#plothole fill

[vote-gaara]

The Sands of Time: Gaara's Story (Chapter 2)

Read Chapter One Here Read on AO3

Chapter Summary: Gaara and his siblings have surprisingly been promoted to chunin after their failed attack on The Leaf Village, but that's hardly a reason to celebrate. Gaara feels listless and sad, not knowing how to reincorporate himself back into the world he tried for years to shut himself out of. Thankfully his sister seems - at least a little - receptive to him, and with the upcoming annual Chunin Party, maybe Gaara can finally become accepted by his village. Meanwhile, the sand siblings' promotion had stirred up conflict in one of Suna's founding tribes. Will this spell trouble for The Sand Village and for Gaara? Will be finally get a friend???? (probably not) Enjoy! Words: 2126

Warnings: Sad Gaara, Rasa mention (cause he SUCKS)

Author's Notes: This took me a long time to publish because I am an idiot (no other reason).THERE ARE NO ORIGINAL CHARACTERS IN THIS CHAPTER.

Chapter Two: Eldest Sister

The morning sun had come over the golden horizon, pushing away the shadows of the night and banishing all the desert’s nocturnal creatures back into their lairs.

Gaara, too, returned to his home upon the sun's arrival, though it wasn’t the fear of the heat that bothered him much. Being born in the desert, he was used to it now - perhaps even built for it. Rather, his retreat inside was to avoid the villagers who were beginning to stir within the streets, chatting happily amongst themselves as they went about their day; a ritual Gaara found he hadn’t much use for, and which the villagers had no use for him, either. 

After his defeat in his fight against Uzumaki Naruto, Gaara found himself floating around in a listless limbo. He had seen the strength one could gain in friendship and in the sheer determination to protect others, but the concept still felt foreign and hopeless to him, like a desert mirage that could never really be touched.

With some bitterness, Gaara observed that every day that had passed since he had returned to his village from The Leaf, he had been suffering from a deep, unceasing ache in his heart. Of course, this ache had always been present in his life, but it had been lessened by his radical sense of self preservation: To kill everyone that he deemed similar to himself so that he may feel truly alive. Of course, it may have been a flawed concept, but the hatred kept him buoyant against the waves of the world’s ocean which had been desperately trying to drag him down to the darkness, into the depths, where he could be forgotten about in time. 

Now with nothing to cling to, Gaara desperately needed an ally, yet the outside world didn’t change for Gaara. People still avoided him, and he was aware of the hatred in their eyes and in their voices when they were forced to interact with him.

It wasn’t as simple as saying to them, “I’ve changed, please forgive me.” People don’t forgive that easily, and that’s even without the difficult fact that some of the villagers had a personal scorn against Gaara. There were some people in the village who had suffered directly at his hands; perhaps he had injured them or someone they loved, or maybe Gaara was the reason that there would forever be a cold and empty seat at their dinner tables where a loved one used to place themselves. 

Even to those who hadn’t suffered from his chaos, there were those who were wary of him out of caution. Rumors spread around the village, seeping into every crevice and home, just like the very sand that coated the land and wherever these grains landed, truth or exacerbated, they were swept up by the villagers and carried around as amulets of protection.

“If I just stay away from him, I’ll be safe!” 

It wasn’t fair, but it was just the way things were in that desert, in that space and time and existence that Gaara occupied.

“Perhaps those troubles were for another time”, Gaara decided as he skulked down the vast halls of the estate, heading towards his living quarters so that he could once again take refuge in his room. He needed to think some more, to form a plan and to learn how it would be possible for him to connect to the people of his village. 

Gaara turned the corner to see Temari coming down the hallway towards him. Neither of them were surprised to see each other as they had been aware of each other’s presence the entire time. Having the training of a Shinobi offered certain benefits to the five senses. A ninja could keenly interpret their surroundings outside of that of a normal person, and that was even if the ninja wasn’t a sensory type. 

“Good morning, Gaara.” Temari greeted him. Her voice was polite and conjuling, with her familiar submissive lilt used specifically towards him.

Neither of Gaara’s siblings had treated him any differently since their return, mostly because Gaara hadn’t seen much of them. Typically both of them avoided him at all costs, but whilst Temari tried her best to appease him when she had to face him, Kankuro usually had the nerve to pick fights and speak his mind, but that was when they crossed paths. Gaara had been strangely excited about the prospects of encountering Kankuro in one of these interactions and to show that he could handle them differently without threatening to kill him, but Kankuro seemed to have had very similar ideas as his younger brother as he, too, had rooted himself in his room and only left for the bare necessities. 

Temari passed Gaara without another word, but he had paused to watch her go. “Temari…” He offered quietly, his voice sounded rusty and dull. Temari froze midstep, her entire body ridgid as she slowly turned around to look at him.

“Yes, Gaara?” She asked, still with the politeness and still with the lilt. 

“What…” Gaara started, his brain was desperately trying to grasp some form of question for her, or perhaps something of interest to say, and yet he had nothing to offer. His mind was as dry as the vast dunes outside the village. “How…are you?” He asked clumsily, aware that his question lacked any indication of curiosity. Instead, it had some sort of an estimation type quality, like the tone used to caution a guess while answering a difficult question. 

“Um…Fine,” Temari cautioned, puzzled by her brother’s uncharacteristic banter. “And you, Gaara?”

“Fine…” He said slowly, unable to look up at his sister. 

“Good,” Temari said, “That’s good.”

“Yes…”

The two lingered a moment longer, both itching to remove themselves from the situation but not quite knowing how. It was Temari who spoke first.

