#similar to how different it feels to live alone vs with others honestly i can imagine the whole group getting adjusted to spending

[filmfactors]

imagine suneo and gian with the 'there was only one bed' trope (≧∀≦)

Not to yuck your yum anon but I think that's one of the tropes those two will forever be immune to, I can't recall a movie aside from 'New Nobita's Great Demon' where they do not share a room.

It's par for the course with them, as evidenced with movies like the Antarctica one:

Of course the series would be a different ball park to talk about, but I like to take the movies word that they don't particularly care.

[threepoint14art]

I'm gonna word vomit about the nightmares because GOD I'm listening to great escape on loop and i feel like I'm going insane so yeah if you wanna read that im gonna put it under the cut because its probably gonna be LONG TLDR: I love them and they make my head hurt

We know the nightmares are not good people, like at all. The very first instance we see them is in the episode literally titled "BONNIES NIGHTMARE" and yeah, they sure are his nightmare.

They harass him for money as a "tradition", Bonnie doesn't have any, they try and take his guitar, until there they’re pretty standard random assholes, then meg says "they know where you live" when Bon tries to intervene and refers to them as a complete group, "the *nightmares* know where you live" and then the stakes become weirder. Because aside from just very visibly being horrible people, they already have a reputation of being actually dangerous besides just mugging, they know where people live. You can argue they know where Meg, Fox and Spring live based on past history with all of them, and they could know where Bonnie lives based on how they harass him and all of that; but for them to know where Bon lives? someone who they appear to have literally no biases against and who is, up to that point, just completely unrelated to any of what's happening? It’s weird

You could say it's because he's friends with Meg, but I sort of doubt Bon would bring anyone over with how his dad is, so we are back at "why the actual hell would they know that" If they are mindless thugs it’s a bit weird that they would keep track of specifics like that. And I like to think that that’s the point. They make it a point to know sensitive information about people so that they are less inclined to go against them, just like Meg was. 

Then Fox appears and they seem really put off by it. The series tries really hard to sell that Fox is angry, violent and just a hot head. Which I don't really agree with? as in rewatches I've found myself going "yeah that's a valid reason to be angry" but whatever, going off the series alone and what they intend with each character, Fox is someone who is sort of dangerous, guy who gets into fights and all of that, they seem sort of familiar with each other too. "this is low even for you guys" and then Deuz calling Fox by his name. 

So they are 1) known 2)violent 3) actively make a show out of it. They scare people by knowing their private information yet they don’t seem to do anything with it at all, they could harass Bonnie closer to his house and not at the literal school entrance full of people but they don’t. They could drag him out to somewhere more hidden to not get bothered, but they don't, it's almost as if they want people to see. It's performative, speaking loud and laughing louder, in direct contrast to Bonnie's quiet voice who tries to leave in the least showy way possible. 

We don't see them go to school, hell we don't even see them in uniform until after camp, so I used to think they were older and that  the entire thing with the nightmares vs spring was sort of "the adult drama" outside of school and its teenagers. Their entire group just felt heavier than the rest of the kids, probably fueled by being antagonists.

The next time we see them it's with the aforementioned Spring, they are graffiting a wall and Spring tells them to not do it and to go do it in the "legal area" the artistic zone made for that. 

This is really interesting to me, mostly because even though spring grew up in a similar situation to them, he carries completely different moral values. It even seems as if he's overcompensating. Spring is a hard worker, he has jobs upon jobs and tries to live honestly, and to see other people get by in the direct opposite way he does, he wants to be as separated as possible, have nothing in common because he is a “good” person and they are “bad” people. 

There is no way that his entire area isn't drowning in graffiti already, because even sub-urban areas have graffiti, both actual art and the standard weird drawings of dicks or random curse words. And while the latter are not exactly great to see, they are also inherently thoughtless. People walk around and go "yeah this would be funny" and do it without thinking twice.

With the way that Onnie and Onyx (I call oxy that) talk about it, what they were about to do wasn't thoughtless, they were literally looking for a nice wall. it seemed like they just wanted to do actual artistic graffiti which is a pastime that seems inherently way less morally evil than just harassing random kids at school. They aren't actively looking for Spring either, they are just there. Spring picks the fight, the police come

They run away from the police, there's a ruckus with the police after (as said by Fox). They didn't actually vandalize anything, hell they didn't even have any paint on them throughout that entire exchange. But they still run? They could have done something before going over there, but in that case it'd be strange that they would be so calm and giddy about it knowing full well someone could come, they don't seem to be carrying anything at all either, robbing school kids may be possible with only your fists but they were just around streets without any knife or anything at night, so i doubt they could mug someone if they tried. 

So why would they run? I think it’s because they are all mostly just show, and that their lives shaped them to be that way. The police are scary not on the basis of "they can imprison me for this wrong thing I did" but on the basis of "the police hates people like us." The police hates the poor, the police hates queer people, it hates anyone who fails to fit in the box of what"an upstanding citizen" should look like. Of course they leave with their theatrics still there, telling Spring to "be grateful they saved you!!!" trying to save face. But it's clear they didn't actually do something to warrant fleeing, and this is supported by Spring also hiding. 

The next episode, "the birth of evil" is where everything crumbles and by crumbles i mean comes together. Spring, Fox and Bonnie go to a talent show and they meet the nightmares there, once again the whole act starts again. An obnoxious laugh, a confident pose, an ensemble of people behind you to be able to have your back. Deuz calls them dogs and the other 2 bark, its a performance. Deuz adresses the group, Onyx talks to Spring, Onnie talks to Bonnie.  

They don’t seem to acknowledge Bonnie in specific as anything important, they don’t blink and demand he gives them the money he still “owes”, they don’t tell him he’s lucky that he’s not alone. They pick a fight with the conglomerate and that's it. 

The way Spring and Fox carry themselves in the exact same situation seems just fundamentally different. They insult back of course, but they are way less vitriolic with it, and they don't accompany it with an air of grandiose superiority or an encore of background laughs or barks to drive their point home. They seem honest with their comeback, they have fun with it. Onyx and Onnie GROWL. 

Deux stands in front of them, he has been doing that this entire time, and the other two behind him growl, genuinely upset or threatened by a comeback that let's be honest. Was not even that good. "You smell that? envy?" and "the rats came out to eat, shame we didn't bring cheese"

But it not being good is sort of the point, it feels less practiced, less rehearsed and less of an act, a stupid comeback that reads more like a 3rd grader fight than anything, compared to the more antagonistic "look at the stray dogs. though this was a talent show not a barking one." "give me paw, have you learned to play dead yet?" Those are way stronger, and yet it seems like they just lose the exchange, immediately get defensive and growl, and look genuinely upset. 

Funny thing is that their insults apply to them more than they apply to those three. Both Onnie and Onyx have been shown constantly barking and growling, to call someone a stray dog implies some level of poorness or a lack of belonging. They put down what may seem wrong with them, and apply it to other people to get a leg up. 

Maggie tells them to drop it, they go and perform what they came here to perform. Deuz says "dont waste your energy, let's prove what real talent is" which can certainly just be read as another insult, as a way to call them talentless, but i chose to interpret it as masking a sore spot. We HAVE talent, even if people say we don't.

And this is the main attraction. Great escape. My love. 

With all we know about them, you would imagine their music would follow through with the image they've been constantly pushing. Rough around the edges, loud, obnoxious, full of self adulation. But it's just... Not that.

Song starts, and it seems like they will follow through. It's strong, it's loud, it's overwhelming and yet awestrucking, the guitar is at the forefront and is going crazy. And then it suddenly becomes soft, not weak or pacifying by any means, but soft nonetheless. 

Deuz’s voice is calm, he’s not screaming and he’s not making himself louder than necessary, the mic is there and it WILL pick what he says up. So he’s just singing, he’s not struggling to be heard. The very first line is “if i wasn’t the one who i thought I was, could you show with conviction who you really are?” It’s weirdly wordy and self introspective for someone who is supposedly just evil, who has presented himself as an unmovable wall, as someone strong, foul mouthed and completely used and comfortable with his way of life. As someone who poses a real danger.

If I wasn't who I thought I was, if I wasn't strong and if I wasn't at the forefront, could you really show who you are? If he wasn’t like this, if he seemed soft or weak, could his group live in peace? Could they be who they want to be? It’s not like they are 100% free to be who they are right now. They too, keep an appearance of being unbothered, strong, but at least they get to live, they get to present themselves how they want and not be scared of someone hurting them because of it, because they ARE the harm, and they have a leader. He’s the pillar, and he has to be who he THINKS he is. He has to be there.

“Will you be able to not fall today without your costume?  your heart breaks just like a fragile glass” The idea of costumes, of keeping an appearance, making “the nightmares” a single intimidating entity that no one can mess with, could they live without it? Chances are not, life is cruel and they seem to know that. It’s a dog eat dog world, and they act as if they are on the top of that food chain.

The song is for all of them, it’s ADDRESSED to them, Deuz uses first person and second person, me and you against whatever is put in our way. And that is what makes the song so special to me, in a show were we see the protagonists in the process of becoming friends the nightmares have been together since forever. And this song is for them, to find hope in hopelessness and to simply state how important all of them are to each other. “and in the distance I can hear that your voice started to call me”.

And we see what has led them down this way of thinking. Not a justification, but an explanation.

We start with Deuz, whose first memory appears to be literally working. Working to sustain himself, working to be able to live better, “I know that I will wake up.” I know that I can get out of here somehow, people are horrible to a literal child trying to live, we see how it lasted a long while too. From the candy selling to when his hands are curled into a fist we can see that he visibly grew up, he kept living in those conditions and he never actually experienced sympathy for it, people laughed, people insulted him, people seemed to be grossed out by the mere idea of a kid who was BORN into poverty, because how dare he try and survive? “I fell into an dark abysm without an end”  

With this it would make sense for him to become cynical, to assume it’s him against the world forever, and that people are inherently evil. But the lyrics are hopeful. “I escaped swiftly and I saved my life, I felt as if i were finally breathing again. Today let’s break the walls at once” Life is cruel, people are cruel, but it gives him a frame of reference of what type of people stay at the top of the chain, to be mean, to be violent, not out of enjoyment but necessity, camouflage to survive and breathe again, make sure people don’t mess with him again. The image of a little kid with scratches throughout all his body looking angrily at the camera

“In a place of the world where light goes away and doesn’t want to come back. Could you be sure that you’ll find it?” He could stay alone, he could dish out the same disdain and disgust that people showed him when he was at his lowest, but despite it all he still has empathy, and despite everything he wants to help, “evil” was born through how he lived, but his true nature is still there. And when he sees someone his age at his lowest, he doesn’t hesitate to help. He doesn’t fall in the idea of “everyone should have it as bad as me, i had it worse, it’s not my problem.” He extends the kindness that he never had, and he helps. Could you really find light when everything seems dark? find hope in what seems hopeless?see a A scared little kid being beat in a closed alleyway, amongst all the trash. Could you be fine with it? Have any hope in such a situation?

“if everything breaks slowly and with pain. Could you pick up the pieces that fall?”  He stops it, he becomes the light that went away, a sense of hope and belonging, he offers a hand that was never offered to him. Onnies expression in this always gets me, he looked scared when he was alone, but once someone stands up for him he doesn’t look glad or happy. He seems shocked, in complete disbelief. Both Onyx and Maggie seem to be relieved when they are saved, but Onnie is just shocked. Why would someone just intervene or care? this was not a one time thing, he already had the bruises before any hit ever connected, he fled into a dead end and expected it to end like that. And it didn’t. Everything was already broken, why would someone pick up the pieces? 

“In the distance I can hear the quake of the world and its end. Today you’ll start from zero. I have to say see you later” I’ve seen some people be confused by this part or even laugh at it. Deuz just appears, punches onyx, and they become friends. But the very first shot is Onyx sitting slumped on the ground as if he had been beat up and was barely conscious. But he wasn’t, he had no injuries at all, the lyric talks about the end of the world, he had given up. We don’t know the circumstances of this, but given how clean his clothes are and how he lacks any injuries, it’s my personal headcanon that he got kicked out. A kid alone in the streets kicked out, he should give up, because what else could he do? how else could he live? A wake up call in the form of a fist, this place is dangerous and not what you are used to. But today you’ll start from zero, you just have to say goodbye to what you had. 

The chorus changes, it’s no longer a dark abyss, but a dark path. In the name of not being at the very bottom he has become something he isn’t, all of them have, their lives shaped them to be rougher, they are like the people who hurt them in the past. This is especially true to Onnie becoming a bully. And the path seems endless, because dropping the fake bravado doesn’t seem like a possibility. The world is cruel to those it perceives as weak, so they can’t show themselves to be. That's why we are shown the three of them looking angry, unbothered, the strength their life demanded but at the very least as a group; making themselves bigger, with Deuz at the forefront. 

And we cut to Maggie (who I use he/him for), screaming and trying to get away from someone who is clearly bigger, an adult. From the song “closer” at the camp arc, we can see how that person was enjoying causing distress, a crooked and mocking smile on their face “there will be people who think this is pure hypocrisy” To go from being the kid suffering at the hands of someone stronger, to the one causing said pain onto another kid, all to not be weak and not be a target again. 

