#tw: child soldiers

[jewish-vents]

Pre-October 7th, I had some ex-evangelical friends and they would always talk about how horrible their upbringing was and describe it as abuse and refer to their families and churches as cults because they were basically born and raised for the sole purpose of spreading Christianity and right-wing ideology. They would talk about how they used to have fantasies about being murdered for being Christian and going down in history as martyrs. And about their fantasies of going to war against non-Christians and converting or killing them. They readily acknowledged that the way they were raised was incredibly fucked up.

And yet they applaud the people doing the same thing to children in Gaza.

They call it abuse when American Christian children are indoctrinated into violence and bigotry from birth, but call it resistance when Palestinian Muslim children are subjected to the same thing. They call their American Christian parents and pastors cult leaders for telling kids that their greatest aspiration should be martyrdom, but call Palestinian Muslim parents and teachers and imams "freedom fighters" for raising children to be suicide bombers and human shields.

It is so fucking hypocritical it's sickening. The exact same things they say broke them and destroyed them and fucked them up for life are being done to kids in Gaza and these privileged little assholes are cheering it on.

.

[tranquil-turbulence]

SS Month ‘23 - Day 2

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3

Prompt: Warring States Era AU

Warnings: Trauma, mentions of violence, child soldiers, child death, and war

From the age of four, hardly a day went by without a shuriken in her hands.

In such a turbulent time, any and all help was needed in the eternal power struggle between the Senju and Uchiha - and she was no different; the frail daughter of a Senju woman and a peasant from Water country, her father had immigrated to Fire country in search of a better life and had landed in the middle of a bloody standoff between the two clans.

Her father had been hesitant for their only daughter to become a kunoichi, but her mother had grown up the daughter of a ruthless shinobi and a skilled kunoichi and was determined for her to learn the skills necessary to survive in such a ruthless world.

On the evening of her fifth birthday, she found that she could manipulate plantlife with her hands. Her mother was thrilled. She had said something about studying under the famed Senju Hashirama, but little Sakura hadn’t been listening - she was too busy admiring the gladiolus under her fingertips.

It was on her sixth birthday when she truly understood the gravity of the war - her cousin was slain by an Uchiha, and her mother wept bitter tears for her aunt. Sakura had been too numb to truly process the death for a few days - and when she finally recognized that her cousin was dead, she screamed herself hoarse while her father attempted to hold her back from running out the front door.

That innocent six-year-old had grown into a cold, calculating sixteen-year-old woman under the tutelage of not Hashirama, but his brother Tobirama - the man had seen the potential in her mind and was determined to expand it. Not that the man minded; she hated fighting and preferred to spend hours reading texts from beginning to end, absorbing their words. She had a certain expertise in genjutsu, and was content to let her teacher practice on her.

Everything changed when she met fifteen, soon to be sixteen-year-old Uchiha Sasuke.

The son of a high-ranking Uchiha, he was every bit as battle-hardened and ruthless as his kin; his was a name that was whispered more in fear than reverence, and her teacher found every excuse to keep her away from battle whenever word got out that he and his brother Itachi would be fighting. It was clear he didn’t want them to meet, and she never questioned him.

But today, of all days, she found herself alone by the riverbed, getting water for her ill father. It was a beautiful morning, and she hummed a tune while she filled a bucket.

Suddenly she paused, sensing a presence for a split-second behind her.

Turning her head, she nearly dropped the bucket in surprise when another person emerged from the treeline, long dark hair draped over his shoulder. Deep worry lines creased his face, and despite his youth there was something remarkably aged about him.

She knew him immediately.

Freshly twenty-one-year-old Uchiha Itachi, son of the man they called Kyougan Fugaku, was calm and collected as he nonchalantly strolled up to the river, a cloth in hand.

“Good morning, kunoichi,” he greeted politely, seemingly ignoring the emblem sewn into the sleeve of her kimono top as he knelt on the rocks.

Sakura stared incredulously at the man for several hesitant seconds. Why wasn’t he attacking? She had heard of his tendency for small mercies - on the battlefield he was like a machine rather than a man, cutting down Senju no more coldly than he ate or drank, but supposedly there were rumors afloat that he wished for peace more than war.

