it for the sake of pleasing whatever partner he's with and giving their sex drive satisfaction. Fitzroy probably would still participate in activities?

I, personally, don't read smut for the majn reasons of; I'm ace and only 15. But I know people do read and write it and I want to make that point clear!

A lot of shipping tropes in fluff fics are very asexual-friendly!

Exhibit A) Fitzrain concepts my friends have told me

- Fitz liking to carry Rainier around or push her chair around cause it makes him feel like an honored knight saving his beloved damsel.

- Fitz always holding onto Rainier's hand because yes. Hand holding.

- Rainier sits on Fitz all the time. If they're anywhere together and Fits is sitting there like an 80% chance Rainier is climbing into his lap

- Fitzroy either steals everything single blanket at night and leaves Rainier with nothing, or kicks them all off and uses Rainier as his pillow for snuggle time. No in between.

- Asexual Fitz AND Rainier being the sexiest motherfuckers on the block, and when they're king and queen they rule together and do a bunch of thirst trap photoshoots but make it very clear they have no interest in any kind of sex

Exhibit B) Maplekeene

- Fitzroy plays with Argos hair. No exception. Mans always runs his fingers through it and whatnot. Loving Maplekeene hours.

- Look, tell me Fitzroy isn't very overprotective of his tint water ginasi boyfriend. Like, at this point Argo is almost a foot shorter than Fitz,,and a skinny little man. Fitzroy probably thinks a strong wind could break Argo.

- Fitzroy beats up racists. No hesitation. You call his water ginasi boyfriend The Slur? He'll go Rage Mode on your ass. Bitches better run.

- Argo loves watching Fitzroy take naps because sometimes its cute and sometimes its hilarious confusing on just how Fitzroy managed to fall asleep leaning on the counter when he's slept sixteen hours already today.

- Argo tracing patterns in Fitzroy's hand in Thieves Cant when he gets bored

I would go into other ship concepts that are still perfectly valid, but like... 90% of concepts are still wonderful!! So long as you don't erase Fitzroy's identity, go hog wild guys! Just like how you wouldn't make Taako a straight man in your fanfiction, don't make Fitzroy a sexual man in your fanfiction!

[ar0mant1c]

In honor of Ace-Spec awareness week, I'll be sharing the definitions of different ace-spec terms.

First up is Asexual. To be asexual, often shortened to ace, means that a person experiences little to no sexual attraction to people regardless of gender. This is not to be confused with abstinence (choosing not to partake in sexual activities) or being aromantic (experiencing little to no romantic attraction to people regardless of gender). Some ace people may still engage in such activities for pleasure or some other reason, but not all do because we all have different boundries with intimacy. People identifying with this label may be able to experience romantic attraction, adding a label to their romantic attraction as well (such as homoromantic ace, or biromantic ace), although some may not, using the label aromantic.

The asexual flag is made up of 4 stripes of equal size- Black, grey, white, and purple. (Shown below) The black stripe represents asexuality, the grey stripe represents the ace-spectrum identities such as demisexual or greysexual, the white stripe represents allosexuals (people who do experience sexual attraction), and the purple stripe represents the unity of the asexual community.

Comment below to request an identity/flag!

If there is any information that is incorrect, please let me know so that I can fix it.

[daanny2772]

FFXIV Dark Knight Level 35 Job Quest Fan Translation

Due to the differences between Fray Myste portrayed in the Japanese and English versions, I have decided to translate a number of the Dark Knight story quests from Japanese. I am by no means proficient in the language and ask that you forgive me for any incorrect translations. Please do let me know so that I am able to fix the mistakes. That being said, there are liberties I have taken due to the structure of the two languages being significantly different. Thank you for keeping this in mind.

Tumblr user haillenarte has also translated the level 45 and 50 quests along time ago. Go check it out if you haven't yet! https://haillenarte.tumblr.com/tagged/fray

I have recorded and subbed a video of my WOL going through the DRK quests below. I’m sorry that the lvl 35 one had to be split into two, but the future ones I’m working on subbing should not have that problem (hopefully...)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnP6yVSIHpE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pG0IBvqNdIg 

I’ve taken the Japanese lines from https://alnoumin.exblog.jp/24252515/ and have left the name of their WOL in the Japanese lines.

Guided by a Shriek 

Fray seems to be waiting in the Brume for the adventurer to visit.

***

Fray: We meet again, Nyxahk.  Well then, I will be teaching you everything within the extent of my memories about the Dark Knight.

...But before that, is there anything you’re still curious regarding what happened before the conflict involving the young lady?

The mystery that remains is …?

I wonder how that grandmother is doing?

...Huh? Ah, um… That’s right… I think she’ll be alright as long as she’s with that Miss.

But-- there should be something more puzzling than that! Jeez, you’re truly-- (*unbelievable) 

Fray’s charges

フレイ：あれ……言いませんでしたっけ、無実の罪だって。えっ？　もっと詳しく？う、ううん……思い出すので、ちょっと待ってくださいね。

Huh… Now that I think about it, I didn’t say that I was falsely accused. Eh? You want more details? Hm… please wait a little as I try to recall the events.

...Right, right. An innocent woman was being chased by the Templar Knights. As I was protecting her, I was charged with a made up crime. Really, it’s all because I trying to be nice...

But more importantly, isn’t there anything about yourself that you’re curious about?

About the Voice I heard at the beginning

Yes, that’s exactly it. When you first touched my Soul Stone, you heard someone’s Voice in anguish, correct?

You were intrigued by what that voice could have been… It’s possible it was the voice of “a certain someone you must protect” somewhere in this world.

The Dark Knights of the past have believed in protecting the weak, in the way that you should be bonded with this certain someone. ...Were you to turn a blind eye to this person, you would be a failure as a Dark Knight.

In order for you to become a Dark Knight for this certain person, lets confirm the true intents of their Voice. If you can come to wield even stronger Darkness, you may be able to hear that voice again.

In order to obtain even stronger Darkness, a special rite (communion) is required. I have yet to choose a location for the rite… but with the conflict from the other day still fresh, we may get interrupted if we were to remain in Ishgard.

 Let’s head out on a trip. I’ll be waiting for you at Little Ala Mhigo in South Thanalan.

***

Fray: Ah, it’s great we were able to meet up. Without further ado, I’ll explain the details of this rite to obtain further powers of Darkness.

As long as you have my power, we may begin this rite at any time. However, to receive the power of Darkness is the same as awakening the repressed negative emotions within you.

Therefore, if someone who is not strong enough took on the rite, they would be overcome with those repressed emotions and be killed by the power.

In order to avoid that, you must show me the extents of your ability as a Dark Knight before the rite is to happen.

The best way for me to see your true strength is for you to defeat a strong enemy… Let’s go ask the leader of the village to see if there is a suitable opponent or not.

***

Gundobald: Oh, it’s the adventurer. Though we were unable to prepare a reception, we welcome your return. What business do you have here today?

...I see. You require a strong enemy to test the bounds of your strength.

There is one thing on my mind. Just the north of here at the Red Labyrinth, there have been appearances of ferocious Crag Bite Peistes. 

Their strike is strong, and have even injured many fellow beasts raised in this dangerous region.

Fray: That does seem to be a suitable opponent. The main point of fighting as a Dark Knight is to endure the enemy’s powerful attacks while continuing to attack. ...How will we be able to meet this enemy?

Gundobald: That thing seems to be attracted to the smell of goat breast meat brought by the merchants from Minotaur Malm. In order to draw it out, here is the meat I spoke of.

Though this land is poor, I would like to repay what you’ve done for us, even if it’s just a little.

But still, I  am glad to see this. You’ve brought a friend along, and you’re even relying on us...Hm… You say you’ve only just met this person?

For some reason, you two give off the impression of partners having travelled together for a long time, or that of friends bond strongly to one another… Was it just my imagination?

Fray: ...Nyxakh, it’s about time we get going.

***

Fray: Please show me the true extents of your power as a Dark Knight here. Please defeat the Crag Bite Peistes lured by the goat breast meat we placed. 

It seems the attacks from your enemies will be strong. While keeping your injuries to the least amount possible, attacking when you see the gaps in their defenses should lead you to your victory.

…Then without further ado, commence the battle!

***

Fray: Well done Nyxakh. It seems you have improved your skills from last time.

Though the duty of a Dark Knight is to protect, it does not mean thoughtlessly taking on attacks, nor that defeat means losing everything you have.

If you truly wish to protect that which is important to you, determining the movements of your enemy and keeping your injuries within limits are both essential. And how to use the powers of Darkness is also a part of it, right?

There should be no problems for us to carry out the ritual like this. For now, let’s return to the outskirts of Little Ala Mhigo. We wouldn’t want to be distrubed by any beasts attracted by the leftover meat. 

***

Fray: Without further ado, for you to obtain further powers of Darkness, I will carry out the ritual.

Even though it’s called a ritual, it’s nothing difficult. Simply hold your hand out to mine and close your eyes to concentrate. Your emotions will naturally overflow, and the power should well up alongside it.

It would be good if you can hear that certain someone’s voice again… Anyway, if your heart is ready, then please go ahead and give it a shot.

 ***

As you are thinking that your chest feels like it’s on fire, the Voice rings through your head...

???: ...It hurts… It’s painful… Everything… is hopeless...

How many more challenges must I go through to see hope? It’s as if I’m fighting a battle without end...

For what reason do I continue to stand up…? For what reason do I continue to fight? It hurts, it hurts, it’s getting harder to breathe.... Ah, someone....

***

Fray: ...How was it, Nyxahk? It seems that the rite was a success… Were you able to hear the Voice?

Though you were able to hear it, you still do not know their identity…?

But at the very least, it seems that my conjecture was correct. Somewhere in the world, there is a weak person you must protect, their voice connected to you by the powers of the Darkness.