The group doesn’t only defend Maggie, fight back against someone bigger than all of them. But Deuz goes out of his way to try and cheer him up, and gives him a sweet to calm down.  “incapable of forgetting the beast that’s hungry yet again” this world, it’s difficulties that feel like sharp teeth mauling at people who have not done any sin but to exist yet, people feed on others being miserable, on feeding on those who seem weaker and their suffering, like beasts. You can’t ignore it, you have to fight back, bare your own teeth.

“Beyond the storm my hand is waiting for you. That sword pierced depression with all it’s strength” After the suffering, after the hardships and the pain, my hand will be there waiting for yours. Together we are stronger, and together we can be happy despite what everyone else can say. “Before just falling like that…” before giving up, before falling, we have each other.

And it’s the chorus again, I fell in a dark abyss, but now what saved his life is not making himself scarier, it’s not the realization of what act he should put on, it’s not his anger freeing him. It’s having his group. And once they break the walls, once they break through their self imposed image, through “the wall” , they can live without fear or grudges. 

Next we see them is at camp, and it seems as if Deuz already started to try to break through said wall, they are actually going to school now, they are at a camp. And when Onyx and Onnie start with the theatrics, when they try to immediately establish themselves as stronger and crueler. He reminds them that they are not on the streets. They aren’t in that horrible environment they’ve always lived in, not everyone is bound to be outright hostile, and they try. 

Later on Deuz says “If being at this camp and learning to work in a team makes my boys finally get accepted by society. Then I’ll do it.” and after that “I’ll show them that we can all change for the better.” They all became hostile because of where they grew up, but if there’s a chance to not be like that, to live in peace, then he’ll take it. He wants the best for them.

And that’s not to say Deuz has always been the pillar of morality. He participated in Bonnies harassment as much as all of them, but their thing is to change, to let go of that gut reaction of cruelty to avoid being hurt. And Deuz also changes with time. At the start, anyone who participated in the event, who went to the docks which is their territory, he would have been annoyed, he would have called them talentless, insult them and their craft and claim he and his crew were better before completely disregarding them as a whole. He would have been defensive about the only place where he can actually showcase his thoughts and feelings. But no! Later on he has respect for Fred, calls him “the king of the docks” and tries to be friendly. Of course after that Freddy is completely confused and he gets pissed, but I think it’s because he tried, he attempted to be friendly and swallow his pride and his defensiveness about the one thing they all have, and he got (in his head) made fun of. It made his instinct of “be the one on the top of the interaction always” kick in, because they WERE on the streets at that time and it’s suddenly the same it always has been. 

Right after that pup kills him on a single punch and that didn’t happen ^^.  no waaaay he would go down so easy to a person like pup whose most athletic skill is gymnastics. Deuz has shown he's had to fight and fight dirty/lawlessly to survive since he was little. it just doesn't make sense and it’s not real TOT Pup is built like a twig

“pia what about onnies song” also didn't happen ^^. After this point the series tries to soften Onnie to be less of a willing participant of the group’s actions, and I just really do not like it. Let him have blue hair and pronouns AND evil in his heart. 

I think that’s all for all, i need to be tazed. I know i kept it very neutral till now but guys please tell me you see why i ship them all so hard. God. I need to kill them all

i hate them you need to be put down <3 like the dogs u like (the nightmares) - Loops

[muninnhuginn]

So, the thing with Qiu Qingzhi vs Qiu Shenji is that they *are* different characters in a lot of ways. Qiu Shenji is more explicitly morally complex whilst what we see of Qiu Qingzhi is much lighter grey, all considered. But the root of their sense of morality remains, for the most part, identical.

In both cases, they have people they prioritise as "their" people. And for these people, they would sell the world. In the cdrama, this applies to Li Bing and the former slaves/convicts. In the manhua/donghua, it's the people working beneath him (such as General Lang in her former role).

Qiu Shenji is very much running the numbers game in a way that implicitly devalues the lives of civilians, purely because of the potential that the civilians could themselves be sleeper agents. He's been burnt before by doing the "compassionate" thing and so now would rather his troops get away safe, even at the expense of potential innocents. He even outright says something to this effect in his discussion with Minister Xu. If it's not their blood on the ground, then it's his.

To be quite frank, it's entirely possible that Qiu Qingzhi is off doing similar maths in the background of the cdrama, and it's an adaptational choice not to make that too explicit. But at the same time, Qiu Qingzhi's chosen people are not *necessarily* the same as Qiu Shenji's. And so the people he is willing to sacrifice to achieve his aims and protect those close to him differ accordingly.

The cdrama doesn't overly concern itself with asking questions of morality, being focused on more personal stakes overall, rather than weighing up any lofty ideas of what constitutes "ends justify the means" or the distant idea of a "greater good".

But just looking at the wider framework here. Qiu Shenji and Qiu Qingzhi are both a lot more politically aware than Li Bing and this heavily informs their actions. Li Bing can afford to rally for justice because of the space that's been made for him to do so. Qiu Qingzhi and Qiu Shenji do not have that option.

In Qiu Qingzhi's case, it's because his upbringing as a slave cannot be cast off. (Both he and Lai Zhongzhu have this in common. Where the donghua/manhua go for morality and politics, the cdrama goes more for class commentary. Qiu Qingzhi and Lai Zhongzhu both claw their way up from their birth stations and yet neither can remain there for long. They would never *truly* be accepted, not matter what actions they take to prove their loyalty). He has seen how disposable he and his fellow slaves are considered to be and so knows he cannot put a foot wrong.

In Qiu Shenji's, it's because he knows full well how easily he can be implicated by his former relationship with the Li family. (Something that the actual Li Bing was politically astute enough to pick up on years before any rebellion had taken place) And, honestly, even with his other reasons, I wouldn't be surprised if that also plays somewhat into why he's so overzealous in quashing rebellions. The idea of taking down rebels so viciously that he cannot ever be accused of being one himself.

Both Qiu Qingzhi and Qiu Shenji act strongly in their determination to achieve their aims. They want to shoulder the hard acts because they believe that they *have* to be done, but at the same time, are entirely willing to take on that burden *alone* without demeaning those who feel differently.

For Qiu Shenji, General Lang mentions she couldn't stomach his rebel-quashing tactics and so he made sure to obtain her a position elsewhere. She says he had also done this for others and seems thankful, even as she must know she is still complicit. Qiu Shenji knows how he is seen by the general populace, but thinks it an acceptable sacrifice for maintaining peace.

For Qiu Qingzhi, he made his deal with Yi Zhihua and then locked out Li Bing entirely, despite all their history. He would rather Li Bing hate him but be safe than let him in and put him at risk.

Both Qiu Qingzhi and Qiu Shenji commit to drown themselves in the blood of others so that they can protect "their" people. They made their decisions long ago and remain committed. Even choking, caged in a trap slowly tightening around them, they will not flee.

[utilitycaster]

your takes are usually so interesting so i wanted to ask what similarities/differences you see between loveletters and imodna and how developed they've become

bc i can't help but feel like fcg/frida is a little bit like what some fans wish (and honestly a few insist) imogen/laudna are

some that i can think of include the stable (albeit rushed) closeness, the intimacy that's conveyed through magical means (e.g., spiritual guardians that look like frida) and the willingness to learn more about the other (even when it may disrupt the relationship)

Covered to an extent here, specifically in relation to what people claimed Imogen and Laudna's conversation in 3x49 was vs. how FCG and FRIDA's pre-first-kiss conversation went.

The thing about FCG and FRIDA is that this absolutely is a ridiculously rushed relationship...but it also makes sense. They're both the first aeormatons the other has met! They're going to feel a particularly intense connection on that basis alone - I don't know if the relationship really has staying power, but it feels quite reasonable that they'd dive into something very deep and intense very quickly. As for the other things you mention, I think those are valid elements but the magical indications of intimacy is pretty universal in relationships with at least one spellcaster in D&D; and the willingness to learn more about each other is because, well, they haven't known each other long. I think that last bit is also important because they both have other people playing major roles in their lives. If the relationship doesn't end well, FRIDA still has Deanna's friendship and Jaquoby; FCG still has Bells Hells.

There are plenty of things I take issue with re: the fanon of Imogen and Laudna, but I think the biggest one is that it tends to pose an "us against the world" codependence, even when canon outright contradicts it (I remember it being popular fanon very early on that Laudna didn't want anyone to touch her but Imogen even though Laudna repeatedly happily let Dorian carry her when he'd fly over obstacles) and the thing is, I believe the only path forward for them actually being able to begin a relationship with each other is them first developing stronger connections with the rest of the party. Their unwillingness to resolve conflicts because it would mean not having each other is also, I believe, why they can't take the step from friends into romantic partners. Choosing to become romantically involved is a massive risk in which they could lose each other in the process, and they'd rather not take it.

Getting back to my first point, I also think there is an artificial attempt at drawing similarities between Imogen and Laudna to force something like FCG and FRIDA's connection. The problem is that while they have things in common, it's not as obvious nor unique as FCG and FRIDA: Imogen's power set is much closer to that of FCG, and her typical discomfort due to a chronic condition is something Ashton can better relate to, and her parental issues are also closer to those of Ashton or Fearne, and Fearne is also Ruidusborn. Laudna and Ashton have extensively discussed their own similarities - physical alteration due to trauma, loneliness, complicated relationships with evil women from their pasts - and Laudna's hobbies give her a lot in common with Chetney, she goes to Fearne when she wants to explore her magic, and she has similar experiences to Orym in being a commoner whose life was tragically altered as collateral damage to people going after those in power. So they're stuck in this position in which they see each other as each other's bulwark against loneliness while finding a lot more to talk about with the rest of the party. That "tether" feels like an elastic band that snaps them back when they go too far from each other, which means they're held back from the growth and change that would be necessary for them to actually start a relationship. FCG has no such limitation. (I think this is one of many reasons why some shippers have developed such intense and bitter resentment for FCG over this arc, which I've discussed already as well.)

Anyway this is all to say I think that separating Imogen and Laudna and forcing them into more independence is, ultimately, good for them and for the future of the ship. I don't think they will ever be able to become romantically involved unless they have stronger networks outside each other and feel comfortable enough to question each other; FCG and FRIDA, though they rushed into a relationship extremely quickly, have those networks and do have a connection that truly can't be found elsewhere in the party.

[twentyfivemiceinatrenchcoat]

ARI IM BREAKING IN AND SHAKING YOU SO HARD RN. u think u could just drop those tags on my post AND LEAVE???!!!! im literally so giddy rn because u get it……u get it so bad

“knightly demeanour vs animalistic tendencies…gentle nature vs his violent actions” my knuckles are white im clenching my fist so hard rn because!!! ur so right there IS something just Off about the guy isnt there?? “simmering” UGH THATS SUCH A GOOD WORD like its there but it isnt so obvious at first because he truly believes hes a good person, fighting for a good cause, helping the weak, protecting vulnerable towns and villages!! but its also the fact that like that isnt really what hes fighting for deep down in his heart. im still messing with this but tell me what u think!! i think hes just the slightest bit misguided (by slight and bit i mean a lot❤️) and has no clue how to view his knighthood because he doesnt get to choose!! he doesnt get to choose who he has to raise his sword for and who he has to bend the knee for

BLARGG i got carried away but im so glad u liked the little drabble🫶🏽🫶🏽knight!sugu lives in my head rent free, im so glad someone else is crazy about him hes so hot

PEHJDJSJD MOSS????? ur making the brainrot worse pls stop 😭😭 this is gonna get extremely long i think just bear w me </3 god i adore ur take on him SO much i cant even explain it

moss. grabs ur shoulders. no because youre actually a genius. i was already sold but i never even considered how perfect a knight au is for suguru holy shit????? UR SO RIGHT. ALWAYS. he is ABSOLUTELY misguided and i think there are so many possibilities for his character in an au like this…

its so similar to his canon circumstances but also Not. and there’s that whole other factor of knighthood and honour thats so different from sorcerers because sorcerers can be (and SHOULD be) a little insane in the head but knights have to be Perfect. but then they also have to be Human and the tragedy is that u cant be both at once. (more on that later 🔥🔥 im normal abt this concept)

this is just my own take on sugu but!! i see him as like… Obsessively Moral. in the sense that he follows his own morals without thinking about anything else. almost destructively. and god moss the way that could translate into a knight au…..

just. suguru being born with so much empathy and strenght (and also that one simmering Thing that makes him a bit off) and immediately being recognized by the people around him. being branded a knight and given a sword to Protect people with. a purpose that he devotes himself wholly to, pledging himself to the protection of the people around him, and finding genuine satisfaction out of helping them (while also getting his kicks out of killing monsters bc it satisfies that one little simmering Urge he has). and the people love him and he loves them!!!

but then we get into the concept of knighthood (which im extremely normal about) and how fucked up and paradoxical it is. bc knights are supposed to Protect but also Kill. and they have to do both. suguru is given a sword to Protect people with but swords only do one thing and that is Kill. so how could he not get a little addicted to the way it feels?

