#tidal writing

[mariecuttlefish]

...Like You Mean It [4k words, MariexShiver]

Hi there! It's been a while since I had a new fic to post, but I've had Mariver on my mind a lot lately, so I got the urge to write something with them. This started as a one-shot, but now that it's "done" I'm considering adding a couple more chapters; we'll see where it goes!

External links: [Google Docs], [AO3]

Warnings: None. Appropriate for all ages.

Description: Shiver has a crush on Marie, but she isn't sure how to make a good impression. Frye is there to offer advice (and a bit of teasing).

"Sooo... what's the problem here?"

Frye and Shiver sat together in the living room of their shared apartment. Frye, as she typically did, had taken up a comfortable position on her favorite bean bag, chin propped up in her hands. Shiver, on the other hand, had opted for the more unconventional approach of sprawling across the couch, face buried in her arms underneath a pile of pillows. Not what Frye would have chosen as a good way to sit, but she could respect the originality.

"The problem is I made a fool out of myself," Shiver groaned, her voice muffled by the layers of plush she'd chosen to hide herself with. "Again!" Her tentacles bubbled with frustration, blue ink simmering into shades of teal and hot pink before evaporating away as soon as it lifted off the surface.

"Aww, c'mon, Shiv." Frye leaned forward a bit, giving herself just enough reach to pat her bandmate's shoulder. "I'm sure it didn't go that bad. You're great! No way is anyone gonna have a bad time spending the day with someone like you."

Shiver grumbled out something that was either an unintelligible answer or a deliberate attempt not to answer at all; Frye had to admit, she was good at agonizing when she wanted to. Lifting herself up from the floor and sitting up straight, Frye moved to lean against the couch and crossed her arms. "Why don't you tell me exactly what happened? I bet it's not half as bad as you think it is."

"Ugh..." Shiver shifted slightly and turned her head to look at Frye, a pout clear on her face. Her frown only deepened as she saw the upbeat grin Frye offered in return, lips pulling downward into the same exaggerated grimace she wore so often during their live appearances -- an obvious tell that she was trying not to smile herself. "Okay, fine..."

—

Though the skies were clear and blue on the surface just a short trip upward, Alterna was enjoying a serene and scenic morning. Artificial sunrise cast the massive dome in hues of orange and pink, glinting off the false snow and frosted waters and replacing them with a glimmering sheet of sparkles far into the distance. All around, the cacophonic buzz of millennia-old machinery gradually coalesced into an ambient choir, accented by gentle music that drifted in from unseen speakers. The air was blustering cold -- it always was down here, even when the environmental simulation seemed to imply a warmer shift -- but Shiver hardly minded. She was the Cold-Blooded Bandit for a reason, after all; no amount of chill was going to put her off.

Of course, it didn't hurt anything that Boss Marie had brought along a spare coat to make sure Shiver didn't freeze to death during their scavenging expedition.

...Or that just standing next to the Boss was enough to make Shiver suddenly start heating up on her own.

"Thanks again for coming to help out," Marie said, though she didn't look up from the pile of gadgets she was sorting through. "Callie is off visiting family for the weekend, and the rest of the splatoon is working on clearing fuzzy goo from the surface, so I was worried it'd just be me down here today."

"I thought you said your grandpa was here too?"

"Oh, he is, but--" Marie glanced toward where her grandfather had fallen asleep in an old beach chair they'd left unfolded a short distance away. "...well, Gramps isn't really in a position to help out with this stuff, anyway."

Shiver stared at the shrunken elder for just a moment, then shook her head and dragged her attention away. It was still weird seeing someone that dehydrated alive and kicking. "Yeah, I guess that's fair. Hey-- how much do you think this would sell for?" she asked as she picked up something that looked like a handheld television. The sides surrounding the screen were adorned with a mish-mash of buttons and knobs, but the indecipherable human text made it hard to guess at what anything did.

Marie turned to look at her and raised an eyebrow. "Don't forget we're here to catalogue this stuff, not pawn it off back in Splatsville. A lot of it might be junk, but this place has some major historical value." Despite her somewhat stern tone, there was a hint of a smile on her lips. Shiver tried to ignore how cute her expression looked.

"There has to be some stuff we can sell, though. Right, Boss?" With some dismay Shiver returned the whatever-it-was to the nearest pile and casually made her way to stand behind Marie, watching over her shoulder as she took notes on a set of strange-looking figurines. "This place has to be the world's biggest treasure hoard, and we're the first to find it! It'd just be wrong to leave it all down here without cashing in."

Marie rolled her eyes and leaned back in her chair, a quiet giggle escaping her. The sound of her laughter took Shiver off guard, and almost on instinct she snapped her fan open to hide the tinges of red that painted her cheeks. "Look," Marie said, "Sheldon is still waiting to hear back from the researchers at his dad's museum. We need there to actually be some artifacts left for them to check out once they get here, but once they've had a chance to study the place, we can look at selling stuff off for charity like you want. How's that sound?"

"I-I guess that's fine," Shiver answered, keeping her face hidden. If Marie noticed her sudden change in demeanor, she didn't bother to comment on it. That was good; no way did Shiver want to admit that a smile and a laugh had been enough to fluster her. Even if that casual, lopsided grin the Boss always wore really made her want to lean in and--

"Where are the other two, by the way?" Marie's voice snapped Shiver back to the present, and it took her a moment to process that she meant Frye and Big Man.

"Oh, uh--" Shiver shook her head and tried to re-center herself. Of course Marie would ask where the others were; Deep Cut hardly even went shopping without each other. She snapped her fan shut to stall for just a moment; the natural pauses she could create with sudden fan gestures worked wonders for giving her room to think.

"They're both busy today too," she started. This was a lie. "Frye is working on teaching her eels a new routine--" Frye was probably lounging around their apartment watching reruns of soap operas. "--and Big Man took his little sister to Inkopolis to visit Wahoo World--" Big Man hadn't been to Wahoo World ever since learning he was too wide to fit in the roller coaster cars. "--sooo you just get my company today, Boss!"

The truth was that Shiver had asked her bandmates both to stay behind when she'd heard it would just be Marie showing up today. They were the only two who knew about the growing crush Shiver had been harboring in the weeks since the trio had encountered the New Squidbeak Splatoon, so they'd fortunately understood when she brought up wanting the chance to hang out with Marie alone. Granted, both of them had teased her relentlessly about it; but at the end of the day Shiver knew her lifelong friends were rooting for her.

