#otp: as one fool to another

[alannah-corvaine]

ᴡᴏʟʙᴇʀᴛ ᴡᴇᴇᴋ 2024 ▶ ᴅᴀʏ 2 ↳ what if

say a prayer for the wounded heart within as i become the dark of you

[alannah-corvaine]

Big fan of these goobers, they've been together and learning to navigate a romantic relationship and adventurer partnership since the end of 6.0, thanks to the way I've very slightly tweaked canon to suit my needs.

WoL/OC Question(s)!

This one goes out to the WoLshippers! Who do you ship your WoL/OC with? An NPC or another WoL/OC? How did they meet, and how long have they been together? What kind of relationship do they have?

Show me your favorite SFW gpose/art of them together!

[bscgirl99]

I was thinking just one time Maybe the stars align And maybe I call you mine

You are not my father, and you are not my brother, so why do you care so much? B e c a u s e.  Happy 15th Kiss-iversary: October 27, 2008 ∞ October 27, 2023

[welcometothejianghu]

Welcome to another round of W2 Tells You What You Should See, where W2 (me) tries to sell you (you) on something you should be watching. Today's choice: 成化十四年/The Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty

(The) Sleuth of (the) Ming Dynasty (it's hard to get an agreement on how many definite articles should go where) is a beautiful, high-budget 2020 drama about a weenie genius detective, his long-suffering and deeply traumatized sugar daddy, and the eunuch with the most difficult job in the Great Ming: keeping these two dumbasses from getting their fool selves imperially executed.

Depending on how you like it, it's either an OT3 or an OTP with an intense, underage third wheel, and either way, it's delightful. I wouldn't call it a comedy, but it has very many funny elements that keep the drama fun and engaging. The first half is full of shorter mysteries that are clever and thoughtfully plotted, and the second half goes in on the longer mystery that ties them all together.

I've already done my quick guide to the early-episode characters, if you want a taste of just how many people are running around and how wonderful they all are. But in case you want to know a little bit more before you commit yourself to a 48-episode series, here's five reasons I think you should watch it!

1. The whole thing smacks of gender

Yeah, this was originally going to be selling point #2, but I know what the people want.

This is not a show about gender. But boy it is a show that has a lot to say about gender, and not just by way of critiquing premodern Chinese gender roles (though it does do that!). Many of the cis characters are either a) somewhat gender nonconforming, b) canny enough to weaponize binary gender expectations, or c) both. Sui Zhou's entire third-act storyline is about how expectations of masculinity exacerbate PTSD in veterans. Three different AFAB characters either dress or live as men. The part where one of the male characters goes undercover in drag is played for laughs, but the joke isn't 'ha ha, a boy in a dress,' it's 'ha ha, this particular boy in a particular dress, and also he's terrible at it.'

And that's even before we get to the eunuchs.

There are several professionally dickless, permanently unmanned characters running around. One-third of the OT3 canonically had his external genitalia nonconsensually removed when he was five years old, and because of this, he has been given unimaginable authority. He's basically the second most powerful man in the entire empire, and he only gets that way by being unquestionably, ostentatiously, and genuinely submissive to the first most powerful man.

I have seen other Chinese media where eunuchs are treated like sinister clowns, good only to be the bad guys and the butts of jokes. Sleuth's main eunuchs are real and complex characters, and because of this, the show gets to explore what it is to live in this weird third-gender category of incredible power and powerlessness.

Now, don't go into this expecting woke gender treatises. Wang Zhi's never going to sit down and go, "You know, my friend and fellow eunuch Ding Rong, because of my lack of a penis, I understand my relationship to masculinity differently than other men do." But the show understands that even if he doesn't say it, it's true. And that makes a lot of the characters and their relationships just so much more interesting.

2. Uncle Jackie Money

Sleuth was the was the fourth c-drama I dove into, following the Untamed, Word of Honor, and Guardian -- or, Some Money BL, Less Money BL, and No Money BL. So imagine my absolute wall-eyed shock to find this was All The Money BL, courtesy of its executive producer, Jackie Chan (seen here with some of his handsome boys):

Sleuth looks good. The costumes are amazing. The sets are stunning. The cinematography is beautiful. Everything is so detailed, and while I can't speak to the absolute historical accuracy of all those details (see point 3), they're still gorgeous. In fact, you know what? I'm going to shut up and show you some of the promotional images.

(For actual screenshots, I'm just going to point you at @rongzhi's tsomd photoset tag, as they have done a tremendous service to the fan community -- though do beware of spoilers.)

Uncle Jackie's influence doesn't end with the money, though. Even though things get a bit goofy and wirework-y near the end, most of the drama's fights are shows of real martial arts skill. You can see his fingerprints on a lot of the choreography -- I'm thinking particularly of the time Tang Fan tries (and fails!) to stab Sui Zhou three times, which is pure Jackie Chan high-speed dexterity.

Add this one to the category of shows your Average American Television Enjoyer Who Can Handle Subtitles would like. In fact, I have shown the first episode to my normie father-in-law, who was impressed. Show it to your dad! See if he picks up on the gay!

3. I am from ... HISTORY!

The Chinese title translates to "The 14th Year of Chenghua," which works out to the year 1478. There are some clear anachronisms, but they tend to be played for comedy, so it's hard to hold that against them. On the whole, though, the show is trying real hard to evoke a very specific moment, and I feel it does so beautifully.

This does, however, mean that several of the characters are real people. I don't even have a good sense of how many of them are based on historical figures, that's how many. Hilariously, Wang Zhi's tag on AO3 used to read "Wang Zhi (?-1487 CE)."

Moreover, these are characters I've seen pop up in other media, played very differently! In particular, Noble Consort (up there in blue) tends to be written as an uncomplicated villain elsewhere, whereas Sleuth gives her a chance to add some goodness to her badness, until, damn, you can't but root for the bitch. (It also downplays the cradle-robbing, which, honestly, is for the best.)