its just sooo… messed up. honestly. knights are branded as heroes and saviors and theyre loved by all but deep down theyre more like dogs who have to lunge in whichever direction their superior throws a bone at. ”he doesnt get to choose who he has to raise his sword for and who he has to bend the knee for” <- LITERALLY THIS. he has to be obedient because knights are defined by Loyalty above all else and there are…. SO many ways that could fuck suguru up mentally.

him being seen as a Perfect Knight… having love for the people hes sworn himself to protect but also an undeniable love for violence…. and having no choice but to do what his king tells him to. its just bound to go wrong!! and when it does he’ll have no choice but to bear the blame alone bc thats what a good knight is supposed to do.

like im just imagining knight!sugu having a similar crisis to canon sugu in which he fails to protect someone, or has to sacrifice a certain amount of people to save more, or maybe just has to Kill something in a very gruesome way. and then slowly people turn their backs on him. maybe not entirely shut him out or anything, but now there’s this tension when he walks in and he sees a hint of fear in the eyes of the people he used to speak to so warmly.

and its just this nausea that he cant get rid of because hes spent his LIFE protecting these people. its all he knows. its what he was born for. and now theyre afraid of him? when he does nothing but devote himself to them? when all he ever did was save them over and over again? i can just imagine that contempt building up inside his stomach. slowly rotting.

and then suddenly all he can think is how ungrateful they are, how weaklings who cant protect themselves should just sit still and let him do it for them……. Yeah. i just think knight!sugu could be corrupted so easily because of how kind and moral he is (the traits that made him a Perfect Knight in the first place . throws up blood)

anyway all this just to say knight!sugu is genuinely the hottest sugu ive ever seen in my life not even kidding thank u for feeding me 🙏🙏🙏 i SCREAMED when i saw it in ur masterlist. if i saw him beat the shit out of a monster w his bare hands i would fold instantly and follow him wherever even if he went crazy and got banished <33 rip to the rest of the village but im different

[the-priestess-of-dawn]

Since I've been thinking about fe12 recently naturally I started thinking about my favorite fe12 character Katarina (she's like... my 4th favorite for fe overall, but since Grima/Robin and Chrom are number 1 and 2 and SO far ahead of everyone else that it's kind of unfair, she's basically second place when it comes to characters who have NOT infected me with constant and irremediable brainrot).

Specifically I'm thinking about how the scene she has with Marth when she joins and how if she had her way she would have had Marth execute her, but...

"You're just running from your sins." MARTH GO OFF!!!

"If you truly regret what you've done, then live. I want you to atone with your life, not your death." YES MARTH DESTROY THE REDEMPTION IN DEATH TROPE!!!

Look, Marth might not be my most beloved fe protagonist of all time, but he gets MAJOR points for this conversation ALONE. And honestly it is all the more tragic how his descendants get so caught up in the cycle of violence and vengeance when Marth already understood that justice does not mean killing everyone who has done you wrong. Oh BOY did the exalted line ever lose the plot there.

I know Lucina is the one who gets compared to Marth most, and Tiki even says that Chrom is more similar to one of Marth's ancestors than Marth himself, but honestly Chrom's "You are yourself, before you are any man's son/daughter." really does echo "You will think for yourself and find your own answer." I think Marth would be really proud of him for that response to finding out his best friend is the child of someone who came to assassinate his sister.

And, haha, speaking of Grima brainrot...

I REALLY WISH CHROM HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO ROBIN, YOU KNOW???

Ugh, Robin my beloved. I want to freeze time, like, right here

Okay, not necessarily here. This is... fair enough for a heroic sacrifice...

Uh-huh, this tracks...

There! Can we freeze right there? Robin what the FUCK are you saying? These two lines why I can never be at peace with the sacrifice ending no matter how you frame the narrative. "It's only right" that Robin dies with Grima??? No. No!

See, if it weren't for that specific line, we could just accept that Robin is doing something they don't really want to do and that they know will hurt people because they truly believe it's the only way to truly protect the future, but... no. When they say "It's only right we meet our end together." it becomes something else. Is this REALLY the only way to protect the people of the future (Chrom doesn't think it is. The rest of the Shepherds don't think it is either, which you can see from their lines if you choose to let Chrom land the final blow) or are you just trying to run from your past life, Robin? To escape the weight of what you've done and what you see now that you're capable of doing all over again? Is there anything heroic or even "sacrificial" if saving the world is just the convenient excuse for getting rid of yourself?

Chrom would agree with Marth's feelings. He would say "If you truly regret what you've done, then live." But he CAN'T because Robin did not reveal this extremely distressing line of thinking until the absolute last second before landing the final blow on Grima and ensuring their own death. Of course Chrom would never speak a word against Robin after that. Frankly, I think he was kind of robbed. (And kind of on purpose... When you think about it, is there really THAT much difference between Grima trying to make Robin look like a tragic hero by offering that yes/no choice to submit to them vs Robin becoming a tragic hero by "sacrificing" themself at the end of a grand final battle?)

Anyway, I would absolutely love to see a Robin/Katarina harmonic in FEH someday... I think if that ever happened, Katarina would probably say something about Robin reminding her of Kris (because Avatars) but really, Robin is so much like her that I'd just love to see them talk to each other about literally anything.

(Also, on a slightly tangential note... I know that in canon, Robin strikes Chrom with Thoron at the Dragon's Table, but I feel like as a fandom we are really missing out by not taking some artistic liberties and making it Katarina's Bolt instead. I mean. The SYMBOLISM. Especially when it comes to good timeline Robin, who might think to bring that tome to the Dragon's Table instead of Thoron because it has lower might.)

[olivieblake]

Hi Olivie, do you take book recommendations? I’m not really sure if you have much time in your busy life to read (especially books that are not advanced copies to blurb etc), and honestly I don’t really know your taste in books let alone know you well enough to really recommend something you might love. However, I wanted to share two recs that I really loved, but also because the themes of them (to me at least) feel similar to the types of things you write about and seem to enjoy. So, I think you might like them if you haven't read them!

- Meet Me in Another Life by Catriona Silvey

It has reincarnation and “soulmates” meeting in different lifetimes (each chapter is a different life that they meet) and their fates being intertwined. Thora and Santi meet sometimes as friends, a teacher and a student, a caretaker and a dying patient, brother and sister, cynic and a believer, colleagues, lovers, enemies, etc. It is somehow classified as a romance on goodreads primarily, but I’m not sure how it got that as the romance in this book is barely even a subplot in my opinion and is not the focus of the book at all. The focus is more sci-fi which makes more sense as you keep reading. Anyway, as they meet they begin to remember their old lives with each other and begin to wonder why they keep meeting before maybe they never meet again? (which brings in the sci-fi element). It has some really good discussion on the idea of free will vs determinism which I enjoyed. The author does an amazing job at carrying the themes from the past lives to the current ones; it really makes everything super connected. To the point where once you finish you realize how important some of the details they previously wrote were so important. It just builds on itself in such a beautiful way it really kept me invested. The ending too is just so impactful. It’s a book that has really stuck with me for over a year and it’s a nice sci-fi/contemporary blend. Oh and it’s queer too! Well in a way, again romance is not the center of this book and if I remember correctly the romance elements are almost non-existence after you reach like half the book or so, but in some lives their is a sapphic romance, but again in some lives she is with Santi which is M/F but that’s still queer because she doesn’t lose her identity just because she’s with a man, you know? Anway, I don’t see people talk about it very much but I think it’s a hidden gem that you would enjoy. It’s also relatively short, it’s only roughly 320 pages I believe).

- The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid

This one centers a lot around the idea of power and what people are willing to give up for it. As well as it talks about religion, it is mainly based in Jewish mythology, Pagan beliefs, and Hungarian history. It can be dark at times though so check trigger warnings if you have anything you are worried about showing up. The whole setting is very atmospheric and I think you would really enjoy the prose the author uses. There is a romance element and it’s very much enemies to lovers (tthey want to kill each other and he is sent to bring a Pagan girl to his King basically). However, they begin to develop feelings on their journey as they have to rely on each other to survive. You can tell from both of them that they really do not want these feelings at all but yet they are doomed by them. They also cuddle for warmth of course. There is also kissing scars and saving each other from dying (even though they want to kill each other). It’s just a very well done enemies to lovers in my opinion. He’s a very tortured Prince and he gets brought to his knees (literally begs) twice in this book it’s A+. She is a very ruthless protagonist who had a hard childhood and learned that she had to have thick skin (although you can of course tell it got to her and that she felt lonely). The banter is really good too. It also talks about the brutal aspect of nation-building which I found really interesting. Anyway, I just think you would like and appreciate the relationship, the atmosphere, and the themes it talks about. I will leave you with this simple quote from the story: "If there is anyone I would damn my soul for," Gáspár says, "it would be you."

Anyway, if you end up reading these I hope you enjoy them! I was just thinking about these the other day and thought you might like them so I wanted to share.

-Amanda

sharing!

[sallysellsseashellssundays]

Disclaimer: This post is going to be Anti Moffat for anyone who’s reading and is a fan you’ve been warned.

I finished watching A Town Called Mercy and that is now 2 dud episodes out of 3 in S7, oh boy!

The Doctor said he’s 1200 years old and I think he was about 1100 in the S6 finale so looks like he’s spacing out his visits to the Ponds by entire years or possibly even decades. I think I’m a bit confused as to why the Doctor doesn’t take other companions traveling, he said that he didn’t want to put the Ponds in danger last series but obviously that doesn’t matter anymore as he still takes them on trips so why not just get a whole bunch of part time companions and rotate them around in shifts so he’s never alone but they can all still have their own lives? 

The alien doctor being able to tell Amy is a mother b/c she has kindness, sadness and ferocity in her eyes lmao please that was such a ridiculous moment. Damn I don’t think I’ll ever get over how bitter I am at that storyline and how much Moffat messed it up. 

Isaac jumping in at literally the very last moment annoyed me to no end, there could have been so many opportunities to pull Jex out of the line of fire and try to negotiate with the cyborg, there was zero reason why he had to push him out of the way right when the Gunslinger fired, ugh. Honestly there were too many things that were way too convenient with the Gunslinger vs Jex situation.

I feel like this episode was poorly done, it was a huge missed opportunity to dig in a bit into Eleven as the version of the Doctor who’s carrying a fair amount of guilt not just from the Time War but his time as Nine and Ten as well. I feel like there were some parts mirroring the Dalek episode from S1, but it wasn’t as well done here. They could have shown Jex and the Doctor as being quite similar underneath it all and that being why Eleven felt so intensely about the situation but it fell flat. It could have even made Eleven grabbing the gun more powerful if it had been tied in to Eleven seeing himself/his sins/his guilt reflected in Jex. 

Amy and Rory felt tacked on here and I thought the episode could have been more powerful if the Doctor had been alone, the only thing Amy seemed to be there for was her speech which to me just ended up feeling like a rehashed version of the confrontation between Nine and Rose in Dalek. Rory basically did nothing. 

Overall I thought the setting was cool and different, but the episode felt boring to me and was a disappointment.  I’ve felt that Matt’s portrayal of the Doctor has been absolutely incredible even when I have problems with the writing but for some reason (and I can’t quite pinpoint why) I did not feel he did this darker episode well.

[theboardwalkbody]

Debating taking another (free) train ride into the city tomorrow to see Twister in 4DX (because I have a gift card and I'd only have to pay 12 dollars vs the full 30).

I've never been to a 4DX theater before (the closest ones are both an hour away and the one is in NYC) and honestly I didn't even know they existed until like 5 days ago. So part of me is wondering if it's really with it but at the same time it's my favorite movie, so many things happened simultaneously to make it all cost under 15 dollars (on a regular day with there being no fare holiday and no gift card it would have come out to about 67 dollars give or take a dollar or two because IDK if trains have tax), and I was 5 when it came out so I never got to see it in theaters (I never got to go to the theater that young). But 13 dollars vs 67 is a huge difference.

Plus my best friend lives in NY and her and her bf are headed down to Jersey tomorrow and coincidentally they're going by train and taking the same line as me, just in the opposite direction obviously, and at a similar time so I've already looked at the departure maps and found where our trains would pass by each other. I highly doubt we would actually see each other waving due to the high speed and sometimes the windows are so dirty you can barely see out of them, but still.

I feel like I need a pro/con list:

(The pro/con list and everything else is on par with a journal entry and delves into my mental health and what are probably aspects of my suspected disorders hence under a read more because I don't want to clog your dash if you aren't interested in my every thought LOL).

PRO:

1. Twister in a theater. Huge screen. Full surround sound. Favorite movie.

2. 4DX apparently means it's supposed to FEEL like you're in it (like an amusement park ride I assume - which twister had one at universal in Florida but it's been taken down and I never got to go). My expectations are kinda like, feeling the bumps in the road when they're driving through debris or in the ditch/fields, seat dipping when Bill's tire blows out. Apparently some of them have water? So maybe rain but I honestly don't expect much from that. Idk how much weather effects can be simulated and obviously they can't recreate tornado force winds or hail. But I still kinda think just the bumps in the road alone would be cool because it would feel like being in the car with them.

3. Like I said above; the timing of so many factors reducing the cost by about 50 dollars is actually Insane to pass on. Because at this point it really is basically free. It's cheaper than lunch at a fast food joint.