“Well, I better be going, I’m training today.”

“Yes,” Gaara agreed, “I understand.” He turned away from her and continued down the hallway, hearing as her steps also picked up. Gaara was just about at the end of the hallway when he heard his sister call out once more.

“Oh and Gaara?” He turned around to look at her, surprised to see a small smile on her face. It wasn’t one that was strained and it didn’t look forced. “If you need to talk, just let me know. I’m open to it anytime.”

With that she turned and strode away, leaving Gaara in utter speechlessness.  

***

“The decision of the council is as shortsighted as it is disappointing. I had expected more from you, Joseki.” Tobacco smoke swirled around the dim room. A large, round man was sitting, cross-legged on a thickly padded cushion. His clothes were well-made, crafted with threads from far-off exotic lands, and he donned his tribe’s symbol on a beaded necklace among other trinkets. Bringing his pipe to his mouth, the man took a deep inhale, the orange glow of the tobacco embers lighting his face, of which his features were sullen and unhappy. “You have displeased me, greatly.” 

“Lord Kōji, I have done all that you asked of me, but the council’s first priority is to safeguard the village.” Joseki, as old as he was, sat kneeling across from the large man. Though his shoulders were tense, his demeanor was assured. “The majority ruled.” 

“The majority of the council flounders and buckles at any conflict that arises. When will the elders understand that all of their quick-fix strategies are what’s corrupting Sunagature?” Kōji growled. “My tribe has sacrificed good men and women, honorable shinobi, to this village and yet still we do not get a say in the affairs the council discusses. The Sand would be nothing without the Tsunzu tribe.” 

Joseki allowed his head to bow respectfully in front of the tribe’s leader, but he frowned deeply. “Though Lord Fourth’s children acted irresponsibly during their mission in The Leaf, they are skilled shinobi…” Joseki trailed off, he thought of Gaara and scowled. “Lord Gaara is a concern, but his powers may still benefit the village, and Lord Kankuro and Lady Temari have acted honorably.”

Kōji spat out an incredulous laugh. “I will never see Rasa as Kazekage! His promotion was another ill-conceived scheme. Had Lord Third returned, he would have laughed in Rasa’s face.” Kōji coughed horsley, mumbling under his breath in disgust, “Gold dust…Pathetic.” 

“I see there is nothing else for us to discuss,” Joseki concluded, his limbs shaking slightly with strain as he got to his feet. “I have done all you have asked of me. I had advocated on behalf of your concerns, but I must insist that the majority ruled when we elected to promote Lord Fourth’s children.” Joseki turned to leave the room, but stopped when Kōji spoke one more time.

“Those words,” Kōji growled, his eyes glinting like licks of fire, “are a declaration of war.”

“What do you mean?” Joseki demanded, outraged.

“You will see,” Kōji warned, “how Sunagature will thrive without the talents and hardwork of the Tsunzu tribe. Which is more valuable to you: gold dust, or water?”

***

Gaara’s room was dark. He had turned on his lights and climbed into bed to reflect, but he found even in his empty room, the brightness of the overhead light made him feel exposed; and so Gaara now lay with his thoughts in the darkness. 

Though it may be like torture to the average person, Gaara was used to spending time laying idle, as sleep was not something he had the luxury of practicing. In this time of stillness, he allowed his eyes to close, his mind to ease and he crept into his own form of sleep - or perhaps meditation would’ve been a more appropriate term. 

Suddenly he stirred, bolting upright as a sudden thought drove him to action. Peering at his calendar, he noted the date.

“The first of September.”

It was a date that Gaara knew of, but it had absolutely no meaning to him up until that very moment. It was the date of the annual Chunin Party; a time where newly graduated Chunin got together for the last night of irresponsible fun before becoming more serious in their careers…Or supposedly.

In reality, the annual Chunin Party was more of a popularity contest. The name was simply historical, dating back to the year where a record number of Suna ninja were promoted during the Chunin Exams, and who had decided to celebrate their collective victory with an all-night party. The story went that so many individuals were invited, that every ninja in the village had attended that first year. Now it had become an open event where ninjas of all ranks attended - and even those who weren’t ninjas at all. It was as simple as being invited and showing up for the fun.

Gaara had never gone to any of these parties before and he was suddenly allured by it, like he had been bewitched somehow. It may have been a foolish thought, but he reasoned that if he could just show up to the party, perhaps people could see that he had changed - Perhaps even he could even make a friend!

Though now he was struck by an obvious obstacle: The invitation.

Gaara had never been invited to the Chunin Party, and if he were to be honest with himself, he never really desired one up until that moment, and so just as rapidly as the idea came, it caved in on itself. Gaara reasoned that if he showed up invitation-less, they would simply allow him to waltz in out of fear, but for some reason that felt cheap and empty. If he was meant to go, the reason would be legitimate and intentional.

Sighing, Gaara stepped away from his calendar and glanced miserably around his room. “There’s just no use,” He thought as his eyes landed on his window. He could see now that the sky was beginning to darken as the day came to a close, and with a deep, sad inhale, he left his room to haunt the rapidly emptying streets of his village.

***

In the hallway Gaara encountered Temari again; her clothes dusty from her day of training. She greeted him kindly again, but this time her voice had taken on a more sincere quality than her usual lilt.

“Hello, Gaara.”

Gaara nodded at her, turning away from her almost on muscle memory but then something else took hold of him. “Temari…”

“Yes?” She was still slightly guarded, but her demeanor was more relaxed. The next sentence out of Gaara’s mouth surprised and startled both of them. 

