#you can call it whatever you want but the league is by all accounts a cult of personality

[whalehouse1]

“I can’t believe people talk horribly about them. God they treat them awfully just because of how they look.”

“They’re mass murdering terrorists Rebecca.”

[bakugoushotwife]

kinktober day eighteen: cockwarming kink

>>> idk why shiggy and cockwarming are like peanut butter and jelly to me...like i only have cravings for him when i'm deep in the caverns of my mental illness but...this is yummy? and i don't think it counts as cockwarming but shut up!!!

>>> starring: tomura shigaraki x curvy!f!reader >>> cw: cockwarming, established relationship, degradation, exhibitionism, fingering (fem receiving), p n v, creampie, implied multiple rounds. >>> wc: 3.1k >>> event masterlist

it was league tradition at this point. not even when the members were scattered to the winds to gather intel and work official villain business did the group miss weekly movie night. some members may or may not be there some weeks, sometimes you were all together, coupled off into platonic and romantic pairings to view whatever your leader picked out. whenever you were there, he let you pick, but it’s been quite some time since you’ve been back home. shigaraki regrets sending you so far out of reach. this assignment had taken you much longer than he would have liked, way longer. correspondence had grown slower, each message shorter than the last. you were tailing hawks to make sure he was trustworthy and it seems it was giving you a great deal of trouble. 

or maybe hawks was loyal to the heroes like shigaraki suspected and had gotten to you with his agenda, turning you into a double agent. well, no, that couldn’t be it. if that were so, you would do a better job of acting normal to keep him off your case. did you need help? no, again, he knows you would just tell him that too, so what was going on with you? were you mad at him? had he done something before you left? 

he thinks back a couple of months—the unbearable length of time you’ve been gone—trying to think of any reason you could be short with him. you didn’t have any big fights, he didn’t forget any anniversaries or special occasions, and he went easier on toga like you asked him to. the only possible thing he can think of is the fact that it was saturday, aka movie night, when you left— and he fell asleep watching the movie you picked—meaning he didn’t get to spend your last night with you or give you any goodbye-and-good-luck dick. he sighs aloud at the realization. you were absolutely petty enough to hold that against him, but he hoped you wouldn’t prolong your mission just to prove a point. 

this is the first time since the league started this little routine that he’s wanted to call it off. the rest of the league missed you too, if not because you were their friend, it was because tomura had grown so intolerable and irritable in your absence that they were begging nightly for your return. when saturday rolled around, and you still weren’t back, they watched their fearless leader sulk around like a kicked puppy all day. each member dreaded the nighttime. shigaraki was prone to throwing tantrums when he saw any of the league members get too friendly with one another in your absence, so it looks like they’ll all have to sit spread out for movie night. 

was he to be held accountable for the things he said and did while busy wallowing in his grief? some may say yes, but he was a strong believer in live and let live—you were certainly his better half. but you’ve been away for close to three months, and your effects are wearing off. he was incredibly snappy as he set the theater room up, the shitty little projector dabi stole was clearly running on its last legs. he was in no mood to pick out a goofy movie, not whenever he was wondering if you were even coming back at this point. he barked at twice to find something to watch—and the man was heavily influenced by toga’s opinions, so suicide squad seemed to be the answer. what a trash pick, he thinks. it’s why he’s in charge, and why only your opinions can influence his own. you would never have allowed suicide squad. 

that’s not the only reason tomura misses you, of course. he misses working on your own missions together, decorating the hideout to make it feel more like a home, the way you’d sit with him as he plays video games in his room, or how you two would cuddle as you’re falling asleep with his glove-clad hands all over you, and of course, your drooling pussy sucking him in over and over again. it’s been nearly three months since he’s gotten to see your face, inhale your familiar scent, or get anywhere close to cumming. he can’t even use his own hand anymore—you’ve spoiled him. he’s always been a shitty sleeper, too, but your body in his grasp was the magical cure—so of course he’s been getting next to no rest without you. he’ll never send you on a mission again. 

when he hears several bustling voices and a relieved “thank whoever put us on this flaming pile of shit” from dabi, he knows you’re home. mr. compress and kurogiri escort you into the movie room, where he waits for you. tomura nearly shouts, either at you for being gone so long or in relief that you’re finally home, he’s not sure. the corner of his mouth slides up in a reserved grin, but everyone can see the light return to his eyes. god forbid a world where you didn’t come back to him. 

“sorry i’m late for movie night everyone! i missed you!” you sing out to greet the room, but you’re only looking at your exhausted boyfriend. though he always carried a certain tired stress, he looked worse than usual, and you know that he hasn’t slept through the night since you’ve been gone. you’re on the love seat next to him immediately, jumping all over him and tightening your arms around his neck. his grin spreads, and kurogiri plays the movie to keep everyone else from having to watch in on your reunion and sickening love fest. 

he slides his arm around your back, humming sleazily in your ear. “finally. took you long enough, babe.” he huffs, taking that deep inhale of your sweet smell and sighing his relaxation quietly. his mood is relieved just by holding your frame and feeling your soft hair tickling his cheek. you giggle and sigh too, and he feels the weight of your body slump into his. 

“don’t i know it, was beginning to think you hated me for sending me out there for so long.” you pout, releasing him from your grip to gain sight of his face. he rolls his eyes at you, shaking his head with a tiny amused grin donning his features. 

“you’ll never leave this hideout again. i missed you.” he pinches some of your hair between his fingers and curls the piece around his digits as he looks over your face, gazing at your soft eyes and gentle lips, full cheeks, and everything else he’s missed for what feels like forever. you hum in intrigue at the ‘threat’ and kiss him. you can’t afford to go too hot and heavy with all your friends in the room, but you wanted your boyfriend to know you missed him just as badly as he missed you. your nights weren’t spent sleeping comfortably and every day you felt more and more lost without tomura’s logic keeping you on task. you nibble at his bottom lip, laving your tongue over him with a little moan. he grins, you’re the extrovert, but he’s not shy about making you noisy in front of the others. you feel him smile against your lips before he pulls away, trailing kisses over your cheek until he can bite the lobe of your ear. you gasp sharply, and he’s tossing a blanket over your hips for modesty’s sake. 

you smirk knowingly, lifting your skirt over your ass as the blanket falls in your lap. “oh so my little slut did miss me..” he whispers, licking over your jawline as he reaches under the blanket. the pads of his first two fingers swipe over you panties, tracing the outlines of your lips with a nasty little grin. he can feel your wetness pooling against the fabric already, your desperation making his cock rise against his sweats. he casts his eyes around to make sure no one’s watching, but he’s trained his league better than that. he slides his hand under your waistband, finding your clit automatically. you feel your stomach flutter in response to his touch, the fabric of his mostly fingerless gloves scratch against the inside of your thigh as he presses his sinewy finger in circles around your bundle. you fall against him, head rolling around on his shoulder within seconds. 

he knew you like he built you himself, and he knew that after a trip away—the both of you were insatiable—but you were all too easy to work up. you would tell him all about the mission later. there would be plenty to catch up on after he gives you all you’ve been missing here lately. tomura would be lying if he said that watching you stifle your noises and wiggle against the cushions didn’t affect him, his dick was crying for you. fingering you in front of the league was one thing, fucking you was another. but his body was growing too hot to bear, and he could tell from the need in your eyes that even having him inside you would relieve some of your ache. that should be fine, they wouldn’t look at you no matter what—they knew better than that, but he still didn’t want them hearing your sweet sounds. that was just for him. but with your hips bucking into his hand, and yours clamping down over your mouth as he shoves you over the edge with his fingers—he knows he’ll need to feel you. 

he’s pulling himself out of his sweatpants before he can argue with himself too long about it. his cock stands straight up in wait, and before you know it, tomura’s hands are on your hips and he’s pulling you into his lap. your brain was still mush, veins coursing with the pleasure of being reunited and under his spell. you were so focused on not making any noises that you didn’t even give your needy boyfriend a look of disapproval. he pretends like you’re the problem as if he would be able to sit here with his hands to himself, but you know the truth. shigaraki is just as helpless as you are, hence his finger curling around your panties and hooking them to the side so he can lower you on his waiting cock. 