4. The kinda of silly but kinda adorable train situation with my bff and I.

5. I don't have a time limit so technically after the movie I could do whatever I want in the city. I won't have time to go back to the Natural History museum (which I kinda want to do since my bf brought the mood down on Monday and I want to go explore the space stuff fully and I never got to find the gemstone exhibit) but I can do other things. And if I don't want to be out late I can always just leave after the movie.

6. It's a short walk from the train to the theater. I'm not confident about navigating the subway by myself (and Monday I kept checking in with my bff for confirmation I wasn't going the wrong way).

7. There's an Auntie Ann's in the train station which doesn't sound like much but I'll want a snack and the only ones around here are at malls and inconvenient to go to.

8. The train ride is super relaxing. I can scroll, read, listen to music and just be left alone and watch the world go by in the window (and for once not be the one driving) and just be calm. If it was free all the time I could see myself riding it just for relaxation. Hop on and then at any stop just get off and wait for a train going back towards home to get on.

CONS:

1. My depressed ass may feel a little better mood wise but I have 0 motivation ever. Like it's bad. My idea of a good day is staying in bed, not going out, getting good food delivered and just scrolling on my phone. Anything that requires getting out of bed is exhausting, tbh, and leaves my drained and I'll need at least 3 days to recover just to lay in bed more. I'm a little tired thinking about it even though I think I'll have fun.

2. I'll be honest. I may be slightly dependent on my bf. He works at 3 and he always calls on his way to work (a 8 minute drive). We typically talk on his drive to/from work (or school) if I'm not at work/school myself, if his parents aren't home and he wants to show me the cat and at night when his cat's around even though he has to whisper. He doesn't like calling when his parents are home because they can hear everything through the walls/floor. So I kinda base my day around those 8 minutes to and from. Which is probably really unhealthy. On the occasions I missed those calls because I was actually doing my own thing (and I have told him in advance I'll be out but 75% of the time he calls anyway) and I don't/can't stop what I'm doing to pick up the call I feel SUPER guilty and get anxious about it thinking he's gonna be mad (even though he says it's ok and wants me to do more for myself). Part of me thinks: if he was really ok with it and really wanted me to do my own thing he wouldn't have called when I told him I couldn't talk. and I always read the 'you missed [the cat]' message or, if I do call back s few minutes later, the 'yeah I'm already here and can't talk now' message as 'you should have answered when I called and you didn't so now you should feel bad because I'm pissed at you' which is super fucked up of me to even create that response out of those basic replies. SO YEAH ANYWAY - I wouldn't be able to talk to him on his way to work and I'd be anxious as fuck during the movie thinking he's gonna be mad for no reason.

2.5. I actually asked if he thinks it's stupid that I go. That I travel an hour and a half into NYC just to watch a movie I've seen a hundred+ times. If it seems ridiculous or way to over the top. He said no, he doesn't think that, and I can't help but think he's lying. (Idk why my brain does this.)

3. I'll have to get up earlier than I have been for two weeks straight now. Doesn't seem like a big deal but it might feel like one in the morning which will amplify the problem from Con 1.

That's all I can think of for cons ATM.

Obviously my biggest con (and near only con) comes from the dependency issue I have which I REALLY need to work on getting over (my therapist agrees). And the pros outweigh it by a mile - but my mentality is all wrong because it focuses on the cons and ignores the pros because the cons hurt and I want to avoid it.

But if I'm honest I keep imagining such a chill day.

Super Cinnamon bagel on the way to the train station that I can eat on my way up. Listen to music and chill on the way up. Short walk though Times Square to the theater. Seeing my favorite movie in a theater. Getting a little bonus experience from it. Most likely just heading home after because I'm sure I'll be mentally exhausted from the effort of getting there and if I have to wait a bit for the train home (as in not walking into the station as the train is boarding and running to the track to avoid waiting 35 minutes for the next one like on Monday) I can get a pretzel snack and either eat it while I wait or eat it on the trip home. Get to enjoy the train again on the way home. And likely be home for dinner and still get to talk to my bf on his way home. Plus I'm seeing him Sunday anyway.

Yeah. It would probably be a good idea to go. Even if the 4DX isn't great. (And to be fully honest I thought 4DX was just 4K and I wanted to go because I thought 'it'll be so crisp and on a huge screen it should be super high quality' but then I learned what 4DX actually is and I was a bit disappointed because I thought 'oh so maybe the video quality won't be much different than like the VHS quality, just bigger'. But I feel like I'm underestimating the visual aspect and hey - either way it's still a large screen and surround sound.

[pri-viv]

🎨 How do you feel about fanart?  [I feel okay with fanart! I like seeing fanart of stuff.]

📝 How do you feel about fanfiction? [Fanfiction is cool. Some can be out there. But all power to writers.]

✅ What does the fandom usually get right? [Error does in fact wear glasses! And I was a destructor. That is one thing.]

�� What does the fandom usually get wrong? [I don’t have a liking to Ink. I dislike him actually. I like Classic!Sans.]

🗺️ What do you miss about your world? [I miss my home. Not the Void. But the snow filled town. Or city. I guess.]

💔 Who are you missing right now? [Right now, I miss my old life. And I miss those who accepted me.]

🚫 Is there anyone you hope to never see again? [No. Not fully.]

🔀 How canon-divergent vs. canon-compliant are you? [Do you mean canon different vs. canon similar? To a fanfiction, close. There is enough differences to be distinctly divergent however. To the actual AU, sorta meh compliant. But I would rather live normally then deal with all the chaos of multiverses and screwed up friends.]

⚧ What were your gender and orientation in your timeline; was your identity canon? [Male and nonbinary. I was queer. Best way to explain it, gay. I don’t know what the last part means. But if you mean in sources, hmmmm, most likely I guess.]

💗 What helps you feel closer to your source (in a positive way)? [Talking to other Undertale and Sans au kintypes. Error based items. Drawing my life. Listening to playlists. Reading. That sorta stuff.]

🖊️ Do you use your name from your source? [Yes, when discussing kins. Very little with trusted people.]

👬 How do you feel about doubles? [Doubles are fine. Can be a bit off putting. But the multiverse does exist. I expected it.]

⭐ Is your fiction-based identity spiritual, psychological, or something else? [I don’t know. Most likely psychological. As he was my comfort character during a very depressed era and for many many years even before that. I felt like I was Error in identity for the longest time before I actually could define my full experiences. I guess even at the start. I just was afraid people I knew would judge me. When I started accepting myself instead of shaking myself away, I was able to process more. Nowadays, I really miss my past life and I feel spiritually intertwined with it. I am him. I had a life. I had a family. And I feel sorrow for it. I want to cry sometimes. And I want to go back to those warm winter clothes, holding them in my arm, finding solace in my mate despite everybody else. Drinking a warm mug of coffee outside. Kids bundled up in scarves playing in the snow. Stopping by the restaurant and talking to hothead over there. And it is all gone. I guess I yearn a lot for it. And when those shifts hit, I wish I could ball myself up. Psychological beginnings, spiritual, it doesn't matter. I'm just here. I'm me and that won't change.]

🎙️ What’s the biggest difference between you and your canon self? [Hard one, heh. Hm. I wasn’t as injured as I was canonically. I suppose.]

💞 What’s the biggest similarity between you and your canon self? [There is a lot to unpack there. I still like exploring knitting/sewing.]

❓ Do you prefer when people are familiar or unfamiliar with your source when they meet you? [Perhaps familiar. So they aren’t weirded out. But sometimes I like not having to disclose myself or talk for hours on end about our pasts. I honestly don’t tell them who I am. Oh well. Most don't know and that is why most stay unfamiliar. When I have to tell them, well it is anxiety inducing.]

👍 What’s your favorite thing about your source? [Definitely escaping that gosh awful Ink. Ink, forbid, made me hate myself. He made me feel alone. I’m glad I had someone to back me up.]

👎 What’s your least favorite thing about your source? [There wasn’t as many folks as most multiverses have. I wish I got to know more people. Then again, while I talked to people, I was pretty antisocial. I guess I wish there was just more activity then there was. But we had more snow then most multiverses did. Can’t blame em. ]

💸 Do you own any merch of your source? [No, but I own gloves with top patterns mimicking Fresh and Error. Hopefully that counts.]

🌸 Do you feel comfortable in your fiction-based identity? [Well, at first fearing I had a fiction based Identity I was panicked. But I met some fictionkins and accepted myself after a while. A while being perhaps 4-6 years. It was easier since I basically had time to meet good people. The first time I met fictionkins wasn’t ideal to say the least..]

🌻 Who are you open with about your fiction-based identity? [Some kins and two members of my family members. Sort of. Well one fully.] ----- If you have any questions please feel free to ask.  We don’t bite at all. But we do take everything seriously. So please use tone tags if you wish to joke. Thank you for your time. We wish you all well.

Ask Game: Fictionkin, Fictives, and Other Fiction-based Identities

this post is safe for folks with any fictional source and for endogenic systems! please don't reblog if your blog is not

🎨 How do you feel about fanart?

📝 How do you feel about fanfiction?

✅ What does the fandom usually get right?

❌ What does the fandom usually get wrong?

🗺️ What do you miss about your world?

💔 Who are you missing right now?

🚫 Is there anyone you hope to never see again?

🔀 How canon-divergent vs. canon-compliant are you?

⚧ What were your gender and orientation in your timeline; was your identity canon?

💗 What helps you feel closer to your source (in a positive way)?

🖊��� Do you use your name from your source?

👬 How do you feel about doubles?

⭐ Is your fiction-based identity spiritual, psychological, or something else?

🎙️ What's the biggest difference between you and your canon self?

💞 What's the biggest similarity between you and your canon self?

❓ Do you prefer when people are familiar or unfamiliar with your source when they meet you?

👍 What's your favorite thing about your source?

👎 What's your least favorite thing about your source?

💸 Do you own any merch of your source?

🌸 Do you feel comfortable in your fiction-based identity?

🌻 Who are you open with about your fiction-based identity?

[bamf-jaskier]

So I’ve been having a lot of thoughts about how imbalanced Geralt and Jaskier’s relationship is in the show and while I might make another post about it, I don’t think anything shows that better than by comparing the Djinn scene in The Last Wish vs the show. 

For the set-up to meeting the Djinn in the books, Geralt and Dandelion are fishing together. They are both holding onto a line in and manage to haul in a 12 foot long catfish by working together and on the other line they have in the river  Jaskier pulls out the Djinn’s amphora. In the show, Geralt is hunting the Djinn in an attempt to try and get some peace of mind. Jaskier happens to run into Geralt and watches as Geralt pulls out the Djinn. 

Scene from The Last Wish:

“Ha!” Dandilion exclaimed again, proudly. “Do you know what this is?”

“It's an old pot.”

“You're wrong,” declared the troubadour, scraping away shells and hardened, shiny clay. “This is a charmed jar. There's a djinn inside who'll fulfill my three wishes.”

The witcher snorted.

“You can laugh.” Dandilion finished his scraping, bent over and rinsed the amphora. “But there's a seal on the spigot and a wizard's mark on the seal.”

“What mark? Let's see.”

“Oh, sure.” The poet hid the jar behind his back. “And what more do you want? I’m the one who found it and I need all the wishes.”

“Don't touch that seal! Leave it alone!”

“Let go, I tell you! It's mine!”

“Dandilion, be careful!”

“Sure!”

“Don't touch it! Oh, bloody hell!”

The jar fell to the sand during their scuffle, and luminous red smoke burst forth.

The witcher jumped back and rushed toward the camp for his sword. Dandilion, folding his arms across his chest, didn't move.

The smoke pulsated and collected in an irregular sphere level with Dandilion's eyes. The sphere formed a six-foot-wide distorted head with no nose, enormous eyes and a sort of beak.

Compare that to the scene from the show: 

Jaskier: Wow. Wow. What is- What is that?

Geralt: [inspecting the stopper] It’s a wizard’s seal. The djinn.

Jaskier: Do you mind if I- [He grabs the pot.]

Geralt: Jaskier...

Jaskier: Take back that bit about my fillingless pie. Take it back and then you can have your djinny-djinn-djinn.

Geralt: Let go.

Jaskier: No! No, let go, you horse’s arse! [Geralt accidentally pulls out the stopper. Jaskier upends the pot, nothing happens.] Hm. That’s a bit of an anticlimax. [A sudden breeze ruffles their hair.] Or is it?

Now, it’s important to note that the dialogue is actually quite similar when Geralt and Jaskier are arguing about taking the jar and the seal. However, where it really differs is the context. 

In the show, Geralt finds the Djinn and Jaskier takes it from him without asking and Geralt is clearly annoyed by this. 

In the books, Dandelion finds the amphora and Geralt doesn’t believe it’s a Djinn while Dandelion does and Geralt tries to warn Dandelion of opening it because he considers it dangerous. 

It’s the difference between Geralt being genuinely annoyed at Jaskier vs Geralt being concerned for Dandelion’s safety. There is a weird amount of contention between Geralt and Jaskier in the show that makes their relationship feels honestly unhealthy in many ways. 

Scene from The Last Wish:

“Djinn!” said Dandilion, stamping his foot. “I freed thee and as of this day, I am thy lord. My wishes—”

The head snapped its beak, which wasn't really a beak but something in the shape of drooping, deformed and ever-changing lips.

