#what dog signal? This is drama signal now

[ecargmura]

Dog Signal Episode 7 Review - A Clash Of Ideals

This episode was very interesting; it’s very human. On one hand, the difference between Niwa and Fujiwara’s teaching methods will always be different due to ideals, but because of that, this helps Niwa grow as a person. Not all conflicts need to end in verbal forgiveness, but the willingness to move on is much harder to do. I find this episode very nuanced in writing and it’s great!

Niwa’s reason for falling out with Fujiwara was because he became disillusioned. All his life, he wanted to help dogs after what had happened with Kuma. When he found his ideal trainer, he did everything he could to project the image and idealization he had of him onto his mindset as he mimicked his training habits and mindset. Fujiwara always taught him that humans are always at fault when dogs are bad; corporal punishment never being allowed was one of his mottos too. When he first saw his teacher go against that moral code, he was shocked—even more than the dripping blood on his arm. I think what shocked Niwa the most was that learning that Fujiwara was a hypocrite who went against his own morals and hurt a dog. Niwa believes that Maro biting him was his own fault and that Maro didn’t do anything wrong to warrant violence. On the other hand, Fujiwara believes in corporal punishment because he believes that it’s better to do so rather than euthanizing.

Fujiwara’s true self really shook Niwa to the core. I understand why Niwa would be so angry and hurt when he saw his teacher hitting Maro; it’s like the saying, “never meet your heroes” because every ideal hero resides a flawed human being. That’s basically what happened with Niwa. I can’t really blame him for being mad at Fujiwara, but I can’t really get mad at Fujiwara either. Hitting animals isn’t really for me, but neither are in the wrong, honestly. Like what Fujiwara said in the previous episode, there is no correct way of training; everyone has their own method when doing something. Fujiwara’s method of training uncontrollable dogs just happens to be be using force and violence. His method produces results, which is why he does it. He helped two problem dogs that were deemed uncontrollable and word spread because of it; it would make sense why Fujiwara would keep doing it if it helps his business. Despite that, I side with Niwa in that hitting animals is wrong.

I actually like Miyu’s response to the whole story. I assumed he’d be overly emotional, but he actually responds in a way I didn’t expect him to. His response is very laid-back. He’s like “Okay, yeah, he had trauma issues because of what happened in the past, but he’s a dog trainer, right? If he parted ways with Fujiwara due to differences, he should carry on what he had learned to help dogs with his ways. I don’t get why he has to mope around because of this.” He admires Niwa because of how cool he was; the way he saved Singe and how he showed off Ourson’s talents were the prime reasons why Miyu himself aims to become a dog trainer. The parallels between Niwa and Fujiwara’s mentor-mentee relationship and Niwa and Miyu’s reflects here. Fujiwara wasn’t what Niwa expected him to be, which was why they parted ways poorly. Niwa wasn’t what Miyu expected him to be, but, unlike the past, Miyu clings onto Niwa because he still admires him despite his flaws. It’s cute to see Miyu being doted on by Ritsuka and Dr. Kubo as they panic when he starts bawling for no reason. I think he cried because he knew there was no way of fixing Niwa and Fujiwara’s conflict; the only solution is just to leave it be and move on. Miyu is a bit childish, but I did like how he was the most mature in the situation.

I do feel like Niwa’s unwillingness to hit dogs really does stem from Kuma’s death. Like, this guy’s got issues. Hitting your former teacher won’t solve anything. He’s not going to change his ways. Niwa’s reason for moping around constantly was because he has yet to accept it, but thanks to the outburst and seeing that Fujiwara’s method works, he decides to move on, but not forgive him. I liked how he resolved to become a better trainer than Fujiwara and run a training center so good that it will make his teacher go out of business; he even declared that he will make Miyu a dog trainer; he even calls Miyu by his first name now, signifying the growing bond between them. Yeah, that’s what I want to see! Get that development, Niwa! Also, I really loved the way his voice actor Suzumura handled all the emotional outbursts and such. That was such good voice acting.

The post-credit scenes were so adorable. It seems that Miyu beats Ritsuka in terms of being a wife candidate for Niwa as he acts like a nagging wife towards him. It seems that Niwa’s main reason for hiring Miyu was because he likes his hair; he’s a simp for brown curly hair. The second segment in the hair salon shows that Miyu is DEFINITELY aware of this fact and uses it to his utmost advantage by having his boss wrapped around his fingers. He can be pretty scary when necessary.

This was a very complex episode. Like I said, the theme is a very nuanced once with no right or wrong. I really liked how the author presented it. Sometimes, things just don’t work out between people; sometimes, people don’t need forgiveness but the ability to move on. The way this was handled was surprisingly mature and something I could see between adults. Not every conflict will end with hand holding and flower fields. I hope I can see this type of quality writing later on in this show and in other Josei works (this is a Josei manga, I believe). What are your thoughts on this episode?

[dropthedemiurge]

Love for Love's Sake: Bоnus Stаge (spoilers!!)

Love For Love's Sake (Love Supremacy Zone): bonus stagе is a short spin-off story from the author of the original novel, released in June 2024 (after the drama series). It's about 19yo Tae Myungha (from Game World) being transferred into the future and him slowly realizing how 29yo Myungha has been living happy 10 years with Cha Yeowoon and friends.

I promised to keep talking about it and thank you, guys, for enabling me xD Before translating bits from chapters, here's the full summary of everything that happened in this story – for those of you who are not that patient and don't fear spoilers :] I'll put them under more anyway so those who don't want to read the summary won't read them accidentally!

Warnings: suicidal intentions

Let me know your thoughts about this spinoff *д*

Love for Love's Sake: Bonus Stage (summary)

"If your life was a book, what would you want it be about?" "How would the first chapter begin and what sentence would be the last one?" "I wish it was about love."

19yo Myungha (so before canon timeline) is playing games in PC cafe. He doesn't really have money but wants to spend time so he wouldn't have to live it

On the crossroad, he sees a child running before the signal changes, and he jumps to save them but instead of getting hit, he feels like falling. He sees sunbae who pushes him. Message [World has been changed] appears.

Myungha finds himself in the arms of a handsome man who knows him - but he doesn't know this man. Myungha runs away but the man is faster.

[Mission: Make Tae Myungha happy.] [Reward: Memory] [Clear until (0%) ♥♥♥♥♥] [Penalty: Can't return to the original timeline]

Myungha is diagnosed with amnesia. He should be 29yo now, so he just goes along. Yeowoon decides to start over again and introduces himself.

Yeowoon and Myungha have been living together for 6 years and dating for 10 years. 19-Myungha is shocked to know this.

Ahn Sia, Kyunghoon and Sangwon immediately run to check whether Myungha is okay, 19-Myungha is shocked that people worry about him and they've been friends for 10 years.

Yeowoon asked if Myungha would hypothetically date him - just to make sure - but he still wouldn't let Sangwon in before others come (he's sooo jealous)

Sangwon finds younger Myungha a lot of fun, Yeowoon wants to fight with him. Others come, so they try to figure out what's happening.

29yo Myungha is a teacher respected by kids. The girl in his class wanted to kill herself so she went to the rooftop, Myungha ran after her but ended up falling down, and Yeowoon caught him (19-Myungha)

Sia is a shopping mall CEO and a popular influencer now, Kyunghoon does photography/filming professionally, Sangwon introduces himself as 'the one who Myungha rejected when he was 18yo'.

Everyone wants to have chicken and beer but 19-Myungha is a minor so they have chicken and cola and a group sleepover at Myungha/Yeowoon's house :]

Yeowoon tried to sleep with Myungha in one bed but eventually ran away to the living room, flustered.

They all decide to do a trip down the memory lane, since Myungha is "having amnesia".

Yeowoon is a gold medalist now, and many kids go to Shinyeop school now because he made it prestigious.

They visit old Yeowoon's house, and Yeowoon quietly tells him they had kissed here for the first time (on the stairs) 19-Myungha is flustered because he feels feelings that he doesn't know the source of. But he never had his first kiss, never thought about ideal type or love so he's can't stop thinking about it. He tried to take Yeowoon's hand but ran out of time.

After this trip, in the car Myungha clears 20% of his mission and sees flashbacks from the 10 passed years: how they were grilling meat at the rooftop, how they played at the sea.

Yeowoon went to the store to get ice cream, while Myungha and Sangwon were left alone waiting. Sangwon told 19-Myungha about precious memories with him (dogs!), how he was his first love and he kept regretting what if he made a different first impression on Myungha – and now he can.

So he asks for one more chance to start over but gets rejected because Yeowoon was faster once again. Sangwon accepts that his first love is finally over and walks away.

Yeowoon says he likes Myungha more anyway, but 19-Myungha doesn't know it so Yeowoon says he'll teach him. They go to amusement park (closed again) by the sea.

Myungha insists on going to the popular cafe, Yeowoon is hesitant but doesn't reveal the truth until Myungha meets his mom there. Yeowoon takes him away in a hurry as 19-Myungha wants to talk to her in anger. Myungha cries. He thinks if he didn't have Yeowoon next to him now, his mom's reaction would be his last straw.

Mission is cleared to 40%. 19-Myungha sees 18yo Yeowoon crying and being comforted by "him".

19-Myungha thinks the person Yeowoon fell in love with is nothing like him, so he runs away. Yeowoon catches up with him.

Suddenly, they meet his fans. 19-Myungha is confused to learn he's quite popular and has 100k followers on his YT channel where he's been posting vlogs for 10 years (Yeowoon made him do it). He's used to being widely hated as a Crazy Dog, and not widely loved.

19-Myungha doesn't want to restore memories because he doesn't want to return to his original timeline. But he also feels acutely that 29-Myungha is a very different person from him. So he openly tells Yeowoon about the game mission, and Yeowoon believes him.

They return home, and 19-Myungha notices that Yeowoon still cherishes him like they were new lovers and not 10yo couple that usually feels like a family. Yeowoon was testing his reaction to skinship. Myungha calls him to sleep and teases him for having dirty thoughts.

19-Myungha is scared to sleep because he fears to wake up from a good dream. Yeowoon comforts him, while Myungha teases again and asks whether he's going to kiss. Yeowoon responds he'll wait until Myungha does it himself, like the first time (I guess, it's a bit different from drama?)

In the morning, Myungha learns that his grandma is still alive in this timeline and is in the hospital with injured leg. He rushes there and cries a little seeing her alive. He pleads her to come live with them but the grandma is like 'wtf this kid gone insane'.

His memories are cleared until 60% and he remembers time spent with his grandma.

19-Myungha watches videos on "his" Youtube channel and he sees what kind of life 29-Myungha lived and what kind of person he was. He finds they weren't actually that different and he could become him. He sees how liked he was and what kind of person younger Yeowoon was too.

They go to get groceries, and suddenly 19-Myungha is surrounded by kids that claim he's their homeroom teacher. Yeowoon saves him from awkwardness, it seems like they don't know Yeowoon and Myungha are dating. The kids say that their entire class will always love their teacher Myungha, and 19-Myungha understands why he chose this job.

Mission is cleared until 80%. He sees flashbacks from teaching kids, he still keeps in touch with the ones that left. 19-Myungha starts to smile.

But he still doesn't want to go home, he's also scared that original Myungha comes back and he will disappear. He doesn't want to leave.

Yeowoon tells him he'll be waiting for him even if he goes back to his time. He tells him to return and find 18yo Yeowoon, because he exists there and he will definitely like and choose Myungha.

Myungha is overwhelmed with feelings and goes to kiss Yeowoon. This time he's the inexperienced one.

The timeline written down by Myungha: "First meeting at 19, first fight at 20, living together at 23, passing teacher's exam, Yeowoon breaking the world record, Myungha becoming homeroom teacher, having 5 anniversary trip".

Last 20% are still missing. He's waiting for Yeowoon to come home, he returns with the cake and flowers. It's their 10th anniversary today, so Yeowoon insists he still has to celebrate, despite the situation. Myungha feels bad that he always forgets about anniversaries.

Yeowoon proposes to Myungha. He gives him his wedding plan and prepared funds.

Myungha laughs (while Yeowoon is annoyed :D) and gets positive buff, as he falls in love. [Mission is cleared until 99.9%]. He witnesses more happy flashbacks.

Because it's legally difficult, Yeowoon still wants to get married. Myungha tells him if he proposes again in 10 years, he'll accept. And teases him for being in such a rush to speedrun the relationship.

He remembers all memories from 10 years of their life and love together, he tells Yeowoon 'of course' and finally decides to return home and meet Yeowoon in his own timeline.

But Myungha is scared because there's still 0.1% to fail. He remembers the sunbae who pushed him before the world has changed. He wonders who that was.

He sees himself talking with sunbae, who asks him what is happy life to Myungha and if his life was a book, what would it be about.

"If your life was a book, what would you want it be about?" Someone is asking next to me. "...love. I wish it was about love." I wished that this thing, which was so common that I could hear about it everywhere but have never really felt it, could exist in my life too. The sunbae smiled quietly. "I just decided on a title".

Sunbae tells Myungha that humans are made of stars and apologizes that he was so late. He asks him to live the way he wants to.

He pushes him again. Message [The world has been changed] appears.

29yo Myungha wakes up next to Yeowoon and immediately goes to hug him. He finally feels like his soul and body are perfectly aligned, and he remembers how lonely he was when he was 19.

He tells Yeowoon they'll go see stars on their honeymoon trip. But first, they want to take a trip to Taiwan and the grandma is bitter they're not taking her with them because she's convinced they're gonna secretly get married there. But Myungha and Yeowoon want to get married in Korea.

