#to be real though probably a lot of dead ends both ways

[jambonsama]

I started weight lifting in the spring, so I haven't practiced for a long time, but the things I've learned in the last 6 months:

A lot of things can improve your gains, but some are not as easily as actionable, and some are not as impactful. Focus on stuff that have a high impact, and are easily actionable.

Something that is easily actionable for most people, and has an extremely high impact is a good quality sleep. Sleeping 8 hours of good sleep per day consistently is, for me, one of the biggest factors

Drink water, at the very least before and during your session. That shit is also high impact, highly actionable. I drink 1 to 2 liters of water a day. Already did before starting practicing sports, though, so shrug emoji, wasn't much of challenge for me.

Diet is similarly impacting, and I feel like on a lucky tide already spoke enough about it (at least I certainly don't know more).

For people who do weight lifting in order to lose fat: you cannot target fat loss (as in, you cannot work in certain ways that will make you loose fat in certain places)

Don't do stationary stretching before a session

But do active mobility exercises at the beginning, like 5 min of rowing, or 10 reps of using an elastic band, that you hold with both hands and lift above your head and behind your back, and above your head and in front of your torso while keeping your arms straight, back and forth.

Do a warm up set before you "real" sets. For example, when I do dead-lifts, I do 1 set of 10 reps at 40kg, before doing my 3 sets of 10 reps at 70kg. This allows me to get into focus mode, where I go through the motions, remember how the exercise goes, and just generally activate the muscle groups that I'm gonna more intensely for the "real" sets. For the dead-lift, it allows me to remember, ok, I need to keep my core contracted (sorry, not sure how to say it in English), I need to keep my chest propped, at the end of the movement, my butt should be contracted, my arms should be somewhat relaxed, my grip should be, etc etc... I go through the 10 reps, and it allows me to really get the coordination where I know that for the more demanding sets that come afterwards, I won't risk an injury, because I have prepped myself mentally (focus), from a nervous system point of view (because of muscle memory), and from a mobility point of view (because the correct muscle groups / correct articulations have been solicited for the exercise, but not with as high as charge). That will help you tremendously with focus, coordination, and injury prevention. The weight you choose should be in function of the weight you can do or plan to do for the real sets, an in: when my real sets where 40 kg, my warm up sets were 20 kg, etc...

Doing a shitload of various exercises is really not needed. As in, I don't do a LOT of different exercises in one session, and if I did, I would probably feel overwhelmed, and it probably would impact my motivation negatively. In my case, I go to the gym thrice a week: Monday is more posterior chain focused, Wednesday is more cardio focused, and Friday is more anterior chain focused. On a Monday, I will typically start with dead-lifts (they are my fave, so I always do them), and then out of leg presses, lunges, and squats, I will do two of those three exercises. I generally end up with either a glutes circuit (glutes are your butt, sorry if that obvious in English, again, English is not my first language), or an abs circuit.

Speaking of circuits, circuits are just a bundle of exercises. Example of abs circuit I can do: a set of crunches, followed by a set of Russian twists, followed by a set of the thing where I maintain a plank and raise slowly each leg alternatively. That's one circuit, and I do the circuit twice, or thrice.

Go into the gym with a plan: what do you want to do during your session ? Do you want to work on power (more weight, more recuperation time between series, less reps per series) or endurance (less weights, more reps) ? Do you want it to be more cardio (less weight, less or no recuperation time), or more muscle building ? What muscle group do you wanna work, and so which exercises are you gonna do ?

Adapt the exercises to your level (big picture): if at some point, you feel like you're really plateauing, ask yourself: increasing the intensity of your exercises according to your progress ? As your exercises become easier, increase the load so that the intensity remains homogeneous (again, taking into account whether your trying to work your endurance, cardio, power, etc...) -> check out resources on progressive overload

Adapt the exercises to your level (small picture): especially when you start, things are hard. Almost every exercise can be "dumbed down". For example, if you cannot do a plank on your feet, do it on your knees. If you cannot do a burpee where you extend into the plank position with a kick, extend by doing a core walk. The first time I tried "dumbed down" burpees, I though I was gonna throw up. Not just the physical exertion, but just the motion of being folded on myself. You'll get there.

Which leads me to the next point: be patient.

(continued in next reblog, because tumblr is a lil' shit and there is a character limit)

yo so you said you lift & i was wondering-

do you have any advice for someone who wants to start lifting?

Because I want to start but i’ve literally never lifted anything other than haybales (😭💖) and i have no idea where to start

Hey, I can absolutely give some advice. Quick caveat: I am self taught, aka, I am still learning. But I pulled this together for a friend and I'm sure they won't mind me passing it on.

There are also tons of people on here that also lift, and I'm sure they'll add stuff in the comments. (Pls add shit in the comments, you lot.)

I need to emphasise: getting full muscle extension with correct form is the best way to build strength. Do not ego lift. I have. I injured myself. Lesson learned.

Have rest days, aim for 0.7g-1g of protein per 1lb of body weight for good growth and repair. (Also helps you feel full and stick to a calorie deficit if you're shredding.)

[lokh]

its sooo fun how dungeons reveal the psyche of the dungeon lord like. thistles dungeon was so planned and meticulous but so full of ghosts and unravelling at the end. mithruns dungeon was apparently so convoluted and 'made out of jealousy, lies, anger and inferiority'. marcilles dungeon was like.... that lmao, everything being brought to the same level with no real regard for what that might do to the ecosystem, and laios' dungeon ultimately ends up spilling out onto the surface. becoming one with it you might say

anyways if you were a dungeon lord what would your dungeon look like

[winwintea]

dreamies meeting their kid for the first time + as a parent

GROUP ↬ ot7 dream x reader (ft. their child)

TAGS/WARNINGS ↬ some angst, LOTS OF FLUFF MY TOOTH IS LITERALLY ROTTING, spider-mark agenda is real, the child is sometimes a cockblock, haechan does some weird michael jackson-sherlock holmes roleplay idk it made sense in my head, jaemin going on shopping sprees, chenle never loses, ji... is ji.... (poor baby)

AUTHOR’S NOTE ↬ everyone say thank you to @https-lvesick for getting me on that baby fever stuff... like i hate children but i love children. iykwim... anyways this is meeting their kid for the first time, but i can't come up with reasons why they were separated so you fill in the blanks. probably angsty reasons i love angst.

Mark Lee

when you come back through that door with a child holding your hand, it’s him you meet first again, and the tears are already glossing his eyes over before you can say anything.

literally has no words when you smile at him gently, saying it’s his.

mark swallows nervously, before making his way to the both of you, holding the two of you in his arms for only god knows how long.

“i.. can’t wait to live my life with you both, my love,” he mumbles into your hair, ears slightly tinged, only causing you to laugh at his adorable antics.

as a father, he isn’t very strict, and he isn’t all that good in child-rearing, either.

but he tries! give him some slack — you have to keep reminding yourself of this when you see your child holding a sword?! 

and of course mark was in his halloween costume. typical.

“baby.. i can explain,” mark says calmly when you first find the two of them

well actually, three; it seems haechan was in on this little practice, though he quickly bolted when he saw you. good strategy.

“엄마, papa said he was iron man! he teached me how to be a superhero!” your child exclaims, flailing the sword around excitedly as your gaze only darkens.

“well, you see, i meant spider-man, but—” his words die down when he sees your unimpressed face practically dripping with murderous intent.

mark slowly kneels down to whisper something you couldn't make out to your child. the little one nods seriously, slowly putting down the weapon.

then, as seconds pass, mark immediately hoists your child up in his arms, running out of the room as both his laughter and your child’s squeals echo throughout the halls.

“mark min-hyung lee, you are so dead!” you scream, running after them.

“3, 2, 1 — I COULD DO THIS ALL DAY!” the two of them scream back, before bursting into laughter. they’re always in sync. It’s exasperating.

but you love it anyways

Huang Renjun

when you meet him at the door, there's a flurry of emotions clear on renjun's face, but his smile says it all.

“is it too much to say i’ve been waiting for you this whole time?”

regrets the fact that he wasn’t able to be a part of his child’s life for the first few years, literally becomes wrapped around your little one’s finger because of it.

so adorable and happy that he’s blessed with your lovely child, always smiling when he thinks of them.

literally makes the other members question whether or not they want a child too.

bonding time is painting of course!

usually ends up with all three of you cramped in the shower, you scrubbing furiously at the sticky paint on their skin.

“i’m sorry for having you do this all the time,” renjun's soft voice makes you forget why you were mad in the first place tbh.

massages your shoulders from behind you, causing your fingers to halt in their journey of rubbing some stubborn blue paint off your child.

“it’ll take more than that if you wanna make it up to me,” you hum, leaning back into his chest and gazing into his eyes.

your lips were just about to meet, when —

“ma, i'm not clean yet!”

damn. cockblocked by your own child.

you groan, renjun laughing as he picks up the pouting child with their arms crossed.

“don’t give 妈妈 too much of a hard time, okay?” he never forgets to take care of you above all.

Lee Jeno

when you walk through that door once more, nervously telling jeno that this child is his, you’re afraid of his reaction.

and when you finally gather the courage to do it? his jaw drops and he can’t stop staring at you nor the child and you have to help him sit and calm down.

“아빠?” your child asks, staring up at the still slightly panicked jeno as you hold your breath.

he stares for a moment, mouth wide, before finally, finally smiling, albeit a little awkward and rough around the edges. “yes, little one?”

very new to this whole parenting thing and can barely do anything without asking you first, so he feels bad quite often for having to lean on you so much.

plus he barely knows how to handle a sobbing child, nor can he entertain the child very well,

but you find that the both of them are quite content in each other’s presence as is. so that's a plus !

you'll usually find them in jeno's room together, while you need jeno to watch your child while you go out for an errand or something.

but when you see jeno, well, he starts to look ethereal as the sun shines through the windows in his room.

then, a gentle smile gracing his face as he stares at his sleeping child.

jeno utters your name, causing you to look up, only to find him tracing circles around your child’s soft skin. “딸,” he rasps out, cracking a bleary eye open and gripping their wrist softly. Then, he smiles, all sorts of soft and lovely and.. unguarded.

