#they're extremely sweet but in some very specific way that I can't handle at all I'd guess

[canisalbus]

Rebuttal: your art tastes like a seashell praline that has been sat on a bed of velvet...incense burning around it to battle for control against the strong chocolate-hazelnut cream within the spiral milk and white shell. In the distance...distant chimes and soft prayers mix with heavy breathing and salacious whispers. It is sultry. . .reverent. . .decadent. . .and ominous. . .AKA it's good stuff.

.

[tyrantisterror]

Who are your top favorite personifications of death in fiction and what is it that endears you to each version specifically?

None will ever surpass Death from Discworld, a character of supreme compassion who toils endlessly to care for people and assure their end is handled with all the grace and kindness they have earned in life. He's in many ways a pitiable figure, full of love for the living that he is never able to get truly close to, horrified at the cruel realities of life that he cannot undo but merely soften, and rarely ever acknowledged for the hard work he puts in at every moment of existence. He is one with his Duty, responsible to a fault. Death wants nothing more than to give life, to preserve it, to make it so we don't suffer anymore, but he knows reality doesn't work like that, and can't work like that, so instead he does his job and does it well, making sure we get some atom of justice and mercy in death when it's earned, even and especially if we didn't get it in life.

It probably seems a bit trendy to list Death from Puss in Boots as my second favorite, but I think he's going to stand the test of time as one of the GOATs of death personified. He's terrifying and relentless, bringing a looming dread that hangs over the story from his entrance on despite him only popping up sporadically, exactly as death should. While he's an antagonist in the story, he, like Discworld's Death, holds life itself in high regard, and only pursues Puss in Boots so maliciously because Puss has failed to do the same, treating his lives as frivolous and expendable rather than the precious and finite gifts they are.

Death in Bill And Ted begins as a riff on Death from The Seventh Seal, but, after being beaten by the titular duo at a shitload of board games, slowly comes out of his shell to reveal he's actually a pretty sweet and fun-loving guy when he's allowed to get out of his gloomy work persona. It all continues this theme of Death cherishing life in its way - that the finite nature of life, its necessary end, makes it all the more valuable to cherish.

The Red Death from Edgar Allen Poe's The Masque of the Red Death is a bit more malicious, tormenting the courtiers of Prince Prospero's titular masquerade by reminding them of the plague they're all ignoring before finally killing all of them when it's dramatically appropriate to do so. But, like, they fucking deserved it, using their wealth and power not to help their countrymen, but to live in lavish luxury while the common folk die hideously to a vile disease. The Red Death, in his indomitable grip on humanity, ensures a certain level of justice is held - that while the rich and selfish may steal some escape from the grim realities of life, Death will come for them just the same as it comes for the poor.

I'm going to end with Death from the Castlevania show on Netflix, who's about as evil as Deaths get in fiction, and deliciously so. He's crass, vulgar, petty, and utterly selfish, which ironically makes him feel more human than anyone else on this list. Which works for how death and violence as a whole are shown a consequences of those very human vices - after four seasons of characters inflicting death wantonly for the sake of their own personal desires and faults, it makes sense that the Death of this world would have all that pettiness cranked up to the extreme - and that he is defeated by a hero deciding once and for all to rise above his own vices and faults to fight against impossible odds for the sake of everyone else.

[nightlight-stardust-and-rain]

Polaris re-reads Nanbaka, in chronological order.

(beware of spoilers if you haven't gone past the Anime or if you stopped reading at some point I guess?)

This manga is so fucking sparkly. Love it.

You know, I had forgotten that the first time we see Samon he's in the warden's office. They are actually pretty close aren't they? It's a surprisingly wholesome relationship.

Love how Musashi is homicidal for a grand total of like three chapters and the instant he loses his powers (pretty much a wish he's had for years) he becomes the chillest, kindest guy. I had completely forgotten how many languages he speaks, this guy is insane.

Love how Musashi's wearing a skirt and no one says anything about it.

He's such an absolute nerd despite his appearance.

Jyugo's and Musashi's relationship is so cute. Puppies.

Fascinated by the workings of Samon's tail. Like this is clearly a tail but texture-wise it is clearly a belt. Way too smooth to be a tail. What the hell.

Tsukumo my beloved. Him and Jyugo being awkward beans who have no idea how their real selves are and have no idea how normal society functions together... Solidarity baby.

I love Samon's tattoos, they're so cool.

Uno meeting Musashi was actually so wholesome. Uno realizes this scary guy is actually timid and sincere and nice and goes oh well, no choice but to adopt him now. We already have Jyugo, what's one more. It's in moments like these where you see how truly kind Uno is.

Uno inviting Musashi to the game room!!

Samon as a whole. My beloved.

Mao why are you so mean. I wonder if what he's saying is true tho like he is absolutely the type to make shit up just to get under Samon's skin. (edit, a lot of chapters later : indeed there were bad rumors about building 5. Because Mao made them all up ! Dude how petty are you!)

Getting Aiolia-Aiolios vibes from Enki and Samon. You know, elder brother's a "traitor" therefore the younger brother is distrusted?

Samon is actually a good teacher. That's neat.

Completely forgot he actually swears a lot? It's fun.

In Qi's backstory, he's not wearing any (eyeliner?) makeup. I think it's sweet that he is wearing makeup in prison, he's more free (ironically) to express himself! Also it's so cute that Samon provides makeup for his inmates. (though he seems to be wearing nail polish in the flashbacks. At this point I am genuinely wondering if everyone wearing nail polish is a manga feature instead of Actual In-Universe nail polish)

It's so incredibly sweet that the building 5 inmates see Samon as the one who's giving them a second chance and helping them become better people. Like really all you would need to cure Samon's self-esteem issues would be to give him mind-reading powers and an hour with his inmates.

(chapter 91) really I can't with them. Qi holds Samon in such high esteem! That's genuine respect! And Samon trusting Qi and telling him that his skills (that have been used for such terrible things before!) are valuable and useful and good! And taking his inmates to see the gardens using a loophole to authorize it even thought it seems to be forbidden!

Samon being the one to reconnect Upa with his family! It was so wholesome...... Samon is just such a great guy, no wonder his inmates like him so much. He deserves it!

Kshshsh what do you mean the reason Honey and Trois are in this top prison despite committing the pettiest theft ever is because their escape attempts from previous prisons were actually about a hundred times more fucking intense and bloody than the crimes that landed them here in the first place?? Unfuckingbelievable. They cannot be real.

Jyugo having yet another crisis about the meaning of his existence. Baby it's not that deep, the meaning of existence is to be happy and enjoy life. You're overthinking again (very justified tho. Fuck Elf).

Love the contrast between Honey's special skill (extremely technical, extremely delicate, really hard to handle, extremely specific) and Trois' (Things That Make Huge Explosions). It mirrors the contrast between their personalities, Honey's being explosive and Trois' being sly. They're made for each other (I don't ship them, but it's very clear they're a package deal).

Honey finding out Tsukumo's a celebrity and keeping quiet about it because that's what Tsukumo wants is actually really cute. He's an asshole but he's not bad.

This chapter where they all exchange hair colors - Musashi with blonde-pink hair was surprisingly cute.

Samon can feel people's presence? That's fascinating. Enki can probably do it too given some of his comments. How does it works.

Enki's uniform is so ugly. Baby why did you think this red and this green together was a good idea.

Musashi being vulnerable with Yozakura! And talking to him! And Yozakura believing in him! And the way Musashi changed Yozakura too! It's because of Musashi that he thought about asking for Enki's motives, that he understood that criminals are not evil ! It's sweet.

Enki being offered an opportunity to ask for help and denying it. I wonder how many times he's done that. Motherfucker your brother adores you, would it kill you to open up a little for once.

"you wouldn't understand" fuck you Enki, Yozakura might be one of the only ones who would understand (on account of having listened to Musashi's story and believed it). Also that's a flimsy excuse when you didn't even try to make people understand!!

Kiji is scary. And good at feelings, which is arguably more terrifying in a manga like that.

I know Hajime's violence is meant to be comedic but uh. I don't really like how prompt he is to beating up the inmates or his coworkers.

Samon still believing in Inori even after his betrayal and the cruel things he said...... I love him. Hope Inori knew the amount of faith Samon had in him.

But also Samon baby you need to stop blaming yourself for everything that's just not healthy.

The other guards being worried about Samon working too much... That's sweet.

Samon and Hajime working together are undefeatable uh.

Me during the entire Enki arc : *chanting without stopping* someone give Samon a hug someone give Samon a hug someone give Samon a hug-

It's cool that Samon knows how to use all the different weapons that the guards of building 5 use.

Inori is pretty good. It's sweet how he thinks that Samon's strength is believing in others. I think it's nice that he's trying to spare Samon a confrontation with Enki because he knows Samon still believes in his brother, like, yeah guys stop blaming Samon for hesitating to fight his brother whom he adores.

Aw, Samon's learning to rely on his subordinates! Good for you baby!

the flashback about the organ trafficking case :( Samon tries so hard to help Enki and Enji just rejects his help so harshly.... I mean I'm pretty sure he was trying to protect Samon from the consequences of his actions but he simply did not have to be cruel about it. That kind of stuff, when said by someone you love and admire so much, stays with you for years if not your whole life. It's no wonder Samon's got self-esteem issues with a brother like that really.

Jyugo having his 56th identity crisis of the month. And I'm sorry to tell you it's nowhere near done!

Samon's and Enki's grandpa is weird. And their parents don't seem super good either. Did these kids have any good adults?? No wonder they've got issues relying on others.

"the strength I wish for is not something you can understand" Enki, baby, he's five. Of course he can't understand. You gotta explain at least a little bit.

The Gokuu brothers are on a interestingly similar wavenleght but they gotta learn to communicate with words.

