#so much more spite went into this that was not solved at all by the 205 panel of the seba bros and tora in the computer lab

[aeclectick]

bringing an undecorated body bag to girls’ night is so last week (3880 words) by anattemptatalliteration Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Sakamoto Days (Manga) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Nao Toramaru & Seba Mafuyu, Seba Mafuyu & Seba Natsuki Characters: Seba Natsuki, Nao Toramaru, Seba Mafuyu, Kaji Jouichirou Additional Tags: Missing Scene, Canon Era, Developing Friendships, Humor, Character Study, Assassin Exhibition of the Century (Sakamoto Days) Summary:

“Oh, you didn’t explode,” Mafuyu said with all the dignity he could muster while actively juggling his makeshift crutches to avoid touching the axilla bars with his bare hands. Natsuki had been about to suggest he tear off a strip of his shirt to cover them, given that he’s sanitized and touched that fabric already, but then they were interrupted by some indistinguishable chirping noises, which turned out to be the young teenage girl Sakamoto had brought over. A young teenage girl assassin. Natsuki had almost been fooled by the baggy museum T-shirt she was wearing, but her stance couldn’t be anything other than elite assassin training.

Despite suboptimal operating conditions and equipment, a minimally invasive surgical procedure was successfully completed to extract a bomb by surgeon Seba Natsuki and surgical assistants Seba Mafuyu and Kaji Joichiro. Luckily for them, the patient, Nao Toramaru, doesn't know how to file a medical malpractice suit.

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

A Touch of Sweetness 7

Warnings: non/dubcon, mentions of crime, and other dark elements. My username actually says you never asked for any of this.

My warnings are not exhaustive but be aware this is a dark fic and may include potentially triggering topics. Please use your common sense when consuming content. I am not responsible for your decisions.

Character: mob!Loki Laufeyson

Sister series to mob!Thor

Summary: you make a new friend, but that’s not all. (short reader)

As usual, I would appreciate any and all feedback. I’m happy to once more go on this adventure with all of you! Thank you in advance for your comments and for reblogging ❤️

The cafe is not very busy. You’re relieved. It’s been a strange morning. Jada offered to make you coffee. After last night, her kindness is even more suspicious. It’s not like her to do anything without a motive. 

You sit and mull her sudden change in attitude. There’s only one thing’s that changed that makes any sense. This is about Thor! She knows you went berry picking with him and then you went to his house. She recognised him before you did and even now, you don’t really know too much about what makes him so famous. 

Jada always said she hated having you as her hanger-on. That she couldn’t wait to be rid of you. She’s only jealous because you made a friend better than any of hers. That has to be it. Mystery solved! 

You’re not stupid enough to tell her off to her face. If anything, your sister is spiteful. Maybe, just for now, you’ll accept her little favours. After all, for as mean as she’s been, you deserve a bit of peace. And she’ll deserve the tiny taste of vengeance when you don’t let her use you to get close to Thor. 

You stare out the window, one hand on your mug, a cinnamon latte dolloped in cream, and your other under your chin. It’s not a bad day out. Sunny. It takes you back to the gazebo and the birds. You wonder what Queenie’s doing. Should you message her? You don’t want to smother her. 

“Pardon, is this seat taken?” The silky timbre brings you upright in your chair. 

A smile breaks across your face, “Loki! What are you doing here?” 

His cheek ticks, “may I sit?” 

“Oh, of course,” you pull your mug closer. 

He lowers himself into the seat across from you. He has a paper cup in hand, black coffee darkening the interior. He sniffs and looks down his nose at your drink. 

“What is that monstrosity?” 

“Cinnamon bun latte!” You explain. “It’s delicious.” 

“Full of sugar,” he girds. 

“I don’t like bitter coffee,” you grimace. 

“Then you don’t like coffee,” he rebukes. 

“Not really. I’m aware of my caffeine addiction,” you shrug. “I’m so happy to see you. What are the odds?” 

His green eyes flick dulcetly to your face, “it is not by chance. My brother’s... companion requires company.” 

“Queenie?” You brighten up. He nods and hums. “Oh, I was just thinking of her.” 

“How convenient,” he slithers. 

Silence swells between you. You sip your latte to stave of the tension as he watches. His gaze is intense, it makes you want to melt. You know he’s judging you. 

You touch your nose, “do I have cream?” 

One corner of his mouth curves, “no cream.” 

“Mm, okay,” you pout. 

“You don’t happen to be hiding from your sister? Did she cause you more trouble?” He wonders as his eyes narrow. 

“Jada? No, she’s been... weird.” 

“Hm,” he nods. “Would you prefer to stay and finish or shall we be on our way?” 

“Oh, uh, if you’d rather go now, sure,” you stand and knock the table. The latte tips and splashes your shirt and pants. 

You pick it up but too late. Most of it is gone and you’re soaked. Loki moves so quick, you think he’s running away in humiliation. He simply swipes up a handful of napkins from the counter and returns to you. You thank him as you take a few and dab at your clothing. 

“I can be so clumsy,” you mope. “Sorry.” 

“Are you burned?” He leans over you as he watches you sop up the mess. 

“No, I’m okay. There was so much sugary cream that it wasn’t very hot,” you look up at him with a grin. His brows draw together at your joke. 

“Mm, you are clever when you want to be. Would you like a replacement before we’re off?” 

“No, it’s fine. I think maybe the universe agrees with you. I don’t need it.” You take more napkins and press them to the fabric until you’re mostly dry. 

“I could drive you to your home if you require a change.” 

“That’s a lot of back and forth. I’ll survive a bit of damp clothing.” 

“It will stain, won’t it?” 

You look down at the floral fabric and the matching purple pants. It might but you’ll just be with Queenie. She won’t mind. 

“Just clothes,” you shrug. 

He clucks, “very well, I suppose.” 

He brushes by you and wipes off the table top. The smell of cinnamon stirs with your efforts. A barista approaches with a roll of paper towel. 

“Here,” she smiles, “we’re making you a new drink.” 

“What? You don’t have to,” you take the roll. “Thank you.” 

“Of course. You’re here all the time.” She says, “don’t worry too much, we have a mop. We can get the rest.” 

“Oh, uh, thanks, again,” you babble. 

She goes back to the counter and you turn back to Loki as he watches her goes. He wears a pensive expression. “You make rather a lot of friends wherever you go.” 

“Friends? She’s just being nice,” you say. “Like me. I try to, anyway.” 

He says nothing and bunches up the wet napkin. He opens his hand to take yours and you give them over. He takes them to the bin and dumps them. You gather up your purse and empty cup and follow. You drop it in as they call your name at the counter. 

You go over and take your new drink, “thank you so so much.” 

“Have a good day,” the barista trills. 

You grin and turn to Loki as he takes his cup from the table and meets you at the door. He opens it for you and you thank him. You bop toward your house and he huffs. 

“Wrong way,” he reproaches. 

You stop and turn back to him, “oops. Habit. Oh, I see your car.” You point past him and scurry over. “Did I tell you how much I love that colour? Green is such a... regal colour, don’t you think?” 

“Regal?” He echoes. 

“Oh sure; jade, forest, emerald, even citrine has a certain vibe.” 

“Vibe...” he drawls. 

“Oop, I’m sorry, I’m rambling again. I know you prefer silence.” You touch your mouth apologetically. “I’ll zip it.” You pretend to turn a key and put it in your pocket.  

You peek over at his slightly less agitated expression. Jada is sometimes mean for no reason but she is right that you talk a bit too much. You smile and he turns his attention to the path ahead. 

“I don’t mind conversation,” he says. “So long as it isn’t inane.” 

[tothepointofinsanity]

Is there any actual way for sayaka to grow as a magical girl while still keeping her mental composure ... Even her abilities encourage her to act recklessly. Sayaka's peak state would probably just be her tanking every attack with her healing while constantly being in a state of dissociation to block the pain. Unless her pain tolerance starts growing the more she fights until only severe injuries actually impact her. Still, it's unfair :c

(love your art and how you interpret her btw!)

Hello, firstly, thank you for the kind words of support and assurance ^_^ And thank you for taking your time out to write this letter to me.

Second, to address the question, I think that the phrase “grow as a magical girl” and “keeping her mental composure” are two separate but intersecting issues. The issue perpetuated by being a magical girl in MadoMagi is that it is rather systemic. Putting aside the blessings granted by the Law of Cycles, magical girls grow in experience, but not necessarily in their strength or invincibility (i.e Homura rewinding time made her more familiar with fighting, but it didn’t make her powerful enough to take down Walpurgisnacht, rather, she set off different timelines that contributed to Madoka’s power[1]). Sure, running around fighting witches makes you more athletic, but that isn’t tied to how much magic you can or know how to use, due to how each magical girl’s powers (the elusive nature of magic itself) are tied to the nature of their wishes, so most of that potential power rests on pre-contract. The most upward growth we observe in magical girls terms of their proficiency is mostly reliant on how good they are at fighting each other, how quickly they dispatch witches, and how effectively they polish their soul gems.

Addressing that alone already lands Sayaka in an unpleasant spot. Using magic automatically clouds your soul gem overtime, requiring you to clean it using a grief seed. However, Sayaka obviously views grief seeds as a product born from exploiting innocents and thus rejects their usage, but the magic system is uncompromising — you have to clean your soul gem in order to use magic more effectively again, as well as having the taint absorbed away by the grief seed. This magic system generally corners magical girls to constantly witch-farm (depleting even more magic) or risk the end of their life cycle and begin as witches themselves, so it is the system itself that is exploitative regardless of how much Sayaka adjusts her mentality.

Sayaka is most effective when she turns her mind off and just goes against the river like some kind of machine, but that would still accelerate her despair and doesn’t remove the mechanism that she has to clean her soul gem, something she refused to do. Disassociating throughout the whole day to ignore the other problems simmering around her would still compound her down the line, as we’ve seen in the episodes. In fact, things went from Bad to Worse after she started disassociating more frequently. ＿|￣|○

In a way, it’s just reshuffling the equation instead of solving it, because she was never meant to grow in spite of learning to gather her strength. Not until a new component is added to the equation that allowed this, which is thematic to the overwhelmingly bleak outlook of the show’s set-up and how to go about from there.

[1] As a side note, I do wonder in some way if all that dial-back by Homura with Sayaka’s grief scattered in these timelines ultimately leaked into the present one to take her out as soon as possible since it would be a kind of negative debt parallel to Madoka’s, which tightens her fate more and more because her self-destruction has occurred so many times that it’s etched into her “destiny”. Narratively Assured.

And you’re right, her abilities do allow for riskier combat styles compared to other magical girls. When fighting Holy Mami, she doesn’t even flinch at the fact that she’s holding back a nuclear blast because her hand regenerates the second it becomes loose from her arm. She’s a berserker fighter for sure, but without a strong support, she goes down very quickly.

[the-real-rain-world-confessions]

I love Five Pebbles. He's like, the best and most developed character of the entire game. His growth happens across the entire timeline, yet they manage to write him consistently and I can't help but love that.