Truthfully, there was a certain softness to the way he carried himself. Minutely, she relaxed her rigid stance, seeing no sharpness in his shoulders nor steel in his gaze.

“You’re an Uchiha,” she finally spoke up, almost accusingly.

He paused in cupping his hands around the water. “I am.”

“Why aren’t you attacking me?”

That finally got him to look up, and for a moment she felt a guilty chord for the way he gazed at her with mild surprise.

“Why should I attack? You’ve no weapon and at the moment neither have I,” he pointed out, and she sheepishly looked away, feeling quite chastised. “I am merely here to wash my face, and no more.”

“Forgive me, I meant no offense.” She shook her head and went back to her bucket. “I’m not used to sitting near one of your kin without a sword in my hand.”

Itachi was quiet for several long moments, staring at the cool water. Then, he replied, “It would be a grave offense to my honor as a man if I deigned to strike you unprovoked. You’re no harm to me, and so I am not to you.”

Though his words were meant in good faith, his casual admission bristled her, and she barely held back from shooting him a glare as he dipped his head near the water’s surface, splashing his face.

The silence between them was awkward, and as she went to get to her feet, a sword to the side of her neck immediately raised her hackles, and she belatedly reached for her pouch.

There came a sigh, and Itachi looked up with a disapproving, “Sasuke.”

“Brother,” the younger Uchiha tersely greeted. “What are you doing with a Senju?”

“She was here first, and neither decided it was prudent to begin a quarrel where there is none.”

“Have you forgotten how many of our number hers have callously murdered?” He demanded. “Have you forgotten how they desired to strike down Cousin?”

“You’ve killed just as many, if not more,” she spat with a nasty glare over her shoulder. “My own cousin was murdered in cold blood by one of your kin. I was six; she was eight.”

“Please.” Itachi raised his hand, rising from his knees in one smooth motion. “Sasuke, sheath your sword. Do not shame our father in this manner.”

For a couple of seconds, the young man looked like he would argue, but one sharp look from his brother made him reluctantly pull back, and the katana glided back into its sheath.

Itachi sent the girl an almost apologetic glance as he extended a hand. “Forgive my foolish brother - though our father has raised us with peace in mind, I fear old habits die harder than they must.”

She stared at his hand before her eyes traveled up to his face. She searched it for a long moment before she sighed through her nose and accepted it, allowing his sure grip to guide her to her feet.

“All grudges forgiven, Uchiha,” she answered, letting go and stooping to retrieve her full bucket. “For your sake, I do hope this feud ends soon. I too grow weary of the fight.”

Itachi nodded simply, bowing at the waist before turning. “Come, Sasuke. Mother is expecting us.”

Sasuke stared at her, gaze sure and dubious. He was handsome, despite his blood - a slender nose, high cheekbones, regal brow, soft dark hair - had she not been a Senju, and he not an Uchiha, she might have fancied him.

He nodded dismissively and turned, hand on the hilt of his sword. “Good day, Senju. Be cautious when you make your way back.”

“And to you… Uchiha.” She managed to answer, clutching her bucket to her chest.

[queen-of-weird-girlboy-nation]

Imagine being little Jason Grace and being screamed at for not being able to see something and you get struck across your face for being a���useless little wretch’ and being yelled at constantly for something you really can’t help because it’s not my fault I can’t see but he doesn’t know that and he thinks he’s just being lazy or not trying hard enough and then he finds out he just needed glasses all along

[kadextra]

[one-time-i-dreamt]

I was being trained to be a child super soldier and after my first tour of duty at 16, I met Danny DeVito and I just stood there flabbergasted by his grace and magnificence.

[minzbins]

JOOCHAN Without You / 200130

[dr-lizortecho]

sometimes I wonder how many of the ghosts from the Lockwood and Co universe are from the initial attempts to combat The Problem. Like how many are the soldiers and special units sent out after an unidentified unknown coma at any? How many are the scared and traumatized eighteen year olds losing their abilities to clearly discern visitors? The adults who never had a chance?

