#we are truly living in the darkest timeline

[cherrybombfangirl]

Given what’s happening in the US… I’m probably not going to be active for a while other than posting fanfic on Ao3 semi-regularly.

If anyone needs me I’ll be watching Andor, Rogue One, Bug’s Life, and Wicked on loop, and trying to do what I can locally. Stay safe, look out for each other.

[queenlucythevaliant]

It is such a stone cold bummer that we live in a universe where C.S. Lewis's youthful ambition to write the libretto for a Loki opera was never realized

[nerdmutant]

what happened sucks but it also sucks that i purposefully scrolled on tumblr and the destiel meme was NOT how i found out

[stars-and-darkness]

alina starkov stan?

if alina starkov has no fans ... well, that would never happen, as i would in fact stan this absolute icon of a woman from beyond the grave

[shamelessbi]

You know what's really unfair? That there are so many movies about ancient greece but they're all dudebro toxic masculinity type movies and not gay romances

[breadshot]

This is literally the plot of an entire episode of Community

This is insane

[jackpotpie]

I don't know why I've been so civil war pilled lately. Like the only two lasting legacies of that war were the reconstruction amendments (good) and a massive increase in federal power (bad)

The planter class stayed in power, black southerners remained disenfranchised. All we got were a couple of amendments that went basically unenforced for 100 years and the birth of the dark machine known as The American state

[scrawlingskribbles]

seriously Seriously considering trying to figure out how silicone pouring/etc. works solely bc I CraveTM a lollipop-shaped stim chew and apparently they just?? Do Not exist???? so I will have to?? learn how to make my own if I really want it that badly it seems??????????

[faeeevee]

Truly we live in the darkest timeline.

[lurkingshan]

10 Things I Love About Triage

I am extraordinarily late to this party but I am here to scream about Triage, a show which I started on a whim after a stray comment from @incandescentflower and subsequently finished in two sittings. This drama has been on my list forever (I didn't watch it live because the distribution was wacky) and then it just kept getting overlooked as I fought to keep up with the deluge of Thai BL coming at us at all times. But I am very glad I finally hunted it down and made the time and I would like to tell you why!

Hello Again, Dr. Sammon

I am on record as a Sammon fan. She is one of the best writers working in Thai BL and she has a knack for mystery and suspense. Her narratives are always really well constructed with tight plotting and smart character work, and Triage is no exception. This story feels confident, steady, and complete in a way few Thai BLs do.

The time travel rules are blessedly consistent

Part of what makes the story sing is it's a time travel plot that actually gets the particulars right. In a time loop, the details are everything, and this show understands that. The series of events are consistent, the rules of the time travel mechanics are clearly explained, and when our protagonists learn something new, it always lines up with something we'd gotten hints about before or gives us new context for old information. There are no loose threads in this show.

My boy Tin is going through it

Tin is a fantastic protagonist. He starts the show disillusioned with his work and hilariously grumpy about this time loop situation--he is a busy ER doctor and he does not have time for this--but as he starts to piece together how the loop works he gets more methodical in his approach, and eventually becomes emotionally invested in his mission to save Tol. Tin felt really well-calibrated in that he was smart and he tried all the things you would be shouting at the screen for him to try, but he's still a human being with flaws and insecurities and so he makes mistakes, learns, and has to try again. The show really successfully put us in the frustration with him.

Tol makes for an interesting damsel

Because he's kind of an asshole! Tol is rude and disrespectful when he first meets Tin, he hangs around with some truly awful bullies, he treats Rit like garbage, and he's all around an arrogant dick. Until he isn't. I like the choice to make the focus of our mission such a difficult character, not only because it makes Tin's challenge that much harder, but also because it invites us to consider the reasons why someone might be behaving the way he is and whether they can be redeemed.

This show has everything: action, romance, and agony

It's truly an emotional rollercoaster all the way through, and you can't relax for a moment. The pacing is relentless through most of the show, and even as a bond develops between Tin and Tol and they begin a tentative romance, danger is lurking around every corner. As soon as these boys started making out in episode 9 I knew something awful was coming for me and IT SURE DID.

