#this wasn't prompted by anything recent btw

[vanmarkus]

a lesson in protecting your peace ✌️

[milksnake-tea]

━━ welcome, rover .

Waking up in a foreign world with no memories and hostile natives isn't what it's made out to be, especially when you have a sassy voice telling you to jump off a cliff.

self aware!wuthering waves au (kinda.)

contains: male!rover, elements of sagau, ooc!chixia, canon divergence, based off of beta wuwa

wc: 2.2k

a/n: i wrote this on the plane while having motion sickness so uh sorry if it's bad but i had a vision... this is based on the old version of wuwa btw !! where everyone was kinda hostile towards rover so that's why chixias more antagonistic bc i heard she was kinda mean in the og... rover might be ooc too bc honestly my experience w wuwa is... limited due to the lagging but i hope i did him decently enough !! if he doesn't have sass that's uhm. that's my bad. anyways self aware beams your wuwa

When Rover awoke on that new world, the first thing he'd seen was a heated glare.

Alright, maybe “glare” wasn't the right word. It was moreso wariness, or distrust. Narrowed eyes, hostile and defensive body language, and hands hovering above where he assumed was their weapons holster - it was obvious that to the locals, he was an unwelcomed guest.

He'd barely regained enough consciousness to comprehend the language - their words were twisted, alien, yet he could somehow still understand them - before he was barraged with an onslaught of interrogations: Who was he? Why was he here? What were his intentions? Why was he alone?

And of course, when faced with all of these questions, his recently wiped mind went blank - that tends to happen when you have amnesia. Unfortunately for him, that answer wasn't exactly satisfactory. It was painfully obvious from their expressions that no one believed him when he explained that he didn't remember anything, not even his own name.

The redhead was the most aggressive - Rover was sure she would've already started getting physical had her companion, a darker-haired woman dressed in blue, not kept her in line. While the others weren't exactly kind to him, they still remained civil… or at least, as civil as they were willing to be.

In the end, the third woman, this one with sharp eyes and presumably the medic of the group, managed to convince the other two that Rover was telling the truth after a brief examination. It was then, and only then that the interrogations stopped, and Rover could finally have some time to himself as the three women discussed what to do with him.

As the details of their conversation faded into the background (he heard a lot of fancy terms that he wasn't familiar with), Rover decided to take a look around.

He'd landed in the middle of a forest, which didn't strike him quite right - out of everything, the one thing he clearly remembered was being underwater. But as he surveyed his surroundings, only looming cliffs, thin trees and swaying grass greeted him.

He winced, his head throbbing suddenly. A stabbing sensation struck through his head like a bullet, and then there was warmth, spreading through his body like sunlight.

“..ey. Hey!”

Rover blinked. The redhead planted her hands on her hips, irritation evident from her scowl.

“We’ve decided what to do with you,” the woman in blue said softly, holding an arm in front of the redhead to calm her.

Rover tilted his head innocently, prompting her to continue.

“We'll take you to the city,” explained the medic. Her voice was just as frigid as her gaze. “There, the officials will examine and determine whether or not you're a threat.”

“I’m-” Rover started, but caught himself. “Okay.”

The medic nodded, then bent down on her knees. Noticing her outstretched hand, Rover realized she was offering to help him up.

He stumbled as she pulled him to his feet. His legs felt like jelly, pins and needles pricking at him as they slowly woke up. For a second, he'd thought he'd fall over.

But then the warmth came again, and this time, with a voice.

“Steady. Easy does it.”

Sudden strength surged into his legs, and he stabilized himself, the pins and needles fading away.

“There you go.”

He looked up as if expecting someone to be there, but predictably, all that met him was a vast blue sky.

“Are you looking for me?” He heard the voice laugh, a clear, bell-like sound. “Maybe do that later, you're making yourself look funny.”

With a start, he realized that the voice was right. The three women were giving him weird looks, and his hand was still intertwined with the medic’s.

Hastily, he yanked his hand away, a sheepish chuckle escaping him as he rubbed the back of his neck. The redhead scoffed.

“Yangyang, this guy’s got a screw loose or something…” she muttered to the woman dressed in blue. Yangyang sighed in agreement, turning on her heel and walking away.

“Bear with it for a bit, Chixia,” she replied. “We'll drop him off at the City Hall, and they'll take it from there.”

Chixia didn't look happy with that, but she relented nevertheless.

“Wow.”

Rover flinched as the voice spoke again, this time closer to his ear.

“They do not like you at all, do they?”

Obviously not, Rover thought incredulously, but can you blame them?

He'd noticed it a while ago - the three were clearly on edge. Something was going on on this planet, something bad. Having an unpredictable factor such as him probably wasn't helping.

“Good point.”

So you can hear my thoughts. Rover huffed as he pulled himself up a cliff, vines scratching at his arms. The route the locals had decided to take wasn't a kind one.

“Well, yeah. How else are we supposed to have our super-secret confidential shittalking sessions?”

Rover paused. What?

“Don't worry about it.”

No, what'd you say-

“I said don't worry about it. Now keep climbing, they're leaving you behind.”

Easy for you to say, Rover thought indignantly, but did as the voice said nevertheless. He quickly caught up to the group, the medic raising a brow as he fell into step beside her. Thankfully, she didn't say anything and only kept her gaze straight ahead.

“Hey, I'm not the one who's being marched to officials for an inspection. And I don't have a reputation I need to maintain.”

Rover hated to admit it, but the voice had a point.

What are you, anyway? He walked past a small pond filled with fish. His hands twitched with the urge to jump in and grab some, but his first impressions were already bad enough as is.

“I'm God, actually.”

Rover deadpanned, unimpressed.

“Jeez, tough crowd.” The voice shifted, moving from his right to his left ear. “But seriously though, I'm human, just like you.”

If you were, I'd be able to see you.

“Fair enough,” the voice mused. “But I really am human. I just… happened to wake up invisible and connected to you.”

Rover grunted as he vaulted over yet another cliff. Very convincing.

“Says you.” He could practically hear them rolling their eyes. “At least I remember what my name is.”

That one hurt more than Rover would've liked to admit.

“...Sorry.” Quieter now, almost meek. “That was out of line.”

Rover closed his eyes briefly, breathing in as subtly as he could before opening them again.

It's fine. You didn't say anything false.

“It was still insensitive.”

Rover sped up. It happens to the best of us.

The voice went quiet, leaving Rover to the slight howl of the wind and the sound of boots crunching against sand. But they hadn't left entirely, no - Rover could feel a presence to his left, subtle but impossible to ignore.

“So you don't remember your name, huh?” Chixia said suddenly.

“No,” Rover muttered.

“Guess that just means we'll have to give you one. Or I could just keep calling you ‘Weirdo’ in my head.”

Rover’s eye twitched. “Let's not.”

Chixia grinned back at him, but the smile didn't ease his nerves at all - on the contrary, it made them worse.

“Why not? I think it's pretty fitting.”

“Chixia,” Yangyang warned, which Rover was grateful for. Had he retaliated, things wouldn't have ended well for him.

Chixia shrugged, crossing her arms behind her head as she sauntered off.

“I must apologize for her.” Yangyang turned to him. To his surprise, she seemed genuine. “Chixia usually isn't that rude, it's just that, well…”

She trailed off, uncertain on how to continue. Rover shook his head.

“It's fine,” he assured. “I can tell that you're all anxious.”

Yangyang’s shoulders slumped. “Is it that obvious? But… yes, you're right. Life hasn't exactly been calm as of late, with Tacet Fields appearing left and right.”

“Tacet Fields?” Rover repeated, tilting his head.

“It's easier to demonstrate than to explain,” the medic cut in, stepping forward as the cliffs and trees opened up. Rover followed her gaze to a darkened field, corrupted by dark matter and with a star-shapped scar at the center.

Abyss-like creatures prowled the corrupted zone, covered in dark armor, scales, and/or fur. They spoke to one another in gargled gibberish with voices that sent chills down Rover's spine.

“Those are Tacet Discords,” Yangyang explained. “They’re born from the distorted frequencies that result from the Tacet Field.”

“Ew.”

Welcome back, Rover greeted, to which the voice didn't respond.

“They're ugly,” they commented instead, scrutinizing the Tacet Discords one by one. Rover silently agreed. “But there's a few pretty ones I can see, like that wolf.”

Rover stared at said wolf's sharp canines and ravenous glare. Pretty… isn't what I would call them, but suit yourself.

“There’s a whole swarm of them out there,” Chixia observed, breaking through their conversation. She stretched her arms as if preparing for battle. “Can't get to the city without getting through them first.”

“Hm…” Yangyang contemplated to herself, before looking up at Rover. “Say, uhm…”

She hesitated, not knowing what to call him.

“Rover.”

His mouth moved on its own as his voice mixed with the voice's. Yangyang blinked, startled.

“I… I thought you didn't remember your name.”

“I don't,” Rover spoke without meaning to, like a puppet on strings. “It just… came to mind.”

Yangyang didn't look convinced, but she let it go.

“Alright, then, Rover, do you know how to fight?”

The feeling of being puppeteered left him as the voice became separate once more.

“Yes,” he said, trying to keep his voice steady.

What the hell was that?

Yangyang smiled. “Good, because we'll need to clear that Tacet Field before reaching the city.”

He nodded, understanding the implications. “I'll do my best to fight alongside you.”

“I don't know what that was,” the voice replied, and sure enough, they too sounded unsure. “I just did what the system told me to.”

The system? Rover questioned, but received no answer.

Rover heard a pistol click behind him as Chixia readied herself. “Don't try anything funny,.”

“I won't.” Operating on instinct, Rover drew a blade of his own. Chixia chuckled.

“We'll see about that.”

One by one, the group jumped off the cliff, deploying a glider so as to land safely below. Rover was the last to go. As his feet skidded at the edge of the cliff, sending pebbles flying down, unease swirled in his gut.

“Hey,” the voice said gently. “Don't worry. I'll help you out.”

What… Rover furrowed his brows, frustrated at how little he knew. What are you?

“Like I said, I'm just another person who ended up stranded here. I have a feeling we're going to be stuck together for a while, so I suggest you get used to me.”

Then, Rover sighed, at least give me a name. You said you remembered yours.

The voice paused.

“[Name],” it finally said, the name foreign to Rover's ears. “That's my name.”

“[Name],” he murmured, feeling it roll off his tongue. “We should get going, the others are waiting. You said you'd help me, right?”

“Yep. Just jump off the cliff and extend your left hand up to glide.”

Rover paused. Aren't these called intrusive thoughts?

“Just do it.”

Taking a deep breath, Rover looked down at the jump before him nervously. Closing his eyes and mentally praying to whatever god was listening that he wouldn't end up a black puddle on the forest floor, he lept.

Mechanical wings unfolded above him in a series of clicks and whirrs, a handle extending down for him to grab onto like his life depended on it. Peeking open his eyes, he let out a sigh of relief, feeling a small breeze brush against his face.

