#yes i know some of the decisions on here may get me cancelled

[holy--milk]

spent nearly an hour making a tier list of (almost) all MXTX characters with insightful commentary and help from my roommate. at 3 am.

[vettelsvee]

GOODBYES ARE BITTERSWEET | Sebastian Vettel ✩₊˚.⋆ PART 1: I'LL SEE YOUR FACE AGAIN [NEXT PART]

goodbyes are bittersweet masterlist f1 masterlist | ao3 | requests or let's talk!

rb sebastian vettel x gf!reader

word count: 4095

summary: seb's gf finds out she's pregnant, and she decides that hiding her pregnancy is the best she could do due to seb's career

warnings: pregnancy, mentions of cheating, curse words, angst, fighting. set on may 2013. for a bit of background: reader and seb have been friends since they were literal babies, but growing up their feelings changed and started dating on 2006.

a/n: this is actually the first chapter of the very first series, Infinity, i posted here! i had to cancel it because i had some problems with wattpad people telling me through indirects i copied their work and i got very, very unmotivated with this story i absolutely love (when actually this was a draft I had of a tom holland fic back in 2017 lol), but i'd love to post the following parts if you like this one! feedback is appreciated, as well as reblogs <3

© VETTELSVEE (2024). please, do not steal, copy or translate my works. thanks for reading!

You pulled the flush and got up, being careful not to get dizzy. You took some paper and wiped the corners of your mouth to remove any possible traces of vomit. You headed to the sink automatically, quickly pulling out the toothbrush you’ve gotten used to carrying since nausea became part of your daily routine. You really tried to get rid of the acidity in your throat and the bad taste in your mouth, but as you expected, and knowing you've been experiencing this more times than you'd like in the past month and a half, it was impossible.

"Y/N, are you still there? Are you okay?" Britta's voice, accompanied by a few knocks on the door, snapped you out of your trance. You startled and forced yourself to answer, even though it was the last thing you feel like doing.

"Yes, I’m coming. Just a sec!"

"Don’t take too long," she replied. "Not that I don’t want you to take your time, but Seb is worried."

Panic-stricken, you suppressed a laugh that almost escaped.

If only he knew what you were about to do…

"Don’t worry, I’ll be right out," you answered.

You stared at yourself in the mirror, contemplating your own reflection longer than you’d like. Minutes passed, and you almost completely lost track of time, aware that you needed to put an end to the intrusive thought that was telling you that what you were about to do was, wrong but inevitably the best thing.

You were going to break away from everything you’ve wanted since you were a child just because things hadn't turned out "right." Seb was at the peak of his professional career, constantly surpassing himself in every race, making history, while you remained stuck in your hometown, working at a bar, dealing with drunks and immature kids pretending to be adults daily, because you didn’t have the luck, or perhaps the financial means, to study what you had dreamed of since you were a child who just wanted to make music.

You leaned on the sink, feeling the cold starting to penetrate your body. A great tremor shook you, and it became increasingly difficult to stay on your feet. Your eyes filled with tears as you confronted the reality of what you were about to do, of the decision you'd made.

Since your boyfriend began not only achieving his dreams but making a name for himself, you thought you didn’t deserve him because you were heading in the opposite direction. Now that you’ve gotten pregnant by him, possibly because the birth control pills you were taking failed for some unknown reason, you felt like this even more.

Despite the love you still felt and possibly always will feel for Sebastian, since you took the pregnancy test with Hanna at one of the most secluded malls in Heppenheim, you knew that letting him know he was going to be a father was never part of your plans.

"Come on, Y/N…" you told yourself, still staring at your reflection. "This is for Seb. You're doing this for him and his career."

You took a deep breath a couple more times, feeling the knot in your throat choking you. You looked at the girl full of insecurities you were one more time. Her eyes reflected doubt and, above all, fear, and you sadly sensed that it will continue to be this way from now on.

Trying to control yourself, you slowly opened the bathroom door, as if wanting to torture yourself. Britta was sitting in one of the chairs, reviewing something in a notebook until you closed the door a bit harder than you meant to.

"Are you really okay?" she asked again, giving you an uncertain look. "I've been hearing you vomit for several weeks now. Don’t you think you should go to the doctor?"

The knot in your throat seemed to tighten even more. See a doctor… Of course you’d been to the doctor! Four weeks and, as of today, four days pregnant was the answer, but no one beyond your parents and your best friend could know.

"Yes, I’m fine," you replied quickly, trying to fake your answer as best as you could. "Don’t worry. It’s probably just a bit of stress," you added, praying she believed you. "I haven't had time to see a doctor, but I assure you, with all my heart, that everything is fine."

And that's why you're leaving the love of your life today.

Britta seemed to hesitate for a moment. Her lips remained slightly open, as if she wanted to say something. Her look gave you the feeling that she didn't quite believe what you were saying.

"Whatever you say, Y/N," she finally said, standing up from her seat. "But seriously, if you need to talk or anything, I’m here for you."

"I know."

"Well, seeing that you're as calm as a lake, we’d better hurry up," she told you. "The last free practice session is about to start, and Seb is probably worried why we haven’t come back yet."

You prepared to leave the room with her. You were more than sure to go with her, but as you were almost out the room, you realize it was now or never.

You stopped before going from the driver’s room to the garage, watching Britta hurry down the stairs, probably aware that you were running late even though there were still about forty-five minutes before the session started.

"Wait, Britta. Just a sec!"

You were convinced your shout from the top of the stairs was heard by more people than you’d like. You wished you could turn invisible as you saw some eyes on you, including Britta’s, which made it hard to speak, and not to mention the variety of emotions you were feeling inside you.

You needed to calm down and act a bit better, or everything you’d been mulling over will end up falling apart.

"I’d like to talk to Seb… alone," you finally said.

"Y/N Y/L/N," she said your name much more seriously now. "You’ve told me that everything is fine, but… are you sure it really is? Are you sure nothing’s wrong?"

No, everything is wrong, and yes, more things are happening than I’d like.

You knew you could trust Britta completely. You were sure that if you told her the news before you did to Seb, she wouldn’t say anything, at least not right away. You wanted to do it; in fact, you’d love to do it because she was like a second mother to you, but you knew you couldn't because, once you left, there’s a really high chance she might end up telling him everything in a moment of weakness.

"Yes, yes, I’m fine. It’s nothing serious, don’t worry," you replied with a sigh, trying to console the PR woman and yourself. "I just need to talk to him about… well, a minor issue."

"Of course. Go get him, I’ll wait here. He’s probably talking to Rocky or Horner about who knows what. He hasn’t gone far, especially considering how eager he was to see you."

"Can you get him for me?" you let it out casually.

You ignored her last comment because now, your nerves were eating you alive. Britta seemed to notice your anxiety, so you were grateful she ignored it and acted as if nothing is wrong.

You sighed in relief when you saw her nod, and you couldn't stop thanking her out loud for what she just did for you.

"Lie down on the physio’s couch and try to rest a bit, you look a bit pale," she insisted. Reluctantly, and after repeating it a couple more times, you finally listened to her. "Seb will be here soon. You know he’ll drop everything when it comes to you."

And it was true. Once she left, you remained lying down, drawing small shapes on your stomach with your index finger. As you whispered things to what would supposedly be your child, a whirlwind of varied thoughts flooded your mind.

A small pressure settled in your chest as you became aware that the idea of breaking up with Sebastian was becoming a reality. You didn't want to face it and largely refused to, but you knew that for both of you, especially him, it was actually the best.

Hiding the truth from the guy you’d loved longer than you’d like to admit is exactly the opposite of what you should do, but because he was the most important person in your life, and you knew him almost as well as yourself, you knew he'd have time to play moms and dads in real life.

This year, the only thing he should focus on was winning his fourth Formula 1 World Championship, not learning how to change diapers or feed a baby.

Your thoughts vanished when the door opened abruptly, startling you. Seb appeared with his suit hanging at his waist, hair completely tousled, and a face revealing worry matching the situation you haven’t told him about yet.

"Sunshine! Britta told me you’re not well. What happened? Do you want to go to the doctor? I don’t care about missing the free practice: you’re the most important thing."

The German quickly took your cheeks in his hands. You hadn’t even sat up, and he was already trying to warm your face with his palms, moving it from side to side and examining you as if he was a doctor with the solution to your problems.

"I’m fine, love, relax," you said, breaking free from his grip.

"I know you better than I’d like, Y/N. You’re pale," he pointed out. "You rarely get pale. The last time I saw you like this was when the police chased us after they caught you doing an illegal concert in the school square."

Your anxiety grew more at his perception. You couldn't hide the lie you concocted with Hanna for much longer.

"Seb, really, I’m fine," you insisted, swallowing hard as you tried to find the right words.

He didn't seem to agree with your answer once again, and he didn't seem willing to let it go easily.

For a moment, you were tempted to tell him the truth, especially when you noticed his eyes fixed on you, not intending to look away until he found out what you really wanted to say… As if he wants to know that he was going to be a father next January if your gynecologist’s calculations and the latest technology were correct.

You mustered the courage to look him in the eyes. His concern overwhelmed you completely. When he made a move to hug you and you fell into his arms, you knew you couldn't keep dodging the truth.

"Seb…" you started to say, slowly pulling away from him, "the truth is that... well, there's something wrong."

He clenched his jaw and got very serious.

"Tell me, Y/N. Whatever it is, you know you can tell me."

"I know, love. I want to tell you everything, but…" you began calmly, your voice breaking. "This is different, and it’s going to be a bit difficult."

"What do you mean by different and difficult? Y/N, what’s going on?"

Your hands fidgeted nervously as you tried to find the best way to cause him the least harm possible. You noticed that the German's nervous and worried tone had dissipated, and now it was anger that seemed to be consuming him.

"I want to tell you, but I don’t know how to do it without hurting you," you admitted in a whisper.

There it was, you had let it slip.

You didn’t know what else to say, so you decided to wait for Sebastian’s response. Anguish had taken hold of him, and you knew he was waiting for your words as much as you were waiting for his.

His behavior wasn’t helping you; on the contrary, the feeling of guilt was consuming you, as you had foreseen, but there was no turning back now.

It was impossible for you to even think coherently enough to say something that made sense.

You watched as your boyfriend’s gaze turned into pure pain, a pleading search for answers that you didn’t dare to give him.

"Seb…" you spoke again, struggling to maintain your composure and reaching for his hand at the same time. "I need you to listen to me, please."

"I just want you to tell me the truth, Y/N," he called you by your full name. That was the indicator that things weren’t going well and wouldn’t be again. "Whatever it is, I’ll be able to deal with it."

"I don’t want us to be together anymore," you declared. "I’m not in love with you anymore. I haven’t been for about a month or so."

The silence that flooded the room after your false confession was too uncomfortable. His eyes filled with tears; yours did too, but for a different reason than his.

He thought you had stopped loving him when, in fact, you loved him more than ever, especially now.

"Why are you telling me this? Why, Y/N?" he wanted to know. "I thought we were great… I really believed we were better than ever."

"I don’t know, Seb," you murmured between sobs, trying to hide your face so he wouldn’t see how truly affected you were. "There are… there are couples that stop loving each other, and that’s what I think has happened with me. With us."

"What can I do to make you fall in love with me again? I can’t lose you. I can’t lose the sunshine of my life, not when we promised each other a life together."

"You can’t do anything, Seb, and I’m really sorry," you falsely admitted with sadness, trying not to succumb to his desperate plea.

"Sometimes things stop being what they were in the beginning, and, well… ours is no longer what it used to be."

"Of course, it’s not what it used to be! Everything was getting better until you decided to drop this on me, Y/N!" Sebastian yelled at you.

"I was even going to ask you if you wanted us to get…"

"And that’s why I feel it’s better if we move on, but each on our own path!" you interrupted with another shout.

It’s not real, Y/N. Everything you’re saying is a lie.

You inhaled and exhaled more times than you would have liked, but it felt necessary. This charade to try to make Seb’s life a little better was not only costing you your relationship but also your mental health in the long run.

"Is there someone else, Y/N?"

Vettel's voice denoted anger. Rage consumed him at the possibility that there was an answer he didn’t want to hear. His fists, clenched tightly and turning his knuckles white, were proof of it.

"No, not exactly."

And once again, the camouflaged truth.

"What are you saying?" he spat at you, getting closer and closer, consumed by anguish.

"I mean not exactly, but… yes. There is someone else, Seb," you admitted.

The shouts, full of reproaches, insults, and slurs, flooded the room.

You tried to turn a deaf ear. You thought this was all part of a performance and tried to convince yourself that in the future, everything would be fine when you knew it would be the opposite.

"How could you do this to me, Y/N?! How could you cheat on me after almost seven fucking years together?!" Sebastian shouted, taking out his anger on a vase on his desk, throwing it to the ground, spilling the water and the flowers he had given you just a day ago.

"We’ve been through so many things together. We’ve grown up together and fulfilled our dreams together, and now you’re leaving me for some guy you must have slept with on a whim?!"

"Do you think this is easy for me, Sebastian?" you replied, your words true for once. "Stop lying, okay? The only person who has fulfilled their dreams here is you," you said, showing your disagreement on that topic that you knew hurt you and that he had mentioned to hurt you. "While you’ve been living your life as a driver and being the center of attention, I’ve kept working in the same disgusting bar full of creepy old men I’ve been working at since I finished high school," you shouted, furious. You knew this kind of stress wasn’t good for the baby, but right now you didn’t care. "I’ve been saving as much as I could to build a prosperous future even though my salary was a pittance, composing songs and singing them with the hope that they’ll reach someone someday and not be forgotten."

"I’ve told you a million times that you don’t need to work in that fucking bar full of drunk old men who fuck you with their eyes to have a good life," he protested, now much calmer. "With what they pay me we can live comfortably. It's more than enough for both of us."

"I know," you responded calmly, though you were on the verge of an anxiety attack, "but I also know that I can achieve things on my own without anyone’s help."

The blonde let out an ironic laugh. Immediately, he crossed his arms, lifted his head, and looked at you.

"You’ve always been too stubborn, Y/N. Now I see what your future expectations are. After all, I understand: if you never got into the Berlin Art Academy on your own, and you’re still working at the same place after so long…"

You stood still, not knowing what to say or do because you knew exactly what he meant with every word that came out of his mouth. It felt like your feet were cemented to the ground; his words continuously hitting you, wanting to hurt you more and more.

"How dare you to say that to me?"

If you were already shaken and almost broken after this whole conversation, now you were completely sunk. Seeing your reaction, tears streaming down your cheeks non-stop, he seemed to regret it.

Quickly, he approached you, opening his arms intending for you to bury yourself in them. You, as stubborn as he said you were, refused not only the hug but any physical and non-physical contact he wanted to have with you.

"Y/N, I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to say that," yes, that was clear, but it had already been said, and the damage was done. "I was wrong. Please forgive me."

No matter how much he kept talking, trying to apologize and make amends, there was nothing else to do.

Without saying anything else, you began to gather all your belongings from the driver’s room of who could now be considered your ex-boyfriend. You didn’t want to do it; you didn’t want to start the zero-contact phase with the boy you had loved since you were ten years old, the one who had loved you like no one ever had before and like no one ever would.

