#which is probably not that much because neither of us has actually tried to write any but just talk about it all the time

[alectoperdita]

anyway here are the kaijou fics i know of that feature discussion and/or use of fantasy dildos modeled after dragon dicks

In League With Dragons by saggiclowns

Bad Dragon, Good Puppy by HornedQueenOfHell

Pearly White and Silver, with Hints of Blue by KyattoShaku

Bad Dragon by @unfriendlyamazon

[cozage]

congratulations on reaching 2k 🫶💕

For the event, I was wondering if you could do option one with reader being hit on right in front of them? With shanks, Sanji, zoro and if possible Nami <3

Hehe I love your writing so much!!

Hii thank you! And thank you for the request :)

Characters: gn reader x Shanks, Sanji, Zoro, Nami Cw: creepy bar guys who can't take a hint Total word count: 730

Take a Hint

Shanks

Shanks’s reaction really depends on the kind of mood he’s in. 

Sometimes, you both go into a bar in a competitive mind, trying to see who can get more free drinks throughout the night. 

He enjoys watching guys trying to flirt with you. Plus, free booze is free booze. It’s funny how they never seem to ask if you’re there with someone before they buy you a round. 

But sometimes it really rubs him the wrong way (especially when he’s in the middle of a conversation with you and someone interrupts him to talk to you). 

He usually says some snarky comment like “If you’re going to buy one for my friend here, you should probably buy one for me, considering we’re together.”

He doesn’t ever start a fight, but he will finish them. And he will always take up for you if someone says something rude to you or tries to put their hands on you. 

Sanji

People rarely get the chance to try and flirt with you because Sanji is literally all over you 24/7. He wants everyone to know that he belongs to you. 

However, there are some brave (and foolish) souls that sometimes try while he’s got his back turned or he steps away from a moment. 

The moment he is back, he immediately steps between you and the man who’s trying to shoot his shot. “Is this guy bothering you?” he’ll ask.

He’ll turn back to the guy, his curly brows furrowed in anger. “Unless you want to get your ass kicked, buddy, you might want to move along.”

Afterward the flirter leaves, Sanji will fawn over you, asking if the man hurt you or did anything that made you uncomfortable. He won't relax until he knows for sure you’re okay. 

Zoro

Zoro knows you can handle yourself. And besides, it’s amusing to watch. 

He lets you handle the situation. Most of the guys take rejections pretty well, but there are a few stubborn ones who insist on buying you a drink even after you’ve turned them down. So you accept a drink.

When you accept, Zoro’s focus on you usually sharpens slightly. He watches carefully for any passes this guy might try to make on you. If you show even an ounce of discomfort, Zoro’s hand is resting on his blade, just in case. 

Your eyes meet his, and he’ll mouth “You okay?”. If yes, he’ll leave you be. But if it’s no, he’ll take action. 

He’ll position himself between you and the man, taking a nice long drink of the alcohol the guy bought you. Then he’ll plant a kiss firmly on your lips and smirk at you, ignoring the fussing happening from the other man. 

“Listen man,” he’ll say, resting his hand on his blade as he turns to him. “I think you need to learn what rejection is. So why don’t you just buzz off, and leave us alone to enjoy this fine alcohol?”

If it leads to a fight, that’s fine. Zoro has never minded fighting for your honor before. And he’s never lost a bar fight. 

Nami

Listen, Nami is no stranger to people flirting with her. And neither are you. 

Plus, free things are always better. Which is why you two set up a system. 

If a guy starts flirting with you and can’t take a hint, well, he’s basically just inviting in some unfortunate circumstances. 

So you let him buy you a drink. Maybe two, if you’re feeling crazy. You keep him distracted, telling him stories about your life. 

Of course he thinks you need saving by a big strong man or whatever he imagines he is. He has no clue you could knock him out in about 3 seconds flat. But you just smile and listen to his clearly made-up stories. 

Meanwhile, Nami is absolutely robbing him blind. It’s actually hilarious to watch. She starts out with his wallet, but she slowly gets more confident as he gets more drunk. She steals his necklace, watch, even his rings. She’s truly amazing at thievery; you can’t help but be in awe at her skill.

At the end of the night, he goes to pay his tab, and you and Nami quietly slip out together hand-in-hand, serenaded by the screams of panic from that dreadful man.

[hxrukii]

Maybe Ace, Rook, Kalim, Trey and Azul for Pinkie!reader as well?

❝Yes a perfect gift for me, is a smile as wide as a mile!❞

╭・๑ 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲︰ʚ Some of NRC student with a Pinkie Pie!Reader.‧₊˚✦

‧₊˚↷ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫(𝐬)┊❝ Ace Trappola, Rook Hunt, Kalim Al-Asim, Trey Clover, Azul Ashengrotto. ❞ ⸜⸜*

↷︰ʚ 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞 ‧₊˚✦ Reader is female can be read as Yuu. Wow, his also took a few days to make huh. Some of these are quite short cause I didn't know how to write for them, I'm so sorry 'bout that.

╰・𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠(𝐬) ‧₊˚꒰ Spoiler for book 1, 3 and 5. ɞ‧✦

Will be inviting Pinkie!Reader to every Unbirthday Parth just because preparing for the Party will be much more easier with her around

Absolutely loves to see Pinkie!Reader beat the shit out of every overblot/person with her Party Canon. Laughed his ahh off when he first saw Pinkie!Reader use it against Riddle.

It was only after everything calmed down after Riddle's overblot that he actually realized that Pinkie!Reader has a canon.

Is now worried that she might actually have a bomb somewhere in Ramshackle.

For that reason, Ace tries to remain on Pinkie!Reader's good side, just so that he doesn't get bombed

Loves to eat anything Pinkie!Reader baked. Since he doesn't have to worry that anything is for an Unbirthday Party so he probably eats more of Pinkie!Reader's baking then Trey's.

Likes to mess around with Pinkie!Reader's pet alligator.

Sometimes even ends up having staring contest with it. (His competitiveness will probably get the best of him, the competition will probably last hours if nobody stops him.)

Overly positive couple.

Like neither of them ever seem to be sad. Idia is probably scared shitless of the both of them.

They also both know everybody that goes to NRC someway somehow.

Rook and Pinkie!Reader are both overly talkative. So whenever the two of them starts a conversation, it will never end. Vil has to personally come and drag Rook away for the conversation to end.

Would probably wax poetry about Pinkie!Reader's baking skill ngl.

And would also wax poetry about her musical skill ig, since Rook probably has a passion for anything art related.

Is also intrigued by Pinkie!Reader's Party Canon, he isn't worried about how she got it though.

Wonders how Pinkie!Reader manages to fit so many party decorations inside of the canon. Also, where does she keep it?

Was surprised the first time he's seen Pinkie!Reader with a Party Canon, which was during Vil's overblot, since she legit pulled it out of thin air.

Overly positive couple pt. 2

Kalim absolutely adores Pinkie!Reader.

The both of them are Jamil's worst nightmare.

Will want to host parties all day every day whenever he and Pinkie!Reader are together.

The two of them are just so positive and extroverted. They're probably also Idia's worst nightmare.

The whole of NRC are probably blinded by the positivity whenever they are together.

Was absolutely ecstatic when Pinkie!Reader pulled out her Party Canon for the first time.

Does that mean that Pinkie!Reader could host a party in a matter of seconds?! That's awesome!

Also loves to eat Pinkie!Reader's baking, to the point where he forgets that Jamil needs to taste his food before hand in case of poisoning. But surely Pinkie!Reader wouldn't try to poison him, right?

Would probably also stuff Pinkie!Reader's pet alligator with crackers just like he did with Grim. Well if alligators can eat crackers that is.

Whenever Kalim is hosting a party. Pinkie!Reader will be the first one invited. And if she's not the first one invited, then she's probably hosting the party alongside him.

Baking buddies for real

Trey would probably love to bake with Pinkie!Reader. They would exchange recipes and all.

Also enjoys being around her in general, how positivity and carefree personality is probably a welcome change for him, especially after Riddle's overblot, since he was used to Heartslabyul's strictness.

Would personally invite Pinkie!Reader every Unbirthday Party Heartslabyul is hosting since he knows she loves to party.

Was flabbergasted when he saw Pinkie!Reader pull out her Party Canon during Riddle's overblot.

Probably thought it was a real canon at first. Was about to stop her from firing, since he really didn't?t want to witness Riddle die y'know.

Only to be shocked and relieved that inside the canon was... part decoration.

Still was worried by the fact that Pinkie!Reader somehow manages to walk around NRC with a canon that she keeps who knows where.

Actually, where does the canon even come from? May end up overthinking it.

Though he is glad that Pinkie!Reader is able to defend herself, though her method of defense is rather... interesting to say the least.

Azul would probably invite Pinkie!Reader to help decorate the Mostro Lounge whenever there's an event.

Also enjoys eating her baking from time to time, but stops himself from eating to much, since he has to maintain his appearance.

Tries to get Pinoie!Reader to sign a contract so that she can work for Mostro Lounge full time, but somehow, Pinkie!Reader always manage to confuse him and refuse to sign the contract, much to Azul's dismay.

You'd think he'd be used to her strange personality since he's known the Leech twins for so long, but apparently not.

Was also absolutely mortified when he first saw Pinkie!Reader pull out a canon during his overblot.

