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chernabogs · 11 months ago

Note

For da prompt... ‘ i’m tired of being a prince. i think i would actually enjoy being a frog. ’ with Malleus...🐸

can u imagine froglleus...

Hop To It

Inc: Malleus Draconia, Reader/Yuu, 1 goat, 1 cow, 1 frog Warnings: None bc this is actually a really sweet fic I promise. I diverted from angst and more into feel good for once LMAO. WC: 4k Summary: Your nocturnal friend invites you to an event at a local zoo. If he could've adopted that goat from Fleur City, he probably would've.

It’s not often you find yourself able to catch a break. Usually, your weekends are filled with needing to deal with the mountain of homework that’s grown over the week from neglect—not at your fault, of course. When you have a housemate with the mentality of a two-year old toddler, two friends that are magnets for chaos, and an overblot a month, things tend to pile up without you noticing.

But on this fine, dare you even say perfect, weekend you finally find yourself capable of catching your breath for a moment. You glance at your alarm clock to see that it’s well past the time that you usually wake up, and so with a languid air about you, you reach out to grab your phone and check the notifications.

You have a few text messages from the various group chats that you’re in—study ones save for the first year's chat—and then a few private messages. Your eyebrow raises at one in particular as your thumb drifts down to click it open.

Ominous and to the point, isn’t he? You suppress a low chuckle of amusement as you pull up the keyboard. Despite both you and the Shroud brothers working overtime to teach Malleus the ropes of modern technology, including texting etiquette, he still seems to not grasp it in its entirety.

You think it a perfectly reasonable thing to ask. You know that your friend is of nocturnal affinity, but you’d think he’d realize you’re not apt to reply at 3 am by now. Within seconds of sending your message your phone buzzes again with a reply.

Cut and dry, much like the man himself. He reminds you vaguely of an older parent trying to get their child's attention as you click the call button and heave a sigh. It rings once, then again, before the sound of someone picking up has a slow smile pulling on your lips.

“I’m in your 3 am thoughts, am I?” You muse as you roll to the side to keep the charger cable from pulling too much.

“Incorrect. Small mammals, in fact, are my 3 am thoughts.” Malleus’ smooth voice cuts down your hopes in 10 words as your brow furrows in confusion.

“Elaborate.” In your time of knowing him, you’ve also come to realize that, to those he feels comfortable with, Malleus has a habit of streamlining his thoughts with little to no interruption from his brain to his mouth. Around politicians and strangers, he was perfectly composed in all ways. Around you, he was a certified yapper.

“I have been made aware of the Sage Island Zoo hosting an event I’m most keen on attending, and considering what I know of you, I’d say you’d share the sentiment.” You hear a clattering sound from the other side of the line, followed by a mumbled curse before Malleus continues. “I want to pet a goat.”

“I…” You click the speaker button on your phone before pulling up your browser to type in the zoo. “Hold on, I need to figure out what’s in your brain right now.”

“Let me know when you succeed in doing so.” Malleus shot back as you scrolled through the zoo’s feed. You soon come across a post that seems to tell you what the man is going on about. There’s a petting zoo and expo happening at the zoo this weekend. Present will be the usual armada: lambs, goats, pigs, and alpacas. But they also highlight a special reptile and amphibian petting area as well.

You give a small ‘ah’ of understanding as you share the post via text message with him. You doubt he’ll look at it—the complex multitasking of looking at a text message and talking on the line is still something that surpasses your young apprentices’ abilities. “You mean the petting event at the zoo, yeah? They got goats and such there.”

“Correct! Well done, Prefect. I knew your fantastic abilities of deduction would get you there eventually.”

You wish you could reach through the phone to pinch his smarmy face for that comment as you roll onto your back again. “And you thought of me when you saw that? Aw, Malleus. I am your 3 am thoughts!”

“Did you want to go or not? I can easily invite Lilia, or Sebek, or Silver… although I fear Silver may end up falling asleep in the petting area. Or drawing far too many of the animals to him again…that might be quite the mess…” Malleus trails off into a thoughtful silence, which is another thing you’ve come to realize your friend does a lot.

“Fortunately for you, my super busy calendar actually has an opening today that I can squeeze some ‘you’ time into.” You sit up with a groan of protest before looking over to Grim’s bed, where your companion is still snoring away, his belly and paws to the sky. “I don’t think Grim will be coming with us, though.”

“That is fine. I fear he may not be compatible with the animals anyway.”

Your eyes narrow at how quickly Malleus is to agree that it would just be you and him going as you shoved the blankets off your legs. “Okay, then. Can you give me 30—” you pause and tug at your shirt sleeve for a moment before grimacing, “—actually, give me an hour. Then we can head out. The event starts at 10?”

“According to their poster, yes. I saved it so that I may check to be sure.” Malleus sounds pleased of the fact that he’s managed to save an image from social media without a crisis happening.

“I’m proud of you for that. If that’s the case, then let’s grab a drink beforehand.” You yawn as you finally rouse yourself, unplugging your phone and sliding your feet into your slippers. The floors of Ramshackle still manage to be brutally cold in the mornings, even with the new renovations done. You’d need to question Crowley on the furnace in the future. “I need some kind of breakfast.”

“Perhaps if you woke at a reasonable hour, breakfast would not be a concern.” You hear the teasing lilt in Malleus’ voice. He’s in a playful mood today—more so then usual.

He’s probably just pumped to get out and about again.

Your nose wrinkles as your finger hovers over the ‘end call’ button. “Not everyone is nocturnal. I’ll see you soon.”

____________________

An hour later finds you yawning in the lineup of a local coffee shop. The weather outside is continuing to be promising, with its blue skies and temperate air. You’re basking in the ambience of it all while Malleus, bless his heart, is pushing a pair of sunglasses onto his face.

“It isn’t even that bright out,” you smirk at him as the two of you move closer in the line. A few patrons are staring at Malleus as he remains close to your side. You can’t quite blame them. Some might be gawking at the fact that the crown prince is standing in a coffee shop line like everyone else. Others might be doing so at the fact that he’s out again post-overblot.

It’s been a bit of an uphill battle to get him on his feet—which is partially why you’re keen to keep him in this rare, uplifted mood.

“To you,” he shoots back as he crosses his arms. A beige bag is slung over his shoulder, and he’s surprisingly dressed down for the occasion, wearing simple black dress pants and a dark long-sleeve shirt. You think the fact that he’s managed to wrangle up a pair of hiking boots from somewhere is quaint, too. He almost looks like he’d fit into a petting zoo environment. “To me, it is borderline blinding.”

“My condolences for the weakness of your eyes.” You focus your attention back to the menu ahead as you feel his elbow hit into your side, making you hiss before chuckling. This coffee shop in question has become somewhat of a routine visit for you both whenever you’re out in town together, which is often done a) late at night and b) in the company of the rest of the quartet. Your attendance has been frequent enough though that you now know both yours and Malleus’ usual order.

He likes his coffee black. You like yours with enough sugar that it might appeal to Sebek’s tastes.

“I feel like you’re being ingenuine with that.” Despite the hurt in his tone, you know it’s all bullshit by the smirk that touches on the edge of his lips as you finally shuffle to the front of the line. After stating your orders to the slightly nervous looking barista behind the counter (who must be new, considering that the others are all used to Malleus by now), you spot Malleus reaching for his wallet in your peripheral. A sharp swat of your hand on his arm stops him in his tracks as you tap the debit card Crowley so kindly loaned you on the machine.

“You didn’t need to do that.” He sighs as the two of you step aside to wait for the orders as you shrug and lean on the counter. You don’t mind buying something for your friends—especially if it’s Crowley’s money you’re spending. “I have more than enough funds to afford a cup of coffee.”

“It isn’t about the money, it’s about the satisfaction it brings me to buy you something as a token of appreciation for inviting me out.” You pat his arm as the barista sets your cups on the counter before you hand it to him. You selectively ignore the way his fingers touch your hand for longer than necessary before withdrawing with his beverage.

“Anyway, let’s go wrestle a kid, hm?”

____________________

Malleus manages to get his revenge swiftly and without mercy when the two of you arrive at the zoo. Before you can even shift your cup into your other hand to grab your wallet, he’s stepping in front of you and setting down more than enough madol to purchase two passes. A part of you wants to tease him over this matter, but the man looks so damn proud when he turns and hands you the ticket that you just shake your head with a smirk and let him have it.

Another thing about your friend—you can’t expect to do something for him and not have it returned in kind. You know he’s felt indebted to a lot of people ever since his overblot, and small gestures like this make him feel better in a way. You really have missed seeing his smile.

You come to a stop when you get into the zoo itself to pull out the map of the area. “Right, so we need to figure out where—”

“Goats.” Malleus is looping your arm with his before you can even finish your sentence and hauling you to the side, leaving you to yelp at the suddenness of the motion. His bicep feels like solid stone against yours, which leaves you to accept the fact that you’re not getting out of this any time soon—and that you should really take Jack up on those workout suggestions.

You continue to feel the stares as Malleus leads the charge towards whatever destination he has set in mind. A few people scatter off the walkway, and one particularly curious child points up at Malleus’ horns while boldly asking his mother ‘why does that man have horns?,’ but Malleus has blinders on as the two of you finally spot a sign for the petting exhibition ahead.

The sign is large—as is the crowd.

“Shit,” you mumble as you step closer to your companion. Usually you’re good with lots of people, but considering that it’s both hot out and now you’re entering a crowded space, you feel a knot of anxiety forming. Malleus’ other hand comes to rest on yours as he easily manoeuvres around with a few murmured apologies. His gaze is sharp and he seems far more alert now.

You figure it must be innate at this point. As a crown prince, being aware in crowds is a given, especially considering the high risk of kidnappings and assassination attempts that seem to plague the upper class of NRC. It’s only when a loud bleating sound cuts through the air that a smile graces his lips again as he pulls you aside.

“Oh, marvellous,” he chuckles as he releases your arm (your poor, poor arm) and leans against the fence. A small grey goat is standing by the post, a few bits of hay hanging out of its mouth as it languidly chews. It looks like every other goat you’ve seen before—and yet Malleus is beaming like the thing is a divine gift. “Remember when that goat followed me around at Noble Bell, Prefect?”

“Hard to forget. Sebek wanted to punt it across the square.” You lean against the fence next to him as he reaches down to pet the goat's head between its horns. The goat bleats again and tips its head back to bite at Malleus’ sleeve instead. “Probably because it kept doing that to you.”

“Oh, you are bold, aren’t you? Unfortunately, I am not the snack that you seek.” Malleus sighs in mock despondence as he pushes the feeder closer to the goat. You jump onto his comment pretty quickly.

“Did you just call yourself a snack?” You lean forward more to look up at Malleus, who diligently ignores you in face of cooing over the goat. You know this technique—it’s another one that your friend loves to do.

The ‘I can’t hear you’ method.

Well, you’re happy his confidence is back at least. You stealthily take a few pictures of him fawning over the animal to send to Lilia later before pocketing your phone and moving down the line. A few piglets are romping around their pen, as well as some ponies in the next, and a baby calf who looks up at you with doe-like brown eyes. It’s enough to make you stop and give the little guy some love as Malleus finally returns to your side.

“See? Even you cannot resist indulging.” Malleus reaches out to scratch behind the calf’s ear with a smile as the small creature shuffles closer to the fence. “Innocence has a way of pulling us in. This calf knows nothing but what it has seen in the few areas it’s been carried to. It knows its mother, what it eats, its handlers, the stars, and not too much else.”

“That’s a pretty sentimental way of looking at it,” you concede as you withdraw your hand and straighten up. The calf looks to you with those big brown eyes again before lowering its head to eat some of the hay off the floor.

It seems utterly at ease with both you and Malleus—which is more than what could be said with the crowd. The stares towards your companion have amplified, and you can see it’s beginning to make him irate by the way he keeps casting a few dark looks over his shoulder. His one hand grips the fence hard enough that you’re worried he might snap the wood in a moment. In a bid to retain some of the peace of the day, you loop your arm with his, which causes his attention to snap back to you in surprise as you slot yourself easily against his side.

“Wanna see what’s in the reptiles and amphibian section?”

____________________

You must admit, a part of you wants to see if any of the animals would react to Malleus. The man is a dragon-fae, after all. You know that bats flock around Lilia, and you’ve seen more than a few black-feathered birds cluttering around Crowley’s office window, but you’ve never seen any lizards or frogs responding to Malleus. So, when you enter the darkened room with the many tanks illuminated by heating lamps, you’re hopeful to see something amusing.

Instead, you find that half of the cold-blooded fellows are still in their morning siesta.

“It appears we’ve come at an inopportune moment for them.” Malleus seems more at ease now with both you at his side and the smaller crowd milling in the reptile section. Because of the darkness of the room, less people take note of the prince as you two make your rounds from tank to tank. A few ball pythons stir and look at you, and a gecko is plastered against the tank at another section, but most of the creatures lose interest and settle back to themselves within a few moments.

Until you reach the frog tank.

A sign posted at the side which reads ‘lift the lid at your own risk’ prompts a glimmer of interest in Malleus’ bright green eyes as he nudges the lid open to peer inside. Most of the frogs seem to still be dozing in their makeshift burrows, but one stirs awake when the lid pops open. The frog yawns and reaches a hand to rub its belly, blinking lazily as it does.

You hear Malleus give a small ‘oh’ as he leans closer in interest. “My, he seems quite at ease, isn’t he?”

“Probably thinks you’re his cousin or something,” you snicker as you look down at the other frogs in the tank. Malleus shoots you a narrow-eyed look before leaning back again.

“... it’d be quite nice to be a frog, hm?” He gives a sigh before his gaze drifts to the other amphibians. “No stress, no conversation. Just hopping and eating.”

He does another pause of contemplative silence before continuing. “I’m quite tired of being a prince, you know. I think I would enjoy being a frog.”

You lean back and look at him with a cross of both concern and amusement on your face. “Don’t the frogs usually try to become princes in the stories?”

“I like to shake things up.” He flashes you a sharp-toothed grin as he looks back in the tank. Despite the amusement in his words and the smile he gave, you can still see the edges of exhaustion and frustration at the recesses of his expression. The crowd rubbed him wrong. He’s been on edge ever since his overblot, and it’s small things like that which send him back into makeshift pits of both despair and doubt.

