#this is getting too long for one fic

[ferallymine]

Crashtown Crashout Part 1

a/n: crashtown arc best arc

----------------------------

"Which of our friends made their way out here?” Thyme held onto Yusei as the runner sped through the desert. “This is a wasteland. Feels like we’ve been riding for hours.”

“I don’t know, but this Barb character says they need help. We can’t just leave them hanging.” Yusei placed his hand over theirs, thumb mindlessly tracing their knuckles. I just hope we aren’t too late.

Thyme rested their head on his shoulder, “You’re right. We’ll get them out of whatever trouble they’ve found.” We’re right where we need to be.

---

Crashtown was... emptier than expected. With the amount of footprints and bike tracks in the dust, one would think it bustling with life. Thyme stared up at the windows; Figures ducking out of sight gave them enough of an answer.

"Something's wrong with this town," A quiet whisper against his ear, "Too many are hiding." The question is...from what?

Yusei parked the runner beside a flower shop- extending a hand to help Thyme to their feet. "Keep your eyes open." We won't run and hide.

"Pretty thing ya got there." Men with red bandanas appeared out of nowhere. Five.... Ten... twenty. The couple was encircled and out numbered. "And I don't mean your hunk of metal."

Thyme kept ahold of Yusei's hand. Eyes stared daggers into the approaching crowd. Stay calm stay calm stay calm stay-

"Duel ya for one hour of Lil' Pretty's time." One spoke as he stepped closer. Alcohol danced off his breath.

Yusei ignored the men, "I don't waste my time with amateur duelists."

"Amateur?!" He charged with raised fists, "I'll show you-"

Thyme grabbed the man's arm impossibly fast. He was spun around, arm pushed to its limit behind his back. Their free arm locked his head in a chokehold, keeping his posture straight. They remained silently focused as the man's face changed colors.

"Thyme," Yusei placed a hand on their shoulder. We're outmatched here.

Without further damage, they released their grip. A silent agreement to Yusei's plea. The offender collapsed to the ground, gasping for air. Two other men rushed to his aid.

"You think you're tough?" The group's leader pulled out his duel disc, "Got you're little attack dog fighting for you? Get your disc out! I'll show you tough!"

"ENOUGH!" A woman stepped out from the shop, "This is no way to welcome guests!"

He raised an eyebrow, "Barb, did you invite these psychos?!"

Huh, so that's Barb. Thyme eyed the woman as she scolded the group.

Barb's brow furrowed, "They're not psychotic, just defending themselves from you lot!" A slender finger sternly pointed at them, "How dare you try to duel outside of the rules! I'll get Malcom on your hairy ass if you don't apologize this instant!"

A slew of apologies immediately followed by group dispersement. Yusei observed everyone quickly leaving the limits of town. On foot and on runners, every red bandana vacated.  They must be terrified of Malcom...

Barb twirled around, "A million apologies. Life in the Wastes can, well, erode ones manners." She extended a hand, "I'm Barb, and I'm so glad you've arrived."

"You said a friend of ours was in trouble." Yusei stepped forward, shaking her hand, "What kind of trouble do you mean?"

"Right to the point, eh? Unfortunately my evasiveness serves a purpose. The information you need  will only be revealed at sundown."

"Why? That's hours from now." Thyme tilted their head.

"It's better to show instead of explain." Barb picked a half-withered rose from her display and offered it to them, "My home is your home until sundown."

---

Plateau heights provided the best vantage point over the entire town. Two gangs gathered as the sun began to collide with the horizon. Crowds of people, once hiding in their homes, now flooded the street in anxious anticipation.

The dusk duel was over before it had begun. A familiar white-haired duelist emptied his hand, completely eliminating his opponent's life points. Men on the carriage tossed a lasso at the loser. Vain attempts at escape proved futile; they easily dragged him into a coffin. Dust kicked up as the horses carried the doomed towards the mountain. Wind picked up the jacket of the winner, framing his body while the gang behind him cheered.

“Kalin!” Yusei balled his fists. He's joined another gang?!

"Radley's gang has been on a winning streak with Kalin at the helm." Barb leaned back from her seat onto her arms. "However, just one win from Malcom's family will send him to the mountain mine. He'll die there."

