#otp: i knew you were trouble

[ordainedstillness]

Unfortunately don't have photos as I've been too busy with other things to open up veilguard until recently, but I will happily write about neverook most fondly!! 🥺🫶 🖤💚🩵🤍

As I mentioned, my Rook (Rafael) romanced Neve! With both being the busybody workaholic types (Rook more so during the events of the game and Neve being Neve and getting sucked into her own detective work) that a lot of their little dates have been either having tea and biscuits in Neve's office or running quick errands around Dock Town and helping anyone they may encounter that needed help.

Walking by the beach and skipping stones regardless of the weather are their favorite past times. It's become tradition for them to do so together if they both needed the company and to just think about whatever shenanigan they would find themselves in. Sometimes they hold a contest to see who can skip a stone the furthest, and Rook could never beat—not that he minds, of course. Seeing Neve's lips quirk up in victory already felt like he won the lottery without trying.

Once they found an extended period of rest after the Blight, Rook (who now preferred to go by his given name) took her to his home in Nevarra City to meet his adoptive family and also declare his intention of moving in with her, not just to help her duties of being an inspiration to Dock Town's residents, but also because he wanted to provide the undertaking skills he learned from being in charge with preparing the dead for their funerary rites in the Necropolis for a fraction of the normal costs, if not completely free of it. This was especially a huge task he gladly took to help the most vulnerable populations of Minrathous in dealing with the aftermath of the Blight.

Though they settle in Dock Town for seemingly the rest of their lives (Rook and Neve would both turn down many opportunities to move up in society for the love of their work and when they did accept some it's usually not by much), they did spend a brief period in Nevarra to take care of the humble Ingellvar Estate on the passing or Rafael's father until all the legalities were taken care of and transferred to his sister's name. They would also make many trips to the Necropolis at the request of Emmrich, who becomes a Lich in Rafael's canon, to catch up on everyone's current whereabouts.

They would have no interest in children and are very much content with just each other's company and the family of six cats that they took in. If they were to marry, they would do it in a quiet ceremony of just them, a handful of close friends, and the Chantry sister that officiated it.

Surviving the ordeal brought about by the risened evanuris drastically altered how Rook wanted to keep those close to him safe—including having his own perception of death and loss challenged, especially growing up surrounded with a lot of them— and Neve getting yanked away into the unknown for the period he was in Fade (and probably just a bit longer) pretty much put a nail on that coffin (hah!).

And I always go "hehehe they yearn SOOO much" to be funny however I also do mean it. There is a lot of yearning to be had when it came to coming to terms with how they feel for each other: one is jaded and cautious, knowing full well that in her line of work, there is no guarantee for anything. Neve is cynical in that aspect and yet a small part of her wants to be vulnerable and share that without worrying about whether or not they will be used as leverage against her or that one of them will not come back (and in the end, if Neve wasn't blighted, she always caught herself waiting).

Meanwhile, the other is a hopeless romantic, idealistic, and a little too optimistic in spite of the precarious circumstances he's in with the Watchers, and then the weight of the world on his shoulders; the latter significantly becoming more relevant as he realizes the unintended consequences of disrupting Solas's ritual unfolding in front of him. His selflessness is both his bane and boon, leading him to sometimes work himself to exhaustion. Since the game didn't show it, I definitely like to think of this as an offscreen/headcanoned way Rook and Neve bonded over tea and bitter coffee while everyone was asleep.

There is a missing scene of him not realizing he was watching Neve closely as she pored over one document after another in the dining room, realizing how alike they are despite their differences. And yet, because of that, Rook's a little hesitant on how to approach her, and he was aware of her own hesitances and understands—she made it clear to him early on, when their casual flirtation turned into... something a little more. He was ready to back off if she wanted to end it (and he would still support her to pursue her interests in becoming who she wants to be for Dock Town's residents no matter what) had she not kissed him first, thus affirming the romantic interest. It definitely felt like it came straight out of Bellara's serials. It'll be the first of many romantic gestures that I think would properly express how much they love and care for each other.

Where he's the ray of sunshine peeking out from behind the clouds after a rainy day for her. Where she's the rock that keeps his head from drifting away in the clouds. I think that's why I enjoyed my interpretation of the more expressive part of Rook's personality and pairing it with Neve's cautiousness. There is definitely a personal bias on my end, as I related to Neve so much in a time I was dealing with my own feelings about it so similarly. But the more I developed the kind of dynamic they have, the more I appreciated what we got from the game to work with, and to me, that was a huge part of their charm!

If you made it this far, thank you for coming to my TED talk!!

Rook Introduction Hour 2/14/25

Happy Valentine's Day! I hope everyone celebrating is having a wonderful time! 💞💖❣️🧑🏾‍❤️‍💋‍🧑🏿👩🏻‍❤️‍💋‍👩🏽👨🏾‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏼💌🩵🫶🏼🥰💝💘❣️

How it works: I ask you a question about your Rook(s) and you answer it with as much brevity or verbosity as you desire. You can do this whenever you want, and I’ll reblog it + add some comments! There’s no time limit— if you want to do the older ones, they are collected here! (The post is updated on Fridays!)

🎶 L is for the way you look at me /O is for the only one I see /V is very, very extraordinary /E is even more than anyone that you adore! 🎶

Today's Question(s): NOW it's all about 💕Romantic love💕! Who is/are your Rook's LI(s)? Do they go on dates together frequently? Where do they like to go together? What's the most romantic thing that Rook's ever done for them? That they've ever done for Rook? If they had unlimited time and money, and no obligations, what would they do for each other? Is there anything Rook or their LI(s) want to say to each other that they haven't yet, for some reason? If they were to settle down together, would they want to start a family? Do you have any headcanons about anything they did together during the game that wasn't shown? And lastly, do you have any pictures of Rook and their LI(s) that you want to share?

Hopefully there are enough questions for everyone to find something they're excited about! Have fun, and thanks for sharing!

(Also, if you are looking for more DA themed Valentine's day content, taamlok made a new romance themed ask game, and corvus-frugilegus is sending silly valentines! And those of you playing on PC can also download the Veilguard of Love mod that metamancer-io made, and turn your Veilguard romantic! Hope you have fun!)

[pixiereblogs]

Pixie Recaps Picard | The Bounty

[hhnguyen]

life of a traitor

I’m really sorry if this one seemed a bit messy, because I was trying to convey the feelings from multiple POV’s at the same time instead of just one. ps. i will drown in the Lo’ak x Tsireya ship. My OTP for life. 

♢ Pairing: Dad!Jake Sully x Oldest daughter!Reader, Lo’ak x Tsireya, Dad!Jake Sully x Lo’ak

♢ Word count: 4k 

♢ Genre: angst, family comfort - Warnings: cursing, Jake being a bad dad for once but we still love him 

⌲ Description: “You have shamed this family.” Words hurt and they sting. Yet you make sure your dad gets to feel that very pain in the wake of Lo’ak’s return. 

M A S T E R L I S T

“The Sully boy has been found!”

“The oldest is with him! They’re both back!”

You were holding your breath, you realized, as the village got closer. The lit-up lanterns that seemed like mere specks of stars in the night from a distance not long ago now seemingly looming over you with intimidation for what was to come. Both of you were perched on the backs of the Metkayina warrior's mounts that had spotted the two swimming back into the reefs after sending the tulkun off. 

And with Atanzaw flying above your heads, shining in the dark with his bioluminescent marks, it was an easy spotting as an uproar had started. 

Your brother reached the dock first, thanking the one who helped as you followed up shortly after doing the same. 

As if as one, both yours and Lo’ak’s gaze locked onto Ao’nung standing at the very front beside his parents. He was silent, though you didn’t know if that was due to the aftermath of his scolding or guilt for nearly killing your brother.

For his sake, it better had been the latter. 

You merely stood back as Lo’ak was ready to pounce on the boy himself until your dad quickly intervened with raised hands of peace, and you could not stop the disappointed roll of your eyes. 

“Hey…” Jake was trying to make eye contact with him, but sensing how his youngest son was too busy death glaring at the Olo’eyktan’s heir it was a futile try. “Let’s have a look at you.”

“He’s fine, he’s fine. Just a few scratches,” your dad declared, obviously nervous and trying to appear calm. 

“Define fine,” you muttered, not bothering to be too discreet and catching both the eyes of Tonowari and Jake. 

Your mother was next, as she threw herself down on the lower ledge and grabbed Lo’ak by his shoulders, nails probably digging in uncomfortably for a short moment. There was clear distress for her child on her face, but also the aggravation of him getting into trouble again. A very familiar combination when it came to your baby brother, admittedly. 

You still made sure to be closer to him as you stepped up, shoulders just barely brushing your dad’s arm in passing and hovering a mere few inches behind. A silent shield to be used if needed. 

“I pray for the strength that I will not rip the eyeballs out of my youngest son!” She growled with a frustrated grab at his face - Lo’ak did nothing but lean away, face stone cold in all the chaos. 

His indifference was worrying you as you reached out to subtly hook your little pinky around his own. An action that only the two of you and Kiri could do with your extra fingers. His body didn’t reveal anything besides the slight twitch at the touch, but he didn’t pull away, and you took it as a good sign. 

For now. 

“No. My son knows better than to take him outside of the reef,” Tonowari pushed Ao’nung down to his knees by the back of his neck, a sight that gave you immense satisfaction as your lips curled up into a small smirk. “The blame is his.”

Your father was trying his best to de-escalate the situation, you knew that. And although you had a lot to say, things were going smoothly at this point, so they were held back. 

“Okay, let’s go,” Jake accepted it, urging Lo’ak to get a move on and you started to follow until the next words made you freeze in shock. 

“No. This is not Ao’nung’s fault. This was my idea.”

What the fuck was he doing?

Stupid, stupid boy!

Your heart was starting to pump, the disbelief at that flat-out lie from Lo’ak not making it any better. And you made sure to voice it. 

“Lo’ak!” Your hiss was hardly low in volume, or gentle in its approach. It was a harsh, aggressive sound that made several people look as you grabbed your youngest brother’s arm and pulled him to you. “What do you think you’re doing?!” 

You were pretty sure your nails were digging into his skin much more painfully than your mom’s did. 

But as the idiot that he was, he wrenched away from you and continued on as if you hadn’t spoken. “Ao’nung tried to talk me out of it. Really.”

Lie, lie, lies!

The word thundered in your head as you pinched your eyes shut with a rigid sigh. Your parents had so clearly lost their patience as your dad went up first, your mom grabbing Lo’ak either in anger or confusion. “Lo’ak!”

You weren’t sure of anything, to be honest. 

“I’m sorry,” he finally finished. 

“Come on,” Jake’s voice was sternly laced with exhaustion as you both followed him.  “I got this one.”

How many times hadn’t you heard that sentence? 

There was a tense moment of silence as your family walked away, but Tuk was absent you noticed. Which was a good thing in itself, supposedly. She didn’t need to see this ugly side of your family so young - there were certain moments for learning, whereas others would just create minimal trauma. Just like now. 

“Dad, you told me to make friends with these kids, that was what I was trying to do-”

“I don’t want to hear it.” 

You cautiously straightened up at the apparent held-back anger and glanced at your mom, hoping she might help to diffuse the situation. But her glare was still firmly settled on Lo’ak, as you licked your lips anxiously. 