Tries to get Pinkie!Reader to tell him where the canon comes from. Tough he still hasn't succeeded yet, but he's determined.

Will keep Floyd as far away from Pinkie!Reader's canon as possible, he really doesn't need Floyd to scare away potential customers, or blow up the Mostro Lounge.

Also very impressed by Pinkie!Reader's musical still, and surprisingly good memory.

Probably wanted to steal those abilities for Ace, Deuce and Grim's freedom, but opted for Ramshackle instead.

꒰ ◁ ꒱┊❝Back to Ace, Rook, Kalim, Trey, Azul's Masterlist❞

[amutamika]

More of the moshang demon/demon hunter AU This time: Mobei trying to flirt (and failing miserably) He is actually following the wiki how article. But Shang Qinghua is pretty sure he wants to kill him. 1. Make eye contact and smile while you talk. Mobei Jun tries that. He never smiles, but he gives it his best shot. Smiling can't be so hard. It looks for Shang Qinghua like a predator shows his teeth to its prey. Especially because Mobei Jun is looking at him without blinking. Is he trying to intimidate him? If yes, it works. But why? Oh hell, why is he not blinking? Did he do something wrong? Is Mobei Jun waiting for him to slip up? Mobei Jun isn't sure if this was a success or not. He will keep trying. 2. Open with a question or a compliment. The article suggested to compliment them on their dress. But Shang Qinghua doesn't wear dresses. All he wears are old, oversized shirts with colourful graphics or weird texts on them. He tries it anyway. "Nice shirt. Where did you get it?" Shang Qinghua is taken aback. He wears a shirt with holes in it and some weird stains that Shang Qinghua wasn't sure where they came from. For a second he is considering if the demon hunter with the designer clothes is mocking him. Maybe he should just pretend like he didn't hear the question? But Mobei Jun starts showing his teeth again. "D-do you want it? I don't know where I got it from. I am so sorry." Shang Qinghua quickly starts stripping. Luckily he has a tank top underneath the shirt. He basically throws it at Mobei Jun in hopes that that was what he wanted. Mobei Jun writes that off as a success. Point 3 is useless. He already introduced himself. So he moves on to point 4. 4. Keep the converstaions light. Easier said than done because they never talk much. Most of the time Shang Qinghua tries to keep the meetings and conversations short. And Mobei Jun doesn't really have topics to talk about. So he just says what the article uses as example. "I've been watching this show You. Have you seen it?" Shang Qinghua nearly dies of a heart attack. That must be some kind of threat. Why would Mobei Jun say something like that if it wasn't they never do small talk. And why should that hunter just casually bring up that show. Does he want to hint that he knows what Shang Qinghua is? Surely not, he would be dead if Mobei Jun knew. His mind is whirling. "Ehm... no, I don't have any streaming services." The conversation ends like that. Maybe it is for the best. Because Mobei Jun doesn't have the slightest clue whatbthat show is about. He notes this a neither sucess nor failure. He needs more topics. 5. Touch your crushs arm during the conversation. He tried, but Shang Qinghua instantly flinched. Shang Qinghua was sure that Mobei Jun tried to grab him. Why? At least he didn't try again. But why would he try something like that? He didn't do anything suspicious. He was sure of it!! Mobei Jun notes down that Shang Qinghua probably doesn't like to be touched. Which would be weird for an incubi... He doesn't try again for some time. 6. Throw in some compliments to make your crush feel good. Complimenting his shirt was a success, so he really shoukd try again. But what is he about to compliment? He doesn't know what that guy does. So he decides he needs more insight. Maybe he should look up the stuff he is buying.

7. Wind down your conversations after a few minutes. GREAT SUCCESS. He doesn't even have to try that! They never talk so long! So this means that Shang Qinghua is actualy also flirting with him. He is always cutting their meetings short. Shang Qinghua must be trying to make him want more. Meanwhile Shang Qinghua isn't sure what Mobei Jun is planning. The behavior of the demon hunter scares him. He even considered not leaving his appartment for a while but that would be suspicious too. Humans need to eat. Fuck.

[ficsinhistory]

Do you have any headcanons for SCU!Amy?

You give me WAY to many power, anon. Let's go!

Amy comes from Little Planet. That's it, you can't convince me otherwise.

Because she was born on Little Planet, Amy can use her chaos energy for temporal manipulation. See the future and past, travel through time, etc.

Her people are a more pacifist, technological, diplomatic and peacemaking society. They believe in the power of the collective and that love transcends time. Hence part of her personality. They also believe that the flow of time has to be free from interference…something she doesn't agree with so much.

Amy actually knows Sonic, but neither of them remembers it because Little Planet only appears once a year for a month and she shows up the last time before he ran away. Amy landed on the island one day and ended up bumping into Sonic. They spent the month playing before she had to return for good and promising to come see him the following year. Amy never found Sonic again.

I believe Amy is a very powerful chaos energy user, especially since she is also a hedgehog. All of them, like Shadow and Sonic, have enormous and innate powers and I believe she does too. This even puts a target on her back.

She wasn't much older than Sonic when Little Planet was taken over. The whole thing was extremely traumatic for Amy who saw everything she knew and love die and the feeling of helplessness she felt motivated her to never be so helpless and incapable again.

She was captured by the creator of the Metal Sonics (probably Ivo) because of her powers when she was younger and had a quill stolen from her before could escape. This is how robots travel through time and why they have pink energy. They also can track her because of this. She blames herself for being the reason these threats are running wild and tries to make up for it.

Like Sonic, Amy was sent to Earth by a guardian who loved her, but she was instructed on a mission to protect (possibly protect the Time Stones and even Sonic) at any cost, even her own life. Contrasting Longclaw's instructions to Sonic which was to protect himself. Yes, it's so mess up to her as it's sounds.

She is on Earth at the same time as Sonic. However, she never left the New York area and being so good at hiding, never knew about him nor he about her.

Her hammer came from a factory of Little Planet, which canonically has an advanced industrial hub. She get it during the invasion to protect herself.

Amy has been fighting Metals for years and they always come back more refined and better. The only reason she hasn't been defeated is that her powers give her an advantage with vision of the future and Amy is naturally a strategic and inventive mind.

It's unnerving for her to destroy the Metal Army because they look similar to Sonic. Her mind can't remember him, but subconsciously, she knows she's seen that face somewhere. She's thrilled when she finally meets the real Sonic.

Just like Sonic's, Amy's powers are linked to emotions and since the trauma of the fall of Little Planet, her temporal abilities don't work very well. More specifically, her ability to see possible futures and remember her own past, is very scary for her. It's only when she meets Sonic again and they commit to dealing with the past together that it return to normal.

Amy's emotions in general are a mess. She is traumatized and lonely, while also being loving and optimistic. Because of her mission, she is afraid of putting even more people she cares about in danger, which leads to self-isolation. And just like Sonic, she tries to distract herself by wandering around New York and observing friends, couples, and families.

She's obsessed with musicals. She's also crazy about magical girls and has stacks of manga in her home. Amy also loves writing.

She lives in the post-credits park, in her own cave. In addition to manga, she has fairy lights, musical posters, various pink things, fashion magazines and exterotypically feminine things. Cloths? She loves it. Pop white girl music? You can bet. Rom-com? Please, she's a New Yorker.

The moon reminds her of Little Planet because it is also a satellite. Imagine her shock of seeing it split it.

She has survivor's guilt and thinks the Metals are her fault, so Amy has very little self-preservation. This leaves everyone, especially Sonic, a nervous wreck.

Amy believes in unconditional love, and is a lover of all living things. Following the philosophy that all life is valid and precious. Love is the only thing that transcend time.

When Amy meets the Wachowskis, she is delighted and excited. She has finally found people she can be around without fear, who she gets along with and who are part of her mission. Yes, she loves Maddie and Maddie loves her.

This girl collects friends and allies as Pokemons. Tom and Maddie? Folded for this cute, pink girl. Tails and Knuckles? Automatically siblings. Even Shadow can't handle this girl's absolute resolve for friendship. He knows resist is useless.

She and Sonic have a mutual crush, but they're really bad at it. Between the traumas and the similarities, it's just… amazing and scary to have someone understand you like that. Love is being seen, and Amy doesn't know how to feel about being so seen and vulnerable like that. All Amy knows is that she loves this boy very much and would hate to be responsible for taking him away from his family. That said, she can't hide it. Is so obvious.

Although she is in love with Sonic, her favorite Wachowski brother is Tails. They're tech siblings and strategic pals.

Knuckles and Amy get along very well. She has heard of his reputation as a warrior and he knows the stories of the mysterious Little Planet. They are both happy to finally have a sparring partner.

Amy's fighting style is very aggressive and destructive. She feels a lot of anger towards the Metals and this is quite a fuel. It reminds a bit of Shadow's practicality and brutality.

She is so empathetic and kind to the point of being disarming. Amy can get the truth out of anyone like that. One look into those green eyes and you are doomed. She will win you over with the power of unconditional love and non-judgmental listening.

Empathy plus temporal powers allow Amy to know everything about someone. It's scary and she knows it and likes it.

She is very good at hiding and uses this to her advantage when she visits New York. Although sometimes she likes to mess with people she finds rude by revealing herself a little and saying "no one will believe you" before smiling and walking away.

Amy has a temper and is very angry. And she is in New York. Pretty much the best place for her to hide.

She can love everyone but herself.