How long it took for the government to legalize child soldiers- if parents noticed first that their little ones were more inttuned and kept it whispered about, soft warnings to their friends to keep their children away from windows, to not let them talk about the apparitions they saw, or the strange things they heard. How quickly that got up to the cruel people in charge who made the decision to let seventeen and sixteen year olds combat the Visitors? How many of those children in bids for steady jobs to support their families died bloody and terrified and added to the ghost count? How quickly it took the government officials to bribe parents to let their fourteen and fifteen year olds “train” for the positions they’d have in the future- while giving them a small sum of money. How quickly thy turned to thirteen and twelve and even younger. How many of those lost children died before they had a good understanding of what the Problem was. How many neighborhoods started as a horrible trip down the stars and got bathed in the blood of the unprotected and the innocent. How quickly a few instances of violent deaths grew higher and higher and more and more violent and traumatic. Because not only did children die- but from the express consent of their government and their parents ignorance and detachment.

How that makes the series as a whole a discussion on in society- given the amount of times are governments of committed genocide (or attempted genocide) through children, all in the name of protection

[the-catboy-minyan]

a man has committed suicide, set himself on FIRE, BURNED HIMSELF ALIVE.

and people are making fanart.

what kind of dystopia are we living in?

[this-earlobe-is-naked]

I’m so torn on this, because Percy especially doesn’t mention the ages of most people. The ones he does mention are at least 12/13 during the Battle of Manhattan. Obviously these are still children and it’s super gross of the gods to allow/require them to be their army (even more disgusting to think of an entire city of adults in New Rome, letting children protect/ die for them), but there’s something even worse in my mind to imagine an 8 year old in those fights. Let me know what you think, and please expound in the tags or reblogs.

[aftgficrec]

Do you have anything for settings outside of cannon?? Like au's or completely different universes

(Preferably neil centered but not exactly a necessity)

Ahhh there are many amazing AUs in our fandom, and of course a high percentage star Neil Josten. Generally, canon themes are still woven throughout the stories. Also check out AUs on our tags page where you can explore by theme. -A

a small sampling of AU themes:

single parent aus here

more band aus here

sitcom/romcom vibes here

long no exy aus here

new Hogwarts aus here

staff recs Mermay here

florist/tattoo artist andreil here

andreil enemies to lovers here

some Neil-centric AUs:

famous Neil (no exy) here

Neil as barista/waiter/bartender here

Neil with wings and lots of magic here

Oblivious ace-disaster Neil here

quirky Neil like ‘WUTBF’/‘Quicksand’ here

fics like ‘A Different Matter’ here

‘Neil’s Guide to Stalking Your Neighbor’ here

‘Dear Advice Guy’ here (complete)

‘The bittersweet between my teeth’ here

‘Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger’ here

‘Point Nemo’ here

‘still’ here

‘12 Ways to Woo a Minyard’ and ‘Deadly Affections’ here

Perennial by notyouranswer [Rated T, 11373 Words, Complete, 2023]

Neil downloaded a dating app (at Matt's insistence) to make some friends, but accidentally rejected a stranger right in front of him. Mild chaos ensues leading to conversations over coffee and a walk in the park.

tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: bullying

Into The Deep by Fortheloveofexy [Rated E, 21435 Words, Incomplete, Updated June 2023, Locked]

Part 1 of Tales From Foxhole Aquarium 

Neil Josten stares at the large building in front of him, his mouth twisted into a small frown. Yesterday, Browning had handed him a manila folder containing his new name, his new life. Included in that file had been a note, the same slightly crumpled note he’s holding in his hand now, with the name of his new employer. Foxhole Aquarium. Ask for David Wymack.

tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: implied/referenced self harm, tw: implied/referenced torture, tw: implied/referenced abuse, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: animal abuse, tw: implied/referenced character death, tw: blood, tw: panic attacks

NB: fic art of merAndrew by @fortheloveofexy

Only Fools Fall. by Random2002 [Rated T, 19789 Words, Incomplete, Updated Feb 2023]

Neil tests how faithful his clients partners are. Roland is a client; he's worried about his boyfriend. It isn't long until Neil notices some serious rifts in the relationship he is meant to test.

tw: child abuse

White Hands by doodlingstuff [Rated T, 23308 Words, Complete, May 2023]

Neil's life isn't exactly a life except for Stuart, trying to cheer him up, and his paintings, whenever he's inspired. Andrew's life isn't exactly a life except for his family and his volunteering work, keeping him afloat as the time goes by. When Andrew stumbles into Neil's life unwillingly, both will learn one day at a time that they still have reasons to fight and dreams to fulfill. --- Another take on Artist!Neil and Bartender!Andrew full of soft and fluff.