“See?” Although not obvious, relief bled into [Name]’s words as Rover landed safely on his feet. “You can trust me.”

A small smile slipped onto Rover's face, the first since he'd woken up.

“I guess I can.”

The glider folded in on itself, replaced by his blade as he joined the others.

“Took you long enough,” Chixia commented, but for the first time, it wasn't with ill intent.

“Sorry,” Rover replied. “But I'm here now.”

“Enough chitchat,” Yangyang called up ahead. “They've noticed us.”

Sure enough, the Tacet Discords were turning towards them, snarls twisting where he assumed their mouths were. The corruption worsened, dark energy forming in black smoke.

“Let's see what you're made of, Rover,” said Chixia, expertly spinning her pistols. Yangyang had already drawn her sword, and Baizhi, the medic, had summoned a pearly dragon-like creature to fight alongside her. [Name] didn't say anything, but he could feel their energy beginning to seep into his muscles, ready to aid him in battle.

Rover pointed his blade towards the Tacet Discords.

“Let's go.”

reblogs w comments are appreciated !!

tags: @sh0jun, @themoderatelyawesomeninja, @xphantasmagoriax, @rainswept, @lucensei

@akutasoda , @naraven , @scribs-dibs

[httpsdana]

Hello I have a request!

I hope it’s not too confusing and not too plain

Sorry my first time requesting

I like your fics a lot

So…

It is where reader is friends with Cubarsi and one of her friends likes him. reader likes Pau but doesn’t tell anyone that she likes him. the other friend that likes Pau tells people and thinks Pau likes her and is going to ask her out.

reader gets rlly upset and is already tackling with depression and knowing abt this makes her rlly sad. also if you can add how the girl asks you ask Cubarsi if he likes her. this makes reader so upset. but then Pau sees her upset so he tries to comfort her and confesses he likes reader.

(btw Cubarsi and reader like msg everyday and stuff)

also if you can’t do this or it’s a bit confusing im so sorry. im having this issue irl and wna cry

I am reading over this and it is very confusing very soory

In the Quiet Spaces Between Us~Pau Cubarsi

・❥・prompt list

・❥・masterlist -> part 2

・❥・who I write for

・❥・a/n: I really hope this is what you asked for 🙏🏻

She wasn't sure when her friendship with Pau had shifted into something more—when the late-night texts and easy conversations began carrying a weight that made her heart ache.

Maybe it was the way he smiled at her, soft and unguarded, or the way his texts always seemed to brighten her darkest days. Whatever it was, y/n had fallen for him, and the realization had been as terrifying as it was exhilarating.

But she never told anyone. Not Pau, and certainly not her friend María, who recently announced her crush on him with unbridled enthusiasm.

“I think Pau likes me,” María said one evening as you both sat in a café. Her tone was light, but the certainty in her voice cut through y/n like a blade.

She forced a weak smile. “Why do you think that?”

María shrugged, swirling her straw in her iced coffee. “He’s always looking at me during group hangouts. And the other day, he laughed at one of my jokes even though it wasn’t that funny. That has to mean something, right?”

y/n laughed nervously, clutching her own drink like it was a lifeline. “Maybe he just thought it was funny.”

María grinned, oblivious to the storm brewing inside y/n. “No way. I’ve got a feeling about this. I think he’s going to ask me out soon.”

The words made her stomach twist painfully, but she swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded. “Maybe.” she murmured

That night, Pau texted y/n, just like he always did.

Pau: “How was your day?”

y/n: “It was okay. You?”

Pau: “Long, but better now that I’m talking to you.”

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, her chest tightening at his words.

Did he mean it the way she wanted him to? Or was this just his way of being a good friend?

y/n: “That’s sweet of you to say.”

Pau: “It’s true. I’d go crazy without our chats.”

She stared at the screen, her heart aching.

If only he knew how much she wished those words carried more meaning.

A few days later, María cornered y/n after a group hangout, her face glowing with excitement. “Hey,” she said, her voice practically buzzing. “I need a favor.”

“What’s up?” she asked, already wary of the look in her eyes.

“Can you ask Pau if he likes me?”

Her words hit her like a punch to the gut. “What?”

María laughed, as though it were the most natural request in the world. “You’re closer to him than I am. He won’t suspect anything if you ask casually.”

y/n felt her mouth go dry. “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

“Oh, come on,” María pressed, her grin faltering. “Please? I really think he likes me, but I just want to be sure before I make a move.”

y/n felt like the ground was crumbling beneath her. How could she not see how much this was hurting her?

Her words were the final straw. y/n mumbled an excuse and left the conversation, retreating to the bathroom where she locked the door behind her. Tears burned her eyes as she leaned against the sink, her chest heaving with silent sobs. It felt like everything was crumbling. Her feelings for Pau and her friendship with María were all colliding, leaving her gasping for air.

When she finally emerged, her eyes red and puffy, she avoided everyone and went straight home. She didn’t even check her phone, ignoring the notifications piling up from Pau.

The next morning, a knock at her door startled y/n. Groggily, she pulled herseld out of bed and shuffled to the door, opening it to find Pau standing there.

“Hey,” he said, his voice soft but laced with concern. “Are you okay? You didn’t reply to my texts last night.”

She blinked at him, her heart aching at the sight of his worried expression. “I’m fine,” she lied.

“No, you’re not,” Pau said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. “What’s going on? Did I do something?”

y/n shook her head, avoiding his gaze. “you did nothing wrong. I’m just tired.”

He didn’t speak for a moment, and the silence stretched uncomfortably. Then he said, “Is this about María?”

Her head snapped up, her heart pounding. “What do you mean?”

“She’s been dropping hints lately,” Pau said, his voice careful. “About… us.”

y/n swallowed hard, her throat dry as she expected him to tell her he likes María. “And?”

“And I don’t feel that way about her,” he said simply, his gaze steady on hers.

Relief flooded through her, but it was quickly followed by a wave of guilt. “She really likes you,” she said quietly.

“I know,” Pau said, his voice softening. “But I can’t pretend to feel something I don’t.”

Her hands trembled in her lap, and she clenched them into fists to stop the shaking. “do you like someone else?”

Pau hesitated, his eyes searching hers. “Do you really want to know?”

She nodded, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst.

He reached out, his hand brushing against hers. “I like you,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

The words didn’t register at first. She stared at him, stunned. “What?”

“I like you,” he repeated, his tone firmer this time. “I have for a while now. I just didn’t know how to tell you.”

Tears filled her eyes, and she shook her head. “But why? I’m… I’m a mess, Pau. I’m not like María. I’m not—”

“Stop,” he said, cutting her off. He reached for her hand, holding it tightly. “You don’t have to be anyone else. You’re enough, just the way you are. And I don’t care what you think about yourself—I see someone strong, kind, and beautiful.”

His words broke through the walls she'd built around her heart, and a sob escaped her lips. “I thought I was going to lose you,” she whispered.

“You’re not losing me,” Pau said, his voice steady. “Not now, not ever.”

He pulled her into his arms, holding her as she cried. His embrace was warm and safe, and for the first time in what felt like forever, the darkness in her mind began to lift.

[malk1ns]

i read a fic recently with rookie sid and 2010 geno and i’ve been thinking of that a lot so… for your prompt maybe baby sid being enamored by an older geno? nsfw or pg is up to you :P merry christmas to you too btw!!

ok so once upon a time i wrote this fic which is pretty much exactly that premise! and i really loved writing it and it's still one of my personal favorites of mine, so i'm going to take your prompt and use it as an excuse to write a wee little follow-up, from sid's point of view...no smut or anything in this one, just a cranky 22 year old with a massive (reciprocated) crush on his captain. you'll have to read the first one for this to make sense!

Sid thought it would get easier when his dad retired.

Well, really, he expected that after a couple of months he wouldn't feel so desperate for Geno all the time. Not that he wouldn't still want him, of course not, Geno was the defining catalyst of Sid's sexual awakening and the star of 90% of his fantasies from adolescence onwards, but Sid thought that maybe after the first few times, when Geno didn't get sick of him or tell him they needed to stop, he'd be able to be a little more mature about the whole thing.

As it happens, though, he spent the rest of his rookie year in single-minded pursuit of two things: 100 points, and Geno's dick.

It's a good thing he had his dad's example to make sure he stayed focused on his game. If his work ethic and internal motivation weren't already firmly ingrained, Sid might have let his head be turned so far by getting what he wanted after so much time that he let his game slip.

Geno probably wouldn't have let that happen, though. He takes hockey more seriously than Sid does, even, and for as much time as they spent sneaking around to be together, Sid thinks they probably doubled that in extra ice time after practice, practicing one-timers and head-fakes and set plays to try out on the man advantage.

Sid's dad was always there too, is the thing. Sid lives at home still, his mom won't let him buy his own place until he signs his first real contract and isn't blowing an entire season's worth of income on a house, and Sid very quickly ran out of reasons to get his dad to head home early and let Geno drive him back. It made the time with Geno he managed to steal all the better.

Sid, maybe stupidly, thought that once his rookie year was over, when his dad officially retired and wasn't on the team anymore, he'd have a little more separation from his parents at the rink.

His dad barely stayed retired two months before his mom practically pushed him out the door directly into the goalie development role the Penguins offered him, though, and Sid's sophomore season starts the same way his rookie year did—sitting in the passenger seat of his Dad's truck, glaring out the window on the way to practice.

He must be making quite a face, because Geno's already there and half-changed into his gear when Sid walks into the locker room, and when he sees Sid's expression he does that thing with his jaw where he's trying not to laugh out loud.

Sid only scowls harder. Even Geno in his hockey pants and nothing else isn't enough to cheer him up.

It ends up turning out okay, though. Sid's mom stops asking so many questions about where he's going at night when his dad isn't around to give her the exact run-down of official team activities. Sid isn't sharing a hotel room on roadies anymore, so if he sneaks out after curfew and tiptoes down the hall to Geno's room, there's nobody to tattle, and no chance that he'll run into his dad out looking for the ice machine. And his dad gets so wrapped up in working with the goalies that they never finish practice at the same time, so if Sid makes some vague excuse about reviewing tape with the power play unit and he'll catch a ride, his dad waves him off without protest.

His schedule opens up, just like that. And Geno's more than happy to fill his time, tumbling Sid into bed and blowing his mind at every available opportunity. Their first California road trip, the one with built-in off-days for recreation, had been a revelation—after figuring out that yes, Geno really can eat someone out until they cry, Sid spent their beach day so distracted he was forced out of the volleyball game for bringing his team down.

There's a contract waiting for him on July 1, Sid knows. Pat hasn't sent him the details yet, but Sid knows it's good, something that will set him up for life pretty much, with signing bonuses to protect his earnings in case of another lockout and full trade protection as soon as he's eligible.

He's already talked to the realtor most of the guys use. She'd offered a few options in Cranberry, close to the practice facilities and where he grew up, but Sid told her he wants to get a little distance from his folks, somewhere he can set up his own house and not have his mom tempted to walk down the block and redecorate every other week.

