#whatever dorks it's still winter

[swashbucklery]

[ladykailitha]

A Gentle Bloom

I don't know where this came from but I think I lost the plot a little bit at the end there. But enjoy.

~

Eddie walks into Family Video and immediately Steve smiles. He can't help but smile back. He comes up to the counter where Steve is filing returns.

"Hey there, big boy," Eddie teases, "did you know you smile every time I come in?"

Steve blushes and ducks his head, shaking. "I didn't."

"Sure do."

Steve chews on the bottom of his lip. "Do you want me to stop?"

"Nah..." Eddie says brightly. "It's a nice change of pace from what the rest of the town does."

Steve smiles even brighter. "Then I'll make sure to smile even more now when I see."

"You do that," Eddie says deeply serious and fond.

Steve busies himself with work while Eddie walks the aisles making commentary to see how long it takes for Steve to laugh. It never takes long, so tries to see how many times he can make him laugh instead.

Total? About seven before he accidentally makes a rude comment with some old bitch right around the corner and has to stop. Steve admonishes him in the moment but after she's gone, tells him he thought it was funny, too.

~

The warm smiles Eddie gets from Steve are enough to power him through even the worst days. It's like drinking a cup of hot chocolate all at once on a cold winter's day.

It's on a warm June day when everyone is over at Steve's for a party when the edge of the knife they've been balancing on finally tips over. Eddie works late so he arrives most of the way into dinner which was hot dogs and hamburgers grilled up on the back porch next to the pool.

There's this old swinging deck love seat nestled in the woods a little bit a way from the house. It's still on the property and Eddie stops there for a smoke before joining the party.

Wayne spots him. Because of course he does. He comes over and sits next to him on the swing.

"You do know that boy is sweet on you, right?" Wayne says jutting his chin at the man of the hour who is happily chatting with El and Lucas about something.

"Whatever you say, old man," Eddie says shaking his head and then taking another drag of his cigarette. It's not that he doesn't believe him. Not really. He's just too tired to think about it right now.

Wayne chuckles. "I'll show you."

"Show me what?" Eddie asks and then shakes his head again.

Wayne gets up and Eddie can hear the exchange.

"Hey, Steve," Wayne greets.

"Hey, you enjoying yourself?" Steve asks brightly.

"Sure am," he says warmly. "Eddie's here."

Instantly Steve perks up and looks around.

"He's just feeling a bit tired and not ready to join the party yet, if you wanted to say hi." He points the direction of the swing. "He's right there."

Steve looks over at him and smiles. "I know how that goes. Take as much food as you want." He pats Wayne on the arm and heads in toward Eddie.

Eddie can't help but smile at the boy as he comes over to sit down.

"Rough day at work?" Steve asks gently, putting his arm over the back of the swing.

Eddie just shakes his head. "Just long." He looks out at all the people having fun. "So what's the deal with the shindig? It seemed pretty important that everybody be here."

Steve blushes and pulls something out his back pocket and hunches over the piece of paper in his hands.

"What's that then?"

Steve straightens and clears his throat. "Would you help with my speech? I wrote some of it down so didn't forget stuff. Robin says it makes me sound like a dork, but because I am, it works. But I'm still not sure."

Eddie softens. "Sure, Stevie. Wha'cha got?"

"Thank you all for coming to--"

Eddie holds up his hand. "I'm gonna stop you there. This isn't a business meeting or telling people you're dying. Unless you are dying?"

Steve shakes his head and digs out a pen from his front pocket. He scratches out the first line. "I've always been the kind guy to rip off a bandaid instead of little by little, so you're wondering why you weren't told first, the only ones I've told are Robin..." he continues and sticks out his tongue as he writes and talks at the same time, "and Eddie because they help me write it..."

Eddie smiles at him. "I like that. Doesn't hurt anyone's feelings."

Steve looks up at him and gives him the biggest smile yet. Eddie melts a little bit more.

"So the truth is that I'm bisexual," Steve continues looking back down at the page and misses Eddie's stunned reaction. "It doesn't mean I have both male and female parts despite what it sounds like."

Eddie barely manages to stifle his giggle but as Steve grins too, he figures it's a deliberate joke and let's it slide.

"It means I like boys and girls," Steve says after a brief pause and a sigh. "It also doesn't mean that it changes my previous relationships in anyway. I'm not half gay and half straight. And while I recently figured it out, I've been this way for awhile. I didn't know that other people didn't have crushes on both actors and actresses. On pop princesses and rock gods."

"Yeah..." Eddie says drawing out the word, "that should have been a pretty clear indication you liking both, pretty boy."

Steve blushes and clears his throat. "And even though I've never kissed a boy or anything like that, doesn't mean it's only thet--throg--the--"

Eddie looks over his shoulder. "Theoretical," he says sounding it out for him. "It means you don't have the practice so it doesn't count. Or at least it does in this context."

Steve nods. "That's basically the end of it anyway. I just say I'm going to be dating guys and girls now and to not freak out when I do."

Eddie scoots closer to Steve on the swing. "Do you want it to be practical?"

"Huh?" he asks, that slightly vacant expression on his face that he gets when he's really confused.

So Eddie cups his face and kisses his lips gently.

"Oh."

"Would you like to have a boyfriend before going in there and reading your lovely little letter to all your friends?" Eddie breathed, still cupping his cheek.

"Yeah," Steve breathes and they kissing again.

~

Steve's nearing the end of the speech and Eddie is so close to giggling that Robin keeps glaring at him and mouthing the words, "I know what you are, Eddie Munson."

It's not helping keeping the giggles in, if he's honest.

"And I had this big paragraph with a lot of big words about how I never kissed a boy but that it didn't mean I didn't know if I really liked boys or not, but I don't need that anymore."

Max raised her hand. "Before you get all giddy about your boyfriend and steamroll over the bisexuality part, can we talk about that for a minute?"

Steve shoves the paper back in his pocket and says, "Shoot."

"You say it's not 50/50 but what does that mean exactly?" she asks.

"Oh, good question," he says proudly and she blushes. "So for me at least, it's mostly girls with some guys. But it can be anything from that one member of the same sex and then the rest is opposite sex and vice versa. And everything in between."

"How did you know you liked boys?" El asks, tilting her head in that way she does.

"The things I was feeling for girls," Steve explains, "the butterflies around certain boys, the blushing, the wanting to be around them all the time, or in the case of actors wanting to meet them not because I thought they were cool but because I wanted them to sweep me off my feet. Does that help?"

"But both?" Mike asks. "I don't understand. You say it feels the same so how did you not know?"

"Ah."

"Because liking your own gender is scary," Robin says from her perch behind Steve. "And so you might think it's something else. Jealousy, envy, or even just think you want to be them. It's same if you only gay, too."

They all look at her wide-eyed. "Oh, I guess this is my coming out party, too. Hi, I'm gay!"

Steve turns around a gives her a high five.

"If it'll help," Eddie says, "We can do a heads up seven up type deal. Only Steve will see, but if you feel attraction to girls, raise your hand, if you feel attraction to boys raise your hand and he figure what to say easier. Erica you don't have to participate if you don't want to."

She makes a face. "Boys are gross, but in a cootie way."

Steve nods.

"I'd feel more comfortable if it wasn't just Steve," Nancy says, arms folded across her chest.

"Robin or Eddie?" Steve asks, "because everyone knows what they are and won't judge."

They vote and it's Eddie, so Robin goes to sit with the rest of them so she take part too.

"Girls," Steve calls out and gets a head count. Five. And the ones he expected on that one.

"Boys," he calls out next. There are four, just not the four he was expecting. The surprise squirms a little as if they can feel Steve's gaze.

And one exception.

"Huh," he says. "That was certainly interesting. There is one who answered both and another that answered neither."

Dustin wrinkles his nose. "How can you not like either boys or girls?"

Joyce actually raised her hand. "I can answer that, I know I wasn't supposed to peek, but I kinda did," she winces bobbing her head back and forth. "Anyway. There are people who no matter who just aren't able to experience attraction that way. They don't what causes it, but they think it might just be like being gay."

"Can they still fall in love?" Will asks shyly. And Steve knows that Will knows who the exception was.

Joyce's expression softens. "Of course they can."

"Liking your own sex," Steve says, "is fine and good. And if you like both, that's fine too. But you get to chose your coming out when and to who. Just like I did. And if you need advice, you come to any of us privately."

Eddie and Steve share a look. They know the three who over the next couple weeks would be coming to Steve for advice. Will. El. Mike.

"So," Steve says clapping his hands together, "if there aren't any other questions. As of..." he looks at his watch, "twenty-seven minutes ago, Eddie and I are dating."

Eddie takes his hand and kisses it as the entire room explodes. Mostly in congratulations but some dismay. Like Mike.

But in the end they are all happy for them. Mike will come around.

He always does.

[the-roo-too]

candy -> kim minjeong ver

aka the fluff alphabet

admiration (what does she absolutely adore about you)- now hear me out loud and clear, when you’re on the chubbier side… 💳💥💳💥💳💥 my girl loves to squeeze your thighs ok 😔

body (what’s her favourite body part of yours)- i said what i said about thighs, not taking it back

cuddling (how she likes to cuddle)- she is HOLDING YOU. and i’m am telling you you’re laying on her no matter if you’re two times taller or whatever. she wants to feel your full body weight on top like a weighted blanket

dates (what’s her ideal date)- i may have read one too many fics about nerdy minjeong so me thinks a movie night? omg you’re watching jaws together and building the new lego jaws set, recreating some of the scenes with the legos when you’re done

emotions (how does she express her emotions around you)- jeongie is a dork and i stand by that. she’s very expressive, either smiling at you brightly or pouting when she’s sad

family (does she want one)- in this economy?

gifts (what about gift giving)- going with my nerdy winter agenda, she gives you random things connected to whatever you like. you’re into sharks? she bought a cutie real shark tooth necklace for you to wear and gives you a lecture about it. you’re into marvel? she dresses up as spider man and randomy surprises you in the suit

holding hands (does she like to hold hands)- i like to think winter get very clingy. she HAS to be touching you somehow so when you’re walking in public, you better hold her pinky.

injuries (what would she do if you got hurt)- poor babie gets so protective :(( if you twisted your ankle walking down the stairs, she’ll insist on carrying you down bridal style for a year after. cut your finger cutting cucumber? you’re banned from the kitchen

jokes (does she like to joke around)- if the spider man suit joke wasn’t enough, she does love jokes

kisses (how does she like to kiss you)- this is gonna be corny, still pushing my marvel agenda, winter would hang up a bar over your door to maybe try and like spider man kiss you upside down she falls and hurts her head

love (what’s her love language)- randomly talking about your interests! you’re walking around and you kneel down to pick up a pretty rock and she tells you everything she knows about it lol

memory (what’s her favourite memory together)- stick with me here, she actually didn’t like you at first. before dating you, she was kinda cold and closed off. one day when you were coming back from the company with her, it was raining. she didn’t have an umbrella but oops you have one! you shielding her from rain that day, that’s her favourite memory and also the one that made her warm up to you

nighttime (how does sleeping with her look like)- i think you two start out peacefully cuddling, both happy blah blah, then she hogs all of the covers while sleeping and turns into a cocoon, leaving you freezing 💀

oddity (what’s one quirky thing about her)- nerdy minjeong agenda is going strong yawl

pet names (what does she like to call you)- now this depends really on what you like. you want simple ‘baby’, ‘love’ etc? that’s good for her. you want something more personal? ‘optimus prime’ or ‘rizzler’

quality time (how does she like to spend time with you)- i talked about legos and movies, but i have one more thing 😼 puzzle! only you’re making a 1k piece and your playlist is playing in the back—illusion comes on and the almost finished piece lands in the floor because muscle memory kicked in and winter HAD to do the choreo

rush (does she rush into things)- no 🤙 as i said, winter actually didn’t like you at first lol. she warms up to you with time but the begging are hard

secrets (how open is she with you)- winter cannot keep a secret to save her life. you knew armageddon tracks long before they were released lol

time (how long did it take her to confess)- too long. i’m thinking half a year to two? imagine you go from kind of hating someone to kind of loving them? she has to think about it hard okay?!