he makes you sit all at once, and he clamps his free hand over your mouth before you can react to the stretch. then he snakes his arm around your waist, pulling you back to meet his chest. “keep quiet and sit still.” 

you nod vigorously, though you know you’re agreeing to something impossible. you were crazy with need, his fingers only unlocked the gate of your desire. you hadn’t had this dick in you for too long, and now that the length is fully sheathed in you—you’re ordered to sit still? it burns, your hole needed to be stretched back open to accommodate his sizeable length, long curved shaft angled just right against the spots you needed him most–but it wasn’t enough. you needed movement, you needed to hear him grunt and moan and speak unimaginable filth in your ear. you whine out softly, when the movie was loud enough you thought only tomura would hear.

he can feel you squeezing, and despite his orders, you wiggle in his lap irregardless. he should have known you wouldn’t be able to handle obedience after so much time apart, but it’s nothing he can’t remind you of. truth be told, he’s losing his cool too. he missed your wet cunt gripping him like this—how could he be angry at you for needing him so badly when he’s no better? he couldn’t, really, he could only be amused with your affection for him even if it assuaged every worry he had about you leaving him all that time you were gone. his hands dig into your fatty hips to use them as his own personal stress ball, kneading and squeezing on his whim. he can feel everything, every nerve on his body was acutely aware of every labored breath you took and each pound of his heart. he didn’t know if he could be strong much longer—and he knew you wouldn’t be able to keep your mouth shut. 

“you guys have your own room—why do we have to suffer through this?” dabi huffs out, clearly aware of what was going on in the room. twice clasps his hands by his cheek, disagreeing with his teammate. 

“young love! they just missed each other! at least he isn’t pout—” 

“out.” tomura hisses, cock jumping from knowing you were caught. you just clamp around him in answer, just as shameless as your boyfriend. “don’t speak—get out.” 

the other members gave mixed reactions, some rolled their eyes and huffed their way out the door, the others chuckled knowingly—they would rather deal with this shigaraki than the one that misses you any day of the week. when the door shuts and you two are left alone, a mixture of fabric and skin taps against your jaw. tomura held your face in his grip, fingers dancing along your bone in a teasing way. 

“my slut forgot how to listen, hm?” he asks rhetorically, sliding his grip to your neck. he squeezes with just the right amount of pressure to make you dizzy and open your mouth—though he can’t see your skanky face right now. you’re lucky he was just as needy right now or he was liable to leave his dick in you until it went soft without ever moving—but tonight? tonight he needed to reclaim his slutty little cunt until the sun came up. 

“been so long since i had to take orders.” you huff, maybe you were annoyed with him after all. 

he snickers. “attitude, little slut.” he says with a harsher squeeze to your neck. tomura can’t deny his entertainment–you got your nickname from your neediness, after all. “are you really mad at me?” he asks, and you know he wants a real answer. 

“annoyed—why’d you want me gone?” you huff, and he angles his hips up into you without warning. you gasp sharply at the stab, leaning forward to hold onto his knees. 

“didn’t want you gone, brat.” he sighs, letting off your throat in favor of holding the natural handlebars of your curves as he pushes your back forward to watch his dick plow in and out of you, his grip your only guidance. your moans start immediately, and he can’t help but smirk. “you’re my right hand, you’re the only one i can trust with some shit.” 

you purr at his explanation, bouncing along him on your own accord. he’s massive, filling every gap your pussy had to offer unapologetically. he presses against the entrance of your cervix without any movement at all, much less the animalistic style your boyfriend liked to fuck in, it was brutal. but so so good. it burns and sends shooting yet blissful pain through your body with every stroke, you slip forward a little, growing unable to hold yourself up. he grabs a fistful of your hair, pulling you back up without remorse. 

“where you going, slut?” he teased, slamming up into you. it was unfair, he was gifted with such a huge dick he didn’t even need a good angle to absolutely wreck you. he was mesmerized by the sight of your cute little hole puckering around him, swallowing him whole and letting him slide back out. you would squeeze down with every thrust, making him slow down to pull himself out and speedily shove back in. “can’t even take good dick anymore?” 

you mewl out in response, your fingers digging into his thighs as your back arches deeper, only encouraging your boyfriend to speed it all up. it’s like you can feel him in your throat, your entire body being used and abused by the man you missed desperately. shigaraki treats you like his prized treasure any other time, but especially after a trip away—you love being his slut. you moan and through your ass back, making him groan out at the conflicting paces. 

“so nasty. fucking you stupid and look at you—like a bitch in heat.” he chuckles, though it’s all so pornographic to him. no other pussy in the world would feel like yours, your cute clamping and sticky wetness could never be beat. and your insides practically beat into the shape of him, he knows no other dick would have your toes curling as you bounce  and squeal. 

“tomura—” your breathy moan makes his balls hurt. he didn’t care how quickly he came this time. he’ll keep you spread open all night until he’s satisfied with the amount of cum seeping out of the hole made just for him. he wanted you to cum twice as many times as he does, so your sweet moan of his name and your fluttering pussy only tell him to snake his arm around your hips so he can rub your puffy clit again. he loves these gloves you got him, the mesh fabric makes it easier for him to feel everything without fear of quirk activation. he can feel your pulsing need under his fingertips, and he smiles at your sensitivity. you were such a gift to a man like him. 

“what? use your words.” he huffs in disinterest, though you know it’s anything but. your gut lurches, feeling like you stepped on an escalator that was moving too fast. 

“wanna cum, can i please, tomura?” you ask sweetly, calling his name just how he liked and everything. he had every intention of drawing this out—but he supposes he can have that during your next round. 

“do it now.” he orders, gruff voice telling you that there would be no punishment if you didn’t—unless you considered taking him all night a punishment. the sound of him groaning and feeling your body made it easy to follow his orders, your hips still even as his continue their assault. you shake from head to toe, the orgasm so intense after such a long time without cumming on his cock. you squeeze down so hard he sucks in a deep breath, knowing he was going to shoot his load like mount vesuvius. you hum happily, wiggling back on him to milk all the warmth he gave you. he slows his hips to a stop, panting only a little as he pushes you carefully off his lap and onto the love seat. “want to see my slut’s nasty faces this time.” 

he grins as he spreads your legs again, ready to stain the cushions beneath, when someone knocks at the door. twice pounds on the frame again, pouting. 

“can you guys at least pause the movie?” 

[reashot]

We're Just Shower Buddies, that's all...

Jaune: *whistling in the shower* 🎶

Ruby: Hi there shower Bud! Room for one more?

Jaune: For you Ruby, of course. Come on in the water is warm.

Ruby: Yay! *Glomp*

Jaune: Hey, what's gotten into you? You being extra clingy right now.

Ruby: That's because something really good just happened to me.

Jaune: You do? That's great. Tell me all about it Rubes?

Ruby: Well guess what? I asked Weiss out on a date and she said yes!

Jaune: Oh My Oum!!! That is good! Heck it's Great even! We should go out and celebrate! *Tightly embrace Ruby*

Ruby: Yeah! Where do you think we should go?

Jaune: Well, where do you want to go?

Ruby: Wait you're asking me. Oh geez, I don't know where do you like to go?

Jaune: Oh, you want me to choose... Well how about we go to that firearms show you been wanting to go to?

Ruby: Really!.... Uh, I mean. Can we go somewhere else?

Jaune: But why. I thought you been dying to go there?

Ruby: Yeah... But that's where I want to go. I like guns but you don't. I want you to have fun too. I want for the both of us to have fun together.

Jaune: Ruby you don't have to force yourself not to have fun on my account. I'm happy with whatever you choose.

Ruby: And that's why I want us to go place we both can enjoy. Jaune you would be "happy" with anything I choose. But its not okay Jaune. You need to be selfish once in a while and put your happiness first. On this issue I'm putting my foot down.

