#tray writes

[danielsarmand]

the way boston looks at top when top tells him “once is enough for you and me” really gets me because he looks so... sad. disappointed doesn't feel like enough to describe him here, he's not angry, he's not affronted or annoyed, he's plain sad.

and after, when he tells top he's a narcissist, that's him blatantly trying to dodge more than attack. he never once denies he wants top and he makes it clear he does, but he still feels the need to protect himself somewhat by diverting the attention to top's ego.

except he fails, because look at the way he swallows and the subtle eyebrow raise—he is so insecure in this scene and it's fascinating to me considering it's boston we're talking about. top makes boston insecure and it gets me, it just gets me.

then of course we have top and his little smirk, that eyeroll. he doesn't need to speak because he knows boston wants him, and he finds him genuinely pathetic for it. top may be a narcissist, but boston makes it so easy for him to justify being one. he's like, well, maybe, but you're the one who's begging me to fuck him because you just can't get enough of me, so really am i wrong in thinking i'm all that and more? and i think boston craves an absolutely counterintuitive mix of deprecation and praise, like he enjoys being the object of worship and might turn to nick for that because nick makes him feel good and wanted and therefore real, but he gets hooked on top because he can't manage to make him do what he wants him to do, and so he gets a bit addicted to his rejection as a result because it becomes a challenge to him.

like this is the face he makes when top leaves the bathroom are you kidding me. he is going through it in a monumental fashion and i bet he's so confused by it too because i don't think he's used to any of this.

i need to consume him i truly love him so much he's such an interesting character already

[redcyclops650]

“Long ago, there was an entertainer with a passion to entertain the young, accompanied by his trustworthy bobble-nosed companion. Both entertaining many children in their time”

“But he had a family ( and wanted to move on and pursue other projects, that I understand ) and had to move on. Leaving a new generation lost and without the guidance of him and his legacy.”

“For once more, they became subject to entertainment without substance”

“But when the world needed him most, He returned”

[sleepyfan-blog]

Serious Research

Author's note: This is the next fic in Mer!Trai's story! First. Prev. Next

warnings: none! please ask me to tag something if it bothers you

tagged: @egrets-not-regrets @the-pure-angel @whorety-k @gallifreyianrosearkytiorsusan

@kit-williams @bleedingichorhearts

Summary: Trai uses one of Ancient Terra's "laptops" to better research how to properly woo his lovely, bonded human.

It had taken weeks of diligently working alongside some of his fussier Cousins to finally convince one of them to allow him use of the Ancient Terran equivalents to a dataslate - while they did have tablets, which were touch-based on top of the device to use it, but he found that it was much easier for him to use the laptop versions of the computational devices, as well as the desktop versions. The laptops were more easily portable and after some trial and error on Trai's part, the Word Bearer had figured out how to use the keyboard without accidentally causing damage to the device with his claws. It was very important to him that he learn how to use this device, as it was connected to the Ancient Terran version of the Noosphere - which was called The Internet at this time.

He had many questions, and while most of his cousins were content to answer the questions that he had with varying degrees of patience and amusement, Trai wanted to do some independent research… Besides, he didn't want to endure the usually playful teasing that he was likely to suffer if they found out that he wasn't sure how to court you, his wonderful bonded human without coming off as too intense, or potentially cause an awkward cultural clash. If he learned more about your culture, he hoped to have at least a bit better of an understanding as to your likely reactions to what he was going to do. That and he knew that humans courted each other during this time period. They probably had advice and tips on how to date each other that he could probably use. Which was what he was also after.

Trai clicks on the icon for the internet browser, humming a little to himself as it took a couple of seconds to load up, remembering the internet safety rules he'd been instructed on - and that not everything on the internet was truthful, which meant that he would need to try and cross-check any "facts" he found online with other sources to hopefully figure out what was actual truth and what was either a lie or a fancible fable.

Several weeks had passed since Zedkiel had met his fellow caretakers to the Primarchs. While he couldn’t say that he would be able to get along with all of them under normal circumstances 

The first question that he started with was perhaps a little bit basic, but he felt that:

What do humans like?