upset (what’s her reaction when you’re upset)- i think she actually matches your energy. gets upset as easily as you do, which is a problem when you two have to work it out. then you’re just both pouting, sitting side to side and no one is saying anything

visibility (is she afraid of the public opinion)- all of aespa is traumatised by karina’s last relationship no girl is coming out with her s/o now 💔

warrior (how often do you fight)- i’m gonna say 3/4 times a month. she’s sensitive about stuff like her idol job so sometimes that causes you to fight, or you get annoyed at one of her ‘jokes’

x-ray (is she able to read you)- no 😭 she didn’t know you had a crush on her because she thought she disliked you let’s be fr

yes (how would she propose to you)- controversial opinion, she wouldn’t really. let’s say you two are somewhere where gay marriage is legal—she’s afraid the idol life gets too much for you. you two will be girlfriends forever, unless maybe her company thinks it would be good for you to be married when you go public? 😭

zen (what makes her feel calm)- quality time ✨ building legos, puzzles, maybe even teaching your her choreos! important part, you two have to be alone. if you’re with her whole group playing a game or something, she’s too busy possessively keeping an arm wrapped around your waist

part of [the fluff series]

[floppnopikka]

-ˋˏ ༻STANFORD PINES DATING HEADCANONS༺ ˎˊ-

He would call you nicknames like 'Dear' 'Love' 'My muse' and 'my Sirius A'

People in tiktok believes that he has NPD/Narcissistic Personality Disorder (which I also firmly believe) so expect him to be brutally honest with you that he unintentionally offended you in any way.

He's a genius in any terms of science yet a dork when it comes to romantic relationships and stuff, so your dates will always be science related such as experimenting, research of the unexplainable or genuinely ask him about the things he knows and what he's been learning.

In his entire life, no one has ever been curious on what he knew or does (except Fiddleford and probably Stanley) so if you ever ask him about what he does whether it's experiments, research, or theories in pure curiosity, this man will gladly explain them to you and will be smiling ear to ear.

If you know how to knit and you knit gloves for Stanford because winter is coming, he'll feel very appreciated because not only people tend to forget he has 6 fingers but also finds his fingers weird or abnormal. (probably how he feels to Fiddleford in the Book of Bill and Mabel in that one episode)

Stanford is godly when it comes to art, just like any artists needs their muse and that muse will be you. His lab room will be filled drawings and sketches of you. Although, his sketches of you are hidden so Stanley and Mabel wouldn't tease him about it.

His gifts for you are mainly built by him, a small robot that says 'Happy Valentine's day!' with a flower in hand, while Stanford smiles at you.

Now when you two have an argument, prepare for a never ending debates because this man doesn't back down when he knows he has something to defend on and that is himself.

When things gets worse, he would say something like "I had enough, this will never end because I'm right and you're wrong" or "I don't have time for this, believe whatever you like but in the end of the day, I am right" this happens rarely but when it does it doesn't end very well.

This is the red flag he has because people praised him to thinking he's always right and a literal genius but once you proved him wrong, he'll feel ashamed and wouldn't talk to you for a while not because he was proven wrong but because he didn't trust your judgement and he feels guilty about it.

"Look, I... I was wrong, once. And I'm sorry that I didn't trust you, I just thought you didn't know! because of that everything went wrong and you proved yourself right... I'm sorry, really..." he'll apologize, yes, but he still has that ego side of his.

Overall, just like Stanley, what he needs for a partner is a very patient and understanding individual. A smart one as well, someone who could help him with experiments and knows that they are smart, not smart like him but smart enough for his endless babbles of science.

A/N: Stanford headcanons! though I think this is much more detailed than the Stanley and shorter headcanons, I'll try my best next time! hope you like it!

[wayfayrr]

You don’t have to do this one if it’s too much!! I just simp for twi and time so hard but I don’t wanna overwhelm you, please take breaks!! Ily :’DD

Soft fruit cake w eggnog to eat in?

I hope you'll enjoy your order this evening ~

Time is one of the links I'm less confident with writing, but he's still so much fun. He's a bit of a blushy dork in this one for you. <3

[Event masterlist]

“It's kinda comforting to know that Hyrule has the same traditions as home. Some of them anyway.”

Time isn’t focused on it, it seems off for him to be acting like this, unless he was lying to me? what reason would he have to lie about something so harmless though… it’s just gifts. Why would he ever need to lie as something as a tradition?  

“You don’t actually have it as a tradition, do you?” 

“What, no, we do. It’s part of the winter festival here.”

“Why do you feel the need to lie over something so small?”

Red illuminates his face at that, whatever has him so embarrassed over being called out for this? It’s so different from his usual stoic self too, not a bad change, just a sudden one. It makes me want to pry into what’s causing this even more than if he did manage to keep his cool.

“You seemed so excited when talking about it. I just wanted to do it for you.”

“But why lie, why not just be honest and just do it as a new thing?”

The red grows from his cheeks to the tips of his ears now, this new bashful side only becoming more appealing the more of it I get to see. Still though, it’s such a childish thing to get so flustered over. Like he’s a little kid rather than one of the oldest links here, not even able to make eye contact with me anymore. 

“Well, never mind that. It doesn’t change the fact that we’ve both gotten each other a gift right?”

“I'd still like to know why you didn’t just admit it’s not commonly done.”

“You were so- hmph.”

He’s close to cracking on the reason why he’s lying about all all of this to begin with, if I push it a little more he’ll spill I can bet. I don’t even really mind what it is, it’s only sheer curiosity making me want to learn now. What reason is enough to lie over something so small for so long?

“Time - link please, I’m not bothered or anything, I just wanna know.”

“You just seemed so excited talking about your home and I know you’ve been homesick… So I just… Wanted to make you more comfortable.”

That’s it? I can’t deny that it’s not a sweet reason, it does feel very childish though, it really is like he’s just some love struck teen. If I were to close my eyes and focus… I could probably see his young adult self still dressed in that forest green.

“While I appreciate it, you really didn’t need to go that far for something so simple. I’m honoured though… If we’re not following strict traditions though… why not just give each other gifts now?”

“That wouldn’t bother you? I thought christmas day was what you said was important.”

“The thought of it is what counts above everything else, besides if you’re so worried about the day, I don’t know if it’s passed or not back home.”

The blush is slowly fading now, his fluster dying down till he looks more like his familiar lightly stoic self. Finally moving to sit down next to me rather than over at the opposite side avoiding looking at me but not before picking up his bag. Setting himself down with a sigh and a hand running through his hair. Hyping himself up by the look of it, it makes a lot of sense why he’s so nervous now that I know it’s his first time doing anything like this. I can probably take some of that stress away by simply giving him his first, hopefully, then he’ll feel less pressure. 

“Here, I got this for you at the recent village -”

His surprise is cute, I knew it’d be worth it to hand-decorate some paper to wrap it with. Even though it’s torn in a matter of seconds, anything is worth it for him.

“I saw how you were looking at it for ages - don’t worry I brought it myself and not out of the supply fund. Do you like it?”

“You… I didn’t expect it… it was so expensive.”

So getting him a cloak and the armour polish he was staring at longingly was the right idea. Wiping my savings might not have been as good, but I can earn it back fairly quickly if the others are still as bad with bets. He’s blushing a little as he passes me two neatly wrapped parcels.

“This is for you then I hope you’ll like it as much as I did.”

My breath catches in my throat as I unwrapped the first, and I’m greeted with the most beautiful leather-bound sketchbook. A quick glance at him as he gestures for me to open the other. These art supplies must have cost him so much, watercolours here are rare, all of these charcoal pencils too.

“Time you -”

“You said you missed drawing, that you wanted your own supplies. So when I saw them I knew they would be perfect… you do like them right?”

“I love them… than you so much link.”

It’s a bit of a struggle to stop myself from tearing up from how kind it was, thankfully he seems to have taken pity on me now as he cuddles up with me next to the fire. Moving me to lay against his side as we watched it crackle late into the night.

[palettepainter]

Oooo I am thinking about MHA today..

I'm thinking about Powerloader being a little skrunkly minx to Ectoplasm, his little "Kehehe" gremlin laugh and his smug grin. Thinking about how Ectoplasm will meet Higari's sexual innuendoes with a calm hum and an intrigued raised brow. How even though they've been married for years Higari still finds himself marvelled at the beauty of Ectoplasm's face: the crows feet etched into the corners of his eyes that crinkle when he's especially happy and the impressive shape of his jaw. Thinking about Higari's giant hands that are patterned with calluses from years of hard dedication to his work that hold Ectoplasm's with such care (Ectoplasms hands look dwarfed in comparison to his own). Thinking about Higari hating sweet things, he can't stand them, but he's memorized all the ones Ectoplasm especially likes and if he finds any in a shop he's in, he always buys him a bug without Ectoplasm asking him too. Thinking about them sparing together, perhaps to test out Ectoplasm's prosthetics whenever they get replaced once they're extremely damaged, how Higari is on the same power level as Endeavour - yet Ecto's brains balances out his strength nicely - thinking about Higari pinning Ectoplasm to the training room floor and making a dirty joke with a grin that tells Ectoplasm he is very aware of what he's doing, and Ectoplasm just snorts up at him playfully

Thinking about Ectoplasm enjoying his quite, private space, how he willingly opens up that space so that there is room for Higari even when he needs to vent about work. Thinking about them cozied up in bed and Ectoplasm will teasingly narrate whatever book he is engrossed in to Higari. Higari telling him he's a dork, but Ectoplasm sees the way his lip curls upward in a smile. Thinking about Ectoplasm leaving a fresh, clean jumper out for Higari when it's especially cold because he knows Higari hates winter, and when Higari ends up crawling his way ontop of Ectoplasm - effectively trapping him to the sofa - he doesn't mind. Thinking about Ectoplasm's hands idly brushing through Higari's hair and scratching his scalp, picking out bits of grit and dirt and fussing how he needs a bath. Thinking about Ectoplasm brushing Higari's fringe aside and being able to see his eyes, how they're not young and full of energy eyes, they're tired but caring, kind and patient with age. Ectoplasm joking how it's a miracle Higari can see where he's going with how scruffy his hair is, but deep down, he actually likes Higari's hair a lot - it makes seeing Higari's eyes feel all the more special

Thinking about the two getting to recover in hospital together after a villain attack, how Higari would make paper airplanes out of a little notepad he always keeps on his person (mostly for jotting down ideas for new gadgets to make in the studio) with little messages on them and send them flying over to Ectoplasm across the room. Thinking about Ectoplasm picking out the dark chocolates from his "Get well soon!" gift from the teachers at UA and tossing them to Higari, who he knows loves dark chocolate. Thinking about them being cleared from the hospital on the same day - both with a few new scars and stitches and Higari with a bruised eye. Nothing fatal, it'll heal, he reasons - then Higari jokes how with Ectoplasm's prosthetic legs and his swollen eye they almost make a full pirate, and Ectoplasm lets out a light laugh, rolling whatever pupils a man without can

Thinking about them retiring from hero work and becoming teachers fulltime, about them growing old together and jokingly pointing out the others first grey hairs . Thinking about them buying a house somewhere quite and warm in the country to spend lazy afternoons in the holidays, doing their silly little old men dances in the kitchen to their buzz of their radio (Higari prefers radios to modern speakers)

Thinking bout them sleeping away a morning because they deserve it in their retirement, thinking about Higari clinging to Ectoplasm in his sleep like a koala bear, and how Ectoplasm has grown accustomed to the comforting weight of Higari at his side, and Higari in turn has grown used to the sound of Ectoplasm's relaxed breathing

I just-...I love them so much-

[littlestkoi-n]

11 random pjo&hoo headcanons

mostly Will Solace centric cuz I'm hyperfixated on this dork

Will is terrified of birds (which is canon in tsats apparently but idgaf about that book sooo) after he saw vultures attacking a newborn calf on his grandparents' ranch. he didn't know they could do that at the time and was really disturbed by the birds vomiting when they noticed him watching.

literally any song can heal. cue Will bursting into I Can't Decide by Scissor Sisters while healing cabin 5 for the umpteenth time.