Jaune: Really? Okay fine... Let me think. Well, There is an amusement park where I been wanting to go for some time. Do you want to go there with me?

Ruby: Oh! You mean the brand new Montyland amusement park. 🎡🎠🎢 Oh My Oum! That's the same place where Weiss is asking me out on a date too.

Jaune: Wow. What a coincidence... I guess it's true that great mind does think alike after all.

Ruby: *giggle* Why Jaune. I think all these hot shower is starting to get inside your head. Cause I'm pretty sure you're full of hot air right now.

Jaune: And I guess it's true that a genius is never appreciated in their lifetime... 💡Hey Ruby. I just had an idea. Why don't we treat our celebration as pre-date for your real date with Weiss?

Ruby: *gasp* You mean like a practice date?

Jaune: Yes. That way you will be prepared on your first date with Weiss.

Ruby: Ah. You really are a genius Jaune. *presses her soft chest on Jaune's hard one*

Hmmm?

Jaune: What's wrong?

Ruby: Jaune, have you been working out?

Jaune: I see you finally noticed it. I been working out with Pyrrha for a while now. And the result you can see for yourself.

Ruby: Wow. I can tell. Look at how fit you are right now.

Jaune: Let see Weiss call me a noodle boy now. 💪

Ruby: You still a dork you know. No matter how much of hunky beefcake you are right now nothing is ever gonna change that.

Jaune: Okay. That's it Ruby you've awaken the dragon. *nibble on Ruby's neck*

Ruby: N-no.... S-stop it... You big j-jerk... Aahhh! (Inaudible moan)

Jaune: So ready to apologize yet?

Ruby: *gasping for air* O-okay, okay I give. I apologize. Jeez, you jerk I was only kidding.

Jaune: I'm only kidding too Ruby. Learn to take a joke why don'tcha *giggle*

Ruby: *playfully punch Jaune in his hard chest* N-O-T F-U-N-N-Y.

Jaune: Okay I'm sorry too... *hug Ruby*

Ruby: *whisper in his ear* Jaune now that I finally asked Weiss out when are you going to ask Pyrrha out?

Jaune: M-me. A-asking Pyrrha out. I-I don't know whatchu talking about?

Ruby: Oh, for crying out loud. Jaune I know you have a crush on Pyrrha.

Jaune: You knew! A-anyway I can't just ask her out, okay. She's clearly way over my league. And if I do what if she said no?

Ruby: Jaune Arc! If I can ask Weiss out on a date. A girl that's clearly way-way out of my league. You can definitely ask Pyrrha out. And Jaune trust me on this she clearly have a crush on you too. She will definitely say yes if you ask her out.

Jaune: R-really? *shakes head* L-look we better get back on track, okay? We can deal with my dating life later. For now it's all about your date with Weiss.

Ruby: Speaking of Weiss... D-do you think she's gonna kiss me on the first date?

Jaune: A kiss with Weiss I don't know Ruby, but isn't it a good thing?

Ruby: But what if I messed up? I mean it's not unheard of that a great date can be ruined by a bad kiss... D-do you think we need to add a kissing practice on our not date?

Jaune: As much as I would like to help you. I have to say no on that... I mean the entire point of a first kiss is that you supposed to be bad at it. So don't worry too much about it Ruby. I bet you'll do "great" on your first kiss.

Ruby: I-I just want the entire thing to be perfect...

Jaune: That's what our practice date are for... And Ruby this might not count as a practice kiss... *tenderly kiss Ruby's forehead*

Ruby: *blush* You sly! Oh Jaune, you are so lucky that we're friend. If you kiss any other girl like this she might get the wrong idea.

Jaune: He, he... That's why I kiss you. And enough talking about date for now. I'll help you wash your body. Here, let me lather your body first. Now, turn around Ruby I'll do your back.

Ruby: Okay... *moan*

Jaune: C'mon Ruby why do you always making that sound every time I do this?

Ruby: I-I don't know why. It just felt so good that I automatically make that noise, when you touch me.

Jaune: Well thank you for the great review, Rubes. But it's distracting when you made noises like that. Now let me do your front...

The sound of soap slapping and rubbing accompanied by the sounds of Ruby's moaning starts to envelop and fill the shower room. Not realizing that someone has been there overhearing them this entire time.

Ren:

If anyone asking they're not doing what you think they are doing... They're just really good friend that's all.

[wandixx]

I just realized that there is literally zero fanfics with Danny Fenton/M'gann M'orzz pairing and idk, am I the only one who see nearly endless potential in it?

I don't know how they met but they're probably pretty fast friends.

With Danny being space nerd, he would ask M'gann all the questions about Mars. At the same time, from what little I know about Miss Martian, she is "Earth nerd" and would ask him all the questions about Earth and what normal teenage life is like, because YL team is not the best study case. Like, only Wally and maybe Artemis (I don't know a thing about her other than 'snarky/blunt archer') had normal human life. He is happy to answer, introducing her to his semi normal life before accident.

They exchanged stories about stars from their respective homes.

Just imagine, Danny binge watching "Hello Megan" just to know what she is talking about and it's not his thing, really, but he learnt to enjoy it because he associated it with M'gann (we can have Jazz being fan too and feeling 'betrayed' because she tried to strongarm her brother to watch it for years and all it took was to cute alien girl to mention it and he is pulling all nighters).

Just imagine, M'gann asking one of her teammates (probably Robin) to teach her to play Doomed, so she can play with her halfa friend and his friends and not ask about every controller. They don't really mind her being newbie but sudden progress doesn't go unnoticed or unpraised.

Everlasting trio inviting her to Nasty Burger every once in a while to talk about random, not hero related things.

Rest of the YJ may not even know about Phantom. They just know about this Danny, M'gann's totally civilian friend, who likes milkshakes and video games.

They share their stories and tips about heroing and powers they have similar. Mostly M'gann shares things she learnt from her uncle or in Mountain because let's be honest, self taught is rarely better than someone with proper mentoring. She for sure helps with ghosts if they attack during her visit, even if Danny tries to shield her from it. "I'm supposed to be your civilian friend, am I not?"

She definitely does what she can to help with his hero PR. She may or may not accidentally convinced rest of the Team she has celebrity crush on underappreciated ghost hero from the middle of the nowhere. They help her, spamming all negative news reports with praises for Phantom from both hero and civilian accounts. It caused some mess, Justice League had questions but Danny was happy so it doesn't matter.

If we go with ghost being super emphatic we can have Danny overwhelmed by everyone's feelings (honest hate his parents have towards his hero persona, confliction of towns people, concern of his friends, excitement of Casper students idk, EVERYTHING) and M'gann helps him overcome it. Later both of them being there for eachother when everything was just too much. Y'know just this mutual understanding that nobody else can really give them.

Maybe some communication troubles because M'gann prefers telepathy and Danny does not like it in a slightest (Freakshow flashbacks or something) but tries to accommodate. Or M'gann doesn't even try because idk, one of telepathy rules is "don't read thoughts of dying person unless they project it to you" and she feels it goes for dead (even if only halfway) too.

They're just vibing with eachother.

Then there is ghost attack outside Amity and Team is send to deal with it. M'gann is surprisingly competent at dealing with everything ghost does while evacuating civilians while someone magic competent is called. Suddenly she stops, gets her phone and makes a call:

"Hey Danny, do you have a moment?" whole team is too shocked to react, because in the love of whatever they believe in, why is Megan calling her civilian friend in the middle of the battle with unknown entity. "It's [insert whatever ghost you want] wrecking havoc. Can you come by at take them to the zone? I don't have thermos on me right now. Thank you."

WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?

Que Danny flying top speed to wherever she is, fights a ghost and contains them. Que someone (maybe Wally) being like:

"When did you wanted to tell us that your civilian friend is a hero?"

M'gann honest to god forgot that Team thought Danny was a civilian.

"I worked quite hard to drag her into as little of my Phantom bullshit as I could. I am proud of being a civilian friend, thank you very much"

They all came in contact together after that.