You don’t want to see him go back there, and you certainly don’t want Lilia questioning (again) why Malleus is in a sour mood (again). After the whole fiasco with him, the poor man is stressed enough as is without the addition of Malleus’ mental health.

“You know what?” Your words come out as stern, causing his attention to snap to you in concern. “I know few people may say this, and many may not feel this way, but I like to consider myself somewhat of a different stock. So, I just want you to know, upon my heart and all the tuna I can offer Grim—”

You pause for a moment to draw it out, relishing in the way Malleus seems increasingly concerned before you finish. “—I’d still like you if you were a frog.”

Malleus blinks slowly as your words tumble through his mind for a second before his expression falls flat. “I… really, Prefect.”

You can’t keep the facade of sternness any longer as a grin appears and you nudge your companion in his ribs. A reluctant look of amusement crosses his features at this. “Let’s step outside for a second. This crowd is going to drive me insane.”

____________________

The air feels fresher once you’re free of the crowds as you settle beneath the shade of a tree to finish your drinks. A breeze brushes over your skin and manages to cool some of the anxiety that blossomed from being amongst so many people after so long of being confined in your dorm on weekends. Malleus seems to grow more at ease as well when it becomes just the two of you again.

“So.” You begin as you pop the lid off your coffee to slot it into the now empty cup. “You looked a little tense back by the cow pen.”

Malleus is quiet for a moment as he sips his drink before clearing his throat. “Did I?”

“Mhm. Are you doing okay?” A glance up at his face reveals his gaze fixated on the crowd beyond. He doesn’t answer you immediately as he takes another drink. When he does speak, his tone is less-guarded then before.

Another thing about Malleus: somehow, throughout the trials and tribulations, he’s become a lot more open about how he’s feeling with everyone.

“Not particularly.” He finally comments as he crushes his empty cup and tosses it into a nearby trash. “I don’t like to admit it—for it feels rather ridiculous to get upset over—but it still bothers me to a degree when some people… well. You saw.”

You toss your cup into the trash alongside his. “Why is that ridiculous? You’re entitled to how you feel about something, you know.”

“It’s below my station.” A frown dances on his lips at this. You send him a sharp look in return.

“Emotions aren’t below your station, Malleus. You’re allowed to feel upset if something is upsetting to you. Just because you’re a prince doesn’t mean you need to bottle things up all the time. I would hope you’d realize that by now after everything that happened. You and the others all needed a lesson in emotional intelligence.”

Malleus doesn’t reply, which leads you to keep talking to fill the silence. For a certified talker, he was certainly being mute about this. “I understand that it sucks, like really sucks, when people don’t want to talk to you, or treat you like an outlier because of your looks or your status. I know that you want people to engage with you, and you’re putting in the work to do that! You’re going to the coffee shop and talking to the barista’s; you’re coming out to places like this where people will be. The more they see you and get to know you, the more relaxed they’ll feel.”

“It takes a long time.” His response is curt as he stares at the crowd. You give a sigh and shuffle to stand in front of him. He doesn’t seem aware of what you’re about to do before you’re moving forward to drag that man into the best hug you can give a guy whose arms are crossed in a huff. He tenses under your hold for a moment, and you begin to think that maybe he really is carved from stone, until he finally relaxes and lets you do what you need to do.

The guys probably only received a hug a good six or seven times in his life. You feel like you both need this.

“It may take a while, but it does happen. The barista’s talk to you with no issue now, and the new one will get that way too. Again—you’re putting in the work, and I can see that, so please don’t try to bottle up all your feelings again. Or Lilia will kill us both.”

You feel him huff a chuckle as his hand comes to rest on your back. His touch is warm in a way that doesn’t make you feel uncomfortable or overwhelmed, and you sink into that contact with a content sigh. The two of you remain in this embrace for a few seconds longer before you withdraw and awkwardly pat the prince’s arms.

“Thank you,” he murmurs as he looks at you, gratitude easing its way into his features. You clear your throat and offer him a lopsided smile.

“Wanna try petting the goats one more time?” You ask softly. “Maybe they won’t try to eat your clothing the second trip through.”

Malleus exhales, his shoulders relaxing as he takes your arm into his once more. “Yes, although I don’t hold much hope about that being true.”

#malleus draconia #twst #twisted wonderland #twst fanfiction #twst mc #twst yuu #froglleus is on my brain now plz #let the man run a hobby farm i think he would thrive #this contains farm animals and talks about being open regarding how youre feeling #its pet therapy actually

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brilliantorinsane · 3 months ago

Text

The Case of the Pennsylvania Gun

Hey what if I pick up this series I barely started six years ago and post it on my abandoned blog?

The Pennsylvania Gun is loosely (emphasis on loosely) adapted from The Valley of Fear. It was written and directed by producer Sheldon Renyolds, who also wrote the first two episodes. I was unsurprised to find the first three were written by the same person, as they have a more cohesive sense of character/relationship development than your average episode string in this series.

Introduction, Ep1 Pt1, Ep1 Pt2, Ep2, Ep 3, Ep 4

As in the books, Howard Holmes and Watson have personas they perform for the world, and often for one another. These personas are driven by opposite social desires and insecurities. Watson performs the Normal British Gentleman, anxious to be seen as a sane and respectable contributor to society. Holmes performs Eccentric Genius, driven by a horror of being perceived as normal, aiming at a persona of mystery and infallibility.

This episode demonstrates their temptation to cleave to people who reinforce their cover stories about themselves, contrasting this to the way they see and ground each other in their truer, more joyful, and far more embarrassing selves.

We begin in Baker Street, where the pair have already settled into the delights and annoyances of knowing one another all too well.

Here Holmes attempts to put on his performance for Watson: introducing Birlstone Manor, to which he means to entice Watson for a case, through absurdities about place names and the British national character. He then pretends his only interest in Birlstone is the fishing prospects, waving about tackle he will later employ to catch a clue. But already Watson knows him too well to fall for the show—he’s read about the Birlstone murder and guesses that Holmes means to investigate, and he clocks Holmes' lack of fishing knowledge at once.

Meanwhile, Watson is already forgetting to play 'normal' around his flatmate. If either of this pair was to be accused of being a little too excited over murder it would be Watson, and his understanding of his eccentric flatmate is just a little too complete a little too quick. Watson rattles off train times like a good little boy recites the Bible, and if you wish there is plenty to read into the domesticity of their mutual behaviour as they lounge about in bathrobes.

And so the conclusion of the opening shenanigans is entirely unsurprising. The pair harass a poor messenger boy—and I love these menaces to society, but the episode doesn't quite nail the pitch in this moment and their behaviour lands more as bullying than good-natured chaos. Still, I adore the messenger boy's final declaration: "mad as March hares, that's what you two are!" The boy leaves, and—they laugh. And so Holmes the madman and his friend the madman set off to investigate a murder (fishing pretense abandoned, but tackle in tow), stripped of their masks and delighting in themselves and each other all the more for it.

But that is at home.

Out in the world, for the third episode in a row Watson is tempted by the socially sanctioned approval of law enforcement, attaching himself to local Inspector McLeod. This is even more pronounced than his earlier affinity for Lestrade.

There are several potential causes for this. Perhaps Lestrade’s buffoonery was too pronounced. Perhaps Watson has a bit of a crush on McLeod (there are some moments that register in that way to me). It may even be a jealous reaction—the peak of Watson’s new allegiance occurs directly after Holmes develops his own affinity for a new player on the scene.

In any event, Watson increasingly sides with McLeod as the episode progresses, until at 11.15 - 17.50 he is positioned shoulder to shoulder with him while Holmes sits well across the room, Watson and his new crime buddy theorizing, laughing heartily, then biting back at Holmes’ contrary deductions with twin reactive pride.

As though to punctuate that this behaviour is a reversion to the facade of normality, McLeod echos the messenger boy’s declaration, “mad as a March hare” (21.9)—only now the jab is aimed only at Holmes, exempting Watson.

To my fascination, this alliance predicated on the performance of normality also involves performance of heterosexuality. At the peak of their allegiance, the inspector gives his theory that the murder was committed out of jealousy over a woman. After they hem and haw together over how the immutable species of Men and Women do be like that, Watson quips that he should call this "the case of the other man"—then he and McLeod laugh heartily, and at length (15.23 - 16.10). It's an odd exchange, stilted and socially scripted, with laughter that pushes longer than the weak quip justifies.

And I am not the only one to think it—in the middle of this laughter Holmes cuts in at last, unusually patronizing in his tone towards Watson as he mocks the vacuousness of their theory.

In the meantime, Holmes is constructing his own small drama. While I could be persuaded to read Watson’s behaviour around McLeod as a small crush, I find myself unable to read Holmes’ interactions with Morell, the suspected (but not actual) murderer, as anything but. I'll not go so far as to claim Doylist intent here, only that my brain refuses to process it otherwise.

(Holmes and Morell are rarely framed in a shot together, but this is them making eyes at one another at 23.46):

And if McLeod enables Watson’s preferred perception as stable and ordinary, Morell certainly elevates Holmes’ as an inscrutable and infallible genius. Consider this sample of lines from Morell: “At your service, Mr. Holmes”, “A very brilliant piece of deduction Mr Holmes!”, “An excellent application of applied psychology”, “I haven’t been tricked many times in my life [except by you]”.

That Holmes enjoys this is transparent—indeed his responses put me much in mind of Watson’s note in A Study in Scarlet: “I had … observed that [Holmes] was as sensitive to flattery on the score of his art as any girl could be of her beauty.”

But just as Holmes yanked Watson to earth when his and McLeod’s performance of normality turns gauche, Watson tugs Holmes from his heights. Holmes lets Morell’s praise go to his head, to the point of responding to Morell’s compliments by rather lording it over the man (24.39 - 24.55). Then Holmes makes the mistake of mentioning fishing, and his disinterest in it. Calling back to the opening scene, Watson cuts in and reminds him of the grand claims he never officially renounced on the topic of his fishing prowess (24.55 - 25.06).

Poor Holmes is caught out, magic trick deflated in the eyes of his travel crush and work husband in the same beat, and the quick retreat he makes from the room may well be an embarrassed flight. But also there is this: “I think we better start back to Baker Street immediately”, and a hand on Watson’s back, and glances towards Watson overflowing with fondness (25.12 - 25.17).

(Holmes' best smiles are always the blurriest 😒 )

Despite Holmes’ clear embarrassment, it puts me in mind of the start of the episode, when Watson’s fear is realized and he is seen for a madman, and safe with his friend he laughs. I like to think that in his turn, Holmes is realizing that he has something far more mortifying and nevertheless superior to worship: a home where he is known.

In the episodes to come neither will stop performing, even for one another. Some days the performance will seem a mere farce they engage in for mutual amusement; some days a genuine attempt at deception. But neither will they stop seeing through one another in the end, calling each other back to themselves.

Additional Topics

A few topics I didn’t have space for here but may touch in separate posts (I'll link them here if/when I do):

Data Gathering (explained in the linked post)

The Pennsylvania Gun as a Valley of Fear adaptation

Holmes and “throwing back the little ones”

A queer reading of the case they're investigating. Not because I think it was intended that way, but because I can and the past six years have not taught me self-control.

My Story

I’m realizing most of the story I built in my head was based on actual moments in the show, however far I blew them out of proportion for personal enjoyment, and I end up referencing most relevant points in the main analysis and highlights of these posts. So for most episodes this section will just be for shamelessly linking to the relevant chapter of my fic. Great news for the length of these behemoths!

Highlights

Okay look. It's just that at some point it occurred to me that the phrase "mad as a March hare" is specifically in reference to the mating behaviour of hares during the breeding season. It's a phrase typically used without thought for this connotation, so I'm not saying Reynolds considered this. But I've considered it, and it is used a). in reference to Holmes and Watson's behaviour with each other, and b). by McLeod in reference to Holmes after a period of he and Holmes sparring for Watson's attention. So I shall continue to consider it.

I love Holmes fiddling with fishing tackle throughout the episode, trying to pretend he knows how it works while trying to figure out how the fuck it works.

1.55 - 2.20: Holmes and Watson are bickering, and in the meantime Watson gets up for more tea and refills Holmes' as well without a thought. Married already.

3:48 - 3:58: This very average utilization of personal space:

6.59: Mrs Hudson mention! She sadly never appears in this series, but she at least gets a shout-out.

13.04 - 13.38: This image is this post's header. The context is that Holmes' crushes pay attention to each other instead of him for like four seconds, and he responds by being just so normal about it:

Please know he had to circle fully around Watson to do that 👆

10.15 - 10.24: Holmes is always talking to groups while only caring about Watson's attention. Some of my favourite instances are cases like this, where he tosses in a 'Watson' right at the end of the sentence as a twist 'surprise! I was only talking to my special person'. Single-minded detective is single-minded.

16.10 - 17.11: Another iteration of the above, this time regarding the deductions he uses to interrupt Watson and McLeod's 'i'm straight! i'm straight' laughter fest. He tosses in two 'Watsons' to specify his audience this time, because even though for case reasons its more relevant to convince McLeod of what he's saying, what's actually happening here is Holmes and McLeod competing for Watson's attention. Holmes doesn't acknowledge McLeod until he seems to have lost this round, when he resignedly says that "if you two are convinced ... I'm going fishing" (17.12 - 17.19).

He hasn't lost; McLeod storms off, but Watson as ever lets curiosity win over pride—he stays and questions Holmes, and in moments is promising with all delight that "of course" he wants to help with whatever the hell Holmes is up to (17.30 - 18.19).

Even Watson seems to read Holmes' behaviour in the above exchanges as having a touch of jealousy, for when Holmes asks him to get McLeod out of the way for an hour, he says teasingly that he might enjoy himself and stay out longer with the inspector—and then he winks (18.19 - 18.40). As I can't find anything he could be teasing Holmes for besides his vying for Watson's attention, to me this reads as a flirtatious acknowledgement of dynamics at play, and a promise of where his final loyalty lies. And if Holmes looks a little uncertain in his farewell, he needn't have worried—upon their return dialogue assures us that Watson and the inspector have been punctual to the hour (19.10 - 19.21).

18.28: "I don't know what you're talking about but I'll do it"—Watson thesis statement.

20.20 & 23.38: Holmes slides down the banisters, straight-up just for fun. He gives a case-related reason and it's the flimsiest excuse you've ever heard. He's not embarrassed. He doesn't give a fuck. And I love him!

