#we'll see how much I change by the time I actually post the fic

[deerspherestudios]

Hi there! I just wanted to let you know that I love your games! Mushroom Oasis especially has an especially place in my heart. Mychael is such an interesting character and one of my favorite types of yanderes—not violent towards his object of affection but still manipulative and willing to cross lines even if he feels guilty about it. Thank you so much for the work you have done; it’s obvious this game is a labor of love and I am looking forward to see how the story progresses.

In the meantime, I have to ask, do you think there might be a future option where the player can cook for Mychael? Totally okay if that is a little too specific. Cooking is just a love of mine and I love to cook for people I love and I feel that is something that Mychael would appreciate.

Also—and forgive me if you have answered this already—but I was curious to see where Mychael’s affection lands on the scale you created by the end of day 3. Or would there be more than one answer since it seems actions taken on this day might start to split between the platonic and romantic routes.

Thank you again for your time and for creating this wonderful game. Your art is so lovely and you have a real knack for fun character design.

HELLO!! Thank you so much for the kind words!! For me personally I've never been a fan of "if I can't have you no one can <3" type yanderes so knowing that it's a shared sentiment means a lot!!

I actually have something of an idea where MC does something nice for Mychael for a change in Day 4!

It was closer to buying a gift and the players can choose what they'd get for him but adding a cooking/baking option (or a more diverse set of gifts rather than just shopping for it) seems like a good idea! As usual the script is still cooking so we'll see!

As for the charts, they're answered here and explained here!

Also,,, idk if you'll ever read the addition below but I'm holding back on gushing rn because uh, this is for you personally but it's basically an appreciation post for being one of my fave authors <3!!!:

AAAA A A 11 !! ??

I'm gonna try and articulate myself in the best way I can but I have been a FAN of your writing since??? Gosh, 2015??? I was following your blog back when the pfp was a torchic (and a treecko i think??) and the header was Swiggity swiff Gotta Yiff ?? Idk if you're comfortable with people knowing of your writing but let me know if I should edit anything here!!!

I LOVED your writing so much it was silly and witty but you can do drama and heart and spicy just as well it was a major inspiration!!! I genuinely though it was a little goof when I saw you were following my blog the other day and THEN YOU SEND ME AN ASK??? IM, , , THROUGH THE ROOF, I would mention my fav fics of yours by name but I'd be outing myself but the scope is huge <3

I've been thinking of how to respond to this all DAY and decided to just be honest but but just know I love what you do <3 Admittedly idk if you still write these days but either way I hope you're doing well!!!! <3

[twooftheluckyones]

How did the cult initially react to Narinder post-battle, and how did it change over the years until he became a god again?

If you want drawing ideas, I think it'd be cool to see a rough layout of the cult over the years or something.

Cult lore go!

As far as the cult layout goes: At the start, Una couldn't keep the cult together at all. She wasn't a fighter, leader, or even a god. She had the crown and nothing else. The bishops would send raids, or dissenters would start a rebellion, or many other things that all ended with her dead and the cult in ruins. However, Narinder simply pat her on the back and sent her back again. In the first panel here's an example of the time. Temporary dwellings, a small temple, and not much else.

After a long, long period of training with Narinder and the twins, Una finally made some headway. She was able to fend off raids with the help of her new enforcers, manage followers effectively with the help of Narinder, and eventually killed Bishop Leshy. The cult finally had room to breathe, and things became more permanent as shown in the middle panel! And lastly, after all the bishops are defeated, Narinder freed, and peace made, we have the current state of the cult. Tall buildings, elegant decoration and civic planning, and a massive temple! Una and Narinder both run things hand in hand, with Narinder using his experience and administration skills to handle the behind the scenes work, while Una uses her people skills to handle appearances! Its a team effort, and fitting too, as they are bonded as gods.

Narinder after the battle will be detailed further in our comic Luck of the Lamb, but most people didn't really think he was real. Una told the disciples that he was coming, but the average follower worshiped the lamb rather than the mystical god they'd never seen.

As for how they acted when he was actually freed, he earns quite a sour reputation at first for being rude, intimidating, and generally grumpy. Being the god of misfortune and death doesn't earn you many favors, and as detailed in the fic Festival of New Life, many people are way of him even after he and Una make amends. We'll show more of this as we get more comic pages done!

[luveline]

how about some domestic stuff of post-prison reid and stripper!reader??? that one fic broke my heart in the best way

Prison changes a lot of things about Spencer, so when you get back to his place after a quick run to the grocery store and find him packing away some of his things into boxes, you're not alarmed. “Spring cleaning?” you ask, stepping around him carefully where he's kneeling by the TV stand. 

“Making room,” he says. 

He must have bought something. You put your tote bag in the crook of your arm and bend a touch to kiss his cheek, his hair brushing your face. “You have so many things, Spence, you need a storage locker. You need two.” 

He feels blindly up your arm. 

You put the groceries away, wash your hands, and cut some veggies. You season them and put them in the oven to roast, calling Spencer to see what he wants with it. “You could have the leftover chicken, or I can make, like… anything you want, actually. Pork chops, or maybe forget that and we'll have pasta, I can frankenstein the– Hey, Spence? You listening?” 

You're not mad. He's always been prone to deep thought, but usually he isn't looking straight at you while you talk. “Spencer?” 

“You'll move in with me, right? If I ask?” 

You wring your hands. “You've asked me a hundred times.” 

“But this time, you'll say yes.” He's staring at you. He already knows. 

“You can at least pretend to ask me.” 

Spencer closes the box in front of him. “Please, move in with me. I can't spend that long away from you ever again.” 

“You see me almost every day when you're not working.” 

He shrugs, smiles. “It's not enough.” 

You sit on the couch. He leans over his box to hold your leg. Spencer's asked you a bunch of times, first because he worried about your safety, then because he felt it was a good option as his friend, and then again because he loved you. And you always said no because you didn't want to depend on him, and because some nagging voice in the back of your mind kept telling you he'd realise he didn't want you as soon as you got close enough. But it's been a long time since you thought that way, and his stint in prison emphasised how badly you need each other. 

“So, it'll be equal?” you ask in answer. 

“I'm not saying that. The rent is ridiculous, and you didn't sign up for that, and I have no idea where we'll put all your clothes. But it'll be half yours, absolutely.” He looks especially happy though apprehensive; he hasn't realised you don't need convincing this time.

“I want to bring my pink lamp for the bedroom.”

Spencer's smile changes his entire face. Puppy dog eyes turn thinner, his lips part, his perfect teeth like pearls. “I want you to bring the pink lamp. Bring everything. No one will ever understand our decor.” 

You sink down on the floor in front of him and nudge aside his box for a hug. He gives it to you, and, in a slightly uncharacteristic move for him, he cuts the embrace short to kiss you soundly, his hand on your cheek. He kisses you again and again until you're laughing into his mouth. 

“Does this mean you'll let me propose?” he asks softly. 

Your breath catches. He doesn't sound particularly put together himself, bringing his second hand to your face, holding your forehead to this. 

“I don't think it's something I have much choice in,” you say eventually, your smile audible and immovable. 

You get to say yes or no, but his wanting to ask is all on him. He's flustered you unexpectedly, and the quiet laugh coming from what feels to be the deepest recess of his chest tips you over. You dip down into his neck slowly, hiding away in the curve of his shoulder as his arms come heavy behind you. 

“All I could think was how much stuff I didn't get to say to you, or do with you,” he says. “If they couldn't clear my name, I kept thinking about how much time I wouldn't get back.” 

You breathe out in a rush against his neck. “But you're out.” 

“Yeah. I am.” He strokes your back. “Lucky me.” 

[spaceycat]

Fic request where the reader asks Steve Rogers to draw her “like one of his French girls” 🤨

-🐇

white rabbit has returned, UH YES?? i think we all kinda glossed over the fact that steve was actually a really good artist? even though we only saw it for like 2 seconds, enjoy !!!

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➶-͙ ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ ...  ╰┈➤ 𝚒𝚝'𝚕𝚕 𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚝 𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚛 ࣪𖤐.ᐟ

♫ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: meet me in the hallway by harry styles (3:47)

✰ pairing: steve rogers x reader

✰ cw: fluffy, kissing, shared feelings, swearing

✰ word count: 0.6k+

✰ summary: reader finds out that her bestfriend steve can draw, and asks him to try and draw her. it soon leads to feelings shared.

✰ a/n: this is such a mood change from my usual posting of until dawn, enjoy regardless?? also fun fact i haven't watched titanic sooooo

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༺colour chart༻ reader ❀ steve ☀︎

You were looking for something in Steve's drawers, it was normal for you to do so - you were bestfriends after all. You were searching when you accidentally bumped the drawer, books and journals falling to the floor. "Shit--" You'd mumble to yourself, crouching down to pick up the mess of books, that's when one caught your eye - a journal full of drawings. You never thought Steve was one to be the drawing type, always caught up in work with the Avengers or something of the sort. You'd pick it up, realising it was a journal dating back to his time in the war. As you flipped through the pages, you saw sketches of trains, landscapes, the occasional drawing of Bucky or Peggy. Your eyes eventually landed on one of a monkey dressed up in his Captain America outfit, a monkey on a unicycle on a tight rope? Why would he draw this.. that's when Steve's voice cut your thoughts.

"Hey-- you okay? I heard a thud.." You'd look over to him, standing up to face him. That's when his eyes caught you holding his sketchbook. "Uh-- yeah, I just knocked over some books and stuff.." "Where did you find that--" He'd walk over to you, grabbing the book from your hands. Looking up at you, expecting an answer. "I-- knocked it over.. like I said-- I-I never knew that you drew.. or that well for that matter." "That was a long time ago.." He'd close the book, placing it back onto the dresser. "Do you still draw?--" "I don't have much time to anymore, but yeah-- sometimes.." "Maybe.. drawing me will kickstart some artistic instincts.." "Oh-- no, I.. I shouldn't." "Oh c'mon, Stevie.. draw me like one of your french girls.." He looked at you confused, "..Titanic?" He raised a brow, "I-- what you seriously haven't watched Titanic? 'I'm flying, Jack'?" The quote made him look even more confused. "Titanic as in-- the ship?" "I'm surprised Sam hasn't shown you it.. c'mon, we'll watch it as you draw me."