“You two.. are the best things that have happened to me.”

Lee Donghyuck

haechan tries swallowing back the lump in his throat when he sees you standing in front of that damned door, though to no avail as a tear slips.

starts full-on crying when you say that you’re back for good and that the child is his. it's okay, let it out hyuck. <3

“ah, crying like that on our first meeting… don’t you think your fath — i’m a bit embarrassing?” he asks, sniffling as he tries to muster a smile through his tears.

your child giggles, eyes crinkling while grinning. “no! mommy told me a whooooole lot about you, daddy!”

you have to intervene at this point to stop him from sobbing again.

haechan wastes no time in making up for what he’s missed, so he's definitely going to spoil this child every second that he can.

you’d always find the two of them either going out shopping or messing about at home

also probably just chilling in the comforts of his room, doing god knows what.

one day you were curious, so you peeked through a tiny crack of the open door.

genuinely concerned at what you saw.

was that a... trenchcoat on your child? the two of them were engaged in conversation as haechan started nodding with a serious look on his face.

“so, mj, do you think waffles make mummy happier?” your child asks, holding his magnifying glass up like a mic in front of haechan's face.

mj???

haechan strokes his chin for a moment, before answering, “seeing her reaction when we gave her the ones we bought yesterday, i dee-hee duce they do, sherlock!”

sherlock...?

“good deduck – deduction, mj! i thought so too.”

you can't help but snort as haechan grabs his crotch and poses while high fiving your child.

as stupid as this was, your heart literally melts. the two are far too cute for you, you having to calm yourself before walking in with the widest smile on your face. dorks. 

Na Jaemin

“i was hoping you’d be back, my dear.” his perfunctory smile is so smug that sometimes you just want to punch him in the face. “with a lovely little thing in hand.”

“Your lovely little thing,” you say gently, trying to ignore your anger. you were here to show your child to jaemin. jaemin looks at the two of you with surprise, the curves of his mouth inching upwards.

hey jaemin wasn't trying to be possessive... cause that's weird. but the way you emphasized the word 'your' made his breath hitch. we can unpack that later though.

for now, na jaemin is a certified sugar daddy

jaemin is wrapped around the little one’s finger, his rotten spoiling being the effect of not being in your child’s life for a good while, and, of course, his indispensable regret for having you come back to him.

you asked jeno the whereabouts of your lover and your child, only for him to give you the look, responding that they were out yet again, and are probably not coming back without a few shopping bags in hand.

okay something needed to be done about this. so you decided to conduct a harmless experiment.

placing a few coins on one side of his desk, a toy in the middle, and a beloved fruit on the side. after explaining to him that it’s to see what your child’s fate would be — picking between fortune, fun, and, well, snacks, you think — he simply leans back, interest shining in those eyes of his.

but your child pushes all these away in a second, opting to hug the wide-eyed man on the soft armchair behind the desk.

“and what.. does this mean, ma chérie?” fuck him and the words he's picked up from traveling abroad. but jaemin looked honestly confused as his hands slowly wrap around your child’s.

you smile softly, “isn’t it obvious, silly? the little rascal loves you more than anything.”

he laughs. he doesn't get it. preparing for yet another shopping spree. why do you even try at this point?

Zhong Chenle

oh my god. when he first sees you after years with a child, his child, grasping your hand, chenle has to literally take a quick second to calm down cause he’s so angry.

no, not at you, of course, he would never. but at himself.

he wasn’t there for his child, for you, and god, even if he were, would he have been a good father?

“Y/ — 甜心,” he starts, running his fingers through his already messy bed-head hair and staring at you with eyes that practically scream "please hug me, i'm insecure"

“how am i supposed to take care of a child when i couldn’t even take care of you?”

but don't worry, after many reassuring words and warm hugs, chenle's finally okay and back to his normal self, holding your child up and giggling.

maybe this was a wrong idea cause now you have to take care of a manchild and a child.

is surprisingly very gentle with your child because he honestly doesn’t know what the hell he’s doing. (just because he has a nephew does not mean he knows how to parent a child.)

also very grounded and doesn’t fall for cute little tricks as much, so out of the dreamies, he’d end up becoming one of the better fathers.

also cause he never loses. and no way is he gonna lose an argument with a child.

“不行。” “爸爸, pleaaase?” “no. 不可以。”

chenle seemed to be holding a chocolate bar high above his head, steely gaze fixed on your young child trying to ignore their pleading puppy dog eyes.

“妈妈说 no chocolate, right?” your heart warms when you realize he remembered you scolding your child yesterday, though you can’t help but to feel a little bad.

“chenle,” you say, both their heads turning towards you. “how about you give the little baby some chocolate and we can eat the eggs i just made in the kitchen?”

the way both their eyes shine almost identically is so fucking adorable.

Park Jisung

??!?>!?!>?>!?@#?>(*#(@*(*#!?!@?

“that’s… mine??” “what?” “… it?” “it?” “the.. child?”

actually malfunctions.

jisung is very flustered, for lack of better terms. he was always considered the baby maknae of dream, but his own child? lord, help him.

you... him.... the baby... it or they.. came out of you??? what.

gets awfully flushed whenever he’s carrying his child around the building. everyone tries to stop and coo at the baby, + chenle and haechan have decided to make his life a living hell cracking up jokes whenever they can.

jisung is surprisingly good at getting your chaotic child to sleep with his bedtime stories, which are usually all his big yap sessions.

“and did daddy get that bruise on his forehead because he slipped while chasing uncle chenle and uncle haechan?” you question the two of them, wondering what they had been talking about earlier.

your child nods, bright eyes sparkling and grinning, “아빠 also said, ‘get back here, you devilish imbeciles!’”

oh fuck.

your accusatory gaze turns towards jisung, who averts his eyes, holding an ice pack to his bruising forehead, trying to shield himself from possibly getting more bruises.

“i-in my defense, they were—”

“one more time, park jisung, and i’m changing their legal godfathers to the two imbeciles you love and appreciate so so much.”

his eyes widen in shock, “you wouldn’t.”

“try me.”

now jisung is a grumbling mess when the two idiots are around his child, but the lack of chasing them around can be counted as an upgrade, i guess.

TAGLIST ↬  @lyvhie @aquaphoenixz @ldh0000 @galacticnct @peterm4rker

[bluebugjay]

A lot of people aren't vibing with Charles and Crystal's romance and honestly i think it's because it's not necessarily supposed to be a full-fledged, endgame romance.

I think it's written to be a fling.

Charles is a flirt; one of the first things he thinks about when Edwin tells him ghosts can't feel is that he would miss kissing, he says himself it's nice to be seen by someone his own age, he calls Crystal fit, etc. Assumably between cases he has a very small social circle of literally just Edwin so it makes sense that this girl who he gets on with and finds attractive immediately becomes a bit of a crush for him.

Then Crystal picks up on his flirting almost immediately, again they get on, etc. She says if he wasn't dead and she wasn't dealing with the aftermath of her toxic relationship with David he would be a good addition to her body count, i.e. just a fling. She doesn't say they'd date or she could fall for him just that they'd probably hook up.

Their first kiss happens when they're both dealing with some heavy stuff, Charles is angry, continuing to push down his trauma with his father and his past, Crystal is annoyed about not being any closer to getting her memories back whilst trying to deal with the trauma her last relationship caused her. They find comfort in each other in that moment. Crystal says she wants something real and the care they have for each other is real, there's no manipulation, no secrets. It's honest and it's innocent.

The song that plays in that scene is called Young Blood (White Sea Remix) by The Naked and Famous and has lyrics such as 'we're only young and naive still' and 'can't help myself but count the flaws, claw my way out of these walls, one temporary escape' and 'we lie beneath the stars at night, our hands gripping each other tight, you keep my secrets hope to die' - It does align with the idea that they're what each other wants in the moment, a distraction, to be able to pretend everything is normal and ok (keep each others secrets)

Crystal in the next episode, the next morning after their kiss, literally calls Charles a 'cute distraction' and says they should be friends. This time both of their issues and trauma are the reason for them not continuing the relationship. Blatantly, Crystal isn't ready for another relationship so soon after David, she wakes up with a nightmare about him and Charles. They bring up Charles fighting the Night Nurse and Charles says that he thought they were on the same page about it and 'at least that's how it seemed last night' which again leans into the fact they were both looking for comfort. Charles and Crystal kissing had nothing explicitly to do with her supporting his actions fighting the Night Nurse and yet that's how he took it because that's what he was searching for comfort from and acceptance on. Which is most likely why he seems to take the rejection harder than Crystal, seemingly agreeing to be friends more out of respect for her choice than the want to call it quits himself.

Charles tells Edwin later on about the kiss (right after Edwin is complaining about having to cancel plans with Monty) and says though he didn't physically feel it, he did feel it 'up here' and points to his head. The mind is generally not the place you feel love, I feel that's a given. (reminds me of the starfish on the beach that Niko says are in love, Edwin points out starfish have no brain and Niko says love doesn't require logic, meaning: love is not stored in the mind.) Charles and Edwin's conversation veers off to being about there own relationship, with Charles saying he wouldn't want to be dead with anyone else - not even the girl you just kissed? No? Ok.

The way that episode goes (The case of the two dead dragons) Crystal and Charles end up arguing about the very reasons they decided to not continue their relationship. Crystal likens Hunter and Brad to David, and Charles defends them saying not everyone is her demon ex-boyfriend which seems like he's projecting and really defending himself. Then Crystal calls him out on his 'rage problem' and what happened with the Night Nurse. So though they comforted each other the night before, their real feelings for each others issues are surfacing and they're not so on the same page. Of course they get over this and apologise soon enough. Though in the end, it's Edwin Charles opens up to and actually talks to about how he's feeling rather than pushing it aside and looking for a distraction. And after that, Charles gives Crystal genuine comfort not just a distraction by listening to her talk about her nightmares/visions about David. (immediately followed by the scene of Edwin and Monty on the swings in which Edwin suggests they don't see each other anymore, then back tracks, they kiss followed by rejection which definitely has... parallels)

After that, Crystal and Charles are still an obvious source of comfort for one another, they talk to each other about their stresses, they stick close together a lot of the time but there's nothing inherently romantic to their actions aside from the fact we know they have kissed which gives their actions a depth that, for example Edwin and Niko's don't, despite them also being affectionate and spending time together alone.

