#their writing is just so in character and devestating

[rayfishandchips]

this is so anime girl coded but miraculously no out of character for him. Someday I'll have to draw him as a mech anime girl.

Oh Roddy was so alive and young back in mtmte I wish nothing bad ever happens--- (rant in tags)

[wayward-sherlock]

it’s times like these that i (re)contemplate writing a cheating fic.

stay // sugarland

[helpimstuckinafandom]

Book 1 didn't hit like this my god

[mothboiwrites]

im having fun writing my characters as different flavors of queerplatonic aromantic and seeing how they would perceive romance and i think my favorite is Uriel who is genuinely offended someone who think his feelings toward Chyme are "merely" romantic. for context, both of them are absolute off their rockers in different ways and Uriel basically a yandere trying to pretend to be incredibly normal and kind and sweet while Chyme just, doesn't care because he finds Uriel interesting and low-key wants to tear his soul out his body just so he can understand what makes the guy tick (Uriel won't let him because he doesn't want to ruin the mystery).

so yea, Uriel is asked "hey do you have a crush on Chyme? like are you in love with him?" and he just gets so mad because how dare you imply what they share could be summed up by a common mortal concept. their bond was written in the fucking stars, cosigned by the celestial bodies. death will not part them and in the next life they will continue to be the bestest of pals because that is the nature of this cosmic bond. my dude will rant for ages about their bond while chyme is more chill about it. "i don't completely know how crushes work, but i would be scared if how we feel towards the other was normal.

[toastermoth]

Hey I was wondering if you can do a hc of the OM Characters finding out that MC used to be a singer in the human world but in reality was unsuccessful and doesn’t like mentioning about it at all but still has passion over it. It doesn’t matter about the gender and yeah. If u can Tysm! 🤗

Obey Me! x Gn! Singer!Mc

I had so much fun writing these- tysm anon for requesting!! <3 LUKE IS LIKE YOUR LITTLE BROTHER!!! P.S. You can also read this as platonic or romantic! Lucifer: 1st Born

He finds out because you were taking too long in the shower and heard your captivating voice singing.

He would be surprised and though looking unimpressed on the outside, in the inside this man is so happy if he could he'd squeal like a little girl.

When he's alone with you he'll definitely ask you to sing for him and through small pleas you agree, and when you're done he'll be smiling his signature smile and clapping softly.

"Where did you learn to sing like that y/n?" he asks awaiting your response like a dog waiting for a command.

"Well I just liked singing! I used to be a singer in the human world but it didn't work out.."

He hears your voice break when you say those last 4 words and he is devestated.

How dare nobody appreciate your beautiful voice?!

He must've been glaring because then you said "But I still have a passion for it! They never discouraged me enough to make me quit!

That reassured him as he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Y/n, never give up your passion, and if nobody supports you just know that I will personally string them up and make them appreciate your singing."

You laughed a little and Lucifer was just happy that he was able to hear your amazing gift.

Mammon: 2nd Born (Sorry his is short-)

He finds out one day when he heard you start singing a song for a playlist you're making to study.

WAIT WHAT?!

HIS HUMAN CAN SING?! WHY IS THEIR VOICE SO AMAZING?!

"WHY'D YA NEVER TELL ME?!"

You yelp in surprise and ask what he's talking about.

"YOUR SINGING OBVIOUSLY! IT'S LIKE GRIMM FOR MY EARS!"

You make a face and after much begging by the 2nd born, you decide to tell him

"Well, nobody really liked my singing in the human world.. I tried everything but no matter what I never really got listeners or fans haha.."

This poor man is wondering WHY?! HOW?!

He looks at you with his blue-yellow eyes and cups your face.

He says "Well they're stupid because you got the most amazing voice. Hell better than the angels! And they're angles for fucks sake! Look human, what I'm trying to say, is that you shouldn't listen to anyone who talks down to ya. I'll be your number 1 fan y/n! Nobody is gonna take that spot either ya hear me?"

That reassured you as he tackled you and pulled you into a hug.

"My precious human! How dare they keep this talent from me!"

He probably made a t-shirt saying "Y/N's #1 FAN"

Leviathan: 3rd Born

He found out when you started singing the opening to an anime!

Singer mc?! LEVI.EXE:SHUT_DOWN

Once you knew that he noticed your smile dropped and stopped singing and whispered a small sorry before looking down almost looking shamefully.

"Y-y/n?! Where did you learn to sing?! H-how can you-?!"

This poor boy has so many questions which you were reluclant to answer.

He gave you the cute 'anime girl' eyes (which is what he called it) and he knew you couldn't resist them.

"Mmmm fine. I used to be a singer in the human world and I gave it my all I really did but.. I never got anybody to listen.. I enjoy singing still but only for myself.."

Oh HELL NO. Levi may be shy but he can get ANGRY.

"That's impossible! Your singing is the most amazing thing my ears have ever experienced! You're just like the mc in the anime I'm-A-Secret-Singer-In-Highschool-Living-A-Normal-Life-But-Please-Send-Help!"

The long ass title of course made you snicker but he looked at you with serious eyes and said, "Henry had people who talked down to him but he never gave up! A-and neither should you y/n!!"

Satan: 4th Born

He found out by you humming a tune to singing some of the lyrics from a song in a movie that was inspired by a book that you were looking for in the library.

He couldn't help but be frozen by your hypnotic voice. You didn't notice him until he leaned on a bookshelf and something fell.

"I'm sorry Y/n. I couldn't help but listen to your singing. Where did you learn to sing like that?"

You paused a little bit while he motions you to sit in one of the library chairs.

"Can you tell me y/n?"

You sigh knowing he wouldn't forget about it and would probably ask you about it tomorrow and decide to tell the blonde haired demon.

"Well, in the human world I was a singer and I enjoyed it, loved it actually! But people didn't really like my songs or my voice or anything so I just kinda quit.. I never lost my passion for it though."

He sits looking at you in what you can tell is a mix of anger and confusion.

"Why did you give up? People are ruthless, but I think you should try again y/n. You never know and if they don't like your singing they can suck dick."

The last part of his sentence makes you laugh a bit as he smiles and looks at you saying, "I believe in you y/n. Even when you don't believe in yourself."

Asmodeus: 5th Born

He found out you could sing when he dragged you to a karaoke bar.

"C'mon sweetie! You'll do just fine besides my voice will take the main stage and you can sing backup! We got this we'll crush every demon! And don't worry I'll let you pick the song, as long as it won't ruin my beautiful voice!"

You think he only said the last part because he saw you looked a little nervous but you were still thankful.

After the karaoke session you noticed how everyone there was looking at you and not as Asmo which was weird because he's the lust demon, then you noticed he was even looking at you with sparkles in his eyes.

He bowed to the crowd then dragged you back to the house of Lamination.

"Where did you learn to have such an enchanting voice darling?! That was amazing!! I need to bring you to there again, you'll be all the talk all over Devildom!-"

He stopped once he took a look and saw you looking at your knees in discomfort and silence.

"Sweetie.? Are you alright? Did I make you uncomfortable?" Despite popular belief he was actually very caring and kind and not always self-centered.

You nodded and said, "That was my first crowd in a long time.."

Confused, the pink haired demon asked "Well what do you mean sweetheart?"

So you explained it to him.

"Well, I used to be a singer in the human world but, it didn't really work out and I never really had a crowd that enjoyed my singing but maybe they didn't even enjoy it as much as I do.."

"Y/n. I know demons, and I know just by their faces that they loved our performance. Your performance! Don't be so hard on yourself, because I know that you did amazing and I'm perfect so obviously I'm right!" He said swishing his hair in an attempt to make you smile. (It did)

"There's that smile I adore! Let's get your confidence back and go to more karaoke bars okay? Next time you better sing a duet with me though!"