Jason is a feral wolf boy (it's not really an unpopular opinion but whatever). he bites, barks and growls when sparring. extremely territorial. doesn't like the feeling of a table edge against his forearms so he eats sitting cross-legged on the ground. doesn't like wearing shoes and only started sleeping on a normal bed at 12 when during a particularly cold winter he kept getting sick from sleeping on the barracks' floor and Reyna manhandled his ass to New Rome's furniture store and got him a thin mattress.

Jason needs to be within touching distance of someone at all times. he'd reflexively comb through and braid Reyna and Piper's hair, play with Dakota and Leo's curls, press his forehead against Gwen and Nico's shoulder blades and side hug Bobby and Thalia.

unmasked Will has murder in his eyes. his pacifism is not an innate trait, but his ultimate choice. a very hard one at times, because his brain's first instinct is always "choose violence". his anger issues are even worse than Percy's, although his self-control is better.

on a related note - grandpa Micah taught Will how to shoot a gun when he was 6. his archery skills are nonexistent, but he's the best shot with firearms. he tries to keep it on the down low however, cuz he prefers to give off a non-threatening sunshine vibe to most other campers, but he occasionally works on his shooting during solitary forest patrols and while at home on holiday breaks.

Hazel becomes a hardcore brony the moment she finds out about MLP. her favourite character is Princess Luna. her bunkspace is now full of merch and creepypastas are her new bedtime stories.

Nico doesn't like peanut butter but absolutely loves cottage cheese. Will finds that interesting. Will himself likes both.

Will loves emo music actually. although he will annoy everybody by always picking the silliest country songs during his shifts at the infirmary. he thinks it creates good vibes.

Nico's hair is thick, kinda wavy and hard to manage so he's constantly caught between craving to grow it out really long and impulsively cutting it chin-length. so in last olympian it's down to his shoulders but during Gaea war he sports a short shag again. after settling at camp he can finally grow it out cuz Drew shows him her cabin's secret weapon - conditioner!

everybody in cabin 7 knows italian (just like cabin 10 knows french. and yes, I know it's another popular one), but only to the extent of their music gift. so while Austin is bilingual, Will's innate italian knowledge is lower intermediate at best. although naturally they can only speak and understand it (just like with ancient greek and cabin 10's french) so they still have to study writing.

lots of those are inspired by general fanon as well as many fic writers' personal headcanons, but off the top of my head I can only tell you that the peanut butter one is from iyncbyhim by @yrbeecharmer

[oz00ms2]

Hellooo just wanna ask howve you been and wat r ur top 5 buggy ships? Also i just wanna say that i miss ur marine buggy au 🥹 (pls dont take dis the wrong way aaa i just wanna express how much i love it since i have no talent for drawing or writing:'))

i tell you what, I miss marine!bug too! winter is throwing me thro the ringer with the wane and flux of creative energy but im hoping to get my brain wrangled soon. and totally did not take it the wrong way, im still very appreciative and filled with love that my silly lil au is liked so much so ty (◕‿◕ ) <3 and allow me to talk too much below... 1. Shuggy - 10/10 it's filled with all my favorite tropes. childhood friends, betrayal, tragedy and trauma. im a sucker for "love that survives despite the wounds" so they feed me well. 2. crocobug - it does something to my brain. im a sucker for boss/brat dynamics and buggy is a fearful cat that gets scruffed but also spoiled. it also gives room for buggy to be a little clever and smart and then you have @/peaceshire out here changing my genetic code with their fics with the most babygirl coded buggy that makes me want to rip my own heart out and mail it to them instead of leaving a kudo. 3. crossguild (croc/hawk/bug) - same as above with the added flavoring of whatever the hell hawk is. demonic sriracha, yea. the three of them together are so weird. like a dumbass eccentric stew of egos that kiss and take turns teaming up to bully the odd man out. 4. buggy/alvida - it is cool to me that alvida has a dorky af boyfriend to share makeup with and i think weirdly enough buggy brings out the best in her??? just this silly guy who enjoys her company and thinks she's competant and cool. am i wild for thinking so, idk. it sparks a great joy. 5. corabug - i haven't seen too much of it but in my firebug au i am v soft for it. two dorks together? great. cora could make buggy better, buggy could keep cora from falling into traffic. precious <3

[sweetlikehoneystingslikeabee]

Hi! Can I get poly Blu Heavy and Medic with their cute fem S/O on a romantic valentine's date night? Perhaps with just a smidgen of dollplay sprinkled in?

"First Valentine's" Poly Blu Heavy and Medic x F!S/O (Valentine's Event 2024)

I SUPPOSE SO. You're just so tiny and lovable, they gotta be careful with you tho! This ask is for the ongoing Valentine's Day Event!

TW: suggestive, doll play

Valentine's Day isn't a big holiday in Germany and it's still rather new in Russia. However, being amongst their American peers and now their little partner from the United States- Ludwig and Misha understood the importance of it's celebration. The two brainstormed ideas. From paper hearts to actual hearts to attempting to bake goods... While they could seek out Spy for advice, it wouldn't be as special as them putting things together.

While some may picture a fancy restaurant or outing, the two figured their plans would be better suited with privacy. A rarely used section of the base, the insurance that none of the numbskulls they worked with would bother them- Ludwig already has your measurements. Misha picked out the dress itself, knowing the doll-like frills you enjoy. It reminded him of the chocolate boxes with reds and deep browns that would compliment your eyes.

You would wake that morning with the dress in a box in front of your door in the base. A note to be ready to be picked up for dinner. This was the sort of thing you'd discussed in passing fancy, along with more... intimate aspects of being dressed up. That was for later. For now, you got to marvel at the way this dress hugged your curves and made you feel delicate. If nothing else came from Valentine's Day, this would be more than enough.

When the pair came to pick you up, Misha would quite literally sweep you off your feet, "Dolls deserve to be carried, da?"

While you were acutely aware of how strong the Heavy was, implied by the name, the way he lifted you like you weight nothing... Sends a streak up your spine.

"He's been waiting all afternoon you know." Ludwig teased, "And now we've come to take you away~ The scary men and their evil machinations!"

"Personally, I could think of several evil machinations I'd like you to put me in!" You pretended to go faint and limp in Misha's arms with a heavy sigh. The Russian man let you bounce in his arms before kissing your cheek. You could feel the light stubble against your skin.

"Little minx." Ludwig leaned to you, clicking his tongue, "Whatever will we do with her, Misha my love?"

"Dunno, Doctor... Keep her forever for us! We might have to eat her for rations in the winter. So sweet!" He mocked as though he was going to bite into your neck, causing you to playfully shout. They were definitely your dorks.

You noted as you walked that the hallways had become more twisting and long. Unfamiliar. It wasn't surprising, the base was still so new to you overall. Yet you were feeling further and further away from everyone else. It was exciting given how little privacy there could be at moments. No one could hear you scream, so to speak.

Misha gently allowed your feet to touch the ground as you entered what appeared to be a private office. It was a reasonable size, cleared out save for a table, chairs and decorations. Red and pink hearts had been crudely cut out of paper and posted to the walls. A cheesy cupid in the corner. It was... goofy. And so, so genuine. Chocolates and smaller meal pieces had been placed out over the table. All things you liked.

"All this for me, boys?" You twirled your skirts in a flourish, "You shouldn't have!"

"You like the dress, I take it?" Ludwig was already taking the opportunity to put his hands to your waist. Physical affection was a love language you they showered you with constantly. He leaned to kiss your cheek, mischief in his eyes, "All this food and suddenly I want something else-"

Misha wasted no time in clapping his hands over his doctor's shoulder, "Not yet. That is... later." He wasn't going to pretend his intentions were utterly pure himself. Already in his mind he'd been thinking of different positions to have you in between them...

Yet you were already flush and fumbling, "Yes- I- Uh-huh, the dress!" They both thought it was just so cute how confidently you could speak until push came to shove.

Next Misha looked to you, a hand under your chin, "How is this?" You knew what he meant. How did they do?

A smile, "It's perfect. This is... This is so nice-" You could feel yourself getting a little emotional. A deep breath. No crying today. Your hands went to the hem of your dress and you swished back and forth.

"You are beautiful, like always." Misha complimented.

Ludwig was already eating a piece of chocolate, "Tell her something she doesn't already know! But, yes, you are always beautiful. This merely acc-sentuates it. Happy Valentine's Day."

"Happy Valentine's Day, both of you."

[totallyf1ne]

Chapter one - Bus stop

I hate riding the bus to school. It's loud and people don't know how to just sit the hell down, But I guess as long as I have my earbuds on and I'm sitting in a window seat I'm totally fine.

I just can't wait until Chester gets the money to finally buy himself a car. He's had his license since sophomore year, so it's about time he has a car.

He wants a Mazda Mx-5, a silver one to be specific, how do I know? Well one, he tells me about it all the time, and two, he makes us go to the auto mall near the rundown KFC and just stares at it for literal hours on end.

Last week when we revisited it I asked him “Why don't you ask your parents to just buy it for you or something?”

His parents are wealthy as hell, so it was a pretty good question. He said the reason was because they wanted him to learn to make money for himself and not always rely on his parent's wealth. I think that's pretty stupid and personally believe that if you have money, you should spend it.

I'm Jane McCarter, I'm 17 years old and I live in Bakersfield California with my dad and my pet fish.

I am currently a senior at Westfield High and my best friend, the dork I mentioned earlier, is Chester Allen, we've been friends since 5th grade.

I'm not really “close” friends with any other person besides him and if I'm being honest, Id prefer to just stick with that. Well, I have these... “Acquaintances” that I don't really hang out with but just chat with, like Markus for example, he's chill.