Then in the last episode as Crystal is attempting to leave for London, her and Charles share another kiss. When she tries to say bye to Charles, he says it feels like a 'good-bye good-bye' rather than a 'see you back in London good-bye' and Crystal doesn't correct him, essentially confirming it was supposed to be a forever goodbye. She instead kisses him. It's a good-bye kiss. A (supposed to be) final kiss. A 'we had a good run' type of kiss. Crystal kisses him because she thinks she'll never see him again. It's similar to the first in which the kiss itself is the beginning and end, and it doesn't mean much past that. It's a kiss as a secret again, like their first kiss. A kiss to fill the space left by things they don't want to talk about. She doesn't want to admit she's planning on leaving for good so she kisses him instead, it's a comfort and it's a distraction. (and its consistent)

When Crystal decides to stay in the end, Charles says it'll be great, then specifies that 'solving cases together' will be great, not anything else that could of implied. Which could either be them just being awkward, or a flip in their dynamic that now Crystal is the one more involved in their relationship and Charles is the one setting boundaries.

Overall I think they have a really interesting dynamic. They are exactly what each other needs in moments and then the opposite in the next, they care about each other so much yet are possibly the people that unearth each others insecurities and traumas the most. They're both looking for a new, different kind of relationship and find it within the other but inherently once the novelty fades they fall more into being friends than anything more. I think like most of the relationships in this show, they're supposed to be complicated, they're supposed to be more of a journey than a destination. They learn and grow from their interactions together and I think that's something really beautiful.

[ooffmlsorry]

Dancing with One Piece Men

ACE

The only one on this list that can actually dance or at least has a real sense of rhythm I'm so sorry

He's not shy about dancing either

Is shy about slow dancing with you in front of people, that's just for yall

Loves dancing with you during celebrations on the ship!!! HE WILL LITERALLY GRAB YOU FROM YOUR SEAT AND SWING YOU AROUND

His joy is your joy and vice versa and will keep you laughing the whole time

Gets really close to you, especially when he's drunk, like noses almost touching

Did I mention spinning?? He'll spin you around and around until you're both dizzy, flushed and sweating and then wobble over to a seat with you to recover and laugh with everyone

LUFFY

Have you ever seen the OG Disney Jungle Book movie? Remember the orangutan? Yeah? That's how Luffy dances. Lots of arm swinging and shimmying

Doesn't mind dancing but like...food first

Man, all that dancing worked up an appetite! Time for more food!

You might have to see Chopper the next morning because of how much he pulls your arms while dancing your poor shoulder joints lol

So unserious about it so there's no reason to be self concious because Luffy's already acting a fool enough for both of you

You both end up falling asleep wherever you are, completely tuckered out. Zoro will inevitably have to carry you both to bed except Luffy's hand is still holding yours so you're definitely sharing a bed

SANJI

Okay, but the hilarity of trying to grind up on this man? He'd die. Cause of death: blood loss lol. It's okay, he's had a good run

He's such a romantic, I think he'd actually prefer to slow dance with you and is kind of bummed it's a party

Would definitely inspire him to slow dance with you more

Holds you really close

Hands on your waist or lower absolutely lower

Can't actually dance though and looks incredibly goofy, as long as no one says anything zoro it'll be fine

Can dip you though and it's really hot

You probably don't dance for very long because he's a horny gremlin but you love it

ZORO

"Pleeeeaaaassssseeee"

"Over my dead body, y/n"

There ain't no way you're getting this man to dance

Pulling him off the wall or out of his chair is like trying to pull a mountain from it's spot

Will tap his foot though

Really likes watching you because it's hot and because you're happy and let's be honest Zoro wants to see you happy

You're the best view there besides the sake

Make him jealous and dance with another guy? Well, y'all won't be at the party much longer because you're fucking in the bathroom

If hell froze over and you did get him to dance it's so stiff and terrible you burst out laughing immediately

LAW

It's only because he loves you that he shows up at all, dancing is pushing it

Dance on him and he will switch himself with a chair at least he won't let you fall on your ass

You can try pulling him up but you won't get very far either. He might swing his arms with yours lamely but that's it

He will slow dance with you alone in his room or the kitchen in the wee hours of the morning and actually really likes holding you close

Dancing is so foreign to him and it shows lol, you got him to dance once in private because you were insanely curious and Law genuinely has no memories of ever dancing in his 26 years of life and uh...he kind of dances like Wednesday Addams but it's cute to you

He'll dance with you in private now but it has to be a very very special circumstance

[aether-bun]

Dating headcanons for dead plate Vince and rody??? (Seperate)

DEAD PLATE BOYFRIENDS!!

Ok. Ok. The chokehold these two have me in is something that needs to be studied actually. Utterly thrilled that I get to write for them. Thank you so much Anon.

CONTENT WARNINGS: Talks of aggression, NSFW if you squint

Reader is gender neutral ♡

VINCENT is subtly affectionate being your boyfriend.

I think it's obvious that Vincent is very cold, inside and out, even if it isn't intentional

Little does the outside world know, however, he's very affectionate with you!

Behind closed doors, he finds small ways to be in contact with you

Knees touching, pinkies grazing, shoulders bumping, the works

It's not that he's afraid or repulsed by full on affection, it's just more comfortable for him to act the way he does. It means he can recharge without being away from you, but without overwhelming himself

I think he's a very big fan of chaste kisses, or at least giving them. Whenever he receives such rushed notes of affection, he refuses to admit it, but it leaves him with a sense of yearning :(

Adores hand kisses holy shit

I like to hc that he has a little lemon tree somewhere that he takes care of with such enthusiasm it's wild

The one thing you can't touch in his apartment is that tree. Hard boundary.

When he comes upstairs after work, he's usually very tired

This means that you both tend to just quietly enjoy each other's presence until he falls asleep in bed

Some days he's REALLY tired.

One of the chefs fucked up a batch so badly that it pushed service back by an additional 40 minutes while he had someone run supplies

It cost him a lot. That chef was brutally torn into and promptly told to never come back. Very unprofessional, but no one would say much about it.

Very exhausting lesson in hiring better employees in Vince's eyes.

That night he just laid down on your thighs and ranted. He doesn't tend to talk much for too long out of personal preference but that night he couldn't shut himself up.

You just gently combed through his hair and listened

The sensations soothed him and he got over the anger fairly well

(now he lays on your thighs some nights just to score some extra nice attention)

Dates are always very lavish, it's his personal favourite thing to spoil you. He always has a hand on you during outings of any kind.

Will pull you closer if anyone stares at you.

Gentle with you, in every possible situation, but firm

He really just doesn't want anyone to hurt you, but on top of that, he couldn't bear the ache he'd feel to see you look at someone else the way you look at him

Slut for calling you "Mine". End of discussion.

RODY is hellbent on giving you the whole world.

Loves loves LOVES cuddles

You cannot get this man off of you he is so clingy

He wants what's best for you and more this man will break limbs for you

I will say you were probably originally going to be a rebound relationship

After Manon, he found you, but it had barely been a month and he was clearly desperate for love

He was honest about Manon and the recent breakup, and in turn, you were honest about your returned feelings for him, but you very firmly said he'd have to move on first

It took a long time. You waited.

When he did get better, you two hit it off! He cared for you and you looked out for him

Your dates are walks through the park, café breakfasts and movie nights

Rody is a big fan of kisses

He kisses you and you can feel his love pouring through them, he deepens the kisses like he's starved, even though you're more than affectionate with each other all the time

Service top or complete bottom. Not because he's dainty bc he definitely isn't. He just loves you so much he wants you to have everything. He lives to serve you at this point let's be so real

Learned how to budget for you!!!! Whoa!!!!!!!!

I think Rody dances with you all the time

Rain or shine, dawn or dusk, happy or sad, he finds it nice to dance with you

It calms him

He gives the BEST MASSAGES IDC

Butterfly kisses and nose kisses are this man's kryptonite. He will cry. He has before.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Hey!!!! Sorry for the random hiatus, life killed me a little, but I'm back and raring to go! Dragon Anon, if you're reading this, I am working on your req but I'm making sure I actually know the DLC this time so it's taking a while to get through the content. Bear with me!!!

Sorry if these were a little sloppy, getting back into writing is a lil difficult but I'm working as best I can. I hope you enjoyed, and remember to leave your requests in my inbox!

Ciao for now~

[thatkippycat]

Asmodeus x Fizzaroli x Publicist!Reader Poly Headcanons

Hehe I made more stuff, because I'm feeling good today! Hope y'all enjoy! Also feel free to start sending requests in again!

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

• There's a lot of rumors going around that the Prince of Lust himself has been all cozy with one of the Lust Ring's top performers, so it was only natural that you would end up getting a job to "make things right."

• Afterall, you were one of the best PR people in Lust, why wouldn't you get the job.

• Maybe that's a bit egotistical, but there's a reason for it.

• You can spin stories better than most demons, even covering up a handful of true stories.

• You've worked for Leviathan, a number of Goetias, and even the Morningstars.

• Being hired by Ozzie and Fizz was a lot more work than you expected, though.

• Not only did you find out that they were together romantically, meaning that you'd need to keep the secret as hidden as possible, which was difficult when they decided to be sweet "behind closed doors."

• Dealing with the servants who had found out was a blast.

• (That was sarcasm, btw.)

• On top of that, you also began to develop a whole range of feelings for the both of them as you became a part of their lives.

• Turns out those feelings were somewhat reciprocated.