You may have guessed from the eunuch section earlier, but it bears repeating: Wang Zhi is straight-up the best character in the show. He's smart as hell, and he has to be, because the second he's stupid, he's dead. I actually consider it helpful to know ahead of time that he's never going to do a heel turn -- I feel like on my first watchthrough, I was holding my breath for the first two-thirds of the show, waiting for his sudden but inevitable betrayal. It does not come. Wang Zhi is one of the heroes.

He's also, like, evil. He orders people flogged, tortured, and executed. The very first thing you see him doing is sinister as hell. And the show clearly doesn't think this is good, but it also doesn't judge him for it. He's a traumatized seventeen-year-old who has not had a normal moment of his entire life. He's working thanklessly for a boss who could kill him on a whim -- and he's doing it because he literally, physically was made for his job. He's mildly freaking out because he has no emotional grounding to help him understand that these weirdos want to be his friends.

Was the real Wang Zhi like this? That's beside the point. The point is, you get to see how someone in that position could wind up as the war-crimes-committing platonic ideal of a little meow meow.

4. oh my god the food

Warning: This show will make you hungry.

Again, beware of spoilers, but @peppersandcreamsicle and @qinzai have put together an entire cook-along Google Doc so you don't just have to drool -- you can do something about it! Or you can just read it and learn about Chinese cuisine, which is a little more my speed.

But it's not just about how good the food looks. Food is a vital emotional part of the series. People bond over it. They make and share it as a sign of love and care. It indicates status, ethnicity, interest, personality. The show's message about the healing power of cooking for the people you love will bring you to tears.

And yes, Sui Zhou is the main one doing the cooking, so get ready to drool over both the dishes and the handsome man preparing them.

Oh, and as though that weren't enough, Fu Meng Po can actually cook in real life. He's so dreamy. Absolute unreal handsome man with a devastatingly sexy voice. (I know my opinion might be different if I could hear his Taiwanese accent, but I can't so it's not!)

5. An Unsunk Ship

So like I said, my intros to c-drama couples had been WangXian, WenZhou, and WeiLan. That meant I'd basically come to terms with the idea that you can't have a main couple in a BL-but-not-really drama without splitting them up at least a little in the end, for no-homo plausible deniability reasons.

Tang Fan and Sui Zhou are still definitvely, unequivocally together when the story ends, as the iconic pentultimate scene of the series confirms with beauty and simplicity. I refuse to give any more details than that, but that ship's afloat.

(These shirtless pictures aren't from the end, but I wanted to include them, and I didn't have a better place to do it. ...Also, you know, ships and water? Yeah?)

And I think their winding up together reflects Sleuth's entire attitude. Tang Fan is made of sunshine, and the series loves him for it. There is tragedy aplenty in this show, but there's no misery. It is ultimately a hopeful show that believes in the power of second chances, if you're willing to take them. Time and again, the moral of the story is that you are only ever as good as the people who have your back -- but you have to be willing to let them have your back. Let people help you. Let people cook for you. Let people give you a reason to keep living. And then keep living.

Also, Sui Zhou gets two good kabedons off on that little twink, which means they're legally married now. I don't make the rules.

Bonus: Banger opening theme

This is one you will watch all 48 times.

Bonus #2: The Halo Video

This is the video that made me go, huh, these Sleuth boys seem like other boys I've enjoyed! Perhaps I shall enjoy them as well! And then I did. So if that might be convincing to you too, well, have at it. Even if it isn't, it's a fascinating three-minute study of shared those-boys-are-in-love visual language across these shows.

Fair warning that it contains shots from right up to the end, so if you'd rather go in completely blank, give this one a pass until later. (Excuse me while I now go watch it for the 10000th time.)

Have I convinced you to watch it yet?

It originally ran on iQiyi, though Viki's got it as well, and Viki's is free if you're willing to put up with some ads about it.

...I just noticed iQiyi's description of the series reads, "When the two handsome leading actors Darren Wang and Fu Meng-Po work together, what will happen? A lovely prefectural judge and an arrogant embroiered [sic] uniform guard join hands to crack unusual cases! Are you going to choose a new idol?" And you know what? Yes. The details are a little off, but that is the correct spirit. Thank you, thirsty blurb.

[alannah-corvaine]

Short Version: She loves him.

Long Version: They were tied together long before they ever became enemies, became friends, became lovers. They share not just a soul, but a history that's bigger than both of them. Who else could ever truly understand what it means to be what they are? Who else could know her heart so well, as she knows his? They share an understanding, a dream, a burden, a grief, a determination. Their broken pieces fit together seamlessly, he is literally a missing piece of her returned. With him she is home, wherever they might be. He is her heart standing outside of her body.

7/31/23

What is your wol(ocs) thoughts on Ardbert? How would your wol(oc) describe their relationship?

[danpuff-ao3]

Thanks for the tag @cindle-writes!

"Self-rec time! What are your favorite five fics that you've written and why? After replying to this ask, feel free to pass on to five other writers to spread the love. 💗"

Tagging: @perverse-idyll @writcraft @lizzy0305 @ripeteeth @lqtraintracks @threadbearao3 and whoever else might want to play!

It was hard to narrow down, as I've written well over 100 fics in my time (most available on AO3, but I still have some secrets). This has been good to look at and think about in light of my recent writerly struggles. Gave me a nice reminder of what I love and what I've accomplished.

1.) Contempt | Devotion

I'm counting them together, since they're the same story from different perspectives. Nothing will ever top them for me. They are THE Snarry story for me. They've been my OTP for 20+ years, and those works are years and years of dedication (and devotion, ha) to this ship. It's all the feelings I've ever had about them. It's the version of them, as individuals and together, that most resonates with me.

It is, as I often say, the story of my soul. I ripped these words out of my teeth, out of my bones, and wrote them with my blood. It was an agonizing process, and one I would do again and again, because I could not be more proud of anything, and it still amazes me that I created this story. That I finally pulled it out of my soul and put it to words. All of the passion I have for them, all of my history with this ship, all of it is right there.