[Mission: Make Tae Myungha happy is completed with 100%]

29-Myungha goes to meet the girl in his class who he saved on the rooftop. They both talk about how they don't want to die anymore and they should never give up. The girl also says Yeowoon suits him well, and Myungha promises to invite her to their wedding.

[END OF THE GAME.]

[LOADING]

19yo Myungha gets back to his conscience on the street, as someone asks him if he's okay. He is surprised to see Yeowoon, while Yeowoon is displeased that Myungha knows his name since they never met before.

Yeowoon walks away, but Myungha starts running after him.

[ENTERING THE LOVE SUPREMACY ZONE]

That's it 🥺 Of course, there are many amazing and touching moments in the story itself but I wrote down the main points. Aren't they precious?!

Tag list: @pickletrip @bunni-bun @illuminutiae @kaleidoskuls @delesaria-blog @maybe-boys-do-love

[xx-slug-xx]

Antis in the furry fandom are really a big problem right now. As y’all’s eyes on the inside, I just want to kinda fill people in on what’s happening.

Pup hood discourse is running rampant rn, which is ironic considering that furrys are getting pissy about people in kink who are wearing their dog masks (it’s ironic because that’s how the furry community started and fursuits can be considered kink gear). I’ve already made post about my opinions on that though, so I won’t delve too deep lol.

But! On top of all this, zoophile discourse is getting worse. To the point where people are frequently making callouts on people simply for following “zoos”. “Zoos” in this context could be any number of things. 1, someone who draws feral art, nsfw or not. 2, someone who is an actual zoophile, zeta symbol and all. Doesn’t matter if they have abused animals to these people though. Or 3, someone who the other people on just doesn’t like. Usually, it’s petty drama. However, most people on Twitter don’t comb through their following list due to paranoia looking for “bad people”. People are getting called zoophiles left and right for the dumbest reasons, and it’s all for clout tbh. That and virtue signaling, but I digress.

The furry fandom is filled with drama rn and I’m so tired of it :(

[awkwardauthorwrites]

In the Middle - Ominis' Ending

Word Count: 1.3k

Summary: In the Middle - Ominis’ Ending

Warnings: read this first so this makes more sense

Y/N slipped through the doors that lead to the Defence Against the Dark Arts Tower, knowing she would always find the man she was looking for here - that she would always find both of them here. It wasn’t long until she found the familiar mop of brown hair walking in her direction, a charming smile falling on his face as he noticed her. Sebastian turned to say goodbye to the Ravenclaw student he was walking with and made his way in her direction, his arm winding around her waist to pull her into a hug as she neared. 

“Hey you. Done avoiding us?”

“For now.” Y/N pulled away and offered him a sheepish smile, her eyes darting over to the group of students who were sitting nearby. “Can we go somewhere to talk?”

“Depends. Will I like where this is going?”

“Sebastian.” She let out a quiet sigh and shook her head, but the smile was evident on her face. 

“Alright, alright,” he chuckled and titled his head to the left, signalling she should follow him. Y/N thought he would lead her to the Undercroft but instead he led her up a flight of stairs and towards Professor Fig’s old classroom. His position teaching Magical Theory had been filled the following year, but Y/N still avoided the class as best as she could. Sebastian gently pushed her along until they were sitting in the alcove across from the classroom and glared at the figure in the portrait until he left the frame with a loud, disgruntled sigh. “You have my undivided attention.”

“I’m sorry for avoiding you both.”

“It’s fine,” he shrugged nonchalantly and leant back in his seat. “We dropped a lot on you. Anyone would need a moment to think after that.” His eyes roamed over her, taking note of how she was avoiding his gaze and instead focused on her fingers which were currently being twisted together anxiously. “You’ve picked him, haven’t you?”

“What? How - ” Y/N looked up at him in surprise before exhaling slowly. “I’m sorry.”

“Why are you apologising, you walnut?” Sebastian chuckled and came to sit next to her, his shoulder pressed against hers for comfort. “What we said in the Undercroft stands. You’re my best friend - you both are - and you’ll both continue to be after this. I won’t let this come between us.” He reached over to squeeze her hand gently.

“You’re my best friend too. I…I won’t blame you if you need some time.”

“Don’t be daft,” he nudged her with his shoulder. “Who else is going to put up with all my shit?” Y/N laughed quietly at his words, her eyes darting to the side as a couple of students left the Magical Theory classroom. “Have you told him yet?”

“No,” Y/N watched Ominis as he walked out of the men’s bathrooms, unaware of their presence. “I thought it would be fair to speak to you first.”

“Well, what are you waiting for?” Sebastian rolled his eyes at her before letting out a low whistle. Ominis stopped in his tracks and turned slowly, a frown of confusion on his face. “Over here, Ominis.”

“Hello, Sebastian.” He walked in their direction, the wand guiding him towards the archway for the alcove. “I should have known it was you that whistled; only you would summon me like a dog.” Y/N laughed at his dry comment and watched as he turned in her direction, a breathtaking smile coming over his features when he realised she was there too. “Hello, love.”

“Hi.” Y/N felt her stomach flip pleasantly at the term of endearment, ignoring Sebastian as he playfully pretended to retch. 

“I’ll leave you two alone, now.” Sebastian clapped Ominis on the shoulder and sent Y/N a cheeky wink as he stood up and walked away, his hands tucked into his pockets as he whistled a cheerful tune.

“Subtle.” Ominis’ lip twitched as Sebastian walked away, his heart thumping as he heard Y/N laugh quietly. “How have you been?”

“Oh, you know. Same old drama, different day.”

“Oh?” he smiled slyly and leant against the pillar for the archway and crossed his arms over his chest. “Anything good?” 

“Would you believe both of my best friends admitted to having feelings for me?”

“Well, can you blame them?” Ominis played along. 

“No, I suppose not,” Y/N faked a sigh, a smile playing on the corners of her mouth as she openly stared at the man in front of her. “I’m pretty remarkable.”

“I wholeheartedly agree.” They both chuckled quietly, a comfortable silence falling over them as Ominis shifted so that he sat beside her on the bench. “Have you made a decision?” 

“I have.”

“I see.” He pocketed his wand and turned his head in her direction, his features void of any emotion. “And you’ve told Sebastian already?”

“It was only fair,” Y/N murmured, reaching out to brush the back of his hand. He turned it over without a thought and caught her fingers in his and tangled them together.  “I didn’t want him to find out through the rumour mill that I had chosen you.”

“Me?” Ominis’ cloudy blue eyes met hers with startling precision, his eyebrows raised in surprise. “I thought…”

“You thought I’d choose Sebastian?”

“I mean…well, yes.”

“Ominis Gaunt, for someone who takes so much pride in their intelligence you can be really thick sometimes.” Y/N leant over to press a gentle kiss to his cheek, knowing very well that he did not like public displays of affection. “How could you not tell that I am completely entranced by you?”

“It’s not every day a beautiful woman would pick me over my best friend,” he said quietly, his fingers tightening around hers fractionally. Y/N felt her heart crack in her chest at how despondent he sounded and gently ran her finger over his cheekbone, tracing the beauty marks as she turned his head to face her again.

“Their loss.”

“Are you sure? Would you be able to handle…” Ominis trailed off and gestured to his face, his cheeks tinged pink.

“You better not be about to ask me if I can handle you being blind.”

“It’s not easy to deal with.”

“Maybe not,” Y/N shrugged and turned her body so that she was facing him completely. “Believe it or not, being able to see was not on my list when I made my decision.”

“You made a list?”

“Metaphorically, yes,” she rolled her eyes and let go of his hand to cup his face. “I want to be with you, Ominis. I don’t care that you can’t see.”

“Really?”

“Do you want me to shout it from the rooftops?”

“As entertaining as that would be,” Ominis paused to chuckle and raised his hand to touch Y/N’s face. He trailed his fingers down her cheek gently and traced his thumb over her lips. “Is there anyone around us?”

“No.”

“Can I kiss you?”

“Please.” Y/N felt her heart thud in her chest as he leant in and pressed his lips to hers briefly before pulling away and resting his forehead on hers. 

“You have the most beautiful soul I have ever had the pleasure of knowing,” he murmured before leaning in to kiss her again. Ominis decided he would speak to Sebastian later, in private, to ensure he didn’t harbour any resentment towards Y/N’s choice. The three of them had some things to discuss on how they would proceed from here, but that could all be done at a time when Y/N wasn’t running her hands through Ominis’ hair in a way that set every nerve of his alight. He reluctantly pulled away from her and took her hand in his, pulling her to her feet so he could walk her to their next class with a wide smile on his face that he couldn’t quite seem to shake.

[zahri-melitor]

Okay, I see the angle of the complaints but you all really should chill out: Z starts Tom Taylor's Nightwing run

I am exactly one story arc into Taylor's Nightwing and I wanted to pause right at the start and chart out my feelings, because I do try to avoid commenting on these things until I actually see them myself, and I want a record of my feelings right now, where I just finished the Ric Grayson arc.

The problem isn't 'this is a bad Nightwing run' or 'this is an uncharacteristic Nightwing run'. I've read those. This is not Bruce Jones with TentaTodd or Tony S. Daniels' frankly meandering DickBats run on Batman (or Judd Winick's overlapping 'what if this was actually about Jason not Dick' stories) or the multitude of 'this isn't right for Dick' problems with the Seeley & King run of Grayson, or the entire Ric Grayson saga.

Because look, from the opening moves of this story, Taylor's doing a whole bunch of things that signal that he knows the stories he's working with.

It's set in Blüdhaven. It's using existing supporting cast who should be around. It's reflecting on and referencing previous Blüdhaven stories and and parts of Dick's background and linking things up and picking up old stories to work with.

Even just take Nightwing #78, the very first issue of the run, the first issue of Nightwing under Infinite Frontier policies: we see Taylor picking up the threads left by Tim Seeley's run, and dumping in a decent selection of Chuck Dixon and Devin Grayson references.

The very first thing Taylor has Blockbuster do is twist someone's head off, which is the exact same beat Blockbuster had on his introduction as a Nightwing villain in Nightwing #6 1996. My instantaneous thought was "oh shit, are we going to run a Dudley Soames plot?" because that's preboot Blockbuster. That's the guy who haunted Dixon and Grayson's runs, with a level of very personal violence that wasn't as clear in Seeley's portrayal.

Dick immediately points out his apartment building, which he owns, and which by implication he plans to have as affordable housing. Dick's apartment complex is obvious important during the Dixon and Grayson runs right up until it blows up. His apartment is empty looking and sad, because Dick's just moved back in; because Dick's terrible at unpacking; because Dick doesn't decorate until he feels comfortable with his situation.

He also sets up the first indications of the Heartless parallels he's planning to build.

Taylor's calling out the falling-and-catching themes of Nightwing and explicitly building them in and acknowledging how important they are to ground a run in terms of Dick's motivations and his fears.

It's even, as one of the markers I like to point out, using a Flying-Graysons-In-Robin-Costumes reflection from Bruce Redondo, and the choice of which costume to put the Flying Graysons in does actually say a lot about the trajectory and beats of the plot. It means Dick is being reflective and looking back and relying on his background, not pushing Bruce and his childhood away.

Also in the 'this is Infinite Frontier, it's all back baby!!!' category that I noticed: Dick's past as a cop is referenced; Barbara's law degree (though Dick having one as well is new-to-me); Barbara is tracking Dick and has eyes-on him (both the mask lens camera but also fond memories of Babs just having cameras all over Dick's apartment and him being perfectly fine with her 'watching'); Tim is the very second visitor Dick gets (after Babs) and the first thing they do is make terrible jokes and go train surfing; and Tim naming the dog a terrible pun (which he used to do to Dick's car and so on just to annoy him). And that's just stuff that immediately leapt out at me and not all of the layers and layers of artist and writer references layered in in the tribute way comics do.

He's even using the right villains, from Dick's actual rogues gallery: Brutale! Electrocutioner! Using the Maronis alongside Zucco for drama is clearly leaning into The Long Halloween and Dark Victory for a Dick origin! Dick does actually have the various Gotham crime families as an ongoing set of shared villains because Two-Face is one of his major enemies in his set of Gotham Rogues and all the themes around that.

The problem isn't that Taylor doesn't know what he's working with, or that he doesn't know where to pitch a Nightwing run, or that his writing sucks. It's that he doesn't deliver on the potential he's offering, and that's what is aggravating because it's close but not quite exactly what people want (but that's also the zone that generates some of the best fanfic, because the potential is there and people want to fix it).

My other immediate impression is that Taylor does, yes, fail to think through the implications of what he's just set up, in any meaningful sense. Which is probably why I've found his single issue stories and minis are generally fine to read; there's not enough space for the situation that's just been set up to come back around and whack the characters in the head; and in a longer run and some of what Taylor is setting up here, there are all sorts of threads possible to set up that you should expect to come back around and cause Dick problems later on, and from what everyone's said Taylor's had issues delivering on that.

Taylor gives Dick a fortune via Alfred's estate because he wants to play with the idea of Dick stepping into that role of philanthropist that Bruce is currently unable to occupy, and reflect on the differences between the characters. And it's a late delivery from the executor (Barbara) due to the whole Ric Grayson situation, so we don't actually see what other distributions Alfred made in his will: if he left anything for any of the other children he helped to raise; if he left anything for his own daughter Julia Pennyworth, and so on. (It's also a reflection of Bruce showing up and giving Dick his trust fund from his parents early on in Dixon's run to allow Dick to finance setting up as a vigilante, I will note)

It's a convenience for the plot. It's also clearly "Taylor hasn't stopped to think through how this would affect any other character". And look, he doesn't have to; he's writing Nightwing, not the entire Bat book line, and so a full discussion of probate is a bit silly in a book that does not and probably will not ever contain Julia Pennyworth.

