#verse: Shadows in Hurricane

[rcseteaparty]

@plexbreach asked: " what are you doing? " - Little first meeting prompt for Rose's fnaf verse, from Charlie ;]

If you had asked Rose, she thought she had been doing a rather good job at sneaking around in her quest. What quest? Well she had been napping nearby, carefully in a spot she figured no one would see, and had awoken to being terribly alone. Molly was nowhere in sight and so the hunt was on. A small squeak at the voice suddenly behind her but hey-! They're tall! Maybe if Molly’s hiding somewhere up high they can-? 

“I c-can’t find my bestest friend, Molly!”

A panic in her movements that only really a child could have. Like the world was ending or they had discovered that someone had eaten all the cookies. 

“She’s being super duper good at hide and seek this time!”

A little quiver of Rose’s lip as she looks up at the tall stranger with hopes maybe they’d somehow have all the answers even though they just met. Worry setting in that if Molly doesn't lose the game of hide and seek that she might be hiding forever and ever.

[downbad4yoongi]

Between the Stacks

📚Taehyung x Jungkook 

📚Genre/AU: college, fluff, smut, angst, brother’s best friend

📚 Rating: R

📚Word Count: 3724

⚠️ Warning: smut, gay sex

📚A/N: Written for Sharon as a part of @bangtanwritershq New Year, New Love event.

📚Summary: Jungkook has always lived in the shadows of his brother’s shine. How will he handle it when his brother’s best friend finally pulls him into the light?

In the hushed sanctuary of the university library, Jungkook’s haven is a worn paperback, its pages whispering secrets only he can hear. The scent of aged paper and brewing chamomile cling to Jungkook like a second skin as he burrows deeper into the cavernous library. Sunlight, filtered through glass streaked with rivulets of soft rain, paints honey streaks across the worn spines of countless companions, each whispering tales of forgotten worlds and whispered dreams. His fingers, stained with ink from countless stolen moments of poetry, trace the worn spines, their rhythm a counterpoint to the distant thrum of campus life. Here, amongst the towering stacks, Jungkook is invisible, lost in worlds spun from his own imagination. 

His brother, Jimin, in contrast, appears to come from a different galaxy. A symphony of laughter and sunshine, he moves through life with a carefree vivaciousness. His smile, a thousand-watt supernova, draws moths to his flame, and Jungkook, forever in his shadow, watches with a mix of admiration and a pang of longing. 

Jungkook settles at a table in his favorite corner of the library. He eyes Jimin from over the spine of the book propped in front of him. His older brother is across the large room, surrounded by a group of friends who have done more chatting than studying in the last few hours they have been there. Glued to his side is his best friend, Taehyung. 

Taehyung is a hurricane that blew into their lives during Jimin’s first year at university; Jungkook was still a junior in high school. He is a whirlwind of laughter and tousled caramel hair, arriving on campus like a burst of summer on a winter day. His smile is a constellation unto itself, a playful wink that turns heads and sets hearts aflutter. With his easy charm and infectious energy, Taehyung is a supernova in his own right, blazing brighter than even Jimin sometimes.

Jungkook rarely crosses paths with Taehyung. Jungkook is content in his solitude and watches from afar as Taehyung becomes the center of every circle. Yet, beneath the surface, a different tune hums. It can be heard in the stolen glances across crowded rooms, in the way Jungkook’s pulse quickens at the sound of Taehyung’s booming laughter, but especially in how the older man’s gaze strays to Jungkook’s corner of the library.  

In Taehyung’s eyes, Jungkook sees a hint of curiosity, a gentle understanding that pierces his usual invisibility. For Taehyung, Jungkook is more than just Jimin’s brother; he is a quiet enigma, a universe waiting to be explored. Shyness, like a barbed-wire fence, keeps Jungkook at bay, and Taehyung’s loyalty to Jimin, a thick fog, obscures the path towards anything more. They are two planets orbiting the same sun, forever drawn, forever out of reach, their unspoken verses waiting to be sung, their hidden melodies yearning to be heard. 

Suddenly, Taehyung’s eyes meet his across the room. Time seems to stutter, the air crackling with unspoken words. A beat of silence stretches, then Taehyung, with a mischievous glint in his eye, winks. Jungkook feels his cheeks flush, the heat spreading through him like wildfire. He ducks behind his book, the worn pages suddenly a flimsy shield against the supernova across the room. 

Jungkook’s heart hammers against his ribs. What could that wink mean? The wink, innocent on the surface, feels like a detonation in his quiet world. He peeks over the rim of his book, a sliver of Taehyung visible at the edge of his vision. The mischievous glint has softened, replaced by a hint of uncertainty, a mirror of Jungkook’s own turmoil. Torn between yearning and hesitation, Jungkook’s fingers tremble on the page. 

Taehyung watches Jungkook from across the large space,  longing to unravel the enigma that is Jungkook. He wants to break through his shyness and explore uncharted territory. But his loyalty to Jimin looms, a constant reminder of the line he shouldn’t cross. 

In the midst of this emotional turmoil, a giggle from beside Taehyung startles him. He turns his attention to Jimin, who seems blissfully unaware of the complex dynamics playing out around him. Jimin’s laughter rings through the air, momentarily dispelling the tension. Taehyung shares a quick glance with Jungkook, both silently acknowledging the struggle within themselves. 

The two of them settle back into their respective corners of the library. Jungkook buries himself into his books, getting lost in worlds far away. Taehyung settles back in next to Jimin, joining in on his friends’ fun.

As the hours pass, the library grows quieter, and the soft glow of study lamps casts a warm ambiance in the dimming space. Jungkook, engrossed in his books, loses track of time. When he finally looks up, he’s surprised to find the library empty. The hushed whispers have faded, and many tables around him are now vacant. 

Realizing the lateness of the hour, Jungkook gathers his belongings, preparing to leave. However, as he approaches the exit, he finds the doors sealed shut. Panic flickers in his eyes as he realizes he has inadvertently been locked inside the library.

The storm outside has intensified, and rain pelts against the windows, accompanied by occasional flashes of lightning that illuminate the darkened sky. Thunder rumbles in the distance, echoing the turmoil within Jungkook. 

With a sigh, he decides to explore the library, hoping to find a way to contact someone to unlock the doors. As he wanders through the aisles, the sound of footsteps catches his attention. Turning a corner, he stumbles upon Taehyung, who wears a surprised expression upon seeing Jungkook.

“Taehyung, you’re here, too?” Jungkook asks a mixture of relief and surprise in his voice. 

Taehyung nods, looking equally bewildered. “Yeah, I stayed behind after my friends left, and I guess I lost track of time. Now it seems we’re both locked in.”

The irony of their situation isn’t lost on them. Together, they attempt to find a solution, checking windows and trying to reach someone through their phones, but the signal in the library is weak, and the windows are firmly shut.

As they navigate the deserted aisles, the distant rumble of thunder grows closer. The storm outside grows even stronger, creating an atmospheric backdrop to the unexpected solitude they find themselves in. The flickering lights within the library and the echoing thunder outside create an eerie yet strangely intimate atmosphere. 

Jungkook and Taehyung share a glance, a silent acknowledgment of the peculiar circumstances that have brought them together. With no immediate solution in sight, they decide to make the best of the situation. They find a cozy corner, surrounded by shelves of books with the occasional flashes of lightning and the comforting sound of rain tapping on the windows.

Once in the corner, both men kick off their shoes to get comfortable. Taehyung snags the dusty armchair nearest the window, its faded crimson velvet whispering secrets of forgotten readers. Jungkook settles on the floor, leaning against an adjacent bookcase. The scent of aged paper and leather dances in the air, punctuated by the earthy tang of rain seeping in through the leaky windows.