Beelzebub: 6th Born

How he found out was one time you were baking with Luke and Barbatos (and Beel decided to bring himself to 'taste test.') and a familiar tune came from Barbatos's voice from him humming then Luke joined in singing and eventually you joined in on the fun.

Soon the kitchen was soon made into a ballroom with you singing and dancing with Luke and Barbatos stil humming the music as Beel watches in total awe.

You're a little worn out from singing and dancing till you see the tall orange haired demon looking at you as if you were the most prized food in all of Devildom.

"Y/n your voice is amazing!"

"Ah.. you really think so Beel?"

He nods his head as Barbatos and Luke agrees.

"Well, let's just get back to this cake yeah?" The three boys wondered why you were so dismissive but Barbatos and Luke paid no attention and they continued working. Beel however did not forget about your captivating voice.

On the way back to the house of Lamination he asks, "So you don't need to answer, but why did you just shut down the idea of singing? I really like your voice and I think so does Luke and Barbatos."

"Well it's not somthing I really talk ab-" theres the Beel puppy eyes. Damn you Beel for being adorable.

"Okay.. I used to sing in the human world, and I really loved it so I tried to become a professional but nobody.. really liked my singing as much as I do.. so I kinda gave up on that profession."

This poor boy was shocked.

"But why? Just because some people don't like it doesn't mean you shouldn't. Your voice is very nice to listen to especially when singing. Even if you don't like it I do and so does Luke and Barbatos and everyone who didn't support your singing is stupid."

You smiled knowing at least somebody liked your singing at least one person.

"If you start singing let me know, I want to hear your voice again singing."

Belphegor: 7th Born

How he found out was when he called you up for a nap and said he needed a lullaby.

"Y/nnnn I need something to make me fall asleep I can't fall asleep without oneee.." Which was halfway the truth. After much begging on the behalf of Belphie, you gave in and started singing a small lullaby.

Once you were done singing and started humming Belphie sleepily commented, "Such a mystical voice.. how not famous lullaby singer..."

You laughed a tiny bit to yourself for how sleepy he is and turned to him seeing even though sleepy he was dead serious.

"How are you not famous.?" he asks.

You hesitate to meet him in the eye as he lays close by you, knowing him he'd keep himself awake until you told him or he would lay on you until you told him.

Sighing, you say, "I tried to be famous, to sing as a real singer. But people just, didn't really listen and I was unsuccessful.."

You notice a hand lay you down and the fluffy blue haired demon says, "Well they lost out on a good singer.. that means you're now my professional lullaby singer.. screw the money grabbing producers who can't tell talent."

You smile at him being this caring and start singing another lullaby to lull him to slumber as well as yourself.

"You're the greatest singer and make sure you believe that too.."

OKAY HI THAT TOOK A LONG TIME AND I SORTA GOT LAZY AT THE END- BUT TELL ME IF YOU WANT ME TO DO A PART @ WITH BARBATOS, DIAVOLO, SIMEON, AND SOLOMON!! (AND LITTLE BROTHER LUKE!!!)

[kas-eddie-munson]

okay i'm gonna prolly get evicerated for this but

i feel like steve's crush on robin gets disregarded a lot. like to an extent i think it's fine to headcanon that it wasn't very strong or that he didn't *really* like her but it's just... SO popular as a headcanon

like you can like someone, not have those feelings recipricated, and still be friends with them. in fact i think most queer people have experienced this before. unless i'm the only person on the planet whose ever been rejected i guess

(double in fact, lesbians SPESIFICALLY are NOTORIOUS for doing this.)

hell ROBIN, in CANON, had a crush on an unattainable straight girl, and it was (rightfully) never presented as theatening that she felt that way

i also just. maybe it's just because i'm an enby and am interested in trans headcanons more than most but i *know* there's a lot of trans steves out there in fic and fanart, mostly transfem. like #stevie harrington will bring up excusively transfem steve content. it has its own tag

and yet nobody ships transfem steve and robin. it's usually explained away as oh well stevie didn't *actually* like her

but like

trans lesbians don't wake up one day, realize they're a woman, and then snap their fingers and immidiately pass for cis. minus maybe a handful of lucky trans kids with suportive families, most trans women look like steve at one point

like can you imagine how emotionally devestating it would be to, on some level, know you're a woman, confess your feelings to a crush, and then have her reject you because she's only attracted to women? the tragedy writes itself

like i get why people are aprehensive about shipping them. steve is a canonically male character

but i just feel like. if you're making steve a trans woman, and still feel like it's "weird" for her to date robin after coming out and/or transitioning, that maybe. *maybe.* *MAYBE.* part of you doesn't *actually* feel like trans women are women

not all cis lesbians are gonna want to date a trans woman. but plenty of them do. hell, how many fics have i read with transmasc gay eddie and cis gay steve???? people who date trans women, by and large, are people attracted to women, and lesbians do in fact fit that description

now i wonder what the difference might be between transmasc eddie/gay steve and transfem stevie/robin

oh right! eddie munson canonically already looks like a boy, something irl trans people take years (if ever) to achieve

like. especially because it doesn't HAVE to be reciprocated. stevie is allowed to feel things without those feelings being redacted because the person she liked wasn't interested

anyway ONE DAY i'm gonna fuckin write this and incur the wrath of terfs in doing so but I SAID WHAT I SAID

[neptune-scythe]

the thing that makes 9-1-1 stand out to me more than other shows is that it shows the full range of human emotions

not only do we get to see the characters being silly and casual and just regular everyday human beings, but we also get to see them be in major lows and having the worst time of their lives, and everything in between

most shows (at least in my experience) pick one side to focus on, be that the casual side or the angsty side, and the other side just comes in every now and then

but 9-1-1 somehow perfectly balances the loads of trauma all the characters have with the fact that they're all a little (or a lot) unhinged and flat out silly

and they do both sides spectacularly

I'm rarely a laugh out loud person but this show has me literally loling one episode and then next my eyes are glued to the screen soaking up the devestating angst

i have never seen a show do both so well and make all the characters seem so completely real

the writing and the acting and the pace just makes it feel so completely human and genuine and that is so rare to find these days and so compelling to watch

no one is doing it like 9-1-1 fr

[quotidian-oblivion]

Not-Yet-Written Fic Game

Tagged by @chemical-processes!! Thank you so much for tagging meeee. Especially in writer games, i love them <3

Post about some of the fics you plan on writing

I'm gonna do both batfam and Merlin for this one. You can put down any number of wips. I have so many, but I think I'll choose 10 😅 Feel free to ask about any of them!!! I'd love that ^^

No pressure tags: @sardonic-sprite @igotthisaccountunderduress @pericreatesstuff @foursixtwonineoh-pieces-of-lego @foineswoine-writing

@uncertainwallflower @cygnusdoesthings @blightwritesfic @wakkoroni

A Dance Across the Stream [BBC Merlin]

A slave!Arthur fic where I really pump up the angst. Arthur has been a slave for so long that people are starting to lose hope that he's even alive. His slavers decide to auction him since his past status, health and general looks will get them a pretty penny. He's collared by magic that hurts him if he doesn't listen to his masters' orders. As he stares down blankly at the faces and hands rising eagerly to buy a slaved prince, he hears a voice-

"Twelve hundred and thirty gold pieces!"

For the first time in months, Arthur dares to raise his head. Because he knows that voice. Has heard it incessantly rabbiting on, talking his ear off several times a day before his capture.

But it can't be him. It can't be Merlin. Because the bid for him was only open to sorcerers. And Merlin can't be a sorcerer.

2. Let Me Die, Let Me Drown, Lay My Bones In the Ground [BBC Merlin]

(I'm cheating a little bit cuz this is actually written but) My first fic where I really unleash my angst weapons. I wanted to test my limits. And I did.

