#still i'm glad we get something - unlike the other three!

[robo-dino-puppies]

so...

I decided to get veilguard anyway - I was too curious about where the story was going, the environments looked exceptionally pretty, the companions all sounded interesting, and I read there were cats and you could pet them. and there's a griffon. and you can pet him too?! what can I say, I'm easy to please.

here's my rook! i'm sure she will make many terrible decisions :D

and since it's new and I haven't run across any spoilers I told myself I would not look up the consequences to choices that make me nervous (like I did when I just recently played the other three). could be a fun time for my anxiety lmaooooo

I hauled myself and my laptop to a neighbor's house to steal (consensually!) internet in order to download the game. thankfully it doesn't seem to throw a fit if I don't have a constant connection once it's installed, so now I have two games to keep me occupied while I'm in shitty-internet-land for the rest of the week+...

so far I'm really enjoying the combat (esp. compared to the other three) - being able to seamlessly switch between bow and daggers is my favorite! the bow combat is no horizon but it feels nice enough.

I found the character creator great in some areas and super frustrating in others (why no eye shapes? lip shapes?), and I honestly... don't really like that many of the hair options. while there seems to be a good selection of styles for type 4 curly hair, there aren't many options that look like type 2/3? :/ kinda disappointing ngl. but being able to change the lighting was amazing. why couldn't we do it when we made the inquisitor?

I am glad I could make rook short. she's only slightly taller than harding :D

[sistertotheknowitall]

Some Guy Bingo

Masterpost.

Nearly three months into (what Jason called) The Haunting, the siblings kinda started a game. (“Either we're haunting him or he's haunting us, I haven't decided yet." "Considering he's the one appearing randomly, I'd say he's haunting us.")

Technically Tim had started it with, “five bucks says Danny went to class today.” (Gotham university was having an out break of fear toxin curtesy of Dr. Crane.) However, it was Jason who kicked it off with, “ten if he says something about actual scarecrows.”

Dick had snorted and said, “fifteen if it’s a personal experience about a farm.”

“I call bingo if he makes a vague statement on agriculture.” So it was actually Steph who started it.

“Bingo? We were placing bets.”

“Unlike you Hood, some people don’t get adopted by money.”

“As if Bruce doesn’t give you an allowance.”

(“As if he didn’t offer to adopt you,” Tim tacked on.)

It became a running joke where they started calling out "bingo if -" whenever they had to go out on a call. The joke had later formed into a running game when Danny had told Cass, “fighting gods is a pass-time, it is humanity that the real fight is against.” (He had trip over a curb and laid on the ground for several minutes before she asked if he was okay.) She said it wasn’t the most concerning thing he said to her and Steph chimed in claiming, “on a scale of one to ten that statement rates at a three.”

Jason had asked why Cass and Steph always got the weird ambiguous statements and he got cryptic shit about his “soul”.

(Damian had pointed out that at least he wasn’t being constantly referred to as a baby.)

I Call Bingo, which they still played whenever a situation required more than one of them, became “on a scale”

Dick was sure that “having given up on optimism, I find your enthusiasm to be overly bright” should be ranked higher then “I don’t like two-stepping but I’m from the mid-west, so do you know how to line dance?” (Danny and Duke had gotten into an awkward side step where they kept blocking each other.) Damian said the wording seemed passive-aggressive but the tone was too positive to be rude so he gave it a three. Jason said it sounded like a bad pick up line and gave it a two.

They often debated and defended the score they gave with Barbara chiming in over coms. She had never met Danny as Oracle but he was a regular at the public library. He was always polite and respectful and had quickly become one of her favorite patrons. Like Steph and Cass she also got odd statements but hers felt more like half-hearted jokes.

Bruce didn't always join in on their game but it wasn't surprising to see the occasional score placed in their reports. (They had a file dedicated to Danny's remarks. Originally it was to keep track of what they knew about him but at this point it was just to let the others know what he said this time.) Alfred was roped into it even if he didn't really participate unless asked. ("Hey Alfie, what would you give 'i'm glad i don't have to fight my food to eat it but if Batburger keeps giving me the wrong thing I'm summoning Lunch Lady.' Cause Tim says two but I think it's a five.") (He gave it a four.)

Post 4

[hannsluvely]

after hours

after hours : a live action buggy x fem!reader fanfiction

for some odd reason, you have no idea who he is. and he fucking loved that.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

chapter one chapter two chapter three

chapter four | suede. stalking. silly.

his pov;

"Your wanted poster."

Those three words settled in my mind as I stared at the distraught girl in front of me, watching as she fumbled with her hands, a nervous exterior brushing over her. She seemed to be so horrified with the fact that I was once a pirate sought after by thousands- wanted dead or alive, though much preferred dead. Many still wanted me dead but due to my brilliant idea of hiding out here, the chance of anyone getting my bounty was thin. I, however, didn't see it being as much of a big deal as she deemed it so. The real issue I found was tucked away in one of the books within the nightstand which I was so fucking thankful she didn't find. I'd rather her not have been looking around but if she were to find one of the two? I was glad she found the poster.

I tossed another slice of apple into my mouth then set the knife down on the cutting board. I approached Y/N but instantly halted when I noticed how nervous and uneasy she was. "What's wrong?"

"H-How many people did you kill?" She asked, her voice shaking.

"Does that really matter?" I asked, waving my hands up in the air to hopefully exaggerate my point. "It was almost a year ago."

"That doesn't change the fact that it happened!"

"I know, I know." Despite her discomfort, I took a seat next to her anyway. She tightened her arms around herself, almost to make sure there was as much distance between us without her actually moving. Clenching my jaw, I patted my hands upon my thighs. "I know it's a terrible thing, and there's nothing I can do to change that. It's in the past and if I could go back and alter things, I would. Being a pirate was all I knew. My old friend was one, too. Then we separated onto different things and-"

"Did he kill people?"

"Lots of pirates kill people. It's part of the hype, ya know? It's very unlikely to raid another ship without there being any casualties. But I stopped because I got tired of it. I wanted something more."

"It's a pretty big bounty. I mean- come on, fifteen million berries?"

"Don't think about turning me in now," I chuckled, wanting to add a bit of lightheartedness to this unfortunate predicament.

"I'm not like that. I know I'm in need of money but-"

"I didn't mean it like that, Y/N, come on. Give me some slack."

"Well, why exactly did you stop? Did you lose the thrill of stealing from others? O-Or did you get bored of killing innocent people?"

I rolled my eyes, scoffing. "We've all done some shit we're ashamed of. We're humans. I did a lot of fucked up shit," I said as I pointed at myself. "But I changed that. I moved and let all that go. I left my crew, made someone else the captain, and abandoned ship. I left all of that shit behind and came here."

"But why?"

"If I say this, I'll probably make things worse but I don't want to lie anymore," I said as I laid back, folding my hands over my chest. I stared up at the ceiling. "You've obviously heard of the One Piece, right?"

"Of course."

"Well, I was one of those pirates absolutely obsessed with finding it. Fuck, I even dreamt about it. It was the only thing I truly desired in life. It was the only thing I thought about. Not riches, women, alcohol- just the One Piece. I was making somewhat decent progress but then I heard that a group of Straw Hats-" I grimaced at the thought. "-made off with the map which they stole from one of the Marine bases. I happened to track them down and I managed to steal the map from some kid named Monkey D. Luffy. But all good things must come to an end and I lost it. I was back to square one. And then I discovered his bounty was thirty million berries." I frowned then sat up, turning to face Y/N. "Can you believe that? Some newby pirate-wannabe received a bounty double my own! Seeing that brought me back to reality. So I dropped everything then came here."

"All because of him?"

I nodded my head. Just the thought of that kid irked me. There was no one, other than Shanks, who I despised more than my own self.

"So, yeah, I know what I did was fucked up. But there's a reason I'm here now. There's a reason I've given you so much. It's because I want to be a better person, maybe redeem myself for what I've done. And I can do that by helping you, by making your life a little less miserable."

"Do you pity me?" The girl asked, finally meeting my gaze.

"What?" I laughed, almost obnoxiously. "Of course not. If anything, I envy you."

"Me?" Y/N pointed at herself. "You envy me?"

"You have no bad conscience. You've done nothing wrong, you have nothing to make up for. You have a clean slate."

She shrugged, a small smile creeping onto her lips. "Thank you."

"So, uh, do you hate me now?" I asked, forcing a frown to mimic a pouting child. She giggled at this and shook her head. I sighed in relief, wiping 'sweat' from my forehead. "Thank god. I don't know what I'd do with myself if you hated me."

"I knew you were a pirate but it's still shocking to learn about your past. It'll take me a bit to get used to it but I don't hate you."

"So, we're good?" I extended my hand.

"We're good." She shook it.

I felt as if a huge relief was lifted off my shoulders. And as long as she stayed out of the nightstand, there would be no more issues. But if I hid the book, then I would be even more safe. I pondered the possibilities before I watched as she rose from the confines of the bed and approached the counter. My eyes trailed down. The backs of her thighs were exposed and the shorts clung to her ass so divinely. I bit my lip and crossed my leg over my lap.

"I appreciate everything you've done for me," She mumbled as she started to chew on an apple, then began to cut into an orange. "I do have a question for you, though."

"Go ahead, shoot." As soon as she turned around, my eyes met hers and I smiled.

"Are devil fruits real? Or is that just an old tale? I've never seen one up close and I heard they cost a fortune, even for just one alone."

"They're real," I said with a small laugh. "I would know, I've eaten one."

Y/N nearly jumped before she darted over toward me, her hands grabbing at my shoulders. She still had a slice of half-chewed apple in her mouth which made her struggle to properly speak. "WHAT? You- NO! You didn't?!" She let go of my arms and instead planted her hands on my chest, shoving me back. I collapsed back against the bed, laughing. "You ate one?!"

"Years ago, when I was fifteen."

"You're lying!"

"I'm not. It was a mistake actually."

"What happened?"

I chuckled and pushed myself back up. "Give me an orange and I'll tell you."

If my reflexes weren't so quick, the fruit would've hit me in the face with how quick she threw it. But I caught it and began to pick apart the peel. "Easy, next time," I smirked and took a bite from it. "Well, when I was younger and was a pirate-in-training, the crew I was in raided this ginormous ship and hit the motherload. Not only gold and jewels and anything you could think of, but there was also a devil fruit. I found out how much they were worth and tried to steal it but I was caught in a predicament and I tried to hide it in my mouth."

"And?"

"I swallowed it whole."

She gasped, "And you're alive?"

"It doesn't kill you. It just takes your ability to swim when you're in the ocean, in salt water. It's like the sea turned its back on you."

"Did you get a power from it?"

I shrugged and winked at her, taking another bite. I licked the juices from my hand. "Guess."

"You can fly?"

"Ha! Nope."

"Read minds?"

"It's body-altering."

"Wait," The lovely maiden smirked, taking a seat on the bed. "Did it give you that red nose?" She snickered.

"Guess again," I said flatly, my expression turning cold as I stared at her. She gulped, clenching her jaw. I laughed and looked down at my lap, now using one hand to hold the orange. I continued to chew on it. But while she was distracted with her numerous attempts to guess what kind of body-altering power I had, I detached my left hand at the wrist. It floated behind the both of us and tapped on her right shoulder. Y/N jumped up, her head shooting to look at her side. Her eyes widened and her eyebrows furrowed together before she spotted my floating hand waving at her. She gasped and slapped it away. I broke out into a fit of laughter, my hand reconnecting to my wrist. "Impressive, huh?"

"You- what?" She was still flabbergasted.