(Also shoutout to the other little ficlets in the series; this version of Snarry will always have my heart.)

2.) Collateral Damage

While Contempt is the Snarry of my dreams, Collateral Damage is the DRON of my dreams.

Draco and Ron are my secondary OTP, and while I could write and rewrite Snarry to death, I have a hard time revisiting Dron as the main relationship, because I feel like I put everything I had for them into this one story.

The fic is written in Draco's POV, which I loved and was such a treat. I loved exploring Draco and Ron as individuals, and as a couple, and considering them more than I ever had before. It was fun playing with some real enemies-to-lovers, and seeing it become something really passionate and loving and fun (but also angsty, because I'm ME, hello).

It's a tale of revenge and insecurity, and fooling yourself while you try to fool others. I tried to really love on Draco and Ron both, while also diving into their respective flaws, and while I already loved them, writing this fic made me love them all the more.

3.) The Curse of Anteros

Another Snarry, of course. This one is such a love story, in some ways, though there's plenty of questionable (objectionable) content there. But for me, that made it all the more romantic, this sort of love conquers all, even in the worst of scenarios. My boys survived toxicity, and a curse, and life.

It's also a concept I've played with for quite some time, inspired by a Charmed episode (which was itself inspired by a film called Ladyhawke). It was a fun exercise in watching them grow, and watching time move on, with their connection unchanged. The story spans decades, and really, I'm not sure I've written anything more romantic!

Also features art by my dear friend @mrviran which is phenomenal and I am still totally awed by what they created for this story!! It was fun inventing a creature together, too <3

4.) A Matter of Time

Another Snarry which also holds a special place in my heart. It was a unique experience of trying new things. For one, it was alternating POV, which I don't normally care for; for me it's hard to maintain flow along with maintaining character voices. But ALSO it was told in reverse chronological order, which I'd been dying to try! Also...the angst. I love it.

And the END!!!! The end kills me and I love it. </3

5.) Cruel Summer

I waffled with choosing 5, because I felt like it should be Orange Blossoms, and I think part of me was scared to put this one on the list. You know...devastating and dead dovey as it is. It's a Sirry fic, one that I'd been cooking up in my noggin' for a few years.

I wanted to play with a darker side to Sirry, and portraying a very unhealthy and troubling relationship which really only felt natural with all that Harry and Sirius had been through. I wanted to do them and the concept justice, which I really think I did, and I'm really proud of how it came out. There's more story to tell...the real story, I think, will be the aftermath, but we'll see if it ever actually comes to fruition. In the meantime, I really love this story, awful as the content is.

[boinin]

Can I get 17, 18, 19, 20, and 29 for Kunigiri and AiSen (Aiku x Sendou)

Hi Mr. Smithereens! You sure can. I'm happy to blab about Aikusen in particular! Such a good rarepair.

17. Who says I love you first?

Kunigami, in nearly every scenario. He's too honest to keep it to himself. Conversely, Chigiri's more guarded, so even if he falls in love first, he'd wait until he's certain before admitting his feelings so boldly.

With AikuSen, it's a drawn out process. Sendou would be too insecure to admit his feelings to someone he knows fools around casually, even where he and Aiku are dating exclusively. I personally headcanon Aiku as somewhat emotionally avoidant, and perhaps freaking out about feeling for Sendou on a deeper level. That said, I think Aiku would accept the risk of heartbreak and say I love you first.

18. Who leaves little notes in the other’s one lunch? (Bonus: what does it usually say?)

Let's be real, it's only ever Kunigami making lunches for the princess ❤️ I think he'd write corny jokes to make Chigiri laugh or roll his eyes. Puns in particular, since Chigiri likes wordplay. He probably Googles them specifically.

Aiku and Sendou don't strike me as big lunch makers, but Aiku would probably include notes of encouragement, like Knock 'em dead today, ace. Sendou reads them and cringes (but secretly enjoys them).

19. Who tells their family/friends about their relationship first? & 20. What do their family/friends think of their relationship?

Answering these together as they compliment one another!

Kunigami tells his family first, casually mentioning that he's dating Chigiri. Chigiri's mom and sister wrangle the news out of him after seeing him post a suspiciously couple-y photo with Kunigami on social media. Both families are supportive, particularly the sisters.

Literally none of Kunigiri's friends would be surprised. If anything, they're surprised it took this long to happen.

Aiku tells his family first, although he'd probably take his time to do so. I'm guessing they'd be pretty chill about it—his dad is Swedish-German and fairly liberal, as is his mom. Sendou would worry that his folks would respond negatively to him dating a man. To his surprise, that's not an issue so much as him dating a known cheater / womaniser. Aiku charms them though as soon as they meet him, and reassures them he's not going to hurt Sendou.

There's mixed responses from their friend group. The original U20 teammates would find it hilarious, given how much both of them emphasised dating women in their early careers. Anyone from their days in Ubers sees them getting together a mile off.

29. one headcanon about this OTP that breaks your heart

Kunigiri are overall so wholesome, there's little to report on this front! But the idea of Chigiri being the first (and maybe only) person Kunigami is willing to talk about Wild Card pulls on my heartstrings.

For AikuSen, what gets me is Sendou's inevitable meltdown when he realises he's started to catch feelings for Aiku. I headcanon Sendou doesn't have the self esteem to believe he has enough worth for Aiku to be exclusive with him. Internalised homophobia (or biphobia?) also packs a punch with these two.

[alannah-corvaine]

ꜰꜰxɪᴠ ɢʟᴀᴍᴛᴏʙᴇʀ ▶ ᴅᴀʏ 7 ↳ winter

The Warrior of Light keeps a residence in Ishgard, and during the snowiest months of the year can often be seen browsing the stalls of the Jeweled Crozier in her favorite winter coat and boots. The art of wearing appropriate legwear for the weather continues to elude her.