“Run!” yelled the witcher. “Run, Dandilion!”

“My wishes,” continued the poet, “are as follows. Firstly, may Valdo Marx, the troubadour of Cidaris, die of apoplexy as soon as possible. Secondly, there's a count's daughter in Caelf called Virginia who refuses all advances. May she succumb to mine. Thirdly—”

No one ever found out Dandilion's third wish.

Two monstrous paws emerged from the horrible head and grabbed the bard by the throat. Dandilion screeched.

Again, Compare that to the scene from the show: 

Jaskier: Djinn, I have freed thee, and as of this day, I am thy lord. Firstly, may Valdo Marx, the troubadour of Cidaris, be struck down with apoplexy and die. Secondly, the Countess de Stael must welcome me back with glee, open arms, and very little clothing. Thirdly-

Geralt: Jaskier! [He grabs the back of Jaskier’s top and pulls him backward.]

Jaskier: Wha-

Geralt: Stop! There are only three wishes.

Jaskier: Oh, come on, you always say you want nothing from life. So how was I supposed to know you wanted three wishes all to yourself?

Geralt: I just want some damn peace!

Jaskier: Well, here’s your peace! [He throws the pot to the ground where it breaks. Geralt bares his teeth and growls before he bows down to collect the pieces, missing the fresh cut on his forearm. The wind intensifies and Jaskier raises a hand to his throat.] Geralt… Geralt… it’s the djinn! [Geralt casts a magical sign at the black, transparent smoke rushing by. Jaskier doubles over and clutches his throat.]

Geralt: Jaskier. [Jaskier vomits blood.]

Again, while the dialogue is very similar, especially in the case of Jaskier/Dandelion some of it being word for word in fact, Geralt in the books tries to protect Dandelion while the only thing Geralt focuses on is the wishes themselves. As well, in the books, Dandelion’s injury in the books is due to his own folly and arrogance while in the show, the writers make it indirectly Geralt’s fault. 

It’s another weird choice that seems to suggest a dislike and a hostility between Geralt and Jaskier. It seems that even subconsciously Geralt doesn’t want Jaskier around. 

Scene from The Last Wish:

“A troubadour,” repeated Chireadan, looking at Geralt. “That's bad. Very bad. The muscles of his neck and throat are attacked. Changes in his vocal cords are starting to take place. The spell's action has to be halted as soon as possible otherwise…This might be irreversible.”

“That means…Does that mean he won't be able to talk?”

“Talk, yes. Maybe. Not sing.”

Geralt sat down at the table without saying a word and rested his forehead on his clenched fists.

Again, Compare that to the scene from the show: 

Chireadan: His throat was attacked. If the spell’s action isn’t halted as soon as possible, that damage might be irreversible.

Jaskier: Wha- [vomiting more blood]

Chireadan: And the longer he goes untreated, the more likely it is to spread. He could die.

Jaskier: [gasps] Fuck! Geralt.

Geralt: Uh... Yeah, we won‘t let that happen. [pats Jaskier’s back]

In the books, Geralt shows genuine concern for Dandelion and is heartbroken by the idea that he might not be able to sing again. Remember, in the books, Dandelion’s injury is a result of his own folly and Geralt still feels this obvious and clear sadness. In the show--he just has this awkward grimace and pats him on the back. He almost seems to be there out of a strange sense of duty and doesn’t seem to feel too much guilt about his part in Jaskier’s injury. 

Even when they are reunited after Yennefer heals Jaskier, it is very different in the two mediums (I actually want to do another post about Yennefer in Bottled Appetites vs The Last Wish)

Scene from The Last Wish:

“Dandilion!” Geralt shouted, holding Krepp back, who was clearly getting ready to perform an exorcism or a curse. “Where have you…here…Dandilion!”

“Geralt!” The bard jumped up.

“Dandilion!”

Again, Compare that to the scene from the show: 

Jaskier: Oh, Geralt. Thank the gods. I might live to see another day. We need to go. 

Geralt: Jaskier, you’re okay.

Jaskier: I’m glad to hear that you give a monkey’s about it.

Geralt: Let’s not jump to conclusions. What happened?

Geralt and Jaskier are overjoyed to see each other in the books meanwhile in the show Geralt is just...okay about it. 

And it’s really strange because Netflix!Geralt can show emotion when he wants to, he does with Yennefer in Bottled Appetites and Rare Species, he shows fear when she is with the Djinn and care when they are in the tent together and yet --- this emotion is not extended to Jaskier. This isn’t simply a difference of Geralt’s characterization.

In the show, the writers created an imbalanced relationship between Geralt and Jaskier where Geralt never asked Jaskier to be there. The bard is constantly inserting himself into Geralt’s life when he is not wanted and testing Geralt’s boundaries without permission. He almost seems like an invader in Geralt’s life and it makes it so that I honestly can’t believably see Geralt and Jaskier traveling together for 20 years. 

Dandelion and Geralt protect each other, care for each other and worry about one another. Even from the beginning of the Djinn incident, they were fishing together. Geralt and Jaskier on the other hand have a relationship where Geralt begrudgingly tolerates Jaskier while Jaskier plows along blindly. It’s not healthy on either side. Geralt is putting up with someone he doesn’t seem to have a genuine connection with and Jaskier is pushing boundaries and constantly talking to a man who has no interest in listening. 

There is no reciprocal relationship between Geralt and Jaskier and I think in the end that’s why there is this hostility between the two of them.

[doomednarrative]

Not the same person who asked for those fic recs but wanted to talk about those fics with you!!!!! I think the ways these fics treat Hoffman vs Strahm is so interesting, especially because a lot of them end in a lot of them actually ending up together: ie Dating Tips and Street Cats. But Dies At The End does NOT have that ending, and it is probably because of how it has a darker tone. Even saying that I feel like it is kind of interesting because both Dies At The End and Dating Tips have perhaps the most, inner dialogue of Strahm. Also both Dies At The End and Dating Tips have this sense of loneliness in them that Street Cats just does NOT. Street Cats seems the most, vibrant and expansive universe of them all due to the fact that Strahm is just not lonely in them. He talks to people and he interacts with them and he like, actually has people that Strahm can talk to. It makes him more well rounded and able to realize what his choices are and what he wants them to be. Strahm also has choices in Dating Tips, but he’s still lonely and has no one to really turn to. He is isolated and just gnawing at himself from the inside out. Dies At The End has him isolated AND without choices which is extra interesting because he is literally doomed by the narrative by the title, you know he is going to die there is no way he is going to live, so anything he does is futile and that leads to the isolation he has! The way Dating Tips treats Hoffman actually is really interesting now that I think of it because Dating Tips starts as very comedic and funny, and it still is very funny throughout but the source of comedy seems to come FROM Hoffman, and the more time spent with Strahm alone the more neurotic he is. Strahm actually seems the MOST, neurotic in Dating Tips for some reason probably because he knows he can leave the situation but he has nowhere to go to. But Hoffman stands as this looming figure not even as a threat, just more as a bad decision and it is so funny. I don’t know if the Dating Tips writer even sees Hoffman seriously within their own narrative just based on how they treat the two but it works. Compared to Hoffman in Dies At The End who is such a threat and is treated as such the entire time but the danger and fear and isolation is kind of what makes him compelling. Ok I’m done saying all this stream of consciousness writing thoughts, I wish I had all these writers on a panel or something and ask them their thoughts on both the characters and the way that they write them vs the ways these other people write them. I kind of want to know what the Dies At The End writer and Dating Tips writer think of each other’s writing because they are just the most differently tonally, but the way they both have the most inner thoughts of Strahm in almost a similar manner is kinda interesting, I wonder if they know each other. 

Okay I will get to your thoughts here in a moment and add my own feedback because I do have things to say here too! But I wanted to say that A. I'm mutuals with both authors! @carouselcometh wrote "Cosmo" and @romanromulus wrote "Strahm Dies"! and B. I'm pretty sure I did see Remy say somewhere that "Strahm Dies" did give them some inspo for "Cosmo"! If either of them want to add their input on this post or if you anon want to direct questions to them, feel free to! I'm personally always down to hear y'alls thoughts on your writing choices anyways, it helps me when doing my own writing for Strahm too~

Your comments re the nature of Strahm in Street Cats vs the other fics, I totally agree! I think Street Cats in general, as well as most of Doztoevsky's fics are more lighthearted when it comes to dealing with Strahm overall. That's not to say they don't also include some great meta for him in their work because they absolutely do, but it's a much different take on Strahm than a lot of other works! I think some of that honestly comes from the fact that Street Cats in particular is taken Outside of the canon timeline too. It's mostly set in the post canon timeline, so it has room to Breathe and explore plotlines and settings outside of jigsaw city, and that gives both Strahm and Hoffman a chance to show different colors yknow?

Cosmo and Strahm Dies meanwhile are pretty based within the canon timeline confines, and they do keep Strahm separate from any other human connections he might have been able to have, so that sense of loneliness is amped up and ever present in a way that pervades the Whole narrative. The reader truly is Strahm's only friend in that sense, and he doesn't know we're there! He's just alone in his own mind, slowly losing himself to his neurosis, especially in Strahm Dies considering he knows after a point that he's not getting out of here. He submits to his fate in the end, and so he submits to loneliness and isolation in full.

Re Hoffman in Cosmo, yeah that's exactly what I meant in my original post!! From what I've seen of Remy's other posts, I'm pretty sure they do take Hoffman a bit more at comedic value than as a serious threat, which is fair tbh. The canon of the movies can't seem to decide how serious of a threat he would be and he does do some pretty stupid shit at times, so having him be more of a comedic source is a great take on him if you ask me. Strahm Dies meanwhile does make him more completely into a threatening force, which tbh gave me some food for thought to chew on with my own writing too. I think in a more fleshed out canon we could have gotten a more solidly threatening Hoffman, and it is something I would have loved to see with the glimpses we Did get, so seeing that so thoroughly played out (and then contradicted too with Strahm's last dream in chapter 4!!) was really interesting!! I do prefer a mix of both things honestly, I strive for a balance between terrifyingly capable of hurting people and somewhat of a bumbling idiot at times for Hoffman, it feels a bit more natural to write him that way for my purposes. But in the case of both these fics taking different extremes, its a fun read and I loved seeing how it all played out in the end.

Honestly I think my favorite thing in all these fics is just seeing How they push Strahm when he makes the choices he does. Remy writes him in a very frantic and neurotic way that honestly I could understand really well and captivated me from the very beginning. Adam meanwhile wrote him in Strahm Dies as a very frighteningly realistic portrayal of a man who's terrified and losing his damn mind from being kidnapped and subsequently abused and mistreated, and like. That narrative hit hard enough to match some of my own personal trauma that I Knew exactly what Strahm was feeling, and it felt Very real to me to read how Adam had written his reactions and internal thoughts. Doztoevsky meanwhile has Strahm combating himself internally with his choice to be happy in a relationship where he still can't 100% fully commit even with his best efforts (all the times he has to forcefully push away the reality of the things Hoffman's done to make himself comfortable where he is with him even if it's where he Wants to be realistically.) I live for narratives like that. You can't take Strahm's sense of justice and morality away from him, it's a very core tenant of his character, and so writing him with Hoffman in a relationship where he's Always going to struggle with those things even if he's actively choosing to be in said relationship is really really good!

Overall I'm just...god I agree with all the meta that you said in your ask, and I love these fics so much for such different reasons. Remy and Adam, I know yall will see this so just let it be said again that I love both your works, and I really think yall did an amazing job with your respective fics <3

[blueteller]

How I rate stuff (because, why not?)

I enjoy fiction a lot. While most of the time I don't strictly put things in categories (also, my tastes and opinions might change over time), I thought it would be fun to make a post about how I rate different series and works of fiction that I like – or don't like.

So here's a couple of examples, on the scale of 0-10:

(Remember this is based on my enjoyment, not objective criticism! Beside I'm a pretty lax critic, I truly start to dislike things only like, 3 and below. So have mercy on me! I'm just being honest)

10/10 - I have very few complaints, nothing more than nitpicks. Otherwise I enjoy everything about it. (Example: Avatar the Last Airbender - love everyhing about it)

9/10 - I have one major issue or a couple minor ones, but apart from that it's similar: I love it (My little Pony: Friendship is Magic - surprisingly, I love most of it)

8/10 - I have some issues which I consider visible, but still liked it a lot (Star Wars series - not all of it, but the best of it)

7/10 - I have a significant amount of issues, but still mostly liked it (Harry Potter series - my favorite bashing series, so many plot holes to tear through, it's hilarious)

6/10 - liked it, but probably wasn't a fan (Pokemon franchise - my childhood, but not nearly on the top of my list)

5/10 - I didn't dislike it, but I wasn't invested either (Star vs Forces of Evil - I liked the Eclipsa plotline at first but otherwise, ehh)

4/10 - something bugged me about this, so I dropped it (Attack on Titan - I'm like, nope, canibalism is a big no no for me, sorry)

3/10 - something bugged me and probably made me mad, definitely dropped it (the Twilight saga - the romance is GROSS, but at least it's so bad it's funny)

2/19 - I really don't like this and I have strong feelings about it! (Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian the movie - it's personal, they completely ruined one of my favorite books ever, why did they make Caspian and Peter into emo jerks??)