You were saying goodbye to the father of your child to venture into raising her alone so he could pursue his dream in peace and achieve all the successes he so longed for.

“What are you doing, Y/N?”

“Packing. I’m leaving.”

Your eyes were fixed on the floor, your hands fumbling with the few belongings left to pack in the small backpack you usually took to the paddock. Now, you would have to return to your hotel room and quickly pack everything into the suitcase, rush to the airport, and pray you didn’t miss the flight.

“What do you mean, you’re leaving?” the blonde frowned, incredulous. “It’s Friday, Y/N, we have the whole weekend ahead of us.”

“Well, from now on, you’ll have all the weekends to yourself,” you shook your head, unable to bear his comments trying to make you stay. “From now on, you won’t have me here on weekends, nor in your life. I’m leaving your life, and I’m not coming back,” you repeated, emphasizing the finality of your words.

Vettel was speechless at your declaration. He kept shaking his head, approaching you, trying to take your belongings, but you stopped him.

No matter how much you wanted to, you weren’t going to stay.

“What do you mean by ‘leaving my life and not coming back’?”

“It means I’m going back to Heppenheim, Sebastian,” you turned to him, trying to maintain composure. “I’m going back, you’ll also end up going back even though we live… you live in Switzerland,” you immediately corrected yourself, “but I hope we never see each other again.”

The firmness behind your words scared you. Everything was a lie that, as the conversation progressed, had grown until you doubted what was real and what wasn’t.

“I really hope you achieve everything you are working hard for,” you continued, insisting to yourself not to break down right there. “I hope you win the championship this year and get the four consecutive ones you’ve wanted for. You, more than anyone, deserve all of it, and I know you’re capable of that and much more.”

You said nothing more because you had stopped being strong. You left, without looking back, the room where you had spent much more time than imaginable, and one of the many places that made up the story starring Sebastian Vettel and you.

You carefully descended the stairs. You walked with a false sense of security through the RedBull garage, dodging any questions about why you were crying, where you were going, and if you had argued with the team’s golden boy, including the endless questions from Britta Roeske that you were trying to ignore at all costs.

You felt curious eyes following you wherever you went, but you didn’t care in the slightest. It was all done.

Now, it was just you and the little pea, or whatever size the baby was.

“Y/N, wait!”

Sebastian’s desperate shouts echoed behind you, getting closer.

You stopped dead, clutching the only strap of the backpack hanging over your shoulder. You slowly turned toward the direction the voices seemed to be coming from and saw the driver running to you, almost choking, as he wiped tears from his cheeks and even those still falling from his eyes.

“I love you, Y/N.”

His voice was choked, and his hands acted on their own. Still, it didn’t stop him from taking your face in his hands and pulling you into a kiss that unleashed a whirlwind of emotions, where you tasted each other’s tears as you had done many times in your relationship. Where you silently said millions of I love yous that only you and he knew perfectly.

“Please, don’t go, sunshine,” the German expressed. “Whatever it is, we can work on it, but please, don’t let us end.”

“I love you too, Seb, but there’s someone else.”

You finally confessed… not in the most ideal way, but in the right one, especially considering what your goal was after all this trail of lies.

“There’s a new person in my life, and I’m afraid to say that no matter how much I love you, I love them more than I love you, and I always will,” you continued, knowing that every word you were saying about your baby was true. “I love you, Sebastian Vettel, and I’ll never stop loving you, but that person is my main priority right now.”

“Have you been unfaithful?”

Sometimes silence is worth more than a thousand words. In this case, it was the exact opposite.

You stood in front of him for a few seconds, debating internally whether to answer or leave as calmly as possible, without attracting more attention than you already had. You decided on the latter because you couldn’t speak, and the tears wouldn’t let you see clearly; not to mention your judgment was so clouded that you couldn’t think clearly about the next step to end this nightmare.

You finally directed one last look at Seb; whispered that you loved him and always would, even though it was over between you.

All it took was for you to lower your head, turn around, and continue walking, fighting not to look back, to realize that you had made the biggest mistake of your life and would never, for anything in the world, be able to forgive yourself.

And you knew perfectly well that Seb wouldn’t either.

[hollycrowned]

cipherhunt log: some sunny day

It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?

On July 27th, I went to the Hillsboro Barnes & Noble signing event for The Book of Bill. I’ve decided to come back to this account at least for a moment to write a little bit about what it was like. At the end of this post, there’s some Cipher Hunt related news, so be sure to read all the way through.

The Q&A was a lot of fun. There was excitement in the air even before the event began, with eager fans wearing Dipper hats and flannel shirts hurrying to their seats. A few fans were in cosplay, too, which was heartwarming to see. While there were several kids with their parents in the audience, most of the fans there were younger adults—which really made it hit me that the series first aired over ten years ago.

By total accident I ended up next to the door Alex stepped through and caught his entrance:

Alex has the type of charm that can get anyone laughing, and his own laughter is contagious. I didn’t record much of the talk, wanting to simply experience it, but here’s a short video I took of him talking about how The Book of Bill came about:

Over the half hour, Alex talked about the the book itself, about the show, his characters, and about creating a television series. Fans, when the mic was turned over to the audience, said what they love most about the series and asked about intentionality and the possibility of crossovers (Alex’s immediate “yes” was a hit). Alex expressed after one question that while he never could have guessed that people would like Gravity Falls so much, he’s grateful for the enduring love fans have for the show.

The event coordinator, who schooled a few questions to Alex before mic was given over to the audience, asked what I think we all want to know: “What are you working on right now?” Alex gave the answer he’s given in the past: that as is typical in Hollywood, he can’t talk about the projects he’s currently involved in.

If you were around when I was active here, you might remember that by the time I left, my focus had become to follow Alex through his career. To recap: after Gravity Falls ended, Deadline reported in 2018 that Alex had signed a multi-year exclusive contract with Netflix. Not long after, Netflix announced the opening of its own animation studio, alongside a reel showcasing some of the artists they’d recruited. The reel highlighted that this group of artists included industry legends, young talent, and diverse voices; each artist in the reel talked how excited they were for what the studio itself meant the future of animation, and for the opportunity to work there. Alex was in this reel, too.

Although I’ve moved on to other fandoms and my own creative work, I’ve kept up with movements in the animation industry. If you have, too, you may know about the massive cuts and cancellations Netflix has made in the last several years, especially to its animation department. Alex has produced and consulted on a few projects at Netflix since his contract began—chief among them Inside Job, which was initially renewed by for a second season before Netflix reversed their decision six months later and cancelled the series altogether. Shion Takeuchi, the creator of Inside Job and previous writer on Gravity Falls, confirmed the cancellation, saying “I’m heartbroken.” Alex, in a reply, expressed the same, adding, “Grateful to have had the chance to help on one of my best friends shows, for however briefly”.

In the six years since Alex signed his contract with Netflix, there have been hints that he’s been working on a series with his name on the masthead. In late 2020, he tweeted about staffing his new show:

But if his project was among the cuts Netflix made a few years after that, he gave no sign of it in his answer.

It’s jarring, and saddening, to watch that reel from 2018 with the knowledge of what has happened since. Outside of Netflix, things seem just as dire, with the dragging of AI into animation giants like Disney and Dreamworks by their corporate executives—notably, as The Animation Guilds’ contract approached its expiration date. In 2023, Vulture published an article which included testimonies from four artists who worked on Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse about the unsustainable working conditions at Sony while the film was in production. Over the last few years, Warner Bros has shelved two animated films and one hybrid for multimillion-dollar tax write-offs. In addition, their subsidiary HBO Max purged multiple animated series from its catalogue, denying the artists who worked on them access to their own works—and for some of them, residuals as well.

The final question at the Q&A was from a fan who said that they’re currently in school for animation. They asked Alex if he had any advice for new animators trying to break into the industry. Immediately, my mind went to all of that news I linked in the paragraphs above. I listened intently…

Alex’s response did not have hopelessness in it. He did talk, foremost and with humor, about how risky it is to pursue art as a career, especially at this moment—laughed, as he ended a sentence with, “Don’t go into the arts.” But he moved on from that, and gave an even more honest reply: hone your skills, put your work out there, and don’t give up. Be persistent, share what you make, make what you love. Make sure it’s easy for people to contact you, explore feelings through your work even when it’s uncomfortable, and show your work to others, even though it’s scary. Alex also remarked on creating itself being hard work, from the raw process to putting your art out there to taking criticism to learning from what didn’t work and applying it to your drafts and future projects. Hard work, challenging in more ways than one, on top of an unforgiving cultural moment, yes—but keep going. Keep creating.

Keep making art.

Then the Q&A ended, and the signing began. I found myself at the end of the line, but I didn’t mind; neither did anyone else waiting with me. In the moments when I wasn’t chatting with other fans, I thought about that last question and Alex’s response.

There is little that is easy about being an artist these days. I have come to know this by having friends who are artists, by following the careers and accounts of other artists, by reading the news, and—since becoming an artist myself—finding out firsthand. But I have come to know, just as well, that the best remedy for these ills is community. Whether you create art as a hobby or you have a career in the arts, whether your medium is collaborative or solitary in nature: in the face of intolerable working conditions, cutthroat corporations and corner-cutting clients, the advantages they take, the instability and uncertainty, and what all artists can relate to: the challenges of the creative process itself—it’s the support of your fellow artists that helps you survive. It helps art survive. A community that creates alongside you can give trusted critique, celebrate with you, stand up for you, introduce you to other artists you can learn from, and give what is necessary for so many of us to create at all: encouragement. A voice that says, keep creating. This gives to the world what is necessary for us all: more art.

If tech companies develop their AI by stealing from artists, if the c-suites who own the studios see artists as disposable, with the way freelancing can throw water on creative fire, if popular opinion increasingly trends toward art only having as much value as money it makes, then we must support each other. Helpful, practical advice given by a successful artist on how to succeed in the arts in this particular moment is a gem to anyone who is reaching for that goal. But invaluable and eternal is example; not just of success, but of how to be good to your fellow artists—and in turn, to yourself.

And I just think that’s how an artist ought to be.

As the line moved, and I got close enough to see the signing table across the room, I watched Alex greet the fans ahead of me. I found that he was as sweet to people as I always have heard he is, as I remember from watching the Periscopes he appeared in during Cipher Hunt: generous with his time, genuine, and good-natured. One fan skipped away from the table with their book, and a big smile on their face.

And then it was my turn.

When you meet him, he looks you in the eye. I always forget, until I shake someone else’s hand, how small my own hands are. I told him my name is Holly. He asked, “Spelled how it sounds?” I spelled it for him, reflexively, before I could fully process the question and simply say yes. I said lightheartedly that he must be extra happy to see us, being that we were at the end of the line—it was over three hours after the event had begun—and he said, “I’m sorry you all had to wait for this long.” While he was signing my copy, I asked if he was enjoying Portland—though what I really meant to ask was if he was happy to be back in the PNW, in the summertime. He said yes, he loves it here.

It all happened so fast, with me completely forgetting that I’d passed my phone to a kind father of some fans waiting near me in line, and I almost walked away without getting a picture with him. When you meet a celebrity crush from your younger years, it has you reckon with how the part of you who crushed back then has walked with you through time—in what ways who you were back then is still a part of who you are now, and who you want to be. And, of course, it gets your heart beating a little faster, too.

There was much more I wanted to ask him (this has never stopped being the case), but there were other fans waiting for their turn, and he had given his time to just shy of 150 people already. So I smiled at him, and said thank you, and moved along.

I am, and always will be, excited to see anything Alex makes. Hearing him talk about his art, and artistry, and being an artist, was beyond wonderful; not only young Holly’s wish come true, but inspiring for Holly, today—as an artist in my own right. In the years since I retired this account, as I’ve read all this news about the industry, I’ve often wondered how Alex has been. I am very happy and grateful I was lucky enough to get a ticket to the signing, and meet him.

And finally…the Cipher Hunt news.

First: the fan waiting in front of me in the signing line (I’m so sorry I didn’t get your name, but if you’re reading this, I hope you had a safe and smooth flight back home!) said she had been to Confusion Hill recently, and that Bill and the treasure box are still there. I haven’t been to Confusion Hill since I last went in 2017–before COVID—but I think about Bill and the treasure box all the time. It made me so happy to hear that fans are still visiting and exchanging treasures. I hope I get to go again, someday soon.

The second announcement: by chance, I happened to meet a fan who is working on a documentary about Cipher Hunt. I introduced myself and said I’d be more than happy to help out with the project! The creator, Keyan Carlile, can be found on both Twitter and YouTube. I hope you’ll follow along!

I met so many other lovely fans while waiting in line, as well. There is still so much affection and excitement for this series, and it was so nice to step back into the fandom, if only or a moment. If we spoke with each other: it was so nice to meet you! Maybe our paths will cross again, someday. And to everyone, all of the fans who were there, and all of you out there with The Book of Bill:

happy reading!! ∆

[ladykailitha]

You pardon me, I'm getting a little foamy at the mouth about this and if I don't rant about it, I may explode.

Lucas and the Game.

Which game? Both of them. Basketball and D&D. Because honestly I am a little lot weary of Eddie getting the lion share of the blame for what happened that Friday. Like I legit saw someone suggest that the school move the basketball game. Like what now?

Did Eddie make some CHOICEStm? Yes, yes he did. Lucas did not go to the dark side for playing a sport.

HOWEVER!

Lucas made some choices of his own.

Now, my information is 20 years old and I'm doing this based on memory, so if I get things wrong, also know I am from a different state than Indiana.

The play offs and championship games are announced ahead of time. There is no way Lucas was told THAT day that Hawkins was playing in the championship game. He had three days on the inside and a week on the outside of knowing when the game was.

Also take into consideration that the likelihood of Lucas PLAYING in said championship game is astronomical. Like the starting lineup and all the second string players would have to injured or fouled out before he could play. Because he's a freshman. He would have to wait out all the sophomores, juniors, and seniors(grades 10-12 respectively) before the coach would put him in. As opposed to a game that not only would he be playing in, he would be considered a valued member.

But as a club, Hellfire probably had set days they could meet. (Also, also, who the teaching advisor for that club and where the hell were they at any point during that season?)

So for most of the school year, the Hellfire club met on Fridays. Lucas would have known that.

So he had a few days to tell Eddie that he wouldn't be able to make it to the finale of their campaign, and he didn't. Then he didn't have to courage to tell Eddie himself and made Dustin and Mike do it.

So here's Eddie, president of the club (though, I can only imagine he was because no else wanted it, as something tells me I don't think they would have a let a double super senior president of anything), being told he's going to be down a player or be forced to move it. Something the other members of the club didn't want to do.

So why does Lucas's choice matter, but Gareth, Jeff, and the Unnamed Freak's choices don't?

So Eddie has to make a decision. Move it, find a replacement, or cancel it all together.

But since it was Dustin and Mike who brought to his attention THEY can find a replacement.

Because here's the thing about D&D and especially about being a DM. You build the fight based around the characters' abilities, classes, and magical items. And there is a lovely thing called CR or challenge rating. It's based on a party of four but can be adjusted for how many players you have. So a CR 10 would be a monster or fight that would take FOUR level 10 characters to beat. So six players, he would probably throw a CR 12 or 13 because of the extra players.

And if they are down a player it can really fuck things up, because what do you scale back and how?