Shiver's acting skills must have paid off, because Marie didn't seem to doubt her explanation at all. She just shrugged and picked up another strange object to examine, still wearing that adorable smile. "It's a busy day for everyone, I guess," she said. "Well, your company is always nice, so I'm not complaining."

—

"I mean-- ' Your company is always nice' ? What did she even mean by that?!"

Frye raised her eyebrows, smiling slyly. "Just spitballing here, but... it kinda sounds like she meant she likes spending time with you?"

"Well duh, I'm great. But-- agh!" Shiver rolled off of the couch, hitting the floor with a thump . " Just-- listen to the rest of the story, okay?" she said, lifting her arms toward the ceiling before letting them flop lazily back down to her sides.

"I'm all ears! You're the one who interrupted yourself." Frye reached out to boop Shiver's nose, then fell back laughing when Shiver mimicked biting at her finger . "Okay, okay-- go on, Shiv, I promise I'm listening."

"Good." Shiver narrowed her eyes to make herself look more intimidating. It didn't really work, given that she was still laying on the floor in her pajamas, but Frye refrained from commenting on that fact.

—

If Shiver had been blushing before, she must have been bright red now. Had the Boss actually just said that? What was the best way to respond to that?!

Once again her fan moved to cover her face, and she averted her gaze in an effort to play it off. Act cool, Shiver. Don't make it obvious. She managed to keep her external composure for the most part, but internally she could only scramble to think of a re ply that wouldn't be suspicious. After a moment, she settled on what felt the most natural:

"I mean, of course it is! I'm none other than the Shark Tamer of the Splatlands , after all. Who wouldn't want to spend an afternoon with me?"

No sooner had the words left her mouth than she wanted to smack herself for speaking them. Seriously? That was the best we could think of? High waters, she's going to think we're an idiot.

Surprisingly, though, Marie just laughed again. With a nonchalant wave of a gloved hand, she leaned down to pick up a large black case and popped it open to analyze the contents. "Well, mighty Shark Tamer , do you think you can help me tame this pile of 'treasure'? The stuff in here alone is enough to keep me busy all day. "

Shiver froze for a brief moment, processing the situation. She had chosen perhaps the least graceful way to answer a simple compliment , but Marie seemed to take it in stride without an issue -- and even more importantly, the way her voice smoothed out the words 'mighty Shark Tamer' set Shiver's hearts fluttering . This is no fair! How is the Boss this effortlessly cool?!

She didn't voice that thought, of course. Instead, she simply stammered out, "I-- uh, yeah! Of course!" and quickly set to work. Maybe it would have been wise to have Frye and Big Man come along after all, she thought; she was way out of her depth here, and without having them to bounce banter off of , there wasn't much choice except to try and talk to Marie without losing her cool . She could only hope she'd be able to make it through the day without embarrassing herself too badly…

Marie ended up leading the small talk for a while after that; Shiver was suddenly too nervous for her typical antics, focused instead on trying not to stick her proverbial fin in her mouth again. The upside to this was that it meant a lot of time spent just listening to Marie talk -- letting her go on about her day, her career, her thoughts on the other agents, her family life... but the downside was that, every time Marie stopped to ask "Is something wrong?" or "You there, Shiver?", Shiver had to rush to come up with some explanation for why she'd suddenly begun staring off into space that wasn't the completely honest answer of Sorry, I'm just thinking about sitting in your lap and falling asleep to the sound of your voice, because if she said that she would almost definitely never be invited to one-on-one hangouts with the Boss again.

And of course, despite her best efforts, Shiver couldn't help but toss in her own self-aggrandizing comments here and there. And of course , she felt almost immediately embarrassed by nearly everything she said. Despite this, though, Marie seemed to be amused by it all; she laughed or smiled at nearly everything Shiver said, even when Shiver felt beyond stupid for it.

What was going on? Was Marie laughing at her or with her or... both? Shiver was all about theatrics -- she had all the charisma in the world onstage and knew exactly how to work even the toughest crowds; so why was it so hard for her to figure out how to act in front of just one person? Why was she second-guessing everything she said despite getting nothing but positive feedback?

—

"Mind if I interrupt?" Frye interjected. Shiver narrowed her eyes and pouted at her again, but they both knew she didn't actually mind. "It sounds to me like Shivvy's afraid of acting natural."

"Wha--?!" Shiver sat up, her face twisting in confusion. "What do you mean by that?"

"You know," Frye said with a wave of her hand. "You're a performer, Shiv! You're so used to hyping yourself up all the time that you aren't sure how to be un cool." She leaned over to where Shiver's fan had been left sitting on the side table next to the couch, scooped the fan up, and gently bonked Shiver on the head with it before placing it in her hands. "You need to let yourself relax a bit."

Shiver blinked, drooping slightly. The energy in her ink had died down now, and her expression flattened as she fidgeted idly with the closed fan. "I don't get what you're saying. My whole problem is that I don't know how to act cool around the Boss, and you want me to try to be... less composed?"

"Yeah!" Frye grinned.

"...I'm not sure I follow."

Frye rolled her eyes. "Shiver, you know you're the coolest, most confident person I've ever met." And a whole lot of other things, too…

"Naturally," Shiver answered, hiding a grin behind her now-opened fan.

"And acting cool and scary and wild is great for when you're putting on a show..." Her head lolled toward Shiver, and she gestured outward to emphasize her point: "...but if you wanna bond with somebody one-on-one, you've gotta be your true self! The Boss might get a kick out of you acting all tough, but if you really want to impress her , she needs to know what the real Shiver is like!"

Shiver thought on that. After a moment, she turned her gaze to the side, slyly twirling her fan in tiny circles in front of her. "And who's to say the real Shiver isn't tough and cool and--"

"Shiv, I've known you since we were three ," Frye said flatly. "You sleep in shark-print boxers when it's too warm for pants . You have a collection of shark plushies big enough to hide Big Man underneath. You once cried when Master Meg a got sick for a week."

Shiver's pupils shrank. Before she'd been averting her gaze to preserve her cool airs; now she was doing it out of embarrassment. "Y... yeah, well, so what?"

"So you're a huge, sappy dork is what!" Frye grinned and reached up to tease Shiver's mantle. " And it's okay to let that side of you show! The Boss obviously already likes hanging out with you; just let your guard down and stop worrying so much about looking cool, and I bet she'll be head over heels before long!"