The storm that had passed through Albion didn't only bring devestation, it brought a party belonging to the king, queen and princess of a distant land on the edge of Albion's maps. As per propriety and courtesy, Camelot was required to hold a feast and provide accommodation for them. The feast started off smoothly, the royals of Camelot getting along quite well with the royals from Harden.

But a single questioned changed everything. Including the destiny of Arthur and Merlin.

"What are your stances on magic?" Uther asked.

3. Doesn't have a name yet, but the wip doc is named 'My Limits Tested Through Merlin' [BBC Merlin]

While writing LMDLMD (the above fic), I discovered that the angst I put in there was not actually my full limit. I could push further. I could write worse. So I started this multichap wip. And it's going splendidly. Honestly, this fic is such a good jar to add my inner demons to. And I decided to work in some foreshadowing, juxtaposition, symbolism and all that lovely fun literary devices stuff because I found that I actually enjoy that process. So this might just be my best mutlichap fic yet!

Summary: That the kingdom they traveled to was peaceful was a lie. That the king was a good and fair man was also a lie. That Merlin, Arthur, and the Knights of the Round Table would be safe was the biggest lie of all. 

As Merlin scrubs the floor beneath the king's feet, despite the pains and bruises on his body, he wonders if escape will also be a lie. 

4. Empire For Two [BBC Merlin]

Part two of a two-part series. I've finished writing the outline and currently it's standing at 50 chapters, but as it gets written it might increase. Since it's MASSIVE and too much for me to take on alone, my lovely fwens Joan (@tireddruid) and Tristi are helping me with it! Joan's alpha and beta-ing while Tristi's gonna be a co-writer. For once, I'm not gonna start posting after it's written, but post as we write each chapter.

A Golden Age AU where I fix the fucking show.

5. Tim gets de-ages to a toddler fic [DC]

I've finished the outline for this too and it's currently standing at 21 chapters and I've already written 2. @mispeltnostalgia is beta-ing it ^^ And it's angsty. And fluffy! Majority of it is fluffy! But the angst at the end and major character death tag kind of overshadows the 19 chapters of fluff 😅 I also do a character study of Jason here. It's very enlightening.

Inspired by the very first fanfic I ever read (by choice) and Tim gets de-aged to a toddler because of a mistake Jason made. Jason's bonds with the family is already fragile and this mistake might just drive a further wedge between him and them. So he keeps the mistake a secret.

But the fact Tim is a toddler isn't. The batfam try their hardest to look after Tim while trying to find a way to age him back. Tim's an adorable kid but... there are warning signs. Too many warning signs. It makes everyone question just how well they had known Tim and his personal life.

For some reason, the toddler seems attached to Jason. And surprisingly, Jason seems to go actually well when dealing with him.

But after an explosive fight between Jason and the rest of the family, when Alfred opens the doors to the bedrooms, he finds both the toddler and the crime lord gone.

6. I Quit (not the actual fic name, just a wip name) [DC]

It started with a crack-genre scene where Tim accidentally resigns being Robin over the phone.

It quickly escalated to Tim running from the Bats, trying to cure Jason of his Pit Madness, and raising a 10-year-old assassin Damian when Talia mistakenly dumped the kid on him. Fully outlined, 19 chapters, I'm probably gonna start writing this soon.

7. Found Him [DC]

Not a multichap fic but a series with oneshots and twoshots and threeshots! Why? Because I was lazy and didn't bother with filling chapters. Why? Cuz I wanted to get to the action bits. Why?

Because this, my friends, is an evil!Tim Drake AU >:)

Tim wakes up in Titans Tower before Bruce and Dick can show up. He wakes up and all he sees is blood.

His blood.

He is in excruciating pain, but for some cruel reason, he can still think and feel clearly. His mind is not a haze, he has all his memories and he is very well aware of the carnage that has been made out of his body. Very well aware of the person who created the carnage out of his body.

In a Red Robin #4-esque style, Tim crawls out and sloppily secures the wounds that bleed the most, then grabs a bike and collapses in the middle of the road. The emergency services think he's a normal civilian boy since Tim had torn his Robin uniform and had ridden out in the blacks underneath. They manage to save his life but the damage was done.

Tim had snapped. He thought he was alone. And nothing was going to convince him otherwise.

8. All 'Board Mind Games [DC]

Inspired by Zugzwang written by sardonic-sprite. Ra's keeps kidnapping Tim and forcing him to play different board games from different cultures (cuz I like representation) and each member of the batfam is kidnapped along with him and with every time Tim loses, he gets to choose between forms of torture or being Ra's heir. Ra's gets what he wants either way because he wants Tim as his heir, but he also wants to see Tim suffer because he blew up his League's operations.

This fic I am so so so incredibly excited for because I am adding brain factors in it. Here is a plan for one of my chapters:

Damian — Barjees — Fear gas — "Be the person you needed when you were younger" (or Ideasthesia)

9. Talons (not the actual title) [DC]

What if Bruce didn't arrive in time to adopt his sons? What if the Talons did?

And what if, years later, Batman comes across four child assassins in Gotham whose eyes are screaming help?

10. Danny meets Tim (not the actual title, obvi) [DC x Danny Phantom]

Not very outlined, but the idea has been written down. During Tim's Red Robin arc where he's traversing the whole globe to find Bruce, one of the places he stops at is Amity Park. He heard about how ghosts are a regular here so maybe he can find something? Proof whether or not Bruce is alive?

Who he finds instead changes the whole trajectory of Tim's life.

~

And those are some of my wips! I am 100% planning on writing and posting all of them. They've all been outlined (except the last one) and are very much ready to be written or posted. I keep getting ideas after ideas for fics though so don't know when I'll be writing them 😂 Rest assured, I'm too excited to delay some of these wips.

[dichromaticdyke]

hey another thing since my brain is broken and i have an MA in literature i'm gonna analyze the lyrics of "aortic desecration" and "SOS."

under the cut this time since last time my brain vomited a bunch of aotd analysis it went on for way too long sorry.

but seriously i wrote a fuckton here over the course of two sleep deprived sessions, so you'll either think i'm a madman or a divine genius.

okay for simplicity, "aortic desecration" lyrics are gna be in red and "SOS" lyrics r gna be in green. i hope tumblr made those colors distinct enough for ppl with colorblindness.

[intro] we're all going to die [x3] eventually [verse 1] toxic waste, acidic paste degradation crushed by a plane, driven insane mutilation cranial glitch dumped in a ditch gangrenous stitch

this is already a lot. nathan's coming at this with the idea that he has to write the most brutal and fucked up song of all time, so he just reminds everyone of their mortality and lists a fuck ton of ways that might happen (many of which do happen during the performance of this song). but even his point of adding eventually after saying how everyone wil die is interesting—it's like that was also tacked on during the performance like, "yeah but not today please haha." not a whole lot to go into here, except the way the first verse ends.

failure has entered your soul

now first of all, some sources have this line as "madness has entered your soul," but i've only ever heard "failure." and i think that makes sense—before this song even started, nathan realized that he wrote the wrong song but it was too late. i think once he got through the majority of the first verse, he went off-script, so to speak, and instead of singing about death, he started singing about realizing his own failure and mistake and how that was about to lead to the apocalypse. this continues into the next verse

[verse 2] how could you be so fucking naive? you fled for refuge and fell to your knees you spoke the words and brandished your heart you left yourself open to be torn apart, torn apart

hi brendon small i would like some recompense. he's speaking exactly to himself, how he was so naive to think that a song of salvation would be a song of death, how he was running from everyone and tried to do this all on his own. he sang about death because that was what he believed was the only thing he knew how to do, he refused to actually do some introspection and figure out what salvation was. and now here he is.