"I ate the chop-chop fruit. It allows me to pretty much chop any part of my body. Like I can-" To avoid grossing her out, I chopped my left leg from my thigh instead of my head from my neck. She watched in amazement. I smiled at this. "I can disconnect anything from my body from my toes to my ears to my-"

"Even... ya know?"

I winked. "Oh, yeah. That, too."

"That's so cool. How come you haven't done it before around me?"

"I don't know. I just never found a reason to." Shrugging my shoulders, I allowed my leg to snap back. I continued to chew on the orange before finishing it and tossing the peel into a small bin to the left of the bedside table. Y/N finished hers as well. She wiped her hands down on her shirt.

"So, uh," I chewed on my bottom lip. "Do you think you and your mother will be okay?"

"Yeah. We fight all the time. Her drinking doesn't help."

I cringed. "Really?"

"Yeah, she's one of the reasons I hate it so much."

I pursed my lips and nodded my head. I knew I needed to cut back on it but it was something I've done for well over more than half my life. Though, I was destined to do it. Not only for myself, but for her, too. I'd do anything for Y/N. "So," I began, "what do you want to do today?"

"I need to go make up with my mother. That's a big to-do. I can't stand her ever being upset with me." The girl said as she stood up, slipping her shoes back onto her feet. "We can have dinner tonight if you want. Maybe you could meet her."

"Meet your mom?"

"Yeah, why not? She was wondering where all that money came from. She thought I stole it."

"Hell, I don't know. I'm not good with meeting new people."

"Will you, at least, consider it?"

"Sure," I smirked.

"Thank you." Y/N reached for the doorknob, giving it a strong and firm tug before it yanked open. A gush of cold wind washed over her, almost knocking her back. I tossed her my coat to which she whispered another 'thank you' then slipped it on. "I'll see you, Buggy."

"Bye," I murmured with a smile.

As soon as the door shut, I jumped down from the bed and pulled the drawer out from the nightstand, dropping it on the stone floor. I sorted through the numerous books and grabbed the novel I was so fucking thankful she didn't look through. As I opened the cover, the hollowed book had contents that almost spilled out. Papers among papers, among sketches fell out, wafting along the floor. Several notes about Y/N puddled on the floor. One, which was my favorite, was a letter I wrote to her- well, I refused to send it. If I sent it, any last fiber of my confidence would be crushed like a scrambled egg. My fingers lined the rigid edges as I unfolded it.

Messy paragraphs lined both the front and back of the page.

I smiled. How long ago did I write this? I haven't looked at it in so long. I usually added a sentence to it each time I saw Y/N, which is why it was so long. But I stopped pouring my thoughts and desires into it when I actually had the pleasure of speaking to her.

If she saw this, I would kill myself.

I'd purposely jump into the ocean with two anchors attached to my feet.

I looked over the first paragraph,

'I've never wanted something so badly in my life. To say I yearned for her would be a complete understatement. I longed for her, I yearned, I desired- In simple terms, I wanted her. I mean, how could I not? She was an angel. She was a siren. I would purposely listen to her enchanting song, allowing my boat to crash, just if it meant I could be graced by her presence, by her beauty. I was obsessed with her. If she found out my thoughts, my desires, she would never let herself be seen with me. I wouldn't blame her, though. I was obsessive. It was unhealthy, I knew that. But I didn't care. I wouldn't say I loved her because I didn't know what that felt like. I've never experienced it. But perhaps I did love her. I didn't know, I couldn't tell. All I knew was that she was the only treasure I wanted. Not the One Piece, no. Not even that could match up to her alluring person. If I had to travel every sea in order to find her, battle every sea snake in order to touch her, I would. I would in a heartbeat.'

I grimaced, cringing at what I was reading. Thank god, she didn't see this. I didn't even want to see this.

I tucked the papers back into the hollowed-out book, closing it. I slipped the other novels into the drawer then slid it into the nightstand. With the book of secrets, I needed to hide it somewhere she could never find it- where even I struggled to find it. I didn't want to throw it out for I would be completely discarding all of those moments we had together, although she couldn't reconcile them with me because at that time, I was nonexistent to her.

Maybe I could follow my own idea and form my own message in a bottle. I never mentioned her name, nor my own. To an outsider's perspective, it was anonymous.

I shook my head and slipped the book back into the bedside table. She wouldn't be back anytime soon so I had enough time to properly execute a fool-proof plan.

But right now?

I needed to go get another coat.

-=-

her pov;

My mother and I resolved things, just like always. And when she caught wind of a pirate suddenly becoming very fond of me, she begged me to invite him over for dinner. I didn’t think that was the best of ideas. Going out to dinner? Sure! But to have him over? At our house? I cringed at the idea.

She fell ill months ago. Nothing too major, but ever since she’s gotten better, she despises leaving the house and even made me bring her bed downstairs so she could sleep next to the kitchen just in case she had a hankering for something to eat. It was ridiculous, I knew that. But I couldn’t just tell her no. She was my own mother. While I was old enough, I definitely wasn't going to willingly disobey her.

She persisted that I go and grab Buggy so we could have him over for dinner, while I insisted we all go out to eat. She hated the idea and told me that it was her house, her rules.

I grimaced at the thought.

Now, I was just outside Buggy's home, knocking on the stone door. I hoped he was home, though there was no possibility of me being able to ask him prior to my arrival. I knew he was busy. He was a very busy man. I was surprised he made time for me.

With another knock, another silence fell. I groaned and backed up.

My eyes trailing down, I stared at the doorknob and chewed on my bottom lip. He wouldn't care if I waited inside, right? We trusted each other. He knew where I lived and I knew where he lived. As far as I knew, he never crossed any of my boundaries and I definitely didn't cross any of his- well, except for maybe 'snooping' through his nightstand.

Without thinking too much more about it, I grabbed the rusted doorknob, gave it a firm twist, then shoved it open. I almost fell through the doorway.

I caught my balance and stepped inside, closing the door behind me. Without the lantern being lit, it was rather dark, but the bright blue sky helped to illuminate the small room. He must've not been home since I left.

I looked around, admiring everything.

As I took a seat on the edge of the bed, I noticed a piece of paper laying on the floor. It wasn't there before.

I raised an eyebrow and reached to grab it but before I could, the door flung open, a certain blue-haired pirate standing in the entrance. When he noticed me, he smirked. I gulped.

"So, we're breaking and entering, are we?" The man grinned as he took a few paces forward.

"I'm sorry," I murmured, scratching the back of my neck. "I came over to ask you about dinner but you weren't here so I figured I would wait."

"No worries, I'm only teasing."

"So?" I folded my arms, leaning forwards.

"So what?" Buggy questioned as he slipped his coat off. Since when did he get a new coat? And why? I was only borrowing the one he lent me. I didn't plan on keeping it. But I guess now it was okay if I did.

"Dinner? Are you available?"

"Hmm, it depends. What time?"

"I don't know, sometime tonight? Only for two hours or so. My mother wanted to meet you. I told her about you."

"What did you tell her?"

"That you've been a friend of mine for a few weeks now and you've been fortunate enough to treat me and help me out," I said with a smile. "She thought you were my boyfriend." I chuckled.

"Heh, that's rich," Buggy said as he turned around to close the door.

"So? Can you?"

"I guess so. Just don't leave me alone with her. I really don't want to be bombarded with questions." The man said as he folded the jacket over his arm then slung it on the countertop. "Did you tell her about my nose?"

I laughed, confused. "No? Why would I?"

"It's my defining feature. It's hard not to notice it when you see me."

"I didn't tell her. I didn't think it was important. I even forget it's there."

The clown burst out in laughter, his eyes closing as he clutched his stomach and nearly fell back with his fit of giggles. I pursed my lips. "What's so funny?" I asked as I crossed my arms.

"It's cute how you're trying to be nice to me. With a nose like mine, how can you forget it's there?" He replied while wiping a tear from his eye.

I felt flustered with the first part of his monologue but I ignored it and shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know, I just do. It's not all I see whenever I look at you, ya know. It's not my main focus point when we speak. I look at your eyes, not your nose."

"And yet again, you prove to me that you're different than others."

I smiled. "Hope that's a good thing."

Buggy smirked, winking his left eye. "Of course it is."

The pirated approached me before he knelt down and picked up the piece of paper. He examined it for a moment then laughed to himself. "Grocery list," He explained as he shoved the paper into his pocket.

I paid no attention to the paper. It wasn't any of my business. "Speaking of groceries, want to go help me get food for dinner?"

"What's on the menu?"

"No idea, but let's just grab something so she won't be bitching later."

"Guess I'll be needing this again," The blue-haired man said as he reached to grab his jacket. He slipped his arms through and adjusted the collar. "We match now."

"Mine's more vintage than yours." I winked.

"Oh, so it's yours now?"

"No?" I gulped.

Buggy giggled. "It is. I got my own now so no worries about giving it back. Unless you'd like to trade from time to time."

"No, I like this one."

The man looked at me, an eyebrow cocked upward.

I paid his look no attention and instead looked down at the tattered suede coat I wore. I inhaled softly. It smelled like him.

A soft odor mixed with whiskey, coconut, and cinnamon. And while I hated the stench of alcohol, it worked for him.

I couldn't imagine him without it.

[eskymoos]

Levi Ackerman- The Richest Man in the World

You wanted to make a normal date with Levi more fun and unconventional, but you forgot that he can read you like an open book. Word count- 1409 Female reader x Levi Ackerman SFW

Dating Levi Ackerman can be very exciting. From under the sheets to simple, humble dinner dates. He always has a way of making it memorable for both of you. There is one occasion in particular, however, that will never slip your mind.

It was a hot summer day in Trost when the two of you headed for the heart of the city. There was no end goal other than to put your responsibilities aside and save up some time for each other. You were having an amazing time when a great idea came to your mind. 

There was a tall building on your left– a multifloored store for dresses of all sorts. Green, red, blue. Short, long, exotic. All of it in one place. You weren't surprised considering that many wealthy people lived here and most of them could easily afford to fill their wardrobes with clothes. Your eyes turned to stars and your jaw dropped.

''Hey, why don't we go inside?''

You suggested that and Levi, who was holding your arm to his chest like a gentleman, glanced over at the entrance. ''Hmmm? You like something?''

''Not yet. Come on.'' You urged and he didn't set you back. The Captain followed right after you, curious as to what you had in mind.

The place really was huge and the store owners gladly welcomed you inside, inviting Levi to sit over at a sofa and observe for now. You began looking at every dress, mesmerized at how amazing all of their designs were. 

But there is another thing that you couldn't ignore. You wondered if the reason you never wore dresses is because your body type just didn't allow it or because your budget was too small. Nonetheless it all made you hesitate a bit. You went quiet for a moment.

''Are you okay?'' Levi inquired, already sipping on a cup of tea he was brought while you were zoned out. 

''Yeah.'' You clicked your tongue and resumed the search.

It was best you kept your worries to yourself. You knew Levi was always one to watch over you and be sensible. You didn't want to feel like you've wasted his time so you chose to pretend that none of the dresses were up your alley.

The first one you tried on was truthfully ugly. You didn't have to fake the reaction. The color made your nose scrunch in disgust.

''I feel like a disco ball. There are too many beads,'' you murmured and your gaze ran to your quiet boyfriend. Levi was silent but his eyes were burning right through you. He took another long sip and said nothing. No sign of any emotion. 

Then you tried another one on. It was very beautiful but too long and tripped you over a couple of times. 

''It's my style but too long. I would need them to shorten it.'' You looked down and realized that not even your legs were visible through the material.

Levi was still watching and still saying nothing. You're beginning to wonder if this is boring for him.

Then your interest was piqued by three others. Unlike the first ones, you actually had luck this time. The dresses were the perfect size, shape and color. In fact, they resembled the ones you used to read about in your books. It was a fantasy brought to your reality. 