Was a sensible first question to ask. After all he desperately wanted to make you happy and to smile at him regularly. There were a bunch of articles about the psychology behind why humans like what they liked. 

What is Psychology?

The first couple of links were to acquire psychology degrees of some kind - either through online methods or links to physical training centers. How fascinating. Those links didn’t really explain what psychology was, so he continued to search, finding the answer to be fascinating. It made sense to study oneself and others around them mentally. It was a subject of study in the far future as well. But now he’s gotten off track, and went back to his search. His next inquiry was:

How do I woo a human?

He huffed a little as he sees a couple of links pop up, followed by several suggested questions. He still felt decidedly masculine, so it wasn't as if he was a woman trying to court a man… Nor was either you nor he underage, so questions about boys and girls didn't make sense to click on.

He found several more linked sites:

A wiki page suggesting a little over twenty different flirting tips, a place called Reddit on the r/dating… Thread? Community? Something. There were several links to "dating" sites. But it wasn't as if he wanted to date just anyone - which seemed to be the preferred term to wooing.

He read through the flirting tips, all of which boiled down to; ask questions about the person you're interested in, give them genuine compliments and find ways to touch their shoulders/arms/hands that didn't make them uncomfortable. There was conflicting information about eye contact - some humans liked a lot of eye contact, others found it intimidating or insulting.

Trai huffed a little and erased his previous question before putting in:

How do I date someone?

There was another link to the how to flirt page, but he'd already read that. There was also some stuff about being honest; he'd tried honesty and had spooked his human. Maybe there was a balance between being honest with one's potential love match and not saying all of what you hoped would happen all at once up front? But how did someone do that? It was another question to ask, once he'd read through the search results of this.

There were other helpful-ish suggestions. To be present in the moments that you spent with your loved one, and to be open to the dating opportunities around you… But Trai was determined to date you, not just any human who might be interested in being courted by and courting an Astartes. Maintain Independence… He could hunt and fight just fine, he simply stayed in the research aquarium that you worked at because this was the easiest way for him to keep contact with you. And he could help you with some of your work tasks!

There was also a link about woohooing one’s partner in amongst the other links about dating. Trai had no context for the term, but as he murmured “Woohoo.” To himself quietly, it was a fun word to say, and hopefully it would make sense?

Ohhhhh… It was related to a game… And in order to do so, the make believe person a mortal was playing needed to use romantic options on the target sim. Hugs, and Flirting… Asking if the sim was single and pick up lines. Also something about having a higher friendship level helped to.

Did Friendship Levels exist on Ancient Terra as well? Or was this only a thing in this sims game? What exactly was this sims ga-

No. He was getting off track again. And apparently if one had a good friendship level with the target sim, one didn’t necessarily need to also use romantic options in some versions of this sim game.

… Maybe he should look into this game, to get some practice in how to flirt and interact with baseline mortals in M3? Something to look into, at least. But later. He was a mer on a mission.

What is a pick up line?

Ah! They were a mixture of verbal ice breakers and ways to signal one was romantically and/or sexually interested in the person they were saying the pick up line to. He began to look up specific pick up lines… Groaning a little as many of them were really terrible, at least to his sensibilities, but many of them were partially meant to flatter the person they were being told to… But some of them were borderline if not outright rude, crass or demeaning.

One of the other suggested questions puzzled Trai, so he clicked on it.

How do you date in real life?

As… As opposed to what? Daydreaming in one's mind about who one wanted to date? Trai had done plenty of that already, as well as silently pining over your beautiful soul and lovely body. He wanted to act, not just daydream and silently wish. Human lives were so short, especially on Ancient Terra.

Apparently there were ways to date a person on this version of the noosphere? Trai couldn't imagine wanting to do that. The Noosphere was maintained by the Adeptus Mechanicus and heavily monitored by them and the loyalists. He shuddered internally at the thought of such a private part of him being documented for any curious mechanical maniac to read and chuckle over. He had enough teasing from his Cousins over his first fumbling attempt thank you very much.