Babies Noriko and Samon... They're so cute. Samon adding to his goal to become stronger so he can stand close to Noriko without fainting! So she won't be lonely! Definitely siblings. It's a different relationship from the one with Enki because he was already strong enough to touch Noriko to begin with while Samon really put in the effort for her. No saying Noriko's and Enki's relationship is lesser, I'm just biased because Samon's my favorite.

Noriko being able to say, to know without a doubt that she is not a monster thanks to Enki and Samon... That's love right there.

You know I was wondering why Noriko didn't believe in people despite having Samon and Enki and Houzuki but.

Holy SHIT

Her family imprisoned her. In a CAVE. For TEN YEARS??? When she didn't do anything?? Death for all of them.

Samon doubting Enki is framed as a bad things but like. He was literally there when "Enki" killed someone. I don't blame him for not automatically thinking of mind-control.

Is Kiji actually good at feelings or is he there to explain the internal reasoning of someone who won't do an internal monologue?

Samon using Noriko's ki shield.... That's love, too.

Awww, his tattoos are reminders of Noriko's lessons!

Samon promising to help his big siblings because they always try to do everything themselves... He's so precious.

That's also very painful, because I remember what comes next.

The more I see of Enki's and Samon's makeup the more I feel like they're birthmarks or something. Samon had it when he was five!

Ah, "what comes next" is here. SOMEBODY GIVE SAMON A FUCKING HUG.

Well, that's not quite a hug, but a headpat, a good cry, and a "you still have family here" is good enough. Well done, Inori.

Somehow getting the flashback of when everything was okay right after that hurts so much.

The warden patted Samon's head twice onscreen and absolutely many more times offscreen. It's hilarious and cute. She's not immune to his charms.

"I'm not that tall" Enki baby have you heard of a certain river in Egypt by any chance.

First of all. Samon sitting on Inori's shoulders is cute. Second, the fact that he needs to do that to look his brother in the eye, rofl.

It's interesting to think that Samon and Jyugo are linked now. Samon's siblings have changed Jyugo... Even if with the way those things tend to work, Jyugo will forget about them and they won't be mentioned again :(

"did my habitual truancy backfire?" Qi I love you so much-

(chapter 159) Qi and Musashi being nerds together was actually so cute. I wish we could see them interact more often.

The bath guys are fucking insane. Nanbaka really is a comedy.

Musashi asked Hitoshi if he could maybe talk to Qi again !!! That's so fucking cute. They're friends!! Good for them!! People who have had a hard life making friends again!!

Several of the dogs of building 4 have piercings!! Kshshshsh this is too much

Mao is still holding a grudge for Samon blaming him and saying he hated him when they were, what, Nine ? Ten? Is a bit, man, get over it. I personally think that Mao does feel guilty (even tho I'm pretty sure the bad guys would've found Noriko even without him, he did play a part in it) and can't deal with that so he is projecting the blame on someone else....

The biggest mystery of the manga is actually : does the warden have a really bad case of resting bitch face or is Hajime just really bad at reading people's faces?

Sometimes I forget some of those people are real adults. What do you mean Yamato's got a daughter. That changes his whole character.

There's quite a bit of teasing Samon about his intelligence or lack thereof but to be honest I don't really see where it comes from?

Literally two seconds after I wrote this : ah.

So he ranked last in the prisons written exam....

Come to think of it did he even have formal education??

"maybe he was just searching for a human who wouldn't die when wreathed in flames" and he found one :((((

! Noriko and Enki mentioned several chapters later! That's good, Jyugo hasn't forgotten the lessons they taught him yet.

Aw.... Musashi turning off his fire right when he could have killed Jyugo easily... And losing his sight in the process.... :( I love him

When Musashi talked about their past he made it sound like he turned homicidal the instant he saw the blades... Without mentioning that he apparently could have killed Jyugo but chose not to. I wonder if he didn't say anything about that because he thought Jyugo or the guards wouldn't believe him?

Jyugo didn't know Noriko and Enki were dead :(((

Love the dress Musashi's wearing in the flashback.

Wish he had kept the longer hair....

Jyugo clocked Musashi as a good guy the instant he met him. So cute. It's also interesting that he said that they were the same because 1) he didn't know Musashi had powers or a past with the man with the scar at this point, and 2) this might have been the first time Jyugo actually felt companionship, which is awesome for my they are siblings agenda.

Musashi sneaking out of his cell just to go to the library. I love him so much and as a fellow bookworm, I approve.

Aw, Musashi's teaching Jyugo things. That's sweet. I wonder if anyone else taught Jyugo things before?

Jyugo getting severely beat up just to bring Musashi a book... And he used to say that he didn't have any wants before. Clearly he always had at least one and it was making his friends happy.

Jyugo pointing out that Musashi's bad at sneaking and that's because our boy is a goody-two-shoes lmao. This flashback really shows that Musashi was just a good kid who did literally nothing wrong. He got framed and his life was destroyed just because of the way he was born :(

Aw, they really were good friends.

Which makes the falling out worse. Musashi felt betrayed because he thought Jyugo worked with the ones who destroyed his life and Jyugo felt betrayed because his (probably) first close friend attacked him for seemingly no reason. And technically they were both right :( such a mess

It is. So interesting that before using the shackles to harm Musashi he had barely thought about them. Getting them off was his goal since the start of the manga so it made it seem like he'd been focused on that since the shackles appeared but actually he paid them no mind at all until they were used to harm his only friend. The one reason why he wanted to find the man with the scar and get the shackles off is because they were the reason Musashi wouldn't talk to him (technically correct). The man "ruined everything" as I think Jyugo's said before, but only now do we discover that "everything" was his relationship with Musashi. He was really important to Jyugo, much more than just a simple former cellmate. It's just so.... To discover that his whole reason to live (finding the man with the scar) was actually about Musashi all along! It's huge! I joke about them being siblings but man I had forgotten how much they genuinely loved each other.

As someone who also thinks Musashi is great I relate :D

Musashi was actually investigating uh. I love when we get reminded of how smart he is.

Musashi trusting Jyugo because he never called Musashi a monster is kinda cute but also baby, you have the lowest standards. That's the bare minimum!!

Jyugo crying on Musashi..... I'm telling you they're siblings! Also it's sweet how Musashi doesn't panic at all despite very obviously having never experienced this level of emotion coming from Jyugo.

Aw, he was patching him up in the flashback.

Jyugo calling Musashi's warmth "like the sun"..... I love both of them and their relationship.

Alrlkshakl Musashi feeling bad about winning money in a drinking contest...... He is so fucking earnest. I love him so much. Also he looks good in non-black-and-red clothes.

Aw, he's teaching Hitoshi languages. It's sweet, and nice that he has company.

One big consequence of what happened to him is that he's bad at believing that when he speaks he will be heard and believed. It's really good that he's learning to speak up! All of them need therapy but I guess it's a start.

Ikkaku baby you need sooo much therapy. But so does everyone else so I guess you fit right in.

His nails are like claws. Cannot help but think of the practical aspects. How do you even scratch yourself without taking flesh off.

He was the one who gave Musashi his blindfold? That's.... Interesting given that he had no way to know that Musashi would be blinded. So his blindfold really is some random straps of leather (?) ? Does it says something about Musashi's feelings for Ikkaku that he kept it all this time? Or does he just not care since he can't see what he's wearing.

His fucking toenails are long and pointy ?? Not only does that seems impractical, it also seems unhealthy!

Musashi not wanting to fight Ikkaku because he helped him before... And trying to talk to him... He's so good and it's not working in his favor :(

Hmmm. So Zakuro's and Ikkaku's goal was to escape with Musashi and Jyugo?... Not sure if I believe it yet.

(really funny how they both point blank refused to leave without even taking a second to consider. Sorry, all the people they love are in this prison, there's literally no reason to leave)

Musashi seeing right through Ikkaku wanting to use him was so funny. In your face, motherfucker.

Turns out I was right to not believe in Ikkaku and Zakuro.

You know I feel like Musashi and Ikkaku could be great friends if Ikkaku was less of an asshole. Introverted friend and extroverted friend.

Musashi using physics to fight Ikkaku! And the dogs saying that Musashi's true strength is his mind! I really love when the manga reminds us how smart he is.

Him deducing Ikkaku's motives and how he was at the center of many things!! I really love how smart he is.

Lmao the contrast between Musashi's and Ikkaku's fight (bloody and dramatic) and Jyugo's and Zakuro's fight (over in five minutes because Jyugo's a weakling).

Aw, Zakuro :(

Yeesh. Dude really went through it. That's no way to live. No wonder he's a little bit insane.

And even with everything that happened to him, he still wanted to help someone in the same situation as him! What a good kid.

Jyugo's unthinking faith in Musashi is killing me. He knows Musashi won't turn on him or Zakuro, because that's just how it is! He also knows Musashi will win his fight, because he's strong. That's just how it is. He believes in Musashi so much!!.

Musashi tricking Ikkaku into close combat to win his fight! And using Hitoshi's sword because he's been fighting for Hitoshi too! He's so smart and cool I love him so much. I'm repeating myself about him being smart and it's because I really appreciate it.

Ikkaku getting captured by dogs.... Rofl. Just what he deserves.

Pretty sure that's where I stopped last time I read nanbaka. So from now on everything is new!

I know this is meant to be comedic but I don't think beating up a very traumatized guy is a very good idea??

Woof. Uno's fucking savage.

What the fuck is up with Dread.

Kojiro's cute.

Tauro seems good.

Wow, Jemi and Jeni are flat-out monsters.

Tauro is a good guy! I like him :)

Aw, Jun is great.

Hm.

Fuck Rokudo.

Ban :(((

Tauro really is a good guy.... It's good that he at least got to learn that his sister was alive before he died.

FUCK ROKUDO.

The one bright point in this backstory was Jemi and Jeni getting what they deserved (a violent death)

There's a lion lady! Love her design

..... Knowing this manga, is it a lady?