Jinta, the ultimate frenemy

On that note let's talk about Jinta, my nemesis!! Jinta is some kind of unspecified deity/whimsical god and the one who appears to be responsible for putting Tin and Tol in this loop. Is he trying to help them? Is he trying to torture them? I definitely think it's both! He seems to delight in showing up to taunt Tin as he struggles to figure out how to get through to Tol, and when it's Tol's turn on the merry-go-round he sends him to the darkest timeline for his high stakes final attempt to save Tin just because he can. I love/hate you, sir!

Sing and Gap and the darkest timeline

Speaking of which, can we talk about how appropriate it is that Sing and Gap are a couple only in the darkest timeline? I don't know if people were shipping this for real during the live watch, but I definitely was not and so I started cackling when we got to the worst possible timeline and Sing was suddenly calling Gap his boyfriend. Sammon, you are hilarious and I salute you.

Fantastic side characters

Let's talk about the sides I did love. First of all, aside from his weird aggressive flirting/not flirting thing with Gap, I actually did like Sing's friendship with Tin a lot. I also loved the hospital gang who were around to alternately tease and help Tin, most especially Toy and Fang. Toy is a sweetheart and a gossip who never misses a trick, and Fang is an actual badass who first cracked the case with that evil doctor and saved Tin's life. They are fabulous. Rit was also an excellent character with a lot of complexity and he added some much needed depth to the school storyline (does anyone else think he was basically the proto-DFF Non?). And while Mai and Heart were not my favorite people, I did appreciate that the show gave them a sympathetic portrayal instead of making them evil villains (we had the organ harvesters for that).

That beautiful clocktower

I must give a shoutout to this gorgeous clocktower featured in several important scenes. I got so excited every time it showed up. Fun fact: in the first clocktower scene I was like oh hey I recognize that from gifs, but it can't be that scene because it's too early for a kis--TIN WHAT ARE YOU DOING! (I was right, it was too early for a kiss and Tol was Big Mad but bless you for going for it anyway, Tin).

The romance is balanced and rootable

And on that note, let me give a shoutout to the romance part of this story for actually feeling balanced. This is not an epic swoony love affair, but more a story of two people putting in the time to understand and empathize with each other. Sometimes in these kind of time loop stories the romance can end up feeling very one-sided because one character is holding all the knowledge and all the cards. But in this show we have the neat trick of Tol taking over the loop to try to save Tin in the final arc, which means he got to go through a similar process of getting to know the darkest version of his lover and figuring out how to get through to him. I was delighted by all the events of the long loop playing out again, but this time with Tin being the obstinate one. Tol got a taste of his own medicine and it left me feeling like they were both equally invested in this relationship.

TL;DR: If you haven't watched this yet, you really should! It's a fast binge and a great time with some Thai BL favorites. It's unfortunately still not available for international streaming, but it's very easy to find grey now and it's worth the effort. Go forth!

[jade-kyo]

The fact that there’s a timeline where we got a three season long meta Tucker arc and another timeline where we got canon ace Donut along with canon Grimmons and yet we live in the timeline where we got Zero and Restoration instead is truly so upsetting

This really is the darkest timeline

[xvysarene]

𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕋𝕒𝕡𝕖𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕪 𝕠𝕗 𝕋𝕚𝕞𝕖

Pairing: Xavier x Fem!Reader Prompt: “No, you can't stay here.” Words: ~1.1k Genre: Angst, No Comfort Notice: Some spoiler of Xavier's Myth, Shooting Stars, although not entirely aligned

[ᝰ.ᐟ MASTERLIST]

He staggered back, clearly surprised by how your muttered words reverberated loudly in the otherwise dimly lit room. Cerulean orbs searched for yours skilfully, eyes bright as they were when tracking Wanderers in the darkest of nights.

“What did you say?” A hint of disbelief was palpable in Xavier's voice.