Steve and you set up in the living room of his apartment - setting up snacks and drinks while you tried to find Titanic on his tv. That’s when you heard scribbling from beside you, you’d look over. Seeing Steve looking up at you then back to the paper.

“Hey— wait, I wasn’t ready.” You’d move beside him, looking at what he had drawn, it was a small sketch of you. “Oh..” You paused for a minute, “Steve this is really good—“ "Uh-- thanks.." He'd look at you, realising how close you two were. You'd grab the book from him - focusing on it so much so that you didn't notice how intently Steve was looking at you. "I am stealing this page once--" You'd look up at him, realising he was staring at you. "Uhm-- it's good." He'd grab it from you, closing it - placing it aside. "I want to try something.." He'd look at for you for a moment, "Can I kiss you?" That took you by surprise, "Steve I--" "Can I kiss you?.." He'd ask again, you'd nod. "Need a physical answer." "Yes." He'd lean foward, placing a hand to the side of your face. Placing a soft kiss to your lips, pulling back. You'd chase his lips, moving to kiss him again. Filled with passion and love, he pulled back for air. "So-- why the monkey?" "What?--" "The monkey you drew?" "Oh-- that was back during the war.. when I was just a statement piece, a show pony.." "Oh-- right, I.. I'm sorry." "Don't apologise, it wasnt your fault." He'd tuck a strand of hair behind your ear, "Are we gonna continue watching Titanic?" "Oh-- right."

ONE DOWN !!!

[monbons]

Stitches and Sentences Sunday

Thanks for the tags @martsonmars and @artsyunderstudy. I loved reading your WIP snips. As always, such delicious delicious words from both of you.

This is a long update with video and some mild NSFW, so I am slapping everything under the cut. Enjoy!

STITCHES I resolved to take it easy in the new year, so I have no big doll projects on the horizon. I've just been slowly plugging away at MRB Simon as I sat on planes and in airports for hours on end this break.

But Monica, didn't you make him for COC? Well, yes and no...

As soon as I started making things for COC, I realized the only way to make the project sustainable was to create what I now call "base Simon" and "base Baz." These consisted of a head, torso, and legs. Then, depending on the position required, sometimes I swapped out the arms (on one occasion the legs), and I always changed the clothing and/or accessories. As a result, MRB Simon was actually ONLY arms and some hasty pipe cleaner flowers.

After wrapping up the last post, I cleaned up the CHAOS that had exploded in my bedroom and the little disembodied arms sitting on my desk began haunting me. So, I decided to complete MRB Simon. Here he is in all his naked glory.

I would like to add the disclaimer that I didn't know anything about embroidery before this. Truly. I taught myself three simple stitches in one night from youtube just to have these arms made in time for COC. So, given that, I am pretty happy with how he's turned out. I am still waiting on shoes and a few accessories to arrive, but once he is finished, I'll give him his own dedicated post and mail him off to @rimeswithpurple as a thank you for all of her help with my COC Watford map.

SENTENCES As I said, I was trying to take it easy. Not so much a resolution as what I needed after all the madness. However, almost as soon as I made the decision, I was struck by creative lightning. I've learned that you never walk away from inspiration, so I've cranked out almost all of my EGF fic already and it is in the hands of my trusty forever beta.

I have nothing I want to preview just yet because it is the filthiest thing I have ever written while also not being very filthy at all??? I don't know how else to explain it then to share the comment I left @thewholelemon on my doc.

Perhaps I will feel brave enough to share more in upcoming weeks. Since it was inspired by a slutty doll accessory I stumbled upon and have since commissioned for one of my dolls, I may also illustrate my own fic. We'll see.

Hellos and high-fives from the smutty doll factory!

@alexalexinii, @argumentativeantitheticalg, @aristocratic-otter, @arthurkko, @artsyunderstudy

@best--dress, @blackberrysummerblog, @brilla-brilla-estrellita, @bookish-bogwitch, @confused-bi-queer

@cutestkilla, @drowninginships, @emeryhall, @facewithoutheart, @harrie-leithillustration

@hushed-chorus, @iamamythologicalcreature, @ic3que3n, @ileadacharmedlife, @katatsumuli,

@larkral, @letraspal, @martsonmars, @messofthejess, @mooncello,

@noblecorgi, @orange-peony, @prettygoododds, @raenestee, @rbkzz,

@rimeswithpurple, @roomwithanopenfire, @run-for-chamo-miles, @shrekgogurt, @skeedelvee

@stitchyqueer, @talentpiper11, @twinkle-twinkle-up-above, @theimpossibledemon, @thewholelemon,

@valeffelees, @whatevertheweather, @you-remind-me-of-the-babe, @youarenevertooold

[falling-star-cygnus]

i've been toying with this idea for a while now, but the weekly release of s3 has been giving me motivation to post more Link Click stuff!!!

so, Lu Guang's ability allows him to look into the 12 hours following the aftermath of a picture- right? sooo hypothetically, if someone knew about this ability- they could set a trap not a 'trap' trap, obviously, but like- they could hurt him with it yk? it'll make more sense in fic form

kinda hand-wavey when it comes to timeline placement, but let's just say it's before Lu gets stabbed :3

"So..."

"...yeah."

"How weird."

Three pairs of eyes stare at the little envelope left on the counter.

"Neither of you left it here? Cheng Xiaoshi?" Qiao Ling asks- rather accuses her brother, while Lu Guang reaches for the package.

"Wh-!? I was out with you all day! When would I have even- Guangguang's the one who's been here!"

The accused in question tunes out the bickering siblings to pry open the glue seal. This argument was nothing new, after all, not this lifetime and not this week. It was kind of comforting, like a white noise machine.

What was new, was this package.. that only held a single photo. And no return address, or name attached... It wasn't even a particularly remarkable photo, just- a room. An empty, rusted room.

"Don't accuse Lu Guang! He's much more responsible than you-"

"Well how else could it have gotten there!?"

The pale haired boy wracked his mind for any ounce of familiarity, but... nothing. He can't recall having ever seen this place, or any timeline where this thing was dropped off. It didn't make any sense.

"LU GUANG!" the siblings shout at him, each slamming their dominant hand onto the counter. The photo slips from his fingers as he jumps.

...maybe he tuned them out a bit too much.

Cheng Xiaoshi catches it to take a look for himself, appearing equally as puzzled.

"Sorry, Qiao Ling-ji," Lu Guang ducks his head, "I stepped out for a second to check the darkroom. I didn't see who left it."

And wasn't that disconcerting. Someone had managed to sneak in and out of the studio without ever alerting the ever vigilant time-traveler. It left a weird itch under his ribs.

Were they in danger again? So soon? They hadn't even met the twins yet... had this timeline changed too drastically to be saved?

Apparently, his discomfort showed on his face too- his spiraling sanity as red threads frayed around him- because the next thing he knew he had his roommate nudging his side and offering the photo back.

"Guangguang? We're not actually upset, you know.."

"Uh... right." he didn't think they were, but he'll take the escape. And distraction.

"Yeah! Mistakes happen," Qiao Ling chirps, reaching up to ruffle his hair, "No harm, no foul, Lu Guang. We'll check the tapes."

The time-traveler can't help the rosy blush that colors his cheeks under the siblings' onslaught of affection and attention. Affection and attention that he didn't deserve for lying to them for so long. But.. he was greedy. Greedy for their friendship and so, so terribly afraid of what he would become without it.

"Oh, so the landlady gets to touch your hair without permission but when I do it-" annnd then Cheng Xiaoshi was ruffling his hair too, saving him from his head again in a far more chaotic fashion than his sister [yet he was no less gentle], "you get all complain-y!"

"Idiot, you're still hung up on that? It was years ago-"

"Hardly!"

Qiao Ling giggles at their antics and takes her leave- presumably to go check the tapes like she said. The two watch her go from their peripherals.

And then get to work.

Lu Guang raises the photo, trying to ignore the fuzzy feeling that spreads in his chest when Cheng Xiaoshi adjusts to block him from the view of any onlookers. They didn't need words at this point.

He could feel his friend's eyes on the side of his face, as if drawn to the blue light for some inexplicable reason. It was fine, he could dissect that feeling later. Or never, preferably never.

Right now, he had to figure out why this picture appeared.

Nothing happened at first. The photo was taken of and empty room, and the man who took it sat in a chair just behind the camera. It almost seemed like a prank. One hour passed, then two, three... four.. six.. nine.

Lu Guang was prepared for his time- his limited, precious time- to be utterly wasted. For Cheng Xiaoshi to be laughing at him when he resurfaced, and for that tight ball of anxiety in his chest to loosen somewhat when-

"How long are you going to hide in the past?"

His heart drops to his stomach, the empty space it left behind squeezing like a vacuum.

"Do you truly think you can save them?"

The man stands up, still facing the same half of that empty room.

"Do you think you deserve to, Lu Guang?"

"How do you.."

In all these timelines, all these threads he ties and breaks and travels and resets, he's never- no one has ever- Whoever sent this knows about him and his powers. Knows about the timelines.

Lu Guang runs through potential names.

Qian Jin? The twins? Vein? Liu Xiao? Liu Min-

"Don't bother guessing. I doubt you'd get it, even with all the time in the world."

"...what?"

He couldn't tell if the man was responding to his thoughts or words or just- knew him and was covering each base.

"See, people like you are interesting. People who think they're above the rules are interesting.."

A pale, crooked hand runs over grimy bricks. The hour creeps past eleven.

"You were raised better than that."

Everything happens at once.

The man turns around, revealing a mirror barely a foot away. Lu Guang doesn't get a chance to make out more than burning amber eyes before the room goes up in light.

| + + + |

Cheng Xiaoshi's knuckles are white on the counter.

He doesn't want to mess up Lu Guang's focus, or accidentally hurt him by pulling him prematurely out of the photo but.. he looked so scared.

It wasn't an emotion he was used to- or liked- seeing on his friend at all. If Lu Guang was scared, then what- the dark haired boy shook his head. If Lu Guang was scared, then... Cheng Xiaoshi would just have to be strong enough for both of them.

He could do that- he could totally do that! After everything Lu Guang helped him with in the past, Cheng Xiaoshi would offer his own hand tenfold.