And if the neighborhood he told her to focus on is Geno's, well, Sid's favorite breakfast place is there too, and he's always liked older parts of the city, with big trees and historic homes.

The fact that he could be within a ten-minute drive of Geno's house is just an extra perk.

[marchsfreakshow]

Yeah, hi! See your soul mate au prompts, and if you're taking requests, how does Peter Maximoff with 18 sound? That feels like the kinda thing that'd fit with him lol ("God, why is Madonna stuck in my brain?! I didn’t ask for a private concert!" or smth like that).

Love your work, btw :3

Ugh, a love song?

Fluff!

Anon ur soso smart! I went with a song u can hear in Fallout. Cause, I've been obsessed with fallout recently!

Peter was the type of person to listen to anything. Anything in the world. But god, these Western songs were really ragging on him!

Marty Robbins, Eddy Arnold, Tony Marcus.. etc.!

First it was, Big Iron. No big deal. He liked that song. It was funny, and something he could just have a little dance to when he felt like he needed to expel energy. The earworm went on for a week or so.

Then it was Lone Star. Wow... possibly the most western song he'd ever heard. Why on earth were these random, 50s western songs suddenly getting stuck in his head? He'd never heard them before these weeks. ...He wasn't even from Texas like the songs says!

Finally, a complete 180 from Western songs. Crazy He Calls Me. Billie Holiday. That one was nice. That one was sweet. Cute a bit. After a few days though, it was starting to get a bit old. I mean, he'd never even heard the song on the radio before! Where on earth was it coming from?

Ah, you. One of his best friends. Just the person to talk to about this. Peter walked (zipped) his way over to you, standing behind your shoulder for a second. You were just organising your drawers, muttering a song to yourself. "...sure I'm crazy...crazy in love, you see.."

Peter couldn't help himself to taunt you behind your shoulder. "Like the wind, that shakes the bough.."

And a little jump from you, making you turn in your spot. "Jesus christ Peter! I hate it when you sneak up on me." Placing your hand over your heart for a moment to exaggerate the truth. "...I didn't know you knew that song."

"I don't. Not that well. It's been stuck in my head for weeks! Like the singer came back to life and decided to be stuck in my actual brain like a genuine worm or something! Oh my god, it's absolutely ridiculous at this point." Peter rambled on and on, talking about Billie Holiday and how he'd never heard her before this.

"I've been listening and humming like, a lot of 50s songs. Love songs and Westen songs. They're kinda cute."

Peter took a second. Woah. Hold on! Did you say you've been listening to songs from the 50s?? "Woah. Gotta say, I've been stuck with those songs in my head for like... forever."

"wait really?"

"yeah. Weird right?"

"totally weird."

You were both naive, and that seemed to be fine with the two of you.

[palenutbasement]

(all scenes are depicted as platonic)

So every Inktober I try to do something more challenging, and this year I thought I would make a short comic/fanfic. I think I got the idea for this one a year ago but I was already wrapped up with another Inktober. Eventually I solidified the idea by making my own prompt list some time ago.

This comic is split into three parts with 10 days focusing on each of them, 30 in total, everything is compiled here. I wanted to post them after October in case I wanted to change anything.

This first part takes place in the summit.

The comic is basically all improvised, that means no planning for the composition, plot, or sketching any drawings. The most planning I did was write a few scripts ahead of time within the month to save me some time but most of them would be changed last minute anyways.

As for the plot, I won't go too deep into it because I don't want to talk too much, so you'll just find commentary on the making of the comic and stuff.

This first part is a little gimmick-y compared to the next two, with new elements appearing almost every day. It’s because I relied a lot on the prompts (dog, milk, etc.) to keep things happening, eventually I move further away from them.

What is surprising to me is how much the art changes as the days go by especially within the span of one month. I did refine a few things to keep it more consistent but this is nearly indistinguishable from the original drawings.

I should also mention that my favourite aspect of this project was adding references to the game and subtle details (if you can find it all, awesome!!) This may have been done quickly but I like to have those things and put at least a bit of effort into the dialogue.

Part 2

Eventually I figured that drawing the same setting for 30 days straight would drive me insane, hence why this comic is split like it is. I’m glad I did because it makes the story a little more interesting, seeing the characters have different attitudes in different places and whatnot.

This one takes place in the cave directly after pt 1. Admittedly I do better drawing outdoor settings, it's what I'm used to, but the cave wasn't so bad to figure out.

I remember these two days I was streaming drawing the comic to my friends, so I kinda zoned out while we were talking lol

One of the prompts was about napping, so I made Dwarf sleep. I believe I was tired that day too and it was therapeutic to draw and include that. Also they look cute, I think.

18 & 19 have some of my favourite drawings in the comic. The campfire lighting is what we'd get if I had a bit more energy each day, and I like the perspective in the first panel of 19.

I find this last section interesting, because of all the 30 days, it’s the only one in Dwarf’s POV. I felt like it was fitting to do something like that at the time.

Part 3

Since we were approaching Halloween, I wanted to have a special part for it. It’s related to the other two parts but it takes place some time after. I’m really sorry it’s out of season, if it were up to me I would have had this post out earlier (thank my midterms for the delay)

Out of all the other parts this one is my favourite. Maybe because it’s more recent I’m inclined to think that way but it has some of my fave moments that I've written here.

Other than that I don't have much commentary for this part. More thoughts at the end!

I was caught up everyday atp, but I didn’t have much spare time to prepare for the ending (I wrote it the morning of that day). I think this is a decent conclusion though.

I intend on coming back to this story, maybe next year to make a continuation but we'll see what happens. There are definitely things that I want to come back to someday.

Thank you for making it this far btw. It's been an eventful month for me beyond this (Untitled) comic, but there wasn't a single aspect of this that I didn't enjoy doing. It's a silly project and I care about it.

Also, I'm not going to neglect the 31st of October! That day will get an illustration, where I will pick my favourite panel and redraw it. I want to take my time with this one so it's not out yet, but hopefully I can finish by Christmas.

[simonesleftarm]

TCM Ship Week :) @maskemasker

Day 1 Prompt: Clothes Swap

Ship: Lefty Enright and Drayton Sawyer

Shitty Moodboard I made LOL⬆️

Notes: Hey this is my first time participating in an event so I’m kinda excited! Btw, this takes place in the 50s, Drayton and Lefty are younger and recently married, the younger Sawyer boys are kids. Yes gay marriage is legal in the 50s because I fucking said so

"Boys, calm down!"

Drayton managed to catch both of the boys with his two, outstretched arms. He lifted them up to his chest, still squirming and giggling like piranhas. The boys getting older meant they weighted much heavier by the day.

"Aww, Dray. Let the boys play around." Lefty reached his arms over and took the huge load off his husband's arms.

Drayton rolled his eyes, one thing his husband will always be is his younger brothers' protectors, he said that in their vows.

"Y-Yeah!" Nubs yelled. "Uncle Lefty said so!"

The two adults laughed at that, Lefty getting slightly shy at the name. Drayton then reached over and picked up his youngest brother from the bed.

"See, Lefty. This one's more calm."

"He's asleep half the time!"

"Oh shut up!"

Lefty finally put the twins down on the floor, Drayton coming closer and handing Bubba to Bobby.

"You come to my brothers' defensive more then you come to mine, old man." Drayton teased.

"Well, nobody attacks you like how you attack them! Uncle Lefty needs to come to the rescue."

Drayton gave him a gentle slap across the face, causing him and his brothers to start laughing. Lefty wasn't so happy at being laughed at(he was very happy to play along actually) so he went down and picked up his husband, wrapping his arms around the back of his knees and lifting him over his shoulder.

If there was anything that made Drayton blush a dark red, was his husband showing him how strong he is.

This time, the boys and Lefty began laughing even harder. Drayton blushed more with embarrassment as he looked over as his husband.

"Oh put me down, ya' lard cake!"

The boys clearly thought that name was hilarious, watching as Lefty put their older brother back down on the floor. Once on the ground, Drayton got annoyed by how his brothers and Lefty kept laughing at him, so he wrapped his arms around his neck and gave him a deep kiss.

That shut Lefty up real quick as he sunk into the kiss. And also shut up the boys, as they began "gagging" and making fake throwing up noises.

"Gross!"

The adults turned around and began laughing once again. Drayton then leaned down and ushered the boys out of their room.

"Now leave me and Uncle Lefty alone, we have grown-up business to do. And clean yer' room!"

"Don't keep kissing!" Bobby yelled as they walked out of the room. Bubba waving his little hand at them, head still on Bobby’s shoulder.

"No kissing! I swear!"

Once the boys left, and the door was closed behind them, he immediately disregarded his words by giving him another deep kiss.

"Kinda mean to lie to your brothers, ain't it Drayton?" He whispered in between kisses.

"Oh be quiet."

After giving him some more smooches, Drayton pulled away, still keeping his body intertwined with his.

"Do you have to leave?"

Lefty sighed, his trip coming back into his mind.

"It's only for a week, darling. You know how the cops are around here. I'll make sure they don't get near our family, I promise."

Drayton rested his chin on his chest, looking up, then smiling. "Our family. I like that."

Lefty sighed happily once his husband gave him another kiss. They stayed put for a couple seconds, before Drayton gently pulled and placed his head on his neck.

"I just wish I could cut somethin' off ya' to keep me warm at night."

Lefty chuckled, sniffing his shampoo in his neck. He felt Drayton grip his shirt, so tight that he began worrying if his long nails will poke through it, like he had done multiple times. And then he got an idea.

"What if we switch clothes?" He asked, pulling away to face him.

“Why?”

“So I can take one of her’ outfits and you can keep one of mine. Makes me feel close to ya’.”

Drayton raised his eyebrow. "Won't mine be tight on you? And yers' big on me?"

"You ain't that small, darling. You've been putting on some weight since our wedding."

"You asshole!"

"Oh I'm kidding." He giggled again, then pecked at his lips as a sorry.

Drayton tried to remain stern, but he couldn't help the tickles on his lips.

"Oh okay, give me yer' clothes."

Lefty got excited, he let go, walking to his dresser and picking out an outfit for his husband. He dug through the clothes, taking a minute or two before he finally found something that will look good on him. It was simple enough, plaid shirt and some old pants. He picked out one of his nice belts for him, as well as a nice hat.

Turning around, he saw Drayton had walked to his side of the bed to his dresser in those two minutes, and had picked out some of his own clothes for him. One of Lefty's favorite long sleeve shirts and work pants. And an apron. 

"I like that shirt." Lefty said.

Drayton turned around and looked at the clothes Lefty had in his arms. "I like that belt."

He giggled excitedly as Drayton walked over to his side, even more when he handed him his outfit. Drayton looked over at the clothes in his hands.  Lefty looked down at his clothes and picked up his apron. 

"I gave ya' this one." Lefty realized.

"That's why I like it so much."

Lefty still got a little shy when Drayton undressed in front of him. But Drayton got used to it the first year they started dating. He guesses he can't keep getting his cheeks flushed every time, they're married now.