1/10 - oh I HATE this (that one Robinson Crusoe movie adaptation I saw once in class when I was 11, where they turned the MC racist for drama: I am still full of rage because that book was pretty cool, so like, whyyyy)

0/10 - I am in denial of its existence and happier that way. (Last Airbender Live Action Movie. There's no movie in Ba Sing Se.)

Other series I enjoyed:

Fullmetal Alchemist (Manga/Brotherhood): 10/10, very well structured, engaging, funny and 100% satisfying. Never gets old.

My Hero Academia: 10/10, love the world and the characters. Can't wait for the conclusion

The Chronicles of Narnia: 10/10, the first book series that wasn't for school that I ever read by myself. Still my favorite series of all time

Lord of the Rings: 9.5/10, I only love it less than max because it's very long and Narnia is my 10/10 fantasy series. Sorry LOTR, there can only be one favorite, even if I admit that LOTR is factually better quality-wise. I'm subjective, you know?

Danny Phantom: 7/10, it has many problems but the premise is GREAT and it has killer aesthetic. It's kinda unforgettable, even.

Some recenty found series:

Trash of the Count's Family: 10/10, recently found it, fell in love pretty fast. The characters alone are enough for me, but the story is honestly great as well

Solo leveling: 8/10, interesting, fun, simple in enjoyment. Not too long either. My biggest pitpick would be that the story was a bit simple, but it's exactly what it's supposed to be.

Suicide Hunter: 7/10, interesting, very funny at places, still too brutal for me (sooo much suicide and mindbreaking stuff... but I get why people like it).

Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint: 5/10, don't kill me for this, I have reasons! It is interesting, and I like most of the characters, but I'm just not a fan of the main plot. There's just something unappealing for me about the whole "gladiator premise" (where a superior power creates the scenario where random people are forced to kill each other). Same reason why I never liked the Hunger Games (which I'd probably rate 4/10) and I'll never watch Squid Game.

The S Classes That I raised: 6/10, it is interesting, fun and hilarious in many places, but the supporting cast somehow didn't quite click for me just yet. The rating might change in the future, who knows?

[y-rhywbeth2]

Durge dying might account for their corpse in Orin's room. If you play them, somebody managed to salvage them. If you don't, they failed and Orin just shrugged and took them home to put in a display case, I guess.

I wonder if Bhaal's intentions factor into the oath. Actually, if Bhaal has any influence here then Durge may never even have been affected by it in the first place because it got silently vetoed. That wouldn't be as much fun though.

If he's constantly getting punished by a spell that shouldn't still be functioning, then Gortash will probably work out that Durge is still alive and need to get them back on his side. Which will probably lead to a meeting in an earlier act, and a very complicated reunion with an amnesiac Bhaalspawn and their not terribly thrilled companions (except Minthara, if she's there, and Astarion, who is on a similar wavelength to her and will probably just find this new development in his favourite soap opera funny once he's done making a catty remark or two.)

It's going to get complicated, because if one of them doesn't side with the other they might die, but who will side with who? Is Durge willing to throw away their new friends to save their skin and get some answers about themself? Or perhaps Gortash has already noticed that the original plan is too far off the rails and is already willing to help the party shut it down (Karlach is just. Sooo. Fucking. Happy about this development.)

On active planning vs passive resignation: I say both.

Durge lives with the acceptance of the inevitability that all they dare love will die at their hand, and that they too will one day follow, so that is a factor. They are unique in purpose amongst Bhaalspawn, but, like their siblings, their ultimate purpose is still to be sacrificed to Father in the end. Presumably it'll be Iyachtu Xvim style; Like Bane was, Bhaal will be reborn, a full deity, from their body - erasing them in the process. Durge knows this, Durge is conditioned to believe this is a good thing and I honestly think part of them anticipates it.

I do also think Durge planned for them both to die. Durge wants to die; They call the world "this hell" and "vile." "Each of [their killings] is a mercy," because it's "better to die than live on an earth walked by [them]." They want to die and they want to make sure Father is pleased and still loves them. And, well, Gortash has to die and their feelings on the matter can't change that. If Durge refuses to kill him themselves, Bhaal will eventually do it himself (or worse, maybe Orin), and I do enjoy the idea that Durge was possessive over Enver that way. The Banite is their kill, and theirs alone! They have no real say in anything in their life, but this is something they can control and if this is how it's going to go then by the gods they are going to have it. So Durge makes a plan that solves all these problems! See father! It's all fine!

Though I do wonder if at any point of sitting around planning their "leading the world into a prosperous future," one that's better than the one that created them from their shitty lives, Durge wavered in their convictions. And it's sort of fascinating how Durge and Gortash seem to view the world much the same, but have very different ideas on how to "fix" it - Gortash wants to control it and force it into a controlled "utopia" instead of razing it, Durge doesn't seem to think it's fixable and is very pro-razing. Ah, villain pairings.

Honestly, it feels like a bit of a letdown that the fact that Durge swore a divine oath to do no harm to Gortash doesn't... y'know, come up? when the party starts pushing them to murder the guy? It would be so cool if there was an extra step in this section of the game when playing a Durge who wanted to kill Gortash where they had to find a way to get out of that pesky divine oath keeping them from attacking him. It wouldn't affect Gortash since he won't attack the party unless they start it (in which case the pact would presumably be null and void anyway), but it feels like something that should come up if Durge and the party are trying to attack him. If nothing else, imagine a situation where if Durge was aggressive towards Gortash at the coronation Gortash basically responded by gloating about how even if they apparently want to hurt him now they can't because they swore a divine oath they wouldn't. Or alternately if they play nice he just mentions the oath offhand or it comes up when Orin shows up in your camp; something like her complaining that she can't hurt Gortash herself because he made her swear the same oath you did. But honestly I'd even take just... any explanation for why Durge apparently being held to the oath they swore. Given Orin has to leave Gortash alone despite clearly not wanting to the oath must have actually blocked them from attacking somehow, so how come it's just not a concern anymore? Did the tadpole interfere with it somehow?

[fantastic-bby]

SKZ vs. their crush

Pairing: Gender neutral Reader x Member

Word count: 3.9k

Genre: Fluff

Summary: It’s just them crushing on you 

Warnings: -

Masterlist

A/n: I tried a different format this time and used bullet points rather than just making it like a full story since my brain was going crazy when I wrote this. Let me know which format you prefer and maybe I might incorporate both bullet points and the essay ones since I actually quite enjoy writing using both.

Chan

You guys only met because you knew Jeongin 

The tiny babie brought you to meet his friends 

Chan was smitten when he first met you 

He thought you were so pretty when he saw you following behind Jeongin 

“Innie,” 

“Yeah?”

“Who is that?” 

He wants Jeongin to introduce you two

Sensing the vibes, the maknae is more than happy to introduce you two 

if he was being honest, he already knew Chan would pretty much fall in love with you immediately

Chan’s flustered when he introduces himself to you 

He’s almost blubbering all over the place 

You find it kinda cute but he’s scared you found him really weird 

He tries to steal little moments to be with you 

Like ‘accidentally’ bumping into you in the hallway 

Or how he just so happens to walk into Jeongin’s room when you’re on a call with him

Or how he just so happens to be lingering around the flea market nearby your college campus 

Chan takes care of you without even realising it 

If you bump into each other he asks whether you’ve eaten or how your day is 

He loves the way you seem to parent his friends like he does 

“Jisung, put the knife down. You’re going to hurt somebody” 

“Hehe, make me” 

“PUT IT DOWN 〴⋋_⋌〵” 

Chan’s surprised he listens to you

He loves how everyone only seems to listen if you’re the one talking too

If you’re hanging out with them at the dorms and Chan can’t seem to control everyone, you just step in 

“Guys, please”

And suddenly the chaos has calmed down 

Chan finds it amazing 

Everyone just… stops when you ask them to

You find it amusing 

It’s like watching a single dad trying to control his seven wild sons

He chases after Felix around the dorm a lot because he’s usually done something weird with Minho and Jisung

He manages to get your number using an excuse of needing you to calm down the boys 

“Please… they don’t listen sometimes” 

Jeongin finds reasons to push you two together 

“Yay! You guys made—oH nO I ComPleTeLy foRgoT!!”

Leaves the two of you alone 

He honestly just thinks you two should get together and so does the rest of the group

So they find excuses to get you two alone together 

But your relationship takes f o r e v e r  

Only because Chan wants to be absolutely certain that he likes you

He doesn’t want to commit to someone he’s worried he’s not sure of yet

Slowly but surely, he starts to ease into the relationship

He sends you music he thinks you’ll like 

Eventually he’ll start sending you his own music 

He only confesses when he’s absolutely sure he’s pretty much falling in love with you 

The way he does it just wins your heart immediately if you weren’t already as whipped for him as he was 

He writes a song for you (´༎ຶ ͜ʖ ༎ຶ `)♡ 

Minho

Bumped into you at a dance studio he goes to often

He thinks your dancing is amazing 

At first he doesn’t want to bother you 

But then he’s all like “heyyyy I’m Minho” 

And you’re pretty much taken away by how gorgeous the man is 

Minho wouldn’t be too flustered 

He would keep his cool around you 

Doesn’t mean he wouldn’t try to impress you with his sexy dance moves 

Tries to win your heart the romantic way which doesn’t work because half the time you’re too busy dancing to actually realise he’s trying to flirt with you

“Hey, baby ;)” 

“Huh?”

“Nothing”

Wonders whether he should just make a dedicated advance towards you 

He likes your humour 

It’s similar to his 

You both just laugh at really weird stuff together 

When you share your numbers, he sends you weird videos that he thinks you’ll like 

Minho’s not much of a texter, but when you do get a message from him, it’s either something he’s really excited about or something really weird 

Only realises he’s actually crushing on you when Changbin points it out 

“Why are you so nice to them” 

“Who?” 

“(Y/n)” 

Then Minho realises that he really likes you

Starts slowly working harder to win your heart 

Helps you with your dancing

“Your body looks a bit stiff” 

Buys you lunch 

“I got you the lunch box from 7 11”

It’s always something you end up liking if you hadn’t tried it before

Buys you drinks from the vending machine 

“What is this???” 

It looks like a double shot coffee 

“Energy?”

Minho doesn’t know either but you both drink it anyway 

And end up being at the studio until 3 a.m. because you’re both so hyped with caffeine

Offers to walk you home if it’s getting late

“It’s not safe on your own”

“Minho, I’ll be fineeeee” 

Doesn’t take no for an answer and forces you to let him

His advances work

You’re pretty much whipped for him by the time he confesses 

Which Minho does by buying you flowers and bringing it to the studio 

Changbin

You work at the music shop that he goes to often 

When he’s browsing the CD’s and the vinyls, he spots you at the counter 

His heart almost explodes when he sees you 

The first thing that caught his eye was the way you were dressed 

:0 

Fits Changbin’s style 

He’s nervous to approach you with the vinyl in his hand 

Why was he so nervous? 

Oh right, he was pretty much completely smitten by you 

“Hi!” 

 He loves your voice even more

“H-Hey,”

Changbin’s so nervous 

He likes your bracelets too 

He thinks they’re really cool 

He ends up coming back a lot and you wonder why this man needs so many CD’s and vinyls 

Eventually, he builds up the courage to talk to you

Changbin comes by every once in a while just to say hi 

Sometimes he just comes in to talk to you during your break

You tell him you’ve always wanted to try making music

He tells you he makes music 

You’re all :0 

Changbin tells you about it 

And you get really interested in his music 

He starts coming after your shift or during your break to play you his songs 

He gets all uwu when he sees the way your eyes shine 

You have him wrapped around your finger without even knowing it 

Doesn’t admit that he’s pretty much whipped 

Even though he visits you almost every other day 

And how he buys you your favourite snacks 

Or how he stays way longer than he expected to just bcs he’s talking to you 

You’re just as whipped tbh 

You love talking to Changbin 

You like his music taste and he’s fun to be around 

Confesses to you by taking you out on a date 

He brings you to his studio 

Shows you how he makes music 

He finds it adorable how you’re so amazed by his equipment

So he teaches you whatever he can in the time you’re together 

You both spend the evening just messing around 

You make a short track that you’re sure sounds really off

Changbin reassures you that it’s nice 

He teaches you how to layer the different tracks 

And eventually teaches you how to edit them despite the few hours you have 

You’re so excited 

He smiles every time he looks at you 

Bcs you’re so adorable he feels like he might burst 

Confesses at the end of the night 

“I like you a lot” 

He blurts it out and it catches you slightly off guard 

But you like him back so it’s fine 

Ends up offering to take you to the studio anytime you’re both free

Hyunjin 

Met you through Felix 

Felix invited you to play a game with him and his friends 

Hyunjin hears your voice the first time and he’s already curious 

He thinks you’re really chill and he likes your vibe 

You end up playing more games with them 

He ends up wanting to get to know you more 

The thing that honestly gets to him the most is the way you take every loss so lightheartedly 

“There’s always another game” 

You don’t rage or stress out over it 

Over time, he starts spending one-on-one time with you 

Until you’re both just doing literally anything else but gaming together 

He denies them as dates whenever his friends ask, claiming that it’s just friend time

Until one night you’re both awake at four a.m. and talking about everything and anything 

He likes the way you think

“Hyunjin, did you know that sometimes in movies, they use trash cans to replicate tiger roars” 

“What???”