"How do you..." his friend muttered, voice weak and fragile and quiet.

"Guangguang?"

As far as he's known, Lu Guang had never talked when inside a photo before. After and before, sure, but... never during. He itched to reach out, to brush that soft white hair off his friend's suddenly clammy brow.

Lu Guang's slender fingers trembled.

"...what?"

....he shouldn't. He really shouldn't. But Lu Guang's never acted this way before! Not when he was awake. Maybe he wouldn't even notice-

No. No no no, he shouldn't risk it.

Cheng Xiaoshi would just- take him out for milk tea after this. Yeah.

A few more minutes pass, filled only by soft breaths and the tap-tap-tap-tap of Xiaoshi's finger on the counter. Lu wouldn't notice.

Would he?

No..

The photo falls from Lu Guang's hands at the same Cheng Xiaoshi lunges for him.

Barely, just barely does he manage to tuck his hand between the shelves and the soft white hair of his best friend- seconds before collision and so, so worth his undoubtedly bruised knuckles.

"Lu Guang? LU GUANG!"

The sound his friend looses is primal- hurts his chest in a way he didn't know possible- and his hands, slender and crooked in the knuckle, clutch at his face with such ferocity that his nails almost break skin. Cheng Xiaoshi guides him to the floor as gently as he can as the pale haired boy's knees give.

"It's okay," he whispers, looking around for something- anything- that could help, "It's okay.."

"I can't-" Lu Guang gasps, his chest heaving and his eyes still blue, "I can't see- I.. I can't-"

"Okay.. okay.. it's okay."

He feels like a broken record, but he doesn't know what else to say when Lu Guang is in so much obvious pain. God, could he even hear him? Who would- how-?

Cheng Xiaoshi bats his friend's hands away from his face and quickly covers his eyes for him, not wanting to add scratches to Lu's discomfort.

"Just breathe, Lu, I'm right here.. I'm right here." he says, tucking the pale haired boy against his chest until he was sure he could hear the thump of his heart, "Just focus on me, okay?"

That always seemed to calm Lu Guang down, at least.

"What did you see? Lu Guang, what did you see?"

"I don't- I don't know- there was.. there was a room.. and a man- and- and then light. He knew-"

He wish he hadn't asked. he hadn't heard Lu Guang this panicked and raw in a while. He was in pain. And Xiaoshi couldn't do anything about it.

"Okay.. it's okay," Cheng Xiaoshi digs around in his pocket, keeping his friend bracketed by his legs, "Lu Guang-"

Okay, okay, deep breaths. You can't help him if you're panicking too. Deep breaths. Don't tell you don't know what to do...

He tucks himself around his best friend, as if he could hold Lu Guang together with his body alone and rescue him from this awful, awful pain he was in. They never should've opened that envelope.

Eventually, Qiao Ling wanders back in, and she looks far more troubled than when she left. To be fair, so do her boys.

From there, it's a blur.

Lu Guang gets checked into a hospital, the sibling's lie to the police, Xiaoshi gets grilled by his sister on why they had to lie to the police, and everything spirals out of control.

Or, at least- that's what it feels like.

"Cheng Xiaoshi," Qiao Ling speaks up, from where the two are hovering anxiously outside of Lu's room. And wow, does this feel achingly familiar.. in a way he can't quite put his finger on..

She's biting on her thumbnail.

"The person who left that envelope on the counter... "

Cheng Xiaoshi looks at her, fist clenching in his pocket in preperation to swing at whoever dared-

"It looked like Lu Guang."

"...what?"

[lsd-astronaut]

A Hobbit's Guide to Court Someone (Merry Brandybuck x Fem!Human!Reader)

Summary: Meriadoc Brandybuck has fallen irredeemably in love. It shouldn't be that hard to confess, right?

Purely indulging myself at this point with these stupid fics lmfao if you like it and want to see more, requests are open! Refer to the pinned post for the character list and the rules

Like and reblog!!!!

Post-writing edit: This is so long omg😭😭😭I cooked a bit too hard but I'm actually so proud of it. Yes, Merry, is a bit stupid in it, but we like an idiot in love

Couldn't bear to separate them but this is not a Pippin fic sorry guys he does appear tho!

Love. Such a beautiful word, that encompassed almost every other feeling. There existed as many interpretations of the concept as visible stars in the sky of the Shire. For one Meriadoc Brandybuck, love was not in his list of topmost priorities, nor he felt like it was something that truly suited him. This was not born from insecurity, he claimed, but simply out of convenience. Life was much more than 'tying the knot' as he so crashly put it. He still had some years of fooling around before he definitely had to inherit his father's position as Master of Buckland, and then he would just get together with whoever he saw first, his worry as nonexistent as that.

It all changed on the year 3018 of the Third Age, when his cousin Frodo just had to inherit a cursed ring that also acted as a weapon of mass destruction. But the gods be damned if he wouldn't help him.

Thirteen months and a destroyed ring later, he would say they have done a pretty good job at avoiding the global catastrophe of all time. Yes, the only victims had been his burnt arm, and Frodo's psyche being stretched out to its absolute limits, but it was nothing some rest in the Shire and a certain blonde hobbit that refused to leave his side no matter who complained couldn't heal somewhat.

And this is exactly when everything changed for one Meriadoc Brandybuck. All in all, it should have been a normal day in the Houses of Healing; his arm just needed the weekly checkup, a routine he had grown accustomed to and was also fairly insensitivized to. How could he have guessed that Éowyn's excited shout was a premonition of what was to come?

"By the gods! You're here finally! What took you so long?"

A giggle made Merry's ears perk up and he unconsciously turned a bit to concentrate on that unknown voice.

"The roads to Minas Tirith are in disrepair, so close we are still to the war, and our caravan stopped in every settlement along the way so we could help the survivors as much as it was possible."

"A noble endeavour, indeed." Éowyn smiled. "It is in your personality, after all. It shouldn't surprise me. But you're here now for good, aren't you?"

A bump on Merry's good shoulder made him break out of his reverie and he turned to look at the cause, which was looking at him with raised eyebrows.

"Are you even listening to me?" His younger cousin, Pippin, knew the answer before he could even open his mouth and shook his head. Any possible retort was rendered useless when the curtain to their section was pulled aside and the most beautiful person he had ever seen appeared on the makeshift threshold.

"Oh!" You smiled with a little surprise. "I had the impression I was only to treat one patient. Which one of you it is, then? Or perhaps it is a parent?"

Pippin had the gall to laugh at the human's words while Merry could do nothing but blush furiously as he noted that the gentle voice matched your appearance almost exactly.

"My name is Peregrin Took, and this is Meriadoc Brandybuck, my cousin. I'm afraid this is the most we'll grow, and even by hobbit standards we're extremely tall."

At least you had the decency to look embarrassed after the correction. There had been so many Big Folk who had just laughed at them and continued on to treat them like the children they looked like.

"My most sincere apologies if I have offended you, Master Hobbits. I must admit I had never met your kind, so I didn't know what it is that you look like. The feet should have been a clear indicator."

Once again, Pippin laughed but even Merry could notice the tinge of embarrassment that was hinted in his voice; hobbits had a lot of pride in their feet, and even some did intricate braids on their hair that even surpassed the skill of dwarves, although this was something said when the night had advanced and ale ran as easy as water. Still, for someone to so blatantly refer to others' feet was seen as scandalous at best and offensive at worst. Aragorn had known about this, having met Bilbo all those years ago, but it was no wonder other Big Folk didn't.

Clearing his throat, Pippin broke the tension and pointed at Merry. "He is the one with the wound. I was just here to give him some conversation."

You nodded with a smile. "A most effective strategy. Talking with someone is a good way to distract them from pain of any kind."

Walking toward the box with the supplies, you didn't notice the scowl Merry directed at his cousin, and the subsequent teasing grin from Pippin. Once you had grabbed everything you needed, you lifted the hobbit's sleeve and started prodding gently along the burns' outline. A sudden intake of breath made you look up.

"Did I hurt you?" Merry shook his head vehemently and swallowed, not daring to make eye contact with you. Humming in doubtful agreement, you continued with your ministrations. "Should I believe Éowyn about the cause of these burns?"

"Depends on what she said." The blonde hobbit's voice was a bit strained, but he cleared his throat to hide it.

"Oh, nothing, just that you saved her from being killed in battle by a certain Witch King." At his slight nod, you smiled gratefully. "She has been my best friend since we were little kids. Alright, all done!"

Merry looked down at his right arm, which was now covered completely by bandages. Something had been pressed at certain spots that ranged from his shoulder to his hand; a poultice, most likely. It was working, though, for he felt the coolness seeping in his abused skin, but it was a gentle thing, not like the freezing that pierced his nerves every now and then.

"If the bandages irritate your skin, or start itching, come back. I should not tell you that scratching is completely out of the question, right?" Merry nodded like an idiot. Your voice and presence had just that effect on him, and he had only met you for less than ten minutes.

With a satisfied grin at his understanding, you closed your supply box and stood up. "It was a pleasure to meet both of you, Peregrin and Meriadoc." And off you were.

Merry shook his head and looked down at his hands. A most unusual scoff sounded from his side.

"What is wrong with you?"

"Alright, so let me get this straight. You met someone and want to court her, yet you haven't spoken more than two sentences with her?"

"Aye, it was more like one sentence." Ignoring Merry's glare, Pippin continued. "You had to be there, it was really pathetic."

Sam nodded and sipped from his cup of ale. Honestly, he was more than used to Merry's and Pippin's shenanigans. But this? This exceeded even his wildest expectations. From Pippin he would have expected it, but Merry was supposed to be the mature one of the two. Now, love had its ways to make even the most logical person lose all their wits, and not even him had been left out, his love for Frodo a proof of it. So, Merry couldn't be faulted at all.

"You have to help me." Merry looked desperate, and Sam felt sorry for him.

"I understand, but nothing I tell you will work out if you can't even talk with her."

"I can talk to her." Sam raised his eyebrow, and Pippin muffled a snort in his own cup. "Okay, maybe she makes me a bit nervous, but I can definitely talk to her."

With a sigh, Sam looked up to the ceiling, gathering his thoughts. After some seconds, he looked at the two hobbits in front of him. Throwing back the last of the ale, he slammed the cup on the table and stood up.