Special shoutout to this exchange about the banister sliding: Watson - "What have you been doing while we were away?" Holmes - "Well first I fished, and then I slid down the banisters." Watson - "Why." Holmes - "Why not?" Watson - "Huh." - (20.14 - 20.29) Holmes' "Why not" is so pointedly delivered, and Watson's "huh," is such a genuine 'well when you put it that way'. It's a great entry into the genre of Holmes offering Watson freedom from the illogical barriers of convention. And I love them both!

21:42: Hand touch!! My favourite thing about this is that it is so extraneous and unself-conscious. Watson also holds the touch for a beat before removing his hand just a hairsbreadth; then as they get up Holmes taps his hand against Watson's in turn.

#i have recalled that pinned posts are a thing #howard holmes #sherlock holmes 19954 #the case of the pennsylvania gun #sherlock holmes #john watson #howard marion-crawford #ronald howard #sheldon reynolds #also on ao3

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raven-at-the-writing-desk · 2 years ago

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of course

***Spoilers for the Stitch summer event below the cut!***

Of coooourse Azul and Floyd jump on the opportunity to extort their classmates while they’re stranded on a deserted island 😭 Such an Ursula moment when Azul asks the group what they’re willing to do to be rescued… 😭 Not Floyd suggesting they all be Octa’s errand boys until the end of time 😭 AnD NOT hIM CALLiNG AzUL NICE FOR LOWERInG iT TO “just” A WEEk???? 😭 Why are fish like this—

This is even funnier when you look back at Birthday Union/Jacket vignettes, where some characters are asked “If you could bring one person with you on a deserted island, who would you choose?”. Of the 6 characters featured in Lost in the Book with Stitch, Jack is the only one who was asked this question. He at first says he can survive on his own, and though he eventually provides Epel as his answer. BUT YOU KNOW WHAT??? Jack also states in the interview that he would not want to be stuck with anyone in Octavinelle because “they seem like the types to ask for compensation whenever they have to do something” 🤡 Which. Isn’t far from the reality they’re now experiencing…

Addendum: In Jack’s Labwear vignettes, Floyd asks Azul if they can “keep him”, as though Jack were a stray dog. Again, Floyd’s affinity for dogs reappears in the Stitch event, where he doesn’t want to hand Stitch over to Gantu.

Other related points from Union Birthday/Birthday Jacket vignettes (the other 5 were asked “if you could pick any student from NRC to be your sibling, who would you choose?”): Ace would pick Azul to essentially get free stuff I bet he’s regretting his decision right about now, eh, Floyd would pick Ace so Ace can take the fall for him in sticky situations why do I suddenly have a bad feeling for what’s to come, and Lilia would pick… FLOYD 😂 because Floyd is mischievous, challenges people, and keeps surprising him with unexpected things… Oh, don’t worry, I’m sure plenty of “unexpected things” are going to happen, whether the boys like it or not 💦

On a more serious note, I do find it interesting that we get formal confirmation that merpeople in human forms need to remove their clothes before returning to their true forms. (This was always assumed before, but was never explicitly brought up in scenes where they actually had to revert back, such as book 4, Vargas Camp, and the first Halloween event.) However, Azul and Floyd say that the Beachwear clothes must be magic because they can’t be removed. I’m assuming either it’s unsafe to revert while still wearing clothes or the magical clothes just prevent them from bursting out of it a la Vanessa to Ursula in The Little Mermaid:

It’s also implied that their human forms are not suited for swimming long distances (or at least they are not used to swimming long distances in human forms yet)?? Which makes me think their anatomy and physiology must become entirely human when they drink their usual transformation potion??? Like, I’m assuming there aren’t gills on their human forms (because they’d serve zero purpose) which could hinder swimming as a human. (For that one scene in book 3 where Azul joins the group at the Atlantica Museum, I always assumed he just drank one of those “breathing underwater” potions he gave out earlier in the book!)

Side note: thanks to this event for gatekeeping us from potentially getting a peak at Azul’s non-OB octomer form/j 🙄

#twst #twisted wonderland #Azul Ashengrotto #Floyd Leech #disney twisted wonderland #spoilers #Ursula #The Little Mermaid #Vanessa #notes from the writing raven #Stitch #Jack Howl #Epel Felmier #Ace Trappola #Lilia Vanrouge #Gantu

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hyperfixated-fan · 2 years ago

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Here is some of those wonderfully nostalgic girly-girl shows in vague order in which I watched/discovered them that no one asked for but I’m giving to you anyways.

1. First up, we’ve got the Horseland

Back in the day, I was a major horse girl (a part of me still is), but this show was so awesome and adorable. It’s just a bunch of gals riding their horses and hanging out at the barn. And their horses and other animals talk amongst themselves. It is all an animal lover like me could want. It’s just so cute and gives sweet life lessons. And occasionally, I found it interesting that they do touch upon some serious topics such as eating disorders and loss. The episode “Mosey” always makes me cry. All the episodes are on YouTube.

Overall, I have to say my favorite character is Alma Rodriguez.

2. LEGO Friends

The first generation of LEGO Friends is nostalgic, but I also seriously love the LEGO Friends: Girls on a Mission. It’s just a bunch of teenage girls getting up to shenanigans and being besties (Oddly, though they are high school age, we barely see them in school XD). I particularly enjoy Girls on a Mission (the episodes are on YouTube) because the episodes were so well put together and it fleshes out each girl a bit more uniquely. It’s a genuinely fun show though I generally am partial to LEGO shows. I am personally not a fan of latest generation of LEGO Friends. I’ve watched a few episodes and it’s just blegh. It might be the nostalgia talking but I just can’t get into it.

My fave character has always been Emma (she’s so adorable) and my fave ship is Emma x Ethan in the Girls on a Mission iteration.

3. Barbie Movies

Not sure if all the movies are pictured above, but there’s a good portion of them. I admit, I haven’t seen all of the Barbie movies (especially the good old classics mainly due to animation that did not age well so sorry) and did not really become a fan until later than most little girls. However, I still find the movies to be very enjoyable and cute. I think a lot of my affinity comes from many familiar Canadian voice actors being in most of the movies and I find it fun trying to pick out familiar voices.

A few of my personal favorite movies are “Princess Charm School” (it’s the first Barbie movie I ever watched with one of my best friends), “The Twelve Dancing Princesses” (so many voices and characters to listen to and try and remember), and “Mariposa” (I am rather partial to the voice of Chiara Zanni and loved her playing Barbie).

4. Ever After High

It is so sad that Ever After High ended after Epic Winter. I really wish we got to see more. I loved the imaginative twist on fairytale characters and the whole “facing your destiny” storyline. The princesses, knights, dragons, and wonderland were all great components as a lover of fantasy. Disney Descendants ain’t got nothing on Ever After. It was a very creative show and it was interesting to see all the characters that would pop up.

A few of my favorite characters are Rosabella Beauty, Ginger Breadhouse, and Lizzie Hearts. Call me basic but I really do like the ship Darabella (obviously the execution of it could’ve been better but I still like it.)

5. Miraculous Ladybug

Simply put, this show is a mess. Miraculous Ladybug barely made the list only because I have fond memories of it. I’m not caught up on any recent events and admittedly quit watching it after season 3 or 4 (I don’t exactly remember). The show had potential and many amazing fanworks, but after a while, the episodes just get repetitive. I still like the earlier seasons before things got too messy. As a lover of side characters, I also wish they fleshed out the side characters a bit more instead of keeping on creating more and more side characters. I still occasionally pop in to see what is going on and apparently Nathalie is dead?! Idk what’s going on and I love looking at spoilers with no context because it makes the show all the more funny.

My fave character list includes Alya Césaire, Nathalie Sancoeur, and Juleka Couffaine and I’m partial to the ship DJWifi.

6. Monster High

Since I was a fan of Ever After High, it was only inevitable that I would eventually become a fan of Monster High. It took a while but I eventually did fall in love with the show. And I fell hard. All the characters are so unique and while I absolutely love all the generation 1 content, I do not completely hate the g3 series. I loved the message of standing out yet belonging at Monster High, freaky flaws and all. The animation is very dated yet endearingly nostalgic at the same time. I love all the different twists on various monster creatures.

My favorite characters list gets pretty extensive, as I love g1 and g3 Abbey Bominable (I always love an ice queen), along with g1/g3 Cleo De Nile (bc she’s your typical mean girl/diva but truly cares for her friends), Robecca Steam (her steampunk aesthetic and little accent are adorable), Deuce Gorgon (a kind yet popular jockish character is rare), Jinafire Long (Chinese dragon is always a win), and Rochelle Goyle (she’s just neat).

Fave ships = Cleuce (CleoxDeuce) and AbbeyxHeath. I just love them okay!

7. Lolirock

I believe I discovered this show coming off of Storm Hawks and Steven Universe so the crystal motif and everything was already an intriguing concept for me (plus familiar Canadian voice actors drew me in). I just love the trio of girls trying to “secretly” protect earth with sparkles and spells while putting up the front of being a girl band (the songs are very catchy by the way if you can get past an ungodly amount of auto tune). The episodes gave me vibes similar to Miraculous Ladybug but somewhat better with less convoluted characters. Overall, it’s a very bright energetic show and I wish they would’ve delved into the backstories of the other princesses a bit more instead of focusing on Iris all the time. Here’s to hoping they eventually do come out with season 3. All the current episodes are on YouTube.

My favorite characters are the sisters Izira and Talia. They have so much power and the show needs to actually do them justice.

8. Mysticons

This one is definitely lesser known than most on this list. I found it shortly after LoliRock since it has similar features and characters. It’s a very simple show with simple characters but I am fond of it still (and I’m pretty sure it made me cry at one point. I don’t remember when but I remember something about it made me emotional). The fantasy magic of the world was definitely a big win for me. I think the creators did a decent job at world building. It’s your typical prophesied heroes must save the world from certain destruction but I found the show overall enjoyable and cute with a nice dose of found family thrown in.

My top favorite characters are Zarya Moonwolf and Emerald Goldenbraid.

9. DC Super Hero Girls

I started out as a G1 fan when it was still coming out and became a fan of the reboot as well. It was interesting to all these wonderful kickbutt superheroes placed in a high school -esque setting. The original series was very average with their shorts but it was such fun to see what characters would pop up to help (I even will tolerate and enjoy the LEGO specials). The reboot had better design and animation. I am sad it didn’t get a chance to run longer. My only qualm was that some characters had such a drastic change from their backstory and original character development that it moved from being whimsical and imaginative to simply keeping the name and having an entirely different character. *cough* Jessica *cough* They don’t get that she was such a powerful Green Lantern because she was bold but because most of the time she was scared out of mind due to her past trauma but still acted and pushed through the fear to save people.

Rant aside, my fave character is Jessica Cruz despite the reboot overhauling her character and erasing her backstory.

10. She-Ra and the Princesses of Power

Not necessarily my favorite glittery girly series I’ve watched but definitely an enjoyable series. True to my usual form, I unfortunately did not end up caring for most of the main plot and characters. However, the idea of this show was fun nonetheless and it had its nice moments, so I’m glad it got a decent number of seasons. The magic, weaponry, and elemental powers drew me to this show. I wish they delved a bit deeper into the true effects and trauma that fighting a war would have on all of the characters as they are leaders of their respective kingdoms.

My favorite characters include Entrapta (little nerdy characters are almost always a win for me), Mermista (Vella Lovell was perfect for voicing her and her character design is nice), Netossa (another awesome blue character; if anyone’s seen Six: The Musical, does she vaguely remind you of Catherine Parr?)

Bonus: Rainbow High

An interesting premise though it ultimately falls flat for me because I am not a fashion-oriented person in the slightest. However, I still like the show and all the drama that comes with it. I just overall find it hilarious to watch the squabbles that happen because everyone is just so high strung. (Why do all the guy characters literally look the exact same with that same stupid little hairstyle?) XD

Fave characters are Ainsley Slater and Jade Hunter.

Bonus: God’s School

Greek mythology! Need I say more? This is such an imaginative show. It is even more amazing considering one guy does all the animation. The webisodes that are out are great and I definitely recommend watching them on YouTube. Zeus looks like Disney Hercules and I find that hilarious. All the character designs for the gods are so awesome and I love the details that help indicate who they are. Ignore the fact that over half of them are related in some form or another and everything is fine.

Fave definitely has to be Athena! (…bad*** in the arena. Unmatched witty and queen of the best strategies we’ve seen.)

Bonus: Tinkerbell

These are just cute adventures. I wish the series could’ve continued so we could’ve gotten movies highlighting each of the fairies.

My fave is Silvermist.

Bonus: Steven Universe

I personally enjoyed this show and know it had a large fan base so I don’t get why so many people are going back and hating on it so fervently. It’s a flawed show like any but it still has it fine points and I have a soft spot for it. I heavily debated on whether this qualified for a magical girl show but I think it does. It’s nice seeing Steven grow alongside the gems and it’s a good show to put on in the background.

My favorites have to be Garnet and Sapphire.

Honorable mentions that I never fully watched but seem nice:

My Little Pony - I’m disappointed in myself for never getting into this show because it has all the right points for me to like it, including great Canadian voice actors and magic and ponies. I have watched some episodes and enjoyed them but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to sit through and binge the entire show.

LEGO Elves - watched some but I never got truly immersed.

Totally Spies! - never really gave it a go but it seems okay.

Winx Club - I tried to like it but the characters just didn’t hit for me.

W.I.T.C.H. - watched the first few episodes but nothing made me want to continue.

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daily-nikki · 2 months ago

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The Perfectionist Unlocked

Slip by the in game store to pick up the free 3-star outfit The Perfectionist

To read more about this set, click on Keep Reading below.

The Perfectionist is a 3-star outfit set that can be obtained for free during the Heartfelt Gifts event in the store.

Quality: 3 stars Style: Sexy Labels: Intellectual Category: Outfits Compendium: Remarkable Ambition Completion Reward: Diamonds x10 Source: Heartfelt Gifts store

Outfit Description The vibrant stage is carefully decorated with layers of elements—lights, venue, models, clothes—all essential. In this moment, a sharp, meticulous eye is crucial to ensure every detail is flawless.

Outfit Comments Marques Jr. — "Is it just like how Grandpa always carefully inspects my works and gives me constructive criticism?"

Dada — "That's true. A sharp suggestion will make it stand out even more!"

Score

What's in the Set?