(chapter 236) Lmao Jyugo confirming that Musashi got his power back and his only reaction is "could you heat up my hot chocolate? :3". What's funnier is Musashi doing it despite being mildly offended.

!! Musashi accepting that his power is a part of him !!!

And obviously the first thing this absolute nerd does about it is trying to study his own power. What else.

Lololol Jyugo burning his tongue and Musashi scolding him but the next panel you can see Musashi holding a glass of water. He's such an older brother. The sibling energy in this chapter is off the charts.

Jyugo pointing at Musashi and Musashi scolding him is killing me for several reasons : first of all, the fact that Musashi is blind. Which means that he knew Jyugo was pointing just because he knows Jyugo well !! I love them so much. Also, once again, the big brother energy is strong. And, lastly, I feel like this is giving us a glimpse of how their relationship was before all the drama : Jyugo did say Musashi was teaching him things, and with that little interaction I am now 100% sure that "things" included basic manners. They're so sweet.

Musashi's getting out of the underground!! :D

Musashi stopping Zakuro from falling and telling him he was overwhelmed at the number of people too and it's okay to go at your own speed and you don't have to force yourself into everything right away and everything will be okay eventually 🥺 he's so good......

Aw, Musashi and Zakuro are pairing up at cards, that's cute.

Zakuro is such an awkward bean, but I like that he's awkward in a markedly different way than Jyugo. They have different traumas so it makes sense.

The bath guys scare even Upa!! Wow :D

Yozakura saying that he'll do his best to be useful to Shin and Shin being an ass about it. Fuck you man, leave our beloved dog alone.

That said, them bonding over their dislike of Hajime is hilarious (even funnier that they dislike him for the same reason).

Hitoshi being indestructible will never get old.

Yamato's wife and Nadeshiko meeting the mercenary brothers made me so uneasy. Please please please get away from them.

Ikkaku and Kojiro being friends is sweet. Even assholes like Ikkaku deserve friends I guess.

Ikkaku was the one who tattooed Musashi? How interesting.

Ikkaku saying that Musashi's power is great because Musashi is the one who has it... He really does respects Musashi. It really does feel like they could've been genuine friends in another setting.

Love the casual background Musashi-Jyugo interactions. Jyugo failing a test and Musashi bopping him on the head with said test. The reason he's irritated is probably because he tried teaching Jyugo stuff and it didn't stick haha

Wow, didn't think we'd be getting new supervisors at this point.

Is that a fucking sarcophagus.

Snake person!! Snake person!! Snake person!! :D

Shin being weirded out by the supervisors like any normal person would is so funny because 1) it implies that even the more normal guards are not, in fact, up to the in-universe standard of normal and 2) Shin is a goddamn weirdo, what do you mean he's the first one who's being reasonable about the supervisors' weirdness??

Kitsune-looking supervisor : *takes off his mask* *there's another mask underneath!* *wait, no, that's just his face*

Building 4 is the building of education? Oh, no wonder Musashi ended up here.

I don't like Shin, but his reactions to the supervisors introducing themselves are gold. Or maybe they're glass? *badum tsss*

(completely in accord with him about building 12's supervisor tho)

Building 12 is the building of the sun? What does that even mean.

Hajime didn't say what building 13 was of......

Some of the buildings like the building of art and the building of education make sense but some of the others... Do not.

I really like that Shin brought up Enki because I was scared he'd be forgotten. In a lot of mangas or books, things that happen earlier seem to have a tendency to be forgotten so I was afraid that'd happen to Enki and Noriko.

Orochi, I like you, but you're being suspicious.

Honestly, several of these people being some kind of immortal is not that surprising.

Love Kiji's culture. I feel like he and Musashi would get along.

It's interesting that Kiji and Samon were able to feel Elf's presence (Samon somewhat more clearly than Kiji?) despite not having elf cells.

Hmmm. I may have to revoke my dislike of Shin.

More Musashi flashbacks !! Yes !!

You know, he looks more tiny in the flashbacks.

Love how curious and analytic he was about Ikkaku. This guy just always wants to know things uh.

Musashi "recognizing" Ikkaku is interesting. Is there some sort of link between people with powers?

Ikkaku's a good actor, uh?

Maybe I've just been reading too many Clone Wars fics but it feels like naming someone, as Ikkaku does here, is significant.

Despite that and him being friendly and helpful, Musashi never really trusted him, which turned out to be the correct decision.

It's interesting that Musashi is still able to guess that Ikkaku's hiding something despite not really knowing him.

! He's hiding a place from the others (except Kojiro) !

(they really are friends uh)

He doesn't have elf cells ?

Me, five minutes ago : he vomited ink?? Nah, why would it be ink.

Me now : it was ink

Ikkaku letting the prison think that he was weaker than he was looked like really good power control but in actuality he was poisoning himself to not fry them all when he lost his temper. Guess his control was not as good as it looked.

We already knew those guys were somewhat evil but yikes. The casual mention of torture.

Interesting that his feelings about the man with the scar seem real. He probably used those to convince Musashi that he was actually against him.

Talking sharks :D

Ikkaku telling one of the sharks that he said to not go to the river because it was dangerous.... Uh! He cares about them!

Ikkaku eating raw crocodile. Baby what are doing.

Fuck these rich kids. Leave the sharks alone >:(

Ikkaku being mean but only to motivate Kojiro... It's... Sorta sweet in a twisted way?

Kojiro's first instinct being to talk it out.... Baby.... :(

And getting splattered with the blood of his friend for it!! Fuck these rich kids.

Feels like Ikkaku's trying to make Kojiro tougher so he will survive. It's a twisted way of caring but it's still caring.

Can't believe this guy is seeking vengeance for Jeni. Of all people.

Kojiro still giving one last chance to these assholes........

And these assholes not taking it! Man, have you got no sense of self-preservation? Or any sense at all? When someone who's got your life in their hands tell you he'll spare you if you apologize, you grovel ! Even if the apology is a lie!

Holy shit Kojiro has a lot of shark friends.

Awww. Ikkaku helped the dying shark! He was so talking shit when he said these cruel things to Kojiro!

It's so sweet that he helped Kojiro even though he's really weak right now and Kojiro probably didn't need his help.... Ah, can't help it, I like him again.

He cares about Kojiro's freedom so much!! Of course it might be because Elf having a bigger presence in Kojiro could mean trouble for his plans.... But still! That speech he gave Kojiro! He really does care! (I'm shipping them now)

Kojiro deciding to have fun. That's his goal in life and he's sticking to it. You go baby!

He was a child soldier? Are we finally getting some Ikkaku backstory?? :D

No way his nails grew back just because he got his power back up. That's not how it works.

Looking at the sharks closer.... Do some of them have tattoos ?? Did Ikkaku tattoo these sharks?? :D

A freaking megalodon???

*firm nod* Kojiro's powers are actually of cartoonish origin. There's no other way.

"it's fine, he's not my real dad" so it's fine if he dies just because he isn't your biological parent? Kid. :/

"I don't see gods as something to be worshipped, I see them as something to pick fights with". This old man is cool. And would enjoy building 5.

Aw, the kid was just being a tsundere [saying this, it threw aside a large rock]. Their backstory is cute. Two people who lost their families finding a new one with each other :) it's cute how worried he is.

Kojiro's too good for this world.

Ikkaku really isn't as ruthless as he makes himself look, uh.

The both of them making friends with the cops who came to arrest them. It's so light-hearted.

Yikes, the zodiac fishermen escaped a very messy death by like five minutes.

Taura!! Lady are you freaking haunted ??

Lion lady is not a lady

:(((

(chapter 266) Rock is being suspicious. Does this guy maybe..... Comes from money? I'm not very good at deductions so I'm probably super wrong but oh well.

(chapter 269) I should've expected Trois' calm personality to be a good match for Musashi.

Lmao, Nico asking Musashi to warm up his drink. I smell a running gag coming.

Jyugo giving Musashi a stupid nickname behind his back.... Sibling behavior I tell you.

This Chimney lady is so fun.

Liang getting some Naruto-style therapy! He needs it honestly. Or rather he needs actual therapy but I'll take what I can get.

Nanbaka really is a comedy. This is just like Hajime using Hitoshi as a club.

What a missed opportunity for Nico to go "just like a manga".

Rock also getting some mid-fight therapy.... Honesty I'm mostly having second-hand embarassment because everyone who watched the match could hear what they were saying.

I cannot believe that this joke of a match ended up being so important to Rock's and Liang's character development.

Their friendship is sweet tho.

This Chimney lady is so goddamn extra. Love her.

I was right about Rock ??? Uh. That doesn't usually happen.

RIP building 6, victims of their own aesthetic.

Is that a fucking watermelon vampire!!! :D

He made his cape out of curtains!!

Uno's fucking ruthless. My beloved.

The watermelon vampire is so bitchy ! :D

Tsukumo, I had not realized I missed you but I definitely did.

The inmates can get certifications! That's really good.

Lmao. Tsukumo casually taking commissions to act like a ninja for five minutes because it makes the inmates happy.

Why do I only now notice that Nico's teeth are fucked up.

The vampire's bitchiness is no longer funny. We go back to eating the rich I guess, even if I don't like watermelon.

Kshshshsh Tsukumo making traps in other people's buildings. Baby. Why. (it's even funnier than if he was doing it in his own building, but it'd be highly illegal either way)

The building 6 inmates have the range : they're mostly (Bio excluded, perhaps?) complete goofballs, and they're also dangerous and competent when in their own territory.

Two of them assuming that Jyugo's blades are a costume is such a normal reaction. Obviously if you saw someone with blades for arms you'd assume it was a prop, duh. That said they also have in their group someone who can somewhat manipulate illnesses by biting people or himself so.....

I thought "curse" was just a fancy way of saying poison but no, as it turns out curses and other supernatural occurrences are very much real in nanbaka. Deer lord.