It really feels like the problem is it's 'close enough but not quite' that the small aggravations build up on people, to the point that all they see is their frustration rather than the fact that at least 80% of the story is targeted in the right zone, where people want it to be.

(And hey! I will also say that, for instance, I find Tim Seeley's Nightwing run specifically to also fall into that 'close but not quite' zone where it gets Dick and it gets what a Nightwing story should involve, but tragically Seeley is more interested in elaborating plot beats that I would prefer to leave lying and focuses on things I would overlook in favour of more-interesting-to-me storytelling opportunities. It happens. Seeley's a huge fan of a bunch of elements of Devin Grayson's Nightwing stories that, while I am a Devin defender, are definitely not beats that I would be prioritising in terms of rescuing from her work)

It's just to me... "I really wish Taylor wouldn't tie off things quickly and neatly and solve situations within an issue or two" and "I wish Taylor was better at long term payoffs" and "that has a bunch of unfortunate implications that aren't played out" and "the characterisation is too nicey-nice and smoothed over" are accurate complaints from what I've seen so far, but they're also reflecting on how to take adequate or good to great, rather than "this is a title lost in the wilderness, please bring it home" like a bunch of people are acting that it is.

[spicy-pears]

𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖂𝖔𝖑𝖋

𝕿𝖆𝖌𝖘: 𝖣𝖺𝗋𝗄 𝖿𝗂𝖼 (𝖢𝗈𝗇𝗍𝖺𝗂𝗇𝗌 𝖻𝗅𝗈𝗈𝖽 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗉𝖺𝗂𝗇 𝗂𝗇𝖿𝗅𝗂𝖼𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇), 𝖵𝗈𝗒𝖾𝗎𝗋𝗂𝗌𝗆, 𝗈𝗋𝖺𝗅 (𝖥 𝗋𝖾𝖼𝖾𝗂𝗏𝗂𝗇𝗀), 𝖥𝗂𝗇𝗀𝖾𝗋𝗂𝗇𝗀, 𝖤𝖽𝗀𝗂𝗇𝗀, 𝖡𝗂𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀, 𝖲𝗂𝗓𝖾 𝖽𝗂𝖿𝖿𝖾𝗋𝖾𝗇𝖼𝖾, 𝗌𝗅𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗍 𝖻𝗅𝗈𝗈𝖽 𝗉𝗅𝖺𝗒, 𝖱𝗈𝗎𝗀𝗁 𝗌𝖾𝗑, 𝖴𝗇𝗉𝗋𝗈𝗍𝖾𝖼𝗍𝖾𝖽 𝗌𝖾𝗑, 𝖡𝗋𝖺𝗍 𝗌𝗍𝗎𝖿𝖿.

𝖂𝖗𝖎𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖘 𝕹𝖔𝖙𝖊: 𝖧𝗂 𝗀𝗎𝗒𝗌, 𝖨 𝗄𝗇𝗈𝗐 𝗂𝗍'𝗌 𝖻𝖾𝖾𝗇 𝖺 𝗐𝗁𝗂𝗅𝖾. 𝖡𝗎𝗍 𝖨'𝗏𝖾 𝖻𝖾𝖾𝗇 𝗌𝗍𝗎𝖼𝗄 𝗂𝗇 𝖺 𝗋𝗎𝗍, 𝗐𝗁𝖾𝗋𝖾 𝖨 𝗃𝗎𝗌𝗍 𝗐𝖺𝗌𝗇'𝗍 𝗌𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗌𝖿𝗂𝖾𝖽 𝗐𝗂𝗍𝗁 𝖺𝗇𝗒𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖨 𝗆𝖺𝖽𝖾. 𝖨 𝗍𝗋𝗂𝖾𝖽 𝗆𝗒 𝖻𝖾𝗌𝗍 𝗍𝗈 𝗂𝗆𝗉𝗋𝗈𝗏𝖾 𝗆𝗒 𝗐𝗋𝗂𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗌𝗍𝗒𝗅𝖾 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗆𝖺𝗄𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀𝗌 𝖺𝗌 𝗂𝗆𝗆𝖾𝗋𝗌𝗂𝗏𝖾 𝖺𝗌 𝖨 𝖼𝗈𝗎𝗅𝖽. 𝖨 𝗁𝗈𝗉𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗋𝖾𝗊𝗎𝖾𝗌𝗍𝗈𝗋 𝗅𝗈𝗏𝖾s it 🥰

Thanks for all the new and continued support❣️

𝖂𝕮: 2.8 𝖪

Rolling Wood, Texas. 1967.

The bustling store suddenly went still, allowing the audience your aunt so desperately desired. Her once soft and demure voice went shrill, as her anger boiled beyond its peak. Her hands balled up so tightly. You swore if her nails were sharper, blood would've painted her small fists. 

Her sweet, yet foolish husband. Stood there with wide eyes filled with anxious embarrassment. His deep and commanding voice turned wobbly, as he tried to calm her. Battling through her loud sea of fraudulent heartbroken words. 

A breathless sigh pushed from your mother's lips. As her head shook, an undeniable gesture of her embarrassment. The cart's weathered wheels began to squeak, as she began speed-walking away from the shameless scene.

Dragging your small frame along, your hand still firmly gripping the cart's handle. Regardless, your eyes were still fixated on the addictive chaos.

But once the drama was out of your view, your warm amber eyes began to silently pry your mother for an answer. Another sigh would huff from her chest, as she felt your stabbing gaze on her.

Begrudgingly she would give you the reason you ached for "Some men are dogs; some men are wolves.". Her statement ended with a curt shrug of her shoulder; her attention still fixated on finding the canned fruit aisle. 

Your round lips skewed with confusion, trying your best to connect the dots on your own. But soon you'd give up and ask, "What’s the difference?". Your innocent question prompted your mother's gaze to fill with concern. For once she would finally face you as she spoke. 

Her angelic voice was more patient than ever, reminiscent of a young schoolteacher. "Well, Dogs are domesticated they know right from wrong. They were taught better, but act otherwise. Wolves are feral, raised without rules. They don't know any better." Her gaze was hooked onto yours.

A loving signal that you indeed had her full attention. Prompting you to ask further, "But if dogs cheat, what do wolves do then?".

Her eyes grew somber as if her mind went back to visit her deepest darkest memories. "Ugly things, they come out every now and again. To snatch up girls, sweet and petite. Then once he's done he'll go back home, and start again." Her hand would caress the top of yours. An action that made her pity for you clear, as innocence would soon leave you.

Although she didn't specify the ugly acts, your active mind painted a clear visual. Full of wickedness, distrust, and blood. A morbid painting to be made in the innocent mind of a child, something that made you shudder. Your mother's voice was now brimming with seriousness, "There will be a time when you'll make the mistake of trusting the wrong person...Being clever will save you a lot more trouble than running."

NEWT, TEXAS. 1978

The air held an eerie stillness, an aura that Johnny was accustomed to. Harshly raised to embrace what's cruel and hollow, unable to be anything else. Strangely, for once he felt a calmness while watching you. secretly pretending you were his. 

Foolishly you sat at his mother's old wooden vanity.

Your kind heart effortlessly fell for sissy's honeyed compliments. Her obsessive gushing over your soft wavy locks and dazzling engagement ring. Prompting her to offer up her beloved wedding dress. Desperately begging you to just give the long white gown a look. And even try it on for size, as the two of you shared similar petite builds.

 If only you knew she was never married once, nor tasted love once in her life. You may have survived the cruel experience to come.

Nonetheless, your honey doe eyes glistened with curiosity. While carefully inspecting his mother's beloved jewelry. The array of rusted-over silver lockets and tarnished rings were the only things that gave her comfort. For her cloudy dull eye made her feel ugly, a reflection of her wicked inner nature.

Your fingertips continued to wander and inspect the beloved antiques. A sugary sweet smile would soon spread across your lips, highlighting your precious dimples. Unknowingly, enticing your leering audience with the soft features of your small face. Leaving him thirsting, as addictive innocence radiated from your skin.

Unfortunately, the thirst shifted into a painful ache. Which left his mind reeling, as his thoughts became distorted by painful white noise. Gradually turning his harmless voyeurism into something much more sinister.

 He didn’t want to hurt you, but his impulsive nature made him act otherwise. His heavy footsteps grew closer, prompting your eyes to meet his devoid leer. He couldn’t hear what you said, but the sugary smile he adored quickly faded. His toned arm brought down the heavy wooden handle of his skinning blade.

Your warm sweet blood painted the old glass mirror. A lazy river cascaded down, staining the cracks that adorned it. As the rest of your leaking crimson began to seep into the rickety floorboards, making it a darker shade.

All the while, Johnny’s dark eyes grew somber.  The shroud of his impulsive haze lifted, Presenting him with his mindless destruction. Your still lifeless body grew pale as you leaked more blood than he expected. A frustrated exhale would huff from his chest, “Dammit Johnny…”.

????,1978.

Although, your little lifeless act was convincing. Death wouldn’t lessen Johnny’s claim on you. He still planned on keeping you, admiring your frozen pretty face for days to come.

Selfishly keeping you in a paused state of death, for as long as he could. This circumstance was less thrilling to him though, he much preferred a living body to play with. Never able to drop the immature vice of playing with his food.

Luckily for him, you were just being shifty. He felt your lingering warmth as he carried your limp body into his cold room. Thus, he was now able to fully enjoy you within his twisted domain.

Metal shelves, thick with rust and stained with bloody residue from the ones before you lined the walls. Large freezers for keeping those he was unable to let go, stood in every corner. Finally, His prized steel butcher's table sat in the middle of the morbid room.

It took everything in you to remain limp as he placed your newly bare body upon it. Suppressing every reaction stemming from your delicate skin meeting the frigid table, Johnny was impressed. He didn’t expect much out of you.

But as his sinister gaze continued to survey your motionless body. It became evident that you were truly a stubborn little brat. Why keep up this little façade? He didn’t mean to hurt you. He was kind to you, carefully carrying you in his arms. Gradually, Johnny’s mind was clouded with impatience, another narcissistic vice he couldn’t shake. You were his, whether you liked it or not you were going to accept it.

Promptly, a deep frustrated snarl roughly huffed from his vocal cords. A foreign yet demonic sound that sent a petrified shiver coursing down your spine.

Johnny wouldn’t give you the luxury of bracing yourself. Without hesitation, he would press against the wound on your temple. Slowly applying more pressure, the longer you played opossum. Cruelly forcing your misty doe eyes to flutter open from the agony.

“Welcome back darlin.” Johnny’s imposing frame towered over you, reintroducing you to his imposing aura. He wore an alluring grin, While his warm hand ran up the warm plush of your upper thigh. Johnny’s wandering touch drug out a unforgiving glare from your once enchanting eyes. A militant stare which Johnny rewarded with a dry chuckle, “Aww, don’t be so disappointed darlin. You did a real fine job…you know what? I'll reward you for it.”.

Johnny’s placed his free hand upon your jaw. Applying a firm restricting grip, silently delivering a clear message. What was to come was a lesson rather than a reward, you’ll remember never to waste his time again.

The soft chime of his belt buckle commanded your attention. Yet Johnny kept the grip on your jaw steady, pulling your sweet lips into his hungry kiss. Which Left you feasting on the strong notes of Texan whisky on his lips.

Your lashes fluttered softly, desperately trying to see what lay beyond his hips. His gaze became heavy with lust while watching the desperation simmer in your innocent eyes. Aching for a full glimpse of his body.

Yet, He wickedly denied you of this. As the grip on your upper thigh tightened, pulling your small frame even closer. Your breath would abruptly hitch. Feeling the tip of his cock teasing you with a taste, slowly pushing against your needy entrance. Just centimeters away from giving you what you craved, only to teasingly pull back.

Johnny’s edging was relentless, each roll from his hips left you breathless. Causing the room to become encased by the sweet intoxicating smell of your dripping cunt. Overwhelmed by the pleasure, you made the mistake of arching your back. Unintentionally breaking away from Johnny’s hungry kiss.

 A frustrated deep groan was your only warning. Before a harsh bite was delivered to the plush of your bottom lip. His malicious reaction left you pain-stricken. The brutal sensation rang through your veins, freezing your body still. While fresh crimson trickled down from your lip, cascading down your neck.

“You’ll learn soon enough.” Johnny’s gaze felt cruel as he licked your blood off his thumb. While watching your thick glimmering tears roll down your cheeks. He wouldn’t admit it, but he loved seeing you this way. Addicted to the visual of your small face soaked with tears, as your chest heaved lightly. Entrancing him with the soft shimmer that adorned the plush of your chest and tiny waist.

The paralyzing pain subsided into numbness, but Johnny wouldn’t grant you the chance to catch your breath. He was now lost between your legs, his warm tongue collecting your stream of arousal onto his tongue like honey. He’d become hopelessly drunk off your leaking cunt. Savoring your taste, while dragging his tongue along your glistening slit.

An addicting taste that rivaled the sweetness of your blood. A sweet whine would roll off your lips. As this was the only time you’d feel Johnny’s gentleness. Suddenly, you felt his lips curl into a mischievous smirk against you. Another silent sign of Johnny reverting back to his feral nature.