He used to have a 'young and reticent mentality in the past.' But he grew past that. He's fully-fledged iterator with his own real struggles spurted by the trauma of his situation. He even is embarassed of his younger self's clumsiness. He criticizes his old "poorly-done work" even when he was just young and he didn't knew much things anyway. (Viridian Pearl from Garbage Wastes; FP's reading) I like to think he probably made a lot of technical goofs in the past?

Anyway, his own creation sparked a huge controversy which left him, unfortunately, stuck in the middle of it. The citizens that were against him coming into being walked all over him as if he didn't have work to do. But some others loved him and brought him gifts. He unironically preferred more the citizens that despised him because they brought him puzzles for him to solve and, even when they probably did it out of spite because they underestimated his intelligence, atleast he wasn't dealing with "the endless rituals and pleasantries of the monks of his own Houses which he found to be the most wearisome of all." (Pale Green pearl in The Exterior; FP's reading)

And he used to argue about old methodologies for global ascension, which he realizes now that they had a lot of holes. This kind of defiant and young mentality stuck to him for a while because, even when you are born with the knowledge of the world at your fingertips, it wouldn't make you good at your job if you are young and unexperienced, which Pebbles was. Also NSH went through that "phase" as well, as he describes: it seems to take "many iterations for our worldviews to change" (Source from one of The Spearmaster's broadcasts)

It's not until he meets Suns that he started to change. He learns about SoS, which became a huge part of Pebble's life and influenced a lot of his theories. (Viridian Pearl from GW again; FP's reading) Which, funnily enough, Moon herself doesn't quite agree with these type of theories about SoS's fate and she thinks she should be allowed to rest in one of her essays. (Pale Yellow pearl from Shoreline; Moon's reading)

He joins anonymous groups under the pseudonym EP: "Erratic Pulse" which is literally one replaced word away from "FP". He begins to shed his resilient mentality in order to learn and grow, and he ends up throwing most of his old theories out of the window. And new ones develop too.

He thinks death is the solution. That they only had to surpass the taboos to achieve ascension, which he believes is what SoS did. However most, if all, iterators didn't believe ascension was possible for them because they are not built to ascend like their creators. But he believed they had to shed that perception of reality. But they were 'too deep in theory and tradition' to believe him. This made him massively misunderstood in those groups and perhaps even in the local. Because nobody, not even his local group apparently, understood his theories. And the only iterator that seems to think equally the same as him, seems to have gone off their rocker. Which makes him look bad. It's not a good look at all. (Read Dark Purple pearl and Dark Blue pearl both from Sky Islands; FP's reading. Very important for the next points.)

Case and point; this whole broadcast (Dark Blue pearl: Moon's reading, by the way)

"NGI: SLIVER OF STRAW WAS A TRAITOR TO THE CAUSE

NGI: SLIVER OF STRAW BROKE THE SELF-DESTRUCTION TABOO

UU: How did this idiot get in here? Kick them out ~

NGI: <Forcefully removed from group>

EP: I think they had a point.

UU: Hahaha really? Elaborate!"

He only had… Suns, who eventually becomes a close friend and a mentor to him. He really looked up to them because he knew they trusted him. It's not like he says Suns understood his theories, now pointing out this very specific wording in the Dark Green pearl of Sky Islands: "None of them understood my theories, but Suns, they trusted me." Makes me thinks Suns was the only one who seemed to support him.

It seems like, to me, he may have some issues with trusting others. One broadcast I think empathizes my past point a little more clearly is this one: The Dark Purple pearl from Sky Islands. Which should also be read fully to understand where I come from. It's only when you bring this pearl to him as The Artificer, when he goes into a full blown mini-rant. (He was right to blow some steam off about THAT) He feels awfully disappointed they couldn't understand. Because it's very interesting to me… how he doesn't say anything else in that broadcast. His only comment is a, probably worried, "where did you hear this?". Then he's overshadowed by NSH's open mocking of his anonymous persona. Then it's at the end lf the rant when he… deflates because he realises you might not even understand what he even is saying to you.

I still think it's pretty damaging to hear the blatant disrespect and distrust, especially from nearby leers. Because it seemed to be that, as Chasing Wind mentioned, that he only listened to Suns and a 'few others'. And we know that Suns is the only one who trusted him with his theories.

Also, their friendship/mentorship makes me so sad. Because Seven Red Suns, as much as they tried to push Pebbles away (because too bad this is the kind of love Pebbles is used to), eventually also came to appreciate how Five Pebbles still stayed with them until the end: "The fact is, he really looked up to me. As much as I gave him a hard time, that's not something I took lightly."

Because really, SRS was lightly teasing in their, sadly, only canon conversation. (That isn't via pearl) althought it's probably Suns making friendly teasing something trivial to further their self-hate , I think I'll take it at face value. I'd like highlight it here:

"FP: I'm tired of trying and trying. And angry that they left us here. The anger makes me even less inclined to solve their puzzle for them. Why do we do this?

SRS: Yes, I'll spell this out - not because you're stupid or naive… Also, not saying that you're not ~

FP: Please, I'm coming to you for guidance."

On another point, he is also frustrated about the iterator's pointless work and he wishes to escape this 'maze' as much as he wants others to find their way out eventually. And because there was nothing to do to convince them, he attempted to self-destruct to try and prove a point, because it seemed the only way to get them to understand. Because it seemed the only way to convince them was by proving himself. Not only that, but it was also a mix between his own frustration and desperation and desire to help himself. AND the others aswell.

Then he tries with the methods given from the pearl by Suns. He ends up speeding the process out of desperation, and eventually came the forced broadcast at that almost fated moment. He fumbled it so hard it gave him some sort brain Rot.

Either way, He says he hates the "benevolent gift" he received from Suns but that's not true. He knows, and appreciates the efforts and risks they took to give him the pearl. He lashed out at them because they were the least iterator he wanted to confront him about his mistakes. "And I hurt them" I really cannot take that as anything other than than raw, extreme guilt. (Dark Green pearl from Sky Islands; FP's transcript)

Because he couldn't even understand why he got so angry. He regrets deeply what he has said, and he wishes to speak to them again. But for all he has said and done, he cannot imagine Suns would want to talk to him anymore. What makes this even more tragic is that SRS didn't exactly gave up either, they wanted to try and make another messenger, to reach out to him again. But they felt unable too. Now, in The Artificer campaign, he's trying his best to fix his mistakes, and he wants to recover. (Same pearl from above) But he never recovered. Take into account this is all said in The Artificer's campaign, which is very on par with The Spearmaster's timeline. So it didn't took him long for him to understand.

And for Moon, even when he us upset for her interruption, he does care deeply for her. And he regrets what he has done, but since he can't go back after everything, the irrepearable damage… Because in his attempts to fix himself was also done to fix her aswell. Because they knew they would be both doomed if he didn't try to reverse the rot's effects. Desperation made him think it was the only way and that he could do it himself. (Olive Green pearl from Sky Islands; FP's reading) Now he hopes the collapse of the bridges between them managed to stop The Rot spreading to her.

Because he doesn't wish for her to face the consequences of his actions, he doesn't want her to rot. He does not hate her. Nor he seems to push the blame on her because he knows these are HIS mistakes to endure. The sad thing is that this sort of martydom is not helping him... (Deep Green pearl from Metropolis; FP's reading)

And after Moon's collapse, he says he has tried for ways to help Moon. But since The Rot is impending him to do so, he can only find ways for that very big problem for now. An attempt to try to reverse, or even slow it. But he knows Moon needs all the help she can get. It is why he is determined to help The Hunter, and encourages them on their quest and even praise them for their nobility. Now citing, FP's direct dialogue with The Hunter:

"I am not without responsibility for her situation. It would only be suiting that I aided in this... rescue mission. As other endeavors have proven futile, I'm not ashamed to admit I've become more invested in day to day matters."

I was not a medical facility even when the equipment was functioning, but I will attempt to do something to buy you a little time.

You do not have much time. It is admirable what you choose to do with it.

Send my regards."

"In the latter case, I hope it was of some help to her. Not that I can imagine what one of you could be able to do for one of us, but she needs all the help she can get."

Now, the only sort of 'companions' he has are the random wild slugcats that somehow manage to make their way into his facility. He is curious about how they communicate, but he wants them out and away from his work. Because it is not exactly pleasant to 'have a rodent run over your desk as you work'... Although, he still wishes to help you and gives you the unimaginable gift. Iterators are supposed to help the collective, so he might have been bending the rules a bit, even for a temporary solution for you. He painfully knows everything won't matter at the end but he still wishes to help you. He wants to help himself too.

He says he is god-like to the lesser beings yet he mentions he feels as trapped as they do. He relates and sympathizes with The Hunter and even goes his way to give them extra cycles for them to make their way to The Void Sea so they can escape their sickness, and even when he is persistent of wanting Hunter to leave, he is only worried because he knows they do not have unlimited time.

He helps The Gourmand reunite with their colony by opening the exterior gates for them. He helped both Survivor and Monk by indirectly causing their reunion at the end of the base game or DLC, wherever at the tree in Outer Expanse or by ascending. He is okay with playing pretend with The Artificer as if they were his citizen, and he gives them a place to stay. He put his trust, for the very first time, on a stray slugcat to help him tend to his structure. He gives Rivulet instructions on how to get the rarefaction cell to give it to Moon. He had put his fate on the hands of small beasts atleast two times. (And he doesn't even realize it with Artificer).

And for the fun traits: He is a nerd for his now-gone citizen's history, music and art. And although he mentions his kind doesn't focus on those aspects, he stills decides to have a fondness for them anyway. He's sarcastic but it comes across as funny. If he had a mouth and he could eat he would like cup ramen and hot pockets. He likes the light of his chamber shining through the diamond sphere you can bring to him. He is angry at the scavengers for destroying ancient history for the sake of 'shiny trinkets'. He is a little hater to a crude art from a child. He thinks the ancients rituals were silly. If you bring him a picture of monks doing odd poses he will say he thinks it's funny. He has many of ancient farmer-poet Pel's works archived. He relates to a silly little painting of five bottles of water standing upon a surface of filter feeding plants. He thinks Twenty-One Spokes of a Stone Wheel was a "true visionary". He misses the old days. He misses his citizens. He misses Suns and Moon, but he thinks he can't be forgiven for what he did.

It's only at the end of everything, where he is at the last of his generators, that he realizes that he did not have to go through this alone. But it's already too late. Then there is Moon, the person he has tried to avoid all the time. And they both had changed so much, that they find solace in eachother. Alone, at the end of the world.

And all of this development happened in one single game and one DLC. And he is not even the protagonist, because you play as a small animal! In the game, he is portrayed as this distant, powerful being that you need to visit to allow you to progress. New players would never know that this guy has single-handedly the most fucked up lore in the game. Love him.

...It is impossible to agree with everything I just said. But, please, if you think FP is as stuck-up as people think, please read his own reading's on the pearls. I beg you…

.