Shiver was silent, still avoiding eye contact. Frye knew how to answer that; sitting cross-legged and laying her hands in her lap, she slowly leaned to the side, plastering the goofiest smile she could manage onto her face as she inched into Shiver's field of view. Shiver glanced her way for a split second before looking away again, turning her head further to the side. Frye followed suit, scooting over to keep herself firmly within Shiver's peripheral. This turned into a short chase until, at last, Shiver ceded; with an exasperated sigh, she morphed into her swim form, at which point Frye reached out to scoop her out of the air.

"Fine, you win," Shiver grumbled, her tentacles wrapping around Frye's hand. "But I'm not sure how I'm even supposed to 'let my guard down'. It's easy around you and Big Man, but she's different! Just being around her makes me feel like... like I need to compete to prove that I can keep up with her. No matter what we're talking about, I can't help making it about myself!"

Frye cocked her head to the side, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. "That is a tricky question. You said she kept laughing at it, though, right?"

"Yeah. I'm worried she's laughing at me, because she kept acting like it was funny even when I just sounded dumb…"

"Maybe," Frye admitted, "but maybe that's actually a good sign! A lot of people will laugh at anything somebody says if they want to make a good impression. It's like... positive reinforcement or something. Who knows," she added with a coy look, “maybe the Boss has a crush on you?”

Shiver blushed at the idea, then blinked. "But you laugh at all my jokes, too?"

"Uh--!" Frye's eyes widened, and she cleared her throat. We can tackle that one later, she thought. "Uh, well, anyway, you didn't finish your story! How did the rest of it go?"

—

"Well," Marie began, clapping dust from her gloves as she rolled her neck, "I think that's a good day's work. What do you think, Shiver?"

"Oh, uh--" Shiver shrugged, setting down a strange, colorful cube mechanism she'd been messing with. "You're the boss here, Boss! I'm set to go home if you are!" She offered a grin that probably looked as awkward as it felt. The idea of going home and relaxing sounded nice after so much tedious work, but then she would have to say goodbye to Marie; as clumsy and off-kilter as she'd felt this entire time, she was still reluctant to end their time together.

Marie started to say something, then looked over at Shiver and paused, tilting her head. "Are you alright, actually? You seem... a little tense."

"I'm fine!" Shiver answered quickly -- maybe just a bit too quickly, because Marie looked concerned now. She tried to double down. "Just... kind of tired! I'm built for the rough-and-tumble life, after all, so all this standing around and counting things is pretty exhausting."

Marie didn't seem to buy it entirely, but at least she smiled at that, which meant she wasn't too worried (and also that Shiver got to see her smile again...). "Well, if you're sure. Maybe next time I'll set up some training dummies so you can practice your bandit skills."

Okay, Shiver thought to herself, we have an opportunity here. We need to think up something charming to say before she goes. Is it a bad idea to ask her on a date? Probably. Would it be weird if we asked her to walk us home? Her thoughts raced through her mind, searching out a good farewell line to help make up for how awkward she'd been all day.

Marie was right in front of her, checking over the things she'd written down today to make sure it was all in order. "Seriously, though, thanks again for showing up to help. This would have been a lot less fun if I didn't have you around," she said with a smile. Shiver felt her hearts skip a beat at that last part; briefly short-circuiting, she blurted out the first thing to come to mind.

"Saturday night!" Her hand shot up to cover her mouth near-instantly.

Marie blinked. "...huh? What about Saturday night?"

"Uhh--" Shiver stumbled on her words. "Saturday night is... I'm free to hang out again!" she clarified. "I mean-- to help you with this cataloguing stuff! But we can also just hang out and do other things, if you'd like to--" Things like stargazing, holding hands, watching documentaries about sharks…

Marie took a moment to process, then giggled. "Sure, hanging out sounds nice. I'll look forward to it."

"You'd better! 'Cause I don't just let anyone hang out with me, you know!" Please, stop talking, Shiver. Stop talking at literally any opportunity. Once again Marie laughed, and once again Shiver had no clue what that laughter even meant.

"I'll see you around, Shiver," Marie called over her shoulder as she turned to head toward the exit. "I hope you have a nice evening!"

Then, she was gone, leaving Shiver to digest the events of the afternoon. Shiver stared after her for a while after she'd left -- then sank slowly to the ground, hands covering her face. That was so embarrassing.

—

"Wait, wait, wait," Frye said. Shiver was still sitting in swim form in her arms, tentacles drumming idly against her wrist. "She said she wants to hang out with you this Saturday? So you got a date?"

"Wh--" Shiver sputtered. "It isn't a date, it's just hanging out! She even called it hanging out when she texted me on the way home!"

Frye raised her eyebrows. "She texted you on the way home?"

"Oh, she said she wanted to make sure I got home safe, and that she forgot to reply to my selfies--"

"You've been sending her selfies?! "

Shiver slid back into her upright form, rolling out of Frye's hold in the process and sitting up against the couch. "Well, yeah? Is that weird? At first I just wanted an opinion on an outfit, but then she was really nice and said I was pretty and stylish and..." Shiver started to blush. "...it kind of just became a routine thing?"

Frye stared at her, eyes wide in disbelief. Realization was beginning to set in. Is the Boss actually crushing on her too?!

"What? What are you staring at me like that for?" Shiver leaned away, looking just a little alarmed. "Did I say something?"

Laughing at all her jokes, complimenting her selfies, offering to hang out together... deep blue, she IS! Frye had to stop herself from blurting out her revelation; she still didn't know for sure, after all, and if Shiver hadn't made the same realization it would probably just stress her out for Frye to say it out loud.

Realizing she was ignoring Shiver's question, she shook her head and offered a quick cover. "Sorry, I just got distracted thinking about something!" She grinned, tilting her head and gently knocking on her own mantle. "I really think it's going to work out though, Shiv! Just remember my advice and try to loosen up, and you'll be golden!"

Shiver still seemed noticeably uncertain, but the reassurance made her smile. "Thanks, Frye. I'm glad I talked to you." The sound of a stomach rumbling suddenly interjected into the conversation, and Shiver leapt to her feet. "I just remembered I forgot to grab lunch before I went to Alterna -- talk to you later, Frye! I need to eat!"

With that, she was off, leaving Frye sat alone in the living room. Frye watched her go and then, returning to her favored bean bag chair, put her chin in her hand and began to think.