—

As Jane hops off the last step of the bus, she almost bumps Markus Reed, who was on his longboard but quickly makes an abrupt stop and takes off his headphones. “Oh shit, I'm sorry Jane,” he says as he picks the longboard up with one hand. “It's whatever, don't worry about it.” Jane says, dusting off her denim skirt “soo, I didn't see you last Sunday? You said you'd cover my shift?” Markus said scratching his elbow. “Oh yeah uh, I forgot to tell you, I quit.” Markus’s grin fades “What? Really? Why??” he whines as they start walking down the sidewalk.

“I dunno, my parents want me to get a better-paying job with more hours.”

“Oh, I see,” Markus says before loudly sighing, a little disappointed that he’s lost one of his favorite working buddies. He always liked working with Her. “Well, good luck with that. I’m sure you’ll find something good.”

They walk in awkward silence for a moment before Markus speaks up again. “So, how’s Chester doing?”

“He’s good,” Jane says. “He still hasn’t gotten that car, though. I really hope he gets it soon 'cause I’m tired of taking the stupid god-forsaken bus.” She says before rolling her eyes.

“Yeah I hope he gets that car soon too, I want him to drive me to the Winter Formal this year,” Markus says as he flutters his eyelashes and clasps his hands together, cartoon hearts practically appearing in his eyes.

“Ugh,” she groans. “don’t tell me you still have a thing for fucking Chester Allen. Trust me he’s not into you He thinks you're, and I quote, “spazzy super–senior”. Jane air quoted with her fingers.

“I can’t help it! I have a thing for nerdy, zit-ridden, glasses-wearing men! And i don’t give two shits about what he says nor thinks about me.” He flips his jet-black hair over his shoulder. Jane rolls her eyes at his antics.

“Mark! Over here, dude!” One of Markus’s friends called out from one of the corners of the school. “Well, I’ll see you later, Janey Waney.”

“Never call me that again, please.” Jane pinches the bridge of her nose as he chuckles and continues down the sidewalk on his longboard toward his group of friends.

She starts walking towards the school doors and pushes them open, a whiff of cheap Ross cologne and smelly sweaty teens fill the air.

Humming a tune to herself, she wondered where the hell her best friend was and why he was so late.

Walking down the hallways she unclasps her grey, sticker ridden, Nokia flip phone from the waistband of her long skirt, a Skelanimals keychain dangles from the end as she opens it up, clicking the tiny buttons to find Chester’s number. Once she finally finds it, she presses and hears the ring, waiting for an answer.

“JANE!” Chester shouts out from behind her. “Holy shit Chester don’t fucking do that! I nearly pissed myself!” people turn their heads, but when they see where the loud voice was coming from they roll their eyes and go back to whatever they were doing.

“Sorry! Sorry! But I’ve been looking for you for a long time! you weren’t at the bus stop or at your locker?!?” He frantically says, out of breath from all the speed-walking he’s been doing searching for her.

"Relax! got sidetracked talking to Markus Reed," Jane explains, placing her phone back on the waistband of her skirt as they begin walking down the hall.

. "I had to tell him about me quitting Hot Topic, and then he started talking about how much he wanted to rail you or something, I don’t remember, I kinda tuned him out."

Chester’s face cringes. “Markus reed? Gosh, I hate that guy. He’s so weird with me.”

“Yeah I know, you tell me every time his name comes up,” Jane says before finally approaching her locker, twisting the lock to enter her combination and swinging it open to grab her textbooks.

She changes the subject. "The school bus can be such a pain sometimes. But at least I don't have to worry about finding a parking spot.”

Chester lets out a small laugh. "True, true, I can't wait until I finally get my baby (his car). Then we can drive ourselves to school and not have to worry about being late, fighting for a seat on the bus, or having our parents drive us."

Jane lightly grins. "Yeah. But in the meantime, we'll just have to make do.” She says before locking back her locker and placing the textbooks in her satchel.

As they walk back down the hallways towards their shared first period, She starts to wonder if she'll ever be as “outgoing” as Chester is. He seems to know most people in the school (seeing how he is vice president of the student council) and is always involved in some sort of activity or club. Jane herself has always been more of an introvert, preferring to stick with her small group of friends instead.

As they approach their English class, Jane spots Ms. Silvera, their teacher, standing outside.

Before they could enter the classroom, someone else pushed them to the side to enter before them. “excuse me!” They say with a soft giggle, pink Prada kitten heels tapping their way to their seat.

When Jane realizes who it is, anger and frustration start to boil up inside of her.

“Fucking.. Merianna Smith…” she says furiously under her breath.

It takes Chester a second to realize and when he does he has a face of worry and concern for his fellow goth bestie. “Jane just ignore her and don’t let it ruin your day, trust me it’s not worth it dude.” He says while comfortingly rubbing her shoulders.

As Chester tries to console her, Jane feels a pang of guilt for letting her hate toward Mary almost ruin another year of school. She takes a deep breath and shrugs her shoulders out of Chester's comforting hands.

"You're right, you're right," she says, calming herself down. Chester gives her a big smile before leading her inside Ms. Silvera's English class. Jane takes her seat next to Chester and tries to focus on the teacher's lesson, but she can't help feeling that her tension is still palpable.

Her eyes shift towards Mary, who is sitting 2 seats away from her and applying mascara while chatting with her posse/clique, not bothering to listen to the teacher's lesson.

Jane tries to remember when she even started to hate this girl. Was it all because of some stupid middle school drama? Or was it jealousy?

[weekend-whip]

Just general headcanons? Dates? Pet names and inside jokes? What does their pining look like? It doesn’t have to be plot related I am simply Very Invested in your dorks.

*cracks knuckles* ...I'll be as general as I can then, I guess—

Kai: Hopeless flirt. Can dish it out like no one's business but crumples into a stuttering mess upon having it returned. Tries to keep his dates as casual as possible for less pressure but can be persuaded into more fancy and/or exciting things if the other party is willing. Pines in the way that he'll catch them out of the corner of his eye, adore them from afar, and usually has to be smacked out of it (and then proceeds to think of nothing but them for the next few hours). Showers his partner with a series of off-the-cuff pet names until landing on the best one that fits.

Jay: Not a flirt whatsoever, just tries to compliment the other when he can (and if he doesn't stumble over himself in the process). Loves dates that are fun and don't require being still for very long (like riding rides at an amusement park, taking dance lessons, or the arcade). Very obvious pining, couldn't hide it even if he tried, sometimes just embraces the pining to the point of being embarrassing snksnk. His pet names range from absurd inanimate objects that remind him of his other, but usually just settles for their name because what's more potent and perfect than that?

Cole: Flirts without realizing/trying—usually mistakes it as just being really comfortable with the other person and thus rattles off whatever comes to mind, potential romantic implications be damned. For dates, he loves to go out dancing every now and then, or to go try someplace new, but otherwise is just fine with a cozy night at home watching a movie and cuddling. His pining is usually quiet and subtle, reserved for stolen moments, but it can be deep and intense if it becomes something that starts to consume him. Already has a habit of nicknaming his friends, so usually just sticks with a shorthand version of their other's name, or something reserved specifically for them.

Zane: Has never flirted once in his life and yet it is a strategy that has worked for him–is just honest and upfront about his feelings and that makes it easy to go from there. He looooves winter-themed dates, but also enjoys times when he can experience something new with his partner, or if it's something his partner really enjoys (even if he doesn't understand). Has no time to pine because once his feelings click he's going for it, baby. Not a big user of pet names, but does tend to call his partner 'dear' from time to time (a trait he picked up from his own parents ;w;)/ )

Nya: Has crushes, but never really goes out of her way to flirt unless they flirt first. Tends to favor dates that are more of an experience rather than something to do just to do, but also doesn't actually hate having an excuse to dress up from time to time and be pampered. Her pining is just her constantly questioning herself: "Why do I find them so cute??" "Why do I keep staring at them?!" "Should I tell them?!" "What would even happen if I do?!" and then just keeps cycling in on herself. Despises pet names........but will make exceptions because COMPROMISE—

Jesse: Do I? Really? Need to go over him? DO I? Fiiiine...

Jesse (for real this time): Can only flirt in his "magician" mindset; otherwise gets way too flustered and winds up saying more than he means to and then has to backpedal. Will always enjoy a date as long as his partner is having fun, but always makes sure to have a list of ideas at the ready should an opportunity arise—really, he'll be game for anything if the other party is interested. Pines with a burning jealousy and also a sense of wistful hopelessness. Tends to use pet names sarcastically, but if he uses 'sweetheart'—that one's always genuine.

Olivia: Is generally flirty anyway; tends to be less so around people she genuinely likes. Isn't really "big" on the concept of dates; just likes spending time with the other party in whatever scenario they're in (even if she's in the middle of trying to murder or something). She does like presents/souvenirs, so any activity that nets her something to take home is probably a good one. Pines with subtly, but will get flustered if she's caught staring or bringing up a crush too often. A queen of nicknames, and has no problem dishing out every pet name in the book, but when it comes to something specifically for her partner it might throw her off her game a little.

Pixal: Has also never flirted a day in her life but still has a charm in her approach to things that others can't help but find endearing. At first dislikes the idea of dates, believing them to be a waste of time, but comes to understand and appreciate them after she goes on one for herself. Likes educational dates–like visiting museums or visiting historic landmarks—but also likes seeing places with lots of art or with animals. Her pining is few and far inbetween, but it still happens—and she'll blush purple or green when it happens. Doesn't normally invoke pet names herself, but will adapt to the preferences of whoever she's with.

Skylor: Master flirt. Knows exactly which buttons press and when, know how to game the system—but will stumble when confronted with a genuine show of kindness. Actually has no real preference for dates—just loves the experience of being able to even go on one, and to take a break from her work, and thus will be up for doing anything. (She's adaptable like that.) Tries to mask her pining and can usually get away with it, but if she's in too deep she'll let a few giggles or a blush loose and then have to hastily explain herself. No stranger to doling out nicknames/petnames, and will fire off the first thing that comes to mind without flinching........but anyone calling her anything will take her out at the knees swooning she wasn't readyyyyyy

[waheelawhisperer]

It's finally here... my review of the final episode of RWBY Volume 9. Criticism under the cut. Don't like it, keep scrolling.

Yang and Ruby still got bigass heads

I'll immediately digress for a moment to talk about how funny I find the discrepancy in head sizes between the characters in this show

Winter got that Megamind-lookin-ass head

No but for real every female character in RWBY seems to have a significantly wider skull than the men it's so funny to me

Winter's brain has infinite wrinkles

So the first thing we see Summer do after putting the kids to bed is, potentially, lie to her husband (Qrow mentioned that even Ozpin was in the dark about Summer’s final mission, and I’m assuming that we’re seeing that mission here). Seems like she wasn’t quite the paragon everyone in-universe seems to believe.

The Summer/Tai scene was kind of cute I guess

Raven what the fuck are you doing did you just hang out in a tree so you could make a dramatic entrance to impress a girl

Fucking loser-ass bird

Okay, so I was right and Summer is definitely lying out her ass, and Raven’s in on the deception.

I’m guessing whatever this is is what broke Raven, maybe? She's evidently already left her team and probably the fight, but maybe this is what utterly destroyed her hope?