Jungkook shivers, drawing his knees closer to his chest. The old library, usually a haven of warmth and knowledge, feels eerily cold tonight. The storm outside rages, each crack of thunder vibrating through the building. Taehyung, ever the optimist, nudges him with the tip of his foot.

“Think of it as an adventure, Kookie,” he grins, his eyes twinkling despite the dim light. “A secret library party just for us, with the best soundtrack ever.”

Jungkook chuckles, a bubble of warmth breaking through the chill. “Yeah, a party with ghosts and leaky roofs.”

Taehyung snorts. “Ghosts are only scary in cheesy movies. And as for the roof, it’s just adding to the ambiance, like a giant rain drum.” He rummages through his bag, pulling out a worn deck of cards. “Wanna play some poker?”

Jungkook hesitates. Card games aren’t exactly his forte. “Uh– I don’t have any money on me to bet.”

Taehyung smirks.”Why don’t we use something else to bet?” He makes a show of looking around, thinking hard. “Why not bet our clothes?”

Jungkook’s eyes widen, swallowing audibly. “S-sure,” he stutters, cheeks flushing a deep pink.

As Taehyung shuffles the cards, the silence settles again, punctuated by the rhythmic drumming of the rain. Jungkook finds himself studying Taehyung, the older man’s easy confidence a stark contrast to his own nervousness. 

“Hey,” Taehyung says softly, his gaze meeting Jungkook’s. “You okay?”

Jungkook blinks, surprised. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just…never been stuck in a library during a storm before.”

Taehyung chuckles, “Neither have I. But hey, at least we’re together, right?”

Jungkook’s smile widens and he nods. The game starts awkwardly, with Taehyung dealing the cards out face down.  Jungkook worries at his lip and bets his socks to start off with, and Taehyung follows suit.

Jungkook takes a look at his cards; Jimin taught him how to play poker when he was younger, back in high school, when they would gamble their allowances. So, he tries to recall his memories from that as he looks at his hand: three Queens, a seven, and a six.

Taehyung snorts, eyeing Jungkook. “You know your poker face needs work.”

Jungkook laughs nervously, “No, I just haven’t played in years. The last time I played this was when Jimin was still living at home.”

Taehyung tries to mask his delight, feeling over-confident that he is going to wipe the floor with Jungkook. He watches the younger man, surprised when he decides to stay. Taehyung harrumphs cockily and raises Jungkook his cardigan. Jungkook's wide bambi eyes watch him innocently but sees Taehyung’s cardigan with his own jacket. 

Taehyung sits up straighter and proudly lays out his hand: two Jacks, two nines, and a two. Jungkook cocks his head, blinking slowly before laying out his own three-of-a-kind.

Taehyung’s jaw drops the silence echoing around them before being split by the sound of Jungkook’s giggle.

“You played me,” Taehyung bluntly states.

Jungkook gasps, hand to his chest. “Moi?”

Taehyung shoots him an accusatory look as he strips off his cardigan and pulls his socks off. “Yeah, you acted like you had a bad hand.”

Jungkook shakes his head. “No, you perceived that I had a bad hand by misinterpreting my reactions.”

Taehyung guffaws, “That’s the same thing!”

“Hmm, no, they’re different.” Jungkook gathers the forfeited clothes and sets them in a pile next to him.

“Semantics.” Taehyung scoffs and shoves the cards at Jungkook for him to deal.

The game continues, the two trading quippy barbs and silly jokes as the hours pass. Soon, they are sitting in the dim lighting, Taehyung in his boxers and just an undershirt, while Jungkook is shirtless and in just his boxer briefs. 

Suddenly, a deafening boom of thunder shakes the building, and a loud crack is heard from outside the window nearby; a large branch of the tree outside crashes to the ground.  Jungkook yelps, sending cards flying as he dives for cover under a nearby table. Taehyung stands, peering around in the dim lighting, and sees what caused the massive noise.

Taehyung calms his racing heart and moves over to the cowering younger man. “Kookie, it was just a branch breaking outside.” He offers his hand, urging him out of his hiding space. “Come on out.”

Jungkook laughs nervously, clutching at the other man’s hand, letting Taehyung pull him out from his improvised shelter. Jungkook stands, leaving inches between the two of them. Taehyung can’t help letting his eyes wander, taking in the large expanse of bare skin on display so close to him. Jungkook is in no better state. His eyes wander over the dark tan legs of his brother’s best friend, his imagination running wild.

Jungkook’s breath hitches as Taehyung’s free hand grazes his chest—the calloused pad of his thumb skims along a prominent rib. The touch lingers, sending a jolt of something electric through him that has nothing to do with the thunderstorm. He lifts his gaze, meeting Taehyung’s eyes, locked in a silent debate that crackles with unspoken desire.

The air around them seems to thicken, with the tang of ozone and something sweeter, more primal. Taehyung’s eyes, usually bright and playful, are smoldering now, a dark intensity that mirrors the anxiety brewing within Jungkook.

“Taehyung,” Jungkook whispers, his voice rough with nerves and something else, something he can’t quite name.

Taehyung responds with a low groan, his voice like the rumble of thunder, and leans in, the space between them shrinking to a hair’s breadth. Jungkook can feel the heat radiating from his body and smell the musky scent of sandalwood sweat—his heart hammers against his ribs, a frantic drumbeat accompanying the storm’s rhythm.

Jungkook’s lips part in a gasp as Taehyung’s breath mingles with his own, warm and humid like the air before a downpour. He can taste the faint salt of adrenaline, the sweetness of Taeyung’s cologne, and something deeper, something primal, that echoes the wild pounding in his chest.

Taehyung's thumb traces a lazy arc across Jungkook’s ribcage, each graze sending a shiver down his spine. His other hand, the one that lingers on the table, finds its way to Jungkook’s hip, pulling him closer, impossibly closer until their bodies are flush, skin burning against skin.

“Kookie,” Taehyung murmurs, his voice a smoky whisper against Jungkook’s ear. “You’re trembling.”

The accusation is both a taunt and a confession. Jungkook knows he isn’t the only one shaken. He can feel Taehyung’s heartbeat thrumming against his palm, a frantic counterpoint to his own.

“It’s the storm,” Jungkook chokes out, the lie tasting bitter on his tongue.

Taehyung laughs a low, breathy sound that sends shivers down Jungkook’s spine. “Thunder doesn’t make your eyes dilate like galaxies, Kookie.”

His fingers dip under the waistband of Jungkook’s boxer briefs, the rough fabric a stark contrast against the smoothness of his skin. They trace the lines of his hip bone, sending goosebumps dancing across his flesh. Jungkook leans into the touch, a moan escaping his lips as Taehyung brushes his knuckles lower. 

The space between them is a charged void, crackling with unspoken need. Jungkook meets Taehyung’s gaze, his voice barely a wiper. “Do you…” he begins, the words failing him.

Taehyung’s eyes flicker with understanding. He brushes a stray strand of hair from Jungkook’s forehead, his thumb lingering against the soft skin. “Do I want you, Kookie?” he murmurs, his voice husky with desire. “Always have.”

With a sudden boldness, Jungkook closes the remaining distance, pressing his lips against Taehyung’s in a hesitant kiss. It is a spark, a tentative flame igniting in the storm. Taehyung responds with a groan, deepening the kiss, his lips hot and demanding against Jungkook’s.

Their tongues tangle, a desperate exploration of unchartered territory. Jungkook tastes rain, adrenaline, and a sweetness that is uniquely Taehyung. His hands fumble with the hem of Taehyung’s shirt, a desperate need to feel more, to touch every inch of him.

Taehyung mirrors his urgency, pulling Jungkook closer, his hands roaming up and over his back, tracing the curves of his spine. They stumble back, colliding with a bookshelf, sending a shower of leather-bound volumes scattering across the floor.