Holy cow. Uno's playing 5d chess every time he fights.

So Rock can just. Flat-out. See and hear ghosts?? Because ghosts are real in this manga?? Jfc what are the chances it's never useful or even mentioned once the Halloween event ends.

The building 6 guard going "the last obstacle is A Lot of Really Difficult locks!!" and everyone from building 13 (+ Honey) going "ah." was pure gold. Those locks have met their natural enemy.

Oh dear. Mister watermelon vampire takes his sleep Very Seriously. How relatable (except for the firearms).

The whole coffin is a weapon. Wow. This really is a crack manga. How does mister watermelon vampire even manages to lift it? He's a noodle.

Sure just give an inmate an extremely dangerous weapon. Like, that doesn't seem very wise (of course the alternative was him dying so I guess it's alright).

So V was a literal, actual slave. Wonderful. He needs so much therapy.

"it's one thing after another!" you've done it, Hajime. You've summarized the entire manga.

V needs sooo much therapy.

Yikes. All these years Rock thought that V had killed himself because of him (in a convoluted way)? That's got to have left a mark.

Lololol and during this extremely violent sequence of events, Tsukumo and Honey were just serenely cooking breakfast. Are The rooms here soundproof??

Lmao. Jyugo can be so sneaky! Asking Tsukumo to convince Honey to help because he remembers Honey's a huge fan of Tsukumo! And Tsukumo just going along with it without a single question!

Tsukumo is no good at being a ninja but he is very good at costumes and disguises.

Oh! He just changed the color of his hair because he is now able to control the hair-changing disease he caught from Nico! Turns out he is not that good at disguises haha.

Bio's and Nico's powers are science-induced rather than being natural....

V baby you are way too extreme. Also embarrassing. Calm down.

Hajime is good at feelings (this is a threat).

It's a very agressive form of therapy and it's only by plot device that it works honestly.

Jyugo getting stuck in the coffin with the vampire..... And there was only one coffin!

In addition to being a watermelon vampire, he's also periodically possessed?? There is such a thing as too much for one character.... But that's not the case here, that guy's great.

Tsumuji (mask person) is really cute. Wonder if he's trans. That'd be great.

I'm glad I was wrong about ghosts not being relevant past building 6 :)

What do you mean the ghost's name is hell. Lmao.

When Taura got possessed, her entire appearance (clothes included) changed, but Isou didn't remark on it at all, which makes me think that he can't see the change. So either the change is entirely spiritual therefore only people who can see ghosts can see it, or there is actually no change and it's just for the sake of the reader. Leaning towards the first option tho.

It's sweet that Tauro was here with Taura and Hell the whole time. They got more time together :)

Hell's backstory killed me. It was just a gigantic accident haha

Jun..... Ban....

:(

:/

The one bright point in this is that Ikkaku looks good in normal clothes.

The man with the scar's face is definitely plot relevant.

Freeing the togabito seems like a noble goal but tbh I have less than zero trust in him or elf or the doctor.

I don't even need to say anything about the alien (except are they actually an alien or a togabito).

The inmates call him Sith?? Which star wars fan was responsible for this.

Absolutely fascinated by the fact that Tauro and Mei seems to know each other.... Relatively well? Were they friends?? Hmmm. I say exes.

Taura has a whole ass cow tail. And it's not even disguised as a belt like Samon's and Mao's. What the fuck. Is that normal.

Aw, baby Enki fighting the tiger supervisor with one finger just like Samon fought Rock! The parallels!

What counts as a togabito? Musashi's and Ikkaku's powers are obvious, but what about Hitoshi's ability to go through a concrete wall without a scratch? What about Hajime's strength? Do these three people who are exceedingly cat-like count?

Tengu!! Oh I love his hair.

It's sweet that he's friends with his supervisor.

Yamada and his snakes are so cute.

We've seen, like, five people from building 7 and I can already tell it's fucking insane.

Musashi's way too candid.

Tanaka, Yamada and Tengu's friendship is cute.

Lmao, Musashi calling Yozakura to help in the battle solely because he felt that Yozakura wanted to participate and he'd have felt bad if Yozakura couldn't have fun. Fire boy is doing this for entertainment and nothing else. He's super chill because he literally has nothing to lose.

Aw, Musashi's become even cooler! Also, don't call it a water wall if it's an ice wall.

Musashi being resigned about everyone hating him because he used his powers in public... :( he had zero doubt that he was going to be treated like a monster again :'(

But then! Everyone cheering and so many people saying that he and his power were cool and awesome!! :') I bet it healed something.

Sophia's a cutie who deserves better.

Oh dear, maybe it's a red herring but if she has the power of sleep it may interact interestingly with a watermelon vampire who apparently gets possessed while asleep.

I know Samon, Kiji, and Yozakura are meant to be closer to the warden because of their thematic but it's still sweet how they get excited when they see her for the first time in a while :)

Musashi and Jyugo bickering was cute too.

Lmao. Hitoshi's invincible. I love him.

Oh dear. I had forgotten that the vampire's not the only one who can get possessed when unconscious.

(for future me reading that later and not getting which capter I am referencing, Jyugo just got possessed by elf)

Oh no, mister watermelon vampire got kidnapped by highly unsavory characters :(

I believe that one of the reasons Hajime is so irritated by Samon is that Samon gets him. Hajime, as we've seen with his rather violent therapy speeches, is rather good at understanding people's motives, but I don't think he is used to being understood (which is exactly what Samon is doing).

Aw, the mummy person is cute.

Samon and Ruka bonding over destroying people who speak ill of Enki was fun too.

Ruka is so sly. It's fun!

Ruka didn't know Enki was dead... :(

Aw, Samon picking Ruka for the fight because if they win, Ruka will be able to visit Enki's grave.... He's so sweet I can't.

Samon is too good for this world.

Uno wondering when Samon and Ruka got so close is funny because I like perplexed POV but also sweet because Uno is so fucking observant he'd have noticed if the closeness was not genuine, which means it is! I'm happy for Samon and Ruka :)

[pxppet]

what foods will they not touch and how do they cry for all 6 egos?? :3c

Jameson definitely is the type to have super specific foods he doesn't eat, from a mix of potential triggers and being picky. The main ones I can think of are things like grits, rice, and mashed potatoes, because those are some of the only foods Anti would buy during his captivity. Just very bland, basic foods that are cheap and instant. Eating food like that tends to trigger him.

Jameson cries without making noise aside from heavy breathing and sniffling. His throat condition stops sobs from coming out, but his face still contorts as though he is. He hugs himself and tends to curl up as small as he can to comfort himself.

(The rest below the cut!)

Henrik absolutely will not touch pork, and not just for kosher reasons - he's convinced himself he'll get every parasite known to man just from touching the stuff. He has health anxiety that can be nonsensical at times. He tends to get that way about most meats, and even if he does eat it, he can't prepare it by himself or touch it raw. He eats like a vegetarian due to this.

When Henrik cries, it's not fun for anyone. He tends to really cry only during panic attacks, and so that usually involves screaming until his throat is raw, throwing things at the perceived danger, hyperventilating until he throws up, etc. His whole face is soaked and covered in tears and snot. He's always incredibly embarrassed after calming down and doesn't like to talk about it.

Jackie has a lot of foods he won't touch, but to list a few: green beans, onion, mushrooms, poptarts, specifically apple jam or apple butter, eggs, and most types of fish. Jackie isn't diagnosed, but he has a lot of the symptoms of ARFID, so he has a mental list of foods he absolutely will not eat.

I've mentioned before that Jackie has barely ever cried in his life. Every time he's distressed, he tends to tell himself, 'not now, save it for later' and bottle it up. When he does cry, it's not that big of a show either. He goes very, very quiet and still, subtly shaking in place for only a few moments until he can pull himself together. Only a few tears get shed, typically, and he's insisting he's fine only moments later. When he finally does let himself cry, when he does snap in half, it's going to be rough.

Marvin will eat almost anything honestly, they're kind of a vacuum cleaner when it comes to food! But they do really hate super cold foods like ice cream after having their fangs pulled. Their mouth is too sensitive for extreme temperatures.

Anti doesn't need food to survive, so he barely eats anything typically. But he genuinely really hates fruits. They all taste too sour and strange to him. Even sweet things like peaches, he mainly tastes the acids, and it disgusts him.

Marvin is an angry crier. Their own emotions make them mad & embarrassed, so they tend to lash out while crying, hitting things and screaming at people to leave them alone. If they get to cry alone, they hide their face against something and sob very openly. They're the only one that really just lets themselves feel their feelings.

Chase is also kind of a vacuum, but he's not fond of most spicy foods. He can barely handle any spice, and so most foods of that type are untouchable to him.

Chase cries the most openly, feeling no shame about expressing his emotions. He tends to get very snotty and dramatic, babbling about whatever upset him for hours sometimes. He likes to have someone to cling onto when he cries, preferring to share in his emotions with someone who loves him.

Anti can cry, but no one except c!Jack has ever seen him do it. He gets strangely childlike and small, clining to people's clothes or a blanket. He gets a confused look on his face as if this shouldn't be happening in the first place, distant and dissociative, hugging himself and rocking in place. He tends to be out for the whole day if he gets distressed enough to cry and will need to just lay in bed resting until he can feel like himself again.

[icharchivist]

To keep the parent discussion going, Vane would be a good dad

In fact, none of the dragon knights would be bad dads, but Vane is the obvious best one imo

Completely agreed!! Vane would be so good!!

I feel like, with Vane especially we see how he is with the Chickadee so it's like. Kinda obvious in a sense. Because we see him with kids often enough to know exactly how he would treat them.

That kinda extends to the whole Dragon Knights in general, but yeah, since the Chickadees are specifically under Vane's juridiction, he shines especially on that regard.