"Alright, I'll help you. But you have to do exactly as I tell you."

The first thing that Sam had proposed was flowers. Everyone liked flowers, and Big Folk women were surely no exception. Having been helped by an amused Faramir who had given them access to the library, the three hobbits had created a bouquet that would have been the envy of everyone in the Shire.

Standing as he was now in front of your little study door, Merry was rethinking all his choices up to that moment. The bouquet was clasped in his hands, which clenched with a strength that still was barely enough to hide the trembling in his fingers. With a deep breath, he pressed his lips and knocked. You didn't let him wait for long.

"Hello? Oh, it's you, Meriadoc! I almost couldn't see you behind all those flowers. What brings you here?"

Not trusting himself, he simply thrust the bouquet towards you. With a surprised expression, you held them to your chest. "And what did I do to deserve these? Is it because of your arm? I was just doing my job." The little smile you flashed at him made his legs feel like melting butter. "But still, these are really pretty, and I was in need of some of these for my medicines. Thank you very much, Meriadoc."

You turned around and went to put the flowers on an empty vase by your window. The hobbit gathered his courage and cleared his throat, calling for your attention. But as your eyes met with his, it was like all his bravado had vanished in a puff of smoke. Instead, he only said "My friends call me Merry."

The wide grin you gave him was the final straw, and he turned around and ran out of the room.

"You did not. Tell me you didn't."

Merry just groaned as his head lay on the hard table in the pub they frequented after their daily obligations were completed. No pity was left on the hobbit's face that sat in front of him.

"Do you realize how rude that was? Actually, that isn't even the main problem at all. You couldn't even say anything to her."

"Now, that's not true." Merry lifted his face a bit and glared halfheartedly at Sam. "I did speak to her."

"'My friends call me Merry.' Astounding." Sam's tone was deadpan. "Should we call for a celebration?"

"I wouldn't be opposed to that." Pippin busied himself with his ale as the other two glared at him. "You could always invite her."

His older cousin shook his head. "Sam is right. I can't even string two words together when she is near me. A party would be madness."

Pippin scoffed and gave a pointed look at Merry. "Alright then, I have an idea, seeing as Sam's was not successful."

"Not because of its validity," came the sullen retort. "Should we be worried about it, though?"

The younger hobbit waved his hand dismissively. "Of course not! It's a pretty normal idea, all things considered. Now, you're in the Rohan army, it would not be strange that you got wounded during a drill and you had to go to the Houses of Healing. It doesn't even have to be an actual injury."

Merry mulled it through. He had to give credit to Pippin where it was due. He wouldn't have come with that idea in a million years. Perhaps this could be attributed to a deeply ingrained sense of justice, or more probably, he just didn't feel it right to lie to your face. Yet, was he truly this desperate to seriously consider it?

"I'll give it a try." He ignored Sam's wide eyes. "However, I'll get injured. It has to look real."

"You do you, Merry, just don't get knocked out or you won't get to see her pretty face," Pippin teased.

Putting Pippin's idea to practice hadn't been too hard. A most unexpected motion from Merry that had him positioned perfectly to get the flat of his opponent's blade straight on the face, and he was now sitting on a bed in the Houses of Healing, as you fretted over the bruises on his face. He'd have to give his cousin something as a thank you gift, perhaps a sweet from his favourite bakery.

"Now, how did this happen?" Your worried voice made him come back to reality. Maybe it was the pain that did the trick, for the words came forth with no trouble this time.

"A simple distraction and faulty footwork did it for me."

"Really? I have seen you fight." At his surprised expression, you rushed to explain. "My study's window overlooks the training field, and it's good entertainment when the paperwork is too much. Also, it's quite easy to tell you apart from everyone else."

Merry could only but blush furiously, which was concealed by the big bruise that surely covered his face at this point. That you had been watching him and that your eyes hadn't overlooked him shouldn't make his heart beat as fast as it was doing right now. Alas, these things cannot be controlled.

Your work done, you gave an appraising look that had Merry looking down like a lovesick fool. "If my word is something to be believed, I think that your pretty face will heal up nicely in no time."

Before he could open his mouth, a blonde head appeared on the door and called your name excitedly. You grinned at Éowyn and, after giving Merry the good to go, you walked up to her.

Once again, any possible conversation between you had been interrupted by someone or something. Wait, had you said "pretty face"?

"I can't believe it didn't work. It was actually a great idea!" Pippin was in disbelief after Merry had told them all about the interaction.

"At this point, it has to be your fault," mumbled Sam as he busied himself in peeling an orange. "If you can't talk to her, then nothing we tell you will work."

Merry hated that Sam was right, and bit his lip looking down while wringling his hands. "Perhaps all this was just a sign from the world that this isn't meant to be?"

"Wow, you weren't lying, Sam. He is that infatuated." Frodo chimed in from his bed to which he had been bound for the last weeks or so while he recovered from the whole ordeal of defeating Sauron. "Now, Merry, how about you listen to me? Invite her for a picnic in the prettiest place you know around these parts. Make sure you'll be alone and relaxed. The reason the other ideas didn't work was probably because you were too nervous."

It sounded like a good enough idea. Merry was a bit doubtful of it working, but he was nothing but a stubborn hobbit, and Frodo's proposal ear cuff stared at him in the face as if saying, What do you have to lose?

That you had accepted at all, even after every blundering of his from the last weeks, had surprised him in great measure. For him, it just attested what a big heart you had for everyone around you. And he wanted to get you all for himself? It was selfish, and it made his insides bitter at the sudden realization. Even if you didn't accept his feelings, he still wanted you to spend a nice afternoon.

"Did you make the food?" You smiled at him, as you bit onto a jam-filled pie. Conversation came so easily to you, and you were trying so hard to make him comfortable. Merry felt like an ass that he couldn't even speak or look at you normally. He was trying so hard.

"No," he shook his head. "One of my best friends made it for us."

Revelling in the flavour, you continued eating. "Well then, my congratulations to the chef. This is the best pie I've ever had."

"I'll make sure he knows it."

"You don't cook?" You smiled gently at him as he shook his head with clear embarrassment. "My mother tried to teach me when I was little, but I was more interested in reading my books, so you're not alone in your plight." Merry could feel a knot forming in his throat at your teasing voice. He had done nothing to deserve such trust from you. He did not answer you, instead busying himself with his own portion.

"Merry." Your clear voice cut through the murkiness of his thoughts like a sharpened knife, and he turned to look at you. "Is there something wrong?"

The hobbit shook his head, but you weren't fooled so easily, accustomed as you were to treating all kinds of patients. Frodo was a recurring one, and Merry knew how prone he was to retreating to his own mind when he was having a bad day, so it was no wonder you didn't believe him now.

"Don't lie to me, Merry. What is it?" You tried to look into his eyes, but he hid his gaze, as he was sure there were visible tears threatening to make their escape now. "Is it me?"

At that, Merry's head snapped up and he rushed to shake it when he saw your hurt expression. "No, of course not!" His voice finally came out loud and clear. "It's just that I like you so much that my words fail to come out."

Silence overcame the little picnic spot, only broken by the occasional bird chirping, and the wind rustling the trees around you. What had he just said? Oh, how he wished the ground could swallow him whole right this moment. Wait, you were smiling?

"Finally. It took you so long." You grinned and scooted closer to the gaping hobbit. "I thought you would never do it."

"W-What do you mean?"

"It means that Éowyn told me all about it some weeks ago after Pippin told her."

Merry couldn't believe what he was hearing. He furrowed his eyebrows. "Why didn't you say anything, then?"

"To be honest, I did not believe her when she first told me. But then you brought me that big bouquet of flowers that was twice your size, and it did dawn on me. Speaking of it, did the flowers have any special meaning in particular?"

Merry nodded, still dumbfounded. "Well, it meant 'I love you.'"

"Really?" Your eyes widened and so did your grin. "I'm afraid I only know about the medicinal properties of plants and flowers, and not their other meanings. I'll have to study on it."

"Are you joking?"

You scoffed, but the smile was still present. "Why would I be joking? Now, if I can be honest with you, Merry, I'll confess that my original plan was to leave the Houses of Healing after some days, and continue on my travels. Can you guess the reason of my staying?"

Merry shook his head, and you sighed before leaning forward, and gently grabbing his cheeks, brought your lips to his. The kiss was nothing out of this world from an objective perspective, and Merry had experienced more than he could count throughout his life. Yet, in that moment, he felt like a light was travelling across his body, illuminating even the most hidden nooks and crannies of his being.

After what felt like an eternity, you pulled away, and noises started surrounding him once again, focused as he was on you. A blush covered your face, and you grinned softly.

"Can you guess it now?"

Merry couldn't trust his voice now, and hoped with all his being that by staring at you, his eyes could do the talking for him. It seemed to work, for you laughed and leaned forward again. Now, more prepared, he eagerly returned the kiss.

Oh, love, what a beautiful and tricky feeling.

[dallasgallant]

American remains- Ghost Au lore post

I do have a eventual actual fic coming for this au so it won’t be as extensively written out here like for my vampire au, it helps that it’s also more canon aligned so there’s not too much extra world building involved.

World-

The world will be that of the canon world just with a tad more belief in ghosts/ they exist. I’d think it’d be easy to believe in legends and ghost when driving alone at night in a plains state anyway.

With that in mind it wouldn’t be uncommon to see a cowboys final ride or a soldiers last stand play out again and again. The people of Tulsa know it’s not just a building settling or the air conditioner.

It’s easy to believe if you open yourself to it, but you never expect your encounter to be with someone you knew. Ponyboy didn’t.

Ghosts-

All types of ghosts exist in this world, a lot of them being the more grounded ‘real life’ orbs and cold spots and simpler manifestations like that. There was moments that replay but aren’t a direct ghost more shadows of the past, buildings absorb negative energy and tragedy etc.

I want to focus more on direct apparitions as that’s what Johnny and Dally would be classified as, a bit of the standard fair when it comes to ghosts… sudden or violent death, stuck in this plane etc.

But with a twist, I really want this au to explore the cycles of grief and how it’s a non linear thing- and in this case affects the living and the dead. In the end no one moves on entirely…

It’s all about what makes a ghost or what makes a person stay, the cycles of grief and trauma, the weight people carry of a place and time or someone. The power of memory!