[nightlyrequiem]

Hi hi hi, requiem! 💗💗💗 I hope you're having a great day!

This is actually my first time sending a request, so I'm feeling a little shy, hahaha (⁠๑⁠•⁠﹏⁠•⁠)

I've been reading your fanfics lately, and honestly, you're my favorite Valeria writer ever! 💕💕 I was wondering if I could request a one-shot of Gorgon Valeria x (Blind) Fem Reader? Preferably smut, with a bit of angst if that's something you'd like to include! I've been so obsessed with Medusa Valeria lately, but there are barely any fanfics about her, and I'd love to see your take! I was thinking of a historical AU where the reader is sacrificed by her village because of her disability. They shove her into the cave where Valeria lives, and she has to fend for herself until Valeria eventually finds her. You can take it in whatever direction you feel like!

Of course, take your time if you're busy, and it's totally okay if this isn't something you want to write. I'm just happy I tried!

Thank you so much, and I can't wait to read more of your amazing writing! (灬º‿º灬)♡

Hello Hello! I am having a dandy day (As of writing this) I hope you are too!

You're so sweet! I'm not sure why a gorgon has been unanimously decided to be what Valeria would be but I'm not complaining. I think it's a cool concept.

Love me some angst, love me some smut. Fun fact, snakes breed by wrapping around each other, they don't have regular gentelia but cloacas. I learned this from an educational parody of Niki Manaj's Anaconda song. That being said, Valeria does not have a cloaca here, so that information isn't very relevent.

Tags/Warning: WLW, Minor Ableism by the Village, Emotional Angst, Violence, Non-Bloody Gore, Smut, Gorgon!Valeria, Probably Some Historical and Geographical Inaccuracies

Apple of Her Eye

'Stay away from the woods, Mija.' The sweet voice who first murmured those words to you fades from your memory each day that passes but the warning remains. You were born different. Your eyes didn't develop properly in the womb. Small and underdeveloped.

Your 'otherness' led to your exclusion by the village. It didn't help that you were a bastard child born out of wedlock. You grew up isolated. Your mother your only companion. You were content enough to live out your days with your mother. It was better this way. The less attention you draw to yourself, the less likely you'll be thought of for the annual sacrifice made to the Snake Woman of Addermouth.

Every year of the night during the Harvest Moon, an undesirable is selected and taken through the woods. A full day's journey to be left at the mouth of the cave. Ankles shattered to stop them from running. Barbaric in nature but deemed necessary after a bound sacrifice had managed to free herself of her binds and found her way back to the village. Thus, not making a sacrifice that year. It snowed that November. Something unheard of for the warm region. The homes were not built to retain heat and neither were the barns. Half the village died of starvation and cold.

Your mother used to tell you that story. Before you got too old for bedside tales, before she was lost to the Consumption. Now you're alone. Taken in by the church because no one else wants a blind girl. The Harvest moon is coming up. They're making their selections. While you're out in the garden, running your hands over the heads of flowers to count them, Father Luis pulls you aside.

"Come, walk with me, my dear." He says gently. He guides your hand to his arm and the two of you walk. "The sky is clear today." He tells you. 

"I know." You reply simply. "It's warmer when the sky is clear."

Father Luis pats your arm. "... The Harvest Moon approaches, I'm sure you've heard."

You don't respond. 

"... Well, we've had a hard time making the selection. Afterall, it's not easy to pick which of our own we're going to send to Addermouth. We all have our uses here and all absences are felt equally." He rambles. 

"You already know who it is." You murmur. 

"... Yes." Father Luis admits. "... With your... affliction, there isn't much you can do for Las Almas," He starts, shattering your heart. "But you can have a purpose, my dear, if we give you up to Addermouth you will ensure that we have another bountiful year for crops and fertility. You will keep us safe."

You stop walking. Turning your sightless gaze on Father Luis.

"Because I'm more useful dead than alive, you mean." You reply. The air thickens with tension as Father Luis struggles for a reply.

"Not at all." He says weakly. Your shoulders slump as you hear just how much he doesn't believe his own words. "You aren't useless here, you'd just be making so much more use out of yourself if you were chosen, your blindness isn't a curse, it's a blessing."

You scowl. "A blessing?" You repeat. "It's a blessing because you can throw me to the beast without losing anything! It means you don't have to sacrifice anyone capable of labor!"

Father Luis doesn't respond. Because he knows it's true.

"You've already been chosen." He says quietly. "I've talked to the men picked to bring you to Addermouth, I told them I could get you to agree so they wouldn't have to break your ankles. I'm sparing you pain."

"How kind of you, Father, for sparing me the pain of broken ankles. I'll be sure to remember your benevolence while I'm being torn apart." 

"I'm trying to help you-" He begins.

"No, you're trying to clear your conscious." You growl. "You're the one who gets the final say on the sacrifice. You feel guilty for choosing me. Well, I don't forgive you." You say coldly.

You tried fighting. When the collectors came for you. It was no use. They grabbed you and forced you into the white ceremonial robes. You refused to eat, a small act of defiance on your end. It means little to them, but it means a lot to you. You can feel the warmth from the torches that the men carry as they walk you to Addermouth. Your bare feet, unused to the unfamiliar terrain catch on stones and loose Earth.

The air turns cold, signaling the beginning of nightfall. You shiver from the chill and wrap your arms around yourself, hoping to retain a little body heat. The thorns from the crown they placed upon your head digs uncomfortably into your scalp. You tried adjusting it but had your hand slapped away with a barking command to not touch it.

A rough hand grabs you by the back of the neck and halts you. 

"We're here." He mutters. "Lay down in the dirt on your back."

Your heart flutters. "... No." You say. Turning your face towards where you think the man is. You expect him to get mad, or argue, instead your abruptly shoved to the ground. You grunt in pain as your back slams into stone and soil.

Before you can sit up or speak, something heavy and metal crashes down onto your legs. You arch your back as a scream tears itself free from your throat. The object comes down again and you jerk away, trying to crawl away. Your fragile leg bones snap and dislocate. The pain is hot and heavy. Not limiting itself to your legs it crawls up your thighs and into your spine. You screech your hurt into the night and vomit the contents of your stomach. 

𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙

Valeria is familiar with the sound an animal makes when it knows it's going to die. Deep within the dark walls of her cave, a screech echos from outside. The snakes on her head stir with curiosity. Small tongues flicking out to taste the air. Valeria drags herself from her nest and stalks down the cave towards the exit. Climbing upwards. She smells the air and tastes blood and fear. A person, an injured one. Nothing she hasn't seen before.

The sky has grown dark with the night. The stars up above far away and infinite in numbers offer very little light. At the mouth of the cave is a woman. Draped in those robes that the villagers seem to favour. Like the others, her legs have been broken. Valeria lays a hand upon her, feeling her stillness and warmth. The woman stirs and flinches, rising up to a sit. Valeria's snakes fan out around her head, staring right at her. The woman looks up and... Valeria stares curiously.

The woman breathes heavily and stares straight at her, not petrifying.

"Hello?" You call out weakly. "Is someone there?"

You're blind. She realizes. Your eyes are small and cloudy. Marbled with white. They remind her of the full moon. You're covered in dirt and sweat and reek of fear. One of the longer of her snakes ventures closer. Tasting your scent.

"Hello." Valeria murmurs. Gazing at you with interest. Normally she petrifies her victims. She glances at the many statues littering the clearing. In various positions. A few men but mostly women, their once fluid robes now still forever.

Your eyelids flutter.

"Hello?" You reply. "I need.. I need help." You say.

"I can see that." She hums, inspecting you. 

"Are we safe?" You ask, surprising her.

"Whatever from?" She inquires with amusement.

"The Creature of Addermouth?" You say, furrowing your brows.

Creature of Addermouth. The Snake Woman, Medusa, Valeria has earned herself many names over her long life.

"We're safe." She says. Then doesn't speak for a while, unused to having company. She looks at you for a little longer. Indulging herself before finally reaching out for you. "Let me get you out of the open like this." She says, slowly dragging you into the cave. Your questions inquiring about your destination remain unanswered as she drags you in deep. Valeria slowly lowers you to her nest and looks over your wounds.

She gently ghosts her hand over your mangled legs. Feeling the unnatural angles your bones are in.

"Why do they do this?" She ponders aloud quietly. 

You rub a hand over you shoulder. "What?"

"Break the legs." She murmurs.  

"... You know about the sacrifices?" You ask.

"It's hard not to notice." Valeria replies. Moving away to grab old clothes to wrap up your legs. She can't do much else to help.

"It's to kill any chance of survival for the chosen." You murmur grimly.

Valeria stayed away from you while you healed. Watched you from the shadows and brought you food while you were asleep. Sometimes you called out to her, voice harsh and scared. Other times you sang. Mournful and lonely. Valeria likes it when you sing. She'd lay against the stone walls and listen.

You lay still in her nest while she brings you stolen bread. She sets it down beside you and you stir, sitting up and opening your eyes.

"... Valeria?" You speak.

She hesitates. Pondering if she should let you know she's there. "Yes." She responds. 

You relax at her voice. "Can you please stay?" You ask. "It's cold, and very lonely here."

Valeria finds herself wanting to stay in your company. You're the only person she hasn't turned to stone, the only one invulnerable to her curse. She sits down and folds her legs under her.

"I can stay for awhile." She says.