This situation was not reached its peak yet, the comprehension of the current mood washing over you. 

“Dad…”

“You brought shame to this family.”

It felt like the air had been sucked out of your lungs and stones beings violently shoved in their stead, eyes widening at the horrible words your dad…no, Jake Sully just blatantly said to your brother. 

Because this was not the dad that you knew. 

How could he? 

Saying such words when Lo’ak was already struggling with himself. 

Couldn’t they see that? 

It was so clear, your confusion nearly befuddled you enough, but not quite.

Because your anger was there. Simmering, boiling - ready to erupt at any moment - because this wasn’t fair.

Your baby brother was being so strong. 

Oh, how his expression squeezed your heart almost painfully. The way his shoulders just only drooped before straightening back up and fists clenching as his cold mask slipped back over the hurt that had been there only for a single second. 

“Can I go now?”

Don’t go. Please, don’t go. 

“Any more trouble I’ll tie a knot in your tail, you read me?”

Stop.

“Yes sir.”

Just fucking stop.  

With a flick of his eyes, your dad dismissed Lo’ak like he was one of his soldiers, and as you tried to reach out for him, your baby brother ignored you with a visible lean away. 

An action that hurt you more than you realized until now. 

“Where were you?” Your mom spoke for the first time, turning to Neteyam. 

Someone that had nothing to do with this whole fiasco. 

“Yeah, what happened to keep an eye on your brother?” 

You spoke before he could. “Where were you?”

Both of your parents turned to look, identical frowns on their faces as they stared you down at your tone. But you would not budge at their intimidation. 

“Excuse me?”

“How could you?” 

“Y/N this is not the time for one of your tirades again.”

The disbelieving laugh that you let out was so out of character that even Kiri’s eyes widened warily. 

Your sister was someone who often silently observed those around you. And she knew that at this point there was no going back. You were clearly losing it. 

“Y/N…” Your mom noticed the same, sensing the seams of your sensibility started to fray at the edges as you and Jake were locked in a stare-down. 

You grinned widely, all teeth on show as your arms spread to the side. “You know what? Thank you for suggesting that dad! I would love to actually!”

Tirades were your favorite part time after all. 

His eyes narrowed dangerously, a finger hovering in the air as Jake hissed in a breath before muttering out harshly - his eyes flickering to the curious audience gathering at your volume. “Watch yourself, young lady.” 

“Why?” Your reply was all but spat out. “Are you embarrassed? Ashamed perhaps?”

“Y/N, you do not speak to your father like that!” Your mom’s voice snapped up, gaze hard with a hint of surprise which you assumed was due to your attitude. 

Admittedly a side that you had never shown before. Or at least managed to hold back in tense moments. 

“Why the hell not?!” your words were met by the gasps of Kiri and Neteyam at the audacity, but they were easily ignored as you whirled to look at your father. 

He had his lips peeled back in a mid-snarl, his animalistic side coming out to warn you of the hierarchy in this family.

“You always speak to us like that! Whenever your emotions are too much to handle and you lash out at us. You say it’s our fault all disguised under your excuse of being a worried parent!”

“Lo’ak is fourteen, dad!” Making sure you had his attention you stepped closer. “Four-teen. He’s fourteen and already thinks he’s a fucking failure - and do you wanna know why that is?” there was no pause in your words as you threw them at his face. “Because of you.”

“You do not get to talk to me this way, Y/N,” Jake was clenching his jaw to the point he was sure his teeth would shatter. “I am your father-”

“-what father tells their child they’re ashamed of them?” You offered him a bitter smile. “The one I know sure as hell doesn’t.”

“Your brother made his choice. These are the consequences that follow-” your dad was having a hard time holding back with the way his voice raised mid-sentence before forcefully stopping himself and releasing a breath. “-that follow along with his actions. I am trying to teach him a lesson.”

“Did you ask him?”

“What?”

“Did. You. Ask. Him?”

Jake sighed in frustration, his hands coming up to grasp at empty air. “What are you talking about?” 

“Did you even bother to ask your son whose fault this really was?” you weren’t interested in hearing his answer. “Do you even know your son? Because I do, and do you wanna know why again? Because I damn well pay attention!”

The laugh coming out of your dad made chills appear on your skin, but you were already far too deep in to turn back. Things were already fucked up, then why not cross the line a little more. 

“Okay then, you little smartass. Are you telling me I don’t care about my own kid?”

He thought he had you there.

 “Caring and knowing are two very different things.” This time you were the one who had him. Shutting down his own retort. 

“You say you love us. You say you care for us. But also that we worry you, and that we disappoint you. Fine - that’s fine dad. But you don’t get to say that we have shamed you.”

For once during this entire duration, you hesitated. 

Your next words were waiting on the tip of your tongue, heavy and loaded - something you didn’t want to say, but a part of you needed to let them out. To let your dad, or even Jake Sully, the former marine soldier hear them to his face from someone close to him.

To feel the same stabbing pain that Lo’ak most certainly did earlier. 

Your aggressive protectiveness came victorious. 

So you let them loose. 

“You don’t get to say that; because we’re not the ones who betrayed an entire race to be where we are.”

Jake stumbled back in shock as if those very words had shot him right in the chest and he couldn’t stop them. Stop the truth that they were covered in. 

It was like a pin dropped in the heavy silence that followed between the loose circle your family stood in. Your mother for the first time in her life since giving birth to you hissed in protectiveness over her mate - at her own daughter - your brother sprung to your side and twisted you away with a snarl of your name, in warning, not scolding. Whereas Kiri remained still, eerie gaze never leaving you.

However, you weren’t done. 

“Hurts doesn’t it?” your voice croaked as Jake’s eyes slowly raised to meet yours. “Words.”

You left without saying anything else.

+

Warm. Gentle. Comforting and so loving.

Tsireya’s hold on his hands was always a welcoming feeling. 

Her touch seemed to ground him more than he sometimes realized. A feeling that was unfamiliar to him mostly, and one that always reminded him of you. 

But right now, with the two of them sitting on a boulder on the edge of a patchy space of grass and gazing out into the star covered night together, it was a touch that calmed the stabbing hurt from earlier and made the night all more bearable. 

Lo’ak had no idea how many hours that passed since the chaos that had ensued after returning with you. His hearing basically stopped working after his dad’s true feelings had slapped him in the face with their words - that stung more than an actual slap would have. 

He would have rather taken that slap. 

“Are you okay?” Tsireya’s voice was soft and light, so sweet in its tone that he couldn’t even stop the small smile on his face after the tumultuous day. 

“I will be,” he admitted honestly. He would always be somewhat okay after a few days, that was the truth. 

The real question was if he would ever heal from it. That one he wasn’t so sure about. 

Lo’ak might not have been mistreated or even abused by his family. A minimum that was expected for a happy life. Because in a certain perspective, he was fortunate in the life that he did have. 

Two caring, protective parents. 

Four loving siblings. 

A grandmother for Tsahik. 

And a home. Kind off. 

Then why didn’t he feel fortunate?

“You can always rely on me, you know that right?” 

Eywa. How beautiful her large eyes looked staring up at him from her place, where her head was previously leaned on his shoulder. 

They were sparkling, he swore. The aquamarine color of them stood out even more in the darkness surrounding them. The bioluminescent lights of nature surrounding them made her all the more ethereal in his gaze.

So large and so loving and caring in the way they always looked at him. 

And not for the first time, Lo’ak found his own gaze wavering - flickering down lower on her face and to her lips, which were adorably pulled down in a slightly concerned pout for him. 

They might be young, just fourteen-year-old kids still growing. But he wasn’t stupid or ignorant at his age. He was well versed in romantic feelings and commitment to your partners, and how to cherish each other if the right one ever did appear. 

And his dad made good on his promise to teach them all about teenage hormones and urges, and how to control them in a respectful manner. To know when it was too early to start exploring what he wanted or not. 

Lo’ak wanted to kiss her. He knew that. It wasn’t a secret. 

But it was too early. And in the aftermath of his falling out with his parents, it seemed too…raw. 

He didn’t want to use someone he was growing to care more for each day as a way of making himself feel better. 

And Tsireya deserved better, being the kindhearted person she was. And he wasn’t quite there to give it to her yet. 

But one day, he hoped he would be. 

“Thank you,” was all he managed to say in reply offering a small tug of his lips as she stared at him for a moment longer before turning away, the clear tell of redness on the tip of her ears as she realized their proximity for the first time. 

He didn’t see a reason to tease her about it, not wanting to break the serenity that they were currently in. It was somewhat possible to block everything that happened. 

He did say somewhat. 

The rustling of bushes becoming louder made both of them straighten up and turn back, only to see Jake coming closer in a slow yet determined stride. 

Lo’ak felt his heart starting to beat faster, a sudden change from the steady calm it had managed to find in the last couple of hours. 

The reality was catching up to him again at the appearance of his father. 

Tsireya turned to look at him with her concerned wide eyes again, he didn’t manage to answer her before his dad had reached them - but Lo’ak didn’t expect to notice the nervous fiddle of his hands as Jake stopped only a few feet away. 

“Hey kids-” his pause was out of character. “Do you mind if I speak to my son a bit, Tsireya?”

As if Lo’ak couldn’t fall for the girl more than he already did. Because instead of letting the presence of his father and Toruk Makto completely intimidate her, she turned to him first; Silently asking if he wanted her to leave. 

Jake seemed to be surprised himself, although pleasantly so. He has been so used to everyone outside of his family doing most things at his beck and call, both as a clan leader and war hero. He had clearly underestimated the relationship between the two young teens in front of him. 

Tsireya stood to leave quickly at the assuring nod of Lo’ak, before parting with a polite smile in Jake’s direction and going back to the village with one last look over her shoulder. 

There was a moment of complete stillness before Jake came and sat down on the space previously occupied next to Lo’ak. The boy didn’t even bother to acknowledge his father, simply staring out at the lapping water, shoulders hunched over. 

His two braids on the side of his face felt like the only shield to cover him as he let them hang, avoiding eye contact firmly. 

Jake let out a heavy sigh, having already expected the cold behavior of his youngest son. 

He didn’t blame him either. 

He had acted like a grade-A asshole, with the biggest A to exist in the universe. And towards his own child too. 

Jake Sully has never claimed parenthood to be easy in any way. It was a hard, taxing journey that he obviously was still trying to learn from. It was a road that never stopped no matter how old his kids got. He would always be a father, but he’s admittedly been a shit one as of late. 

And that wasn’t only according to you. 

Your words had hurt. Like a damn punch to his face. Or ten. 

That was true - Neytiri knew it too. And that made him think and regret. If those words stung him as they did, how much had he hurt his own kid by saying something he didn’t even mean?

Not really at least. 

Jake had been angry at the moment. Pissed off, to be honest. But it was also the overwhelming worry of his kid’s disappearance that made him act out. But it was no excuse for anything he had said.

You were still avoiding him. Well, ignoring is more like it. Which was even worse. Besides your siblings, you were actively shutting out the presence of both him and Neytiri despite their tries in the last few hours to speak. 

Kiri was the one to voice out your thoughts. “She won’t speak unless Lo’ak forgives you first.”

Was it strange that Jake was still proud of you? You owned the same pride he did as a young marine and his first moments on Pandora. 

An unyielding pride that often got him in trouble. 

But for you, it was a pride that protected your siblings even against your own parents. 