I don’t know how much of the power of Darkness we will need in order to find out the identity of that Voice. But even so, there exists someone only you can protect.

If the voice you heard was able to reach your heart even a little, I think that’s the path you should continue down. Am I wrong, Nyxakh Nemophila?

What a relief… As I expected, you’re kind as well as strong. That certain person to be protected by a Dark Knight like you will surely be blessed with happiness.

To be honest, I travelled with someone similar to you a long time ago. Without any reason, we stepped out into the vast world, our hearts trembling at everything and anything… it was that kind of journey, you see.

But… yes, it was around this place, they defeated a terrible threat and became a hero.

...But being a hero isn’t all that great, you know? Being manipulated by all sorts of things, only saving up a pile of injuries, eventually even becoming unable to see yourself...

And like that, they drifted away from me, until not even my voice was able to reach them.

I don’t want you to lose sight of what’s important to you. If you decide to protect that certain someone, listen carefully to their voice, and please don’t ever avert your eyes from them. 

Then, when you become even stronger, you’ll take on the rite of Darkness again. ...We definitely have to meet up again at the place we first met.

***

t/n:

- Crag Bite Peistes - the english only had it listed as peistes, but the crag bite part is so funny to me because I had and still have no idea what the katakana is referring to so I stuck it in Google Translate. That's what came out and it makes me laugh so I've left it in 

- Jeez, you’re truly-- (*unbelievable) - What Fray says would be close to "People like you--", the unbelievable part is implied. He's pretty much just really exasperated at WOL and it's cute. i love him

- Regarding the person that Fray talks about having gone on an adventure with, their pronouns will change depending on the gender of the character. I've used they for my translations as my WOL uses they.

- the rite Fray talks about is called a communion in Eng which works better imo in the overall scheme of things but i left it as rite here

[jeranasblog]

Starker Kink Advent Calendar - Day 18

Summary: Peter marries Tony because he wants to keep working. Tony marries Peter because he doesn’t want the boy’s brilliance to go to waste. Neither one of them expects an overwhelming attraction to unfold between them. Feelings, insecurities, and doubts tangle together until they find themselves inextricably linked. And what happens when a surprise turns everything upside down?

24 days, 24 chapters, 24 kinks

Pairing:  Peter Parker/Tony Stark

Rating: E

Notes:  Hey guys. I’ve decided to write a “Starker Kink Advent Calendar” this year, so 24 chapters with 24 different kinks. Enjoy <3

Warnings: Check all the sex tags on Ao3

Read on Ao3

~⭐~

Day 18 - Daddy Kink for Kaydu <3

When Peter had thought he would be afraid of the doctor’s appointment, it couldn’t be compared to Tony. The Alpha was an anxious mess since they had woken up, constantly doting on Peter and fulfilling all of the Omega’s wishes before Peter even got the chance to ask. It was cute until Tony tried to take the vacuum cleaner out of Peter’s hands, claiming it was too heavy. Peter was pregnant, not an invalid!

 It only got worse when they left the house. Tony didn’t only insist Peter would sit in the back of the car, he even started to argue his Omega should pick the seat in the middle. He explained that he had read in the newspaper that it was the safest place in a car, at least statistically. For a second, Peter thought Tony was joking, but the Alpha didn’t join his laughter, so it died down quickly. Fucking hell, Tony was serious. 

 When they finally arrived at the doctor’s office, Peter wasn’t sure if he was annoyed or amused. Tony was constantly reciting everything he had ever heard about pregnancies, at least half of it incorrect. Still, Peter couldn’t deny the warm feeling in his chest and he put his hand absently on his flat stomach. He wasn’t the only one who was excited for the baby, his Alpha wanted it as well. 

 Ten minutes later, Peter had made a decision. He was definitely annoyed. When they entered the office and the receptionist asked them to take a seat in the waiting room until the doctor had time for them, Tony had started to argue with the Beta woman. His Omega wasn’t supposed to wait. Peter had blushed, more than just a little embarrassed about his husband, and when Tony asked the receptionist if she knew who he was, Peter had pulled his husband away, fuming. After a furious glare from Peter, Tony had apologized sheepishly for his behavior and the woman only laughed. She was probably used to overprotective Alphas. 

 They didn’t have to wait long. The doctor was already in the room when they entered and greeted them with a firm handshake. Even though she was an Alpha woman, Peter had always felt comfortable around her.

 “So, Mr. Parker. What can I do for you.” She offered them a seat in front of her desk with a gesture and they sat down. 

 “It’s Mr. Stark now, Doctor,” Peter said, giving her a bright smile. “I’ve married.”

 “Congratulations.” She looked at her intertwined hands and smiled approvingly. It wasn’t uncommon that Omegas were forced to marry older Alphas they didn’t even like, but apparently, she saw that they were happy together. Peter had once seen her throwing out an Alpha that had treated his Omega badly in her office.

 “Well, Mr. Stark. Why are you here today?”

 “I think I’m pregnant,” Peter blurted out. “We’ve bonded a few months ago and the mating has probably disabled the effect of my birth control meds. I’m nauseous in the morning, have weird cravings, and suffer from separation anxiety. Oh, and the pregnancy test was positive.”

 The doctor looked at both of their faces carefully before she spoke again, and Peter knew Tony was smiling just as bright as Peter was. They wanted this child, even though it had been an accident. “Well, let’s have a look. If you’d please lay down on the exam table, Mr. Stark.”

 Peter stood up eagerly and walked over to the table, Tony by his side. The doctor asked him to pull up his shirt so she could spread a cold gel on his stomach. Tony took his hand while they waited for the doctor to set up the ultrasound. 

 “Congratulations again,” the doctor said with a smile, her gaze fixed on a small monitor. “You’re indeed pregnant. 

 Even though Peter had already known about the pup, he teared up when his doctor finally confirmed the pregnancy. He was having a child. He was having a child together with Tony. Peter wasn’t the only one overwhelmed by his emotions, Tony clutched his hand even harder and a wobbly smile appeared on the Alpha’s face. It was adorable. 

 “How far along am I?” Peter asked, his gaze fixed on the monitor. 

 The doctor pulled the monitor closer so Tony and Peter could get a better look. “Do you see that?” She pointed at the small human who was growing in Peter’s body. “You can already see the head and little arms and legs. You’re eight weeks pregnant. So far, everything looks healthy.”

 Tony beamed at Peter and pressed a small kiss on his husband’s forehead. “Can we get a copy of that?” He pointed at the ultrasound picture on the monitor. 

 “Of course, Mr. Stark. I’ll prepare it for you.” 

 The doctor gave Peter wet wipes when he had calmed down a little and Tony took them out of his hands to clean up the gel that was spread on the Omega’s stomach. Peter was allowed to stand back up and took on his clothes before they followed the doctor’s request to sit in front of the desk again.

 During the next fifteen minutes, the doctor gave them a brief overview of pregnancies. She talked about diet, vaccination, meds, and a lot more. Peter got a leaflet about the dos and don’ts of pregnancies, and after that, Tony was allowed to ask all the questions he was thinking about during the last few days. Before they left the office, the doctor asked Peter to come back in four weeks again. 

 When they finally arrived back home again, Peter was tired. Tony’s overprotective behavior was cute but exhausting, and Peter wanted nothing more but to close his eyes. Tony tugged him into bed after he had made sure that his Omega ate a few fruits, and excused himself to his studies because he had to catch up on work. Peter was secretly relieved to be alone for a while and enjoyed his nap in silence. 

 It was the smell of waffles that woke Peter an hour later and he dressed in nothing more but a soft pair of flannel pants before he walked over to the living room. Waffles were exactly what he needed now.

 “Did you sleep well, baby?” Tony smiled at him, wearing a red apron on top of his too-tight black shirt that Peter loved so much because it emphasized his Alpha’s muscular chest. Tony looked ridiculous, flour in his hair and a splash of chocolate sauce on his chin, but Peter overlooked it gladly because the muscles in Tony’s arms flexed as he put the dough into the waffle iron. Peter didn’t know what he wanted more, Tony or the waffles.

 He got an answer not even a minute later. Peter’s words were meant as a joke, merely to tease his Alpha, and he hadn’t expected a reaction like that or he wouldn’t have even thought about preferring waffles.  

 “Would have slept better with you, Daddy.”

 Three things happened so quickly that Peter had no chance to react. Tony’s eyes darkened, brown swallowed by the familiar black, a sign of his Alpha’s hunger. At the same time, Tony pulled the plug of the waffle iron and dumped it onto the kitchen counter, right next to the dipper the Alpha had used for the dough. And a second later, Tony had overcome the distance between them, crowding Peter against the door frame of the kitchen.

 “Say that again, Peter!”

 Peter batted his eyelashes bashfully and gave his Alpha a playful grin. “What do you want me to say, Alpha?”

 Tony growled, knowing exactly that Peter was teasing him, so he grabbed Peter’s jaw and pulled his head to the side to bury his teeth in the Omega’s neck. Peter gasped from the light pain and the first drop of slick was wetting his pants. Before he could lose his balance, Peter held onto Tony’s shoulders.

 “I’m sorry, Daddy,” Peter whimpered, giving in too easily to his Alpha’s demanding behavior. “I didn’t know it would turn you on like this.”

 “I want to take care of you,” Tony said, pressing his leg between Peter’s, so the boy could rub his hole all over the Alpha’s thigh. There was already a small stain of slick on Tony’s pants, the slick soaked through Peter’s clothes. “I want to take care of you, feed you, and keep you close. I want to fuck you, protect you, and shield you from the world. What does that make me, baby? Say it!”

 Peter was reminded over and over again how shameless Tony was in his pleasure. He didn’t care if someone would judge him for his kinks, and the self-confidence was a huge turn-on for Peter. 

 “Daddy.” Peter’s voice was quivering and his hips sped up, rubbing his ass against Tony’s leg. 