He clicked on the wikihow site, as it had several different articles pertaining to dating.

One of the wikihow titles jumped out at him: How to get bitches: a comprehensive guide.

Wait.

What. What was a bitch?

He was unfamiliar with the word and quickly typed in the question. A small frown appeared on his face as he read through the different explanations as to what the word was. Using the term bitch in this context made him a little uncomfortable and wary that the tone that it struck in the title meant that the entire article was probably slanted in a mildly to moderately insulting manner to those being pursued. Still, he did click on the pejorative title. Perhaps it was meant to be provocative on purpose?

… Stalking, emotional blackmailing and manipulation and badgering someone over and over again until they gave into you and agreed to a date so you'd stop bothering them didn't seem… Like the most auspicious or loving start to a relationship. Still, he supposed these were things to watch out for?

You did seem to enjoy spending time with him, at least. Maybe if he set up a date idea, and then asked you to go on one with him, you'd say yes, and he could prove just how great a partner he would be? Yes. That sounded like a great idea. Which was why he typed into the question bar:

First date ideas

… Wow, that was a lot to take in all at once. there were dozens of articles with hundreds of ideas on them. But many of them required the use of local currency, of which Trai had none, so he altered the search term to figure out what free date activities he could suggest for you and he to go on. Or wait. He knew that many humans seemed to like sand dollars and other shells, especially if they were intact!

How to trade shells for money or other objects?

... Oh. Now he was reading articles about how the seashell trade was causing a great deal of devastation to the local mollusc and other shelled fish populations. Or at least, it had been until some of his pushier cousins had stepped in and started causing trouble for the large companies who were sending people out by the hundreds to collect shells, leaving none behind on many beaches. Still... If he harvested the shells sustainably, maybe he could get some of the local currency? But you worked in sea life preservation, and trying to court you with money he'd gotten with the blood of sea life felt... Wrong somehow. So he typed in:

Free first date ideas

There were fewer search results, but that honestly was less overwhelming for him to read through. While some of these first date ideas required items or materials he didn't have and probably wouldn't be able to easily barter access to, there were several things that he could do. That and he really liked the idea of sharing a meal with you, if you were amenable. He was an expert hand at hunting and foraging, and had learned the food safety standards for baseline humans on Ancient Terra, and was confident that he could create a meal that wouldn't make you sick.

Now all he had to do was to work up the courage to ask you out.

[forcebookish]

boston:

[allinsideyourhead]

Paul Simon and a tray of hotdogs in August 1976.

[thecasualfkfan]

Let us talk about the 'guitar' scene shall we?

Boeing comes in to 'see' Sand and comments on how Sand is still using the 'same' guitar implying that this was not a new conversation.

He also asks When will he get a new guitar? also implying that he has indeed asked him this before and Sand's expression is clearly showing that he had indeed offered some explanation for this before this and does not want to do the same again. This is showing familiary and that Boeing was the one who was the 'old' one in Sand's life(also that inspite of knowing sand is using an old guitar,he never gave or never even tried or thought about giving a new one to Sand).

Cut to Ray giving Sand a 'New' guitar. This is a great symbolism of him being the 'New' one in Sand's life(also the one who actually gave sand a new guitar when he noticed that sand wanted one) and the one who remembered which was the guitar sand wanted.

Sand saying he feels a liitle bad for taking it but want it and asking can he have it while smiling

that big showing he's indeed not feeling bad and very happy that Ray noticed and cared enough to buy a new one for him.

He's at that stage of relationship with Ray(comfortable and boyfriend-y) where he can accepts gifts from Ray without feeling like he's giving up his self worth and for someone like Sand that's a huge thing.

Therefore I hereby conclude that Sand and Ray are in fact very much in Love and understand each other and Boeing can take his homewreking and cheating assTM and go fuck himself.