• After a few months, the three of you came up with the best plan you could.

• A lot of the controversy was directed more at Ozzie, as he was the one big on carnal desire over romance.

• Fizz was not as big of a deal.

• So, you and Fizzarolli began to "date."

• There was definitely some push back, but it was a decent success.

• A couple of public dates, love letters, and pictures taken by paparazzi(you, actually) later, and things were relatively calm.

• It wasn't a permanent solution, though, so you set to work on a separate project...

• Making the Lust Ring cool with Ozzie and Fizz's "non-existent" relationship.

• It did take a while.

• Scratch that, it took way too long.

• Turns out most people in Lust were actually okay with it, it was the press and other rings that were the problem.

• The other rings of Hell would take far too long to deal with, so you set your eyes on the newspapers.

• Lots of papers in Lust are actually sponsored by either Greed or Envy.

• Greed goes where the money goes, so theoretically, if the tabloids and rumors weren't as profitable, they may drop those stories.

• That left you with Envy, which had always been a pain for you.

• While Greed takes the actual newspapers, Envy picks up the cheesy tabloids. It's less about making a profit and more about making people feel terrible, especially when it's something the writers and bosses don't have.

• Luckily, you still had some good will with Leviathan, and so you doubled down on getting the stories stopped.

• You still were working with Asmodeus and Fizz, and even though you weren't in a real relationship, Fizz was getting worried about you overworking yourself.

• They both were, actually.

• You were dead set on this going, though, so they couldn't talk you out of it.

• They took the next best thing, though, forcing you to stay at their very luxurious penthouse.

• You even slept in their bed. If you wanted to, that is.

• You probably would've picked up on the fact they were trying to romance you, but alas, you were too focused.

• It took a long few months of persuasion, company scandals, bribes, and an unhealthy amount of blackmail, you got most of Lust on board, at the very least.

• And when you told them, they were thrilled!

• You organized a little interview with a local news channel (the host owed you, after all) and they finally came out as a couple.

• When you were asked about, you were expecting Ozzie and Fizz to tell the truth about your fake relationship.

• But they said you... could be a part of it for real?

• Yeah, they asked you out on TV, and you accepted.

• Even if the pressure from the show wasn't there, you would've said yes anyways.

• Your final task for them was getting an article in a paper out, talking about how beautiful Fizz and Ozzie's relationship was.

• And now that the job is finally done, you can cuddle up to your new boyfriends without a care in the world.

[angermango]

"I'm not cooking or anything, this is just a silly idea- (looks down at canvas) ffffuuuu--"

...

so, first I only wanted to draw Professor Layton with a Reiterpallasch from Bloodborne because haha funny hat man with gun-sword, but then i ended up drafting concept art for "Laytonborne", apparently.

"Puzzles all over the shop... You'll be stuck on one of them, sooner or later."

extra artist commentary:

Layton

yes, this really did just start with me wanting to give Layton a Reiterpallasch because he's a canonical fencer and Bloodborne trick weapons absolutely slap. The Reiterpallasch is literally a rapier with a pistol attached that can mechanically switch to prime either the blade first or the gun first so you can stab and shoot someone at the same time.

Giving Hershel the Bloodborne makeover was kind of funny because he wears such a simple look in canon it was hard striking the right balance between his recognisable look and BB aestheic since Bloodborne loves embellishment especially via lots of belts/buckles and those weird shoulder-cape things. I tried to keep it simple enough though because as much as i think he could pull off a hunter ensemble i don't want to have to keep track of all the funky bits. the Top Hat Stays, of course.

Aurora

Aurora is eerily good a fit in a Soulsborne-esque setting considering she fits the criteria for a "Soulsborne maiden" classic archetype sort of character: After all she's a mysterious pale-haired young woman with mystical origins/powers and a foreign-sounding accent and may or may not have some connection to the wider lore and powers that be of the setting. hell even her whole thing being a golem works in a way as even Bloodborne has artificial humans existing as a concept.

i got a little lazy with changing up her dress for both time and lack of inspiration. I thought maybe i'd really do her up but then I chickened out that her costume wouldn't be recognisable any more so just slapped a belt and some patterns on the shawl bit and called it a night :P (if i'd been braver/more motivated she'd probably look good in an approximation of the White Church set, something like that)

and yeah so as the sketches off to the side are like, no real clue how/why it might be triggered but imagine her having the potential to be an optional boss or something (and she'd whoop your ass)

Flora

idk tho Flora also seems like she could be a good contender for the "Soulsborne maiden" position too in a way, or even if not her whole character and story fits into the world quite well. especially with Bloodborne having the Plain Doll who is a sentient doll made in the image of someone her creator loved/was obsessed with and Flora living in a village of human-like robots which started after her father tried to build a replacement for her dead mother.

Her dress is a combination of all her canon costumes across the games. The fur-trim shoulder cape is from one official art of her, the short shawl and white sleeves and bit around her waist is based on her first dress, and the rest of the dress design is based on her second and third game appearance.

The 'Doll Flora' concept there at the end is just some idea of a false/clone Flora running around as well. She's got some little differences including elements of other parts of Flora's designs over the years that aren't on OG Flora, such as the sash and shoes.

Anton

Anton fits in scarily well to the Bloodborne-y setting, perhaps not too surprisingly given the whole 'vampire' thingy. I sort of envision Folsense and Herzen Castle being a bit like the Castle Cainhurst area of Bloodborne which leans more into the classic gothic horror of a remote and looming haunted castle occupied by a sinister enigmatic character.

And yes, that is a reference to the infamous "LAYTOOON" scream from his canon 'boss fight' in the second game - imagine the whole steaming up and screaming thing being like his boss phase transition animation.

The whole 'withers to an old man/husk' concept seems so very Soulsborne-y it really just fits yknow. like if you defeat him he shrivels up/ages to dust or whatever. RIP gassed-up grandpa.

I partly rizzed up his suit using inspiration of the Cainhurst Knight set because like. come on. it's too good to pass up the chance to pretty up with and looks a lot like his canon suit in parts.

Did I trace the foyer background art for Herzen Castle for the mockup just for laffs, only to realise partway that 1) Layton and Anton actually fought in the ballroom, and 2) the ballroom would actually make a much better boss arena setting because it's wide open and the arch from the front room leading into the ballroom could totally be the 'boss fog door' part better than the front room?

...so yeah I then drew the ballroom background without tracing this time like a true madman and had a hell of a time with perspective but the plus side is we also get the sword collection from the game there as a cameo because in Laytonborne the good professor brought his own already.

The Masked Gentleman / Randall

Had a bit of a time deciding how to Bloodborne-ify this guy because his suit in canon is actually really. really boring. it's just a white suit like cmon. so to give it that Bloodborne makeover I fell back on the classic shoulder-cape thing that almost all Bloodborne characters have, added some patterns and accessories based on the Mask of Chaos' patterns and the Decorative Old Hunter's set from the Old Hunters DLC (in the leg brace, forearm guard and the hints of gold chains around the upper arms).

He also gets a Threaded Cane, another trick weapon of Bloodborne fame which is as it suggests: A cane weapon that works a bit like a baton/sword combo but in its alternate form it's a whip covered in serrated metal blades which form the cane itself when locked together.

It seems very appropriate for Randall to be like a boss who starts out as the Masked Gentleman and then at half-or-less health you break his mask, reveal Randall and then wings burst out of his back as he enters his second phase rage mode. This concept part felt more DSouls-y than Bloodborne-y to me i think since Bloodborne is less fantastical and leans more into the body horror/monstrous kind of boss transitions? But at the same time it was too good an opportunity to pass on at least sketching out, plus get you some sick fallen angel imagery out of it.

Also the hanging arm pose miiight be a bit inspired by Artorias of the Abyss. just a bit.

Descole

i recall seeing a post somewhere once with this very low-res rare art of Descole sitting in a throne from somewhere i have no idea what it was for. and I remember it kinda reminded me of Lady Maria's promotional art for the Old Hunters DLC so that's why the last picture of Descole exists.

mf already dresses so extra i legit could think of nothing to add to make him more Bloodborne-y unlike the others. I also used his canon sword's design from the games with a custom sheath because again couldn't really think of anything more to do to make him fit more when he's already got a cool signature weapon to show off.

[littlestpetgoth]

Tell us more about your little homestucks?

ok.. ill only go over my descendent ocs because they're the ones ive been posting about recently, i have too many homestuck ocs to cover lol..

mayosi pyrope is the first descendent oc i made back when there was a brief trend on twitter to make, fan descendants of the trolls. i think i was inspired by ko's descendent acarid, and terezi being one of my favorite trolls i ended up making a bootleg pyrope. (and i draw them together all the time bc they rot my brain)

they're a radical transmasc weeaboo skater "vigilante" who grew up being raised by humans in a very normal average household where they got basically anything they wanted with no issues. their interests include; dishing out justice, watching animes, playing videogames, and doing sick tricks on their board. they wield a katana that resembles terezi's dragon cane.. they're my simplest designed character, and though they look a lot like terezi with a skirt and long hair their design was heavily influenced by dirk because i imagined that dirk has influenced some kind of anime character that mayosi obsesses over and has based their look on..

they aren't at all interested in, being a lawyer or anything like that and would like to take care of bad guys samurai batman style in their ideal world.. unfortunately the loving gently parenting of their human family didn't toughen them up enough so they're mostly a baby who doesn't do well when faced with conflict. mayosi's easily bossed around by anyone who firmly tells them to do something because they're too scared to step up and stand up for themself and others, they have a lot of shame for not being as strong and cool as terezi or red glare. real wet blanket.

uuuh like terezi, they weren't always blind. they were lured in by their ex best friend now super complex hate not boyfriend acarid and he poured acid into their eyes, ruining their vision and giving them crazy chem burn scars.. i think around this time they were also given their super rad pointy shades so they can look more like their hero, but it was a major blow to their confidence since not only are they a weak coward they're now a weak coward who can't see. they eventually learn to navigate the world via sound waves, its not as effective as terezi's sniff and taste vision but mayosi isnt as interested as smelling and licking everything in their presence.

example of what i think it's like for them here..

theyyy are convinced by acarid to join him in his perfect sburb sesh, where they eventually grow a pair and cut off his arm and gouge his eyes before being shot in the brain and killed dead without ever waking on their moon. (sad) mayosi's feelings about acarid, who essentially abuses and manipulates them constantly, are very complicated because they feel an obligation to take on the brunt of his crazy in order to protect everyone but also because they cling to the nostalgic memories they have of him and are hoping he'll one day go back to that.

kokesi megido is based on kokeshi dolls, i think she sees ghosts and is really scared of them so she's super skittish and is always finding ways to shoo them away.. she probably knows how to speak japanese ig, i dont have a lot to say about her unfortunately.. i like how her design turned out though.

grimir maryam and romato vantas are brothers adopted into a rich human family, they're both spoiled brats and are constantly bickering with each other when they aren't pretending the other exists. grimir is mute and likes to garden (sooo original, i know) and romato speaks a lot and is a hopeless romantic writer. shrug.

i don't have as much to talk about. for any of my descendents other than mayosi because i have a really hard time developing ocs when i dont have people to bounce ideas off of. i mean most of mayosi was formed around acarid's existence and from ko's influence, otherwise they also wouldn't be developed . sorry .