“You know, sometimes I think you deserve a better dad.”

Lo’ak didn’t reply, but the shift in his body assured Jake that he was paying attention. 

“I never wanted kids. Never even thought of having them until I met your mother. The world was already shitty enough as it was, so I didn’t see a point in bringing new life into it. And after my injury, that thought cemented.”

“Well, I’m sorry for ending up being your kid,” his low mutter was an inner thought not ever planning to see the light of day. Especially in front of the man himself. But he couldn’t stop himself. 

Jake let out a shuddering breath, finally realizing how deep this…trauma his youngest son was experiencing. And you had been right again; it was all his fault. 

“No, no Lo’ak,” moving closer, his son didn’t resist as he gently grabbed the back of his nape to push their foreheads together. 

Despite his bitter words, his body still relaxed at the comforting feeling. Because it was obvious - even after everything, he still loved his dad. Still craved the comforts of his protective touches, and his overpowering hugs that were rare but much needed whenever offered. 

“I’m sorry, son,” Jake whispered, eyes clenched shut and voice wavering with tears. “I have not been the father you needed since the war started, I know that now. I will try to improve, and I can’t promise I won’t fuck up further in the coming days, but I will never not love you.”

“Dad…”

Lo’ak wanted to cry. 

And in the protective embrace of his dad, he did. He let those long held tears flow loose, dripping down his cheeks and starting to obscure his vision as his breath started to heave at the force of it all. 

“What I said wasn’t true. I am proud of the man you’re starting to grow into, and you have never shamed this family. I am the one who should be ashamed, never you.” 

“I-I am sorry-”

“Stop saying sorry,” Jake demanded pulling his son closer. “Your sister was right. My burdens should not fall on your shoulders. You’re still young and deserve to be a child, not a soldier. So I am sorry.”

Pressing his lips against the crown on his youngest boy’s head, Jake only held him as his silent tears turned into soft sobs. All the pain and hurt that he had bottled up because of him, finally being lifted off his young shoulders that should have never been born them to begin with. 

“Will you ever forgive your old man of his faults?” His dad asked after several minutes he finished crying, his deep voice hoarse with nerves. 

Lo’ak had no idea how long his meltdown lasted, only letting out everything in the presence of his dad without restraint until he had no more tears left. It could have been five minutes or ten. Who knew at this point? 

“You’re my dad…” he had whispered in return. “I will always forgive you.”

There was a thankful smile on Jake’s face, wrinkles crinkling in the corners of his wet eyes. “Then you’re a far better person than I have ever been. Thank you.”

He swallowed, and for the first time in a while, his next words had never been more genuine than at this moment. 

“I love you, dad.”

There was a firm, warm squeeze around his body at hearing that. 

“God, I love you too, kiddo. So much you don’t even know.”

Maybe he’d been mistaken after all. 

Lo’ak doubted this would be the end of their turmoils because life came with them. It was just how it was; parents get angry at their kids, siblings get angry at each other and vice versa. 

It was expected, but at least from now on he would be assured of his parents’ love for him, and their presence would be constant and there whenever he would need them despite their own faults as people.

Updates will unfortunately be a bit slow moving forward. My 3rd semester has started and I’ve started to prepare for my MA thesis + 4 classes, so my days are packed 🥲

taglist:

@nao-cchi @eywas-heir @ssc7514 @spicycloudsalad @calums-betch @httpjiikook @ricecakeslove @fanboyluvr @iwaslikeblah   @the-wandering-pan-ace @avatarloversblog @eternallyvenus @enchantinggoateefox @arianapntn @heydemonsitsme @slyvixen1029​ @promiseofeywa @love13tter @directioner5life @bambisposts-blogs @melllinaa  @sugarmummystuff6 @lovekeeho @marit332 @hai-kbai @missroro @lola2004sworld @kage-yaa​

[hb-writes]

"You think you're real tough, don't you?" with Elliot and Emma (my platonic OTP)

"You think you're real tough, don't you?"

Elliot smirked at Emma as she asked him the question, mostly because it was true—Elliot did think he was real tough for standing up to their mother and getting out of yet another pretentious philanthropy dinner. It was rare that any of them came up with an excuse acceptable enough to garner a pardon from their mother for these things—even Mia had trouble getting out of them and she was still in Paris—so Elliot was more than a bit proud of himself.

He allowed a casual shrug of his shoulders as he answered. "You're just jealous you didn't think of an excuse to get out of it first."

"I'm actually not" —Emma usually quite enjoyed most her mother's events with all their glitz and glamour and delicious food and open bars— "but I will miss you terribly. You know Christian's never any fun at these things."

Christian always employed his serious, business-like persona at these events, moving about the event like a man who was overly aware of the constant gaze of the public eye being directed at him.

"And he never dances."

"Sure, he does," Elliot answered. "Christian always—"

"He always dances with me for two slow songs," Emma interrupted. "Never more and never anything fast or fun and he—"

"Hold on" Elliot said, mock surprise taking over his face and his tone. "Are you trying to say that I am the fun brother?"

Emma shoved Elliot's shoulder—they both knew it wasn't really a competition. "I'm saying you dance like an idiot, which allows me to dance normal and look way better at it than you by default."

Elliot screwed his face up in thought. "...was...that...a...challenge...?" he asked. "Are you challenging me to a dance off right here? Right now?"

Emma rolled her eyes, about to protest a dance off in their parents living room when the rest of their siblings and partners were due at the house at any moment, but Elliot had already pressed play on his phone and stood up from the couch, his body melting into the rhythm, his limbs seamlessly coordinating with the beat.

He looked like a goofball, and some small part of Emma tingled with the burn of secondhand embarrassment, but Elliot's face held a genuine smile, his enjoyment and passion so clear on his face that after a few seconds, Emma pushed past her own embarrassment and allowed herself to dance along with her brother, just two ill-coordinated idiots in the throws of a 90's jam sesh.

[multiverse--wanderer]

Unshaken Outlaws | Arthur Morgan x John Marston [ENG]

[ Fan-Fiction based on the OTP between Arthur Morgan and John Marston from Red Dead Redemption ] In a world where the last cowboys are ruthlessly hunted, survival is the only rule. Loyalty, fragile yet vital, is the thread that binds the outlaws together, their sole hope in a landscape marked by betrayal and constant danger. Amidst war and a passion that defies the rules, Arthur and John will find an unexpected path to redemption as their world crumbles around them. For Dutch's gang, the fight for survival has never been easy, but it becomes even more complicated when a forbidden love blossoms amid fallen bullets, lies, and deep wounds. Can this love become the sanctuary they need to withstand the coming chaos, or will it be the end of everything they know?

...

REMINDER:

This story has been written in Spanish, which is my native language. This story has been translated to the best of my ability, although it is possible that it may have mistakes.

This is just a way to transport my writing to a common language for the rest of fans like me. For a better immersion, I recommend reading the story in its original version.

You can find this story on Wattpad and Archive of Our Own.

Thank you so much for reading me and see you in the stars.

...

Chapter 1: When the Deer Saved the Wolf

Present

The storm showed no signs of letting up. The bare, rigid trees groaned under the weight of frost, and the entire landscape seemed determined to bury the men who dared challenge it beneath its white mantle. The outlaws, hidden among those same mountains, knew they were safer than ever under that icy hell, but they also understood that their safety was temporary. Nature protected no one for long; they had to move before the storm eased and the world began hunting them again.

Arthur trudged forward with difficulty through snow that reached his knees. Every step was a titanic effort, and the cabin sheltering Jack, Abigail, Hosea, and the women seemed miles away, though in reality, only a few meters separated him from it. Finally, he arrived, his face battered by the icy wind and his muscles numb. He shook off his coat, sending a dusting of snow scattering onto the wooden floor by the fireplace, where it hissed upon contact. Without waiting for an invitation, he moved toward the fire, extending his gloved hands toward the flickering flames that greeted him with an almost painful warmth.

—He's been gone for days, and it doesn't look like this storm's letting up. —Abigail's voice broke the tense silence, though her tone couldn't hide her worry—. He's strong, and he's smart. I'm sure he'll...

—Strong, yes —Arthur interrupted, arching an eyebrow with sarcasm—, but smart...

The comment made Abigail frown, but before she could respond, she glanced at Arthur, and her expression softened. The fury on her face gave way, though the restless glint in her eyes remained.

—Hi, Arthur.

—Abigail.

His response was curt, tinged with the indifference Arthur always reserved for her. By now, Abigail knew how to read him. That mask of coldness didn't fool anyone who truly knew him. Determined to break through the wall, she took a step closer, her voice dropping a notch, becoming almost sweet.

—Arthur... how are you?

He glanced at her sideways, his sharp eyes evaluating her with the resigned weariness he used when he knew someone was about to ask him for something. He'd seen that tone in her too many times. With John, it was practically a weapon, a surefire way to get what she wanted. And with him... she only used it when she needed something no one else could give her.

—Fine, Abigail. You?

—I need... —She hesitated for a moment, but Arthur didn't need to hear more. He sighed, tired of always anticipating others' needs—. Sorry to ask, but...

—It's about little John, isn't it? —His tone was bitter, almost biting—. He's gotten himself into trouble again.

Abigail's face hardened instantly. She didn't like the way he spoke about John, but she forced herself to stay composed. Her frown sought Arthur's gaze, as if daring to confront his sarcasm head-on.

—We haven't seen him in two days, Arthur.

—Your dear John will be fine —He replied with an ironic smirk—. I mean... even if he's dumber than rocks and duller than watching grass grow, a snowstorm isn't going to kill him.

The comment echoed in the room, leaving an uncomfortable silence. Hosea, seated by the fire, lifted his gaze, his expression calm but laden with authority. Arthur seemed agitated—more out of worry than anything else—but his pride wouldn't let him admit it. No matter how much he wanted to hate John, he couldn't help feeling that blend of anger and fear. Because, in the end, he cared more than he wanted to admit.

—Go check on him, at least. —Hosea intervened, his tone firm, leaving no room for argument.

Arthur grunted, frustrated. He couldn't refuse Hosea, because Hosea wasn't just a leader. He was his mentor, his father in all but blood, and the only one who truly understood the complicated relationship between him and John, even when they themselves couldn't figure it out.

—Javier, go with him —Hosea added, directing a look at the young Mexican, who immediately stood.

Javier smiled with that ever-casual air of his, but his gesture was kind as he gave Arthur a pat on the chest.

—You know, if the roles were reversed, John would do the same for us. Let's go, Arthur.

Arthur pressed his lips together, hiding his expression beneath the high collar of his coat. His gaze met Hosea's, searching for support or maybe permission to cling to his pride. But Hosea didn't relent. His silence was a tacit order: "Set your anger aside and do the right thing."

Without another word, Arthur gave a brusque nod and headed out, Javier following close behind. As they shut the door behind them, the icy wind roared with renewed fury, as if the mountain itself were challenging them to find John before it was too late.

...