A huge inspiration for this au, beyond cowboy and civil war ghosts was the line towards the end of the book where Pony is thinking about boys who crumble under street lamps and jump at their own shadow and even himself— about how it’s too late for some but not others.

And it reminds me of American Remains by the Highwaymen and its chorus:

We are heroes of the homeland, American remains. We live in many faces and answer many names. We will not be forgotten, we won't be left behind. Our memories live on in mortal minds. And poets pens, we'll ride again.

How broader issues connect people in their struggle and how people get left behind over and over but are never forgotten- they come back. They’re simultaneously forgotten and immortalized - so many alike but also individual. Pony already wrote about them…

The thought that memory and pain bind. People die but ideas don’t.

It’s late and I really hope it’s understandable how this connects to ghosts and grief.

The au isn’t all deep subjects sometimes… it’s just neat spooky stuff.

Ghosts have a lot more agency when it comes to ‘moving on’ than traditional stories, it’s that they trap themselves. Or forget. At the end of the day ghosts are human- their cycles are too.

Unfinished business is less of a task and more of something they have to figure out- find acceptance/peace with.

Ghost lore-

A lot of haunting involves utilizing energy and radio frequencies to interact with the rest of the world. In the modern (1960s) age- radio and power lines are abundant. Ghosts prefer to be visible— with visibility comes personhood. It’s not constant, depending on energy and their connection it could be hard to keep it up.

Ghosts appear as they died, in most cases. Johnny tends to… flicker. Sometimes it’s a hospital gown, sometimes it’s jeans and a shirt but the burns remain. When haunting and not just wandering he’d prefer to be clothed.

[Included picture reference for Ponyboy as he’s the only of the living gang to undergo a more ‘drastic’ change. The others would just look a little older.]

Dally may constantly bleed but his blood will not stain anything, it disappears a few minutes after he does. What will stain is a residue left behind from ghost interacting with objects (fun non angsty lore)

To communicate with the living they’d have to manipulate radio, to those they speak with they’ll be a warm crackle to their voice as they speak through it … the voice always sounds distant too despite being right in front of you. (Sort of like making themselves a spirit box)

Johnny and Dally are both Semi-cognizant at the start of the au, both hyper aware of death and the passage of time but for them no time has passed. It is always then. Stuck in a place and time mentally and physically.

Out there on the sides of roads, out there in the dark waiting to be noticed and spoken to. Their main sort of “territory” is the roads and fields leading to windrixville, only sometimes making it fully back to Tulsa.

There’s been several times pony thought he saw them but it isn’t until they show up in the backseat of his car one late night drive it’s revealed. He’s driven by enough times, the ghosts get tired of waiting. Their first interaction is brief as pony nearly swerves off the road.

The two of them want desperately to reconnect with the gang, I’ve recently heard this but they “haunt for company.”

Don’t quite know where it’ll go yet but I’d love to hear ideas or see where others take it :)

Living-

Since this au is a tad more tied to canon these are also my general future headcanons, so if you see them in other works…

-

Ponyboy: 17. more of a troublemaker than he was as a young teen. He’s not doing anything too wild but will jack a car or two, gotten his grades back on track but is unsure where he wants to go with his life. Currently working at a grocery store to help out.

Soda: 19. started a career as a trucker, is around less than usual but still communicates with everyone via radio (Steve had begged for one to be put in at the DX) and phone calls when he gets the chance

Darry: 23. still working the same two jobs but is aiming towards a bookkeeping focus (pony is trying to push him that way) can understand Pony a little better, is more worried about Soda on the road at the moment. Better adjusted as he managed to keep them all together and Pony is set to graduate down the line.

Steve: 20. Graduated high school! Is still at the DX working on cars, he worked towards a managerial position and hopes to own a mechanic shop of his own someday or work up to a dealership. Had a radio installed at the station so he and pony can talk with Soda more often than waiting for phone calls, he gets along better with Pony.

Two-bit: 21. Ultimately got his GED! Like Pony he’s not sure what he is going to do with his life, is looking for a job (which Steve won’t let him live down)

[caitlynkirammansrifle]

"Tethered" Rewrite Underway

Alright everyone, the results are in and the "Tethered" rewrite will happen. There were also 13 votes for either yes or do what you want in the comment section of the chapter for "Tethered" that I put up asking people to vote or leave a comment if they don't have tumblr. Thank you everyone who voted and for all the kind words that you'll read anything I write, regardless of what happens.

Here's the plan:

I will keep the old "Tethered" story up for those who like this current version. I will mark it "abandoned" in the title and I will turn off comments on it, too. I will link the new rewrite in the chapter one notes when it comes out as well as in put the link in a new chapter update so that anyone who is subscribed to the story will know when the new version comes out.

I will say that I will write the first few chapters to see how I like the back and forth POVs. If I don't like it, then the story will be from Vi's POV exclusively. I am wondering if this will actually be a two part series and I could do what I did with my "Rebel Heart" series and have the first one be from Vi's POV and the second from Caitlyn's. We'll have to see.

Since I saw where the votes were going, I started the rewrite and have finished the prologue that I've written for it. When I'm ready, I'll post the prologue and the first chapter at the same time. I'm really excited to share this world and really do think I can do a much better job at writing an intense love story between these two characters. Hopefully I can get this out soon.

For what it's worth, the new version of this story will be both very different and very similar. I will copy and paste several scenes and maybe even whole chapters from the old fic into the rewritten one, but I strongly suggest everyone who wants to read this version of the story read through every familiar scene, as you never know what I will choose to change. The premise will still remain the same, for the most part. I will just slow the pace down, probably considerably, and go much more in depth into the actual tether itself.

Finally, I'll be sure to do a proper dedicated shout out to artist somewillwin in both the first post for this story and in the fic notes since I realized a bit ago that I was drawing inspiration from their artwork without fully realizing it.

Thanks for reading this long post! Read you guys soon!

[chthonic-cassandra]

Tagged by my dear @awildwickedslip! I think I did this one a couple years ago and it's not like I've published much fic since then, but it's maybe an interesting exercise to do it again without looking at my earlier answers first.

1. How many works on AO3?

115.

2. Total word count on AO3?

320, 935.

3. Top five fics by kudos?

Shattered Mirrors - Jonathan in Dracula's castle, Yuletide story (2009) - 376

Make It Through the Wintertime - Hadestown!Persephone backstory, Yuletide story (2016) - 345

To Burn the Castle Down - Jonathan kills Mina angst, really melodramatic (2008) - 312

Compromise - Mina/Dracula/Jonathan darkest timeline train story, the start of my only completed novel length fic ever (2009) - 273

Minor Initiations - basically the same premise as Compromise with Mina and Jonathan's roles reversed. and the story is much more of a mess. (2009) - 231

I included the actual kudos numbers because I rather appreciated that @awildwickedslip did; there's something interesting about that demystifying transparency.

You'll see that these are almost all 15+ years old, with the one exception being the fluke of writing a Yuletide story for what was at the time about to become a pretty popular musical. 20 years of writing in extremely tiny fandoms!

4. What fandoms do you primarily write for?

Historically it's been overwhelmingly Dracula alongside scattered multifandom endeavors of which Shakespeare plays and various Greek mythology versions have been the closest to consistent. I now have substantial WIPs in other fandoms which for a change were created less than 100 years ago, and we'll see what happens there.

5. Do you respond to comments?

Somewhat erratically. I do try! I feel so fortunate with the comments I receive.

6. Angstiest ending?

I think most of my fics end with someone either dying or resigning themselves to some kind of life of profoundly restricted choices. Right now the one that's coming to mind is Enthralled By Destiny, one of my Sade stories which is also really a Bluebeard story.

7. Fic with the happiest ending?

I mostly write happy endings only when I get Yuletide assignments requesting them, and then I struggle all the way because it is just not my strength at all. This past year my assignment was quite literally to give Macbeth and Lady Macbeth a happy ending in which they didn't do evil things and I went sort of out of my mind about it but I did manage something. Caucus-Race, my 2019 Yuletide assignment for Alice in Wonderland, came more easily.

8. Do you get hate?

Not really. I'm lucky and write in tiny fandoms and also am pretty conflict avoidant on the internet. I've intermittently gotten some frustrating responses about the ways I write about abuse dynamics in my Dracula stories but not much for a while. I have a sense that in this post-Dracula Daily era there are some people who very much don't like the kind of fic I write, but that's fine as long as people keep it to themselves.

9. Do you write smut?

I do not!

10. Do you write crossovers?

Rarely, when I think there's something interesting to be said with them. I tend to get more crossover ideas than I actually write.

11. Ever had a fic stolen?

Not to my knowledge! I've read a few fics that seemed very clearly inspired by mine, but that's a sweet thing even if uncredited.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Yes.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic?

Well...

14. All time favorite ship?

To write or read or just to have exist in the world? To write, by my numbers, it's certainly Mina/Dracula/Jonathan. There are a number of other ships which really compel me conceptually and for which hopefully I will write/finishing writing more in the future.

15. WiPs you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

So many. Philomela's Tapestry and Furious Docility were both things I posted with the knowledge that they would probably never be finished, just making the judgment call that if even a couple people got something out of reading the parts I had written it was worth putting them up. Of the dozens of unpublished WIPs whose fate is not yet determined it is perhaps better not to speak.

16. Writing strengths?

Interior experiences of violence (perpetrating or experiencing); selecting telling details; complicated relational dynamics; bittersweet moods

17. Writing weaknesses?

Smut; happy endings; characters speaking in more casual/modern tone/voice; finishing things

18. Thoughts on mixed language dialogue?

I don't feel great about doing it in a language I don't know well, and Ancient Greek dialogue is just show-offy and rarely useful. I've talked about this in fic commentaries, but several parts of Compromise have highly plot and character relevant moments of characters switching between languages, and I ultimately made use of the choice to keep it all in English to what I hope was interesting effect.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Lord of the Rings. It was Sauron/Galadriel.

20. Favorite fic you’ve ever written?

For a long time to come I think it's going to be the Compromise series, taken as a whole.