[chorus] aortic desecration how could i be so wrong? disemboweled publicly this is the dying song [bridge] look out bleed [x8] [chorus] [outro] aortic desecration atrial annihilation pulmonic devestation

so this chorus and the outro are fun for me because they're doing that thing that brutal death bands do where they just throw in a bunch of big words that sound scary and fucked up. and they are! aortic desecration essentially refers to a violation of the heart, since the aorta is the main part of the circulatory system and it's been desecrated. nathan broke his own goddamn heart by doing exactly what he feared—causing the apocalypse. he says as much in asking how he could be so wrong? as for being disemboweled publicly, well, here's what my literature MA ass immediately thought of. in sylvia plath's The Bell Jar, she writes about being suicidal and depressed, and one of the ways she considers killing herself is by disemboweling herself in her bathtub. this also reminded me of the way the god character killed himself in the film Begotten. so my initial thought, as gruesome as it is, is that nathan has kinda metaphorically killed himself in front of the whole world by singing the song that he knew was wrong. historically speaking, disemboweling people while still alive was also a form of torture and capital punishment, so that checks out. then he says "this is the dying song," fully recognizing what he's done. the final lyrics of the song once again refer to fucked up shit happening to the heart, with the atria being your heart's upper chambers, and "pulmonary" referring to your lungs, though typically in the sense of bloodflow.

then of course we get him chanting for the world to bleed, but also proclaiming, "look out." now at first i thought this was just kind of an ad lib—it's not uncommon in music to have lyrics like that that are added just to help the flow but don't actually add much to the content of the words. i don't think this is the case especially when comparing this to "SOS," but for now i'll start by just pointing out that "look out" very easily could've doubled in meaning as being a warning to the world. like, this isn't just fun and games any more—actually look out, you're actually going to die.

as for "SOS"...

[verse] last breath skyward dark sign closing line no time to mend this life take this hand this last time

alright this is pretty straightforward. this is their last chance to get it right, if it isn't too late already. but there's also that line of "skyward," which is the first instance in this song of recognizing the doomstar itself. there's no mention of the doomstar at all in "aortic desecration," which is kinda strange if you think about it. not even in the dying song is there an acknowledgement of why the apocalypse might be happening, mainly because the dying song—once nathan realizes what it is anyway—is primarily about hopelessness and fucking up. why even acknowledge the greater power at work when this is nathan's fault (in the context of the song)? but instead nathan acknowledges that the focus has to be on the doomstar, but also on everyone coming together and standing against this force that is greater than all of them. this song immediately establishes the haste in what they're doing, immediately countering the deflection in the dying song. nathan tried making the dying song work by saying, "we're all going to die eventually," but nathan here has the perspective to realize, no. people will die now, are dying now, it might already be too late to fix this, but dammit they're not giving up yet. [chorus] we're the shadows of the infinite we stand alive we're nothing but the soil of time beasts in the night reach with my open hand bound for all time in the shadows of the blazing star fused, we're the light

"shadows of the infinite" is an acknowledgement of their godlike powers, which they've either been completely ignorant to during the majority of the series or just didn't want to admit (think back to "how can i be a hero?" when none of them wanted to step up and do what they had to do). yet despite this acknowledgement of their divinity, their power, they are also recognizing that they are still just people. they can't do anything by themselves, they have to work with other forces. being "nothing but the soil of time" is a reference to being a gear in the wheel of the klok—clock, time, etc., yet also being "beasts in the night" refers to this unhinged power and danger they still hold. "reach with my open hand" is the most obvious line, with the animation in this scene directly reminding us of nathan's conversation with the whale prophet. once again, a reference to the doomstar, and the final line foreshadows nathan using the dethlights alongside both dethklok and the army of the doomstar. these are the people that must work together with this divine power to take out something greater.

it's also worth noting that while the official line seems to be "fused, we're the light," i can ALSO hear it is "fused with the light." so it can be interpreted either as, nathan and the band and the army of the doomstar all coming together to becoming the light/dethlights, or nathan and the band and the army of the doomstar being fused with the light/dethlights. it's not that much of a difference i guess, but a slight different implication of whether or not they themselves are the light or if the light is a separate entity. [bridge] now rise (rise) [x8] movin' out, movin' out [chorus]

this is the part that convinced me to make this a comparison. this is a direct parallel and contrast to the bridge in "aortic desecration," with calls to bleed being replaced with calls to rise. they even chant it the same number of times, guys idk what to tell you. PLUS there's an echo repeat of "rise" throughout this bridge, and while it could very well be a literal echo, who else wants to believe it was all the other members of dethklok singing it? kinda like the "die, die" in the duncan hills jingle? and then the "ad lib" of "look out" is instead replaced with "movin' out." instead of nathan telling everyone to run away, be watchful, be fearful, he's calling on them to come with him and fight with him.

have i talked enough about how brendon small is a fucking genius?

plus based on a few shots from this performance during aotd, i think toki might have been playing lead. which would be super cool, because this would make this the second song that is confirmed to have toki in the lead, the other being "blazing star."

anyway i've fooled you all because now i wanna talk about "blazing star." i know this song has been out for a decade now and has been analyzed a bunch, but i wanna look at it specifically now with the context of the movie.

first off, before i get into the analysis, i'm pretty sure the performance of "blazing star" at the end of the doomstar requiem never happened. i think it was purely non-diegetic, just like half the songs in this whole opera, but it was presented as a proper dethklok song to symbolize the band being reunited and looking towards their next big hurdle of the actual metalocalypse. my main reason for thinking this is that the idea that dethklok saved toki, wrote this song, performed it for the world while announcing, "hey toki's back and he's okay," is DIRECTLY in contrast with the opening scene of aotd where the band makes their first public appearance since saving toki and a standard dethklok performance trigger's nathan's ptsd. i know metalocalypse isn't known for continuity, but they would've mentioned dethklok having a performance post-rescue. and nathan in aotd is so ready to not face his destiny, there's no way he would write and perform a song about exactly that. he's also adamant that he doesn't sing about hope or life, but that's exactly what "blazing star" is about.

enough preamble let's look at that song.

[verse 1, nathan] the glowing clouds, the diamond's birth the spiral cluster descends to earth the nebulas conspire to bring the signifier and the death of a king

already with more context from aotd, i'm obsessed with this. it's setting up the doomstar and the destiny of the doomstar being either the death of salacia or of nathan. i haven't spoken yet about the parallels between nathan and salacia, that's something that's going to take a WHILE to work out, but the long and short of it is, they're powerful beings who can only achieve their full power when being reunited with four other souls/people. GUYS. they are very clearly meant to parallel each other. knowing now that the doomstar is a portal meant to reunite salacia with the "four souls," it's unlikely that this "death of a king" is inherently meant to refer to salacia, because the doomstar would have to be inherently anti-salacia, which it's not. at that, it seems like this "king" is probably meant to be nathan, or all of dethklok, since it's through their deaths that salacia would be reunited and the metalocalypse would happen. it's hard to tell tbh, the doomstar is a neutral figure—all we know is that it can bring death, and it holds power that other figures can harness.

i'm a man with a tortured sight i fear this dream will end tonight the water beasts continue singing we try to wake but we're not dreaming

THIS i find incredibly fascinating. it's no secret at this point that nathan had been dreaming about the whale prophet for who knows how long, and this is very clearly referring to that. the first line of this section even foreshadows nathan being the only one to remember the night they rescued toki. what i find interesting is the contrast between nathan "fear[ing] this dream will end" but also "try[ing] to wake but [isn't] dreaming." these are directly contradictory at first glance—he's scared of this dream ending, but he also wants to wake up? unless these are two completely different dreams.