We don't know what level all the characters were or what their classes were. We know that Lucas HAD played a ranger in the past so lets go with that. And since we know EXACTLY what Erica's character was: a level 14 half-elf rogue, so Lucas was probably of a similar level. And let me tell you TWO complete different skill sets.

Which is probably why the group is decimated at the end. Rangers are long range (heh) and rogues are better up close and personal. If Erica hadn't rolled a natural 20 both her and Dustin would have been dead when Vecna took his turn.

Sorry, I got off track a bit with the D&D stuff. But the purpose of that was to show that Lucas bailing last minute would have fucked things up for Eddie.

So TL;DR is that Lucas chose a game that he would likely be on the bench for for all of the game over a game he was an active participant in, didn't tell Eddie for DAYS and made his friends do it last minute, and then demanded the campaign get moved at the cost of the other members of the club's wants, and all because he wanted to be popular.

So, no. Eddie should NOT apologize for not catering to the wants of one member of his club over the needs of everyone else in said club. Maybe a bit on the traitor thing, but not moving the finale because Lucas thought basketball was more important? Nah...

[hoshiko2000]

So with production for Good Omens Season 3 officially halted, it does look like cancellation may be on the horizon. Because yeah, I really don't think Amazon would 'pause' production on a show this lucrative if there wasn't serious discussions currently going on about 'if' and 'how' it should continue. A production shuffle-up - ie. Neil Gaiman getting booted and new staff being put in charge - is certainly a possibility. But it is important to remember that this will still be a show that is written by him and very intrinsically linked to his brand. And whether fans or studios will still have an appetite for it considering this fact is something that has to be seriously considered.

Basically, what I'm trying to say is that as disappointing as it would be, cancelling Good Omens season 3 may be the hard but right decision. And, frankly, if season 2 is anything to go by, we may not be missing out on too much to be honest.

But on a serious note, I do want to use this news as an opportunity to share my own thoughts on the situation, which I will do under the cut (and as is probably obvious, there are trigger warnings for references to SA).

Despite Neil Gaiman's works being a massive part of my content here on this tumblr - and yes, that is something I am very aware of- I've not posted about the sexual assault allegations up until now for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I'm a working adult in my 30s; tumblr is very much a place I come to chill, I'm far too old (and frankly, tired) to get involved in discourse or heated fandom debates (not that those are the correct terms to use to refer to rape allegations but you catch my drift). But the other reason is that these revelations have honestly devasted me, in a way that I'm still processing and doesn't feel like an exaggeration to describe as grief, a feeling I'm sure is echoed by many other people.

Neil Gaiman's works have been a massive part of my adult life, and while I know it sounds like a cliche, they have gotten me through some incredibly difficult times. Coming to terms with the fact that such beautiful, thoughtful, empathetic novels and series have been written by a rapist has been incredibly difficult.

What has also been incredibly difficult to come to terms with is the fact that the incredible queer representation that has drawn so many of us to his television works in recent years was, in hindsight, indisputably a grooming tactic. And yes, grooming is the right word.

The grooming of communities is not something that is often discussed but is absolutely a thing. Predators groom victims to gain access to them, and they groom the people around both the victim and themselves to make it seem unbelievable when the victim later comes forward. And this can happen parasocially too. In the case of Neil Gaiman, he groomed his fanbase by constructing a calculated image as vocal a LGBT ally, drawing in queer fans and creating a smokescreen of apparent empathy and kindness to cast doubt on the future allegations he likely knew would inevitably catch up with him.

I really want to stress - particularly for younger fans - that no one is stupid or somehow culpable for having been fooled by Gaiman, for having supported his works previously, and for continuing to support his works now. I myself have no intention to leave the fandoms I am already a part of, and I genuinely do not believe anyone is under any sort of pressure or obligation to do so. The separation of the art from the artist is a very tricky subject and not something that can ever be done entirely. And if I'm honest I'm not really sure how to navigate this myself, or what this is going to mean for me in the future.

But to get back to the subject of my blog, yes I am planning to continue reposting content related to Good Omens and Dead Boy Detectives. However the latter differs drastically in that the series was not actually written by Neil Gaiman and is effectively an author-approved spin-off of one of his works. Good Omens on the other hand I have more complicated feelings towards, and at this point I am not sure how I feel about future series being made, with or without Gaiman's involvement.

I'm sorry if this post is a rambling mess, it has taken me a lot of time to build up to being able to share my thoughts, and while there is a lot more I could say I will stop here. But on a closing note, let's just be kind to each other. This situation is awful, lets not make it any worse. Give space for the victims, give space for the fans, and give space to people to continue to enjoy fandom spaces without making assumptions about where they stand on these allegations. It is a hard time, but things will get better, and these fandom spaces will continue to be a positive place for people to exist online. Lets keep it that way.

[starlordcumidk]

New Kind of Love

~chapter 2~

word count: 3.2k

notes: slight ooc, reader wears glasses, this is an AU of TASM!Peter where he is a fraternity brother. reader is portrayed as rude/stand-offish. reader is a tad neurodivergent. playful banter. please read this knowing that i am a newer author and the plot is based on a song.

warnings: not proofread, minor cursing? does that count?

author note: i am not super proud of this chapter but i really am losing my own plot atp

I can't help myself And you don't have to say that

Monday, October 28th, 2024

The weekend was spent debating on if you should or shouldn’t add Peter into your contacts. After a heavy debate, you messaged Delilah, hoping she would have some good advice for you in your time of need. 

you: lillaahhhhhh i need help :(((( Delilah: whats wrong ? you: you know that weird spider guy in the courtyard i was telling you about? Delilah: uhhhhh kinda. why ? you: me and him have to work on a project for my science class together and he wants me to add him into my contacts you: but he's kinda dumb, so i haven’t yet. he even called me ‘trouble’????! you: i don’t think it’s a good idea Delilah: u got a pet name, cute just add him dude idk  you: noted. i’ll input his contact i guess. Delilah: happy to help bb <33 talk soon

You groan and put your phone onto your bedside table. English was cancelled this morning so you get a few more minutes to evaluate your life decisions before having to meet up with Peter. He was… a lot to handle, honestly. He left a note on your desk this morning, very middle-school-boy-esque. It was still in your pocket, a little wrinkled but it felt like it was burning a hole.

‘Trouble- come to the frat party this friday? Check yes or no :))’

Obviously, you were not going to be caught dead at that party. Nothing he said would have pushed you to. Humid air and sweaty bodies bumping into one another, alcohol smells swirling in the air– the thought alone made you sick. 

You hated the way he was so… forward. It was weird, you didn’t get it. So many things about him intrigued you, and you didn’t get it. Why was he the one person in your handful of years at this school that piqued your interest? It made you angry, sick to your stomach, a weird flutter deep in it that made you want to punch something.

A ding from your phone signals a new email, leaning over slightly, you grab it and see the devil’s name.

—-------------

<pbparker@empire.edu

Hey trouble, my class ended early. Wanna meet up soon?

Peter B. Parker

Get Outlook for iOS>

—-------------

You groan and send a quick reply agreeing, asking where he wanted to meet today and if he had any new notes to share. Standing from your bed to grab your shoes and a light jacket, you feel your phone buzz again.

—-------------

<pbparker@empire.edu 

You still in Siebert Hall? I'm right by there, we can meet up at your dorm or the courtyard?

Peter B. Parker

Get Outlook for iOS>

—-------------

Your heart leaps as you look across your room, examining the space and hoping it wasn’t a mess. There were some snack wrappers here and there and you immediately feel the itch to clean. Before you can even think to respond, you tidy up. You make your bed and turn on the floor lamp in the corner to make the space look less cold.

Once it was to your liking you sent a response telling him which floor and room was yours in Siebert this school year. You’d rarely had anyone but Delilah and your parents in your room. Well, outside of the one guy you hooked up with for a few weeks on and off your freshman year. But that was always in the dark and he never got to stay longer than an hour or two. 

After a few minutes there's a knock at the door, and you move quickly, opening it and looking up to meet Peter’s stupidly pretty eyes.

“Hey there,” he says your name again, and you may like the way it sounds when he does, “ready to get our hurricane on?” His stupid smile accompanies the words and you step aside for him to come in. 

“Hey, yea. Come on in.” You say before he nods, walking in and looking around at all your posters, nick-nacks and even just the pattern of your bed spread. 

He points to the ceiling light and has a raised brow. “Not a fan of the school issued LED rods?” 

You shake your head, crossing your arms over your chest. “Not really? It overwhelms my eyes.”

“No me too, I get it. I like the coziness here.” His arms gesture to your bed, and your left to just stare at him. He took up so much space in your small room, but it looked almost natural. 

“Uh- thanks. You can sit there while we do our research if you want?” You offer it before you can think straight, quickly regretting your decision. 

It's almost like a flash of lightning, he is quickly sitting on your bed, shoving his shoes off and onto the rug just below. He is so naturally fit to your space and it knocks the sense out of you. Your eyes are locked onto him as you stand just a few feet away from him. He smiles at you, showing off his slightly crooked lips before digging into his bag, pulling out his laptop and a very, very nice camera. 

“You let your laptop get destroyed but have a well taken care of camera?” You ask before sitting at your desk and opening your own laptop, a small laugh escaping you. 

“Well I need the camera way more than the computer, obviously.” He said with a touch of irony, a playful grin on his face. 

“Really?” You said incredulously, fighting back a smile.

“Yea. I mostly take pictures of nature. Some spiders, some portraits.” He shrugs, his sarcasm dropping entirely, and before you can say anything he starts typing on his laptop and speaks again. “I did some research over the weekend. Did you know that hurricanes and tropical storms are named alphabetically?”

“Yea. I’ve lived through a handful.” You shrug and start up your outline file, looking at where you left off last time you were with him. It was pretty barren and you started to slowly fill out your portions. 

“I mean me too, I just never pieced it together. We’re gonna have to name ours something special.” He spoke so gently as he folded one leg under himself, the other dangling off the edge of your bed. 

“Like what?” You look up at him, your eyes locking on his bent over frame, something endearing about how he was squinting his eyes at the laptop screen. 

He shrugged, his fingers thrumming softly against the keyboard, something in his mind turning before looking up at you. “Benjamin? Gwendolyne, maybe?” His voice isn’t the usual cheery, all confident tone. There’s something more behind it, and if you were better at social cues, maybe you’d understand it. 

“We can go with either one, whatever you’d like.” You speak gently, trying not to offend or sound rude in any way. The look on his face is drawing you in, the downturn of his mouth, the slight fog in his eyes, it’s so… beautiful. 

Peter nods and quickly turns back to look at the computer, editing the shared document. But you just keep staring… the way the light from your window is filtering in casting a blue glow on his face, his eyes flashing golden, the freckles that were almost hidden popping out. For whatever reason, you couldn’t help but feel captivated by it all. 

You must’ve been staring for a while, because when Peter let out a soft chuckle and looked up at you, you felt embarrassed.

Your attention quickly moved back to the screen in front of you where you read some of the portions he had filled out while you were ogling at his unrealistic features. The embarrassment faded into anger, red hot and biting at your cheeks.

“It’s okay to stare.” He said, cockily, laying back against your bed. 

Oh you could kill him right now. You typed angrily, ignoring the words he said, ignoring his presence. 

He said your name once, twice. The third time made your ears ring, but you kept typing out random, probably false, hurricane facts into different parts of your half of the outline. His gaze was burning into your face, feeling his eyes roam over the slope of your nose, the way your lips were tightened into a flat line, and then it was gone. 

You could have sighed in relief that he finally stopped examining your face until you saw that stupid orange line blinking next to your cursor.

you’re kinda cute when you're embarrassed

Everything in you stalled before you cleared what he wrote after your tidbit on the casualties of the last hurricane. He barked out a laugh and you groaned, sinking into your desk chair.

—-------------

The session went quick after that, ending with you shooing him away and locking the door behind him. It was going to be a very long, very painful semester with him. 

You reach for your phone to text Delilah and pause, deciding it would be better not to.

—-------------

Wednesday, October 30th, 2024

You were late to class, rushing down the hall as you double checked your phone for the nth time. The decision to go into the lecture hall through the back door was made way before you reached the science building.

But now, entering the back of the room, eyes meet yours as you huff out a breath. Catching your breath was hard as you stared at your usual seat, taken by some random girl you never noted or cared to learn the name of. It made you angry, sure they weren’t assigned seats but everyone knew that once someone sits somewhere more than once it’s their seat by proxy. 

Before you could stew over it a hand tugged at your backpack strap, making you falter a bit and look down, seeing Peter smile up at you and nod to an empty desk right next to him. 

It was either there or on the floor… you chose the former and quickly took out your notebook, looking up towards the front of the class and having to squint. You yearned for the new pair of glasses that was taking a million years to get to you. 

But Peter put his notebook on your desk, tapping it and leaning ever so slightly. “It’s one of her lengthy presentations.” His hand snaked over the back of your chair and you blinked at the words, no, paragraphs in front of you. 

You give him a small nod as thanks before copying his notes and catching up on the slides currently flashing over the screen as Dr. Howard drones on. 

Peter watches you the whole class, his chest tight as you focus on the lecture he decided the moment you walked in wasn’t important enough to listen to. You were taking over all his senses, he could hear each huffed breath when the professor changed the slide before you finished taking notes, the smell of your shampoo, perfume, perhaps it was a strangely floral detergent. Whatever it was, his nose was lathered in it.

He almost hated that his heightened sense made him so aware of you, aware of everything that could signal to him that you were in the room. In any room. 

Yesterday he could hear you talking on the phone from across the courtyard, he searched for you, left his frat brothers on the grass patch to try and find you but you’d disappeared. He waited to hear your voice again, but there was nothing, no sign of you in the courtyard anymore. 

And now, as he watched you scribble down your notes, watched you chew on your lip, it made his mind wander, imagining what could possibly make you think so hard your teeth found a home there. 

It was too much for him, even when the alarm sounded from the speakers in the room. The same stupid one that sounded every class period, and you finally looked at him and furrowed your brows, giving him that beautifully crafted look of skepticism. 

“Thank you.” It sounded so surreal as he blinked a few times and realized you had his notebook held out for him. When he took it he realized you’d erased and respelt some of the words in his notes. 

“You rewrote a part of my notes?” He asked with a raspy laugh, shaking his head a bit as he saw your curved lettering, staring at the way you tried to blend it in with his handwriting.

You just shrugged and carefully pulled your bag back over your shoulders. “You misspelled sequestration. Thought I’d save you the point on the next notebook quiz.” Something about that made his heart pound in his ears and he stood slowly from his seat, tucking the notes into his bag and examining your expression. It was usually cold, steely, and… right now it seemed a little softer before you cleared your throat and made to move around him. 

“See you in the free period, Peter.” You spoke so softly, so distant. He watched as you disappeared with the hoard of classmates filing out of the lecture hall. And then his phone buzzed, he looked at it and saw a short text. 

i’ll be in study room e, btw - ”trouble” (stupid nickname)

He felt a little triumphant that he now had your number, a small part of him wanted to click his heels, maybe even skip to his next class.

—-------------

Noon came all too quickly, but you were already in the study room you specified when you had messaged Peter. A part of you felt like an idiot giving him your number that way. Maybe you should have made him work for it, but it was too late now. 