[virgil-630]

How do I live with myself now

I am seeping through the ground

Shame pulls and I sink like a stone

I am nowhere, I am home

I decided this year to get my shit together and start dumping all my lore posts on the internet, so below are some rambling notes on Gabriel's childhood and his friendship with Laura

I have a couple more texts in my stash, which I will try to edit and post in the near future

Tip Commission info

So, Gabriel is 16 and it is the moment when he, together with his brother and mother, have to move from their hometown because of the aggravation of the situation on the border, near which they live at that time, and the divorce of his parents very "timely", actually partly provoked by the situation in the world

And they move to the other side of the border, to the north, because their mother's relatives live there.

The father of the family stays in the south and for obvious reasons the connection with him is cut off for a long time for the brothers. They will re-establish contact much later during the freezing of the conflict, but it will be mostly relevant for Michael than for Gabriel

I haven't written about this anywhere before, but a small note on how to understand the protagonist's homeland

All characters in the so-called north, the setting of the main events of the story, have Hungarian and sometimes German names. Gabriel and his brother have double names and, as you can see, quite an English surname. This is because, despite their mother's roots, she never planned to return to her homeland before the divorce with her husband, and her relationships with the family were always strained.

As I have already written religion played for her much more importance than the past life, which she sincerely hated, so she named the children in honor of the archangels, the father in turn chose the usual names for the area where they lived

All this led to the fact that when the brothers moved, they did not even know the local language, because no one taught them. Because of this, Gabriel still has an accent, but also due to the fact that he doesn't see much of it, and that he doesn't care to correct this issue.

Laura, Gabe's childhood friend. They met when they were both 12. Before the incident.

It's important to know that they were both odd kids, unspokenly excluded from the community. The Gabe's family's roots and religiosity, foreign to the South, also weighed in on the issue, as did Laura's transgender identity. Even though in the world of impressions it was treated much easier, but the girl's bad character scared away those few who wanted to socialize with her.

In this they are really similar. The only difference is that Laura perfectly solves the problems created by her sharp temperament and in principle likes to stay away from society, while Gab loves to create and increase these problems exponentially with her stubbornness. And this cocktail is perfectly combined with an incredible attraction to society and people, especially in his childhood years.

But in spite of this seemingly strange state of affairs the friendship was strong and a certain romantic element even began to flare up in it, but around that time everything went to the same place and the incident, the long recovery after it, and then the world situation together with the family situation became a strong obstacle to any development of these feelings.

[chokochip27]

genshin characters learning that you can fight (part 1)

| alhaitham, zhongli

part two

warning: blood, violence, reader is visionless and can be the polar opposite of the character (you share some similarities, of course), genshin charas may be ooc

ALHAITHAM

although the two of you were admittedly polar opposites, it was exactly that contradiction that made him fall in love with you.

to alhaitham, you were capable and trustworthy. you are not a scholar, you are a librarian and a normal citizen in sumeru. you help people with their stuff, travel through far distances safely and giving easy suggestions and solutions to problems that are hard to solve for others.

it's not like you can keep up with everything that he can do, considering that he has a mind that not everyone can easily understand, you are sometimes confused at the words that leave his mouth. but to him, that was completely fine. you were very eager to learn despite not being a scholar. and you knew that even if people had different ways of thinking, it was exciting to understand the thoughts behind it.

unlike him, you were considerate, always thinking of the people around you, how they would feel in a situation if you do something—no matter who you were with—a stranger, an acquaintance, a close friend—you treated everyone with kindness and decency.

you were also quiet. maybe that was the similarity you shared with him. you're not the type of quiet that isn't confident to speak, but you were just quiet because you didn't speak when it wasn't necessary.

you are also very gentle with the way you speak, you always spoke softly that people would mistaken you as weak and delicate.

in spite of the fact that your manners were demure and tranquil, you did not avoid people. in fact, you enjoy other people's company, but you're the type to listen to them.

to alhaitham, you were serene. you are a comfort he never knew he needed in his life. so when the two of you got together, the love he had for you got softer, still deep nonetheless.

instead of bringing blossoming butterflies and explosions in his stomach, instead of giving him wild blushes that would reach from his chest up until his ears—you made him feel warm and comforted. your existence alone to him was comfort.

alhaitham wanted to know everything about you. and probably because of that eagerness to know that he actually knows you better than you know yourself.

"haitham, it is rare for you to come to aaru village."

you were here because you are currently working on building a library in the village, so that the people in the desert can access to more books. he missed you, so he headed here. he did not know the exact location you were in and asked questions to the people he knew here. and since he already stayed here during the operation of saving lord kusanali, the people gladly helped him and he was able to reach you quickly.

a sporadic upturn imprinted on his lips as he gazed at you softly. he reached out, cupping your cheek and tilting his head slightly to meet your gentle eyes.

"certainly. but, you are here."

you simply smiled. "i am flattered that my lover has gone here just to see me," you said, leaning your head to alhaitham's chest. you breathed out, feeling the tiredness seeping in your veins to disappear at the mere contact with him. you felt his hand caressing your head and his free arm wrapping around your waist.

alhaitham leaned his cheek on top of your head and pecked your temple. "tired?"

"yes, but it's nothing that i can't handle. thank you."

"i see. why don't we go outside and get some fresh air?"

"great idea, let's go."

the two of you went outside and walked through the soft sands of the desert. alhaitham held your hand the entire time while you had your arm encircled on his. the little walk was quiet yet comforting. there was no awkwardness or tension at all. the two of you are not the type to converse that much and each others' presence were only needed to know that you love one another.

but all of that was disrupted by a scream.

"HELP!!!"

you and alhaitham were startled. without hesitation, you ran to the source with alhaitham obediently following you and guarding you in case that someone ambushed from behind.

you ran and in sight, there was a group of eremites. there were twelve people, ganging up on a single person. you were about to approach them to alleviate the situation, but alhaitham gripped your arm. you turned to him, worried for the person, but you stiffened after seeing the glare on his eyes.

"do not ever rush in. i'll handle it."

as soon as he said that, his sword went flying towards the eremites. he controlled it with his vision, making it seem like a boomerang. it hit the five eremites that were close to the person who was being hurt for no reason. they collapsed, earning the attention of the other eremites.

"who's there?!"

"the akademiya?!"

"get him!"

when the remaining eremites rushed to your lover, knowing that he could truly handle this, you calmly went to the person and cut the ropes that she was tied into. "are you alright? are there any injuries that i must take note of?"

the person shook her head. "i'm alright... j-just some gashes on my arms and legs."

"do not underestimate gashes, young lady." you tore a portion of the long skirt that you were wearing (it was clean, you made sure of it before going out) and wrapped it around the wounds that were visible to your eyes. "depending on the severity of those, you might have to get them stitched. you wouldn't want that, no? being stitched is painful," you told her.

the lady laughed at your tone. "i wouldn't... thank you for coming to my help."

you chuckled and shook your head. "i didn't do anything, after all, it was my lover who—" you were cut off by seeing the horrified look on her face. you inclined your head in confusion at her reaction and turned at the source of the shadow dawning before you. you turned, only to see a blade aimed to your head.

"miss!"

alhaitham heard the call and gritted his teeth to see you being confronted by an eremite. he kicked down one of his enemies and ran the fastest as he has ever been to reach you. "(y/n)!"

even though to the two—to alhaitham and to the person you were helping, that you were about to die—but to you, you were going to be fine.

it has been a while, you simply thought.

without a moment of hesitation, you reached for the small dagger sitting quietly on your thigh and sliced the outer skin of the eremite's whole arm with such intensity and accuracy. the eremite let out a scream of pain, however you stood unfazed and composed. you slid on the sand and kicked the eremite's legs, causing them to fall with a groan.

you saw another eremite approaching closely, they seemed startled at your stunt, so you took that advantage to run over them and elbow them in the face. you threw your dagger to the other eremite's blade that was coming up behind you and jabbed them on the front of their neck using your heel.

you didn't feel gazes of bloodlust anymore, so you stretched your arms carefreely in the middle of battle and thought that there weren't threats anymore.

you yawned out of exhaustion and lack of sleep. i haven't moved like that in a while, so it really is tiring, you thought.

"(y/n)!" you turned to the exclaim of your lover and were startled to feel arms wrapped around you. you tried to return his gesture, but before you could do, his hands were on your shoulder, and you could see could feel the slight shake in his body. you blinked at the unfamiliar expression on his face.

why does he look so scared...?

"be careful next time... you shouldn't have rushed in to help so quickly."

you nodded and patted his hand. "i will. thank you, haitham. and i'm sorry."

he pursed his lips and shook his head. "you... don't have to apologize. i'm just glad you're alright." he frowned. "i'm sorry for not being able to protect you."

you continued patting his hands. "don't apologize, haitham. it was my choice to get in the middle of the fight, so i will take responsibility for it. it's not your fault."

alhaitham let out a shaky sigh and nodded at your words. "alright." he backed away, but still held your hands in fear that you would disappear at any moment.

he could still remember everything that you did and he could only stand there in shock.

he thought he knew everything about you, but never did you mention or show skills that you could fight. you handled those eremites without a vision with such ease and effortlessness. he thought that you could never make him feel so erratic about love, but he admits that his heart beat wildly at the sight of you fighting against eremites like that. he could even feel his face heating up at the moment your gentle eyes glinted dangerously at your enemies with unbreakable focus.

he watched from behind as you helped out the injured lady and covered his face that was painted with a volatile color of pink, the scenes of you fighting against the eremites repeating in his head again and again.

he wished that you would never get into harm's way again, but at the same time, he secretly wishes that he can see you fight like that again.

"haitham? are you alright? are you not coming with us?"

"no. i'll be there."

his heart was still thumping loudly on his chest.

it was so different from the usual you that was so soft and tranquil.

he wanted to see that unexpected side of yours once more.

extra:

"where did you learn how to fight like that?"

"my father was a mercenary and i love watching him train at home back then, so he taught me along the way."

"father was a mercenary? i never would have thought... why did you never tell me though?"

"you're a genius, haitham, so i thought you knew."

"i didn't. you and your father never made it seem it like you knew how to fight like that."

"really?"

"yes. when we get home, please tell me more about yourself, so that i am prepared."

"prepared...? for what exactly?"

"my heart."

"???"