Alannah:

Darbar Coat of Healing (Pearl White)

Eastern Socialite's Gloves (Pearl White)

Far Eastern Beauty's Koshita (Pearl White)

High Summoner's Boots (Pearl White)

Ardbert:

full Seigneur's Attire (Jet Black + Pure White accents)

[fareehaandspaniards]

Yet another one for the character meme.

Miquella

The Ask meme

Favourite thing about them:

His downfall. Miquella was not pure and perfect from the beginning, he is just as “cursed” a twin as Malenia. And his subject, the enchanted branch, as well as Trina's plunge into sweet slumber (a lovely illusion of happiness) suggest that their order does not bring bloom and movement of life, but rather stagnation and withering. I love the journey Miquella took, how he tried to bring comfort to his beloved brother and sister, and how he went to hard measures to make things right. No matter what he did, I respect him, because he decided to take matters into his own hands and start taking action

Least favorite thing about them:

An absolutely terrifying and violent future that is envisioned under his reign. Absolutely everyone is valuable, absolutely everyone is loved and everyone is happy. Utopia. And all those who disagree are already rotting in a ditch somewhere

It's not even what I don't like, it's what makes him villain. It's hard to explain. I like his heartless logic because Miquella chose his path and became an individual, but I don't like the core of it

Favorite line:

"Let your thoughts be only of love"

Despite the fact that the context of that phrase is absolutely obnoxious, I like it

brOTP

???

I'm sorry, it's a complete blank. I can't picture Miquella as someone's “friend.” Actually, the only friend (as well as lover) for him is Malenia IMHO. And I can't even imagine Trina as his “friend”. Would Marika and Radagon be friends? Would you be friends with your other half personality, which represents qualities you don't have as your first half? (For me, the answer is no, I don't think I could stand a minute in the company of myself, especially if, say, I was the pragmatic side and the other me was the creative side. That would be awful)

Also, Miquella is almost always officious and “perfect” when talking to people, and when you're pretending to be someone, you can't call it friendship.

OTP

Miquella x Malenia

Sexually, romantically, and mentally, they are right for each other

nOTP

doesn't exist as usual, it's very rare for me to say "no" to a pairing

Random headcanon

If you do somehow break through Miquella's perfect shell and get to his true nature, you will find a very self-assured, pragmatic, wise man, a superb tactician who loves to play chess and sometimes likes to joke around. You will also find that his views and desire to bring salvation to the world (albeit violently) are absolutely sincere. He will look at you as a master looks at a pet. Also, Trina will turn out to be a very sweet but closed lady. Like Miquella, she has good intentions and feels love, but shuns contact and interactions. Her gaze will always be a little condescending.

Unpopular opinion

We are on that point of the fandom, when it's unpopular to say - nice job Fromsoftware, great villain and great dlc, love your game 👍

Song I associate with them:

Lemon Tree - Fools Garden

Favorite picture:

[shinakazami1]

people took all the popular characters smh. maybe the fern or the adventure line?

You. You get it. You always get it <3 IT'S LOVELY SEEING U HERE HI HI

FERN

1) How I feel about this character:

*Looks at my Fernator Au* do you think I'm normal about this plant. Do you. Do you really.

On serious note - I adore it. The fact it's in Confusion ending it's perfect. How it is made to be an important detail, forgotten later by the narrative. The fsct we have to study it, the music cutoff.

Its foreshadowing without payback. And I love it.

I'll now ramble a bit about Fernator AU cus I missed it KEHSHDH

As I discussed in my Fernator theory post, nature seems to pay a bit role in the game. Ferns are placed in both the Freedom ending and the Memory Zone. They're always at an important key element of the main story, at least to the Narrator. And later, in Bucket destroyer ending, Fern is amongst "Stanley's friends". Because it's that! It's friendliness! The Freedom ending, while ironic, is supposed to give Stanley some freedom Narrator made. And Memory Zone is their safe spot from the story. It's an important area to him. So, while it's not in our face - fern, in a way, does have a meaningful role to play in the story. That's why my first ever AU was Fernator. Narrator wants to mean something. He is important to the story - because without him, there would be noone to tell it. But he's also Stanley's friend. Most of the game can be a study of his character and psyche.

So yeah. Adore the fella sm

2) All the people I ship romantically with this character

If we count Fernator AU - Stanley and the Bucket. But, once again, not really shipping it sjshsh,

3) My non-romantic OTP for this character

The above ones + the Narrator. Some self love for the man~

4) My unpopular opinion about this character

*stares at my Fernator AU* lord, what can I say. It IS freedom. It is insanity. It's another 'living' being of the game. It's more important, at least to me, than to many. It's there for a specific reason - confuse. And be memorable. But the fact it's spread around the game gets to me. There is no way Narrator doesn't make the human-made vs nature-made comparison. It's so cool.

5) One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.

That I would have finished projects for my Fernator AU ngl to u boss KSHENAHEJWHSH /silly

On serious note - it serves it purpose perfectly, nothing needs to be added.

THE ADVENTURE LINE ™️

1) How I feel about this character

I still can't believe It ™️ is not an arrow. We literally fooled each other sm djehhshs

I LOVE IT™️. the yellow paint thing in games can get obnoxious sometimes and just how The Line ™️ started living it's own life was so awesome. How It ™️ was intruding through the environment. I'm a big fan of non human characters, and It ™️ had just so much personality thanks to the swirls and the music. Amazing.

2) All the people I ship romantically with this character

Never thought about it much. Stanley maybe? And the Tape guy. Could be silly. Or maybe some of the sliders 432 makes us do.

3) My non-romantic OTP for this character

Look above. Maybe love-hate with Narrator jdjdhd

4) My unpopular opinion about this character

People see It ™️ as an animal, often as a dog. I see It ™️ as a being beyond that. It's so interesting that It ™️ moves when we are not looking. It ™️ travels between the blinks. I love It ™️ as something stuck on walls and floors. Maybe It ™️ can talk to stickers.

It ™️ is playful but I feel The Line ™️ in a way cares about Stanley. Similarly to how I view 432.

5) One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.