CONTINUE READING THE FULL CHAPTER HERE:

[zethsdumpster]

Decided to have some fun with those "Rate the Ship" memes, I'm going to start with Acechiji and go from there, I'm also open to ship suggestions (preferably sent to my ask box)

Rate the Ship - Portgas D Ace x Vinsmoke Ichiji

NOTP | Ew/uncomfortable | Eh |Alright | I like it! | They look nice together| Let’s do it! | OTP | OTP of OTPs

Who realized they were in love first- Ace

Who said “I love you” first - Ace

How did they fall in love? – They find the other intriguing (and also attractive), Ichiji's coldness makes Ace want to dig his fingers under his skin and find the human hiding inside the robot, while Ace's everything makes Ichiji want to pull out his brain and study it, especially when Ace "makes him" bring out things within himself that not even he knew he was hiding, leaving him unstable on his feet and even more annoyed and curious about Ace, shifting their perspectives of the world irreparably.

How was their first kiss? – A moment of impulsivity that takes them both by surprise, is chaste and short, little more than a peck on the lips.

Who proposed? – Ichiji

Who is the best man/men? – Sabo, Luffy, Niji, Sanji, Yonji

Who is the bride’s maid(s)? – Reiju

Who did the most planning? – Ichiji

Who stressed the most? – Ichiji

Who was specifically not invited to the wedding? – Judge

Who is the one to instigate things? – Ace

Who gets stuck with the most diapers? – Ace

Who is the stricter parent? - Ichiji

Who stops the kid(s) from doing dangerous stunts after school? - Ichiji

Who remembers to pack the lunch(es)? – Ichiji

Who is the more loved parent? – both

Who is more likely to attend the PTA meetings? – Ichiji

Who cried the most at graduation? – Ace

Who is more likely to bail the child(ren) out of trouble with the law? – Ace

Who does the most cooking? – Ace

Who is the most picky in their food choice? – Ichiji

Who does the grocery shopping? – Ace

Who is more likely to surprise the other(s) with an anniversary dinner? – both

Who is more likely to suggest going out? - Ace

Who is more likely to burn the house down accidentally while cooking? – Ichiji

Who cleans the room? – Ichiji

Who cleans up after the pets? - Ichiji

Who is more likely to sweep everything under the rug? - neither

Who stresses the most when guests are coming over? – Ichiji

Who takes the longer showers/baths? – Ichiji

Who takes the dog out for a walk? – Ichiji

Who is most likely to sleep till noon? – Ace

Who plays the most pranks? – Ace

Who would have the others’ picture as their phone background - either neither or both

Who leaves notes written in fog on the bathroom mirror- both

Who buys the other cheesy gifts- Ace

Who initiated the first kiss- Ichiji

Who kisses the other awake in the morning- Ichiji

Gives nose/forehead kisses – Ace

Who starts tickle fights- Ace

Who asks who if they can join the other in the shower- Ace

Who surprises the other in the middle of the day at work with lunch- both

Who was nervous and shy on the first date – Ichiji (but you wouldn't have known by looking at him)

Gets jealous the most- neither

Drags the other person out into the water on beach day - Ace

Who kills/takes out the spiders- Ace

Who loudly proclaims their love when they’re drunk- Ace

When I started shipping it- I was writing a fic where Ichiji ends up with Whitebeard and is there to save Ace and Luffy at Marineford, I wrote a grand total of 1 interaction and my brain went "It's free real state" and they've been growing in my brain like black mold ever since

What makes me happy about them- everything uwu (they're both doomed siblings, two sides of the same sibling-shaped coin, hot fire vs cold fire, "believes themselves unlovable" x "isn't supposed to have feelings/emotions but falls in love anyway", and there's more, they have a lot going on ur honour)

What makes me sad about them- ... canon ...

Things done in fanfic that annoys me- Top Ichiji/Bottom Ace (doesn't really annoy me but I won't read it + there's only, like, 1 fic/1shot with that too so)

Things I look for in fanfic- the fic T.T

Who I’d be comfortable them ending up with, if not each other- Masked Deuce and Shuraiya Bascud, with either is good

My happily ever after for them- Together with their families by their sides (and with Judge out of the picture)

[theadmiralslegion]

Katoberfest 2023!

This year’s Katoberfest will be held October 22-29, 2023. 

There are seven days of prompts + a free day:

Sunday October 22: Only One Bed or Kat Survives AU

Monday October 23: First Kiss or OTP

Tuesday October 24: Cuddling for Warmth or Cold Space

Wednesday October 25: Mirror Universe or "I knew you were trouble"

Thursday October 26: Academy Era or Kat in the 32nd Century

Friday October 27: Accidental Child Acquisition or Mission Fic

Saturday October 28: Where is Katrina Cornwell right now?

Sunday October 29: Free Day

There are extra challenges:

1. The Katrina: post every day 2. The Cornwell: combine both of the day's prompts into one work 3. The Vice Admiral: set this playlist to shuffle and create a work inspired by the first song that plays 4. The Admiral: create one work that includes at least five of the fifteen available prompts.

There are no requirements or limits to any medium (e.g. word count, art style, length of vid or pod, etc.).

You may answer as many, or as few, as you like and there is no specific format. The prompts are jumping off points and may be considered in universe or meta. Answers may take the form of essay, discussion, fiction, artwork, bulleted lists, gifsets, vids, vlogs, comics, whatever! It is also fine to answer prompts on a different day than that which corresponds with the prompt (if you miss it, or it is simply easier for you). There is no right or wrong way to participate! The purpose of Katoberfest is to celebrate Admiral Cornwell, not create work or drama.

When sharing on social media, tag your posts #Katoberfest2023. We will reblog and retweet all tagged posts.

The AO3 Collection is available here.

Any questions, do not hesitate to ask!

-Anika (@pixiedane) and Liz (@liz-squids)

[moku-youbi]

think about this (I AM THINKING ABOUT THIS SO HARD)

in klive context (especially with your find your way home series in mind)

ahahaha. Gonna admit this is tough on me, because I DO ship Five/Lila, and I have basically from the moment she showed up...but any time I try to think of scenarios for potential fic, my brain just NOPES out because Klive is OTP, and I can't stand the thought of Five without his Klaus. (which is why I eventually was like okay, Klaus/Five/Lila...and then because I felt sad leaving Diego out, and because I ship Klaus/Diego and Five/Diego, my brain went WHY NOT ALL FOUR?!)

Let's be clear about a few things though! If this were an established Klive scenario, Five wouldn't have stopped for a second. He probably would've died pretty fast if not for Lila forcing a slowdown, because he would not pause to eat or sleep or drink and he'd get sloppy and delirious fast. This is supposing he'd end up on that subway without Klaus in the first place, though, which would have *never* happened. He wouldn't have allowed Klaus to get shot, or to run off to who knows where in the middle of an emergency situation, and he wouldn't feel the need to distract Klaus or pass him off to Ribbons the Babysitter. They'd be glued at the hip, so you'd either get all three of them on the subway, or just Klive. (to be clear, if it was all 3 of them, I'm totally down with ot3. Klaus would be such a great buffer in there, being so gentle with them both, comforting them, caring for them *le sigh* If Blackman was going to piss everyone off anyway, why not go for broke with incest 3way lmao! Then you could also do away with the AWFUL pointless Klaus storyline full of unnecessary trauma). All that being said, if he'd been in an established relationship with Klaus and somehow they HADN'T been together in the subway? Yeah, never in a million years would he have cheated on Klaus.

I think for me, the disconnect is that he wants to stay there with her, not that he falls in love with her. I don't have trouble believing that. They're already so alike and there's clear affection and a spark of chemistry there. And I think a lot of people miss that 1.) he'd already 'broken up with' Delores in s1 when he returns her to the store and 2.) he's stuck in another apocalypse scenario, and we know his coping mechanisms. + 3.) she was in an unhappy and unfulfilling marriage and 4.) her aggressive positivity and not speaking about her children is *her* coping mechanism. My poly-minded brain is okay with this. He can love her and Klaus and Delores and whoever. She can love him and Diego and whoever.

And I can even see him needing a break. That's what he told Klaus he wanted in s3 after all. He had a few year's downtime, and then suddenly gets put back in this nightmare situation with no end in sight. He's 70. He's tired of just running and fighting *constantly* It makes sense to want to go someplace safe and comfortable and take a breath.

For me the part that doesn't work is as soon as he finds the book. Like it just doesn't work for his character no matter what. I can see him taking a couple of days to come to terms with the fact he's going to lose Lila, but I don't see it lasting *months* That's where the Klive shipper (and Hargreeves OTSiblings) in me is all hell naw! Not only is it unbelievable that he'd abandon his siblings to the apocalypse (like, sure, wanting to get away from the endless chain of end of the world scenarios, fine, but he'd go bring his family BACK with them, then), but we saw with Delores that he let her go because he knew it was what was right and what she needed. He would *never* keep Lila from her children 5 months longer out of selfishness, knowing her anguish over being apart from them for so long, no matter how much he loves her. In fact, it's because he loves her so much that he wouldn't.

And that's what it comes down to, a fundamental misunderstanding of how Five loves, from the writers. It's an interesting blend of selfishness and selflessness, but no matter the cost to him personally, he'll do what is best for his loved ones.

[vincentsleftear]

Get To Know Your Moots

Thanks for the tag @randomfoggytiger

What the origin of your blog title? I was going through a bit of an art history phase when I first came up with it. 1) I was reallyyy into Van Gogh at the time. 2) I also knew I wanted something a bit funny/off beat. Thus, “vincentsleftear”. It’s been a while since then and I’ve moved on from the url on other platforms but I’ve kept it here. Idk, it just feels special :)

OTP(s) + ship names: ugh, where to start!! Right now Siuan and Moiraine (siuarane aka fishwives) have me in an absolute CHOKEHOLD. Of course, there’s Alicent and Rhaenyra (rhaenicent). I’ll be a Gerri and Karolina (Gerrolina) truther till I die and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to think about Agatha and Rio (agathario) and NOT go crazy. If I’m remembering correctly, my first real introduction into the world of shipping was Narcissa and Lucius (Lucissa), though I don’t really interact with the source material anymore for obvious reasons. Of course, I’ll always return to the two who INVENTED the game, Mulder and Scully (MSR).

Favorite color: Love blue but if we’re looking at the evidence it’d probably be green lol. I’m surrounded by it! My phone, my computer, my headphones, my bedspread, my decor! All green! On the other hand, my friends and family are always clowning me because apparently I almost exclusively wear white. I mean, they aren’t WRONG but istg it isn’t intentional! Idk, I must be subconsciously drawn to clothes in that color lol. I’ve heard everything from “it’s like you’re a cartoon character with a signature color palette” to “…did you join a cult and not tell us?”

Favorite Game: Will yall kill me if I say Minecraft. Cause it’s Minecraft.

Song Stuck in Your Head: Sara by Fleetwood Mac!! I cannot tell you how many times I’ve listened to that song today alone lol

Weirdest habit/trait: chronic nail biter. Not exactly “weird” but it’s a bad one. Definitely should have grown out of that one a while ago smh.

Hobbies: I think I’m deep enough into the playlist making game for it to be considered a hobby at this point lol. You can pretty much track my hyoerfixations through my Spotify account bc the first thing I do when I’m enjoying a peice of media is run and make a playlist inspired by it. Right now I have 140 in total…😅. The NEXT thing I do is make a Pinterest board inspired by it lol.

If you work, what’s your profession? Full time student, part time at a library :)

If you could have any job you wish, what would it be? Get me in the US House of Representatives!!

Something you're good at: public speaking! Not to toot my own horn but it’s definitely a strong suit and is something I actually enjoy!

Something you’re bad at: math. lying.