[indigo-casson]

something that i've been thinking about lately is the parallels between star wars: andor/rogue one and tamora pierce's trickster's queen duology. primarily because the star wars brainrot is real and the tamora pierce obsession is forever, but also because they are kind of both tonal and thematic departures from their main 'verses in some similar ways?

in both the star wars verse and the tortall verse, the majority of the media has focused on one individual (or a small group of individuals) who make a profound difference in the world. Whether that's alanna singlehandedly finding the dominion jewel/becoming king's champion/making way for female knights, or luke skywalker blowing up the death star, or daine and numair going to the divine realms during the immortals war, or anakin skywalker becoming a sith and dooming the republic, most of the original material has seen battle and political change as something that is affected by either an actual chosen one or simply a single very plucky and well-placed individual.

trickster's queen and andor, however, really look at rebellion as something that has to be done by a diverse group of flawed people who work together despite their differences. mon mothma knows that her role is raising money. ulasim, chenaol, and the other members of the raka conspiracy each take their individual roles in the rebellion, and recognize that even though they might not want to work with aly or the luarin nobility, they need their skills and influence to make it happen.

both stories also show rebellion as extremely costly and something that requires making tough calls. nobody has their hands clean by the end of a civil war. notably, trickster's queen explicitly narrowly avoids having the protagonists kill a group of 5 year olds. luthen is ready to kill cassian when he becomes a liability, and cassian does kill lots of people, including some allies whose only "crime" is being susceptible to giving up rebellion secrets.

in rogue one, we don't like davits draven because he orders jyn's father killed, and that just feels wrong. jyn is our heroine and it upsets her, so emotionally it's distressing. but of course, draven and cassian and jyn are all working towards the same goal. draven did what he had to--galen erso is a liability as long as he's alive. dove and sarai's little brother elsren has to die because he's a direct heir to the throne, ahead of his sisters. it doesn't matter that he's five and totally innocent. as long as he lives, a luarin has a greater claim to the throne than a raka, and as long as that's true, the rebellion can't succeed.

in the star wars original trilogy, people for sure die! i'm not trying to say that they don't, but it's definitely not something that's shown affecting our protagonists on a deep, emotional level. they're all side characters, or else they come back as force ghosts. the prequels are uh. fucking tragic, but at the end of it, almost all of our heroes make it out. even the casualties of the war are droids vs clones, which is to say, totally interchangeable cannon fodder on both sides!

the number of character deaths in the tortall 'verse is fewer, probably because it's primarily created for middle grades, but even when people do die, they're either demonstrably bad people or minor enough characters that the emotional resonance isn't the same.

by contrast, at the end of trickster's queen, almost the majority of the main conspirators die in battle, not to mention those who don't even make it to the final conflict. at the end of rogue one, all of our heroes are dead, and people aren't exactly making it out of andor s1 in good shape either. more than half of the aldhani team dies on that mission.

I could go on further, but I think my main takeaway is that once you've invested a lot of time and attention and fandom into a 'verse, you have a lot more leeway to tell different kinds of stories. tamora pierce could not have written trickster's choice until after the values and world of tortall were so clearly established, and if she had, it wouldn't have had the impact that it did. similarly, part of what makes rogue one/andor so striking is the fact that it is such a departure from the preexisting values and story format of star wars.

for every chosen one we see in media, there are hundreds of people working behind the scenes to make their big, death star destroying moment possible. the only way to improve society is through collective action, and part of that is that everyone's hands are going to get dirty. i think lots of people want to imagine that they could be like luke skywalker and swoop in 2 weeks before the battle of yavin and become a hero, but the fact of the matter is that that's not how the world works! war requires us to do things that would ordinarily go against our values, but in the context of a drawn out, bloody, thankless battle, maybe we decide the ends justify the means.

[crystallizsch]

Trouble? You're only in trouble if you get caught. So don't let me catch you ~

uhhhhh say hi to jamil and yuusha's kid jas(mine) pt 2 (also here and here are like my only two other posts of her)

HFDDF OKAY SO - i actually had these unfinished sketches from months ago of jas as a nrc student and scarabia housewarden

this sneaky little bastard (affectionate) had never left my cranium she was just sitting idly by

im sobbing i hate jas so much (lie i love her)

jamil and yuusha still aren't supposed to have a kid so i just imagine this to be an alternate timeline for them 🤧🤧🤧

soooo info dump time ---

━━━━━━✦ scarabia housewarden nrc jas

jas has a vice-housewarden who is her childhood best friend (figuring out if i want them to be twst rajah or abu)

also thinking about if i want yuusha to be a staff member in nrc with grim or just dead during this time (why? just because)

no further info tbh, scarabia housewarden jas is just vibing

━━━━━━✦ child jas stuffs

i'm SO indecisive about her design as a toddler/preteen lowkey 😭

she was very sweet as a toddler but somewhere along the line she just became more carefree and chaotic

jas is a mama's girl but is more alike with her father than she cares to admit

octavinelle trio and heartslabyul duo + grim are like the honorary uncles (jas's favorites are floyd, ace, and grim bc they sometimes enable her with shenanigans)

even though jas has favorite uncles, najma is the favorite favorite. i imagine she's just the cool aunt

if mama yuu is "shrimpy" then jas is a "tiger prawn" (bc rajah)

jas LOVES doing people's hair including her own; would rather do them by hand rather than by magic

jamil showed jas how to breakdance once and it became ingrained in her personality ever since

(there's probably still more about her that i'm forgetting but this is it for now)

━━━━━━✦ bonus future jamiyuu stuff because i miss them

jamil took yuusha's last name surprise surprise (if they get married)

i imagine after nrc they'd be travelling together actually, not necessarily settling down

(i'm REALLY not 100% on them settling down and having a kid but i still love jas a lot so im so conflicted) (that's why aus exist 😔✨)

(and if hypothetically they do settle down i think yuusha being staff in nrc with grim + maybe jamil who travels for work (or being a house husband??? maybe they alternate roles) can be adorable ideas)

━━━━━━✦ (i also had this thing that i never posted about that one trope of a fankid finding themselves in nrc bc of portal/time/mirror shenanigans)

(jamil found both of them asleep somewhere and refuses to wake them up)

also some bonus tidbits about this scenario with them:

💜: Is she a family member of yours? How'd she get here?

🐍: I have never seen that child in my life before now. And there's no way I could have missed news about a new relative of mine.

💜: You know how ridiculous it sounds if she's related to me. I'm not from here. She even looks more like you!

🐍: Jas has the same color of eyes as you. Didn't you tell me she mistook you for her mother?

💜: ...Yeah, but I don't like what you're implying.

🐍: Well, I'm not exactly happy with this either.

they're just both in denial of the implication of this child existing and neither of them is saying it out loud.

and the angst/wholesomeness(???) of jamil asking jas's full name and hearing that she has her mother's last name instead of his

eventually they grew attached (unfortunately) until somehow they send jas home to her original timeline

and then they finally have a real conversation about what all that was about

anyways thank you for reading if you've made it this far;;; end tweet

[anonymous-dentist]

What I find interesting about this idea that qBagi put forth in regards to qJaiden and Bobby is that. Well. I don’t know if that’s how Jaiden works.

Empanada is an absolute sweetheart for already caring so much about Jaiden despite not having met her yet, and I don’t blame her for not knowing anything about Jaiden because, again, she’s never met Jaiden.

And then, of course, Bagi is being optimistic for her child’s sake, but it’s here that you can really see just how little a lot of the islanders know Jaiden at all.

None of Empnada’s mothers were there when Bobby died. None of them know about Bobby Fields. The only one Jaiden is remotely close with is Mouse, and Bagi doesn’t really trust Jaiden at all because of her connections with Cucurucho and the Federation.

All they know is that Bobby died several months ago and that Jaiden seems to be doing just fine. But then you look at Jaiden telling ElQuackity to spawn kill her, and Jaiden not visiting Bobby’s Castle or his city or his tomb, and Jaiden borderline avoiding Roier, and you start to realize, oh. She’s not doing well.

There’s this misconception among all the islanders that Roier and Jaiden have moved on from Bobby. Roier has Richarlyson, and Jaiden… doesn’t. Of course, any Roier Viewer knows that he’s never actually recovered from his son’s death, and any Jaiden Viewer knows that she’s never going to recover. Not at the rate she’s going with all this self-sacrifice and self-loathing and everything.

Bagi hasn’t seen Bobby Fields. She doesn’t know that Jaiden’s actual home is a building stuck in time with a table set for three and rooms upon rooms filled with paintings done by her dead son. All she knows is that Jaiden seems fine enough, just like Roier, and Bagi’s never actually been able to understand Roier when he’s told her “This island has broken everybody on it, especially me.”