ZHONGLI

you are very much like zhongli, a chatterbox. but a more optimistic and cheerful version. you have a way of making other people comfortable. the atmosphere around you was extremely approachable and people wouldn't hesitate to talk to you simply because your company is easygoing to be with.

you have a way of telling stories. you use sound effects way too much and you make gestures with either your hands and arms. it was so funny and interesting to look and listen to you because your happiness was way too contagious.

if zhongli was polite, elegant, serious, and regal, you were the complete opposite of that.

you were a happy-go-lucky person and admittedly loud, but not in an irritating way. in fact that way you were loud brought joy to others. you laughed and smiled a lot, you talked a lot and you are quite the weird person, but that doesn't mean you were immature. you just knew how to have fun in life. that was your motto, 'for life to be as laidback and happy as possible'.

and probably, you know how to be serious when needed. probably.

zhongli didn't know when, but you easily made a way to his heart. just one moment, he was taking note of all of your habits. he was watching you all the time and his gaze followed you every single time you were close. to him, you were an enigma that he couldn't predict nor read. yet you were so endearing and loveable at the same time.

you worked as a deliverywoman. it actually suited you because of your jolly personality. you always greeted customers with enthusiasm and treated them as if you have been friends for a very long time. zhongli knew this since there are a lot of times that he comes with you during his free time.

you have been together for two years. yet there was never a time where zhongli hasn't seen you frown or be in a mood where you are sad. whenever you two are together in private, you are still the chatterbox and happy person he knew, just a little softer than the usual.

he was actually worried that you didn't express your sadness, but you told him to not worry as you told him that you don't remember the last time you have been sad. you were the type to always look at the bright side. he was glad that you aren't exhausted from being like that every single day.

from the thousands of years that he has been living in teyvat, he has never met someone like you. it may be an exaggeration, but he was telling the truth. and he was extremely glad to meet you. not to mention, to be together with you, entwined as lovers was an eternal bliss to him that he wouldn't trade for anything in the world. no contract would be able to break it.

today, the two of you were walking in guyun stone forest to delivery a package coming from a strange address. you told zhongli about this and he was worried since he didn't know if there were actual houses in guyun. because of this, he came with you.

"whoa! i've heard of stories from you, love, but i didn't expect guyun to be this... cool and so... wham!" your eyes were sparkling in excitement, causing your lover to smile affectionately. "although..." he hummed and pointed all his attention to you. "...it's swarming with monsters, haha!" you exclaimed, laughing at the hilichurls and ruin guards in the place. you even saw some abyss mages on top of the mountain.

zhongli chuckled. normally people would be scared, wouldn't they? you really are such an enigma. he wrapped his arm around your waist and told you, "indeed, so you have to stay close to me at all times."

"i will be protected by the god of contracts himself! my, what an honor!" you joked, poking his cheek. zhongli only chuckled more and leaned closer to you.

"what does the address say?"

"well... i actually wouldn't know since it only says at the corner of guyun." you sweatdropped and crossed your arms with a pout. "to whoever sent this, if this is a prank, i'll bonk you! there are so many corners yet you weren't specific at all! i love my job, but i would be having a date with my lover if weren't for this, you know!" you declared, your words only making your partner laugh.

you were ranting and your usually vigilant lover was going along with your antics, so you two didn't notice the large lawachurl approaching from behind.

zhongli heard the footsteps, wrapped his arm around you and immediately summoned his shield to protect the two of you. the lawachurl's fist stopped midair and you were left flabbergasted at the exchange, but you snapped out of your daze and jerked your head towards zhongli. his amber eyes were glowing a bright gold, yet you still couldn't help but be concerned for him.

under his protection, you cupped his cheek, asking in alarm, "li! are you alright?"

he blinked at your concern and smiled. "of course. why would you ask that, my beloved?"

you breathed out in relief and shook your head. "it's nothing..." you assured him and gripped his clothes tightly. you looked around, gulping at the swarm of lawachurls surrounding the two of you. can li really handle this...? you glanced at zhongli who was holding dominance over the lawachurl in front of him. i know he's a god, but... you sighed shakily at the number of ruin guards approaching you two. there are so many of them.

if only i could help him and lessen his burden... your eyes caught sight of an old great sword coincidentally laying on the ground. oh, speak of the devil, you thought and crouched down to hold it.

"(y/n), i will handle this, so please stay here." before he could even get your response, your figure ran past him.

zhongli has never felt so much fear in his life.

his heart dropped as he yelled your name, "(y/n)!"

he gritted his teeth and was about to chase after you, but he was stumped, stupefied beyond belief at what he saw.

you just sliced a lawachurl into half.

he stood there, stopped in his tracks as he watched you continue to evade the attacks of the monsters and cut their limbs, you effortlessly swung the claymore at them and defeat them in the blink of an eye. you were similar to him in a way. defeating opponents without even batting an eye.

as you fought, you were still wearing the smile he loves so much. the difference is the feeling behind it. unlike your normal smile that was filled with joy everyday, your smile right now was calm and confident as if you completely knew what you were doing and you weren't going to lose anytime soon.

a god like him has witnessed all sorts of phenomenon and events in this world, but never would he have thought to see his beloved partner—not to mention, you did not have a vision—defeating monsters so easily. you were just using pure strength to fight the lawachurls.

how come he didn't know anything about this? how come you never told him that you could fight this gallantly and professionally?

his mouth separated, gaze shimmering as he watched you in complete awe.

you didn't even need his help. your strength even rivaled those to who have visions, maybe you were even more powerful. that's how strong you were.

and that's exactly why he was just standing there. he was so enamored with you. he didn't even notice the slight blush that was covering his cheeks and the love swirling in his eyes.

why do you constantly do things that surprise him?

"li!" you called him, breaking him out of his bafflement. you grinned, throwing the package away and lifting the claymore easily with one hand. "come on! we gotta finish this, right?"

his eyes fluttered in confusion, but he quickly smiled and summoned his polearm.

"i suppose you're right."

he has fallen for you all over again.

extra:

"how in the archons' names were you able to do all of those things?"

"hm? didn't i mention that i was a former pirate, li?

"you mentioned that, yes, but... i thought you were responsible for cooking food."

"yeah! that's true! ohhh, i think i forgot to mention that i sometimes substituted for captain beidou if she had things to do! i've been friends with her for so long after all, so i eventually learned how to fight like boom, whack, fwam, too!"

"you never told me that..."

"awww, sorry! stop pouting at me like that! uwah—you're so cute!"

"you're cuter. and don't do such reckless things next time."

"yes, my lord!"

note: sorry, i just love characters that have a certain duality in them! like y'know, they change according to the situation and they're like a different person? holy moly, that's so hot. anyways, i hope you all enjoyed this! part two will be ayato and kazuha. idk when will i be able to write it, but hopefully, i can write it shortly after this. have a great day!

[snailmp3]

wip wednesday was yesterday, and i missed it, but i have the 1.5k first draft of the intro to my itafushi truth-curse done and i wanna share...

Yuuji presses his face firmly into his pillow, like maybe smothering himself will solve the problem he's currently dealing with.

He can hear Gojo and Nanami speaking in the other room, the latter probably explaining the situation and how much of a dumbass Yuuji is.

"—should have been paying closer attention." He hears Nanami say, "I take full responsibility for—"

Yuuji had been excited to take on another mission with Nanami, in spite of the last one ending poorly. Retrieving a cursed object from an old western-style church before it was torn down wasn't the most exciting plan for an outing, but the building was teeming with low-to-mid level curses for Yuuji to get some practice in with and he likes Nanami, so it still beat sitting around watching movies while Gojo was busy all day. Something low-stakes to release pent-up energy and get him out of the basement for some fresh air.

The mission went well too; the curses were mostly grade twos and threes, with a single grade one skulking about that he and Nanami made short work of. The hardest part was picking through the mess of loose papers and debris from the shelf Yuuji had accidentally knocked over during the fight, searching for the object they were there to retrieve. In the end Yuuji finds it by accident, nearly tripping over it while stepping over a broken peice of one of the tipped-over pew benches.

"Isn't it a little ironic that a holy book would become a cursed object?" Yuuji asks, looking down at the thing. A worn black cover stares back at him, it's edges crumpled, the gold embossing of a word on the front barely visible anymore.

"Holy objects and places are a common locus for curses and cursed energy." Nanami says from across the room, "Did you find it?"

"I know that," Yuuji says, "It still seems weird. Kinda funny, also."

He stoops to pick it up.

"Wait! Don't—"

Yuuji presses his face further into his pillow. Leave it to Nanami to take blame for Yuuji's mistake. Yuuji should know better than to just grab a cursed object without considering the effects it might have!

"Yuuji?" The call of his name is followed by a knock and then the door slowly opening. When Yuuji turns his head just enough to crack an eye open and look over he's greeted by the sight of Gojo poking his head into the room, "You alright?"

"Not really." Yuuji grumbles, turning his face back into the pillow.

Gojo laughs.

The bed dips when Gojo sits down next to him, and a finger starts repeatedly poking the back of his head.

"Yuuuuuuji~"

Yuuji props himself up on one elbow, swatting half-heartedly at the offending finger with the other, "Stop that!"

Gojo is grinning at him when he finally sits up all the way, "So you got cursed?"

"Yes." Yuuji maintains his frown, though it's hard to be upset when Gojo seems so unconcerned. Nanami didn't seem too worried about the curse either, which means it must not be that dangerous.Yuuji feels more embarrassed than anything. It's such a dumb mistake.

"Poor Yuuji." Gojo laments, "You've had quite the streak of bad luck."

"Sorry for causing more problems for you, Sensei." Yuuji says. This is just more complications on top of trying to keep him hidden from the higher ups. Sukuna is enough trouble on his own.

"Oh, don't worry about it! This is way more interesting than most of the things I usually have to deal with." Gojo waves off his apology, "I'm just glad it isn't anything worse— all things said, this curse is pretty harmless; no serious side effects aside from not being able to lie."

"That's a pretty big side effect, Sensei."

"You'll be fine!" Gojo taps his hand against something in his lap, and Yuuji notices he's holding the book, "This thing doesn't have enough power in it to really hurt you— physically, anyway."

"Should you be touching that?" Yuuji asks. He'd hate for Gojo to get cursed as well.

"Huh? Oh, Infinity protects me from stuff like this, I'm not really touching it at all."

"That sounds handy." Yuuji says, "I could have used something like that."

"A pair of gloves would have been enough." Gojo lilts, teasing, "It's really not a very strong curse."

He doesn't need to rub it in, "So you can break it?"

Gojo shakes his head, "Oh no, I can't do anything about it!"

"What?"

"You need to meet the conditions of the curse, and then it'll break on it's own."

"Aren't the conditions just that I can't lie?"

"And that if you're asked a direct question, you have to answer it." Gojo says, "But no, those are effects, the condition is that you have to reveal your biggest secret."

"My biggest secret?"

"Good news! I already know what Yuuji's biggest secret is!" Gojo holds his finger up between them, "It's that you're alive!"

That makes sense, Yuuji figures, given he doesn't really have any other big secrets that he's keeping. He's a bit of an open book. It does pose a problem though, and that's—

"But Sensei, I can't reveal that secret yet."

"Nope!"

"So I can't break the curse?"

"Not yet!"

"That… sucks." So what, he's just stuck with a curse making him tell the truth all the time until it's safe to reveal that he's still alive?"

"It's definitely not ideal," Gojo agrees, "But it's not so bad. What, does Yuuji have some secrets he'd rather not say?"

"Yeah!" Yuuji says, instead of the maybe he'd intended. Gojo looks interested, so he hastily adds, "Everyone has things they don't want to talk about, of course I have secrets."

Gojo hums, "This from the boy who will announce that he likes tall girls with big asses to strangers… what kind of secrets are you keeping, Yuuji?"

"I stole an adult magazine from the bookstore last time we went shopping." Is the first thing that pops into his head, "I keep it under my mattress." He can feel his face go hot.