 The Alpha growled satisfied and turned Peter around until the Omega’s chest was pressed against the door frame. His hand wandered towards Peter’s zipper, opening the pants and pulling them down just so that Peter’s ass was on display. The panties followed a second later and finally, Peter could feel his Alpha’s hands on his skin. 

 “Where do you want me to fuck you, baby?” Tony’s voice was rough and the Alpha was panting in Peter’s ear. “If you beg nicely enough I might even listen.”

 For a second, Peter thought about taking it to bed, but he couldn’t wait any longer. Slick was already running down his thighs, ruining his pants and dripping onto the floor. He needed his Alpha now. 

 “Please, fuck me here, Daddy. I’m feelin’ so empty.”

 And Tony, always the considerate Alpha, listened to his pleads and sunk two fingers into Peter’s heat. The Omega’s legs gave in and he slumped against the door frame, only held up by Tony’s weight that was pressed against his back. 

 “I’m gonna fuck you soon, baby. Gonna show you how good I can take care of you. Just be open for me, alright?”

 Peter whimpered and relaxed, trusting his Alpha to take care of his arousal. He did nothing but moan while he was fingered open, and his walls fluttered when a third finger was pressed inside. Peter didn’t want to wait anymore. 

 “Daddy, please, fuck me. You’re such a good Alpha, protecting me and filling me with your pup. I need you, Daddy. Need you to take care of me now.”

 Peter knew Tony long enough to know which buttons to press. Some well-chosen words, a few breathless moans, and a high-pitched ‘Daddy’ were enough for the Alpha to lose control. Tony opened the zipper, took out his cock, and buried himself in Peter’s hole without even pulling down the pants. 

 It was quick and hasty, not their usual style, but they were too riled up to care. Peter whimpered, one hand wrapped around Tony’s neck so Peter was forced to arch his back obscenely and the other hand placed protectively onto his stomach. Even though there was no bump yet, Peter imagined he could feel his child. 

 “I’m so proud of you, baby,” Tony growled into his ear while his thrusts didn’t lose their force. “You’re such a smart Omega, so beautiful, and now the father of my child as well. I love you so much.”

 “Daddy!”

 The Alpha’s hand joined Peter’s on his stomach, both of them protecting the tiny baby that was growing inside of Peter. They didn’t let go. Tony was still pressing his hand against Peter’s stomach when the Omega came, his walls fluttering around Tony’s cock until the Alpha’s orgasm hit as well. 

 Tony knotted him, maybe it wasn’t the best idea given that they were fucking against the door frame of the kitchen, but it was too late now. Carefully not to hurt Peter’s rim with sudden movements, Tony snatched a few of the waffles and lifted Peter to carry him to the bed. 

 Peter settled on Tony’s lap, his back pressed snuggly against his Alpha’s chest while Tony fed him small pieces of waffles. 

 “I’ll protect both of you with my life,” Tony promised, his hand wandering back to Peter’s stomach. “I don’t know what I’d do if something would happen to you.”

 Peter turned his head so he could press a kiss on Tony’s lips. “Don’t worry, Alpha. We’re safe with you.” 

[parknerficrecs]

Fluff/Light-hearted Parkner

Hey guys! To start off, here’s a list of some of our favorite fluff pieces. Good, old-fashioned, heart-warming fanfic to put a smile on your face. Let us know what kind of lists you’d like coming forward ;)

Please make sure you pay attention to tags, and don’t forget to leave kudos and comments!

Fell From the Sky Into My Lap

Harley Keener fears a lot of things. Loving Peter Parker isn’t one of them.

My Face is Just My Face 

“Gonna fix me up all nice and good, Madam Pomfrey?” Harley grinned up at Peter, who was fixing a bowl of water and a washcloth.

“Wish I was Madam Pomfrey. Maybe I could make a potion that would finally shut you up.”

Let's Get Lost

Harley realizes he misses Peter. This totally doesn't lead him to doing impulsive things out of the blue. Like following Peter to Tokyo because Peter has important SI business to attend to and Harley misses him. Nope. Not at all.

Still Learning How to Bend

“Hey, cutie patootie,” Harley said, giving Peter’s backside a smack as he zipped up his jeans. Peter beamed up at him as he headed over to his own dresser to put on a different outfit, a tank top and a pair of black jeans.

“Handsy today,” Peter said, flopping down onto their bed. He thought about making it, but he hated making their bed. It felt wrong.

“I’m not going to get a lot of freedom to touch ya this weekend,” Harley said, shutting his dresser drawer. “Taking advantage of it now.”

“You want to really take advantage of it?” Peter asked, raising a brow. Harley grinned at him, striding over to the bed and climbing up on it until he could take Peter’s face in his hands and lean closer and-

“I feel I should warn you that Mrs. Stark and Miss Morgan are on their way up in the elevator.”

Peter sighed.

Chocolate Thief

Peter steals Harley’s Hershey bar, and Harley steals it back…

A short drabble.

Worth It

Harley has fluffy hair, and Peter wants to touch it. Maybe it will be the start of something new?

Baby, Look What You've Done to Me

Harley was set in his mind. He wouldn't be pursuing anything with Peter. Yeah, maybe some mildly flirting here and there that honestly went over Peter's head because he was too shy and innocent for his own good, but that was about it.

Until Harley saw Peter wearing one of his sweaters that was basically swallowing Peter's small frame.

Or: Peter wears Harley's sweater and he loses it.

Don't Stop Me Now

A domestic, Queen filled morning starring the best boyfriends. 

Truth or Dare

"I dare you to go and stand in the closet with Harley and you can't come out until I say so"

"MJ what kind of dare is that"

"A good one"

or

The fic where MJ and Shuri force Peter and Harley to confess their feelings for each other because they are getting tired of them dancing around each other.

how novel is a novel that can fit in one sheet

A collection of short drabbles based on quotes from Incorrect Overwatch Quotations, but spun up to be Parkner.

Chapter 1: "I said, if you die I won't miss you."

Chapter 2: "If you ever eat my leftovers again, I will destroy you."

Chapter 3: "This date is so boring."

Chapter 4: "So you and Harley don't have any pet names, huh?"

Chapter 5: "And how do you take your coffee?" (Coffee Shop/Uni AU)

Chapter 6: "I just walked downstairs wearing a “say ‘hey’ if you’re gay” t-shirt and Iron Man boxers. We had 8 people over. They saw."

Chapter 7: "Did it hurt when you fell?"

Day Four (Parkner Week)

Harley and Peter are studying for their senior finals when Harley decides he needs to be completely direct with his feelings. Except Harley thinks direct is complimenting Peter's ass with a meme. Peter, speaking Harley Keener language, completely understands. Smut ensues.

here comes the sun

Peter hates getting up in the morning, and Harley comes up with his own creative methods to wake the smaller boy.

or, cuddly boyfriends who can't stop being so damn cute even in the ungodly hours of the morning

life happens; coffee helps

“Um, name for the-for the order?”

“Harley,” he answers. “Name for the barista?”

Peter hands the card back, praying that his heartbeat can’t be heard by the other boy. “Peter.”

The smirk turns to a wide smile, and Peter falls in love. 

Or, the coffee shop AU nobody asked for.

When the Coffee Grounds Align

Peter's been visiting a coffee shop rather regularly over the past few months, trying to build up the courage to ask the stunningly attractive barista named Harley who works in there on a date at some point.

Then Tony asks to tag along and get a look at the guy, and as it turns out, they're all a little more connected than Peter previously thought.

Feels

Harley Keener really likes Peter, but he doesn’t think it’ll work out... or will it?

Or: Harley is having a sexuality crisis.

my love, my love, my love

There were days where they settled for a breakfast burrito or muffin to munch on before classes, so Harley treasures these opportunities for an actual, home-cooked breakfast close to his heart.

Or: Harley makes breakfast for Peter.

One Hell Of A Distraction

Look, Harley didn't plan for any of this.

He didn't plan for Peter grab him in the middle of the street, his eyes wide with panic, saying some random thugs were chasing after him. He didn't plan to offer to help Peter hide in plain sight however he needed.

And he certainly didn't plan for the way Peter was suddenly pulling Harley so very close.

(And he definitely didn't plan to enjoy the, uh... distraction quite so much.)

You, It’s Always Been You

Harley is the attractive, charismatic captain of the lacrosse team while Peter does academic decathlon in his free time. They're friends and fellow interns. After two long years spent watching Harley date a revolving door of people, can Peter finally convince him that what he's looking for has been here the whole time?

Loosely inspired by Taylor Swift’s You Belong with Me (so you all know where this is going).

Kiss me if I'm wrong, but dinosaurs still exist right?

"Do your legs hurt from running through my mind all night?"

Peter blinked up from his mug of coffee "Morning Harley."

"You must do interior design because you definitely made this room more beautiful."

"I suck at interior design." Peter replied before taking a sip of his coffee.

Or Harley tries to embarrass Peter with pick-up lines. It doesn't go the way he thought it would.

(Part of a series but can be read as a One shot)

Mama

"Mama, can I? Pleassee? Can I?" Mai asked hopefully as she hopped up and down excitedly.

Peter froze. Did-did she just-

"I'm sorry, can you repeat that?"

Mai looked slightly confused but repeated herself "I asked if I could hold the monkey? Please Mama? I'll be careful.” -- OR It was one thing to get a mother's day card and a totally other thing to hear it said out loud in public. (Part of a series)

[intersex-ionality]

What follows is a continuation of this discussion with @korrasera .I’m unclear on whether korrasera wants to continue talking about the matter, and that thread is itself extremely long. So, I’m making a new post to explore the matter further and explain my reasoning.

Brooklyn 99 is a magnificent show that portrays black men as wholly rounded, sympathetic characters. That portrays Latina women as diverse and intelligent. That portrays the exhaustion of being a Jew in a Christian society with grace and humour. That portrays the complexities and hurdles of queer life, without turning queerness into a tragedy.