Lmao Raven you’re such a fucking dork you have no rizz like mother like daughter I guess

Not that you had any right to claim Yang as your daughter even before she turned into Yuck

Damn, Summer, throw some shade. Raven deserves it tho, fuck her.

At least Raven’s well aware of her failings as a parent.

Summer just walked through her just like Yang did at Haven iirc like mother like daughter 2.0

I’d care more about this bit of Summer lore if she was an actual character instead of a Macguffin that had barely received any definition over 9 Volumes despite supposedly being important

Looks like Ruby has to come to terms with the fact that her mother wasn’t a perfect paragon after all, which is what actually matters right now, inasmuch as anything that happens this Volume actually matters

I’m vaguely curious about what her mission actually was but frankly at this point it’s too late to get me invested in Summer. If the writers wanted me to care about Team STRQ as an entity or any members other than Qrow and maybe Raven, we needed to learn a lot more about them a lot sooner.

Great. Back to Jaune. It appears Weiss failed to adequately remove him from the narrative. Try harder next time, Weiss.

You love seeing Weiss and Yang working together. Here’s how Freezerburn can still win...

Brilliant. We free Neo with the power of magic marijuana. Can this Volume get any stupider? Can we get a decent action scene at any point? Find out next time on JauneyBall Z

The weed made the Cat stronger lol. Stupidest villain of all time.

Lmao get wrecked Jaune.

Again.

Hooray, Ruby’s learned an important lesson about how she’s actually enough and doesn’t have to constantly struggle to meet everyone else’s expectations of her. If only she’d learned that in a way that didn’t involve killing herself and then getting magic tree therapy.

At least the reprise of her theme is decent I guess

No hesitation left about taking up her scythe at this point, but then that magically disappeared 2 episodes ago

Ruby looks competent in a fight against something more intelligent than your average Grimm for the first time in literal years, we love to see it

Team RWBY really is so much stronger when they work together than when they try to fight alone. At least we managed to be consistent with a theme here.

Fight was anticlimactic as hell. Would’ve been fine as a mid-Volume skirmish, but not as the capstone fight that’s supposed to serve as the pinnacle of the Volume.

RWBY’s fights have been pretty lackluster since the end of Volume 7, but Volume 9 was especially bad about it. I can barely even remember that this Volume had fights in it, much less name any that were actually compelling. For a show that built itself on badass fight scenes, RWBY has really fallen far.

“Weak… confused… incomplete…” Are you talking about humans or yourself, buddy? (It's both)

And of course Ruby’s teammates place her right back up on a pedestal because the entire theme of this Volume seems to be “learn as little as possible”

Like seriously way to instantly undermine your own theme with zero self-awareness. Really makes WBY seem like they understand and care about Ruby.

Like was the whole point of the Volume not Ruby grappling with the fact that she was, in fact, those things her team said she wasn’t?

Wow okay having the Cat be messily devoured by a bunch of Jabberwalkers was certainly a choice. 2 major nonbinary characters in this show and both of them are a) animals and b) violently killed. Wonderful. Rooster Teeth’s progressive storytelling strikes again.

Now that Ruby’s looking back at Neo I bet we get a fucking redemption arc I fucking hate it here

At least Neo’s too exhausted to pose a threat while everyone else hugs it out. You’d think they’d be a little more wary of her given her track record but whatever, I don’t even care anymore, I just want this to be done with.

Roman's new voice still bothers me. It's not annoying or flamboyant enough to fit the expectations set by the old one

WHAT IS WITH THIS SHOW AND PORTRAYING SUICIDE AS THE SOLUTION WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK WHO ON THE WRITING TEAM HAS A SUICIDE FETISH

It can’t be Miles or Kerry because this shit only started showing up in, like, Volume 8, so it has to be Eddy or Kiersi.

Why are we even wasting time on Neo she’s done absolutely nothing to deserve sympathy at this point

Boo hoo she has a sad backstory that we don't even learn in the show proper, doesn’t give her carte blanche to be a sadistic little cunt every time she’s on the screen

I’m sure that if this show ever gets that far she’ll show up as an ally later on. Fucking Christ.

Yes, Blake, I do think you made things worse, but also I don’t care because the Ever After sucks. Please just walk through the door so we can finally be done with it.

If you did any good, Ruby, I can’t name it.

Great, the mouse is back. Woohoo.

Guess it was Little’s mask the Blacksmith was forging after all

Oh look Ascension does wipe your memory

Almost like going through with it would’ve resulted in a death of personality for Ruby, but hey, it’s just magic tree therapy, right? This is a good thing, yeah? Fuck you MKEK.

Finally.

They’re back in the Tree. I had hoped we were done with this shit.

Looks like a carving of the hawk guy on the table, so I guess he’ll be okay

Damn, are those carvings of the Brother Gods? It’s already been implied that they’re connected to the Tree somehow, but I’m starting to think maybe it predates them.

Okay didn’t take long to confirm that lmao

So they’re the first beings born from the Tree, huh? Can’t imagine the tree is proud of its kids

No wonder the Ever After is so strictly regimented and has so many things mashed together, it’s Baby’s First World

Of course they immediately dump the problems on the Cat lmao

God there really is nothing likable about the Brother Gods for real

Oh look the God of Light is bitching about balance again. Good to know he’s consistent, at least

Aaaand Jaune is young again. I knew they’d never have the balls to make it permanent. Characters might have to grapple with the implications of the changes if they did, and RWBY doesn’t like grappling with the implications of anything

Are we gonna have bullshit time travel shenanigans after all this too

So we get our first glimpse of Vacuo (with the Mexico filter applied at full power) and it looks like somehow the people still on Remnant managed to fix up Amity Colosseum and get what’s left of Atlas’s air fleet to Vacuo. Interestingly, I think I can see aircraft designs from Mistral/Vale, which doesn’t make a ton of sense when Volume 7 established that telling the world about Salem would cause mass panic and we know both of those Kingdoms are currently struggling to survive as it is (Vale has to deal with the impact of the Fall of Beacon, Mistral lost a bunch of Huntsmen because Lionheart sent them out to get killed), but whatever. I’ve given up on this show giving a shit about consequences or consistency.

What even was the point of this Volume? Anything remotely relevant could've happened in an hour-and-a-half movie instead of wasting resources on that dumbass Justice League crossover no one wanted or asked for

Hell, all of it could've been trimmed down to like 2 episodes if you just drop them into the Tree with the Blacksmith, have them confront their insecurities and shit, and then send them back to Remnant

Honestly, literally all of it except maybe the stupid-ass lore dump could've happened in fucking Vacuo instead of this dumbass knockoff Alice in Wonderland crap. The Bees could've confessed there and done it organically instead of being forced to admit their feelings by a rogue weather condition. Ruby could've had her breakdown there. Idek what else of relevance even happened besides Jaune's manpain and frankly at this point I don't care about that. Even the loredump could've been worked in somehow with a little effort tbh

Instead we get this stupid fucking mess that doesn't even give us any reusable assets lmfao great allocation of the budget when your company is already struggling financially and all your hopes are pinned on this dogass show specifically

Anyway I hope Volume 10 never manifests. Not only is Rooster Teeth shitty and bigoted and deserving of a violent death as a company, these writers are painfully incompetent and actively promote harmful messages like “suicide is the solution to your problems” and “minorities can be equated to animals for comedic effect”. This shit does not deserve to continue, and neither does the company that makes it.

I'm pretty much done RWBYposting at this point. Just gotta clear out 2 or 3 asks and then I can finally be free of this hell

[bookishreflects]

Blog Post #1: Reading "childish" Books

I love reading YA (Young Adult) and Adult novels as much as the next guy. I’m a nineteen year old girl who’s been reading practically every book I could get my hands on since the age of four. I was one of those kids who read above their reading level and I still remember a lot of the books I read back when I was in elementary school, books that would be considered below my reading level now as a college student. Now, everyone expects me to always be reading YA and Adult books or really advanced nonfiction books or whatever. I love reading those kinds of books, but every now and then, I miss reading simple books that don’t contain mature themes like sex, violence, political issues, trauma, etc.

It can be really refreshing to indulge in children’s books or middle grade fiction as a teen/young adult. I’ve met people my age who have told me that they’re too embarrassed to reread a book they loved back in elementary school, and I’ve told them that they shouldn’t be! If anything, I’ve heard that it can actually be pretty healthy to read easier books as a way to relax your brain while also exercising it enough (look it up)! 

Two years ago, I actually started a tradition of rereading a book from my childhood every summer. That first year I read “Rules” by Cynthia Lord, a book about a twelve year old girl living with her autistic little brother. This book is considered middle grade fiction, though Goodreads also considers it as young adult. I read this book when I was in 4th grade and understood it well, so I think the book is more for elementary and middle school kids, especially since the protagonist is twelve. Personally, this book was very relatable since I have an autistic sibling who acts very similar to the little brother. It was nice to see a character go through similar situations as me almost everyday.

Last year, I read “Walk Two Moons” by Sharon Creech. This one’s about a thirteen year old girl who tells her grandparents a story (very similar to her own) while on a road trip. I read this in 8th grade and reread it last year while on a road trip with my family, how fitting! It was interesting to see how my view on the book changed from the last time I read it. I think I understood some things more and took more words to heart. It was very nostalgic to read.

This year, I think I’ll read “Holes” by Louis Sachar. This book is about a boy in Texas with a family curse who’s sent to a detention camp to dig holes and “build character.” I read this in 5th grade, and it was really fun to read. I loved the spin off sequel to it, “Small Steps,” too. This would probably be a good summer read considering that the scorching Texas heat is a very descriptive setting in this book. 

Other books I want to reread in the future are: 

“Small Steps” and “The Card Turner” both by Louis Sachar

“Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing” by Judy Blume

“Runaway Ralph" by Beverly Cleary

“The Phantom Tollbooth” by Norton Juster

“Hoot” by Carl Hiaasen

“Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures” by Kate DiCamillo

The Junie B. Jones series by Barbara Park 

The Dork Diaries Series by Rachel Renee Russell 

The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney. 

I reread “The Tale of Despereaux” by Kate DiCamillo as a way to relax my brain after final exams in the winter, and I fell in love with it all over again. I think it may be my favorite children's/middle grade fiction book! 

To end this post, I recommend reading an easier book this summer, maybe start with one of the many books I mentioned above! Maybe reread a book from your childhood! Maybe I should read a children’s book not from my childhood. Maybe leave a comment on what your favorite childhood books were? This is a lot of maybes for a post ending, but maybe that’s ok. Just like how it’s ok to read children’s books as an adult!

(photo of some copies of books that I kept from childhood)

[jwscrobbles]

TOP 100 SONGS FOR 2017

Well, I’m back at this again. Another year. Another 100 songs. At first glimpse, I actually thought this year in music was a little lackluster. My weekly chart fell off during the summer (that happens when you’re too busy adulting.) But on closer inspection, this year was a solid year for music. One of the bests actually. The top 20 is super solid. Yeah, there were times where I felt it was 2010 all over again: new Grizzly Bear, new Arcade Fire, new The XX. And then, it felt like 2014 with the ubiquitous sounds of Childish Gambino and Jhene Aiko. 2016 finally brought a Kaytranada LP and 2017 brought a full-length for Sampha! Hell, even TLC came back. But what I’ve realize are two things.