Promptly the slow lapping shifted into rapid flicking against your puffy clit. Your body writhed from the abrupt change, flooded with intense pleasure. What you thought was a pause to catch your breath. Was Johnny instead applying more pressure onto your sensitive clit with his tongue.

Thick tears began to collect on your lashes like diamonds. While trying your best not to sing his praises. Your chest lightly heaved, as you let out breathy exhales heavily laced with lust. He knew your small frame wouldn’t be able to handle it. Addicted to the symphony of breathless whines and soft pants that pushed out of your chest.

Stubbornly you tried to fight the desire to match his rhythm. Refusing to roll your hips, refusing to admit you enjoyed what he was doing to you. Johnny was oblivious of this, if you wanted to be a brat so badly he’d help you. He would place his callus palm flat against your stomach. The sharp look in his eyes, a silent reminder to keep still.

His fingers slowly slid into your heat. Defiantly your gummy walls tightly swallowed around him. You’d let out a soft moan as your mind was now clouded with lust. Nowhere near as mindless as you’ll soon become.

His fingers curled, pressing his fingertips against your sweet spot. You were now in a stary haze, while his tongue was still fast at work. A pathetic whimper became your declaration of defeat, as your overwhelmed body was caught with a soft tremble. And your hips finally rolled in a gorgeous wave against his tongue.

Johnny wouldn’t say a single word to you, he stopped at once. The short silence petrified you, it felt longer than it truly was. Before pitiful apologies and pleas could fall from your lips, Johnny would once again grip your upper thigh.

And quickly sank his hungry teeth into the plush of your inner thigh. A bite only inches from your bare cunt, a harsher punishment than before. A heart-rendering scream would rise from your chest, a sound which earned you no sympathy from Johnny.

Instead, you were rewarded with a curt sadistic grin, “Aww, I thought you were tougher than that.”. He saw the discontent burning in your eyes, he couldn’t care less. He was going to break you, even if it took all night.

Unexpectedly, His fingertips began to run through your hair, caressing your scalp. A gentle touch, which tamed the coldness in your gaze. You’d look into his eyes, pleading for more.

The very first glimpse of his manipulative nature, your lesson was nowhere near over.

He’d cruelly reject your pleas while leaning in with a devilish grin. His free hand tightly gripping your neck, as his tongue dragged up the side of your face. Licking up all the blood that trickled down your face. A distraction from his thick length slowly entered your unprepared cunt.

With an effortless yet rough jerk of his hips, his thick length penetrated you. Stretching your little cunt beyond your limit, yet your body accepted him. You’d let out an array of pitched yet angelic cries, you finally sang for him.

 “W-wait- “your words would melt into a breathless moan, as his hips jerked once more. Knocking the air out from your lungs, as he sank his cock in deeper. Gradually bottoming out as he brought your body flush against his.

His strokes were deep and feral, keeping a steady yet unrelenting pace. The muscles in his toned arms hardened and tensed as he held onto the table. Filling the room with the lewd sounds from your wet cunt. Johnny's grip on your soft locks began to tighten, forcing you to meet his carnal leer.

The firm grip around your neck traveled down to your ass. Johnny Sank his fingertips into your flesh, littering your plush ass with little bloody crescents. While spreading you open to receive his abuse, your swollen cunt grew numb.

Your small frame couldn’t handle much more, as you clenched around his cock tightly. The intense sensation left him cursing, as a low hiss dragged out from his teeth. The vulnerable sound would fade into a deep grunt, “Fuck- you’re so small.”

His face skewed against the pleasure, letting out a deep guttural grunt. For once he was no longer smirking. His lips were now parted as silent deep smokey breaths pushed out from his chest.

The sight of him receiving a taste of the pleasureful torture he gave you, brought a smile to your red bruised lips. Rest assured; He’ll make sure to wipe that bratty smile off your face.

 Suddenly Johnny closed your thighs together and pushed them back flush against your chest. Bending you into a much more vulnerable position, disregarding how weak you already were. Before you could speak a single word, Johnny would coldly cover your mouth.

 “Let's see how tough you really are, little slut.” With that, the thrusts of his hips turned animalistic. His darkened gaze fixated on your flushed tear-stained face. A beautiful sight that only quickened his ruthless pace.

Johnny leaned in close wanting you to feel every inch of him. Forcing your legs to stay truly flush against your chest. Applying more weight against your breaking body. His thrusts gained greater force now that he was able to fully sink into you. Molding the shape of his cock in your tight pussy.

Your tears pooled off the back of Johnny’s hand, as he kept your passionate cries at bay. Your lashes would flutter against your hot simmering tears, as the overstimulated knot at your core began to unravel. Your mind went blank while letting out a loud cry against your hand.

White lights danced behind your tightly shut eyes, leaving you in a starry haze. As the walls of your pussy fluttered, as you came on his cock. Leaving you a sweat-kissed mess, with a puddle of your juices collecting on the table.

A deep rumbling growl emitted from Johnny's broad chest; his forceful thrusts were now sloppy. You were now caught in his firm embrace, locked between his muscular arms. As he began to fill you with milky ribbons of his seed. A satisfied deep sigh escaped his lips while dragging his fingertips through his slicked back hair.

Johnny wore a sly expression while pulling his satisfied cock out of you.

Uncharacteristically, he would gently kiss your forehead. Before carefully wiping the blood off your face, with a soft white rag. You fully and completely belonged to him now.

“You’re a slaughter now darlin.”

[lethalchiralium]

Diamondback | [2]

i may have dropped off the face of the earth for this one but only because i had no direction after the first chapter but i FOUND IT. seven months later LMAO

warnings: stalking, harassment

summary: Pine, Arizona. Your ride home with Captain Riley is… interesting to say the least. Your second day back as a Hotshot proves to be difficult, and a grocery run proves itself to be unique as well.

PREVIOUS << | >> NEXT | SERIES MASTERLIST

At this time of year, you were meant to be posted up in a nice lookout tower, watching a season of an old medical drama series on the box TV you had to smack to turn on. Feet laid up on top of the desk, waiting for your fancy one dollar ramen to cool as you read through a new book. Your shoes were meant to be muddy, your arms aching from having to move furniture around to how you liked it - not hitching a ride home from your Hotshot Captain Simon Riley at two thirty in the morning after his bartending shift. You imagined Simon to own a bike, he seemed the type to have a nice bike. What you did not expect was a nice black luxury car - well kept interior, you felt bad setting your dusty shoes on the floorboard.

He didn’t talk much on the ride home, it didn’t matter to you as you were half asleep in the passenger seat of his nice Mercedes. The warm lights passed by, the sky seemed so much brighter for being around 3am - it was because of all the light pollution, you were used to seeing the Milky Way almost every night.

“You don’t seem like that big of a drinker.” Simon commented, one hand on the wheel and the other on the gear shift.

You opened one eye, seeing the main road’s neon lights as they waved by. Your head lolled to the left, eyebrows furrowed. “What?”

He chuckled a little, you could clearly see one of his white canines as he spoke again, “You’re not a drinker.”

“How so?”

“Don’t seem the type, sweetheart.”

You rolled your eyes, closing them again before rolling your head back to the right. “You have no idea what type I am, Riley.”

“You’re the type to not fight your problems, you comin’ into a bar like mine means you rolled over and showed your belly like a dog.”

If you had any more energy to argue, you would’ve. Where does he get off on assuming shit that isn’t true? You sat in silence, eyes opening again to watch the lights on the main road fly past.

He chuckled once. “No smart quip?”

I am done with this prick. Your head swung to the left, a frustrated huff left your nose before you began, “You don’t know shit about me. If it bothers you so much, I won’t go to your stupid fucking bar again.” You snapped your head back to the right.

“Now, I didn’t say that…” Another laugh left his lips. “You sure have a lot of fire under that facade.”

“What?”

“The ‘I’ve never been hurt before in my life’ look. You fight just like a wildfire, you won’t bend to another man’s thumb.” The turn signal began to click and Simon smirked. “I thought you would have been a dud, one of those lazy fire watchers with nothin’ better to do.” You opened your mouth to retaliate but he continued. “Turns out I was wrong, John was right.” The car came to a stop, he pushed the gear shift to park before he looked at you. “You’re a spitfire.”

You stared at him for just a moment before you opened your door, climbing out into the stuffy night air. You turned around and looked into his fancy car, eyes narrowing. “Have a good night, Captain Riley.” You closed the door to his nice car and made your way to Alex’s nice apartment complex, poking the pin pad with the code he had given you the day before. The door unlocked and you entered, hearing Simon’s car pull out of the lot - you didn’t look back.

The climb up two flights of stairs really made you feel the burn from yesterday, it made you regret staying out late since you had to wake up in three hours for another shift at the 141. You dug the silver key out of your pocket as you approached the apartment, unlocking it and pushing it open as quietly as humanly possible. You toed off your shoes, your hand gently pushed shut the door while the other was pressed against the wall to keep you steady.

“Y/N!”

You jumped out of your skin, almost losing balance as you whipped around to see him, hair tousled and in his signature ratty t-shirt and gym shorts. “Christ, Alex! A warning would be nice-”

“It’s almost three, you imbecile! We have work in three hours!”

You shrugged, scratching your jaw for just a second before you answered, “I was having a drink at that bar you told me to go to.”

“Who drove you home?”

“The Captain.”

“Riley drove you home?” Alex’s jaw almost hit the floor, your eyebrows furrowed. “Oh, he’s in love with you.” He joked, you gave him a confused glare.

You let out a loud laugh of disbelief after just a moment. “All because he drove me home?”

He crossed his arms, eyes narrowing. “Never in my many years of existence has Simon Riley dropped off a coworker. Ever.” He stared you down. “Did you suck him off or something-“

“Alex!”

“I’m just asking-!”

You instantly moved past him, anger bubbling under your skin. “I didn’t do anything but get a ride home, so I’m gonna shower and hopefully not slip and crack my skull from exhaustion.”

Alex chuckled, watching you as you disappeared down the hallway. “I’m just kidding!”

You flipped him off before you slammed the door to the bathroom. “Go to bed!”

•••

“Deploy!”

“30 seconds!”

Ripping open a survival shelter after years of not having a need to even have one in the tower was riveting. You were like a kid on Christmas, just without the boastful excitement and energy for wrapped presents, as every drop of your existence in Arizona was used to retrain for what normal people would essentially call Hell on Earth.

“Move, Soap!”

“Rookies on the inside, feet to the flames!”

“Twenty bucks ah beat ye, Gaz!”

“Bottles and radios in your shelter!”

The green training emergency survival shelter crackled as you whipped it in the air, allowing it to inflate to the size it needed to be to cover your body. Your hands held the top as you put your head in, kneeled, then put your feet through as well before completely pressing the edge of the shelter to the concrete floor of the firehouse. Your body was cocooned by the flimsy green plastic, you pressed your cheek to the ground as you heard Simon’s loud countdown to zero.

“Feet to the flames!”

You had only been with the 141 for about 48 hours and you were already exhausted, right down to the bone. With a long run, weight training for hours on end, then going on an even longer run, packed to the brim with gear. You didn’t have time to reminisce on how a Pulaski axe felt strapped to your fifty pound rucksack, you only had the strength to make sure you didn’t pass out on a lonely trail in the middle of the desert. You definitely hated being thrown into carrying a rucksack, but such is life - throwing fifty pound rucksacks at your face until you move states and completely destroy your very stable life. Ah, cheating dirtbags. Remind me to never go for a J named piece of shit ever again.

“If we have to deploy,” The bottom of your green cocoon rumbled as a hand shook it, the now familiar voice of Price boomed throughout the exercise room. “The fire’s gonna sound like a hundred freight trains goin’ right over you.” The shake of your small tent was only a couple of seconds before you could hear someone else’s being rustled as well. “Proper deployment of your survival tent will save your life.”

“It’s gonna get hot, this will be the only oxygen you have. Keep that seal as flat as you can to the ground, or else the fire will suck out your only breathable air.” Simon’s voice was farther now, you could tell both of them were shaking the tents to simulate the sound of the flames. Your hands moved to the edge of the plastic next to your elbows, you grabbed it and pressed it flat against the concrete - you kept your breathing steady. “People have died from incorrectly deploying these tools. Keep your feet in, keep the seals flat, and you will ensure your survival.”

The sound of boots against concrete was deafening between you and your fellow Hotshots, no room for disobedience or miscalculation. Every movement you would make when you’re fighting a wildfire needed to be calculated and structured, that’s why Hotshots stayed in a line - everyone needed to stay together to ensure everyone stayed alive.

“You will only open your survival tent when you are given instruction to do so by both Captain Riley and I.” A pause. “We will be calling over the radios to identify everyone, going by last name. If you do not hear from either of us, wait five minutes. The worst of it will be over, waiting that five minutes ensures you won’t be injured when you leave the safety of your tent.”

You had only experience with one wildfire before, the Juniper Wildfire. Scraping a boundary in the dirt, digging it out to create a line between the enemy and the cities that were in line to be the fire’s next source of fuel. Destroying low lying brush and vegetation, tossing it far away from the line - you remembered how intense the heat was getting as the Juniper fire approached your team’s position, the way your old Supe called out for everyone to back away and get back to safety with a gruff and resounding yell. We can always replace equipment, but we can never replace you. That was drilled into your head at every turn.

The footsteps stopped. “Alright, come on out.”

Sweat beaded at your hairline, you whipped the green practice tent over your head as you swiveled yourself to sit straight up. You glanced to the right, Alex was beside you and he gave you a curious look. You looked away, seeing that Price and Riley were standing at the head of the mass of Hotshots, Riley holding a clipboard and a stopwatch.