I need to talk to Big Man later.

[jellynotbees]

Ironically, of my three cotl au Lambs, Tidally Locked Au Lamb is the worst at swimming lmao.

…..anyway I’m thinking of very VERY late au Sirender (who at this point has established he is not going to eat them) helping them learn how to swim, reassuring them that he won’t let them drown, letting them hang onto him and get a feel for the water. The trust they put into him to not hurt them, as compared to at the beginning when they wouldn’t even go near the water’s edge. He ends up turning from their biggest fear in the water to their biggest comfort/support.

[littlelav107]

this is how the humanizations would write their names I think

Yes this was inspired by me seeing that aviancata's icdx writes in cursive

credits to everyone whose humanizations are here ofc! (idk if to tag) very pretty character designs from everyone

chat i will write more once i update myself more on the gdblr i swear

[samisnotlegend]

“Fuck!” Katsuki cursed. Izuku was right; they’d lost track of time.

Katsuki squeezed his legs together and braced his hand against his eyes. He could feel the ghost of Izuku’s hands all over his body, but the sensation was rapidly fading as reality set in. He’d been so close! Izuku had been, too, Katsuki was certain, and he cursed the missed opportunity.

God, what he wouldn’t give to be able to have his boyfriend under him again. Even just for a few more minutes. 

-

This is a direct and very smutty/switchy sequel to Tidal Hearts! It takes place between chapters 20 and 21. I hope you like it~

[complementaryhalves]

chapter 2 of part 3 is live!

[short-wooloo]

Since ships (and by extension large spaceships in sci fi) are traditionally coded as female, technically any male Transformers character who turns into a boat or spaceship is trans

[gardenerian]

our hungers appeased, our heartbeats becoming slow 

vampire AU | 5.6k | E rating

Ian feels it break off inside his chest - whatever scenario he’d been expecting. The answer he was waiting to hear. It rises through his body and drifts away. Of all his theories, the undead wasn’t one of them. But maybe he should have known. He should have known that it would have to be something this fucking insane—something goddamn supernatural—to change Mickey towards him now.

written for @gallavichthings GW 2023. the prompt was "tags on popular gallavich fics," and i chose ian bottoms WHOOPS bc i have always found that tag hilarious. ian does indeed bottom in this fic, but that's just a wee part. as always, i appreciate gallavich week for lighting a fire under my ass to finish up projects that have been swirling in my brain for far too long. this one is for @tidalrace, who is the greatest of cheerleaders 🎉

read here on ao3

[story-weavr]

Quick Question for Transformers Fandom:

Why aren’t there more Megatron X Tidal Wave?

Not only is it canon in the Unicron trilogy, it has a lot of potential.

Can you imagine a giant Decepticon (who probably isn’t that way naturally!) who can’t speak well but has a bit a romantic streak?

A Decepticon who can’t convey his/her feelings to their leader (insert whatever reasons for falling in love/ joining decepticons) bc:

A) not his place -> hero worships their leader

B) not confident enough due to their body -> way too big and can’t even speak well _ Megatron deserved better

C) is petrified of earning Megatron’s disgust or disfavor -> most important thing to Tidal Wave is being useful to the embodiment of the Decepticon cause

(Being useful is the reason Tidal Wave has such a huge body_ a secret mobile Decepticon base for Seekers)

So imagine after the war, when Megatron is hell of a lot calmer after losing-dying multiple times

AND Tidal Wave can finally shed their large frame (and put back on if necessary) for a more lithe one so that he/she/they can interact more with Megatron.

And a while later, Magatron and Tidal Wave actually become Conjux.

[retrowebz]

I cannot stop thinking about it please help

[beingqueeragain]

ahh im posting the final chapter of my first ever fic tomorrow it feels v weird - but you can have this in the meantime :)

i'm barely finishing and already want to change everything but at the same time it's my baby idk. Anyways, hopefully finishing this lets me post / work on the million other WIPS I have <3

[dietmountaindewlover]

[tidalwhump]

Untitled Bloodbag Story - The Attempt

Previous , Masterlist

Taglist: @deluxewhump , @whumpycries , @mylifeisonthebookshelf , @whump-on-a-log , @pigeonwhumps , @annablogsposts , @d-cs , @melancholy-in-the-morning , @inkstainsonmyhands12 , @zillastar13

Warnings: Aftermath of consensual drugging, broken bones, attempted escape, mentions of previous abuse and potential future abuse.

Casper slept, his mind filled with drug haze dreams. Some were of his time at the vampire lair, some were of him flying or swimming, and some were of his old life, causing pangs of pain to expand in his chest.

He was surrounded by water, he was floating, down, down, but he could still breathe. He took a deep breath, the water smelt like salt and got darker as he sank. Casper started to swim up towards the surface, the light filtering through getting brighter as he approached. Instead of breaking the surface, he hit a clear wall, the surface of the water blocking him out. He slammed against it, but it was no use, he was stuck. 

He looked around, and down, at the water. There was nothing but the deep blue sea around him, so deep he couldn’t see the bottom. He spun around, hands pressing against the top of his boundary, looking for anything, something. But alas, he was alone.

Then he saw something in the distance. He swam towards it as fast as he could and when he got there, he saw it was a door. A door to the outside, to above the water. It rippled like the waves, but he could touch it, it was solid. He tried the handle, but it was locked. Casper looked around frantically for a way out. He pounded against the door as hard as he could and screamed out for something, anything, to save him.

— — — — —

Casper wandered the flat like a ghost, feet dragging as he walked. He couldn’t tell what time it was, only that he had finally slept off the effects of the drug cocktail and was back to his normal, pain ridden self. Every part of his body hurt, every ache different from the next. Some were a dull ache, some were sharp pains, some were shooting. Some of the pains only hurt when he moved, some were constant, but all varied in degrees and kinds of hurt.

When he stopped his wandering, he found himself at the bottom of the staircase. He felt trapped, suffocated. Casper looked up to the door at the top of the stairs, and thought about his boredom. Before he’d even realised it, he was climbing the stairs to the top.

He tried the door handle, and to no surprise, it was locked from the outside. His mind flashed back to the unmistakable sound of a deadbolt sliding into place, and he sighed. Casper turned to walk back down the stairs, but he only got a few steps down before something in him snapped.

He ran back up to the top of the stairs and started to pound on the door with both arms, ignoring the pain that shot up his broken arm as he slammed it against the door.