1) Each year, the music feels way more personal than before. Donald Glover and Solange are back all the more insightful with their commentary. Joey Bada$$ is just as indicting but specifically post-election, Dan Auerbach and the Weeknd are more crossover than ever before, and the 1975, Emeli Sande, and the XX feel more real with the level of heartbreak. As you age, music seems even more true to life than ever before. 2) But I’ve also realized I just have a running library of tens of favorites and sometimes the new material is lackluster and other times, it is spot on.

With that being said, there are some new inductees to that library who helped the year quickly pass. Gallant: So much of his material came from 2016 and I remember hearing about his featured work more than his own material. But he landed a Grammy nod (whatever) just as I was discovering him and then he dropped some new stuff. Smooth R&B crooner who started the year off right for me. GoldLink: Suddenly, the late winter turned into a fascination with GoldLink. His style and his delivery consistently caught my ear. He’s been around for a minute but somehow this year seemed to spark more attention for him and deservedly so. Stormzy: I reconnected with my UK scene and found me some new Tinie Tempah. But the winter seemed to be all about Stormzy and he was what I kept hearing about. He’s got some cool stuff but I find his collaborations more engaging than his solo work.  Jax Jones: So I find DJs and EDM so passe compared to 25, 20, hell even 10 years ago. And Jax Jones has been around for some time, but somehow he just clicked for me this year and I was feeling him all spring and early summer.

SZA: Then came Solana. She has a style that’s been missing in mainstream R&B and Hip Hop. And she has moments where she feels like she came from the 90s. Granted so much hip hop now samples 90s music and literally has been doing it for the past five years. But Solana feels like she fits right in.

H.E.R.: So I’ll admit, I’m late to Gabriella but although I’m late, it’s better than never. She has been my fascination of the fall. I hope she keeps it up.

Just for me to take notice, although there are no solos, there are a ton of collaborations and productions with Travis Scott and Quavo (and yet I have no feelings good or bad for Migos). But I say that, because GoldLink and Gallant appeared in multiple collaborations for 2016.

With that being said, here is 2017 100 scrobbled songs. 

And yes, I’m still that dork who lives this way daily. 

1 Childish Gambino – REDBONE 1/8/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvWGpgGdR9s

2 Solange - CRANES IN THE SJY 1/6/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0qrinhNnOM

3 Jax Jones/Raye - U DONT KNOW ME 3/16/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WH9C6oLEtOg

4 Daniel Caesar/Kali Uchis - GET YOU 1/27/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQFVqltOXRg

5 The xx – ON HOLD 1/6/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blJKoXWlqJk

6 Kendrick Lamar – HUMBLE. 5/13/2017  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvTRZJ-4EyI

7 John Mayer – LOVE ON THE WEEKEND 1/8/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Wa4RKHk2zI

8 Bruno Mars – THAT’S WHAT I LIKE 2/25/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMivT7MJ41M

9 Gallany/Tabl/Eric Nam – CAVE ME IN 3/19/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQunCjYdAcU

10 Zak Abel – UNSTABLE (MALEEK BERRY MIX) 2/6/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8KwNLoTiQc

11 Swindle/Daley – SYMPATHY 2/10/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfgQOIsfWws 12 Tinie Tempah/Tinashe – TEXT FROM YOUR EX 2/6/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x64HLhaEGc0

13 Stormzy/Kehlani/Lily Allen – CIGARETTES AND CUSH 3/192017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLXQHThL3FU

14 Ten City – THAT’S THE WAY LOVE IS (UNDERGROUND MIX) 6/22/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99jHPfkZX3Y

15 GoldLink – PALM TREES 12/28/2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX6_tfJaFaM

16 Ari Lennox – YUENGLING 1/6/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w2aArOrow4

17 Jamiroquai – AUTOMATON 1/27/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GkH7qG8HO0

18 Gallant/Jhene Aiko – SKIPPING STONES 12/28/2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GkH7qG8HO0

19 The Weeknd/Daft Punk – I FEEL IT COMING 1/8/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFLhGq0060w

20 The 1975 – SOMEBODY ELSE 3/11/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bimd2nZirT4

21 Major Lazer/Travis Scott/Camila Cabello/Quavo – KNOW NO BETTER 7/30/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sgp0WDMH88g

22 DJ Khaled/Beyonce/Jay-Z – SHINING 6/24/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=va47vNPm6YA

23 Chance the Rapper/Know Fortune – ALL NIGHT 2/13/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkIUnRRH6l4

24 The xx – I DARE YOU 5/5/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqflFMhkqHM

25 Arcade Fire – EVERYTHING NOW 7/10/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC30BYR3CUk

26 AlunaGeorge/Leikeli47/Dreezy – MEAN WHAT I MEAN 2/25/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbtEy1Wdqj0

27 Joe Hertz/Jones – SIMPLE 4/28/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kPKzCS-9kk

28 SZA/Travis Scott – LOVE GALORE 7/11/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHXfCOjb3fk

29 GoldLink/April George – ROUGH SOUL 2/1/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwm7MXwTw9M

30 Janet Jackson – BLACK EAGLE 10/1/2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FrgeMksDwE

31 DJ Cassidy/Chromeo – FUTURE IS MINE 11/26/2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMCc_yDrehk

32 Russ – LOSIN CONTROL 7/11/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdGIZjVWrzY

33 Jamie xx/Young Thug/Popcaan – I KNOW THERE’S GONNA BE (GOOD TIMES) 2/6/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjLBB-TMa84

34 Joey Bada$$ - LAND OF THE FREE 2/6/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeQW-9Cg8qs

35 Thundercat/Wiz Khalifa – DRINK DAT 3/8/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pxpTZpdZ-U

36 The Chainsmokers/Coldplay – SOMETHING JUST LIKE THIS 3/30/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FM7MFYoylVs

37 Syd – ALL ABOUT ME 2/10/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNIOrsxsa0A

38 Dan Auerbach – SHINE ON ME 7/11/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfVRCDb0G8Q

39 TLC/Snoop Dogg – WAY BACK 4/29/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibR0rYNMJpI

40 Maroon 5/Kendrick Lamar – DON’T WANNA KNOW 1/6/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANS9sSJA9Yc

41 Amine – CAROLINE 2/7/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j8ecF8Wt4E

42 Frank Ocean – SELF CONTROL 12/28/2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BME88lS6aVY

43 Mila J – KICKIN’ BACK 3/11/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T11NVNwBJ38

44 Empire of the Sun – TWO VINES 1/8/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T48WTcC243o

45 The Shins – NAME FOR YOU 2/3/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbFhEUs6u1k

46 Phoenix – J-BOY 5/5/3017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwjMiWgCi8E

47 Calvin Harris/Frank Ocean/Migos – SLIDE 3/30/3017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ee4QjCEHHc

48 J Hus – DID YOU SEE 5/7/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rk6_Ax0mQo

49 GoldLink/Brent Faiyaz/Shy Glizzy – CREW 7/11/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhNqbe6QENY

50 Kehlani – DO YOU DIRTY 2/1/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hIG5xhPwGQ

51 J Cole – FALSE PROPHETS 1/13/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOtMpFNSlCA

52 Drake – PASSIONFRUIT 5/1/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8RQQqvx6Y8

53 Kari Faux – SUPPLIER 11/24/2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Kdm7zI64SU

54 Jax Jones/Mike Dunn/MNEK – HOUSE WORK 8/25/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOtMpFNSlCA

55 Tom Misch – SOUTH OF THE RIVER 9/4/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdJHvUTWx6c

56 Calvin Harris/Pharrell/Katy Perry/Big Sean – FEELS 7/30/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozv4q2ov3Mk

57 A Tribe Called Quest – WE THE PEOPLE… 1/13/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO2Su3erRIA

58 Gourdan Banks – KEEP YOU IN MIND 11/18/2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErUKBfLLk_k

59 Croquet Club – SUMMER 6/4/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXCP3G1LMTk

60 Red Hot Chili Peppers – GO ROBOT 1/29/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HI-8CVixZ5o

61 Zedd/Troye Sivan – PAPERCUTT 7/10/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwtljkGZJnI

62 Rae Sremmurd/Gucci Mane – BLACK BEATLES 11/27/2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDQ7KgvwfaQ

63 Grizzly Bear – MOURNING SOUND 7/11/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDQ7KgvwfaQ

64 Sampha – TIMMY’S PRAYER 1/30/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQXDVZf3akg

65 Ray Blk – PATIENCE (FREESTYLE) 2/26/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnXiFZfTB0I

66 Kraak & Smaak/Cleopold – ALONE WITH YOU 7/11/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqMxzsrYf7I

67 PartyNextDoor/Drake – COME AND SEE ME 1/8/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ockhq8E2FrA

68 Stefflon Don/French Montana – HURTIN’ ME 9/5/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNdLFbEZC2Y

69 Roy Davis Jr/Preven Everett- GABRIEL (LIVE GARAGE MIX) – 9/1/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwxpMIEZ9fg

70 Foster the People – DOING IT FOR THE MONEY 7/11/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ1VorN9Cl0

71 The Chainsmokers/Daya – DON’T LET ME DOWN 10/18/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io0fBr1XBUA

72 Ghetts/Shakka – KNOW MY TING 4/29/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hWUGgVFM-E

73 Sia – NEVER GIVE UP 2/5/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6Ol3eprKiw

74 Ne-Yo – ANOTHER LOVE SONG 9/12/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jI1GyMlggo

75 Jhene Aiko – WHILE WE’RE YOUNG 9/23/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liWueHXJDyw

76 Mayer Hawthorne – TIME FOR LOVE 2/10/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liWueHXJDyw

77 Jhene Aiko – MANIAC 3/19/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4X_jVXgBQD8

78 H.E.R. – FACTS 10/16/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_xG0crdnrE

79 Beyonce – ALL NIGHT 2/26/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM89Q5Eng_M

80 Joey Purp/Chance the Rapper – GIRLS @ 4/29/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPR0ZcFtSZQ

81 Solange/Lil Wayne – MAD 10/1/2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTqNemB6mio

82 Amindi K. Fro$t/Tessellated & Valleyz – PINE AND GINGER 9/5/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U00JRRATURY

83 Bruno Mars – 24K MAGIC 1/6/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqyT8IEBkvY

84 Missy Elliot/Lamb – I’M BETTER 3/14/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwyPsUd9LAk

85 Craig David/Sigala – AIN’T GIVING UP 10/17/2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC9fc12YYC4

86 K.D.A./Tinashe – JUST SAY 8/24/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXc-4d-uM4c

87 LeToya Luckett – BACK 2 LIFE 3/14/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bswSdMuWJEk

88 Jessie Ware – MIDNIGHT 9/23/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXc-4d-uM4c

89 Alessia Cara – SCARS TO YOUR BEAUTIFUL 10/17/2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWASeaYuHZo

90 Syd – ON THE ROAD 9/23/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZAnY0FTjjk

91 Jidenna/Quavo – THE LET OUT 3/14/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWIqrKhP2Kg

92 Emeli Sande – HURTS 10/11/2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TqUlGyWSEk

93 The Killers – THE MAN 7/10/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3xcybdis1k

94 Janet Jackson – BROKEN HEART HEALS 10/1/2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgM0U3ymURo

95 The Weeknd – ROCKIN’ 8/2/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhOoyPHNdeo

96 Selena Gomez – BAD LIAR 8/25/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZKXkD6EgBk

97 French Montana/Pharrell – BRING DEM THINGS 9/3/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85xr7hprRyc

98 SZA – The Weekend 12/5/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMD63TwzB1o

99 Miguel/Travis Scott- SKYWALKER 11/19/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76O3w4pt0CA

100 J Cole – DÉJÀ VU 2/1/2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ_4vNb14gI

[ravagedarkness]

Spider-Man: Home Rebuilt, Chapter 5: Grocery Shopping

Saturday morning rolled around. Last night’s patrol was relatively easygoing. Other than that one car chase, I didn’t really do much. New York was mostly quiet. So, when I woke up, I didn’t have much in the way of aches and pains – just the normal soreness, and that would go away soon.