All of these things are true, and all of them are good.

And all of this goodness comes from police.

The show consistently, relentlessly, presents police as good people who sometimes get caught up in a bad or corrupt system.

In fact, these police are so good that they can single-handedly counter the entire history of police violence in the lives of the people around them.

Let’s begin with Captain Holt’s husband, Kevin.

When introduced, Kevin is cold, passive-aggressive, and generally unpleasant towards the police his husband works with. This is portrayed as a terrible character flaw which he must ultimately overcome.

It’s revealed that his distaste for Holt’s coworkers is because for the last 40 years, they have been destroying Holt’s life and their marriage, through sustained, relentless bigotry, both racism and homophobia. But, you see, those were the bad cops. Good cops like the show’s main characters would never do something so horrible.

Therefore, Kevin's perfectly justified, and frankly, correct discomfort around police is a flaw that he needs to fix, and that he is ultimately able to fix when the good cops prove to him that, actually, those other cops were just some bad apples and there are good apples too (and please don’t pay any attention to the fact that bad apples spread rot so quickly through an entire warehouse).

It is only once he gives up his completely justified distrust of people who have been destroying his family for decades, that he is seen as a compassionate and caring character. Only once he accepts that Not All Cops Are Like That does he become the empathetic and kind character we see in later seasons.

There are people who believe, wholeheartedly, that because B99 shows that there are bad cops in the world, it cannot be pro-police. But, most people in the world don’t think all cops are good people, just that most cops are, and that when police violate human rights, they do so for a justified reason. A reason like imprisoning murderers or removing other, corrupt cops from the force.

The reasons that the main characters of B99 also always have for their actions. In the narratives of B99, when police violate human rights, they are always justified in doing so.

When Captain Holt makes a deal to help a mob boss, rather than facing any meaningful consequences for this action, his whole precinct joins together to cover up the deal. They do so by “ensuring” that the mob boss can’t do any harm to anyone. But, they nonetheless engage in a department-wide cover-up of police corruption. This is portrayed positively, as a coming together for the team.

The fact that the department reveals and overcomes other forms of police corruption on sere to prove that when these cops, the good cops do it, it’s justified. It’s righteous. Because they are doing it for good reasons, not bad ones.

When Holt and Jake take recording and observation hardware from the precinct without permission (this is theft, this equipment is stolen), and use it to trick someone into making a confession on tape, then use this recording as a bartering chip to get the criminal to do what they want, this too is justified narrative. They don’t have another choice! Besides, undisclosed recording is legal in New York (though, blackmailing people with those recordings is still illegal, and so is stealing police grades observation equipment, but don’t pay that any mind).

And just in case that early-season blackmail story-line wasn’t enough, the latest season ends with almost beat for beat the same blackmail story-line, except this time the recording equipment isn’t stolen. Instead, a confidential cell phone is illegally cloned and used as evidence to blackmail the chief of police into stepping down. But it’s okay for the heroes to steal the private property of a public figure because he’s a bad guy and they’re doing it for the right reasons.

And, if you’re already inclined to think positively about police, then, when in the real world you see someone do the same thing, you might be just that little bit more willing to believe that their justifications make up for it. Because, again and again, even on exceptionally progressive, well-crafted shows like B99, when the “good cops” engage in flagrant violations of human rights, they’re doing it for the right reasons. They’re working outside the law, but it’s okay because we can trust them to ignore the safety protocols.

Any time the narrative discusses the rightful consequences the main characters should face for these absurd miscarriages of justice, they are proven to have been right all along. Jake goes to prison for being a “corrupt cop” because he is framed by a much worse policeman. But the things he’s framed for are all things he has actually done. Breaking the chain of evidence, taking restricted materiel out of lock-up, keeping confidential case records in his home instead of in the records rooms. He’s “framed” in that we, as the audience, know he did those things for “the right reasons.”

And that gives people a reasonable doubt, when a real-world corrupt cop does all the same things, except he actually is doing them for the sake of corruption. Because we have been primed to see those actions as “technically against the rules, but only if you’re a bad guy.” And the cops on B99 aren’t bad guys. They’re the good cops! The progressive ones! The compassionate ones!

The ones who lock sex workers up in & make fun of them for having STIs. But it’s fine when the good cops do it, again and again, as a recurring gag. Because, hey, they’re diverse!

When Jake Peralta keeps a man trapped in an interrogation room for almost a full 24 hours without sleep or food and screams loud, relentless music at him, lies to him about what they know, threatens a young black man with jail time to force a confession out of him?

Sleep deprivation, isolation, exposure to loud noises, threats, all of these are forms of torture. But Jake’s right. The man was a murderer. And technically, those tortures are legal, so it’s fine. Jake himself, in the episode, talks about how it’s actually really fucked up that he can do all of these things. And then he does them anyway and is rewarded for it.

Again and again, the show says, “police malpractice and violence is bad,” and again and again, it tacks on, “except when our protagonists do it because they're doing it for the right reasons.” The thesis of the show could easily be described as, “police malpractice is a horrible crime that must be overcome., and the only way to overcome it is with more police malpractice.”

And that feeds directly into people believing that when the cops in their home town do something horrible, they were probably justified too. Because the police in their town are “the good ones” too.

This isn’t like anti-shippers with their proclamations that fan-fiction is making people think raping children is totally a good thing. As a general rule, it’s accepted in our culture that raping children is fucking heinous. Fan-fiction isn’t going to stand up in the face of that. In fact, it’s so accepted that actual science doesn’t stand up in the face of it (what a great time to remind everyone that most rape of children is not perpetrated because of sexual attraction but because of violent power-seeking behaviour, the same as any other type of rape, and pretending otherwise makes it harder to combat this specific form of rape).

The general opinion of policing in the US, however, is positive. The consensus of most people is that “most cops are good, it’s just a few bad apples who need to be thrown out before they rot the rest of the barrel.” B99 espouses that exact same message. It completely matches the general perspective of police in the US. And for people who already hold those views because they’re the dominant ideological framework? Shows like B99 reinforce them. For people who are on the fence, shows like B99 make supporting police even when they’re miscarrying justice and abusing human rights, seem normal.

Pretending that this unfortunate truth is just “overly simplistic” and an attempt to silence discussion is wildly misrepresenting the facts of the show, the fandom, and the way propaganda works.

Propaganda is biased media that influences other people to share those same biases. And while most of B99’s biases are positive, and most of its goals are laudable, the fact of the matter is, it’s a show where cops are the heroes. Full stop. There are bad cops, too, but the heroes of the show are the police. And their heroic actions are justified, no matter how extrajudicial or immoral they are. Their ends always justify their means, because they’re the heroes.

B99 is magnificent as a piece of representative media. It strives to make the world a better place!

It also does so by portraying cops as the ones making the world a better place even when they’re behaving immorally.

Both of these things are true, and in fact, it is the excellence of the show as a whole that makes it such compelling police propaganda.

ETA: For whatever reason, korrasera is now claiming that I blocked her so that she would not have the chance to respond to this post. That’s incorrect. I have not blocked korrasera, and she is welcome to respond if she likes, just as you all are. I’m happy to continue this discussion if you all like.

I misunderstood that post, but nonetheless, I’m open to continuing this discussion.

[demytasse]

[Shinzaya] Hold Me Tight (Or Don’t) — Ch 1

Summary: Shinra turns to Izaya in order to gain sexual proficiency, what he’ll need for his future with Celty. Yet ambiguity of feelings could destroy his plans and friendship alike—though it might be within their best interests that their companionship changes routes. Rating: PG (Ch 1); PG13 (future) Previous Chapters: Prologue | All Chapters

—

     As their middle school days had met an end, so had their lonely club—and when high school term began, so did their creep towards graduation. Which put the teens smack dab in the middle of an upcoming end; adulthood approached too soon for any last-minute bouts of immaturity, but there was still some wiggle room.

    Regardless, Izaya adhered to his method of how to properly ease himself into the life of expected status quo. To him, it made sense to keep to his own priorities, apart from peers and friends alike; a somewhat lonesome approach but matched what was to come. Which Shinra continued right on Izaya heels—hypothetically, with a parallel plan rather than a literal clip at the back of hallway shoes sometime in the past.

     It spoke of how worn-in their friendship was, how similar they were, and how seamless their tried and true formula worked. It counter-spun from what outsiders thought was normal for tight-knit friends, yet to them it wasn't counterintuitive. That is if their schoolmates actually regarded them a second time after their first day introductions. 

    However, it seemed true—their present interaction did mimic a retired relationship as it barely went beyond hallway greetings throughout the week and bumped shoulders as they entered or exited class. Though it would be an insult to dub Izaya and Shinra distant cohorts. Rather, the self-absorbed beings fell into sync whenever they were compelled to share ideas and observational data, like hobbyist social scientists that exchanged notes when their schedules aligned. 

    Whether for brief moments or the length of the lunch period, they'd continue from the top of their previous scene—delivered improvisational lines over scripted small talk, and split ways just as casual. It was a joke that judgemental classmates thought the two barely clicked when those who believed the farce were generally hard-pressed for quality chit-chat themselves.

     In other words, Izaya and Shinra were no actors—just odd friends.

—

    A classroom of thirty was left desolate—desks abandoned and recently straightened by the student janitorial crew. Essentially everyone had left the premises. Yet the corral of empty chairs wasn’t a complete set, only a majority, as two of them were occupied somewhere in the middle and off to the side, with a particular silence to keep them company. It wasn’t a normal stasis when people were still present, but Izaya was to blame as he pretended to be alone despite the unnerving incorrectness. 

    Sat backwards directly opposite him was Shinra, pressed into Izaya’s personal space like there was still a crowd—his nose forward and glasses primed. The scene akin to their old interactions with just a hint of intimacy was hardly correct for their current years, but here they were. In wait of whatever afternoon was to follow; and as Shinra had been the one to suggest their rendezvous, he initiated the study session without a hello and spoke a few lines out of order with a topic not yet broached.