You stepped away from the shadow, hands trembling as you struggled to steady them. Despite anticipating this moment, when confronted with reality, you found yourself questioning whether you could truly accept your sacrifice without harboring any regrets.

“I said, no, you can't stay here.”

Revelation dawned on him. Despite Xavier’s frequent drowsiness, he remained inherently sharp. It was one of the attributes that had made him a highly respected hunter.

“How long have you known?”

“Enough time to understand the over-complicated truth.”

Irritation briefly flickered in his eyes. He looked at the thinning veil behind him, clearly cursing the other party that stepped through it earlier. “Jeremiah told you.”

“I was the one who convinced Jeremiah to tell me everything. You shouldn’t kick his ass when you see him again.”

Xavier couldn’t help but chuckle bitterly at that. Jeremiah, though physically not imposing, could defeat anyone on mind games. That’s why he brought him along on the mission as he needed a logical partner.

He couldn’t comprehend why Jeremiah had agreed to divulge the secrets they swore to keep between themselves—especially to the one person he had hoped would never uncover the truth.

“Besides, you’re not as secretive as you thought, Xav.” You gave him a small, sad smile. “I guess that's what makes us human, right? Despite not being a normal one, having an aether core-fused heart, or having lived for a hundred years, we still can’t stop ourselves from showing our deepest desires during moments of vulnerability. I used to believe that she was your unforgettable first love or perhaps an ex who taught you a crucial life lesson. However, that’s just me shying away from the undeniable.”

As much as you had steeled yourself for this moment, your vision began to blur, and Xavier was fast to engulf you in his hug. You couldn’t help but wrap your arms around his lithe but muscular figure, feeling his warmth and further breaking your heart.

He buried his face in your hair, taking a deep breath to blanket himself in your scent like he always did.

“That’s not true,” his voice came out shakier than he intended.

“But it is, Xavier. You don’t know how many times you called out to her in your sleep. Or sometimes when you look at me, I can tell that you don't truly see me for who I am in this current existence. You can’t deny this, because in doing so, you’re also hurting her…me.”

You had to force your head up to fully face your light. Xavier wouldn’t let you step away from him.

Gently cupping his cheeks, you urged him to focus on your next words. “Face it, Xav. Your queen and I… our resemblances are solely physical. We’re two entirely different persons, made up of distinct personalities. If she was the reason why you were in this timeline in the first place, you cling to the hope of going back to her one day, don’t you? You wouldn’t abandon her eternity, right?”

His hug tightened. “I’m sorry,” he said after some time, head bowed in shame. “I’m sorry, Y/N. Truly, deeply sorry for making you feel less than your worth.”

Despite his painful acknowledgment, you found yourself relaxing, accepting your fate. Xavier's thumbs gently wiped away the tears that had escaped from your eyes.

“But you’re going to be here all alone,” his voice cracked, almond eyes cloudy. “I can’t go back and live peacefully knowing that.”

“If what Jeremiah told me is the truth, I have left you more than once. It’s your time to experience having someone be there when you’re back. This is the time to redeem myself, even when the timeline has gone haywire.”

Xavier shook his head furiously. “We won’t know if the alternative aether core would work. If I go back and learn that I will lose you again and Philos, I would rather stay here with you in the past.”

“You know it will work, that’s why you were so insistent on sending Jeremiah back alone with it, and selfishly waiting at the other end just to make sure it disappears, an indicator that Philos has accepted the aether-core. You know how much Jeremiah wants to go back there, and for everything he has done for you, you believed it was your turn to help him. I can’t take you away from her; it’s not right. It’s not my time to have you.”

“What difference does it make when I’m also willingly leaving you here? You understand that once I step through that veil, we’ll never meet each other again in this timeline.”

As if aware of its existence, the veil dimmed. You eyed it wearily, realizing that the swirling vortex of electric blue and silver had turned almost transparent.

“Xavier,” you sighed when he cupped your hand, reveling at the contact, “we both know that my time in this realm will end, I can’t be immortal here. I would rather face the certainty of our eternal bond in another dimension than linger in the fleeting confines of this world.”