Laughter mingles with gasps as they further entangle themselves. The laughter dies down quickly and is replaced by a smoldering silence. Taehyung’s hands trail across Jungkook’s skin, brushing delicate touchpoints. Jungkook shivers, a delicious mix of anticipation and fear coursing through him. 

Taehyung’s eyes, dark and intense under the dim light, hold Jungkook captive. He leans in slowly, his lips hovering just a breath away from Jungkook’s ear.

“Let’s make this storm unforgettable,” he murmurs, his voice low and gravelly.

Jungkook’s heart stutters in his chest. Taehyung’s words hang heavy in the air, a promise of something wild and exhilarating that he can’t seem to deny. 

He nods, a silent agreement, and Taehyung’s lips meet his in a kiss that is both fierce and tender. Jungkook’s hands find their way into Taehyung’s hair, pulling him closer and deepening the kiss. Their bodies tangle together as they makeout against the hard shelves of the bookcase. 

Time seems suspended as they strip each other of their remaining clothing items. Their mouths exchange heated exhales as they press tightly together, not leaving a modicum of space between them. Jungkook’s fingers press fervently into the deep caramel skin of Taehyung’s back. Their hips rut forward together, their lengths stroking against each other. 

A whine is pulled from the younger man’s throat, his head thrown back as he clings to the other. Taehyung gives a squeeze to his hips. “Give me one second.”

Taehyung dashes away, crouching next to his bag as he digs frantically through it. It’s only seconds, but feels like minutes before he returns triumphant, a travel-sized bottle of lube in his grip.

Jungkook eyes him warily. “Should I be concerned that you carry that around with you?”

Taehyung huffs, “Stop looking gift horses in the mouth, Kookie.” With a hand on the younger’s hip, he spins the man around. He can’t stifle the groan as he takes in the firm roundness of Jungkook’s tight ass.

His hands run over the smooth expanse, freely fondling the bounty in front of him until Jungkook whines at him and bucks his hips needily. Taehyung quickly uncaps the lube and coats two fingers. He warms the cool liquid before tracing the tight, puckered hole of the man in front of him. 

As Jungkook fights off the shiver that runs up his spine, he feels Taehyung’s long, tapered finger press inside. His head falls forward, his forehead thunking against the thick wooden shelf in front of him. He groans loudly at the delicious stretch as Taehyung works further inside.

Too soon, Jungkook is clinging desperately to the shelves as he nearly comes undone on Taehyung’s slender fingers. Taehyung presses sloppy, open-mouth kisses along Jungkook’s spine as he works him open. 

He curls three of his fingers inside the tight confines, and Jungkook cries out, begging for mercy. Taehyung chuckles low in his throat, enjoying taking the younger man apart.”You ready for me, baby?” Taehyung rasps.

“Yes! God, yes. Please, Tae!” Jungkook eagerly begs for relief.

With a slap to one of his firm cheeks, Taehyug withdraws his fingers, leaving Jungkook’s hole desperately clenching around nothing. Drawing his lip between his teeth, Taehyung quickly coats his length before replacing his fingers with his cock.

Both men moan loudly, the sound echoing off the thick tomes around them as Taehyung presses his hips forward and works deeper inside the other man. He doesn’t stop until his pelvis is pressed firmly to the round globes of Jungkook’s ass. Pausing, Taehyung works to catch his breath, trying not to lose his mind over the strangling grasp of the tight hole wrapped around him.

Clearing his throat, he asks, “Ready?”

Uncharacteristically, Jungkook demands, “Fucking move, Tae.” Punctuating the terse demand with a bucking of his hips back against Taehyung.

Taehyung’s lips part in a snarl as he grips the younger man’s hips and withdraws until only his tip remains before snapping his hips forward. He sets a hard rhythm, hips slapping fast and punishing against Jungkook’s ass. 

Jungkook does all he can to cling to the shelves in front of him as he is taken apart by Taehyung. His own cock repeatedly slaps against his bare abs, dripping a steady line of precum. It’s not long before Jungkook cries out, declaring he is close.

Taehyung’s fingers tighten on Jungkook’s hips as he drills even harder. Each thrust nailing that concentrated spot of nerves deep inside Jungkook. The younger screws his eyes shut, mouth dropping open as endless moans are fucked out of him relentlessly. 

It’s not long before Jungkook stiffens beneath Taehyung, and cries out as he releases all of the pent-up tension that had been building up between the two of them. Waves of pleasure rack through his body as Taehyung continues to thrust in and out of his clenching hole. 

Jungkook feels the bite of Taehyung’s nails as his hips stutter, losing their rhythm. With a few last thrusts, Taehyung’s hips still, and he can feel the thick cock pulsing deep inside of him. Taehyung slumps forward, barely catching himself by gripping the shelf above the one Jungkook is clinging to.

Both of their legs are trembling as Taehyung pulls out, a hiss echoing from both of their chests. Simultaneously, they seem to give in to the need to collapse and land in a heap, propped up against the hard shelves behind them. 

The echoes of their shared storm settle, leaving a peaceful hush in its wake. Their hearts, still humming in a shared rhythm, thrum against each other like a secret counterpoint to the rain’s gentle drumming. Moonlight filters through rain-washed windows, casting their bodies in silvery constellations, a testament to the intimacy they carved into the night.

Fingers intertwined, they trace lazy patterns on each other’s skin, the language of touch speaking volumes where words wouldn’t dare. Even in the quiet, the weight of their secret hangs heavy, a silent knowledge that their lives will forever be marked by this night. The library, once a have of dusty tomes and whispered knowledge, has become a silent witness to a new story blossoming in its heart.

Jungkook, eyes tracing the rain’s descent down the windowpane, feels a tremor of uncertainty. The path ahead, once familiar, now stretches before him like an unchartered map, filled with thrilling promises of possibility and chilling whispers of doubt. Will this survive the harsh light of day?

Taehyung, his gaze mirroring Jungkook’s introspection, squeezes his hand gently. In that silent gesture, a world of unspoken promises unfolds. Whatever comes next, they will face it together, navigating the unchartered waters of their new reality with the compass of their shared truth. 

As the first blush of dawn kisses the horizon, casting the library in a soft, golden light, they know they have crossed a threshold. The storm outside has subsided, leaving behind a world that’s washed clean, ready to be painted with the colors of their new story. And in that shared sunrise, they find a glimmer of hope, a promise that what was born in the heart of the storm might just be their guiding light.

[stephpuppet]

binge read your norrington/elizabeth fics and im OBSESSED. you briefly mentioned having an au in your head where james and jack are brothers — do you have any more thoughts about that? i’d never considered it before and now you’ve put the idea into my head i can’t escape it!!

Hi Anon! Thank you for the ask!

I really love the James & Jack dynamic in the film series because it's quite an unusual protagonist/antagonist dynamic (which one's which is up for discussion!). There is actually a fic on fanfiction.net where James and Jack are brothers, though I can't remember the title for the life of me, so it has been done before.

I'm going to spend too much time gushing about what I would do with the concept, so I'll put it below the cut to avoid clogging anyone's feed.

I haven't managed to put it in a fic yet but I really like the idea of James having a really poor relationship with his father. Because then you can play with the idea that James's career ambitions are either 1. a way to prove himself to a father who will never think he's good enough, 2. him trying to succeed to spite a father. If Jack is his older brother this adds in another interesting dynamic of there being a black sheep in the family that James is trying to escape the shadow of but is also somewhat envious of, because Jack has the freedom of not caring what other people think of him and also being very successful in his own right.