But he got even redder once Drayton had the clothes on. He looked very handsome if Lefty said so himself. He had rolled the shirt sleeves up, landing just a little over his wrists. He was tightening the belt as far as he could, the cowboy hat on his head and close to falling off.

He began to laugh.

Drayton raised his head to look. "What?"

Lefty got red again once he realized he was still shirtless. He quickly grabbed the shirt Drayton gave him and began to put his hands through it.

"You look cute."

Drayton gave a shy grin as he watched Lefty button up the shirt. "You look cute too."

"Thank you darling."

Drayton straighted his back, looking on as he put the apron over his head. He pulled the strings back and tried to tie a knot, but given how he had no idea how to tie one even if he was looking, he looked at his husband for help.

He didn't have to ask, Drayton knew. He chuckled and turned him around, tying the knot in a matter of seconds.

"You're fucking hilarious." He said in between his laughs.

After he was done, Lefty turned around and lifted his arms and leg up to model himself.

"How do I look?"

"Very handsome." Drayton's cheeks were reddening, he really did look handsome. "What about me?"

"Handsome as well."

He reached his hands down and gripped his waist, looking happily at that nice belt.

"I'm gonna miss you."

Lefty looked up at the sudden sentence.

"Seriously, your cologne seeps into everything."

Lefty giggled at that, but he felt a bit shy once he remembered Drayton's previous sentence.

"I'll miss ya' too. But yer' clothes will keep me with ya'."

Drayton smiled gently at the compliment. It felt like a second hug from Lefty, by wearing his bigger clothes and his nice hat.

"Just don't be gone for too long, I might actually have to cut off a piece of ya'!"

They both laughed, and shared yet another hug, smelling themselves on each other.

[givemea-dam-break]

hi honey! can you do a anthony lockwood x reader, with #49 from the prompt list? maybe reader is close friends with kipps and anthony gets jealous so he hangs out with another girl to make reader jealous, and it works, so kipps threatens lockwood?

i love your work btw 🫶

a/n: of course!! thank you for requesting, and i’m so glad you like my stuff, thank you for your support <3 I'm assuming you mean my angst prompt list as that's the only one with a prompt that makes sense lol. i hope you enjoy! also (for anyone) let me know if you want to be added to my tag list for any lockwood and co fics <3

warnings: mild language, angst prompt: "Are they really just a friend?" gn reader

tag list -> @pansexualwitchwhoneedstherapy

Lockwood has been avoiding you, and you're not sure why.

It started a few weeks ago.

Usually, the two of you would spend mornings together in the kitchen, talking over steaming cups of tea as you waited for Lucy and George to get up. Your afternoons could go any which way - relaxing in the house, taking consultations with possible clients, running around London for god knows what. Evenings, well, they were your favourite. If you weren't on a case, either with the whole team or just paired with Lockwood, you'd sit in the library together, simply enjoying the other's company as you read one of the many novels in the house and he sifted through magazine after magazine.

Now, though, it's all changed. Lockwood is never in the kitchen when you're there on your own. He doesn't sit next to you during consultations, or invite you on his errands around the city. Worse, he isn't taking you along on cases with him, opting to take Lucy or George instead.

It shouldn't upset you the way it does, but it's not like you can help it. He's your closest friend. Your partner in crime. Without him, what are you?

Lucy has her theories but you're not overly convinced.

One of her theories sits in front of you currently, sipping a mug of coffee under the bright lights of the Costa you chose to hang out in today.

"Any interesting cases lately?" Kipps asks. "I can't imagine Tony would like to take any of the boring ones, but I suppose he'll have to take anything he can get, really."

You glare at him half-heartedly. "We take anything we can get, but that doesn't mean it's a bad thing. We help out the people who can't afford your fancy services. And, yes, I'll have you know we did have a particularly strange one, recently."

One of his eyebrows quirks up. It looks like a bushy caterpillar. "Go on."

"This murdered woman, right, who had been wanting revenge for her death. Turns out, the house was being occupied by some descendant of her murderer. He got ghost-touched, ended up dying, and then his husband came to get our help. You'll never guess what her source was."

Kipps thinks for a moment. "Her favourite necklace, stuffed under the floorboards somewhere."

You cross your arms in an X shape and make a 'wrong answer' buzzer sound. "It was her old record player that had gotten passed on from owner to owner. Apparently, the record on it had been on it for so long that it had melted onto it. The song had been playing while she died."

"That's awfully grim." Kipss takes another sip of his coffee, but he frowns as if it no longer tastes as nice. "And any improvement with Tony? Any conversations longer than five words?"

"No," you say miserably. You stir your spoon around in your tea, hating the way one guy has made your mood go from relatively okay to the opposite. "I don't know what I've done. I invited him to come to Arif's with me the other day, yeah? You know what he said? Lucy would love to go. And that was it! Lucy wasn't even home. The prick."

His gaze flickers to the door of the café. "You might want to keep your voice down."

"Why?"

When you turn, you realise why. In comes Lockwood, hair damp from the rain that pours down outside and jacket dripping, but still as radiant as ever. His face is almost glowing from the brightness of his smile as he laughs at something the girl beside him says.

Something in your chest squeezes horribly at the sight.

You turn back to look at Kipps, plastering on a smile as you swallow the burning feeling in your throat.

"He's coming over," he says, sipping his coffee - not - casually. He seemingly can't decide whether he should look at you or the person approaching. "Act normal."

As you sip your tea, which has gone a little cold after being left untouched during your conversation, Lockwood's shadow covers the table.

"(name)," he says, and you can hear the smile in his voice. "What a surprise to see you here."

You press your lips together. "Yes, well, I told you I was coming here today. What a coincidence."

When you look up at him, he's wearing that dazzling smile of his, and your breath catches. How long has been giving this other girl - the one who floats by his side - that very same smile? Has he smiled at her in that private way of his, where the corners of his lips twitch a little? Has he told her why he's got a scar on his forehead, and the stupid story of how he got it?

"Tony," Kipps says, giving him a curt nod. "(name) and I just met up to catch up on things. It's been a little bit since we last saw each other."

It's almost unnoticeable, but a muscle twitches in his jaw. "Two weeks, if I'm right? That time when our cases were next door to each other." he pauses then, glancing at the girl beside him "Oh, sorry, how rude of me. (name), Kipps, this is my friend Talia. Talia, this is Kipps, supervisor for one of the Fittes teams, and this is (name), my employee."

Your teeth grind together. "Just an employee? Hmm, okay."

"Nice to meet you," Talia says, smiling.

She seems nice, and you want to like her, you really do, but you can't. Still, for her sake, you repeat the phrase politely.

"Well, we best go get a table," Lockwood says, "before they all fill up from the lunch rush. Let's go, Talia. See you soon, (name)."

Despite wanting to swear at him, you give him the best smile you can muster. When he's gone, you visibly deflate, glaring at your croissant.

"Don't look at the pastry that way," Kipps says. "It hasn't done anything to warrant that."

"Oh, shut up."

--

Back at 35 Portland Row, the house is quiet. As far as you know, George is at the Archives researching for the next case you have coming up in a day or two, and Lucy is out getting supplies from Satchel's along with general shopping. You half wish you had gone with her rather than going to see Kipps.

During the rest of your time alone, you get some cleaning done. You've been putting it off for a while, but the washing-up basket is so full of dirty clothes that there is a mound as tall as your hips beside it. At this point, it's unavoidable.

You're halfway through folding the first load of washing when the front door opens.

"Be careful!" you call from the bottom of the basement stairs, hoping whoever it is will hear you. "I mopped the floor, it's slippy!"

For a few minutes, no one comes down to see what you're up to but, finally, you hear footsteps on the stairs.

"I boiled the kettle not long ago, it should still be warm if you want a cup of tea."

"Thank you, but I just had some."

You freeze for a moment before continuing your folding. Without turning around, you ask, "How was your date with Talia? She seems nice."

Lockwood pulls his chair out from under his desk. The sound is screechy, to say the least. "It was good. She's an agent at Rotwell, you know?"

"Mm."

"How was yours with Kipps?"

The disgust in his voice is palpable, but it doesn't even begin to compare to yours.

"It wasn't a date. Kipps is just my friend."

You can feel the look he's giving you - the disbelief is thick in the air. "Is he really just a friend?"

"Well, Kipps is six years older than me and an adult so, yes, he is just a friend because it would be illegal otherwise." The shirt you're folding probably doesn't deserve the amount of aggression you're handling it with. "It also wasn't a date for the reason that Kipps is my cousin. Now that I think about it, that's illegal, too."

Silence. It makes you feel a little triumphant, to be honest. It isn't often Lockwood is stunned into silence. He's always got something to say.

"Kipps... is your cousin?"

"Yes, he is. My mum is his aunt. Do I need to explain how that works for you?"

"No. No, that's alright. I just didn't know."

You shrug. "Never asked. Not like we were always super close. We've only really started catching up since I joined you guys because I'm in London now and he's my only family here. Not that that sentiment seems to be appreciated."

"If I'd known, I would've -"

"You would've done what, Lockwood?"

Finally, you turn to look at him, practically throwing down the jumper you're folding. He's already watching you, that smile of his nowhere to be seen. If you didn't know any better, you'd think that's guilt in his eyes.

"Would you have stopped avoiding me? Because Lucy seems to think that started when I reconnected with Kipps. I don't - Even if he wasn't my cousin, it makes me ill thinking that you might've thought we had a thing. Ugh, I can't even say it without wanting to be sick. Is that what all of this avoiding-me business was about? Be honest."

His lack of an answer is enough. Usually so full of things to say, it's a shock seeing him this quiet. You wait for him to say something, anything, but nothing ever comes. He just sits there, staring, supposedly figuring out what he should say.

You turn away from him again, folding the last item of clothing. "Your pile is that one on the end. Second load of washing will be done in an hour. I'm going out."

"Going out? Where?"

"I don't see how that's any of your business. I am just an employee after all."

"I didn't mean it like that -"

"Well, that's how it sounded. Jealousy doesn't suit you, you know." You pluck a jumper from your pile, tugging it on. "I'll be back before dinner. George is in charge of food tonight."

"(name), you don't need to go out. Let me just explain a few things."

"I have a great idea! Why don't you explain those things to Talia? I'm sure she'd love to hear it."

--

"I think I was a bit harsh."

"Oh, I don't think you were harsh enough."

Snorting, you stare out at the park. The bench you're sitting on right now, accompanied once more by Kipps, is soaked from the rain, but your jacket is long enough to save your jeans from getting soaked. The rest of the park isn't in much better of a state; there are massive puddles lining the paths, and the trees are sagging from the weight of the rain.

You pull your hood further over your head. "Tell me why you wanted to sit out in a park while it's chucking it down? I would've much rather had to sit in the same room as Ned Shaw than be out in this. My hands are freezing."

"You're the bait."

"The bait? What for?"

"Ah, there he is. My plan worked perfectly."