You placed your fingers against his lips, silencing his upcoming argument. “You do realize that if you abandoned me in the future, I would despise you, don't you?" you made a playful comment to lighten the mood, but he was miserable. Filled with guilt and disappointment that he couldn’t control the situation.

You guided his head down to meet your lips halfway. As both of your lips touched in a bittersweet embrace, a silent farewell woven into each tender touch. The palm pressed against his heart felt its rapid beats.

“Goodbye, my light. Be happy,” you whispered those words to his lips.

Xavier should have known that whenever you were around, his caution melted away. That was his greatest weakness. He registered the force that caught him entirely off guard a second too late.

Xavier reached out his hand, losing momentum. “Y/N! Wait—!” he called out, voice tinged with urgency.

As his body was hurled into the closing veil, it snapped shut, swallowing his unfinished words. Sobs wracked your body, each wave of emotion sent your body crashing to the wooden floor.

Moonlight peeking through the windows cast its glow upon the intricate gold of the gigantic frame before you.

Where the veil had shimmered moments before, there was now only emptiness, revealing a cold cement wall that stood as a cruel reminder of the end of a chapter you could never revisit.

While seemingly nearly empty every night, a profound silence enveloped Philo Flower Store differently. Vibrant blooms began to wilt, their once lively hues fading into desolation, while the lush vines that once cascaded down nearby buildings now curled and browned.

⤷ ᝰ.ᐟ MASTERLIST

[scrunkly-cherry]

Yeah I hate throwing punches on the other team and I get they're upset, but it's genuinely just a game. This is absolutely disgusting.

[wundergeek]

Ugly cried about Exarch G'raha. Again.

Replay of Shadowbringers - finished 5.3 the other night and, as I have the previous two times I played it, ugly cried through the entire sequence after defeating Elidibus, and again when Beq Lugg is relaying Exarch G'raha's goodbye to the Scions.

But this time I wasn't crying about G'raha Going Through It (or, mostly that's not what I was crying about). I was crying about the fact that after everything he's been through - waking up in the The Darkest Timeline, giving up his humanity for A HUNDRED YEARS, and a million other Fucked Up Things to boot - Exarch G'raha...

still. has. hope.

I mean. Look at this man. He knew exactly how fucked he was from the moment Elidibus started using the Tower to summon souls willy nilly. It's so bad that he doesn't even try to hide it from the WoL - when putting a brave face on Not Being Fucking Okay is G'raha's whole deal.

"If I were to tell you that this isn't the end - that we will meet again - would you believe me?"

And.

He doesn't know. He wasn't around for everything that happened between the Crystal Tower and Shadowbringers, never met the companions who gave their lives for the WoL. Moenbryda. Minfillia. Heurchefant. Ysale. Papalymo.

Beq Legg has been warning us this whole time about the many and sundry things that could go wrong with transferring Exarch G'raha's soul - all of which G'raha is fully aware of, since he had to help make the damn things. And despite a fucking century of getting fucking nothing that he wanted in life, he chooses to have hope. To believe that this isn't the end. And to believe that everything he's been through will give hope to others.

To the point that instead of pouring his heart to the WoL - who he fucking adores - in what very well may be his last moments, he uses his last words to leave a message to the community he's shepherded for so long.

So yeah. That whole fucking scene had me ugly crying about G'raha being someone who always chooses hope. And then in the Crystarium, Beg Lugg's recounting of Exarch G'raha's final message had me crying just as hard.

"No matter how deeply buried they may be, our hopes never truly disappear. No, they are always with us. Guiding us. Driving us.

We struggle because we have hope."

And then. And then andthenandthenandthen.

EVERYONE IS OKAY AND G'RAHA FINALLY GETS WHAT HE WANTED. HE GETS TO LIVE HIS FUCKING DREAM AND GO ADVENTURING WITH THE WARRIOR OF LIGHT.

And. Like. Fuck. Shit. Fuck.