This kind of trauma is something Bagi and most of the other islanders could never understand; the closest people would be Slime and Mariana- but they have a version of their daughter back- and then Maxo, who’s dead. The idea of losing your child forever is something entirely foreign to most of the island. Everybody knows that the eggs can die, but it hasn’t happened since Bobby’s death, so a majority of the islanders haven’t had to say goodbye the way Roier and Jaiden and Slime and Mariana and Maximus and Quackity did.

Jaiden hasn’t babysat any of the eggs since Bobby’s death. She’s helped others babysit, but she’s never looked after an egg by herself. She’s a lot like Roier, who didn’t trust himself to take care of another egg until just before Richarlyson’s disappearance and who still considers him a bad enough father to take out his frustrations on his mini-him Pepito. But, unlike Roier, she’s been alone this entire time. It’s just been her and Foolish and Cucurucho. She doesn’t have the same kind of support network as Roier, and he’s stuck in the past even with support. Imagine how she’s doing.

Bagi and Empanada are right, Empanada won’t replace Bobby. He can’t be replaced. But what they don’t seem to understand is the possibility that she can’t replace Bobby because Jaiden won’t want to take care of another egg. Sure, she probably will, but only because she has this complex about being inconvenient, and she’ll feel real inconvenient if everybody pressures her into taking care of Empanada the way they pressured Roier into taking Pepito on Tuesday.

Both Roier and Jaiden have lost so much, but only a select few know what they’re going through. Roier has Cellbit, and Jaiden has Foolish. Outside of them, though?

Remember, only Bad and Cellbit went to check on Roier when Bobby died. And only Roier ended up checking on Jaiden. And yet the world has decided they’ve moved on without even asking, and their assumptions might end up getting Pepito and Empanada hurt in the long run.

[sissylittlefeather]

Sorry this took so long...

It Feels So Right (how can it be wrong?): Part 3

A/N: Again, I apologize that this took a million years. I didn't intend for this to end up with 4 parts, but here we are. So this is not the last part, but I think y'all will enjoy this one. 😏

Need to catch up? Masterlist HERE.

Warnings: 18+ absolutely minors DNI, kissing, cussing, oral sex (69, m & f receiving), p in v penetrative sex, unprotected sex, creampie

Word count: ~2.5k

Elvis and Austin look at each other and bust out laughing. When they stop, Austin sighs and Elvis clicks his tongue. Elvis speaks first.

"Man, she's somethin' else."

"You got that right."

"I guess we better figure it out."

"I guess so..."

******

The arrangement that they come up with is every other weekend and weeknights by your request. You laugh a little at first at the "custody" arrangement they've developed, but to your surprise, it seems to work out pretty well. Shockingly, you don't find yourself missing one or the other. You also don't find yourself preferring one or the other and that worries you. How long can this continue? And what if you want to choose Elvis?

Austin picks up on your concern and tries to address it one night after a movie.

"Baby, you seem conflicted?"

"No, I'm fine." You lie, snuggling into his shoulder as you walk back to his place.

"You're wondering what happens if you decide you want Elvis."

"How did you-"

"I've been thinking about it a lot."

"And?"

"And I don't know. It's not like you could be with him permanently. Not in my body."

"Yeah..." You look down at your feet. You really don't have a choice. It's Austin. Elvis can't possibly be a real option.

"Hey." Austin turns and tips your chin up to him. "Let's just go to Graceland this weekend. We'll figure it out later."

You nod and continue to make your way back to his place. This weekend, the production company is flying both of you to Memphis. They want to do a photoshoot of Austin at Graceland and he made sure you have a ticket. You're excited, but nervous. The longer this goes on, you wish you could see and feel Elvis on his own without Austin, but you also know this probably isn't possible.

Elvis has been trying really hard not to watch your dates with Austin. He wants to give you space, but he'd be lying if he said he didn't worry about the two of you falling in love and leaving him alone again. He knows he's at a significant disadvantage, being dead, but some part of him still holds onto some kind of vague hope that you'll pick him, even though he has no idea how that would work.

When you land in Memphis, he watches from afar as Austin takes your hand in his and leads you to the car. Maybe he should just let you two be together.

******

You stand in front of Graceland in awe. It's even more beautiful than you imagined. Austin sees Elvis on the porch and nods to him gently.

"Are you ready for your tour?" Austin turns to the people who are ready to lead him through the house.

"Actually I'd like to go in alone."

"Alone?"

"Well, me and her. But I want to try to connect with Elvis's spirit. Can I?" They look between each other trying to decide if that would be okay.

"Don't go upstairs."

"I would never." The powers that be nod to him, agreeing that he can go inside with you alone. He's been nothing but respectful of Elvis's legacy. There's no reason not to trust him in the house. They open the front door and Elvis slips inside as the two of you walk into the foyer. As the door closes behind you, you look around the house. When you get to the dining room, you gasp and put your hand on your heart.

You can see him.

"Elvis?!" He looks at you and then at Austin, who puts his hand on the small of your back.

"Can you see him?"

"Yes! I can!" Elvis looks between you excitedly.

"You can see me?"

"And hear you! Why do you look like it's 1970?" Elvis walks over to you and looks down into your eyes.

"Why not? I can pick how I look. I picked this. You want me to change? I can."

"No! This is perfect." He reaches out like he's going to touch your face and then stops. You close your eyes, begging God to be able to feel his touch. He lifts his hand again and gently lays his palm on your cheek. You gasp.

"I can feel you! How-?"

"I don't know and I don't care." He leans in and presses his lips to yours. He might as well be alive with how real he feels to you right now.

Austin looks up at the ceiling as Elvis kisses you sweetly at first and then with more passion. For the first time, he knows what it must feel like for Elvis to watch you be with him. It's not good, that's for sure.

Elvis wraps his arms around you and pulls your body in close to his. The kiss deepens, his tongue slipping into your mouth. You feel his growing erection as he rolls his hips and presses it against you.

"You... do you think we could...?"

"I don't see why not. You can see me and hear me and feel me... would make sense that you would be able to feel... all of me..." His eyes sparkle with excitement and a kind of hunger. The thought of making love to you in his own body is intoxicating.

Austin clears his throat to remind you of his presence. You both turn to look at him surprised he's still there.

"I can't leave without her, so I guess I'll just..." He looks around awkwardly like he's trying to find a place to go so he can leave the two of you alone. Elvis turns back to you, but speaks to Austin.

"We'll go downstairs. You stay here." Austin nods and swallows the lump in his throat as Elvis takes your hand and guides you down the mirror staircase. You both step over the ropes into the tv room and settle on the blue couch facing each other. He reaches out and runs his fingertips down your cheek gently.

"Doll, this is... I can feel the warmth of your skin. I don't know how this is possible, but I really don't care."

"Me neither... I just-" He cuts you off by kissing you again passionately. His kisses a trail down your cheek to your neck and you moan softly. He whispers against your skin.

"I don't know how long you'll be able to see me. I don't want to waste it."

"Me neither..." You crawl onto his lap, straddling him and his hands go to your hips. He rolls them forward against himself where he's fully hard now. When he looks down, he can see your panties as they peek out from under the skirt that you've pushed up to sit on him. He groans and moves his thumb to your center, feeling how wet you are.

"Doll, you sure you wanna try this?"

"Absolutely."

"Just, my body is different than Austin's."

"I know. That's why I want to do this. I want to feel you. Not him. At least once before-" You stop yourself before the lump in your throat turns to full-on tears. He puts his big, warm hand on the side of your face and you lean into his touch.

"Baby, let's not think about the future. Let's just focus on what we have right now. It's just you and me." You nod and he pulls you into another kiss. His lips are so soft and his tongue is so skilled. You can't help but wonder what it would feel like to have his mouth in other places. He kisses you with every ounce of passion in his body, so desperately glad to be able to do it. You back off of him and stand up, pulling your shirt over your head. He watches in awe as you strip off the rest of your clothes, adjusting his pants.

"You should just take them off." You whisper seductively.

"Oh, doll, I don't know..." He suddenly gets very self-conscious thinking about how he looks naked compared to Austin. You pull on his hands until he's standing in front of you. He's dying to reach out and touch every inch of you, but for some reason he doesn't feel like he can. You put one hand on the side of his face and the other on his belt.

"Elvis. I want to see you. You. I want to feel you. Please." He nods slowly and lets you undo his belt. Then, you unbutton his black and white flowered shirt, letting it fall to the floor. You press your lips to his chest, leaving soft kisses on his skin. Your hands go to the zipper on his pants and he puts one hand on yours.

"Doll. I look... different..." You smile and look up at him.

"Elvis, I know you're uncut. It doesn't bother me. In fact, I've been with both and I prefer it this way." He raises his eyebrows quickly.

"You h-have? You do?" You nod. It's not a lie. Your ex from college was uncut and you genuinely enjoyed it. He's so shocked by what you're saying that he forgets to be jealous about the fact that he's not the first man you've ever been with. Besides, he knows you've been with Austin anyway. He moves his hand from yours and lets you unzip his pants and push them down his legs. His cock bounces free as he kicks off his shoes and the rest of his pants. Now, he's as naked as you are and you stand facing each other but not quite touching.

You run your fingertips down the trail of hair that leads from his chest down to his dick and then take him in your hand. He whimpers with the sensation of your touch. You move your hand gently back and forth and he bites his bottom lip.

"Doll, I haven't been touched like this in... so long..."

"Does it feel better in your own body?"

"Yes. Fuck, yes it does." You go to get on your knees in front of him and he stops you. "No, honey, come here."

He lays down on the couch and then tries to guide your hips to his face, but you turn yourself.

"Doll, what're you..." You put a knee on either side of his face and then lean forward and pull his cock into your mouth. "Fuck. Okay."