[dustdeepsea]

Me, at my writing desk on a Monday, replying to comments like old-fashioned social correspondence: Dear reader, I am gladdened to hear that you find his cock visage so beautiful. I, too, was filled with tender and powerful thoughts at the sight. Would you do me the honour of coming to tea at four o'clock on Thursday so we may discuss this further—

[not-poignant]

March 2024 Writing Round-Up

Here’s the monthly round-up of everything written and posted in March 2024!

Here’s the chapters that were released:

Birthday Spotlight - Gulvi Dubna Vajat

Underline the Black 82

Underline the Black 83

Underline the Black 84

Underline the Blue 12

Underline the Blue 13

Constellations 04

The Nascent Diplomat 42

The Nascent Diplomat 43 (Augus+Gwyn Tier+)

Underline the Blue 14 (Augus+Gwyn Tier+)

Underline the Blue 15 (Augus+Gwyn Tier+)

Constellations 07 (Gary+Efnisien Tier+)

Chapter Commentary - Underline the Black 37 (Mosk+Eran Tier+)

Chapter Commentary - Underline the Black 38 (Mosk+Eran Tier+)

FANFICTION

A Stain that Won't Dissolve 33

A Stain that Won't Dissolve 34

Palmarosa 20

Palmarosa 21

~

I managed a decent 39k words this month across 11 chapters. I actually wanted to do more (I secretly wanted to write another 4 chapters and hit a 50k+ wordcount which in retrospect is kind of nuts).

~

On the writing side, I wrote across multiple stories: Underline the Black, A Stain that Won't Dissolve, Underline the Gold, (Secret Project), and Constellations.

~

I’m pretty burnt out and working on getting my capacity back. I'm hoping to take two weeks off writing at the end of April, and we'll see if that helps.

I think burnout is something a lot of us are feeling and trying to learn how to navigate right now!

~

I’ll see you all in April!

[aprilblossomgirl]

-- I don’t know how much further we have to travel before we find our space. We may have to pass difficult curves and crossroads we have to guess whether to go left or right, or how many times we’ll choose to turn back. 

First Kanaphan Puitrakul as Akk. Khaotung Thanawat Ratanakitpaisan as Ayan. Neo Trai Nimtawat as Kanlong. Louis Thanawin Teeraphosukarn as Thuaphu. AJ Chayapol Jutamas as Wasuwat. Pawin Kulkaranyawich as Namo. Ployphach Phatchatorn Thanawat as Sani. | Our Skyy 2 x The Eclipse (2023)

[markcampbells]

Wolfwood knocks the hand he reaches out away before it can get any closer. "Stop it," he growls, so vehemently he feels the spittle flying from his aching mouth. "Get the fuck away, all right?" "No." Vash shakes his head, his gaze on Wolfwood all the while. "And if you wanted that to hurt me, you'll have to try harder, I'm afraid. Not like I feel it when you slap the prosthesis away." In the aftermath of a dental injury, Wolfwood deals poorly with the pain, struggling to accept Vash's offer of help and comfort. (Vashwood Week 2024, Day Two: Protection / Trust) detailed content warnings are in the fic notes but be aware this fic deals heavily with past medical trauma, dissociation, and PTSD.

Me again, Vashwood nation! For Day Two of @vashwood-week, I... well, I recently had two wisdom teeth removed at the end of a years-long ordeal and I... did some things to Wolfwood. I'm sorry. I feel really bad about it.

My piece for Day One, childhood, can be read here, and thank you so much to everyone who's already read, commented on, and reblogged it with their sweet words! Thanks as well to @trigunfanfic for giving writers a place to promote their work. <3

[danielsarmand]

ONLY FRIENDS (2023)

[sleepyfan-blog]

Author’s Note: Trai part three! I hope you enjoy :D first. Previous

Next

Tagged: @egrets-not-regrets @gallifreyianrosearkytiorsusan @whorety-k @kit-williams @bleedingichorhearts

Warnings: none, ask me to tag if anything bothers you

Summary: Trai apologizes for being overeager

“I… Would like to apologize.” Trai murmured, warm honey brown eyes briefly looking at you, before the large mer looked down and away, bashful and contrite.