But you couldn't have Levi know that or else you'd have to tell him how this entire time you didn't have the money for any of this. You know he wouldn't mock you but the guilt would eat at your heart.

''It's…something. These are getting progressively worse, don't you think?'' You asked for his input, finding his sitting reflection in the mirror. Once more his mouth didn't open to speak but his focus went up and down on you. Was he eye fucking you or judging your horrible taste? 

After a few minutes of doubtful thoughts and inner regret, you shrugged your shoulders.

''Well it's fine. I'm glad that we came here at least. Maybe next time I will buy myself something.'' You explained, sighing deeply. What nobody knew was that if you could, you'd collect every single piece of clothing in this building. That dream owned your soul. 

You put on your casual clothes and walked out the fitting room to Levi who stepped closer to you and brushed the hair out of your face. For a moment you got the idea that he was telling you something telepathically but you didn't know what.

''You are beautiful.'' He leaned in to tell you, his voice raspy yet smooth. 

The two of you left, saying goodbye to the workers inside. Your gut shrunk a bit. You didn't know what to feel about what just happened.

And so, the arrows of the clock kept looping and two days passed by. You heard a knock on your door.

You opened it to see Petra and Oluo– two very loyal members of Levi's squad. He had told you many times about them but you rarely saw them.

''Is everything okay?'' You rush to ask, already overthinking what could be happening.

''Oh yeah.'' Petra grinned warmly and lifted a strange, enormous bag in her hands. ''The Captain told us to bring this to you. Enjoy.''

The two nodded respectfully, deserting you there with your own thoughts and a lot of confusion. Why exactly would Levi send you something? The two of you lived together so wouldn't it make sense that he directly handed it to you?

You brushed off all questions and checked the contents of the delivery. Your eyes turned big and round when you saw the three exact dresses you fell in love with the other day. But how? You gave it your best to hide what you felt and even acted repulsed but somehow Levi saw through your disguise. Now it makes sense why he was looking so attentively at you. He was studying your face bit by bit as if it were some kind of science. He knew just what you had on your mind.

All of them were crazy expensive which made you freak out a bit. The Captain went out of his way to purchase them without even looking at the price tag? The idea that he went back for that made your heart melt. It also angered you a bit that this entire time he kept quiet and acted natural while you put up an act.

What a foxy man.

A small note fell off the bag onto the ground and you picked it up to see what was written on it.

Come to my office when you can. Bring the dresses.

Levi

Excited to hear from him, you did just that. You flew out of the house wildly and mounted your horse, heading for the location.

When you arrived, you opened the door to find Hange and Erwin inside, having a conversation with Levi.

Levi looked at you instantly and a spark began dancing in the coldness of his blue eyes. 

''Hange, Erwin, see yourself out,'' he commanded in a reserved tone. Erwin gave him a nod and greeted you idly before exiting. Hange did too, but not before leaning in to whisper in your ear.

''Don't know what you've done to him but he's not himself today.''

You gave them a baffled look. 

''Is that good?''

Hange just grinned, not elaborating any further. They stepped out and shut the door which left just you and Levi in the room. The air turned thick and hard to breathe for a moment.

''Levi, you spent all these money on–''

''Try them on.'' He cut you off, standing up from his seat and approaching you. ''Put them on again. This time be genuine with what you think.''

You sucked in your lower lip and try to formulate a sentence. ''It's too much. It's just too much. I can't possibly pay you back.''

He reached out and pulled you in his arms, his intonation full of sheer affection and pure devotion. ''That's not for you to worry. I want you to try them on and tell me if they need any adjustments.''

You put both hands on his shoulders, ''Are you sure?''

His face moved closer, his mouth caressing your ear. ''Why would I say it if I don't mean it?'' He chuckled. And before you could do what he requested you to, he took your hand and stole your attention momentarily to speak what was on his mind this entire time: ''You make me the richest man in the world, you know that?''

🌹

[flodaya]

okay I have collected my thoughts and i am done screaming in dms

mild spoilers so read at your own risk

i have not read the script ever and i am so glad i didn’t because as a movie the story worked really well

it was fast paced and kept you entertained

my biggest complaint is that the timelines are a little messy and the jumps can get a little too confusing

though on the other hand i did like how they chose to parallel some scenes of their youth with the present

all of three of them are such fucked up people but..... why do i still have a huge soft spot for Patrick and Tshi, idk man, if teenage Art wasnt such a little snake i know Tashi and Patrick could have been such a cute romance

they definitely had the best chemistry too imo, that scene of college Tashi and Patrick in their room ???? SO HOT i was gagged

(sidenote: i need to get back into yoga)

Z, Mike and Josh are such talented actors and portrayed their roles so so so well

i also love how you really cant root for any of them, they are all equally fucked. up and unlikeable but i will still say Art is the biggest SNAKE because he was the whole reason the mess between the three of them even got so out of hand

the sauna scene? oh damn, the homoeroticism in this movie can not be understated

also thank you @ Luca for canon bisexual Patrick <3

i am obsessed with love triangles that are actual triangles and not just two men fighting over a woman, these three were all obsessed with each other and so attracted to each other in every sense of the word

the ending is really something, it's one of the main reasons i want to watch it again because i need to relive it to fully comprehend what happened there

WHEN PATRICK DID THE RACKET THING AT THE END I SCREAMED i knew it was going to come back

the directing and cinematography was STUNNING, i had some shots that felt strange (eg. when we were the racket or the ball?) but then you got shots as if you were watching from underneath the court which were so visually pleasing

as many have said the score is beautiful, it fits the entire vibe so well, you really get immersed in the world of this fast paced tennis competition

i'm bad at giving star ratings so i'll just say i enjoyed it a lot, it was a really fun time and i'm so happy Z's first movie in a leading role was so good (malcolm and marie did not happen)

[brunosaderogatory]

Hello.

So... What do you think of Daniela and/or Lorenzo?

Hello, and oh buddy don't get me STARTED /ref

Honestly, I do not know where to begin with these two. I love them. I hate them. I want to keep them in a controlled environment so I could conduct a study of them with a little microscope and also squeeze them until their eyeballs pop out as if they were a pair of Panic Petes. In other words, I like them a lot as characters in a narrative and characters in a world. My opinion of them as people differs from minute to minute, but that is because they reflect the morally ambiguous, and sometimes outright cruel--but equally often loving--world in which they exist.

That being said:

At first, Lorenzo seems to be a very two-dimensional character. He's just a goofy dad who is more concerned with his avocations than he is with his son or wife, a painfully overdone trope in the world of children's cinema, but a few key details (and a bit of useful input from Enrico Casarosa) reveal something more.

For starters, Lorenzo is a lot like Luca. Rather, he is Luca---or who Luca could have very easily become. Lorenzo is meek and lets his wife take the reigns when the situation gets tough. Lorenzo is often off in his own little world, not paying much attention to anything but his own interests and inclinations. Lorenzo is kind-hearted and seems to want change, but is too burdened by his own anxieties or past failures to work up the courage again. And, I do say "again" because the search for his son was not the first time Lorenzo was on the surface.

His older brother (and possibly twin) Ugo was not the only one in their family to have explored the surface world before; Lorenzo was, most likely, right along beside him. Now, we don't know what exactly happened that resulted in Lorenzo's parents sending Ugo to the deep nor Lorenzo to stop trying to get a taste of the human way of life, but Ugo was sent. And Lorenzo did stop. However, it is unlikely that any tragic event took place. Rather, I believe the conclusion to Lorenzo's explorations happened out of conformity to the rules and traditions of his culture because Lorenzo never once spoke ill of humans.

Daniela calls them bloodthirsty lunatics. She insists that Luca has a death wish, and, very explicitly, she insinuates that he will die trying to hang with the humans. On the other hand, Lorenzo only gawks at his son's audacity and tenacity. Lorenzo even tries to reel in Daniela as she threatens Luca with a trip to the deep, but, of course, it is a fruitless attempt because he is meek. He does not have his son's tenacity nor his audacity---those traits were derived from Daniela alone. And this impotence serves as his most abhorrent attribute.

No, he's not doing anything wrong, but he's being a willful bystander. He's compliant with the evils, and, when it gets down to it, he backs them up! He makes no decision for himself, but when he does, he either chickens out of it at the last minute or doesn't know how to bounce back from a failure. Despite being fully aware of what the deep sea can do to a person--despite very likely disagreeing with his wife--he allows her to almost put their son, his son, in a situation that will inevitably, undeniably, deform (translucent skin, eroded teeth, discolored eyes, discolored fins) and disable (cardiovascular issues) him with time.

I'm glad he changed his side for the brighter half in the end, but I didn't see any actual change happen. He's still following his wife around from the looks of it, and that isn't what's needed for him to grow as a person and as a character. Although he's a three-dimensional character that appears to have only two, he's a static character that's been played off as a dynamic for far too long. He was a meek follower in the beginning, and he was a meek follower in the end. The only reason he came onto the good side of things is that the person he was following changed paths, and that isn't enough for me to truly like him (but it sure as hell does give me a lot to work with as a fanfic author, so thank you, Luca crew!).

Now, Daniela. When I think of Daniela, I think of a girl that (for lack of a better metaphor) was raised in a church who could have very well turned out queer, but due to the teachings she was fed---and possibly a very messy lesbian breakup---turned into a very, very hateful woman who, years down the line, rediscovered her bisexuality after the boy she was raising to be a goody-two-shoes, god-fearing, church-going fellow come out to her as vivaciously gay. That is to say, if it wasn't for Massimo, Daniela would be the most dynamic character in the movie. And if it weren't for Alberto, Daniela would be the most complex character in the movie. This is because, like her husband, Daniela tried out the surface life before, but unlike her husband, Daniela is a cruel, unjust force actively working to destroy her son's hopes and happiness at whatever cost necessary--even if it means her son's mental, social, and physical wellbeing. However, the force is derived of only love, fear, and care.

Just as it was in Lorenzo's case, but now far more severe, we lack explicit information about Daniela's past. All we have are the behaviors and beliefs displayed in the movie and information graciously given to us by Enrico Casarosa. These behaviors, beliefs, and Casarosa-given information are: having previously been to the human world; calling humans "bloodthirsty lunatics"; believing humans only go out on the waters for murder; understanding the motions made with a harpoon; attempting to send Luca to the Deep; waiting for Ugo to arrive rather than confronting Luca when she first notices his whereabouts; helicopter-parenting her son; being aware of Luca's interest in the surface/dissatisfaction with the sea; ensuring that Luca stays "safer than safe" while still letting him run off to Genova.

Given these, we can begin to piece together the picture: In her youth, Daniela adventured up to the surface and explored the human way of life, but something went wrong. She was caught in some dangerous situation that likely involved harpoons, or she bore witness to the same thing Luca did as he walked into Portorosso---the statues, the wanted posters, the carvings, the propaganda strewn about, adorning every angle of the town. Regardless, she became terribly fearful of humans and never returned to the surface again.

Unlike Lorenzo, Daniela is not simply abiding by the rules and traditions of their underwater society. Her evasion of humans is born of a completely justifiable fear. Humans hunted sea monsters. Humans put up wanted posters worth $4.5k in today's money for sea monsters captured, dead or alive, and fishermen armed with harpoons lined the waters for a children's race. I feel this is an often forgotten fact when the topic of Daniela's control over Luca comes up: Luca was in real, mortal danger going into Portorosso. Daniela might have been wrong to send Luca to the Deep, but from there, it becomes a discussion of which is worse: possible disability or possible death. Such a discourse grows even more complex when you call to mind that Daniela might not have even been aware of the physical and physiological changes the Deep has on a sea monster before Ugo's arrival.