     “So! I'm looking to gain experience.”

     He didn't budge, even though he’d received a cue to distance himself by way of Izaya's exasperated sigh and turn of attention.

     “You’re saying you want us to have sex," Izaya watched the other adjust his glasses, "for science."

     “Oh good, you caught on quick!” Shinra clapped.

     “Don’t mock my intelligence, Shinra. You insinuated it. Heavily, I might add.”

     “I know.”

     During the time that his peers cleaned around him, Izaya started to browse some gossip garbage that a gaggle of females read in between glances his way. It was grating enough for him to determine why they giggled and squealed; which more or less was the same bother as the trash proclamation which unnerved him now.

     “You’re aware I’m male, correct?” 

     “Huh, I didn’t think sexuality was a concern of yours, Orihara-kun. It always seemed that you were open to whatever advantageous situation you might be offered. Maybe I was wrong.”

     “I meant, Kishitani-kun, for someone looking to please a particular female, sexual experience with a man is hardly beneficial.” His stare steeled. “A human male, especially.”

     “Well, any experience is better than none, wouldn’t you think?”      Shinra made his prognosis with a finger held high, while Izaya flipped through the pages of what was dubiously his magazine—in search.

     “Listen, the girls might claim me ‘effeminate enough to bottom anyone’,” his brow raised, “or ‘non-threatening enough to top specific bottoms’, but my supposed range still doesn’t meet your needs.”

     Izaya was bothered, to say the least, that a clique of his classmates studied him in such a shallow fashion, that Shinra wanted him for such a shallow purpose, to which he tossed the bothersome reading material aside in disgust of it all. Though it was lost on Shinra as he chewed Izaya’s statement—tested the added variable against his own with his eyes rolled up to a corner in thought.

     “I still think you could fit the role well. A female body double, despite absent physiology."

     “And there’s the truth I was looking for. So you're wanting me to roleplay for you?” he mimicked his own beheading much to Shinra's comical dismay.

     "Honestly, do you think I'd let you sully my dear Celty’s image with some hack cosplay job? What I meant was that you lack female anatomy and desirables. Like a nice rack of breas—”

     Izaya cut him short, “you mean, I couldn’t live up to your dullahan standards?” He twirled his words but spat out the contagion.

     “Oh. Well, not really, but you should know that!”

     “Aww, what a shame. I really would’ve rocked that form-fitted riding suit she wears.”

     A sarcastic gesture was wound up and ready, but Izaya's shrug baulked at the scrutiny made in his favour. He was joking, of course, but now he was worried that the punchline was taken seriously.

     "Hmm..."

     His friend sized him up; a tailor in consideration of which cut would flatter his curves, what fabric needed to be snipped, and if the garment was more appropriate for the floor—or so it seemed. Selfconscious, Izaya broke into a cold sweat, even more when his pursuant breached their median space, drawn by attraction rather than a scheme.

     "Maybe so..."

     Shinra smiled—slyly. It was the kind of lilt that would shiver most sexually, and Izaya couldn’t tell if he was one amongst the statistic who’d blush so easily in response, or if he borrowed the reaction from another.

     So instead of parsing it out, he opted to correct his settled spine with the support of his chair, his back arched too far to be comfortable. Clearly with no intent to separate himself from Shinra, nor was it due to the side-effects of the trauma he acquired before he was tricked into founding their club. Obviously, it was a cocky cat stretch to prove that he controlled the scene—he didn’t.

     “So this proposed 'study session' was all a ruse.”

     “Was it?”

     “Don't play innocent. You're obviously looking to use me for my body.” Izaya drew a barricade around his chest.

     “That’s the gist of it. Having sex, that is.”

     “No, usually both parties gain some form of pleasure out of it. At least, that’s the traditional way of things.”

     “You say that like you wouldn’t benefit from it.” Shinra persisted, his flirt still in play.      “And you say that like you’re sure that I would.”      “Of course! The appeal of friendship is more than just like-mindedness, rather it’s underlined with physical attraction as well. I’m sure you have some amount of sexual interest in me, Izaya, even if it’s minuscule.”

     “Oho, with that logic the same goes for you.”

     “Which I hardly believe would shock you. Might I remind you who came to whom asking for sex?”

     “Selfishly.”

     “Nonetheless.” He shrugged.

     Izaya tried to ignore the pseudo-psychological factoid that Shinra made up to sway him. “I'm going to chalk this up as your worst proclamation since we became...whatever you could call us."

    Shinra nodded, "that's fair."

     “He admits it...”

     “Is there any reason not to?”

     Izaya shook his head, “Shinra, you are honest to a flaw.”

     “That may be true, but you've always been charmed by my openness, among other things.”

     On cue, Shinra increased the way his eyes sheened as if it were possible to control arousal in that fashion. In like, he intensified his flirtatious technique with a lowered tone spoken in a whisper.

     "Am I right?"

     If anything the distance between them hadn’t changed, but it certainly felt like the temperature stifled from combined body heat. Cowardice glued Izaya in place while his opportunity to escape passed—though unconsciously he knew it was out of curiosity to see how far Shinra would take his strategy; what more he would do after fingers traced up his shoulder to rest at the peak. Which step in his courtship manual followed a heavy gaze and deep breath.      Izaya faced a doppelganger, for certain. Shinra was no longer present, he assured himself. In no way would his friend be able to tease like he did. Touch him in a way that wasn't in the least bit awkward, but sensual—prepared to catch him in liplock as much as catch him should the pressure cause Izaya to buckle.

     Perhaps Shinra was enough concerned for his well being to plan for multiple outcomes, which assuredly all led to Izaya falling in some way or another. Though it was likely that he acted with his own interests in mind, that his goods wouldn't go damaged. Whichever reason it was moot—the amateur doctor would jump at any opportunity to fix a broken patient if only to foot a favour as the bill.

     With a slight squeeze, Shinra reminded him that he'd been slack-jawed for too long. Izaya's pulse beat against his ribs, drummed his throat; the cadence tensed his vocal cords, and his short breath dried his speech. 

     "Whether I’m charmed remains to be seen…"

     The weakened words settled in the air—lost in a staredown, both were dusted with uncertainty. The former was an oddity and the latter came as a shock because wasn’t it Shinra that claimed he operated with platonic tools?

     Yet it was Shinra that relented, the genuine curl of his lips diminished and discomfort added to his brows. He read as concerned, disappointed; not particularly hurt, but somewhere in between that and bothered. Izaya wondered if he looked terrified from his friend’s vantage, yet it was hard to determine as the other sighed and pulled back with his palms exposed in surrender.

     “Alright.” 

     That was it—the tension was gone, never existed. Perhaps.      Instead, the bag at Shinra's hip was given attention—the quick-switch of demeanour threw Izaya for a loop; the seamless fashion was, in short, enviable. All that he witnessed was how Shinra wavered just a smidgen and let out an extra breath that was indeterminable; his thrown slouch was taken advantage of to slip hair past his ears to keep his nosey neighbour away from a good spy.

     He's hiding something...

     Nothing else to observe nor ponder, Izaya blinked back to normalcy; the sound of rifled papers harshed his ability to fully relax.

     “What were you thinking of studying today?” Shinra’s voice was muffled.

     “Honestly, I didn’t plan for anything…”

     The shuffling stopped—without a tick Shinra popped back to normal, chipper but fake and cautiously hopeful.

     "Well in that case," he presented a pristine textbook, “let’s humour our ourselves with an old favourite!”      It was innocent and somewhat pure, the emotion that Shinra exhibited. Simple coercion which Izaya couldn’t hold back the smile which it lured, despite his desire to reserve his candidness. 

     Izaya shook from a silent chuckle before Shinra joined in with an audible hiccup. The dam of tension let up—lighthearted laughter spilt out. Short, sweet, and sentimental; what they shared eventually calmed, but not before they both loosened up.

     “Biology...” Izaya hummed, “how appropriate."

[lothirielswan]

“Goblin Ikea Furniture” [5]

Quest Objective: Survive Dunkirk 2.0.

Maybe if I say more incorrect things about Lor’themar, I’ll lure Rommath out of hiding. I darted from one tree trunk to another, my back pressed against the obsidian bark. I could’ve covered my glowing eyes, but what was the point? Genn made it very clear my scent would give me away. Luckily the large party held most of their attention.

The pound of raindrops hitting the blanket of leaves above me mixed with the shouts and howls from our party. I didn't have a lot of time–the rescue trip would transform into a bloody massacre if I couldn't find Rommath soon.

I tucked my hair behind my ear as it started to rise in volume from the humidity. I don’t care if I might be sporting an afro, the Grand Magister is more important. Where is he?

I squinted to find bright green dots in place of red ones. The searing touch of Foreshadowing pierced back of my skull when I looked to the left. There was a slight tingle that accompanied the pain, like a reassuring tone.

I held my breath as I left the waterlogged tree behind and sprinted across the crimson-bathed grass. None of the undead worgen had made an appearance.

Did Sylvanas really raise them? There was a prominent tug in my chest when I thought about it. I suppose there’s no other option, it has to be her work. One thing I do know is that I shouldn't care this much, but I do.

I pressed a hand above my neck and held in a wince. No sign of Rommath.

In one moment of desperation, I whispered starkly, “Lor’themar sucks!”

I peeked behind a tree trunk and sniffed the air for the smell of strong hair products. Nothing.

Suddenly I spun on my heel. I resisted the urge to gag as a vile stench harassed my nose. Two rows of yellowing teeth protruded from the jaw of an undead worgen. As it raised a claw for a killing strike, frost grew from behind it's back and sealed the worgen in a block of ice.

I leaned to look out beyond the frozen cage and saw Rommath perched up on one of the high tree branches. “You suck.” He remarked.