“Could I…Come to the party?”

“Oh!” Temari exclaimed, her eyes widening and Gaara could see in them her mind was reeling. 

“...Oh!”

[myceliumelium]

I have so many different interpertations of Gil-galad's parents. Here's Russingon love child Gil. I think I might go through all my different theories and design them. That might be fun. Edit: I did it. There's like five more.

[staticstardust]

I just had a cool idea for a whole scenario and headcanon- Syringeon has gone into his "Hellish" form one single time since he was made, the first, last, and only time he's ever done so. (I have tons of ideas and headcanons about givanium and what exactly the "Hellish" forms of the characters are, though I haven't really touched on them in any of my posts yet. Basically though I headcanon a character mutates into their Hellish form via one of three mean; either an overabundance/overdose of GV ((i.e. LittleBeak falling into the barrel)) which can be undone via purging the body of the excess GV, a drastic lacking of GV like blood loss from an injury ((a character getting hurt and then acting like when a boss fight has a 2nd phase)) which can be undone just via healing the individual back up, or the outlier of the three being that odd "modified Givanium solution" that's mentioned in notes) Anyway though, new headcanon/idea; Syringeon has mutated into his Hellish form one single time in his life, and it was in order to protect his family and friends on Layer-4.

I had an idea for a scenario that happens around the middle of the failed-revolution-arc, a team of armed site personnel are sent down to Layer-4 in an attempt to quell the mutants growing revolution, quelling quickly turns into threatening and the situation spirals into a full on attack. Most all mutants who can fight back do, but things go wrong and everyone ends up needing to fall back to the kingdom. Syrin ends up staying behind to buy the others more time. Syrin heads back to the attacking armed force of humans, manages to easily take a few down, but is quickly and severely outnumbered by the site personnel and surrounded. He bides for more time by getting into an argument with Uthman, who's also there, but not even that plan holds out for long before Uthman is giving orders for the guards to take down and capture Syrin so they can continue onto the kingdom and the other cases. Syrin starts panicking as the guards start to close in on him. He's damn near impossible to kill thanks to his hammerhead worm genomes letting him heal and regenerate, but he can still be subdued and restrained, and if that happens then the guards will get to the kingdom. Not only will his family and friends most likely get hurt, but he won't be there to heal them up either. Syrin is panicking and wracking his brain for a way out, before a realization suddenly hits him- He and the guards are currently at a location in the facility that's an upper floor overlooking a lower floor, and not only that, but there's a multitude of very large GV barrels scattered around the lower floor bellow. Some of which have been left open with no covering. Syrin knows what he has to do, and is cringing at what he knows is about to come, but knows that he has no other choice if he's gonna hold the humans off to protect everyone. Syrin makes a break for it, managing to duck and dodge past the surrounding guards and getting only a few gunshots as a result, before running full-tilt to the nearest balcony and just fucking vaulting over the railing. Diving headfirst into an open vat of GV. His last thoughts before losing consciousness are "I won't let them get to my family." followed by "It hurts it hurts ithurtsithurtsITHURTS-!" before the world went black for him. The guards and the site personnel all crowed around the spot of the railing the case had jumped over, and look over the edge at the open vat of GV down below that the case had disappeared into, their blood running cold as they realize what's about to happen... And after a moment, a hand emerges from the teal liquid and grabs the edge of the vat, mirrored by a second hand on the other side. Followed by another hand, and another hand... and another, and another, and another, and another. A horrifying amount of hands and arms emerging from the GV to grip the edges of the vat, while a horrifyingly large and mutated body hauls its way up and out of the liquid. The mutant now more than long enough that once his pendulum-like head is pulled up, he towers over and looks down on the humans on the second floor. And just-

[thinkingaboutfilm11]

Sorry for my bad English, but HEAR ME OUT. 70 years old Alain Prost and 34 years old Ayrton Senna smut. What do you think? I am crazy? 😂

Anon…. Why are you cooking in my DM’s….. why are you making a whole five star meal…….

Can I perhaps suggest a Time traveler AU….. Alain ends up in 1994 and he’s more emotionally mature than 1994 39 year old Alain, can communicate better, hes waited so long for this…. So he finds Ayrton and confesses, tells him what happens on the first of may and BEGS him not to drive. Ayrton, overjoyed at having Alain express this much emotion, devotion and love towards him, terrified at the thought of what was to come and so thankful for Alain’s warning, sees it all as as God’s doing- God has sent Alain like an angel to save him from this awful fate.

He decides that he MUST top this old man immediately. There is no other cause of action

[shhhaligator]

I could write a 5 page paper on how Lawrence becoming an apprentice makes 0 sense, and how Saw 11 should go more in detail with what happened between his trap and him becoming an apprentice!

[soupy-sez]

The Beastie Boys in KRUSH GROOVE (1985) dir. Michael Schultz

[verysociallyakward]

Vat7k plot holes and how to fill them part 4

How did Varian not find Ulla's journal earlier? At the end of season one his house was destroyed and he had gone through his father's things multiple times, the royal guard also went through Qurin's things but the journal was never found.

1, Varian knew about his mother's journal and where it was located, he even read/translated it but he didn't feel the need to go on the journey until the beginning of the Vat7k story. The guards couldn't read it so they didn't take it.

2, Qurin hid the journal behind a false wall so Varian and the guards couldn't find it during the search of the house.

3, the guards found it before Varian did and took it, when Qurin was freed they returned it with awkward explanations. Qurin hid it again before Varian was ever aware of it until Varian found it during the start of Vat7k.