Focusing on Jack for a moment. I think that Jack is a character primarily defined by his selfishness and in the films we rarely see him do something that isn't at least a little self-serving and the moments where he does do something unselfish are really nice. I like the idea of Jack having someone that he does actually value above himself, because (as far as I'm aware), we don't ever see that in the films. Jack debates becoming Captain of the Flying Dutchman himself before ultimately giving it to Will, but it wasn't like he had his heart set on the idea. He votes for Elizabeth to be Pirate King, but doing so didn't do anything to his own chances - he wasn't going to get voted in. I want to see him truly sacrifice for someone else.

If I had ever been able to write this idea I think it would have gone something like this.

Curse of the Black Pearl happens as normal just with a touch more "I'm going to arrest my law-breaking brother because I am the GoodSon(TM) and he keeps flirting with my girlfriend" and "hey bro, long-time no-see, whoa what's with the hostility? anywho I have things to do, let's catch up later".

James still goes after Jack in Dead Man's Chest, still on the "I must prove myself to Parental Figure That Sincerely Does Not Give a Fuck" bandwagon. Hurricane happens, only this time Jack and the Pearl go back to fish him out of the water. Cue lots of James being "I hate you, you're the worst brother ever, please leave me to die" and Jack being "Idgaf, I love you and you're going to stay on my ship and I'm going to take care of you while you have your existential crisis/breakdown."

Will and Elizabeth individually turn up for their respective plotlines and Jack deals with them with James just in the background still in his emo-teenager "life is meaningless, woe is me" phase.

From here it gets a bit fuzzy. In this verse, James doesn't steal the heart and betray everyone because, despite all his very dramatic angst, he does actually appreciate that someone gives a shit about him. I think this is one of the tragic aspects of his character in the films - he doesn't have anyone that cares for him. Governor Swann kind of does but I imagine that relationship dissipates when James is no longer a prospective son-in-law. His men respect him but I imagine a lot of that again goes when first he loses the Interceptor and a load of men in the attack on the Isla de Muerta and then again when the Dauntless is sunk in the hurricane. Elizabeth ditches him for Will. He just doesn't have anyone.

That's why I really like the idea of Jack and James being brothers, because it can give James someone that will love him unconditionally and it can give Jack someone he values as more than just a means to an end and also (crucially) something that he can lose. If you think about it, all the consequences Jack faces in the films are temporary - he dies and comes back, he loses the Pearl and gains it again.

I'm not sure when or how it would happen, but I like the idea that James still dies (possibly at the end of Dead Man's Chest) and Jack just loses it. His motivations during At World's End change from the rather impersonal 'Save Piracy and Stop Davy Jones', to 'Find Someway to Get James Back and Fuck Everyone and Everything Else'. There's now a solid motivation for him to try to become Captain of the Flying Dutchman and I feel it would be really interesting to see him sacrifice his principles and screw over people he cares about to achieve his goal. Like all bets are off, the ends will justify the means. And not just his innocent "Yes I betrayed you but it all worked out in the end", but legit life-ruining, "we will never forget or forgive this" betrayals.

I like to think in the end Jack succeeds, potentially without having to become Captain of the Dutchman. Like maybe he's able to make some deal with Davy Jones (and/or the EITC??, prob not though). He gets James back but at some huge cost. Would be super interesting if Elizabeth ends up dying because of Jack's actions and he has to lie about it to James because he knows James wouldn't forgive him if he knew what he had done.

Anyway those are my extensive thoughts on the subject. I like the ideas but I'm not motivated enough to commit them to paper and write the fic.

[paranormaljones]

The 1975 song 'About You' was written about Lockwood and Lucy particularly in The Creeping Shadow, no I do not take constructive criticism.

Dive into this with me.

Down to the fact that it's nearly a duet, this song is THEM. I'm gonna break down the lines that stand out to me and explain why.

Let's begin. Listen along, if you like.

I know a place It's somewhere I go when I need to remember your face We get married in our heads Something to do while we try to recall how we met

Starting off strong with the second half of the first verse, which immediately brings to mind the quote from TCS, where Lucy talks about imagining Lockwood "going down on bended knee" to beg her to come back. Not quite a marriage proposal, but let's not pretend she hasn't thought hazily about that scenario as well.

Do you think I have forgotten? Do you think I have forgotten? Do you think I have forgotten About you?

And on to the chorus. To me, this is coming straight from Lockwood. It SCREAMS 'conversation in Lucy's apartment' to me. Lucy tries to pretend that she was unbothered by her departure from Lockwood & Co. and then by Lockwood's sudden appearance, when in fact she's an emotional hurricane internally. Lockwood, on the other hand, barely tries to disguise how much he wants her back in his life. He makes an effort not to pressure her or scare her, but he can't keep himself from telling her that there's "no one else I would want at my side." look at that, another proposal parallel

You and I (Don't let go) We're alive (Don't let go) With nothing to do, I could lay and just look in your eyes

I don't think I need to remind anyone how much these two love to gaze into each other's eyes; yes, I'm bringing show canon into this. But really it's both. Lockwood regularly finds Lucy's gaze in the books, so much that she notices, and she of course can't stop looking at him ever.

Wait (Don't let go) And pretend (Don't let go, oh) Hold on and hope that we'll find our way back in the end (In the end)

OKAY HELLO?????? THIS IS WHERE IT GETS REAL

This is literally the plot of the beginning of TCS. Both of them pretending that they're okay being apart, that they don't miss each other desperately, and yet still holding on to hope that they'll find their way back to each other. Lucy hoping that Lockwood will come after her, Lockwood spending all winter trying to figure out how to bring her back (his literal words). And (as I imagine them) Lucy's "don't let go"s begging him to hold on to her, even though she had to leave for his sake, in her mind.

Now on to Lucy's bit.

And there was something about you that now I can't remember It's the same damn thing that made my heart surrender And I'll miss you on a train, I'll miss you in the mornin' I never know what to think about I think about you (Don't let go) About you (Don't let go)

This paints a perfect picture in my mind of Lucy's turmoil in trying to be okay with leaving Lockwood behind, but surrendering to the fact that she can't let go of him. She misses him everywhere, in everything that she does. The frustration and the tension of her undeniable feelings are EVERYWHERE here.

It's also worth noting that those last two lines are Lockwood literally telling her, again, that he's thought all winter of how to bring her back and how much he misses her. He doesn't pretend.

And then the chorus repeats.

So anyways there's that, this is one of my favorite songs and reading The Creeping Shadow has given me a whole new reason to cry about it.

[kesarijournal]

Behind the Smile

Verse 1:Behind the smile, a broken heart lies,In the silent shadows where dreams die.A face so bright, a laugh so clear,But underneath, the pain is near.Chorus:Broken heart, broken dreams, and a smiling face,A storm that hides in the quiet space.In the eye of the hurricane, there’s grace,But the storm inside, no one can erase.Verse 2:You see the joy, you hear the cheer,But you don’t know the…

[ammiemarie]

One of the songs I recently wrote, Back To You, is so emotionally triggering for me. I wrote it in memory and honor of those I have lost throughout my life.

It's truly a journey through grief:

Is it any wonder how we got this far? Driving 95 down the coast in your car Losing our way chasing signs on the interstate Heading straight into the eye of a hurricane Crashing over dams in our headstrong reservoir And baby, we don't even know where we are

Some verses are about my friend, Kristen Rushlow, who tragically lost her life to suicide in 2015:

Follow me from the edge of the shadows Like an eternal flame You will always light my way

Some verses are about my grandfather, Donald Harman, who passed away in 2009, and his fiancée/widow, Tami Kotouch, who passed away in 2020:

All I want is to be there by your side And hear you whisper my name Promise me that everything will be alright Even if nothing's ever the same

Most of the song is about my dog, Lily Ann Sprowls (2010-2022), who passed away unexpectedly from a stroke and undiscovered bone cancer in her hips that had spread.