Martian Manhunter tried to give Fenton a shovel talk but boy was too excited to meet his favourite hero and to focused on not making fool of himself to be actually scared or something. He deals with Skulker on a regular basis anyway, there are very few threats that could actually scare him.

Team members also tried to shovel talk him, just in case. They all failed for one reason or another

Or maybe Danny is already YJ member. Everything above can still happen just without ghost attack. Danny can have issues with Zeta Tubes though. That's a good stuff.

There can be a drama of "I'm your friend only because I'm alien/semi normal, am I not?"

Or we can go with space obsessed Danny going full Vlad on cute alien girl. Y'know, because "that's a halfa thing to do". M'gann is not into that. I'm not really excited about this take but that's a possibility too.

Use it as you will. Just please someone write it

[boiohboii]

The trophy boyfriend pt3.

The one where the rumors turn into reality

People thought they lost Carlos to a different type of WAG

or

In which f1 fans are introduced to a South Korean chaebol and now they want to fight her rumored boyfriend for her love and attention.... but is he even her actual boyfriend?

PART 2

Liked by KimJeonwoo, carlossainz55, SuaveStore and 918,251 others

Danielricciardo: hello everyone, I know this is not the way I usually post things, but I want to do that for her.

Her being the love of my life: Kim YN. I have met you 6 years ago, you had just graduated and were excited to visit your friend, however I fell behind you trying to get your attention, just a minute to have your phone number, but alas you heard the thud turned around, looked me in the eye, nodded and then left. I wanted to cry that day, not because of embarrassment, no, because I had let an angel just walk away from me. I spent years with your face in mind, looking everywhere I go in hopes of finding you again, but it was you who found me. The only difference this time is that I knew you were my friend's friend. I knew your name, and I knew you were way out of league- you still are and always will be.

I remember your blinking eyes at my proposal of a date, and you just gave me that precious smile of yours while writing your number on my arm. I had tried to think so hard of how to impress you, impress a woman who had everything at her feet, you could always just pick and choose whatever you want whenever you want.

That date was simple, just us in your restaurant and no one else. At first I had thought it was for your privacy, but 2 years down the line I had asked you about that night, and I will always remember your words: "I do not care if anyone knew, yes I value my privacy, but I valued getting to know you more, you are much more important to me" and since that day I swore that I would not drag you into my world- we are, after all, from 2 very different worlds- but as we now approach our 5th year together, I can not help but boast about you for once. Boast about the fact that you had taken me as your fiance and the man you will call your husband.

I swear that till the day I die I will cherish you. I will respect, love and care for you for the rest of my life. I may be a race driver, but I will, first and foremost, always be yours.

This is for every fan of mine, thank you for being by my side and thank you for everything throughout the years, to reassure you I will not be retiring but my priorities have shifted a bit. I am and will always be grateful for the wonderful opportunity I have been granted and I will keep working hard for you and for my team. Please do not try to know where Y/N is or what she is doing, she is a private person and I hope all of you understand that. I don't want her to regret being with me, so please leave her alone. I will not be releasing anymore pictures of her on either of my accounts as we have been doing for the past 4 years, don't try to send a follow request on her account either, she will not mistakenly accept- she is one of the smartest people alive.

Thank you Kim Y/N for the lovely moments and the breathtaking years. I can only dream of the many more dazzling years to come with you by my side, darling.

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[starfall-spirit]

Read on Ao3 // Chapter II

Summary: After one last screaming match and a good cry, Feyre is finally ready to move on from her lousy ex and rebuild the life he took her away from. She didn't imagine she'd be right back in the thick of it, reviving buried feelings for her best friend's cousin.

OR;

Feyre dumps Tamlin, moves back to big city life, and gets herself an alpha who will treat her right.

AN: Omegaverse!Feysand, as promised. A gift for @whatishowedyouinthedark. If you hadn't posted Too Sweet, I don't know that this would have left the drafts. This ended up being 4.3k, but there will be a morning after chapter as well.

CW: NSFW, mildly dubious consent/coercion

Chapter I

“You sure you’re alright, Feyre?” Another ounce of weight seemed to lift from her shoulders at the soft worry in Mor’s voice. “I know you don’t really want to talk about this yet, but I’m always here for you.”

“I know. And I’m okay, Mor. I’ll be even better in, oh—” She lifted her wrist enough to glance at the time. “—six hours when you meet me outside SFO.” Her friend stayed quiet a moment longer. “I’ve wasted so much time and energy on that guy. He doesn’t deserve my tears too.”

“Damn right. I can’t wait to see you. It’s been so long, Feyre.”

“I know.”

That’s what it had really come to. The lost time. The isolation. A year ago, Feyre had been at the center of it all, her art sales lucrative enough to keep her head above water, her friend circle close but full of life. When Tamlin’s work had taken him out of the big city and to someplace more remote, Feyre had imagined it would be temporary. Her “nest egg” from her art sales would only need to hold her for a few months before she could dive right back into dealing with her clientele face-to-face.

But whatever silver lining her situation came with was in short supply. Hopeful as she had been once upon a time, nothing could change the fact that this move halfway across the country was made with only the purpose of separating her from the life and people she knew. Feyre was just ashamed it had taken her so long to see it herself. She’d confronted him last night and the truth had all come to light. “So what if your account is running low? Do I not take care of you regardless? I thought this was what you wanted, Feyre. Isn’t this what all omegas want? Someone to depend on?”

It turned out Feyre and Tamlin’s views on designations were worlds apart.

After a devastating break up fight and a good long cry, Feyre had locked herself in the guest room and called Mor with the promise that she was scraping together what she had left and coming home the next afternoon. “Say no more, Feyre. I’ll get Rhysie to make that ticket first class for you.”

“Don’t you dare, Mor.” But for the first time in months there had been laughter beneath her words. For once she didn’t find herself rolling her eyes when Mor reminded her that her older cousin was rich and single, last she heard of it. Not that Feyre’s memory needed jogging on that point. Ever since Rhys had stepped into her first art showing, oozing raw confidence and control, she’d been no better than a school girl doodling hearts and initials in her journal margins. But he’d then flown out to manage his father’s New York business, his return to California only in the past few months, when Feyre was long gone herself.

She shook off the flush running through her body, trying to focus on Mor jabbering in her ear about events around the city. Served her right, lusting after an alpha so far out of her league. Rhys might be nice enough to buy her paintings or bump her flight ticket to first class, but she certainly had no illusions that he would be the male helping her through her next heat. Hell, by now he likely had an omega of his own, hand-selected by his prick of a father. 

Not exactly fond of the flare of… something… that thought sent through her, Feyre stood, pacing the few feet she dared from her carry-on in the crowded terminal. “Hey, girl. We’ll be boarding any minute. Can I let you go for now?”