It had been a little over a week since his… Offer of immortality at the cost of shedding your human form. You still had no idea how to process that offer, much less how to respond. “Oh?” You manage out.

“Yes, I… I realized I came on a bit strong, when I… Ah… Gave you that offer seven days past. It is still valid, of course, but I realize we have only barely met, and to offer such is a bit… Much.” He ducks his head contrite, still not looking at you.

That was… Not what you were expecting. You've worked with Astartes in the past, and are well aware of how intense they can be. You also suspected that his offer had been made in part to try and repay the nonexistent debt he might feel he owes you for nursing him back to help, and offering him safety and shelter after months of miserable torment. You'd also noticed he seemed… Very wary of other Astartes, despite most of them also being in varying stages of being healed. Especially Raven Guard. “I accept your apology, Trai.” You wait a beat before asking “How have the new stretches been treating you?”

“They were difficult and more than a little painful at first, but I can do them now without pain! Watch.” Trai trilled as he performed a series of impressively acrobatic movements, his deeply tanned skin shifting and flexing as he did so.

From what records that the bastards who had been experimenting on Trai and other Astartes they'd captured, the Word Bearer had been held captive for the longest, and subjected to some of the most extreme experiments they could think of. The fact that he trusted you and the other human medical staff at all was miraculous - and spoke of his either trusting or forgiving nature. You clap and grin, murmuring “Well done! I'm so glad that you're continuing to regain strength.” There were also the teal and silver Astartes who regularly visited this facility, the ones who had led you and your team to those butchers…

“Thank you, truly.” Trai murmured, a warm smile on his face that made him look so very handso-no. You were not going to go there. Not while he was under your care as a patient. After, perhaps if he wanted anything to do with humans at all, once he was strong enough to leave. “I would still be held captive, were it not for your grace and intervention.”

A thought struck you. You're not sure if the teal astartes had actually visited any of the injured patients. They seemed a secretive bunch, and you'd never heard about octopi-based Astartes until they'd shown up at your door, their bioluminescent rings flashing with distress and anger. “While I and my team helped in the rescue… You do know that it was a group of your cousins who found where you and other injured Astartes were being held, right?”

He fidgeted a little “Still, it has been your care and dedication that has allowed me to heal. I feel much safer in your care, than in theirs.’ Trai murmured. He'd been asked if he'd wanted to be in the care of his own people's medical professionals and had refused. At the time he'd said that he wasn't sure he had the strength for the open ocean…

You were wondering if perhaps he'd simply wanted to stay with you. Warmth blossomed in your chest at that thought, even as your professional side scolded you for being so wistful. “I am honored by your trust, Trai.”

He smiles and nods “Thank you.”

You smile warmly back, continuing your daily work routine. Trai's assistance in feeding the large and sometimes rowdy sea turtles is very much appreciated.

[the-eclectic-wonderer]

5, 18 & 19 for the fanfic ask!

Hello and thank you for the questions!!

5. first sentence of the fifth paragraph of an unpublished WIP

“I have to say, Blanche,” Rose says, settling back against Blanche’s side, “I know you explained it to me, but I still don’t get it.”

18. if you keep them, share a deleted sentence or paragraph from a published fic

I don't really keep deleted sentences/paragraphs, unless they're full concepts for a scene that I might want to use in another WIP, but I did find a couple of sentences from an early draft of i would have said impossible [...] that got heavily edited by the final cut. I'll bold the parts that got kept in the final work:

"She likes to think she hid it well. She tried to, at least; bit back the most acidic jokes, tried to keep a hold on her sarcasm. It's not her roommates' fault if she's had a bad day, is it? So she tries. She listens, and she's patient, and she's affectionate -- and they seem happy. That must count as a success.

And yet, when she's finally alone in her room and ready to call it a night -- then Rose comes, carrying tea and cookies on a tray.

It's strange. She told Ma earlier that she'd like to be alone tonight, and before the door opened she only wanted to get into bed and forget everything until tomorrow morning. Then Rose came in, and she'd be lying if she said a single hint of her perfume and a single glance at her reassuring smile aren't enough to calm her nerves."