Raise the Curtain — Headwear The curtain slowly rose with a perfectly timed rhythm, unveiling a stage that glittered with starlight—the prelude she had meticulously arranged for the show was about to begin.

Glorious Creed — Earrings The pearls, the stars... even the dotted, pearlescent decorations on these earrings are perfectly symmetrical.

Perfect Curve — Chokers The silk scarf around her neck is neatly folded into a delicate shape, every inch of fabric lovingly attended to.

Mysterious Gaze — Face Her sharp, bright eyes saw through everything, and with every focused gaze, mistakes and flaws were laid bare, unable to hide their true nature.

Rigorous Inspection — Gloves With gentle hands, she unfolds each outfit to inspect it. Even the finest, softest fabrics remain smooth under her touch.

Searching for Order — Pendants The tightly packed schedule, a notebook adorned with countless bookmarks and hand-drawn sketches revised time and again—all find their place here. In her world, there is no room for oversight or omission, only meticulous planning and flawless execution.

Swaying Blossom — Hair Her curled hair was tied back, swaying gently with each step she took, like a branch of flower softly swaying in the morning breeze.

Troubles Dissolved — Dresses Wherever her black dress's hem grazed, her troubles somehow melted away, like the night gradually giving way to the first light of dawn.

Faux Affinity — Outerwear She once said that she word pink to soften her serious demeanor, hoping to show a more approachable side of herself.

Step-by-Step — Shoes Her steps were steady and measured, each rhythm of her footfall precise and flawless. In her world, perfection was not just a pursuit, but a steadfast belief.

Look Book

#infinity nikki #nikkiverse #infinikki #nikki #nikki games #nikki series #dress up game #cozy game #infinity nikki updates #infinity nikki news #infinity nikki outfits #infinity nikki free outfits #the perfectionist

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higaneruthyll · 4 months ago

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The suspect behind multiple bombings in the city is still at large. Rumour has it that they have slipped into the roster of the Gopher Troupe. Stay tuned to Law, Order, Auschfeuer for more.

FENE

SSR Burst/DMG • Pyro Ranger Troupe position: Mechanic Play: Legend of Kaifeng Birthday: December 12 Join date: After the Fury Fantasyland event Race: Human Hometown: Auschfeuer Alias: Blissful Kalpa-flame

Outfit: Delightful Gearwheel - Compared to magic and runes, what Fene trusts better is a screw of a machine or a gear that transfers momentum.

Weapon: Phantom Fire (Firework cannon) - Fireworks and firecrackers are prohibited in the city.

Skills:

Basic Attack: Scarlet Shelling Passive: Hedonist Active Skills: Flash of Star (DMG) / Firework Imprints (DMG) Ultimate: Start of Feast

Awaken:

Stage 1: P.DMG Mitigation +5% Stage 2: Bonus P.DMG +5% Stage 3: Flash of Star inflicts Deterrent: High OR Firework Imprints inflict Slow when knock back occurs Stage 4: Restore 6% Ult Energy OR increase ASPD by 50% when skill is cast Stage 5: Increase Start of Feast's damage by 25% OR restore 20% Ult Energy after casting Start of Feast Stage 6: Doom Engravings inflict Burning OR every three attacks the next basic attack becomes Doom Engravings

Voicelines:

Greetings (Morning): Yo! Good morning, Director! Let’s make some trouble today! Greetings (Noon): Just in time, Director. I just made something with a bit of a kick. I’m sure you’ll be interested! Greetings (Evening): No, Director, keep the lights on! Oh, the sky’s dark again. Greetings (Midnight): Up so late, Director. Are you… made of machine too? Weekends: So lucky to run into you on the weekend, Director! I was wondering who would test my new machines with me! Long time no see: You really have great timing. I almost threw out all the surprise gadgets I made. Hello at work: Director, you’ve been putting in such long hours! Are you getting sore? Well, the new muscle relaxer is worth it, and it’s 10% off, just for you!

Prepare for combat: Selecting targets one by one is too tedious… Can I carpet bomb them instead? Return from battles: Ahh, that’s a nice set of combat data. Back to airship: Director, can you pick up my toolbox on your way over? Shake: Whew… looks like I gotta rig up an absolute stabiliser for this airship.

Affinity dialogue 1: Let me make some modifications to your seat, Director. I’ll make sure it will satisfy you to a degree beyond your imagination. Affinity dialogue 2: Come around to the idea, Director? Then let’s talk modification ideas! Affinity dialogue 3: Oh, that stuff in a pile over there? Those are my masterpieces. Take your pick. Affinity dialogue 4: I’ve always wanted to take apart and take a look inside Black’s piano. Director, keep watch for me! WIP.

Touch (Head): These are goggles I designed myself. Side note, they come with X-ray vision. Touch (Body): This stunning toolkit is what gets machinists going. Touch (Legs): My socks always get holes in them, but I think that’s kinda cool. Touch (Continuous): Hey, how’re you doing that? Are you using an auto-clicker?

Leisure talk 1: Strange… where’d this extra screw come from? Leisure talk 2: Hmm… what should we take apart… I mean modify today? Leisure talk 3: Are you visiting me because you have a great idea in mind? Leisure talk 4: I wonder if that old geezer Aron is still working on his shabby furnace. Leisure talk 5: The Director isn’t paying attention, I’m going to try out my new creation. (Sound of gears and things breaking) Ahh…

First encounter: Leave all the explosions, dismantling, and modifications to me, for I am the genius machinist! Join team: Do I really need to follow the rules? Face common enemies: These guys won’t even cover the maintenance fees. Face elite enemies: Looks like a worthy target. Face powerful enemies: Let’s make some trouble!

Use skill 1: Burn, everything burns! Use skill 2: Fire-retardant test starts now! Use skill 3: Woohoo! Use skill 4: Witness - Super Kryptonite Flash! Use skill 5: Here comes the fireworks! Use skill 6: Pew - bang! Ultimate: Explosions! Art burns! Victory: Let me make good use of these materials. MVP: I am the genius mechanic, after all. Ally at low HP: Anyone wounded, stay back! Fallen: I should tone it down a bit.

Receive food 1: The structure of it is complex like machinery. It’s beautiful! Receive food 2: I really like things that are convenient to eat. Receive food 3: Director, you really know your way around, thanks. Receive food 4: Thanks, just leave it over there. I’ll eat it when I’m done. Receive gift 1: Wow, what an exquisite structure. Can I take it apart? Can I? Receive gift 2: What’s wrong with a girl liking gifts like these?! Receive gift 3: I really like these sorts of things. Thank you, Director. Receive gift 4: This isn’t really my style… haha.

Lamb Tea Party dialogue:

Fene: Director, wanna come and be my apprentice? Well then, I guess I’m in your hands, Mentor Fene! (+800) Fene: Haha, Director, you are a rare talent! I will make sure you inherit all my masteries! Here, read through these books and I guarantee you’ll become the greatest inventor in the world! Take these… Principles of Dubriostal Energy Technology, Dubriostal and Material Science… Oh, and also Briostal Armament Design Basics and Astrolabe Manufacturing and Crafting! These two are treasures that I got from the Spirit Contractor! Director: Is it too late to drop out…? Fene: Hey, what do you mean by that? Are you looking down on me? Oh well, I’m not a petty person like that anyways. I mean, I don’t approve of the old geezers’ crafts either, heh. With you unbounded spirit… You are meant to be an amazing mechanic!

Fene: Hmm, Director, after close observation by me, the genius mechanic, I’ve found our troupe’s tea party facility to be overly traditional! We have to do some extensive modifications. Since you’re here, we might as well get started immediately! Let me see.., blueprints, raw materials, processing, and assembly… I suppose we better start with the explosives! Wait, what does modifying the room have to do with the explosives? +600 Fene: It has everything to do with it! We have to blow up the old one to make room for the new one! Wait, don’t we have to make the measurements before starting the modifications? +600 Fene: What? Nobody would remember all the complicated rules when attempting to make something new. Don’t worry, I’ve got this. Blueprints will only limit my imagination! After any Fene: Director, if it weren’t for you, I would’ve forgotten that this is an explosion-restricted zone. Whew… it would’ve given officers from the Veiled Court an excuse to extort me out of a month’s pay, haha!

Fene: Hmm, Director, after close observation by me, the genius mechanic, I’ve found our troupe’s tea party facility to be overly traditional! We have to do some extensive modifications. Since you’re here, we might as well get started immediately! Director, where would you like to begin? “Sirslet!” Jukebox +600 Fene: Director, I’m actually almost finished with the prototype of this thing! However… Hehe, I’m going to have to ask you to get the vocal source from the celebrity herself! Take this with you. It’s a portable recording device that I’ve modified. All you have to do is have her sing through the entire list! Fene pressed the device into your hand…

Personality:

Fene is passionate about disassembling and explosions, always carrying the smell of gunpowder. While she is creative and has made many stage devices for Troupe performances, she often causes a lot of damage - to this, she doesn’t mind, as she sees art as explosion. Most of her daily routine is spent creating noise, and she’s known for fooling around and having fun. Even a small compliment will make her incredibly joyous. Her inventions often cause as many problems as they solve.

History:

An apprentice of the Zero Heat mechanical workshop under Aron. Aron was disdainful of her. One day, Fene saw how he was with people from Crystalis.

Relationships:

Fene's Story:

Fene is working on a new creation for a client - a pair of handcuffs so that her client can be with his quarrelling lover forever until their heart rates are synchronised and very fast, with no brute force able to destroy it. A time bomb is also included so if it isn’t broken in two days, both of them will die. However, an accident causes both her and the Director to be caught in the cuffs. To break it, Fene takes the Director on activities such as a run, watching a horror movie and walking in a desert. She comes to the conclusion that the only way they can break it is by going on a date. WIP.

Chats:

Fene: DIRECTOR!!! Director: FENE!!! Fene: Hehe! I’d like to discuss with you about something. Director: I’m all ears. Fene: About the next tour of Romia and Julian, I’d like to change one of the props. Fene: It’s the gemstone ring Romia gets down on one knee and gives to Julian. Director: What about the gemstone ring? Fene: That ring… is still missing the “bang”! Director: The bang? Fene: Yes! A wild feeling that makes your heart skip a beat! Like a bang! Fene: So, I was thinking perhaps we could replace the gemstone with something unstable… Fene: Something crackling… Director: I can consider it so long as safety is assured. Fene: You are the BEST, Director! Fene: Director, did I ever tell you that you were my kindred spirit? With our combined forces, we can definitely blow everyone away! Fene: Then… I’ll leave the negotiations with Sirslet to you, Director!

Fene: DIRECTOR!!! Director: FENE!!! Fene: I made something exciting this time. I’m sure you’ll like it! Director: Oh? What is it? Fene: It’s an automatic document processor! Fene: Look at its steel frame, gears, and bearing. It’s beautiful! Fene: Everything is perfect. Now, all that’s missing is a test subject. Uh, I mean, I need someone to test it for me! Fene: If you give it a try, Director, and I adjust it a little bit afterward, I’m sure this will become a huge success! Director: Missing a test subject…? I have a bad feeling about this… Fene: Oh, the development and improvement of a new product definitely requires sacrifice… Ahem, I mean, the feedback of the test subjects. Fene: And my product is already perfect now. It is totally a fit for those who pursue efficiency. Once you put this on, if you don’t work, you’ll get beaten up! Fene: Excited to try it, aren’t you? Director, wait for me. I’ll bring it over to you right now! Director: No, wait! Stay away from me!

Fene: DIRECTOR!!! Director: FENE!!! Fene: Are you available today? I'm visiting the business district. Come with me. Director: I'm available, but why are you visiting the business district? Fene: I'm going to Old Mike's Hardware Store and consigning some of my new inventions for sale. Director: You've come up with a new invention already? I bet the previous ones sold well. Fene: Uh… although I think the stock is still pilling up at Old Mike's. Fene: But I believe they will sell as well as you said, Director! Director: … Will Old Mike accept more consignments from you? Fene: Also, just so you know, no one is buying my old inventions, probably because they aren’t useful enough. Fene: This time, though, I’m going to sell my self-propelled fish tank with the feature of a music player. Those fish enthusiasts will be dying to get their hands on one of those! Director: … Fene: Time is of the essence. Let’s head out now!

Official artwork:

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efervon4u · 25 days ago

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Good morning.

#hi I'm not riding the adrenaline anymore so I'm just trying not to freak out #but I'm alive and okay and really not sure if that was a good move #but #it happened #pick a side [affinity event 3]

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snowflakesoliloquy · 1 year ago

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Tremayne got a side of spooks instead of bacon for breakfast! Alice walks away chuckling to herself. She later told us in an interview. "This is reality, reality is you need to think on your feet. Plus it was just fun, Tremayne needs to not take himself or everything for that matter so seriously."

Chelsea: We have paired with Apaloosa's humane society as an adoption event. This beautiful girl is up for adoption. They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks and nobody ever talks about teaching cats new tricks. Cats can be just as great companions as dogs and that's what we're going to show today.

You'll be attempting to teach this feline mademoiselle how to stand. And if you and her really get along, our crew is ready to make arrangements to help you adopt the cat and take her back home with you. Let's begin!

Starting off strong with Tremayne who makes short work of teaching the cat the trick.

Jamaal isn't so lucky and strikes out. In an interview later he tells us he "really doesn't like cats" and cats seem to return the sentiment Jamaal!

Margaret didn't fare much better, though she states anyone would have fared that way if they were going right after Jamaal.

Elvis succeed quickly, showing that the cat was still willing to play along after the last two interactions.

"My mom owns 3 cats and feeds a lot of the strays." Elvis tells us. "She feeds a lof of the neighborhood strays."

He offers a piece of advice to those tuning in at home.

"Make sure to get them spayed/neutered or at the very least contact your local TNR operation. As my mom always says, feeding them is great, reducing the cat overpopulation problem is even better, and getting them loving homes is the best."

After that, everyone else struck out until our final competitor in this challenge; Taylor.

The two got on like a house on fire and not only did he succeed at the treat, the cat graciously accepted being picked up by Taylor! His affinity with animals is apparent with animals both big and small!

Taylor told the crew that he would need to make arrangements back home but he's very eager to bring the cat back home. He will miss the cat as he is hopeful he will be on this show for weeks to come.

Chelsea is also hoping that Taylor's first impression won't last and that their one on one date (and the first of the season) goes well.