A voice came from your left, calm and quiet, yet precise - “You are doing well, Sirena.” You looked to the source, a beautiful woman with pin straight black hair tied back into a short ponytail. You gave a smile, she winked before nodding towards the Supes. You followed, making direct eye contact with Simon. He looked away first, scanning the rest of the firehouse.

“Here’s the thing,” Price started, his arms crossed across his chest. He tapped his fingers against his bicep, his eyes watched the room like a ravenous hawk. “We’ve got another month of mandatory 40 hour weeks, then it’s heads or tails if we’re bumped up to year-round.”

A chorus of mumbles hummed through the large engine bay, you pulled off the rest of the green plastic so it rested beside you, as did almost everyone else. The breeze from the open bay door,

“The way all of you have been working hard, no matter if you’ve been here for five years or five minutes,” John glanced at you before glancing to another hotshot across the room, you remembered his name being Soap. “We will most likely get our foot in the door.” He looked over his crew again before clapping together his hands. “We’ll see you all on Monday.”

You physically slumped down as the room began to hum with chatter, you looked to your left to talk with the woman who spoke to you earlier but she was gone - already across the room. You weren’t given much time to think on it when Alex walked up, holding his hand out.

“You look like shit.”

You glared at his dumb face, he smirked. “You look like a man with no bitches.”

“Who pissed in your corn flakes?”

“No one, we don’t have any fucking corn flakes since you ate them all.” You grabbed his hand, he easily helped you to your feet.

“You’re goin’ to the store.” Alex patted your arm, dropping his truck keys in the hand he grabbed of yours. “I’m helpin’ Riley out with fixing the damn garage door.”

“You’re a-“

“L/N, surprised you’re even standing.” Gaz chuckled as he approached, you gave him a confused look. “You’ve been workin’ nonstop the past two days. Haven’t seen a fire watch go from sitting around to hotshot work that quickly before.”

You shrugged, hand instantly coming up to knead the side of your neck. “Considering I was a hotshot before, I’d hope I was bouncing back well.”

Gaz smiled at you, patting your shoulder. “You’re doing damn well. Go get some rest before Alex drives you nuts.”

“Trust me, he always is.” You smiled back, ignoring Alex’s kick to your calf. Gaz nodded before he turned away, your hand squeezed the car keys in your hands. Time to go grocery shopping and hopefully drop dead in Aisle 7.

Your body felt like magma, moving sluggishly under intense weight and pressure - and you were just pushing your cart at the grocery store. A pack of underwear, a carton of eggs, a case of flavored electrolyte water sat in your small cart; you plucked a bag of your favorite chips and settled them on top of the five pack of underwear that was ridiculously priced. It’s not like you can go back and get any of your stuff at a time like this; work was much more important than material things that could be replaced. That and it’s a delicate game with Justin, he would definitely draw up some bogus restraining order. A part of you cringed, knowing he was probably doing just that as you walked around this small supermarket. Your phone sat in your hand, screen black from no use before it pinged.

Alex

pick up some cheese plz

Alex

nd mustard

You

Chips too?

Alex

no

You

What else

Alex

buns

You

And hot dogs?

Alex

no more hot dogs

soap bought me 300 hot dogs 2 wk ago

too many hot dog

eating all hot fog 2nite

*dog

🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮

“Keepin’ your nose in your phone is how you crash into a shelf, Firewatch.”

You jolted from your conversation with Alex, head darted up to meet the gaze of your Superintendent. He was in the dirty t-shirt he had worn all day, arms crossed on his chest. You looked around the aisle, you had moved yourself to the side to not be in the way a long while ago. A gentle smirk invaded your lips.

“I’m shopping, not working.”

Price smiled, teeth pearly white. “You were nudging yourself down the aisle, you’re going to hit the display.” He pointed over his shoulder with his thumb to the giant cardboard hot dog bun display at the end of the aisle. You shrugged.

“I need to go there.”

“And take down the display when you do it?”

You gave him a deadpan look, he laughed a little.

“How’re you settling in with Alex?”

You rolled your eyes, your own tired laugh left your lips. “The only thing he has to eat in his fridge are hot dogs, apparently.” You took a look at the red container of Folgers Coffee Grounds in his hands before asking, “Aren’t Brits supposed to be all about tea?”

Price glanced down at the container before he answered, “Simon is. I prefer coffee.”

Your phone buzzed in your hand but you ignored it, shrugging as you remarked, “Not very British of you, Supe.”

“John.”

There was a glimmer of warmth in his blue eyes, your diaphragm fluttered for just a moment before you murmured, “What?”

He grinned then, a mischievous glint in his eye that disappeared after just a millisecond. “It’s John. Outside of work.”

You nodded curtly as you looked down the aisle again, you looked back to John. “Didn’t expect you to be one for informalities outside of work.”

He shrugged briefly. “It’s whatever you would like to call me.”

“John is fine.”

“I expected you to have more than just eggs to eat.”

“I’d make you dinner if I didn’t just move down into my best friend’s bare minimum apartment.” You cringed a little before correcting yourself, “As a thank you. For-”

John laughed a little, putting his hand up and chuckling, “It’s all right, I get what you mean. I might take you up on the offer.”

You opened your mouth to speak but you were interrupted by the sound of your phone ringing. You gave John an apologetic look before looking at kt, reading the name of your ex on the screen. You looked back to him, “I’m sorry, John, I’ve- I’ve got to answer this.”

He nodded. “No problem. I’ll see you on Monday.” He waved a little before walking away.

“Bye.” You said quietly, hoping he heard before you answered the call. You put the phone to your ear, ready to hear pleading and crying. “What do you want?“

“Where the fuck did you go?”

Your eyebrows furrowed, that was a completely different answer than you expected. He watched you leave. You didn’t even take your car. Why would he care? “None of your business.”

“It is my business when my fiancé has been gone for two whole days with her location off.”

Are you fucking serious? “We’re over.”

“No, we’re not. You’re being a child.”

“Me? I’m-“ You take a quick breath, hands starting to shake with anger. “What is the purpose of your call?”

“I need to know where you are.”

“No, you don’t.”

“Well, you’re not at your mom’s.”

Your eyes widened, hands gripping the shopping cart tightly. “You went-“

“She doesn’t even know where you are. I’ll start going through your friends.”

Genuine fear ran through you then, your expression dropped but not as hard as your stomach. You were sure Justin wasn’t violent before, but now? You didn’t know the man on the other line, he sounded like a stranger. A furious and vengeful stranger.

You wiped your nose, wiggling it to try and stop yourself from crying out of fear. “I don’t want to see you.”

“But I need to see you.”

“No, you don’t.” You felt bile rise in your throat, a heavy presence in the front of your head - a migraine. You were annoyed, but damn, were you scared. There’s something to be said about feeling like the person you love won’t hurt you, yet here he is - making threats. “I don’t want you here.”

There’s a pause, you hear a thud on the other side of the line and glass breaking. “Tell me where you are.”

“No.”

Another thud, thud, thud, then the angry shout of your name right before you end the call. Your phone stayed pressed against your ear for just a moment before you let it gently fall, slipping it into your pocket. You wiped your tears with the back of your hand, embarrassed that you were crying in public. You were quick to push your cart away, hoping all would be okay. Hoping Justin didn’t know where Alex lived. Praying would be a better descriptor, but pleading with God was what you were truly doing. The only thing you missed as you walked away was a concerned John Price in the aisle over, hands gripping the coffee tin like a vice.

taglist:

@all-good-things-have-an-ending @warners-wife @random0lover @blingblong55 @local-spidey @sanfransolomitatm @frazie99 @khadeejarh @domaniquessidehoe2 @iaur @graciereads @urfavoritepookie @ghostwifeyy @live-love-be-unique

Copyright © 2023 lethalchiralium. All rights reserved.

[bonny-kookoo]

Jungkook

𝓣𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝓒𝓪𝓻𝓮 : Short #2

Jungkook deals with the downsides of being a young doctor all the time. One of them being, that sometimes he can't do anything.

Tags/Warnings: Hospital/Medical AU, Doctor!Jungkook, slightly aged up!Jungkook, dog hybrid!Reader, hints at domestic abuse, MC's age is not mentioned but it is mentioned that she is above 21, first meeting between jk and reader lets goo

Length: ~700 Words

⛔️ I can't Tag people. There is no Taglist for this fic.⛔️

A/N: Please do not come for my throat if some stuff doesn't make sense. I've tried hard, but I'm not a doctor, and so none of this should be taken too seriously. Treat it like a medical drama. Those ain't real either haha

->Masterlist

⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅

Jungkook has, like many others, bad habits.

One of them is that he can't seem to shut off well- he can't seem to just exist in the moment sometimes, without thinking about work or anything work related. Even right now, at the mall, he's still constantly thinking about the little hybrid infant back in the ICU, better, but still fighting. Did he check everything properly before having him transferred? Did he overlook something?

Jungkook knows not to take his work back home. But sometimes, it's hard.

There's a bit of a small crowd near the store he wants to go. People trying to look at what's happening, others further front talking to each other with concerned eyes. And then he hears it;

"Maybe we should find a doctor?" Someone asks, and Jungkook sighs, lifting his hand.

"I'm one." He calls out, having had this moment once before in a flight into his vacation a year ago. "What's wrong?" He asks, squeezing through he people to get a look at the scene.

There's a hybrid sitting down, an older lady holding onto her.

"She- I don't know, fell I think, but she won't get up now." The lady says, unsure.

"..can't." You quietly try and argue, and Jungkook can feel the tension between you and this woman he assumes is your owner. So he squats down close to you, making all effort not to seem to intimidating even in his dark clothes and rather casual attire.

"Lets get out of the way first." He says, leaning down to you. "Is it okay if I carry you?" He asks, and you nod, shrugging. He collects you into his arms to bring you to a more closed off hallway leading to bathrooms and other things, where he sits you down on a bench. "Can you tell me what happened?" He asks you, and you stare at the woman for a moment, before you look at him. You seem scared- and he worries he might have an idea why.

It's a anger-inducingly common after all.

"..I caught my tail in the.. door." You say, motioning to the automatic glass doors of the store. "And now.. my legs are weird." You worry, and Jungkook nods.

"Lets check, okay?" He kindly tells you, carefully stretches out one leg, moving everything a little to judge your reaction. "Are they numb, or just tingly?" He wonders, and you watch him.

"Tingly. They went.. all gooey for a bit though." You say.

"Thats normal." He nods. "The sensation will come back really soon, don't worry- it's just a temporary nerve blockage from the way you caught your tail. Can you try and move your feet for me?" He asks, and you do so. "There we go. It'll stay a bit sore for a few more moments maybe, but its nothing to be scared of." Jungkook reassures, looking at the lady next to you. "Hybrid tails are connected to the spine- like an extension, so to say. So when she caught it, she basically blocked all nerve signals for a moment." He explains, before he looks at you. "Can I have a look at your tail? It's fine if you don't want to." He makes sure to emphasize your choice, and you nod-

mainly because he leaves you a choice at all.

You turn around and he gently moves his fingers around, apologizing under his breath when you hitch a bit from pain. "How old are you?" He wonders in thought, and the lady cuts him off.

"Old enough to be on her own if she wasn't so incapable of taking care of herself." The woman complains, running a hand through her hair. And while it doesn't tell him your exact age, it does tell him that you're at least above 21- the minimum age for a hybrid to be considered 'independent' if they're between the categories of one to four, which you seem to be placed in. If he had to make a guess, he'd probably say a three, maybe.

For now, he ignores her snarky responses however. It's not his problem, and he shouldn't get involved in things that do not involve him, down the line. "Did you break it in the past?" He wonders, feeling something that hints at past poorly healed fractures, but the lady cuts in yet again.

"She's clumsy." She snaps. "Can we go now? We have some urgent things to take care of and we're already late." She tries to sound friendly- but she's really not.

But all Jungkook can do is nod. "Just.. have it looked at if the complaints don't clear up entirely by tonight." He says, and the lady nods- though she's already occupied searching for something in her bag. It makes him pretty convinced that no matter if your complaints resolve themselves or not, she won't do anything about it.

And so he watches you leave on slightly unsteady legs, dragged a bit by the hand around your wrist, and he can't help but feel a little hollow inside, especially when you turn around to wave at him politely, way too nice to be treated like this. He's sure, if you met under different circumstances, you'd be a very lovely person to be around.

But right now, all he's left with at the end of the day, is the fact that he can't save everyone.