How does Andrew find Varian when Team Radical is on the road? This is also made more complicated since Nuru takes them on a lot of shortcuts so their path is more unpredictable. Andrew and the separatists are also more likely to stay near Corona since they want to overthrow it.

1, Donella offered to help the separatists take over Corona as long as they delivered Hugo to her with the bonus of being allowed to do anything they wanted to Varian. No one really cares about Nuru and Yong.

2, Clementine casts a tracking spell on Varian. They want to attack outside of Corona so none of his powerful friends can help him and so they are less likely to get arrested (again.)

3, Varian made multiple lists of where he would be and when and gave them to Rapunzel and Company. One of them left it out in the open and when the Saporians escaped they found it and decided to wait for Varian at one of the locations.

Why would Varian spend so much time at his cousin's place? Also, Nuru would not let him without good reason.

1, someone in the group was injured so they had to stay longer until they were healed.

2, an object had to be built to access the trial and the parts were hard to get so it took longer.

3, the trial only opens during certain times of the year so they had to wait.

Where do they get the money from? Varian is left with money for one person while Nuru has the money for four. They don't know how long the journey is or what supplies they will need to buy. They are going to run out of money.

1, They sell inventions or other things that they don't need. Hugo is also a master scammer and overcharges everything insisting that the buyer needs it.

2, they do odd jobs that the towns need to be done, for money.

3, both Varian's cousins and the brotherhood give them money before allowing them to leave, leaving Team Radical enough money for their experiments and even some luxuries.

How does Donella enter the eternal library undetected? Especially since Rapunzel and company have been warned about Donella's arrival and intentions wouldn't they have been watching the entrance?

1, she knocked them out with knockout gas.

2, there is more than one entrance.

3, she had someone from inside Corona sneak her in.

[y-rhywbeth2]

Also if Durge is a 'recycled' Bhaalspawn that lived and died during the Crisis, was reabsorbed, then cut out of Bhaal as a fragment that is simultaneously the original person but also a whole new one, that does actually explain how Sceleritas can lecture you that Bhaal 'gave his own seed' to make you / the door to the temple opens only at the command of one 'grafted from Bhaalian seed' but at the same time Durge 'was not conceived,' has 'no birthday,' and Bhaal had no 'seed' with which to create children when they were 'born.'

They were conceived, they died and 'became' Bhaal as a petitioner/echo, that echo was later carved from the remains a dead deity incapable of siring children as a new being.

[danceofdragonsisaeuphemism]

They could never make me hate Alicole but if they wanted to make the audience so appalled by them having sex they shouldn't have had the scenes when they are both being normal adults on break or off work at night in bed together. Though points for being in Rhaenyra's room.

They should have fucked over Viserys's body laying in state a la the Lannisters in a deeply emotionally torn scene where they finally let loose 26 years of untapped lust and Alicent finally gets an orgasm. That would have added a bit of edge to it without causing a weird disconnect emotional hit from adding it to and giving it too much focus in Blood and Cheese.

[little-bumblebeeee]

Moonlight - Part 3

Part 1 part 2

Word count: 1.2k

To Eddie's surprise, there's a note on his locker. He plucks it off and almost crumbles it up, but the handwriting looks familiar.

"Meet me behind the gym after school. - H."

H? For Harrington? Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but why would it be wishful if they avoid each other constantly? It's just after the full moon, Steve still seems rather weak, as he always does afterwards. He's pretty sure nobody goes behind the gym, but it's only because he's never been whisked away to do horny teenager things back there like many other students in this hellhole of a school.

The dirt and pebbles crunch under Eddie's feet as he peeks around the brick wall to see none other than Steve Harrington waiting very anxiously there. Is he waiting for a girl? Maybe Nancy Wheeler? Though Eddie is pretty sure things are rocky between them right now. He slips into the small corridor-like area between the two walls and stands just across from Steve.

"You asked me to come here? I don't have my lunchbox with me today, you'll have to either wait until tomorrow or come to my place-" Eddie starts, but Steve cuts him off.

"No, I don't want weed or anything. I just want to, uh... I just wanted to say thanks. For sticking with me for the past two... nights. I've been doing this for years and nobody's really stuck around to help me out like you did." Steve says quickly, looking around to make sure nobody is listening in on their conversation. The past two nights. The past two full moons. Steve holds out a small wad of cash, clearly expecting Eddie to take it without question.

"I didn't know what you like." Steve says sheepishly as his shoulders shrug. "I would've gotten you a proper gift, but now that just seems weird. So... money" He adds, his tone simple but clearly nervous for some reason. Eddie hesitates. What's the catch? Does he owe Steve after this? Is this a test? Steve moves his hand slightly, raising his eyebrows as if to say "Are you gonna take it or not?". On one hand, money. And on the other hand, it's from Steve.. But money is for certain good, Steve is still a maybe. He reaches out with a shaking hand, hoping Steve won't change his mind at the last second for whatever reason.

"Thanks?" Eddie says, more of a question than an actual statement of gratitude, snatching the wad of cash up before Steve can even blink. Steve nods, running a hand through his hair and taking tiny steps forward so he scoots down the wall a little more. Eddie mirrors him. They stand in silence for a few moments more before Eddie speaks up with probably the stupidest thing he has ever said.

"Why don't you have anyone else with you? Surely your parents know their own kid turns into a giant puppy almost every month." He comments, but Steve immediately goes quiet, even though he was quiet before. This is a different quiet. This is a quiet Eddie knows all too well, the quiet that's either the calm after the storm or the buildup to the storm.