"We struggle because we have hope" is something I fucking needed to hear right now.

So yeah. I will never be normal about how Shadowbringers is legit one of the best-written video games of all time. Every time I replay it, I find something new and meaningful that helps me have hope about the very real-world apocalypse we're all living through right now.

If this fucking adorable dumbass who self-harms by helping others can Go Through It and come out the other side, then maybe I can too.

[trevengersprincess]

ℳ𝓎 𝒽ℯ𝒶𝓇𝓉 𝓎ℯ𝒶𝓇𝓃𝓈 𝒻ℴ𝓇 ℴ𝓊𝓇 ℯ𝒸𝓁𝒾𝓅𝓈ℯ

c.w: fluff. cute shit, f!reader

a/n: thought about doing this series for a while. I hope this is something new to look forward to and that you guys might like. these poems or lines are from my favorite poetry books. just starting off small for now with two books, hopefully I can expand more

w.c: 652

Standing on the other side of the hallway was him, the boy you adored. Although, he doesn't know you. You don't know him much. You've heard so much about him. He's in a gang, strong, there for his friends. He sounds absolutely perfect. His laugh makes you want to laugh, even if you don't know what you are laughing about. His smile is contagious, brightening up even your darkest days. He is the sun, your sunlight. You both live in different worlds. Both at the edge of the world but still don't meet. Even though he doesn't know, he is the reason you are here. 

Seeing even just a glimpse of him in your day, it makes your heart flutter like no other. No one has ever made you feel this way before. You didn't believe in things like love at first sight. Just fairy tales and stories for children to believe in such things. You didn't think it was actually true until you saw him. His soft hair, his gorgeous eyes, ones you can get lost in forever, his smile, his laugh, him. Everything reminds you of him, but you're too scared to say anything to him. You admire him from afar, thinking it's better this way. Until he catches you looking at him.

"You've been staring at me for a while. Is something wrong?" He says once he's right in front of you. Your cheeks flush a rosy red, looking down at the desk you are in. You can't seem to find the right words to say, which makes him continue. "What's your name?"

"Y-Y/N..." You respond as you look at him. He repeats your name, and you almost melt at how your name falls from his lips. Your face flushes red at his next words.

"Y/N...Starting today, we are friends, okay?" You are too baffled to say anything and he leaves, claiming to see you again soon.

Who would've thought it would lead you to where you two are now. At the end of the pier, sitting and watching the moon cast its light on the water. It's reflection highlighting his beautiful features. He had asked you to come out, wanting to ask you something important.

"Y/N...Be my girlfriend, yeah?" Your heart almost stops at his words. Did you hear that correctly? He was asking you to be his girlfriend. Oh, how you longed for this day, and it was truly happening.

"Y-Yeah...I-I'd like that..." You say, moving closer to him. He wraps his arm around your shoulders, continuing to stare out at the water. Both of you enjoying each other's company and the comfortable silence.

"Y/N, how long have you liked me?" He asks you, looking down at you as you look up at him.

"...For a while now. Ever since I first saw you in the hallways of our school." You answered honestly which makes him hum softly.

"And what was your first thought about me?" He asked, curious as it must've been a long time you had harbored your feelings.

"It may sound cheesy or..."too much" but it reminded me of a poem. It goes, 'We are standing at the edge of the world, and yet, we still do not meet. You are soaked in daylight, and I, am covered in night. My heart yearns for our eclipse.'" You say, blushing. His eyes soften at your words, cupping your face as he looks into your eyes.

"Well, your heart doesn't need to yearn anymore. Our eclipse is happening right now, and it will never end." He says before leaning down and kissing your lips softly.

You never expected this to happen. But you know, you would never change it in every timeline no matter how much people offer you. You could never trade your love for Manjiro, even if they offered you all the money in the world.

taglist: @reiners-milkbiddies @nyxe9206 @yourefavsakura @mikeys-bike-slut

wanna join the taglist? click here to go to the post and join! link

[massharp1971]

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers! Spread the self-love 💞

Oooh, thanks for the ask! Gosh. This is going to be hard. I have to do this without looking through the list because I'll die of indecision otherwise.