Gojo pauses, like he's surprised Yuuji is telling him this, like he didn't trigger the curse on purpose. Then he laughs, delighted.

"Don't laugh!" Yuuji complains, turning to shove his face into his pillow again, "This is so embarrassing."

"Oh, don't be like that, it's normal for a teenager to do things like that!" His attempt to reassure Yuuji is hampered by the fact that he's still trying to suppress laughter, "I'll stop asking questions, okay? You can keep your secrets."

"Okay." Yuuji mutters, keeping his burning face buried in his pillow.

He hadn't even grabbed the magazine for indecent purposes, he'd just seen it while he was browsing and been caught off-guard by how much the man on the cover looked like Fushiguro. The pretty women posed with him barely registered to Yuuji, merely scantily-clad framing for a facsimile of his friend. Maybe the isolation was getting to him, and he was missing his classmates more than he thought, but Yuuji had grabbed it without a second thought and stuffed it inside his jacket.

He hasn't taken it out since he'd hastily shoved it under the mattress when they'd gotten back. In hindsight the man doesn't look that much like Fushiguro— his hair is too short and his eyelashes arent long enough.

"Hm, I guess since I didn't tell you that the curse activated on contact, this is partly my fault too. Whoops!" Gojo says cheerfully, "It'll be fine though."

"You're right." Yuuji realises.

"Of course! And at the Goodwill event, when we revea—"

"This is your fault!" Yuuji says, abruptly sitting up again, "All the cursed stuff I've seen so far was fine to hold! Even Sukuna's fingers don't do anything until I've eaten them! How was I supposed to know I shouldn't touch it if you didn't say anything!"

He's not really mad, but it is annoying for Gojo to have missed that important bit of information. He keeps forgetting to share things with Yuuji, and then being surprised when he doesn't know.

Gojo affects shock, holding his hands up in a placating motion, "Hey, hey, so Sensei forgot! It's not that big of a deal!"

"Sensei I got cursed!"

"And when we show everyone that you're still alive at the Goodwill event, the curse will break, and everything will go back to normal. Only a couple people even know you're still alive, and I'll tell them not to ask you any personal questions, so it's fine, right?"

"Right." Yuuji reluctantly agrees.

"You're not really mad, are you?"

"No." Yuuji sighs, "It's just embarassing." He has the niggling thought that this is the sort of thing that Sukuna would usually mock him for; he's been oddly quiet so far.

"Yuuji, it's a mistake anyone could make if they didn't have the right information," Gojo says, taking a more serious tone, "You really don't need to stress about it so much. I should have told you and Nanami should have kept a better eye on you."

"I'm not a kid that needs to be babysat…" Yuuji complains, "It's not Nanami's fault… or yours, it was just a mistake, like you said, right?"

"Yeah, Yuuji, it's fine." Gojo ruffles his hand through Yuuji's hair, "Enough moping, what do you want for dinner?"

[kawaiibunnora]

Top 10 Game Changer Episodes

In lieu of the recent WatchMojo video, Top 10 Best Game Changer Episodes, I feel like making my own top 10 Game Changer eps in spite of them. (fyi I will be grouping any repeating episodes into one unit. Ex: Sam Says, Sam Says 2, and Sam Says 3 would all count for "Sam Says")

10. Bingo The reason this episode makes it into my person top 10 is because of how many times I was caught off guard. The plot twist AFTER the plot twist made this episode such a fun watch. Also I love seeing the cast torture Brennan by making him "defend" Elon Musk /lh

9. Deja vu Everybody do the Wenis! The Wenis is a dance. Everybody is a genius who knows it in advance! This episode has such a great cast and the reoccurring bits were so fun. I loved how they started bribing Brian to stay quiet, and I'm personally just a huge sucker for time loops (one of my favorite games is In Stars and Time)

8. Yes or No Do I even need to explain this one? Just go watch the clip if you dont know why this is here. Look up "Brennan Lee Mulligan monologue" and you'll understand why this episode is in the top 10. The only reason the episode isnt any higher is because the bulk of the episode is pretty forgettable.

7. Second Place Another Brennan monologue!!! Honestly, If Brennan stares into the camera and monologues for a solid minute or two, that episode is guaranteed to be in the top 10, but, what puts this episode above Yes or No is the episode itself. The cast is so full of life and passion, and Brennan's consistent philosophy throughout the whole episode makes it one of the greats.

6. Don't Cry I have been a Dropout member for 2-ish years now. When I first became a member, I binge-watched all of Game Changer. Or at least I thought I did. It wasn't until a few weeks ago that I saw someone mention Don't Cry and I had no idea what episode it was. So I went back, watched the episode, and was in tears by the end of it. Not only is the episode a beautiful gesture for an amazing writer and comedian, but every word spoken felt genuine, which made the entire episode so much more impactful.

5. A Game Most Changed Every single Dropout cast member is extremely talented, but not once have I seen an improve show as breathtaking and skillful as A Game Most Changed. The amount of skill and talent that is required to improvise an entire Shakespearean play while being thrown those curveballs- the insane coordination between the three actors, with each setting the others up for points. Despite playing for points, the cast frequently set up the others to succeed, favoring storytelling over winning. Absolutely beautiful.

4. Escape The Backroom Pure, unadulterated entertainment. Watching 3 grown adults go ape shit trying to solve puzzles and escape an escape room while unsubtly threatening their captor. Brennan, Lou, and Siobhan have such good chemistry as a team, leading to some of my all-time favorite Game Changer clips. The creation of an entire story for the escape room was inspired, and Sam's switch at the end was just the cherry on top.

3. Sam Says Whenever I have a friend over and I want to show them one Game Changer episode to represent EVERYTHING that Game Changer can be, I show them Sam Says. Each episode has an amazing cast that bounces off each other, and each episode continues to surprise and delight me. Personally, I think Sam Says 2 is the best, but all 3 are fun, high-energy, and insane. Perfect for comedy television.

2. Survivor The tension. The trust. The drama. The betrayal. And, most importantly, the funnies. These episodes have it all and more! In a game where relationships ARE the game, we, as the audience, get invested in each player. And as Brennan seemingly schemes and plots his way to victory, Lou manages to rival Brennan and best him in a game of trust and loyalty. Survivor truly shows what Game Changer can be, and as we see in later seasons, the show keeps evolving from there.

1. Make Some Noise Season 1, Episode 2. SEASON 1, EPISODE 2. Clipped so much that it got it's own show which is now clipped even more. The reason many people sign up for Dropout (and for good reason), this episode puts 3 of the most talented comedians in a space to just be funny. These episodes not only contain some of the best Game Changer moments, but they contain the best Dropout moments, the best impressions, and the best jokes I've ever heard. It's no wonder that these episodes got spun-off into its own show, which is now one of the primary advertisements for Dropout in the form of YT shorts. Brennan, Zac, and Josh are all so talented in drastically different ways, and by putting all three together, something magical happens. Make Some Noise is the gateway into all of the amazing content on Dropout. It is the best episode of Game Changer without a doubt. Season 1, Episode 2, Game Changer, Dropout.tv.

[darkdevasofdestruction]

Hi, I really like your Spirit Hunter Headcanons! I saw you wrote one for NG with the guys reacting to reader getting hurt. Is it alright if I request a version of that but with the Death Mark characters?

I've got you~ And I'm very happy to see more Death Mark/NG requests <3

・┆✦ʚ Mashita Satoru ɞ✦ ┆・

🚬 One would think Satoru is the most apathetic of the bunch, but in reality, his sense of justice and moral compass are still up there.

🚬 At his core, he will always be a policeman, and any wrong-doing will anger him internally.

🚬 He has lost everything during the Honey Bee Cult case, when his mentor was killed, and he got so close to the truth that he was kicked out of the police force under sexual harassment allegations, and his credibility and job opportunities were denied.

🚬 In spite of all this, he found a friend in Yashiki, and he treasured you more than anything in life.

🚬 You were there for him through all the hardships he went through, and he is infinitely grateful for your endless support and love.

🚬 That is why I say, when he finds out you've been cursed, he is devastated, as though the sky fell on him.

🚬 He found you on the ground in the forest while he and Yashiki were searching around for Shimi-O.

🚬 He couldn't believe his eyes when he saw you - He left you at home, why were you here? He couldn't be hallucinating, could he? So what is going on?

🚬 What's worse, not only did the Death Mark flash brightly on the soft neck of your skin, as if to taunt and mock him, but your clothes had subtle tears - But what is worse, they were bleeding.

🚬 He's not one to panic quickly under pressure, but you can bet Mashita is livid.

🚬 If it weren't for Yashiki calming him down and suggesting to get you back home to Mary and have Christie look after you, while the two of them purify the ghost and make sure everyone is fine.

🚬 Satoru held you dearly in his arms all the way back to the Manor, his grip a little too tight - He was afraid, deathly afraid, but not for himself, but for you.

🚬 He'd never forgive himself if he allowed you to die, when your life was in his hands like that.

🚬 What kind of reliable policeman would he be? His mentor would be disappointed if he failed you and himself like that.

🚬 He placed you comfortably on the bed he slept on while Yashiki told Christie not to tell you anything about the Mark; There was no need to worry you for no reason, especially as the scar was in a place you couldn't notice easily.

🚬 Though he knew he had to worry, Mashita lingered for a few minutes more - He couldn't stop looking at you, he felt weak, he blamed himself for dragging you into all of this, especially as the only reason you got cursed was that he forgot his gun at home.

🚬 Not only was it incredibly irresponsible of him, but he also willingly got himself in this mess, in hopes of unveiling the truth behind his mentor's death.

🚬 After tucking you in bed, Satoru kissed your forehead and took one last look at you, before pushing himself off the bed and quickly leaving the room, before he'd feel tempted to just get next to you and hold onto you until Yashiki solves the issue by himself.

🚬 He was much quieter and snarkier with Yashiki, even he was well aware he was much more of a menace than usual, alas there was nothing he could do about it.

🚬 Your well-being was above anything else, for him.

🚬 His rage, complimented by the extreme memory loss caused by Shimi-O, made for quite a weird iteration of Mashita, but regardless, with a simple slap, he was capable of helping Yashiki to purify the ghost.

🚬 Though Kazuo himself wasn't rid of the curse, you and Mashita, along with Shou, were able to return home with no more issue.

🚬 You didn't know why exactly your boyfriend was so clingy and mellow, but you didn't mind it one bit. It was a lovely change of pace, for the otherwise teasy man.

🚬 It would take a few days before he confesses to you the truth of what happened that night - And more than that, he thanks you dearly for compromising your life to bring him the gun, as without it, he and Yashiki wouldn't have been able to defeat the ghost.

🚬 He'd get very annoyed if you got smug with him for being so tender - But he'll get over it fast, don't worry - You just need to bat your pretty lashes at him and kiss him like there's no tomorrow.

🚬 He won't necessarily get overprotective after this encounter, but he will take all proper precautions going further into his and Yashiki's little 'Ghost Hunting Business'.

🚬 He might be reticent to you joining them for field work, but he'd be more than happy if you were to help with intel. You're safe, and he's reassured. Perfect!