You had your textbook out and typed out a few things, humming a song to yourself. Gently tapping your foot to the beat as you get lost in your work. Time faded away as you continued, finding the different ways a community could rebuild after a category five hurricane.

The clock ticked a bit louder, causing you to rip your bleary eyes up and look at the time. It was already one o’clock. A pang of disappointment rattled in your chest but you shook your head, continuing to work anyway, who needed his help anyway…. 

Then your phone buzzed, and you opened it to see a text from him.

Peter: Got caught in something. Be there soon, Trouble, I promise. 

And it made your stomach flip a little. A stupid feeling, you told yourself. But you quickly messaged back. 

you: if you’re not here in 15 minutes, i’m leaving

Peter: I promise, ten minutes, maybe less.

You didn’t respond, you just put your phone down and went back to work, a mental reminder to leave when the fifteen minute window you allotted him in the forefront of your thoughts.

But, just as he promised, he walked in about nine minutes after he sent his last message. His hair was mussed, as if he had a hat on a few minutes ago and his skin was sheen with sweat. 

“Sorry I’m late, I got stuck at the frat house because the underclassmen are… I think they’re trying to manipulate me out of the master bedroom.” He laughed, something hidden under it, you could sense it but don’t push. 

“I won’t wait forty-five minutes for you again.” You said it gently, but there was a bite to it, one you hadn’t intended to use. 

Peter sucked in a breath, deciding what to say as he pulled out his laptop, looking at you for a long pause. “Technically,” he paused, looking at your hands as you typed before continuing about twenty seconds later, “I was only thirty-nine minutes late.”

You looked at him with narrowed eyes and your nostrils flared a bit and he laughed, his stupid boyish laugh. Something in you bloomed, but it wasn’t anger, maybe it was bemusement. “Peter, hands, laptop, type.” You started to over-exaggerate your typing, rolling your eyes as you focused on your screen again.

He let out a small breath, still amused at your look but gave into the order, but not without saying “Yes ma’am.” 

God you could hit him, flexing your fingers over the keyboard was all you could do to fight the urge. 

You both sat in silence, the only sound ringing through the study room was the clicking of keys and small sighs– mostly from Peter. Until you got lost in your research again and started humming, tapping your foot. 

After what felt like maybe 30 minutes, you took a glance up at Peter, chewing on his lip and squinting at the computer screen in front of him. The crinkle of his eyes made his eyelashes look impossibly long, complimenting his impossibly beautiful eyes. The sight of him was continuously making you think like an artist, over examining his eye color and the way his nose was slightly pink. 

You kept staring though, trying to pinpoint exactly what about him made you feel so… interested. What on his face made you want to stare at him? Was it the freckles? The dimple when he smiled, which was on full display at the moment.

Why was he smiling right now? Then you looked up at him and realized he was staring right back at you, smiling. It made you blink a few times, knowing he caught you staring again. 

You felt the nerves build back up, embarrassed that he caught you staring twice, but more embarrassed that you’d been staring at him at all. The nape of your neck heated and you thinned your lips into a tight line.

“You, by the way, are cute when you’re embarrassed.” His voice was filled with playfulness as he spoke, his chin resting over the back of his laptop.

“You don’t have to say that, Peter.” You say, aggravated and trying your best not to get mean. 

“I can’t help myself.” He shrugs, the curls on his head bouncing a bit. “You’re cute.”

You groan and stand up, gathering your things from the table and his gaze follows you the whole way up. The fact he kept saying it felt like you were in middle school again, being the butt end of the joke. 

“Wait, we still have fifteen minutes left-” he says nervously, standing along with you. “Why are you leaving?” 

You shake your head, looking at the bag in your hands before forcing a small smile. “I just need to get across campus for my next class.” And then you shrug your bag on, walking out the door and making quick work to leave the library all together. 

Peter just stares, watching you walk away, feeling only a little guilty for making you so upset.

—-------------

Friday, November 1st, 2024

Your classes got cancelled, even Dr. Howards and you let out a huff of relief before rolling back into the comforts of your bedding. You slept in for hours longer than you should have, but it felt good to have a day off from school. 

That was until noon came around and you got a text from the absolute devil himself.

Peter: Hey, Trouble, we’re still meeting today right? You groaned at the sight of his text. The day you were wanting was spent entirely in bed, by yourself, watching Spider-Man videos on YouTube with no interruptions. So you texted him back a quick response. A simple

you: no.

And went back to the video posted by fartslinger55, not the best account to  it was of Spider-Man saving a handful of people from a burning deli, the sound of his webs catching the brick buildings debris was almost rhythmic, his attention solely on the lives at stake. There was yelling and then a loud crash as a beam came down from the smoke headed right for a woman before a flash of red and blue whizzed in and stopped it. 

Right before your favorite moment happens there's a banner covering a sliver of the screen. 

Peter: Did I piss you off? Peter: I was just trying to have some fun, I’m sorry. you: no ? you didn’t do anything, i just don’t want to meet today Peter: Oh, okay! Peter: But Peter: What about my invite to the frat party? ;) you: not my scene, also stop sending more than one text weirdo Peter: Awe man, tonight's our Halloween bash, there’s gonna be plenty of booze… you: don’t drink, i’ll only go if i get to meet spiderman. so good luck with that peter

You put your phone in to not disturb and continued down the long list of favorite videos of the superhero, all the different angles of all his different fights.

There was a weird thing about it, something perhaps in your animalistic side that liked the idea of a protector, even if he themed himself off such a grotesque creature. You were grateful he doesn’t have multiple eyes and limbs and the only suggestion that he was relatively a spider was the webbing on his suit and the silk he shot from his wrists. 

You wondered if they were natural to his body, to his mutations, or if he had a beautiful and intricate device that shot them out. 

Peter however was staring at the messages you had exchanged, how your notifications were turned off so quickly after he started messaging you. It was bothering him so badly, he wanted to talk to you more. Wanted to laugh at the fact you said you would only come if you got to meet Spider-Man, unaware that you already have. That you somehow weasled into his frontal lobe in the summer and he hasn’t been able to push you out since. 

Pure trouble, that’s what you were for him. 

[synergysilhouette]

Guide to my Rewrites (and other content)

Upcoming hiatus

I post a lot of things, and some of those things are rewrites. As such, I thought this would be a nice guide for fans of my rewrites in particular. I'm still adding new things! Lemme know what you think.

Alternate Takes (Disney)

These are projects that have the same characters and settings (for the most part), but different plot points. These particular alternate takes suggest ideas that would've made me enjoy the movie more (or at all) and aren't a fanfic so much as bullet points with pictures.

Aida

Pocahontas

Hercules

The Princess and the Frog

Tangled

Frozen

Big Hero 6

Moana

Frozen 2

Raya and the Last Dragon

Encanto

Strange World

Wish (Note: working on a full-length rewrite unrelated to the ideas used here)

I also did rewrites for two Dreamworks movies:

The Road to El Dorado

Sinbad

Reimagining Disney Movies

These are projects that take Disney's framework (ie a fairy tale) and create my own characters, plot, setting, and song titles for it.

The Snow Queen

Kingdom of the Sun

Rapunzel

Reimagining Disney eras

These posts are designed based on what if Disney eras made different decisions (either based on my own ideas or rejected concepts) for their films. Note: I made the revival post before the renaissance and post-renaissance posts, so they kind of flow in different continuities. I also wanted to include future ideas for Disney's next era. These posts also work independent of my "Alternate Take" posts.

Reimagining the Renaissance

Reimagining the Post-renaissance

Reimagining the Revival era

Plotting out the Resurgence era

Plotting out the Resurgence Era (Part II)

Marvel

Not quite as detailed as my other rewrites, but I thought I'd include them.

Dr. Strange: Multiverse of Madness

Thor: Love and Thunder

X-Men (Because they have more content than my other Marvel things)

This pretty much just includes my rewrites.

X-Men: Evolution--New roster, Season 1, Season 2, Season 3, Roster (Timeskip), Season 4, and Season 5 (I did a poll months ago, and maybe I'll do a post brainstorming a Marauders spinoff).

Wolverine & the X-Men--New Roster, Season 1

Fox's X-Men films (I may remake this)--Part I (First 3 films) and Part II (Phoenix, NM, and Dark Phoenix)

Extensive rewrites

TV shows that I've remade episode-for--episode, perhaps removing and adding some as I see fit.

Miraculous Ladybug--Season 1, Season 2, Season 3, Season 4 (No longer doing Season 5; really fell out of love with the series, tbh)

Anime as comic books

Yes, this is a topic. I remember when I was in this headspace, and it was really fun. I basically reimagined what if popular anime had been created as superhero comic books that golden or silver age.

Dragon Ball

Naruto

Anime rewrites

Black Butler

Naruto: Part I (Part II is not cancelled; I just put it on the backburner)

High Card: Season 1 (Season 2 is not cancelled; I just put it on the backburner)

Video Game Rewrites

These aren't quite as detailed as my usual rewrites.

Bayonetta

Fire Emblem: Awakening

Fire Emblem: Fates

Fire Emblem: 3 Houses

Kingdom Hearts

Hogwarts Mystery

My OCs

This section covers my original characters for a few fandoms. Thinking of making OCs for books/anime/comics, but I do not have the confidence that I know the universe(s) well enough.

Fictif

The Arcana

Hogwarts Legacy

Baldur's Gate 3

Mood Boards

Just something I've made for fun to inspire others! Not an expert on making them, but it was still something I wanted to do.

My Wish rewrite (temporary)

Disney's Swan Lake

Disney's Hansel & Gretel

Disney's Rumpelstiltskin

Disney's Red Riding Hood

Sub-Saharan Disney musical

Disney Superhero Film

Japanese Disney musical

Actors who could play Disney villains

Choices: Stories You Play

REALLY into this game for a period--but it started to get awful when "Witness" came into play. Here's a list of reviews (which I've stopped doing) as well as concepts for new books (originally on Reddit before I got banned).

"Before I Say I Do"

"Celebrity Status"

"Summoned to Court"

"Arkikara"

"Fairy Godparent"

"Hierarchy: Scheming University"

"Willow Falls"

"Late at Night"

"Spellcaster"

"Four"

"America's Most Eligible" (Review)

"Desire & Decorum" (Review)

"High School Story" (Review)

"Rules of Engagement" (Review)

"The Freshman" (Review)

"Queen B" (Review)

Winx Club Content

Rewriting the Winx

Rewriting the Specialists

Rewriting the Villains

Monster High Content

Plotting out Gen 4

Comic Book Content

Remaking Major X

Rewriting Iceman coming out

Making changes to Tim Drake

[jiminsass-istant]

The JIMIN LOVERS CLUB..or should i say Smeraldo Garden Marching Band..

This might get lengthy, but I'll try to speak my heart out because what else is tumblr for ? Let's have a one sided chat.

From the recent happenings surrounding MUSE, we have seen Jimin lovers (pjms, jimin biased armies and some real OT7s) fight hard for Jimin.

I still remember how in 2023 after FACE, so called 'armies' made long threads and wrote long essays on how Jimin was indeed not sabotaged, but everything was his own choice. I wish I'd remember their @, but it's best not to spend energy entertaining people who love to stay blind just to satisfy their ego of being OT7 army. (yes it's an ego and a persona they can't let go of)

Seeing Jimin lovers promote using posters made me so proud. You know what it reminded me of? (Contd. Below)

It reminded me of early OG army. The army that would promote BTS when they were smaller and had lesser influence. The type of dedication that makes a big artist.

And you know what? That kind of dedication can now be been in Jimin lovers. They are getting down on streets, they are streaming, buying, doing everything they can. A dynamic fandom is what makes an artist organic and successful.

On some level, i believe:

"The next BTS is Jimin and the next ARMY are Jimin Fans"

I know this sounds bold and some of you may come at me for this. Army fandom is not the same as it was- it's filled with visual stans, twitter warriors who make shooter accounts just to feel something in their lives, toxic shippers, youtube and tiktok fans who have never streamed a song, consume 90% unofficial content because the real bts and their music is not why they were here in the first place.

But Jimin lovers (not the toxic solos) are in it for good. My TL on twitter is good. I follow some good OT7 armies, some scholar armies, people who deep dive into music, JM fanbases, and funny smaller accounts. I'm actually glad I've cleared my TL of shipper drama and irrational solos. The community is good out there.

Bonus: My opinion on member release during Jimin schedule(Type 1)

Honestly, from what I've seen so far, members are aware of what fellow members are releasing and when. So for those who think Jimin isn't aware...i have news for you. And don't forget that vmin kinda text regularly (there's proof). Even if Jimin knew that Tae plans to release this on army day, he's the kind of person who would absolutely support it. We all know the kind of person Jimin is. And it's not like BTS hasn't released more than 1 content in one day. The only difference is that now members are solo artists.

BUT- I do think that releasing 2 things and giving pre-orders for that other thing so close to Jimin's release is a bad decision on company's part.

They could have had other surprises or gifts for army day. Or could have announced the photobook pre-orders before Muse announcement. The timing is indeed terrible.

This could mean 2 things-

1. They are indeed intending on taking away attention (and sales) from SGMB.

2. They are using the momentum of the fandom to sell a photobook. Because we all know how active the fandom is during Jimin's releases.

3. Both of the above.

I think those who have their priorities right will buy Muse first. A photobook can wait, there are no records to make.

MUSE prep:

I have YT and AM premium, but I am about to make a premium for spoti too because apparently it's so important..ugh. Hope you are doing everything you can for Jimin. Getting free premium trial account is so easy for all streaming platform. Please do it. Just cancel the subscription in August if you don't have the money. And then make another account. It's possible, you can do it. :) Buy the album too if you can!

[andydrysdalerogers]

Sliding Into Home ~ Evidence, Emotions, Whatever

Pairing: MLB!Frank Adler x Abigail Hernandez (OFC)

Synopsis:

After a trade from Boston to Los Angeles, first baseman Frank Adler would seem to have it all. Money, women, an amazing niece, yes Frank should have it all. Except for one thing. One thing that left after a mistake five years ago. Los Angeles should be the chance to start over. Except she is supposed to be in Boston. Not his new medical director.

* A Frank Adler AU x Major League Baseball Story**

Warning: ANGST (i can't stress this enough), second chances, cheating, S~M~U~T!!, slow burn, drug use, abandonment issues, betrayal, domestic violence (i may have missed some), flashbacks

Dividers by me

I do NOT give permission for my work to be translated or reposted on here or any other site, even if you give me credit. DO NOT REPOST MY FICS. Reblogs, comments, likes, and feedback ALWAYS appreciated

Previous: For Reasons Unknown...

Sliding Into Home Master List Main Masterlist

Frank slammed the door to the office. One week ago, his world was being turned upside down. Now, after the motion hearing, they had to continue to wait for a decision on the adoption.  The judge had granted the stop on the adoption but not the cancellation.  Mike had to prove that he was a fit parent and DNA evidence.  He also had to show why Abby and Frank were not fit for adoption.  Frank reached for the scotch after Andy called with the news. He poured himself a healthy measure and sat on the window seat.  He watched as Mary played with Dodger and Scott, Marco watching over.  

“Frankie?” Abby poked her head in after letting Frank have a few minutes. “Baby?” 

“I can’t right now Abby. I just can’t.”  