“Let me out! Let me out you bastard!” He screamed.

Listening closely, there was no response, only a silence throughout the house. In a rage he kicked the door, then started pounding on it again.

“Let me out goddammit! You can’t keep me down here forever! Fuck!” He kicked the door again.

Frustrated, but unwilling to just give up and be a prisoner down here, he sat down on the stairs a few steps down from the door, leaving enough room so it could open, waiting for Zola to come down so he could try and make a break for it.

He wanted out.

— —

The deadbolt slid out of place and Casper perked up, crouching on the stairs, ready to pounce. As the door slowly started to open he got ready, and when it was open he ran for it, pushing past Zola and trying to squeeze out between him and the doorframe.

Zola turned as he approached and stuck his arm out, grabbing him around the waist, picking him up under one arm and starting to descend down the stairs, closing the door behind them. Casper started kicking and screaming, wiggling in the vampire’s grip that crushed his ribs and made it hard to breathe, trying to escape.

“Let me go!” He wheezed.

When they got down the stairs Zola walked up to the couch in the living area and grabbed Casper, throwing him down on the cushions, then he put his hands on his hips, looking down disapprovingly at the boy.

“What was that?” Zola asked.

“You can’t keep me here! You have to let me go!” Casper shouted in between pants.

“And you’ll do what? Go back out there?” He pointed. “To a world full of vampires who know your scent like the back of their hands?”

“You can’t just keep me prisoner here! You can’t just do this!”

Zola leaned in, voice stern. “They know your scent! One trip out and you’re done for! That’s it! Besides, aren’t you the one that was worried about what they’ll do to you once they find you?”

Casper swallowed, looking up at Zola.

“I’ll — I’ll leave! I’ll flee the city and never come back! Move to the Muskokas, stay in my family’s cottage! And — and, I’ll find a job, buy a house there someday!”

Zola shook his head. “You think you can get out of the city fast enough? One night, one night is all it takes, and you’re a dead man, and I can’t save you.”

Casper bit his lip, trying to think of something to say.

“Well, not a dead man,” Zola corrected, “but a heavily abused, barely alive bloodbag.”

“You don’t know that.” Casper said quietly.

“What was that?” Zola asked, putting his hand up to his ear and leaning closer.

“You don’t know that.” Casper said slightly louder, voice wavering.

Zola raised his eyebrows pointedly. “I do know that. And you know it too.”

Casper went silent. He couldn’t deny what Zola was saying, Casper knew firsthand what he was talking about. Casper also knew what the vampires told him they would do to him. He sighed.

“So what am I supposed to do? Just stay here forever?” Casper sat up, resting his head in his hands.

Zola sat on the couch beside him. “Not forever, but awhile. Who knows, maybe one day I can hide you away somewhere far, far away. Europe or something. But for now, while you heal and learn to trust me, you’re staying here.” Zola put a hand on Casper’s back.

Casper lifted his head and looked at Zola. “How can I learn to trust you when you’re keeping me locked in your basement? How can I heal when you broke my fucking arm?”

“It’s for your safety, trust me. And that — that was an accident.”

Casper scoffed. “An accident, sure. How can a creature that’s centuries old not know how to control their strength?”

Zola went silent.

Casper let out a big sigh. “Why are you keeping me down here anyways? What’s so dangerous about upstairs?”

“It’s to keep you safe, no one can know you’re here. If they knew, I don’t know that I’d be enough to stop a hoard of vampires breaking into my house. Besides, their leaders are very powerful, you know this.”

He nodded, he did know this. “What am I supposed to do down here?”

“Heal,” Zola said. “You need to heal.”

“Healing is not an activity.”

“I can bring you some books from my personal library, if you tell me what you’d like. What did you do for hobbies? Before…” Zola trailed off.

“Pottery, ceramics.”

“Really?”

Casper nodded.

“Okay, well I can go to town tomorrow to get some supplies. Until then,” he stood, “I’ll get you some books, I assume you read?”

The boy nodded again. “Yes, I do.”

Zola started towards the stairs. “I’ll grab some books, and bring down some food later.”

Casper stayed on the couch, and just before he reached the stairs he turned back towards Casper.

“Do you… feel better now? I know this isn’t ideal, but we’ll make it work.”

“I… think I just need to digest this for a bit, if ya know what I mean?”

“Yeah, yeah I do.”

[unbreakabledawn]

WIP Wednesday - Superbat edition: “Tidal Lock”

i survived ✨exam szn✨ and i'm excited to Sleep and Write (hopefully). “Tidal Lock” (tentative title) is a multi-chapter Superbat fic that sees Bruce and Clark in the start of their newly established romantic relationship. dating is hard enough on its own, not to mention the added difficulty of vigilantism, hero work, and all the other intricacies of Bruce Wayne’s and Clark Kent’s complex lives. these two lovesick idiots are very determined to make it work, though. it goes pretty well. maybe too well? due to to some unforeseen complications they have Kryptonian biology to thank for, Bruce and Clark have to deal with more than they bargained for.

i hope to to start posting soon, BUT i really think it would benefit from a second/third set of eyes first, so if this fic sounds interesting to you and you’d like to beta (no prior experience needed) or you’d like more info before deciding, please let me know! my DMs are open here or i can be reached on discord @ ziranos

(fic excerpt at 1k words, rated T for references to canon-typical violence)

Frankly, it had been the best first date of Bruce Wayne’s life, though he regrets the circumstances that had led up to it. Because if it hadn’t been for Clark’s near-death experience, they might not ever have made it to a first date. It was not the first time he had nearly died, or the second, or the third—Bruce has lost count at this point, but it is undoubtedly the closest he’d been in recent memory. Which is a little absurd when you consider that Clark had actually and literally died once, but they had been so young then, not as close, and too dumb. And Clark had come back, that was an important detail to remember. 

Bruce had probably been harsher than he should have been, swearing and yelling where he had leaned over Clark, both hands at the kryptonite knife in his chest. It was a serrated blade, and he knew for every second he hesitated the mineral was seeping into Clark’s body, killing his cells with painful intensity. The knife was wickedly sharp and cut through the gauntlet when he gripped the blade with one hand and the handle with the other, to pull it out as straight as possible. 