Daniela's attempted actions are cruel, no doubt, but they are not at all unwarranted. She wants Luca, who she adores and deeply cares for, to be as safe as possible. If she has to be the bad guy to keep her son alive, then she will be the bad guy.

However, Daniela does not stay the bad guy. When she realizes Luca is safe in Portorosso (rather, when Portorosso becomes safe for Luca), she becomes open to the possibility of allowing him to continue living on the surface. She even, after a bit of convincing from Alberto and Libera, allows him to attend school in Genova for nine months out of the school year. At the end of the movie, she is assured of Luca's safety and the humans' ability to change for the better---to stop all the killing, hunting, and fear and begin a peaceful coexistence. This stability allows her to relinquish control over her son and support him in his dreams, even if it means she'll only see him in the summer months.

Daniela is an intensely dynamic and intensely complex character. She's a beautiful foil to her husband, and, quite frankly, I'm obsessed with her and desperately wish to see more of her growth and her past.

Also, Daniela and Lorenzo are peak malewife x girlboss material and I will not be hearing any slander toward their relationship. no idea how Lorenzo managed to bag her, but so glad he did. beautiful. love it. 10/10.

[vintagesuga]

Christmas Love ❆ - Ot8

Genre: Fluff

Pairing: implied Poly Skz x gn! reader

Warning: Polyamory, slight mentions of making food but nothing else

a/n: Happy Birthday to me / Merry Christmas. My birthday was the 24th, so I thought I would just write something up. It's not anything special, just a little homey thing I whipped up. I'm not sure if I'm 100% happy with it, but I hope you guys enjoy it.

⋆꙳•̩̩͙❅̩̩͙‧͙ more under the cut ‧͙̩̩͙❆ ͙͛ ˚₊⋆

You could hear the commotion before you made it to the door. The snow crunched below your feet as you stepped up the stairs. The front of the house was beautifully decorated, lights bouncing off the snow. The wreath hanging on the door was one that Felix had bought years ago but was still holding strong. It was good to be home for Christmas, like breathing fresh air.

Changbin made a noise behind you as he carried your duffle bag up; you had taken your suitcase. As you pushed the door open the voices got louder, yelling and arguing about something as you and Changbin took off your shoes. Coats followed as he took them from you, hung them in the closet, and then Jeongin rounded the corner.

“How was your flight? Did you have fun? Are you hungry?” Jeongin started firing off questions as he pulled you into a hug. The others lined up after hearing you come in, hugs and words of welcome all around. You were passed from boy to boy as you answered questions, a big smile on your face. It may have been loud and overwhelming, but it was home, and you didn’t mind.

“It was horrible out there, the roads are getting slick and the snow isn’t helping at all.” Changbin pouted from somewhere to your left. He had volunteered to pick you up from the airport but had started to regret it with the weather. Changbin never liked driving in the snow.

“Thank you for getting me, Binnie.” You placed a peck on his cheek as thanks before being pulled away by Chan.

“Happy belated Birthday baby.” He mumbled into the crook of your neck, leaning back to place a kiss on your lips.

“Thanks, Channie.”

That’s another reason you were glad to be home. Your birthday was Christmas Eve and you had been stuck in layover due to the weather conditions. So it was spent in a hotel and on a Facetime call. It wasn't the best but at least the boys had been able to call, and you were here now so thats all you cared about.

“Should we open your birthday gifts now, before we eat?” Jisung held up a couple of small boxes, wrapped in balloon wrapping paper.  All eight of your partners had always tried to separate your birthday from the holidays. They made it a point to buy gifts and get a cake and celebrate the days separate from each other, unlike your family. But unfortunately, you hadn’t been able to make it home a day early so you were celebrating it on Christmas.

“Yes! Gifts now, and we can bring out your cake later.” Felix smiled so brightly as he pushed you to sit down on the couch. With the help of Seungmin and Minho, the three pilled all your birthday gifts in front of you. There wasn't much, one from each man and then one from all of them. The boxes weren't big either, though you had a feeling all nine presents were expensive.

Jeongin had gotten those shoes you'd ranted to him about, commenting on how he had grabbed a matching pair for himself. Jisung had gifted a cute little tea set saying how it reminded him of you when he’d seen it in the widow. Minho handed you an envelope, with tickets to your favorite band inside. He grumbled about how they were supposed to be good seats and if you wanted him to go with you he would. Changbin had bought a cute pair of earrings with a matching necklace, helping you put the necklace on. Hyunjin’s gift was the only one that was bigger than the rest. A painting that he had done for you, it was beautiful. Felix had gifted you the clothes you had wanted, conveniently they matched the shoes Jeongin had gotten you to. Seungmin had gotten that game you asked for, joking how he wanted a turn after you completed it. Chan said he didn’t know what to get you after everyone had gotten most of your wish list so he just handed over his gift with a sheepish smile. Inside the box was a little digital camera, with some cute little frames to hold some pictures.

“Thank you guys.” You smiled up at all eight boys, them all, returning the gesture. “I think you've cleared out my wish list.”

“Well, you've still got this one so don’t thank us quite yet shorty.” Hyunjin handed you the small wrapped present.

This one was from all of them, and as you opened it they were all watching you intently. The wrapping paper fell to the ground, the little bow was untied and followed, then the lid was pulled off. Your heart was in your throat as you stared down at the box. Inside was a ring. It wasn't an engagement ring, it was too plain for that. But it was a ring nonetheless. The band was nothing special and the diamond was not that big either, but it was absolutely gorgeous.

“You guys…. This is- I love it.” You were basically speechless, staring down at the ring.

“It's a promise ring,” Seungmin spoke up from beside you, giving your knee a little squeeze. “We all pitched in to get it for you.”

You took the ring out of the box, slipping it onto your ring finger. The way the tiny jewel sparkled in the light had you mesmerized. It sparkled so brightly for such a little thing, but maybe that was the beauty in it.

“Wait.. is this why you wanted my ring size?” You looked accusingly up at Minho. He just gave you a cheeky smirk in response.

“Do you like it?” he asked, to which you were eagerly nodding your head. A big goofy smile on your face had them all smiling too. “Good.”

“It’s our promise to you, baby.” Chan started to say something cheesy but Changbin was already covering his mouth. Mumbling about just enjoying the moment.

“We got ourselves some bands to match.” Felix held out his hand, showing off the silver band that rested on his ring finger. The others also showed off their own bands. You were surprised you hadn't noticed earlier, but then again they all wore jewelry so often it was normal to see rings on their fingers. What was one more?

After that everyone kind of migrated to the kitchen, helping where they could and getting out of the way when needed. Minho only trusted a select few in the kitchen so the rest were setting the table or providing entertainment. You and Jisung were one of the select few forced to be kitchen hands. Prepping and cutting everything while Minho started on the main dish. The house soon filled with aromas and laughter. Everything was just so…. Perfect.

This was all you really wanted for Christmas.

©️vintagesuga Do not repost.

[twst-hottest-takes]

From one Jack simp to another, THANK YOU for your takes and advocating for him, I enjoy reading them all 🙏😭 My hot take is that I have a bit of mixed feelings over Jack being a New Years SSR; I was hoping he'd be a SR. I'M HAPPY OF COURSE!! He looks amazing and it's been so long since his last event SSR, but... I do consider New Year events kind of like mini filler events like MasterChef. They're just not interesting, nothing of substance happens and it's not lore-driven. I think it's kind of a waste to put Jack as a main SSR in an event like this. The cons of Jack being a SSR is that it will cut off the chances of him being the main SSR of a story-driven event for a good while. I was hoping he'd be a SSR for the 2025 halloween event (he had a SR and R card so he's due to a SSR) but it's highly unlikely that a character gets 2 event cards in the span of less than a year. Uh, if they're not the marketable housewardens. (EVENT SSRs I mean. Not counting Club cards or book 7 exclusive cards.) I guess my hopes for a Jack hometown event for 2025 are shattered 😭 I'm still salty that Tapis Rouge ever happened. Vil, who already had 2 EVENT SSRs and was due to getting ANOTHER ONE SOON (Tsum 3 with a Malleus, Vil and Idia SSR was already a certainty) had a "hometown" event before Jack. It makes no sense to me since; we already HAVE a snow-white themed event (Haverston) and didn't need a second one and Vil only spoke about his father like 2 or 3 times in voice lines. Jack on the other hand constantly brings up his family and his siblings whenever he can and spoke about them MULTIPLE times. He deserved this, idc.

Uh, let's hope the groovy for Jackie's new year SSR is good and not another disappointment 😭 and hey, at least he is guaranteed to appear in 2025 halloween event! As a SR I hope... They wouldn't give them ANOTHER R card, right? R-Right??

I understand this on every level.

On one hand we are so desperate for Jack to get more focus that we will take literally anything and appreciate every scrap we are given because DANG THAT CARD LOOKS AMAZING--me being especially glad there are no Pomefiore cards this round to go with it. But on the other hand New Years events aren't that special and it feels like a very lazy way to throw Jack a bone because if the game updates for long enough, all of the characters could theoretically get a New Year's SSR.

Our boy is getting something, but he still deserves better. The game is so prone to neglecting him that I fear they'll say, "Well that's our Jack feature for the next three years!" You're right, a hometown event for him is basically out of the question for this year, but Halloween may still be on the table because of how far away it is! The spacing may be just enough for them to give him to us this year! Please please please pleasepleasepleaseplease. . .

Thank you for your take.

Jack simps unite!

(Now, I still have reservations in regards to Halloween because Jack's birthday is almost immediately afterwards, but that type of thing hasn't stopped the game from featuring SSR cards of a character during their birthday month (MALLEUS) so I won't accept that as an excuse anymore.)

[jeannereames]

More on Sources about Ancient Macedonia

The ask about recent books where I just "vomited" (visually) my library got me thinking.

So, for those of you interested in ancient Macedonia, Alexander, etc., one of the biggest hurdles is that the cutting-edge research often appears first in article/chapter form.

By the time things get to monographs (single-author books), they may be stale. This is true not just for ATG and Macedonia, but all of ancient history. It's a bit LESS true in the last 20 years, but it's a weird aspect of the culture of doing ancient history. Unlike other history fields where newly minted phuds are encouraged to get out that damn book yesterday, ancient history traditionally hasn't. We were encouraged to break down our dissertations into articles and refine things rather than "rushing" to a book. The atmosphere of hiring these days has overturned that a bit...not necessarily to the better (imo). Some books are getting out there--because the young scholars badly need them for tenure--that really aren't quite ready for prime time. I'm now quite glad I didn't try to publish my Hephaistion dissertation. I've changed my mind about some stuff, even significantly. What you'll get (eventually) will be oodles better than what I defended at just 33.

But the flip side of that is the newest stuff ISN'T in a book, which makes it tough to find things if you don't know where to look. And sometimes even when you do. Journals used to be The Thing. Not as much these days. There are many fewer, due to costs, and it's harder to get IN them. Lots of folks wind up going in collections, but these are also hard to place with publishers, making them expensive, so some pretty important recent collections are just priced right out of most people's budgets--even academics'.

That said, if you can get a hold of some of these collections, the article bibliographies are your gateway drug to material you might not even know existed. Probably in article/chapter form.

But I say all this because there are some Big Names who don't have books. For instance, if you want to do Argead Macedonia before Alexander (and Philip), you MUST read the work of Bill (William) Greenwalt. Yet Bill's never put together a monograph, nor even an edited collection of his more important articles. Most aren't on academia.edu, either. You have to go hunting. Similarly, Ernst Badian (THE Ernst Badian) also never published a monograph. He didn't like writing them, and much preferred article format. Now, there is a gathered collection of his stuff, published posthumously, but still. The man had hundreds--and I mean hundreds (north of 300, I think I heard?)--of articles because he was a writing machine. No books.