“They didn’t say we couldn’t adopt her.” 

“No but they are giving him a chance. Why would they fucking do that?  He has charges against him!” 

“I know, baby, I know.”  She sat next to him and rubbed his back.  “None of it makes sense.”  

Frank drained his glass. “There has to be something to prove he’s an unfit parent.”  

“I agree.” She kissed his cheek.  “And we’re gonna work together to find it.”  

That whole week was dedicated to research and reaching out to anyone and everyone who had been a part of Mike’s life.  A lot were shocked to hear what Mike had been trying to do.  Others felt that the way Frank and Abby went about their relationship forced the reaction.  

Frank and Johnny were warming up for their next game.  “Have you heard from Andy?” 

“No.” Frank felt dejected. Andy, Steve his agent and Scott had been making call after call.  Abby had been called in by the hospital to cover for another surgeon so that added to Frank’s worry. He thought back to after she got to the call. 

“Cricket, you’re pregnant. I don’t think the added stress is good for you.”  

“Frankie, there are patients that need me. I will rest a lot and not make it longer than eight hours. I’ll talk with the Chief.”  

“Cricket, you don’t have to work. I can take care of us.”  

Abby narrowed her eyes and Frank took a step back. “Franklin, are you saying that I’m not strong enough to work?” 

“No baby, I’m...” 

“Let me tell you something Franklin Edward, I am stronger than any man. I survived more in my life.”  

“Baby, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean you weren’t strong. I’m just... fuck Cricket, I’m scared ok.” 

“Scared of what?” 

Frank took a moment. “We are on the verge of losing Nugget and what if something happens to you or the baby and... I keep seeing the worst every time I close my eyes.”  

“Frankie, we are not going to lose Mary. I am going to be safe, and we are not going to lose our baby. Honey, you can’t let your fears take over. I promise, I won’t overdo it.”  

“I know, I’m sorry Cricket. I know you are the strongest woman I know.” He kissed her forehead. “Forgive me love.”  

“Say something like that again and we are going to have problems Frank.”  

“I know Cricket.”  

“Now let’s get ready for bed. You need to rub my back.”  

“Yes ma’am.”  

“Abby has thrown herself into work for distraction.  We had to talk to Mary about the hearing because the judge said she wanted to talk to Mary.” Frank sighed. “I just wish we had something to show he is a bad guy. I just can’t believe that he might get custody.”  

Johnny sighed. “I remember you telling me he had helped you in getting custody of Strawberry when she was a baby. Something about seeing Diane using drugs.” He furrowed his brows.  

Frank had mimicked his expression. “Yeah, he did.” 

“Well, how did he know that? He had to have been with her when she was using it.” 

It clicked in Frank’s head. “So it is possible he was using as well. Fuck Storm, you’re a genius.” He pulled out his cell and sent a message to Andy.  

Frank: Can we request a drug test?  Andy: We would need a reason  Frank: He claimed that Diane was using. How would he know?  Andy: Noted. I will file the motion.  

Frank put his phone away. “Thank Storm. Hopefully we’ll get a break.”  

The game is perfect, the Dodgers shutting out the Padres for the day. As Frank jogs off the field, he looks up to see Abby in the row behind the dugout.  “Hey Cricket!” 

“Hey Frankie! Nice game.”  

“You been here all game?” 

“Came in the end of the seventh. Got to watch you bat.”  He could see her eyes turn sparkly and he laughed, knowing that watching him bat was an aphrodisiac for her. She had a thing for his forearms.  She bites her lower lip.  

“Let me shower and take you home baby. Mary has after school science club today, remember?” 

“And Scott?” 

“He’s with Steve. Marco is watching Mary.”  

“So, we have the whole house to ourselves?” It was a rarity in the Adler home to have it to themselves.  

“Sure do Cricket. I also got a fresh jar of peanut butter and Oreos.”  

They way Abby’s eyes light up makes Frank chuckle again.  Johnny happened to come out to call to Frank and overheard the last comment. “Gross.  Doc, isn’t that bad for you or something?”  

“Depends on the situation Johnny. In this case, it's our secret indulgence.”  She winked at him, and he shuddered.  

“Just when I thought I knew you Adler. Now I know what you and the misses get up to in the bedroom using peanut butter and cookies.  Why can’t you be normal, like tying her up or something?” He shakes his head as he walks back into the dugout.  

“If only he knew,” Frank said as Abby bursts out laughing.  

As Abby brushed out her hair to get ready for court, Mary walked in. “Mama, can you tie up my hair?”  

“Sure Nugget.”  She brushed her hair back to gather it up. She could see Mary thinking hard. “What is it, Nugget?” 

“If the judge says you can’t adopt me, does that mean I have to stop calling you Mama?” 

Abby watched as Mary’s eyes glassed over with unshed tears. “No, it doesn’t. I’m your Mama as long as you have me. You’re my Mary and nothing, not the judge, not Mike, will change that.  Just like Frank is your daddy.”  

“I don’t want to go with Mike. He’s not my dad.” Mary turned and buried her face into Abby’s neck and cried.  Abby did her best to comfort her in the moment, stroking her hair and squeezing her tight.  

“I’m sorry you have to go through this baby girl. I wish we could just adopt you and we can move forward with our lives. But Uncle Andy, Uncle Steve and Scott have been working really hard to fight this and now we got to go to court, and you get to tell the judge how you feel.  How you feel is really important.”  

“And you won’t leave me alone with him?” 

“Never, ok?” She wiped the tears from Mary’s face and took it in her hands. “Daddy and I won’t let anything happen to you.”  

As the family walked into the court house, Abby was passed a letter from Andy.  “What is this?” 

“It’s a letter from Diane.  To be opened by you only.”  Andy shrugged.  “My private investigator, Hansen, had done one more interview with Diane and this was given to him to pass along.”  

Abby’s hands trembled as she opened the letter.  

Dear Abby,   When I found out that I was pregnant, I really thought I had a chance at a happy life with Mike. It was a dream come true. I thought it was my chance to have a happily ever after just like you and my brother. When I told Mike about the pregnancy, he said two things to me. 1. He wasn’t the father because I slept around and 2. that he wanted me to abort.   It hurts my heart to know that he really didn’t care about me. I told your investigator where the key to the safety deposit box at Boston National was at and that the letters from Mike during that time are there.   I’m so sorry that I hurt you , Frank and Mary.  I knew when I left her with you, that you would be her mom. I knew it was the best choice for her. I hope this helps in stopping Mike.   Please let Frank know that I miss him. I hope he can forgive me for what I done and that maybe we can build our relationship again. He knows where to find me.   Take care of our family, Abby.   Always,   Diane 

Abby wipes her eyes.  “Did he give you anything else?” 

Andy held up a stack of envelopes. “Let’s go into a conference room.”  Andy, Abby, Frank, filed into a room, while Scott, Mary and Marco sat outside. Andy opened the bundle.  “There are a few addressed to Mary to be opened on specific days.” He handed those to Frank.  “There is one to Frank and the rest... Holy shit.”  

“What was it?” Frank asked.  

“They are letters from Mike to Diane. Dated when Mary was conceived.” Andy looked at Abby.  “May I?” 

She nodded. “I know what they are going to say.” 

Andy opened letter after letter confirming what Diane had wrote. “He denied being the father,” he said. “He asked Diane to have an abortion...” he stopped. “We can admit this to the court as proof.”  

Frank took the letters and read.  “This bastard did this to my sister.  Can we use this in the kidnapping charges as well?” 

“Absolutely. I’ll send them to Diskant as soon as we are done here today.  Let’s get this party started.”  The group stood and walked out.  Abby and Frank took both of Mary’s hands and walked to the court room.  As they entered, a familiar laugh rang through the room. Mike Weiss stood at the front with another man.  

“Oh look, it's my daughter and her jailers,” Mike said with a sneer.  

Frank growled but Abby put a hand on his arm. “Let it go Frankie.” The family sat where Andy directed them and took a seat as they waited for the judge. Mary cuddled into Frank’s side, keeping her face away from Mike.  

They all stood as the judge entered the courtroom.  “You may sit,” he ordered. “Ok, we are here to hear the motion to suppress the adoption of Mary Eileen Adler. Complaint filed by the alleged natural father Michael Weiss and contesting are the guardians in questions, Franklin Adler and Abigail Hernandez-Adler.  Mr. Weiss, you may proceed.”  

“Thank you, Your Honor.  I am submitting my first piece of evidence as exhibit A. This is the DNA match showing that I am the natural father of the child.  Second is the birth certificate where I am not listed so I cannot terminate rights that I was not privileged too.”  

“Entered into the record.  Mr. Weiss, your argument please.”  

“Your honor, due to the natural mother’s, Diane Adler, reckless behavior, I was not allowed time to establish myself as Mary’s father. I was away at school, earning my degree while Miss Adler gave birth and then subsequently rescinded her rights to Mary.  While I am grateful to Mr. Adler and Dr. Hernandez for raising the child, I would like to point out a few things.  

“Mr. Adler has been known to make reckless decisions while having custody of Mary.  Proof of alcohol abuse is evident in public record and led to the termination of his relationship with Dr. Hernandez. Mary only had one guardian for five years before Dr. Hernandez reappeared in her life.  That instability is not good in the upbringing of a child.  She should be brought up in a stable home with a loving parent who would do anything for her.  I believe that I am that parent. Thank you.”  

“Mr. Weiss, how do you explain the pending kidnapping charges against you?” 

“I feel like that was a misunderstanding.  The guardians did not allow me access to my daughter, and I just wanted to get to know her. It is not my fault that they over reacted and calling in law enforcement.  Once the matter of her guardianship is settle, those charges will be removed.”  

“Alright.” The judge turned to Andy.  “Mr. Barber, any evidence you would like to add?”  

“Yes, Your Honor,  I have in my possession, provided by the natural mother, Diane Adler, letters from Mr. Weiss to Miss Adler, during the time of Miss Adler’s pregnancy.”  Andy watched as Mike’s face blanched. “In these letters, you will find proof that Mr. Weiss denied paternity of the child multiple times but also requested that the pregnancy be terminated at the earliest convenience.”  

“Objection, how do they know when the time of the letters were written?”  

“The letters reference dates in the past as well as significant aging of the paper.”  

The judge looked over the letters.  “Admissible. Please continue.”  

“Thank you.  We also have the original custody order that named Mr. Adler as the guardian of Mary with an addendum of adding Dr. Hernandez-Adler as a guardian after the fact.  Mr. Weiss’s argument that Mary was in an unstable home is laughable.  Mr. Adler has done everything he could to provide Mary will everything she needed.  When he himself could not care for her, given his profession, he made sure that the child caregiver chosen was of sound mind, clean record and recommendations from former employers.  He is in the room today to testify, if need, that Mr. Adler was a loving and attentive parent to his niece.  

The door opened in the back, interrupting Andy. A young woman went up to Andy.  “A moment your honor.” He spoke to the woman and smiled.  “Apologies, sir, but we have an additional witness that we would like to add to our list.”  

“Alright, name?” 

“Bobby Fuller.”  

NEXT

Taglist

@patzammit

@texmexdarling

@slutforchrisjamalevans

@firephotogrl74

@before-we-get-started

@tinkerbelle67

@bunnyforhim

[mysteriawrites]

hello it is me hi hello

anyway…you already know from the server…

hi, im hannah!, im obviously swedish! my oshis are shu, luca, koto, and kyo…some wosemi too.

I’ve been doing dance for a super long time and i LOVE LOVE LOVE physical touch! (giving and receiving)

uhhh im bad at this

i tend to be a super fast typer so my messages always come out looking like gibberish

uhhh i hate calling but if im calling my bff or my s/o i will never hang up i love it sm!!

uhh, i tend to be pretty extroverted (due to my meds LMAOO) and im described as more of a golden retriever (however, i look like a black cat aporently)

SORRY IF THATS NOT ENOUGH ITS ALL I CAN THINK OF 😭💔💔

Luca Kaneshiro!!!

Congratulations Hannah Chan you got ur oshi! In all seriousness I think you guys would make a good pair.

You’re both sweet and energetic. You care a lot about the people around you and love to make friends. You also both try to hide your own problems and worries from others, but i think since you’re so similar it’ll be easier to notice and break each other out of these habits.

You and Luca met on somewhat unconventional means. It was the boss’s birthday and so he was having a big birthday bash with lots of people invited family, friends, and famous people alike.

You were hired as some of the entertainment. You were a well known and highly respected dancer and only the best of the best was expected at this party.

You had meticulously planned and practiced your performance for weeks until it was flawless. You had been told that this show could be a huge stepping stone in your career.

You arrived at the party in your finest outfit and set the stage for your performance. You were a bit nervous since it was such a large crowd of important people, but as every good performer knows: the show must go on.

Your show enraptured Luca to his very core. He couldn’t take his eyes off you. Your moves were so graceful and delicate yet bold and dynamic. He had to know who you were!

Sadly it was hard for him to get the time to see you given all the guests wanting to talk to you. By the time he got away from them your group had already packed up and left.

After the party Luca was on a mission to see you again and tracked down where and when your next show would be. He canceled all his plans and meetings to book a flight to your next location.

Was it an impulsive decision for someone he barely met? Yes. But something inside him was telling him he had to see you again.

You were in your dressing room one night after you last show when suddenly there was a knock at the door. You opened it to receive a delivery of chocolates and flowers with a note that said “Meet me at (insert restaurant here im too lazy)”

Sure you’ve had messages and gifts from creepy stalker fans before and you knew going was a safety risk. However something in your gut told you it was worth checking out.

And so you went. When you got there you were met with a familiar man with golden hair and amethyst hair.

Luca Kaneshiro finally found you.

Fast forward to you guys becoming fast friends and even faster lovers, you and Luca are a very active and energetic couple.

You both like moving and be being active. Him with working out and you with your dancing (which arguably is a workout in an of itself he has mad respect for you he couldn’t imagine moving like that). You guys stretch and go on runs together laughing and having so much fun it doesn’t even feel like working out.

~~and when you’re both sore afterwards you take a warm bath or shower together and give each other massages. Both activities may lead to a lot of touching 👀~~

Despite being busy with his work he always makes time for you as quality time is one of his love languages. He will always clear his schedule to go see your performances and spoil you afterwards because you deserve the fucking world.

He also uses dumb puns and pick up lines on you when you guys go on dates. Dates with you guys are usually a day out having fun and unwinding from your hectic lives. Like going to the amusement park (that he rented out for your whole trip) or going for a walk.

A couple with a lot of puppy energy that only has love to give. (I was gonna put more but this is getting too long)

Runners up: Vantacrow Bringer, Doppio Dropscythe, Yu Q Wilson

[vanfleeter]

Bloodshed: Part 3 - Jake

Characters: Jake Kiszka x Aster (oc), Josh Kiszka, Danny Wagner Warnings: Angst. Arguing. Physical violence. Smut. Penetrative sex.

Bloodshed Masterlist

Riding his horse to the stables, Jake dismounts and hands the reins off to a stable boy before heading off towards the palace. He whistles a little tune to himself as his fingers strum invisible strings of a guitar.

“Sir Jacob!” He stops walking and whistling and whips around to see his servant rushing through the halls. “Where have you been?”