Something you love: Coffee!! Gay tv shows!! My siblings!! Sleep!!

Something you could talk about for hours off the cuff: Honestly, anything lol. I’m a certified yapper. I would gladly ramble on about the plots of my favorite books/shows for agesss.

Something you hate: Sweet Potatoes! Slow walkers! Miscommunication!!

Something you collect: playlists LMAO

Something you forget: my head if it wasn’t attached to my body

What’s your love language: acts of service and quality time

Favorite movie/show: The Prince of Egypt (1998) is a cinematic masterpiece and my all time favorite. MINARI (2020) is one that I regularly recommend. If I try to list my fav shows we’ll be here all week lmao.

Favorite food: PASTA!!! Spaghetti specifically! But really any and all forms of pasta if we’re being honest here

Favorite animal: I’ve had a fascination with Orca whales ever since I was little. They are sooo interesting and incredibly intelligent and DEEPLY terrifying. The Blackfish (2013) documentary definitely left an imprint on my psyche.

What were you like as a child? Super chatty, incredibly hyper with a complete inability to sit still, and loud. I wasn’t a bad kid but it was things like this that got me into trouble at school *quite* often. In the beginning, I tried really hard to be a teacher’s pet but I found out quickly that it just wasn’t in the cards for me. So I became the class clown lol.

Favorite subject at school? I really enjoyed English and Literature but my favorites were definitely my social studies classes. History, human geography, government, politics!! Those were my thing!

Least favorite subject? MATH. Geometry was (and still is) my mortal enemy.

What’s your best character trait? always authentically myself

What’s your worst character trait? Chronic procrastinator. I tend to withdraw or getting a bit mean when I’m stressed/overwhelmed but that’s something I’m working on!

If you could change any detail of your day right now what would it be? The weather has been soo bleak recently. No sun, just rain and cold. Also! Over the past few days my government has been repealing protections (some of which have been in place since the 60s) that prevent discrimination on the basis of race, sexuality, and gender. Consequently, as a Black gay woman, I’ve been living in a constant state of intense anxiety and panic. So. That. I’d change that.

If you could travel in time who would you like to meet? An aunt that passed before I was born

Recommend one of your favourite fanfics (spread the love!): Little Pitchers by dionaeamuscipula on AO3!

lowwww presssure tags 💌: @bakedbakermom @thursdayinspace @calimanc @picklejarred @ragnarockz

[mrsreginagold]

Fic: All That You Need

Fandom: Nikita 

Pairing: Ari Tasarov x Nikita Mears (Nikari)

Rating: R

Spoilers: Canon-divergent AU where Ari survives the events of 3x14.

Summary: Nikita’s relief at a mission gone right becomes slightly complicated thanks to the solace that she finds in Ari. 

Author’s Note: It's apparently become my life's mission to retcon "The Life We've Chosen" in as many ways that I can think of -- alternate endings, missing scenes, etc, etc. If I'm to be the sole provider of happy endings for this OTP of mine: so be it.

On AO3

All That You Need

                  The journey back home after the events in South Ossetia was understandably rife with tension. 

                  Against all odds: Nikita Mears’ mission to retrieve Ari Tasarov had been successful. 

                  The former head of Gogol was currently nestled against the beautiful Division operative’s side, their fingers entwined together tightly. They had refused to let go of each other’s hands since reuniting, and it was something that did not escape the attention of the other members of the team. 

                  While Owen Elliot said nothing, the understanding was apparent in his eyes. 

                  Sean Pierce also remained silent, though his expression remained stoic enough to not tell what he was truly thinking.

                  Alexandra Udinov, on the other hand, was glaring daggers at them. 

                  Nikita could feel the sting of betrayal rolling off her past protégé in waves. She couldn’t deny that it hurt, but when she lifted her head from Ari’s shoulder to check on him and was rewarded with a kind smile, she knew that she had made the right decision. 

                  The man beside her was worth the trouble, and she felt a swirl of pleasant butterflies when his gaze didn’t break from hers. 

                  She had always privately admired how stunning his eyes were. Up close, they were even brighter blue in shade, and it was remarkably easy to become lost in them.

                  “Are you okay?” he whispered, reaching out with his free hand to lightly brush his fingers along her cheekbone. 

                  “Shouldn’t I be asking you that? After all, you’re the one with the kill chip in your neck.”

                  Ari chuckled – a low, alluring sound that made warmth pool automatically below her stomach. “Frankly, with all the commotion I completely forgot that it’s still there.”

                  “We’ll take care of that when we’re back home,” it felt a little strange to refer to Division headquarters in such a way, but there was no arguing the point that, for her companion, that’s exactly what it was. “Then I’ll talk to Fletch about what to do as we move forward. I have some choice words for him anyway.” She was referring to her boss, Ryan Fletcher, who she also blamed for the mission nearly going south.

                  “I have something for you that should help with that,” he finally let go of her hand momentarily to reach into his coat pocket. 

                  Nikita’s eyes widened in shock when he pulled out a Black Box. “Ari…when?”

                  “I heard the gunshots, so I grabbed it. Then I hit Amanda across the face with it in order to get away.”

                  The mental image of a stunned Amanda Collins being whacked with the object that had caused a ton of trouble was undeniably amusing. 

                  “That explains why she tried to shoot you in the back. Luckily, her aim is horrible.” She accepted the device when he handed it to her.

                  “I’m just grateful to be alive, kill chip or not,” he took her hand within his again, though this time it was to place a gallant kiss on the center of her palm. “Thank you, Nikita: for saving me.”

                  Her cheeks flushed with color, partly due to the impromptu affection but mostly because of the sheer devotion apparent in his gaze. “I told you I wasn’t leaving without you.”

                  His response was a brief nuzzle at her hand, his lips once again grazing over her skin in a manner that caused goosebumps. 

                  Her pulse jumped erratically. Suddenly, she hated that they weren’t alone like they had been a couple nights before, which had been long enough to air out the long list of grievances that had been built over the years. Reaching an understanding with one another had brought feelings that had been long suppressed to light, and now they couldn’t act on them. 

                  He seemed to sense her frustration because he dared to press another kiss chastely to her forehead. “You know, there’s a part of me that wishes Mr. Elliot and Mr. Pierce hadn’t returned when they did last night.”

                  She understood why with perfect clarity. If they hadn’t been interrupted, they definitely would have shared a proper embrace: the kind she was currently imagining. 

                  Nikita sighed wistfully and turned so she could rest her head against his shoulder once more. “We’ll just have to pick up where we left off. But first, you need that chip removed, and I have to talk to my co-workers.”

                  “I can tell you’re not looking forward to that,” Ari squeezed her hand reassuringly. “If you prefer that I be there—

                  “Getting that stupid kill switch out is more important. Also it would be great if Alex would stop leveling that death glare at us.”

                  “It would, but I’d cut her a little slack. After all: Amanda was playing mind games with her. I can’t exactly blame her for being upset that things went well on our end when they didn’t on hers.”

                  “When did you get so forgiving?” she slipped her other hand under his overcoat to draw tiny, invisible designs along his shirt. She could tell how warm his skin was beneath the fabric, and it made her long to explore him without any barriers. 

                  “It’s a recent development,” his breath ruffled her hair. “I’m still coming to terms with it.”

                  “Well, I’m not minding the new and improved Ari Tasarov. In fact I think I’ll keep him.”

                  “You know, if you two would like to be alone, there’s a cargo bay,” Owen suddenly chimed in, startling the pair out of their little bubble of intimacy. 

                  “Please,” Alex scoffed, rolling her eyes. “If you’re going to throw yourselves at each other I’d rather not witness it.”

                  Nikita frowned. She had always viewed the younger woman as something akin to a sister, and lately her attitude had been more petulant, even when the subject wasn’t the man she was currently snuggled up with. 

                  “Miss Udinov, I’m well aware that you don’t like me, particularly after our past interactions. However, Nikita risked her life while trying to save both of us. For that: I think you owe her a modicum of respect.” Ari stated in a calm tone.

                  Alex stood abruptly, her temper flaring. “You’re really going to lecture me? Of the two of us, which one attempted to kill her repeatedly?!”

                  “…actually it’s close to a draw,” Nikita muttered. 

                  Unfortunately, the argumentative tone of her fellow agent was enough to make Ari just as irritable. “You think I wished to do her harm? I fell for her ages ago! The last thing I ever wanted was to hurt Nikita, but I had a reputation to maintain at Gogol. Semak would have noticed if I had gone soft on her – on any of you!”

                  Nikita blinked. That was undisputedly brand-new information. “Wait, what?”

                  He winced when he recognized just how much he had let slip and looked over at her with guilt washing over his attractive face. “Perhaps we should go into the back.”

                  “Yes. I think that’s a smart idea,” she stood and helped him to his feet, but whirled around to face Alex briefly. “And we are going to talk when you’re ready to be an adult again.”

                  “Can’t wait,” the sarcasm dripped from her friend’s voice, but she chose to ignore it as she had more pressing matters to attend to. 

                  Nikita slid the partition shut that would give her and Ari full privacy. 

                  She looked back over her shoulder to see that he had begun pacing, and her heart clenched. She recognized it as a nervous reaction now, and before anything else could be said she hurried to him and quickly curled her arms around his waist, drawing him to her in a hug. “I’m sorry. I didn’t expect Alex to be so awful.”

                  “Don’t be. I deserve every bit of vitriol she spews my way,” he sighed, his shoulders slumping as he relaxed into her embrace. 

                  “No you don’t,” she shook her head and thumbed over the scar on the back of his neck. “And don’t worry about anyone trying to detonate that trigger, I already disabled it.”

                  “I’m not worried about anyone trying to kill me anymore, Nikita,” slowly, he met her eyes and brought his hands up to frame her face. “I just didn’t want you to discover my secret this way.”

                  “Mm, about that��how long?”

                  “Beg your pardon?”

                  “How long have you harbored feelings for me?” 

                  He fell silent, but she noticed a hitch in his breath.

                  Tenderly, she combed her fingers through his hair, upsetting it from the neatly brushed back style it was in, and tried again in an even softer tone: “Ari, how long have you been in love with me?” 

                  “Since you showed up by my car window after the incident with the poison.”

                  She balked, unable to help it. “That was three years ago! You could have said something – anything – god, you could have stopped me from practically killing you a few weeks back if you’d just told me –

                  He cut off her tirade by capturing her mouth in a kiss that conveyed the depth of his feelings for her better than words could. 

                  While she hadn’t fully expected it – she returned his embrace with equal fervor and allowed herself to get caught up in the moment. 

                  Nikita had never been one to put much stock in fairy tales. They had always seemed completely out of reach for someone in her profession, and yet – the man holding her was proving to be what she had only dreamed of once. 

                  Ari’s lips were soft against her own and he tasted sweet, like a combination of bourbon and vanilla with just a hint of cinnamon. It was outright intoxicating, her hands clawing over the luxurious fabric of his overcoat as she pressed closer. 

                  She felt him smile right before he hoisted her up in his arms, carrying her into the shadowy depths of the supply hold. 

                  She hooked her legs around him for balance, attacking the buttons to his gray, heavy wool jacket as they continued in their explorations. 

                  His lips strayed to claim purchase on her neck, nimble fingers undoing the buckle to her overcoat so he could slide it off her. 