"They don't know." Steve says simply, now seemingly completely invested in the gravel under their feet. Eddie thinks he genuinely hates how much Steve looks like a puppy right now, but it's a little fitting.

"They don't? You've been doing this for how long now, and they've just been at home while you're turning into an overgrown dog?" Eddie says, hardly even a question. Of course he's mad at Steve's parents, he just doesn't know why.

No.. he does.

But he refuses to catch feelings for Harrington. Refuses. It goes against his whole Munson doctrine. Basically, jocks are bad, jocks will always be bad. All of Steve's friends saw Eddie, and decided that he was the perfect target. They've backed off somewhat since he started selling though, nobody really messes with their dealer.

"They just don't." Steve bites, his arms crossed over his chest in a defensive position. The hell is with his tone, wasn't he just thanking Eddie? Also, how long has Steve been doing this? The scar on his shoulder that Eddie managed to see in the locker room looked really old, but Eddie doesn't know enough about scarring to know just how long it's been there. He always wondered about that, it looked like he'd been mauled by something. And he was.

"Fine, fine. Fine. Did.. did it hurt?" Eddie then asks softly, and Steve shrugs, scratching his neck with blunt nails right above the scar. "Don't really remember. It happened when I was like.. seven." He says, snarky tone fading slightly, but definitely not fully. Eddie feels that annoyance burning behind his eyes and in the back fo his throat once more.

"Seven? Are you serious!? And your parents just don't know!?" He demands, throwing his arms in the air. Parents should know these things, especially if their seven year old son got mauled by a werewolf. There had to be blood, it had to hurt- what the actual fuck!? Steve runs a hand through his hair, huffing.

"Just... stop. Seriously. You're about to say something else, just-... just stop, dude. It doesn't matter." Steve says, and Eddie bites his tongue. He really needs this money, his uncle needs this money. And it's just enough to cover rent.

"Fine. Fine, I'll shut up. Just, can I ask what happened? Like, how it happened?" He asks the boy in front of him. Steve sighs for what seems like the hundredth time, shrugging.

"I was just playing outside, I guess. Sun set and I saw the guy- thought it was a big dog and learned my lesson." Steve says. He hesitates before finishing the rest of the story. "My parents paid doctors to say I got onto a car crash on my records. Don't know how the hell it worked but it did."

Eddie just simply nods, his lips parted as he listens to Steve explain all of this. Steve might be a jock, but his parents are now among the list of people he hates, right above Steve himself. Although Eddie might not know it, but Steve is slowly teetering off that list- maybe he hasn't actually been on it for a little while now.

One day Eddie will admit it to himself.

Someone calls out to Steve, snapping them both out of whatever state of dissociation they were in. "See you around." Steve says simply, walking away before Eddie can say a word.

------------------------------------------------------

Eddie is once more alone. The trailer is dark, he has the snacks all to himself, and he gets to watch whatever he wants. This is what happens every time Wayne goes to work, there's always a horror movie not rewinded and a can of Spaghetti-O's missing by morning. This is the way he likes it, and yet someone knocking at the door is interrupting his alone time.

"Whaaaaat?" He groans out as he begrudgingly shuffles to the door, blanket still around his shoulders. The door swings open only for him to see none other than Nancy Wheeler at his door. The hell is she doing here?

"I'm worried about Steve, and I saw you talking to him." She says firmly, almost accusingly. She doesn't think Eddie did something to him, did she? Eddie himself knows his reputation, how he looks and how he acts towards people like Steve, but he feels his blood run cold and his face go numb, and not because of the nighttime breeze now blowing even harder into the trailer.

"What's wrong with Steve?" He can't help but ask.

Short and sweet, but still longer than the rest. I'm gonna try to make each chapter longer, because I'm very used to writing short things under 1k words :)

Tag list!! (Woah I have one of those now): @manda-panda-monium @anaibis @irregular-child @gregre369 @cartercaptainofthemoon

[angst-is-love-angst-is-life]

Headcanon that when Barry’s running faster than the speed of sound he can’t use his comms and that’s why he stops so much in the middle of fights

[vote-gaara]

The Sands of Time: Gaara's Story

Read on AO3

Summary: Gaara, Temari and Kankuro have made it back to Sunagature after having retreated from their country's defeated invasion on the Hidden Leaf Village. Now the siblings must stand before the Suna Council, fully preparing to be reprimanded for their failure, but instead there's a surprise in store...

Join Gaara as he learns to navigate his world, desperately clinging to the same ideals as Uzumaki Naruto, so that he can become someone special to others. The road to a better future isn't an easy one, and the path is surely treacherous with danger and betrayal looming, but for poor Gaara there is just no other choice...

Words: 2600

Warnings: Death Mention, Murder Mention, Sad Gaara :(

Author's Notes: This is actually the beginning of a two “book” series following the growing friendship (and eventual romance) between Gaara and my OC. However the first few chapters offer pretty solid, stand-alone explanations for how Temari, Kankuro and Gaara were promoted so fast, and how Gaara was eventually made Kazekage years after Rasa died….I hope you enjoy this either as a stand alone piece, or as part of the series it belongs to. THERE ARE NO ORIGINAL CHARACTERS IN THIS CHAPTER.

Chapter One: Mission Failed!

“Perhaps even I some day…”

***

Three figures sat hiding within the forest’s edge, sheltering from the dry wind that swept across the flat grassland beyond. Soon the three of them would be home to their desert village, where they could discard their filthy clothes, tend to their wounds and rest easy knowing that they were finally safe. 