#Bachelorette Sims 3 Apaloosa #Bachelorette Sims 3 #Bachlorette Sims #bachelorette #bachelor #sims 3 stories #sims 3 story #sims3 #the sims 3 #sims3stories #sims3story #sims 3 first challenge #sims 3 first bachelorette challenge #sims 3 bachelorette cat challenge

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fathertaurus · 3 years ago

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A Steve Harrington Thing

A/N: Hi so this is apart of the maladaptive daydream thing I was talking about where the character is Lucas’ older sister, she was also taken to the upside down blah blah blah

All you need to know for this “blurb” is that it take place in the very beginning of Season 3, around the time when Steve first gets hired at Scoops.

Hope you enjoy!

pairing: Steve Harrington x FemSinclair!Reader | Billy Hargrove x FemSinclair!Reader

POV

“So where am I taking you again?” Steve questioned as he watched his closest friend fiddle with his stereo.

The two found themselves in this routine for a while now, at least since Nancy and Jonathan had become more of a permanent item. Y/N and Steve had found their own presences more placed upon each other— not in any sort of negative way, just simply a bit unexpected.

After the trauma bonding from the past year and a half and both of them not really having cliques to be apart of (at least not ones without a bunch of middle schoolers) the pair started hanging out more.

Study sessions for the end of the year exams at Lucy’s Diner suddenly seemed to run longer—with or without the company of the doting couple— Steve finding himself enjoying Y/N’s ramblings on dismantling the patriarchy as she shoveled fries into her mouth, and she finding entertaining his tangents on his previous basketball games over the blasting stereo in his car playing absurdly mainstream music he so evidently loved. Neither really understood each other’s affinities but that was never the glue that turned the study sessions into every day hangouts together. They just, clicked.

If you had mentioned anything of the sort to either of them a year and a half ago Steve would’ve laughed himself silly and Y/N would have rudely presented the bird. But it was true. Things were easy and fun and just flowed that neither could complain.

Hell, Y/N even came to Steve’s graduation. Well so did Nancy and Jonathan but she put on a whole dress she found at the back of her mother’s closet for the event. She didn’t think it was anything crazy really, just a long simple white dress she thought would be nice in the budding summer heat given they’d be sitting in the outdoor stadium seats. But with the look on Nancy and Jonathan faces, and especially Steve’s when he finally got the chance to escape his hovering mother and her camera she realized maybe it was much.

In fact she thought about the look Steve gave her for the rest of the night all the way until she was laid in her bed that evening, dress hastily discarded into a laundry hamper upon coming home before tucking herself into a strewn t shirt, silently promising herself she’d never go through the trouble again.

And just as Y/N was going to drown her sorrows in another rereading of LOTR the landline on her bedside table interjected. Picking it up only expecting one of Lucas’ friends on the other side she was flabbergasted at the sound of Steve’s voice and distant music echoing over the receiver.

They talked for a little while, Steve mentioning his gratitude to her for showing up and how he was currently at Katie McCarthy’s after party “living it up”. Y/N was abruptly even more puzzled because why the hell was he calling her off Katie McCarthy’s house phone in the middle of a party like at this time he wouldn’t usually be doing some keg stand in the backyard to incite cheers.

And just as she opened her mouth to ask Steve spoke, voice nearly hush, “Hey.”

“Yes Steven?”

He chortled annoyed, and if he were here she could see him shaking his head, “You know I hate that shit.”

“What is it Steve?” Y/N pressed, eyes nearly rolling to the back of her skull as she threw herself on her back amongst her pillows.

“Nothing..I just…” the bass swelled beneath the notes of his silence, “You looked really..pretty today.”

It was like the color pink rushed all over her body, starting from the tips of her toes, into the depths of her belly only to spread up to the crown of her head.

Pretty

Pretty.

“What?”

“No I—I didn’t mean anything by it, I—“ The sound of something crashing in the background startled the both of them, “Shit, fuck my drink—uhm hold on just a second.”

Had this been any other moment Y/N would’ve laughed aloud and teased the brown haired boy for being such a klutz, casually tormenting him until he told her to fuck off with a hidden smile to his lips. But this wasn’t that, no, in fact it was something entirely new. So new Y/N didn’t know what to do with herself and the buzzing feeling in her chest or the electricity coursing through guts.

“Steve—“

“M’back.” He cut in, rustling followed before a sigh, “I didn’t mean it like that I—“ He stopped himself yet again, quite obviously flustered but Y/N couldn’t tell if it was because of the drink or her.

“You’ve just never worn a dress before. You looked…it was nice, cool.” “Thanks.”

She whispered, hands clutched around the phone, pressing it so incredibly close to her ear because maybe just maybe she wanted to hear if his breathing was as deep and as fast as her’s.

But the music was so loud and Steve was so so quiet, anything she could hear was a mess and blurred and there was a part of her that was severely grateful for all of those circumstances.

“I’m gonna go now.”

“...okay...get home safe.”

“I will. You get some sleep for me will ya? It’s pretty late.”

It was silly but his words elicited chills all over her arms and she couldn't find a well enough reasoning as to why, just that something about him worrying about her sleep schedule made her and her skin dizzy.

“Yeah of course. Bye Steve.”

“Goodnight Y/N.”

They didn’t talk about that night the following day when Y/N came over to his place in the evening. Steve just rambled about his hell raising hangover and events that took place at the party while Y/N nodded along and cracked wise jokes. But as they sat on Steve’s family couch, knees brushed up over each other with new levels of eye contact not yet maintained by the two before it was evident things had shifted. And so their friendship continued on as such, with hidden moments Y/N thought to herself about from time to time but resisted the urge to ponder on. Because she had been down the road of crushing on Steve Harrington before literally only a couple months prior to the whole dress debacle and it just wasn’t the right idea. He was still hooked on Nancy, it was evident no matter how hard he tried to flirt with any and every other girl and she just couldn’t willingly place herself in a position to be hurt like that.

No matter how much she herself felt for him. “I told you already Harrington, to the community pool.” She huffed turning the channel dial back and forth, the car irrupting in static and random genres of music.

His hand swatted at her’s, knocking it back into her lap, “Uh…why the hell do you want to go there?”

Y/N fell into an annoyed silence as she crossed her hands over her chest, blowing a curl out of her face as she peered over at him with a look on her face to match. Steve could give so much as a glance as he tried to remain focused on the road but could feel his own attitude building.

“Jesus what?” He nipped, brows furrowed together.

Y/N groaned, “Steve.”

It took him a full level of concentration to piece together any of their previous conversations about Hawkin’s community pool (assuming there were only so many to scope though) and why the anti-social menace Y/N Sinclair would want to be surrounded by a bunch of screaming kids and wet bodies.

Until it clicked.

“No you’re not.”

“Oh god here we go—“

“I am not using my precious time and gas to drive you to go hang out with that asshole!”

“What? You said you would!” She squawked followed by an intentional mumble of “And he’s not an asshole.” Sinking further into the seat.

Steve dramatically gasped, throwing his hand up as he shouted “He beat me until I was unconscious!”

“He apologized for that!” Y/N yelped, hand reaching for the empty side of the stirring wheel to guide the car back into the middle of the road, making sure the both of them would survive this conversation and Steve’s usual antics.

Scoffing Steve shoved her hand off and took reign over the driving, gasket still in the process of being blown but also not wanting either of them to end up dead over this only so he could maul Y/N later.

“Billy Hargrove. Billy Hargrove? Why?!” The words came out almost as a whine, Steve throwing himself against the back of his seat followed by a grunt.

“Because!” Y/N finally bit back, tossing her hands up only to drop them back in her lap now resting her head against the window as if she was trying to create as much space between herself and Steve as possible.

“Oh, because, okay.” He mocked only to lean into his window as well.

If it weren’t for the radio playing lowly the whole car would be absolutely silent right now and who knew if that would be better or not. Steve doubted it would take away from the jumble of feelings in his chest just as Y/N assumed it would only egg her frustration further.

She knew he was completely entitled to how he felt, it was why she hadn’t actually mentioned where she was really going when she first asked Steve for a ride last week after their trip to the movies to see The Breakfast Club. Just simply mentioned she needed one and Steve could never and probably would never say no to her if she needed something. She told herself she would face the repercussions later but expected said repercussions to occur afterwards and not on the way there.

“Because he asked Steve.”

From the corner of her eye she could see him turn to look at her, irritation still laced in his brow and shoulders still tucked into his neck but at least he was acknowledging her.

Y/N sighed, “He’s been asking..to see me..ever since Halloween. I brushed off all his advances at first—for a while actually.” Her nails dug into the skin of her palms, trying to find a way to release the tension within her body.

“And then one night I just said yes.” She couldn’t help the smile that formed on her lips when she thought back to that specific day.

Because if she sat long enough the image of Billy pulling up in her driveway with a sweet pathetic bouquet of flowers and some intoxicating cologne and a nervous bounce to his knees her belly swirled. How they were originally going to get food but instead ended up sitting in his car for 2 hours at the minimart parking lot talking. And then the two of them stormed the store grabbing a horde of random snacks before dashing out in the same manor and driving to Lover’s Lake where all they did was sit some more, pick at the salty and sugary treats and talk. And it was so perfect. “When?”

Touching back down to reality Y/N noticed they had come to a stop. Glancing at the new surroundings she realized they were in the pool parking lot; families pilling out of their cars, the sound of rushing flip-flops and distant shrill screams now overtaking the car radio.

Blinking rapidly she swiveled in the passenger seat to chance a stare at her best friend. Steve was staring off to somewhere in the distance, a hand combing through his hair while the other picked at a hole in the knee of his jeans. Something about his disposition triggered an odd feeling within Y/N that she decided she would try and figure out another time.

“A couple weeks ago. We’ve been talking ever since, hanging out here and there.” Her voice was quiet as she explained; she was trying to resist the urge to feel small but failing at shying away from the sensation.

Another wave of silence.

“Does he treat you good?” He was turned to stare her down now, Y/N feeling even smaller at his look. But not in a negative way, no, in a “I know you’re being like this because you care about me, I’m sorry, don’t be mad anymore” kind of way. It made her smile.

“Yes. I promise.”

The admission visibly released the tautness in Steve’s whole upper body—shoulders slowly alleviating themselves of the weight of his worry, eyes resting now above his eyes where they belonged instead of the middle of his forehead. Y/N finally breathed the breath she had no idea she was holding.

Blowing a raspberry he shook his head, “Okay fine whatever. I’m always going to hate the guy though.” He pressed pointedly earning a giggle from Y/N’s side of the car.

“Alright fair.” She waved him off.

Turning back with a huff Steve’s eyes fell upon a moving figure in the distance and suddenly the frown was back pressed onto his lips.

Dressed in quite literally nothing but a pair of bright red swim trunks and a whistle dangling from his neck was Billy. He was staring off amongst the cars, hand blocking the sun from his vision despite the pair of sunglasses on the bridge of his nose--quite obviously searching all of the newcomers for Y/N.

“Speak of the goddamn devil.” Steve mumbled instantly receiving a shove from the curly headed brunette beside him, a ‘hey’ following before she raised her finger in warning at him. He shoved back rolling his eyes, his free hand reaching over to press a button beside him to unlock the doors. “Get out of my car Sinclair.”

She stifled another laugh as she grabbed at her bag on the floor from between her feet, quickly tugging at the door handle and hopping up and out, “Gladly!” Y/N beamed, “See ya later Harrington.”

Steve watched. He watched with his breath in his throat as a smile blew over Billy’s face when he saw her.

The mullet wearing asshole nearly grinned upon her approached, yelling out something to her Steve was ever fucking grateful he couldn’t hear because it made Y/N skip in her step. She basically danced over the hot asphalt--feet nearly hovering until she was in front of him.

And in one swift motion Billy’s arms were around her waist, tucked tightly to bring her body as close as physically possible to his own only to then lift her off her feet in what could have only been explicitly explained as a “sweet embrace.”

A churning feeling wavered through Steve’s stomach at the scene unfolding but nothing would allow him to look away. Not while Y/N laughed loudly against Billy’s ear nor when he littered the right side of her neck with kisses until he met her cheekbone. Never in a million years could he have pictured an animal like Hargrove to be so...affectionate.

He placed her back on her feet with one more peck to her jaw and the two stirred more conversation.

Steve knew now was the time to leave, he had seen everything he needed to and then some and if he stayed any longer he doubt that his breakfast would remain in his stomach. So he turned his key in the ignition--making all the physical efforts to leave, switching the gear to reverse and everything. But then something caught his eye.

Billy’s fingers trailed the side of the blue gripping her waist, eyeing it as he did, mumbling another slur Steve knew he didn’t want to hear. His hand clasped around hers to lift it over her head, twirling her in a tight circle causing her dress to lift just enough to create a dream like lift to the cotton.

Her dress.

“Fuck.” Steve bit before pulling out of his parking spot and the lot in it’s entirety.

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A/N: I was trying so hard to finish this before the episodes dropped so if this is kinda shitty IM SORRY

#steve harrington x reader #steve harrington x you #billy hargove x reader #billy hargrove x you #steve harrington imagine #billy hargove imagine #stranger things

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cheelduh · 4 years ago

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How to get Hit-listed by a Stonehide Lawachurl (High School AU!)

Part 6 of the highschool au

Parts: 1 2 3 4 5

Pairing: Childe x fem!reader

Synopsis: Childe’s a menace to everyone when playing dodgeball. Even as his new girlfriend, you’re no exception to his affinity for raising hell during the most tranquil of circumstances.

Warnings: Swearing, bad humor, and absolutely horrid spelling mistakes.

Words: 5.3k

Note: Longest chapter yet sheeeesh 🗿

Negotiation is an art.

Childe, or "Tartaglia" has utilized the art of negotiations in his daily life. Whether that be scamming the ninth graders with fake weed, or convincing the teachers why he doesn't deserve detention for injecting random fluids from the chem department into the school's resident pet frog.

All in all, by becoming an expert in the field of negotiations, Childe is nothing if not a master, tongue silver and smooth as he takes on a new opponent.

Which is why he dutifully negotiates with you on this Monday morning in front of the History classroom, getting down on one knee and pulling out a—

"I hope to Barbatos you aren't proposing Childe," You hiss, panicked eyes landing on the velvet box he's pulling out. "Considering that we're sixteen and still in highschool."