Some prolific authors do both: Peter Green, Beth Carney, Sabine Mueller (although her books are in German), etc. But there are others out there who just don't do books. I don't have a book out yet. That's not fiction anyway. (Or something I edited.) But I write a fair bit these days, including on here.

But yeah, this is why JSTOR is your friend if you want to research Macedonia. But unis buy "packages" from JSTOR and they aren't always that complete, especially for fields like ancient history, if it's not a Research 1 institution. And if you're not a college student, you can spend some real cash ordering articles.

HINT: always check a journal's direct site. Copies of articles are often cheaper there. The Ancient History Bulletin, for instance, charges just a buck or three per article, but it's much more if you order via JSTOR. Academia.edu also will often have at least some articles, but it depends on the author having uploaded them, and we're typically forbidden to upload things for a certain number of years.

You can also just email the author/scholar directly if you can find their email. I've never turned down a private email request for an article if I had a PDF. Most people won't. More often, we're startled anybody (especially anybody not another academic) would want a copy. 😂 We're not forbidden from sharing PDFs privately. We just can't post them on a site like academia.edu.

[skywarpie]

little devils - Dad Aether fic

Pairing: Papa Emeritus IV/Aether Ghoul

Rating: gen

tags: domestic fluff, house husband Aether/dad Aether finally getting attention from me bc I'm always ignoring him, half ghoul child OCs

Summary: The Impera tour has recently kicked off, only Aether isn't on this tour cycle. Instead, he's at the ministry working on their taxes and babysitting his kids.

Translations:

I mieli bambini! - My babies!

Babbo - Daddy

Poco sole - little sunshine.

words: 1,631

AO3 link

Aether lays stretched out on the floor with one arm folded under his chin. The other holding his phone. Originally there for the purpose of the game the girls had wanted to play but quickly lost interest in. Something that seemed to he happening recently these days.

“Are you calling babbo ?” Poppy asks as she wiggles herself under his arm holding the phone. Several red curls fall into her face and she pushes them away with the back of her tiny hand. Her tail wags lazily behind her as she looks up at him expectedly with eyes matching Copia's. 

“Hmm. What makes you ask that?” Aether takes the opportunity to tuck the curls she's still fighting with behind her small horns. 

“Because you aren't paying attention to us anymore.” Salem flops herself down on his back. Her tiny form is comical compared to Aether’s. Unlike her sister, her light blonde hair is tied loosely at the nap of her neck. A tiny paw reaching out for his phone, which he quickly moves from her grasp. “Hey!” She pouts and butts the back of his dead with her own horns. 

He chuckles, glad the both of them are now more comfortable presenting themselves without their glamors. Being part human had its perks, apparently. At barely a year old, the both of them had been able to glamorize themselves, something that sometimes even took a full blooded ghoul decades to perfect. While Aether was proud, Copia had been filled with panic, one moment holding a normal baby and the next holding a ghoul kit that wasn't aware they possessed very sharp horns. 

“Is this normal!? Should this be happening?!” 

Even four years later, Aether can still hear the panic in his mate and it’s just as amusing as day one. And although he'd never admit it, Aether knows he was much the same when they were in their human forms.

“And if I am?” He hums nonchalantly. 

“We want to talk to him!” They spout in unison, something that was very common for twins. At least according to Copia. Aether was still unsure about that though. 

He mocks offense. “What about me!?”

Poppy's brow furrows. “We're talking to you right now!”

“And because of that you can't keep doing it?”

Salem let's own a tiny growl over his shoulder that has him laughing. 

“Fine. Fine. You've twisted my arm. We'll call him.”

Both kits perk up, their ears jumping to attention as their tails wags furiously. It's incredibly enduring and Aether vaguely wonders when he became so domestic.

The three of them watch the tiny screen as it mirrors them while ringing. Copia's currently on the other side of the world, performing at various festivals and venues. But Aether has the timing down to a T. He should be done or just about done. If they're lucky, he's already back in his hotel room.

On the fifth ring, he picks up and his thick nasally mixture of Italian and American accents fills the room.

“I mieli bambini !“

“ Babbo !” 

The girls crowd around the screen, tails wagging even faster as they try to squeeze in as close as possible. 

Copia responds with exaggerated mwah's as he pretends to kiss the screen the same way he would their foreheads if he were there. “How have you been? Good girls for your daddy, I hope.” He arches a sculpted brow before looking playfully at his mate.

“They've been absolutely terrible. ” 

Aether watches as a look of alarm replaces Copia's excited one. 

“One minute they want to play one thing, the next minute I'm nothing but a jungle gym!” 

His expression softens and he laughs, glad it's nothing too serious. “Si. They seem to be good at that. Eh?” He flashes the twins a smile. It earns him a fit of giggles.

“How is touring?” 

Copia's demeanor changes once more. Only now it's one of exhaustion. “Tiring. I don't remember the last tour cycles being this..intense.”

“To be fair, the last tour cycle was nearly seven years and one pandemic ago. I think that checks out.” 

“I was also probably about thirty pounds lighter then too.” Copia's laugh is dry, a poor attempt at making it sound like a joke.

Aether remembers the last tour vividly. It's when he was christened as Papa Emeritus IV and was no longer Cardinal Copia. It'd been shortly after the end of that tour that they'd learned they were going to be parents. He remembers Copia frantically flitting about his office, trying to occupy himself with anything to create a distraction. Because the thought of two newborns and having to write a new album were definitely taking a toll on him mentally. Shortly after that the world had shut down and it almost seemed to work in his favor. The album was no longer a priority. 

It had taken several years for things to smooth back into place and it wasn't until this tour cycle, the Impera Tour, that they'd both realized it was either leaving the kits at the ministry or bringing them on tour with them. Copia had liked the second idea better. He'd barely been away from them longer than a day before, let alone months. There’d been a numerous amount of discussion until finally it was settled. Aether would remain at the ministry, keeping up with the paperwork Copia was undoubtedly still receiving while also taking care of Poppy and Salem. In return, Copia and the rest of the band (plus two new members) would go on tour.

“Babbo,” Poppy chimes in, “how many more tours till you come home?” 

“Ah,” now Copia sighs, “about a dozen more.” He frowns as their faces fall. “But it will be over in no time! They are scheduled back to back, remember?” He wags his finger in the air.

“How many days is that?” Salem is apparently having none of it.

“Eh, I'm  – I'm not sure, poco sole. ” 

It's not what she wants to hear. Her tail stops swaying. “That's not fair.” Her lip pouts out as her eyebrows scrunch together.

“Hey, hey, what did we say about pouting?” Aether takes the opportunity to roll her off his back.

“I don't care!”

“Crying isn't going to bring babbo home any sooner.”

She looks on the verge of tears and Copia takes the opportunity to interject. “Poco sole, babbo will be home in three weeks. Does that sound better?”

“We want you to come home now.” Poppy's sad features obscure the camera from her sister and father. 

“Ah, I know. I know. Babbo wishes he could be there now too. But I have to finish the tour. It's what helps our ministry grow!” 

Still unsatisfied with the answer, the twins seem to grow more agitated. Aether glances at the clock. “Hey, didn't Sunshine say she had a new flavor of ice cream for y'all to try?”

They gasp in unison, giggling and grabbing each other's hands as they race toward the door. Small shouts of bye echoing. 

“Aether!”

The ghoul turns back to the screen.

“They can't have ice cream without having eaten dinner first. See, this is why I didn't want to leave. It's chaos!”

Aether knows where this is going. Another spiraling incident. His mate seems to be having those a lot more recently. 

“I doubt one time will hurt. Besides, how I parent when you aren't here isn't a concern.” Copia gapes, mouth sputtering. “Now tell me, for real. How is the tour?”

That tired look crosses his face again. A hand runs through his hair while the Papa sighs. “I don't know, Aether. One minute I think it's going well and then the next I don't. Maybe I'm getting too old for this stuff.”

“Hip injury acting up?” The old ballet wound had forced him to walk with a cane for several years. Occasionally rearing its head.

“A bit. I think I just really miss home. Well, not home home but you guys. Eh, if that makes sense.”

“It does and we miss you too.” 

They settle into comfortable silence for a small time before Aether asks the burning question. “The new kids doing good?”

“Oh, fantastic! Aurora is a gem and Phantom plays beautifully only…”

“He's not me.”

“Si. He's not you.”

“You'll get used to it. Don't worry. Besides, in no time you'll be home and then you'll have me all to yourself.” A mischievous glint shines in his eyes. One that has a red dusting coating Copia's painted cheeks. 

An announcers voice cuts through the background as they mention the next band playing. Copia looks defeated as he sighs. 

“That's us. I'll talk to you tomorrow?”

“Or later tonight. You know those two little devils don't let anyone sleep longer than an hour or two.”

Copia laughs a genuine laugh, the first one of the call. 

They spend another minute or two telling the other bye until finally a crew member essentially yanks Copia from the phone and onto the stage. Aether chuckles as he tosses his phone to the side and stretches. A part of him is glad he isn't on tour. It's always nice but he truly has become a domesticated creature, now preferring the ministry over the stage.

He drags himself off the floor and stands, stretching again.

“ Daddy! ” The twins run in, shouting in unison. Each one latches onto a hand as they jump up and down. It's then that Aether sees the sticky ice cream drying all over their tiny mouths. Thank Lucifer Copia isn't here. He'd kill me.

“You have to try the ice cream!”

“It's the best!”

“Hm, is that right?”

“Uh-huh!”

He lets them lead him out and into the ghoul den’s small kitchenette. 

There's definitely no way any of them will be sleeping tonight.

[stop-breaking-my-heart-telltale]

now that I've had some time to think about Book Three's cover/description, here are some bullet-point thoughts

The art style has vastly improved from Book One. It feels like Tillie's finally comfortable with style, and the characters here don't have same face syndrome here. Also the color palette here is my favorite of the three covers. From everything that I've read from Tillie, the way she works with color is a strong point of her work... which again, makes me wish the entire comic was in color but nooooo...

It looks like Ricca has her own cane now, which makes sense given a bit point of her character through the series is her worsening vision like... even with her glasses, she's practically blind.

Clementine has a new hat. Y'know... because her iconic hat got left with AJ... y'all still remember AJ, right? The comics don't.

Dr. Barnwell the cat made it onto the cover.... you know I'm in too deep with these damn comics when I see some random person be like "Clementine's getting a new cat" and I say, out loud, "That's Dr. Barnwell, you dingus, he's been around since the end of Book One." AS IF ANYONE ELSE CARES!

I know too much about this series, y'all

In my defense, I'm a little snappy about stuff like that after Book Two came out and people were just making shit up about what happens, going as far as to fake screenshots, and tell people it's "just like fifty shades of grey" when uh NO? it's not? People were deliberately trying to deceive others over certain elements and it still makes me mad whenever I think about it.... ANYWAY

We also see Fen and Olivia featured here, too. Fen's one of the more interesting side characters we've gotten, and I'm glad she survived Book Two, and Olivia.... I notice the way she's drawn with the front of her body hidden. I know that's probably to not show spoilers for Book Two since that reveal's a big deal, but still.

"Clementine finally has it all–a safe place to live, a girlfriend, and even a cat…but nothing lasts forever. And when Clementine suffers a loss unlike anything she’s ever faced, a new mentor called The Gardener offers her a new family, and a new way of living… but at what cost?" This is the description we were given.

First of all, Clementine had it all at Ericson, and it didn't make her happy. In fact, it made her so miserable that she left... I kinda hope this book does something with that by giving her everything she wants [as in, the safe home, a romantic partner, friends, a cat, etc] and she's STILL unhappy...? And it ends with her leaving again? But something tells me it won't.