It had torn an agonized scream from Clark’s lungs, wet from the blood in his throat and mouth, when Bruce yanked the knife out in one swift and sure motion and tossed it as far away as he possibly could. He pressed against the hole in Clark’s chest to staunch the bleeding from the wound that was already trying to close—the only vaguely fortunate thing about that hellish day had been the weather and the merciless rays of the sun bearing down upon them in the middle of the ruined street in uptown Metropolis. But Clark still needed the kryptonite residue rinsed from his system and to be put in a sunbed as fast as possible.

Clark was coughing up blood, delirious from K-exposure and his unfamiliarity with pain, weakly trying to lift a hand to where Bruce’s hands pushed at his chest, smeared with both their blood. The biohazardous implications were lost on him because he had, for the briefest moment, thought that this was it, that this was the last time he’d see the life in Clark’s eyes and hear the breaths in his chest, as much as they struggled.

But Clark was as stubborn at living as he was at everything else. After he’d been cleared from the medbay, their argument had been as vicious as it was habitual, something about unnecessary risks and recklessness. Bruce had said a lot of things, none of which he could remember, because he had felt Clark’s blood grow dry and tacky on his ruined gloves and on the exposed skin of his fingers before he could wash it off, and he couldn’t hear his own voice over the memory of Clark’s panicked breathing and the gurgle of blood in his throat.

Later that night, he’d gone to Clark’s apartment to apologize. Instead, he’d yelled at him, kissed him, and asked him out (not necessarily in that order). Clark had inexplicably said yes and kissed him back. Bruce was a little fuzzy on the details. That might have been the kissing, or he might just have been losing his mind a little.

He never did apologize. Maybe he should. At the time he’d been blinded by the fear of almost having lost Clark, so struck by the realization that he could not actually go another fucking second without Clark knowing how Bruce felt about him, without having him. Because if Clark had died, he’d have died without knowing, and Bruce would have had to live the rest of his life with the crushing regret of everything that he now knew he could have with him.

And here’s Clark now, sneaking in through the window of Bruce’s office like some teenager past curfew, clad in creased red plaid and with his hair tousled by flight, arms full of—pie forms? He glides over to press a kiss to Bruce’s temple, followed by a waft of cinnamon and caramelized sugar. There’s the smell of baked apples and spices he recognizes as Martha Kent’s apple pie recipe.

“What is that?” Bruce says, trying not to be too obvious in staring at the exposed skin above Clark’s collar and the way the muscles of his throat flex when he pulls away and straightens.

“Dessert. It’s called pie. Hello to you, too.”

“Alfred’s cooking, you didn’t need to bring anything.”

“Yes, Alfred is cooking for a near dozen people, most of which are at peak physical condition. I asked him if I could bring anything, because I am a nice dinner guest. Well, I first asked if I could help cook, and he very politely told me to stay out of his kitchen.”

That does sound like Alfred, and Bruce’s alarm rapidly increases. “Since when do you and Alfred talk behind my back.”

“Hmm. How long have you and I known each other? I’ll go drop these off downstairs,” he says, a sunny smile on his face, before disappearing out the door.

What a worrying development. Bruce is not at all interested in learning about the combined capabilities of those two. He should go downstairs and intercept Clark, as soon as—

Bruce blinks down at his paperwork. He’s barely gotten through the first report, lost in thought as he’s been. Well, they’re papers, they’re not going anywhere.

Especially not when Clark reappears in the doorway, relaxed and casual in the way he’s obviously casing Bruce like a particularly enticing appetizer. He strolls over, keen gaze pinning Bruce to his chair.

“Dinner will be a while,” Clark says and spins Bruce’s chair around so he can lean over him with his hands on the armrests. “I have a few ideas on how to pass the time.”

“Do you, now,” Bruce says, appreciating the slow smile that spreads across Clark’s face, a smile that widens to full radiance once Clark hears what Bruce’s heart does at the sight. He leans in with a kiss that tastes sweet in a way that has nothing to do with Martha Kent’s pie, warm and soft against Bruce’s mouth.

“Lock the door and tell me about these ideas of yours,” Bruce murmurs.

[deepfriedtrout]

im gonna speedrun rayahski main story when im free so i can get to vila's event so i can find out whats going on with the samodiva guy and her and the whole thing with threatening her with windsong

[boffinhillem]

some quick deputy art

i forgot to put her bandaid on her nose mb

[yesyourstalker]

Mahi: so let me get this straight. He's not letting you go to the music festival?...... Are you serious? Warabie You're a grown man. Just tell him no..... It's not like he can stop you.............. Okay that's fair....... Yeah I mean..... okay I get where you're coming from. That is a valid fear...............no this is my last week and I'm done doing this shit for her.....

Cirrina: *humpf*

Mahi.......ugh........ I could never put Baja in this situation. This is a living hell.

Cirrina: *scoff*

Mahi: yeahhh..... I gotta head over to my train stop. I'll text You later. Bye............. Alright....I have to go to class.........have fun I guess

Cirrina: whatever.... I'll give you the passes like I promised

Mahi: sounds good to me...see ya

Cirrina: alright come on girls let's go

Friend: You think you can convince the other Tetra to walk to the train stop next time?

Friend 2: yeah he's cute and he's actually nice

Cirrina: *huff*

_______________________________________________

Neta: *sigh*......hmmm..........hiii.....

Ikkan:.hehe...hi...[kiss]

Neta:.....(Stretch)....... I need to get used to you being here. Usually you're not here around this time so when I see you I kind of get startled heh

Ikkan: well you better get used to it cuz I'm not going anywhere

Neta: you promise?

Ikkan: yes neta I promise................

Neta:.......................

Ikkan: what? What are you staring at?

Neta: you ... I like looking at you.... you're nice to look at. [Kiss]......

Ikkan: hmmm.......

Neta: what do you want to do today?

Ikkan: I don't know. we can work on our wedding invites we already picked up the design. You just need to send them out...... We still need to look for Tailor...... I know one that used to dress me for award shows...... Let me see if I can get her....to make us something nice. What color are you thinking?

Neta: what color are you thinking?

Ikkan:hmmmm would it be embarrassing to say that I was thinking of wearing your favorite color.... green

Neta:......ha.....no.....I was actually thinking of doing the same thing. I don't think I'll look nice in purple tho........

Ikkan: I think you'd look really nice....... maybe a dark eggplant or raisin would suit you.

Neta: I'd look like an eggplant

Ikkan: hehehe [peck] no you won't

Neta: why don't we make a day out of it..... Get some friends.....go to a tailor and just see what we like....