                  A startled gasp emerged when he pinned her between his tall, solid body and a nearby metal crate, his teeth scraping deliberately over her clavicle as he skimmed a hand up under her tee, his touch burning against her skin.

                  In retaliation she shoved both his outerwear and suit coat off, elated when he tugged his arms free quickly and she was able to tackle his shirt.

                  She tore at it in her haste, muttering an apology when she saw buttons go flying. 

                  He laughed quietly and nudged her nose with his before shrugging compliantly out of the ruined garment. 

                  Her hands immediately delved to explore his now bare torso, nails catching in the soft hair that dusted his chest.

                  To even the odds – he lifted her top over her head and then made short work of her bra, ducking a kiss in the valley between her breasts before focusing his attention first on one, then the other. 

                  Molten heat gathered at her center that quickly went to war with the cool temperature along her back, arousal clouding her senses. She clutched at his shoulder blades while he eased off her remaining clothing, his lips creating paths along her increasingly sensitized skin. 

                  It was only a short matter of time before they were both fully naked and meeting repeatedly in loving kisses. The less comfortable aspects of their location faded away as desire took hold and she hitched a leg over his hip, arching against him in an invitation that he gladly accepted. 

                  Nikita cried out sharply once her lover was buried within her, her gaze locking with Ari’s right as he began to move, slowly at first and then with gradual symmetry. 

                  It was reckless. Passionate. Perfect. 

                  Neither could tell where one ended and the other began after a while, kissing over and over in a mimicry of their entwined forms until, eventually, there was nothing left to do but fall. 

                  “I’m really glad that crate wasn’t made out of wood, or else I’d be explaining some really strange splinters to medical.” Nikita peered up at Ari, stroking over his chest as they recuperated on a pile of blankets that they had found. 

                  “Is that more or less embarrassing than the fact that the rest of the rescue team probably heard everything?” he inquired.

                  She stretched lazily in his arms and shrugged. “I don’t particularly care what they heard. 

                  “You don’t?” he twisted slightly to look at her, caressing sweetly over her cheek. 

                  They were fully clothed again, though several buttons were now missing from his shirt, and they looked arguably more rumpled than they had earlier.  She took advantage of the gap in the fabric to slide one hand underneath and trace patterns over his skin before replying. “I don’t. My personal life is really none of their business.”

                  “Even so, I imagine we’ll be subject to a rant or five. Particularly from Miss Udinov.”

                  “I’m just going to ignore her till she removes that stick up her ass,” she sighed and nuzzled at his throat. 

                  “Your relationship with her is important, Nikita. You need to figure out a way to move past this.”

                  “I know, but right now I just want to get back, get that awful thing in your neck taken out, and then I’m bringing you home with me: where we can do this again but in an actual bed.”

                  The mention of something cozier than makeshift nest they had created made him smile. “I haven’t slept on a proper bed for months.”

                  “Well, I can’t guarantee there will be much sleeping, but…” she pushed him back into the blankets with a grin. “There’s also a couch, a shower and bathtub, plenty of counter space. We can be inventive.”

                  “You had me at the shower, I’m desperate for more than a few minutes with lukewarm water.”

                  “The gym facilities are that bad?”

                  “Yes.” He yanked her close and stole a kiss, which turned more romantic the longer that it wore on.

                  She giggled when he abruptly rolled them so that he was on top again, eagerly responding to another series of tender kisses before he parted from her and tucked an errant lock of hair back over her ear. “I can bring it up with Ryan at the next meeting, if you like.”

                  “It’s entirely up to you, my love…” he paused before his expression turned more serious. “Although, I just realized that I never did answer your question earlier about why I said nothing regarding my feelings.”

                  “That’s all right, you don’t have to if it’ll ruin the mood,” she shook her head, content to bask with him instead if that was what he wanted. 

                  “It won’t. It’s simply that I was scared. I was thrown by my love for you, and how intense an emotion it was. And the last thing I wanted was to make things more complicated.”

                  “You didn’t make things complicated, Ari, you made things clear. I got so caught up in what others asked of me and what was expected that I never really took the time to decide what I actually wanted for myself.”

                  He stared at her, those perceptive, gorgeous eyes studying her intently. “What do you want, Nikita?”

                  “A normal life…at least as normal as it gets for people like us. Maybe a house and a dog, and, oh yeah: you.”

                  His handsome face lit up with a smile. “I think we can manage that.” And then he drew her to him for another passion-filled kiss that ended any further discussion. 

                  She found it remarkably easy to concede. 

The End 

[sotvtaughtmehowtofeel]

20 Questions for Writers

Thanks for the tag @autumnwoodsdreamer 💜

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

47

2. What’s your total AO3 word count?

118,647

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Prospect. I used to write for The Last of Us but alas, the rot has shifted

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Uncle Joel

Safe

Home

Tell Her

Tacos

These are all short little one shots for tlou

5. Do you respond to comments?

I really try to but I think the honest answer is no 😭 every once in a while I go on a bender and respond to like 50 comments but I get so anxious responding because I'm like hiii thank you 🧍‍♀️ the best way to talk to me is on here tbh but please please don't stop leaving me comments I love them with my entire soul

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Probably Joel. It's a death fic, but honestly it's not very good lol I have a death fic for Prospect that is mostly written that's gonna be wayy angstier, I just have to finish it

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

To see myself reflected in your eyes 💜 Cee and Ezra deserve to live a happy life thanks

8. Do you get hate on fics?

I haven't, I've been lucky. People have been super supportive and so so nice on my fics (I love you all).

tbh I don't think my writing is popular enough to get hate lol.

9. Do you write smut?

No

10. Do you write crossovers?

I have written so many crossover fics that will never ever see the light of day lol I do not have any on ao3

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not that I know of

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Not that I know of (again I don't think my writing is popular enough for either of these things to happen haha)

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

Tumblr user tlouobsessed and I cowrote a fic (sobbed in our dms together). I took all the ideas we had talked about and wrote a little ficlet from them and I consider that cowriting

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

Oh, how to answer that. Willow and Tara (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) were my original OTP, I shipped them before I knew what shipping was. Nomi and Amanita (Sense8), couple of all time. There are more but I think those are my top two.

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

No Light 😭 I have ideas but no rot left. Maybe season 2 will reignite it, but I just don't know. Also, Stolen Future, the Prospect death fic I mentioned earlier. Idk why but I'm having so much trouble just finishing it. I do hope to actually finish that one day.

16. What are your writing strengths?

I think I can write some good dialogue and fight scenes sometimes

I think I do a good job with storytelling sometimes? Combining different threads across a story to bring it all together. I'm thinking of how the present and flashbacks interact in By Midnight Time and something from Stolen Future

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

I cannot describe things to save my life. All of my fics happen in empty white rooms good luck I hope your imagination fills everything in. It's such a fundamental aspect of writing that I am so so bad at lol I'm trying to learn from my friends and reading published books but it's hard!

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

Prev also said this but I agree, italicize other languages. Otherwise, go for it, but do your research if you don't speak the language

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Buffy the Vampire Slayer back when I was a teenager. Didn't know what fanfic was, but my sister and I had a LOT of feelings about Buffy and we had to express them somewhere so we wrote our stories.

20. Favourite fic you’ve written?

By Midnight Time. Now I just need to freaking finish it 😉

Although I'm also very very fond of Blood of the Covenant and Water of the Womb, a one-shot told from both Ezra's and Cee's pov

Absolutely no pressure tags: @orangechickenpillow @blooming-gwens @dilf-din @ellies-little-gun @ellies-enrichment @outer-edges @steeb-stn @wicked--loving--lies

[lorelodge]

gomez & morticia !

The Ultimate Relationship Meme

Gomez & Morticia

GENERAL:

• Rate the Ship -   Awful | Ew | No pics pls | I’m not comfortable | Alright | I like it! | Got Pics? | Let’s do it! | Why is this not getting more attention?! | The OTP to rule all other OTPs

• How long will they last? - Until death do they part (and maybe even after that).

• How quickly did/will they fall in love? - Immediately. Rom com level love at first sight. They hadn't even known each other 24 hours and they already knew they wanted to be married.

• How was their first kiss? - Incredible and they're still having it as we speak.

WEDDING:

• Who proposed? - Gomez.

• Who is the best man/men? - Uncle Fester and Lurch.

• Who is the bridesmaid(s)? - Thing and Ophelia.

• Who did the most planning? - Morticia.

• Who stressed the most? - Gomez.

• How fancy was the ceremony? - Back of a pickup truck | 2 | 3 | 4 | Normal Church Wedding | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Kate and William wish they were this big.

• Who was specifically not invited to the wedding? - It wasn't that anyone was specifically not invited. They invited the neighborhood and basically nobody showed up besides family. No. They didn't notice or care.

SEX:

• Who is on top? - They'll switch off but usually it's Morticia tbh.

• Who is the one to instigate things? - It depends on their mood but usually Morticia looks at Gomez and that's really all he needs before he has the overwhelming desire to devour her with kisses.

• How healthy is their sex life? - Barely touch themselves let alone each other | 2 | 3 | 4 | Once a couple weeks, nothing overboard | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | They are humping each other on the couch right now

• How kinky are they? - Straight missionary with the lights off | 2 | 3 | 4 | Might try some butt stuff and toys | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Don’t go into the sex dungeon without a horse’s head

• How long do they normally last? - Until the morning dungeon bells.

• How rough are they in bed? - Softer than a butterfly on the back of a bunny | 2 | 3 | 4 | The bed’s shaking and squeaking every time | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Their dirty talk is so vulgar it’d make Dwayne Johnson blush. Also, the wall’s so weak it could collapse the next time they do it.

• How much cuddling/snuggling do they do? - No touching after sex | 2 | 3 | 4 | A little spooning at night, or on the couch, but not in public | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | They snuggle and kiss more often than a teen couple on their fifth date to a pillow factory.

CHILDREN:

• How many children will they have naturally? -They technically don't have any "natural" births the way you or I may think of it. Both children are biologically theirs. Ophelia was their surrogate for Pugsley. His blonde hair and cheery demeanor comes from her. The second time around they decided to have a cauldron baby, hence Wednesday appearing as an exact replica of her mum.

• How many children will they adopt? - None.

• Who gets stuck with the most diapers? - They equally handle the diapers. But they don't consider it "getting stuck" since they love their children, even at their most incontinent.

• Who is the stricter parent? - Lurch & Mama Addams.

• Who stops the kid(s) from doing dangerous stunts after school? - Lurch & Thing.

• Who remembers to pack the lunch(es)? - Pugsley & Lurch.

• Who is the more loved parent? - Their kids both love them equally. Gomez is considered the more "fun" parent but Morticia offers good advice.

• Who is more likely to attend the PTA meetings? Both. They are both very invested in their children. Gomez may have a slight lead but both try to be there. Even if one of them can't be there in person they will use a spell to appear in one of the nearby mirrors so they can get the lowdown.

• Who cried the most at graduation? - Gomez.

• Who is more likely to bail the child(ren) out of trouble with the law? - Morticia because Gomez is probably in jail with them.

COOKING:

• Who does the most cooking? - Morticia will often help Mama Addams cook. She has a knack for even the most complex recipes. Sometimes Gomez will help but he doesn't have the same black thumb.

• Who is the most picky in their food choice? - Gomez can be very finicky. He loves home cooked meals and considers the gourmet restaurants he occasionally is forced to endure to be icky. I mean, how can they consider themselves gourmet when they never have witches brew!