Then you smile at her.

Valeria makes it a habit to stay with you often. Bringing your food while you're awake and talking to you. Once your legs have healed enough, she begins helping you walk around. Learning the way you talk, the way you laugh, learning the way you've come to understand the world, which is far different to her. Valeria, who was previously a solitary creature, has come to enjoy your company. She enjoys you. Though there's that fear at the back of her mind eating at her. One that tells her you wouldn't stick around if you knew what she was, what she looked like.

You tell each other stories. Legends and myths exchanged for entertainment. You even told her the reason your village sacrifices people. There was something... sinister in the woods. People went in and never came out again, stolen and dragged to the dark pits of Addermouth. The large, supposedly endless cave system in the middle of the forest. Wicked and hungry. It's said that the Creature of Addermouth is what caused the disappearance of everyone in the neighboring village. Once bustling with life left full of stone statues that look suspiciously like the villagers.

Valeria is the monster that has haunted your dreams and you don't even know it.

"But... you came and found me." You say after a few silent moments filled only by the faint echoes of dripping water. "Tell me, Valeria," You murmur. "Is there really a monster or has my village been ruling itself with it's own man-made superstition? Was my sacrifice in vain? Were all those lives given up to the 'monster' for naught?"

Valeria works out her response. "... I have never encountered anything of the like out here." She says carefully. As far as she's aware, she's the only one of her kind roaming about in these woods, and one can hardly encounter themselves.

Over the months you grow restless. Walking further and further within the cave. You talk more and more about the outside, and to Valeria's growing annoyance, the very village that casted you out to die. A topic that has brewed many an argument between you two. She doesn't understand your attachment to the place that betrayed you, why you wish to live among people who will never see you as anything more than the blind girl. She doesn't understand why you want to leave her.

Your nest is empty when she comes by with food. She looks around for you, finding you standing at the cave entrance, facing the outside wistfully. She stays back in the shadows but you've adjusted to living in a cave where all noise is accentuated.

"Is it sunny today?" You ask her. Valeria peers out.

"It is." She murmurs. Walking up beside you, your arms brushing. "The sky is clear, the sun is shining down warmly and dappling the forest floor with light."

"Are the flowers getting any sun?" You ask.

"What flowers?" Valeria asks with surprise.

"Those ones." You point to the left vaguely. There is a patch of wild daffodils there.

"They are." She says. "How did you know about them?"

You smile, it's a sad little thing not expressing joy so much as sardonic amusement.

"I found them when I was walking around outside." You say. "If I focus enough, I can smell them from here."

Valeria stares at them contemplatively. As yellow as the sun, heads facing towards the sky.

"I want to go home." You say suddenly. Valeria looks at you with indignation.

"What home?" She asks mutinously. You turn your face to her.

"My village, Valeria." You say tiredly. You reach out and take ahold of her cold hands. "You could come with me, you don't have to live here, in this cave, you could come back with me."

Valeria pulls away. Appalled, hurt, angry.

"Why would I ever want to be surrounded by the very people who sent you to die? Why would I want to be around them when they'd treat me even worse?" She snaps. Thinking of you as foolish. You face drops.

"They're frightened and misinformed. I know what they do is bad but if you came back with me - tell them that you've been living here and not a sight of the monster, they might stop sacrificing people!" You plead, only adding to Valeria's growing annoyances and pushing her over the edge.

"I am the monster." She growls. Her snakes, sensing her agitation, flare.

"What do you mean?" You ask.

"How stupid you must be to not have realized!" She snaps at you. "I live in the very cave your people tell stories about. Think about it for more than ten seconds, I beg you!"

Inklings of regret wriggle in her heart but she stays strong. Your expression morphs into confusion and fear. You look at her the same way as everyone else, only difference being is she can't make you stop by turning you to stone. She looks at the statues, with their faces clawed off.

"... But you helped." you say. "You're lying."

Fed up with you, Valeria swiftly approaches you and grabs your hands. "Feel my scales. Feel my snakes. You can't look upon my monstrosity, but you can touch it." She wretches your hands over her face, making you feel the scales on her cheeks and the writhing snakes in her hair. You recoil and try to pull away but Valeria doesn't let you.

Finally, she lets you pull away. You cradle your hands to your chest as though she's burned you. Your mouth hangs agape but no sounds escape you.

"Go." She says angrily. "Try to find your way back to the very people that hate you. Return to those animals and never speak of me, never think of me, and never seek me out." 

You hesitate then turn and stumble away, into the woods where you are sure to die. Guilt and pain tugs at her heart but she ignores it and turns away as well. Slinking back down into her cave.

❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀

You stumble through the foliage. Nettles sting your legs and mouse holes trip you. Your skin crawls when you think about how close you were to the Creature of Addermouth. Then sorrow overwhelms you when you think about her. Your friend. 

You're not sure where you're going. Your sense of direction skewed by spending so much time below ground. You use the trees to help you walk. The trees thin out and you're left to wander a clearing. A familiar voice calls out to you, saying your name with astonishment. A group surrounds you, voices drowning each other out with questions.

There was great debate about your return. Many wanting to send you back into the woods in fear that your return will cause great suffering. Father Luis declares you spared, much to the unpopular opinion of the public. Unwilling to argue with a messenger of God, the people allow you to live. Once again pushing you to the outskirts of town where if they try hard enough, they can forget you.

During your moments with Valeria, you forgot how lonely existence is. Going by unwanted and ignored by your own. This is what you were so desperate to return to. But... you miss her. Each day that pull inside you tugs harder and harder, drawing you back to Addermouth and the Snake Woman that lives there. You pack any belongings that you can carry, and under the cover of night, set off into the woods. Letting that feeling guide you through the trees and bushes.

 You walk and walk. Journeying further into the forest with only your faith in your friend to guide you. You grow tired and less careful with your steps. You begin to fear that you are lost. It's also at this point that you become aware of something stalking you from the side. Footsteps apart from your own and the sense that you're being watched.

You stop in a clearing. Not certain as to where you are. The cold winds bite through the cloak you're wearing. Heavy with exhaustion, you unshoulder your burdens and kneel in the soft grass. You tilt your head up. Unable to see the stars, but the stars see you.

You don't turn at the sound of footsteps behind you.

"You came back." The owner of them speaks. You straighten up.

"... I did." You say. They come no closer. "I had assumed that home was where I was born. Among people who are the most like me. I was wrong." You whisper. Valeria slowly approaches you and kneels own behind you, gently laying her hands over your shoulders. You can feel her snakes brush up against your head and neck.

"Coming out here on your own wasn't safe." she says. "There are many caves and ravines you could've fallen into. Packs of wolves and coyotes roam at night. You could've gotten lost and succumbed to nature."

You lean against her. Touched by her concern.

"But you found me." You say.

Valeria rests her head on your shoulder. "Yes, I found you." 

You bask in the moment. Warmed by your friend's presence. Her breath ghosts over your neck, sending goosebumps over the skin.

Your hearts beat together. Slowly, Valeria pulls you down and crawls on top of you, her nose brushing against yours. You cup the back of her head and pull her down, pressing your lips to hers. Valeria sighs out all her lonely yearning. Pressing close to you. Her lips are cold but being so close to her makes you feel warm.

The Creature of Addermouth handles you with utmost care and gentleness as he removes your clothing. Helping you shed the last tethers to your village. Valeria pulls you on top of her, your back to her chest with her legs tangling with yours. Her hand palms your breast, rolling the fat under her hand.

You can feel her skin and scales under your back. Smooth and cool. Her hand moves up from your breast to hold you by the throat gently, her other hand running down your body and pushing her fingers through the course hair on your pubic mound. They find your clit and you tilt your head back, eyes closed in pleasure. Her fingers drift down to collect your arousal. Her breasts press into your back and the snakes on her head brush against your cheek.

Valeria's fingers enter you. Sliding into the wet warmth of your core. You writhe together in a tangle of lust and limbs. Unsure of where her leg ends and yours begins. While she pumps her fingers into you, she also grinds you down onto her. Rubbing herself against you, accumulating a wetness on your lower back. She groans into your ear, sending blood to your clit.

The pressure builds, becoming too much for you. You let go of the rope and allow yourself to dive into the pleasure. You cum around her fingers, tightening and tensing with a high whine. Valeria, with her fingers still inside of you, continues to hold you against her. She's not far behind. Panting and losing all sense of rhythm. She shudders and presses her face into your neck. Legs trembling as she does so.

You and Valeria fall asleep together. Laid up in the grass under the moon and stars. Cuddled up like animals in your most natural forms. Valeria never thought she'd experience something so wonderful. Her greatest treasure, she'll keep you until it's time for your body to return to the Earth it came from.

[rivalswrites]

Knew you once

Before you read, please be warned that I'm writing based on my impressions of them not only in the game (though it's the biggest inspiration), but some of them with the movies/shows in mind too.

Summary: In your universe you knew Bruce, and were close. In his universe, he never knew you. How will you gain the friendship of this brand new, but old friend?

(Basically- you love Bruce, he doesn't know you)

Uugh I love Bruce so much you guys 😭

Masterlist

The Multiverse was much more confusing than you thought it'd be. I mean, just the mere concept was confusing, but actually going through it? Even worse, especially when you know so many of the people you were with- but they didn't seem to know you as well as you did them.