To me one of the stand out moment about that is back in Divergent Knighthood when he realizes the group is having a hard time adjusting and they're being bullied, and then Vane invites them in the kitchen to make them a lot of good food and encourage them to cook with them, where he can praise them and remind them of all the little things they're doing right.

I think it really showcase a willingness to let the kids have some room to brood without overstepping their boundaries, but reminding them still that they're cared for and believed in regardless of what might be getting their mood down. It lift their spirits and distracts them and it helps them therefore feeling better the next day.

There's of course also all the obvious, that he's a grandma boy who basically had "taking care of others" really imprinted in his mind at a young age, that he still grieves his parents and wish no one would go through the pain of losing their family so he double down on being a good family person, and of course how dedicated he is in protecting everyone and especially being the one person everyone can rely on at all time.

But yeah somehow to me it's this small scene in Divergent Knighthood where he just sees the kids are down and he cheers them up in his own way that really stood out to me. Because being a parent isn't always in the big things, it's also on how to handle the little frustrations of life while also giving the kids the space to handle their emotions on their own while knowing that they can rely on you at all time, and this scene really drives it home for me.

There's other small scenes too like how he tries to take care of Renie in his Halloween FE even if she keeps trying to distance herself from him, or how he helps a very young ghost boy in his Halloween FE in an extremely caring way. Vane honestly has too good of a track record with kids. and let's not forget:

Vane would be THE perfect dad. Like for real. I 100% believe in it.

the other dragon knights may have some shortcomings i'd say, but they're good with kids and would actively work through their shortcomings if needed, especially with their own children.

I feel if anything, Siegfried may dislike himself enough that he would never want to have children of his own, and he doesn't perfectly know how to help out sometimes, especially since he wasn't exactly raised into society and everything and that before he joined the knights "just fight them" was his usual answer to most problems. I feel like his major issue would just be that he would think he attracts more problem than he's worth on the kids around him and would eventually feel like he can't get too close because else he would fail them in some way.

But we've seen him being extremely sweet and kind with the chickadees, we've seen him set his distances with them only to see that the kids are more than willing to cling to him and he gives back the affection the kids give him as well.

another issue with Siegfried i think would still be the trauma of having watched his godson die though. I genuinely think this would be something that adds to Siegfried believing he doesn't deserve to be around children.

All in all, Siegfried is the perfect cool uncle, and is incredibly good with kids, but he would be held back by his own trauma and some of his shortcomings.

Lancelot on the other hand, has for big problem that he overworks himself. He's the type to get lost in his work and forget to come home for dinner. He's good with kids, he's caring and everything, but also he tends to slip more easily into the commanding captain's mood and it's how he ends up being a little more distant with the Chickadees than Vane is. Not disqualified to being a parent, but without Vane's help he would totally end up overwhelmed and not always being great with it's needed.

And for Percival, he's really good with kids but he can't dial down his tsundere-ness with them either, and it can be give or take basically. Sometimes his bluntness ends up being exactly what the kid needs to hear, sometimes he comes off as *too* blunt (i still think he was somewhat rude to Arthur and Mordred in SIEGFRIED for instance when he was trying to lecture them, and it's only because Vane was there to soften the blow that the kids ended up taking it well).

But also compared to the rest i feel like Percival may behave a little differently with his own child, more than how he is with kids in general. Mainly, i feel like he is much more likely to try to emulate the way his mother raised him, than the commanding officer outlook he usually gives to the children he meets in his journey.

For the others knights i would say "the way they treat the random kids they met indicate how they would treat their own children as well" pretty easily, but for Percival i do genuinely think he would probably be slightly different with his own kids.

None of them would be bad, but i can easily point to shortcomings they would have with their kids for instance. Not for Vane though. Vane would be a perfect dad and had proven that he would gladly be so.

so yeah, the Dad awards go to Vane, hands down.

[berry-loves-yandere]

can you please do one with Stranger Things hc with an sweet autistic darling, like how do they handle certain situations and also when their darling have a huge meltdown

love ur fics btw❤

Sure!

(Nancy will not be included on this list because she already has a separate headcanon bit for this)

Yandere Stranger things with a sweet autistic darling:

Characters: Mike Wheeler, Will Byers, Eleven (Jane) Hopper, Lucas Sinclair, Max Mayfield, Steve Harrington, Jonathan Byers, Billy Hargrove, Robin Buckley, Eddie Munson, Chrissy Cunningham, Jason Carver, Gareth Emerson, Jim Hopper, Joyce Byers, Henry Creel/Peter Ballard/001

Warnings: Manipulation, obsessive behaviours, possessive behaviours, violence, unhealthy mindset, Billy and 001 are assholes (just ike in canon) DEAD DOVE DO NOT EAT

Mike Wheeler:

He'd definitely try his best to understand why his darling does certain things.

Or why they can't stand certain smells, fabrics, etc.

If his darling has very bad sensory issues, he'll do his best to make sure they're always comfortable since they're always sweet to him.

If his darling is having a meltdown in private, he's doing his best to comfort them and make sure they're okay but in public?

He'd pretend he didn't know his darling his he doesn't want to be embarrassed by them.

He'd apologize afterwards but he's not at all sorry.

Will Byers:

This man is so attentive and caring when it comes to his darling.

If they have sensory issues, specifically with a certain fabric?

He'd replace all his clothes that are made of that fabric to one that his darling likes.

If his darling is having a meltdown he'd immediately try to help sooth them, it doesn't matter if it's in public or private.

Eleven (Jane) Hopper:

She's in the same boat as her darling, they'd both be trying to help each in every situation, especially meltdowns.

Lucas Sinclair:

Lucas would very nice and helpful but because of the basketball team and his popularity on the line, he may not always help his darling when they're having a public meltdown.

Would always help in private tho.

Eventually wouldn't care about popularity just to be there for his darling.

Max Mayfield:

She was very kind and helpful with Eleven, so I assume she'd be the same with her darling.

With sensory issues she'd try her best to make her darling comfortable but there's only so much she can do.

When her darling has a meltdown, Max would sooth and coax her darling into being calm again.

Steve Harrington:

Is extremely careful, basically walking on eggshells around his darling, especially if they have very bad sensory issues.

When his darling has meltdowns, he does his best to calm them down.

Jonathan Byers:

He'd do basically the same thing as Will, except he'd also buy his darling anything they have a hyper fixation with.

Billy Hargrove:

Honestly, he'd call his darling all kinds of slurs.

Would only hug them when he's wearing fabric that his darling can't stand.

When his darling has a meltdown, he'd yell at them to stop crying or laugh at them.

Robin Buckley:

She's also autistic, so they'd both be helping each other out.

Eddie Munson:

Eddie would treat his darling like how he treats everyone else.

This can be good and bad but it's more neutral than anything.

No special accommodations but no judgement either.

Chrissy Cunningham:

The biggest sweetheart who would undoubtedly help in every way she can.

Always wants her darling to be happy and not uncomfortable.

Jason Carver:

Very gentle and sweet, threatens anyone who makes fun of his darling.

When his darling has a meltdown, he'd carefully sooth them.

If anyone mocks his darling's breakdown(s), they'd instantly get a punch to the nose.

Boy or girl, it's doesn't matter to him, he just wants his darling to be as happy as possible.

He'd also buy them absolutely anything he could that his darling is hyper fixated on.

Gareth Emerson:

Super sweet, probably has some sensory issues of his own, so he knows how to deal with them and help his darling with theirs.

When his darling has a meltdown, he'll try to distract them from what got them so upset then sooth them.

Jim Hopper:

He's already a very caring soul despite his 'tough guy' exterior but he'd be extra sweet to his darling.

Buys them anything that he could afford that his darling is hyper fixated on.

Tries his best to calm his darling during their meltdowns.

Joyce Byers:

Would treat her darling like anyone else but would be very caring during their breakdowns and help them with their sensory issues.

Henry Creel/Peter Ballard/001:

Finds his darling much easier to manipulate, especially when they're having a meltdown.

Doesn't care much for their sensory issues but pretends he does so his darling will think that he cares deeply about them.

Basically does not care.

[jennagrinsoverml]

Hey Jenna! Thank you for your help with finding fics to read! I'd like to know your opinion about smut fics. The ML fandom seems to be divided, a part of the fandom is strongly against any smut. Is it really inappropriate to write and read smut?

Anon, I was so entertained to get this ask.

Not only am I very much in favour of smut fics, I even write them myself!

But you are correct that the fandom is divided on this in a way I haven't really seen in any of my previous fandoms. For most of my extremely lengthy time in fandom, I've found smut to be much more prevalent. I got my start in Buffy fandom when I was 14 years old and when I discovered "NC-17" fics (as we called them then), well, I didn't have much interest in reading anything else.

Now, some people are going to read that I was a 14 year old reading explicit depictions of sex and they're going to clutch their pearls.

I think that's ridiculous.

I think that written fiction is a wonderful and SAFE way for people (even, no ESPECIALLY minors) to explore things that they're interested in or curious about before actually engaging with those things. And, especially in the case of sex, I certainly think it's a lot better than many of the alternatives like porn or trying things before you're ready. A lot of people will engage in sexual acts before people think they're old enough to read about those same acts and I think that's ridiculous.

I'm now old and married with kids of my own and I have absolutely no regrets or qualms about my early foray into smutty fic. Honestly, I don't even regret my TERRIBLE attempts at writing my own then because they were learning experiences.

I think that this fandom generally being a lot younger is part of the lack of smutty content, and that's okay. I'm certainly not suggesting that fans who are not interested in or not comfortable with that kind of content should seek it out. That's part of why I always make sure to put the M and E rated fics at the end of my rec lists under a warning. (But I only state minors should "beware" and not that they can't read them because I'm not actually against minors reading smut if they want to and can handle it.)