"Kipps, what are you -?" Turning your gaze down the path to the right, you realise. "No, Kipps, you're not going to bother Lockwood. I can handle myself."

"He needs to get a grip. He acted like a ten-year-old by avoiding you instead of talking to you, and it upset you. This just gives me the perfect excuse I've needed to give him a bollocking."

As he stands, you make to grab his sleeve. "Kipps, no."

But he's already sauntering up to Lockwood. The two meet halfway, drenched in rain. Lockwood's cheeks are flushed from the chill, and, though Kipps is the one speaking to him, he's looking at you.

"Kipps, stop it," you grumble, hurrying over. "I don't need you to mother me. It'll make things worse."

"I for one would like to hear what he has to say," Lockwood says. The challenging tone he always takes on with Kipps really should've been there, but it isn't. It's more of a guilty statement than anything else.

"You're acting like a kid, Tony," Kipps says angrily. "Do it with anyone else, but not with (name), not when they don't deserve it. I've been warning them not to fall for your tricks, but they've been insistent. He's a good guy. He's just going through a lot at the moment. Bullshit. Buck up your shit, or get out of their life."

"Kipps," you hiss. "Just shut up."

"No, I won't shut up, because he's hurting you. I won't stand for that."

"Just stop it! I'll handle this myself. I don't need you to do it for me."

"We all know that you weren't interested in that girl," Kipps says, glaring at Lockwood. If looks could kill, he'd be dead five times over. "You did it to be petty because, what, you were jealous that (name) was spending their time with someone other than you? Grow up."

"Kipps -"

"I'm going to leave now." His voice has grown quieter, even sterner, taking on the tone of someone using his age as leverage. "You two are going to talk this out. But if I find out that you've hurt them again, Tony, we're going to have major problems."

For a moment, he doesn't move, but then he squeezes your shoulder and leaves. You watch his figure disappear out of the park, blurred by the rain, before turning back to Lockwood.

His hair is plastered to his forehead and he's breathing a little heavier than usual. "(name) -"

"Kipps basically said everything that needed to be said," you say, pursing your lips. "I might've done it a little more gently."

A little laugh parts his lips. "He's right, you know."

"Oh, yeah, I absolutely do know. And it makes you a prick."

"It does." He looks down at his feet, guilt clouding his eyes. "I just - I was upset, and I know that gives me no right to have done what I did, but I felt - I don't know. Pushed aside? So I avoided you because it hurt a little less not having to see you all the time and wonder if you were thinking of someone else. Now I know how entirely wrong I was."

You stuff your hands into your pockets, desperate for warmth. "I was worried I'd done something to make you hate me. Lucy had tried to tell me that my hanging out with Kipps was a possibility, but I just didn't think it seemed like a logical reason. That's why I started spending more time with him - you avoiding me made me feel alone, and, yeah, I've got Lucy and George, too, but it felt nice to have someone shake some sense into me."

"I'm sorry, (name). Truly. If I'd known, things would've gone so much differently. I was more than a prick."

"You were." You laugh softly, and the sound has Lockwood's eyes back on you. "Lockwood, you mean the world to me. I thought you realised that."

There it is: that little mischievous glimmer in his eyes. The corners of his lips twitch. "Well, since I obviously didn't, maybe you could show me?"

"Are you sure you don't want Talia to show you? She did seem lovely after all."

He rolls his eyes, taking a step closer. He's near enough that you can feel the warmth of his breath. "Are you jealous?"

"Well, I wasn't the original jealous one, but, yes, I suppose I am."

When his hand touches your arm, you can feel its heat even through your jacket. You wonder if he can feel your heartbeat. It's never gone so fast before.

"So, about showing me that I mean the world to you?"

"You are insufferable."

It doesn't stop you from pulling your hands from your pockets and pulling his lips to yours. He may be insufferable and frustrating, among other things, but you wouldn't have him any other way. So long as he's yours.

[nuttersinc]

Hi, it's Quill! For the Director's Cut game, I'd love to know more about the Christmas Wish Debacle fic and how you structured it around the prompts, or anything you'd like to share! ❤️

Hey! Whoa, this question will expose so much about my questionable plotting.

I swear, with this fic I only had one single thing plotted out: they are temporarily alive and I will try and put all the stupid tropes I can into this fic. The structure follows the weakly prompts, I knew they would kiss in the mistletoe chapter, but that was about it. I also wanted to write horny Edwin POV, because I've been writing so much Charles's POV recently.

Chapter 4 was really challenging, because I had no idea about the exchanging presents part. I wasn't looking forward to writing this, but seeing as it is the prompt I had to. Sometimes the challenging scenes turn out rewarding, phew!!! 😅

So, really, I just put in tropes I thought would be fun and ticked off boxes as I went. It was very self indulgent and kind of a nice change of pace to Twin Flame, which obviously is a very serious, very structured story that demands me to think a lot about everything I do.

Thank you!!

Chapter 5, the last one btw, should hopefully be coming this week.

[thenwethrowitonthefire]

hello [walks in here holding four balls] two of it is for 🟡🟢 hope it makes things a little better (p.s I write what I need the most on balls while I'm having them) it took me a while to write back because(writing doesn't come easy these days). I went and watched all the videos Ron was reading lyrics (I'm glad it was recorded b&w, it's more soothing to watch), through those videos he made me realize I don't need to own singer energy/voice to read my fav lyrics or song( by that i don't mean he doesn't have good voice, personally I love his voice) as a person who never finds their voice good I always shy away to sing anything feeling I embrace myself so it helped me a lot to focus on what I like there rather ponder on what I hate. I owe this Ron Mael, he is cool and has sensei vibe (thank you sir)

can I go further and say one more thing I learned from him? it was his birthday recently so I let myself a go. we all know how Ron has this aloof face and unshifting glare(I never met Ron in person, so I take this is his face), first time I heard about sparks and searched first thing that got me was his face, I didn't say 'why he is so serious? why he isn't smiling' instead my reaction was 'so cool!' before it changes to deep sadness because once I owned a face like this. when I was younger people always would tell me cheer up, to not look serious or glare at them. I didn't know what they meant, I wasn't unhappy or angry it was just my face(I didn't know I have autism then, later realized how some autistic people struggling to show emotions) but eventually their words got me. I thought I have to change it or I'm wrong then without I know I was smiling because that's what I supposed to or mimicking others facial expressions to know how to react. I became good at it tbh, people liked me more but I felt a big lie inside, when pandemic happened I noticed even away from others I couldn't have 'my face', this shattered me. till I saw photos of Ron, and thought if he can live his life fully and be successful by being who he is and everything turn fine then why can't I? there is no wrong in him or me. (insert not that well defined here :) (if this got personal, or irrelevant I apologize. I tried to not mention yet I wanted to share how they helped me in certain way)

Russell workout videos are such mood booster, it makes me feel when I get to that age I can still live good life, I won't be as old as society tells me I will be, by sparks measure we never are too old for anything, are we? there will be still time to live, to do things I love and have more. it always amazes me how they doing what they love when they almost 80 and there is still a lot for them to go(as it should). this reminded me of 'beat the clock' actually. no one should get PhD by afternoon.

I low-key know about sparkstember but not enough, would love to know more about it. maybe I take part as well. where will they share prompt? on their official page? (loved the music video. nice work)

THE RON ESSAY IS HERE AND I AM SO HERE FOR IT!! You get it. 💖 Woo! Two balls! Thank you!

(This will get long. Very long. A million tangents. I saw this ask before going to sleep last night and so I laid awake smiling thinking about Sparks to 3am. (Don't worry, it's a common occurrence among Sparks fans.) Btw you may find the "secret password" among Sparks fans is sensing another person gets it. It's a shortcut to immediate adoption into the family because we know we understand each other, we're wired in similar ways.)

I am thoroughly impressed you already watched all of the lyric reads! Ron *is* cool and has sensei vibes and his voice is amazing! *nods to all of that*! I can't sing for shit myself and Ron is critical of his singing voice as well (maybe because his brother is the best singer in the universe) but yeah I love it on the rare occasion he does sing. I love it when he speaks, he delivers his words very well. (My favourite word for Ron to say is "sensibility".) Every once in a while someone tries to compile a list of all the tracks Ron has vocals on (and then it gets lost again haha). Some honourable mentions though: he's got some backing vocals on Pineapple (they may be hard to notice), he sings on the songs Limo Driver and En Route To The Beverly Hills Hotel (from The Seduction Of Ingmar Bergman, he's done more vocals on it but those I love the utmost), there's a version of Suburban Homeboy that features a spoken word section by Ron (they performed the song live that way in 2022), The Shopping Mall Of Love is mostly all Ron (which they also performed live in 2022 and 2023), there's a song called "What Was That?" from the unreleased soundtrack for Mai The Psychic Girl (in the late 80's and early 90's they worked really hard for this to become a film but despite all their efforts, it didn't happen). What I think you'll *really* like as well though is the promotional video for Strange Animal, which keeps disappearing from the internet. (I guess I'm going to have to put it on Tumblr because a lot of people these days may not have seen it???)

Look at me go "blablablablabla" haha. Well, you asked for it, and Sparks fans have zero chill 😂 Anyway I'm mentioning all of these because I love that he's making you think differently about your own voice, so that's some more stuff that may be really nice :)

...Btw, don't think Russell minds if we can't sing well, he just loves it when we do. He will affectionately roast us for not reaching the notes though (performance of Equator in 2014 you will always be famous) but the only really disappointing thing would be if we *didn't* sing along. Proof:

(Quick note: great song critiquing American imperialism, while also being a metaphor for Something Else.) I love how Ron at some point is trying to talk, but you know, Russell exists, so... Good luck with that 😂

If you want to see the roasting though, start around 5:55 in the next video (though the whole thing is tremendously beautiful):

Before that time Russell keeps waiting for the audience to start singing and they just... Don't seem to want to start?? And then once he's outright said it out loud, "sing it from here!", and we start singing he soon realises why we didn't start earlier, poor man is *so* disappointed - you can see it in his entire body language, just deflated. (It must suck at times to have a voice no one can match 😅💕) But we keep at it in full force, and he's smiling that big smile of his again! Continuing to tell us off for not singing it right though, which had everyone in stitches 😂 I was at this show and it was the best! (There's more videos of it out there where you may be able to see his face better, this show was performed only a handful of times but to experience the roast from different viewpoints you want Equator from the Barbican show in London from 19 December 2014.)