He wraps his arms around your thighs and pulls your pussy to his lips, burying his tongue in your slit. You moan on his dick and he grunts into you. He drags his tongue to your clit and licks over and across it fervently. You slam your hand on the couch and push him as deep in your throat as he'll go. His hips buck up into your mouth and he thrusts into you as he moves his mouth on you. You'd scream in pleasure, but your lips are stuffed full of his cock and all you can do is whimper. He reaches one hand down to grab your breast, gently squeezing and running his thumb over your nipple. You hold his dick with one hand and drag your tongue in a circle on the tip and taste the salty precum that's leaking from him.

"Honey, I wanna make you cum, but I can't focus with what you're doin'. Stop for a bit."

"But daddy, I-"

"No buts, baby. But keep callin' me daddy." You smile and pull off of him, laying your head on his thigh. He goes back to licking your pussy like his life depends on it and your orgasm starts to build in your hips.

"Fuck, daddy, it's so good." You feel him smile against you as he sucks on your clit. He pushes his tongue into your slit again, sliding it in and out for a while as you get so close to cumming that it almost hurts. Then, he moves back to your clit and lets his tongue flick it softly as you whimper and start to shake.

"You wanna cum in daddy's mouth, baby?"

"Fuck, yes I do... oh God..." He dives in fully and moves his tongue against you quickly and deeply. Your orgasm slams into you from every direction, running like lightning in your veins and knocking out the hearing in your left ear. He continues to lap at you as you climax, feeling your clit soften on his tongue as he licks it. "Yes, Elvis!"

Hearing his name on your lips like this makes his cock bounce. As much as he likes to eat you, he's dying to feel you wrapped around him. Seemingly reading his mind, you sit up on his chest catching your breath for a bit before you slide even further down his body and sink onto his cock. He groans as he fills you up and you move on him, pushing him deeper and deeper. He uses both hands to massage your ass as you bounce on him. Then, he surprises even himself and spanks you swiftly and sharply. You yelp and he immediately pulls both hands back.

"I'm sorry!" You stand up off of him and he sighs. Then you turn around, straddle him again, and sit on his dick, letting it slide up inside you again. You grab his face between your thumb and forefinger and make sure he's looking at you.

"Don't you dare apologize. Did you like it, daddy?"

"Yes."

"So did I." You lean forward and kiss him hard. He grabs your hips and starts to thrust into you from underneath. You moan softly as he pounds you, his rhythm becoming more erratic.

"Honey, I'm gonna cum soon."

"Good. Cum for baby, daddy." He groans again with how dirty you sound. You've never been like this with Austin's body. Something about him turns you on more than you thought possible. Maybe it's just that you've dreamed about this for so long, so many nights spent with a vibrator or your own fingers against your clit as you whisper his name into the night like a prayer. Whatever it is, he's not complaining. He slams into you more and more powerfully until he just can't stand it anymore.

"Baby, I've gotta cum... oh God, fuck!" He shudders and crashes into you one last time as you feel him throb inside you, shooting you full of his release. Something happens when he cums, but he can't quite put his finger on what it is. Still, he feels different in some way, more alive, more real. His heart beats stronger and his breath comes quicker. You hold him inside you until his body relaxes, leaning forward to press sweet kisses to his chest and neck.

When you sit up, he holds the side of your face in his hand and looks up into your eyes.

"I want you to pick me."

"Elvis... I don't know how-"

"I love you." Your mouth pops open and you're not sure what to say. Well, you know exactly what to say, but it doesn't seem like there's any point to it. Surely, when you leave here, you won't be able to see him anymore and then what? You can't pick him. You know it and he knows it. Still, you hear yourself whisper to him.

"I love you too."

******

Until the end...

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Taglist:

@atleastpleasetelephone @returntopresley @msamarican @ruyaas-world @ccab @elvisfatass @elvisalltheway101 @aliypop @18lkpeters @dkayfixates @tacozebra051 @your-nanas-house @deniseinmn @joshuntildawn13 @lookingforrainbows @60svintage @littlehoneyposts @epthedream69 @louisejoy86 @rjmartin11 @from-memphis-with-love @deltafalax @cinnamoroll-things @burnthheparaphilia @jhoneybees @cattcb @everythingelvispresley

[ginax0916]

hii i have a request!! could you write something where the reader usually talks a fair amount of time, but recently got more quiet around her friends, doesn’t go out as much and so on? and matts starts to realise and talk to her about it.

(and they end up kissing teehee😁)

* ੈ✩‧₊˚ 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐞 * ੈ✩‧₊˚

Matt Sturniolo x Fem!reader

Genre - angst and fluff

Synopsis - Reader is over stressed and overwhelmed with school and Matt helps her. Love confession at the end 🙈

☾ ﾟ｡⋆

I hate school. It’s so tiring and the most overwhelming thing. It’s all fine until you get to college. Highschool was rough but nothing compared to being in college. It’s when things actually get real, when you realize if you don’t do enough then it all affects you future. It gives me so much anxiety to think about how if I fail then I fail in life too. Because without a college diploma then I have no job, no way to make money etc. It’s all too much and it’s really tiring me out.

I used to be the most talkative person you’d ever meet. I would go on and on about practically anything. I also went out to parties and hang outs a lot. Almost every weekend you would see posts of me hanging out with my friends. But now? Nothing. In my mind the only way to get through school is to isolate myself and just focus on my work. I don’t think anyone would really realize though.

Matt pov:

“Have you guys see y/n at any of the hang outs lately? I might just be hallucinating but I haven’t seen her out in weeks” I ask Nick and Chris suddenly realizing that y/n has been silent for a little too long. I’ve been friends with her since middle school. But I’ve also had the biggest crush on her since middle school. I never did anything about though, I just guessed I wasn’t her type or she just saw me as friends since she never did anything to give me a hint.

“Uhhh no she hasn’t even texted on the group chat lately” Chris answers.

“Yea I haven’t heard from her either you should check up on her” Nick says to me as he goes up the stairs to his room.

Their answers make me worry. This isn’t like y/n at all. She’s the most talkative and outgoing person you’ll ever meet. That’s the thing I love most about her, it makes me so happy to just listen to her voice while she rants about the most random topics. But it’s been almost 2 weeks since anyone heard anything from her.

“Where are you going?” Chris asks confused.

“To see if y/n is ok” I reply as I walk out of the house and head to her apartment.

Y/n Pov:

I’ve realized that maybe this is better. I’ve been focusing on school and no one has texted me so I’m guessing they don’t really care. Plus if I focus on college then I won’t fail in life and everything will be ok right? And I’m sure people are relieved that they don’t have to hear my annoying voice talking everyday. They probably all think I’m because of it. Although I do miss going out. I miss being with all my friends. I miss laughing and partying with them. I miss one person the most though, Matt. I’ve liked him for so long but never said anything because I didn’t have the nerves to.

I’m snapped out of my thoughts when I hear the doorbell right. Who would want to come see me at 9pm on a Sunday night? I carefully open the door only to be met with Matt’s worried expression looking at me dead in the eyes. I open the door and step aside to let him in.

“Thank god you’re ok” Matt sighs as he closes the door himself and pulls me into his embrace.

“Why would I not be ok?” I said as I pull away from the hug.

“Because you’ve texted nothing on the group chat for 2 weeks and no one heard from you” Matt says as we both walk to the kitchen.

“I’ve just been focused on school that’s all” I mumble while I clean up all the assignment and essay papers that are scattered along my kitchen counter along with the textbooks.

“You don’t have to clean up it’s ok” Matt says.

“But it’s all so messy” I argue back.

“Ok y/n please just tell me what’s wrong” Matt stands up and walks closer to me. His stare intimidates me and I look down.

“Nothing is wrong I’m fine” I quietly say.

“You don’t just ghost everyone for 2 weeks and say that nothings wrong. Obviously something is so tell me please” Matt practically begs. I feel the tears in my eyes start to swell up. I fight to hold them back but it’s a battle I quickly lose as I feel the tears start to roll down my cheeks.

“Oh n/n” Matts eyes soften and he calls me by my nickname as he wastes no time in wrapping his arms around me.

“It’s too much Matt! Everything is! But if I fail college I fail in life too and then I can’t make money and everything is ruined” I sob into his chest making him hold me tighter.

“Y/n you’re not gonna fail. You’re the smartest person I know. I know you want to focus on school but you’re overworking yourself. It’s ok to take a break sometimes. It’s ok breathe. I’m right here” Matt comforts me and his hand rubs my back soothingly. I try to breathe in but I just let out another sob.

“In through your nose and out your mouth. Good just like that, you’re doing so good” He praises as I do what he says and my sobs turn into a soft cry.

“Can you jump up? Can you do that for me hm?” He taps the back of my thighs signaling for me to jump up.

“Mhm” I hum as I wrap my legs around his torso and lay my head on his shoulder.

“Good girl” He mumbled and his holds me up and walks us to the couch where he sit down and lays back with me cuddled into his side. My head is laying on his chest and I softly sniffle once in a while.

“Now c’mon talk to me” Matt says softly.

I sit up a bit and raise my head so I can meet his stare.

“I- I just-” I stutter out unable to form sentences.

“Me focusing on school isn’t the only reason I ghosted people. I just feel like it would be better because everyone probably finds me annoying because I talk to god damn much! And who would even want to listen to me talk about the most random and uninteresting things? They’re all probably relieved that they don’t have to hear my voice everyday. Look I’m doing it again! I just keep on go-” I’m suddenly cut off by Matt’s lips on mine. Shut me up completely and he kisses me passionately.

He kissed me. Matt kissed me. I immediately kiss back and he smiles into the kiss. He puts his hands on my waist and pulls me closer to him. I wrap my arms around his neck and on of my hands plays with his hair that runs so smoothly through my fingers. The kiss is full of love and eagerness. But Matt pulls away before it turns into something else. He rests his forehead on mine and we stare at each other breathlessly.

“Y/n I’ve liked you for so long I had to kiss you. No one thinks you’re annoying everyone loves your talking. I love it more than anyone else. It makes me so happy when you tell me you have a story to tell. I love hearing you talk, I love seeing you smile, I love hearing your laugh I love everything about you” Matt confesses making my blush.