He likes how you’re joking talking about starting a revolution 

He knows you won’t

“So, yeah, fuck capitalism!” 

“Yeah!” 

He loves the fact that you’re so open about what you think even if it’s something small or weird

“Mercy’s ass is so thick… for what reason…” 

“She’s a video game character??” 

“Felix, her ass is so thick, she could kill someone with it” 

Hyunjin loves hearing you rant about your day 

“And?? It’s so stupid!!”

“Calm down, (Y/n)”

“Don’t tell me to calm down, you egg!” 

Hyunjin thinks you’re adorable when you’re all riled up

He finds it amusing because he likes hearing you talk 

“You live there too?” 

He didn’t expect to be so close to you

“Yeah, that’s how I met Felix” 

He never realised you and Felix knew each other in real life

You spend more time together 

Talking about whatever comes to mind until the dead of night 

Sometimes you watch movies together 

You stay away from horror movies because he doesn’t like it that much 

But you’re always talking about something with him

The two of you are always the last to leave the call because you end up talking after games 

Hyunjin asks you out without even realising it sounds like a date

“Is that a date??” 

“Sure” 

He didn’t even realise he asked you out until after he’s left the call

?!?!?!?!

Goes into panic mode 

He just asked you out!!!! 

Starts asking Felix about you

He laughs at Hyunjin but helps him anyway

Shows him what you look like on your Instagram 

Hyunjin thinks you’re so pretty on your posts

When he sees you in person for the first time 

He’s so taken away 

You’re gorgeous

Whatever feeling he didn’t realise he had for you comes rushing in 

Hyunjin loves your laugh 

You spend the whole day together just walking around town

It’s nice to hear his voice when it isn’t coming out of your headphones

By the time the date’s over, Hyunjin wants more of you 

So he tells you he wants to take you out again while he’s walking you home 

You accept 

He turns to you with a c: before asking if he can kiss you

Jisung 

You’re a barista at the cafe nearby the JYPe building 

Jisung was designated as the drink buyer that time by the rest of his group 

If he was having trouble remembering all their orders before 

He has even bigger trouble now when he sees you 

YOU LOOK SO CUTE IN YOUR APRON 

He freezes the moment he sees you at the cashier 

“Hi! What would you like?” 

Jisung’s eyes go ◑.◑

“Uhm… sir?” 

“Sorry!” 

He struggles to get his order out properly

But you’re patient with him and even though he barely knows you 

He likes that you are 

Jisung’s watching you the entire time you make his order 

He can’t take his eyes off of you 

You do notice it, but you find him adorable so you don’t say anything 

He seems to be easily flustered

When you hand him his order, he’s still a blubbering mess 

“T-Thank you…” 

Your name tag says (Y/n) 

So he thanks you using your name which you smile 

“Have a great day!” 

Jisung comes back the next day 

He doesn’t even need any drinks, he just wants to see you again 

When he does, he feels all fluttery on the inside 

“Welcome back” 

He orders a dark chocolate smoothie and an iced mocha for Minho

Minho would kill him if he found out Jisung went to the cafe without him 

Jisung sits at an empty table and watches you again 

The next day, the cycle repeats 

And the day after that 

And the day after that 

Minho follows him at some point, wondering why Jisung seems to obsessed with the place 

“Why do you like this place so much?” 

“I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT”

Something’s definitely up with him 

Minho only finds out when he sees the way Jisung’s face seems to light up when he sees you 

“You like the barista, don’t you” 

“WHAT BARISTA ಠoಠ” 

That’s all he needs to confirm it 

Minho lets Jisung order, seeing just how excited and giddy he is when he’s talking to you 

Jisung’s practically bouncing up and down while you talk to him 

When they leave, Minho’s all up in it 

“You really like them, huh” 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about >:c” 

Knowing Jisung, he wouldn’t do anything about it 

So Minho takes it into his own hands to bring you two together 

The group is having a mini event and they need someone to serve drinks 

Who else to ask other than you? 

Jisung’s eyes almost bulge out of his skull when he sees you because 

What are you doing here???? 

He’s so nervous 

Minho practically shoves him your way 

Again, you find him so cute that you don’t even realise he’s practically dying to know you more 

“Hi Jisung!” 

You learned his name over the course of him constantly coming back and Jisung just loves hearing it from you 

“Hi (Y/n)” 

“I can’t make anything ice blended, but I can trade if for an iced dark chocolate” 

“Okay!” 

As long as you make it, he’ll take it 

The event comes to an end but Jisung’s pretty much spent more time with you rather than his group mates 

Even they’re amused by how into you he obviously is 

“Hey Jisung” 

You stop him before you leave and he’s immediately at your side 

“Since you keep coming over, here’s my number” 

◑.◑

“Give me a call before you come in so that I can have your drink ready for you to pick up” 

He’s so happy :D

He sends you pictures of cute animals and random snippets of his music 

Felix 

Met you through League of Legends

You have good synergy so you became friends through that 

At first, he only managed to play with you occasionally 

When he’s able to, he notices how you always sound so bright 

“Hi Felix!” 

He likes playing with you 

You’re laid-back 

You don’t stress over losses too much 

“Ah, what to do?” 

But when you’re irritated, Felix finds it funny

“Fucking asshole!” 

“You were in the way, (Y/n)”

“Shut the fuck up!” 

You’re so funny to him 

“Felix, don’t go into bush” 

“I can bait them” 

“DON’T”

His character dies

“Oops ( ͡° ͜V ͡°)”

“-`д´-” 

You’re easy to game with and that’s what he admires the most right off the bat 

You always seem to be up for games 

Even when he’s not able to play, whenever he logs into Discord he sees you’re online 

Wonders whether you sleep at all 

“I don’t need sleep. I am gamerrrr. Gamers don’t sleep” 

“Please sleep” 

“Lix, sleep is for the weak and I’m not weak” 

“You passed out last night in call” 

Honestly slightly concerned for you 

Overtime he realises that he really looks forward to games with you

Before Felix would just go to sleep after practice or shows 

But he’ll start waiting to see if you’re up for even one game 

Which you always are 

Slowly starts spending time with you just talking 

Eventually it leads to the both of you staying up until 5 a.m. laughing at really stupid memes 

During the day when Felix can’t join call 

He sends you funny tiktoks and memes 

You appreciate it because you like him 

But you don’t admit it because you’ve never met him in person before

Until you both find out that you live only a few hours away from him 

Invites you down to Seoul to spend time with him 

You’re nervous

Felix is nervous

He knows what you look like

You exchanged Snapchats and started streaking a while before 

He sends you funny pictures of his members 

You send him selfies with random filters

But nothing could prepare him for when you appear from around the corner 

He sees you appear and he’s all (゜ロ゜)

Your photos don’t do your natural beauty any justice

Is a bit of a mess when you’re walking around together 

Eventually loosens up around you 

Compliments you a lot and it makes you blush 

You spend the day just wandering around the place 

Felix takes you to his favourite places and favourite cafes 

He wants to share his favourite things with you 

You find it endearing 

Tries to make you laugh a lot because he’s just grown to really like the sound of your voice 

Since you’ve spent most of your time talking over call

Felix just loves hearing your voice 

When the day’s over 

He asks for more nights that aren’t just filled with games because owo he wants to do more with you 

Seungmin

Bumped into you at JYPe because you were visiting a friend 

Hears you singing with Yeji and he immediately falls in love with your voice 

He peeks into the dance studio to see the two of you just sitting on the floor together 

There’s no music 

It’s just the two of you singing together 

Your voice makes him :D 

Seungmin leaves the two of you bcs he doesn’t want to intrude 

But he ends up seeing you more often 

Turns out you’re in Seoul for a while so you’re spending quite some time with Yeji 

He sees you in the hallways a lot

When you walk past each other, it’s always just a polite bow 

You don’t really think much of Seungmin other than the fact that you think he’s pretty handsome 

Yeji teases you for that 

When you’re walking through the building to look for her 

You hear someone singing in one of the rooms 

You peek through the glass 

It’s Seungmin! 

ಠoಠ

And he’s so good

You listen from outside the door 

You knew he was good since he was an idol

But you didn’t think that he was that good

You don’t even realise he’s done when the door swings open and you’re standing there 

When Seungmin sees you, he realises you were most likely listening 

Now you’re just staring at each other like 

(ﾟωﾟ;)

Because now he knows you were listening 

And now you know he knows 

“Uhm…” 

You’re embarrassed 

You’re lucky Yeji pops from around the corner and your eyes plead for her to drag you away 

Which she doesn’t 

“Sunbaenim!”

“Hi Yeji” 

“Have you met (Y/n) before?” 

You actually want to tear her apart

“Not properly, no” 

“Well... “ 

“WELL WOULD YOU LOOK AT THE TIME” 

You drag her away before she can say anything else 

The next time you see Seungmin 

You pass by him in the hallway once again while you’re looking for Yeji

“(Y/n)” 

ಠ_ಠ

“We keep passing each other but we’ve yet to actually meet each other properly” 

“Haha…” 

“I know you were listening the other day” 

“Haaahhhhhhaaaa…”

“I don’t mind that you did.”

“Huh” 

You’re actually bit surprised that he doesn’t mind

“I overheard you and Yeji singing the other day in the dance room” 

༼ : ౦ ‸ ౦ : ༽

“You sing really beautifully, (Y/n)” 

There’s an awkward wall that takes a while before you two actually break it down 

But when you do 

It’s almost like you visit the building to see Seungmin rather than Yeji 

She doesn’t mind since she saw it coming 

Doesn’t mean she can’t tease you about it 

Seungmin looks forward to having lunch with you in the cafeteria 

At this point, the staff don’t even question your now daily appearance 

You end up falling for Seungmin way faster than you thought possible 

The feeling’s mutual 

He just likes everything about you 

You’re so sweet 

You’re also really caring 

He notices that when you follow him to the practice room where Stray Kids are 

Changbin trips over Hyunjin’s legs 

You’re rushing over to help without any of them really realising it 

He loves how nice your voice is too 

“Can you sing for me?”

You’re shook 

You wonder why he wants to hear your voice specifically

“Your voice is just really nice 

He realises he really likes you when you briefly disturb their practice to give Seungmin lunch 

He briefly mentioned that he forgot his wallet and his lunch 

Since you aren’t an idol or staff

You had to use your own money in the cafeteria 

Seungmin’s heart flips at the realisation 

Ends up asking you out so that you don’t have to spend so much time inside the JYPe building all the time 

Jeongin 

Meets you through Changbin 

You went to the same high school as him and you kinda just stuck around

Changbin brings you to the dorm bcs he borrowed a hoodie 

The entire dorm greets you really brightly 

Jeongin’s the only one just watching in awe 

He’s so shy when you wave at him 

Seungmin notices and raises a brow 

“I-I’m Jeongin” 

“Hi Jeongin! Changbin talks about you guys a lot” 

He’s so nervous 

He wants to know you more, but he also doesn’t want to make it obvious that he’s taking interest in you 

The others don’t really notice because they’re too excited by the new person 

Seungmin, on the other hand, tells Changbin about it 

Changbin now makes it his mission to bring you two together 

He brings you over to the dorm more often 

Especially if Jeongin’s the only one home 

“(Y/n), you’ve met Innie before right?”

You nod

Jeongin’s adorable 

Changbin ends up bringing you over for movie nights 

Now you’re just an honorary member of the group 

Everyone else loves you 

Jeongin always tries to sit next to you during movie nights 

Especially if it’s a horror movie 

When you get scared, you hug his arm and he likes that 

Makes him feel like he’s able to protect you like a big strong man ᕙ(`▽´)ᕗ

You kinda like him too

So you test the waters around him 

You start talking to him more since Changbin told you he’s really shy 

Jeongin slowly eases into your company 

It takes a bit of time, but he’s started getting more confident around you 

You visit the dorm thinking Changbin’s there because he stole your favourite belt 

When Jeongin opens the door he’s all :D but when you ask where his hyung is he goes D: 

Tells you he’s not home but lets you in anyway 

No one else is home except for Jeongin and Chan 

So you sit in the living room with Innie 

You start talking about random things 

You end up talking about almost everything because it turns out that Changbin’s gone way longer than both of you thought 

Chan eventually emerges from his bedroom and waves at you 

He orders fried chicken for you guys 

You and Jeongin continue talking while eating 

Chan finds it super cute

Jeongin’s playful around you 

But he doesn’t want to make himself appear immature 

But you like when he’s being playful so you slowly ease him into being more comfortable 

He still just wants to impress you so you like him back 

Wait, when did he start liking you??? 

He realised it when you were over for a regular movie night 

You fell asleep in his lap 

Jeongin thought you were so cute 

When you wake up he asks you out 

You accept 

He cuddles you for the rest of the night and asks you to spend the night at the dorm

[writerbyaccident]

Fallen into Fantasy: Part Two (Yandere Dragon Shifter! Dabi vs. Enji Todoroki x Reader)

Part One    Part Three   Part Four   Part Five   Part Six   Part Seven    Part Eight

You had never realized that shackles could be so beautiful.