Keep on running, running, running Running, running, running, baby I know you'll always be free

Keep on running, running, running Running, running, running, baby I know someday I'll see You again

You are my everything You'll always be With me Safe and sound In my memory

It's impossible for me to record without breaking down. I can't even sing it without breaking down. Music is so personal for me.

Now, I understand why some lyricists utilize vocal artists to bring their songs to life. Sometimes, those words are so penetrative to your heart... just like a poisoned dagger.

One of my goals for this year (2024) is to find the courage and strength to be able to sing and record Back To You without breaking down entirely... and remember the love instead of the pain.

[writer59january13]

Plagued with lifelong lower gastrointestinal Sturm und Drang

Ever since a young lad irritable bowel syndrome

in my humble pinion wracked

lower abdominal area gurgled and ballooned gastrointestinal tract (similar to following Colonoscopy preparation slated for January 24th, 2024 at Phoenixville Hospital)

posterior issuing vis a vis borborygmus crooning in tandem and/or subsequent expulsion

eliminates fecal waste witnessing sprinting to bathroom, this scribe

(against time) and jet propulsion

of sphincter muscles'

spasmodic desperately raced

unpleasant symptom of anxiety/ panic attack

twas a stranger to this rhyme stir,

who now finds himself barrack cay did, and held hostage, where thoughts

about mooning doth not crack a smile, or baring derriere tubby more exact me up - matter of fact

no source of laughter, nada one ha intact (despite usual presence of chuckles

from this fan of good humor) high jacked for what seems a maternity leave

from all mothers tub be

thus envision, a bevy of pregnant gals

aching with cramps he

ving (times square of the hippopotamus)

with cervix fully dilated key

ping alert, when mother nature ready

to pull up all stops (via umbilical cord) to deliver nee, sans bundle of joy, followed

in quick succession with after birth re:

placental sack, hence

said effort to expel newborn

the closest scenario

experience ill suited to dance afflicting this anxiety prone

lovely bones, an all expense paid (seat of the pants)

accursed bane of proletariat grants no truce to attend finds me

pampered asper this rants.

Germane generic geeky guy

about one twelfth (knight) enroute to complete lxv luxurious Earth orbits

experienced chronic, demonic, physiologically hegemonic...

irritable bowel syndrome

without shadow of a doubt,

yet aforementioned plight

the following lines of poetry will not be about

problematic posterior plague.

After contemplating discomfort

linkedin with said medical condition,

yours truly realized aftermath

of Hurricane Ian concerning

those who weathered category storm

suffered a fate much worse

subsequently, I took a brief hiatus

typing lines of impossible

to understand questionable verse

challenging proclivity of one

yawping wordsmith being terse

yeah right you probably think

crowning glory upon

mine nonestablishmentarian literary endeavors

hands down majority of anonymous readers

would immediately qualify

his swiftly tailored prolix harried style unquestionably, obviously, and irreverently

imposing expansive vocabulary as perverse,

no doubt hurling expletive donned curse

at me with every stinging breath they took.

The previous writing endeavor

attached catchy title

at outset intent to brook

unspoken protocols analogous to river,

which overflows banks swallowing

entire metropolitan areas

categorized as biblical flood

believed to occur once

every five hundred year

exhibiting impact greater

than storied facebook

(as personal side note,

said creation a markedly popular

social media platform)

influencing great swaths of populace

allowing, enabling, and providing

user trademark friendly look,

which ineluctably draws innocent naif

into webbed wide world,

where coders fashioned

innocuous virtual pitfalls

many a stalwart devout

online interoper figuratively snagged

courtesy tempting virtual,

lock, stock and withal ingenious scandalous tailhook.

[mudaship39]

Heart of Dragon Fire, Soul of Phoenix Flame, & Ocean Blood of Sea Fairy 

Chapter 4: Verse:

Heart of a Stellar and Celestial Dragon, Soul of a Divine and Heavenly Phoenix, & Blood of Fairy of the Primordial and Ancient Ocean Fairy:

They ask me, “Why do you yearn so much for the inferno of combustion?”

They ask me, “Why are you so fascinated by its embers like a moth to a flame?”

They ask me, “Are you not terrified of getting scorched by the blaze?”

I ask you why I would be frightened of something that is a core motherfucking part of me

Our legends say that a divine and heavenly phoenix mother of the heavens and a celestial and stellar dragon father of the stars

Fell in love and together they birthed the Vietnamese people

This is a story of our genesis

This is a story of why I will never ever be afraid of the fire 

This is a song of why I will never be terrified of the flame

This is a whisper of why I will never be scared of the water

But nearly all Vietnamese people of color are in fact Buddhists 

A spirituality that believe in rebirth and reincarnation 

We come from a divine and heavenly flame phoenix mother of the heavens  

We come from a celestial and stellar fire dragon father of the stars

We come from a primordial and cosmic sea fairy mother of outer space 

This is in fact a story of birth through water and rebirth through fire

This is a tale of reincarnation through death and flame 

I have a fire dragon’s heart, I have a flame phoenix’s soul, & I have the blood of the sea fairy 

I am born of fire, born of water, & born of flame with a body made of earth, made of ocean, & made of sky 

I wonder can a body made of earth, ocean, & sky meant to withstand volcanic fire and magma

I wonder can a body made of earth, ocean, & sky meant to endure the tempest and storm of the seas

Is it actually able to withstand a fire dragon heart that radiates with spark the fire of the stars? 

Is it actually able to resist a flame phoenix soul that smolders with the ember of flame the heavens?

Is it actually able to survive a sea pixie aura that glows with the drop of water of the cosmic ocean?

There is no fire in this world that is stronger than a celestial and stellar dragon’s fire 

There is no flame in this world more powerful than heavenly and divine phoenix’s flame 

Long ago a dragon of the stars and a phoenix of the heavens once came down to the earth

They both fell in love and they had human children

Each one of them were born with fire dragon hearts

Each one of them were born with flame phoenix souls

They soon divorced 

The dragon father he took a third of the children and went north 

The fairy mother took a third of the children and she went to the south 

The phoenix mother took a third of the children and she stayed in the middle 

The celestial and stellar dragon father of the stars 

The divine and heavenly phoenix mother of the heavens

They knew their children in the future would be in mortal danger

So the celestial and stellar dragon father he gave each of them a gift, a fire of community, solidarity, & intersectionality

So the divine and heavenly phoenix mother she gave each of them a present, a flame of resilience, defiance, & resistance

They would need it for their children would be under the subjugation of the Chinese, the French, the Japanese, & the Americans

Their children would be under their rule, their colonialism, their imperialism, their neocolonialism, & their occupation

That stellar and celestial fire is what makes up my heart

That divine and heavenly flame is what makes up my soul

So that fire to me is hope and courage!

So that flame to me is rebellion and revolution!

That fire and that flame to me is a spark in the dark still burning courageously in the shadows of pitch black night!

That fire and that flame to me is shelter still standing rebelliously amidst a storm of a hurricane!

That fire and that flame to me are faith and hope still shining boldly amidst complete and utter despair!

That fire and that flame to me is a rose that still grew defiantly amidst ruins after a nuclear or zombie apocalypse!

That is why the Chinese, the French, the Japanese, & the Americans tried so hard to put out that fire and that flame!

But remember you cannot smother a celestial and stellar dragon’s fire!

But remember you cannot overpower a divine and heavenly phoenix’s flame!

You will answer for your sins against their children! 

You cannot fight against the storm and tempest that is the ocean itself!

You will answer for your transgressions against her and her children!

We were under the boots of French, the Chinese, the Japanese, & the Americans 

We were under their subjugation and oppression 

So as a Polynesian Indigenous Pasifika I want all empires across the planet to burn 

I want all empires that ever participated in colonialism, imperialism, neocolonialism, apartheid, & occupation to be demolished 

I want to dance on the ashes and cinders of their ruins! 