Clementine's going to suffer a loss "unlike anything she's ever faced"? Ehhhh, press X to doubt. I played the games, I lived through all of her losses. I don't think anything will ever top seeing her parents as walkers and then losing Lee right after.

I mentioned before that the obvious direction here would be for Olivia to lose her baby, or for Olivia to die after giving birth, but uh... Clementine's been through both of those things with Christa and Rebecca... but we have to keep in mind that we're so far removed from the games at this point that it's never going to bring those up, y'know?

Real talk though? I'm very intrigued by the idea of a new mentor character called The Gardener who is apparently offering her a new family and a new way of life... but at a cost. What cost? What new way of life? What new family? Are we joining a cult now?

Listen, we missed out on the opportunity for a cannibalism plot in Book One, and Miss Morro left a lot to be desired in Book Two, so like... go extra dark this time. C'mon, Tillie, do it.

Also, Amos is definitely coming back as a twist villain, I feel it in my bones. We didn't see a body at the end of Book One okay!

I'm mostly joking but also NOT JOKING AT ALL!

My offer still stands, if Amos comes back, the book is an automatic 5/5 stars, no questions asked.

Anyway, I'll keep y'all updated on this, and when it releases next year, I'll write my in-depth review... "I read it so you don't have to" and all that.

Just as a final reminder, and allow me to make it extra big so that everyone can see it:

Leave Tillie Walden alone. I don't care if you hate the comics or think they're an insult to the game or whatever else. You want to express that, then do it on your blog. Don't send it to Tillie. We have enough pricks harassing her as is, and you're the bigger asshole here if you think it's okay to send her shit like that, so don't.

Seriously, it's the last book and then Tillie's done with the series, and I doubt they're gonna sign her on to make more. The games still exist, you can still go play them, these comics aren't taking that away from you... and if you feel like they are, then don't engage with them, period. It's not hard.

I cover the comics in-depth for people who don't want to read them but are curious about what happens. They don't bother me in that "they ruined the games" way that they used to, so I can handle it. If you can't, then do yourself a favor and just don't. Just don't!

[la-pheacienne]

Somebody should tell team green moral crusaders that the reason we do not like the scene of Daemon licking his mummy's pussy is not because it's so unFoRGiVAbLe compared to "normal" targcest (lol). It is because it is gratuitous sexposition and pretty cringe. And I am actually able to recognize this as gratuitous sexposition and pretty cringe because I, unlike y'all, watch a TV show with the intention of following a good, entertaining story and relating to the characters on screen. I, unlike y'all, do not watch a TV show with the sole intention of engaging in mental masturbation over the bAd bAd targs. That's not my end goal. That is precisely why I am able to genuinely enjoy many scenes with Otto, Aegon and Criston, (three disgusting, hateful bigots that belong to a "team" I hate), and I enjoy their scenes and their characters because I actually like how the show humanized them and made them relatable even. I understand Otto's disillusionment and anger looking at the chaos caused by his grandson and Criston, I even find it entertaining, I relate to that even if I hate the character. The character makes sense, his scenes are filled with meaning. That is good TV. Aegon's arc is also satisfying, he's an antagonist I can relate to, even if he's a rapist. He feels real to me, I feel something for the character, organically, when I watch his scenes. Good TV. Even Criston is almost funny in his stereotypical bootlicking bigotry and in some scenes I genuinely enjoy watching him because I feel that I understand him. I do not excuse him, I hate him, but I understand him. I know guys like him. The character makes sense, he has a truth in him. Good TV.

Daemon licking his mama's pussy in a dream is not good TV. The scene is there to force a certain subversive interpretation/deconstruction on the viewer via shock but since it is absolutely devoid of substance, it comes off, again, as yet another example of objectification of female sexuality, yet another example of classic GoT sexposition. The reason that this scene has no substance is that we already know that Targs fuck each other. We already know they are an incestuous family. We already know this is a problematic dynamic. The main plot points are enough to showcase this. With that in mind, having one of the core characters of your show, (possibly the book fandom's fave before the show shitfest, and one of the writer's fave characters), lick his mother's pussy as a means of character development does not add anything at all to 1) the narrative if anybody still gives a fuck about it, 2) Daemon's characterization, 3) the themes of the story. Quite the contrary, and even in the hypothesis that Daemon is a pure unambigous villain (and not a "grey" character as grrm calls him lol), even with this assumption, the antagonist becomes cartoonish and the audience feels completely disconnected to him. Which is great if your objective is 1) to get off on incest porn via a hot blonde chick on screen and/or 2) to validate your hate boner for a fictional House whose members are the protagonists of a book and TV series you keep reading and watching while hating the protagonists. It is not great, however, if your objective is to watch a good story with antagonists that have something to say and that feel real and truthful and meaningful.

This antagonist in particular feels ridiculous as if he came straight out of a bad fanfic. And you like that shit. I'm glad to know that the bar is so ridiculously low that you are willing to praise even the cheapest, most typical example of gratuitous titillation aimed at the average GoT fan reddit dudebro, just to prove a point. You actually stoop so low, it is mesmerizing.

[troutfur]

thistlebush helping kill silverstream, but also maybe helping shelter leafpool and squirrelflight and their kits from the worst of snow even in such a weak power level while they rest in a nearby tree or something, because even if leafpool shouldnt have kits, even if theyre half clan and he's not happy about that she's still his MEDICINE CAT and the only one at that, and by starclan he will NOT let his medicine cat get frostbite because she's stupid even if he's not fully happy with her for being stupid with the running off thing or whatever replaces it in this au because i know people change this arc a lot on who the sire is and how it happens but she's their only medicine cat and the plan she has to put this behind her and move on is a good one, she's clearly repenting unlike stupid graystripe insert obligatory she shouldnt have to but like its thistleclaw here

maybe his tugging on her fur was one of the reasons squirrelflight agreed, as if it was him trying to go "yes, cmon, its perfect, we can fix this, say yes"

I just...i love his nuance, i love him, i hold your portrayals of mudclaw and thistleclaw so gently in my hands as wrong but nuanced cats who did bad things, and dont regret it, but had interesting nuanced reasons why and are capable of more then just those things

✍️

Y'all are on fire with this Thistlebush scenarios.

Yes, yes! I can imagine that, with the move and them no longer having a RiverClan border the new location he took root in after the stray seeds caught in someone's pelt could be somewhere aroudn the other border, near WindClan. He could have seen Leafpool go out, give her a scratch as she left, as bad as he could given his power level and the limitations of his magic to punish her for deserting the clan and when she comes back that same way... He's surprised by her loyalty and lets her pass, only leaving a stray seed or pollen on her so he has a connection to her.

I can see him using that liaison to the camp to listen in on her and Squilf as they are planning and fretting and with what little power he still has manifesting in their dreams, pointing them to a hiding place, letting them know about a place where they can rest and give birth to their kits.

The three are dangerous to StarClan. The prophecy plus the fact they came from a codebreaker doesn't endear them to the kittens. For all they care let Leafpool bear the consequences of her actions, whatever those may be.

Firestar is dead, Hawkfrost's plan succeeded, and Brambleclaw is carrying his involvement to the grave as he ingratiates himself with the very rule-following Brackenstar. Leafpool is beloved, but without her dad in the highest office will she be granted leniency? StarClan doesn't really care, but if not, two birds with one stone eh?

Thistleclaw has other ideas. He can't help directly, and he hates the idea of these kits in principle. But the Clan having a medicine cat is important. She better not repeat this fuckup, though. He has his limits.

Aaaaah, thank you! <3 Putting out these concepts and playing with the ideas of StarClan as the embodiment of the historical memory of the Clans is very, very interesting to me. I'm glad it's resonating and really hitting for y'all.

My plans for Haneossia are very all-encompassing and ambitious. So many moving parts and concepts to explore, not only with the supernatural side of things but also with the default polyamory dynamics. I'm still trying to figure out how to realize it all within a format that is comfortable to me. I am, at my core, a writer of short stories not long form fiction. So bear with me as I experiment and see how I can strike a balance between executing my ideas and keeping my workload manageable.

[dragon-kazansky]

Spirit of the sea

Izzy Hands x Reader (GN)

You were a member of Blackbeard's crew long ago. Then you became a ghost story. Izzy Hands only sees you in his dreams these days, until he sees you for real when investigating Stede Bonnet. This sets him on a rollercoaster of emotions between you and what his captain is doing.

{Masterlist}

{Previous Chapter} - {Next Chapter}

Warnings: Swearing. Heavy plot from episode 3, but you're in it a lot more.

Chapter Two - Delusional

♡♡♡

"What's up with you?"

Izzy was shaken from his thoughts by the voice of his captain. He had come here to explain that he didn't think this Stede Bonnet was really worth his time. Izzy had left out the part where they tried to scare him with a ghost tale.

"Nothin'."

Blackbeard turns slightly in his chair to look at his first mate from the corner of his eye. Izzy was all stiff and quiet. Something was clearly on his mind.

"Just thinkin' of the past, is all."

Blackbeard hummed in thought. Something was bothering his first mate. That wasn't like him.

♡♡♡

Stede returns to his ship with his one prisoner. Lucius just wanted to get out his bloodstained clothes. He had been traumatised enough for one day.

"Tie him back up and I'll go check on our other prisoner."

Stede marched onward below deck.

A week earlier Stede had caught himself a prisoner. They had been trying to steal from him and in an embarrassing scenario that involved being scared, a lot of screaming, and a decent whack to the head, Stede had managed to imprison them. He was just glad to have knocked someone out without accidentally killing them in the process.

Stede looks through the bars to see the prisoner sitting the floor, head bowed down, one arm resting on their knee.

"What?" They ask.

"Uh, nothing. Just checking in on you."

"I see the ship is sailing again."

"Yes, we had some help."

At last you look up at him. Stede was unlike any pirate you had ever heard of. Polite, clean, generous.

"So, what's the plan?" You ask him.

"The plan?"

"Yeah. I've been locked up in about a week. You gotta have a plan, right? Can't just keep me in here forever."

"Right, a plan..."

"You don't have one?"

"Of course I have a plan!" Stede argues. "I'm just not telling you."

"Right..."

"Captain!" The voice of Buttons calls out.

"I have to go. Don't go anywhere," Stede warns in the softest way possible.

"Not that I can if I wanted to," you sigh and watch him walk away.

♡♡♡

The Republic of Pirates. Not as fearsome as it once was, but still the place to be for information and goods. Stede was fascinated by the place. In fact, he seemed to be having a good time.

"Man for sale!"

Lucius, who had been having less of a good time, was keeping an eye on everyone who passed them. He seemed stressed.

"You look like you're having a hard time," you say to the boy.

"A little bit. Not that it matters. I just want to get away from this god awful place."

You chuckles softly.

"Hey, are you going to sell me too? I'd rather you didn't. You could just let me go and I won't try and steal from you again!" You say, turning to Stede.

"Absolutely not. I'm not stupid enough to fall for that. I'm sure I can do something with you." Stede nods at himself proudly.

"No one is gonna want to buy me. Not even my old crew would pay for me."

"You old crew?" Stede looks at you curiously.

"Yeah. I'm a pirate, pirates usually have a crew."

"Where are they now?"

"I don't know. I've been separated from them for a good few years. But I hear rumours they're thriving."

Stede is curious about this information, but before he can ask any more, a pirate turns around and sizes him up.

"One piece of silver's my bid," the man safe in a gruff voice. "So, so I get all three of he's, or...?"

"No, only one us is for sale," Stede clarifies with a friendly attitude.

"Mm, so the other two watch, or...?"

Lucius leans into Stede and says, "He thinks you're a prostitute."

"I'm not a prostitute, mate!" Stede declares, flabbergasted at the thought.