It would be cool to see The Line ™️ in the epilogue ngl,, but again. I adore the current form of the game and wouldn't have changed anything.

[room-on-broom]

20 Questions for Fic Writers

Tug by @marvellouslymadmim thank you so much me luv

Tagging @heathtrash @teapotteringabout @holdmecloser-gandydancer @womble1 @janetm74 @kiwi-cackles and YOU! and who else wants to do it! more questions under the read more

1. How many works do you have on A03?

48 (60 on fanfic)

2. What's your total A03 word count?

I've no idea, i messed up on my calculator and dont have the pactience to go back over it

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Currently Stingray and Thunderbirds. and worst witch. its always worst witch

4. What are your top five fics by kudos?

Jabberjay-ded (128 vs 4 comments lol) Little Wizard, The Broken Hand mirror, Mildred's Monstrous Misadventures, (ah yeah witching kind!) and I saw Seven Idiots.

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

Fanfic.net dosnt let me reply any more??? but I do try to. even if its just a key smash and a thankyou. or if its an emoji spam i emoji spam back. I love those.

6. What's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Hm. The closest ones I could think of are Death's acquaintance and In grief we bake. I don't tend to do agnsty endings. even the sad ish ones are kind hopeful.

EDIT: JABBERYJAYED! I forgot!? litreally a hunger games fic ends up in devistation?? fool.

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

I couldnt narrow it down so top 2: I saw 7 Dogs and Christmas Cards

8. Do you get hate on fics?

Onlya few times in the past. two of those times were Worst witch ship trolls and just deleted them. one was my fault, i got uppity with an 'UPDATE NOW' comment and user just went a few my other fics being rude. againn deleted.

9. Do you write smut?

write yes. post no. (not yet-!) :o

10. Do you write crossovers?

yes. Ive have a good half a dozen under my belt and a couple in the works.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not that I know of

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

angain no not that i know of.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

No but I would count @teapotteringabout @kiwi-collideoscope and Princess Sammi as , the amount i've bouced ideas about with them.

14. What's your all-time favourite ship?

Mary Poppins and Bert. the OTP before i knew what the internet was.

15. What's the WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

Froot, SEASICK and Cherrytree Carol. plus a bunch of WW ones. I keep picking them up but i feel like they might be left on the shelf a little longer.

16. What are your writing strengths?

Dialogue and character voices. I also love mixing humour in too, even just a little sprinkle into sad bits and I think i do that quite well.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

Plot bunnies. and not finishing current WIPS. Ive made a mountain of improvement on that frount but yeah posting chapters before before the fics even 50% done. To the point ive sequeals to fics that are only two lines of an epic.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

Massivise kudos who can do that. not my forte. The closest I've come is writing the odd burst of ASL and BSL for Unshackled and Chest Compressions, and a pinch of welsh for Lucretia’s Baller but as yet Hypothetical Birthday Cake.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Corpse Bride (2005). a sad little fic for a le sad victor van dort.

20. Favourite fic you've ever written?

Ever? Probably have to Mildred's Montorus adventures. but Your mother and Mine's got a special place in my heartjust cos family and the catharisis .

Thank you!!

[earthmixsclowderofcats]

I love seeing your YiDiao tags, so YiDiao and 15, 24, 27, 29 and 30?

Teeheehee. I had hoped that if I was out on the dancefloor making a fool of myself eventually some other people may toe out onto it.

Thank you nonnie.

15. Who wakes up first?

Oh that's an interesting one, because I can see points for it being both of them. Martial arts requires a lot of discipline, especially to get as good as Diao has at his age, so I imagine he's not unused to early morning runs. Plus he's shown getting up kinda early to water his plants, so I think he's probably pretty domestic and used to taking care of himself, what with being shipped over to England. It's canon that he has domestic household skills like cooking that Kuea doesn't have. Plus it just kind of fits my vibe for him. But if he doesn't have anything planned for the day he isn't opposed to sleeping in late once in a while.

As for Yi, he is also very dedicated, but in a different way. He's a successful businessman and has a lot to look over. Plus, I'm pretty sure he's the type of person to keep himself busy to avoid unnecessary Thoughts and Feelings.

They probably both wake up early. When Diao wakes up early he lets himself have a few minutes alone and then wakes up Yi because he knows that is what he would want. To not be wasting time laying about all day.

When Yi wakes up first he uses it as an excuse to watch Diao sleep without getting teased for it. To cuddle him some more and enjoy it.

Also, morning sex is definitely a thing for them. Why not start the day off right?

24. Who whispers inappropriate things in the other's ear when during inappropriate times?

This is another one that I feel like it could be both of them but in different ways. Yi tries to do it in a sexy alpha male kind of way sometimes. But he's very soft about it. It's not degrading in any way, even in a teasing consensual manner. He asks Diao what he wants. If he feels good. If he wants it deeper. In a different position. He gets off on Diao getting off.

Plus, he'd be lying if he said it didn't inflate his ego a bit. What, he's only a man. What type of man wouldn't want to hear about how their dick is rocking their husbands world?

Diao sees this and understands it. He knows what Yi wants to hear, and he usually plays along. He's also the one who is more likely to get dirty in a more raunchy way.

He wants to hear and to know how Yi wants him. It's a mutual confirmation of their importance to one another.

He's more likely to be a bit bratty and demanding when he's high strung and willing to work Yi up for both of their benefits.

I'm imagining a time where Yi is going slow and soft, and it's nice, it always is, but it's not the itches that Diao needs to scratch so he eggs him on.

"Come on, I thought you were going to fuck me?"

He doesn't do it often, but every once in a while, in the heat of the moment he has a mouth that could make a phone sex operator blush.

27. Who would sing their child back to sleep?

Oh this is adorable. I think probably Diao tbh. Yi would say that he doesn't have a singing voice, but he probably hums quietly instead.

29. One headcanon about this otp that breaks your heart?

Hmm. Probably that Yi never thought Diao would actually love him. He probably thought he'd be happier with Kuea, or someone else his age. That he would marry him out of obligation, and never know that Yi actually loved him.