It had been an arduous and painful two and a half days as they traveled through enemy territory, tensing up at the slightest rustle of foliage in fear that they had been tracked down by an Anbu squad, or even just a more rejuvenated surveying squad.

Though there was always suspense journeying through unfamiliar territory, the tension between the three shinobi, who were just barely teenagers, was immensely greater than that. They were injured, exhausted, and in no condition to fight, and they knew very well that a retaliation mission could have been launched at any moment to take vengeance on them for what their country had done.

Worse, still, was the bitter misery of distrust between them, for although they were fellow Suna shinobi and siblings, they felt alienated from one another; as if they were their own stars separated by a thick, dark, void of emptiness where they could see each other’s light, but it was so far away and felt so cold, so sterile, so miserable.

Gaara sat apart from his brother and sister, slumped up against a tree trunk where he was nursing a stiff injured shoulder and a throbbing pain in his head. A sensation he once found enthralling now has become a burden as he wished that the ache would subside and allow him to think clearly.  

“Uzumaki Naruto…” He thought, squinting in pain as the breeze made the light between the leaves dance on the dark forest floor. “Could I be like that one day, too?”

He stole a glance at his siblings who were sitting close together. They were silent mostly, but every so often they would murmur to each other, words that Gaara couldn’t hear. They never bothered to glance his way, anyway. Just two days prior, he couldn’t have cared less about what they were saying, but now he found he was experiencing a sense of yearning that was strong and unceasing, like an urgent itch. He wanted to know, to connect, but he didn't know how.  

“Why don’t they talk to me?”

The voice was so small, so meek and yet it passed through his mind with such speed that Gaara wondered if he had ever thought it at all. Perhaps it was just the pain. He had never had thoughts like that before…No, that wasn't true. He had, but so very long ago that he could barely remember what it was like to crave the company of others. All that he could remember now was the pain; the pain and the…

He closed his eyes, his head throbbing all the more. 

***

“It’s time,” Baki stated in his deep, gruff voice from where he stood in the doorway.  

Gaara glanced at him. It had been a week since he and his siblings had returned to Suna, but it was clear that being home didn’t mean their work was over - it was far from it.

When they had returned home, they were whisked away to the Suna hospital where they were put into separate rooms and treated. Gaara had watched from his examination room as medical-nin peered in to glance at him, only to become startled and recoil in horror when his eyes met theirs. He could hear their hushed, urgent murmurs as he continued to wait, painfully aware of how unwelcome his very presence was in a facility that swore to heal the sick and injured, regardless of prejudice. 

Yet it had taken almost an hour and a half before a young medical ninja slinked into the room. He began treating Gaara’s wounds quickly and without speaking, dabbing at the wounds with hands that trembled so visibly that Gaara excused him almost immediately.

Gaara was aware of his effect on people, but seeing their responses before his eyes always made his stomach churn. He watched silently, a smoldering anger like a mourning burning up in his insides, as the young medical-nin bowed quickly - clumsily - before swiftly departing, leaving Gaara alone to assess his half bandaged injuries, the room cold, quiet and empty.

Now, a week later, Gaara was in his bedroom, waiting for Baki to arrive to inform him that the head of Suna was ready for him. 

“The elders have reviewed your mission report,” Baki said to Gaara, getting straight to business. It may have been odd, but in the last few days Gaara had grown to appreciate Baki’s ability to look at him directly, to speak to him without being terrified. What once felt annoying to Gaara now felt like salvation, for even though Baki's tone was strictly professional, it made Gaara feel human. “We have lost a great deal during this invasion, so I wouldn’t expect any praise.”

Gaara nodded, remaining silent and somber as he followed his sensei through the corridors of the estate. He allowed his mind to wander.

Back when Gaara had left the treatment room at the hospital, he had quickly glanced around for Temari and Kankuro only to realize that they had left him. Gaara had departed then, expecting to go home to his room to rest, but was quickly ushered into the meeting chamber where his brother and sister were waiting for him. 

“The fourth Kazekage is dead.” 

Gaara didn’t know how to feel about his father’s death at that moment. He wasn’t even certain he saw Rasa as a father at all, and yet as the days passed an odd form of anguish began tearing at his stomach, and Gaara found himself angry all over again. He wanted to lash out at others, to inflict hurt, to kill, but he knew he couldn’t do those things anymore - No, he didn't want to do those things anymore. Yet he didn't trust himself and so he holed himself up in his room, only leaving for physical necessities and for his duties as a shinobi. 

Now sensei and student walked into the meeting chamber to a row of elders who bore into him with scrutinizing eyes. Gaara looked past them, his eyes resting on the statue that was erected in his father’s honor, but his heart felt nothing.

“Ah, and here’s Lord Gaara,” One of them quipped as if the elders had been talking about him - and perhaps they had been. “Lady Temari and Lord Kankuro will be joining us shortly, I assume.”

Baki nodded, “I hear them coming now.”

Temari and Kankuro stepped into the room, lining up next to Gaara without looking at him. They both greeted the elders, who did so in kind.

“Let’s get down to business, shall we?” The oldest of the counsel, Jōseki, called everyone's attention. "As you all know, your father, the fourth Kazekage, has been murdered. Our investigation points to Orochimaru as the culprit, and our evidence suggests he had assassinated and used Lord Fourth's identity in order to better manipulate the politics of Suna. We don’t have to explain that this has dire consequences for Sunagature."

"Not only is it a matter that we have to be vigilant against any spies that have been implanted during this betrayal, but without our Kazekage, we are vulnerable to other villages who may have been informed of our political status." Another counselor, Gōza, cut in. 