1. Unbroken 16K, M rating

“I’ll protect you. All of you,” he said, because he thought that was what was expected, but much as he desperately wanted it to be true, he knew this wasn’t a storybook. His heart clenched painfully at the thought of something happening to Rodney.

“Dumbass,” Rodney said in between still slightly panicky breaths. “Go read the SGC reports and then come back and tell me who usually saves who. Spoilers: It’s science. It’s always science… still, I appreciate the thought. I believe you want that to be true.”

This fic never fails to get enthusiastic reactions from the readers that venture in. It's not an easy read, as it's about trauma and all the layers of it that go unaddressed in the show. It was one of those stories that demanded to be written. it's ultimately a healing story and one that chimes for a lot of folks.

2. Awakenings >100K, E rating

‘Hi, Mer McKay, PhD, PhD, autistic, genius, gender ambivalent, queer and kinky as fuck, compulsive over-sharer.’ Some people think this is just a smut fic, but what I like is the story - what would happen if McKay knew he was autistic and queer and had come to terms with himself more? Well, in this case, it changes the entire timeline. There are some tough bits about trauma in there too, but it's mainly about John having a sexual awakening, thanks to McKay. Lots of polyamorous and kinky fun and games. Also, of course, a mcsheppy love story.

I'm currently writing the third main part of the series and horribly stuck, but if I'd actually published it, that would be my favourite.

3. Home for Christmas 25K, M rating

He went into another store, intent on buying novelty socks or something equally silly, when suddenly he caught the strains of Judy Garland and the most heartrending Christmas song ever written.

>Someday soon we all will be together If the fates allow Until then, >we'll have to muddle through somehow

John had no resistance anymore – the tears spilled easier than rain in a monsoon, and there was no choice but to duck out of the store and hide himself behind a convenient pillar while he sobbed, not even mustering a shred of masculine indignation to be getting weepy over Judy Garland. Yeah, he was a sad old queer and he didn’t much care anymore who knew it. He didn’t have to care and he didn’t have the energy left.

I wrote this for secret santa but felt it was a bit bleak, having poured all my difficult xmas feels into the fic, but looking back i feel like it might be my perfect xmas fic. It balances the sweetness of Christmas with the reasons we need the lights to chase off the darkest times.

4. Just Friends series 7K, M rating

They talk and they talk. Into the night. John wishes he’d learned to use his mouth for something other than sucking cock long ago.

“I had it all wrong. I thought you just settled…”

Rodney frowns. “For what?”

“For the look of it… power couple. I thought you chose,” he says.

They’re in his room, sprawled against each other, the mood sad.

“I didn’t let myself think you were trapped. Didn’t know how beat she had you.”

“Yes well I pretended to myself,” Rodney says. “Easier to believe the cage is comfortable than dash yourself to pieces on the bars.”

It started as a simple fic, but then the fic needed some follow-up and I ended up writing a whole lot of drabbles. Sharing here because I'm super proud of how drabble-writing developed me as a writer and I love the soft way it all turned out. Expect lots of gentle, sprawling found family and polyam vibes with a mcsheppy centre. It starts with Keller's canonical controlling intensity developing into a truly toxic relationship for Rodney.

5. Time's come to live a real life 4.5K, E rating

“You act like we played a game and you won, and Jen’s the prize,” Ronon says. “Maybe it’s connected to what you just said. You acting like you finally got the rules of this game figured out. Only I’m not an Earther and I don’t play by your rules. To me, whatever game you’re playing? It’s not real.”

Mcdex, with background shepdex, sheplorne and mcshep and kellerdex feels. Ronon can't understand what jennifer and rodney are trying to do with one another and he shakes rodney into a wake-up call. A more Keller-charitable fic about why McKeller is bullshit.

tagging @notenufcaffeine, @sgatazmy, @acrowbyanyothername, @wonkyelk, @dedkake