So be forewarned when your putrid empires are in fucking ruins! 

The flame phoenix of the heavens will once again be reborn in divine and heavenly flame

She will rise from the dead with her ashes and ascend!

The fire dragon of the stars will once again wake up from his eternal slumber

He will shake the planet with his roar and will once again soar! 

Together they will bathe the earth, the seas, the skies, & the heavens themselves in celestial, stellar, divine, & heavenly flame and fire!

In their hubris and in their fucking arrogance 

They forget that a fire dragon and a flame phoenix bow to no mortal or immortal!

Celestial and stellar dragons soar in the very stars in the kingdom of the gods!

Divine and heavenly phoenixes fly in the heavens in the realm of the ancestors! 

Fire dragons never bow and flame phoenixes never kneel!

For it is the hellhounds, alicorns, hippogriffs, kitsune, pegasi, & the griffons that must bow before the fury and rage of a celestial and stellar dragon! 

For it is the fire basilisks, the manticores, the hydras, & the chimera must kneel before the wrath and hatred of a divine and heavenly phoenix!

[am-i-obssed-probably]

I made a song that resonates with me so deeply that I thought I should share it with y’all. I can’t seem to find a melody for it though which sucks.

Silent Struggles: Unspoken Expressions (might change it tho)

(Verse 1)

In a world where eyes are watching, I tread so cautiously,

My thoughts and feelings hidden, afraid of what they'll see.

I long to speak my heart out, to let my soul take flight,

But judgment's weight upon me, keeps me chained up tight.

(Pre-Chorus)

I'm lost within my silence, a prisoner of my mind,

Yearning to break free, but fear's what I find.

The words remain unspoken, the truth locked deep inside,

Afraid of being broken, of emotions open wide.

(Chorus)

Oh, I wish I could unfold the pages of my soul,

Letting colors dance and stories be told.

But the weight of their gazes, like shadows they cast,

Keeps me from expressing, from revealing my past.

(Verse 2)

A puzzle with missing pieces, I search for a way,

To bridge the gap between us, what my heart wants to say.

But vulnerability's a risk, a path unknown and steep,

Will they understand my journey, or judge me while I weep?

(Pre-Chorus)

Invisible walls surround me, doubts like a hurricane,

Can I trust them with my secrets, will they cause me pain?

I yearn to break these barriers, to set my feelings free,

But fear's a heavy anchor, it grips and pulls at me.

(Chorus)

Oh, I wish I could unfold the pages of my soul,

Letting colors dance and stories be told.

But the weight of their gazes, like shadows they cast,

Keeps me from expressing, from revealing my past.

(Bridge)

Yet somewhere deep inside, a spark of courage glows,

A flicker of hope that someday, my true self I'll expose.

For in vulnerability, there's strength that lies unknown,

A chance to connect with others, and let our stories be shown.

(Pre-Chorus)

I'm on a path of healing, though it's not without its pain,

Striving to find my voice, to break fear's cruel chain.

The journey won't be easy, but I'll rise above the tide,

For I deserve to be heard, to stand tall with arms open wide.

(Chorus)

Oh, I will unfold the pages of my soul,

Letting colors dance and stories be told.

Though the weight of their gazes may try to hold me back,

I'll express myself with courage, and face whatever comes in my track.

(Outro)

In a world where judgment lingers, I'll embrace my truth and stride,

With every word I utter, a piece of me no longer hides.

For I am more than their opinions, more than their views and stares,

I'll find my voice, express myself, and break free from my own snares.

[heroicmultiverse]

//Playlist reworked. Moved to SCM Player, new tracklist under the cut.

Angel by Depeche Mode (from Injustice: Gods Among Us)

Another Winter by Anamanaguchi (from Scott Pilgrim vs The World: The Game)

The Avengers by Alan Silvestri (from The Avengers (2012))

Back in Black by AC/DC (from Spider-Man: Far From Home)

Big Energy by Latto (from She-Hulk: Attorney at Law)

Black Betty by Spiderbait (from Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) and TMNT (2007))

Black Sheep by Metric & Brie Larson (from Scott Pilgrim vs The World)

Blinding Lights by The Weeknd (from Ms. Marvel)

Blitzkrieg Bop by The Ramones (from Spider-Man: Homecoming)

Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen (from Suicide Squad)

Brand New Day by Neil Patrick Harris (from Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog)

Can I Kick It? by A Tribe Called Quest (from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem trailer)

Celebrity Skin by Hole (from Captain Marvel)

Come and Get Your Love by Redbone (from Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers Endgame and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3)

Crazy On You by Heart (from Captain Marvel, Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3)

Danny Phantom Theme [Extended Version] by Guy Moon (from Danny Phantom)

The Dark One by Amanamaguchi (from Scott Pilgrim vs The World: The Game)

THE DAY by Porno Graffitti (from My Hero Academia)

Elevate by DJ Khalil (from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse)

Everything You Ever by Neil Patrick Harris & Felicia Day (from Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog)

Eye of the Tiger by Survivor (from Big Hero 6)

Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash (from The Suicide Squad)

Garbage Truck by Sex Bob-omb (from Scott Pilgrim vs The World)

Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen (from Zack Snyder's Justice League trailer)

Heathens by Twenty One Pilots (from Suicide Squad)

Hero by Chad Kroeger (from Spider-Man (2002))

Holding Out for a Hero by Bonnie Tyler (from Guardians of the Galaxy (2021))

Hooked On A Feeling by Blue Swede (from Guardians of the Galaxy and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 trailer)

Immortals by Fall Out Boy (from Big Hero 6)

The Incredits by Michael Giacchino (from The Incredibles)

Invaders Must Die by The Prodigy (from Scott Pilgrim vs The World trailer)

It's On Again by Alicia Keys (from The Amazing Spider-Man 2)

It's Tricky (DJ Fresh Remix) by Run-DMC (from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016) trailer)

Just A Girl by No Doubt (from Captain Marvel)

Kickstart My Heart by Motley Crue (from Guardians of the Galaxy (2021))

Live to Rise by Soundgarden (from The Avengers (2012))

Livin' On A Prayer by Bon Jovi (from Ms. Marvel)

The Magic Number by De la Soul (from Spider-Man: No Way Home)

Mercy by Muse (from Batman: Arkham Knight trailer)

My Life As A Teenage Robot Theme [Extended Version] by Peter Lurye (from My Life As A Teenage Robot)

My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light 'Em Up) by Fall Out Boy (from Big Hero 6 trailer)

No Sleep Till Brooklyn by Beastie Boys (from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3)

Oh No!! by grandson (from The Suicide Squad)

Only Happy When It Rains by Garbage (from Captain Marvel)

Peace Sign by Kenshi Yonezu (from My Hero Academia)

People Who Died by The Jim Carroll Band (from The Suicide Squad)

Purple Lamborghini by Skrillex & Rick Ross (from Suicide Squad)

Rain by Jessie Reyez & grandson (from The Suicide Squad)

Ramona by Beck (from Scott Pilgrim vs The World)

Red Flag by Billy Talent (from TMNT (2007))

Remember by Guy Moon & Robbyn Kirmmse (from Danny Phantom)

Remember the Name: Deku by Triple-Q (Mashup of You Say Run from My Hero Academia with Remember the Name by Fort Minor)

Rock You Like A Hurricane by Scorpions (from Avengers (2020))

Save You with My Love by Dan Conklin (from DC Super Hero Girls (2019))

Scott Pilgrim by Plumtree (from Scott Pilgrim vs The World)

Scott Pilgrim Anthem by Anamanaguchi (from Scott Pilgrim vs The World: The Game)

Shell Shocked by Juicy J, Wiz Khalifa & Ty Dolla $ign (from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014))