"Oh, we could've made magic." The man walks away.

"Unbelievable. Do we look like prostitutes to you?"

You chuckle. "Not terribly successful ones."

Stede frowns and marches on, pulling you with him.

Coming across Spanish Jackie's bar gave you a slither of hope. Coming to this sile was your best bet of finding someone you recognize. You would give them all the coin you have to have them free you from Stede Bonnet.

You had to find your old crew. You had to.

With Jim already disappearing inside, Stede followed suit. You didn't bother questioning why Olu was so tense about Jim going into the bar. Your only focus was escape.

"OK, like we rehearsed," Stede tells Lucius.

You roll your eyes. What was with this guy?

"Hear ye, hear ye!" Lucius begins.

Everyone turns to look at him. "Oh fuck," he mutters softly. "Please join me in welcoming for his regional debut... The Brigand of Barbados... the Cream of the Caribbean... The Gentleman Pirate."

With that, Stede steps out with you in tow. Never before have you ever wanted the ground to just swallow you whole.

"Hi, all. Nice to be here. I may be land of gentry, but I'm thrilled to be granted entry."

No one in the tavern says a thing.

"Well, the drinks are on us." Stede declares.

With that, someone throws their drink at Lucius and he gets frustrated again.

"The drinks be on ye now!" The tavern erupts into laughter.

You are promptly locked up by the entrance of the bar with the navy man. You sigh as you watch Stede walk toward the bar.

"I know you, don't I?" The Englishman says, looking at you. He has definitely seen better days.

"Maybe. If you know your pirates."

He takes a step away from you. You chuckle. So he does know you.

"Spirit of the sea," he mutters, almost scoffing at the thought.

"Ya know, to be a spirit, you have to die," you say to him.

"Well, yes. I know that..." You chuckle at how nervous he sounds.

"You afraid of me?"

"No..." He shakes his vigorously, his wig falling further back off his head.

"Relax, my guy. Blackbeard thinks I'm dead after what happened. I'm just a ghost now, well, to them."

"No one is looking for you?"

You guy him a silent flat look. He seems to get the message and backs down. Clearly you're not in the mood to talk about this.

Having been busy talking to the guy, you had failed to see who had entered the bar. He had also not noticed you.

♡♡♡

Izzy's orders were to follow Stede. He didn't have a fucking clue why. Orders were orders and he would do anything for Blackbeard. Upon entering the Republic of Pirates, Izzy swore under his breath.

He had lost sight of Stede Bonnet, but he would find him easily.

That's how he ended up at Jackie's. He hated this place, but he was right to go in. Stede fucking Bonnet was in there in all his flimsy glory.

Izzy casually slides up to the bar as Stede tries to order wine. Instead he choose a glass of the liquid in front of him, upon finding out it was blood that was covering Lucius' clothes.

Both of them drink the liquid and Izzy has to hold back from laughing.

"Mm, it's nutty. What do you call this?" Stede asks the bartender.

"It's juice from the nose jar." Both Stede and Lucius react to that. "Jackie's been collecting them for years. You misbehave... you end up in here."

Both of them gag.

"I've a few colleagues in there."

"You again!" Stede looks less than impressed to see him.

"Mr Hands, welcome," Geraldo greets. "It's been a while."

"Yeah, because I hate this fucking place. But for some inexplicable reason, my boss would like a word with you, Bonnet."

"Yes, well, everyone wants a piece of the Gentleman Pirate." Stede holds his head up high for that. "Get in line. I'm very sorry to have to tell you this, Iggy..."

"Izzy! " He growls.

"Whatever. I don't care... but we're busy at the moment, fencing our remaining hostages."

It didn't click to Izzy that Stede had more than one hostage still after their last meeting. He honestly couldn't care about this prick and what he was doing.

"So I'll tell my captain that you're declining, then, yeah?" Izzy confirms.

"Or tell him he's got terrible taste in flunkies and he can go suck eggs in hell."

Izzy leans in and speaks softly. "Gladly."

♡♡♡

You turn back to face the bar, leaning against the bars that trap you from the rest of the pirates. A sigh escapes your lips.

"May I ask?" The man behind you speaks up again. "Where have you been all this time if everyone thinks you're dead?"

He obviously has questions despite you making a point you didn't want to talk about it.

"Just around. Blackbeard spends most of his time at sea. Finding him on my own isn't easy. God, it's been like 6 years since then..."

"Yes, I remember hearing about it. He set a ship alight."

"I was still onboard. He didn't know that. The ship went down, I managed to leap off, but it was dark, foggy, and a storm was rolling in. I had no chance of ever swimming back to The Queen Anne. I don't blame them for thinking I was dead... I just wish there was a way to tell them I'm still alive."

The man looks at you from where he leans on the wall.

"Why the fuck am I telling you my life story all of a sudden?" You scoff. "I'm going soft... spent too long on Bonnet's ship."

"I'll be damned."

"You kind of are," you say to him.

"Israel Hands."

You have never looked up so fast. A name you hadn't heard in years. The Englishman was right. Leaving the tavern right in front of your eyes was Izzy. Your Izzy!

"Izzy? Izzy! Hey Izzy, it's me!" You call out.

He doesn't hear you.

Or so you think.

Izzy freezes just out of sight, at the top of the stairs. He could have sworn he heard your voice, but that's impossible. He takes a deep breath and shakes his head, marching on. He has a job to do, be can't be distracted by ghosts.

You're dead, and there is nothing he can do about it.

It's getting worse if he hears your voice now...

♡♡♡

"SHIT. I have to get out of here!" You shake the bars urgently.

You don't care that a bar fight is breaking out. You just saw Izzy Hands after years of being away from him and you're trapped! Life couldn't get any more cruel. If only he had heard you.

"Fuck this!" You kick the bars, but regret it as pain shoots up your leg. Jackie really made these bars for no escape.

When Jackie holds a knife up to Stede, you catch wind of their conversation.

Blackbeard wants to talk to Stede!

You are filled with hope. This was your shot. Your shot to return to your family at sea. Your shot to make it up to Izzy for being gone so long.

You and the Englishman are let out as Stede and Lucius flee the bar.

"Stede!" You call out to him. "Listen you have to meet with Blackbeard. Take me too!"

Stede doesn't listen to you.

Before reaching the port, Gelrado appears saving Stede from one of the many creepy people on this island. Apparently he has a proposition for Stede. A deal that needs to be made, but only by a man of Stede's position.

You try one more time. "Please, just let me go and you never have to see me again. It's so important I go now!"

Stede doesn't pay you any mind as he takes Gelrado up on his offer.

It's almost enough to make you cry in frustration.

Izzy... God, you missed that bastard.

He has no idea you were right there. It's killing you from the inside.

♡♡♡

@grippleback-galaxy - @askmarinaandothers - @godlikegallagher - @for-fuck-sake-im-alive - @whiskeyswriting -

[givemea-dam-break]

Hi!!!! Your L&C fics are my favorite thing ever, your writing is absolutely incredible, I'm a bit obsessed I think XDD

Apologies if this request is too specific, but I would die for a Lockwood x reader fic where the reader makes up their mind to do something stupidly reckless for a case, something even Mr. Reckless himself can't support, especially not when it's YOU. He begs you not to, you do it anyway, get badly injured, but he's still there to patch you up after all of it.

Have an awesome day!!!!!

a/n: my day is absolutely awesome so far, i hope yours is too!! and thank you so much, i'm so so glad you enjoy my stuff!! i hope you enjoy <3

warnings: language, injury gn reader

You knew the case was going to be a bad one from the get-go, you just didn't know how bad.

Everything had seemed fine when you and the other members of Lockwood and Co met with the clients, a pair of men who owned a nearby butcher's. A Type Two haunting the place, nothing you couldn't handle. George had even found a lot a decent information on the place that could help you guys figure out where the source was. The notion of it being in a butcher's made you uneasy, and you knew very little about the Type Two, though Lockwood was sure you'd all be fine.

But, standing in the shop, facing a ghost you can't see, you know you're fucked.

It's just your luck to be faced with a poltergeist, honestly.

Unlike other Visitors, poltergeists can't inflict ghost touch which, in the long run, is very handy. If ambulances can't get to agents on time to give them an adrenaline injection, then it can lead to loss of limbs or death. It sounds like a positive, right?

Well, staring at the carving knife floating a few feet away, you would much rather be faced with a Wraith or even a Rawbones.

The thing is, poltergeists have no physical form so it's harder to look for a source, hence George and Lucy scrambling around in the backroom, clattering about as they rush to look.

Ahead of you, the knife hovers in midair, its sharp, gleaming point slowly turning as if to decide which person to dart at: you, Lockwood, or Lucy and George. It's like a horrible version of Spin the Bottle.

"So, this lovely Visitor was the old butcher?" you say, keeping your voice light. Poltergeists feed off negative emotions even more than other Type Twos.

Lockwood nods, rapier in hand as he looks around the rest of the room, rooted in place. "That's what George says."

"What reason does it have to be haunting the place?"

"Killed by an angry employee, I think."

You hold back a grumble, forcing down your anger at stupid people from the past. If they'd known how many problems they'd cause in the future, would they still have been such idiots?

Probably.

"Watch your back then," you joke. "You have three employees. Keep us happy, will you?"

"There's only so much tea I can make."

The knife rises in the air slightly and you falter back a step as its sharp end points at you.

"I think I'm the favourite," you mutter, trying to keep your fear in check. It's not often ghosts threaten you at knifepoint. "Lockwood, you go help Lucy and George look for the source. I'll keep its attention."

"No way." He looks at you incredulously. "We're doing this together."

Palms sweating, you say, "Your rapier isn't going to do much against a ghost we can't see, and not all of us can look for the source because then none of us stands a chance."

"I'm not letting you face it on your own," Lockwood insists. "Not a chance. The thing's got a knife, and it can do much worse."

But Lucy shouts something from the backroom, drawing Lockwood's attention. Through the buzz of fear in your ears, you think she says they might've found something.

"Lockwood, go!"

"(name), I'm not just going to leave you to -"

The knife whizzes in the air, lodging itself in the wooden doorframe, awfully close to your shoulder. It's like the Visitor wants Lockwood to stay, but you aren't going to let him. He's the leader of Lockwood and Co, the face of it. The company needs him. But not you. You're expendable.

Your Talent isn't anything special, not like Lucy's, and your research skills are nowhere near the standard of George's. All you're good at is using a rapier and sweet-talking DEPRAC when cases go tits up. Lockwood can easily fill in for you.

"Lockwood," you grit out, trying to keep the frustration at a minimum. "Go."

He's about to argue, but George calls for help - whatever they've found is stuck. He doesn't move.

Before you can think about it, you rush over and shove him in the direction of the backroom, and he stumbles, falling into the door. He barely gets his footing before Lucy's dragged him through.

"(name)!" he shouts, but he doesn't appear. Thank god for Lucy.

"All right," you murmur, turning to look at the knife in the doorframe. "Just you and me, now, Polty."

Slowly, threateningly, the knife dislodges from the frame, shining in the dim lanternlight. From the far wall, a knife rack trembles on its hooks, and more come free. Your heart is in your throat. Maybe you'll end up like a ghost you've defeated before, an old man who'd been jumped and stabbed endlessly.

Hopefully, you'll be an easy ghost to get rid of.

The carving knife comes flying at you, and you barely deflect it with the thin blade of your rapier. Another knife darts across the room, and you duck out of the way, though it nicks your ear. You can feel the little dribble of blood sliding down the skin already.

"Do you guys mind hurrying up a bit?" you call, eyeing the large collection of knives hovering. "Not to rush you or anything, but, you know, I'm not the biggest fan of being threatened by knives."