the first half of aotd, nathan, pickles, skwisgaar, and murderface aren't rescuing toki, aren't even letting themselves think about him. they're only focusing on partying around the world, and they sing a whole song about how they love being useless billionaires and don't want to be heroes OR regular jackoffs. i think that's the first dream—being DETHKLOK, having no problems, doing whatever they want, that's the dream nathan is scared is ending. because after that night of rescuing toki, of harnessing the dethlights, everything has gotten so real. they can't ignore it anymore.

at the same time, realizing that there are greater forces out there trying to destroy the world, trying to use them to destroy the world, everything with the church of the black klok—that must feel like a dream. that's the dream he wants to wake up from.

he wants to stay in his dream of being rich and powerful, but he doesn't want to be stuck in the dream—the nightmare—of the literal apocalypse.

i'm gonna find you i'm running out of time i gotta play this part this is my lot in life with this power i am endowed the end is coming so bring it on now

again, another reason i don't believe this song was diegetic. this is the first moment of clarity he had about the metalocalypse, about how he had to do something about it, whether he wanted it or not. again, in the beginning of aotd, he had no interest in this. i guess it's possible he went back and forth on that (i wouldn't be too surprised), but again, this is a pretty hopeful message, all things considered. he even says "bring it on" to the fucking apocalypse. tell me again about how you don't write songs about hope, nate. i only buy that if he never wrote and performed this song.

[verse 2, pickles] oh the keeper wields his scythe oh you gotta kiss this life goodbye there is another place beyond we'll meet in time and i will greet you all in the next life, yeah

having pickles sing in general is based, but i've never fully understood why he was in this song. like if anything, this song feels like the kind of ballad that would have EACH member of dethklok sing a little bit, so it's strange to have just pickles and nate. it gets less strange with the hindsight of aotd, where their relationship was the primary emotional focus. but let's actually look at what pickles is saying here. it's pretty standard stuff: death is looming, but if worst comes to worst we'll be together in the afterlife.

i wanna fucking throw up (positive). what was that offdensen said to pickles in aotd? "be a true friend, even if it gets messy." pickles's verse is NOTHING but, "hey nate things are getting bad but i'll always be with you." I'M NOT REACHING THAT'S ALL THIS IS.

[chorus, nathan] the blazing star, it burns so bright the darkened power, the dethly light bring it on now, this is our time we're the new regime, together we'll fight

again, standard stuff. doomstar, dethlights, fighting together. all things considered, this could have been the song of salvation. there's not much i can really say other than the fact that since it wasn't, it must not exist in the metalocalypse world, right?

toki had the solo on this song. i don't have to speculate for that, it's made abundantly clear with the animation in the ending sequence of the doomstar requiem. he had the solo because this whole song is about the band coming together to face something greater than them, and they wouldn't have had the power to do that if they didn't have toki with them. it's also them recognizing the worth toki has in the band—at first, it seemed like his worth was just making skwisgaar play better (that was certainly the implication at the end of "the duel"), but it's greater than that.

let's say i'm right—let's say i'm right and toki also had the lead/solo during "SOS." what does that tell you that toki is granted the opportunity ot have the lead SPECIFICALLY DURING SONGS OF HOPE AND CAMARADERIE?? he, much like murderface, is foundational to the band. murderface is the voice of dissent, toki is the voice of hope.

and let's say i'm wrong, and toki only had a solo during the song that doesn't actually exist. that's fine too, because if "blazing star" is meant to be a symbolic, non-diegetic song, then that still proves my point of toki being foundational to the band ("even if you don'ts do nothings") and, more importantly, their divine power.

wow that was a lot if you got to the end pls like comment and subscribe.

[doublel27]

That’s so valid about Owen. “I’m gonna go annoy my kids now”

And there was something so squishy about the 3 of them being a lil family unit now 🥹

I'm sure whoever you are, dear sweet nonny, you threw this in here knowing I would likely meta on about it.

And I've been thinking about the end scenes nearly all day.

I'm notoriously interested in Owen as a character. He's a facinating character who, like his son, has had his life scarred by loss. Owen's whole raison d'etre is saving his brother. It's why saving that one little girl from drowning sent him into a life focused on saving others. Then he lost his entire firehouse in 9/11, and slowly lost other survivors of 9/11 to cancer and mental health disorders.

Then, he has to bring his son back from the dead and moves him to Texas in an attempt to save his life and restart, all while diagnosed with cancer. We lose Tim Rosewater which sets Owen into deep levels of depression and guilt, because he'll never be able to keep the promise that everyone who starts a shift goes home at the end of it.

Gwyn is in town, and they're still in love and he's working on making it work. They're gonna have a baby and Owen has a redo. He's got a chance to do it RIGHT this time. Because Owen's fatal flaw is always believing if things had been different, if he had been better, if he'd beena moment sooner: maybe he could have fixed things. He had a whole speech to that effect in last night's episode, where he figured if he'd known about 9/11 ahead of time that he could have prevented his whole team from dying.

Then the baby's not his and Gwyn leaves and whatever Owen managed to cobble together of his mental health for Gwyn and teh baby disipates and there's a lot of very classic PTSD/depressive/anxiety things that come up in Owen.

And then we lose Gwyn which is devestating to everyone but Owen soldiers on for TK, but he's...not doing well, at all. He finally gets his ass to therapy and even though we see him make some progress he's still keeping TK at a distance. Mostly because TK's doing well and Owen CANT be Captain Save a Ho for TK in these moments. He does crop up (usually) when TK's struggling, but only when there's something TO DO.

This episode marked a change.

Owen, in talking with O'Brien, who is giving a speech pretty reminicent of Owen's own speeches, about how he made a promise and he didn't keep it because look at this awful thing that happened, and Owen manages to give solid reasoning to be like "Look, he's alive and his son's alive and that's something."

And then it's like the lightbulb goes off in Owen's brain as O'Brien takes off after his great nephew - that Owen is indeed alive, and his son is also alive, and that's something. He may not have saved everyone but he saved TK.

Then, Owen goes and picks up food (which is really one of Carlos and TK's main love langauges, is feeding people - TK does it with takeout because he shouldn't be in the kitchen) and brings it over. But he doesn't just pick up any take out, he picks up the chinese food that TK introduced Gwyn to that they used to eat as a family.

I take this to be significant in multiple ways:

One, the Gwyneth Morgan of it all. Owen picked something that was a family thing and brought it over. Which is a very significant thing to do.

Two, it's one of the few times that food is involved and Owen doesn't mention the healthy/unhealthy nature of the food. Look, I could probably write a whole disertation on why Owen Strand, who has survived 21 1/2 years post 9/11 is obsessed with his health, but nearly every interaction with food, Owen has a coment about it. He doesn't make a single comment about this round of chinese food. I lied, he doesn't mention it in 3.08 either. But that's in the wake of grief, and maybe here Owen's still living in it.

Three, ordering chinese is very clearly TK's comfort meal. Look, a lot of us who are neurospicy joke about TK being neurospicy. And when you are neurospicy, there are certain foods that are..."safe" or an instant "yes" all the time. And we default to them often. I know when I'm struggling when I'm like "It's a comfort food day." (I have a rotation) but it eliminates decision fatigue and the need to emotionally regulate if it's not exactly what you wanted. Chinese food has a connection to Gwyn, and comfort and it comes up a lot when TK's stressed. (Even in 3.03, when Carlos doesn't come home, TK ordered chinese for them)

And then Owen does something he hasn't done...at all...since TK moved out (maybe they did when they moved into Owen's house and I don't know where they had chinese in 3.08) but Owen shows up at their place to share a meal with them.