As if remembering those meagre details, Childe gulps and shoves the box back into his pocket. "Uhhh yeah, I was just, tying my shoelaces?" It comes out as a question.

You let out a sigh of relief, overlooking how he undoes his shoe laces just to do them all over again.

The ring burns in his pocket as he gets back up.

"Why did you call me here?" You ask, hand on your hip, foot impatiently tapping. The tap tap tap isn't because of impatience though, it's because you need something to cover the nervous palpitations of your heart.

He gives you a vicious smile, sinister enough to shake the bones of anyone who's observing, opens his daring mouth to show the imaginary sharpness of his teeth. Then with the confidence of about a hundred shirtless tiktok boys, he finally demands:

"If you don't become my girlfriend, I will kill—"

"Yeah sure thing." You answer before he can finish, soft smile growing.

Childe chuckles evilly, "I knew you'd say that, but I've come prep—wait a minute." He snaps out of his villain origin phase, stumbles back a bit, then his eyebrows are furrowing in confusion. "Did you just say yes?"

You nod, cheeks flaring up. "Don't make me repeat it." Then you look away, too embarrassed to see his reaction.

For a second, Childe's internal conflict following the chain of this event causes him to temporarily malfunction, and all he can do it stare at you in amazement.

It's only when you tell him to stop staring and jump off the school roof is when he snaps out of his daze, a grin festering on his face.

He lunges straight at you, giving you no time to deflect him as he wraps his bone crushing arms around you, then lands a soft smooch on your forehead.

"Let go of me you idiot!" You barely wheeze out, light headed not only because of your lungs being squeezed like oranges, but also because of the sloppy kiss he's delivered so ungracefully.

He does so reluctantly, and you're unamused, wiping the stickiness off your forehead with a sleeve as he steps back.

"Ew what the fuck?" You say, glaring at him. "What's wrong with you?"

He completely ignores you, giddy with excitement. "Ah girly, you have no idea how long I've wanted to do that. I can't wait to introduce you to my parents and eat lunch together and kiss each other during break—"

"Slow down." You tell him, as red as a tomato towards all his suggestions. "We've barely started dating."

"Oh," Childe stops momentarily, then nods in agreement. "You're right. We should start small. How about I walk you to class?"

"We're already in front of class." You nudge your head towards the classroom, and catch Zhongli and Venti peeking from the side of the door, trying not to be obvious.

You narrow your eyes at them threateningly.

Childe tugs your arm, lovingly looking you up and down. "Let's walk to class together anyways. In a circle."

A complete waste of time, yet it's impossible to say no to the face he's making.

Before you guys depart he suddenly stops, gasping loudly, remembers something important. "I have to make a quick phone call."

Childe speed dials Scaramouche, and the latter picks up annoyed, answers the phone with muffled sounds in the back. Something that sounds a bit like pleading and whimpering.

He then mutters something that forces dread into your system. "You can release the hostages."

You hear Scaramouche groan on the other end, muttering a "such a pain in my ass", but choose not to question it immediately.

As soon as the phone call is done and you're back by his side, you point at his phone questioningly. "What hostages Childe?"

He gives you a close eyed smile, taking the fifth.

"What hostages Childe?" You repeat again weakly.

—

First period goes by smoothly for the most part. Lisa, your so called best friend, once again is bought off like a corrupted politician by your new boyfriend. She sits far away from you, leaving you without any defences against the menace that dotes on you a bit too much.

Throughout class, all Childe does is score Venti's colourful pens, and then writes you annoying little love notes, using the expert origami skills he's learnt from Anthon to deliver them to you.

Despite the threat of distraction these notes pose, the corners of your lips can't help but tug upwards at his enthusiasm and attempt at poetry.

Zhongli makes sure not to ask you two any questions the entire class, leaving you to your own accord.

Lunch comes around soon enough, and your usual table of Diluc, Jean, Kazuha, and Lisa is disturbed by the torpedo that is Childe, and he brings collateral with him.

Kaeya whole-heartedly ceases the opportunity to sit near his stoic statue of a brother purely with the intention to annoy the premature crap out of him, but one look from the redhead sends the chicken-shit right back where he came from.

When Childe forcefu—lovingly feeds you the smiley fries and dinosaur nuggets his stunning mom packed him, Diluc looks just about ready to hurl.

Lisa winks at you two, Kazuha doesn't even bother looking, and Jean tries with upmost effort to keep Diluc from launching himself at the whipped fatui boy basking in your attention.

"Quit embarrassing me." You whisper-exclaim sharply, noticing how Jean passes Diluc—all green in the face, a puke bag discreetly. "Shouldn't you be doing something illegal right now? Or vaping in the stalls?"

"I quit vaping for you girlie." Childe boops your nose with his finger. "Well, at least full time. I still need a puff when I'm around Signora, to like, get rid of her awful vibes."

While it is endearing how he quit vaping for you, it doesn't lessen the need for you to bury yourself alive right here and now.

Then you sigh, pick up a Dino nuggie, and shove it in his mouth, the tip of his tongue flicking your finger. You die inside.

"There, you happy?" The action of feeding him is so...intimate, it sets your heart aflame.

Childe's a lovesick puppy when he chews, imaginary tail wagging a hundred times a second. "Can I have a kiss too?"

Diluc slams his hands on the table and stands up, hurriedly picks up his grape juice and makes a break for it. You don't blame him.

"I'll kill you." You smack him with a napkin, blazing red. "I'll end your pathetic little life right here and now."

By the end of lunch, Lisa and Jean have to restrain you so you don't break the world record for the maximum amount of mutilations that can be done on a single body.

Fourth period is a break. A break from Childe you mean. It's expected of the school's resident bad boy aka menace to skip classes in order to skip over the bodies of his victims.

You bask in the momentary peace, until it's disrupted by a tap on the window. Reckon it's nothing, maybe a bird flew into it, because intentional taps are impossible from the third floor. Except your conviction is hindered yet again by another tap.

What a nuisance.

You finally turn to look outside the window, face down, and spot Childe waving incessantly, rocks in hand, oozing with excitement that can't be concealed and a grin that nearly takes you into cardiac arrest. Without meaning to, you send him a small smile, waving back as Baal drones on about quantum superposition.

Successful in gaining your attention, he moves aside to reveal the hefty corpse of a stonehide lawachurl with a destructive path in its wake. The ridges and bumps of its hide are enough to do a number on the road, ruining the school's playing field.

Your smile drops down into a horrified frown in the span of a few seconds.

"Wow." Albedo, your lab partner whispers from next to you, for the first time distracted in class.

"Yeah," Kaeya whistles from behind you two, one hand supporting his head. "What a gesture."

"Y/N, I'd be grateful if you could possibly obtain a black crystal horn for me from the specimen." The blonde asks, entranced by the corpse that your boyfriend is flaunting off to you with pride.

"Aren't those things endangered cutie?" Lisa makes sure to butt in, as per usual.

Yes. Your boyfriend with several issues and an affinity for chaos brought you the corpse of an endangered geo-infused creature that's five times the size of him. During school hours too, the fiend. Like a cat dragging the corpse of a dead mouse to its owner.

You groan into your hands, heart racing while the fire is coursing through your veins.

That idiot.

—

Childe is exceptional at a lot of things, like the switch and making weapons out of seemingly harmless things (e.g shiv out of a toothbrush), but what he prides in the most is physical education. With washboard abs, uber tall height, and a dickish smile to top it all, he has everything it takes to showcase his top tier athletic abilities.

He pounces at the opportunity to show off in front of you, wanting nothing more than to have you fawn over his strength. He's sure it'll be enough to have you all over him, wrapping your cute little arms around his muscled ones, passing him his water bottle and dabbing away at the sweat on his forehead. Most of all, he daydreams you planting your soft lips on his to congratulate him after a big game.

Physical education, for you, is a pain. You may be good with your brain, but games exert more energy than necessary, and coordination that lacks logic entirely. You're just here for the credit. The over-achiever part of you walks the extra mile to ensure a grade in the high nineties.

Although witnessing Childe clad in the school shorts and matching polo shirt is enough to make this worth your while, you'll die before admitting it. Especially when he gawks at you as if it's the first time you're wearing the sports uniform yourself. It has you fidgeting with your fingers and tugging your shorts down nervously.

You try not to flip him off like you usually do, especially since it's not even been twenty four hours since he's asked you out.

Mr.Zhongli blows a whistle, calling all the students over to surround him. It's odd that he teaches most of the subjects at this school, seemingly the only adult present, but no one questions it in fear of genshin logic. Moving on, he explains that you have a dodge ball game today.

Lisa groans beside you. She hates anything that requires the exertion of energy, oftentimes bringing a book to read while everyone else screams in the background.

You're relieved, mainly because Childe and Tohma are usually captains, and Childe always picks you to be on his team as a means to flex his skills. For you, it means sitting back and watching him carry your team towards a straight A.

However, all your dreams are crushed when Zhongli announces the team leaders.

"Y/N, I trust that you'll lead the blue team to the upmost of your ability. Childe, prepare to lead the opposing red team."

Your knees shake as you stare at him in disbelief. "But Sir—"

"No buts Y/N." He scolds you lightly, checking off your names on the clip board. "I'd like to witness your exceptional leadership skills."

In reality, Zhongli just wants to reenact a lovers-on-opposing sides trope, wanting to see how the two of you crack under the pressure. In a way, it is an exercise of leadership.

Instead of picking teams, Zhongli assigns teams for the both of you according to his own judgement, trying to make it as fair as possible.

Lisa pats your back after your teammates are assigned, trying to cheer you up. "It's going to be okay. You guys are dating now, so he'll go easy on you."

You look up to meet Childe's eyes from across the court. He gives you a charming smile, which turns downright barbaric as he lifts up a thumb and motions to slash his neck with it. Then he wickedly mouths "I'm going to destroy you."

You blink and turn away as fast as you can in fear. "We're fucked."

Lisa, witnessing the entire ordeal nods alongside you, doing nothing to reassure you because she herself has given up.

Suddenly a hand lands on your shoulder gripping you tightly. "Let's wipe the floor with that g*nger." The voice is ice cold, threatening enough to send a shiver down your bones.

You turn to meet Rosaria, who frowns at you. Most of the time she doesn't really put an effort in dodgeball, but she must've seen your crestfallen expression, trying to comfort you in her own detached way.

Rosaria is the other school nurse in training, alongside Barbara, but somehow her patients end up more injured, sick, or mentally defiled than before they entered the room. She also spends after hours beating up Chads in the school parking lot. Also runs a blog with her booby co-author Kaeya that emphasizes mostly on the dark knight hero.

Spotting the rest of your team behind her, you begin to criticize them one by one.

Standing against the wall is Kaeya, pushing both his biddies up with his crossed arms like an absolute whore. He's breaking about several dress code rules right now. Venti is next to him, drunk off his butt as he beat boxes with Tohma.

Eula mutters under her breath, on and on about seeking revenge on Zhongli for putting her beloved Amber on the opposing team, promising him an unfortunate fate. Xiao is miserably squatting on the floor, sharp eyes observing everyone in the gym, scowl not ready to dissipate anytime soon.

Then you look over at Childe's team in the distance. Jean with a determined look on her face as she listens to Childe's game plan, and Diluc crossing his arms with his brows furrowed in concentration. Even Amber, the best baller in the school, is stretching out her arms, assisted by the gifted princess of the school, Ayaka.

Not only that, but Childe has the king of dodging on his team—Kaedehara goddamn Kazuha. Beidou shoots you a wicked smirk, winking at you until she's disrupted by Ningguang's shove.

"Oh my god." You cry out when the realization hits you, falling to your knees in despair. "We're completely fucked!"

"No we aren't." Rosaria mutters lowly. "You're only fucked if you want to be. Don't you dare throw in the towel before the fight has even begun."

"But I—"

"Stop it." She grumbles again, rolling her eyes. "You're being annoying now. If you lose the game, that makes him the dom. Don't you want to be the dom?"

She's right. You do want to be the dom.

Her words of encouragement, and not at all veiled insults somehow allow you to find motivation deep within yourself. You get up and stomp towards the rest of your team, calling their attention with your newfound confidence.

"Listen here soldiers!" You shout out, determination clear as day. "I know I am not capable of leading. I know that I barely have the physical capabilities needed to defeat the opposite team."

You take a deep breath, pointing at your cutie patootie boyfriend across the gym as you seethe. "But that man, that harbinger of chaos, that instrument of war, is nothing but a tyrant. And I cannot let such a tyrant be a victor in this battle. Not when innocent lives are at stake."

Tohma speaks up, sending you a bewildered look. "What lives—"

"Shut the fuck up soldier!"

"Yessir!" He immediately stiffens, saluting you.

"Are you ready soldiers?" Your voice booms, and everyone reinforces their priorities, except for Kaeya though. He just lazily smirks.

After Zhongli places the balls in the middle, everyone prepares for the battle of the century.

'Gods, please let us win this war' you pray to the archons above, closing your eyes in concentration.

'Give me the strength to flex my superior skills' Childe wishes, then adds on quickly 'also I want to dominate this world.'

'Give me the strength to make it to Friday.' Rosaria prays for nobody but herself, rolls her eyes at all the unnecessary dramatics of this dodgeball game.

"3..." "2..." "1..."

Zhongli ends the countdown by blowing hard into a whistle, signaling the beginning of the game.

Not even two seconds later a ball whooshes past a few of you at the speed of light, followed by a tail of fire. The ball of death kisses Kaeya square in the nose, sending him reeling back into a wall with enough sheer force to cause an indent.

Everyone winces.

Before you all can reel in from the initial shock and make sense out of wherever the hell that asteroid came from, Zhongli's voice booms throughout the gymnasium.

"Mr. Ragnvindr, headshots are strictly forbidden. You are out!"

With a scoff, Diluc, satisfied with his work, leaves the court with no apparent qualms. He accepts his defeat with the upturned corners of his lips.

Rosaria pokes Kaeya's body with the tip of her heels, then cringes when he shakes awake, up from his short lived knockout and sends a wink her way.

"Getting handsy when I'm unconscious? I didn't think you'd be one to partake in such vulgar activities." His eye twinkles in mischief, and if his momentary defeat at the hands of brother has him fuming, he doesn't show it one bit.

The only thing that keeps Rosaria from knocking him out for real is the blood that trails down onto his lip. She doesn't want to clean blood off her shoes, especially since it's a pain in the ass to get off.