But I do want to push back against this idea that sex is somehow different than any of the other things that humans can do with our bodies, this idea that there's any kind of value or morality attached to it. I know this fandom likes to use "sin" to refer to smut, but I specifically don't do that because I think it's harmful. Some of the people using it may be joking or tongue in cheek, but I think these ideas can hurt people, make them feel guilty about their natural desires or the consensual behaviour they engage in.

People touching each other's bodies to make each other feel good isn't inappropriate, as long as everyone's consenting. People reading about this or writing about it isn't inappropriate either.

It's just sex.

Anyway, you didn't ask for recs, but I'm going to throw some on here anyway (jumping my rec list queue to boot!) because the smut writers in this fandom are amazing and I appreciate them so, so much! Frankly, I wish there was more 😘

ALL OF THE FOLLOWING FICS ARE RATED E!!!!

Let Yourself Be Happy by @kasienda

Kwamiswap ladrien with an amazing identity reveal. I'm reccing this first because of @kasienda's focus on sex positivity, the fact that she eschewed fandom tradition and wrote them 17 because--and clearly a lot of people aren't ready to accept this--but teenagers have sex. And because she wrote it in response to the kind of purity culture BS that had people actually sending her anons telling her to kill herself.

Something Sweet by @ghostlyhamburger

A game of truth or dare leads to a lot more for adrinette. Honestly, choosing just one of @ghostlyhamburger's fics was so hard. With 120 explicit fics, 63 for the love square alone, @ghostlyhamburger is single handedly feeding the smutty side of ML fandom.

your lips are meant to be kissed by @zimtlein

PRPR that starts with a forehead kiss. The sexual tension in this one just bout killed me and then OMG does @zimtlein deliver at the end!!

@devillustrator | nsfw art blog | will draw for €€€ by @isadorator

2-part series ladrien with the hottest identity reveal I've ever read and I've recced this fic so many times and I will rec it so many more times because it doesn't have nearly enough kudos for how amazing it is!!! Y'all are sleeping on this one. (Read it for Adrien letting his dorky Chat side out and punning during sex if for no other reason.)

Charmed, I'm Sure by @chatonne-rousse

Ladynoir FWB that doesn't shy away from sharing those benefits with us. Also there's an identity reveal and it's fantastic.

[solesurvivorpaigeargot]

HOLY HELLO Sketchy friends, followers, and fans! It's that time again, time for...

SHIPPY SATURDAY!

The heck is happening here? Here's an FAQ~ Wanna support the event? Here's my Ko-fi!

That's right, it's FINALLY the last Saturday of the month... and I've decided it's high time our Quotable prompt evolved into a Dialog prompt! This is gonna work a lot like previous Quote prompts, but with an extra twist, so please make sure you read the guidelines for a valid request before sending in!

ONWARDS!

To make a VALID Shippy Saturday request, please send me the following in an ASK to my ASKBOX:

The COUPLE you'd like me to sketch up ---- OC? Heck yes! Canon? Hell yeah! All characters welcome, so long as they're from Fallout ---- OC x OC? Cool! Canon x Canon? SWEET! OC x Canon? DAMN RIGHT.

The NUMBER of the dialog snippet you'd like me to art them saying ---- Got more than one favorite? You may list up to THREE in your ask, in order of preference, to help the artist avoid repeats <3 ---- Still can't pick? Send in 'Dealer's Choice!' and the artist will pick one for you.... oooor possibly make up some fresh dialog on the spot ;3

What KIND OF RELATIONSHIP your couple has with each other ---- Romantic? Platonic? Professional? Familial? Rivals? Neighbors? Despite it's name, Shippy Saturday is about all kinds of human connections, not just the romantic ones! ---- Is your couple part of a larger OT3 or poly group? Tell me who else is part of the relationship; they probably won't get arted, but they might add their two cents to the scene from off-frame XD

IF YOU'RE SENDING IN AN OC!! ---- Send your request ask FIRST, without reference information ---- THEN send your OC's reference information to me via my Tumblr IM ---- Don't have any reference pictures, but you can type of a written description? Great! I love working from written descriptions! :D [ No, really, I do. Give them to me :D ]

After that, you can leave all the rest to me! :D [ I.e Please do not request poses or specific actions ]

Hokay? HOKAY! With all of that out of the way, let's get onto the dialog snippets! These are taken from various things I enjoy, as well as some of my own work. These quotes have been modified to gender neutral pronouns, to remove most proper nouns, and for brevity.

[ Some of these quotes have multiple speakers! That will be shown like this! "Speaker A" -- "Speaker B" ]

"Yeah, well, I'm a victim of circumstance" -- "... I thought you called it your pecker."

"Here, you look cold."

"You are so lucky I love you." -- "Damn right."

"You know the routine." -- "Yeah! WE do all the work, YOU get all the credit!"

"I want you with me, but... I'm scared." -- "Trust me. Trust me to take care of myself." -- "I trust you, it's the rest of the world I'm terrified of!"

"No breakfast?" -- "I did it yesterday-- bologna and beans, it's your turn." -- "No... It was eggs. I did eggs... over easy." -- "The hell you did! Bologna and beans, it's your turn!"

"I like the kind of person who can handle themselves... think on their feet."

"So you were ahead of me." -- "I don't know about ahead, but I've been behind you ever since you fried those mannequins."

"Don't make me say it out loud..." -- "... I can say it first, if that'll help."

"Nooooooope... five more minutes." -- "We were together all night." -- "Didn't count... I was sleepin'."

"Well, this is very serious" -- "IT IS!" -- "You, you destroyed a door." -- "Colonel, we're talking about a test on an armored vehicle, that will carry people into combat." -- "Right, but this door is property of--" -- "The shell barely penetrated the door." -- "okay, but now it's all bent out of shape. How are you gonna get it back on its hinges?" -- "I'LL BUY THE ARMY A NEW GODDAMN DOOR!"

"Sorry, I thought... I thought you were trying to buy something I'm not selling."

"I'm busy." -- "Too busy to look up?"

"You can't kill people just because you don't agree with them." -- "You see, that was the ONE point me and the doctors could never agree upon."

"Would you ever consider having a drink with an enlisted solider?" -- "Depends... does the enlisted soldier think I need one?" -- "What are they gonna do? Kick you out?"

"Thanks" -- "No problem, anytime."

"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up-- one day it's gonna happen to you. Someday someone is gonna ask you, who is it? And a face is gonna jump to the front of your mind, and it's gonna completely sandbag you... I can't wait to watch!"

[to a peacefully sleeping person ] -- "Good moring, Mx. ___, this is your wake-up call. Please move your ass."

"I say we run for it" -- "Running isn't a plan, runnin's what you do when a plan fails!"

"... Normal Illinois, is that on the map?" -- "Yes, Sergeant, it is." -- "... is it normal in Normal?" -- "... Uneventful, I think, is the word."

"Now-- how many brahmin does it take to make a stampede? Is it like... three or more? Is there a minimum speed?" -- "Wish a stampede up your ass."

"I don't mind being a secret of yours."

[Right after THE BIG FUCKING KISS] ".... let's not make it a year before the next one, okay?"

"If we were serious about money, we'd quit being hired hands--" -- "Handymen! We are han-dee-men." -- "Oh whatever! We'd quit this and go find some real money."

"Please... don't go where I can't follow."

"Alone is fine! I can do alone, it's worrying after them that's got me all wound up!" -- "Have you considered that's because alone is NOT FINE and you don't wanna do it anymore?" -- "---!!"

"This is not the first time you've been here." -- "We've been down this road before, that is correct." -- "Several times, in fact." -- "I hadn't been keeping count."

"And you must be ___, I've heard all about you." -- "I deny everything."

"First time I saw you? I thought to myself, that's the kind of person BRICK WALLS jump outta the way of." -- "Figured you'd be safer behind me rather than in front of me?" -- "Damn right."

"Just keep looking at that beautiful sky; that's the sky that'll be over our roof when we're done." -- "What if we don't finish the roof? Then we can look at the sky all the time."

"Yeah, well... maybe a friend is what I need right now."

"Next thing you know the Feds will be at our door; Sorry, time to move out, Eminent Domain." -- "Down honey, down."

"Even a heat-seeking missile can miss a target." -- "... you taped so many hot-plates to the test target you could fry an egg at 20 feet, and it STILL missed by a mile."

"My dear, my darling, love of my life...." -- "What do you want?"

"What I mean to say is... you make here a better place to be. For me. Easier. Does that make sense?"

"Calm down, you make it sound like a war." -- "What do you people have against being prepared?!"

"This is not just a report, it's a deadly weapon." -- "Sir, an M-16 is a deadly weapon. A report is just a pile of paper, unless you plan to inflict a lot of extremely vicious paper cuts."

"Stupid son of a bitch, knocked himself out cold..." -- "Cold my ass, he's dead."

"Y'know, in baseball, a guy who hits .400 is consider pretty damn great." -- "In baseball the losing team isn't killed by their opponents."

"Hey... I love you. Did I tell you that today?"

This post is going online at 8 PM, June 24th, 2021, US Pacific time. The askbox will open for requests until 6 PM, June 25th, 2021, US Pacific Time. Get yours in now!

Arting will begin at 9 AM tomorrow morning, see you then! :D

-Loor

[biserker-kadan]

About the Character;

I was tagged by @goblin-deity @red-wardens and @occorner 💕 so I'm gonna do 3! (This might be pretty long)

This really is years late, whoops.

― your muse’s name:

Myrinah Alwyn Lavellan

Myrinah is actually just an edited version of Myrina which refers to Queen of the Amazons which I love! I wanted my first Elven warrior to have a strong name and it just really fit. Her middle name is Alwyn, which is her fathers first name and is Welsh in origin.