“Absolutely. Love you lots. I’ll see you tonight. Don’t eat anything huge. We’ve got dinner plans.”

~~~~~

Dinner plans amounted to a delivery of Feyre’s favorite chinese food not even five minutes after she was settled in from the car ride home. “You spoil me, Mor,” she said, setting down her chopsticks long enough to shrug into the oversized hoodie behind her that smelled absolutely delightful for some reason and debate the nearly identical bottles of red nail polish in front of her. Her friend certainly had a signature color.

“Someone has to,” Mor groused, starting an episode of a cop show they’d seen one too many times. “If you won’t spoil yourself, your bestie’s gonna do it for you.” She eyed Feyre’s newly acquired hoodie with a slight smirk. “Among a few others.”

“What? I was cold. And what do you mean, others?”

Mor just waved a hand in dismissal. “Rhys, Cass, and Az are around here all the time. Rhys lives a floor above me, for that matter. You know they’re all thrilled you’re back in town. Emerie is excited to meet you too. I think you guys will really hit it off.” Mor sighed, a wistful look in her eyes.

“You really like this one, don’t you?”

“She’s amazing. And she’s been so patient with me. You know how my family can be about my preferences. She hasn’t said much, but I think her family gives her a lot of the same shit about it. She gets it. Gets me.” Feyre’s heart just about melted at that and she reached across the couch to squeeze Mor’s hand. “I even asked—”

The front door opened then, to both their surprise, Cassian falling through the frame with a shit-eating grin on his face. “She’s back! Feyre Archeron, where have you been?! C’mere.” She squealed as he lifted her by the hips to spin her around

Mor shook her head, mumbling about how this was supposed to be girls’ night before everyone saw her at Rita’s the next evening. “Sorry, Mor,” another voice said from the door, warm, rich, and amused. “We saw you ladies pull in earlier from the window. I kept him there as long as I could. It’s good to see you, Feyre.” 

Grinning ear to ear, Feyre braced a hand on Cassian’s chest until the vertigo faded. “Yeah, good to see you guys. I—What?” she asked, finally looking at Rhys. 

He was just as she remembered. It had been fice years since he’d flown out to manage that east coast business after earning his business degree and he hadn’t changed one bit—still the most beautiful man she’d ever met. The only thing that truly caught her off guard was the odd glint in his eyes, focusing on the hoodie she was wearing—almost pleased, if she was reading him right. Another step into the room and his scent hit her, citrus and the sea, the same soothing fragrance that clung to the sweatshirt she’d thoughtlessly pulled on with the assumption it was one of Mor’s baggier favorites.

Fuck.

Rhys smirked then, every bit the smug alpha she knew he was. She wasn’t ready to analyze the response that inspired in her. The fluttering in her stomach that quickened as he approached, the heat that flushed her check when he stepped into her space, fingering the ratty sleeve that fell well past her fingertips. “I was wondering where that had wandered off to.”

“I—”

“Keep it, darling. It looks better on you anyway.”

She shuffled back a step, uncharacteristically flustered by his proximity. Omega or not, the flirtation of men didn’t usually affect her this way. Even in the early days between her and Tamlin she—She would not be comparing her ex to anyone. She came back to San Francisco to wash her hands of him, after all. 

“I—” She sighed. “Thanks.”

Mor cleared her throat, though her shameless grin was a near mirror to her cousin’s. “If that’s all, boys.” She batted her eyes, looping her arm back through Feyre’s. “This was girls’ night, remember?”

Cassian chuckled, ignoring the dismissal and slumping into the couch. “So, how goes the move in?”

Feyre scoffed. “My plane touched down only an hour ago. Can I finish my dinner and wine before tackling my bags?” The other three exchanged a look, Mor seeming suddenly guilty. “What?”

“With how quickly this all came together, I suppose I never got around to mentioning I… I asked Emerie to move in. It doesn’t change the fact the extra room is yours,” she hurried to say. “You have a place here of course.”

“Or you could have one upstairs,” Rhys mumbled.

Feyre blinked. “Excuse me?”

“They get their privacy, you get a good night's sleep every night.” She narrowed her eyes. “It’s just a room, Feyre. You know I’m a gentleman.”

“I wouldn’t suggest otherwise.” Eyeing his reaction, she sipped from her wine glass. “Out loud.” 

Cassian cackled. “God, I’ve missed you. About time you traded the hills for skyscrapers again, little sister.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

~~~~~

“I told you,” Rhys sang as Feyre stepped out of the elevator and into his apartment. It had only taken two nights to change her mind about his proposal. She adored Mor and Emerie was a delight—a perfect match for her oldest friend. But that didn’t change the fact the walls were paper thin.

“Hush. Emerie is a wonderful woman. I could never begrudge them their happiness, even if it costs me my sleep.”

“Of course not. Anyways, welcome to my humble abode. The first door on the left down the hall is your room for as long as you want it. Just across from mine, if you need anything. I’ll let you get unpacked.”

“Thanks.” She smiled, heading down the short hall and into the room he directed her to, only to stop short in the doorway. “Rhys.”

“Yes?” he called back, presumably from the living space. 

“What is all of this?” 

He approached slowly, looking almost sheepish. “Too much?” She gaped. “I can return it if you don’t like it. I just happened to overhear you tell Mor you had left behind some of your favorite nesting things and… Here, I’ll just pack it up and—”

“No.” His brows rose as she shifted to block the doorway. “I—” She cleared her throat softly. “It was sweet of you to consider it. I’m not far from my next heat, actually. I really appreciate you letting me crash here and letting me nest.” 

He scoffed. “Nesting is natural. It isn’t something I’d try to stop any omega from doing.”

“If only my ex had seen it that way.” She flinched. “I shouldn’t have said that. Sorry.”

He growled softly, eyes dark as he dropped his head to hold her gaze, one hand braced against the doorjamb she already leaned against. His scent washed over her once again and Feyre hoped her full body shutter wasn’t as obvious as it felt. “Your ex was an alpha?” She nodded. “Not one with any honor, it seems. You are what you are, Feyre. If that bastard ever made you take shame in it, I hope you’ll soon change your way of thinking.”

“I’m not ashamed of anything,” she murmured. 

The knuckles of his free hand brushed along her cheekbone. “Good. I’ll let you finish up here. As I said, if you need anything for the nest or otherwise, I’m here to help.”

“I’m not a charity case, Rhysand. I always manage to get back on my feet quickly enough.”

“I know that, darling. That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy spoiling sweet little things like you rotten.”

A quiet, shocked sound escaped her, but her usually sharp wit had been neutralized, it seemed. And all by a few charming words. Sweet little things like you.