You're about to tell them to get up and take this seriously, but a softball does your job for you when it darts straight at Rosaria. With pristine accuracy, the girl manages to pitch herself away last minute.

You swivel in Childe's direction, who wears a remorseless grin, which only grows wider once you pick up a blue softball next to your feet.

The glare that he receives has him shaking in exhilaration. More so than the elation he'd felt when he took down that Stonehide Lawachurl for you, as a gift of promise.

You begin to bark out orders. "Eula, Xiao, and Rosaria cover the front and act as decoys."

They nod immediately, but Xiao still clicks his tongue in distaste as he starts following orders.

Then you offer Kaeya a hand. "Get up princess. You're on sniper duty."

With Diluc out of commission, the battle is fair and square now considering both sides have the same amount of people. Ergo, no one's at a disadvantage.

That is—until Lisa fake trips over pure air, landing on the floor in a dramatic slow motion.

You roll your eyes.

"Oh dear! I think I've twisted something." She cries out, crawling away from the battle field, acting as if she's paralyzed completely. "Don't worry about me. I'll cheer you on from afar. The battle has begun, and it seems as if I've become the first casualty."

You don't let the countless amount of Lisa's betrayals get to you, even this one. It's just her personality to flake out on anything and everything that requires her to do more than below the bare minimum.

Focusing on the match, your eyes are only on Childe, just as his are on you.

You aim the ball straight at his ribs, step back a bit, then propel the ball in the air with as much energy as you can, using your entire body as a power outlet. The ball spins in the air, reaching the awaiting victim.

Childe, unbothered, dodges the ball with perfect precision, the ball not even grazing his clothes at the least.

Your jaw drops open, and you're about to move for another ball until he grabs the same ball you threw at him. With the sharpness of a predator locking in on its pray, he focuses on you like a missile locks on its target, launching the ball in the air for power that has you trembling, second to the powerful ball that was thrown by Diluc.

With your pupils dilated at your impeding doom, it's Xiao that grabs you and thrusts away.

The ball lands on the floor, smoke rising.

"Holy shit!" You shriek over everyone else's grunts and shuffles. "Are you trying to kill me?"

"Isn't it poetic?" Childe shouts back while he slides away from the balls being thrown. "Lover against lover. Either you're by my side, or in my way. And right now, you're in my way." He narrows his eyes dangerously. "Albeit reluctantly, I will take the victory babe. Even if we are on opposing sides."

"There was zero reluctance in that throw asshole!"

You thank Xiao, who wipes his hands on his pants in disgust. "Filthy humans. So pathetic and weak."

Mildly offended, you roll your sleeves up and begin to fight with everything you've got as soon as he walks away.

The dodgeball game goes as expected for the most part, Eula carrying for most of it with the flow of her skills.

Tohma actually tries like the presumptuous asshole he is, aims straight for his girlfriend Ayaka, and takes her out completely. His only justification for that is "I ain't no simp!"

He shelves his cocky attitude when facing Childe with a sense of dignity and prestige you didn't think he had in him.

The two one of a kind fuckbois puff out their chests so that they look more hefty than they are, having some kind of an Alpha match. The 'me stronger than you. me dominant. me get all the women' type beat.

Unfortunately, Childe manages to fence him with his throws, and lo and behold, the square off ends with a dejected Tohma dragging his feet to the nearest bench.

Eula oversees that Ningguang and Beidou meet a quick end, taking their slower dodging to her advantage. You're actually rooting for her, tasting a sliver of victory that you haven't reached yet. So close, yet so far.

Amber trips on herself in the middle of throwing a what should've been coordinated ball, and it loses most of its momentum. Xiao is directly in front of it, and will probably be able to catch it with ease.

Ah, another short victory.

If Childe loses his expert baller, he's only left with Kazuha and Jean, whom's lack in the art of throwing is made up by their ability to dodge most of the fastballs.

However, all your plans and hopes are crushed when Eula slides in front of Xiao last minute, sticks out her foot, and let's the pathetic product of Amber's would-be downfall hit her on the leg with the total force of about 0.0000001 newtons.

Your chances of winning have just went down by a staggering 60%.

"Eula!" You cry out, collapsing on the ground. "How could you?"

Tohma cups his mouth and bellows obnoxiously from the bench. "SIMP!"

"I cannot avenge my clan if I win a false victory." Eula crosses her arms, casting her gaze down in visible uncomfortableness. "Amber will pay her dues in two business days. Mark my words."

It all a load of cap. She's sleeping with the enemy and you know it.

You grit your teeth. Fuming with an abundance of rage, you pick up three balls and throw them all back to back, taking out Amber and Kazuha simultaneously.

Childe's heart flutters in another kind of delight when you pluck out his team members one by one with no hints of remorse.

In retaliation, Jean and Childe work in sync to swiftly take care of a distracted Rosaria.

"Shit." You hiss underneath your breath.

It's Venti, Kaeya, Xiao, and you who are the only remainders of your short-lived team. It's still two more people than Childe and Jean, giving you the upper hand briefly.

It's a mystery to everyone how Venti is still standing. You reckoned you would've lost him as collateral during the beginning of the match, but it seems he's able to hold his own.

When you squint hard enough, you realize that Xiao has been t-posing in front of the nonchalant SoundCloud rapper that's about as high as a kite. He must've been defending him throughout the entire round.

His defenses are all in vain once Childe correlates another attack with Jean, sharp-shooting four rapid balls that are secured on their targets.

Xiao swerves to the side, avoiding most of them, until one is about to reach a nonchalant as shit Venti.

You scream at him, eyes widening as you run towards them in slow motion. "NOoOoOOOo-"

The yaksha doesn't waste a moment, shifting so that he's covering Venti's body with his own, which to be honest is a pretty heartwarming sight.

The ball hits his lean back, a sharp thud following when it hits the floor.

Xiao is out. But his sacrifice is so inspiring that it brings tears to Zhongli's eyes, makes everyone in the gym go silent in awe.

Even the sadistic Childe melts, cerulean eyes gaining back their light, halting his fire.

When Xiao finally uncovers Venti's body, he speaks from the bottom of his dead heart. "I'd do anything for you..."

Venti shakes out of his baked state, blinking at him stupidly with a nervous chuckle. "Ehe~? I don't even know who you are."

The entire class sweat drops. Whatever slip of compassion on Childe's face earlier has become nothing but a memory. Even your eyes dim.

The next time Childe aims and locks at Venti, it's not with malicious intent. It's a favour, for you. In a way it adds dimension to who he is and the lengths he's willing to go for you, even at war.

Venti steps away with a bounce in his gait, hands behind his head.

Kaeya and you are the only ones left standing now, and the game becomes too tight knit to tell which side's going to win. It becomes utter chaos, balls being launched every second, stamina slowly decreasing as everyone lurches away from their demise.

As laid-back and charming as the boy presents himself to be in front of the ladies, he's not very patient when it comes to facing circumstances like these. He's side lined for most of the match, finding it boring. And when Kaeya gets bored, the intensity of the tide changes, and everyone knows they're going to get a run for their money.

Kaeya coasts a hand around your hips, pulls you real close, purposefully leaning his bust into the side your innocent arm.

When Childe's smile drops, and the glint in his eyes reads 'DANGER' in full caps, you know it's time to be properly scared.

Your blood runs cold, mouth opening briefly and then clamping shut immediately.

"I'm so glad to be on your team Y/N. Maybe this'll give us the chance to become...closer." His hot breath fans against your ear, voice loud enough to be heard by onlookers.

Suddenly everything stops, falling into an unsettling silence.

You attempt glance at Childe, being met with a glare that's directed at the Captain of the Skating team. The ball in the orange-haired boy's hand deflates from the sheer intensity of the squeeze.

The tension becomes unreadable. Even Zhongli is caught mid-sip with his tea.

Quickly, you shrug off Kaeya's arm. "Childe, he's just fucking with you—"

Childe cuts you off by hurling a ball with nothing but the objective of cold blooded murder.

Kaeya whizzes past you, successfully ducking to avoid the hit, and his amused laugh rings through your ears. He rolls away from the following attacks, chucking his own series of colourful balls.

The events that unfold are blood-curdling enough to make even Satan boil his pants with diarrhea.

You take the clear opportunity presented by their concurrent dumbassery to take out Jean, the ace of the other team.

Childe's rage blows over when Kaeya eventually loses interest and takes the L, playfully winking at you while walking backwards to the rest of your team.

Now that all the distractions are dealt with, Childe's eyes flicker to you, and you share a murderous glance.

"Finally," He slaps the softball with a free hand, lips thinning into a homicidal smile. "I've been waiting for this. You better not disappoint me."

While Childe may be a violent anarchist who's only aspiration in life is to become a government contracted killer, he's also supposed to be your sweet boyfriend.

Slowly, you inch towards the front. "We don't have to do this Childe. We can coexist peacefully."

"Peace was never an option Y/N." He sighs, cracking his neck. "Besides—how else can I prove myself in your eyes? You may be my greatest weakness, but you are also my greatest adversary."

"I don't know, maybe start with not trying to obliterate me?"

"I'm obliterating you out of respect." He counters with a playful pout.

"Well I'll be paying my respects to your grave!" You lurch ahead into a sudden assault, yeeting as many balls as you can his way.

"That's my girl!" Childe whistles, grin widening psychotically when he goes all out, leaving you with an absence in favorable openings.

Out of nowhere, the fire alarms start going haywire, along with a beep in the PA system, which stops you two in your tracks.

A panicked voice of who you assume to be Yanfei shrieks through the comms. "CODE ORANGE! CODE ORANGE! EVACUATE THE BUILDING, THERE'S A STONEHIDE LAWACHURL ON THE PREMISES."

As if on cue, the ground starts rumbling and a Stonehide Lawachurl bursts through the halls and into the gym, looking around for something. Or rather, someone. It's sharp bumps and ridges make an indent on the floor, cracking it in.

Everyone falls into a state of panic, Zhongli trying his best to evacuate the class from the emergency back door as quickly as possible. "Settle down class, we have to follow protocol."

You, devoid of any emotion or sense of fear, turn to your boyfriend in such a calm manner it strikes an ominous dread in his stomach.

You stare.

Childe stares harder.

“I thought you killed it."

"I did." He retorts slowly, switching to gaze at the raging beast in amazement.

"Then why is it in the school!" You seethe, glaring daggers at his side profile.

Childe chuckles sheepishly, scratches the back of his neck. "I may or may not have stuffed the body in the boys washroom. Y'know, for safe keeping?"

The Lawachurl locks it's gaze on you, the prey, and then roars furiously. Turning into its geo-enhanced state, it begins charging at you with all its might, the target being solely Childe.

Leave it to your boyfriend to get on the hit list of an endangered beast.

"Fear not my vibrant girlfriend. Our first date can be surviving this." Childe cheekily kisses the top of your trembling hand before grasping it tightly and making a run for it.

#childe #childe x reader #genshin x reader #genshin xiao #genshin childe #genshin albedo #genshin #tartaglia #childe tartaglia #zhongli #xiao #tohma #diluc ragnvindr #genshin fanfic #genshin impact #genshin tartagalia #tartagalia genshin impact #eula x amber #venti x xiao

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thundrpilot · 4 years ago

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Naruto Fic Rec 1/∞

Naruto Fic Recs: [1] [2] Fic Masterlist here for full list.

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** Kill Your Heroes by TheLightAtLastAndAlways

Word Count: 268,501 (68/?)

Summary: It's time to stop waiting for other people to save you. A story about fear, resilience, and Sakura.

Comments: Slow Burn BAMF!Sakura. Also, Kakashi working his way up to being a good teacher and good mentor to Sakura. Genjutsu-type!Sakura.

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** Bleed Out by HazelBeka

Word Count: 103,754 (16/16)

Summary: After Iruka’s confrontation with Kakashi before the chuunin exams, he’s targeted by a serial killer who seems to be picking off disrespectful chuunin. Iruka survives, but it’s only a matter of time before the killer returns to finish the job. Finding his name on the suspects’ list, Kakashi bullies his way onto Tenzou’s investigation in an attempt to clear his name and protect Iruka from the real threat.

Comments: Murder Mystery, ANBU, Seals Master!Iruka, basically all the best tropes all in one fic. This was the first Naruto fic I ever read, so I’m very attached and compare all KakaIru fics to this one.

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** The Bingo Book by flailinginlove

Word Count: 64,500 (10/10)

Summary: Kakashi avoided relationships. He didn't want to put others in danger. So he couldn't understand why there was a face staring back at him, as a sub-entry to his own, in this Bingo Book. Umino Iruka (lover) the caption read. It didn't matter that it wasn't true. The Book was fact, and to Kakashi's enemies, Iruka had just become a weakness they could exploit.

Comments: Sensor-type!Iruka, ANBU, awkward KakaIru, what else could you possibly want in a fic? I love it when Iruka surprises people with how good of a ninja he is, even though he's "just a chuunin teacher". One of my favorite tropes, along with his chakra-location (like echolocation) from that one episode. Also, flailinginlove is an amazing author and you should go check out more of their stories.

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How to File Form 39-B by thehoyden

Word Count: 10,426 (1/1)

Summary: The first time Iruka met Hatake Kakashi, he was still on some pretty god painkillers.

Comments: Kakashi/Iruka. This one is cute, very light-hearted read with a pinch of angst and a heaping of Iruka parenting Naruto.

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The Bijozakura Seal by megyal

Word Count: 38,055 (13/13)

Summary: Kakashi and Iruka are bonded together, entirely against their wishes. While Iruka begins to deal with it, Kakashi still has… doubts.

Comments: Mission!fic, the two start off not exactly friends, and this fic definitely leans into the angsty and kinda uncomfortable, not-as-often-considered side of having a psychic bond with someone you don't know that well or trust.

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Part of the Pack by SparrowStrike

Word Count: 125,303 (37/37)

Summary: Legend has it the Hatake Clan is an off shoot of the Inuzuka Clan. It's where they get their sharp teeth, affinity for ninken, and tendency to casually adopt every other person they meet.

When Kakashi realizes Naruto's assigned caretakers aren't even sort of doing their job, the young anbu decides to do a bit of long term babysitting (and possibly commit treason). What follows is the story of Uzumaki-Hatake Naruto and his unconventional family.

This is primarily a slice of life piece and heavy on both fluff and angst. It covers a lot of the canon events and has cannon typical violence and darker themes. It can be read as a stand alone, but is the first work of 3 planned in this AU.