Okay back to Ron (see, I got so sidetracked 😂). Everything you've said about facial expressions and the effect Ron's face has on you is so relatable. Ron being who he is gave me permission to also go back to being myself again. I've always felt that I was forced to be a certain way, and it meant I was never good enough because I'm just... Not like that. I don't want to smile if I don't mean it and at the same time if I don't smile it doesn't mean I'm not happy. Also I love that he found what he liked and just... Stuck with it. Suit, tie, moustache. And Ron went, okay that's me sorted for my entire life. It's just who he is. And it's so inspiring. It's like seeing him exist made me relax for the first time in my life. (Going to my first Sparks show was the first time in my life I ever felt at home. I'm not going on this tangent but I feel it's important to point out I learned about Sparks before I knew I was autistic and that kind of saved my life.) Back to the face thing though. The pandemic actually helped me to get my own face back. Wearing a mask all the time meant I didn't have to do all the expected facial emotions, no one was going to see them! So in putting on a mask, I dropped the autistic masking. It was a real struggle for me with my face when people expected me to take the mask of again because suddenly my face "existed" again to the outside world. It's been a struggle but I chose to try to let my face just be and my life is so much better now because of that. (It turns out that apart from my family, no one actually comments or minds my face. It's fine:)) (It's not that I never smile, it's just that when I do smile it's because it just happens and I really just feel happy. When I'm among the people who I feel really at ease with and happy around, it turns out I'm actually a lot like Russell and I'm smiling all the time!)

I love that Ron has this set in stone image, and that at the same time he can be "unexpected" - his love for air Jordan shoes, sports, snow globes, rap music, his shuffle, ...I Predict. Just because he's the Boss Accountant (badass term coined by @/archeolatry that I love SO MUCH) doesn't mean he's defined in only one dimension. (I mean we know that, he writes most of the songs and all these albums and songs are different and there's so much humour in it all. Also, see Not That Well Defined.) It's just nice as hell and so freeing.

And indeed we never are too old for anything! Russell is like the real life Peter Pan, and he's also sunshine personified - having a bad day? Not anymore, Russell exists! But anyway, back to what you said about never being too old for anything. Society is so set on telling us we need to have it all figured out at a certain age. Or that our live is over at a certain age. And it's just such a lie! (It Doesn't Have To Be That Way :)) When I was younger I felt so shitty all the time, everything about me seemed wrong and I know I'd never be what society deemed successful. What helped me so much is the constant reminder that at my age, Sparks hadn't even made so many of my favourite albums yet! Nothing is bound to age. And I have every intention to be a late bloomer, continuing to bloom throughout life. I think I'm going to be really happy when I'm 55. (Though I'm not going to be as fit as Russell is haha, it's like he eats batteries for breakfast. (He doesn't. He may have a lot of energy but also he works really hard to keep it that way and to keep his voice in shape, they don't want to perform their songs in a different key. He wants to reach the notes, and he does! I think his voice only has gotten better and better with the years, which is really not the case for any other band that's been around as long as they have.))

... It's just all so beautiful, isn't it? :) They both inspire me so much.

Which brings us to: Sparkstember :)

Sparkstember was created by our very own fellow fan @/newwaveworm (new-wave-worm on Instagram). (I'm not tagging people directly in this post because I don't want to be invasive, but they're all really nice people :)) The first Sparkstember was in 2021, and in 2022 it seemed to have caught on on a bigger scale. Sparks shared the prompts list and shared so much of everyone's stuff! They were loving it. Same in 2023. (If you've seen what Instagram and tumblr looked like on Ron's birthday - that's a preview of how it gets on there during Sparkstember, but then it goes on for the full month!) Sparks have at some point sent newwaveworm a parcel with gifts and signed stuff to say thank you for coming up with Sparkstember, it's really sweet. They've even spoken about Sparkstember in an interview last year! You can read it here. (Both of the art pieces Russell and Ron mentioned in the article were made by @/nedison, who's day was obviously made when they saw this - it was so cool!)

I don't know the prompts list yet for this year as so far they usually get posted close to the last week of August, but here's the one for 2022 and the one for 2023 to give you an idea. I'm personally assuming it'll be similar this year (I don't really know that for sure though!) so I've started working on the early albums.

Sparkstember to me is just a really lovely time and people interact with each other a lot, I've shared almost all the pieces people made in 2023 and 2022 on my Instagram page (pineapplefulfillseveryneed) and put them in highlights so if you want, you can see what Sparkstember is like. (Don't worry, I can't see who looks at my Instagram story highlights, so your anonymous cover won't be blown :)) Honestly, to me Sparkstember is near the same level of exciting as a Sparks tour or the release of new material. The entire fandom comes together to tell Sparks how much we love them and it's just a joy to feel so connected to everyone, see so much cool art and make new friends. In a lot of ways it truly feels similar to when there's a tour and people travel from all over the world just to see Sparks. (Sometimes art made by fans ends up in the fanclub newsletter later on as well so that's another exciting thing! I've never made it in though, and it would be a huge honour if at some point I did. So if you do end up making stuff, there's always a small chance that that may happen :))

Don't feel pressured to create something for every day if you partake though, any and all participation is super cool and super appreciated! Picking the days you like best is what I'd recommend because it's supposed to be fun and not stressful :) I consistently truly have a lot more time than most people (because I've been unable to function in society in a normal way) and it's still incredibly challenging to the point it almost makes me ill at times. (I don't sleep well at all for the entire month, both because I'm so excited and because I'm very audhd which means I suck at planning and end up not having anything ready for the next day so then I still have to come up with something. It takes up literally all my time and my brain can't catch a break 😅) ... You've had a little taste of what Sparks fans are like though, so yeah we're just a little bit mad like that because we love them so much. (Sparks is a little bit mad as well though, in 2008 they played 21 concerts over 21 days, playing a different full album every day. I didn't get to witness that but it's one of my favourite things they've ever done, there's quite a bit of footage of it on YouTube and they're some of my favourite concerts! I always think about that during Sparkstember, because who but Sparks and who but Sparks fans would do something like that.)

[the-badger-mole]

There's A Difference

I think I've said this before- in fact, I'm almost certain I've said this within the last few months- but the reason I can't let Aang's actions be dismissed by his age is because his worst traits are never addressed in canon. The reason why I personally find him very incel-ish is because the grown men who created him and project onto him strike me as incel-ish (and yes, I'm aware that at least one of them is/has been married. Incel is more of a frame of mind than an actual state of being). Aang could have had a growth arc, but instead Bryke chose to either ignore his flaws or make them out to be virtues. I'm judging Aang as a character, not a child. Because Aang is not an actual child. An actual child might have been confronted on the things Aang did. Aang is a character whose creators want fans to think is perfect, even when they themselves introduce the idea he might not be (Aang's being a terrible father is not that surprising to me, but even then Bryke had to scramble to tell us he wasn't actually that bad 🙄)

I am a lot less harsh with Zuko because he actually faced the consequences of his poor decisions. He worked to make amends not only for himself, but for his family. I empathize with his losses and his personal tragedies because the narrative actually cared about how those things affected him in just about every episode, unlike Aang, whose devastating losses are only touched on when they're convenient to that episode's plot. Otherwise, he is the picture of unbothered to the point that I question if he even knew most of the time that he was in a war (the answer, it would turn out in the penultimate episode, was no, apparently not). There's not much I can criticize Zuko on that wasn't already touched on within the show. Why would I judge Book 3 Zuko based on Book 1 Zuko (who btw, I still think was a much better rounded character than Aang in any of the series)?

When it comes to Katara and the misogyny inherent in how she was treated in her canon ship? Well, I can only point to canon and aks to be proven wrong. Katara had very little to do with the development of Kataang during the series, and that little was usually prompted by someone or something outside of her own thoughts and feelings bringing the idea up. Meanwhile, we know from the beginning that Aang likes Katara (well, he likes how she looks anyway). His feelings matter to the narrative: Katara's not so much. Then the disastrous comics where Katara's character from the show is completely stripped from her and she ends up being the cheerleader girlfriend of the Avatar. I know some of that is walked back in the more recent comics, but we already know how it ends for Katara and her kids. Also, the post LoK scramble to give Katara more agency honestly just makes me think that my original assessment of her relationship with Aang was spot on.

Zutara, in my opinion, would have been a great relationship for them both. They would've been just about perfect together, because as hot tempered as they can both be, they also both get really good at communicating with each other, which is something that Katara never really has with Aang. That's why it doesn't surprise me to find out how dysfunctional their family is. Katara and Zuko know how to work together as a team. In a relatively short time, they got comfortable opening up to each other. They are both passionate to the point that they can be really hot-headed, but they are both also extremely empathetic and compassionate. They are a couple that would've helped each other grow, and would have been so much more interesting than anything that happened with their actual canon relationships.

I get that there are people who would rather believe that Aang could outgrow his selfishness. That's totally valid, and has made for some great stories. However, I don't think saying the way he was written in canon has shades of incel is wrong. Especially by Book 3. I could see that guy growing up to be a viciously obnoxious narcissist. I bet those of us who know an "Aang" IRL can picture that, too.

[stuff-that-makes-me-happy]

Appreciating my fave artist for a sec, Foo Midori. They've gotten work for both Cardfight Vanguard and FEH, both of which I love.

BUT, I swear, they got snubbed on super hard on both of those titles. FEH's snubbing is much worse, obviously. Midori happened to drop a BANGER with Hot Springs Hinoka, and then for some reason, never got to do another unit. So, I have a soft spot for Hot Springs Hinoka in particular. I think she's super inventive and has a ton of personality in a lot of her arts. I think she creates a more mesmerizing level of coolness than some super ornate units despite the limitations of the prompt. That's just Foo Midori quality.

CFV gave Midori a ton more work, but I'm mad about the treatment of Lauris. Now, I really like Hinoka, but it's in no way proportional to how much I LOVE Lauris.

So, Lauris hit a bunch of axis at once for me. Bermuda Triangle is my fave clan, Harmony was by far my favorite mechanic due to it having interesting skill expression options without being obtuse, and the headliner was drawn by my fave artist!

Lauris was a huge deal, imo, just because Foo Midori hadn't really designed a unit that would just keep going before. Lots of little 1-offs. Lauris was a stride bearer which is a faction in CFV that got MASSIVE attention. You could expect these names to just keep pumping out new units. Lauris...didn't though.

Lauris didn't get much of any support throughout all of her time in existence. She did get 2 of her "expected" alts as a stride bearer, but some were just never released. Then she was demoted to no longer being the face of Harmony. It's a little sad. If it wasn't for my nostalgia for Lauris, I almost might not have wanted to see my fave artist get to design a major character that didn't take off...

She hasn't gotten anything new in almost a decade, but from what I can see D series is releasing new versions of the Stride Bearers. Hopefully down the line we get a brand new Lauris!

I had to step away from the TCG for some years due to losing all of my options for local events, but I found a store recently. So, maybe this time in a year or 2 I'll be able to represent again for this very personally nostagic character!