Thyme twirled the rose in their hand, "Suicide by duel...” You've already atoned for your sins.

"Stopping Kalin will save him from this fate." Barb stood, "I've tried reasoning with him. He'll only listen to duels. If you haven't gathered, I'm not exactly skilled with monster cards." She kicked a collection of pebbles off the cliffside. "A disruption of this magnitude could even break the entire thing down. It's so barbaric..."

Yusei couldn't pull his eyes from Kalin's motorbike. It lagged behind the others. Radley's gang rode off into the night, laughter echoing throughout the air... but there was a profound sadness mixed with it. Like a cry for help from the soul of the damned.

Kalin... I forgave you... please don't do this...

A gentle hand on his back brought him back to reality. Yusei blinked back tears and turned to meet Thyme's gaze. An empathetic look as they traced circles over his shoulder.

That doesn't matter. He hasn't forgiven himself.

"We're in," Yusei finally broke the silence. "What's your plan?"

---

A new dawn ends with a new dusk.

Radley's gang could be heard before they could be seen. Motorbikes lined the newly crowded street with smoke and bad decisions. Crowds began to exit their homes, hoping to catch a glimpse of the upcoming action.

Radley stood from his bike, "Malcom! What sacrifice have you brought tonight for the mountain?"

Malcom postured at his opponent, "It's you who brought the sacrifice!"

Cackling laughter, "My best duelist has conquered fifty of your men!" He clapped, the motion bringing Kalin to the front. "Who's got the guts to confront their fate?"

"I do."

Kalin's body visibly relaxed as Yusei stepped into the square. "So it's today... finally..."

"Kalin, what are you doing here?"

"Paying my debts to the damned." Boots and metal rattled as he took position in the square.

Thyme stepped down from the shop entrance, "You can't keep killing yourself for sins already atoned."

"Ah, so one is still never far from the other." Eyes shifted to the horizon, "Fate's a funny thing... it's fitting you'd both be here to see me off."

Yusei made a fist, "Stop being stubborn! Leave this mess behind and come back home."

Radley placed a firm hand on Kalin's shoulder, "You better not go easy just because you know them. You're bound by contract."

"Get out your disc," Kalin readied himself, "I'm not going out without a fight."

---

Thank you.

Life points drained to zero. Kalin didn't sway or stumble. A smile of relief crossed his face as the lasso wrapped around his frail body. Cries of disbelief came from the gang behind him.

“Barb, now!” Yusei turned, only to be met with a sudden shock. Every muscle in his body went numb. Dirt covered his face as he collapsed. What?!

She laughed, “Thank you for all you’ve done.”

Thyme rushed behind her, tackling her to the ground. Dirt and rocks dug into their skin, “What did you do?!”

“This!” Another shockwave struck Thyme’s body, this time coming from Malcolm’s gun. The same numb feeling shook Thyme, making them easy for Barb to shove off. They rolled, landing next to Yusei in the square.

Loud sounds of an engine pierced everyone's ears. A large motorbike drifted into the chaos, piloted by a large duelist. "Radley! I challenge you to a duel!"

Radley's hand trembled, "Lawton?! There, uh, there isn't enough time for a duel! The sun's almost set!"

Lawton jumped from his vehicle, landing directly in front of the rival gang leader, "I only need one turn, coward."

Life points hit zero. Radley didn't have time to scream as Lawton punched him unconscious. The lasso caught his body as it fell, dragging him easily to the carriage with Kalin.

"We couldn't have done it without your help," Barb knelt down, tracing a nail down Yusei's marker. "We needed Kalin out of the picture so that Lawton could take out Radley. Now my sweetie Malcom will run this town."

Malcom knelt beside her, "Beauty AND brains in this woman!" He nodded to the carriage driver, "You got two more coming up with them!"

How could I be so blind? Yusei turned his gaze to Thyme and Kalin. Please forgive me...

Lawton stared down, a condescending smirk across his face, "The mountain ain't a place for a pretty thing like that." He pointed to Thyme. "Don't you owe some of Malcolm's men an hour of your time?"

Emerald eyes wide with panic. No!

“Yeah, what if we did keep you in town?” Malcom pulled Thyme’s chin close, “I got guys deserving of some personal servants, hah!” He traced his thumb down their lip. "You'd do just fine-"

Thyme managed enough strength to bite his thumb. Blood burst, immediately dripping down their face. I'd rather die!