“No,” she muttered to herself, refusing to watch him walk away. Approaching heat or not, she was not getting tangled up with an entitled alpha ever again. And that vow would not be changing

~~~~~

The next few weeks were normal, all things considered. Rhys went to work in the morning and Feyre either arranged calls or set out to reopen contact with previous buyers interested in her art. In the evenings they alternated cooking meals and washing dishes, occasionally enjoying a movie or game together before returning to their separate rooms for the night.

Everything was perfectly platonic if you excused a few mildly flirtatious remarks. The only thing that left her unsteady was the surprise treats and little actions to take care of her, each one either frivolous or thoughtful. It was as frustrating as it was pleasing and she hoped Rhys couldn’t see how she truly felt about each little favor. She didn’t know what she’d do if he came to learn about the pure satisfaction she felt each time she saw that he had snuck into her room to switch out the sweatshirt she’d so carefully placed among the pillows and blankets in her nest the moment his scent faded from the fabric.

She had dared to ask him after the third time he’d replaced the garment why he was so attentive to that specific want.

“You may not be my chosen mate, but you are an omega under my care. Just as you follow your instincts to keep something with an alpha’s scent, I will follow my instinct to provide for you as long as you live with me. A missing sweatshirt is hardly a great sacrifice, Feyre.”

He’d stood from the dinner table with a smile, mumbling something along the lines of, “Such a pretty little blush you have, darling,” before loading his plate in the dishwasher and heading for his room. Any other remarks had been few and far between, but each one stuck with her for days afterwards.

She gave a sharp huff as she stirred a spoonful of honey into her tea, prepared to do nothing more than hole up in her room with a good book and a hot drink as the Saturday storm bathed the city. “Read my book and not think about this a second longer.” 

If only she’d realized what a hopeless endeavor that would turn out to be.

She was only two chapters into her newest read when the first hot flash came. Her heat. And damn if she couldn’t already feel this was going to be a rough one without a partner. Jumping from her chair, she started to head for the bathroom, reaching for the tub’s faucet. Then, a cool bath wouldn’t do her any favors. As quickly as she felt her skin burn, she knew she’d be shivering in a matter of minutes, that first cycle of hot and cold lasting for a few hours before the endless heat became constant, especially without an alpha to soften the effects of her episode.

“Fuck.” She needed to get off the floor and back to her room. To her nest, whatever small comfort it could offer her. “Fuck,” she repeated.

“Eloquently put,” a too-familiar voice said. She didn’t bother peeling her eyes open, letting Rhys drop to a knee and slip his arms beneath her knees and behind her back. “Come on. To bed with you.”

“Put me down. I’m fine.” Never mind that her teeth were already chattering and a cramping had started low in her gut.

“I’m sure you are, darling.” Shifting his arm so her back remained supported, he pressed his palm to the back of her head, pressing lightly until she caved, letting him guide her nose to that special spot on his neck where his scent was strongest. The tension that had claimed her body vanished in an instant. “There, little one. Better, hm?”

She mumbled something equally proud and bitter that she could really only half understand herself with this fog stealing over her mind so quickly, then, “Hurts,” she whimpered.

He hummed, laying her down in the very center of the nest of bedding and clothes she’d so meticulously arranged and rearranged over the past few weeks. She should have realized she was days from her next cycle when the impulse to perfect the space became so prominent. Now she would be glued to it for days on end. The problem? “Why are you so far away?”

Rhys chuckled. “You said you wanted to work through your heat alone, little one. That you don’t need an alpha. Have you changed your mind?” Feyre bit her lip, contemplating her options. Endure this alone and maintain her pride, or welcome his help and pray she was only opening a physical connection, rather than an emotional one. “Feyre.” She blinked up at him. “Temper your pride. Invite me into your nest, little one. This doesn’t have to be so painful.” It only took a moment for her to grip his hand, tugging softly. “Such a good girl,” he murmured, settling in carefully, so as to not disturb her arrangement.

“Don’t need a knot,” Feyre told him petulantly. “Just…” Nose buried in his neck, hand tucked under his shirt, Feyre stopped protesting for the moment, the only sound leaving her a soft whimpering.  

That’s when he began to purr, summoning a gush of slick, to her humiliation. “Rhys—”

“Hush, sweet girl. Let’s see what we can do about your little problem here.” She couldn’t help but squirm a bit as he peeled her leggings away inch by inch, face flushing hot when her slick clung to the fabric of her panties on their way down. “Settle now, pet. You just lay back and let your alpha take care of you.”

“You’re not my—I didn’t ask you to—” Feyre hadn’t realized her pants had been completely cast aside until his tongue was stroking up her slit. “Oh, god.” Another drag of it and her fingers were threaded in his hair, tugging sharply. He hummed. “Rhys.” She tried to lift her hips, only for Rhys to reach up and lay his arm over her waist, keeping her mostly still. She let out a groan of frustration.

“All in good time, little one. All in good time.” He looked all too pleased by the frustrated growl that passed her lips, her protest cut off the moment two thick fingers pushed inside of her, curling in a way that had her hurtling to the edge of her release. “That’s it, darling, he encouraged her, repeating the motion while twisting his hand enough that he could rub her clit with his thumb. “Come for me.” Considering the state she was already in and how it only seemed to worsen with time, it took nothing more than those few words for her to shatter, clenching around his fingers so tight he cursed—even as he stroked her through it. “Good girl.” 

Feyre shuttered beneath him, She didn’t need to peel her heavy eyes open to know she would find him smirking down at her. There wasn’t a chance in hell a man as observant as Rhys would misread what his praise did to her. She felt the tip of his nose skate across her cheek before his soft mouth was pressed to the flesh of her throat, his fingers already beginning to curl inside of her once again. “Rhys, wait.”

“Darling, do you really think that little knotting toy you bought the other day is going to be enough to satisfy you in this? You know what you need and you know who can give it to you.”

That unbearable cramping began anew, and Feyre knew she had no hope of resisting.

~~~~~

Most days, Rhys would consider himself an honorable man. He was capable of detaching emotions from matters of business and handling what needed to be handled without causing a fuss. Taking losses he earned himself with grace. Regarding his personal life, he never stooped to pursue someone who’s capability of consent was so precarious. He’d certainly never attempted to coerce a hesitant partner. 

But he’d walked into the house and her heat scent had hit him in full force. Finding her slumped on the bathroom floor and burning up had his protective instincts rearing their head. Now he was in her nest, had his fingers buried inside of her, the taste of her lingering on his tongue, addling his own mind.

He could reconsider the standing of his honor tomorrow. 

He’d get rid of that last edge of nerves his little omega was facing, then he’d show her where she belonged. Right here in this apartment, in this nest, for him to come home every day and spoil senseless. He had already come to enjoy their evening bonding immensely, and could only imagine he’d be even more delighted to share those talks when Feyre had her studio up and running, resuming the work she cherished so dearly. And whatever her reservations about alphas may be at the moment, she’d come around to the thought as well, he was certain. Every omega needs an alpha to lean on. 

“God,” she hissed, palm pressing low on her stomach. Eyes shut tight once again, Feyre let her nails bite into his wrist, spurring him into action. He stripped the shirt she wore, baring her entirely before bringing that hand back to her center, this time with the intention of preparing her to take his knot. At the rate her heat was progressing, her pride would fall away momentarily and she’d be begging for the relief she knew it would provide her, he was certain. 

Her next groan morphed to something softer, her head falling back to the pillows when his mouth closed over her nipple. Once again, her fingers found a home in his hair, tugging just harshly enough he felt justified in nipping her breast. “Be nice, darling.” 

Scowling, Feyre surged upwards, gripping his shirt front as her lips finally found his. “You know it’s really, really unfair that I’m the only one undressed here.” She didn’t give him the courtesy of unbuttoning the garment himself, yanking hard enough to send the buttons flying, lost to the fabrics of the nest. Her teeth sank into his bottom lip hard enough he groaned, his free hand sliding up around her throat. “Rhys.” 

He couldn’t help but smile as her eyes fluttered shut, her body relaxed enough for him to manipulate, guiding her back down into the pillow and removing his hand from its home between her thighs. “Sweet thing,” he cooed when a little pout began to form. “So needy for your alpha.” Moving his hand from her throat to her waist, he pushed those two slick fingers past her swollen lips, swallowing the growl building in his throat at the stroke of her tongue, letting himself watch as she fell deeper into that haze of lust and need.

“Well done, sweet girl,” he praised, withdrawing his fingers. 

“Alpha,” she whispered, one hand sliding down until it rested over the hard line showing through his jeans.

“You need your alpha’s cock, pet?” He began working his thumb over her clit, just letting his fingers graze the rest of her. “You think you’re ready for that? Think you can take my knot, Feyre?”

“Please.” The next down stroke was rougher and he knew she was close to coming again when her body bowed towards him. “Please give it to me. Need your knot.”

There it was. And how sweet it sounded.

Kissing her neck, he let himself enjoy that lilac and pear scent for a moment before peeling out of the last of his clothes. Feyre had a hand around him before he could reach down to stroke himself, painfully hard beneath her touch. The moment she grazed his knot he jolted, one hand closing over hers while the other fisted one of the pillows beneath them. “Fuck, Feyre.”

“I want to taste you.” He clenched his jaw tight. This woman would be the death of him. 

“Soon, darling. But first I need to be inside of you.” She lifted her hips, bending them at the knees in invitation. “Soaked for me,” he purred, lining up to claim her. “You’re going to take me so well, Feyre. Every inch.”

She swallowed, but nodded. Pinning her hips to keep her from rushing to take him, he pushed the tip in, grunting softly as she clenched around him. At this rate he wasn’t going to last long. “More,” Feyre begged, heels digging into his back. “Need more.”

“Patience is a virtue, pet.” Still, he fed her another inch, rocking in and out, working into her until only his knot remained. Smirking at the blissed out look covering her face, Rhys leaned down to whisper in her ear. “So fucking beautiful, filled up like this. Open those eyes for me, Feyre.” She trembled, eyes remaining closed. A sharp flick to her clit and she cried out, eyes flying open and snapping to his. “Watch, Feyre. Watch me give you my knot.” Her eyes darted down. Her nails bit into his back the moment he bottomed out. “Hot little cunt, taking me so well.” 

Rhys didn’t let her catch her breath before he started rolling his hips again, dragging in and out of her, animalistic pride beginning to build when he felt her thighs trembling around him and the hot little puffs of air against the shell of his ear, when each thrust was made easier by another gush of slick soaking his length. “So close,” she whined, writhing beneath him, his name falling from her lips in a constant chant. 