(because just telling him that is too easy and Yi is not emotionally smart enough for that.)

I guess maybe, sometimes he still worries if his love comes across as much as he hopes it does. He probably worries a lot about wasted time.

Diao thinks it's heartbreaking that the accident had to happen at all, that Yi blames himself, that it put such a detour in their relationship that they almost didn't come back from properly.

I'd say also, that as much as they love their (eventual) kids, and have come to understand that their families never wanted the best for them, that they still miss the idea of their kids having traditional grandparents.

30. One headcanon about this otp that mends it.

Not to be a whore for the concept of a found family, but I'm always a whore for the concept of a found family. They have Lian and Kuea and everyone else to support them.

They will probably always regret a lot about their relationship,but they come to understand that anything in the past doesn't negate what they have now.

[goddessalthena]

UsaMamo Week 2024 - Day 1 - First Glance

It's that time of year again, so let's celebrate our favourite OTP!

(Tentative) Title: A Matter of Timing Summary: Aged up, Friends to lovers UsaMamo Non-Senshi AU told in a series of snapshots. Rating: T (for language) Words: 1055

First Glance

The day is ordinary. Average. Completely and utterly unremarkable in every conceivable way. Until he sees her. That’s the moment when the timeline splits. When his world is suddenly divided into ‘before’ and ‘after’. He doesn’t know it yet, won’t realize it for some time to come, but his life has just changed irrevocably. For the better or for worse, well…that all depends on whom you ask.

***

Day 9821 BU (Before Usagi)/Day 1 AU (After Usagi)

“I know, I know! I’m late, but you would not believe the day I’ve had. The magazine had me do, like, a thousand different poses. I swear, at one point the photographer was right up my asshole. I finally looked at Masami and said, ‘Is this a photo shoot or a fucking colonoscopy?’ Thank God I waxed!”

Minako sweeps up to their table, dumps her gigantic orange designer purse dangerously close to several drinks, and breathes a dramatic sigh. Her indisputably conspicuous arrival earns her a few cursory nods and a handful of waves. As far as entrances go, this is rather tame for Minako, and the table’s occupants have long since grown accustomed to her dramatic flair. It’s not until she snags a dumpling from the nearest plate that she garners any true notice.

Rei looks up with an angry scowl. “Hands off!”

Minako, who has already stuffed the entire dumpling into her mouth, closes her eyes and lets out an obscene moan between chews. “I haven’t eaten in twenty four hours,” she declares, reaching for another dumpling. Rei, who is clearly unsympathetic to her plight, slaps her hand away.

Makoto laughs from a few seats down the table and gestures to a nearby waiter. “Stop that before you lose a hand! You know how Rei is about sharing food.”

Minako looks down at Rei and mutters, “Stingy bitch,” before leaning forward and capturing her lips in a swift but fierce kiss. When she straightens up Rei still looks annoyed but her cheeks are noticeably flushed. Again, this behaviour is par for the course and few take notice. It’s not until Minako stuffs a finger and a thumb in her mouth and blows out a sharp whistle that heads finally turn. Only Ami has the grace to apologize to the waiter who has just arrived, but the woman waves her off. The staff are also used to Minako by now…and Makoto is good friends with the owner.

“Listen up, everyone!” Minako announces, producing a petite blonde out of seemingly nowhere. “This is Usagi! She’s just been dumped by her twat-wad of a boyfriend, and I’ve promised to get her drunk enough to forget he ever existed. Let’s make her feel welcome!”

There’s a chorus of much friendlier greetings for this new, unexpected arrival and as Minako goes around the table introducing everyone, the girl under her arm blushes and smiles and laughs as though she is absolutely delighted to be there. As though she’s completely at ease meeting a group of strangers. As though she doesn’t have a care in the world. Which can’t be the case if what Minako has just said is true. And yet, how can such a brilliant smile, such musical laughter, such sparkling eyes be anything but genuine?

“And this tall drink of water is Chiba Mamoru. Don’t let his looks fool you, he’s a total nerd.”

He’s heard his name, he knows this is his cue to say hello, but as soon as those big blue eyes land on him, Mamoru is struck momentarily dumb. Usagi smiles and appears unfazed by his sudden lapse. Whether she’s oblivious or just being polite is anyone’s guess, but the moment drags on long enough for others to take notice. The instant Minako’s gaze sharpens and her mouth curves in a cunning smirk, Mamoru knows he’s in trouble.

Minako pulls out the only free chair at the table with one arm and ushers Usagi into it with the other. “Mamoru, be a doll and get Usagi a drink while I go hunt down another chair.” She’s gone in a flash of blond hair and a clack of stiletto heels and Mamoru is left alone with the angel seated to his left. Well, not technically alone. There are still five other people there. Or at least there were. He’s not sure anymore.

When Usagi scoots forward in her chair and their knees brush beneath the table Mamoru wonders for a moment if he’s having a stroke. He’s trying to remember how to know for sure—troubling given the fact that he’s a doctor—when Usagi’s nose crinkles in an adorable smile and she extends her hand. “Tsukino Usagi. Photography assistant, recent dumpee, and hopeless romantic. Pleased to meet you, Chiba-san.”

Much to his surprise, Mamoru finds himself able to smile, raise a hand, and string several intelligible words together. “The pleasure is mine, Tsukino-san. Please, call me Mamoru.” He’s not sure what pleases him more: knowing he is not, indeed, having a stroke, or being able to interact with the beautiful woman next to him like a functioning human being. Before he can get too cocksure, he takes her hand and a bolt of lightning jolts up his arm. Metaphorically speaking. He thinks.

Usagi beams and gives his tingling hand an enthusiastic squeeze before letting go. From what Mamoru can tell, she is not likewise affected. He should be relieved. Strangely, he is not. “Only if you call me Usagi,” she replies, flashing a set of brilliant white teeth. The eye tooth on her left side is slightly crooked. He doesn’t know why but he finds that incredibly charming.