“Ah!” Malcom reared back, slapping them. Thyme collapsed from the force. “Insolent bitch! Join your friends in the mines.”

Four coffins closed. Chaos erupted as the red gang took over. Radley, Kalin, Yusei, and Thyme were taken to the mountain as night fell across the desert.

[gongyussy]

deepthroating a gun without breaking eye contact...... he put his entire gongyussy into that | SQUID GAME 2

+ the video because the sound he makes when he puts the gun in his mouth? [redacted]

update: he improvised that. the man really said i'll go full slut.

[raynewolferune]

DC x DP Prompt: Bruce is bad at emoting but at least ghosts are empathic (too bad bat kids are not)

Was reading Twincognito on AO3 when I stumbled across this gem again:

~

" “Danny, Tim. I was just…checking in. Is everything alright?” Curse his inability to make meaningful conversation when it wasn’t a life or death situation.

They glanced at each other and shrugged.

Then Danny hauled himself out of the bed and walked over to Bruce.

Bruce tried not to let too much excitement show on his face. "

~

Now I really want to read a story where Bruce adopts Danny post Meta trafficking and is being his usual emotionally constipated self. His kids keep getting mad at him because he's treating their new meta brother who was trafficked poorly (generally being stilted in conversation with him, walking away hurriedly mid-conversation, avoiding Danny when he's feeling really awkward, etc). They think Bruce is discriminating against Danny for being a civilian, meta, dealer's pick, but really it's just Bruce being horribly socially awkward. Danny knows this because of ghost empathy and find the whole thing hilarious. The whole thing comes to a head with the Bat Kids staging an intervention in the Bat Cave.

[petricorah]

scenes i loved from Real Enough to Get Me Through by @marriedzukka <333 [ids in alt]

[courfee]

it's been exactly a year since the last chapter of Operation Walburga's Arbitrary No Kissing Ever Rule and I still miss it. This scene is probably one of my favourite things I've ever written and I've wanted to draw it for forever, so now seemed like an appropriate time

[dukeofthomas]

Here's my controversial opinion; if you're trying to write Bruce as a non-abusive, good parent, you should also write him respecting his kids' privacy, boundaries, and not stalking&surveying them.

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

Get Souped!

[missingn000]

happy halloween, everyone! big news: The Phantom Guardian's hiatus is officially over!

exactly one year after the release of the last tpg chapter, sukuna's backstory: tears of the emperor, i'm thrilled to announce that my break from the story has come to a close. i'm now officially preparing to write the next chapter and return to tpg releases on a regular basis! i've dearly missed this story and this community, and i'm so excited to be back. 

to prepare for writing this story again, i'll be doing a tpg live-react reread in the tpg discord server! come laugh at me as you watch me suffer through the suffering i put all of you through. we can chat about the story, the characters, and reminisce about what a crazy ride it's been and where we could be going from here. come join the fun!! this will also be a great way to remind yourselves of everything that's happened without having to read through all 637,000 words of this monstrosity. join the discord here!

as for when the next chapter will officially come out: i gotta get through the tpg reread first, which might take a bit, but i hope to have ch49 out sometime before the end of the year, if not very early january. i'll be hosting even more fun events and activities to bring us all back together as the next release grows nearer! i don't use bluesky or twitter, but feel free to share this news wherever. i'd love as many people as possible to join the fun!!

i love you all so much, and i can't thank you enough for your patience with me this past year. i hope you're as excited to dive back into this fic as i am!

happy halloween, everyone. we're so fucking back.

[necrotic-nephilim]

bruce and alfred: *thinking they managed to tag team jason into staying the night at the manor* 🤡

tim: *just existing as tantalizing eye candy for jason* 😒

jason: 😏

help i love this i'm cackling-

i think it's funnier if Tim also doesn't know and half the fun for Jason is getting to stare down Tim and make Tim wonder what on earth is going through Jason's head. he'd probably assume it's an intimidation tactic, or Jason thinking about all the ways he wants to kill Tim. it's delightful miscommunication of Tim being wary around Jason, always expecting a fight. and Jason damn well knows it, but he does nothing to correct Tim's assumption. He likes seeing Tim tense and ready to throw hands at a moment's notice. Jason just likes seeing what Tim is capable of, knowing how dangerous the little rich kid is. he wants to see how long he can stare before Tim breaks and asks him what his problem is.