Ikkan: yeah.....i'd like that. Sounds like a nice plan....let me just send an email to Nel so we can plan this out. Do you know who's going to be your best man yet?

Neta: ehhhhhhh...no...... I don't have any close male friends........besides you......... Do you want to be my best man?

Ikkan: *heh*..... I'm sorry but ...no........Being serious that's something you need to do.

Neta: who's going to be your best man.... warabie?

Ikkan: Noji....... That makes sense right? Have my brother be my best man........ I don't have that many male friends either......

Neta: well shit. We're just friendless losers aren't we? Hehehehehe

Ikkan: pretty much hahahaha

Neta:.....*sigh* I'll come up with something................... hello? Yes this is her father...... Is there something wrong? Did something happen?................ Yes, she should be in school..... she's not?.....ok how often?......... On Friday?........3 weeks?!......a D?..........*sigh*.....ok......*huff*..... Thank you for calling me. I'll talk to her when she gets home.. alright............. thank you.

Ikkan: did something happen

Neta:*sigh*.........no..... yeah..........*ugh*...........hmmm..... It's my fault. Honestly this is my fault.

Ikkan: what's wrong?

Neta: looks like my little girl has skipped school every Friday for a whole month......... I try to be lenient and let things slide............*sigh*......

Ikkan: You can't be the fun parent all the time babe

Neta: I knowwww........ just

Ikkan: You can't just let her get away with that, especially when it's almost the end of the school year, this might affect our final grade. You can't let this slide...

Neta: I don't like punishing her. She always gets so sad when I do it.

Ikkan: Neta.

Neta: I know....

_______________________________________________

Warabie: dad please go home

Shimi: $3,000? You spent $3,000 on a crib? Who is she? Or he or they or whatever!! Tell me right now!!

Warabie: oh my Cod for the last time Dad I didn't get anyone pregnant! It was just a gift to a co-worker

Shimi: I DON'T BELIEVE YOU!

oshi: ink drop it's ok You don't need to be embarrassed about these things. Hey if you let us meet this person maybe we can help them

Shimi: no! I'm done helping and supporting your friends financially! We finally got that one out of our house!

Baja: huh?

Warabie: Dad that is not mahi You know what they look like.......

Shimi:......................... whatever ....... all your friends are starting to look the same anyway, who did you knock up?!

Warabie: for the last time I didn't get anyone pregnant! I'm not an idiot I use protection! Plus I'm not even in a relationship anymore.. and we didn't even do anything in that relationship.....Baja!

Baja: huh? what? I-what?............

Shimi: well?!

Baja:..........*sweating*.....................Uhhhh.........we never! We didn't!... I haven't...well...... I'm not.... I mean I am but.......... I I I I......................

Warabie:...........

Baja:....*Swallow*.......... I'm uh......... I'm actually a virgin....*clears throat*

Warabie:.................................................................see ................................... And he's the last person I dated........so there!

Shimi: ............................ok............... So what was the crib for?

Warabie: I just told you I bought it for a co-worker. She's pregnant! I just did it to be nice, dad!! Is that so wrong!!??

Shimi: It's wrong when you spend $3,000!! Show me this woman now!

Warabie: *sigh*........

_______________________________________________

Candi: so how many schools accepted you?

Fugue: all of them so far! I even have one offering me a full ride scholarship! But it isn't my dream school.... I'm still waiting for Brackish to contact me

Candi: well keep your options open sweetie. You have a lot of opportunities

Vinny: yeah I never went to college. I went to trade school. . You can learn a lot. Carpentry, electricity, and plumbing. I went there for welding. They need a lot of welders

Shimi: which one of you is Candi! Is it you?

Candi: can I help you with something.......are you Shimi Octavius?!.. Oh my cod my mom loves you we've seen all you movies!

Shimi: oh hehe...thank you I'm very flattered. Did my son get you pregnant?

Warabie: DAD! OH MY COD!

Candi: Ha! Him?!....hahahahahahaaaaa...... I'm sorry that was a little mean..hehe ...no ....no .... No, I'm married.... it belongs to him..... I do appreciate the crib he bought me though

Shimi: hmmm.... alright.........

Warabie: Great! we can go home

Oshi: oh You're glowing honey. How far along are you?

Candi: oh I'm 4 months or so. 3 three more left hahaha..*sigh*...

Oshi: well I can tell you from experience those 3 months go by fast.

Candi: oh I know.......this one actually isn't my first one....

Oshi: really?

Candi: oh yeah and I have one at home. He's five going to be the oldest soon

Oshi: my oldest is 37

Candi: no.......you look so good!

Oshi: thank you...... You know we age gracefully

Candi: we really do. I think that's one of the benefits of living underground for so long..... and we actually know how to use sunscreen.

Oshi: hahahahaha....... warabie she seems really nice. Why don't you try to-

Warabie: mom! She just said that she's married! Can we just go home?! You've already humiliated me and you've made my roommate uncountable. Let's just go!!

_______________________________________________

Shimi: ..............

Warabie:................... All right so everything's cleared up good bye

Shimi: when will you learn that you cannot just throw money willy-nilly like that? I honestly thought that this would teach you to be mindful with money and know the value of hard work. Apparently I was wrong

Warabie: ugh..... Dad I am fine. All right I pay my rent, I pay my utilities, I pay Fair share with streaming services and Wi-Fi. Why are you still on my ass?

Shimi: I am on your "ass" because even though you do all those things, it still feels like you don't know the value of a dollar and you still rely on us for financial support. People who actually have to worry about rent and utilities Don't spend $3,000 on a crib.... You could have chosen something cheaper You could have bought her something less expensive like clothes or toys. Something reasonable yet and still you decided to buy something that would be for an average person working out of your price range.

Warabie: so! Big deal I can afford it.

Shimi: and that's the problem. You can afford it but what if one day you can't afford it what are you going to do if that happens. Are you prepared to live an uncomfortable life? Are you prepared to not have everything you want and get everything you want just by opening your wallet?

Warabie:...................

Shimi: I'm not doing this to be mean warabie. I worry about you...... . Sometimes I feel like I failed you as a father........

Warabie: so you think I'm a failure?

Shimi: I never said that........

Warabie:.............

Shimi: warabie............. I just want the best for you and I want you to not rely on us all the time..... I want you to be independent, actually independent.

Warabie:hfff

Shimi: when you and mahi lived together the first time.