Exhibit A, Bruce Banner. A one of a kind scientist with powers to turn into the Hulk after a research experiment gone wrong. In your world, the two of you were inseparable- two peas in a pod. You worked together in a lab after meeting at Stark towers, and a friendship bloomed.

A type of friendship where neither of you had to worry about hurting the others feelings, one where you could relentlessly tease the other and they'd only laugh- not get angry. One where you could insult each other and know it was out of affection. But you had to put all that behind you now, because the Bruce that you stared at from across the room was not your Bruce. He was certainly Bruce, but not yours.

He was different, but you could tell it was Bruce- he always loved that purple button up. His appearance was different, yet the same at the same time. You knew he would act differently too, personality seemed to vary a lot in the multiverse it seemed. Approaching would be difficult, but necessary if you wanted Bruce back in your life while the fight was going on; being so used to having him as an anchor and vice versa in high stress moments.

With a deep breath for courage, you walked across the room and right by his side- gently tapping him on the shoulder before beginning to speak.

“Bruce! I have to say, after all this time your research on the human DNA and possibly changing the genetic codes is still one of my favorites” you offered a smile, and in return he did too- though it was a weak one that definitely didn't reach his eyes.

While the smile was more of a nervous one, you took it as a start as he replied “Oh, thank you… uh- I can't say I know you, are you involved in genetic sciences too?”

“It's alright” you responded in kind, not wanting him to feel bad for not knowing you (which really did hurt), before answering his question- “and definitely not. I tend to stick with technology, but- I don't know, that paper was just amazing.” And you had meant it.

Again he offered a smile in return to your answer, a small nod to go along with it- again, nothing reached his eyes. Stupid you, not realizing that specific research has resulted in probably his deepest trauma- this was so hard, your Bruce wouldn't have cared as much.

Gently placing a hand on his shoulder, you tried correcting yourself. “I know it probably isn't your favorite of all the research papers you've done, for obvious reasons… But I loved it, I sort of admire you- It! I admire it” you fumbled to correct your mistake, but it was definitely heard.

A laugh escaped him, a bigger smile on his face than before- it came up to his eyes. He took your hand off his shoulder and into his, where he held it in both with a soft grip.

“I know you know me, and I'm sorry I can't return the sentiment. But I'm sure if I was friends with you in your universe, I made a good judgement about you…” his voice was soft, you couldn't handle how much it sounded like your Bruce, “It'll take some time, but I hope we can have the same relationship you had with me- your Bruce. Probably not the exact same, but I'd like for it to be similar.”

Dumbfounded, you just nodded, staring at your hand in his, focusing on the warmth it brought to you- your entire body.

Bringing a hand up from yours, he adjusted his glasses before letting go of your hands completely and putting them in his pockets, “We'll talk another time, definitely soon, okay?” Right, you were technically on the job right now.

Putting your hand down so it didn't stay where it was in his hold, you nodded and waved with a smile before moving away; nervously looking around to make sure no one saw how utterly embarrassed you were for your behavior. You watched as he muttered something to himself and started to ‘hulk out’, as he called it.

Taking the opportunity, you watched the process closely. The chance to see it happen so up close didn't come by often in your world.

As the match started and progressed, it seemed like the Hulk, or Bruce, were never out of your sight- or you out of his. How sweet, maybe he could same friendship you had with your Bruce- or even closer if you got lucky.

[bonefall]

Any thoughts on Moonpaw’s design? Do you plan to make her appearance a bit more unique/utilize the chimera a bit more?

Honestly I think her canon design is pretty fantastic! I don't agree with those who're saying it's not unique lmao, like, the team's never been THIS creative before. She blows Pure Gray Cats 3, 4, and 5 out of the water.

But, boy oh BOY am I gonna have fun with this one. Last night I sketched up a possible combo for each Moonpaw from the options I presented. Whichever one gets picked I'll tweak more, but I went ahead and made a 'base' character design for each one.

Also bonus: Headshots for all of the possible parents. Note the slight update for Stormcloud, I figured out a better way to draw his cheek fluff and changed his stripe pattern a bit

Whatever designs end up not being used for Moonpaw, I'll probably tweak for another new litter. ThriftPlum and ShellFern's hypokits will slot well into the eventual ShellFern litter we (HOPEFULLY) get soon, and with a slight edit, StormCherry's can be a new Honeyfur.

PlumThrift

This one's becoming the least likely to happen I think. It could still win if it's the most fitting with the arc, supposing canon ends up writing a strained relationship between Moon and her parents, but based on the preview stuff that's not the case.

Still! I do like the Two Soccer Moms And Their Weird Child lmao.

Thrift and Plum are a downright deadly united front. They play Good Cop Bad Cop like they're practically telepathic. So I tried to get that across in their headshots.

Plumstone always looks laidback and chill. Thriftear exudes an aura of seriousness.

Their weird child inherits neither of these things. She looks like she eats bugs.

I decided to make this Moonpaw look REALLY fluffy. Plumstone inherited her grandpa Graystripe's body type, so it would be a shame if Moony didn't get it too.

FlipBay

BB!Bayshine is a DustFern descendant. He has his great-grandfather Dustpelt's plate.

The stripes come from grandfather Birchfall, who gave them to mother Duststripe.

Flipclaw is strikingly similar to his grandfather Lionblaze, back before he started balding.

While drawing this one I started trying to play around with the chimera idea more, that she's half of one cat and half of another. When the face plate came into it, it STRUCK me like lighting

It looks like phantom of the opera!!

So I started experimenting with one side being shorter-furred, and got a draft down before moving on to a waaay more in-depth design.

This was the last one I did last night before going to bed, so I'll post the evolution I made in a separate post. It's the one with the most potential thanks to the plate so it got pretty big.

ShellFern

Most Moonpaw designs are chunky, but I've always seen Shellfur as pretty slim. Definitely the slimmest in his recent family-- since Graystripe, the Dapplekin family has been thick and fluffy.

Mix that with Fernstripe, a WindClan cat, I made this Moonpaw resemble some kind of gazelle.

Fernstripe has this long, "fern-shaped" stripe on her body. Paired with Moonpaw's half-black body it looks kind of like stitches which is, imo, cool as fuck

I let her crescent-tufts add to the shape too, they curl in like horns... though, I am worried it looks too much like Curlfeather.

I'll probably give this one another pass if Moonpaw ends up being a ShellFern baby.

Also this take makes her took a bit more grumpy so she's closer in personality to her dad.

StormCherry

This is actually the first one I did

Cherryfall has a perfectly round, cherry-shaped face. She actually looks a ton like her dad, Berrynose.

I wanted to give Moonpaw that same face, because hers is simply a half-moon.

She looks like a stressed-out eevee and I kinda dig it LMAO

In color, this Moonpaw would probably lean more towards red than ginger. I see Cherry as a reddish cat.

She could also inherit Poppy's special red eyes-- she got those from being fetched away from StarClan by Jayfeather. Shadowsight also got them.

The stripe pattern is from Stormcloud. I decided recently that I'm going to try and limit thunder-shaped stripes to the Tigerkin family, something they inherit from Thunderstar himself. So Stormcloud's are now transverse across his body, with a distinct nose snip.

When I finally do decide StormCherry's kits, be that now with Moonpaw or later, I'll standardize Stormy's new stripes by giving him a new fullbody.

[merrycrisis-if]

So I just want to say that I'm definitely not a suspicious person sending you a suspicious link - suspicious people wouldn't say that outright, right? I just tried to send an ask, hit the character limit, then tried to send a message, and uh, hit the character limit again. Haha. Anyway, here's what Qiu has done to me: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hcQ_-WQ635cSrgWtEWX1gz7Xv9GbzopT_A5MpvRZA64/edit?usp=sharing

THIS MESSAGE IS THE BOMB!!! I love that you created a google doc just to gush about / psychoanalyse Qiu because of Tumblr asks's character limit, that's so hilarious and amazing!!

OK, now to reply to the message :D

[Re: Qiu] ...They're NOT EVEN AN ADULT YET. It's easy to say "just give up on the only structure you've known all your life because it's toxic" but reality is not always kind; even ignoring any kind of emotional support (which we unfortunately don't really get to see one way or another. Maybe Qiu would have been better off just running off and taking a leap of faith and relying on MC but it's not wrong to feel that the unknown is far more terrifying than the known and there was no way for them to know that choosing MC would have been better. The love of her parents - in whatever form, whether or not it's actually love, is what Qiu has known for most of their life - is a constant as long as they meet expectations.

Exactly, this!! Like, we first meet Qiu when they're still very much finding themselves / figuring out what they want in life. It's definitely a 'coming-of-age' story for them — as much as it is for MC. So their relationship with MC takes place at a point where, like you mentioned, they are still a teen(!) and their parents' expectations and (conditional) love is all that they know. It's never easy to distinguish between what one's own desires, dreams etc. are, and what's simply fed to us by society, by the people we trust/care about (in Qiu's case, it's their parents).

So I think one of the greatest joys of writing Qiu (and their relationship with MC) is acknowledging the imperfection, the growth, and their initial failure to 'do right' by each other back in high school (and the potential to re-visit that and make different choices the second time around).