“Out riding and getting some sword fighting in,” He says. “Like I am supposed to.”

“But the meeting, you’re late!”

Jake’s eyebrows furrow before his eyes grow wide. “Fuck!” He shouts. “I don’t recall being told about a meeting.” Rushing off down the long hallway, he quickly climbs the stairs two at a time as his bow and quiver bounce off his back and his sword clinks against his waist.

It wasn’t until he reached the hall where the throne room resides that he saw his twin brother stepping out of the room. The sight of an evil grin is plastered on his face as Jake approaches him completely out of breath.

“What did…father want?” Jake pants. His heart beats wildly in his chest as he bends over to catch his breath. Josh’s hand collides with his shoulder.

“You snooze, you lose, brother. You snooze, you lose.”

Jake’s eyebrows furrow once more as he studies his brother’s face. “What?”

“Looks like I get to go to the Mining Realm to make a trade.” Josh boasts.

“Since when?” Jake says. “That’s my job!”

“Well you weren’t here, little brother, so Papa agreed to let me handle it. I’m sure I’ll do a much better job.”

“That’s not fair!” Jake shouts. “You took my job!”

“Then be here next time.”

“I didn’t kn-” Jake huffs. “Are they still in there?”

Josh nods his head before walking off down the hallway leaving his brother still in a disheveled mess. Straightening out his clothes and his hair, he twists the handles and pushes open the doors. Stepping into the throne room, he finds their parents still sitting in their chairs and discussing something in a hushed tone.

That quickly diminishes as soon as they notice his presence. “Jacob..”

“Papa..” Jake bows before his father, one knee touching the ground as he lowers his head. Standing back up, he lifts his head and meets the eyes of his father. He can see the disappointment lingering in the dark irises. “May I start by apologizing for being absent.” He says.

“I expect better of you, Jacob.”

“I know, Papa.” Jake says as he lowers his eyes. “I do apologize.” He inhales and lifts his head. “I had no knowledge of this, I swear. If I had, I would be the one going to the Mining Realm to complete a trade, as I always have done and not Joshua.”

“Jacob, I will not discuss this matter any further.”

“But Papa-”

“Jacob, the decision was made and it is final.”

“Joshua doesn’t even know what to do! He’ll fuck this up!”

“Jacob Thomas!” The Queen snaps. “You are to watch your language and you do not raise your voice to your father. Am I understood?”

Jake sighs and lowers his head whilst giving it a solemn nod. “Yes, Mama..” Jake looks up at the King. “I’m sorry, Papa.”

“All is well, Jacob.” The King says as he nods his head. “Though I am surprised you weren’t informed of this meeting, I explicitly told your servant to inform you.”

For the third time since he got back to the palace, Jake’s eyebrows furrowed together. “I was never informed, Papa.” Jake says. “If I were, I would have canceled my sword fighting. Again, I am sorry.”

“Nothing to apologize for, my boy.” The King says. “I shall have a talk with the young man.”

Jake’s eyes widen and he shakes his head. “No, Papa, leave him be. Let me talk with him, I’m sure it was just a mistake.”

The King nods his head and waves his hand out in front of him. “Very well, I trust you to handle it.”

“Yes, Papa.” Jake says as he nods his head.

“In the meantime, while Joshua and David are gone tomorrow, I want you to help with the preparations for Sir Daniel’s celebration dinner.”

“He’s coming home?” Jake inquires. “The war is over?”

“Indeed it is. The pirates had lost enough of their own men–”

“--Crew.” Jake corrects. He sheepishly smiles and lightly giggles as his father’s eyebrows arch. “My apologies..”

“Crew.. They’ve lost enough of their crew and have made an agreement with Sir Daniel. They have agreed to back off from The Four Seasons, as we are not their enemies–nor do we intend to ever be.”

“So does that mean…” Jake prompts.

The King shakes his head. “The rules, Jacob. The Pirate Realm is off limits, you know this.” Jacob sighs, his shoulders dropping. “I just cannot understand your fascination with those scallywags.”

Jake chuckles at his father’s use of pirate terms. “They’re thrilling, Papa.”

“They’re dangerous.”

Jake smirks. “Which is what makes them thrilling.”

“Stay. Away.” The King warns. “If I ever catch word of you exploring that realm, I will enforce consequences. Do you hear me?”

Jake groans but reluctantly nods his head. “Yes, Papa, I hear you.”

“Now..” The King stands up from his throne and leans against his sword. “Go find your servant before I do.”

“Of course, Papa.” Jake gives a bow before turning on his heels and walking back towards the door.

Heading down to the servants quarters, he knocks on the threshold of the kitchen. “Jack..” He calls.

The young man picks up his head out of his book. When spotting Jake, he immediately closes his book and stands from the chair. “Sir Jacob. Wh-What are you doing down here?”

The rest of the staff bow to Jake but he dismisses them. He hates when people bow to him. “May I speak with you privately?”

“Of course, Sir.” Jack says as he walks over to Jake.

Jake chuckles and wraps his arm around Jack’s shoulders. “Do drop the formalities, Jack,” Jake says. “Though I do like being called ‘Sir’, this is not a formal discussion–just a normal conversation if you will.”

“Am I in trouble, S–Jacob?”

Jake shakes his head as he leads the young man down the hallway and away from spying ears. “No, I just need some–clarification,” He says. “My father told me that you had sent you to inform me of the meeting that occured today in my absence.”

“Yes, sir, he did.” Jack says, nodding his head.

“It is Jake..” He corrects. “Why did you not inform me?”

“Because..” He says. “Your brother said he would tell himself, did he not?”

Jake removes his arm from around Jack and clenches his fists at his sides as his jaw tightens. “Which brother?” He asks.

“Joshua. He told me that he would inform you of the meeting while the two of you went out to the courtyard for your weekly catch up.”

“Oh did he now?”

Jack nods his head. “It seems I got my answer that he did not tell you.” He sighs and drops his head. “I knew I should have still told you.”

Jake’s hands fall open by his sides and he relaxes his jaw before laying a gentle hand on Jack’s shoulder. “It is quite alright, Jack. Do not beat yourself up.” He removes his hand and reaches for his bow and an arrow from his quiver. “However, let it never happen again–you come straight to me with any news, even if you have to track me down in the middle of the woods, you come to me.”

Jack nods his head. “Of course, I will.” He says.

“Good. You may return to your studies.”

“Thank you.”

Taking off back up the stairs to the main building of the palace, Jake makes his way to their sleeping quarters where he finds his twin lounging on the sofa in his room with his legs resting on the table in front of him.

Jake adjusts the arrow to his bow and aims at the pillow that rests beneath Josh’s right arm. He pulls back on the bow and lets go, sending the arrow whizzing through the air and stabbing straight into the pillow making Josh flinch. He looks directly at Jake as he lowers his bow.

“One inch to the left, I could have fucked up your arm.” Jake says as he steps into the bedroom.

Josh stands up from the couch and pulls the arrow out of the pillow. “Wasting your arrows, Jacob,” He says as he inspects it. “And these are my good ones too.” He approaches Jake and reaches behind to put the arrow back into the quiver on his back. “Better luck next time.”

“I missed on purpose,” Jake says as he shoves Josh backwards. “You screwed me over!”

“How so, brother?” Josh smirks.

“Jack was supposed to inform me of today’s meeting–oh but someone told him that they’d do it instead. Care to tell me who?” Jake folds his arms over his chest as he stares angrily at Josh.

Josh smirks but shrugs his shoulders. “I know not what you speak.” He says as he goes to turn away from Jake and walk off.

Jake clenches his fists once again and lunges himself at Josh. “You embarrassed me!” He shouts as he throws his fist at Josh’s face. They tossle and roll all over the floor. Fists flying, hair pulling. Josh successfully pins Jake to the floor, holding his shoulders to the floor.

“Oh little brother..” Josh sighs. “Why must you be so difficult?”

“Call me that again..” Jake growls.

“Little. Brother.” Josh repeats.

Jake screams and grabs hold of Josh’s wrists and tosses him off of him. Scrambling to his feet, he pulls out his sword and points it at Josh.

“I am not your little brother.” He seethes.

“Uh yeah, you are. I’m older.” Josh says as he retrieves his sword from the table.

“By five minutes!” Jake throws a jab at Josh but Josh dodges it and swings his sword, the clanking of metal against metal echoes off the walls of the bedroom.

Around the room they chase each other, swinging their swords and lashing out at each other. “Give it up, Jacob.” Josh says as he swings his sword at Jake. The tip of his sword rips Jake’s shirt just below his right peck. “I think I win.”

“No one wins until blood is spilled.” Jake says as he holds the point of his sword against Josh’s neck.

“Fair enough.” Josh shrugs his shoulders and lunges again at Jake but Jake jumps backwards and deflects Josh’s sword with his own.

“Hey hey, woah!” Danny’s voice booms from the door. “What the hell is going on here?”

He grabs his own sword and cuts in between the fighting twins. “I did not just spend the last six months fighting just to come back home to more fighting. Drop your weapons, both of you.” Jake huffs and stares down Josh who only smirks. But both men sheath their swords. “Dare I ask why you two are fighting? Though I’m honestly not surprised that you are.”

“Josh took my task because he’s an asshole, oh and he failed to tell me about the meeting!”

“Your servant failed to mention the meeting.”

“Oh you-” Jake starts to lunge again at Josh but Danny intervenes.

“Hey, stop! Stop!” Danny shouts as he holds the two apart from each other, each hand pressed flat to their chests. He turns his head towards Jake. “Why don’t you go outside and get some air? Cool off some.”

Jake huffs and steps away from Danny. He bends down to scoop up his bow and quiver and slings them over his shoulder before turning on his heels and storming out of the room. Danny then turns his attention to Josh as he makes his way back over to the couch and picks up the punctured pillow to inspect the hole.

“My favorite pillow too.” He mumbles before tossing back down onto the couch.

“Why do you always have to antagonize Jacob?” Danny says as he leans against one of the wooden bedposts.

Josh scoffs. “He started it.”

“Josh..”

Josh sighs and falls down onto the couch. “If I can do this one task, then it could potentially win me some points with the council.”

“You think this is some kind of competition to see who gets the throne?” Danny questions.

“Uh, yeah..”

Danny sighs. “This isn’t a competition, Joshua.”

“Daniel, there wouldn’t be a competition if the council went the traditional route of the eldest son to take the throne–that eldest son being me.”

Danny rolls his eyes. “Josh, you both know why they decided against that. You two are the same age

“We’re five minutes apart, therefore I’m older.”

Danny groans and runs a hand over his face. “Why does that matter?”

“Because Daniel–I’m the rightful heir to the throne,” Josh says as he points to his chest. “What does Jacob have that I clearly don’t?”

“Oh,” Daniel scoffs. “I don’t know–compassion, empathy. He’s the only one between the two of you that actually works. He cares about this realm, Joshua, he cares about the people.”

“I care.” Josh says as he sits up.

Daniel cocks his head at Josh. “Yeah maybe when you were younger and inheriting the throne wasn’t even a thought to either one of you. Damn, Josh, don’t you see how you’ve been lately? You’re rude, arrogant, got your head so high in the clouds that you don’t even care about anyone but yourself.” Pushing off the bedpost, Danny makes his way back to the door. “You won’t have anyone to support you as King if you keep this up.” He finishes before stepping out of the room and closing the door behind him.

–

Jumping off his horse, he approaches the moss covered tree stump and sits down with a huff. He stiffens when he hears twigs snap behind him and the ruffle of bushes. He reaches for the helm of his sword when he hears her voice.

“Back twice in one day?” She says as she appears beside him. “Gotta be a record.” She sits down on the stump next to him and he leans over to rest his chin on her shoulder.

“I hate my brother..” He grumbles.

“Mmm, which one?” He looks up at her and she giggles. “What did he do now?”

“He took a trading job with the Mining Realm.”

She grimaces and shakes her head. “Isn’t that yours though?”

“It was..” Jake pulls away and rests the palms of his hands on his thighs. “He made sure that I wasn’t aware of the meeting so I wouldn’t be there because he knew they’d be assigning tasks and he fucking took it right out from under me.”

“So what were you assigned with?”

“Helping to prepare Daniel’s celebration dinner.” Jake mutters.

“You don’t want to do it?”

“Do what? Hang banners and tapestries? Set the tables and light candles?” He scoffs and stands up from the stump. “No one ever sees me like they see him. I do everything that I’m told, I carry out all of the decision making yet they look at him like he’s the golden boy. I don’t think I’ll ever be considered for inheriting the throne.”

“This throne shit is really stressing you out.”

He sighs and runs his hands down his face. “You have no idea.. Josh has practically turned it into a competition.”

She stands from the stump and steps up to Jake. “Sounds like you need to be relieved.” She says as she wraps her arms around his waist. She unbuckles his belt and drops the sword to the ground before reaching for his bow and quiver and placing those by the tree with his sword.

She slowly begins to undo his pants and pushes them down to his ankles. He shoves her against a tree and roughly kisses her. As the kissing intensifies, he’s pushing her dress up her thighs and hooks his fingers inside the waistband of her undergarments and drags them down. Having them down far enough, he cups his hand over her center and rubs it in circles.

“Jake..” She moans.

He rubs her a couple times before nudging her legs further apart and picking one up to rest around his body. He lines himself up with her entrance and gently pushes inside, both of them moaning into the open air of the woods. She holds tightly to his body as he thrusts into her.

Her breasts bounce wildly beneath the corset that still contains them. He’s never seen her naked, never even graced her pussy with his lips. But that doesn’t matter because he has her, right here, in this position.

She was right, he did need to be relieved of the stress that has been building up inside of him. He’s a little rough with her this time but she doesn’t mind it. She loves it.

“Aster..” He moans, his head falling into the crook of her neck. He’s close. His fingers curl in on her waist and thigh that he still holds up around his waist. Her hand comes down his back and gropes his ass cheek as she pushes him deeper into her. Soon the two of them reach their highs together.

Pulling out of her, he drops her leg and bends down to pull up his pants. “Feel better?” She asks as she cocks her head at him. He nods his head and pulls her in for a kiss.

He pulls away to start to speak when the sound of a horn being blown stops him before he can. “I’m sorry, I have to go.” She says as she pulls away and starts to make her way through the woods.

“Aster, wait!” He calls after her. She stops and turns to face him. “May I see you again soon?”

She smiles and nods her head. “Soon.”

He watches as she disappears behind a thicket, the hues of orange and red making it difficult to keep his eye on her. Sighing, he fixes his clothes and hair before collecting his things and heading off back to the palace. It wasn’t until he reached the gates that he saw Josh leaning against iron with a smug look on his face.

“Went to see her again?” He questions as Jake walks past him.

“I do not know what you mean..”

“You know exactly what I mean,” Josh says as he goes to catch up with his brother. “You’ve been seeing her–the pirate.”

Jake stops in his tracks as Josh nearly collides with him. “How do you know about that?”

“Ohh, so it is true.” Josh smirks. “You are going against the rules that Papa and Mama set for you. You know you’re not allowed to see her.”

“And what are you going to do? Tell them?” Jake scoffs. “Wouldn’t be surprised if you did.”

“Oh no, I won’t tell them.” Josh says with a shrug of his shoulders. “After all, we do have secrets of our own.” He stops Jake at the doorway to the entrance of the palace. “You’ve been sneaking around with her for months now, have you fucked her?”