Warabie: dad please don't bring that up-

Shimi: when you two have that falling out, you left them on their own. They had to support themselves on their own, They got a job on their own they didn't get any help and look at them now. In school and in a higher job position If they can achieve that without any parental help, I'm sure you can do that too. I know you can do that son. I know I'm hard on you but I

Warabie: alright I get it........

Shimi: okay all right. I'm glad you understand. Then you'll probably understand why you're going to krillarney next month.

Warabie: what?

Shimi: yep I called your little brand mate's father and he'll gladly take you in to help with farm work

Warabie: are you fucking kidding me?!

Oshi: warabie!

Shimi: nope. You're going to work on the farm for one month. Do hard labor and actually earn a living and maybe learn some skills to

Warabie: what uh... I can't! who's going to pay part of my rent and utilities and everything if I'm not at my job?

Shimi: oh you'll pay it. With the money you earn at the farm. I just hope you earn enough to pay your fair share.

Warabie:..................I can't believe this! Are you serious? What if I don't go?!

Shimi: well then you can say goodbye to your credit card and your savings account and your checking account cuz we will have full control of all of it

Warabie:.........................

Shimi: your choice

_______________________________________________

Neta: The whole month Cirrina! You skipped for the whole month!

Cirrina: I only did it on Fridays I don't see what the problem is.

Neta: it becomes a problem when it starts affecting your grades. I can understand 1 day but 4 days! Cirrina you should know better!... I'm very disappointed

Cirrina: so what. I do what I'm supposed to. I take my tests, I practice for band, I go to turf war practice. I do everything just fine and nothing has been affected.

Neta: your grade dropped to a D in social science You missed several tests

Cirrina:oh

Neta: *sigh*......... Crab Cakes......... I emailed The principal and ...... fortunately she's not that smart. I lied and told her that you had to go to swim practice

Cirrina: inkfish aren't allowed on the swim team

Neta: I told you she's not smart.....your teacher on the other hand is very smart and but he likes you so he's allowing you to do some work over the summer to bring your grade up.

Cirrina: I have to go to summer school!?

Neta: No, you don't have to and you're lucky you don't but he does want you to write a five-page essay. On anything any subject matter doesn't matter. You just need to write five pages.

Cirrina: That's it? I can do that in my sleep.

Neta: Wait. wait I'm not finished...... You're grounded for........... 3 weeks..... That means no going out with your friends on weekends or after school. No turf war unless it involves practice with your team is that clear?

Cirrina: ugh fine I don't care.

Neta:.......ok......um..... unfortunately I will not be able to give you the passes for the music festival.

Cirrina: those weren't for me. Those were for Mahi I promise them passes if they didn't snitch on me for skipping

Neta:.........................................ok... I'll deal with that later..... you know what? You know that ink fast concert you wanted to go to? Yeah I'm not getting you tickets or meet and greet passes

Cirrina: so I'm not allowed to go?! You said if I passed my algebra exam I could go!!

Neta: oh you're still allowed to go. I'm just not going to buy you the tickets. You're free to buy them yourself ..... let's see they're selling around ehhhhh $600

Cirrina: That's not fair I don't have any money!!

Neta: maybe during the summer you can get a job. Hey you can work with me maybe you can learn some responsibility. doesn't that sound fun?

Cirrina: ew Cod no!! I don't want to work with you or your grody employees!!

Neta: well I guess you're not going to the concert oh well it gives you more time to write your essay.

Cirrina: daddy please you promised meeee!!!

Neta: no Cirrina I'm sorry You need to learn this lesson!! You can't get away with everything I have to put my foot down on this. If you can find a way to go you can go but if you can't I'm sorry

Cirrina: that's not fair!!!

Neta: Go to your room.... Your punishment starts now.

Cirrina: ..I HATE YOU!.(SLAM)

_______________________________________________

Neta:.....….........................she hates me

Ikkan: she doesn't hate you... She's just not used to not getting what she wants.... Do you want me to talk to her?

Neta: please.

Ikkan: (knock)... Cirrina....(Knock)........hey .. are you okay?

Cirrina:....*sniff*.....go away......

Ikkan: come on Cici don't be that way.... come here

Cirrina: *crying*... it's not fair

Ikkan: Cirrina You know you can't get away with everything....

Cirrina:........

Ikkan: I get it. I know you guys talked about it and he promised you but you need to understand that he's not doing this to hurt you or to wrong you in any way. Actions have consequences sweetie you know that

Cirrina: .................. I know.

Ikkan:.... You don't hate your dad do you?

Cirrina: no

Ikkan: no...no you don't....... ..I think I have a better punishment for you........ and maybe it could help you get your tickets to your little concert.

Cirrina:............

_______________________________________________

Neta: on a farm? in krillarney?...... In another country?

Ikkan: I'll be with her, along with her grandfather.., and Warabie........It'll be a great subject to write her essay..... it'll be good for her she'll have fun

Neta:..... I have to think about that....... why is warabie going to be there?

Ikkan: hehehehe I didn't tell you?...hahahahaha.... It's really funny.. his parents thought he got someone preg- hm hi Cici

Cirrina:..............I'm sorry I skipped school and I'm sorry I said that I hate you dad. I don't hate you I love you

Neta: I love you too crab cakes...aww..[kiss]

Cirrina: so I'm not grounded anymore?

Neta: you're still grounded baby

Cirrina: damn I tried... still love you tho

Neta: awwww.....

_______________________________________________

Mahi: krillarney?? Isn't that like where they grow corn and raise manatees??

Warabie: yeah

Mahi: You got to stay there for a month?

Warabie: yeah..

Mahi: hehehe

Warabie: It's not funny Mahi stop

Mahi: you're right I'm sorry it's not funny

Warabie: .you want my tidal wave pass? I can't go to the music festival

Mahi: oh nice..... ....

Neta: here's your music festival passes Cirrina promised..... I don't appreciate you black mailing my daughter Mahi.

Mahi: I'm sorry it won't happen again boss thanks for the passes I got to go byeeeeeee

Neta: hum

Text

Mahi: hey babe you want to go to the tidal wave music festival?

Mizole: no

Mahi: are you still mad they didn't ask you to perform

Mizole: I don't care if they don't want my band to play

Mahi: ok I just got 3 passes so if you want to join me you can

Mizole: no

Mahi: :(

Mizole: fine

Mahi: :)

Mahi is the only one who got away with their actions and learned nothing from it good for them @fish-at-fish-fish-resort