His rhythm faltered, feeling his release within reach as well. “Come for me, Feyre.” She keened, needing that push over the edge. Flicking her clit, he slammed home, spilling into her the moment her teeth latched down on his shoulder, nails cutting into his back. A moment later she shuttered beneath him, her grip going lax. He couldn’t help but push her damp hair back from her sweaty face, kissing her brow. Not wanting to crush her, he turned on his back, repositioning her legs on either side of him.

“That was…” She sighed, eyes drooping. “Thank you.”

“Rest, Feyre. Before the next wave hits. I’ve got you."

~~~~~

Taglist: @lulling-night-sky // @edgyellie // @shallyne // @the-lonelybarricade // @darling-archeron // @goddess-aelin // @the-lost-changeling // @faeriequeensuriel // @pandavelaris // @s-uppertime // @elentiya-whitethorn // @acotar-fanns // @jealousveronya // @acourtofwips // @reverie-tales // @gwynkyrie // @corcracrow // @thelovelymadone // @rosanna-writer

[jeannereames]

Hello Mrs Reames! Quick question as someone that is still new to Alexander the Great, I was on TikTok the other day and someone posted a TikTok of an incident in which Alexander the Great supposedly dragged the oracle of Delphi out by her hair because she couldn't give him a prophecy that day, is this true?

Alexander and the Delphic Oracle

First, before answering, let’s do a quick PSA. I’m sure the asker meant to address me in the most polite way they knew how, and I’ve run into this error frequently with undergrads, who (at least in American public schools) are told to address a female teacher as “Ms.” or “Mrs.”

Thus, I offer this correction as gently as possible. But it’s important in an era when titles are being withheld from women as a means of belittlement—then, if a woman dares to object, they’re made fun of or called uppity and “sensitive.”* Again, I’m sure the asker here did not mean anything unkind (or they wouldn’t be asking me something in the first place!). So this is NOT a slap at them. But I’m not a Mrs. (I'm not married, and Reames is my birth name). I’m Dr. Reames or Professor Reames. You can even call me Jeanne (as long as you’re not a student in my class, ha). If you’re a (US) college student and unsure if your instructor has a PhD, “professor” is always safe. 😊

Now, to the question….

Plutarch tells a rather peculiar little story of new King Alexander, on his way home from a meeting of the Corinthian League (in Corinth), stopping at Delphi to ask the oracle a question. I should add, this event occurs right after Plutarch’s description of ATG’s meeting with the Cynic philosopher Diogenes. (E.g., it’s part of a “theme.”)

Now, the Delphic oracle wasn’t open for consults all the time. She only heard them a day or so a month…and that for only some months of the year. He came at the wrong time of year (winter, when Dionysos held the oracle, not his half-brother Apollo). So she told him, “No.” Reportedly, he stormed to her little house in the village of Delphi to manhandle her, intending to drag her to the oracle for his query. She replied, “Son! You’re invincible!” Pleased with that, he let her go.

And Plutarch presents this as if it’s all a-okay.

This is weird. It’s weird that Plutarch, a priest of Delphi from Chaironeia, wasn’t up in arms about this clear affront to an honored oracle (and an old woman). It’s an act of asebia (impiety). But it would be even weirder if Alexander had actually done it. Alexander, the uber-pious.

Plutarch is the ONLY one to tell this story. Anywhere.

Yet there’s a story remarkably like it with different players set during the Third Sacred War when the Phokians had seized the Oracle. It’s this event that set off the war, and which brought ol’ Philip into southern politics and eventually landed him a seat on the Amphictyonic Council as a staunch “Defender of Apollo.” Philomelos was the leader of the Phokians early in the war. Below are both accounts, starting with Diodoros’s (original source likely Kallisthenes, who wrote a history of the war).

With the oracle in Philomelus’ hands, he instructed the Pythia to continue prophesying from the tripod in the traditional way. When she refused, he threatened her and compelled her to mount the tripod. To this display of excessive force, she responded by declaring that he could do whatever he wanted—and he was pleased by this and declared that he had the oracle that suited him. He immediately had the oracle inscribed and set up for all to see, in order to make it clear that he had the god’s permission to do whatever he wanted, and he convened an assembly at which he boosted morale in the ranks by telling them about the prophecy (Diod. 16.27.1-2, Waterfield trans).

And now, wishing to consult the god concerning the expedition against Asia, [Alexander] went to Delphi; and since he chanced to come on one of the inauspicious days, when it is not lawful to deliver oracles, in the first place he sent a summons to the prophetess. And when she refused to perform her office and cited the law in her excuse, he went up himself and tried to drag her to temple, whereupon, as if overcome by his ardour, she said: “Thou art invincible, my son!” On hearing this, Alexander said he desired no further prophecy, but had from her the oracle which he wanted (Plut. Alex. 14.4, Perrin trans.)

With Philomelos, there is no question later in Diodoros that his act was impiety. His eventual death is (partly) attributed to it. Plutarch picks up this event, dusts it off, recasts the “inquirer,” and—moreover—uses it as affirmation of Alexander’s “invincibility.” Remember “The Invincible” was his nickname in Greece in his own day. The Romans called him Magnus (the Great).

In short, Plutarch retooled the story to suit his own purposes.

So no, it never happened. At least, not with Alexander. (And he’d have been horrified, I think, to hear he’d been accused of any such thing.)

Plutarch makes these detail changes when it suits him. I have an article coming out in a year or so where I discuss this tendency and bring the receipts (of quite a few examples)—including one I think a lot of folks here will find VERY interesting. But I’m not the only one saying it about this event in particular. It’s been noted as an “odd” episode before, including by Hamilton, if I recall (who did the commentary on Plutarch). But Lara O’Sullivan really showed where it came from, source-wise, in her “Callisthenes and Alexander the Invincible God,” P. Wheatley and E. Baynham, eds., East and West in the World Empire of Alexander: Essays in Honour of Brian Bosworth. Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press (2015), 35–52.

Some may still wonder why Alexander wouldn’t have gone to the oracle?

He didn’t need to. His father already had. And if later historians (such as Diodoros) reinterpreted her pronouncement to be about Philip’s murder, not the fall of Persia, it was a positive reply at the time. Going to Delphi again might risk something less flattering/hopeful. Not to mention, it was the wrong time of the year, and Alexander knew that. He had more important fish to fry. He wasn’t going to hang around, waiting (for months) for an auspicious day.

He was good with the oracle his father had got. After all, he’d been trumpeting for months that “only the name of the king had changed.” The original oracle would do just fine.

------------------------

*A BIG stink was made here in the US by the conservative media over Dr. Jill Biden being “Dr.” The initial "rebuke" stemmed from the fact her degree is “just” a doctor of education. When that faced pushback, however, conservatives on social media began to fuss, well, she wasn’t a MEDICAL doctor, so didn’t “deserve” that title. Which is silly. Doctor is the correct title for a medical doctor, as well as for a host of professional degrees, including a doctor of education, a doctor of theology, a doctor of business, etc. The degree that takes the longest to complete is the PhD, or doctor of philosophy. We’re ALL “doctors.” The problem for them was a professional woman who dared to use her title. Wasn’t she an uppity bitch?

[captainmartin20]

earlier this year i remember all the cc fans on here shutting down their accounts when they tried to spin the racism bit on her or they just unstanned i think i was following you at the time and you said something like you were just gonna step away or just not post about her till she cleared it up. do you mind me asking what convinced you to go back to posting her soon after when everyone was like still scared to for whatever reason. i love your account and cc i’m just curious and always admired that you didn’t let it sway you like it did others.

hi anon!

yes I do remember posting that I'll be limiting my posts to only posting about her when it's related to Kate. I guess I kind of fell into the trap of blindly believing what everyone else was saying at first, forgetting that opinions are different from fact. The fact is, Caitlin seems like someone who isn't performative in any way– on and off the court. People will say whatever they want on social media, make assumptions on the kind of person she is, ask her to change her attitude and body language, but she's just not that kind of person. She seems like she would never bend her back to satisfy people. She's does not seem like a people pleaser. She's sometimes selfish on the ball, she'll stand toe to toe with her coaches, punch a chair etc etc. And no matter how many times people will call her out for it, she just does not give a shit. She WILL punch that chair.