Mamoru smiles, much wider than he ever does. So wide his cheeks actually hurt a little. It feels strange but in a good way. “It’s a deal,” he says. “So, Usagi,” her name slips off his tongue like he’s said it a thousand times and he realizes he wants to say it at least a thousand times more, “what’s your poison?” Usagi’s eyes twinkle with delight and he knows he wants to see them do that at least a million times more.

A chair slams down on the floor to Usagi’s left, startling them both. Minako slings an arm around Usagi’s shoulders and flashes Mamoru a saucy wink. “What are we waiting for? Let’s drink!”

***

Wanna read more? Ch. 2

Thanks for reading! ❤️ I'm flying by the seat of my pants this year, so all bets (and betas) are off. 😅

Be sure to follow @usamamoweek for all of this year's content!

Many thanks to our awesome hosts @random-mailbox and @lilliebellfanfics for making this possible. 😘😘

[enemyoflactose]

Ryou Bakura for the... ass-breaking-down game? I don't know what else to call it

How I feel about Ryou

Despite all that I post about Ryou, he is in a very weird spot for me. I absolutely love him. He's a character that managed to make me feel like I wasn't a failure and could actually make friends that loved and cared for me. But I only felt that when I watched season 0.

I only began to see Ryou as something more than a character that had a cute design and was doomed by the narrative, after I learned that he originally saved his friends from Yami Bakura, and didn't just get saved by Yami.

The scene where Ryou sacrificed himself for his friends because he loved them and didn't care about dying for them, practically broke me. Before that, I just assumed that Ryou was like he was in the first series anime, a place holder friend. A friend you didn't willingly hang out with, but would talk to when necessary and you still felt obligated to care for. This unfortunately made him really relatable to me. I hadn't seen a character like that before. All the shows I'd seen prior had everyone as a big group of friends, or people like Ryou had another friend group that was their main group. Seeing that Ryou had neither, just made me happy.

When I began to find out more about Ryou, his interest in occult, TTRPGs, and horror just didn't connect in my head for a bit. I didn't know that he even had interests other than dueling because it was never said in the anime. I found out he liked cream puffs, didn't like oysters, was waayy taller than me, preferred games over girls, and was narcissistic. It all hit me like a sack of bricks at once, and it took a long time for me to accept some of these.

It took even longer to accept that even after finding out how much more there was to him, I still relate heavily to him.

He's in my top 5, but I can't say that he'll ever be my favorite character. I love him dearly though, and I always will.

All the characters I ship romantically with Ryou

Honda

Yami Bakura

Marik

Anzu

Mai

Kaiba

Zorc Necrophades

Dark Master Zorc

Otogi

Aigami

My non-romantic OTPs for Ryou

Heartshipping, fragilshipping, puffshipping, ouijashipping

My unpopular opinion about Ryou

I don't think he's stronger than Yami Bakura. Mentally, physically, whatever. I think he could trick him a few times, Yami Bakura is a desperate man, but I don't think he could fool him for very long.

One thing I wish had/would happen to Ryou

He never gets any kind of closure or repercussions for anything. He never gets any kind of apology from Marik or Aigami for what they did, and Ryou himself is only ever shown getting a stern talking to from his friends. Especially after the Darkpg thing is when I think Atem should have just yelled at him a bit.

Thank you for the ask. Sorry if that first section was a little too personal. Ryou means a lot to me.

[autumnslance]

Year of the OTP - June 2023 - Confession

(Time to yeet out a scene I've sat on too long. Altered dialogue from late Shadowbringers 5.0, in Amaurot at the last quest. 1035 words. References a few other previous writings.)

“Well, this has put everyone in a solemn mood, hasn't it? Honestly, we're not even sure this will be the end of it. But I suppose we should speak our minds when we have the opportunity. You taught me that much in Amh Araeng.”

Thancred took a breath. The air was still and damp. The letters were a weight in his coat, but there was no time, no opportunity for her to read them; he had squandered every chance. “So forgive me this moment of sentiment, Aeryn. By dragging me into this sorry mess, you've given me the chance to think and act as I should have…”

Say it. Tell her.

“...For Ryne's sake.”

True, but not the only truth to be said, bloody fool.

He swallowed. “Words cannot express how much this has changed my life, or how grateful I am for your support…”

He glanced at Ryne, so lost in her own thoughts she didn’t even look up to frown at nor encourage him. He sighed, reaching out and taking Aeryn’s hands in his. Aeryn looked at him, head tilting in her usual quizzical manner.

Gods, she looked brittle. Her white-streaked black hair looked like straw, her skin splotched with pale discoloration and seeming nearly translucent. Her eyes were perhaps the worst; he had always been fascinated by the changeable nature of her gray eyes, how they so expressed her moods even more than her frequent blushing. Now they were nearly colorless—yet still hers, her intellect and compassion still present.

I don’t have the right to say it. To add that pressure when she’s already close to cracking…

“Thancred?” Her voice was still her own, clear and strong.

He could not let those lessons go to waste. There may not be another chance, much as he prayed there would be. “That’s not all I wished to say,” he said quietly. The thick hush of the ghost city around them almost swallowed the words.

“Mayhap your bardic skills have grown rusty,” she teased gently with a strained smile.

He chuckled. “Indeed; I haven’t had much need to be a charmer—not when I would rather be guarding your back, and standing at your side, for as long as you will allow me.” He reached up to carefully cup her cheek, thumb brushing across her skin, wishing he could wipe that dreadful light away. Her eyes widened, darkening with emotion until they almost looked normal again. He smiled. 

“After everything, after all of this, I want—I need you to know, Aeryn, that I am in love with you.”

She sucked in a sharp breath and went very still.

His pulse pounded in his ears, but he’d said it, by the gods.

“I know my timing could be better,” he said acerbically. “And I haven’t forgotten my promise.” The damnable promise she had asked the day before, as they had left the Ondo to journey across the sea floor. “If anything, it makes it more important that you know—that whatever you need, whatever you ask, I can do naught else.” He paused, seeing the mists gathering in her too-bright eyes. “Our circumstances are wretched, so you needn’t worry about saying aught in return, just—”

“But I love you too,” she blurted, then blinked in the way she did when she surprised herself.