I sidestepped the frost-bitten worgen and crossed my arms as I stared up at the Grand Magister of Silvermoon stuck in a tree. Did he think it was a shelf? Thank the Stars I didn't say that out loud.

“Can you make snow cones?” I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

It was hard to decipher Rommath’s actual expression with the bottom part of his face masked, but his squinting eyes said it all. “Silvermoon might have benefited from your absence.”

“That's a lot of high talk when you’re stuck in a tree–no pun intended.” I said, crossing my arms as I stared up at him. A scream erupted in the distance, reminding me of the gravity of our situation. The more I waited, the more our party suffered. “We don't have much time. We can't outrun the worgen–can you please turn them into frozen popsicle sticks?”

“I prefer a more formal term, but for the sake of simplicity, yes,” Rommath crouched atop his branch, holding onto the trunk of the tree as it teetered. “Do not repeat a word of this to Halduron.”

“Fine, let’s just go–ACK!” I barely had time to brace myself as the Grand Magister fell on top of me. Thorns and mud gnawed at my clothes when I hit the ground. I should really invest in a back brace.

Rommath stood and dusted himself off. He announced above me, “Something slipped my mind.”

I tried to control my lethal glare from the ground as I leaned up on my elbows. What? You eat more doughnuts than I do?

“I have the ability to slow my fall.” He said.

I released my irritation in one sharp, precise exhale as I blew my bangs away. “Silvermoon must really benefit from your absence.”

Thorns and twigs pinched at my skin as I rose from the ground. Rommath stared at me intently as I straightened my coat and plucked twigs from my hair.

“There is something...familiar about you. But I cannot fathom what.” He noted.

It was a peculiar statement that caught me off guard. When I came upon the realization why, my mouth was dry and wordless. Rommath’s inquiring gaze bore into me until I finally said, “Neither can I.”

I gestured back towards the struggling troops. “After you.”

~*~

The noises we overheard made my blood run cold as I lead Rommath back through the woods. I caught flashes of blood and gaping wounds as we intercepted worgen, undead, humans and blood elves fighting back to back.

Rommath stopped short and removed his glowing staff from his back. His demanding stare caught mine as he said, “Keep them off me.”

I spun on my heel as I searched for Lor’themar. He deserved to know that Rommath was found–for better or worse. I saw Halduron with a nasty scar across his cheek. The air was laid thick with the rusty odor of blood and deteriorating flesh.

Lor’themar broke away from the line of trees, his ponytail almost as frizzy as mine. He bowed his head to the Grand Magister and held his sword at the ready beside me.

Lor’themar’s words were tinted with the smell of wine. “Thank you.”

I nodded, feeling the greatest surge of relief since the start of this mission. At least something is going right. I managed to make this reassurance crumble with one question.

What about Anduin?

Thankfully, Andy wasn't hard to find. The white flashes came from somewhere in the center of the clump of soldiers. I couldn't determine what condition he was in, but I assumed he was the reason we had so few casualties thus far.

Rommath’s light had attracted the undead, and I used it to my advantage. As the creatures lumbered forward on long, fixed steps, I slipped on my goggles and became one with the shadows. My scent shouldn't be such an issue now–there’s too much commotion going on. The only thing I have to worry about is being quick, and not to think of what will happen if I'm not.

I didn’t strike killing blows–those would be ineffective and a waste of time. Instead, I went for dazing strikes. I stunned some by targeting arteries that shut the body down. Other times I used my pistol and shot close to their ears. I was nothing but an air of confusion that my enemies choked on. I didn't dominate with bright lights or battle cries; just utter hysteria.

I raced towards another target as the temperature suddenly dropped and caressed my skin with goosebumps. I looked back at Rommath as his eyes took on a white glow. Ice shot up from the ground and encased the undead worgen.

It’s not a competition or anything, but...Khadgar’s better.

The Blackwald was silent, but the heaves of our living party members filled the void. I overheard Halduron dare one of the rangers to put their tongue to the ice, earning a stern glare from Rommath.

“We don't have time to stand around, this isn't all of them.” Lor’themar shed the blood from his sword on the ground and returned the weapon to it's sheath.

Genn spoke to the rest of the party, “To Stormglen!”

His declare should have been comforting, but the look Lor’themar sent my way told me otherwise. We hurried past the frozen statues and I wondered how long they would stay like that. The line of trees lessened as we came to an a street lined with Gilnean houses. They were made in the same dreary colors to match the land and the windows were dark. I knew the look of a life left behind well enough.

Genn’s people did go through a lot. Sylvanas really wrecked these poor introverts.

Genn stopped short close to Lor’themar and I. He gestured with a claw towards the abandoned homes. “What is left of my people.”

Lor’themar had a dark glimmer in his eyes when he said, “I’ve seen worse.”

The plight of Sylvanas’ personal punching bags. My gaze flitted between the two leaders as Halduron passed behind me and leaned close to my ear, “If we’re bragging about whose life is more unbearable, my tongue really hurts.”

I had to keep walking and dragged Halduron with me so the two old men wouldn't see my smirk. 

When we ran out of cobblestone road and empty houses, a strip of packed, gray sand clashed with the whitecaps of the ocean. Two ships were wedged upon the shore hailing with the symbols of Stormwind and Silvermoon. Unease trailed it's fingers up my arms as I studied the two vessels for damage.

“Why haven't they fired on each other yet?” I whispered like the two ships would come alive if I spoke too loud.

The scar across Halduron’s cheek had dried, but I couldn't imagine how painful it was for him to talk as he hummed, “Lor’themar being the wise, considerate alcoholic he is left many kegs on our ship. Perhaps they’re drunk?”

“When are sailors not drunk?” I asked.

“When they join Sylvanas’ ranks.”

The two undead soldiers carrying the fallen body from before passed by, “He’s right, you know.”

Wow. They move surprisingly fast. I felt my ears prickle up at my sides as the undead skittered across the wet sand with skinless toes peeking out of their boots. They knocked on the hull to the blood elves’ ship and peered at the low deck.

Halduron’s long eyebrows went up and I looked to the soft crush of Anduin’s footsteps on the ground. Our party had caught up with us and hastily climbed the ladders onto the ship. The wooden vessels groaned as they rocked back and forth.

Halduron excused himself to help the evacuation as I drifted to Andy’s side. The wind lifted tendrils of his golden bangs and tugged them towards the sea.

“I hope this stays a rescue mission,” He said wistfully as he looked out onto the waves. The pattern of white and black along the water reminded me of piano keys.

Hopefully he's right. I nodded and moistened my lips. “Me too.”

When I was standing still, I could feel all the cuts and bruises from the Blackwald (and Rommath) on my skin. I couldn't risk Anduin healing me in front of the troops, so I kept my lips sealed about it.

I don't know how I'm going to keep all of this from Sylvanas...I can't. I have to tell her, I have too many witnesses. But...maybe I can spare Anduin from this story.

Andy’s head shifted towards me. “You still believe in peace?”

“When I lived on Outland, what mattered most was survival, not races or factions.” I said, plucking my goggles from my face. The cool, salty breeze stung my eyes as I looked out. There weren't any oceans where I came from. In some places, the breeze didn't exist either.

I pushed all of my hair onto my left shoulder so I could glance at Anduin. “We didn't have the luxury to nitpick...I see no point in doing so now.”

Andy smiled a little at hearing this. His elegant voice replied, “I'm glad to hear that. Perhaps we can continue this conversation at another time.”

“I’d like that.” I said.

We broke apart as the last few of the troops collected on the ships. Lor’themar followed up behind me on the wooden ladder that trembled beneath my grasp. When I reached the top, Halduron offered a hand and pulled me to the surface.

Halduron was right; I looked past the wounded and the soldiers at the drunk sailors hiccuping as they went. My eyes widened at the captain swaying on his feet.

Now I know what drunk pineapple looks like. You really do learn something new each day.

The fear of undead worgen had dissipated, but a new tension lay thick in the air. As the ship departed from the gray strand, most passengers looked over to the shadow of the Alliance ship on the horizon.

“Aren't we going to fire?” Rommath remarked. He leaned heavily on his staff, still drained from casting the spell that saved our lives.

I leaned slightly towards Lor’themar, “This is a rescue mission, not an assault on the Alliance, sir.”

“Thank you, Eona.”

“It's about the people.”

“I remember, Ms. Strider.”

“Sylvanas wants her troops back in one piece.”

“They can be reassembled.”

I bit my lip. “But do you think Sylvanas would want to put her people back together like goblin Ikea furniture?”

The Regent Lord was silent.

“...Do not attack the Alliance ships. Our mission is to get our people home foremost. To Tirisfal Glades.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Continue the journey to the next chapter here!

Not sure where you are? Check the Caverns of Time for more chapters!

[nightbts]

be my drug pt.2 | kth, pjm

pairing: intern! park jimin + doctor! kim taehyung + doctor! reader

genre: fluff, angst + doctor! au

word count: 3.1k

warning: So I’m going to apologize in advance if any medical terms, scenarios or such are incorrect!! I did a bit of research to try and make it as accurate as possible but if anything is wrong, I’m sorry!! But please do let me know if anything is incorrect so I can fix it! Also, this is super overdue like months maybe so I apologize for that! Enjoy!!!

parts 1 2 3

A choice: “an act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities.” In this case, your choice would make one and break the other.

Flashback

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” you scoffed as Jimin slouched into the couch, “Hey, I’m serious here.” 

“Jimin, you’re literally one of the best dancers I know. What do you mean you’re not good enough to go and audition at that dance academy,” you said, frowning at your best friend. 

You didn’t know why he couldn’t see what everyone else could. How much of an amazing dancer he was, his every move like the ocean breeze, soft yet powerful and had enough power to steal one’s breath away. 

Slouching even further into the couch, his body almost folding into a ball, he mumbled, “Yea right. You haven't even see the other audition tapes that I’ve seen. They're just too good.” 