― one favourite picture / faceclaim of your muse:

― two headcanons you have for your muse:

Long after Inquisition is over and Corypheus and Solas have been delt with, Myrinah kind of drops off the grid. Only a handful of people know what she's doing and have a vague idea of where she is. Cause she's wandering! She goes off, a grown ass dragon with her and a few essential items and just walks. She catches rides of boats, works as best she can, where she can - climbs the highest mountains and hikes through lush forests with Pup flying high above. She writes letters to her loves and her family but in her 'retirement', she goes and explores on her own.

In my 'Modern AU' Myrinah is always a detective, like always. I can't really see her doing anything else. She could also be a DA, mostly cause I really love the idea of Myrinah straight up wearing a boss ass pant-suit with like a lacy bralette thingy underneath a suit jacket and a pair of killer heels in court, just destroying the other lawyer and playing up to the jury.

― three things that your muse likes doing in their free time:

Gardening! Myrinah, my little bitter baby absolutely loves gardening and planting little flowers and especially making daisy chains. It takes her back to her childhood, stopping for a quick lunch; Elders doing their own things and a handful of children running around, little babies and mothers laying in the grass, soaking up the sun and Myrinah, sitting calmly just making daisy chains.

Hunting, or specifically Dragon Hunting. She loves it, the thrill of a fight. A challenge that pushes her to her very own limits. Something that takes effort, both of which come from tracking and the actual fighting. She enjoys all of it. Plus it's a great way for her to work on her anger.

Sleeping. Let's be honest, everyone knows that the Inquisitior probably sleeps like shit. That's not a lie, it's a goddamn fact and Myrinah is no different. Which is why, when she has the time? She likes to settle beneath her covers (usually in Cullen's bed), light a few subtlety scented candles and close her eyes with the gentle breeze and fading sunlight on her face and pass. the fuck. out.

― seven people your muse loves / likes:

Iron Bull, Cullen, Vivienne, Riddick (OC), Dorian, Cole, Varric

Myrinah is close with her companions and appreciates them all, but she does have her favourites. She loves Iron Bull and Cullen, romantically, and Vivienne is her absolutely favourite person in the entire world. Riddick is her best friend (another OC of mine) and she treats Dorian like a kid brother, which annoys the shit out of him of course. Cole she treats as family, because he is in a way. He's someone Myrinah knows understands her and she does everything and all she can to make sure he's all good and Varric is probably the only normal person in the group who doesn't treat her like the be all or end all. She likes having a friend who simply wants to be a friend.

― a phobia your muse has:

Myrinah is afraid of nugs. She hates them, they terrify her and she would be happy if they weren't a real thing.

― your muse’s name:

Aliyah Hissera Adaar

Aliyah's first name means 'exalted or heavens' and was a gift from her Ma - a name outside the Qun, a representation that they really were free and able to own themselves. Of course, her middle name 'Hissera' is the Qunlat word for Hope and her Ma thought it was fitting considering little Aliyah was her hope.

― one favourite picture / faceclaim of your muse:

― two headcanons you have for your muse:

She's actually the baby of one of my old Inquisitiors and her mother was Adaar. Her Father is more of an OC at this point, whereas her Mother died when she was very young. In an AU I have she was taken in by a Mercenary Captain and trained up from her teens until the Inquisition. She's probably a little younger in canon compared to that AU.

She's wicked strong, and not in the 'oh I can lift this much' but in the 'I can hold this bow and arrow, pulled back, for as long as I need without breaking a sweat or getting tired'. She's also got wicked aim and constantly pulls incredible moves out of her ass in battle. She and Sera like to have little arrow competitions in Skyhold when they're bored.

― three things that your muse likes doing in their free time:

Waking up early to watch the sunrise. This one sounds stupid, but it was a tradition she had with her Ma. Whenever they could, they'd get up a little earlier, put some tea on and rug up before walking as far as they wanted before settling in to watch the sunrise. Whenever she doesn't have a pressing, urgent matter to attend to - that's what she likes to do now (except now she also writes letters to her Dad).

Baking. Aliyah has a massive sweet tooth, like it's a problem? So much so that the cook refuses to make her anything sweet so now she does it herself! Aliyah finds it oddly calming too, there's something really methodical and calming about baking that makes the payoff even more sweeter.

Archery? I feel like this one should be obvious cause she an Archer Rogue, but for reference, archery in general is something Aliyah absolutely loves. Especially when she's in her own zone, in the training yard at Skyhold just constantly hitting dead centre. It's beautiful.

― seven people your muse loves / likes:

Iron Bull, Josephine, Sera, Dorian, Leliana, Cole, Vivienne

Aliyah is like, basically married to Iron Bull so she likes him well enough, Josephine is like family - Aliyah adores her, and Sera is a good friend (they seem like unlikely friends but they're pretty well at balancing each other out). Dorian is her best friend, someone she trusts unconditionally, which is a little scary but he's smart and caring and her closest friend and she loves him. Leliana terrifies her and Aliyah thinks the world of her, she's scary smart and calculated but having one conversation was enough to convince her that Leliana is the sweetest. Aliyah thinks Cole is sweet, if a little confused and misguided. She likes talking with him. Vivienne reminds her of her first Merc Captain - Strong, firm but fair and always the smartest person in the room. They have wonderful talks.

― a phobia your muse has:

Aliyah isn't so much afraid as grossed out by purple foods? It's an odd 'phobia' but she will literally not eat anything purple or anything that's touched a purple food and will not sit at a table with purple food on it. She thinks it's just gross and unnatural.

― your muse’s name:

Frey - -

Frey technically does have a middle name and a last name but she doesn't really use it or mention it or acknowledge it even. If we're getting technical, Frey chose her own name as her Mama always calls her Kasaanda and her Pa calls her his little Elgara.

(Kasaanda = 'Sundew' - a carnivorous plant, and Elgara = 'Sun')

― one favourite picture / faceclaim of your muse:

― two headcanons you have for your muse:

Frey speaks nearly 6 languages, is fluent in 3, can write in 2 and read in 4. She's fluent in the Common Tongue, Antivan and Orlesian but can also speak Qunlat, Rivaini and Tevene extremely well. Qunlat especially. She also knows a little Elvish, but growing up outside of a Clan or without an Elder (not including her father), it's mostly limited to phrases and specific words.

Frey is an expert Storm Mage, extremely dangerous when it comes to lightning and 'purple fire'. She trains in all the schools of magic, especially with Vivienne, Dorian and her Mama. Her Mama is especially hard on her when it comes to more primal based magic whereas Dorian handles the Inferno aspects and Vivienne helps her with Winter, Spirit and becoming a Knight Enchanter.

― three things that your muse likes doing in their free time:

Climbing. Frey loves to climb and explore Skyhold and old ruins and castles. She loves to push herself to climb rocky mountain sides and faces, caves and the likes. She'll leave Skyhold in the morning with a few essential items and return at night with bruises and scrapes but feeling a lot less tense and antsy.

Painting/drawing. Frey loves to paint and draw, she really does. Even if it's just doodling on some paper with some ink whilst are the war table or if she's actually set up a canvas on her balcony and going ham at it. Painting is something she does to calm her mind and express whatever she's feeling.

Arguing. Ok, so maybe it's less of a hobby then the others but Frey will actively seek out people to 'argue' with when she's bored and it is 100% one of her favourite things to do. It's mostly just banter and petty quarrels and such but it's a lot of fun to argue with someone and Frey enjoys having arguments and debated shit.

― seven people your muse loves / likes:

Solas (debatable), Iron Bull, Vivienne, Leliana, Cole, Josephine, Dorian

Frey has odd relationships with both Solas and Iron Bull (doubled depending on whom she's romancing per Canon) but they also mean a lot to her regardless. Iron Bull kind of takes her under his wing, teaching her a bit more about her Qunari Heritage as well as making sure she can defend herself without magic whereas Solas speaks with her about Elves and has lengthy discussions about everything and anything. Vivienne is like a very sweet, very tough Aunt? Frey isn't quite sure where to place Vivienne to be quite frank, but she loves the older mage without a doubt. Leliana is the funniest and alongside Josephine they talk shit like it's nobodies business. Frey loves them like sisters. Cole is a mystery, but his brain is fascinating and when she gets over that - he's a very sweet, often misguided individual whom she appreciates dearly and Dorian? An absolute shit. Sometimes she likes to hide behind the bookshelves and throw books at him to make him jump. Other times they bounce magical theory off each other until the suns up for the next day. He's definitely family at this point.

― a phobia your muse has:

Frey is afraid of failure, that's the bottom line. She's constantly stressing herself out because she's terrified of slipping up and causing irrefutable damage and failing. She doesn't ever want to put people in horrible situations that could be avoided and she hates that she thinks like that.

[coffee-n-bagels-comic-universe]

Blood & Roses or Strawberry Milk

Quick Tag List: @kuruumiya @spacelizardtrashboys @enigmaticandunstable @nattinngrst @amyofaquitaine

This passage contains potentially: swearing, blood, whump and fluff content and violence.

Summary: A continuation of the previous chapter but more specifically, within this chapter Kirby and Roddy get to know each other better before splitting up for a while.

Kirby's POV:

Roddy stopped, realising what he had just said, "Sorry, I got overexcited."

"It's okay, just don't get a stiffie, alright?"

Roddy laughed, "Alright. I should get going, … unless you want to get breakfast together."

"Sure, you need a new shirt, unless you're planning on spending today in just the kilt."

"Maybe I will."

"Roddy, don't."

He shoots me a reassuring glance, "I think, my hotel room is the floor above."

"You're telling me this now?"

"let me check if I still have the key," He opened the pouch of the sporran and got the key out, "Room, one-hundred and fifteen."

"I believe that's actually down the hall."

Roddy left for a couple minutes, coming back wearing a black t-shirt covered by a blue plaid shirt and a pair of jeans.

"Oh wow, I almost forgot you were Scottish for a second, Piper."

"Ha, so very, very funny, Kirby. That reminds me of something."

"What?"

"Where does your name come from?"