tw: implied/referenced csa, tw: heavily referenced abuse, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: implied/referenced self harm 

If Neil, Then Fox by AlrightDarlin (WhoopsOK) [Rated T, 12838 Words, Complete, 2023, Locked]

Neil Josten’s machine warns him Aaron Minyard needs his help, but Neil isn’t prepared for the way Andrew Minyard is about to turn his life upside down.

tw: murder, tw: canonical character death, tw: implied character death, tw: drug use, tw: violence

Professor Neil series by HalfpintPeach [Rated G/T, Collection with 2 complete works, updated Feb 2023]

Part 1: Necessary Losses [T, 9783 Words, Complete, 2023] Neil's grad students invite their Exy-obsessed professor out to one of the most anticipated matches of the Exy Season, the Dallas Palms vs the Denver Yellowjackets. Neil is excited to join to watch his husband and one of his best friends battle it out on the Exy court.

Part 2: Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day [G, 3640 Words, Complete, 2022] Neil has one of the worst days and Andrew is able to make it a little bit better. Welcome to my Professor Neil and Professional Exy Player Andrew world! 

I'll be a Brand New Day by especiallythezefronposter [Rated T, 15519 Words, Complete, 2017]

Neil meets a man who looks a lot like his least favorite teammate, Aaron Minyard, and it ends up changing his life. (A Winter Soldier AU, because this fandom deserves a Winter Soldier AU)

tw: self harm, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: gun violence, tw: blood, tw: murder, tw: nightmares

Unlucky Lies by Winterlynne_Norvic [Not Rated, 26365 Words. Complete, 2019]

Neil hates being a demon. Andrew hates Neil. Their lives are hell, but maybe with each other it doesn't have to be.

tw: graphic depictions of violence, tw: temporary major character death, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: demonic possession, tw: bullying, tw: assault, tw: attempted rape, tw: blood, tw: murder, tw: car accident, tw: canonical character death, tw: eating disorders

Neighbours series by transjorts [Collection, Rated T, Complete, 2021]

Part 1: Cat Burglar [6393 Words, AFTG Exchange Spring 2021] Neil has settled into his quiet life in Palmetto with a job at Barnes and Noble and a friend called Matt. But someone was breaking into his apartment and stealing his stuffed animals. What kind of fuckery is this?

tw: implied/referenced child abuse 

Part 2: Foxes and Fruitcake [12819 Words] Neil dives deep into Minyard-Hemmick family drama, plays exy and eats fruitcake.

tw: involuntary outing 

You're different than the others by Kml19 [Rated M, 21024 Words, Complete, 2017]

Neil works for the Moriyamas from inside the prisons as a guard, he doesn't think much about his own life, he is just glad that he is alive. That is until he meets a new prisoner that may change how he sees things.

tw: graphic depictions of violence, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: implied/referenced murder, tw: assault

NB: inspired by @requiemofkings’ artwork of prison guard Neil and inmate Andrew

Allurement by sundowne [Rated E, 20323 Words, Incomplete, Updated May 2023]

"You think I would use my allurement on you?" "You're not?" - A vampire AU in which Neil needs a new goalie and Andrew needs someone to feed from, so they strike a deal.

tw: blood, tw: implied/referenced abuse, tw: implied/referenced torture

Remember! Proplifting is Shoplifting! by Mystrana [Rated T, 3697 Words, Complete, AFTG Summer Exchange 2022]

Neil works at the garden center. He hates his job. Andrew is an amateur gardener who enjoys tormenting garden center employees. Somehow, he makes Neil's job better.

If You Knew What I Know by interstellarflowers [Rated G, 12361 Words, Complete, 2021]

Neil runs a relationship advice column, and Andrew is a skeptic.