The gist of the passage remained more or less the same, but I hope it counts anyway!

19. the most interesting topic you’ve researched for a fic

I'm not sure I can choose the most interesting one -- I love learning and I've had a lot of fun with every rabbit hole I've found myself in for a fic! The most charming one, though, was definitely the little ornithology detour I went on while I was writing sonata for trio, which was a classic case of 'I only needed to find the right simile to add in this sentence, how the hell did I end up on the Wikipedia page for the American Robin?'. I learned a lot, and birds are so cute -- especially robins!! I had a great time reading about them :)

(I'm not counting my research on karst and sinkholes as a valid answer for this questions, because I already knew the topic well enough, but I did spend a lot of time fact-checking what I wrote. I don't want to spread misinformation!)

[✍️ more fic writer asks!]

[piperjistic]

Kindle

(Po x Tigress, Tipo lmao)

It was midnight. Two warriors laid in bed, staring up at the ceiling. An arm laid under the tiger, an arm laid on top of the panda. Neither stiff as they laid together and stared at the ceiling. The wind blew gently outside, yet nothing creaked. That was unusual, it meant age, but also that if something or someone was out of place, they wouldn’t immediately know… That can be fixed though after a month or two living here.

The barracks was nice and all for the years they’ve trained and still train at the jade palace, however it was cramp. Especially for the panda, but even more for the couple. Once they started sleeping together, it was hard to stop. I mean, why would you?

To have a big pudgy and soft panda that keeps one warm, that’s the perfect cuddle bud. It saved them during mountain missions, it protected him from most attacks, and definitely comforted whoever needed a hug. So for Tigress, it was truly perfect.

Her eyes flicker over to Po briefly, seeing him contemplatively staring at the ceiling. He inhales deeply. She turns her attention back up too. Like the rest of this place, it was marble dotted in swirls, golden dots and black strokes, mimicking dragons flying through the roaring clouds. It was a beautiful mural, fit for the dragon warrior yet not too distracting or pretentious. A mural of Po would be too much, especially with him smirking and members of the valley praising him. She shakes her head.

Tigress’s tail sways across the bed, feeling out the bed’s surface that was smooth and silky, free from holes, dents, or creases. When she slept in the cots, she would sleep on the side and allow her tail to find a crevice to lay in that lead to the rest hanging off. Now though? There was no such thing. She sighed. Is this anxiousness? Confusion? No, it was astonishment.

She was still processing this change. It was completely unexpected to her. To them. Even though this bed fitted both of them perfectly. Even though this was only natural for them to move to a room together. Especially with the Jade Palace and its grounds being renovated inside and out, years after Kai’s assault to remove Oogway from memory. Was this even possible? What would stop them? Who would stop them? This was never a possibility in their mind. Sure they loyally and fiercely defended the valley, yet that’s suppose to be a thankless (minus the fanclubs) and grueling job. This isn’t even mentioning that Po is the dragon warrior, he outranks almost all, even Shifu.

Speaking of which… Po clears his this throat, her face flickers over to him, he slowly turns to his side to fully face her. His voice low as if the walls were made of paper instead of marble, though wearing a small warm smile. Her chest flutters. “I can’t believe Shifu agreed to let us get a room together.”

Even Po’s still figuring out the math. Her mouth twitches up, she’s not alone.

She leans in on her side, feeling his breath on her nose. It was warm. Her hand slides, yet doesn’t leave his chest. Rather, it gently caresses that patch of fur through her paws. His breath smelt liked earthy matcha & sweet broth.

“I can’t believe he even heard you out.”Tigress bluntly states. She feels his chest rise and fall as his blue focuses on her, his hand on her shoulder pushed them closer. Space between their faces were less than a foot away. Her tail curled.