There are probably bits of “it would be entirely way too selfish of me to ask MC to give up on their opportunity and stay”, among other things, but I’d like to think that feelings of “I don’t deserve to ask this of MC” are also there... Asking or hoping for Qiu to ask them to stay - I get it, I really do, but there’s also a part of me that feels like god DAMN if that isn’t fair, putting the choice on Qiu... Just as Qiu could have stood up for MC, could have shouted their love for MC from the rooftops, could have asked MC to stay; MC could have CHOSEN to stay, could have CHOSEN to prioritize their relationship with Qiu. Could have written emails, snail mail, video calls, flew back for visits, could have given long distance a shot. Maybe it was just the wrong time, wrong place. Maybe back then, neither of them could have made those choices, said those things.

And you bring this up beautifully here, where I think I was really interested in portraying MC's hurt (from MC's perspective) regarding the way Qiu never fought for them, even when they were so ready to throw it all away for Qiu — but then also slowly unpeel the layers of Qiu's perspective as well, i.e. that MC expected grand gestures from Qiu, but truth is, reality was tugging them in opposite directions, and perhaps Qiu did fail to jump off a cliff the way MC wanted them to, but they both failed to try to figure out a more mundane, less grandiose way of keeping in touch, staying in each other's lives etc.

MC back then had been seeing things in a very 'black and white', 'you do or you die' kind of way (as most 'first love' stories go), but I think now that they've had years to mature / grow, there's space for both MC and Qiu to appreciate the nuances of what had happened between them, how things fell apart etc. and acknowledge that in some ways, they were each incapable of doing the things they needed from each other, but nobody was truly at fault.

Again, thanks for the lovely message <3

[clownin44]

hey, what do you think of benlor as a ship??? if possible, can u please bless us with some benlor fanart? thanks!

Ty for the ask!

Other than Ashlyn and Aiden, Red really doesn't focus on any other pairings. She said that she prefers to have the relationships develop naturally as she goes, which I think is really cool! I don't have any ship I'm crazy about. I think they all have the potential to be cute, but benlor, I SEE!!

I'm going to break down this pairing and why I think they work and some headcannons I have, hopefully? Dunno what this is actually

Their first important scene together (in my opinion) happens in episode 27 when Aiden tells the group what happened to Ben. Taylor is the first to say anything, and thanks him for being so open about it when he probably wasn't ready to tell anyone yet. I like that It's not meant to be romantic, Taylor's just a kind person. However, it definitely changes their relationship moving forward.

In episode 42, when Logan is confronting Barron at the arcade, they have another special moment. Taylor notices Ben's discomfort with the situation and makes a comment about wishing he had stayed inside. I don't think it's because she thinks he's dangerous, I think it's because knowing what she knows now makes it harder for her not to notice and feel it too.

I love that instead of asking, "Can I?" She asks, "Is it okay?" It shows that she's mindful of any boundaries he may have. Ben's expression softens, and he reluctantly hands her an earbud so they can listen together.

Season 2 takes things a lot slower, as Taylor's visibly upset after the "death" of her brother, and there aren't as many scenes of them that I remember. Here's what I gathered from the benlor crumbs we got!

Episode 75? I believe? Shows the group hanging out in the phantom realm after Maverick visits Ben. Taylor's stressed and homesick and wants to go home like everyone else. Ben reaches out to comfort her and tells her that they will, in fact, find their way home. It's sweet to see him try and calm her down like she has with him in the past.

Smaller scenes I'm lumping together. Taylor brings up getting Ben a whistle, and she's leaning against him in the group huddle!! Both are very cute.

MOVING ONTO HEADCANNONS!!!

-Ben has a hard time believing anyone can love him, so a lot of the time when Taylor's nice to him, he assumes it's because that's just the way she is.

-They both struggle with having too much empathy for people. Taylor picked up on that, and they were able to bond over it.

-Neither of them can cook. Taylor never had to learn because Tyler was always there to cook for her and Ben just can't figure it out lol

-Red posted somewhere that words of affirmation was her love language? Or communication? Which obviously is difficult for Ben. He tries to compensate for this by writing her letters (and maybe some poetry he's too embarrassed to show her).

Anyway I think they're neat, I'll draw some fanart of them later tn hope I answered ur question!!

[tobiasdrake]

Inspired by some recent posts: What are your thoughts on people shipping Bulma and Goku?

Oh, my feelings on that ship are complicated.

I actually used to like that ship when I was younger. I've always been a fan of ships between characters who genuinely enjoy each other's company and work together to solve problems with minimal friction. When I was growing up, the go-to for canon ship writing was tension. Two characters are in tension with one another until they admit their true feelings and fall in love.

You could see it in anime with ships like Ranma Saotome and Akane Tendo who absolutely, violently hate each other's guts 98% of the time but then occasionally are sweet together so you know they're really deeply in love. Japan loved tsundere romances back in the day. They were everywhere.

And you could see it in Western media like Han Solo and Leia Organa, where Han behaves as an aggressive sexual predator despite Leia's clear rebukes of his advances and it's supposed to be romantic because she's secretly in love with him the whole time.

80's and 90's Hollywood was all about women "playing hard to get". The cultural idea was that "No" means "Keep asking, big boy; I love it when you push my boundaries." Decades later it turned out a lot of people in Hollywood were sexual predators. Imagine that.

And I never really liked any of it. I wanted to see romances between characters who love and cherish each other, and make each other stronger through their mutual connection. I didn't want shows full of Shinji and Asuka romances, I wanted shows full of Frodo and Samwise romances.

This, I think, is why a lot of same-sex ships took off back in the day too; Heroes, especially male heroes, love nobody half as much as they love the best friend who fights by their side. They'll dump their girlfriends on the side of the road to go gallivanting off on a new adventure but they are ride-or-die for their bestie.

And I just. I couldn't help but look at that dynamic and ask, "How come the ride-or-die bestie that the hero's forever loyal to and whose emotional bond takes up half the story, isn't the love interest?" So, like a lot of people, I start shipping those dynamics over the canon ships.

Goku and Bulma aren't really ride-or-die besties. I mean, on Bulma's side, they are. But Goku's the kind of person who goes no contact with everyone for five years without notice and then shows up like "Hey guys, check out this cool technique I learned." Not out of malice or anything; That's just how he is. It's a special event any time you even get to see him. He has no ride-or-die bestie. He lives entirely in the moment.

But back in the day, when I didn't really know Goku or Bulma that well beyond what the dub was doing with Z, they seemed like they fit that mold. And I was about it.

These days, I have a much firmer grasp on the characters and I cannot imagine any version of a Goku and Bulma relationship that wouldn't feel skeevy and predatory on Bulma's part.

With Chi-Chi, there's the context that Chi-Chi's as much of a dimwitted naive backwoods hick as Goku is, so they mutually dumbassed themselves into a domestic situation neither truly understood. Bulma doesn't have that defense. She's cunning, well-educated, and extremely socially aware.

If Bulma and Goku had gotten together instead of Chi-Chi and Goku, it would have felt like Bulma taking advantage of Goku's naivety; Especially when that's literally something she tried to do the first day they ever met.

If Goku were a character that was more socially aware and, y'know, actually interested in romance at all, that would be a different story. But as it is, for both the integrity of the characters and their fantastic relationship with one another? I do think it's probably best that Goku was already spoken for before he became hot enough for Bulma to start considering him as a Himbo Arm-Candy upgrade from Yamcha. (Which she briefly did.)

[fallloverfic]

Thoughts on Solo Leveling Episode 14: I Suppose You Aren't Aware

The second episode of season 2 was generally fun! Spoilery thoughts for the anime, novel, and manhwa before Ragnarok below:

The way Sung Jinwoo grabbed the arrows from the hyakki and killed them was honestly a neat bit of animation. It looked cool.

This was a really nice shot. Really love the way Igris looks here in particular. Them standing together is also really cute.

Iron's premiere! He's finally in the anime! He looks great! Huge, and funny. I love finally getting to see the soldier personalities. Also, I love the animation of how tank rally cries/spells to grab aggro look. It's fun. Makes me nostalgic for tanking in mmos T-T

For folks confused where the name came from, it's because the character's name is Chul Kim and Chul means Iron in English (Volume 2, Chapter 7 of the Yen Press English release of the novel, and Volume 4, Chapter 9 of the Yen Press English release of the manhwa).

Woo Jinchul is so tired lol

As I mentioned last time, the sequence where Hwang Dongsoo comes back to South Korea and everything he does in South Korea in this arc was made up for the manhwa (including Jinchul's presence at the gate), and obviously carried over to the anime. I can't say that Chugong's writing is like... great on a lot of levels, particularly considering something later in story (that shows up this episode), and I don't know how much, if any, input Chugong had for the change for the manhwa... but I think this part in the episode further demonstrates how kind of silly the whole sequence is? Like okay, we get it, Dongsoo is irredeemable. No one here has a reason to answer him (though I guess, given he's an S-rank, and Sangmin An is not, maybe that's why the guy answers?). It just feels... really random. From a practical standpoint, Baek Yoonho's presence (in the novel) works because it helps explain to the audience what's happening. And narratively, it works too: he's the guild's S-ranker, he can handle red gates, the team they sent in can't.

I don't know. It's a dumb scene (Jinchul showing off how badass he is, is still fun, it's just... not enough to save the overall prolonged silly sequence). I think the anime handled it well enough. It neither made it worse nor better. Seeing more of Baek's powers animated was cool.

They're just thereeee :3 So happy to see them animated. The soldier hijinks are generally pretty cute. And Igris just being like -I do not see anything- when he turns away from Iron is hilarious.