---

ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ Daimon Shuuji ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ

🩺 By the time Daimon gets cursed, he's already 44 years of age and chronically single and ill, so he resigns himself to the idea he will remain forever married to his work and succumb to loneliness and sickness.

🩺 When he gets cursed, however, he finds a new will to live - It's the human's natural response to danger, right? Fight or flight - Or at least, that's how he rationalises it.

🩺Not only that though, but also, his morbid curiosity with his grandfather's work in the Engineering Lab during WW2 and whatever atrocities happened down in the bunker hidden in the sewers of the city.

🩺That - And he's always been impressed by the supernatural, and now, he gets to experience it first hand - If only it wasn't life threatening, it would be much more enjoyable.

🩺It was here that Yashiki introduced him to a scientist women called Hiroo Madoka, whose grandfather was also involved in similar work to his own family... Though she's rather annoying to deal with, and thankfully, in spite of his kind demeanour, Yashiki is also of the same idea about her.

🩺But there was one more - He met you - Someone closer in age to him, who's professionally accomplished and so very beautiful; Not only beautiful, but so very and sweet, while also being effortlessly confident and radiating an aura of reassurance like the Sun.

🩺He couldn't help but feel attracted to you like a month to the light, caring little about getting burnt in the process, like the fool Icarus, flying towards the Sun with his waxed wings.

🩺How could he not gravitate around you, when you made him feel revitalised, no more the zombie of a man he accepted to being for so long.

🩺You worried for his health, told him to take better care of himself, even threw an off-comment about cooking him a nice soup and cutting up a fruit salad so he'd get more energy.

🩺Daimon was flabbergast - Did he truly deserve any of this? He knows he's not the most amicable person alive, yet you don't seem to be offended or intimidated by his coldness.

🩺During the whole investigation, you are the reason he stays sane and has hope for the future - A future with you.

🩺You weren't overly assertive, yet through your kindness and positivity, you made your intentions clear; He loved just how well the two of you understood each other, without the need of words.

🩺He was absolutely mesmerised by everything you did.

🩺From the time when you braved through the hypothermia and drove him back home - Only to see that the heating and water were being closed for the week because of reparations - So you invited him to sleep over at your home because it's extra warm.

🩺And how you nonchalantly told him you have a single bedroom, so you'd have to sleep together - All that, while he was suffering a bad case of tachycardia and his face had a feverish colour from too much emotion felt all together - But you? You were so nonchalant about it, wearing your pretty lingerie pyjamas, leaning on the heater and drinking a little alcohol to warm up, and inviting him to do the same.

🩺In those few days he got so used to living with you, that he almost felt disappointed when the day of the encounter came by and you got rid of the curse and had to part ways.

🩺He was there to watch you take the Suzu Bells and step up, confronting the Kannon Soldier all by yourself - He didn't know whatever Shinto or Buddhist mantras you chanted there, but by the time you started yelling at the ghost in Chinese, and ended it by slamming the wand into the side of its head and it disappeared into a splash of brightness, he felt as though he just watched a movie, because everything felt unreal.

🩺For the next two years, the two of you have such a domestic bliss, Daimon feels it's unreal that someone thinks he's not as unsufferable as he thinks he is, and by the way you smile at him so sweetly, he believes you are just as happy as he is, living together.

🩺Though when Yashiki goes ghost-hunting again, both of you are willing to help; Daimon remains in the hospital to care for Hiroo and Banshee, while you go on-site to aid him and Mashita with investigation.

🩺He knew both men would take care of you, and he knew you were strong and witty enough to take care of himself and succeed in this new case;

🩺Alas, when you are brought to the hospital, in full hysterics, Shuuji panics for the first time in his life - What in the world could have shaken you to such degree, that you lost your cool?

🩺After Mashita explains the three of you were blocked in an elevator filling up with a bunch of huge spiders, even he cringes, especially knowing your clear aversion and disgust towards them.

🩺As much as he cares about the two special patients in his care, he's going to take the week off to take care of you.

🩺He'll hold you close and try to reassure you to the best of his ability; Though he's known as not having the best bed-side manners, he's so unexpectedly tender and sweet, that Yashiki thought it was another person altogether.

🩺He'd make you warm honey tea and suggest watching any of your comfort tv series or movies, and he'll kiss your face so gently.

🩺There's not much he can help much to help you relax, except get some sedatives if you're going into panic mode again, but regardless, there's nothing he wouldn't do for you.

🩺When you're finally better, he'll feel so relieved - He was so worried for you and your mental state, that he'll be fussy over you for a long time going on.

---

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ Yashiki Kazuo/Kujo Masamune ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

🐇 It's needless to say, you and Yashiki went through a lot together.

🐇 From the day you got cursed, until you managed to purify the ghost with Yashiki's help, and got all better.

🐇 You decided to stay until the very end to aid your partner with the curse - But if not even the Kannon Soldier cursed him then... Could it have been Mary...?

🐇 Yashiki was protective of all the mark bearers he encountered, you most of all, so when he regained his memory, he made sure to keep everyone at a safe distance so he can deal with Mary himself.

🐇 You were the only one who knew the truth of the Doll, so of course, you worried over his well-being; But he still wouldn't step back and allow you to help him, it was far too dangerous for anyone else.

🐇 So, to reassure you, he promised to take you out on a date by the time he's some with the Doll; And he vowed to also tell you the truth and his memories.

🐇 Thankfully, that evening, you receive a text from Yashiki, with the details of your date the next day, namely the time and place.

🐇 You're so excited and happy that he's alive, that you can't contain your joy, and you call all the mark bearers to tell them that Yashiki is alright and he finally got rid of the curse - And decide to celebrate together, of course!

🐇 What was supposed to be a private date became a private party for the Death Mark survivors - And although he was bewieldered, Yashiki was beyond touched by your act.

🐇 Still, you still had to go on that date - And when you finally did, he told you all about his real identity, as Kujo Masamune, about his sister, about the Doll Mary, and what not.

🐇 And for the next two years, you had a beautiful relationship, with Mashita as the wing-man.

🐇 But when the two of them went to investigate the Masquerade Love Hotel, you got worried; Can't he stay out of trouble, for once? Those two are searching for an early death sentence.

🐇 So of course, from your worry stemmed overprotection, and you insisted in joining them in the investigation.

🐇 Unfortunately, because of your personal relationship with Yashiki, and your spiritual-proneness, you were the first prey of the Jirogumo spirit.

🐇 Not only were you forced to experience first-hand the memories of the poor, tortured girl who was forced to ingest a living spider crawling down her throat with those furry legs, but you felt all of her horrors.

🐇 Once you came to, your mind was in shambles, and you shrieked, running the hell out of that perverted torture den, aimless and confused;

🐇 Thus, you ended up wearing only your pretty lingerie, on a dusty bed, slamming your boyfriend on the bed to seduce him into sleeping with you.

🐇 At first, Yashiki was shocked out of his mind - What the hell happened to possess you like that? You were never this straight-forward, let alone to do something so vulgar and lustful in public; But then, he noticed the spider web sticking to your back.

🐇 As soon as he ripped it away, you fell limp in his arms like a marionette, deep into a coma that he knew wouldn't get away unless the ghost was exorcised.

🐇 He quickly dressed you back in your clothes and called for Mashita to help him get you to Daimon under constant care.

🐇 The whole time, he was out for revenge - Yes, he pitied the poor ghost girl, but he pitied you more; Not only that, but were it not for Mashita, he also would have died, plunging out of the window.

🐇 Who was going to take care of you, if he dies?

🐇 He was going to fight even God himself, if it meant saving you; So there was little a silly little malevolent ghost could do, that would deter him from his path of purifying it.

🐇 Even Mashita hadn't seen him so on-edge and boiling inside from rage for allowing you to get hurt and possessed like that.

🐇 The otherwise moral compass and spine of the group was almost shaking with anger, and it was terrifying.

🐇 He even cursed once! Yashiki - Cursed!

🐇 When the whole charade was finally over, he rushed to the hospital to see how you were doing.

🐇 Thankfully, you didn't remember a single thing of those traumatic encounters, and he wasn't going to tell them to you either.

🐇 He just told you you collapsed suddenly because of low blood sugar, and Daimon gave you some glucose IV and a good rest.

🐇 Though you didn't fully buy it, it was clear he wasn't going to tell you the truth, so you let that be.

🐇 Surprisingly though, he asks if you want to go on a date with him. At home, watching a movie and drinking hot chocolate by the fireplace.

🐇 He's as much of a gentleman as always, or even more so.

🐇 Although he's sometimes awkward when expressing himself, holding you tightly to his chest does wonders in non-verbally telling you how terrified he was for your well-being.

🐇 For his sake, you don't ask about the investigation, just settling to being happy it was over.

🐇 Instead, you decide to promise him that you're not going anywhere - You're a tough cookie, and will always be by his side.

[threeadventurers]

A Ten Year Thank You Letter a.k.a Mickey's Long Ramble

I normally have something ready for the day of the anniversary. In fact, I actually got an idea to do something for today considering it has officially hit the double digits and deserved something spectacular, but life decided to kick me in the chest so what I had planned is ah... delayed.

So instead, for the time being, I'm going to express my thoughts and feelings. Because I'm a sentimental sap and if I can't express in art, I will in words.

As the story goes, ten years ago, Three Adventurers was, originally, suppose to be a one shot based on a dream I had. It was going to be about Link and Graham and how the former was travelling, briefly crossing through Daventry, and had a short adventure with the latter. Graham was then going to gift a scarf as a thank you and Link would have continued on.

Short, sweet, and to the point.

But as I opened the document, ready to work on this one shot, I felt it was too short. So on an impulse thought, and due to a current hyper-fixation, I tossed in Guybrush as someone to push the two further out than being heroic good guys.

After all, the trio had more commonalities than differences. A Venn diagram as I would constantly insist.

All three were heroic (to leveling degrees), used their wits to solve puzzles, and had the occasional snark (again, to leveling degrees).

More to that, having Guybrush thrown into something wasn't entirely new, as once upon a time when I was a kid, I imagined a what-if with Guybrush meeting Link (which, at the time, I didn't know who Guybrush was, I only ever knew him as 'the blond pirate Link') and them having a borderline rivalry.

(As you can see, the now playful rivalry never really went away, but the animosity absolutely vanished.)

Needless to say, it... grabbed me in a choke hold the more I thought about it. And those thoughts became doodles, occasional small fics here and there, and eventually it became what it is: The Three Adventurers.

A story about a trio of friends who go on adventures, learning to grow while discovering new things, getting stronger while also having moments of weakness and doubts but overcoming it because they had one another. And, of course, the occasional goofball antics and sprinkle of drama/angst for the heck of it.

A story I wanted to see since I was a kid. Because as much as I love stories of romance and daring rescue missions for those they love... I wanted to see the platonic approach. And these trio hit that scratch perfectly.

Granted, it initially was going to be a bunch of one-shot adventures with no tie in or overarching plot, just on the off-chance that the trio didn't interest me anymore, in case nobody really cared and I felt discouraged as artists and storytellers tend to do when there is no audience to grab and share.