Even in the dim light of the cave, they sparkled in ways that you had never seen before, a mix of gold, silver, and countless jewels that threatened to blind you if you gazed at them for too long. And yes, only the golden chain around your ankle anchored to the stone wall was a true shackle, but the rest might as well have been, for the way that they weighed you down. Dozens upon dozens of rings, bracelets, and necklaces had been placed on you, threatening to send you crashing to the floor underneath the strain. Enji though either didn’t notice or didn’t care, adding more and more jewelry onto you with the proud, self-satisfied look of someone who was taking excellent care of their most prized possession.

That was what you were, you supposed, a valued treasure for Enji to hoard. Despite the intrigue of you being from another world, at the end of the day you were simply a human, nowhere near powerful enough for a dragon shifter like your captor to consider treating like an equal. Rather than be frustrated or disappointed with your helplessness though, Enji relished it. He loved the feeling of holding your fragile body against his, loved being able to frighten you into behaving with just a hint of his claws. But most of all, he loved knowing that you would have been doomed in this world without him.

“Enji,” you said quietly, careful to use his given name as he preferred you to, as opposed to the title of Endeavor that the world knew him as. “Don’t you think that’s enough?”

His searing blue eyes narrowing down at you, Enji frowned at your presumption that you knew better than him. Although you flinched at his expression, you were grateful that he was currently in his human form, knowing that if he had been in his dragon form, your question would have been met with a huff of flames that, while never actually reaching you, would have come far too close for comfort.

“You are my mate,” Enji reminded you with a growl. “The mate of the dragon king. And therefore, you must be dressed as such.”

“You’re going hunting though, you won’t even see me.”

“Even while I am gone, I wish to know that you are properly adorned. We haven’t physically mated yet, so my claiming scent on you is weak. By honoring you by decorating you in the treasures of my hoard, I am showing the world that you are mine. And no one will dare to touch what is mine.”

“But surely no one is going to dare to sneak into your home,” you answered, knowing even after less than a week with Enji that it was always a good idea to play to his ego.

“Of course not,” he agreed. “But if another of my kind comes to see me on urgent business, I’d rather not have them think that they can taste what belongs to me. Unless you would prefer finally mating?” He asked the question with a hungry smirk, reaching out to caress your cheek with his enormous hand, slowing gliding it down your neck all the way to your hips, where he stroked your skin in soothing circles. Your eyes wide, you shook your head in silent desperation, wondering as he leaned down towards you if this would be the time that he wouldn’t listen to you.

“Well, until later then,” he murmured in your ear, brushing his lips against the crook of your neck. You stayed frozen until he moved away, though you didn’t dare look away from him. Smirking at the way you were gazing at him, Enji slipped off his signet ring, storing it away in his usual hiding spot for his hunting excursions. He began to walk away, only to turn back to you, nearly swallowing your hand with his own and softly kissing the inside of your wrist.

With that, Enji stalked off through the cave tunnel, growing even larger, wings unfurling, and scales appearing all over him. You watched the transformation in a mixture of wonder and horror, still not used to the change even after seeing it so many times already. By the time he turned the corner, Enji was once again the crimson dragon that you had first caught a glimpse of. A second later, you heard the telltale sound, almost like rhythmic thunderclaps, of him taking to the skies to hunt for the dinner you would share tonight.

As soon as you heard him leave, you sighed, letting your head rest against the stone wall and just staring up at the ceiling. You knew by now that he would be gone for hours, leaving you all alone with nothing to distract yourself with. His previous hunts had left you so starved for diversion that you had begun counting the jewels and coins strewn all over the floor just for something to do. Even that wasn’t enough to keep you from silently rejoicing each time Enji arrived back home though, as ashamed as you were to admit it. You couldn’t really help it though, not when the dragon shifter was the only company you had. He was the only other living creature you had spoken to since stumbling your way into this world, and while you might deny it to his face, Enji was right when he reminded you how helpless you were, how much you depended on him. Even without the shackle keeping you chained to the wall that would be true, considering that the cave you had been brought to was over halfway up a mountain. With the way he had been acting today though, you weren’t sure if him rushing back home was what you wanted.

When Enji had first flew you back to his cave, you had been surprised to hear him say that he would officially mate with you only when you were ready. He certainly hadn’t been thinking about your consent when he had taken you in his talons and dragged you to his home against your will. You had said as much to him, only for Enji to patiently inform you that humans were just so delicate, so fragile, that you mate with you before you were ready would be far too dangerous. He didn’t want a broken shell of a mate, after all. But, you realized as you remembered the way he had kissed your neck and the soft skin of your wrist, Enji didn’t necessarily need your permission for him to decide that you were ready.

Your frenzied thoughts were interrupted though, as you heard the unmistakable sound of claws and scales scraping against stone. It couldn’t have been more than an hour since Enji had left, was he really back already? It didn’t take him very long to find enough food for you, but finding enough for himself was a different story, usually taking several hours. Perhaps he forgot something, or maybe he had gotten lucky. Whatever the reason, the roiling pit of emotion in your gut was mixed, one part of you glad that you weren’t alone anymore, and another part of you fearful that you would no longer be able to avoid what Enji wanted from you. But as the sound came closer, you realized that it didn’t sound quite like Enji. The footsteps, while still heavy enough to have the jewels and coins rattle across the floor, were lighter than your captor’s. And the raking of scales against the cave floor was somehow smoother than usual, less like the steady march of Enji and more like a slither. Curling up against the wall, you hoped was right when he said that being covered in items of his hoard would keep any other dragons from daring to touch you.

Any remaining hope you had that it was the devil you knew disappeared once and for all when the dragon came into view, his scorched black scales a far cry from Enji’s blood red ones. Although, you thought distantly as you watched from the corner of the vast cave, this dragon’s burning blue eyes were certainly similar. Said dragon didn’t even seem to notice you though, his eyes gazing only at the treasure filling the cave. As he slithered inside, you saw that even though he wasn’t as huge as Enji, more svelte than bulky, he was still very large. Though, honestly, considering that you had no frame of reference for what the average size of a dragon was, for all that you knew, this one could be considered extremely undersized.  Despite your lack of knowledge though, you were still pretty sure that dragons didn’t usually wear massive saddlebags on their backs.

But the reason for the saddlebag’s presence became clear soon enough, when the strange dragon made his way to a particularly large pile of jewels and began shoveling dragon-sized handfuls into his bag.

“He won’t even miss this stuff,” you heard the dragon mumble to himself. “Asshole doesn’t deserve this treasure anyway.”

Seeing that this stranger was hardly a loyal subject of the dragon king who had claimed you as his mate, you sat as still as you possibly could, hoping that he would leave without ever noticing you. When the dragon gave a sudden sniff and stiffened though, you knew that it was too late. He had caught your scent.

“Well, well, well,” the dragon chuckled, turning around quickly for something so large, “what do we have here? A pretty little human that the mighty dragon king Endeavor is saving for a midnight snack, one flavored with the scent of another world?” Pinned under the dragon’s piercing blue stare, you weren’t sure if it would be better for you to correct him or to stay silent. But he didn’t give you the chance to choose, not when he noticed the all of the jewelry that you were practically drowning in, jewelry that all bore Enji’s scent.

“Oh, not a meal at all then. A new little mate for his shithead majesty. I guess I can expect you to tell him exactly what happened while he was gone then.”

“Not at all,” you answered in a sudden moment of inspiration. “Go right ahead, I won’t tell him shit.”

“Oh really? And why should I believe you?” he scoffed.

“Because I’m hardly a fan of Enji,” you said, lifting up your shackle for the dragon to see.

“So he’s picked another less than willing mate,” the dragon growled. “That seems to be a habit with him.”

“Yeah, so, anything I can do to get back at him in some way, I’ll try.”

“A human after my own heart, and such a cute one too. I’m Dabi; what’s your name, sweetheart?”

Telling him your name, you pointed over towards the shining golden throne just a few yards away. “You know,” you told him, “if you really want to piss Enji off, pull off that sapphire on the head of the throne.”

Tilting his head in contemplation, searching for any sign of a lie or a trick in your eyes, Dabi bared his pointed teeth in what you assumed was supposed to be a smile before moving towards the throne, running his dark claws over it cautiously. When he finally deemed it safe, Dabi scratched at the sapphire, only to realize that his claws were too large and unwieldy for the task. Too curious now to just give up, Dabi shook off his draconian form, growing smaller, his wings retracting, and scales vanishing until he stood before you as a human. Even in this form, his scorched scales were still present, only now as wide-reaching burn scars covering his otherwise pale skin. Despite that, or perhaps because of it, you had to admit that Dabi made a handsome man. As if he could sense your thoughts, Dabi turned back to face you for a moment, winking at you with a smirk.

Once he successfully pulled out the sapphire, Dabi stayed silent for a moment, staring at the signet ring that had fallen into his hand. You were an extraordinary human, weren’t you? Dabi wasn’t impressed easily, but your move had left him with no choice. Chuckling to himself, he turned back around, stalking towards you with his long leather jacket flowing menacingly until he was towering over you, gazing at you with amusement and something darker in his eyes.

“Now that’s ballsy,” he grinned. “You’re certainly something, aren’t you?”

“I’d hope so,” you said, trying your best to smile back confidently at him. “Seeing how I’ve helped you out, what do you think about returning the favor?”

“Depends, what could a pampered little pet possibly want from me?”

“I want you to get me out of these shackles and fly me out of Enji’s territory,” you answered.

“That’s all? You don’t want me to help you find your way home?” Dabi asked, quirking an eyebrow.

“I didn’t think you could help me with that. Can you?”

“I’m afraid not,” he sighed exaggeratedly. “I am more than happy, however, to get you out of the territory of a dragon so undeserving of you.”

With that, Dabi grasped the golden chain of your shackle, and a moment later, both his hand and the chain were wreathed in searing blue flames, melting the metal until it dripped onto the floor, freeing you from the cave wall. Nearly laughing in relief, you failed to notice the flash of greed in Dabi’s eyes as he stared you, the way he so tightly grasped your remaining chain.

“Thank you so much!” you gasped in wonder. “Do you think you could get rid of the rest of the chain and the shackle around my ankle?”

“I don’t have control that fine,” Dabi lied smoothly.

“Okay, that’s fine. I’m just glad to be able to move again.”

“I’m sure you are. Now we should get going, there’s no telling when Endeavor will be back.”

“Right,” you agreed. “You can just fly me to the forest east of here. That’s where I came into this world, so I might be able to find my way home from there.”

Rather than nod in understanding as you expected him to, Dabi simply scoffed coldly, reaching out to rest his hand on the back of your neck and pull you close, so that you were pushed up against his chest.

“Oh, but that wasn’t the deal, sweetheart. I said I’d fly you out of Endeavor’s territory, I didn’t say shit about where I’d take you instead.”

“What are you talking about? Where the hell are you going to take me?”

“You’re just far too fascinating to be wasted on Endeavor or on whatever backwater realm you came from. You need a real male to take care of you,” Dabi purred in your ear. “And I think I’m just the guy for the job.”

Before you could even attempt to run, Dabi was shifting back into his dragon form, his unwieldy claws wrapping around you tightly, leaving you without even an inch to move. He wasn’t about to make the same mistake as Enji, Dabi thought to himself, he wouldn’t leave you with even the slightest freedom, the slightest chance to escape. And so, Dabi ran out of the cave, leaping from the mountain ledge and unfurling his wings, flying away with you securely trapped in his claws.

           Whimpering, you closed your eyes so that you wouldn’t have to look at the fatal drop that awaited you if Dabi suddenly changed his mind, though that couldn’t block out the sensation of the wind whipping around you.

           “Take a good look, sweetheart, cause this is the last of the outside world you’re gonna see for a very long time,” Dabi roared above the wind. Before you could try to answer though, before you could even decide what kind of answer you wanted to give, another roar met your ears, one that sounded awfully familiar.

           Twisting around as best you could while grasped in Dabi’s claws, you spotted a familiar crimson mass flying towards you, growing exponentially larger by the second. Your current captor saw Enji too though, and as the dragon king dove for the thief who had dared to claim his most precious treasure as his own, Dabi swerved out of the way, taking advantage of his more lithe form, and called out behind him, “Careful, now, Endeavor. Another move like that and you might just hurt my mate.”

           “Give me my mate back now,” Enji thundered, “and I will let you live.”

           “Oh, but what’s even the point of living if I no longer have my mate?” Dabi laughed, gripping you even tighter as he flew lower, almost skimming the treetops of the forest.

           “This is your last warning!”

           “You think I give a shit about your warnings?” he yelled. “I never do, and I care about them even less when I’ve got such a beautiful little treasure to carry home.”

           At those words, all restraint that Enji had was broken, and he barreled into Dabi at full force. The loosening of Dabi’s claws was inevitable then, though he still roared in fury as soon as he felt you leave his grip. With the momentum pushing him and Enji away though, neither dragon was able to catch you as you fell towards the trees, your mind giving way to darkness.

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