Thancred froze, afraid for a moment that he held her too tight, staring at her, the hammering of his heart loud enough to call attention from the shades around them. He was vaguely aware of Ryne now watching.

“I...am in love with you,” Aeryn repeated, with a little sobbing laugh. “I think I have been for awhile, but I didn’t know how to say it. When to,” she shook her head. “Perhaps you weren’t the only one who needed to learn something in Amh Araeng.”

His heart crinkled. Somewhere up the street Alisaie called back to them, though he couldn’t make out the words. He lifted Aeryn’s hand, brushing his lips over the backs of her fingers. “No promises,” he reminded her. “But we should talk later.”

Please let there be a later.

She made another half-sob, half-laugh sound, and nodded. “We should,” she repeated, voice shaking only a little.

“Meanwhile, even if words fail, I shall express my gratitude and love through action,” Thancred said. “No matter where you decide to go, I will be there, guarding your back.”

Or protecting Ryne and the others from you—as you asked. Gods, please don’t let it come to that.

Aeryn let out a long, shaky breath, and smiled. “That means…everything.”

He looked over at Ryne, who gave him a wan smile. “Now, I think Ryne needs a word. I’ll mollify Alisaie and Y’shtola’s tempers until you two catch up.”

Thancred hated stepping away, but he did, their fingers reluctantly slipping apart as he walked down the street while Aeryn turned to Ryne.

He’d said it. By the Twelve he had said it, and wondrously, Aeryn had said it in return. Would that he had been able to say it sooner—between everything with Minfilia and Ryne, his own base cowardice, and now, now Aeryn was—

It didn’t matter, he told himself. What mattered was that they had said it. That they knew. Their timing was shite, but the knowledge could not be lost now. Not between them.

“Everything all right?” Alisaie asked as he caught up to the others.

“Fine,” Thancred replied, a bit hoarse. He caught Urianger’s gaze, his raised eyebrow. Thancred smiled and gave a brief nod; his expression must have given away more than he thought, as Urianger visibly relaxed and grinned back. Y’shtola caught it too, brows drawing down together even as the ends of her mouth twitched upward. Had there been time, he would be receiving an earful, he was certain. “We each had our piece to say to our friend—though from Ryne’s expression, perhaps she needs to hear a few herself.”

The twins were peering at him now, stances their own but the gaze the same. They never realized when they did that. Thancred tried very hard to be nonchalant, to pretend all was normal, that his heart was not skipping and singing and screaming and sobbing all at once.

—

(I keep trying to write the parts around this but in the end...this specific little bit of Thancred's POV is it. Well, there's maybe a bit of Ardbert teasing Aeryn as a bro should, but that part's on Ao3.)

[windsweptinred]

Hello @bobbole me dear. Thank you so much for the amazing asks. 💖 I'm going to split them into two answers as there's two different ships. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to waffle on about two of my most beloved otps. ❤️❤️

OK first, Desunity (Desire x Unity Kinkaid). 

6. What is their favourite feature of their partner's?

I couldn't decide whether to answer this in terms of a physical feature or a personality feature. So, I've done both. 😅

Desire's favourite feature about Unity? Easy, her innate contentment. Unity isn't a creature of avarice. She's brave and loving, and has the phenomenal ability to take whatever fate throws at her and embrace it. She doesn't bemoan the years lost to her and wish her youth back. She's content, is thankful for her dream life and the family she has found on the other side of it. Imagine Desire, forever craved, forever wanted for what they can in turn promise. Always twisted and shaped into the object of another's greatest lust. Imagine them presented with a rare creature such as Unity, peaceful and fulfilled. Who wants nothing from them. And in turn learns to love them, the true them. Possibly the first being ever to do so besides their beloved twin. How truly precious this must be for them?

Desire's favourite physical feature? Well, this is a very self indulgent headcanon. But in every AU Unity lives on in the Dreaming I've envisioned, I've always pictured Unity as an ageless being, who can appear both young and old as she pleases. But always, always with those beautiful, aged, silver locks, a symbol of the years that have passed. A permanent reminder of the dream life she and Desire have lived together in a timeless realm. It would be permanent proof of a period of contentment for Desire. And I think they'd covet those tresses more than anything in existence. 

Unity's favourite feature about Desire. Well, I personally think she loves Desire's balkiness. This is Unity (take no prisoners) Kinkaid. Who looked upon the lord of the Dreaming for the first time and verbally laid the smacketh down five seconds later. (Desire must have been so proud!) Unity is 40% heart/ 40% sass and 20% giant gonads! She's more than a match for Desire at their peak brat and I can definitely see their foreplay being a fiery verbal tit for tat. Would Unity be an overall good influence on Desire? Sure. But she loves them for them. And that includes that razor sharp snark. I can just imagine Unity admonishing Desire for a particularly brutal put down, while simultaneously smirking at them with pure pride in her eyes. I pity the poor fool that tries to take them on as a unit.

As for physical, well we all know that. It's those resplendent golden eyes. 

26. What would be their theme song?

I know I've answered this one before. Possibly more than once I think. 😅 I've gone with something from the roaring twenties, as it's a decade I intricately connect this couple with. I've gone with ‘Once upon a Dream’ before… for obvious reasons. But you know what, honestly and truly the song that always makes me think of this beloved ship is Freed from desire by Gala. Considering what I said about the Unity...

“My love has got no money

He's got his strong beliefs

My love has got no power

He's got his strong beliefs

My love has got no fame

He's got his strong beliefs

My love has got no money

He's got his strong beliefs

Want more and more

People just want more and more

Freedom and love

What he's looking for

Freed from desire

Mind and senses purified”

One pure joy in my life is getting ready bounce my heart out and Na-na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na-na like no one's watching while thinking of them. 🤣