I had my spite to drive me, and I still do to a terrifying degree, but sometimes the spite would dwindle to a "what's the point" which led to occasional artist's block and imposter syndrome.

But leave it to the trio to prove me absolutely and terribly wrong.

Because the interest never left. The story evolved. And they introduced me to all of you.

The Three Adventurers would not have continued as strong or as consistently were it not for any of you.

Because of Graham, I met the most amazing people in the King's Quest community who continue to find new things to explore within the series and inspire me to keep creating (and tackle Graham's hat... the bane of my existence).

Because of Guybrush, I was able to connect with the Monkey Island community... even if I don't speak all that often or at all. Getting the occasional reach out always startles me but simultaneously makes me happy to talk about the Mighty Pirate(tm).

Because of Link, he acted as the weird bridge between the two as for some, he was the common denominator that most people had in terms of recognizability. One may not know Guybrush or Graham, but they knew who Link was.

I'm always stunned and surprised when I hear from ya'll about the trio, about how one or two of them inspired ya'll to check the other's respective game, how the comic lightens the day, how the fic and ficlets resonated... always and consistently stunned and surprised even ten years later.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think something I did, even as nothing more than fanwork, would resonate with you all.

I cannot stress it enough how it means the world to me, especially during these times where finding motivation to pick up the pen is difficult due to personal events, where the imposter syndrome is at an all time high which leaves me feeling at my lowest, where finding time to work on it is borderline stressful, how ya'll reactions and feedback and motivation has me feeling like I'm floating on a cloud and sparks back that drive to keep going on.

It reminds me why I started this - it's a story I wanted to share and a story that somehow, someway, resonated with you all too.

I like to believe I grew as both a person and an artist because of the trio, but I know it would have never ever happened were it not for all of you.

Whether it's the occasional comments and reblogs...

Whether it's listening to me kvetch and grumble on pages, glitches, hats and beatsheets...

Whether it's the random reach outs to express how you all feel...

It gives me that drive alongside that useful and reliable spite.

I mean it when I say Three Adventurers probably would not have gotten far were it not for you all, and so from the bottom of my heart I want to express me deepest and most heartfelt thank you to you all.

Thank you for reading this fanwork.

Thank you for putting up with my sillies, the good and the bad.

Thank you for the comments and messages.

Thank you for sticking with me for these ten years.

Here's to more adventures with the trio!

With nothing but love and appreciation,

-Mickey

[rmbunnie]

Red Hood Characterization

This is really long so I'm putting a cut here, I've been thinking about Jason Todd's character motivations and the question of whether or not his actions are based in a Moral Code (I don't think so, not to say he's without any morality) and I talk about that in more depth here.

I saw someone say on here that Titans: Beast World: Gotham City was some of the best Jason Todd internal writing they'd seen in a while, and I've been a Red Hood fan for 8 years or so now? pretty much since I read comics for the first time, so I went and checked out and I thought it was good! The way the person I saw talking about it as if it was rare and unusual made me wonder though, because as well-written as i thought his stances on crime were, there wasn't really anything in it that went against the way I conceptualize Jason?

This kinda plays into a larger question I've been thinking about for a while with Jason though, which is that, do people think that the killing is part of a fundamental worldview that motivates him a la batman, and that worldview is the reason he does the things he does?? Because 8 years ago i was a middle schooler engaging with fiction on the level that a middle schooler does, so I simply did not put much thought into it beyond "poor guy :(" but ever since I actually started trying to understand consistent characterization, I don't really see Jason as someone who's motivated by a moral code in his actions the way batman or superman is!

tbh my personal read is that he's a very socially-motivated guy, his actions from resurrection to his Joker-Batman ultimatum in utrh always seemed to me like every choice made leading up to his identity reveal was either a. to give him the leverage and skill necessary to pull off his identity reveal successfully, or b. to twist the knife that little bit more when he does let Bruce find out who he is. Like iirc there's a Judd Winick tweet like "yeah tldr he chose Red Hood as his identity because it's the lowest blow he could think of." And I think that's awesome, I think character motivations rooted so deeply in character's relationships and emotions are really fun to read! I also think it's where the stagnation/flatness of his character comes from in certain comics, because if his main motivation is one event in one relationship that passes, and he is not particularly attached to anything in his life or the world by the time that comes to pass, it's a little harder to come up with a direction to go with the character after that, because there isn't much of a direction that aligns with something the character would reasonably want? But I do think solving this by saying "all of the morally-off emotionally driven cruelty he did on his way to spite Batman was actually reflective of his own version of Batman's stance that's exactly the same except he thinks it's GOOD to kill people" isn't ideal. To be fully honest, it seems to me like he never particularly cared one way or the other about killing people to "clean Gotham of crime," he just did everything he could to get the power necessary to pull off his personal plans, and took out any particularly heinous people he encountered along the way (like in Lost Days.) Not to say I think the fact he killed people keeps him up at night anymore than everything else in his life events, I just never really thought he was out there wholeheartedly kneecapping some dude selling weed or random guy robbing a tv store for justice.

Looping wayyy back to my question, Is this (^) contradictory to the way he's written/the overall average perception of the character? Because like I enjoyed his writing in Beast World i have zero significant issue with anything there, I just didn't believe it would be a hot take, like yeah, that is Jason. It's been a while since I've read utrh and lost days, but I don't think my takeaway directly contradicts either of those too bad iirc. Idk all this to say I think Jason killing and being alright with killing is an obvious and objective fact, but i guess i've always seen it as more of a practical tactic than a moral belief, and I think taking the actions made during the lowest points of a character's life where he is obsessively focused on this ONEEEE thing and trying to apply it as a Motivating Stance to everything he's done after that, doesn't really follow logically for me.

[greypetrel]

7, 12, 14, 22 for Aisling! :]

Hi Laya!! Thank you! :3

Tis the prompt list

7. What are their first thoughts upon seeing the Breach?

"Oh shit." followed by a "... What caused it why is it so big how much energy does it require to stay up- Also how do we get to safety does it expands how quick does it expand-".

She stayed with big eyes and an open mouth staring at it for two full minutes before Cassandra realized she wasn't being followed. Had to shake her to bring her back to attention.

12. What was the Herald's reaction upon seeing Corypheus for the first time?

Oh she went in full healer mode, LOL.

A lot of considerations on HOW he's alive with an armour... Inglobated into his chest, face twisted, so on and so forth- he's really too thin is he eating enough she doesn't think he is of course he's angry if he doesn't eat.

Well he's attacking the village that's not nice. Stop to any though of feeding him into peace.

14. What type of Inquisitor are they? What are their motivations? How do they lead?

She's understanding but firm, and agrees with Josephine that the first choice should always be diplomacy. In spite of that, she saw a little too much of the world to really believe that every problem can be solved by talking.

She got known for having yes, a soft heart but being quite unrelenting when crossed... or when she really wants something. Tendentially, she tends not to favour nobles so much. She people-pleased her way to the Belle of the Balle title, sure, but she has a habit of acting first to help people, and apologize later and discuss compensations. This became more and more obvious from the Arbor Wilds: by the Exalted Council, she had not so much favour from the Court. Celene didn't show up as a sign that she didn't recognize her authority anymore and didn't care. (Aisling still has every compromising document and piece of paper with her. Never left it. Celene knows. Their relationship is... Tense.)

With soldiers and commoners tho? She's down there working with them, first hand, elbow-deep in dirty bandages in the field clinic right after a battle, eats with the rest of the soldiers when she can. Soldiers love them (and the Commander most of all. uwu).

22. What do does the Inquisitor see in the small fear demons?

Members of her clan and of the Inquisition that she can recogize. They're dead, and horribly maimed and burned by what appears to be scorchmarks caused by lightnings. There's also a vague, blurry figure of an elf that shares her hair colour. She can vaguely distinguish hints of features, but not so many, she's the only one that's not disfigured or injured. It's a she, and she only tells her: "I didn't want you because you're you. You're only worth losing.".

The faceless figure is the one she hits first, and the first time she saw it she screamed. They realized like that that they were all seeing different things. Thankfully Dorian understood that her being vague in answering to what she saw was a very delicate spot.

[inklingofadream]

Ink's 2024 Fic

We all survived another year, and with another year comes a new wrap-up to become my pinned post! Exact word count is tricky this year because of how AO3 counts published works you just go back and edit, but to the best of my reckoning in 2024 I wrote 96,424 words.That's an 86.417% decrease from last year, shocker.

2024 has been turbulent. We went from "I can't believe Mom has to have a root canal 5 days after major surgery" to "I'm so glad the root canal happened exactly when it did" in a matter of weeks. That was in March. The ENTIRE year has been like that. All this to say, if at any point in 2024 I didn't respond to you, stopped responding, or completely forgot something else important, it was probably because something was on fire. Nothing personal, just chaos.

That's also why I don't have a whole lot of commentary about a lot of what I wrote, compared to past years. This year, it was all TMA, and spread across 9 distinct works.

I'm listing my longest ongoings last to give the shorter ones the space to breathe. Completion status, word count, and any standout relationships are listed, but check the tags and warnings on AO3 for full details. The rest of the descriptions here are a mix of summary, excerpts, and liner notes.

from spite- 600, complete, Martin/Elias; I read The Bloody Chamber as my yearly court-mandated pre-Dracula season vampire book, and "The Erl-King" grabbed hold of my brain and said it was Martin's turn to be romantically menaced by Elias. It hasn't entirely let go, to be honest, and very well may inspire future melancholy iterations on the same ship in the future.

Martin is a sheet of ice, and Jonah's hand at his waist, his chin on his shoulder, twin flames that threaten to melt him. Jonah smiles by Martin's ear as though he heard the thought; it isn't difficult for him to circumvent the silent treatment, if it pleases him. "Look."

from what has been broken- 14k, WIP, Jon&Gerry; Last year I wrote a fic about Trevor and Julia just Keeping a very much alive Gerry and then kidnapping Jon from the Circus. This continuation is... mostly hurt at the moment, admittedly. The comfort is coming, I promise!

The Vampire Saga Route 1- 80k, 8 works, Jon/Martin, Georgie/Melanie; The most recent fic in Route 1 is actually a Christmas special Sutton wrote. Christmas special aside, this is the version where the vampire!Martin dilemma was solved with the power of friendship and everything is great forever. No misunderstandings and no ominous dangling plot threads, promise. 🥰🤞

The Vampire Saga Route 2- 43k, 8 works, Jon/Martin, Tim&Danny, Jon/Elias; Sasha tried very hard to resolve this version with the power of friendship 😔

The Archivist and the Adventurer- 45k, 10 works, Jon/Martin; My fae au got an eensy update this year! More importantly, the update introduced Gerry! If you're new, this au is technically complete- right now I'm adding oneshot chapters that take place in the main plot's happily ever after. With Gerry! More Gerry in 2025, hopefully! I want this thing out of my drafts!