Shoot to Thrill by AC/DC (from The Avengers (2012))

Short Change Hero by The Heavy (from Batman: Arkham City trailer)

Since You Been Gone by Rainbow (from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3)

Stone Cold Crazy by Queen (from Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series)

Sucker for Pain by Imagine Dragons (from Suicide Squad)

Sunflower by Post Malone & Swae Lee (from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse)

Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) by Eurythmics (from X-Men: Apocalypse)

Teen Titans by Puffy AmiYumi (from Teen Titans (2003))

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Theme by CD9 (from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016))

Theme from Spider-Man by The Ramones

Threshold by Sex Bob-omb (from Scott Pilgrim vs The World)

Tick Tick Boom by The Hives (from Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League trailer)

Venom by Eminem (from Venom (2018))

Warriors by Imagine Dragons (from Wonder Woman (2017) trailer)

We Ain't Came to Lose by Raekwon & Ghostface Killah (from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge)

We Are Sex Bob-omb! by Sex Bob-omb (from Scott Pilgrim vs The World)

We Run This by Missy Elliott (from She-Hulk: Attorney at Law)

What We're All About by Sum 41 (from Spider-Man (2002))

What's Up Danger by Blackway & Black Caviar (from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse)

When You're Mine (Ra's Song) by Jason Charles Miller (from DC Super Hero Girls (2019))

Without Me by Eminem (from Suicide Squad)

Wreak Havoc by Skylar Grey (from Suicide Squad)

X-Men by Powerglove

[taliasafamer112blog]

AfAmer112B #2

Climate change and economic inequality are two real-life issues that make it necessary to create an Earthseed community. Climate change results from the actions of people releasing greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. Greenhouse gas emissions cause global warming, and thus, leads to natural disasters such as wildfires, hurricanes, and floods, making it necessary to have a safe and sustainable shelter. Additionally, economic inequality creates a divide between the rich and the poor, leading to social turmoil and instability. Economic inequality explains the unequal distribution of wealth, resources, and opportunities within a society, which leads to social and other disparities between different social groups, environmental equality being a significant one. Earthseed community seeks to provide a safe and equitable space for all individuals seeking shelter from these issues.

The first Earthseed verse from “Parable of the Sower” that we will apply to our community is: “A tree cannot grow in its parents’ shadows.” This verse represents the central belief of Earthseed. It emphasizes how change is inevitable and inescapable, thus, we must embrace it to survive and live our lives. It also signifies how people, and essentially everything, must grow and evolve in their own way, stepping away from their past and breaking repetitive or older chains, in order to better themselves and the world as a whole. In our community, we will encourage adaptability and flexibility to ensure that we are prepared for any changes that may occur. The second passage from Earthseed that will be applied to our community is: “The only lasting truth Is Change. God Is Change.” This verse highlights the connection all things have with one another, and how we must remember that our actions have consequences. This reminds us to make sure to take care of our planet and pursue sustainable practices in order to preserve the world for our future generations, and prevent climate change. In our community, we will emphasize sustainability and environmental responsibility, recognizing that our choices have a lasting impact on the world around us.

My Earthseed community will be located in a very private and isolated area that lies amongst nature and a ton of natural resources such as water, vegetation, etc. We will practice sustainability, and thus, find ways to reuse our energy and find smart and efficient ways to prevent our contribution to climate change, whilst maintaining a strong community. It will be very distant from the dystopian society, and thus, we will be considered to be “off the grid,” and very hard to reach, ensuring that we remain safe and protected. 

My community will welcome basically anyone who shares similar interests and beliefs regarding sustainability and saving our planet. We want all our members to also believe in inclusiveness and sustainability, and understand that change is something we must celebrate and embrace as it allows us to evolve and innovate in a positive way. On the other hand, those who do the opposite, and live to pursue their own selfish interests, rather than working towards bettering the community, while discriminating against certain groups and unwilling to adapt to change will not be allowed to join our community.

Our future leadership model would be based upon a democracy, as all of the members of the community would have a voice and be able to vote towards decisions. My earthseed community understands that any decision that is made will inevitably affect the entire community, and not just certain individuals, thus, the entire community must take part in making decisions. A future technology that would really improve our communal life in our community is vertical farming as it uses a lot less water and takes up much less space as the crops grow on top of each other instead of horizontally, which will, in turn, increase production as people can grow crops all year long, instead of only farming within certain seasons for the crops they have planted. This technology also protects and ensures food security which is incredibly important for an Earthseed community. 

In order to survive, my earthseed community will prioritize sustainability, self-sufficiency, and adaptability. We will rely on renewable energy, regenerative agriculture, and communal decision-making to ensure that we are prepared for any changes that could occur. We will also make it very clear that we work together as a community as one, rather than separately, as that is the only way for us to remain on the same page and continue progressing. However, I will make sure that no one’s individuality is compromised and taken away from them, as that can potentially lead to a corrupt or dystopian society, which is exactly what we do not want.

Two steps my earthseed community will take to build a better future are education and sustainable practices. We will definitely prioritize education for all our community members. We will provide them will schooling that is accessible to all members where they can learn not only the education given in the modern school system but also learn the tools that will ensure their survival in the real world. We will also emphasize the importance of everyone’s environmental responsibility and make sure they understand that their actions do have an impact and will have consequences that can compromise the well-being of our planet in the future. 

[zexxcandell]

Four years ago....

The sigh that let loose from the 'hero's throat could have been a hurricane as he reached up to rub at his one good eye. Zexx Candell was no stranger to the difficult or the dangerous, which in his few meetings with the madam both of these were the normal for her and her 'Sisters'. He's heard a lot of people ending up in ditches, jail, or the bottom of the canals when they crossed her the wrong way and if he knew himself he was very good at the latter. This was a rough job.

But it was a job.

To say these were lean times in the Forge was an understatement. Rumors of all kinds of Scourge activity in the far northlands with Icecrown and not to mention the pieces still needing to be sorted after the Fourth War had lead to many tightened purse strings. Sure there was still the finding, guarding, or keeping an eye on someone kind of jobs that everyone always had a need at some point for, trust was in even fewer supply than gold. And he needed the gold as he cleared his cycloptic vision to look at the shark leaning across from him.

Least the view wasn't bad.

His gaze would shift from Susan to her pair of cohorts nestled behind her dressed accordingly for the Sinners. Sparse, flash, and deceptively functional.

The horizon wasn't bad either.

Now just for the storm.

"Alright," Zexx grumbled softly, his hands already absently searching over his vest for his red pouch. "But it's a third up-front for this job. And I get to see the package and know what's in it. If it smells bad or ticks, I'm out. The last thing I need is to be blown up."

Candell would find his vice with a grumble and opened up the pouch to his hand rolled cigarettes, the yellow paper dull in the tavern candle light as he added to the ambience with Ol' Smokey with a click and flare. The gold light lit up his bearded, broad face as it flickered over the salt in his pepper and flashed against the blue of his one good eye. The shadows flicked over the matching patch over his other eye as the lines of scars and well versed wrinkles were the same story about him. Silver smoke would snake it's away out from his mouth and nose as he slipped the lighter back in his billfold.

"Tell me about this Vanburen lady of yours."

@susan-gampre

Mentions: @lysandra-vanburen

“Give me one good reason to trust you.”

The Madam's unruly golden irises held the eye of the fellow, a grim though amused smile entangling her glossy lips as a wry sarcastic question came forth to meet his pointed request:

"And here I hadn't supposed total trust was required in this equation. Well since you bring it up; How do you suppose I should trust you, wanderer?"