“I love you Matt” I kiss him again. This time it felt more passionate than the first.

“I love you too y/n”

Hmmm idk if I like this. Sorry it took so long I have schoolll

Request anything pls 🙏

[swordandscytheandpen]

Finished Guide. I have thoughts.

Mostly positive ones. I have nitpicks, sure, but it's damn near impossible to write a fully satisfying resolution to a three million word story. EE did an insanely good job considering.

Akua was one of the highlights, of course. Her arc was indeed probably the single best redemption story I've ever seen. The pivot in Praes, in particular, was amazingly compelling ("why was she not hearing the song?" hit me HARD). @kvothbloodless once responded to my tags while I was in the middle of Book 2, assuaging my skepticism that a character as remarkably hateable as Akua could have a well-executed redemption arc, and I gotta say her confidence was well-placed. It's a testament to EE's character writing skills that a character who is not only morally monstrous but immensely personally unlikeable could be turned around like this. I'll make fun of Guide's length, of course, but I don't think an arc like this could be handled so well in a work of reasonable length. It's a strength both of the writer and the medium, I suppose.

Her final fate, like most of the cast's, was a pretty solid conclusion to her character arc as well. Really followed through on the narrative's refusal to entertain redemption through death, while still being a surprise, unlike the whole Dead-King's-jailor thing. The dynamics of that particular fate on her character had already been explored through her and Cat's thoughts several times, so it's nice to see something different, instead of just watching the original plan play out with rings instead of a crown.

Same goes for a lot of the other characters. Viv and Indrani had excellent conclusions. Masego and Hakram I'm not dissatisfied with, though I do have minor points of umbrage. Hakram's arc might just have gone past me a little bit; I feel that if he has to be tied so tightly to the Clans as a whole he really needed more foreshadowing connecting him to his home. Instead, it felt a little bit like a family-conquers-all story shoved in with only justification in the moment, which ain't really my cup of tea. More specifically, it felt like the narrative required him to have deeply-held goals that he could go be independent about, but forgot to actually touch on those goals until he'd already left Catherine. Still, just a mild disappointment.

Then we've got Masego, and my take on him is similar in that it's broadly satisfying but I just feel like it doesn't fit in certain ways. In his case, it's mostly the apotheosis: the edges of that particular puzzle piece seem rough, as if EE had something else in mind but swapped it out relatively late in the process. There was some hinting that his dream of godhead would result in conflict with Cat, and then they just... didn't do that. Then in the epilogues, it really seems like his apotheosis hadn't made much impact on who he is or what he does. His part of the epilogue would have been just as suitable, to my eyes, if he hadn't achieved that. So it fell flat a little bit, which took some of the wind out of his ending. Everything else about him was great though.

Catherine's ending took the longest for me to think through. At first I was a bit ambivalent about it, 'cause it felt like nothing was really subverted. Minus a few hiccups, she got everything she wanted. Cardinal. The Liesse Accords. Even all the Woe surviving. The only thing she didn't get was Akua, and she already knew that wasn't on the table. I really just did not expect a straightforward Catherine Wins ending to the Guide. I thought she'd probably die at least; in fact, I thought the most likely outcome was Cat's death and her goals being posthumously realized! This story sure felt like a tragic ending was coming down the pipes!

And then once again, I remembered that this is a story about stories. What Cat has isn't just a happy ending, it's one last victory over the narrative. It's a middle finger to the idea that villains don't get to sail off into the sunset. And you know, it really takes some strength to put a fresh coat of paint on the very idea of a happy ending. So yeah, Cat's ending is great. Just perfect.

But of course, there's no way to wrap up three million words while satisfying every single plot point. So, keeping in mind that APGTE is probably among my top 5 written works in the English language now, I do have a point or two of order.

First off, towards the end, Named were dying like flies. Felt like every chapter had a list of casualties all its own. And I can see the drive to do that; there were a lot of Named involved by that point and there had to be casualties. It keeps the stakes high and the villains scary. But I can't help but feel discouraged from reading once six characters I'm somewhat engaged with die in the span of two chapters. Mostly offscreen.

The biggest offender here was the Painted Knife's band. I really loved the bonus chapter about their backstories, as well as the concept of them as the first band containing both heroes and villains, and I'd wish we'd seen nore of how that relationship developed. And I thought it was a weighty enough label that they'd shot up again later. So when it was mentioned offhand that the Royal Conjurer was killed, I was blindsided a little bit. And then the rest died, one by one, offscreen (except the Knife). Poor Poisoner. She was my favorite. Felt like wasted potential, like a story that wasn't followed through to the end. The Blade of Mercy was in a similar boat. He was important in the Arsenal arc! Let him die onscreen at least!

There was Roland too, who wasn't as bad. His death wasn't really satisfying, another surprise Hawk casualty, but at least it was shown and meaningful. Still, I feel like he deserved a proper character arc outside his backstory. Poor guy.

A couple other deaths, too: Rafaella and Alexis in the fight against the Dead King. Rafaella was ambiguous enough that I really wasn't sure whether she was dead for a while, and even after... I dunno. The hero who killed Captain needed a stronger resolution than "sacrificed herself to get rid of the Dead King's last line of revenants." Then Alexis's death just wasn't meaningful; it wasn't for anything. And I know, I know, that's not how death works, but it is in stories! Didn't feel right. It was too fast.

But the Keter deaths were really my biggest gripe, and if that's the biggest problem I have with a conclusion to a story that long? I can only offer applause.

You know what death I didn't have a problem with? Hanno, in the epilogue. How the hell do you kill a character that major in just a few sentences and make it feel satisfying? The epilogues were just all-around great. The character deaths and resolutions felt natural, plot points that were touched on in the main story were shown to ultimately be left to the next generation, and the continued history and development of the world made it feel so alive. It's a common sin for characters to create a new static world that's supposed to feel like it'll last forever. And sure, the framework of the Accords are kinda like that, but the rest of the world? There are still wars, still conflicts, still upheavals. (The Republic of Orense was a nice touch in that regard.) The epilogues are nearly flawless and I will stand by that.

Last thing - of course I gotta talk about Anaxares. When Yara dropped him into the Serenity, I was pretty hyped about it. But then... I dunno. It turned out a bit flat. Felt less like the culmination of Anaxares's character and more like a plot device to cross the Serenity out of the equation. At the end of the day, with Anaxares sitting in the Serenity through the final battle and then appearing in the epilogues just to pop up years in the future, cause problems, and run off again, he felt weirdly like a sequel hook? And forgive me, but I'd eat my hat if there's a sequel. I guess it's imagination bait, which is certainly preferable to a poorly-executed conclusion. He's still my favorite non-Cat character. If there's any decent fic about him, please give it.

Speaking of, that's all I've got. Looking back up, this was mostly petty complaints, but I wanna be clear: once the first few books were past and EE broke their worst writing habits, this became one of my favorite writing pieces ever. The length and the proliferation of typos and other errors mean that I'd hesitate to fullthroatedly recommend it to anyone, but it's one of those works that has permanently altered my brain. Good fucking book.

Okay, Pale Lights time. Hopefully I'll catch up before Book 3 comes to an end, but I'm not gonna rush. Rapidly chewing through ridiculously long works is not, I have learned, conducive to getting the most enjoyment out of them.

[bambidixon]

I've been thinking about them. A LOT. I mean it sooo

First thing first They're so “The exit” by Conan gray

Feels like we had matching wounds— the way they grew up

But mine's still black and bruised and yours is perfectly fine—She being stuck in the past unable to form bonds with new people while Daryl finding his place with his new family

Feels like we've buried alive something that never dies— the past and ofc Merle

NOWW some things I've been thinking about

I don't think she would like Carol at all at leats until the prison maybe? they would eventually become friends and probably before she and daryl get together.

She would hate Rick, not that much but she would find him quite annoying.

I feel that she would get along with the Greene family, in fact she would be closer to them than to the rest of the group.

Beth would be her first real friend and Hershel the first man she trusts other than Daryl and Merle and I'm dying on that hill

She has something that Daryl gave her (a necklace, a ring, a diary idc anything) and she takes it everywhere

About how I think things would happened...

So she left, but I don't think she's going to leave Daryl behind just like that. He's all she has, and Daryl's "friendship" is the only stability she's ever known. I believe their it will happen gradually , probably starting during their time on the farm. In the first days, she and Daryl are both busy looking for Sophia—there's no time for buddies talks, and things don't seem to have changed between them. But as the days pass, she can't help but notice how much finding Sophia means to him, and she just doesn’t understand it. From her perspective, that girl is probably dead, and Daryl is risking his life for nothing. Yet, she keeps her thoughts to herself bc she knows better than arguing with him.

Their first real argument happens when Andrea mistakenly shoots him. She's furious—Daryl could have been killed, and it feels like no one else truly cares. She’s the only one who went out looking for him. They end up yelling at each other, both too stubborn to back down.

Things don’t change much until Sophia is found, already turned into a walker in the barn. The entire situation leaves Daryl angry and disillusioned with everyone. He retreats to what he knows—her—but it no longer feels the same. There’s a discomfort, a sense that Daryl no longer belongs by her side, and it bothers her.

Their distance grows when Daryl starts to bond with Carol. Is she jealous? YES ABSOLUTELY, but not in a possessive way—more in the sense that Carol is actually good for him unlike her, and he seems happier around these people, more like his true self. As his connections with the group strengthen, the gap between them widens—though it's more that she distances herself from him than the other way around.

After the farm burns down, when they’re camping with the group, she overhears Carol asking Daryl to leave with her and separate from the group. For a moment, she wants to say something, because who is she to think she can just take Daryl away like he's some lucky charm? But Daryl’s refusal to leave stops her.

Ultimately, I think she would leave after Merle’s death. She realize that if Daryl is happy and has chosen to stay with these people, she wouldn’t be the one to take away his chance at having a family, even if she’s no longer part of it.