“Oh come on, was it that much of a bad idea?” She hums. He rolls his eyes and smirks, his fingers tiptoe up her arm. “Well, personally it wasn’t if a lil—“

“Tiger, not kitty, Po.” She eyes him sternly, gently but firmly swatting his hand. His smiles grows, she knows his tricks. The panda lets his hand gesture widely as he continues.

“Okay, it wasn’t if a lil’ tiger agreed with me.” She clears her throat.

“I only said it was optimal… and promised it would allow you to train better.” She squints her eyes, there goes that cheeky smile again.

“Just admit it Ti, you want to cuddle with this belly—“ He beats it, it jiggles. “Every night.” It was her turn to roll her eyes. She would never. “I mean, I know I would.”

“You’re so full of yourself Po.” Her paw pats his belly, he chuckles.

“Yeah, well, everyone besides you says otherwise.” His open hand wraps around her waist, pulling her even closer, leaving their faces inches apart.

“Well that’s because they don’t really know you like I do.” Her finger ever so gently taps his snout. It was her turn to grin cheekily. His eyes widen before he bellows in laughter skyward, kicking his feet. His voice reverberated across the walls of the nearly empty room, practically lighting the room too life. It takes a minute for him to calm down and catch his breath. Tigress watched fondly, heart fluttering. He rolls back over, grinning.

“Righttttt, like I didn’t train with the rest of the five for the same amount of years as you.” She shakes her head.

“Oh but you didn’t. You and I sparred, and to this day, you’ve lost to me the most.” She asserts, grin twisting in confidence.

“Oh really?” Her smirk grew, knowing he was corner.

“Who trained with you the longest?” Po ddi the only thing he could do, play dumb as he glanced back at the ceiling and tapped his chin.

“Mmmm……”

“Po.”

“Monkey?”

“Po.” She frowns, unamused.

“Okay Okay, you Ti. You. Always you.”Conceded the panda as he held his paw up in surrender.

“And if you add up all that time, I would probably be a year if not six months ahead of the rest. This is including missions.” She yawns, the warmth between them is getting to her.

“Oh wowww, using math on me now, are ya? So clever.” Po boops her snout. She manages to chuckle from under her scoff. Her tail curls over his leg.

He sighs, her laugh angelic. It wasn’t tight or forced, she was relaxed. The tail is a dead giveaway, but so were her half-lidded eyes and upright ears. Oh, and don’t forget this new hint he noticed lately, that when she stares at him, her amber eyes dilate. It was too cute. She was already super strong, clever, brave, attentive, diplomatic, decisive, reserved and elegant. And so much more!

And it was all his, well not literally but— he’s the only one that can see this side of her. The tough and stoic tiger kung-fu master lays wrapped in his arms, happily laughing and smiling. Who would of thought? His smile soft and loving, eyes filled with adoration.

“Tigress, I love you.” She blinks, taken back. She finds herself leaning back from their gentle embrace.

She blinks again. How could one say that so casually? That’s like tossing wood on a bonefire— No— Scratch that, tossing a tub of flame sticks on it. Her cheeks warm up, fur standing tall and muscles tight. This is an alarm. No, important. Very important. With the most important!

And yet, his eyes of sunny skies were gentle and half lidded. He was almost always relaxed, but this… Is too much… She spoke up, trying to not trip over her own words. She waited too long to respond—

“And I… love… you… Po.”

Tigress winces shamefully, immediately adverting her eyes down. It’s so hard to say. She’s never done it before…. in years…. When she was but a cub and just adopted by Shifu, or maybe she said something of equivalence. Regardless, she loves Po. More than anything. And here he is professing his love once again when its only them and no one to witness but each other… And she can’t even reciprocate it… Sputtering isn’t enough.

Her eyebrows were knitted together, ears flattened and a bigger frown than her stoic face ever would be. She even drew her paw away that played with his fur and her tail. It hurt Po to see it. He watches her eyes, as if he sees her thoughts spiraling in circles. No more.

She flinches as a soft paw of black envelopes her cheek, gaze lifted back to his concerned eyes. “Hey… Don’t beat yourself up. Take your time, my tiger lily. I can wait.”