"We also have to be prepared for a retaliation invasion by The Land of Fire at any moment." Joseki continued, "And the status between our village and the daimyō is still to be determined." 

"No matter how you look at it, the fate of our village is balancing on a lot of very dangerous factors." Another one of them said as he cleared his throat, the only tell indicating that the calm union of faces who were addressing Temari, Kankuro and Gaara held tension among them. 

Shinobi weren't just physical tools used to sacrifice flesh and bone to the grinders that were their missions; they were mental and emotional assets that gave nothing away as they endured countless instances of immense fear, sorrow, anger and sacrifice. They were thus burdened to not only offer up their very health, and even their lives, to their nation, but the mental and emotional energy that was tethered to their refined and well trained physical forms. 

Just as a person whose body was injured to the point of collapse lost their consciousness, Shinobi who experienced emotional and mental fatigue were physically vulnerable; not just in how another may conquer them, but in how they could lose to their own impulses and act out poorly. 

Which wasn't that how Gaara had acted during his time in Konoha?

The tension that the elders held was an indication that there was something of great emotional weight to be discussed, and Gaara already knew precisely what it was.

“You all acted with disgrace during your time in The Land of Fire.” Jōseki cut in, not allowing the counselor’s hesitancy to continue so long that it would give it away. “Not only did your actions reflect poorly on the dignity of Sunagature during the Chunin Exams, but your very actions had caused the mission to fail and thus the security of the village rests on your consciences.”  

More of the counselor’s spoke up, addressing their disapproval and admonishing all of the siblings equally, despite the mission's failure having rested solely on Gaara's own bloodlust in his desire to stop at no length to kill Uchiha Sasuke. Temari and Kankuro had no choice but to retreat with him under orders given to them by Baki. Neither of them had done anything wrong, they were simply responding to their changing circumstances under immense pressure from both Gaara and the plan; however the council couldn’t address it like that.

The elders, despite having been hardened Shinobi with great skill and power, were still afraid of Gaara's power; perhaps not for their own safety, but for that of the village. It was simply a matter of tact that they skirt around reprimanding him directly, including Temari and Kankuro into the blame to soften the blow. There were already so many imminent dangers threatening those who called the desert home, they didn't need Gaara to be the final strike that would kill the already withering village of Sunagature.

Gaara found himself wondering what it would be like to have the elders solely single him out for his insubordination. What would it feel like to watch his siblings be praised for their own efforts and for him to be ripped into with tongue lashings and scrutiny? Was that type of acknowledgement not possible for him? 

He was no longer the Kazekage's delicate son, as there was no Kazekage any longer. The elders couldn’t hide behind status as a reason to not criticize him. Instead, Gaara was acutely aware that the elders were afraid of him, just as everyone else was, and so they continued to handle him like a weapon that could unleash demolition and death at the blink of an eye. 

Temari and Kankuro both bowed their apologies, accepting their share of the blame because they knew, along with everyone else in the room, that they were not the ones being rebuked. Gaara still felt strained by this, however, as even though the scolding was empty for his older brother and sister, he wondered if the injustice of taking the blame made them hate him even more.

Not that a Shinobi would ever dare admit to being upset by unfairness. 

"But enough of the wallowing," Gōza piped up, taking a stand at the round table. "We have other, more constructive, matters to discuss." 

Gaara was mildly surprised by the sudden change of course, but the feeling quickly passed. "They can't discipline us too harshly. Suna has risked and lost too much to the invasion, they need us for their next mission." Gaara reasoned. Yet as sound as Gaara’s logic may have been, he was incorrect.

Gōza continued, "As you know, the Chunin Exams are a cooperative event between villages, whose high ranking officials name those who they see worthy of promotion to go on to be Chunin. However, due to our recently severed ties to The Leaf Village, it is our prerogative to promote those who we deem fit." 

Gaara could sense his brother and sister stiffen in surprise. "Are you saying you're promoting us to Chunin?" Kankuro blurted out, unable to help himself. His shock was warranted, as Kankuro had forfeited in the semi-finals and wouldn't have even been discussed as a candidate had the Chunin Exams concluded normally.  

"You are all excellent Shinobi," Gōza said, "You all could have passed as Chunin long ago. It was merely a procedural and tactical matter that you compete, but due to our circumstances having changed, we have all come to an agreement that you three will move on to being Chunin of The Hidden Sand."

The siblings didn’t know how to react, as they weren’t expecting this. However, all three of them bowed and thanked the counselors, Gaara’s own thanks just barely audible in the big, open chamber. 

“Ever since The Third Kazekage disappeared many years ago, the tribes forming Sunagature have agreed the Kazekage title be passed down to heirs,” Joseki explained. There was a certain acidity in his voice as he appraised the three young siblings. “With your father being dead, that means that the Kazekage title could be claimed by any of you three. However, you are all much too young and not skilled enough - as skilled as you may be.” 

Gaara could see now the disdain Joseki had as his hard glare found Gaara. It cut into him like whips, and Gaara returned the sentiment. “Though Sunagature is in dire need of a strong and shrewd leader during our current circumstances, we have suspended our decision to elect a shinobi of no blood relation to Lord Fourth. This is due to our current agreement between tribes, nothing more. And so we will wait for one of you three to improve enough to be deemed worthy of the respect and admiration of the Kazekage name. That is the sole reason for your promotion, nothing more.”

Gaara watched as the rest of the counselors’ eyes shifted towards Joseki, their quick glances containing surprise but also a mild disapproval; even Baki had allowed the smallest line of tension to come between his brow. Perhaps what Joseki was saying carried a great deal of truth to it, but his own abrasiveness towards the three siblings was palpable and thus undesirable by the rest of the council.