Comments: Dad!Kakashi raising Naruto, lots of politics, hella canon divergence. Part 1 of 3 in The Pack series.

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Roots and Wings by ideaoforder

Word Count: 84,985 (12/12)

Summary: When Naruto is kidnapped from his orphanage at age three, Kakashi is so done with this shit. He gets Naruto back, tells the Hokage where to go (politely, because he isn't suicidal), and raises the boy himself. Or, you know, tries and is proud when there aren't too many explosions.

Then everybody starts to copy him and it's a whole thing.

Comments: Found family plus Fix-It fic galore! Focus on Kakashi being a good dad to Naruto, but does have some pairings aren’t that central to the plot: Kakashi/Iruka, Naruto/Shikamaru. Bonus Iruka being a Fuuinjutsu BAMF.

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** by my blood by justdoityoufucker

Word Count: 30,892 (7/7))

Summary: Kakashi finds love and family, all in one near-successful murder.

Comments: KakaIru. Found family trope, Everyone Lives / Nobody Dies, Jiraiya is a Hatake, Iruka Whump. This is 100% one of my new favorite Naruto fics, its not what you are expecting and I love it.

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Thought and Feeling Interwound by tucuxi

Word Count: 36,122 (1/1)

Summary: Tsunade walked around the desk and sat directly next to Iruka, turning both of their chairs with a casually powerful grasp. In the end they were facing each other, not the desk. He tried and failed to hold her gaze. She reached out and tipped his chin up, forcing him to look at her again. Another hit landed. This time it came from Iruka's left. It felt like it must have shattered bone, ribs grinding against each other in his chest, and Iruka bit his tongue almost until it bled to keep from crying out.

“Tell me, Iruka-sensei,” Tsunade said. “How long, exactly, have you been feeling Hatake Kakashi’s emotions?"

Comments: Kakashi/Iruka. Accidental Soul Bond fic, also known as Jutsu Gone Wrong. Slowburn fic with lots of denial and angst and misunderstandings.

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Fic Masterlist here for full list

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sincerelyhunnybee · 4 years ago

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Into the Ashes

jotaro kujo x reader (747 words)

a/n: highkey recycling this from my ao3 hoping it'll get a bit more attention here. anyways jotaro is my #1 comfort character, i wrote this like 3 years ago;;;;;;

tags: smoking, sad talk, mentions of mental health and therapy, crying, SAD SHIT, happy ending

He found himself in this position far too many times: sitting outside on the front porch at 2 in the morning, taking long, empty drags from his cigarette.

I guess one would say it was another one of 'those' nights, where he was so restless from the overwhelming stress and nightmares that just so happen to reoccur every fucking night. But the crashing waves helped calm his nerves, drowning out the voices in his head and replacing them with inaudible words of reassurance. He always had an affinity for the ocean. Jotaro stared at the scenery before him, his cigarette finishing up, he put it out on the ashtray on the small table beside him; joining the others from the same evening. He never understood why he picked up smoking in the first place.

He walked back inside the quiet home to get a glass of water from the kitchen. He then glanced at a picture of himself with you during college on the refrigerator. It may not seem like it, but meeting someone like you had changed him in the best way possible. Yet he questioned why he kept having nights like this if you’re always there loving and caring for him. Even at his worst, you were there for him.

Jotaro walked inside the bedroom quietly, only to find you awake, staring at the ceiling.

“Hey, thought you’d be up. Finish your date with your Newports?” you said while sitting up.

“Yeah. I’m sorry. Really trying to quit.” he replied.

“No, it’s fine. It's not like this is the third time this week. Just know that if you need to talk, I’m here for you...I don't mind being woken up, I prefer that rather than an empty spot by my side.” Jotaro couldn’t see the tears welling up in your eyes in the dark, moon-lit room.

He sighed and began approaching the bed, sitting down on the edge, looking at the floor. He then heard a sniffle. He jerked his head over to your face, seeing the tears fall off your face. Fuck. Seeing this made his heart sink, it’s his fault that you’re feeling this way. Jotaro was getting better at coming home on time from the lab, greeting you with a small kiss or a lingering hug. He knew he wasn’t the best at showing signs of affection but he was trying his best, you knew this too. But his times of withdrawal where he didn’t talk to you, sitting outside and smoking through a pack, or locking himself in his study were what killed you the most. Self-destruction radiating from those four walls. Feeling as if he doesn't deserve what he has received in life. You understood that he’s still haunted by the events that happened in that fateful year and how it affected him through much of his late teens and early 20s, so you have welcomed him to open up and talk to you since he’s always complaining about how stupid and worthless therapy was, going through three therapists alone.

Giving you a genuine look of worry, he turned toward you and opened up his arms, and being such a rare invitation you accepted it, feeling the warmth of his large arms made you feel safe as if there was a bubble to protect you from the world and all of its evils. Hoping you could do the same for him. He buried his face in your hair, breathing in softly, stroking your back while you lay against his chest, hearing every passing heartbeat.

“Sorry might mean nothing now, yet you’re still here with me. I could never bring to forgive myself for making you cry. You don't deserve this, all this emotional baggage, it's not fair. You’ve been so patient with me. Why haven’t you left me yet?” Jotaro said while staring at the wall behind you.

“Don’t be stupid, why would I leave you? I'm sorry you have to continue going this, but you don't always have to be alone. You just need to understand that you have somebody who’s there for you, to pick you up when you fall down.”

His ocean blue eyes stared into your own, those were the same words he told you after a rough patch you went through during the last year of your undergrad. Lifting his hand to stroke your cheek, his lips curl into a soft smile. You to move to kiss him, reminding him that he’ll never be alone again. You're willing to do it as many times as it takes to ensure he doesn't forget.

#jotaro kujo #jjba #jjba fanfic #x reader #🖋.writing #jotaro x reader #jjba x reader #LMAO this was so lazy #i will do better next time

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gisellelx · 4 years ago

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Like a Raisin in the Sun

Saint Tropez, France

June 28, 2021

Despite all the trouble it caused them, all of their family liked the sun. Even Jasper, whose ruthlessly military affinity for the dark had taken decades to overcome, lay stretched out on a chaise, his eyes closed, with Alice curled up on his chest. Emmett and Rosalie were curled up on another set of chaises, Rosalie’s head on Emmett’s shoulder, his fingers stroking absently through her hair.

The estate they’d rented had a private beach, of course, and two large pools, and the main house itself was large enough that they couldn’t always hear from one side to the other. Small mercies after the beginning of the pandemic, when the nine of them had somehow managed to cram into their five bedroom cottage in Toulouse. Here at the coast, they all had plenty of room to be apart.

That turned out not to matter much, however. Except for a handful of times of day, when one couple or another would peel off into one of the suites so expansive they were large apartments unto themselves, they were together. Four pairs of chaise lounges feet from the water’s edge. Nine players around the Monopoly board Rosalie and Jasper had designed which was much more punishing and required a buy-in of two thousand euro from anyone who wanted to play to fund the “bank.” Seven in the audience around the Steinway, as Edward and Renesmee worked through the entirety of the four-handed Dolly Suite.

The water made an arrhythmic whoosh as it met sand over and over. Sometimes two waves came almost together, huge and frothy; other times it was the more gentle swish of a small, barely there swell of ocean. It was strange, beautiful, percussion-only symphony, and Edward could almost hear a melody over it, feeling his fingers begin to itch with the desire to compose.

Only one set of chaises sat empty, and as he gazed toward the horizon, he could see them: bright flashes of light between the two-foot swells. They were much farther out than would be safe for humans, having allowed the undertow to take them probably an eighth of a mile out to sea, to a sandbar where the waves crashed prematurely before building up again to come ashore. Between the waves, they stood only waist deep in water, the sun glinting off their shoulders and backs, sending shimmering rainbows across the dark sapphire of the waves.

Carlisle dove through a wave, emerging with hair dripping down his back. He ran a hand through it as he laughed and took a few strokes through the water to be closer to Esme, whose definitely-designed-to-scandalize-the-adult-children string bikini left more of her skin exposed than her husband's long swim trunks did his. Once together, a few steps further out took them both into deeper ocean where they treaded water, having a conversation Edward could not overhear.

So intent was he watching, he barely felt he hand on his shoulder as the chaise beside him became occupied, its regular owner having returned from retrieving a new book from the house. His wife settled in next to him, immediately following his gaze out to the distant sandbar. Together they listened to Esme’s giggling shriek as Carlisle picked her up and threw her full on into a large wave, followed immediately by Carlisle’s deep laughter as Esme recovered her footing and immediately picked him up and did the same. They slapped each other’s shoulders playfully, wiping water out of their eyes and shaking it out of their hair.

“They’re having so much fun out there,” Bella commented quietly.

Edward nodded, saying nothing. After several minutes more, his wife poked him in the side, making him chuckle.

“Sometimes I’d like to have your gift,” his wife said. “Know what you’re thinking.”

He laughed. “That makes two of us.”

It was their private joke, how Bella was his one silent mind. From time to time, she let him in, but it was difficult and she didn’t do it often. So he had scaled the uneasy cliff of learning to ask her to voice her thoughts, and to be more forthcoming about his own.

“I forget so often how young they are,” he answered, his voice quiet. “They should just be at the beach, splashing each other.”

“And then coming in and having mojitos,” Bella added.

Edward stared back out over the water.

“He would be just out of his M-1 year,” he muttered.

Bella laughed. “Carlisle? He’d be a rising M-3 at a minimum. You think he somehow didn’t finish college at least a year early?”

He laughed. “True.”

Bella leaned into him. “And she’d be the rising star architect at the boutique firm. Nobody can believe she has so little experience because her designs are so good.”

Edward slipped an arm over his wife’s bare shoulders. “How did they meet?”

“Mmmm.” Bella’s gaze returned to the ocean. “She designed the art museum and he went to a gala. He’d be looking at the Cezanne. And she would come up from behind him and start telling him about it.”

“Yeah and then he would compliment the architecture of the building and make her blush.��

Bella laughed. “A coincidence, or does he know who she is?”

“He knows who she is. He’s hitting on her.”

They both smiled.

“Does it work?”

Edward nodded. “She lets him buy her a glass of wine from the cash bar. And it’s generic and not very good so he offers to take her to a real wine bar after the event. And they sneak out of it a little early. He orders something way too fancy for his budget and he’s just going to put it on his credit card but—”

“—Esme sees straight through him and gets the check.”

Laughing again, Edward nodded. They both fell silent for a moment, the only sounds the breeze, the birds, and the gentle whoosh of the Mediterranean.

“How long do they wait to do it,” his wife asks mischievously.

Edward threw his hands over his eyes. “Bella!” When he opened them, he saw his wife, one eyebrow cocked, and when they spoke, it was as one:

“Third date.”

They dissolved into laughter.

“His place or hers?” This was Edward.

“His. It’s a mess. He wasn’t expecting to invite her home. His sheets aren’t clean, either.” Carlisle, for his master command of anywhere between two and ten people’s laundry, somehow almost always managed to forget the sheets even with an inhuman memory. Bella’s invocation of one of her father in-law’s few marital imperfections made Edward laugh.

“She doesn’t care,” he added.

Bella shook her head. “She’s kinda charmed, really.”

“They move in together very quickly.”

“But they don’t get married for a long time.”

Edward nodded. “Until he’s in residency.”

His wife smiled. Then she mischievously leaned into his side, putting her lips at his ear and whispered, “They pull the goalie before the wedding.”

This made Edward laugh, but it rang true. In this world of events his mother would be thirty, and worried. They would both want to get started as soon as they were sure of their commitment, and neither of them had ever been much for suffering other people’s opinions about what might be proper. He listened, smiling, as his wife went on.

“They find out the day before and everyone is gushing at the reception about how sappy in love they look. It’s not until she starts showing that they tell everyone why they were so gooey that day.”

Edward smiled shyly, sitting up, dragging his toe in the white sand.

“Boy or girl?”

“Girl,” Bella answered immediately. When he cocked his head and frowned, she smirked and added, “There is no alternate universe in which you are not Rose’s little brother.”

At this, Edward guffawed. But it was true, he knew. When he saw them, in their minds, the shadow-dream family his parents both had, he was always the youngest. Sometimes there were three children, the oldest a boy whom each of them imagined differently—Carlisle imagining caramel hair and brown eyes, and Esme imagining a softened version of Charles, usually, but sometimes a boy with Carlisle’s hair, and blue eyes the exact hue of which she didn’t know and Carlisle didn’t remember. He would have been twenty years younger than Edward, chronologically, yet somehow in all their imaginations he was the oldest—the lost child, the child she ran for, the only person in their family who had ever died.

It weighed so heavily on them. All they had lost, all the things they had won in their stead. They had been so weary a week ago in the morning, when they’d met the rest of the family on the tarmac in Castres. A pandemic year was taking its toll on them both.

The couple who splashed in the waves seemed too young to have experienced all the loss they had. They looked so unburdened, chasing the waves, laughing at each other, catching the sun. As they watched, Esme put Carlisle on her shoulders and he fought until they both fell backward and went under.

Bella squeezed his hand. “Which ones do you think are happier? The imaginary ones or the real ones?”

Edward pressed his lips together. He could see them, in his mind’s eye: the beautiful couple settling comfortably into middle age, the doctor coaching his daughter’s basketball team, the architect leading the pine car derby for her son’s scout troop.

But he could see this couple, too. The joy on their faces as they hugged each of their six children. The way their skin had glowed in the light of absolutely unnecessary birthday candles, a “1”, a “2”, and a “0” on a cake only Renesmee could eat, and in all likelihood wouldn’t. The night before, when they’d watched In the Heights, his daughter fighting sleep as she leaned on her grandfather’s shoulder. How contented Carlisle had looked as he nudged her awake, knowing she considered herself far too old to be carried to bed.

They were old and young. Happy and sad. Yin and yang, like the ancient forces: equal parts the hard amidst the easy, the pain amidst the joy.

“The real ones,” he said, and was rewarded with another squeeze of his hand as his wife smiled.

“I think so, too,” she said.

In the distance, they both watched as Carlisle and Esme disappeared again under the waves.

#Fanfic #my fic #fragment #zero draft #carlisle cullen #esme cullen #edward cullen #carlesme #bella swan #this is as close as you get to me writing edbella enjoy

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