Little Archive- 93k, WIP, Jon&Gerry, Jon&Beholding; Egregiously neglected this year, tbh. I swear, in 2025 I'm getting the next Plot Development out into the world. You guys will like this one, promise. For real promise, it's delightful.

Beneath the Stains of Time- 128k, WIP, Jon&Daisy; I really wanted to finish this one this year, but alas. In recompense, the entire outline as it currently sits on my whiteboard:

47J 48S-a 49Ml-b 50J-e 51T- h 52E- g 53D Never

sitting pretty on the throne, nothing more i want (except to be alone)- 225k, WIP, Jon/Beholding, Jon/Jonah, Jon/freedom; Also nearing the end! I didn't actually think I was going to get it done this year after about March, so I'm less bugged I didn't.

The First Annual Archive Team Group Getaway To Put Jon In His Place- 76k, WIP, Jon/Tim/Martin/Sasha, Georgie/Melanie; This au gets bigger every time I turn my back. It will be getting no additional installments until I finish the main fic. So now I just have to. Finish it.

[butterfrogmantis]

I asked discord to vote on drawing something fluffy or fucked up and 2 people chose fucked up so here we are

Grave-robbing and frankensmurf shenanigans//

Ironically this was originally gonna be a bit of a cute TNBC thing w/ Jack and Sally parody except whilst I was looking for refs I found the Sally's origins video (great vid, defo watch) and my brain went 'OH! I can make my original idea worse now' /lh Oh and then I rewatched 'Igor' and if you've seen that movie then yes.

I acknowledge the grim inevitability that Archie, as with all Smurfs, is only mortal after all. The bittersweet irony of becoming the dead friend to the living skeleton. But I simply refuse to address it. Apart from this, that is. I try not to think so hard into the future. So perhaps this is an AU. Or not 😈

*As the Smurfs had gotten older, they'd inevitably begun to succumb to old age or unfortunate circumstances. Archaeologist wasn't an exception. Skelly had begged Death for it not to be so. Pleaded, even. But alas the kindly diety had reminded him that they are the ultimate equal, and cannot postpone their own inevitability. Buckle up Skelly, welcome to the endless cycle of immortality = infinite loss. Death is sorry but they can't make exceptions outside of necromancers meddling with their powers.

Years went on, turning to centuries, then some. Skelly indeed lived through the aforementioned cycle of loss over and over, it was becoming too much. At least in his cave where he'd spent a few thousand years, just him and his thoughts he hadn't LOST anything. Even following the descendants of Palaeontologist was becoming disheartening the more the generations separated from the original brothers that had been his friends. And Skelly, in spite of all the new friends he'd made and lost over the years, couldn't shake the memories of the time he'd been truly happiest, and he felt bitter towards the world for it, and eventually it boiled into an idea.

Skelly's no idiot. He knew that meddling with true necromancy would solve nothing - his own creator had vanished from existance just to create him and that would defeat the purpose of his goal. So that's not what he set out to do. You see as time had gone on, so had technology. Skelly didn't NEED to perfectly necromance in order to achieve his goal, he had some … interesting information about theoretical modern science up his sleeves. What he needed wasn't another suicidal necromancer, but rather a shovel, a bunch of 'borrowed' parts to sustain a body and lots and lots of electricity. So goes the theory.

Finding Archie wasn't the hard part - Skelly himself had kept that grave maintained for years after the others had crumbled and withered. Digging it up felt wrong but. It would be worth it. How ironic it was to dig up the bones of a man who'd dedicated his life to the study of them - but that wouldn't sustain without necromancy - only powerful sorcery could reanimate bones themselves. He does need to try and get Archie's mind back without his brain though, so a little magic-science combo MAY require a little magic on the bones themselves.

So in order to get back Archie's er, functionality he just had to er, borrow some stuff from the more recently departed (so Archie may very well be made out of the skin of some of the original smurfs descendants but don't worry he's not wearing the skin of any canon characters ohohoho isn't this fun I'm so normal /lh)

And with his preparations complete, adjustments made and a big storm, Skelly successfully elevated himself into the realms of Victor Frankenstein.

Death won't be happy about this, but right now Skelly doesn't care. Archie's … well. Not exactly sure if he's RIGHT but he's here; welcome to eternity.

Hey remember when I first started drawing them and was like 'the dyanmic is a friendly rivalry where Skelly is annoyed about being carbon dated hoho and now it's 'he's grave robbing and committing Death defying science just bcuz'

[wolfertinger]

So I used to follow Salem and wis and concindently also listened to luluyams music, I would see Salem and wis talk about about being harassed but just assuming it was the unfornate usual hate that, trans poc creators get.

Salems art and how he talked about being a system and how being exposed to harmful media at young age and being trans defiantly resonated with me.

I then came across your blog and to be honest when the first post I saw was about how Salem should stop being lazy and get a job when he his disabled and struggles with stuff, I immediately went yeah okay 😒 and just dismissed your blog, but then I saw luluyams ask on your blog and I went huh as I had no idea that they were or had been connected.

I have wis and Salem blocked now because I looked more into your blog and information.

To be clear they seem like bad people.

However what Salem and Wis where saying about how your blog is becoming a breeding ground for bigtory unfornately isnt unfounded.

Ableism runs deep, I as autistic person know that and while I’m not saying neither Wis or Salem shouldn’t be held accountable, how does complaining about how Salem doesn’t work help that? Even if we go all the way and say Salem is faking everything (which I don’t think he is) why is that important rather that the actual stuff you want to hold him and Wis accountable for?

I came looking for information and you claim to be a fact and proof blog but half of your posts are just mean annoymous asks or digs at them.

So when a user like myself or that goes oh I’ll see if Salem and Wis are right about this blog and see that you’re not exactly making a good point for yourselves.

I don’t know if you have something personal with Wis or Salem, but I know what it’s like to want someone who wronged you to be held responsible for their actions but I promise you becoming a spiteful ground will only breed more pain and hurt.

And I mean this in the most sincere way I’m dead fucking serious what does it solve?

here is the thing.

i have tried, so many times. to take the higher ground, and devils advocate, for salem and wis. there have been multiple times, i have told people here, to cool it with the anon hate, and be more constructive. unfortunately. wis and salem, are intent on destroying any good will, i have left.

apologies, if i have minimal patience, for people repeatedly suicide baiting, not just their victims, but ANYONE, who so much as liked a post publicly, has reported anon hate. i myself, have recieved anon hate, that is violent, sexual, or gory in nature. i cannot handle these two, with the baby gloves they so clearly want, if they themselves wish to act like adults. if they want to act tough, and lie, about rape victims publicly. suicide baiting them, pedojacketing them. i will be mean, right back.

i have stated before, why i take this so personal. but i knew someone, who took her own life, because no one believed her. she was terrified, to come out about assault. because of exactly what happened, when she did come out.

she was mocked and humiliated, into silence. told, how she shouldnt lie, and ruin the career, of a young man. told, that she was just a slut, and how can you rape a slut. she would never face justice. her rapist, is still out today. i am still here, telling her story.

[myqueenmarceline]

Watching and Waiting

Summary: Patrick sits next to Eli's hospital bed and waits for him to wake up.

Warnings: discussion of surgery/medical procedures and painkillers, but nothing is very explicit and it's mostly offscreen. This is generally a pretty fluffy/lighter piece.

Another Companion fic in two days? You know it XD Thank you to Viskas on ao3 for inspiring me to write this, and @nebula-gaster for beta reading

Read it on ao3 here or below the cut:

48: “Yep, perfectly clear”

7 letters.

Patrick looked at the blank column, then back at the clue.

With most of these crossword puzzles, if he didn’t have a good idea of what was going on, he could at least muster a guess. The word started with an “I”, but that didn’t help him at all. He could have changed his intelligence and solved it easily, but that defeated the point of doing a puzzle.

He sighed, lowering the puzzle book and looking around the room. With all of the advances modern technology offered, it was amazing that no one had bothered to learn how to design a nice hospital room. The cream walls seemed dingy, the space was so tight it was almost claustrophobic, and if Patrick had been human, the uncomfortable chair he was sitting in would have ruined his back after a few hours.

Luckily, in spite of his ability to still feel pain, his body could still be pushed further than a regular human’s could. As long as he had a portable charging plug, he didn’t need to leave.

Something shifted to his left. Patrick turned around so fast that he nearly fell out of his chair. He flailed for a moment, then held his breath as he stood up.

The bedsheets he’d meticulously tucked after the last nurse’s visit had been disturbed. As he watched, Eli shifted again, bunching the sheet on his right side slightly the same way he always had at home.

He stepped closer to the bed, doing his best to be as silent as possible. The numbers on the machines hooked up on the other side of the bed were completely steady, except for a rising pulse. It had jumped up to 80 beats per minute to 98, and for a moment, Patrick wondered if there was about to be a crash.

When he looked back, Eli’s eyes were open. He stared forward into nothing, his gaze unfocused. He tried to move again, but groaned in pain and went limp.

Patrick leaned over, getting in as close as possible without climbing over the bed. He wasn’t trained in CPR. How long would it take the nurses to respond to a call?

He carefully rested his hand on Eli’s chest. Maybe the touch would settle him enough to convince him not to move. He’d still be extremely sore, but everything would be better with a bit of extra pain management. Patrick reached over and pressed the call button once, then twice.

The heart monitor’s beeping sped up more. His heart felt like it was going to stop as he carefully rubbed Eli’s chest. Eli’s breathing was still fine, slow and shallow like it had been since he’d first come out of surgery.

“Hi.”

Patrick looked up, and found his partner staring at him. His pupils were dilated, and the big, sweet smile that always made Patrick’s heart skip a beat was plastered across his face. He tilted his head slightly, staring up at him like he was the only other human being in the world.

“Hey, you.” Patrick moved his hand off of Eli’s chest, gently running his fingers through Eli’s hair. It was greasy, but that didn’t matter right now. “How’re you feeling?”

Eli tilted his head, pressing into the touch as much as he could. “I love you.”

If words carried an electrical charge, those three alone would have been enough to power him for a month. “I love you too.”

“You’re so handsome,” Eli said, still staring intently at him. He’d always been a romantic, and apparently whatever was left of his last IV was bringing out the best in him.

“You're so sweet.” Patrick leaned in and kissed his forehead, then stood up properly. “I’m happy you’re back with me, baby.”

“I’m happy too.” Eli yawned, leaning back on the pillow and relaxing even more. “Yay, happy time.”

“It’s a very happy time. Are you feeling tired? It’s alright, just go to sleep. I’ll be here again when you wake up.” He certainly would; he’d spent the last three days waiting as Eli went in and out of surgery twice.

Eli mumbled something too quiet for his audio processors to hear, and closed his eyes. In less than 30 seconds, his pulse had already begun to slip back down.

Patrick kept staring at Eli’s face, thinking of his smile over and over. The more he thought about a memory, the better his photographic retention would be, and he wanted to keep this one forever.

When a nurse hustled in, Patrick finally turned away. He explained the situation and hovered near her, ready to jump in and help in any way possible. It was a miracle that his partner was alive, and he’d rather throw himself out of the closest window than do anything to jeopardize his recovery.