Turning to face him better, you held his shoulder tightly and said, “Look, we’re only 17. We still have so much in life okay? Trying something out is never going to be a waste. Take it as a challenge and just another experience in life. And so what if you don’t get in? Not only are they going to lose a great and passionate dancer, but also an amazing person.”

Seeing the corners of Jimin’s lips raise at the slightest, you knew you had done your job. 

“See, that's what I’m talking abo- oh!” you yelped as Jimin suddenly pulled you into his chest, his arms wrapping around your waist as he hugged you tightly. Blinking, your lips parted in shock as you felt your heart beat at an erratic rate. 

“J-Jim-” 

“Thank you.” he whispered softly, “Thank you for always being there for me, especially when nobody else is.” 

Ignoring the flutters in your stomach, you simply smiled widely before hugging him back, “You’re always welcome.”

Present Day

“J-Jimin?” you stammered, your voice falling short as the boy in front of you looked up. His own eyes widened, mirroring yours as a frantic look that once endowed his face disappeared, now replaced with one of surprise and utter confusion. 

“Y/N?” he replied, disbelief in his voice as he laughed, shaking his head, “Is that really you?”

“Alive and breathing,” you replied, laughter spilling past your lips. 

Giving you no time to think, Jimin quickly approached you and engulfed you in a hug. Even though it had nearly been ten years, you’d never fail to recognize Jimin’s hugs. Everything from the way his arms wrapped around you to the way his heart beat steadily in his chest, you knew, this was your best friend. 

“I can’t believe it. T-They didn’t even tell me who my doctor was, they just gave me a room number, but- Wow! I never thought I’d see you again,” he whispered the last part as he pulled away, still holding you in his arms. 

Chuckling, you gave him a wide smile before hitting his chest lightly, “But what are you doing here? I didn’t know you were going into med?!” 

“Well what can you say, I didn’t think I would be either.” he joked, as you chuckled in response, a small yet comfortable silence falling over the both of you. 

Park Jimin

If you were to name someone who made you the person you were today, it would’ve been him. Since elementary to high school, the both of you were thick and thin, always there for each other even when you had managed to get into new things, get new friends and become new people.

But as graduation came along, so did college. And with the both of you interested in two different things: you wanting to pursue your dream career and Jimin wanting to pursue his dream hobby, you both traveled across the world and eventually contact fell out. 

You never really believed in miracles, or fate, or any such things, but seeing Jimin again, made you think differently. 

"I don't even know what to say. It’s been long, hasn’t it,” you chuckled, still not believing your eyes as Jimin smiled brightly, his words melting your heart, "I always knew you'd make it far, Y/N."

And as you smiled back, came back the rapid beating of your heart and the nervous flutters in your stomach, and before you knew it, falling for Jimin had been as easy as it was years ago. 

As a couple hours passed, with you giving Jimin the tour of the hospital, it was finally time for lunch. Walking out of your office with Jimin, your lunch in one hand, you were laughing at something he said when you heard a someone call your name. 

"Y/N!" a deep voice called as you and Jimin both turned around to see Taehyung walking towards you with a pretty young girl sauntering beside him.

"Hey! Do you wanna have lunch with us?" Taehyung asked, as his eyes made its way to Jimin before gesturing towards him and saying, "Is this your intern?"

You nodded and nudged Jimin, motioning him to introduce himself as Jimin stuck his hand out and said, "Hi, I'm Park Jimin, Y/N's intern."

Smiling widely, Taehyung shook his hand back and said," Well, I'm Kim Taehyung, one of the best surgeons here at (Hospital's Name)."

Scoffing you retorted, "The best? The last time we were in surgery you almost cut into a nerve, remember?"

Hearing a gasp of surprise from his side, your eyes fell on a short figure who stood next to him. Her hair was pulled into a high ponytail as she wore a name tag, the name Eunhae written in cursive. Her eyes were big and wide as she stared at Taehyung, her lips parting when she squeaked, "You did w-what?!"

Coughing, Taehyung rubbed the back of his neck as he flushed deeply, shooting you a look that said I'll get you for that later before joking, "Hey now, they don't need to know all that. But since I met your intern, this is mine. Kang Eunhae, this is Dr. Y/N L/N."

The girl gave you a sweet smile, her pearly whites gleaming at you as she said in a high voice, "It's so nice to meet you, Doctor!"

Smiling yourself, you said, "You too Eunhae-ssi. And don't take what I said too much too mind, Dr. Kim here is really a great doctor. You can trust me on that." you finished with a wink directed in his direction.

He rolled his eyes and said," She already knew that, didn't you Eunhae?" to the girl who smiled up at him, her cheeks a rosy pink as her eyes sparkled in response, her voice light as she replied with a small yes.

Biting your lip as you stifle your laughter, you gave Jimin a look to which he returned as you both stared at the girl who was evidently awe-struck by Taehyung.

I mean, it was obvious. Taehyung was quite attractive. His face and body proportions were fit to be a model, and the charm that exuded him, well, the ladies could simply never escape it. Something you learned from being by his side basically all of college and med school. 

"What?" Taehyung asked as he looked at the two of sharing secret glances before you quickly shook your head, "Oh it's nothing. We should get going? I'm starving." you laughed, as Jimin nodded beside you.

Giving you a weird look, Taehyung simply shook his head and chuckled before all of you walked to the break room to have your lunch together. 

"So you've known him since you guys were kids?" Taehyung asked as you nodded, popping a piece of popcorn in your mouth before handing the bowl back to him.

"Yup, it's crazy, isn't it? We were really close too. Both our parents were family friends and I'd known him since elementary school all through high school but then we went to different colleges and just drifted off I guess." you said, as you flipped through channels, nothing managing to catch your interest.

Taehyung hummed in response and said, "Well that explains it."

Looking over at him, you raised your eyebrows and said, "Explains what?"

Shaking his head lightly, he chuckled softly, "There was something that seemed weird at first like you two looked really comfortable with each other. Besides, knowing you for like the last 10 years I knew how you are with people you first meet, so it just felt odd that you two seemed so close all of a sudden." 

"Someone has me figured out already." you teased, as you shoved him playfully to which he rolled his eyes and said, "Literally, how could I not. I was basically your only friend through college."

"Were not!" you gasped, holding your hand to your chest in offense. Just as you were about to continue arguing against the fact that you very much were not a loner throughout college, you heard a loud knock coming from the front door.

Both your heads turned in unison towards the front door, as Taehyung raised his brow, asking, "Were you expecting someone?"

Pursing your lips, you shook your head no lightly, as you stood up from the couch, before making your way to your front door. As you opened it, your vision was quickly filled with a familiar outline as you were met with a warm smile. 

"Jimin?" you said, as you chuckled in disbelief for the second time that day, "What are you doing here?"

Giving you an embarrassed smile, Jimin rubbed the back of his head before saying, "I know it's pretty late but I thought we could just catch up for a bit? If you’re free?"

"Y/N, who is it-?” Taehyung started as he stood behind you, his tall figure peering over your shoulder. The voice quickly caught Jimin’s attention, making him look behind you when you saw his eyes widen in surprise.

"Dr. Taehyung?" he remarked, the surprise evident on his face, before you chuckled nervously, looking between the two, "Yea, we were just watching a movie together-"

"Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt the both of you..." he trailed off apologetically to which you quickly shook your head, "No, it's fine! We weren't really watching anything important, right Taehyung-ah?"

Taehyung beside you nodded but instead gave you a tight smile in return, "Right." he said plainly before Jimin rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment.

"Did you have something in mind?" you asked quickly, to which Jimin nodded, "I just thought we could get some coffee together, but Dr. Taehyung, it'd be great if you could come along too."

"It's just Taehyung out of work," Taehyung said to which Jimin smiled and chuckled," Taehyung it is then."

"Well, I'll just go get changed and we can go?" you asked to which the both boys nodded, before you disappeared back into your apartment, rushing to your room to put on some more appropriate clothing for the cold night.

"So, how long have you guys been dating?" Jimin asked cautiously, stirring the cup of coffee in his hand.

Almost choking, you laughed as you quickly shook your head. Feeling  Taehyung stiffen beside you at the question, you looked at him and raised your eyebrows when he quickly replied with a playful grin on his face, "As if I'd date this mess."

You scoffed, shoving his shoulder playfully when you remarked, "Feelings mutual Kim."

"But Jimin, how was your dance academy?" you asked, remembering how he had wanted to major so badly in dance all high school, always going to dance lessons every day after school, having competitions, dance battles and performances to which you had always attended.

His face immediately brightened, although it was quick to disappear as he sighed softly, "It was amazing, but I think it made me realize that it was just a hobby and I didn't think I could've made it big–"

"Jimin..." you trailed off, "You really could've, I mean you're one of the best dancers I've ever seen."

"But just think, if I never quit, I would've never seen you again."

You laughed at that, teasing him, "Right, and that's the worst isn't it."

"I didn't know you danced." Taehyung piped up suddenly, his eyes gazing at him in a way that suddenly had your skin crawling. 

Jimin looked over at him and chuckled, "I guess I don't really look like it, do I?"

Taehyung's eyes were quick to widen as he shook his head, "N-no! I just–" he started, "Anyways, what made you change into medicine?"

"I guess I'd always wanted to be a doctor since I was a kid but dance took over my life in high school and blinded me for a while. But I think I know what I want to do now." Jimin smiled, giving you a pointed look.

"And it helps that I have possibly the best mentor to teach me," he added jokingly making you blush softly as Taehyung laughed beside you although not failing to notice how forced it had sounded.

If you hadn’t known Taehyung for as long as you had, you would’ve brushed off the signs but everything from the way he sat beside you, to his hands clasped together tightly in his lap and the forced smile on his face, you knew something was wrong, but you just didn’t know what. 