Tagging, if they'd like to do it, @kareenvorbarra @child-of-hurin @mysikrolik @poorshadowspaintedqueens @tomatowrites

[stellar-constellations]

STELLAR IM ON MY KNEES PLS TELL US ABOUT THE ANDREW SERIES IDEAS

I apologize in advance for my ramblings, because I know damn well I'm going to rant. These ideas are not yet complete and could change over time as I try to work out plots and ideas, FEEDBACK IS APPRECIATED AND WANTED!

First thing's first, thank you to my Secret Spy (name is unknown for privacy reasons/to have a cool nickname) who gives me ideas and honest feedback about my work so I can improve. Much love to you. She suffers through A LOT of my obsessive rambles, and she also helps a great deal in ideas for my stories, so I appreciate her help and patience.

First idea: Andrew Graves x Stalker! Cultist! Reader

This was a suggestion brought up by my Secret Spy. It's a huge work in process considering how I'd have to try and write plot purposes with that, but hey, we'll see how it goes, so allow me to explain the (supposed) plot so far.

(Y/N) is a member of the phony cult group "Asinus infirma daemonium clava" (look it up in Latin using this translator, trust me). Due to a contract forged between her parents' and the Fire Demon before her birth. After the death of her parents from supernatural causes, (Y/N) finds herself born with demonic connections to the Fire Demon and grows up inside the cult. Surrounded by phony cultists and the same people her entire life, she finds herself utterly obsessed in love upon meeting Andrew Graves, a seemingly normal guy who just happens to accidentally infiltrate the cult.

(Y/N)'s personality is currently up in the air, but I think I'm leaning towards a confident, morally-grey reader who has a knack for causing destruction and problems.

This is currently a oneshot/fic idea due to many plot holes and a worry that this fic's original plot will be too similar to another idea I have (don't worry, that idea will be written here in this post). FEEDBACK AND SUGGESTIONS FOR THIS IDEA IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED, let me know what you want to read, and any ideas you have to help expand this into a potential series, or we can keep it a nice and short fic!

Second Idea: Andrew Graves x Greek Goddess! Reader

Due to the nature of this idea, there will be religious themes mentioned, and there will also be tons of inaccuracies and my own takes on Greek Mythology (because Greek Mythology is EVERYWHERE that it would be hard to try and make this accurate). Sorry to my Percy Jackson fans, I've never watched or read the books so the Gods' personalities will be nothing like the PJ series. This was actually an idea I introduced a few months ago, it was actually in a poll against Star Patient! This idea has been recreated with a different plot, but I believe this plot is more enjoyable than the OG's plot.

(Y/N) is the Greek Goddess of Sleep and Visions. For years, she's had her eyes on Andrew Graves, finding his dreams and subconscious desires intriguing to stand out upon the billions of other dreams she's seen throughout her millenniums. She finds herself in the mortal's overworld now, entering a world of advanced technology and terrifying beasts (cars) roaming the streets. While Andrew tries to shield (Y/N) from humanities dangerous flaws (including himself), Ashley finds (Y/N)'s powers more useful than you would expect... finding herself in a world constantly on the run as she evades the police and discovers what living is with the Graves Siblings.

So, the whole road-trip evading the police thing was an idea I had for the Cultist idea, but I decided to ditch it in the Cultist idea because it was far too similar. I figured the idea would fit here more, having an outdated and naive Goddess trying to navigate this new scary world just sounds so adorable!

(Y/N)'s personality is curious, timid, with an almost child-like fascination as she learns to understand the meaning of life, and to cherish it while it lasts. She has a serious need for validation and feeling needed, and all she wants to do is be helpful to the Graves siblings, no matter what she has to do.

This is going to be a fluffy and bittersweet series. I wanted something more wholesome and sweet for Andrew and Ashley because they deserve it after all they've gone through (in the game and in my Star Patient series, ahaha). (Y/N) and Andrew are the only love interests, and Ashley has a pretty healthy and wholesome sister-like relationship with (Y/N).

Third Idea: Andrew Graves x Two-faced! Serial Killer! Reader

As you've probably noticed now, I like making (Y/N) the more... interesting characters. I feel like each (Y/N) helps branch out and creates inclusivity for my readers, because not everyone has the same personality or thought-process, so I wanted all my (Y/N)'s to be unique too!

(Y/N) is Andrew's lovable neighbor next door. She's always willing to lend a hand and has a stellar social image and a great connection with the community. In the day, she works as a waitress in a popular diner and volunteers at pet shelters. At night, she's a ruthless killer stalking the alleyways of the city, with nothing on her mind but how many stabs she can stab a face into disfiguration. She's never cared for romance or love until now, meeting Andrew Graves after he discovers her horrific secret. Now that he knows, she'll have to keep a constant eye on him. Sure, she could kill him, but what's the point of killing such a cute guy without at least playing with him some? Maybe this isn't so much romance, but more so manipulation and power-play, however Andrew slowly seems to let those red flags go and enter a world filled with obsessive love, jealousy, and Stockholm syndrome.

This Andrew doesn't have Ashley as a sibling, making him an introverted, socially-constipated, wallflower with a need of validation.

This (Y/N) is two-faced. To your face, she's bubbly, empathetic, and is the perfect definition of a saint, but if you turn your back for just a second, you might find a knife in it. She has a serious thirst for blood and hearing bones snap (she could potentially be a cannibal, I'm deciding if I want that as a motive or not...)

This going to be a slowburn series.

FEEDBACK AND IDEAS ARE HIGHLY APPRECIATED FOR THIS IDEA!

Fourth Idea: Potential serial killer! Andrew Graves x Journalist! Reader

This idea is the most unstable and wonky one. This idea is under extreme development as I try to figure out what I want to do with this reader and her personality. A poll will eventually be released for this reader's personality and motives.

(Y/N) is a plain and boring woman. You wouldn't notice her in a crowd, much less recognize her face. She's a journalist who specializes in covering true crime cases, and the her hottest case happens to be the quarantined apartment in her city. A thump on her balcony and a door opening leads her to meeting Andrew Graves, who may just be the worst (or best) thing to ever happen in her life. I mean, it's not everyday your hottest crime case drops right into your apartment and begs for a place to stay! Who knew hitmen, cops, and a whole damn demon is following with—okay, what the hell is going on and how does she get her normal life back?!

(Y/N)'s personality is currently unknown. I'm unsure if I want to make her depressed with a thirst of death (hence why she lets Andrew stay, in hopes he'll kill her), or if I want (Y/N) to be a normal girl with an obsessive hobby of true crime and a conspiracy theorist (who wants to keep Andrew around in hopes he'll expose all the case's secrets for her to report). FEEDBACK IS APPRECIATED FOR THIS!

I'm also unsure if I want Andrew to be a paranoid guy trying to hide from the police after killing his sister (yes, he killed his sister), or if I want Andrew to be a cocky, arrogant, serial killer. FEEDBACK IS APPRECIATED FOR THIS!

This is going to be a series. What direction I want it to take is up in the air, but I want action and drama.

These are currently the ideas I have going on. These ideas are excluding current fluffy fics I'm working on, so be on the lookout for those new fics coming out soon! These series will all be in a poll after I finish the Star Patient series, so I won't be holding off Star Patient for these!

SERIOUSLY, Y'ALL. FEEDBACK IS HIGHLY WANTED ON THESE IDEAS. DON'T BE AFRAID TO LEAVE ANONYMOUS COMMENTS IN MY INBOX, OR MESSAGE ME! I WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU GUYS WANNA READ (and as always, if you have your own ideas for fics, please send them in and I'll see what I can do).

[mikaazune]

Hey guys, Ferris here. First things first, I'm back. My break wasn't as long as I thought it would be, but I think I'm doing a lot better. I think it did me some good to unplug for even just a little bit — not just from Tumblr, I pretty much went on a social media detox. Plus, I missed you guys.

There are a few things I'm going to be doing following me coming back. First is a new blog theme, which I think I'll keep for a while (I'll probably revamp the magician one on a later date). Love Hacker, he's a real one.

Second, as you probably noticed, I have new user too. I hope that doesn't confuse too many people. One change I'd like to make regarding that is the name that yall call me. I like Ferris, but I think I still subconsciously associate it with my old blog and then I begin comparing back then to now — something I'd rather not do mostly because of some of the issues I mentioned in my previous post. So I'll be going solely by Mika now, though I'll let yall known if anything changes in that regard.

Third, I mentioned this in my earlier post, but I'm taking a break from writing. For one, I'm not fond of my current writing style and I want to improve it. We'll see how that goes, I just want to experiment a little. I also want to reevaluate the fandoms and the characters I write for, and I'll probably spend some time rewatching/replaying so I can gain a better understanding of each character. But as I said, since I'm pausing writing, that second part will be a bit of a future me "problem" to deal with. My posted fics will still remain, don't worry.

Fourth, in terms of Faridian, that's still on pause as well. I'm slowly losing motivation due to lack of interest in the plot — I know, I wrote the thing, my bad there. I just didn't plan things out properly because I was excited to get it started, which was my mistake since I rushed it. I actually did like the later part of the plot, but it's the beginning and middle that are getting me. But on that note, do the participants like how it's going, or do you guys agree that I should change some stuff up? I acknowledge that everyone's in the beginning stage, though, so you guys don't really have the full perspective I do. Side note: just out of curiosity, would people be interested in me revamping Spirelands? Not any time soon so I can actually do the plot and not be a dumby, just gauging interest.

Anyways, with all that being said, I'm back. If I come up with anything else that needs saying, I'll mention it. If there are any questions, feel free to ask them. Thanks for the well wishes by the way; don't worry, I'll take better care of myself from now on.