• Who does the grocery shopping? - They home grow a lot of ingredients and source others from the swamp. Occasionally Lurch has to visit a grocery store. Thing accompanies him for moral support.

• How often do they bake desserts? - Does baking cyanide brownies count as desert? If so they bake those together every so often... or Momma Addams bakes while Gomez & Morticia keeps her company.

• Are they more of a meat lover or a salad eater? - Home grown, exotic vegetables that will make your skin crawl (literally) and meats imported from the spookiest corners of the earth. They aren't picky.

• Who is more likely to surprise the other(s) with an anniversary dinner? - they surprise. Gomez will surprise Morticia French Batwings and the finest slime spread; Morticia whips out an old family recipe for the finest cauldron stew.

• Who is more likely to suggest going out? - gomez

• Who is more likely to burn the house down accidently while cooking? - Pugsley and Gomez trying to make a Mothers Day surprise. 

CHORES:

• Who cleans the room? - Lurch.  

• Who is really against chores? - Nobody, really. They'll all do chores if they absolutely have to, but also what else do they have Lurch for if not to do those chores for them. 

• Who cleans up after the pets? - Lurch & Morticia.

• Who is more likely to sweep everything under the rug? - Uncle Fester.

• Who stresses the most when guests are coming over? - Morticia.

• Who found a dollar between the couch cushions while cleaning? -Lurch and it's more like $100.

MISC:

• Who takes the longer showers/baths? - bold of you to assume they would take separate showers/baths. As if they could bear to be apart for that long.

• Who takes the dog out for a walk? - They don't have a dog but Pugsley and Wednesday like to take Kitty out for walks much to their neighbors dismay.

• How often do they decorate the room/house for the holidays? - Their home is perpetually decorated for spooky holidays. On Halloween they break out their scariest decore (Christmas lights & more). On Christmas they put out their most welcoming gargoyles and leave out cyanide cookies in the shape of bats.

• What are their goals for the relationship? - Be happy. Be good parents. Love each other more every day.

• Who is most likely to sleep till noon? - They think they're early risers because they wake up at 2pm (while the sun is still up) and don't go to bed until 6-7am (sun is just coming up).

• Who plays the most pranks? - Gomez and Thing.

[larkawolfgirl]

Connverse Questions

Rate the Ship - 

NOTP | Ew/uncomfortable | Eh |Alright | I like it! | They look nice together| Let’s do it! | OTP | OTP of OTPs

Who realized they were in love first- Steven

Who said “I love you” first- Steven

How did they fall in love? –Slowly their friendship grew

How was their first kiss? –Connie shyly kissed him

Who proposed? – Steven

Who is the best man/men? – Lars

Who is the bride’s maid(s)? – Amethyst

Who did the most planning? – Connie

Who stressed the most? – Steven

Who was specifically not invited to the wedding? – Steven didn’t want to invite the diamonds but knew that they would never let him hear the end of it if he didn’t

Who is the one to instigate things? – Connie

Who gets stuck with the most diapers? – Connie

Who is the stricter parent? - Connie

Who stops the kid(s) from doing dangerous stunts after school? - Connie

Who remembers to pack the lunch(es)? – Steven

Who is the more loved parent? – Steven

Who is more likely to attend the PTA meetings? –Connie

Who cried the most at graduation? – Steven

Who is more likely to bail the child(ren) out of trouble with the law? – Connie. Steven would jump to do it but he’s still learning the law while Connie could think up a crafty way to get out of it

Who does the most cooking? – Connie since she knows how to actually cook rather than microwaving everything

Who is the most picky in their food choice? –Connie

Who does the grocery shopping? –Steven

Who is more likely to surprise the other(s) with an anniversary dinner? – Steven

Who is more likely to suggest going out? - Steven

Who is more likely to burn the house down accidentally while cooking? – Steven

Who cleans the room? – Connie

Who cleans up after the pets? - Connie

Who is more likely to sweep everything under the rug? - Steven

Who stresses the most when guests are coming over? – Connie

Who takes the longer showers/baths? – Steven

Who takes the dog out for a walk? – Steven

Who is most likely to sleep till noon? –Steven

Who plays the most pranks? – Steven

Who would have the others’ picture as their phone background- Steven

Who leaves notes written in fog on the bathroom mirror- Steven

Who buys the other cheesy gifts- Steven

Who initiated the first kiss- Connie

Who kisses the other awake in the morning- Connie

Gives nose/forehead kisses – Steven

Who starts tickle fights- Connie

Who asks who if they can join the other in the shower- Connie

Who surprises the other in the middle of the day at work with lunch- Steven

Who was nervous and shy on the first date – Connie

Gets jealous the most- Steven

Drags the other person out into the water on beach day - Steven

Who kills/takes out the spiders- Steven would take all bugs outside

Who loudly proclaims their love when they’re drunk- Steven

When I started shipping it- I thought it was cute that Steven seemed to have a mini crush on her on the first episode she’s on, but I don’t remember when I first started to really ship it. Possibly Jam Buds.

What makes me happy about them- Connie is Steven’s link to normalcy. She takes more interest than his other friends into gem stuff so she has a better understanding of why Steven doesn’t understand certain things about humans and is willing to explain them to him. But she also gives him new experiences like reading books and watching movies that he wouldn’t otherwise. They mirror each other in a way since at the beginning Steven wanted so badly to be useful to the gems and then Connie wants to be useful to Steven. She wants to protect him but he wants to protect her too.

What makes me sad about them- The fact that Steven is scared that Connie might die while trying to protect him.

Things done in fanfic that annoys me- I haven’t read many but I did read one where they seemed ooc to me. It was set in the future, but their personalities seemed too changed to me. An example is that Steven was really jealous and initiating angry sex because of it.

Things I look for in fanfic- Connie helping Steven deal with his traumas.

Who I’d be comfortable them ending up with, if not each other- I don’t ship Connie with anyone else, but I do lowkey ship Steven and Peridot

My happily ever after for them- Married with kids, living the most semi-normal life they can. I forget what Connie said she was going to college for, but she graduates and gets a prestigious job in her field. Steven finds something he’s passionate about. Once Connie is pretty old, they do stay fused as Stevonnie to live longer.

[ceruleanmusings]

2, 4, 6, 8 for Mel and Isaac for the otp asks

otp asks

--------

2. Who wants to hold the hug longer?

Isaac. Partially because it took him a while to get used to someone touching him without it ending in pain and partially because of his deep worry that something will happen and he'll lose her sooner than he's ready for and he doesn't want to forget what it feels like to hold her. (Yes he's that sappy about her, no he won't ever admit it no matter how much she pokes and prods.)

4. Who loses their keys/wallet?

Mel for sure. She has so much going on in her head and she's always on the go that it's very easy for her to put it down somewhere, get distracted by something, and end up really far away from it suddenly wondering where they are because they were just in her hand weren't they?

6. Who tried to hide the relationship from their parents?

Technically both for different reasons. Considering Isaac's parents are dead he somewhat tried to hide the relationship from Scott. Not because of disapproval or anything of the sort but because he knows if Scott knows then Melissa would know and if the sex talk was awkward with his abusive father he's so sure it's gonna be worse from a registered nurse who has his best interest at heart. Mel never hid her feelings towards Isaac from her parents but that didn't mean she was in a rush to tell them because she just knew they'd gloat with a round of "I told you so"s when she caught on that her feelings had changed. Who likes having to admit that their parents just actually might know them better than they think?

8. Who needs/gets more sleep?

Isaac does only because it takes a long time for him to stop having nightmares. Getting to sleep is the easy part for him; he's almost perpetually stuck in a cycle of staying up and being tired and then falling asleep only to stay up again when a nightmare comes around. It's the staying asleep part he has trouble with. It takes some time but after a few sessions with his therapist he can learn how to catch up. Having Mel's soothing voice quite literally put him to sleep whenever he (reluctantly) asks doesn't hurt either.

[septembersghost]

Do you know about the time Taylor approved an officially Disney-sanctioned music video of my otp? "The I Knew You Were Trouble Music Video Mashup is a music video that debuted on May 24, 2013 on Disney Channel to the self-named popstep song by Taylor Swift. It features video clips of Heinz Doofenshmirtz "singing" the song to Perry while illustrating the lyrics." https://www.youtube(.)com/watch?v=DtdyrDc_598

I DID NOT and it's incredible lol (the clips they chose match so well?!), i love adding things to my mental taylore folder!

[deliciouskeys]

25 for soft OTP prompts please!

25- Write about your ship bathing or swimming together. from the soft OTP prompts meme

Haha thank you, I love having an excuse to write about aquatic Butchlander! Warning unbetaread (by me I mean D:), typed into tumblr directly. AO3 link.

Rated let's say E for safety. Also warning for being depressing, probably :/

When Butcher envisioned retiring to a tropical island he never bothered to think of it in realistic terms. It was more like a vision of some sort of celestial afterlife for an atheist, if he was going to be honest with himself. A place to go when the string of cares, troubles, disappointments, and tragedies that seemed to comprise his life would be snapped short and finally made irrelevant. At one point, he wanted to kill every supe on earth before he'd let himself retire in peace. Then the goalposts shifted. He found Becca and ended up promising to fulfill her dying wish—that he'd take care of her son and make sure he grew up to be a good person. Now he'd let himself retire if he removed just one supe out of the equation, and he'd be retiring with the kid in tow. And then... the goalposts simply vanished. That very same supe brought him here, to guard over his son, somehow getting it into his head that Butcher's antagonism towards Vought made him a perfect babysitter.

He was dropped off on some remote unnamed island together with Ryan. He wasn't sure where it was located—the cunt carried them both, Butcher in one arm, Ryan in the other, as if they weighed nothing, straight from New York, taking several hours. But that was for Butcher's benefit, apparently. The cunt could apparently fly in from New York on the order of minutes if traveling at his preferred full speed. Maybe this island wasn't far from Florida, but damned if Butcher knew. There was no other land visible in any direction. Butcher sometimes cursed himself for squeezing his eyes shut from the wind for most of the uncomfortable, freezing flight. Maybe he would have known which direction to swim in if he had bothered to look down and see where they were being taken. Maybe he could have estimated how far the mainland or any inhabited island was from their godforsaken prison. But none of it was realistic.

There was a primitive hut near the beach, with very little furniture, no electricity or plumbing of course. Honestly, Butcher wouldn't have minded that aspect. In another life, he would have relished being remote from civilization and he wouldn't have missed most creature comforts. But he wasn't alone. There was a nine year old boy with him. And they had no way to get food or water besides waiting for the boy's father to show up.

Homelander visited daily, with a modest haul of food and firewood, only meant to last a day or two, and usually some sort of ridiculous gift for his child. Butcher wasn't keen on Ryan realizing just how dire their circumstances were, and Homelander was apparently banking on that. He left some sort of satellite device with only one call button and Butcher was supposed to use it if anything happened—if anyone from Vought located and contacted them, or if Ryan decided to take it into his head to practice flying and leave the island. Butcher tried the button once, out of morbid curiosity, and heard Homelander's voice on the other end of the line answer after one ring. Must have transferred straight to his phone. "What happened," he asked tersely and Butcher could tell that he was walking briskly, maybe already on his way to leave the Tower and fly over. Butcher gave some insipid reason for having called, that Ryan wanted a certain type of food for lunch, and he could hear Homelander's voice relax and lose its edge over the phone as he promised to bring what was requested.