"Old Norse, originally it meant 'Church Settlement'. However, my parents named me after the artist Jack Kirby, I think."

"Norse, as in, Vikings?"

"Norse as in I'm a quarter Norwegian."

"So, you're Scottish, Norwegian, anything else I should know about you?"

"I'm also Welsh and Irish. I grew up in Cardiff and my mother grew up on the Isle of Skye."

"Where exactly on the Isle of Skye?"

"Uig, I believe, near Kilt Rock."

"Wait, Kilt Rock?"

"Yes Roddy, There is a place called Kilt Rock."

"Well then," He adjusted his collar slightly, "Shall we." He tries to sound as suave as possible.

"Nice try, Romeo, it's not going to make me like you any more."

I grabbed my old leather jacket from within my suitcase and we started walking and, eventually, reached a small diner, we settled into a corner booth and I started scanning the menu for something to please my appetite, my wallet secure in my jacket pocket, I slid my mask into the opposite pocket, it stuck out slightly but wasn't noticeable.

"Good morning. My name is Debbie, I'll be your server today. What can I get for you two lovebirds?"

"I'll have," Roddy began, clearly either avoiding correcting the young waitress or not caring to correct her, "the 'Power Breakfast' with toast and a regular latte."

"And the lady?" she looked over from Piper to myself, before doing a double and take fully taking me in.

"I will have, the 'Tropical Waffle' with a side of 'Canadian Bacon' and a strawberry milkshake, please Debbie."

"Y-yes, Miss. So, that's the Power Breakfast and toast with a latte for the gentleman and the Tropical Waffle with a side of Canadian Bacon and a strawberry milkshake for the lady?"

"Yes." We said in unison, watching the waitress walk away.

"Roddy."

"What?" He scoffed

"Oh I don't know, perhaps you should have clarified that we," I gestured to him and then myself, "Are not 'lovebirds'?"

"Oh come on, you know if I let her know that she would've pried into our lives, y'know."

"Really now, Piper?"

"Yes, and stop calling me Piper, it's too formal, we know each other better than that, it's Roddy, or Rod, not Piper from now on, alright?"

"Alright. Roddy."

When the food arrived the waitress seemed to want to get the food to us and get out quickly.

"How's the leg?" I inquired before shoving a forkful of strawberry and waffle into my mouth.

"It hurts a little, but I've been through worse."

"Like bottling yourself." I mumbled through the mouthful of sugary bliss.

"Exactly." Roddy said through a mouthful of toast and turkey breast.

"You really should stop doing that." I warned him.

"Why, you care about me getting brain damage or somethin'?"

"No, I just, I can't stand the idea of you getting hurt, not after last night." I tried to keep my concerned tone to a minimum.

Roddy reached out to grab my hand and ran his thumb over my knuckles, "I'm okay. you made sure of that."

I know I should listen to him but I shrugged him off and went back to my meal, finishing it all as Roddy was around 3/4 done with his meal. Sipping my drink and gazing at Rod's beaten up face, focusing on his hairline still tinted a dark red with blood.

"You alright Kirby?"

I looked away quickly, "You're hair, it's …"

"Brown, I know. It's boring, why?" Sarcasm rang clear in his tone.

"No, Roddy, you're hair is tinted red, from the blood."

"Still, I thought I washed all the blood out." He was clearly joking but it stung me slightly and I don't know why.

"Y'know Kirby, Schultz was right about you."

"Really, how?"

"You're a fighter, a real tough guy, uh, gal, but you're nice, sweet even. You care about people, regardless of who they are."

"You were bleeding to death in a hotel corridor, right outside my room. I heard you get thrown against a wall. Would you rather I let you die?"

"I'd rather you'd left me and ran after the asshole who hurt me."

"It would have resulted in your death, Roddy. I couldn't let you die."

"Why not?"

"Because … because. I don't know okay. I chose to save you and that's that, alright."

"Alright, we should pay and get outta here."

"Already ahead of you." I pulled out my wallet and placed $35 on the table, calling the waitress over with my hand.

We paid and left, with me swiftly placing my mask back over my face. I caught Roddy staring at my face out of the corner of my eye.

"Kirby?"

I hummed in response.

"Why do you wear a mask, you're not hideous."

"I think every wrestling commentator I've ever met would disagree with you."

"what d'ya mean?"

"They call me 'The Ogress', Roddy. They call me a female Ogre."

"Then, they're wrong, you're not a hideous beast."

"Just because I saved you, doesn't mean I'm like that to everyone."

"How bad could you be? Sure you've made some dumb decisions in the past but the past's the past."

"Yeah, last night is also 'the past' Roddy."

"Look, all I'm trying to say, is, well, thank you and, don't listen to people, half the time they don't know what their words mean to the people they're saying them to."

"So, we are we headed, Roddy?"

"I don't know, maybe back to the hotel."

"Sure."

The rest of the walk back to my hotel room was silent, until we were inside the hotel room.

"So, who's better at conversation, me or André?"

"Well, Drey's got a natural charm to him, he's kind and knows the troubles that someone with gigantism goes through."

"Wait a second, 'Drey'?"

"Yeah, Drey, Why?"

"That's a pretty unique pet name. What is he, your boyfriend?"

"No, no, just an extremely close friend."

"Close, as in?"

"Close as in, we are just pals, you sound awfully jealous Roddy."

"Me, jealous. Ha! never."

"Never, really?"

I was trying to rile him up, and by the way he shifted his weight from one leg to the other before quickly shifting back, I could tell it was working.

"I'm not jealous, alright. It's just been a really long time since I've had a female friend as, nice, as you."

"Rod, come here a second," I got closer to him, to check the graze on his forehead, gently moving his hair away from his temple to get a better look, "Hold on, don't … don't move."

He held still and let me check the wound, it was healing, slowly but definitely healing. I changed my focus to the cut on his eyebrow on the other side of his face, gently placing my thumb next to the cut to hold his head still.

"Hey what are ya- Ah!" Roddy pulled away.

"Come back here."

"At least buy me dinner first." His tone once again became jovial.

"Roddy." I glared into his eyes.

He glared right back, as if to show how quickly he could switch his moods and making my breathing catch in my throat for a second.

"I think I need a moment" I whispered, turning to head to the bathroom before Rod grabbed me by the arm.

"I'm sorry," His voice soft and caring, "I didn't mean to scare ya."

This was new, a much softer and mellow version of Roddy.

"You didn't scare me that much, Roddy."

I continued to the bathroom and closed the door, undressing and getting ready to shower. I had been in the shower for only a few minutes when I heard the door to the room open and close suddenly, stepping out of the bathroom I realised that Roddy had left, leaving a note on the same page of the sketchbook that I had left a prior note to him.

"Thought I should get some rest in my own room. Thanks again. Roddy." I murmured as I read.

I hope he gets some proper rest, and heals quickly but I can't help but feel lonely without him here. God what am I saying, I don't like Roddy that much. Almost as if I love him, I don't for the record, I'm still not fully over Erik. God, I miss Erik. His kind smile, his flaming ginger hair, his goatee and the way any shirt would hug his muscles if he worked up a sweat. An extremely handsome man with the balls, or guts, to wear a kilt and not care what people thought about him because of it. There's no way I could give him up if the opportunity were to present itself ever again. I looked at the digital clock next to the phone and, realising how late it was decided to strip down to my underwear and get some rest.

I woke up to rapid knocking on my door and the door handle being jostled around from the outside. I hurried to get dressed and opened the door, my hair flowing over my right shoulder in loose waves. I swung the door open to Roddy, with a worried look on his face.

"God, what time do you call this?"

"I don't care what you're gonna say next, listen to me."

"Roddy," I looked over at the clock, "It's four in the morning."

"I know, but I could nae get ya off my mind." He stepped in, obviously stressed and closed the door behind him, "Listen ta me, just listen ta me."

"I'm listening Roddy" I huffed as I sat on the edge of the bed.

"How about you and me go out on a date, no one needs to know. Just you, me, perhaps a diner like yesterday, or a coffee shop?"

"Roddy, I fly back to Cardiff tomorrow, I haven't got time to have both a social life and a career involving another Scotsman, alright. I," I paused, "I'm still not over the last time I had my heart broken."

Rod dropped to his healthy knee, placing a hand on my cheek and looking me in the eyes, "I won't break you're heart, I promise, even if it takes a while for us to be near each other every single day. I won't give up on you. I swear on God above."

"Roddy, I … I guess it's worth a shot, I still have to fly back to-"

Rod cut me off by pressing his lips to mine, my eyes widened before I relaxed into the kiss, slipping one hand under his chin and the other around his back as he slipped his arms around my waist to lift me up to my feet, Rod having to lean up slightly as I leaned down into the kiss.

For the first time, in a long time, I felt at peace with the universe, the same feeling I had felt whilst visiting my aunt on the Isle of Skye.

Rod pulled away, breathing heavily, "I've wanted to do that ever since our first sparring session," He breathed a deep sigh, "Ever since I saw your face without that mask on," he took another breath, "It's funny what almost dying will do to you."

"Shut up, Roddy, just shut up." I pressed my forehead against his.

Then I woke up.

I woke up on the morning of January the eleventh, to silence, I looked at the clock, 5: 50, no signs of Roddy, I felt sick, like I had pushed my own boundaries too far. I rushed to get into the shower and clean myself of that dream, fantasy, whatever you want to call it.

I cleaned up the hotel room, got dressed and got to packing my things into my suitcase and duffel bag, before walking to the hotel lobby, leaving this hotel for hopefully the last time and heading to my truck. My dad had bought me a 1974 Dodge D200 when I was twenty.

A trustworthy vehicle and and a truck I could, albeit with a slight amount of discomfort. I packed the truck and planned on heading out to the next place, Queens, New York.

END OF BLOOD & ROSES or STRAWBERRY MILK.