Whiskey Sour by maqicien [Not Rated, 6,870 Words, Complete, 2022]

In which Neil is a bartender and Andrew is the crime lord that owns the bar.

tw: graphic depictions of violence, tw: assault, tw: blood/gore, tw: murder

jellyroot and many other causes of catastrophy series by jeanmorexu (papencuts), papencuts [Rated M, Collection with 2 complete works, AFTG Reverse Big Bang 2019]

Part 1: (a comprehensive guide to princes and knights and how not to acquire jellyroot) [10959 Words] Neil is a young prince of Palmetta. When he was just a boy, he was saved by a mysterious kid from a thug. Neil isn't sure who he is, or why he did what he did. That is, until he sees him again and this time, he's going to get some answers.

tw: homophobia, tw: assault

Part 2: united under kingdom, and unto each other [​​2099 Words]

“Can you imagine what this would do the crown? Backwater boxing matches, associating with drunkards, and criminals… These bruises, Andrew, gods… People are going to think I beat you.” “No one is going to think that. It’s almost assumed that you like me to beat you.”

NB: knight and prince art prompt by @requiemofkings

CVS by anxietycorner [Rated G, 38689 Words, Incomplete, Updated May 2023]

Neil had always worked the night shift alone. A co-worker couldn't hurt, right?

tw: graphic depictions of violence, tw: abuse, tw: child abuse, tw: torture, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: ptsd, tw: flashbacks, tw: implied/referenced murder, tw: suicidal thoughts, tw: vomit, tw: alcohol, tw: bullying 

Art

Dirtyhands Neil art by @prince-peachie

spiderman au art by @rainbowd00dles

tattoo artist!neil comic by @jordanshenessy here and here 

the little siren au art by @allfortheslay25, wip 1, pre render

jellyfish Neil au comic by @emry-stars-art, also here

pirate Neil art by @heymrstargazer

winged Neil art by @mistykaru here, here, here, here and here

escaped single father Jean with baby Neil art by @estavs

[hunter-the-sad-skeleton]

*Leans in close to mic* would.(Reblogs appreciated!)

Closeups under cut!

[artoatsblog]

First of all, yes this is still going, second of all Soldier would be living in the devil's bathhouse, he's somehow one of the richest people there out of dumb luck and nothing else.

[mymainstreamblog]

Two children were killed in the pager bomb attack. Fatima's death was a horrible tragedy. The other one? It's fine, he was a child soldier.

[imperiuswrecked]

I hope people remember.

When Gaza is razed to the ground I hope people remember those who were lost. When the rest of the Palestinians who are being massacred all across Palestine are gone I hope the world remembers them all. I hope those who loved them celebrate their memory.

I hope the people whose hands are coated in the blood of these beautiful, brave people remember. I hope they are haunted by their actions every single moment of their entire lives. I hope they feel the suffering that every single Palestinian felt every second of their lives. I hope it's the last thought in their head when they die.

I will remember. I will never forgive.

[idontknowanametouse]

Yeah, I still don't like Arlecchino.

Yes, they has reasons to do what they does. Yes, they has a traumatic past and is an abuse survivor. Yes, they took in many of the kids from incredibly dangerous situations, including Lyney and Lynette. Yes, they hate Dottore and his experiments.

And they still is a bad person.

First of all, they is a war criminal. That can already be a very good reason for someone to not be a good person (it's not a reason for a character to not be likable, I like Tartaglia for example). Second, they is literally raising child soldiers and spies, which is very fucked up. Third, abuse happens in many different ways, just because they is not like the original Knave it does not mean they is not an abuse perpetrator. And, fourth, the House of the Hearth is a cult. During the entire quest I was very schoked about how fucking brainwashed all the member were, and how those trying to break free would literally be killed. And, no, like Arlecchino said, they didn't live in the end because they had their memories wiped and turned completely different people, so there would be no risk of them telling anyone the "dark secrets" of the House of the Hearth. Also, even though the quest really wanted to make me see Alrecchino in a positive light, I can't stand someone who is willing to kill those they says as their children (yes, they was willing to kill the "traitors"). And many people can assure you that many times, abusers and manipulators can grow fond of you, even when they are activelly choosing to hurt you (ask most people with abusive parents. Many times, the parents "loved" or thought they loved them and still did all they did)

Arlecchino is incredibly well-written and complex, I'm not saying they is not. They is an amazing character while being a terrible person and an abusive parent.

[mythandlaur]

I have had the pleasure of witnessing several people's first reactions to the funny spaceship AI cube having absolutely fucked up lore and the shock will never get old