As you gave him a slight nudge, your brows raising lightly as to ask him if everything was alright? Jimin spoke up. 

"So, how long have you known Y/N, Taehyung?" Jimin asked.

"Since the first year of college, so around ten years, I'd say," Taehyung replied, a certain challenging tone in his voice that started to make you frown. 

But knowing how oblivious Jimin was at times, he simply grinned and said, "Wow! Although I do have to say, I beat you by just a couple years," he joked, his eyes disappearing with the wide smile he gave the two of you. 

However, Taehyung simply smiled grimly in return, making you instantly feel uncomfortable as a silence washed over the three of you.

Jimin briefly looked at you, his eyebrow raising in question when you quickly intercepted, "Ahh, well we should probably get going. It's getting pretty late and we have an early shift tomorrow. Taehyung?"

"Yea." he simply said, making you sigh inwardly. What had gotten into him?

Standing up, Jimin laughed softly, although even you could tell at that point he was forcing it too. "That's okay!" Jimin said, "But we should all definitely get some coffee together again!" 

Gathering your things, you got up too, Taehyung quickly following in suit behind you. Giving Jimin a hug, you pulled away and gave him a warm smile before reminding him, “10 AM tomorrow, don’t be late this time.” 

“Yes ma’am,” Jimin quipped, before giving you a wink as you laughed back. 

After saying your final goodbyes to Jimin, Taehyung and you walked out of the café and made your way back to your apartment in silence, when you suddenly couldn't take it anymore.

"Taehyung, what was that?" you questioned, an underlying anger laced within your voice as Taehyung stopped mid-step. 

He turned and raised an eyebrow at you, as he shrugged nonchalantly, "I don't know what you're talking about." before he continued to walk towards your apartment complex.

"Well, maybe the fact that you were being completely rude to Jimin?" you retorted as you caught up to him, looking at him from the side when you saw him huff in annoyance. 

"I wasn't. That's just the way I always talk," he replied so casually it made you clench your fists at your side.

"No you don't, Taehyung." you muttered heavily under your breath.

"Oh yea, then how do I talk?" he snapped, making you whirl around in front of him, giving him an incredulous look. 

"Are you giving me attitude now? After what you just did?” you fumed, finding yourself in absolute disbelief. Where did the Kim Taehyung you knew from a mere couple hours ago, disappear? 

"What exactly did I do?!" he shot back, making you groan out loud. 

You couldn't believe him.

“You were treating Jimin like actual shit, that’s what! I-I don’t even know why you were acting the way you were, being unresponsive, giving him cold looks, like what was the point of that?!” you yelled, your face burning in absolute anger at this point. 

“I just wasn’t in the mood.” Taehyung responded coldly making you scoff, and before you could say anything else, he added, “Maybe next time you can just go see him yourself if I’m so ‘rude’ to him.” 

Feeling like he had just knocked the air out of your lungs, you stared at him, blinking in absolute shock, as you spluttered, the anger rising in you as the seconds passed, “Fine! Be that way. See if I care. But if anyone's acting real immature, it's you Kim Taehyung." you snapped as you stormed off, muttering colorful language under your breath as you left Taehyung standing there alone, with no regret. 

Sitting in bed, you read over the text as your fingers hovered over the send button. 

Taehyung, do you want to talk about it? 

Finally deciding against it, you let out a sigh before setting your phone back on your nightside table. Nestling into your covers, you pulled your blanket up before thinking to yourself, You’ll figure it out. The two of you always do.

As you were sound asleep, your phone lit up, it’s dim light illuminating the room as a text filled your lock screen. 

Taehyung: I’m sorry. 

[leah-ocarina]

I see a lot of well-intending people saying aces are perfect angels according to society who never run into problems or get judged, because while we don’t get as much shit as some people, coming from the PoV of a panromantic and disabled woman who knows oppression when she sees it, let’s all just set aside the argument of whether or not Aces are LGBT, okay? Just put it out of your mind! This post is not about that, okay? I just want people to know a bit more about what it’s like, because I see them meaning absolutely no harm, but being a bit misinformed. I’ve taken points from another person who was calm and level headed (and can’t track down the post because I am inept at this website hnnnn), and thought I’d go through them.

Again, put the argument of ‘are aces LGBT’ out of your mind. This is about misinformation and not that— and this is definitely in NO WAY me saying asexuals have it worse or as even bad as/as other LGBT people, because we definitely do NOT. (That doesn’t mean we get nothing though!)

Okay. Now that that’s out of the way, the first few points will be from my personal experiences, and if it’s something I heard from someone else I have it clearly marked, and the numbered points are actual copy-pasted quotes from the person’s post:

1) An asexual person is not going to get dehumanized and beat up for not having sex

•Physical violence—Actually yes. We do get beaten up. We also are victims of corrective rape. •Dehumanizing—Dehumanizing is 90% of what people who know I’m asexual do. Things I have heard to me personally from multiple people (and from what I’ve seen, other aces hear the same things):           • Inhuman monsters.           •Nobody will EVER love you because of this. You’re unlovable in every                 way if you stay asexual (as though I can just change it 🙄)           •It doesn’t matter whether or not YOU want to have sex if your partner                 does. Suck it up           •You need to go to the doctor and get fixed           •You need to go to therapy and get fixed           •You’re broken and if you don’t go to the doctor, I don’t even know what to           do with you

         •If you say you’re a sex repulsed asexual/decide to never have sex (🙄) nobody will want             to date/be with you. You’ll be alone forever and you’ll deserve it.

      People verbally bullying us all the time with the intention of dehumanizing us       is literally the main problem I’ve experienced.  •A common one we get is that we’re really closeted gay people and we’re lying to ourselves that we have no sex drive (file under, large groups of people push that asexuality is a myth) •You’re confused and need to suck it up and have sex once so you’ll be cured (side note—also usually the rhetoric attackers use/directly say when corrective rape occurs) •You’re just a moron with a medical condition (I am disabled but none of it effects my sex drive) •If you don’t like sex you don’t even deserve to live because what else are you here for And again those bullet points are just what I’ve heard from multiple people of different backgrounds, and I’ve only identified as ace for two years

2) and if they do, it is less normalized than gay and lesbians getting beat.

•It’s almost like you don’t hear about it often because people tell us to shut up and stop being attention whores so we don’t talk about it as much, and when we do it doesn’t spread as far because less people with relevant blogs (exclusionists) reblog/share it 🤔🤔🤔 •Just because you haven’t heard about it often does not mean that it doesn’t happen often. This is not a popularity contest.

I know one may not think about what that quote actually means, but it invalidates violence/bullying against us NOT by saying it doesn’t happen, just that it’s less important than the other groups. I know you guys mean well, but you can’t really deny it 😕 If it counts for them and not for us that means when it happens to us it’s less important to you—if you disagree please do explain how saying it counts for one group and not the other does not make it less important! Seriously! I want to understand! I just can’t see how “it counts and is impactful to my opinion of them, but not for you” can be taken a different way.

^^^ Also to be clear I mean the exact way it has been phrased here and not the general rhetoric. The normal rhetoric is that it doesn’t happen as often (which it doesn’t) so it doesn’t count. (Debatable, but not what this post is for. Take that argument to the reblogs of another post or one of its own.) The rhetoric in this quote is that even if it happens (which also implies this person didn’t even check 😒) it’s less normalized (which I assume means they hadn’t heard about it) and since they didn’t personally see it that’s why it doesn’t count.

3) If you don't have sexual attraction, cool, but the differences still exists. There are cultures and religions who praise those who stay with abstinence.

•What they actually praise is waiting for marriage. I never experienced this because I don’t go to church regularly (they’re all hellfire and brimstone where I live so I don’t bother 😑), but since looking at asexual tags and such, I’ve seen a bunch of stories from different, otherwise unrelated people that if they tell their priest, etc. they’re ace, they get lectured about how no. They HAVE to have sex after they’re married because that’s the way God intended it to be. You’re required to, and not doing so goes against God. They genuinely throw fits about it and try to get you to change your mind. I was floored when I found out and even more floored when I saw how many people have experienced this (a few said they were saying they were ace in response for calls for abstinence and got an earful), but it seems like they want you to either never have sex because you devoted yourself to God (nun, etc.) or because you waited. After your married though, you’re expected to and judged for not having sex.

4) heterosexuals who call people faggots will call asexuals.. virgins.

•You must have a pretty tolerant group of people you interact with, because that is definitely not what we normally get called lmao. Normally we get called broken, freaks, mentally ill/crazy/someone who needs to take their pills (I’m serious), inhuman, monsters, unlovable, and honestly they just use asexual as the insult too. Like “You don’t know anything you asexual freak!” They’ll point, laugh, look around, tell their friends, then they join in and repeat. They also call us “losers who can’t get laid” [and are making an excuse]. I have never once been referred to as just a virgin in response to my asexuality, and I’ve never seen it anywhere online either. I’m tryna stay as neutral as possible, but this one is just straight up incorrect/really rare.

5) A bonus-- not something I heard from the same person, but still really important----Sexuality is about who you love, not how often you fuck.

This one I got from someone more hostile, and I’ll it admit I was a little baffled by this. This is not the case for all asexuals because it is a spectrum, but I personally am sex repulsed and could never be in a long term relationship with someone who is going to expect sex out of me. Asexuals like me (of which there are many) are extremely limited in who we can be in a relationship with because we need to find other asexuals (which btw causes a lot of mental distress because it makes us feel extremely broken and unlovable). This very clearly determines who we love and saying otherwise is...well if after you read this you still think that way it’s just willful ignorance if I’m honest. :\ Again this was not from someone level headed, but I thought I’d include it to explain it to other people who think the same thing! 

So thank you for coming to my Ted Talk lol. I’m not trying to fire up exclusionist battles or arguments about whether or not asexuals are LGBT, I’m just trying to clear up some of the most common myths about asexuality I see.