Also, having played Solo Leveling: Arise a bit, now, it's fascinating to see that yes, Jinwoo couldn't recruit Baruka as a shadow soldier in the novel, manhwa, and anime, he does get Baruka as a shadow soldier in the game. It's a cute addition.

And the elephant in the room: Yoo Jinho and the underage conversation.

I'm gonna be completely honest: this has always been a stupid scene. It's worse in the novel, it's still bad in the manhwa, just in a different way. The anime probably did the best version of it (to a degree), but it's still bad. Shounen do similar kind of stupid gags, so yeah, I'm used to it, but... ugh.

The novel version of this, from the Yen Press English translation in Volume 2, Chapter 7:

“Boss?” “……?” “Um, Songyi is a minor, boss.” “Yeah, and?” “……Nothing, boss.” What a man among men. Jinho was amazed that Jinwoo refused to be shackled by society’s rules. He really isn’t an average guy, that’s for sure. Jinho reflected on himself for ever measuring Jinwoo against typical societal standards.

And the manhwa version of this scene, from the Yen Press English translation in Volume 4, Chapter 9:

It's just overall not great. I guess it's good we don't get Jinho speculating that they're dating before this (which is in both the novel and manhwa) and Jinho's reaction after talking to Jinwoo other than his being horrified and not knowing what else to do? Would be nice, if he was actually worried, if he tried to do... anything else? But I guess Songyi is okay collateral damage? (I mean yes, obviously, she's fine, this is Jinwoo not telling other people any more info than he has to and Jinho catastrophizing uselessly, but still).

It's not helped by the anime adding her specifically wearing more make-up (the novel just says she's more dressed up; it's hard to tell if she's wearing make-up in the manhwa), and having her squish up against Jinwoo in the car... I'm not averse to her wearing make-up, but the way she squishes up against Jinwoo and kind of sultrily lowers her eyes in one shot is just... It's not great. In the manhwa, they're just sitting near each other but apart. Maybe she has a crush on him (it's kind of left open-ended in the novel/manhwa from what I remember, though Arise goes full on in on her having a crush on Jinwoo, with multiple levels devoted to it), but it's implied she just generally respects him more. I don't... know what this is.

Literally every version of this scene is bad in different ways. I just don't find it funny.

Outside that, generally the episode was fine! Looking forward to next week!

Season 1: Episode 5, Episode 6, Episode 7, Episode 8, Episode 9, Episode 10, Episode 11, Episode 12

Season 2: Episode 13, Episode 14 (you are here), Episode 15, Episode 16, Episode 17, Episode 18, Episode 19, Episode 20, Episode 21, Episode 22, Episode 23, Episode 24, Episode 25

Where to read Solo Leveling by Chugong in English:

Novel: Yen Press (ebook, physical book, audiobook), Tapas

Manhwa adaptation by Dubu: Yen Press/Ize Press (ebook, physical book), Tapas, Tappytoon

Ragnarok (sequel novel written by a different author): Tapas

Ragnarok manhwa adaptation (drawn by a different artist): Tapas

The Solo Leveling anime adaptation is available on Crunchyroll. Solo Leveling: Arise, the video game, is free to play and available on PC and as an app via netmarble.

[brionysea]

there's a lot of talk about how mike is a bad boyfriend - which, he is. el's a bad girlfriend too. it's been going strong for 2 seasons that they're not a good match romantically. but this often breezes over how mike was the only one Doing Anything for el in california

jonathan only considered el his 'step-sister', seemed more worried about will, and was too overwhelmed to even do anything about that despite being willing to give up his college experience with nancy for joyce and will. will talked to el about 'fixing it together', but when we see el fixing her diorama, she's doing it alone. joyce didn't know el was being bullied (remember how joyce was about will in season 2? she wouldn't leave it alone when he was acting weird, and she said she'd kill his bullies), that jonathan was literally high at the dinner table (murray figured it out), or how lost will felt after moving away from hawkins (he's always like that, but joyce used to push him to open up)

el accused mike of being scared of her, but will was the one who seemed scared. mike was more shocked and mad, because he believes that breaking a girl's nose over getting a drink spilled on you is a severe and cruel overreaction. this is an intentional parallel to season 1; when el is bullied, mike says to rise above it, like he does for himself, lucas, and dustin. when will (who wasn't even present to hear what was being said about him) is bullied, mike snaps and pushes troy (probably partially to impress el, because mike wants to emulate superheroic qualities like her - meaning, for mike, standing up for what's right and not hurting people unnecessarily, which isn't how el hears it). el fits in with the rest of mike's friends, and will is set apart. max isn't here because she protects them from bullies and she'd start another argument with mike if he tried to intervene; their friendship is special too

despite this, mike was still the one pushing for them to find el at rink-o-mania. mike chased el away from the dinner table (because he's still mad, and those feelings are valid, which the show already told us about el's feelings a thousand times over), but he's also the one to go up to her room when she doesn't come down for breakfast, even though he's not eating either. neither jonathan or will went to talk to her (will was more worried about mike, and jonathan was watching over both of them, as if he doesn't have a sister now too), nor joyce the night before (who fucked off to alaska or wherever, that's how distant she is right now), even though they all saw el storm off at dinner and they're supposed to be her family. how many times has mike sat alone in his basement without anyone checking up on him?

you'd think it would be common sense that someone other than mike should talk to el about what happened (max mayfield come back your best friend misses you), but no one does. he's the only one reaching out, because if he doesn't then she'll be alone. and then his experience with bullying gets invalidated, the conversation gets twisted against him, and somehow he's the bad guy for being the only one who's actually doing something after months of no one around el taking action or so much as initiating conversation that would help to improve her situation

all because... what? mike doesn't like using the word love? that's not a moral failing. a problem if his girlfriend wants to hear it and takes it as a personal insult when he's not comfortable saying (or writing) it (because he would be lying and there are other words that are more accurate to how he feels), yes, but not evil. it's his parents' fault for being so emotionally unavailable to their children/married out of obligation that mike has no idea what love is supposed to look like, anyway. thanks to the wheelers, mike's version of love is constantly doing things for people so they can't get sick of him and cut him loose, which is why he's so distressed by the idea of nobody needing him anymore

[xkleipsis]

High and Low

Pt.1 arranged marriage

Norihisa Hyuga x f.reader

P.1 P.2 P.3 P.4

(My first time writing on tumblr, and 1st time doing such trope so bear w me 🫶)

—————————————————————————

It was thundering by the time I finally had landed in Japan, luckily the flight wasn’t delayed and neither there were any issues of sort. After collecting by suitcases, which didn’t contain much as i plan on buying more here, i got a cab and showed the driver the address.

As i sat back to relax, or at least attempt to, i try to recall the trouble i got myself into. Hadn’t I tried to purposefully irritate the elders, they wouldn’t have convinced my parents into this marriage; a marriage with a crazy guy who sought revenge and had recently got out of jail. Apparently he also isn’t keen to this idea. Many aren’t, sure having someone in the family who runs a gang its beneficial, considering the elders want to expend their business here in japan, but, my parents are against this, strangely enough most of my relatives are too, and probably is so this man of a ex-convict.

But am i against it? I asked myself this multiple times and everytine i cant decide. If i was really against it then i would’ve ran away, frankly speaking its very easy, but i guess i have nothing to lose. No matter what, had i brought another guy stating he was the love of my live, these elders would’ve still complained unless the poor boy would’ve brought them anything useful for them such as status and power and more nonsense.

I just hope he’s decent. No, he has to at least have a nice personality. Bad looks? I can manage, i can simply not wear glasses around the house, having a negative 5 eyesight can be handy. But he cant have a shit personality, i cant risk my blood pressure.

I look outside the window as it rains, while the car drives at a reasonable speed, and before i knew it, i was here. Outside the main meet up place of his gang, I should’ve at least be given the actual address, no? As i thank the driver i notice a look of unease in his eyes, and shit i dont blame him, one might even think we’re in a middle of the forest from how it looked.

After taking my suitcase i start to head in the old styled house, i mean the door was open.. as i entered i could feel weird looks from men, most of the wearing red jackets and chains, until i asked one of them if they could bring me to hyuga, and without saying much, he led the way, as if he was waiting for me.

I was brought to another room, much quieter, there sat a man who looked like had been smoking, wearing a red jacket over his shoulder and golden chained hanging from his neck. He looked me up and down before i spoke, ‘so? You are, i believe my fiancé??”

He just stared at me before replying “yeah” in a obvious rude tone before getting up and walking towards me. Maybe because i was tired from the flight, perhaps even jet-lagged but i was already trying to study his looks.

“Lets get something clear from the beginning, im not interested in you or in such things. You got problems? Dont bother me with them. Do not get involved in any of my business and dont irritate me at all” he says, coldly? Nah, more like in a commanding tone.

I take a deep breath, before forcing a smile “sure, i shall not bother his highness with any trivial matters” a hint of sarcasm in my tone, before adding in “so where will i be staying?” I ask.

“At my house, guest room” he replies, “here?” As i glance around the place, now im no spoiled daughter but- “do you think i live here?” He raises an eyebrow, irritated as i shrugs my shoulders after looking him from head to toe. He scoffs “I have main house, my men will drive you there” he replies before leaving the room as if somewhere to be, while one of his men tells me to follow him.