[w3ath3r-0f-sw34t3rz]

remember that time i chose a top ten for all of my favorite artists? no you don't but i'm gonna re-do it. and so

forcing myself to pick a top ten (in no particular order except for the top 3) for my favorite artists. why? because!

cavetown

this is home

boys will be bugs

it's u

devil town

pyjama pants

snake & the prairie dogs

smoke signals

a kind thing to do

pigeon

let them know they're on your mind

cavetown offline edition

rocket ships

rain

evergreen

alien waves

winter coat

thank you

petrify

ghost boys

vacation with the ghosts

candle

conan gray

alley rose

fight or flight

the exit

comfort crowd

winner

best friend

footnote

lonely dancers

heather

bourgeoisieses

chloe moriondo

take your time

waves

killbot!

cry

exhausted

hotel for clowns

plastic purse

cdbaby<3

slacker

hearteyes

taylor swift

you're on your own, kid

cardigan

who's afraid of little old me?

enchanted

don't blame me

you're losing me

new year's day

champagne problems

lover

cowboy like me

boywithuke

migraine

out of tune

bad things

zoning out

so cold

falling for you

kind of sick of life

bad luck

heart of ice

problematic

penelope scott

cigarette ahegao

gross

moonsickness

born2run

lotta true crime

rät

runaway

sin eater

lavender

shuffle

beabadoobee

take a bite

1999

bobby

the way things go

the way i spoke

talk

coming home

apple cider

coffee

this is how it went

melanie martinez

evil

field trip

nymphology

pacify her

drama club

teacher's pet

carousel

brain & heart

cry baby

glued

mother mother

the matrix

arms tonite

bit by bit

weep

legs away

wisdom

forgotten souls

oh ana

love and truth

until it doesn't hurt

olivia rodrigo

obsessed

deja vu

vampire

all-american bitch

lacy

ballad of a homeschooled girl

traitor

teenage dream

good 4 u

can't catch me now

phoebe bridgers

graceland too

the gold

i know the end

scott street

would you rather

funeral

chinese satellite

icu

motion sickness

demi moore

mitski

first love/late spring

texas reznikoff

my body's made of crushed little stars

bag of bones

geyser

francis forever

crack baby

a pearl

strawberry blond

washing machine heart

tv girl

the blonde

blue hair

better in the dark

taking what's not yours

loving machine

pretty boy

not allowed

it almost worked

louise

summer's over

alex g

i wait for you

16 mirrors

thorns

runner

break

early morning waiting

mis

treehouse

time/space

know now

the neighbourhood

sweater weather

you get me so high

ferrari

flawless

the shining

greetings from califournia

reflections

sadderdaze

lost in translation

softcore

lana del rey

happiness is a butterfly

fishtail

the greatest

music to watch boys to

chemtrails over the country club

not all who wander are lost

born to die

let the light in

say yes to heaven

west coast

beach bunny

good girls (don't get used)

vertigo

racetrack

deja vu

prom queen

scream

painkiller

rearview

blame game

ghost

arctic monkeys

r u mine?

why'd you only call me when you're high?

fluorescent adolescent

arabella

mardy bum

balaclava

the jeweller's hands

fireside

505

i wanna be yours

who is this for? me. thank you

[wangxianficrecs]

Casual Happenstance by Belzime

Casual Happenstance

by Belzime

T, WIP, 9k, Background Wangxian

Summary: After breaking up with ex-fiance Meng Yao, Nie Mingjue moves into a new apartment and gets pulled into friendship with the toddler down the hall and his single mother, Jiang Yanli. - “Are you going to stand here and argue with me or are you going to move out of the way so I can set this down?” Her face brooks no room for challenge. “Good, now step aside.” She sweeps past him and finds a space on his countertop for it. “There.” She turns around, hand brushing over Baxia’s head as the dog circles her knees. “Do you have any food allergies? Anything you can’t eat? You’re not vegetarian? Are you alright with spices?” ‘A little odd to ask after you’ve already bullied me into taking it,’ he thinks and says instead, “I eat just about anything.” He watches her relax and realizes she'd been worried, “Oh good.” She says, “I tried to make it a little more mild than usual; last time I made this soup I found out my brother-in-law was vegetarian and has terrible acid reflux. My A-Xian wouldn’t stop laughing, knew the whole time no shame or sympathy for not telling me!” Kay's comments: A very cute and fluffy modern AU with a friendship that I haven't seen explored in fanfic often: Nie Mingjue and Jiang Yanli! Nie Mingjue has recently broken up with Meng Yao and Jiang Yanli is Jin Ling's single mother in this. Jin Zixuan is alive, but there is drama, which I love, because yeah, I want to have Xuanli explored as a broken relationship too!) So, Nie Mingjue and Jiang Yanli! They strike up an unlikely friendship and Nie Mingjue helps out with Jin Ling and there's also some background Wangxian. Very adorable story! Excerpt: He knows her ex is a horribly awkward person, he assumes he knows where they live though Yanli has said he’s never been there. He isn’t going to do anything. It’s not his place to intrude. He’s going to see Xichen, doesn’t want to be late when the man shows up chronically twenty minutes early. But he can’t help brushing a little too close past the man on the way to the elevator. The man startles, turning towards Mingjue and revealing himself. “Mingjue-ge.” The man says and he’s never been easy to read, but the slightly rushed way in which his name came out and complete lack of change in facial expression screams to a specific horror Mingjue has spent most of his life trying to decipher from a different face. “Wangji?!” He chokes out, betrayal punching deep below Mingjue’s diaphragm. Wangji is VERY gay and certainly cannot be capable of having a child only to abandon him? He’s adopting, for Gods’ sake! “Mingjue-da-ge!” another voice shouts as a body drapes itself around Wangji’s shoulders and back. “What are you doing here?” The new man beams. He drops something into Wangji’s hand and Mingjue watches as his best friend’s baby brother’s ears turn bright red when their fingers brush, face unmoving. “Wei Ying.” He greets and motions down the hall, “I live here.”

modern setting, jiang yanli, nie mingjue, modern no powers, pov nie mingjue, dog baxia, single parent jiang yanli, family drama, background character death, hospitalization, domestic fluff, fluff, past nieyao, past xuanli, child jin ling, trauma, neighbors, friendship, misunderstandings

~*~

(Please REBLOG as a signal boost for this hard-working author if you like – or think others might like – this story.)

[transingthoseformers]

I am picturing so many shenanigans.

Listen since they are referencing G1 so much it doesn't start as Dinobot/Dinosaur Island but Shockwave is left alone too long and he finally checked out the human internet spoke to one nerd a little too long and was sent Jurraisic Park and now there are dinosaurs.

The JazzWaveProwlTara family just wake up to Starscream shouting about this and ready to wring his neck while clutching a whining baby T-Rex who is gnawing on his hand. They have dinosaurs now. Shockwave did careful research not to affect the environment and everyone is fascinated. Swindle turns into a moneymaking opportunity, and they have their own instagram and followers. The T-Rex is named Rexy via internet vote.

The next disaster is Breakdown getting the boot and towed in Kentucky and they have to break him out before he gets uncovered because he's banned from the state after several incidents at the racing rink. Which is when, with Tara's holoform, the Cassettes, and Jazz, they also find Bumblebee arrested too and call the Autobots to pick him up.

Deadlock shows up and Starscream and them think they are fucked because he didn't part from them on good terms to say the least but he appears as a plus one to Ratchet. Who everyone says "I thought you died??" to only for her to roll her eyes and Deadlock to follow behind besotted and threatening.

Jazz and Prowl are thrilled by the reunion and everyone gets a check up.

Thundercracker shows back up and, as part of their attempt to ease tensions, makes a documentary about it. It is supposed to be a serious demonstration of compliance and their history and it is, but it has a lot of parts with Decepticons being silly, baby nonsense, and Shockwave making unholy abominations because he manages to sneak a read of the Emberstone and while he was banned from making more dinosaurs making babies is clearly allowed so part of the documentary is his announcing Specimen Zero escaped and can fly and a very loud shout from Starscream of "YOU MADE A DRAGON!" and Shockwave saying,"I made a protoform." and then having to pull a biting baby Predaking from the trees. All this broken up by snippets of Trine Reunion drama as Thundercracker brought their human partner Marissa and their pet dog.

Everyone is deeply invested in the Decepticon Reality Television and there's a whole following about Breakdown's 'secret boyfriend' while Bee sweats nervously in the background.

The Maltos have definitely watched.

More serious thought though occur, of them receiving a message on a Decepticon frequency saying, "Calling all Decepticons. Calling all Decepticons stationed on Earth. Your hailing signal has been received. Assistance en route. Lord Galavatron's ship the Revenge en route."

That would be adorable as fuck!

I wholeheartedly blame Shockwave for why there are dinosaurs in rescue bots so naturally naturally he's cloning them back here too (plus side: the sparklings playing with fluffy raptors?) Tarantulas helped him and they called Nighty as a consult on occasion because that'd be adorable

Plus arguably blah blah blah we can't clone back dinosaurs because the dino DNA is too broken to work with but we can make new dinosaurs example the chickensaurus project that's considering a little ✨out there✨ by the paleontological community and the ethics of bringing a new species into the world as a novelty animal blah blah blah Riot being a downer about dinosaurs time over

Yessss on Rexy the Instagram Star.

"What were you two idiots thinking"

"Bold for you to assume we were thinking Jazz"

Dratchet Dratchet Dratchet Dratchet Dratchet

Deadlock and Ratty have the coolest "how we met is a long story" story ever don't they, and I feel like it's connected to Deadlock finding Ratchet hurt and returning the favor from yOU GUESSED IT THE DEAD END CLINIC ^w^

Also interesting to see the "Ratchet may or may not be dead" theory

Thundercracker our beloved, he's trying ultimately but everyone's making the docuseries silly goofy silly goofy

Shockwave babygirl that there is a decision alright

Adorable

Yes

I imagined tfe Predaking is a lot smaller than we see him in tfp, he's little (well little by cybertronian standards) and he's technically a Terran because I say so and that'd be adorable as fuck (if Nightshade can scan an owl statue for an altmode can't Predaking do similar?)

Ah yes Thundercracker meeting the trine and learning Nova Storm has taken his place in the trine (he's okay with this naturally, it was him who left) so he's excitedly introducing Marissa and Buster

Yes, everyone is so invested

Look I just had to make various in universe tags for this stuff

#Breakbee4life, #DRT, #DeceptiDinos, #RattyIsBack, #DoYouBelieveInDragons, #TrineReunionDrama, #Decepticon, #DeceptiFails, #Rexy, and probably more. Definitely more. This shit is popular on social medias and Megatron is having so many emotions and opinions about the clusterfuck that this is but deep down he's just a little proud that they're settling into a domestic ish post war rhythm.

Wait

Wait oh no

Galvatron oh no

[ewingstan]

Mary from Twig

First Impression: "Oh, so the first major villain-of-the-week characters is a little girl? I guess that's appropriate given the main cast, but I wouldn't think they'd face off against something that thematically mirrors them like that for a few arcs. Cool idea, a shame that she's probably gonna be killed by the end of this." So yeah, I was not expecting Mary to be a reoccurring character. And once it became clear that she was joining the Lambs, I thought for sure she wouldn't stay for more than a few arcs before finding out how Sy manipulated her against Percy and turning against everyone. That was partially driven by me thinking she'd become a love interest for Sy and then we'd get to milk the drama of that relationship falling apart for a while. Was pleasantly surprised when that didn't happen, especially because it lead 1) to us seeing how Sy tries to contend with his nature as an incredibly manipulative person and trying to limit how much he hurts people close to him, and 2) led to the much more interesting "I'm fond of you but also I'd push you off a cliff if everyone else in the friendgroup didn't love you so much" relationship she has with Sy.

Impression Now: More interested in her for her relationship with other characters than I am in her as an individual personality. I kind of wish more had been done with her self-perception as a puppet/her desire to fulfill a perfect servitor role for whoever she's closest to. Don't get me wrong, it led to some interesting (in a fucked-up way) stuff with Lillian. But I kinda wish we got more from her interludes addressing how self-conscious she was of it, whether she tries to push against it or leans into it, how other people close to her react to it, etc. And I really wish I got more of a sense of how it meshed with her becoming a Noble. Besides the obvious change in power dynamics between her and Lillian, it feels like even accepting the change would have required some pretty intense changes in her self-conception, changes we never get to see. And yeah, it would probably weaken Twig as a whole to have a more extended ending exploring how all the Lambs felt about becoming Nobles. But still.

Favorite Moment: I really love the mock-fight she holds with Sy in front of the soldiers at Hackthorn. The skill of making it look like Sy is holding his own while also constantly signalling to him privately how many times she could have ended him....it feels like a pretty good encapsulation of their whole relationship. More than any other Lamb, I think Sy was thinking of Mary when he was setting up the looney toons-esque "you'll chase me from town to town and I'll stay just out of reach while casually checking in and giving you things to take credit for" plan in Corinth. With her more than anyone else, the idea of "lets play at fighting to the death while wearing the points we could have scored against each other as personal badges of honor" seems like an actually feasible way to spend a lifetime.

Idea for a Story: Like I said, I'd love more exploration of Lady Margaret, especially focusing on how she and Lillian handled it going forwards. Aside from that, I would probably want to see someone actually try to map out how her ill-fated mission with Duncan went.

Unpopular Opinion: I don't know if Twig has enough of a fandom for there to be enough big fandom opinions on Mary for me to disagree with.... her offscreen relationship with Gordon doesn't interest me? Was anyone invested in that?

Favorite Relationship: Her and Lillian. Its the most unhealthy mess I've ever seen. I love it. A super unsure-of-herself doctor and her best friend/patient/kissing buddy who acts incredibly confident and self-assured while having no idea who she is or what she wants. Stellar stuff. Could have been so much more.

Favorite Headcanon: I like the idea of her eventually meeting and hanging out with the rouge Ghost who Dog and Catcher partnered up with in Tynewear. Feel like they'd have a lot to talk about. Actually scratch what I said above, this is the story idea I'd be most interested in.