Here's some of Foo Midori's socials, btw: https://www.pixiv.net/en/users/635526 https://x.com/foomidori/media

[justagrin]

smth i shoved into a discord group specifically for people to talk about SA (tw for implied csa/rape/incest)

oooof one of my friends disclosed to me that (tw sa & incest) their dad SA'd them (at least once? idk if its a reoccuring thing i didnt ask any questions n they understandably clammed up n changed the subject n i said "hey if you ever need to talk about anything i have similar experiences" but oh boy is it lowkey triggering that stuff for me rn. idefk if my stuff counts as sa tho. like i know my dad sexualised me a lot like verbally as a kid and i remember being disgusted all the time and i remember being fucking terrified of him all the time even when he didn't seem to be doing anything. and i remember him often saying or doing stuff and i'd just think to meself "ok we're repressing that!" (unsurprisingly i don't remember what actually prompted that). i dont have any memories of him touching me but i have some of someone touching me and the way i react to certain sexual situations is sus as fuck, but honestly those could be two entirely different things but idk! idk. i just remember telling my mum that all the stuff he said made me uncomfy and predictably got told i was "overreacting" and that it was "normal" which turned into "he just doesn't know when something's inappropriate" and honestly thats the closest to closure i'm ever gonna get but whatever. anyway the dots aren't connected enough to me to outright say i relate and im sure as fuck not ready to actually talk about it to anyone irl but yeah. idk where i was going with this tbh. i have a notebook of stuff from my childhood related to that^ (from when i've remembered them, but most of the stuff in the book i can't remember unless i read it over again) and my friends who've seen it have reacted with pretty strong disgust but idk. my entire childhood was that & gaslighting myself into thinking i was overreacting (which btw!! lead to me getting SA'd and harassed so many fucking times as an adult!!!) so it was normal to me pfft and counsellors i've shown it to all refuse to give me a solid answer bc they don't wanna "risk giving me false memories") but agghhh. one thing i definitely remember is whenever i had discharge or my period in my teens i'd just. want to cry and shake and curl up and errrrrrrmmmmmmm thats not normal lol. something was definitely wrong there but idk if i'll ever fucking be able to figure out what that is.

ok yeah i dug the notebook out again and (same tw's as above, just kind of graphic and intense) yeah theres a bit in there about him crawling into my bes and i was freaked the fuck out so i just ran out of the room and when i told my mum i was told it was "normal". and theres a bit where i was 14 and drew art based on the song pantsu nugeru mon (lit: i can take off my panties) bc i was 14!! i wasn't THINKING anything secxual!! it was a song about growing up to me! so my dumb ass showed my dad bc i was proud of the art itself and he got really weird and intense and close and was like "what are you going to do when you take off your panties?" which. ew. gross. fuck off. oh and that one time i fell asleep on the sofa and i guess i had a sex dream or smth which i didnt think anything of until my dad randomly got intense and weird again and asked if i "had any interesting dreams" that night (which he never usually does ffs). oh and he fully called ma tease relatively recently actually, and said i should call my (now ex) boyfriend "daddy", has referred to himself as my "daddy" in THAT godawful tone and makes frequent BDSM jokes towards his sister which is just an example of the verbal shit i had to put up with and idk how anyone in the room when it happens can excuse it but to them i guess its one weird thing he said they can brush off bc they don't realise i had to hear it CONSTANTLY and deal with what he DID to and they didn't see the scary moments. i also remember reading a magazine article about incest/csa when i was like 11ish?? and idk WHAT it triggered but my absolute fear of my dad/older men in general kind of started after that and my mum always said it was reading the magazine that did it but bro i dont think one thing like that can elicit a decade or so of consistent fight or flight mode I think my body remembered stuff that I can't.

Jesus fucking christ thats the most concise way i've ever actually described that. idk if anyone can relate or anything. also honestly now that he's been relatively "good" for a few years now in terms of how he speaks to me i don't really get the fear response anymore. and i'm dependent on him for finances and medical stuff so its. whatever. i guess. i'm fucking terrified that if i ever have a daughter he'll pull the same shit (hence basically nuking my body with birth control lmao) and luckily my brother's kids are both boys so i don't believe he's a threat to them if he didnt treat my brothers the same way he did me ygm? but idk what i can actually do about it

[always-chasing-the-sun]

This is a mood.

Like....there is a very different feeling between reading something someone else has written and rereading something you wrote. The two experiences are in no way comparable.

I can't magically erase all the knowledge of my fic from my brain. There's no sense of discovery and anticipation for a first time read through and no nostalgia or awe or even second discoveries (at least for me) on a reread. Its just. "Oh look a typo". Or perchance "it's oh no a plot hole". Or maybe even, "that line doesn't make sense at all".

Of course then there's the ones who say why don't you just read for a different member? Pretend it's minseok.

I don't know about anybody else but I have a hard time inserting one persons's name in place of another, i can't even put my own in when a fic uses y/n. I literally read it as your name. Beyond that there's the fact that for anything other than short drabbles or scenarios....this isn't feasible. Its a (member) fic. Presumably the writer wrote with that member in mind. Meaning it's not gonna read like a minseok fic it's gonna read as minseok pretending to be (member).or in my case it's gonna read as (member) because I can't swap names out in my head like that. Its not that easy for some of us to pretend that way.

Moreover these 'well go write it' or 'just pretend' attitudes are frankly insulting. Speaking for myself, prior to late 2023 when I started emptying out my previous blog to separate it into 2 and start fresh, i was a relatively active creator for the fandom. Mostly moodboards with fics thrown in here and there as time allowed. I never created soley for minseok and I still don't though as time goes on I'm leaning more and more to doing just that. There doesn't seem to be reason to diversify when hardly anyone else is willing to do the same. And the lack of others willing to create or write for more than a few members is the root of the insult of these suggestions.

What it boils down to for me and this goes well beyond fanfiction, this includes fanart, edits, gifsets, fanvids, etc. is it feels like I am being excluded from the fandom for liking minseok. It feels like the fandom thinks creating for him isn't worth thier time, they don't extend the same courtesy i extend to them to share in the joy of thier bias without prompting.

Awhich leads me to say before anyone asks why I don't make a request. 1.) Who would I ask beyond one or two of my friends? And 2.) more importantly and let me capitalize the importance of this I AND OTHER MINSEOK BIASED SHOULDNT HAVE TO ASK OR BEG TO BE THOUGHT OF AND INCLUDED IN THE FANDOM.

We shouldnt have to wonder if the next exo group fanvid we see on Instagram or TikTok is going to bother to include minseok, or use more than a blurry photo of him in a compilation.(these are both things I've seen personally happen btw.) We shouldnt have to mourn while scrolling through the tags on Tumblr. We shouldnt have to beg for scraps while others enjoy a fuller meal.

In the past, my minseok creations rarely recieved any attention while other members creations did...some more than others...so even if there were other minseok stans out there....they weren't talking about him. Which is probably why I wasn't seeing much created for him in the first place and now....his tags are ghost towns except for the rare gifset or lockscreen. Mostly it's filled with the aggregator blogs. So it feels like no one else is creating for him either. (Yes I know that creation itself is on the decline, doesn't change the fact that the other members still have more recent stuff in thier tags than minseok does.) The few active blogs that have created for him in the past as well as the other members....haven't in ages and what's there is....usually a pittance compared to the rest of the members. And most of the fics currently available were written prior to the pandemic.

And i get that there are acceptable reasons and justifications for this disparity. But that doesn't change how it feels. That minseok and by extension the minseok biased, are afterthoughts in the fandom. It feels often that my choices are to continue creating for the void and never getting to fully engage in the fandom or start stanning a different member and never fully enjoying the fandom .

"But you could write your own Xiumin fic."

I don't want to to write it, I just want to read it. Is that too much to ask for? 😭

I need more Xiumin content. I think it'll help. Just in general, nothing specific

[prettyboybuckley]

putting their head on the other’s chest if it inspires ♥️✨

Love your writting very much btw♥️

hi anon! thank you for the prompt and the compliment 💕 this ended up getting away from me (and the prompt) a bit 😭

Eddie has always been a bit particular about his pillows, ever since he got back from Afghanistan.

He doesn't know if it's because he just wanted a decent pillow after his years in the army or if all the bed rest put his standards for a good pillow a little too high, but he's picky now.

Which is why he bought a whole stack of the same pillow when he finally found one he deemed perfect, all stuffed into the bottom of his wardrobe, just so he'll have enough pillows to last him decades.

Eddie keeps one in his locker at work, and it has gotten him some curious looks, but no one has said anything about it. They've all got their peculiarities, and the team is generally good at figuring out what they can and can't tease each other about.

So, yeah, Eddie has what you might call an emotional support pillow, and honestly, it might be the only thing he's let himself have just because he wants it.

Up until recently, at least. 

He wasn't even the one who made the first move, because there is a difference between going for something he wants and letting himself have something when it's offered.

Buck had offered, in a sense. Actually, Buck had kissed him in Eddie's kitchen, late at night, and Eddie decided that he was tired of not letting himself have the things he wants.

So they're together now, they go on dates and kiss and cuddle, and Eddie didn't remember that being in a relationship could feel this good. With Shannon, it started out as love but grew bitter long before they went their separate ways, even longer before she died. 

Eddie hasn't slept at the loft before, though. Not because he doesn't want to or Buck doesn't want him to, but because it's easier to go back to his place and there just hasn't been an opportunity yet. It wasn't planned they'd go back here today either, but they were already on the road and Buck's neighbor called that he needed the spare key Buck keeps for him, and that is how they ended up here.

Post-shift naps are a routine at this point, curling up under the covers together and sleeping for an hour or two. Eddie loves the quiet intimacy of it, and he doesn't think he ever sleeps as well as when he is with Buck. 

This time, though, it turns out to not be as easy. At first, he's curled up against Buck's back, an arm thrown over, but there is something off. When Buck eventually gets tired of his shifting, he manhandles Eddie until he's the little spoon, but that doesn't make it any better. 

"It's the pillows," Eddie sighs as he realizes why he just can't get comfortable, and he sits up.

Buck follows, arching an eyebrow at him. "Are you saying I have bad pillows?"

"No, I'm saying I just don't like them."

At this point, his boyfriend looks about as exasperated as sleepy, and he lies back down, pulling on Eddie's arm to take him with. He almost smashes his nose into Buck's muscled chest, but manages to avoid it narrowly. A strong arm wraps around his shoulders and he ends up half on top of Buck, head on his chest. 

Fingers find their way into his hair and usually that's more Buck's thing, having his hair played with, but Eddie finds that it's surprisingly relaxing. He's comfortable now, and for some reason his eyes start drooping fast. 

Seems like Eddie doesn't need his pillow after all. He's got a living one right here. 

from the "feeling another human's touch" prompt list

[devildom-drabbles]

Here's a request (not do feel obligated to do this at all if you don't want to :D)

Lucifer, Levi, Asmo, Satan react to:

MC (a smart student) getting an F on their test

And when they get questioned about it they say:

"... What are you going to do about it? Hang me up to the ceiling? Are you going to call me stupid, useless, idiot, scumbag, a disgrace to this family, an embarrassment? Are you going to punish me?"

And how ever they answer MC will continue

"Why or why not? I'm 'stupid' like Mammon now and now that I embarrassed and tainted diavolo's reputation, you will treat me the way you treat mammon because it's 'deserved' for my stupidity, right?"