Jake’s face contorts and he shoves Josh out of the way so he can go inside. “I am not telling you that..” He says as he walks through the grand hall. The sunlight streams in through the ceiling high windows, casting light over the portraits and shining off of the glass chandelier.

“So you have..” Josh snickers and throws his arms around his twin’s shoulders. “Can’t blame you though, she is gorgeous.”

“Don’t even think about it.” Jake snaps as he pushes Josh off of him.

Josh holds his hands in the air and bows away from Jake. “Don’t worry, I’m not. Though I can’t help it if I hear her moaning so sweetly in my dreams.” Jake starts to go after Josh but Josh steps out of the way. “Hey, she’s your lover. I’m keeping my paws off.” He slams a hand down on his brother’s shoulder. “Go and get ready for bed, brother.”

______________________________________________________________

tag list:

@freefallthoughts @gvfmelbourne @lvnterninthenight @vikingsisthenewsexy @fleet-of-fiction @writingcold

If you would like to be added to the tag list for this series, please don't hesitate to reach out! We'd love to add you!

If I happened to miss you on the tags, please let me know so I add you!

Next Friday sees the dashing warrior Daniel! See you again then!

[laf-outloud]

https://www.tumblr.com/laf-outloud/727083591202471936

I would just like to say a few things:

I was honestly taken aback by this, because even if they won‘t believe me, why not share the info anyway? Or at least respond to it? If there is nothing to what I say, then it could be quickly invalidated or? Unless the two know exactly that I'm right and are afraid of when it comes out.

Here's the thing anon, there really ISN'T a way to verify. They would have to specifically know people who work at those cons and neither of them are based in that area so it's less likely they have connects over there (obviously still possible, but not as likely as for US cons). And even then, they would only be able to verify it for themselves and would still not be able to offer proof. Granted only one of those two cares about showing receipts... it still isn't something that "could be quickly invalidated"

And look at the line up of the English cons and tell me that you could not have paid Jared‘s fee to run various duo shots!

Now about this, even IF they are going to two separate cons from the same company there could be a few reasons for that which have nothing to do with them avoiding each other. As @laf-outloud already mentioned - it's a smart business decision to get a little distance between them since they are still so tied together publicly even years after SPN has ended. With the way CE cons run it would be impossible to really get the separation there (and they have been exclusive there forever when it comes to US cons) so their only chance to really do that is overseas cons.

But you also have to think about it fiscally. Yes, the cons may be run by the same umbrella company but I also bet they have allotted money for each con and with other big names, they can't afford both at one individual con without having to cancel other big name guests who are a draw. Another thing is the fans spending. If they get both J2 at one con then to cover to extra costs they would probably have to increase the prices of ops and autos. That limits the number of fans who can afford to purchase tickets for both and some would pick between the two, meaning less income for the con and J2 themselves. By splitting them, the fans of each don't have to choose and can spend money on one J and also other guests. Plus, splitting them up means a bigger draw to each con (since we've seen how quickly they can both sell out cons). If they were together at one then all the draw would be there, with the split there is an added draw to both cons.

If I'm lying, why is Creation now releasing the second convention for 2024 with only Jensen as headliner but not with Jared? It can't be the money, because Creation takes the same amount for the tickets as usual. And schedule difficulties during an official strike ? Hardly.

First, just because he isn't added now, doesn't mean he can't be added later. And yes the strike is effecting work, but they might still have tentative schedules in place based on when they think the strikes might end. They are surely going to get right back to work when the strikes are over so he might have some idea about work schedules going forward.

But there are also rumors (unverifiable of course) about CE cons and that J2 signed on again but for less cons. Hypothetically speaking (because I do NOT know any specifics, this is simply me giving an example) if they each signed on for 6 cons for 2024 but CE wants to run 10 then there are going to be cons that have one and not the other, that's just logistics and doesn't necessarily mean anything. I'm sure if they wanted to do more than what they signed on for, CE would be more than happy to accommodate because J2 is their real money maker, but if they really did sign on for less and that rumor is true, then the CE con landscape is going to change quite a bit in 2024. I personally think that if this rumor is true, we are going to see Jared do the amount he signed on for, and Jensen will do those plus additional CE cons. We've seen he doesn't want to let go of SPN and with the spending the Ackles do (10mil mansion anyone?? That clothes budget....) they can't really give up that income.

You make some great points, anon. Thank you for sharing! It would make sense to split the pair up and draw more SPN fans to multiple cons than to have them all gathered at one con.

I would be really interested if your speculation about the Creation schedule were true, mainly because I'd love to see how different a Jensen-only led Creation con would work vs. a Jared-only led con.

[sallysgrancanwrite]

Chapter Thirty-Six

Chloe ran downstairs after hearing Michael speed off, she was shaken and frightened.

“I need to go back. This is going to bring trouble on all of you. He’ll be better in the morning. Really I promise.” Chloe said crying.

“Chloe,” said Edith, “we are fine and we aren’t afraid of Michael. Now please honey go try to get some rest and trust us. If you want you can go home in the morning when he is sober okay?”

“Alright,” said Chloe reluctantly. She sauntered off to bed.

“I’ll be right there,” Beth hollered up the stairs at Chloe.

When Chloe was out of ear shot distance Beth pulled Edith and Bob into the kitchen to talk.

“I tried to get her to press charges, but she won’t. I’m thinking I may go and just make a police report so it’s at least on file. I’ll see if I can get her to let me take pictures of the marks but I won’t tell her for what. I hate lying to her.” Beth said.

“I don’t know, Bob what do you think? Should we do it behind her back?” Edith asked her husband.

“Well, he seems like if we aren’t having him arrested, just putting something on file so it will be on record I don’t see where that would be wrong. And we’re her family, who in tarnations is going to protect her if we don’t?” He replied.

“Dad and I will make the report.” said Edith “You get us the pictures. If you go she suspect you. Just stay with her tomorrow. Now let’s all get some rest. It’s almost morning.”

“Goodnight,” said Beth as she climbed the stairs. She snuck into Chloe’s room to check on her. She was sound asleep, and soon Beth was sound asleep too.

The girls slept in in the morning. It was 10 before either of them woke up.

“Chloe, you want to take a hot bath and I’ll bring you up some coffee?” Beth asked her.

“That’s sounds nice, thank you Beth. I’ll go get in.” Chloe said, looking forward to a hot uninterrupted bath.

As she lay there soaking she wondered what to do to fix her marriage. She didn’t know how long she could live like this. She started feeling sick again. Beth walked in and grabbed the garbage for her. It must be all the stress making her stomach upset.

“How long have you been sick like this?” asked Beth.

“Just a couple of days,” Chloe said. “All this stress is getting to me. Maybe I’m getting an ulcer.”

“Let’s get you to the Dr and find out. I’ll call him.” said Beth.

Beth called Dr. Witker’s office and was able to get Chloe in at 12:30 that day, which was unusual as he was usually booked. It just so happened that someone canceled earlier. She went up to tell Chloe.

“Chloe, I got you in at 12:30 honey.” She hollered as she ran up the stairs, only to find Chloe heaving in the garbage can again and looking white as a ghost.

“Oh Chloe, let me help you out of the tub and we’ll get you dressed. You can rest on the couch until we leave.” Beth told her.

Chloe stood up and Beth helped her step out of the tub. She got dried off and beth found some of Chloe’s clothes still in the closet. She grabbed them and some clean undergarments from the dresser and helped get dressed.

“Throwing up sure takes it out of you,” Chloe remarked.

“Yes it does,” said Beth. “Now come sit at the vanity and I’ll brush your hair out. Did you get all the blood and glass shavings washed out good?” Beth asked her.

“I think so,” said Chloe. “I tried to in between throwing up anyway.”

“It seems you have,” Beth said as she brushed and went through Chloe’s long beautiful hair. “Let’s get you downstairs on the couch to rest a bit before we leave.”

“Sounds good to me,” Chloe sighed and said.

As Beth helped her downstairs and onto the couch she made a decision.

“Now Chloe, until you’re better you need to stay here and be taken care of by me or Bob and Edith. Okay? You can’t go to work sick and you can’t take care of a husband sick, especially if he’s throwing you around.” Beth told her.

“Well let’s wait and see what the Dr says today, okay? Then I’ll decide.” Chloe told her.

About this time Bob and Edith walked in.

“Where have you two been?” asked Chloe.

“Oh we just had an errand to run.” Edith commented not telling her they had a visit with the sheriff. “You don’t look good Chloe. What’s going on?” Edith asked.

“I’ve been throwing up for a few days now but I’m going to see the Dr. in fact we should get going Beth.” said Chloe.

“Oh you’re right, it’s getting late. We’ll talk to you all later. Bye.”

They got to the Drs office and got checked in and surprisingly were taken back to a room right away. You usually have to wait a while. However Chloe had to sit in her little skimpy paper gown for over 45 minutes before the Dr came in. It would have been better to have waited in the waiting room than in here freezing her buns off Chloe thought. These gowns didn’t cover much,

“Hi Chloe. It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen you”. Dr. Witker said.

He had known Chloe her whole life. He had actually been the Dr at her birth.

“What brings you in today?” He asked. “You look a little white.”

“She’s been throwing up for a few days now,” Beth said.

“Well let’s take a look. What happened to cause the bruising, may I ask?” He said.

“I had an accident, that’s all.” Chloe answered him.

She loved Dr. Witker and hated lying to him but didn’t want Michael in trouble. She knew the Dr would feel he needed to report it.

“Let’s get some blood work and a urine sample and then I’ll be back in, okay?” He said as he left the room.

Chloe had several vials of blood drawn and then they gave her a cup to take to the bathroom. She got back and waited for the Dr. quite a while. They had their own lab there so he was waiting for it all to get done before coming back in. What a pain waiting though. Chloe just wanted to lay down. She was tired. She put her head on Beth’s shoulder. Finally Dr Witker came in.

“How you doing Chloe? Still nauseated?” He asked.

“No,” she said, “just really tired. I can’t sleep enough.” Chloe said.

“Well, he said, that doesn’t surprise me, in your condition,” he said.

“What condition?” Chloe asked.

“You’re 8 weeks pregnant Chloe.I hope it’s good news.”

“Oh yes, it is Dr. thank you. Just a shock, that’s all.” Chloe said in disbelief.

“Make sure we see you every month to keep up on you and the babies health and progress okay?” He said. And congratulations. Looks like I get to deliver another generation. Have a good day dear.”

Chloe dressed in total shock. She really thought it was the flu.

“What are you going to do,” Beth asked.

“Have it of course, and make my marriage work,” Chloe said.

As they got in the car Beth sighed.

“Chloe, there is no saving that marriage if he keeps doing what he is doing. He will kill you or the baby or both for gods sake.”

“Once he knows about the baby he may change Beth.”

“Until you are healed you need to stay at the house and get past some of the morning sickness.” Beth told her.

“I will. I just need to tell Michael, that’s all.” Chloe said.

“Fine,” Beth said reluctantly.

The girls finally made it home. Edith was sitting and having some coffee and a sandwich with Bob when they walked in.

“You girls were gone quite a while. We had an early supper, just soup and sandwiches. I’ll get you girls some.” Edith said.

“Chloe has something to tell you.” Beth said

“Okay,” they said. “Are you okay Chloe?”

“Yes. But I’m 8 weeks pregnant. And I know it’s longer than I’ve been married and I’m sorry.” She cried.

“Chloe, we would never say anything about that. But are you happy about the baby with how the marriage is?“ Edith asked.

“Yeah, it will all work out. But I’m staying here till my sores heal from the other night. I’m going to go call Michael.” Chloe said.

As she walked away Beth pulled Edith and Bob aside.

“Should she go back to him at all? He will hurt her or the baby.”

“Beth, that is her choice. As her family, and friends we need to be here for her no matter what. And love her.”

“That’s our job,” Bob said. “We would want nothing less for ourselves from loved ones.”

“I know you’re both right, but it’s hard to watch her get hurt. I love her so much.” Beth said crying.

Edith gave her a hug.

“It’s very hard for Bob and myself to watch it as well. We raised her and can’t stand to see her get hurt but we have to allow her to make her own choices.”

Chloe called Michael.

“Michael, I went to the Dr today.” Chloe said.

“All I want to hear is when you are coming home?” He said.

“Michael! I’m telling you something! I’m 8 weeks pregnant.” She told him.

There was dead silence on the other line.

“Michael are you there?” Chloe asked

“Yes! How could you let this happen Chloe? Take care of it.” He said and then hung up.

Chloe was stunned. She did not expect that at all. She was going to have to stay here until he can come around to the idea of being a father. She came back into the kitchen.

“Did you get a hold of Michael, Chloe?” asked Beth.

“Yes,” said Chloe. “May I stay a while longer Edith? Just until I’m feeling better and can make some decisions.”

“You can stay as long as you need to, but what decisions dear? May we be of help?” Edith asked.

“I’m not sure really. I need to decide what to do about this pregnancy. Michael wants me to take care of it.” She told them.

“Is that what you want?” Bob asked her.

“Well no,” Chloe stated. “But he wouldn’t listen. He asked me how I could have let this happen. I guess I was stupid and not thinking. It happened before I expected it to. I was going to wait till I was married but felt pressure and gave in one night. Guess that’s all it took. Now I’m in a mess.” She continued.

“You’re in a mess because of Michael’s abuse and refusal to step up and be responsible for his part and be a father now.” said Edith. “This is Michael’s mess, but he’s made it yours now and left you to clean it up. Don’t you do it. You do what you want to do. If you want that child, have the child. We’ll help you no matter what.” Edith told Chloe.

Both Beth and Bob agreed. “We’re there for you kiddo.” They said.

Chloe was feeling a bit better and starving. Soup and sandwiches sounded good. She ate like she hadn’t eaten in weeks.

[amynchan]

God I wish, I wish, but the way I see the free schedule happening is one of two ways:

We get more teachers on more shifts, so teaching becomes a 24 hour profession OR teaching ends up with a day shift, where we get the morning kids; the afternoon shift, where we get the late risers; and the night shift, where we teach the insomniacs. Obviously, you'd need teachers who have the same natural sleeping rhythms to teach these classes, but that can kinda be done. In the college sphere, we have morning, afternoon, and evening classes, but you'd run into the same problem we get over here. The classes themselves would most likely have the same workload as the classes that are taught during the current time frame, but the main trouble is that we wouldn't ever be sure if those teachers have full classes that will pay them out until basically a few days beforehand. Classes get cancelled due to low enrollment all the time, so these teachers would be lesson planning and building classes that may not be used (which, yeah, that's a reality. It's happened to me a couple times now. Not enough students enroll in a class, and it gets cut, and the teachers don't get paid for the work we do before class even starts). We also have students who don't pay attention and sign up for the 8:00AM classes and just... show up as zombies even though they signed up for it. They're not engaged, they're not ready, and it's somehow my job to fix that.