[amberjazmyn]

impromptu sibling counselling

𝓲𝓶𝓪𝓰𝓲𝓷𝓮 - impromptu sibling counselling 

𝔀𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 - foul language, crying, older brother jared x reader, talk of bullying

𝓭𝓮𝓼𝓬𝓻𝓲𝓹𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 - after an awful day at school, jared's youngest sister julianna (jules) is taken too far and freaks out after jared jokingly chucks some water over her school uniform. this then turns into the weirdest but most meaningful sibling counselling session between the elder and youngest padalecki 

𝓪𝓾𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓻'𝓼 𝓷𝓸𝓽𝓮 - this is an already published imagine from a different book so, if you have already read the other version beforehand, i hope you like this version! 

masterlist

- - - 

𝐣𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬'𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐯

huffing and puffing with anger from the school day i just finished, i slumped myself onto the couch in the lounge room. picking up the tv remote to turn on the tv before i throw the remote back down quite harshly. a rerun of supernatural played back to me on the tv on the cw as i hunched forward, playing my chin into my hands as i thought back about how today at school went. what a day it is to be a seventeen-year-old girl who is still trying to figure everything out whilst still having to deal with the dramas of secondary school. to say i was mad was an understatement. you'd think being jules padalecki, jared padalecki's younger sister is easy but, honesty, whilst i love being his younger sister, it is not as easy by any means. especially when rumours about you and your boyfriend michael are made every single day. 

the reason why i was so made was because a rumour was made about my boyfriend michael. it wasn't just any old rumour, it was said that michael had cheated on me with a girl called cassidy, the school's bully. of course i got upset because cassidy literally gives me hell every single day at school and most days, michael stands up for me but, not today apparently! and the thing was, every other time with these rumours, michael would always defend himself and say that it wasn't true. however, this time he didn't even try to defend himself, he just shrugged his shoulders and then walked away with a smile on his face as the bell rang, signalling the next lesson.

unfortunately, i should have realised i wasn't home alone as when i did violently chuck the tv remote back, wincing at the memory that not only was sadie, jared and i's dog home but so was jensen, misha and rob, some of jared's supernatural castmates. jesus christ, jules, you couldn't have been more aggressive, could you? 

however, after being pestered a few times by jensen, rob trying to shut him up, i was now quite focused on watching this rerun of supernatural. that, because of that, i only lost my focus when i noticed a weird cool breeze that was dripping down the white collared shirt i had to wear for the private school i attend...

...that was when i realised, the other two castmates, alex and my brother jared were home. but, that just made me even more confused why i was suddenly cold and the cold breeze was down my shirt...i swear to all the motherfucking angels and saints, jared did not just do what i think he's just done. 

then, i realised it was him due to the giggles that i could hear coming from behind me that obviously sounded like jared. it was obvious because he was the only one in the house that laughs like he laughs. fuck sake jared, you big piece of shit! 

"...JARED TRISTAN MOTHERFUCKING PADALECKI! I'M GOING TO FUCKING MURDER YOU!" i scream out from the top of my lungs, jumping off the couch 

i look down and immediately notice that i was completely soaked, the black lace bra i had stolent from gen, jared's wife, showing through completely. my shirt shirt completely transparent whilst my checkered skirt was also covered in water as well. well, okay, do i have permission to murder my older brother, who if this happened any other day, i'd cry over if i actually did go through with my murder plot? 

"try me jules!" jared responded, completely calm and collected with a cheeky smirk on his face

not recognising at all that the reason i screamed wasn't because i was mad about the water but because of everything else that had happened before this. i wasn't completely mad at jared, it was just him pouring water over me was the straw that broke the camel's back. 

"i fucking will try you, don't even think i wouldn't jared!" i was way too mad, blinded by the fact that this new rumour about michael that i had no clue if it was true or not truly took over all my emotions 

that was when jared's smile faded away and noticed that it wasn't him or the impromptu water fight that made me mad but a truly different thing that was completely unrelated. 

"hey...jules,what's wrong girly. you're never this angry," jared's voice softened and he moved closer and held my hands tightly in an effort to get me to his level of calm and serenity 

i was just about to explain when someone knocked on the door. followed by the very voice of the very person i was not wanting to talk to at this point in time. 

"...jules, i'm sorry i didn't defend you! cassidy is an asshole, she's a wh--bitch...you know i'd never do something like that i..." 

"...shut up michael, get out!" i raise my voice as tears well in my eye line, everyone in sudden shock at my outburst of my voice raising yet again - michael not understanding my request

"but please, just let me explain jules, i promise it wasn't any--" 

"--GET OUT MICHAEL! GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY HOUSE! GET OUT, GET OUT, GET OUT, GET OUT!" this time i allow myself to scream as my voice falters, ready for the tears that were yet to stream down my face in devastation, anger, grief and every other heartbroken emotion a human being could feel 

"...jules, what happened? why did michael mention cassidy?" boom, hearing jared say michael and cassidy's names out loud, i broke and immediately lost it

this caused worry for jared and the rest of the cast that were here watching all of this in an instant. i broke down into tears, doubling over myself as i hugged myself, in an attempt to protect myself from everything, even though i knew i wasn't in any immediate danger. jared instantly reacted and pull me into his arms for a hug to calm my cries down. 

"hey...hey..ssh, it's okay jules. what's wrong sweetheart? what did he do?" jared attempted to calm me down, his voice calm, soft and patient as i tried to allow myself to catch my breath

in the attempt that i could explain what happened and why those two things, the water fight and seeing michael set me off the way it did. 

"he...he cheated on me...me with cas...cassidy!" i sobbed out and as soon as i said those words, silence happened and you could hear a pin drop from the utter shock and tension that filled the room 

"he did what?" jared question, a wave of (rare) anger in his voice that i've only heard for now the second time in my entire life as i sobbed again before repeating my statement 

"i...i mean...i...i think he cheated on me. i mean...that...that's the newest rumour at school..." i trailed off as i sniffled, attempting to wipe away my tears as i noticed the way misha, jensen, alex and rob were reacting in the background and they did not seem happy at all 

"...who started this rumour?" misha's anger-ridden voice comes next as he stops pacing for a moment as i respond to him, noticing he had his arms crossed over his chest as a sign of anger

"cassidy, it's always her that starts them yet she's never the one who gets in trouble, it's always someone else that takes the fall for her, whether they know it or not," i responded as i had slowly started to stop crying and jared had sat us both down on the couch with a tv commerical playing in the background

"now that we know that cassidy started it like always, did michael attempt to speak against it like he always does?" rob is next to question, his voice a lot more calmly but it was obvious from his expressions and body language that he too was mad like misha and jared 

"no, this time he just shrugged his shoulders, smiled and then walked off as the bell for the next class sounded..." trailing off, this infruiated jared and rob, as did it with jensen, misha and alex as i also shrugged my shoulders 

"...did you at least try to allow him to tell you his side of the story or did you refuse to hear it because, from his response, you thought he was agreeing with the rumour? and thought that, his actions were clear enough to let you know your thoughts on the matter?" jensen questioned sincerely, taking a less angered turn even though he was mad

"no...i refused because, as you said, it seemed as if his lack of defence of the rumour meant that it spoke louder than any explanation could. so, i just, determined that cassidy was right and that he did cheat on me..." once again i trailed off, wrapping my arms around my stomach, a weird comfort thing i weirdly picked up as a kid that's stayed with me ever since 

jared then shakes his head, absolutely appalled about what was going on, "...oh, jules, sweetie, maybe actually allow him to explain himself. as, when he did come over, he was very quick to attempt to explain himself before you cut him off entirely," jared spoke up, his finger coming up underneath my eye gently as he wipes a tear from my cheek 

"maybe, i don't know what to do jare. i don't know if i can trust him but, i..i love him so much. i really do but, just, hearing new rumours every single day i walk through those halls is exhausting. i pretended for so long that it didn't bother me but i...i can't pretend anymore...i...i just can't..." i trailed off as i hugged myself tighter as jared sighed before enveloping me and kissing my head 

"...everything will be okay jules. don't forget, you're still a kid, everything will fall into place, i promise. just, think about me, everything fell into place as if it was destined to happen. do you think i ever gave up? if you actually allow michael to explain himself, everything will fall back into place and it will all be okay again. i don't think it's in michael to actually do anything malvolent or malicious. i think cassidy however, has it in her to be malvolent and malicious and that's exactly what she's doing. why wouldn't you want to trust michael, what else has michael done that tells you you shouldn't be trusting him?" jared was right but he was always like this, always believing in the positives of life as i smiled towards my older brother 

for a little bit of context, jared has been like this ever since an uncle of ours died in february of 2016. and he's never let go of the fact that, whilst it hurt and still hurts, it happened for a reason and he ended up finding the positive of our uncle's death. so, that's how jared and i go about our daily life now. and, no matter what happens, something positive will happen and everything will fall back into its correct spot and everything will be okay again. 

and, what do you know? jared was completely right. of course he was. after letting michael to tell his side of the story, basically as soon as jared told me i should, i did and i listened as michael told me everything that had happened. and, i shouldn't have jumped straight to the conclusion that michael cheated on me with cassidy. because, of course, jared was right and i truly had no reason to not trust michael. michael doesn't have it in himself to be malvolent and malicious but cassidy does and, michael got cassidy to actually admit the truth and say that she did make up the story because she was jealous that i could "get" any guy i want whereas she couldn't. yeah, i wonder why cassidy. i wonder why you can't get any guy you want and i quote can. 

- - - 

i do like this fic i will not lie! i hope you guys do too! i like brother x jared so, i might do more of these! 

ily x

word count; 2140

[little-luna-143]

No Judgement

You and Lip have known each other for quite some time, ever since Lip got beaten up by Mickey for trying to get him to leave you alone. That pretty much solidified your friendship with him. Heading over to the Gallagher house and knocking on the door, you wait a minute until someone answers the door this time it was Ian, who just happens to be the middle brother of the Gallagher group. "Hey (Y/N), Lips a little preoccupied at the moment if you want to sit and watch tv while you wait for him..." Ian tells me walking back to the couch. "Yeah that's fine, where's everyone else at?" You question "Fiona is at work, Debbie's with Sheila's and I have no idea where Carl is" Ian tells me and I just roll my eyes "Aren't you just a great brother" I tell Ian sitting down next to him.

I must have been waiting for Lip for at least an hour before I see Mandy Milkovich rushing down the stairs "What an asshole" she mutters before signaling for Ian to follow her. Taking that as my cue I go up to where Lips room is and knocking on the door "Mandy I told you I didn't want your help with it!" Lip yells from inside the room "It's not Mandy you idiot" You tell him seeing him open the door finally "Seriously, your banging a Milkovich now? What happened to Karen?" you ask lying down on his bed before sitting back up by the window where you ask for a cigarette. Lip gives you a look causing him to gasp "You haven't stopped banging Karen either!? You dog!" you tell him pushing him playfully. You and Lip continue to talk for a while until you hear the door downstairs slam shut "That's my cue to see if Fiona needs any help getting dinner ready for you Motley Crue" You joke, kissing him on the cheek like you always do before you head down. Fiona's day didn't go well, she got fired so someone's nephew could have a job... So I helped her prepare dinner for the kids and by the time the food was ready, Mandy had came back and had sat herself in between Ian and Lip "Didn't know that you would be joining us Mandy" I scoff "And I didn't know you don't know when you're not wanted" She sneers back at me "Well actually Fiona invited me to stay for dinner since, you know, I helped make the food for everyone" I snap back "Plus, Lip wants me here, Right?" I add seeing Mandy snap her head to Lip and Lip look like a deer in headlights not saying anything "You know what, I'll just leave, enjoy your meal" I say kissing Liam on the head and patting Fiona on the back "Good luck" I whisper to her before grabbing my things and leave.

I get off the porch when I get stopped by someone saying my name, turning around already knowing it was Lip. "What do you want?" you ask "Look I'm sorry if I'm an asshole but I did want you to stay, and not because you helped with dinner" Lip tells me "But yet you couldn't say anything in front of your little girlfriend?" you question as Mandy steps out "Look I didn't want to cause drama between you two" Lip states gesturing at both of you "Well how about this, when you decide to get your head out of your ass, give me a call" You tell him walking up to him and giving him a kiss on the cheek like you always did before flipping Mandy the bird and walking away. Weeks go by and Karen ended up getting hit by a car and no one knew who did it. But you did receive an anonymous text message saying you were next, scared for your life you call Lip "Hey I know we didn't end off on the right foot the other night but I just got a text saying "I'm next" and I think it was from whoever hit Karen with their car... Just give me a call back please?" I tell the voicemail box before hanging up. I went to go see Karen and let me tell you, when I mean she was messed up, she was MESSED up. Right now they have her in some medically assisted coma, and there was no telling what she was going to be like if she passes this hurtle.

I was walking home when I saw a note on my front door "STAY AWAY FROM LIP" was written on it with what I would only guess either red marker or blood. Having enough of it, I take the note to the Gallagher's household, I say my pleasantries to Fiona and the younger kids before heading up to Lip. Not caring if there was something going on in the room I just barge in "Hey, You never called me back from the voicemail I sent you" I tell him thanking god there wasn't anything happening when I came into his room. "I didn't know you left a voicemail" Lip tells me grabbing his phone to look "I called you like the other night" I reply and all I see him do is shake his head no "Yeah see, I have nothing in the voicemail box" he tells me shoving his phone in my face. "Well let me give you the quick version of the call; I got a text from a number I don't know saying that I was next just hours after Karen got hit by a car, and then today I have a note saying this" I inform Lip handing him the note. "What the hell?!" Lip yells handing the note to Ian so he could see what it means "I don't know what kind of sick game this is, but whoever this is better stay the fuck away from me, before I pop open a can of whoop-ass on them" You tell them seeing both the boys laugh "Seriously (Y/N) you aren't that scary, remember the time that Suzie wanted to start that fight? You ended up staying away from school for close to a month until she forgot why she wanted to fight you" Ian states wiping a tear from his eye.