"And then they turn away towards the door, "I hate you demon's who think it's ok to mentally/psychologically/emotionally abuse their brother. Their OWN brother! And yet can turn a blind eye for some human. Treat mammon better, the lot of you!!"

(I love you btw and would wanna platonic-ly marry you)

(Oh my, Anon. 😳  Let’s at least platonic-ly go out to dinner first.  Hehe, thank you for your sweet words.)  It was interesting to think about how these boys would react to MC getting angry at them about this. A bit of angst ahead, just to forewarn you all.  I hope I did this prompt justice.  Enjoy!

How would Lucifer, Leviathan, Asmodeus, and Satan react to MC criticizing how they treat Mammon?

As part of his weekly routine to assess his brothers’ and the human exchange student’s progress at RAD, Lucifer had just asked MC to come to his study to look at their most recent exam results.  He was relaxed since he expected to see only high marks from the academically skilled human, but that quickly changed when they handed him a paper with a failing grade written boldly at the top of it.  Considering this was a rarity, he wasn't upset, but he did want to know the reason behind it, his ever-stoic expression masking the twinge of worry he felt.  “Care to explain this?” he inquired.  Rather than an answer, he was met with MC’s sudden line of questioning, and his concern grew at the thought that something had happened to them recently to cause this unusual behavior.  He lowered his eyebrows as he calmly explained, “A punishment would only be necessary if you were neglecting your studies or chose not to put any effort in while taking the exam.  But I’ve seen what you’re capable of and all that you’ve accomplished since your arrival in the Devildom, so I have no reason to believe that this was intentional.”  The outburst that followed had shocked him even more than their low test score.  Was that really how MC viewed his relationship with Mammon?  After a moment of thought, he supposed that’s how it could be seen from an outsider’s perspective.

In truth, despite his frequent harsh words, he cared deeply for his younger brother who he could always rely on in serious situations and was competent in anything he set his mind to, and he’s felt this way since their days together in the Celestial Realm.  But Mammon was also a troublemaker who preferred to leap without thinking, take the easy way out of things, and would secretly sell others’ belongings just for a little extra cash, which, in Lucifer’s mind, made him deserving of the negative comments and punishments he received.  The intention wasn’t to abuse Mammon, but rather to make him aware of his detrimental choices and, ideally, deter him from repeating these kinds of actions.  But without saying any of this aloud before the human retreated from his study, how would MC ever know?  The Avatar of Pride rubbed his temple with a sigh, a new headache beginning to gnaw at him.  It’d be difficult, but he’d have to think of a way to explain this to MC, and if they were still upset with him afterward, then that was their decision.  Plus, there was still the matter of why they flunked their recent exam, so a conversation with them needed to happen sooner rather than later.  For now though, he needed to continue checking everyone else’s test scores, and lo and behold, it was Mammon’s turn.  The second-born was expecting a couple thousand lashing for his low grades shortly after being called to come to the study, but instead he just received a warning for a punishment if he were to perform poorly again next time.

Leviathan could feel his mouth gape open as he stared wide-eyed back at MC, the blue lights from his bedroom aquarium illuminating their agitated features.  All he could think about was how stupid he was for even mentioning the test score he accidentally saw sticking out of MC’s school bag, his words fumbling out in a panic to assure them that he wouldn’t treat them differently just because they failed an exam.  “Besides,” he added, “your score is still probably better than Mammon’s--”  His lips immediately sealed shut when the human resumed their argument, bringing up his treatment of Mammon as well.  Seriously, could he not say anything right today?!  Once he heard MC utter the words “I hate you” toward the end of their declaration, Levi wanted nothing more than to crawl into a hole and never return, not even having the willpower to beg them to wait before they shut his bedroom door behind them.  After a bit of self-loathing, a different type of anger began to boil within Levi.  ...Stupid Mammon.  Stupid Mammon!  It’s Mammon’s fault that MC was angry with him!  Why was MC--his best friend, his Henry--defending that scumbag anyway?!  It wasn’t fair!  Mammon didn’t deserve their kindness!  If that no-good, thieving, idiot of a brother of his would just--!!  

Levi paused when he heard a collection of things clatter to the floor, only then noticing that he had turned into his demon form and whacked some of his figurines down from a shelf with his tail.  He panicked as he examined their condition.  He was prepared to summon Lotan if he found even a single scratch on any of the rare collectibles, like this one of Ruri-chan that was released in a contest to celebrate the announcement of the anime’s second season and only ten of them were made--  He stopped himself completely as he recalled how this figurine wouldn’t even be in his possession if it weren’t for Mammon.  The crafty demon had somehow managed to locate one of the contest winners and win the figurine in a bet he made with them in order for Levi to have it.  As the otaku’s eyes scanned over his shelves of games, books, and collectibles, he realized that quite a handful of these items that he cherished were there thanks to Mammon.  He then thought about a variety of other things that Mammon had done for him in just the past one hundred years alone.  Despite their squabbles, Levi supposed the greedy demon wasn’t the worst brother ever, so he could try to treat him a little better.  But that didn’t mean that he forgave Mammon for all the money he still owed him and all of the belongings he sold behind his back!  ...Ugh, this was going to be hard, but the Lord of Shadow would do anything for his Henry, so he had to give it his best.  Time to remend his friendship with MC and be a bit nicer to Mammon!

Asmodeus had invited MC to his room for a spa night as a way to relieve his stress from the test-filled week at RAD.  The two of them were in the middle of taking off their face masks when Asmo was complaining about how he only just barely got a passing grade after all the studying he did for one of the exams, which prompted him to remark how MC likely passed with flying colors as usual.  His glowing smile faltered when he noticed how the human’s attitude changed while admitting that they had failed that exam.  He was about to reassure them when they started questioning what negative reactions he would have toward them as a result of their poor grade.  “MC, do you really think I would ever say or do such terrible things to you?” he asked with a frown.  “It breaks my heart to hear you even suggest that.”  The latter half of their comeback was enough to shatter his heart entirely--seeing them so upset was troubling enough to him, but the fact that he was part of the reason they were feeling this way made it even worse.  He called their name pleadingly, reaching a hand out as he took a few steps toward them, but his words fell on deaf ears as they left his room without looking back.

As he collapsed onto his bed, Asmo wondered if he and his brothers were really that cruel to Mammon.  He could agree that they weren’t nice to him all of the time, but their frustration with him was justifiable, right?  Like the other day, Mammon had wanted to “borrow” some of his clothing and ended up selling them on Devilcari!  Wasn’t it only fair that he called his greedy brother a “scumbag” among other similar terms and ratted him out to Lucifer so he’d be punished for such a heinous crime?  Honestly, Asmo couldn’t believe he had someone like that for a brother!  Has there ever been a time where Mammon didn’t think about money first?!  ...Oh, well, he wasn’t like that in the Celestial Realm.  Back then, Asmo recalled, Mammon was someone he could depend on, even stepping in to protect him on numerous occasions when he did something wrong.  And although the second-born would grumble about it, Mammon ultimately would help him with whatever he asked for.  Actually, he still does that.  Mammon will pick up the beauty products Asmo wants even though he’s out shopping for himself; Mammon has helped him record videos and take photos for his social media accounts; Mammon could get both of them into invite-only parties, and he really is a lot of fun to hang out with during them--  Okay, maybe he wasn’t such a bad brother after all.  In fact, if he wasn’t around, things just wouldn’t be quite as exciting.  Asmo blew air up at his long bangs in defeat.  He’d have to properly apologize to MC and Mammon for his behavior, but first he needed to freshen up so he looked his best.  In any case, when Mammon causes him grief in the future, Asmo will at least try to avoid using jeering words.

Satan had decided to join MC in the House of Lamentation’s library, taking a seat next to the human as they did their homework while he did some student council work on his laptop.  The peaceful atmosphere he so cherished came to an abrupt end the moment he asked MC if he could look at their Devildom Law test that they got back earlier--he knew that they always did well on the exams, and since he had gotten a few questions wrong on his test, he wanted to see if they had the correct answers.  An uncomfortable silence fell over the human as they held out the test toward him.  Satan immediately realized what the issue was upon seeing all the red x’s and scribbles written on the front page alone, but before he could offer to go over content together as a way to help them, MC was already guessing what his response would be.  His initial surprise from their remarks gradually shifted into a mix of confusion and annoyance the longer they went on.  “Excuse me?” he questioned them, aware that he’d lose his temper if he stayed quiet.  “Why are you comparing yourself to Mammon?  And worse than that, you seem to be assuming that I’d react the way that Lucifer does whenever we get in trouble.  I’m not him, and you’re not Mammon.  What exactly has brought this on, MC?”

The truth came out as the human gathered their items and moved to exit the library.  Wanting to confront the issue rather than letting it stew, Satan grabbed their arm before they could leave.  “Now hold on a minute,” he demanded.  “You do realize that demons aren’t exactly known for being kind, right?  Mammon can be quite ruthless when he wants to be, too.  He may treat you differently because he likes you, but that’s not how he is with everyone.”  He loosened his grip on MC’s arm.  “Look, you haven’t known Mammon for as long as my brothers and I have, but I know you’ve seen how he usually acts.  He’s always in an endless cycle of gambling away what little money he has and then stealing what he can--even from his own brothers--or using other underhanded means just to get more of it.  And because of that, he’s got debt collectors and witches alike trying to track him down on a daily basis, and even we get roped into fixing his messes or suffering the consequences of his actions, like when we were forced to work as bunny boys.  He also never learns from his mistakes and doesn’t care about schoolwork either.  That’s why he ends up on the receiving end of Lucifer’s punishments far more often than the rest of us.  When you lay out these facts, doesn’t it make sense why we’re constantly so frustrated with him?”  

MC’s unwavering glare made Satan sigh.  “Even so,” he continued, “I guess I can’t deny that my brothers and I can be rather harsh toward him most days.  It’s basically a habit for us to toss out an “idiot” or “scumbag” despite him not doing anything at the time.  But we don’t actually hate him, nor do we want to abuse him.  He’s Lucifer’s favorite little brother without a doubt; the twins love it when he coddles them, no matter what they may say otherwise; he’s one of the first demons Asmo likes to go to with gossip or for input on the latest fashion trends; Levi is usually excited whenever he wants to play video games with him, and he keeps lending Mammon money even though he’s rarely ever paid back; and as for myself...”  The Avatar of Wrath smiled bashfully.  “Well, I’m grateful for the times he’s helped me to calm down and avoid slipping into my demon form.  I’ve also lost track of how many times he’s gotten us things that we really wanted and would try to brush it off like he obtained them by ‘coincidence.’  Mammon...looks out for us in his own way.  He’s a strange sort of rock in this family that bounces back from whatever is thrown at him.  ...Maybe...that’s why we don’t feel bad when we ridicule him?”  Satan pondered for a moment.  “All right, I get it, MC.  We let ourselves go too far in our treatment toward him.  I’ll talk to the others about what you said, but I doubt we’re all going to magically change our behavior overnight, just like Mammon hasn’t changed in all these years.  So, give us some time, okay?”