and of course, Bruce, Alfred, and Dick are obvious. Cass is curious but not interfering because she just wants to see where this goes. Bruce is so caught up in the happiness of Jason finally playing nice for once pulling his punches and being willing to listen to Bruce that he's overlooking the obvious tension. Jason hasn't actually hurt Tim yet, so Bruce can't get mad for a little staring. he reminds Tim to just not sink to Jason's level.

when Tim does break and he does call Jason out for it, Jason just makes a lewd comment. just to throw Tim off and see how Tim reacts. it sends Tim sputtering and doubting Jason. he calls Jason's bluff and well. we all know how that ends.

[lil-lemon-snails]

"I can't ignore what's under dancefloor boards, The rhythm of my heart a dead-as-disco beat, But I still move my feet, to slip out of this groove, I'm free" ~ 2econd 2ight 2eer, Will Wood, The Normal Album

I have been plagued with visions of LDR Sun every time I listen to this song and I NEEDED to get this out of my system @spadillelicious when do we get to smooch the boy pLEASE

v textless version and close ups under cut!! v

[crnl-chicken-tots]

As I sit here putting Deadpool and Wolverine into situations, I also wonder what the people want to see. Friends and foes, I'm so smitten and trapped in a Honda Odessey full of thoughts, tell me what you want to see and I'll make it happen;;

I must continue to contribute to these primary colored idiots

[sophiphi]

Guys. GUYS. listen to me- kate carter is a natural brunette. no i’m not just saying that because daisy edgar jones has brown hair naturally, there’s a picture of young kate and her mom that is shown in the scene where she comes back home. I caught it on my second rewatch. I mean ofc you could chalk up her darker roots to it just being a dirty blonde but no, she really is a brunette.

Which brings me to this thought- I wonder what Tyler’s reaction (along with the others ofc) would be when they see Kate with brown hair. Let’s say her blonde dye was growing out enough for her to decide to dye it back. Maybe she does it when she went back to NY for a bit before going back to Oklahoma. Will there be chaos? Definitely. Will Tyler Owens get a heart attack? Duh. Like, imagine the possibilities guys, hellooo

[epiphainie]

exes bucktommy who are fucking in secret... hooking up in the restroom of their karaoke bar because they still have the same friends and they still hang out at the same places. buck agrees to watch jee and whoops look at that, tommy was just dropping off something with chimney and once chimney and maddie leave he just... stays. and fucks buck in their kitchen. eddie lets himself into buck's loft one day and tommy rolls and drops off the bed and stays there till he's sure eddie's gone. buck gets teased about his new hickeys at the station and feels a pang of guilt when hen says maybe he should cover them because tommy is coming over for lunch and the sight of them might just hurt him

[wickjump]

im gonna start posting fanfic recs btw whenever i find good ones. both here and my (awfully barren) 18+ account. because there are so many good fics out there with so few hits and fewer kudos and sometimes no comments period and it SUCKS because i REALLY LIKE THEM A LOT.. and i hope that by linking them here and yelling at everyone to COMMENT DAMMIT they might actually do it

seriously though any comment means a lot. most people who read a fic don’t even give a kudos. even if the fic wasn’t top tier, if you didn’t dislike it, hand over some kudos!! and if you liked it, comment!!!! even if the comment is one singular heart emoji it will be appreciated. if the comment just says “great fic!” the author will be happy. your comment doesn’t have to be this long winded gushing or analysis.

so many authors quit writing or lose motivation because the comments are few and far in between or just sometimes nonexistent. trust me when i say authors don’t care about how long or cool or smart sounding your comment is i promise!!!

i hope that mmmaybe recommending fics and telling people to comment might help fics i really like get more support maybe. and i, points at you reading this, hope that you will listen!!!at least a little….at least sum kudos….

[scimagic]

GUESS WHO GOT THE INTERNSHIPPPPPPP

[courfee]

“Regulus would be proud of us,” James whispered quietly to no one in particular, still gripping onto the painting like a life raft. 

— Tender Curiosities, Baby!  @otrtbs