She leaned away from the bar, the palms of her hands holding her upright as with a swivel of her hips she dismounts the barstool from beside him, the full weight of her typically small stature bolstered by heels much too tall to be comfortable. She was still able to hold his gaze head on with this height advantage, a more direct tone taking place of her initial teasing one as she leans in closer, aiming for a discreet discussion:

"Ask yourself instead, what do you have to lose? All I'm asking is for a small favor from a familiar patron of mine, a simple delivery request," she gained a slight twinkle to her eye as she'd lean her elbows into the bar beside him, cocking her head whilst reviewing his facade for any kind of reaction as she probes, "If it's payment you're worried about, I'll pay a fourth of your fee upfront and the remainder upon evidence that you successfully delivered my goods to dear expectant Lady Vanburen-- Unless there's something alittle more rich in quality than plain gold youre seekin'? I'm open to negotiation."

In tow there were two finely dressed individual's with satchels in tote slung around their shoulders, their tailories of a finer quality than that of most servants, suggestive and revealing in design. To Candell this may look no different than most of the individuals of the notorious Sisters in Sin, only these two people actually wore outerwear fit for traveling. Both of them would lower their eyes and adjust their posture under Susan's stare.

"What say you, Mister Candell?"

Mentions: @captzexx @zexxcandell @eldridgecandell? which character do you want friend ;-;

Additional mention: @lysandra-vanburen

[fogclearer]

p5 kyouko talking about losing yui p5 kyouko talking about losing yui

[khorosvein]

new tag drop.

[themonkeycabal]

Hello! I was going to re-read the Run verse and was wondering if you had a copy of the reading order still? I know there's a pdf/ebook but I have an older phone that doesn't have much space and no ebook reader so I just read on Ao3 when I have access to wifi. Thanks 😊

Hi. I don't still have it, but let me make a list here real quick. This is chronological order:

Time to Run

We'll Run Like We're Awesome Chapters 1-4

Expectations of the Unexpected

We'll Run Like We're Awesome Chapters 5 & 6

Hodgepodge: Rebecca & Pepper

WRLWA Chapters 7-10

Hodgepodge: Madame Odette

WRLWA Chapters 11 & 12

One Day

WRLWA Chapters 13-15

Which Way the Weather's Going

Hodgepodge: When Darcy Met Nat

WRLWA Chapter 16

Flashes of Gold

WRLWA Chapter 17

Hodgepodge: Bruce & Darcy

Quality Strange

Earthquake Weather Chapters 1 & 2

'Til the Daylight Comes

Earthquake Weather Chapter 3

Hodgepodge: Clint & Tony

Earthquake Weather Chapter 4

No Ghosts at All

To Brace Yourself from Falling

Running for Cover

Ain't Gonna Drown Chapters 1-8

Shadows

Ain't Gonna Drown Chapters 9-15

Hodgepodge: Bucky & Coulson

Ain't Gonna Drown Chapters 16-19

Hurricane

Start a War

The Stranger

Lexington & Concord

Bid Time Returns Chapters 1-9

Hodgepodge: Heimdall

Bid Time Returns Chapters 10-13

Heart of Nowhere

Bid Time Return: Epilogue

Hodgepodge: Epilogue 2: Steve & Peggy

Trouble Town

8 Seconds

The Letter

Sons & Daughters

One Hundred and Eleven Days

Hodgepodge: Clint & Natasha

It's Alright, We'll Be Up All Night Chapters 1-5

Hodgepodge: Izzy Taveres

It's Alright, We'll Be Up All Night Chapter 6

Hodgepodge: Bucky & Peggy

We'll Have All the Best Stories

Rivers and Roads

Cup of Cheer

*phew* I think that's everything. Enjoy! And thank you for reading. :)

[rynnaaurelius]

2 for the end of year asks!! :]

(Ask post HERE)

Hiiiii <3

2. favourite fic of the year 

I read too much fic. Hmm. Shit. We're turning this into Ryn's AO3 Wrapped: The Non-Embarrassing Version (Not An Exhaustive List At All). These were generally judged by how many times AO3 says I chose to re-visit them at 1AM and sob.

For screenreaders: Titles are hyperlinked, I'm @'ing the authors if I know they're on tumblr)

If they choose to see this: Hi. I think you're awesome. I'm just tagging you so people can find you #OnHere. I hope your Friday is rad. :)

Give him time by @obiwanobi personally came and murdered me when I went on another Star Wars kick back when Kenobi came out in June. Loosely canon-compliant, Obikin, and for big fans of characters who decide to re-work reality to bring the person they love back. Also, tragedy.

Accidental Baby Acquisition, which is basically What We Do In The Shadows + Baby. Carries the show tone off really well, is funny as hell, and features one of my favorite OCs ever in later installments in the form of Guillermo's sister Valentina.

The Uses of Adversity because I fell down The Sandman rabbithole like everyone else and "Crime Master!Hob", and this somehow became a comfort fic? He rescues Dream while imprisoned by Rodrick's son and it all spirals from there. Great characterization, great OCs, and there's a sequel happening!

Viable Alternatives, a House of the Dragon AU where Laenor exists to be more than a sad gay and artificial insemination exists! Big fan of how Rhaenyra doesn't get softened here and the Velaryons get more to do.

Time is a River was a real surprise to find, it's a time travel PJO AU that I thought was really fun--it makes Percy/Hermes work for me, which was a shock--and I kinda hope the author finds a sequel in them some day, (No pressure, of course; it was a gift to someone else, but also, it's rad and I want more).

I started reading Preserve or Raze by @foxyatlas before 2022, but the list doesn't feel right if I don't put it on here. It's a PJO AU where Percy winds up at Camp Jupiter, post-the original series, but I feel like it's cheating if I reveal the additional twist. Suffice to say, it is epic, has lots of shenanigans and worldbuilding, and I'd recommend it over Blood of Olympus anyday.

a girl who sees it all is super short, but it's a great Annabeth Chase bit, and I gotta include it.

Space Between is a Star Trek AOS one-shot in which Jim ruminates a lot in first person POV (I know! It's great! It works!) and looks pretty with his shirt off while Spock saves the day--as canon tends to go. Eventual love confessions ensue.

Went on a biiiig X-Men movies kick this year, which is the excuse for The Tower and the Hurricane being on the list. Set in a post-X-Men: First Class world where Magneto proves right and human-mutant war has ensued, and Xavier takes the school to his sanctuary. Lots of pining and tension set against a potential apocalypse, it's good times.

shoulder the sky (and the fic it inspired) is a fucking amazing Star Wars series featuring a lot of Obi-Wan whump, lot of pain, and a lot of the clones doing their best as the Jedi try to keep their shit together. 12/10, would watch everyone suffer again.

and we're gonna sing it again and again is the best Our Flag Means Death fic I have read, go argue with a wall.

kidnapping bruce wayne 'verse by @frownyalfred makes me laugh every time I read it, and is basically what it says on the tin: Bruce gets kidnapped a lot, he inevitably grows on the henchmen who are always contracted to kidnap him. There's a lot of unreliable POV in regards to A, the fact that Bruce is Batman, and B, Bruce is getting railed by Superman on a semi-regular basis, and it is prime comedy.

I regret nothing putting hand in unrebloggable hand (we go down together) on this list. Enjoy.

i won't be shamed by you is basically Buffy the Vampire Slayer is except Spike is really into reality TV and gradually infects the Scoobies with it. Background canon relationships, but the point is that Spike is invested in The Bachelor.

let not time deceive you (you cannot conquer time) is a modern The Old Guard AU where everyone is still immortal but Nicky is a millennial college student, with a lot of pining, lot of grad school and Catholic Church criticism, and a lot of angst. Also, Quynh shows up towards the end and she's a fucking delight.

I am not just recommending as wise as heaven and crueller than hell just because one of the stories was gifted to me by you. It's also fucking amazing PJO and possesses superior Nico and Luke characterization.