(If anyone has any suggestions you think i can improve on lmk)

[johnslittlespoon]

leaving bikeriders anon here again i’m going crazy over the back and forth constant neither of them saying anything out of nervousness of it all like of COURSE it would take them forever to actually get together there would have to be an honest to god crisis a completely off-kilter situation for them to get together they’re so bad at communicating. also have not been able to get the thought of them running into each other by chance at a bar across town and even though bucky showed up with people he just ends up at a table in the corner with gale the whole night. gale jokingly asks if john is even old enough to drink which turns into a whole thing where john suddenly has to prove to gale that he CAN drink and he IS old enough and is Definitely Worthy of gale’s attention. anyways!

HIII i'm still ON one about this too dw

exactly my goddd the back and forth would be physically painful to write/read honestly lol the flirtation and the sexual tension!!

ur so right smth absolutely wild would have to happen, or one of them would have to slip up, or there'd have to be an argument where feelings are blurted out in anger/hurt, orrrr, in relation to your idea at the end which i'm going clinically insane over bee tee dubs:

john is so offended by the insinuation that he's too young to drink even if gale's joking, made worse probably by gale throwing in a kid– "you old enough to be in here, kid?" with the corner of his mouth quirking up a bit.

john puffs his chest out and tries not to let the one beer he's had slur his words, goes "'course i am" all huffy, rolls his eyes, reaches for gale's full shot glass while holding determined eye contact and tips it back without a second thought, really has to clench his fist in his lap for a second when it threatens to come right back up, not used to anything quite so harsh.

it's not gale's intention to egg him on like that, john's just bristly, a messy college kid used to bulldozing his way through life, never turning down a bet or challenge, has maybe been watching a pretty girl hang off gale's other side on top of everything and wants to prove that he can be exciting and mature too.

john ends up drinking too much, taking whatever shots the others in gale's group pass him for their entertainment until gale shuts the next person who tries down with a pointed glare, slides the shot glass away before john can reach for it, says "alright, we're cutting you off" when john whines out a complaint, leaning heavily against gale's side.

the night ends with gale helping john out of the bar because john's friends leave long before he does. he gets john out to the parking lot out front, gets him situated on the back of his motorcycle, keeps a hand on his shoulder and asks where home is, and john's like, "oh, no, can't go home like this buck, dad'll gimme a shiner" and gale's jaw clenches hard, but it's not the time to get angry.

he's at a loss, because he's not gonna bring john home to an environment he's had a faint suspicion isn't the greatest since they met (however that might have been, that's shit for me to plot out later lol) but bringing him to his house seems like a bad idea, but he's also not sure what to do and john's friends don't seem the greatest to just leave him with a borderline stranger. so what else is there to do?

"am i gonna have to tie you to me, or are you gonna hold on tight?" he asks as he climbs on the bike in front of john, and john giggles out a "y'can tie me to wh'tever y'want," filter completely gone from how sloshed he is, and gale looks to the sky and says a silent prayer because jesus fucking christ. what.

i'm like 99% certain that alcohol would be involved in a feelings confession, probably that night when it slips out from john's lips, so drunk he doesn't even realize it. nothing would happen that night, because gale's trying to be a responsible adult and he wants to make sure john's not just saying shit, but he's also quite forward, so he'd bring it up in the morning after he's brought john a water and some painkillers, and john would go so red and he'd drop his head into his hands and whisper an "oh my god" because he can't believe he's slipped up so bad.

and then yk. feelings–talk ensues. john is so mortified, he wants to die. gale is so enamoured but trying to be realistic about things. etc etc i'll flesh it all out eventually when it's time to start writing it >:)

[alpaca-clouds]

The Canonicity of the first 7 Digimon Movies

Okay, let me ramble on another thing in terms of Digimon. For the first four seasons, we had a total of seven movies that were released. Two movies each for Adventure, 02, Tamers, and one movie only for Digimon Frontier.

The movies were generally released in a bundle with movies for other franchises Toei was releasing. Like Dragon Ball Z, One Piece, and Ojamajo Doremi. Because the movies were generally released in a package of two or three movies that came together to somewhere between 90 and 120 minutes, the movies themselves are not movie length by any western standards, and for the most part only are about 20-40 minutes each.

However, the weird thing with the movies for Digimon is the questionable canonicity. So, let's go through the movies one by one.

Movie 01: Digimon Adventure

This movie is easy to place in terms of canonicity. Digimon Adventure confirms the events of this movie to be canon as by episode 29 of the series. As the movie was made parallel to the first episodes of the series, and as such the folks writing the series actually were in full awareness of the movie and its contents.

Fun fact: Hikari was originally not planned to be a chosen child in Digimon Adventure. But given folks found her adorable in the movie (that released at the same time as the first episodes), there was a push made by Seki Hiromi and other producers for the writers to include her as a main character later in the series. (This is also why she joins so super late in the show and why during the first few episodes Gennai never even seems to wonder why there are only seven chosen children arriving at File Island.)

Movie 02: Bokura no Wargame

The second movie is also fairly easy to relate to the canon. Here, too, the series later confirms in Digimon Adventure 02 episode 27. Honestly, there is not a whole lot else to say about this one. Not a lot of fun facts or anything. We know it is canon.

Movie 03: Hurricane Touchdown & Supreme Evolution

This movie is probably the one most discussed in terms of canonicity. Because other than with the first two movies, the canon of the show does neither confirm, nor deny it. Originally folks thought it would not properly fit within the timeline of Adventure 02 (which takes place between early April 2002 and December 31st 2002), though this was mostly connected to folks assuming it would have to take place between episodes 13 and 14 of the show, as Shurimon and Submarimon do not show up. However, several folks later realized that it is more likely that the movie takes place between episodes 21 and 22, as the movie explicitly references it being Summer vacation. In terms of the show, the summer vacation starts by episode 18. We do not know quite by which episode school starts again. But there is a good chance that there is a good chance that episodes 18-21 only take up one or two weeks of the summer vacation, leaving four to five weeks of it for Hikari and Takeru to travel to the US.

The only thing that is really weird about this is, that we do not see Wallace at any point during the show (like during the Christmas episodes or the finale), as one should expect if the movie was canon.

And yes, of course, we see Wallace shortly in Kizuna - but the canonicity of those movies is again a thing that could be discussed. (But not today.)

Movie 04: Diaboromon Strikes Back

Frankly, given that this movie is pretty much the last thing happening in this timeline before the revival through tri. and then later Kizuna/The BEGINNING, this movie can be seen as either or. Generally speaking though, it does not really matter.

There is nothing in this movie that contradicts anything from Digimon Adventure or 02, but also nothing has ever firmly confirmed it.

Personally I always considered it canon, because there is just nothing world changing happening here.

Movie 05: The Battle of Adventurers

This movie is kinda fun in terms of its canonicity. Basically: It was written largely without any coordination between the writers of the show and the main screenwriter for the movie. However, because Konaka and the other writers actually liked it a lot, they decided to later reference it by having Kai show up in later episodes of the anime, hence confirming the movie was canonical.

Now, I could go through this movie and point out, how it does not quite fit with the canon. But generally I guess those are minor details that can be chucked up to the circumstance of the movie's creation.

As we know that the movie takes place between July 29th and August 2nd 2001, and have enough information about rough timeline of the show, we can say pretty firmly, that this movie takes place between episode 16 and 17 of the show. And yes, if you are attentive you will notice that this does not quite fit, as in the movie Taomon and Rapidmon already show up, that only get their debut in episodes 17 and 18 respectively. However, given that the movie confirms the dates as the very first days of the Tokyo summer vacation that year, and given that episode 17 definitely references being set during the school summer vacation... Yeah, the movie has to happen between episodes 16 and 17.

Movie 06: The Runaway Locomon

Runaway Locomon is the one movie I will firmly call out on not being canon. Simply because it does explictly contradict the timeline from the primal canon material. As Konaka has written the Drama CD "Message in a Package", I would consider that one much more canonical than this movie. And, well...

According to the series the Digimon get sent back ti the Digital World within hours after Takato and Guilmon get Dukemon Crimson Mode, which they have in the movie. And the movie gives absolutely no reason for why they are back a few weeks later. The movie gives even less reason for why the actual fuck Ryou is back in the Digital World at the beginning of the movie. And it all... makes little sense.

Mind you, for my fanseries (that is Digimon Alpha Generation) I made the decision back in the day, that some events similar to this movie happened in March 2004, so a full two years later. But I am under no illusions that this in somehow fits with anything the movie itself establishes or the show. It was mostly me just wanting to not give up on the Ruki-related drama from the movie.

Movie 07: The Island of Lost Digimon

I will openly admit this movie is the hardest to make sense off. For all the other seasons, we have a much easier time to relate the events of the series to the events of the movies in terms of time, because we have a real world timeframe to reference. We know when the events in Digimon Adventure, 02, and Tamers happen in terms of months and years.

Digimon Frontier meanwhile takes place over the course of 5 minutes in the real world, and we have nearly no reference how much time passes in the digital world while the kids have their adventure. Sure, it makes sense to assume it would happen after episode 12 (given that Takuya and Kouji have their Beast Spirits, but Bokomon does not yet have the Seraphimon egg), but... yeah. This does not make a terrible lot of sense.

So all in all... It is fairly probable that this movie is not canonical to the rest of Digimon Frontier.