And it's significant because TK and Carlos have invited him over for many meals between seasons 2 and 3, and Owen never accepts. Or, in the case of 2.11, Owen accepts and then goes off to catch an arsonist instead, which could be his hero complex but could also be a general avoidance of things that are uncomfortable for Owen, like TK growing up and not needing Owen anymore.

For as much as Owen has been an absent father for various parts of TK's life, because of his PTSD and trauma and general *waves hands* Owenness, Owen is a loving dad who would do just about anything for his son. We know this, we've watched him do it. But Carlos is also a competent control freak who Owen trusts implicitly with TK's life on numerous occasions. I do believe there's a big part of Owen's psyche that doesn't know what to do if he's not NEEDED.

But at the end of 4.06, he shows up, with chinese food, which is not needed because TK and Carlos already made a beautiful dinner and are looking very handsome, but he comes in and tells TK that he's proud of him, again. And you know, not trying to blow people up is a very low bar, but you know, TK clears it. And then they stay and have dinner, and Owen inserts himself in his son's life, not because TK needs him, but because Owen WANTS to be there, and that's such a drastic change for these two.

I love that Carlos and TK bring him in. Look, we could punish Owen for his mistakes and transgressions, but that's never been who TK is and this is his last living biological parent (Enzo forever) and TK loves him. And Carlos loves TK and respects Owen and wants them to have a good relationship.

And I cannot wait for Owen to "do what he does best" (owen's words) and be a pain in their asses about this wedding.

[rise-my-angel]

Hello! I hope you're doing well. I just wanted to say that your takes on the Targaryens are so refreshing to find when this fandom is almost completely made up of people who think they're the supreme, divine saviours of humanity and the greatest thing since sliced bread. It feels nice and validating to see someone who thinks like me for once. <3

Nothing bothers me more then propping them up as divine or special, when their entire story is about how they think they are special in contrast to the devastating effects of who they are on the people.

I don't think it's a coincidence that in Westeros we get so many different pov's to showcase all sides of how the war effects everyone everywhere, no matter how justified you may think one side or the other is. We see its devestating and it reminds us that their wars arent actually worth the cost. But in Essos, we do not see that. We only ever get Dany's pov and her view of her own actions, and we never see those minute details from every walk of life showcasing how no matter how justified she thinks she is, she has damaged more then shes saved. And I think it's a clever trap so that when she comes to Westeros, you finally see her from someone elses eyes and its a wakeup call that you've been tricked by her pov into thinking that shes better then she is. It's fascinating the way hes structured her story.

But people miss that, and subsequently, they miss that about all the Targaryeans. So they see them, as Dany sees herself. More superior then they really are. Which is not at all.

The Targaryeans aren't special. Their Valyrian blood is not what makes them dragonriders, they just have a monopoly on it because by the doom they were the only family who owned them or had any information about dragons. Its not a stretch to say when your family comes from a culture that is surrounded by dragons, you probably are just better equipped to ride one then someone whose never even seen one before. (Unless your Nettles then you are the literal example of why Targaryeans are not special and I love how grrm uses her to contrast that so strongly).

They alone are not holding the Kingdom together, as they caused many civil wars and rebellions, and their dynasty ended in a rebellion, which was followed by decades of peace. Say what you will about Robert, but he wasn't so stupid as to blatantly start a war from his bloodlust all over again. He wasn't a good man, but he took the throne by conquest during rebellion times, and no violence ever happened until after he was dead, and that wasnt caused by his fault, it was started by Cersei via having a bastard with Jaime and not Robert. So the war that followed wasn't his wrongdoing. He held peace and the realm together, so clearly the Targaryeans weren't needed for that specifically.

They don't even look unique. In Essos, tons of places still have mixes of Valyrian blood and thus have their silver hair. House Dayne is known to have purple eyes just like them, but they aren't Valyrian, their ancestry is from The First Men.

The biggest tragedy is House of the Dragon, because Fire and Blood is such a good deconstruction of the myth around House Targaryeans supermecy. Writing it in character as an Archmaester during Robert Baratheons reign is so interesting. It gives us such a unique look into how the world actually remembers them.

And its a book full of atrocities and horrible action after horrible action. War after war after war. People remember the Targaryeans as the initally conquested Westerosi did, as nothing more then uncaring, power hungry colonizers. But people don't look at them that way out of universe, and they should. Theres no reason to discount the negatives about them.

But House of the Dragon didn't adapt that book, so general audiences are getting a very different story that bolsters that supremacist view of the Targaryeans and it really does not paint them in the complex light they should be.

Not every Targaryean was a bad person, but House Targaryean was a house full of bad people. Bad people who raised and married each other into a system of brutal generational incest and abuse, and neglected the very Kingdom they routinely torn apart in order to fight for who gets to sit on the Iron Throne and ignore it more.

I like discussing the flaws of the Targaryeans because I find their toxic, destructive nature to be interesting. Especially in comparison to the such a stable family like the Starks.

They are a cautionary tale as to why the Starks reign lasted 8000 years, and the Targaryeans lasted only 300.

[butch-chastity]

best nova solo?

hmm i was gonna be like "oh i don't know, they're all so different" but actually No this is easy look

general thoughts:

vol 1 - gets stuck in between b & c because there are some genuinely good and interesting moments but those generally get lost under the weight of the really racist ending and the more boring issues

vol 2 - i know this isn't everyone's favorite and it definitely mischaracterizes the new warriors but if i ignore that it's enjoyable. i think the delivery service is cute. rich is having a bad time in his 20s and i can relate to that. i also think the nova 00 plotline was really good and so was the garthan saal + xandar Stuff that happens here. 18 is Devestating and i think about it a lot. gets points of for the some of the insensitive stuff in 2, 6, & 7 and also just dropping plot points left and right (I want to talk about epyrus again :( )

vol. 3 - (deep breath in) this one is Bad and if you've read it you know the reasons why. however, i do enjoy whatever bernie and rich have going on. i think putting rich in college is STUPID and i while rich's shitty fast food job has some funny moments it also Sucks because the delivery service thing was fine ok. OK? god.

vol. 4 - genuinely great, definitely the best of rich's solos, especially the first 25 issues. gets points off because the stuff that comes at the very end could use some work. overall very a super fun read, and definitely what hooks a lot of people when it comes to rich's character. gamora planned to give rich brainworms but she didn't account for me getting infected also

vol. 5 - good! love sam. i think its weaker points come with the territory of sam being a new character + the kinks of writing an origin story. overall good.

vol. 6 - fine. nothing really remarkable about it. i read it when it was coming out in 2016 while I was in middle school and thought it was ok. i don't remember all that much about it tbh. i should probably re read it but overall as of right now i remember it being fine if a little boring at times

vol. 7 - placed the highest for a reason; it's really good and the art is iconic. perhaps vol. 4 is better in terms of content but because this one was cut short it didn't have the same issues that vol. 4 did. overall awesome, but it's really only one arc so i'm not sure it's comparable to the others (also it's a duo not a solo but.... you know how it is)

[nburkhardt]

Heyyy girlie!!!! Came to give you a prompt for you to try! Hope you enjoy this little angst fest.

Also to be very honest, I was listening to "Friends on the Other Side" as I was thinking about this prompt lol.

Steve gets cursed by Vecna and he is shown instead of horrible things happening to him and the people he cares about, he is shown actual events of people ridiculing and insulting him. Dustin calling him names, Robin shown distain whenever he talks, Eddie flat out ignoring him for DND, Hopper saying how he feels bad for Steve. All things angsty!

And Vecna says, "See? They don't care about you. But I do. You and I can give each other what we never were given - A true family."

And Steve accepts, while everyone is oblivious to what they have created.

Imagine the DEVESTATION when they all discover that it's entirely their fault Steve is now a puppet under Vecna's control.

You can decide the ending there!