Sometimes Butcher would rack his brains for ways to escape his prison, but very few planes ever passed within sight, let alone overhead to notice a message laid out in rocks. Traveling away from the island was out of the question-- he didn't really have any tools to try to build a raft. And deep down he knew that even if he set out as soon as Homelander left, there was no way he'd get far enough in a day that that supe cunt wouldn't spot him. The only way to really get away was to drown himself, but he couldn't do that to Ryan. Not when the kid had immediately transferred his attachment from his mother to him.

Ryan seemed to enjoy life on the island. He'd swim in the ocean or run around the beach making combination sand and Lego castles. He liked when Butcher built a fire in the evening under the stars and the vast still ocean that all melted together into one great sphere around them. He was perceptive enough to notice whenever Butcher couldn't keep his glum mood completely hidden, and Butcher tried to hide it as much as possible. How had Becca done it? Experiencing a very similar set of circumstances now made Butcher that much more astonished at how she managed to not only stay sane, but be a good, doting mother. Ryan still missed her terribly, and that was the one instance where Butcher could let his guard down and share his true feelings with Ryan as well. They tried to keep to happy reminiscences, but some nights Ryan would get thoughtful and sad, and Butcher would take him up in his arms and rock him, the sound of the waves on the beach drowning out the fact that they were both quietly weeping. It was time like these that taking care of a child suddenly felt like the most natural thing in the world.

It was on one such night that Homelander landed quietly next to Butcher, making just enough noise to rouse him from where he had fallen asleep in the beach chair their imprisoner so kindly provided.

"You should be making sure he falls asleep in bed," Homelander muttered under his breath, snaking his arms underneath Ryan's body and picking him gingerly, placing a kiss on his head before carrying him back to the hut. Butcher grimaced at the feeling of the cunt's gloves coming in contact with his skin. He stretched sleepily and buttoned his shirt protectively. He had zero intention of going back to the hut before he hearing the comforting sound of the supe's takeoff. Why was the cunt even here at night? He usually visited in the early mornings.

Instead of hearing him taking off, Butcher heard the footfalls of those garish red boots walking back across the sand toward him.

"And what brings you here so early?" Butcher finally asked without turning around, guessing that Homelander was standing somewhere close behind his chair, maybe staring off into the ocean as well.

"You didn't answer when I called," came the terse answer.

"Didn't know I was responsible for answering. We was out here, couldn't hear it in the hut. I don't even know what the thing sounds like."

"Doesn't matter now," Homelander said, coming closer to what was left of the campfire Butcher had built. "I have some time on my hands. Figured I'd visit."

"Well, as you can see, Ryan's asleep."

"I do see that."

"So maybe fuck off then."

Butcher heard Homelander laugh softly.

"You'll trim your beard but you won't use the sunscreen I brought you. Are you committing the slowest suicide in the world by hoping to get skin cancer?"

The moon was pretty new, and it was dark out on the beach. The cunt could apparently see him just fine-- even see that Butcher managed to get another sunburn by being careless out on the beach earlier that day. Butcher could barely make out his form standing next to him, illuminated mostly by starlight and the few glowing embers in the ring of stones that formed the fire pit.

"Don't rightly know." Butcher replied when he could just make out that Homelander leaned his head over to one side, expecting an answer to what Butcher thought was a rhetorical question. "The sunscreen you brought smells like some vile fruity concoction."

"I'll get you a better one," Homelander said. "What do you do here all day? Sit and watch Ryan play in the sun?"

"What do you want me to do? If you really want to be a dear, you could get us a football to kick around together."

"I can do that," Homelander said and Butcher cringed when he could hear that the cunt was grinning.

"How long you plan on keeping us here then? It's been a month already."

"You're not happy here? I thought it's a pretty idyllic location compared to the other places I considered hiding Ryan."

"And why're you hiding him?"

"I want him to get used to his powers, develop all of them to full strength, away from prying eyes. Vought wanted him to be their failsafe against me. I won't let them whisk him away while I'm not looking and hide him in some compound again. So until he learns to use his powers and at least be able to defend himself, I want him away from them. So yes, every time you tell him not to listen to me and not to practice controlling his lasers or trying to fly, you're just prolonging your own prison term here."

Butcher laughed. He was happy that at least one thing he was doing was apparently getting on this cunt's nerves. At this point he didn't care if it was prolonging anything or not. Butcher figured that if Homelander ever decided to move Ryan back into Vought Tower, he'd be quickly dispatched. Maybe just not right in front of Ryan.

"You ever go swimming in the ocean at night?" Homelander suddenly asked and walked past Butcher toward the surf. Butcher could only just make out the white stars and stripes of the damned cape billowing out behind him in the sea breeze, and his silhouette cutting into the white foam of the waves.

"Is that a trick question? No, I don't leave your child by himself."

"Good point," Homelander answered. "Wanna do it now? I'll hear if he wakes up."

"Not really," Butcher spat back. Truth be told, he was a bit wary of walking into a black ocean where he couldn't see the horizon, as if he was stepping off the ledge into outer space. "You going in with that stupid suit still on? Boots and all?" he shouted after him when he could just see Homelander's figure approach the water line. Butcher immediately regretted his words when the cunt turned back, contemplating him for only a moment before walking back and starting to unbutton his suit. Part of Butcher was fascinated to watch as the supe peeled the suit off layer by layer, folding it and draping it over the beach chair where Ryan sat earlier. He knew the cunt must undress, probably every day, but it still felt like something gruesome was happening before his eyes, as though this supe monstrosity suddenly sloughed off his skin and, horror of horrors, there had been a plain person underneath all along. Butcher didn't even bother not to stare—not that he could make out that much in the darkness.

"Come in with me," Homelander said, and Butcher could have sworn this was less of a command than a playful request, cajoling tone and all.

Butcher could feel his heart start to race, and he couldn't even pinpoint from what. He just wished it would stop so that the cunt wouldn't hear it.

"My swim trunks are in the hut. Don't feel like fetching them right now."

Butcher couldn't really see Homelander's face but it felt like he was starting to get a supernatural sense of perception of his own, because he could perfectly picture the other man's skeptical expression.

"The modesty's really charming, especially when I can freely see everything."

"Your problem for looking."

"Who're you ashamed of here?"

"No one!" Butcher snapped, standing up and emphatically throwing his clothes off onto the beach chair. He was ashamed of being kept prisoner and being trapped into taking care of his nemesis' child, just because that child happened to be Becca's, and happened to be a pretty sweet kid whom it was hard to turn his back on, promise or no promise. He was ashamed that he was about to go skinnydipping into the ocean with the person he despised most of all in the whole world because, he was loath to admit, he had grown to miss adult company and conversation. Yes, even when it was full of barbs and half-insults from this insufferable cunt.

Walking into the water felt refreshing, although some small irrational part of Butcher's mind was conjuring up all sorts of frightening sea creatures lurking in the depths of the pitch black water. But in reality there was only one creature who was lethally dangerous in this island's waters, and he was swimming right alongside him. Swimming was perhaps not the right word. The cunt seemed to propel himself with ease without moving a limb. It was that same power of flight but deployed in the water. Butcher was determined to ignore him and sputtered as he swam further out, not really knowing what his endgoal was in this outing. Perhaps just to accidentally swallow a bunch of sea water and feel sick. Homelander was just in front of him, on his back, watching him struggle.

"Why's your heartrate so fast?" the cunt suddenly had the audacity to ask.

"Because..." Butcher tried to answer but it was difficult to keep his head consistently high enough in the water. "Us mortals have to... actually swim to move in the water... Not fucking torpedoing or I don't know what the fuck you're doing..."

Something suddenly touched Butcher's leg and before any rational thought could intercede he flailed and grabbed at the man in front of him.

Homelander didn't buck him off, only straightening up in the water and actually embracing Butcher to his chest.

"What is it?" he finally asked. "Did you get tired?"

"I don't know," Butcher muttered, shaking his head. "Something down there fucking touched me."

Homelander stared down into the water for a few moments, then look back at him, lips peeling back to reveal that unnerving Cheshire grin Butcher had seen on the telly before he got to see it in person on a regular basis. Butcher cursed that he was holding on for dear life to someone who looked downright demonic when only the whites of his eyes and flawless tooth enamel was visible in the darkness.

"Just a fish," he announced. "You okay swimming back?"

"No. Can't see shit in front of me. I don't even know where the shore is right now."

"It's right there," Homelander said, pointing the direction out with a quick flick of his chin, because he was still holding Butcher securely, wasting no effort on treading water, and just hanging there, supernaturally suspended at a depth that kept their shoulders out of the water.

"Brilliant. Still won't have a fucking clue where to go after a few strokes."

Butcher didn't even comprehend what was happening until it was too late, until his head was already being pulled in and his lips were being pressed into Homelander's. He didn't put up much of a struggle, the whole experience feeling surreal, and some primordial self-preservation instinct still telling him to not let go of this cunt, lest he drift off and drown. The kiss felt good, truth be told, if he could just forget who this was for a moment. It felt like something he wanted to do again and again, even if he was back on terra firma. The cunt's mouth tasted good. Maybe he tasted sweet in contrast to all that bitter salty ocean water Butcher had been nose deep in just now, but his mouth was soft, comforting, and their tongues met as if they were familiar, reuniting after a long absence. Butcher sighed and resigned himself even when he could feel himself getting hard against Homelander's hip. What was another humiliation going to really add to the pile he was already suffering?

When they parted, neither said anything, no quips, no excuses or complaints. Homelander moved towards the shore, cutting through the water's surface, giving Butcher the courtesy of facing in the opposite direction and not having the water hitting his body. He let go once Butcher could plant his feet on the bottom and traipse out of the waves, legs a little shaky.

Homelander came towards him, embracing him, before resuming the kiss. Butcher didn't pull away even now, though his feet were planted firmly on the ground and there was no more real reason to grip the other man tightly. He just missed sex. He tried to avoid even thinking about it while living here with Ryan, but now his head was full of only one idea. He wanted to take this cunt from behind, up against one of these palm trees, wanted to pull on his ridiculous bleached hair so he'd arch backwards, and spill into him and make this pristine little cunt dirty, whack him, spank him, put out cigarettes on his back like a fucked up ashtray—the cigarettes he won't let him have and that Butcher still craved every time the depression set in thick. He still wanted to kill this supe, the thought got him hard, but it was probably impossible. There was no retirement, there was no Heaven, and the idea that he'd ever finish his 'unfinished business' was a myth.

And then Butcher realized that although he couldn't see this cunt well, he could still feel that he was shorter and had to lean upwards to kiss him, that his body wasn't as built up as his suit would suggest and his upper arms felt lean in Butcher's rough hands. Butcher leaned out of the kiss and could see that this supe freak could be mistaken for a normal person, short of breath, also hard, and only a faint red glow in his eyes giving away that this was one of Vought's unholy creations.

"You take good care of Ryan," he finally said, just the slightest tremolo in his voice, still smiling. "Thanks."

"Want me to take good care of you before he wakes up?" Butcher had no idea what kind of bravery possessed him to blurt this out, but his hands instinctively traveled down and squeezed Homelander's ass cheeks.

He didn't need super-senses to hear the cunt's breath hitch in his throat.