You ended up telling Fiona what's going on and she insisted you stay over-night, Fiona wasn't against it because she knew if you say you're going to stay on the couch you usually do. But tonight was a different story, every little noise that was made scared you, to the point where you walked up to Lips room (Fiona's old room) and you knock on the door "Lip, Are you up?" you whisper and you hear him tell you that you can come in "Sorry if I woke you up, it's just... Knowing there's someone out there who want's to hurt me, kinda scares me" you tell him sitting on the bed "Would you mind if I sleep on the floor in here tonight? Just to give me some piece of mind, and don't worry I'll tell Fiona why I didn't stay on the couch in the morning so you don't get in trouble" You say in one breath without realizing it. "No you don't have to sleep on the floor, you can sleep in the bed with me, I'll stay above the blankets." Lip says like the gentlemen he was "The floor is too hard for anyone to sleep on" he adds ushering me under the covers. You end up convincing Lip to get under the covers since his room was so cold, you two can share a bed without someone loosing their pants was your argument.

When you wake up to Fiona yelling to everyone that breakfast was ready you realize that in the middle of the night you must have gotten cold because Lip had a tight grip on you. "Liiiipppp" you sing pushing his hair out of his face "It's time to get up... and I kind of can't get up until you let go of me" You laugh as he tightens his grip for a second then lets go. There wasn't anything that needed to be said, you knew you could be yourself if you're around him. Before you leave his room you see him pout so you chuckle and kiss him on his cheek "Get up" You whisper to him before leaving his room. After walking down to the kitchen Fiona stops you "Why were you not on the couch when I woke up?" she asks you and then you go into the somewhat long spiel on what happened last night "I'm sorry Fiona, I promise I won't do it again" you say only for Fiona to tell you she'd rather it be you in Lip's bed than Mandy. You help make breakfast and realize Lip is still not downstairs so up the stairs you go again, "Lip... You gotta get up, breakie is done and you don't want to miss out." you tell him getting closer to the bed but you must have gotten too close because next thing you know you're being pulled back into bed. He then chooses to tickle you so you start this whole war up trying to tickle him back and get him to stop tickling you, You both are laughing when you hear a foot tapping at the door and someone clear their throats. Looking up you see Mandy standing there pissed, like if this was a cartoon she would have a red face and steam coming out of her ears - pissed. You sit up and catch your breath and make yourself look presentable "I was trying to get him up so he can eat before leaving for school" you tell her looking back at Lip "Downstairs soon please?" you add to Lip giving him another kiss on the cheek not caring if Mandy was there or not, that was something you always did and you didn't feel the need to stop just because she was watching.

Weeks go by and you are still looking over your shoulder, But you were trying to stay somewhat calm because there was a surprise party planned for Lip since he graduated high school and you wanted it to be all about him. You decided to hide how many threats you gotten since until after his party was over, Getting ready to go to the Gallagher house you just kind of stuff all the threats into your back right next to his present. Once there, you see Fiona bringing Lip out blindfolded, you all start hooting and hollering when he takes off the blindfold. You guys have cake and beer having fun like always when Lip comes over to you "Congratulations! The first Gallagher to graduate!" You tell him and he congratulates you back in return since you graduated high school with him "Hey I wouldn't have graduated if it wasn't for you, helping me to understand half the shit coming out of our teacher's mouth's!" you yell over the music "By the way, I have a present for you in my bag if you want to get it later" you tell him as you guys continue to dance and drink.

The party is over and you were up in Lip's room, he had just excused himself so he could grab your present out of your bag, but when he returned he not only held the present but he also had all the papers of threats that you have received. "What the hell are all these?" Lip asks dropping them on his bed "Sorry I was meaning to tell you about them but I didn't want to ruin your party" you inform him putting your head in your hands "They have been coming non-stop, and they all say to have something to do with you" You tell him while he picks up one "What I did to Karen will look like child's play next to what I will do to you" He reads out loud before throwing it back on the bed. "Okay we need to go to the cop's, this needs to end" Lip tells me grabbing my hand and hoisting me off his bed "What good will that do? I don't know who is doing this yet alone they haven't found out who ran over Karen..." You trail off "Just come with me" is all Lip had to say as he grabs all the papers.

Getting to the police station was easy, it was when you had to wait for a cop to come and talk to you two, but after waiting for what seemed like hours someone FINALLY comes over to you. "What seems to be the problem?" the cop asks with a coffee in his hand. You both inform the cop of the situation at hand and he didn't look the least bit interested. You were getting irritated when finally Lip speaks up "Jesus Christ! The person you are looking for is Mandy Milkovich, she's the one that hit Karen with a car and she's the one leaving all these messages for (Y/N)" after Lip proved he knew what he was saying, the cop gave you both a ride back to the Gallagher house and said they would look into the Mandy situation. Heading up to Lips room to get your bag to head home but Lip stops you saying the Fiona wouldn't care if she spent the night again after hearing what had happened. He turns on the radio and you both sit next to the window blazing up together when a catchy song comes on.

"When you're with me, no judgement You can get that from anyone else You don't have to prove nothing You can just be yourself When you're with me, no judgement We can get that from everyone else And we don't have to prove nothing When you're with me, no judgement (Mhm, we don't have to prove nothing Mhm, when you're with me, no judgement)"

You look at Lip after you finish the joint and before you knew it his lips were on yours. Lip locked for what seemed like an eternity, when finally you separate and he looks at you in a way that he never looked at you before "This song is so true, when you're here, you can be yourself and I never will judge you for it" Lip tells you before kissing you again.

The End

[crehador]

brother crab’s 2023 seasonals in review: fall

most of the fall shows i'm watching are still an ep or two away from being complete but i'm leaving on a trip tomorrow and wanted to get this finished first so here we go

pretty sure none of this will change at this point (though aots and runner-up did just flip like five days ago lol)

FIRST UP. IN A STARTLING LAST MINUTE UPSET. ANIME OF THE SEASON

MIGI TO DALI!!! although for the past month or so i was convinced overtake! would take it, migi to dali has been coming to such a stellar climax that it's shot into the lead

overtake! is still exceptional and i've talked a lot about it this season, it's just a beautiful thing in its simplicity, with characters that are so Weird yet Real

migi to dali is EVEN WEIRDER in an astonishingly good way, it was intriguing right from the start and continued to build and build to a payoff that really blew me away

i don't think uniqueness is everything, sometimes a show that feels like i've seen it a hundred times before can still be my favorite thing of a season, it would just feel like home. but migi to dali's uniqueness is definitely a huge part in what makes it so alluring to me, the way it balances psychological suspense and comedy is so excellent and fresh

and now the sequels! in addition to spyfam, arknights, and dmdp, bpro and hpmi got sequels and hanako-kun got a little tv short

no comment on hpmi it'll get its own post

best sequel probably should go to dead mount death play, the world building is just fantastic to me, and this season definitely feels even stronger than the first (which was already very strong!)

however. i'm giving sequel of the season to arknights just for the sasha and eno ep, they put me on the fucking floor with that one

bpro s3 was unfortunately not really my thing, i want tsubasa happier and more well-rested :( but spyfam is adorable as usual, and some more hanako-kun was great (though we need more!)

quickfire thoughts on everything else:

onmyouji was unspectacular but surprisingly fun! and gay. gay as hell. asnm u have not led me astray this time

dog signal is not exactly High Quality but it's... fine and sometimes fun? i'm forever amused by the fact that it's billed as an educational series, and it kind of is! there's actual information about dog training in here. but there's also "guy walks other guy on leash in public for 2 hours" in here. and that was just episode one

kawagoe boys sing is a hot mess and i love it to bits, it starts out so silly that i'm sure it's an insta-drop for many people, but the club dynamics really come together throughout the series in a way i'm enjoying very much

bullbuster... talked about this a lot already, it was fine as an office drama/tiny business vs giant corporation type thing, but fell short on the mecha side of things

bokuame's shit. more on this later

atarashii joushi wa dotennen FREAKING ADORABLE. MORE OF THIS FOREVER

yuzuki-san chi no yon kyoudai EVEN MORE ADORABLE. MORE OF THIS FOREVER AND EVER

good night world was pretty decent, i overall... liked it, i think? it was very bingeable, so it was nice of them to drop it all at once lol and i liked the general premise and plot and all. but i think the wrap-up just felt a bit, eh, maybe slapdash to me? not Bad, but fell just short of exceptional

hoshikuzu telepath ADORABLE AS WELL as far as cgdct goes i'd say this is one of the better ones, kind of same tier as diy for me, but it's no yuru camp (the gold standard)

s-rank musume had a premise i really liked, and an overarching plot that was less compelling to me. wish we'd seen more of a focus on the family bond rather than like... magic and politics type stuff

watashi no oshi wa akuyaku reijou was a cute fucking yuri, the romance was a delight but as with s-rank musume, the 'plottier' bits were not as compelling to me

kamonohashi ron no kindan suiri feels like a very solid adaptation! makes me even more keen to read katekyo (which has been on my planning list for... fucking forever)

ragna crimson is pretty fun but not that outstanding, but like. really fun actually

shangri-la frontier is also very fun! not terribly high stakes (not really any stakes at all) but hilarious, action-packed in a good way, and probably especially entertaining for anyone who's played mmos before (because some parts are so so so relatable)

undead unluck is SO GROSS but IN A GOOD WAY idk how to explain this so i won't try

and sousou no frieren is anime of the year. no contest. (personally i disqualify my aots shows from winning aoty as well so i can do this. i can do anything i want forever)

as for the music!

we had a queen bee op this season and i will almost always pick queen bee as op/ed of the season when we have one, this is no exception. undead unluck's 01 takes op, and ed of the season goes to kamonohashi ron's lip-sync! just really like the vocals of that one

blorbo of the season MADOKA-CHAN KOUYA ship of the season surprisingly it's a toss up between like. seimei/hiromasa (WHAT YEAR IS IT) and kinjou/aoyama from atarashii joushi. like. momose/shirosaki VERY GOOD but those side bitches... they are in my head

[bigsnzstanacct]

I would love to hear more about the Slab and Tiny characters or the dad sneeze couple!

Wellllllll first off, randomly I stumbled across the tweet that inspired Dad Sneeze Dads (they gotta eventually become dads, right? I am sort of thinking they foster and eventually adopt older siblings, like maybe 4 and 8 when they come into each others lives, and also maybe one of them was in foster care and/or adopted at some point? But the non-horny story points are admittedly fuzzy).

Anyway, I saw someone tweet this:

and that has lived rent free in my head ever since until it eventually manifested as the Dad Sneezes (eventual) Dads. In the little drabble I wrote about them (“Nap”) I think I called them Paul and Marcus but in honor of this random poster who inspired this perhaps I will call them Paul and James. Definitely sticking with the idea that Paul has these horrible tormenting buildups and false starts that culminate into a sneeze well-worth all the preceding drama (and the worse allergies of the two) while James has these sudden eruption sneezes that are so vocal and harsh and almost yelled (like HEYYYY-SSHHHHAAAWW!!) and while he’s generally somewhat sneezy/sensitive nose, besides a few triggers and getting generally sneezier when he pollen count is high, he doesn’t have allergies like Paul’s that can have him sneezing in fits on and off until he gets away from whatever’s making him sneeze. He does however catch at least one or two horrendously sneezy colds a year, that feel like the tickle doesn’t leave his nose for three to four days straight, he feels like he’s on the verge of a sneeze the whole time but only occasionally does it sharpen to a red-hot point and instantly catapults two to five sneezes in a row from him (and his rare cold sneeze fits get louder and stronger and harsher with each sneeze, like he’s intentionally leaning into it to blast the sneeze out.) Haven’t settled on how they look yet but I imagine both are pretty big and stocky and hairy, James probably Black and more of a classic bear type with more fat all over and Paul somewhat more of an “otter” type. But all that is subject to change, just kind of what I’m loosely envisioning now.

I gotta think about more options for Tiny and Slab, I really do like their dynamic but I kind of haven’t fleshed out their world/setting yet so it’s tough to figure out their contexts. I do find the idea of them covering for each other’s allergies/sneezes VERY hot. Like Slab is having a bad allergy day and he’s barely holding it together and everywhere they go all day Tiny goes in first and does a sweep for anything that will set him off. Or like Tiny signals to Slab across the room he’s having nose troubles, maybe at some big fancy fundraiser (what if they throw fancy fundraisers?? Honestly what if Jamie and Paul do too??) and Slab just smoothly takes Tiny’s place in whatever conversation he was having while Tiny disappears to deal with his itchy nose that was ready to blow the whole party down… yeah. Something about the transfer of responsibility that is both eroticized in a d/s-ish way AND performed in a simple emotional caring way really gets to me. I may have exaggerated their d/s dynamic, or at least how common it is, a bit. But it’s definitely a game they play, and sometimes even on purpose on days when they know one or both of them in going to have an itchy, sneezy day. Also, haven’t decided what makes Tiny sneeze most often but slab DEFINITELY has pet allergies. The tinier and cuter the dog/cat/whatever, the more allergic Slab is to it, just because I loooooooove the idea of a huge man absolutely reduced to an itchy watery sneezy mess by the tiniest lil creature. Slab’s also the more sensitive to scents/perfumes of the too, while as I mentioned Tiny is pretty sensitive to spices, including pepper. Maybe he’s also one who sneezes when he eats spicy food (which, of course, he loves to eat).