The other one is move instruction to completely online courses so that way we can allow all students to take classes at entirely their own pace. This is the one we're closer to, and it's the one that's easier to see the practical problems of it (so hopefully we can fix the damn things!). Online learning, as we all know from our good ol' friend Covid, puts a great deal of responsibility on the student that—half the time—they weren't aware that the teacher had provided for them all along. A place and time separate from other responsibilities with which to do the work, materials to do the work, steady socialization, near instantaneous feedback and guidance when you get off-task. The classroom itself does a lot. Online learning can give you so much freedom, but as an instructor, I've seen so many students use that freedom to say "fuck all" to education. And I teach college in America. The USA doesn't make you go to college. I'm not sure how it works elsewhere, but that's how it works here. You won't get in trouble for not going or even applying. You should be in college because you've got some kind of goal for it. Therefore, you should only be enrolled in the class in the first place because you want to do something with it and should already have some kind of internal motivation to follow through. But students just don't. Not because of their sleep schedules, but because online learning requires a level of discipline and internal motivation that just isn't expected of them anymore. If a student doesn't wanna do the work, they just won't. And it's relatively fine for a college instructor, who isn't paid by how many students pass the class. Honest. I could fail the entire class and get by relatively okay as long as I'm able to defend my decision and point out the numerous amount of times I reached out to help them.

But high school and below??? They are paid and penalized by how many or how few students pass their course. Again, covid taught us this; if all of those students just choose to sit on their asses, they could get their way at the expense of people's jobs and livelihoods (for the longest time, my dad was the only worker in our house. As a high school instructor, he shoved all six of us—yes, including himself to get his master's degree so he could earn more money to support us!—through higher education by working his ass off. He was a stern teacher, too, so if the students did that to him, they would have fucked over my entire family. It's scary to think of how many other teachers' families are going through that right now because of the shift in cultural attitude about learning and going to school). And to the students, this threat to lives and livelihoods is usually not their concern, because they'll be gone after a year and why should they care? Easy A! Sit on your ass! Accuse the teacher of some shady shit! Works for me!

(Seriously. A student didn't like their grade in my dad's class, went home, ripped out their own stitches, and tried to cry to admin about my dad abusing them. I was in the room when the 'confrontation' happened, and the audacity shook me to my core. And this was years before Covid. This is only one example of some of the shit my dad has been through. The shift in attitude has been going on for years.)

Like, I get the original argument that "everyone in the world has different needs, and the world needs to adjust and accommodate to take care of it." I want that. I want a world where my sister didn't have to feel like an idiot because she's not a morning person and I am. I want a world where my sibling has the time to pursue both passion and education. I want that. However, on this side, I can only see this broken system that punishes us for trying to educate kids who don't see what, exactly, we are trying to offer them and can only see "you fuck with me and I fuck with you and no I don't give a damn about how it'll hurt you as long as I get my way." It's never enough. It's never, ever, ever enough. Even if we try to help them within the parameters we're given, it will never be enough.

Try to hire more teachers to teach in shifts to accommodate for the different and very natural sleeping patterns of students? First, find a teacher who has that same sleeping pattern and then have them on standby, only to cut their job if not enough students sign up for their class and stick to it. Hope that teacher has got a backup plan, buddy. Try to do online courses where students can learn at their own pace? In addition to all the work that goes into making a class that is both engaging and effective (I overworked myself to mental exhaustion for one online course this semester. The students who stuck it out loved it, and while that's worth it, I just hope that all the prep I did this semester will save me next semester when I gotta do it all over again), good luck making sure that the students themselves have the internal motivation to finish AND good luck also trying to be available to them so they can ask questions while also maintaining whatever little sanity you have left. That student who's up at 2AM, as is natural and good for them, may not be able to meet up with the teacher who sleeps from 12AM-5AM every night (if they like to push to the brink of their sanity).

I teach English, but I teach more than that, too. We all do. Time management, respect for others, critical thinking, problem solving and troubleshooting, and more. And I'm a college instructor. I have freedoms that not many others in the industry have. I can create my lessons liberally, I can choose OERs to use so I don't have to force my students to buy anything, I can create content that they don't have to shell extra money out for. As long as I follow the standards and guidelines, I can alter what I need when I need to for the betterment of my students. I feel so bad for the rest of my family, all of whom teach high school and are trapped within the same bureaucracy that everyone bitches about, but they, as teachers themselves, can't do anything without getting hit with a huge hammer for it by admin, by students, or by parents (and that is a WHOLE other thing). The shifts don't work entirely, and the online classes don't work entirely either (yet, yet, hopefully yet!).

If the sleeping schedule was literally the only thing, those options might be viable. Because then we'd probably have students consistently signing up for time slots so we could make them more consistently available, and we'd have students consistently doing the work without the sleeping schedule as a natural impediment because they'd be motivated to get it done. But as much of a good student, or even mediocre student who just showed up and didn't make too many waves, as you were, these are currently luxuries that we can't afford because we're trying to get everyone on the same page teaching-wise.

There's the sleeping schedule thing, yes. There are possible fixes for it, yes. However, as much as a lot of people want this, there's always going to be some bureaucracy and some people who just say "what if I hit the big red destruct button?" that it fucks it up for everyone else.

And, yeah, I'm mad about it.

In the future the way we treat different sleep schedules is going to be thought of as just as weird and barbaric as beating kids for being left-handed. People will read about how we thought certain circadian rhythms were bad and made people take melatonin and use special lights to make their circadian rhythms different, and they will think, "So sad and ignorant...everybody is just afraid of difference."

[harbingrs]

It's genuinely funny that today's posts are rounding out days of serious contemplation about my general inability to publish tumblr posts. As in, I regularly write personal posts or replies to post and... immediately draft them, never to see the light of day.

I do this multiple times per week. Sometimes multiple times per day.

Not even posts on controversial topics, usually. But I'm having to reckon with the fact that I am constantly afraid to be a person out loud.

When it comes time to press 'post' I am afraid that - in some way, shape or form - I have not adequately protected myself from potential harm, and that there will be negative consequences I have not even anticipated, and therefore have not taken measures to avoid.

And so I quietly file everything in my drafts to experience a sense of relief akin to 'cancelling plans' because I have resolved the problem an I am safe again. In other words, yes, I am Doing Compulsions About it.

And I only just realised that's what I'm doing a few days ago, puzzling over why it always happens when I have zero intention not to post it. Right up until I try to hit the button and the siren song of the 'Save as draft' compels me to click it and immediately banishes all my anxiety.

But the phrase 'do not obey in advance' continues to crop up recently and it's certainly prompting some out-of-context thoughts. As in, it keeps reminding me that all my decisions are based around Safety and Survival.

This is not new and it is a pervasive pattern. As in, when I have a rental inspection, everything needs to be beyond perfect. This is not a requirement. Here, there is a clear legal scope of what they look for (that you are not damaging the property or otherwise violating the terms of your lease). There are legal safeguards to prevent them from evicting you or otherwise penalising you for other concerns.

However. Safety and Survival is about maximising the cards I hold in a vulnerable scenario. If my apartment is /impressively/, unusually clean and well-styled, I can make myself less vulnerable. This is not just an irrational perception, but a reality.

I would not have secure housing right now if it wasn't. Because despite a patchy rental history for on-time payment in my previous tenancy, I was able to land another apartment with the same real estate agency when I needed it because they know I "take care of the place".

The owner could get an extra $150 per week for this place if he didn't renew my lease this year and put it back on the market. He could have raised my rent by $150 per week. But that would risk me leaving, and he'd rather keep me here than gamble on a new tenant who doesn't "take care of the place".

The level to which I can impress and pander to an authority figure is the power I have in this scenario.

Since my on-time payment history is still fucked, getting a positive reference direct from the owner may be the only chance I have of landing another rental if/when I need to leave this place. If I am not approved for another rental (in a housing crisis) I'll have nowhere to go.

I have a 12-month lease term ahead before that's a possibility again. But appealing to authority - making myself pleasant and desirable, being of advantage to them - is the power I have to keep myself safe.

I was taught this intentionally from a young age. As a working class person, this is how you survive.

When your boss says 'jump', you should be so dedicated to your job, you don't even need to ask how high. You never turn down a request, overtime, a last-minute shift. If you don't have transport, you say yes anyway and then you /figure it the fuck out/.

Because sooner or later, your boss will need to fire someone. If it's you or the other guy, make sure he chooses the other guy.

This was drilled into me, word for word. This is how you protect yourself. Make yourself perfect in the eyes of the people in power, because it's the only way you can keep yourself safe.

You can see how this is a problem. You can see how this makes you afraid to... literally do anything, /be/ anything less than palatable. How everything you could say or do or express comes with a risk-reward analysis attached, and the priority is always to avoid risk. It's /necessary/ to avoid risk or you won't survive. You don't even know all the ways it might come back to bite you, but you didn't hold onto that protection when you had the chance.

If you don't say anything at all, nothing bad can happen. There can be no fallout and it can't ever be used against you. And if everything you say or do has risk attached - especially the kind of nebulous, undefined risk you can't even anticipate - then it's safest to stay quiet.

You can see how this is a problem.

[moveslikeanape]

hey! so, you may or may not have seen me post about this, but sadly one of my cats, lily, died just a couple days ago. i'll spare you the details of what happened, but i've been pretty heartbroken about it. she was an incredibly sweet cat. daisy is doing well and is very healthy, though. anyway, you and your dad's cats have such cute names! would oliver's name happen to come from oliver and company?

iirc you have an older phone and that's why you can't get dreamlight valley on mobile, right? hopefully you'll be able to download twisted wonderland! i should also say that the game is sort of a mix of a visual novel, rhythm game, and turn based RPG. the gameplay isn't usually too difficult but it'd be totally understandable if it turned out it wasn't your thing. i mostly love it because i'm fascinated by the characters, story, and world! it's set in a school with seven dorms, each one being based on a different disney movie: there's heartslabyul (alice in wonderland), savanaclaw, (the lion king), octavinelle (the little mermaid), scarabia (aladdin), pomefiore (snow white), ignihyde (hercules), and diasomnia (sleeping beauty). so each part of the story focuses on one dorm and takes inspiration from that movie's events, but with a lot of unique twists on it. and it's still ongoing so it's always fun to wait for the updates to find out what happens next.

i agree on everything you said about sequels! and personally, i'm worried about moana 2 because it was originally planned to be a disney+ show, which was then canceled and turned into a movie. so i have to wonder why they made this decision, is it just because a movie will make them more money? and how will whatever story was planned for the show work with the much shorter runtime of a movie? i just find it strange. and yes, i love toy story so much but i'm not excited about 5 at all!!

how i feel about the WDAS movies since moana is that with almost all of them, i was excited before they were released and then either disliked them when they came out, or enjoyed them at first but after rewatching and thinking about them more i realized they just weren't very memorable and not nearly as good as i first thought. for me the only exception has been encanto, and i'm pretty sure it's by far the most well received of the newer films as well. i think it's clear that disney is having issues behind the scenes, and it's also sad that some people don't see that. recently someone on here basically said that i and others who don't like wish are "anti disney moron", and are the reason we're getting all these sequels instead of original stories… but most people who know me would say that i'm crazy passionate about disney! i wanted to love wish but found it disappointing, and it is not my fault that it didn't succeed.

i will be honest, trolls band together came out in theaters around the same time as wish and i remember hearing about it making more money and getting better reviews than wish did. i ended up thinking i should've gone to see it instead because as cheesy and childish as they are, i actually like the trolls movies haha. the ghibli movie "the boy and the heron" also came out in US theaters not long after, and it sounds like a lovely movie from everything i've heard about it.

strongly agree about the broadway shows! i also think something that really sets them apart from the live action remakes is, quite simply, the fact that a stage show is such a different medium than a movie. they have to get so much more creative to translate an animated film to the stage. sometimes i see people wanting remakes of movies like the emperor's new groove or princess and the frog, but i always say they should get broadway musicals instead.

ohh that is true, i didn't think of how tarzan and terk's relationship might be viewed differently if it's just the two of them! it's too bad they had to remove tantor, because it sounds like that just might be the reason why terk was changed. also, sorry some of my asks are so lengthy, you can probably tell that i tend to ramble lol.

I'm so sorry for your loss **hugs**

It never gets any easier, but giving them a loving home and the best life we can makes it worth the heartache. I'm glad Daisy is doing well. Many people don't realize that losing an animal is hard on other animals in the house too.

(also, sorry I missed the post, I've been having internet issues on and off this weekend)

Good guess on Oliver's name. I finally got to name a cat, and naturally had to be Disney related… I was struggling to pick the best name, but couldn't concentrate because he kept crying for more food, so he kind of named himself.

I do have a tablet, but it's android and dreamlight valley isn't available on them (hopefully it will be someday). I have tried Twisted Wonderland and it looks really interesting. Love all the character designs, and the villain descriptions too! Not sure if I'll play much of it though, it looks like it takes far more time than I have time for. Will let you know if i make any progress on it though!

I was so excited when I saw the announcement of Moana 2 (especially the artwork with the whale shark, my fav!), but then I discovered they'd cancelled the show. If we were getting both I'd be ecstatic, more Moana! But changing from series to movie so far into production… that just screams Tarzan and Jane (tying a few episodes together with some quickly written story to make them connect) to me. It's gotta be about money. 1 short movie verses however many epsiodes they were going to do. I'm going to hope for the best that Moana turns out alright, but I'm not holding my breath. I find I'm constantly surprised when I get reminded that Toy Story 4 even exists, it was just that memorable to me. The only thing I really remember from it is Duke Caboom, and that's probably only because he's Canadian, lol. Can't imagine what they could possibly add to that series to justify another movie.

I really really wanted to like Raya, and I probably should give it another chance as I've only seen it the once, but it just felt like they were throwing things in there that they think people will like instead of actually trying serve the story. From what I remember, so much of it seemed unnecessary. I do remember at times being blown away by the animation though, maybe I was just too focused on that to actually pay attention to the rest, lol.

The "anti disney moron" made me laugh. As if that's what's going on. There are people who genuinely like Wish (and the other recent movies), but enjoying a movie doesn't make it good. And Disney is in a rut because they are, not because fans are being too picky. Disney went hard in the 90s/2000s, and they just can't seem to achieve the same quality of story we've some to expect. There are other factors too. The whole pandemic situation, rising costs of everything, and people just being worn out will affect how movies do as well. I've been worn out for years, constantly on the go, and at times struggling to pay bills… when I do have time to unwind and watch a movie, I don't want to waste my hard earned money on something I'm not guaranteed to enjoy. That makes it so much easier to just wait for something like Wish to go on Disney+. That way if it ends up being not my cup of tea, at least I didn't waste any extra money on it.

I've never seen any of the Trolls movies, but I have some coworkers who said they enjoyed them. I've heard nothing but good things about the Boy and the Heron, and I really want to see it!

OMG yes!! Stop the remakes right now and bring on the musicals!!! They can still film them and put them on Disney+ so people who can't travel can still see them. Even if they did that as a pay per view, I would still watch them! And I totally agree about the creativity, far more interesting than any changes they've made for the LA remakes.

I dug out my Tarzan Broadway book and had a quick look through, and I couldn't find anything that even mentioned Terk becoming male. Will have to find the time to properly read it someday. That's probably my best guess though. Such a shame not to find the actual reason. But at least we get 2 versions of Terk this way. I am so sad Tantor was removed, he's such a great character. It may have been tricky, but it would have been neat to see how they'd pull off having an elephant in the show.

lol, no worries. You're passionate, "rambling" is part of that.