Still, the elders were in agreement enough that they excused the careless delivery of the information. Rather they looked back towards Temari, Kankuro and Gaara and asked if they had any questions, to which none of them did. 

“Then this meeting is concluded,” Joseki said as he stood from his place at the table. Before anyone had any opportunity to move, he stalked out of the room, shooting Gaara one more look of abhorrence as he passed, leaving everyone else to listen as his footsteps faded in the long, echoey halls of the Kazekage estate.

[harperaccount]

how it happened: Badwolf: If I'm gonna die anyway then screw it! Badwolf: *Is in love with red* *nothing happens* Badwolf: *realizes its nit dangerous Badwolf: *tells red* *Red starts dating Badwolf* *Red tells Evilin (her roomate and most beloved friend)* *Evilin realizes that nothing will happen if they act out of character* *Evilin tells Snow, And they Allow themselves to act on their free will and stop being completely Rivals. Evilin also now realizes she doesn't have to fight against her feelings for snow, and decides to go for it* *Snow is shocked but realizes that that explains alot of things because she's also in love with Evilin* *They start dating* *They become girlfriends (in secrets) while still keeping up their images as Rivals* *They all (Red, Badwolf, Evilin, and snow) decide to make a plan to steal the storybook of legends* *They steal the storybook of legends and hide it in Evilin and Reds dorm* They Marry and happily ever after, Mwah. (This is all fanon but filling in plot holes, Red marries badwolf, Evilin marries snow, >:])

No angst included in this, screw mirror prison that never happened! ☺️

[waytooobsessedwithmcyt]

Dystopian novel but you're divided into whether you're a Kesha gay, a Tally Hall gay, or a Penelope Scott gay

(Kesha gays include and artist who's lyrics are kinda self worshipping, normally with sex jokes)

(Tally Hall gays include indie artists with vibes like Will Wood, Crane wives, or Oh Hellos)

(Penelope Scott gays are just any sad music that you can just tell they hate the government)

[navarice]

Finished the first two episodes of Percy Jackson and oh my gods SO MANY THOUGHTS that I simply must share it all. First thoughts foremost is that the cast did wonderfully! CHB and the chosen trio make the world of PJO come alive and it's just chef's kiss. I can't wait for the next episodes to see what they will bring. WARNING: Spoilers under cut.

They changed up some stuff from the get-go, but the initial monologue survived!! Percy is not Percy without "Look, I didn't want to be a Half-Blood."

MAMA JACKSON IS A SLAYYY. "How do you know those who are heroes are heroes and those who are monsters are monsters." YES TY THIS IS WHAT MY FEMINISM NEEDED!!!

The Fruit of the Loom underpants on Mr. Minotaur from the mythomagic cards is an absolute serve.

Grover!!! Mr. Brunner!!! Mrs. Dodds!!! Nancy Bobofit!!!!

Uncle Rick I see you right there hehe.

SMELLY GABE OMG. Love how he's still just a pathetic loser. I can see why they scaled back on the abuse from the books.

Olivia Rodrigo??? Sally Jackson is THAT girl fr. Disgustingly real of her. I can see why Posideon was down real bad. My Spartan Princess Queen Warrior Mother shined when she schooled Gabe (basic white trash).

MONTAUK UGH PAIN. Early visions of Charon were also a great addition. The pacing of the show is really standing out but I really appreciate how they hit the important points.

SALLY DISTRACTING THE MINOTAUR WITH THE JACKET OH WOW SO BADASS!!! She is just as brave as her son and I loved the shift in narrative between the two.

ANNABETH WHOOP THAT IS EXACTLY HOW I ENVISIONED HER SAYING THAT LINE

oh...wow... it's camp....it's THE camp...my childhood...my cabins....the amphitheater...my home...

Mr. D is so different haha and tbh all I see is Pimiento from B99

Love the intense lore drop there Luke, it definitely leaves enough room for plot, exposition, and character arc.

Whoever the guy next to Luke is, he is my spirit animal

CLARISSE IS SOOO COOL I'M ON HER SIDE FOR WHATEVER SHE WANTS TO DO

PERCY LOVES HIS MAMA SO MUCH I LOVE THEIR BOND AAAAHHH. I also love the early hints of disliking the gods and percy's sense of duty

Forgot to mention Grover and his dryad mama?? caretaker?? whatever the case he is so cutie and baby. AND SUCH A GOOD FRIEND/PROTECTOR

Annabeth is Annabething for SURE

CAPTURE THE FLAG

PERCY DICKING AROUND PLSS IT"S SO HIM

these kids are so good at doing their own stunts love a good sword fight

"I'm sorry" *pushes you in the water* (loved the satisfied look on Annabeth's face bc she sure as hell knew what she was doing, and her hunch was right!!!)

"I'm the son of Sally Jackson" YES YOU ARE BABY BOYY. Amazing callback to the story of Perseus and Danae, once again calling back to the bond between mother and son rather than the hero himself.

Percy's character is cemented early, this boy is motivated only by his family and friends, not the gods themselves, absolutely made the magic WORK.

Next episode prophecy???

Overall, this is the adaptation we've all been waiting for. I've never experienced happiness more. Season 2 release when?? HOO adaptation when??? Pls give the whole 9 yards and more

[gunthermunch]

currently at page 32 (around party arc) of munch rerereread (logged off because im not allowing me to edit them) and honestly??? the beginning isnt as bad as i thought it was. if i had to change stuff itd be just the dialogue