“But—“

“No butts.” He engulfs her in the biggest panda hug he could muster. She couldn’t fight. She knew she couldn’t fight it. This is his expertise. She melts, chuffing. Her fur fluffs back down, tail sways before draping over his thigh. They lay there for what seems like an eternity. Though, he wasn’t done yet. He pulls back, grinning satisfied.

“Butts are for ducks.” Confusion spreads across her face. Po chortles before it’s interrupted with a yawn. He shifts, bringing his lips to her forehead and pressing firmly against her firm. Heat spread like wildfire throughout her body.

Instinctively to the foreign feeling, she tenses like cement… eyes wide. But… her tail doesn’t move form his thigh and she doesn’t pool away. Her face is probably flushed, her fur probably more coral than orange. Though either could tell. He pulls away, leaving her with his final murmur. “I’ll explain later….”

She only nods. The panda warrior doesn’t mind as he pulls her in close, chest to chest as he rubs his chin against her head. He settles, closing his eyes.

It was the opposite for Tigress for a few moments. However, she wasn’t ashamed or fearful as before. This was something she knew she didn’t have to reciprocate. If anything, in time, she’ll love to just receive and savor it.

She manages to inhale deeply, muscles relaxing and heart slowing once again. The heat within herself lingers comfortably. She smiles, chuckling to herself. The tiger warrior rubs her face against his soft fur. Every inch of her face rubs against his neck and shoulder, she couldn’t get enough. Then, Tigress buries her face with his shoulder, leaving her ears to peak out from the furry mass.

Someone once told her love was like a fire. It burned forever and brightly. It could wither, but it could also grow tenfold. Not just romantic, platonic too. Little fires sparkle inside her like the night sky. Shifu, Crane, Viper, Monkey, Mantis, even Mr.Ping, Li Shan, and little Lei Lei. They were her family.

And the other fire, the biggest fire of all, was self love. It sounded ridiculous for love to be described this way, but as time went on, it began to fit. So when it came back to herself…. She never considered her fire to burn brightly. She was proud of what she accomplished, her ability, her power. Though that’s what she was raised to be, a warrior first, a leader second and everything else last…

But then comes a goofy panda that believed in himself and other people; who became the grandmaster of kung fu and chi by being his true self and says other wise. Po wasn’t just a fire to her. He kept her warm on her darkest and coldest nights. She felt herself cheesing into his luscious white fur. Po was her kindle that blazed her the most.

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Okay. In the first arc of House of Slaughter, Aaron gets his fingers sliced off when Jace releases all the totems. They get reattached. Which means there is at least one member of the house who is a fully trained surgeon. Probably a surgery team.

Did these people go to medical school? Did they do residencies? Obviously they're all specializing in emergency medicine or trauma surgery. AND THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME TATTOOS AND THEY WERE ALL RAISED IN A CULT.

POV you're an attending physician and your new resident is named Dr. Slaughter. Which is unfortunate, but there are lots of doctors with unfortunate names. One of the guys on that "untold stories of the ER" show you hate is named Dr. Slay, whatever. But your new resident Dr. Slaughter is WEIRDLY good at compartmentalizing, normally shiny new residents are a lot more upset the first time a patient dies on them. And Dr. Slaughter had this really cool tattoo. You can only see it when the sleeves of their scrubs ride up, but you could swear one of your classmates in medical school at the same one on their calf...

[cinnamon-roll-whump]

thinking about wings of fire

Foeslayer, who was cursed to be killed again and again by her mother-in-law (three moons, Diamond); Darkstalker, alone under a mountain for two thousand years; Peril, unable to ever touch anyone (except one dragon, briefly), and oh, so traumatized...

and the queen system, where a reigning queen is deposed by her daughter or sister murdering her, so she can never let her guard down... and yet she must have a daughter, must create her own destruction, lest her kingdom be left leaderless when she grows old and dies. how inevitable. almost poetic, perhaps

and of course the breath of evil, a plant that can control dragons' bodies and haunt my dreams. good lord tui.