"Almost there!" Lucy shouts. "George got his arm stuck trying to get the source out. We're trying to get him unstuck."

Swallowing, you say lightly, "Yeah, sounds fun. Maybe speed it up a little."

You can hear a little arguing, likely Lockwood trying to come back out to help but getting told off by Lucy. You almost smile. Almost.

This time, the small knife that launches at you catches your shoulder and you resist crying out in pain. If you do, Lockwood will definitely come running out, and you can't afford that. They need to get the source.

Blood oozes down your arm, staining your jumper. Your grasp on your rapier weakens, and you swap the blade into your other hand, although this hand is considerably worse with it.

"It's rude to stab people," you grumble.

The next knife is deflected clumsily from your face, half from the inability of using your other hand and half from the pain in your shoulder. You'd pull the knife out, but you know it'll make things worse. At least it hasn't hit anything vital.

You can feel the presence of the poltergeist, thick and hanging over the whole room like a blanket. It isn't the most powerful one, not like the ones you've heard Fittes agents dealing with, because, even though its presence is everywhere, its focus is dealt solely on you. If it were stronger, it'd be targeting the others, too.

"Go on then, give me your worst."

Another knife, another dodge. It feels like it goes on forever, on and on and on with the same knives over again. The blood from your shoulder has reached your hand now and, god, how you wish you could throw a salt bomb at this thing. Your fingers itch to hold one.

"Hurry up!"

Mistake. You regret speaking immediately, having let out a little too much frustration, and the poltergeist feeds on it. The knives tremble in the air, every point staring menacingly at you, and the one hanging in your shoulder tears out, bringing with it another gush of blood. You can't help the cry that escapes your lips this time.

"Get the silver net, hurry!" Lucy's voice shouts.

The world moves in slow motion. As the knives fly in your direction, gleaming, one covered in blood, your heart feels like it ceases all functions. This is where you die. You'll never be able to dodge all of them in time.

Then the first blade sinks into your shoulder, just inches below the first puncture, and you shut your eyes.

You'll miss Portland Row and your friends. Maybe you didn't cherish their antics enough - the way George sings in the shower in the mornings, waking you up, or how Lucy will blast music at full volume while hacking away at the dummies in the basement for rapier practice. Most of all, you'll miss Lockwood. His smile, the way his eyes sparkle when he realises you've bought him a new magazine from the shop, the feeling of his fingers brushing yours as he passes you a mug of tea after every case.

There isn't much you regret, but you regret not telling him how you feel about him. About the nights you spend thinking about him, wishing for something more between you both.

Metal slams to the ground. The heavy pressure sitting on your shoulders dissipates, and silence ensues.

Slowly opening your eyes, you startle, seeing a dozen knives scattered on the floor right in front of your feet. Droplets of blood drip from your fingers, forming a little puddle on the floor. You're breathing heavily, much more than you should be, and your body is trembling.

The others stumble into the room, eyeing the blades that have fallen before you. Lockwood is the first to notice the blood soaking the sleeve of your jumper.

He practically leaps over the counter to get to you. "Lucy, George, go get rid of the source and get us a night cab. Quick."

Wordlessly, the two sprint from the shop and into the night.

"You're okay," Lockwood says.

You almost believe him, falling for the assured tone of his voice, but you feel a little woozy. Knees buckling, you drop to the floor, but he catches you with gentle hands, slowly lowering you down so you can sit after kicking the knives away.

"You're okay," he says again, though it sounds like it's more for himself than for you.

"I'm fine," you say, smiling albeit weakly. "Polty didn't stand a chance."

"Polty?" Lockwood parts from your side, grasping his bag from the corner and digging in it for a first aid kit. "You named the ghost?"

Nodding, you lean your head back against the wall. "He was my best mate."

There's a small laugh. "I don't think Lucy will appreciate that sentiment."

He's beside you again before you can even really process it, gingerly touching the ripped hole in your jumper. There's a lot more blood there than you initially realised.

"Do you think you can get your jumper off?" Lockwood asks. "I need to see the cuts."

Normally, you would've made a comment at that, but your throat feels awfully dry. "Take the knife out first?"

He goes pale, eyeing the - thankfully - small knife stuck in your arm.

"This will hurt. Hold onto my arm."

And you do. You weakly wrap your hand around his forearm, bracing yourself for the pain. He begins to count down from three, but he yanks the knife out on one, and you shout in pain, squeezing his arm.

"You pulled it early!"

"You would've made it harder to get out if I'd counted down the whole way." He looks a little bad for doing it, but you can understand why he did it. "Jumper?"

With his help, you manage to pull the thing off, hissing as you move your injured shoulder. Your T-shirt is stained at the sleeve, too, and partially at the neckline. It stings to pull it from the wound, but, soon enough, the cuts are visible. They're neat little things, nothing more than small slits in your skin, but they go deep. Lockwood will only be able to do so much.

With shaking hands, Lockwood pulls some things out of the first aid kit. You're too sore to really notice.

"You're an idiot, you know that, right?"

His voice shocks you out of the daze you were slipping into. "Hmm?"

"You shouldn't have done that alone. Look what's happened."

As he brings an alcohol wipe to the gashes, you wince at the sharp sting and the pressure he applies but say, "And what should I have done? Let you be the one to do it alone? We both know that you wouldn't have let me help, Lockwood. And you're more important in the grand scheme of things. I think I would've made quite the sacrifice if it had come to it."

"Don't say that." His voice wavers slightly, so quietly you barely hear it. "You're important to me."

He applies more pressure to the wounds, then he places wound dressings over them before grabbing a water bottle from his bag and soaking a tissue. Gently, he takes your arm in his hand and cleans away the slowly drying blood. It's messy work - the tissue keeps flaking apart, but it does the job and, soon enough, your arm is only faintly stained with your blood. He cleans the little bit of blood away from your ear quickly, placing a little plaster over the cut.

"I wasn't going to let you do it," you say, gratefully swallowing the painkillers he hands you. "You would've killed yourself to save us."

"And you didn't just try practically the same thing?"

There's an undertone of anger in his voice, but it's weak, taken over almost completely by his concern.

"(name) -" He hesitates, looking away from you. His ears are tinted slightly red. "You can't just be reckless like that. Not when..."

His fingers brush yours as you say, "When what?"

You can feel the tremble in his fingers. Although you're the one with stab wounds that still need medical attention, you worry. His smile, that cocky grin you've grown so fond of, is nowhere to be seen, replaced instead by parted lips and heavy breathing. The pulse you can feel in his fingers is erratic.

"Not when you mean so much to me. I can't lose you."

The words take you aback. For a moment, you're acutely aware of his skin touching yours, of the sound of his breaths, and the way the light accentuates the features on his face. His cheekbones look sharper, and his eyes glimmer, darkness set alight with little stars.

He mistakes your shocked silence for rejection. "A night cab should be here soon, then we can get you to a hospital and -"

His words falter when your good hand touches his cheek. Slowly, his gaze turns to your outstretched arm, gradually making its way up the limb until he's looking at you - your eyes, your lips. This is the most nervous you've seen him, and it makes you feel a little triumphant. Not many people make Anthony Lockwood nervous.

"I'm okay," you promise. "You've patched me up, and we're going to get me taken care of, yeah? But, first..."

"But first?" His eyebrow quirks, and he watches you closely.

It's something you never would do in normal circumstances. Really, you're probably not in the right state of mind, but you've wanted to do this for months. And Lockwood doesn't stop you.

When your lips touch his, you feel a sense of completeness. Like your soul has been made whole. It's as if they're the missing piece to a puzzle you've been trying to finish all your life, finally found after years and years of searching.

One of Lockwood's hands holds the back of your neck, his touch gentle, giving you enough leeway to pull away if you so wish. But you don't. You won't. No, instead your clutch his shirt with your good hand, holding him close. You never want this to end, this feeling of finally being whole. Your heart is racing, and it feels as though your very being is going to implode from pure elation.

Carefully, reluctantly, he pulls away, but his face stays close. His eyes search yours for any glimpse of regret, but he finds none, and he grins, at last. The smile sends a shiver down your spine, and you find yourself smiling, too, despite your pain.

"You don't know how long I've been waiting for that," he says, his voice barely more than a whisper.

You can feel his breath on your lips. "I might have an idea."

And then he's kissing you again, snatching your breath away.

Silently, you're thanking the poltergeist for the wounds, a thought that almost makes you laugh.

[creative-kny-fics]

Hello!! I was reviewing your profile and I found the hc of the uppermoons and I saw that you included the Hantengu clones (which I loved because I have a hyper fixation on them) do you have any ideas for tickle fic or drabble about them?? If there is no problem of course

I'm very glad you liked it! ^^ and yes, well, I was inspired by what I put in my HCs! So, I hope you like it!

Lers: Karaku, Urogi, Sekido

Lees: Karaku, Urogi, Aizetsu

'I tell you something? I'm bored! There's nothing to do, there's no one to bother or make fun of!'

Karaku lay down looking at the ceiling and groaning in boredom. 'Actually... I know of something we could do, of course... If you're brave enough to do it...'

'*gasp* HOW DARE YOU?! OF COURSE I DARE!', a preview, this will not end well for them...

No one complains about Aizetsu, he is an obedient boy, who will stay sitting if you give him an order or simply not meddle in other matters if necessary which is none of your business. 'Target located... Ready for attack?'

'MORE THAN READY!!'

'What was that...?', Aizetsu turned his head, he didn't see anyone, maybe it was just Karaku and Urogi making silly bets as always.

'SURPRISE!!'

'W-WHAT?!' Urogi held Aizetsu by his wrists and raised them, placing them above his head. 'What are you guys doing...?'

'Well we were bored, you looked very sad, it's OBVIOUS what we're doing~!'

Unlike Aizetsu, Sekido got angry when Karaku and Urogi made more noise than necessary, they seemed like two immature children and that made him angry (more than he always is)

'WHY SO MUCH LAUGHTER?! YOU CAN'T LIE BACK WITHOUT THOSE IDIOTS DOING STUPID SHIT!!', he stood up determined to hit them both until they decided to keep quiet.

He saw them both, or rather, he saw Urogi moving his wings strangely, but now that he was closer, it was a different laugh. If it wasn't Karaku or Urogi who were laughing... Then who was?

'WHY AHAHAREHE YOU TIHICKLIHING ME?! STOHOHOHOP THIHIS!!'

'We already told you! We were bored and you looked very sad, so this is like an exchange!' 'We take away your sadness and you take away our boredom. It's that simple!'

Sekido couldn't believe it, he sighed and approached them both, getting their attention by clearing his throat and thus freeing Aizetsu.

'O-oh! Hey Sekido, we were just playing, you know. Just... CATCH HIM UROGI!!' 'DEAL!!'

A look of disbelief formed on Sekido's face, he didn't plan on these two continuing with their annoying antics, especially if he was involved.

Every attempt they made to try to take down Sekido was in vain, the only ones who fell to the ground were them. 'Well, I guess it's my turn now, right?'

Aizetsu got up a few seconds after the attack ended, the first thing he saw when he woke up was how Urogi and Karaku began to fight against Sekido in the air, all so that Sekido would win and both would now end up doing their business.

He approached the three, mainly because he was worried, the fall had been high. 'AHAHIZEHEHTSU!! HEHEHELP UHUHUHUS!!'

'WE PROHOHOMISE NOHOHOT AHAHAHAHA TO TIHHIHICKLE YOU AHAHAGAHAHAHAIN!!', Aizetsu refused, he has heard that phrase so many times that he knows it is a total lie.

Besides, he knew that Sekido would be pissed off by the same laughter he was causing, so he saw no need to help. 'They will be fine...' he thought while still hearing laughter and screams.