I sat at my desk, looking down at a piece of notebook paper and a pen. I was friends with MJ and Ned again. And I’ve gotten closer with Betty than I ever did before the spell. I guess we were kind of friends during that time, but it was never to a point where we were in the same group chat, bantering with everyone else.

“Funny how things can change,” I muttered to myself.

I thought about the plan again – the original one I made before I wanted to keep my distance away from MJ and Ned for their sake. A part of me was screaming inside, telling me not to go back to that plan. Memories from the time leading up to the spell flooded my mind, reminding me about how every single mistake and fuck-up led to every bad thing that happened during that time, from MJ and Ned being rejected by every single college they applied to, to villains from other dimensions wreaking havoc across New York, to Happy’s apartment being destroyed…

…to Aunt May’s death.

I took in a breath and I clenched my eyes shut. I felt myself start to unravel. Slowly, I breathed in and out deeply, trying to keep myself from breaking down. It was something I’ve always done since that fateful day.

Don’t cry… Don’t Cry… Don’t...

I was taken out of my thoughts when I saw my phone vibrate. I took in another breath and blinked a few times. I then reached down and checked the text.

“Hey Dork.”

And just like that, my mood lightened. I shook my head. If only MJ knew the kind of effect she had on me. I typed back.

“Hey MJ. What’s going on?”

“Heard Ned invited you over tonight. You coming?”

“Yes.” I typed it and sent it without thinking. After a few moments, I sent another message. “Matter fact, I have to give him a call. I told him I’d let him know and meet him earlier.”

“Good. Because being the third wheel on Ned and Betty’s date is not how I like to spend my Saturday night. Like, ugh! Can you imagine! >.<”

“They love each other. But if you need me to suffer with you, I suppose I can do that for you.”

“Well aren’t you cute.”

“Oh I’m adorable.”

“Whatever. I’ll see you 2nite, loser!”

“Likewise.”

I set the phone down for a moment. I then looked down at the piece of paper in front of me. I picked up the pen and started to make a list of sorts. Once I was done, I put my pen down and picked the phone back up before I dialed Ned’s number. After some moments, he picked up.

“Hey Ned. I’m down to hang out. Where and when do you want me to meet you?”

A couple of hours later, I got ready to head out. As I was dressing, I eyed my Spider-Man suit. I remembered how Peter #2 wore his suit underneath his clothes. As I thought about it, it didn’t seem like that bad of an idea. Plus, with it still being winter, it would’ve been easy for me to conceal with clothes fit for the season. After thinking about it, I grabbed the suit.

A few minutes later, the suit was underneath a pair of blue jeans and a black sweater over a white shirt. I made sure my webshooters were concealed underneath the sleeves of my sweater and a pair of gloves. After I put on my sneakers, I grabbed my keys and made my way out.

About thirty minutes later, I met Ned in front of a supermarket.

“What’s up?” he greeted.

“I’m here,” I replied. The two of us shared a simple handshake. He then looked a bit confused as he withdrew his hand. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, it’s just… Okay, call me weird… I know we just started becoming friends very recently, but I feel like we should have our own handshake or something.”

I smiled in amusement. “Really?”

“Yeah. Weird, right? But… MJ and I were talking the other day. We feel like you fit in nice with our whole group. So, maybe it’s not just a coincidence?”

It wasn’t. That’s what I wanted to say. But I couldn’t.

Not yet, a part of me thought.

Instead, I smiled wryly. “Let’s be weird together, right?” I offered.

“Yeah,” Ned said with a nod. “But let’s go inside and get what we need.”

Once we were inside, we grabbed a grocery cart and went searching. Well, Ned went searching, and I just followed him around and helped him grab stuff. We started off at the meat aisle and grabbed two whole chickens that were precut into its major portions. After that, we went to the spice aisle and grabbed the seasoning Ned needed. As I looked at some of the spices, Ned spoke.

“I’m sorry about asking about your family the other night,” he apologized.

I shrugged. “Don’t worry about it,” I said dismissively. “You couldn’t have known.”

“Are you like on bad terms with your folks or something?”

I grabbed a bottle filled with peppercorns and tossed it into Ned’s cart. “I almost wish.” I paused for a moment. I looked at him. “I don’t have much left as far as family goes. And I don’t really like to dwell on it.” I left out the part where I felt like a good chunk of it was my fault. “I’m just… I made some bad decisions before and I’m trying my best to pick up the pieces.”

“I see,” Ned said. “…I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” I smiled. “My life isn’t as dreary as it sounds, I promise you. GED classes are cool – it helps that my teacher is a pretty okay guy. But he’s very mysterious.”

“Oh really?” Ned inquired as he started to push the cart. I walked with him.

“Yeah, I don’t know what it is about him, to be honest. He just gives me the impression that he’s like one of those movie characters, the ones that have mundane jobs but used to be some kind of Special Forces guy in the past.”

“You know, I remember a guest speaker at Midtown like that.” Ned stopped briefly to grab some brown sugar. “He’s this tenured professor at UMass, and he was a former Marine for a while that saw action.”

“Really now?”

We continued to shop, talking about lighter subjects. We talked about food, Star Wars (which mostly consisted of me defending The Prequel Trilogy), life as a student, and, as we stepped outside once we were finished, girls.

“So, you like MJ, don’t you?” Ned pried with a smirk.

We were walking down the street, heading towards the Time Square-42nd Street station. We both had bags in our hands. I decided to grab a few things for myself. As far as MJ went, I was trying my very best to lie, even though I felt my face getting warm. “Who doesn’t like MJ?” I replied, trying to brush it off.

“But you LIKE her like her.” He started to walk ahead of me before he turned around and faced me, walking backward. “Something about you two just click.” I would have hoped so, given how long we dated. But that was another life. “You know… February is around the corner. You should ask her out to the Valentine’s Day dance we’re going to have at School.”

“Oh, what do you think is going to happen? We’ll do a slow dance, confess our love for each other, and start a whole dance number that everyone joins in on like it is High School Musical? Somehow, I don’t think that’ll happen.”

“Well, I was kind of hoping you’d ask her out so she can actually come to the dance. She doesn’t really go to these things unless someone drags her along, you know?”

“She never went to Homecoming?” I asked. I already knew the answer.

“She has, but like only once. And even then, Homecoming is different. You can go to Homecoming by yourself. Having a date is encouraged, but not required. But going to a Valentine’s Day dance by yourself, though? The only thing worse than that is taking your sister as a date.”

I had a snarky comment about that. It dealt with a certain region of the United States. But I didn’t get a chance to say it. Just as I opened my mouth, I felt my spine tingle. There was a buzzing in my head and I felt my skin get a bit tight as the hair on my arms raised. My eyes went wide as I started to look around.

“Peter, are you okay, man?”

I didn’t answer, trying my best to get a bearing of my surroundings. I looked around frantically, trying to see what stuck out. There were people walking, a couple of kids having an impromptu snowball fight, people waiting at the bus stop, a man in a suit having an argument on the phone. Everything seemed normal. So why was my senses going off?

I finally got my answer when I looked at traffic again. There was a line of three armored trucks making their way through traffic. They were all abiding the rules of traffic. However, as they cross a nearby intersection, the lead truck was plowed into by a garbage truck! Quickly after that, three black SUVs moved in. After they skidded to a stop, all of their doors and men with black suits, black ski masks, and automatic rifles poured out of the vehicles. One of the gunmen quickly opened fired in the air, causing people to scatter. Not knowing what else to do, Ned and I ducked into the nearest alleyway. We both leaned up against the wall, with me looking out towards the street as people ran for their lives.

“Two times in one week?” Ned said. “How does that even happen?”

“I don’t know,” I replied as I shook my head. “We must be lucky or something.”

“You call this lucky?!”

“I mean, at least we didn’t get grabbed or something.”

And of course, that’s exactly what happened.

Before any of us knew it, we were pulled through the wall we were leaning on. Both of us stumbled backward before we landed on the ground. Unfortunately, all of our groceries scattered across the floor.

“Oh great, how can this day get any worse?” he asked.

“That’s a funny way to say thank you,” a voice replied. I looked up to see Kitty and Craig looking down at us.

“Oh, it’s you guys!” I said quickly moved to my feet and started to put my groceries back in the bag. “We have to stop meeting like this.”

“Aw, I thought us meeting under the threat of gunfire is our special thing,” Craig snarked. “But seriously, y’all didn’t get hurt or anything, did you?”

“We’re good, I think,” Ned said as he started to gather up his groceries. “Fancy meeting you guys here.”

“It was our day to go grocery shopping,” Kitty explained. “I was hoping we didn’t have to use our quick change costumes, but here we are.”

“You guys think you can handle this?” I asked in earnest as I stood up.

“Did you not see what we did at St. James?” Craig pointed out.

“True.” I then looked at Ned, who was gathering up the last of the groceries. “…How far are we from the subway station?"

“Not that far, actually,” Kitty said.

“…Can you phase Ned straight there?”

“Me?” Ned said as he quickly stood up. “What about you?”

“I’ll be right behind you,” I said with a smile. I then gave him my bag of groceries. “Trust me.”

Ned stared at me. He then sighed as he stood up. “Okay, but only because it’s you.”

“Let’s go,” Kitty stated before she stepped up and grabbed Ned by the shoulder. “Whatever you do, don’t panic.”

After she said this, the two of them sunk into the ground before they disappeared completely.

“What was that about?” Craig demanded, giving me a look. “She could’ve taken both of you there easily.”

I looked at him for a second. I then grimaced. “…Can you keep a secret?” He stared at me for few seconds. He then nodded. I removed my jacket and tossed it off to the side. I then took off my shirt, revealing the top half of Spider-Man costume. Craig stared at me dumbfounded. He then huffed out a breath.

“Wow,” he said as he shook his head. “Wow, wow, wow… Just, wow.” He laughed as he turned and walked away a few steps. He then looked back at me. “So, you’re telling me that, this whole time, you, Peter, are freakin’ Spider-Man.”

“Yes,” I said as removed the rest of my clothes. I pulled the collar of my costume with my left hand before I used my right hand to pull out my mask.

“And do your friends know?”

“Nope.” I pulled down the mask. “Not yet. It’s a long story.”

It was at this point that Kitty returned, dawning her cat mask. “Okay, I’m back and… Spider-Man?!” She walked up to me. “When did you get here? And where’s Peter?”

“Take a guess,” Craig replied as he zipped his hoodie and brought his hood up.

Kitty stared at me for a few moments. She then tilted her head. “…You’re kidding?”