@xryptik @lyle-my-beloved @xen-blank @edith-is-a-cat @tenjikyu @unprofessionalsimp @nervocat @nightmare-in-the-woods @floydsteeth @officialdaydreamer00 @cookiesandbiscuits @rainynightmoonlight @koihanwrites @casp1an-sea @vivisboutique @tako-cafe @creatorbiaze @l7k-a

[mikodrawnnarratives]

climatiqueen spoilers

that was an ADORABLE EPISODE AHHHHHJKLDSJKLDS

omg we finally have the first ep

WHERE IS HE WHAT. NEW HOME?? HOW

ohhh its a workshop?

the pancake angst

hehe plagg chomp

something tells me this means a little more than pancakes

GORILLA WITH THE WATERHOSE FDKJLJKLFD:FDJLK:FSDJKL: FAVORITE GAG NOW

LKJFSDJKLLKJ:DSKL:JDFS KISSES also the french va for marinette is really cute like. KJFKJ "je t'aime je t'aimeje t'aime" KJLFKJLD

the visual of all of marinettes stuff "yep thats pretty clear" lol

marinettes expressions changing as she notices adrien's dismay like. how she looks when she listens to him fdkldslj

oh audrey looks so cute in the new animation

NEW YURI SHIP DROPPPED SUNSHINE X EMO aglae x aurorreeee

NOT THIS SEASON MAKING ME THINK OF BUGGACHATS FICS CONSTANTLY WHEN IT COMES TO ADRIEN

SOMEONE GET APOLLOS RED BALL

WE GET TO SEE SIREN GIRL OUTSIDE THE POOOL SHE LOOKS SO CUTE

i think aglae is my favorite newly introduced character this season so far

blasting her with the ptsd and maybe ocd hc gun

but i might not even need to for the ptsd i think that might just be canon

MARINETTE GIRL THAT EXCUSE JKLSDFKJLSD

and adrien wannting to go get it for herrrr

BLINK BLINK

ADRIEN IS JUST AS BAD WITH EXCUSES HAHAHA

LADYNOIR CRUMBS!!!! PICKED HER UP BRIEFLY AH

ohhh the 2d effects for the lightning are amazing wow

like at moments it looks like an actual anime this is cool

so many call backs to the og stormy weather ep waow…

AND CAT NOIR SAVED THEM FROM THE TRAIN THIS TIME

AHHH BEING CHAT NOIR IS HIS PASSION KJLFDJKLSD

man i love lila in this season. Now i kind of hc that at least a decent amount of people who have been akumatized have this villain on their hear me out cakes. LIKE DO YOU SEE HOW SHE'S ACTING WITH AURORE LIKE. Aurore getting just a mini one sided crush would be hilarious, even if post akuma its like oh…

CHAT NOIR CAUGHT LB AGAIN FDKLJSDJKL

oh if only you had other miraculouss that could make you go faster- OH. You are smart my bad lb sorry to doubt you

his transformation scene in this animation looks so cool fdlkjsdfklds

love that the battles remain engaging even tho lb and cn can use their power more than once

oh wait. I JUST REALIZED THAT ITS HIS MOM THAT WOULD BE AUTOGRAPHING IT

AURORES SMALL SMILE WHEN CHAT NOIR sAYS THAT AWWWWWW

they should be best friends now

ADRINETTTEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

I hope we get more of aglae in future episodes we didn't get much of her in this one, like i thought for sure she'd show up at the end but i guess we'll have to wait and see what she's being dropped to set up for. It is cool to see a character showing more traumatizing effects of akumas like IT MAKES SENSE

part of me wonders why they made a new character instead of using an old one for it tho? Might have been neat to see mirelle again rocking the emo look but maybe the history of the character would clash with something being planned or smthn

EDIT I KEEP FORGETTING THAT THERES SCENES AFTER THE END SCREEN AH OHHH THUS FRAMING FOR ADRIENNNNNN AHHHHHH THE RUNNING!!! AND SHE (cannot for the life of me remember her name, running girl) SHOWED UP IN THIS EPISODE!!! WAA so that was previously established!!!

[unecoccinellenoire]

A change of luck extra snippet? it’s still my favorite fanfic of all time 🙏

Ironically this isn't a fic I had anything to hand for, and while it was pointed out to me the Ladrien storyline in it was never really wrapped up and I do plan to do something for that, have a quick unedited post-fic Gabenath snippet.

"Wait-" Nathalie pulls out of his kiss, "Gabriel, wait. I- I think there's things we need to dicuss again before we go any further."

He frowns. Everything had seemed to go well he'd thought. Her health, Adrien, Ladybug's magnimanity so, "Things? What Things?"

"Earlier." She has that cute line he wants to kiss away before her eyebrows, "Ladybug- when you asked about the risks of getting me pregnant, I don't think she understood what you were getting at at all."

She might well have a point. But, "At least if she didn't then Adrien doesn't."

"Much as I agree I'm not sure Adrien is that naive Gabriel. He knows I sleep in your bedroom."

"Our bedroom." He corrects her.

"OK," but her lips tilt into a little smile. "Our bedroom."

"And I'm sure that my son has the sense and the respect not to think about it."

"hmm. He is your son. But on the other hand, god knows what he read on the internet speculating about what Panthera and Shadow Moth got up to out of sight."

He shuts his eyes and pinches at his nose and tries to forget some of the very interesting storylines he'd come across looking for information about Panthera himself. Things he'd never want his son to see regardless of her being Nathalie.

"That's a wonderful thought to have in my head when I see him tomorrow at breakfast Nathalie. Why would you tell me that? And why wouldn't you block any sites talking about that from his computer?"

"I might have looked a little suspscious if I blocked all speculation about Panthera." She points out sounding annoyingly reasonable in that way she has. "I was already lucky Adrien was more worried for me that about me."

"Adrien loves you. Of course he was. You know you've become another mother to him."

"And that's why we should be thinking of him here."

"I don't follow."

"If I- we, did concieve how would that make Adrien feel? It's not as if we've fixed things with him. He just- just isn't ready to lose us. He needs our attention not a baby sibling that would take that away."

"I'm not unware of how complicated it would make things. Especially with how uncertain your health still is. There's a reason we're not letting nature take it's course here." He'd been the one to ask Ladybug after all.

He knows everything she's saying. They'd agreed this. He doesn't want a baby right now.

And yet for some reason hearing Nathalie make the same arguments outloud he had in his own head has him feeling unmoored somehow. Like there's some empty hollow in his body where his stomach should be.

It worsens at how she's frowning more deeply now and drawing back. "Including the fact that we're only just started dating."

Now he's the own frowning. "Do you really still worry we won't work out?"

"I don't know. This still doesn't even seem real."

The scabbed over injury in his heart wants to break open.

"I love you Nathalie Sancoeur." He promises her, taking her face in his hands. "And I'm very hopeful that one day, when you're ready for it that you'll be Nathalie Agreste, and that perhaps we'll give Adrien that little sibling after all."

Nathalie is very still, and then she blinks and blurts, "I'm sorry- you'd actually want to have a baby with me?"

"Why is that so strange?" He can't help but sound a little offended.

"I mean, we're lucky Adrien doesn't hate us. We're hardly parents of the year are we?"

"Mistakes have been made. I concede that. But we're still beating our parent's aren't we?"

She snorts. "Such a high bar to clear."

Carressing her cheekbone with his thumb he says. "I'm not going to force you my dear. But I thought- after this therapy you and Ladybug are forcing on us, it might be a coversation we'd revisit."

"That's...not crazy. But are you ready for if my answer's still no?"

"I have Adrien. He was always meant to be enough, "and that's true," but..."

Nathalie eyes search his face, "But?"

"You wouldn't feel...I wouldn't want you to feel less than Emilie for us not sharing a child."

"I'm not Emilie. I don't have the same desires as her."

"No. That's becoming strikingly apparent. I'm not going to push you if this is something you don't want. Though there's not much I can do if the Ladybug Miraculous decides otherwise for us."

Nathalie's hands return to where they'd been on his hips before they'd stopped. "I'd cherish any child it gave us. I'm just...it doesn't seem like a good idea, but then I've only got so many years I can change my mind in, and- I don't know. Maybe I'll know once I work everything out."

"We'll work it out." He reminds her.

She smilies again but this time it looks forced. "Together this time."

"Yes." He agrees.

She relaxes against him, "And at least I know you won't be angry if our protection fails. That's one less thing to be worried out."

"You thought I'd be angry?"

"Not at me I don't think. But- maybe. I mean you can't have a child more planned than Adrien."

"And as you've pointed out that's hardly worked out perfectly. No, if the past years have proven anything it's that one has to run with the unplanned. Like a beautiful woman in a suit that shows off every contour of her body."

Nathalie groans. "Please don't remind me of that outfit."

"I liked that outfit." And- he'd

"I'm aware. All of Paris is aware."

"Hmm, and I'm sure most of Paris liked it too. But I'm," he says it with a smirk, "the only one who gets to see you in nothing."

"That's true. And...you could go back to kissing me again now. If you want."

"Now that my dear Nathalie is not even a question."

[servantofclio]

Looking back at 2024

I check tumblr quite regularly, but I haven't posted anything much in ages. The end of the year seems like a good time to do a bit of a retrospective on what I have been doing, though!

I wrote only the teeniest amount of fic. When the Veilguard info started coming out in the summer, I reread basically all my DA fic, and tuned up some small things and posted them to AO3, but new words have been few and far between. Perhaps that will change into the next year, we'll see!

I finished Baldur's Gate 3! Like, last week, and yes, I'd been playing it on and off for nearly a year and a half. I should maybe make another post with thoughts about this game, because it's a great game, and I like my character very much, and yet I found certain combat scenarios so absolutely infuriating at certain times that it really slowed down my progress on the game as a whole. I also found it difficult to write much about my character as it felt necessary to see how character arcs resolved before writing anything romance-related.

Lost and I played lots and lots of board games. We probably played Ark Nova more than anything else, but we really kept up playing games on a regular basis much more consistently than any time in the past. It's been nice taking the time to do something together in our precious free time. We also went through our game collection and made a nice tidy spreadsheet listing everything we own, which is... um... kind of a lot. But it is a very tidy and satisfying spreadsheet!

Crafting: I did knitting and sewing intermittently -- I sewed Lost a cozy flannel robe, and made skirts for both of us, and knitted an assortment of socks and shawls and things. I got an inkle loom and tried out tablet weaving, which I really like and want to make more time for (also true of sewing).

Other life highlights of the year: We took a trip with a group of dear friends to a dream location and it was really, really great. We had social time with other delightful friends pretty regularly, and had some short visits with family. I took a research leave in the first half of the year and did a ton of reading toward prepping a new course. I still have a week and a half to pull everything together before actually teaching the course (laughs nervously), but I'm excited about it.