Anywayyssssss, hope you have a good day!

(Also the prompt you asked is on its way!)

I want to begin to say that when I originally read this prompt I was dying. It was already hurting me reading this then i decided I could do it. I could write it out. But I went with Steve as a victim instead of puppet, thought that would also be so good. Like just imagine with me real quick before I get into the fic… maybe he gets infected by the bats and that’s how Vecna uses him and it isn’t until it’s too late for anyone to save him. OR OR Eddie becomes Kas and them along with Vecna is unstoppable because none of The Party wants to fight them. ANYWAY, onto the fic:

WARNING: Major Character Death, lots of hurt and no comfort.

——————

He doesn’t notice he’s cursed until it’s too late.

His hearing has been shit for a while, so hearing the clock ticking is too much like the nearly non-stop buzzing already in his ears. The grandfather clock is shown to him while he’s in the middle of looking around at the school. It looks like it belongs there.

The vision?

It’s his actual memories.

It’s reality, it’s too much, it’s draining.

An old memory of his dad calling him worthless, his mom pushing him away when he’s hurt and the endless babysitters that brush him off. There’s memories of Tommy and Carol hanging off him but putting him down for wanting to hang out just the three of them instead of a party with drugs and alcohol. There’s the “bullshit” and “you’re an idiot” from Nancy thrown in there.

The memories with Robin before they became best friends, memories of her making fun of him for another girl telling him no. The memories of all the kids putting him down or demanding things of him while calling him asshole.

The only reason he realizes it’s fake, that he’s one of Vecna’s victims is the quick fake-memory of Eddie. He doesn’t have many memories with the guy, he’s talked to him maybe a few times before this week.

The fake-memory starts with a promise of weed, of Eddie agreeing to meet him but it ends with Eddie laughing at him before walking away.

It’s then that he stops, the panic is still there but he’s standing still and slowly the area around him fades and in it’s place is the Upside Down.

“Oh Steven” a voice speaks up and he freezes, “Isn’t it time to realize they don’t care? That the love you give is wasted?”

He shakes his head, hands covering his eyes to think and wipe away the tears, the evidence of how true it is. He can’t move, he’s frozen and he feels more than sees Vecna come up to him.

Hopefully the others have noticed him, he thinks, hopes they’ll notice. They do care, in their own way- he knows this. Robin cares, says they’re soulmates.

She has to care… right?

(Eddie notices Steve first. How still he is and then he notices his eyes and it makes him freak. Robin pales when she notices and immediately shakes him, begging him to knock it off.)

There’s a noise, movement in front of him and he refuses to move his hands. Doesn’t want to give Vecna the satisfaction of knowing it’s getting to him. He’s fucking twenty years old, he can handle this. Max managed to beat him and she’s fourteen.

There’s a sigh, and it’s close. Too close. He feels something grab hold of his wrist and he shuts his eyes as his hand is forced away, “Steven, Steven, Steven. Why are you fighting? They don’t love you, they don’t care. With me, you’ll be cared for, you’ll be loved and away from all those who hurt you. Doesn’t that sound wonderful?”

He feels his wrist being pulled away, tries to fight it but Vecna or whatever it is pulling is stronger. He holds still and keeps his eyes tightly shut.

“My, my. You are stubborn, Steven.” Vecna lets out a cruel laugh, “Why fight me, you know you’ll lose”

Fighting is all he has. It’s all he’s known. He’s fought his whole life, he couldn’t stop even if he wanted to, it’s his reality. It’s who he is.

Steve Harrington is a fighter. Has been since he was a little boy. Memories of his dad yelling, of kid bullies and eventually his mother pulling his arms as he panics. Fighting is what he knows, just, he loses.

Losing is easy. Winning is hard and it seems, he isn’t supposed to be a winner.

Vecna must know this, because his arms are yanked down and it’s such a shock, his eyes fly open and he’s face to face with Vecna.

A vicious smile on Vecna’s face, “Stop fighting me, Steven.”

He shakes his head, ignoring the stinging of his eyes and the pain in his wrists. He can do this, he can hold off like Max did. The others should know what’s happening by now.

He isn’t weak.

There’s a hand on his cheek, it’s gentle and it hurts how much he craves it. Without his say, he leans into it. It’s been so long, a few tears betray him falling down his cheeks.

“With me, you’ll be cared for.” Vecna speaks out with a soft tone, something he didn’t think was possible that’s willing to kill anyone, “you’ll be loved and respected”

(Steve is floating, he’s floating so far up that no one can reach him now. There’s tears falling from his glazed over eyes. Everyone is screaming, trying helplessly to get to him.)

“come now, we both know you’ll lose.”

He’s not fighting the tears anymore, they’re falling freely and he wishes for someone- anyone to save him. Wishes to be stronger, be the person he always wanted to be.

But he’s so tired. He’s so exhausted and so fucking sad. Tired of being someone he’s not. Tired of ignoring the sting of words, jokes from his friends.

He wants, he wishes.

Wishes for exactly what Vecna is promising.

Blinking hard and he breathes, not fighting against the vines holding him now. Looks up towards the red sky, it’s scary.

It’s nothing like he wanted.

But he doesn’t know anymore.

“You’ll be okay, with me” Vecna says, it’s not a promise and it’s not soft. It’s sinister, it’s just a saying.

He knows and hates himself.

Hates how tired he is as he gives up.

He knows he’s a victim, a pawn in Vecna’s plan.

It doesn’t stop the relief he feels, even as he listens to Vecna’s sinister laughter at him.

(His arms are broken, Steve’s arms are broken. He’s still floating and his arms are bent in different directions. There’s screaming, crying and everyone is shaking.

How did they miss this? How did they not know?)

Letting go is the easiest thing he’s ever done. Even with the knowledge that he’s a victim and it’s disappointing to his friends, it’s letting the bad guy win.

But he’s tired, so tired.

There’s no pain for him, not anymore. With this he doesn’t need to try, doesn’t need to ignore the jokes or the poorly disguised mean behavior towards him. Doesn’t need to be useful to be around those he thought of as family.

He doesn’t need to fight anymore.