“No, it really is me,” I said in earnest.

“…Why didn’t you help us at the theatre?”

“Because his friends don’t know,” Craig explained.

“But they can keep a secret.”

“I’ll explain everything afterwards,” I cut in. “Just know that telling them I’m Spider-Man would open up a can of worms that I’m not ready to open yet.” I then heard the sound of sirens and gunshots. Craig looked towards the wall. He then sighed as he reached under his hood and pulled down a ski mask.

“It’s not like we got time to talk about it now, anyway,” he said. “Let’s just get out there and handle whatever it is that is going on.”

“Okay,” Kitty said. She then gave me a pointed look. “This ain’t over, Peter. We WILL be talking about this when this is over.”

“Of course,” I said.

“Just as long as you know.” She grabbed my shoulder with her right hand. Craig walked up to her and stood to her left. She grabbed his shoulder with her free hand. “Codenames from here on out. Frictor, you and Spider-Man will attack from ground level and above. I’ll ambush them from below. And remember – civilians take priority over everything. Okay?”

“Got it, Shadowcat,” I said as Craig nodded.

“Alright, let’s do this.”

We all walked forward and through the wall. Once we were all through, Kitty sunk through the ground. Craig looked at me before he pointed upward. I nodded before I quickly jumped up on the walk and quickly crawled upward. I paused for a moment to look down at Craig.

“Be careful, Frictor,” I called down.

“You, too Spidey,” he replied. “Let’s send them packing!”

I nodded before I resumed my ascent, once I reached the roof, I quickly ran to the other edge before I jumped off.

Let the fun begin, I deadpanned internally.

[marvelandponder]

How I love long analysis, let me count the ways!

Commentaries as you read are very fun. And awww, yay, I'm so excited that you'll want a physical copy! (Inside baseball: I have a prototype/"proof" copy of it currently; definitely has margins you can write in :D).

LOVE seeing thoughts on the title-card! Bevin is super thoughtful about how she frames a shot, what she includes, including a deeper meaning, so keeping your eyes peeled is a solid idea. Depending on where you are, the answer could be spoilers actually, as far as my own interpretation of this title-card goes. Also, yeah, that skyline still impresses the hell out of me!

It's an interesting line of questioning: would Sunset even be happy just following whatever her other self was doing?

Too brisk to risk on long distances, time to frisk the disc whisking up top 40 hits!

"Oh okay I see how it is. You have this description both about Sunset but ALSO about Solstice and Celestia." Why yes! I did do that on purpose! We love a good parallel, don't we? :D

"HE’S DRESSED LIKE THAT IN THIS WEATHER? THERE’S DEFINITELY SOMETHING SHADOWY SHADY GOING ON." The only people to trust less than Solstice here are those who wear shorts during the winter (::eyes RD's entire soccer team::)

"Zero defense indeed. Get ready for a knockout. Sometimes you just gotta give up and let Red Eyes Black Dragon Sombra’s gonna blast away your life points." ::makes laser noises with mouth::

"Flash is slowly becoming one of the Rainbooms." Put him in, coach, he wants it so bad!

"Always nice seeing Twilighting." Always fun to write, too! I love her little rambles, she's such an anxious dork.

Twilight's weapon of choice is knowledge. And a 500-page textbook.

"Amazing. Gloriosa didn't say no backsies or set a time specific to when he could use it sooooo its all good! Loopholes in sibling antics." A man's gotta live, if you ask Timber!

Gender dysphoria in all this has gotta be pretty real for a number of the characters, and it's one thing that wasn't commented on much but I absolutely think would have affected them.

"Evil twins amirite?" Who knows? And even if there was an evil twin, who says our Sunset isn't the evil one? :D

"But also what if she is hotter than you? Maybe she’s been exercising? Twilight sure did date someone who seemed to be exercising. It could be that the other you is hotter to her. That sure would not help the self-confidence." Sunset would've been so mad. haha. She's not quite on Flash's level with a negative self-image, and most of the time I don't think she cares; but she's clearly jealous that Timber got to be with Twilight first and be in better shape than her. Good ol' insecurity, making us feel like we have to stack up!

Sass is a Rainboom specialty.

"Sunset couldn’t have been forced to bond with a better boye." Yayyyy, love for Timber! He deserves it!!

Nothing like a bonding field trip with Timbo!

"Oh and I totally see this as Sunset taking the opportunity to have the smug satisfaction of seeing what happened to Cinch for herself." I bet you anything she took a picture for the r-booms group chat. Twilight was very happy.

"Aww... they better go on a real road trip after this mess is over! It’d make for a great summer vacation. After all he’s done and everything and all I’m sure is going to happen, Timber deserves it." It would, wouldn't it? He does, doesn't he? :D

These two both needed a trip like this. If for no other reason, than to see a real life plane.

"IF NOT MORE?! SHE REALLY EMBRACING THE PRANCE/PRENCH LIFESTYLE TO WORK THERE? Look I know it’s regarded as a fashion capital BUT WHAT ABOUT APPLEJACK???" Good questions indeed! ;D

Aww, yeah, Timber's parents and his magic are definitely topics worth keeping in mind

"Sunset, if you do go flying… avoid Pearson." Let her hear this grave warning. Luckily, they seem to be in their world's equivalent of British Columbia, so I'm guessing she'd be in that very teal airport in Vanhoover if she did.

"Also thinking about this and how likely it is for them to be in schools all over the world. I feel like it would fit their pony counterparts in that, even though they move on to their own personal journeys, they’ll still stay connected to each other." ::nodnodnod::

"literally empathy for Sunset - Empathy for the Devil." Me

"Hey it’s the part! :D" I promise and I deliver!

"Imagine that. All that opportunity and validation and then, a line is drawn. You still don’t have a family. Then you try your best to get what little love you can from the closest thing to a parental figure and then its gone and the opportunity is given to someone who already has a loving family." Sunset loves Princess Twilight like a sister; but she also is deeply and profoundly jealous on a subconscious level. Like a sister.

"I’m also totally picturing Sunset as either a Halo Spartan or a Witcher... or Samus Aran - taken at a young age and trained to be the ultimate warrior. She pretty much was, except the PG version." Have some dialogue from a different story I wrote before EFTD:

Sunset leaned her front hooves on the railing, eyes rising back to the skies. “Kind of, yeah. I want them to know the connection I have to the Princess. There's a whole history it seems like everypony just forgot about. They don't know why Princess Twilight is called her most faithful student." She cleared her throat. “Besides, I think most protégés end up with a title like that. I was her most righteous champion. We… don't really use that anymore.”

"Empathy from the Angel. It’s all a matter of perspective, isn’t it?" It most definitely is! I always love a story title that has multiple meanings or interpretations. That's usually how I know I've found one I wanna go with!

All of the thought on what Nightfall Reach means delights me because there was thought that went into it! This isn't going to make sense geographically now that the characters are based near Vanhoover, but Nightfall Reach is based on West Point. Nightfall happens in the west, reach refers to furthest point! Funny enough, I hadn't told Bevin that until last night - she thought NR was location in MLP canon.

"Okay, so there’s the whole Nightmare Moon war thing, being part of the guard because she thought her mom was, and the thing where she wanted to protect the Princess. Like, there’s some things that don’t feel like they add up here. The whole “mom was a guard” thing itself could be made up." ::smiles in you're onto something::

"Sunset’s hope that, someone out there she didn’t know about was really looking out for her other self, and decided she could do with some discipline. So, what would’ve happened had Celestia not taken her in? Would someone else have?" God, when the analysis is so raw it gives the author feels.

Our girl could be a great leader, no matter she chooses to do it!

"Or maybe she’ll realize that she’s been put in enough situations that need her to be more fit that she should change that." Sunset seems to perpetually realize she wants to get in better shape, but doesn't stick with it. She owns a punching bag now but seems to have fallen off using it regularly in between the Ex Files and Empathy. Maybe someday, with the right motivation

"Its not that she’s not capable, but she doesn’t even want to try, and when she has to try to she shifts the blame and loses confidence." Speaking of, yeah, agreed. I think academically, Sunset's natural aptitude for her studies made her lazy and she seemed to mostly focus in on what she was good at back when she was Celestia's student, not bothering with anything else. We still see her trying to sneak video games instead of studying in one of the EG shorts. I think the same applies in a lot of areas of her life: she's not necessarily comfortable with others seeing her sweat (figuratively and literally)

"Ngl this moment had me anxious for a sec there. And hey! I called it! Chalk one up for Other Marvel!" Hell yeah! I love seeing your predictions come true!

"Really appreciate the inclusion of characters like these, no Other Sunset yet but there’s a certain satisfaction in knowing where these other characters end up. Now where’s the Other Starlight Glimmer?" I love letting other characters make a cameo! Obviously being a huge fan of MLP, I'm always curious what some of these characters would be doing in the human world! Fun fact: I'm pretty sure that instead of Cozy Glow, the juvie tease was about human Starlight. Changed it because hey, that juvie hall is meant to be Tartarus, and Cozy's more associated with that than Starlight.

"Wild how that works. If someone didn’t push her to NR, then she would have just been a delinquent the rest of her life?" Sunset certainly seems to think so.

"Yeeess my boy! Point out those middle paths! And point out where she might be wrong!" YES, Timber, reels her in when she's gone too pessimistic and hard on herself!! Love for Timber never fails to please me!

"Maybe the Right there in Front of Me was for her reflection in Bevin’s art piece at the beginning! In the mirror! It’s just her that’s in front of her. She’s standing in her own way." Sunset IS her own worst enemy!

Timber Brambleton Spruce, such a deer :D (That's an awesome connection back to Bramble that I hadn't even thought of!)

"It’s okay Twilight! I thought the same thing!" It's kind of funny that Sunset, as pessimistic as some of her ideas for herself are, never thought once that the other her could be dead. Shows you the difference between Twilight's anxiety and Sunset's self-depreciation.

RE: statue "Omg what. WHAT. I... I don’t... I can’t....what" I've promised myself and Bevin to never explain that one. Enjoy! XD

"What he is now, and what he will be in the future, are two things that can indicate again that this could be very different from the other universe, or the future can be very different from what the current path looks like." ::blasts What My Cutie Mark is Telling Me::

"Flash can be referred to as Junior. hehehe" He can and he hates it :D Sunset teases him about if she's mad at him. Fun fact, though, Twilight could also be referred to as a Junior because of her mom. She's fine with that!

"But waiiiiit... Sunset was an orphan, she might not have even known her parents, who would have even given her the name Sunset Shimmer? *Checks bonus features* Okay so we’ll never know anyway, dangit." Now I didn't say that. ;)

"All these pieces being connected and coming together into something amazing. Of course, there’s so many chapters left so uh, gonna be a while with plenty of more conflict before we reach that." We've got a lot of story left! A final fun fact for this post: Going by wordcount alone, the mid point of the story comes in chapter 10 :D Technically, we're not even halfway done!

So excited to hear you're thoughts on chapters in the latter half of the story. The rest of the ride awaits...

Empathy for the Devil Commentary - Chapter 8

Alright so this is more of a commentary than a re-read? I mean I AM re-reading the chapter, I just haven’t read the rest of the story yet sooooo yeah. Might do a full story re-read later (probably the physical copy, although I might need two so I can just totally write directly in one BUT that’s the same story for another day…)

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