[tryingahandinholdingapen]

okay so I got distracted during my initial attempt at writing abt this au so we'll just call the first post (which I will link) a rough draft of a scene in the theoretical fic, and THIS post can be the summary of the actual idea for the au that I originally intended to write. okay? okay

here goes

(cw for discussion of noncon/dubcon sex but nothing explicit probably)

edit: I got distracted again and this time I ended up writing a whole scene wherein the Uchiha brothers discuss What The Fuck Is Going On but! I also managed to actually describe the au this time so! I'm saying it counts and this is a successful post summarising the au,,,mostly

so abt that au in which, during the war, Tobirama has a lot of dubcon sex with various Uchiha...

this au would have one and only one similarity to my blessed stray cat au which is that the Uchiha have a problem, somehow stumble upon something that seems to work as a solution to said problem and promptly go "well I have no idea why this is happening/working but sure this is doable" and if they knew what the Senju (particularly Tobirama) knew they'd know exactly why,,,but they don't, so they don't

that's the only similarity between the two aus though

anyway. in this au Izuna is the one who starts the whole chain of events. He's very impulsive, has heard+made a few too many jokes along the lines of how Tobirama would be more bearable if he just got laid, the Uchiha are having problems with trade due to the Senju that Izuna is CONVINCED are Tobirama's fault and is absolutely fucking furious about (and is more than a little obsessed with his rival whoops)....and he decides a logical way to vent his anger would be to track down Tobirama, trap him, and fuck him. Test the theory that the bastard would be more bearable after sex

So he tackles Tobirama and manages not to die in the ensuring fight mostly because a) Tobirama is exhausted physically mentally and in terms of chakra after a long mission and b) the second Tobirama realises Izuna is trying to get into his pants rather than slit his throat, he stops trying to kill Izuna. Which Izuna definitely noticed and is taking as a point towards his theory

This is not to say that Tobirama cooperates or even that he doesn't try to fight Izuna off, because he absolutely does, but overall the reaction is such that when Izuna ultimately leaves Tobirama restrained (it's fine the prick will be able to get out of it pretty easily given enough time and not having to multitasking fighting Izuna at the same time as trying to undo said restraints) the Uchiha is significantly less pissed off/satisfied and also is like. Theory confirmed?? Possibly??

And then it takes less than two days, barely even one day, after that encounter for the problem the Uchiha had been having in regards to trade to suddenly be resolved. And rumours/spies suggest that Tobirama was the one who changed the Senju patrols/practice again so that the Uchiha civilians were no longer being killed when they tried to restock on supplies

And Izuna is like....Holy shit?? Are these two things (resolved issue (probably by Tobirama but not 100% confirmed) and the encounter a day or so prior) connected???

Man I may have thought he'd be less unbearable if someone got that stick out of his arse but not to THIS extent what the hell, Izuna thinks, reasonably

Izuna toys with the idea of tracking Tobirama down again the next time he sees the Senju alone, to see if he can prove his theory definitively, but now that he's not running so much on rage and impulse he can logically assess the odds and be like. Okay we are usually equals in a fair fight, and if he's trying to kill me and I'm NOT trying to kill him just restrain him, then that puts me at a massive disadvantage. I succeeded last time, barely (OW my fucking ankle I can't believe he broke it the shit) but only because he was so close to his limits. Realistically if I try to go after him again when he's less exhausted (...and when he might expect what I'm doing? depending on how strongly opposed he is/isn't?) then he WILL win and probably just kill me on the spot

But Izuna desperately wants to confirm his theory because like, it would be completely insane if it WAS accurate, but also if there's even 0.0000001% of a chance that a fuck is sufficient for Tobirama to ACTIVELY WORK AGAINST his clan fuckibg the Uchiha over...that's valuable intel right?? Like that could be so good that could pay off so so so well for the Uchiha

IF the theory is correct. So he needs to confirm it. But how to do that without getting murdered in the process??

Hmmmm

Ultimately he decides to go to Madara about it for a second opinion

Madara is not impressed

"Otouto please tell me this is some new evolution of your fucked up humour," Madara says, pinching the bridge of his nose

"I am entirely serious," Izuna says, hand on heart, speaking ever so sincerely and earnestly and definitely laying it on too thick

Madara groans

Izuna waits

"Two main problems with this," Izuna nods, gesturing for Madara to continue, which only earns him a glare, "Firstly, do you realise how ridiculous this sounds?"

Izuna flings his hands in the air, "I KNOW! It seems like it must obviously be connected but it's just too crazy, which is why I want to CONFIRM IT somehow! I just can't figure out how to do that, which is why I came to you!"

Madara concedes the point and moves on

"Secondly, you're aware that once myself and Hashirama are heads of our clans, I had intended to try to make peace, as he keeps loudly offering?"

"I still think that's a bad idea. There's no way he's serious, not yelling about PEACE on a BATTLEFIELD whilst actively attacking you," Izuna says, almost reflexively returning to the old argument

"Senju Hashirama doesn't have a single deceptive bone in his body, if he refuses to make peace he refuses, but if he accepts he won't backstab us so it's worth trying to reduce how many of our people die every season," Madara returns, equally reflexively, then sighs and scrubs a hand over his face

"We're getting off topic. My point was... You're aware that Hashirama at least claims to want peace, and that I want that too, for the sake of our clan," Madara prompts, and Izuna nods somewhat reluctantly

"Yeah"

"And you're aware that the main reason Hashirama ever gave for wanting peace was for the sake of his little brothers?"

"Yes, I remember you told me that..."

"And you're aware that he only has one living brother left?"

"...I don't like where you're going with this," Izuna says, petulantly

Madara gives a wordless shriek of frustration, then gestures wildly such that Izuna has to dodge back a step from his brother's desk

"Uchiha Izuna did you rape Hashirama's last baby brother?!"

Izuna takes a moment too long to respond and Madara groans, slumping back into his chair with head in hands

"Otouto if you've just sabotaged our chances of eventually stopping this kami forsaken war and keeping our people SAFE, so fucking help me..."

Izuna cleared his throat awkwardly, staring at the ceiling

"I don't think I...did?"

Madara looked up to stare blankly at Izuna

"You don't think raping the beloved baby brother of the only Senju vocally in favour of peace has damaged our chances at ending the war," he states, flatly. It's not a question

Izuna stubbornly met his eyes and shook his head, even as he cringed inwardly at his own words, "No, I mean. I don't think I DID...rape him"

Madara stared at him for a long, incredulous moment, because by Izuna's own description that was not the impression he got, then sighed and leant his elbows on the desk. He waved a hand in Izuna's direction

"Go on then. Explain yourself"

Izuna cleared his throat awkwardly. Wow that ceiling sure is interesting!

"...Right. So admittedly I didn't exactly give the bastard a choice in the matter BUT," he hurried on before an already-exasperated Madara could interrupt, "BUT he absolutely did not fight me as much as he could have. Like when I first caught up to him he was fighting like he wanted me dead, but the very SECOND he realised I was going for his pants he immediately stopped trying to kill me. Didn't stop fighting, sure, but he definitely wasn't trying to kill me anymore and by the end he wasn't even pretending to try to escape"

"Thats really not sufficient evidence. You said yourself he was low on chakra and exhausted from whatever mission he'd been on, he could have just run out of energy or even given up-"

"-AND," Izuna cut him off loudly, "and at one point I stopped fucking him to see how he'd react, and okay yeah he didn't ask me to get my dick back in him, but he did almost immediately start bitching at me for stopping like you wouldn't believe, he was so annoyed about it it was actually really funny. And when I'd finished with him-,"

"Finished or FINISHED," Madara muttered snidely, but Izuna nobly ignored him in favour of finishing his explanation

"-that was the most relaxed I've ever seen the bastard. Like, ever. He actually almost seemed HAPPY. And, if nothing else, not once during the entire encounter did he actually seem upset, or scared, or sad. Angry at points, yeah, but, well, HE certainly didn't seem to feel violated," Izuna shrugged, a little awkwardly, "...so, honestly? I'm.. PRETTY sure I didn't rape him, in his head at least"

They were both quiet for a minute

"...I don't even know what to say to that," Madara spoke at last

".....Yeah that's fair," Izuna admitted

...

"....You're sure we're not going to have a furious Hashirama coming for our heads? Or, well, your head at least?"

"I would be extremely surprised if Tobirama told the tree anything at all," Izuna said honestly, "but no, I don't think we have to worry about death via mokuton any time soon"

"....Okay. That's good"

"Yeah"

...

"So about a way to confirm your ridiculous theory..."

"Yes! Give me ideas! I've been thinking about this since I first heard the Senju had laid off our traders and I've got NOTHING"

They did manage to confirm Izuna's ridiculous theory

And so ensues a ridiculously long period of time in which any time the Uchiha are having a problem (besides outright battles), with the Senju, someone goes to hunt down their surety heir (in other words, Senju Tobirama, the 'spare' to Hashirama's heir) and fuck him, and for some reason this results in the problem being solved very shortly thereafter like, nine times out of ten, which is a completely INSANE success record, so naturally they keep doing it

It's often Izuna who does this (because he's way too eager for an excuse to fight/fuck his rival hey who said that), but not always. They figure out pretty rapidly that Tobirama doesn't actually fight them THAT hard once he realises what they're aiming for (he still fights completely brutally on missions/battefield/patrol/random encounters though), so the main requirement for hunting the surety heir down becomes "can avoid dying in a fight with Tobirama long enough to make it obvious what you're going for"

(...and "can prevent him from escaping for the duration", because Tobirama fighting half-heartedly is still TOBIRAMA FIGHTING which is still a very difficult opponent for the overwhelming majority of the clan. And if Tobirama manages to escape before you can fuck him quiet, he will break a shit ton of bones in retaliation, vanish, and whatever the latest problem is won't get solved. Yes the unfortunate fucker who discovered this is still bearing a bit of a grudge, they were stuck in the healing halls SO LONG so many fucking bones broken and they were just stranded there before someone could come rescue them for fucks sake-)

They have absolutely no fucking clue why this works. Nobody's got anything better than Izuna's initial half-joking "guess he did really just need someone to fuck that stick out of his arse", but like, that is absolutely NOT SUFFICIENT to explain the extents the Senju heir will seemingly go to to make things easier for the Uchiha in the aftermath. So like what the hell?

But they haven't been able to find a better explanation, and just because they don't know WHY it works doesn't stop it from WORKING sooooo....