He can rest.

~~~~

The sound of bones breaking and screaming makes him want to run away. But he’s stuck in place, face wet with tears and his throat hurts from screaming.

He can’t look away.

Up in the sky is Steve Harrington. Floating much like Chrissy, eyes glazed over and frozen. The difference, tears are freely falling down his cheeks. His arms are now bent in different directions and he can’t look away.

He hears everyone around him fall down, sobbing still. He’d look around, but he can’t look away from Steve.

Refuses to look away.

Refuses to run away.

How did they not know? How did they miss this? Why didn’t Steve mention anything? What happened? How did this happen? How did his friends, his family not know he was hurting?

The sounds of everyone around him sobbing, the sound of Steve’s body break is making him wish to be deaf.

This is all too much.

This is too heartbreaking.

It feels like losing.

Hearing a loud crash, really sets reality in. They are losing. They lost the moment Steve stopped moving and his eyes glazed over.

It’s with that, that makes him fall to the ground with tears falling down his face. His gaze falling onto the pile of limbs that was Steve Harrington.

That was the man who willing to dive into Lover’s Lake to find a gate, the same one to bite a demonic bat because it was choking him, so determined to be the last one out of hell.

How did they miss this?

What are they supposed to do now?

————

I’m sorry 😭

I couldn’t turn it around, I couldn’t figure out how to make this with a happy ending. So I didn’t and it’s heartbreaking, I made myself tear up so much I had to stop writing the other night.

If you have any prompts or ideas, send them my way!

Permanent Tag List: @spectrum-spectre @itsfreakingbats @mysticcrownshipper @artiststarme @thereindeerlady @justforthedead89 @ronniescontinuum @freyaforestafay @harvesteee (if you want to be added, let me know!)

[worldismyne]

Kirona fics recs.

"@worldismyne thank you! I'll check it out! Yeah, I'd love some recs. I prefer Crona as a boy (trans or cis) but I still like fics with them as non-binary or a girl."

------

Alright, it's been a hot minute since I read some of these, so any ff.net recs are vaguely remembered through rose color glasses, but they def left an impact on me.

Masc recs...

The Lycan and the Vampire (T - Incomplete)

Summary: Crona is a lycan via bitten. Kidd is a vampire by birth. Kidd hates the lycans. Crona doesn't know how to deal with a vampire. Male!CronaXKidd. Rated T for sexual references mentioned mostly by a Lycan

Review: I am paranormal romance cringe. I remember this fic being the first I remembered when thinking of good MxM Kirona. The AU was fairly well world built as well.

Kid x Crona : Hades and Persephone (G - Hiatus)

Summary: Have you ever wondered if there was more to the story of Hades and Persephone? That there was more than what was said in stone?

Review: This is a mythology AU. I just got started with this one, but I'm a sucker for greek mythology. Seems pretty cute so far.

The Difference Between Us (M - Incomplete)

Summary: An ongoing Death the Kid x Male!Crona fanfic. Kid shows Crona what it means to be loved. Slow paced and many chapters long.

Review: tldr, have not read this one, 1st person is not my jam. But, the people for people who do like it (according to other reviews) it's got solid characterization and is a decent long fic to settle in with.

NB recs...

Beneath All the Hate and Despair (T - Incomplete)

Summary: Even after switching sides and making peace with most of Maka's friends, Crona has a rocky transition into Kid's good graces. Things get even more difficult when traces of Medusa crop up. An exploration of two wildly different but curiously similar people that come closer together. Mostly canon compliant, but an AU of sorts. NB Crona. (Revamped fic)

Review - This is the OG for me, and by that I mean how young me found out about they/them pronouns. (I didn't really get it at the time, but I still read the whole thing AND the author went back 10 years later to do another copy edit once they had more expirence. Mad respect.)

Stir the Cauldron (T - Updating)

My summery: A continuation of the manga where Kid uses his new powers to help save Crona.

Review - Really nice getting to see Kid adjust to being the new Lord Death, the internal dialogue is really on point. Bonus points for addressing Ragnarok and having Crona be artificially made (gotta be one my fav HC).

Devestation Rots (NR - Complete)

Summary: In which Kid is shattered by the loss of two people very important to him.

Review: Cute hurt/comfort two-shot. Bonus points for Liz/Patty + Kid in a sibling dynamic.

-----

I read mostly fem!Chrona longfics way back. So The Birth of Scelus the Kishen and Child Born of Love are the absolute classic longfics that have survived (I could have sworn there were four or five others, they may have been deleted). But both of them are complete and rated T. I have 0 clue how well they've held up, but they got me through many a class and roadtrip growing up.

There is 10 pages of fics on ff.net (the ship predates the ship filter feature. So just pop in romance into genre and only have them as the listed characters). There used to be more, but like I said, people like to delete their old stuff.

キックロ or Kikkuro is the ship name in Japanese if you ever want to look for art on other sites. I know there were a few doujins back in the day, but very few were translated to English at the time.

It's so interesting to see a ship that used to be in the main trifecta of ships fall out of favor. I'm mostly writing for other ships now too, so I'm not complaining lol.

Daughter of Madness is the longest fic I ever wrote and now with the sequel, they've fully transitioned from she/her egg to they/them god X'D

I still love these two together in any interpretation. So if you ever get brainrot or wanna talk headcanons, my inbox is open lol.

EDIT 10 Pages of fics when browsing on mobile, 28 if you're on web.

[ohmtoff]

im gna give yall a heartbreaking, soul crushing, mind numbing, just ANGSTY nick-centric fic recommendation bc this fic needs more noise istg. it’s ab nick’s recovery after being assaulted for being gay. fully platonic and focusing more on nick’s character development and character study, and also brotherly love ofc

im actually devestated the author is anonymous bc babe YOU DESERVE TO BE PRAISED SO BADDD😩😩😩 so @/author if youre on tumblr ilysm for writing this and i cant wait for the next chapter<333333

[captainshorter]

Sort of part 2? I already made another version from a scene with Babe but now i'm doing this scene for Charlie:) (I hope this is not stupid, im using a big part of what was shown in the show in this writing but i'm also adding a bit more of my own interpertation of these two scenes, because i feel like they're pretty important for each character) Word count: 671 words

The guilt was eating Charlie up alive. At first he didn't really feel guilty about planning his fake death. Along with needing all his energy and focus on recovery, he thought it for the better. Even if it did hurt Babe, it was for the best and would only guarantee his safety. That didn't mean Charlie didn't miss him, no on the contrary, he missed Babe a lot. When he heard Jeff's voice talking with Uncle Ravel, he slowly pushed himself up. All of his limps were sore and his head was heavy, he couldn't help but groan. Jeff turned to Charlie as he spoke up.

"So you went to stay with P'Alan?" Jeff rushed over to Charlie and grabbed his shoulder as he noticed his brother was awake. He slowly guided Charlie to sit. Jeff didn't answer Charlie's question but instead asked a question himself, "How are you P'?"

Charlie felt unsteady and wobbled sligthly against Jeff as he finally sat upright. He squinted his eyes against the bright light outside and pushed the blanket off of him.

"I'm not dead yet." Charlie respondedly vaguely. Honestly he was feeling terrible, his head felt like it was gonna burst, but he wasn't gonna say that to his brother. It was his own idea so he had to suffer the consequences quietly.

"What's the situation now?" Charlie suspected he had missed a whole lot of important events.

"Everything went as planned. Tony is mad that you're dead. He has Kenta search for new alpha children everywhere," Jeff rubbed his hands together in an absentmindly movement but Charlie still noticed, "The team has figured out that Dean is a spy. So now everyone has moved to P'Alan's house. P'Babe, P'North and P'Sonic, even including Kim." That surpised Charlie, the last time he heard about Kim he was still being held captive by Tony.

"Oh really?" was all he could say.

"What else can they do? Everyone was devestated by your death," Jeff looked at Charlie's face when he said the next words, "Especially P'Babe." Charlie frowned and looked at his lap.

"Is he very sad?" It sounded like a stupid question, because obviously Babe would be sad. But Charlie needed to know how sad Babe was.

"You died right in front of his eyes, how could he not be sad. It will take a while for him to accept it." It's because of this sentence Charlie started doubting this idea. He had thought about Babe being hurt by his plan, of course he had. But Charlie hadn't expected Babe to take his dead really hard. Maybe Charlie should have seen it coming from the way Babe had reacted when Charlie offered to give him his senses back, he got angry at him every time Charlie mentioned it. It made him want to call Babe or at least let him know he was okay but he couldn't, it would destroy the plan and all their hard work.

Jeff understood Charlie's silence and continued speaking, "I know that you are just as upset. But don't forget, the one who proposed this plan was you. You know how Babe will be." Jeff was right, of course he was but that still didn't help the horrible feeling in his gut. Charlie turned his head and looking at his hands in his lap, frowning ever deeper than he did before.

Jeff handed him his glasses and Charlie took them without saying a word, lost in his own mind. He wanted to call Babe, wanted to tell him it was all okay. He wanted to comfort him but he couldn't but instead he was left with a feeling in his stomach that made him want to throw up.

Jeff touched his knee and rubbed his thumb softly in a comforting gesture. "We'll take care of P'Babe, don't worry." But that was the only thing Charlie could do, worry about Babe. It was only a tiny bit of comfort that Charlie knew Jeff and Alan were looking out for him.