We'll probably never see her call out her trolls on social media or during post-game pressers. Even when that fan was crossing the line during the game and allowed to walk back to his seat with barely a warning, she said nothing– not during the presser and not on social media. She said she wants to keep her head down and hoop and that's all she's going to do.

However, we seen that it doesn't mean she doesn't actively try to fix issues she can control. For example, when they made that doc-series following her final year at Iowa, she proposed that they invite Kamilla and Kiki to feature alongside her, even though it was originally just going to be about her. And as a result of the success of the documentary-series, I heard they're looking to do a feature on a new set of college players the following season!

Around the time when the Sheryl Swoopes incident happened, and there were all these outrageous allegations that Swoopes "hated" her, she went on SNL to praise her (along with her other basketball idols) as part of her segment when the focus was on her being the #1 pick. People said "well it's scripted" no shit. It's snl, not a good morning america interview. The point is, she could've made it all about her, all about this big moment in her career but she choose to shine the spotlight on the players that came before her.

When there were all this talk about CC not being a good teammate during the first few weeks of the season, Aliyah mentioned during a presser that CC was a good supportive teammate in the locker room– where it actually matters. Caitlin didn't like a post or send a tweet for the sake of showing it on social media to prove a point.

Then we found out the other day that Caitlin tried to implement a spot bonus for benefit of all the players in the league. For context: a spot bonus is a one-time monetary incentive that's given to employees as a result of extraordinary performance; which, in this case, would be the staggering attendance metrics at the games Indiana played — despite the attendance being mostly due to her (fever has the most games with the highest attendance record x). She said ALL OF US WILL BE GETTING FED ON MY WATCH.

Caitlin has stated multiple times that she doesn't seek validation from others outside of her circle, and that's something that I think resinated with me because back then I wanted to blindly follow whatever the big accounts in this community were saying. Don't be a sheep, folks.

also, she's a really good basketball player and im gonna celebrate that :)

[lovelyiida]

i have a fic / oneshot idea hear me out!! u know how bakugo got kidnapped by lov? what if there he meets y/n and she is a member but she is actually nice to him/helps him escape?? that would be cool 😩

YAAAAS THIS GOES SO HARD FRIEND!! I don't think the reader would be super nice, more passive agressive if you get my drift? villains gotta keep that hardshell exterior lol.

This is my first ever request fill on this account, hopefully, this is to your liking :)

IMAGINE YOU AS A NICE MEMBER OF THE LEAUGE OF VILLAINS, bakugo had been held captive for hours. his body ached due to his constant thrashing, his skin stung as he struggled to set himself free of the rope. as the rest of the league went out to fight, you kept watch of him.

"you're going to tire yourself out if you keep on throwing your body around," you stated. only being met with a loud growl. frowning as you watch him struggle more, your heavy black boots echo across the room as you walk toward him.

you watched as he struggled even more as you grew closer, letting out a groan as you stand in front of him. you watched as he grunts louder, frowning you grab him by his jaw.

your fingertips can feel the way he trembles in your touch, you frown at this. "listen, if I untape your mouth...will you be quiet for me?" you say.

only being met with bakugos' hard gaze and stagnant breath, he shakily nods. you let out a small smirk, "good."

Caressing his face, you quickly take ahold of the piece of tape and rip it off his mouth with ease. hearing the boy curse out in pain, you quickly apologize.

you reach for a bottle of water on the floor, grabbing it you walk back over to him. "here, drink up, I know all that screaming has your throat dry" you chuckle at your own words. guiding the bottle into his mouth you watch him gulp the whole bottle.

quietly laughing at him, he finishes the bottle. throwing it on the floor, you walk away and grab another chair and drag it in front of him, sitting down you eye him down.

Bakugo scowls at your face, quickly letting out a burp, he blows it in your face.

licking the inside of your cheek, you let out a dry chuckle. "do you want me to tape your mouth shut again?" you start.

"let me go," bakugo growls.

"and why should I?" you asked, he watches bakugo curse under his breath. "you're making a big mistake, there are people coming for me⏤"

"like I don't know that..." you grit your teeth together, irritated by the utter mentioning of the heroes. "like I said, why should I let you go?" you cross your legs, awaiting an answer.

Bakugo sighs, "because...what's the point, I'm never leaving this shit hole." Bakugo hangs his head low, lips quivering as a single tear drips onto the fabric of his pants.

you bite the inside of your cheek, poking your lip out you look away.

looking back, you uncross your legs and crouch down to his level, "I'm gonna give you a reason why I'm gonna let you go." you breathe out, voice strong and confident.

your words make Bakugo's head rise, "huh?" he says. "I thought villains keep their hostages, not let them go," he says.

"well, luckily for you, I'm the only villain in this so-called shit hole with a single ounce of empathy left."

a quiet beat passes by, you hear the rain pour outside, looking towards the window, you see the faint colors of the city lights. turning back towards him, you frown.

"you don't belong here...whatever your name is" you mumble.

"all because you have some flashy quirk and a shit personality doesn't make you a villain, that I know for sure," you say.

"so then why are you here?" bakugo grumbles. licking your lips, you let out a sigh. "because I have a debt to pay that keeps on growing" you say.

"and what debt is that?" bakugo asked.

"I owe him my life⏤Shigaraki⏤I came here the same way you did, just in different circumstances. My father crossed him, so instead of killing him, I gave myself away...so that I could pay the debt my father owes."

Bakugo only gives you a look, a sorrowful look.

opening your mouth to speak, you were cut off by the sound of a car pulling up. eyes going wide, you quickly jump out from your seat and wrap your arms around bakugo and start to untie the rope from the back.

"you need to go!" you whispered, quickly setting him loose, bakugo shoots up from his chair. his heavy hand reaches out for yours and runs towards the door.

flinging the door wide open, he tries to make a run for it until you stopped him by holding your tracks. "I'm not leaving you here to die!" he yells.

your lips quiver as you try to give him a smile, "I'm way past saving, please go! whoever you are-"

"Bakugo, Katsuki Bakugo" he says.

you let out a breath, "go, bakugo" you whimper, sliding your hand out of his and slowly sliding them to the sides of your arms. he frowns at your state, "I'll come back to get you."

you let out a bittersweet chuckle at his words, "okay."

Turning on his foot, he runs out the door.

maybe in another life, under different circumstances, the both of you would've been friends...

[madamefeu]

Hi! Here’s what your favorite Helluva Boss character says about you. Once again, don’t take this to heart, it’s just a bit of fun:

Blitzø: You relate a little too hard to Bojack Horseman. You've done a lot of bad things in your life that you bitterly regret, and even though you're trying to be a better person now, you can't escape the feeling that you'll never be able to outrun your past. Regardless of what you did in the past, all you can do is try to be better now, even if you've burned several bridges to a crisp.

Stolas: Sinister gay, life-ruining mean gay. The kind of mean gay who does the most toxic shit to you and then plays the victim when called out.

Stella: Got room for the Jax fans in your little, 'my favorite character got ruined even though they were like that from the start' club? Because you should definitely start making room if you haven’t already. They need it.

Octavia: Your childhood was completely destroyed by your parents' unhappy marriage and subsequent divorce. You can't talk to either of your parents without one of them complaining about the other, and you wish more than anything that you weren't born into a loveless marriage so that you could've had a stable and happy childhood.

Loona: Furry. Need I say more? Because of all of the characters you could've picked, you went for the emo Hellhound. You have a kinky AO3 history and you dream about being stepped on by a goth dommy mommy.

Moxxie: You cling to your significant other because your relationship with them is the only healthy relationship you've ever had in your life. Your family are the worst, and you don't have many friends, on account of the fact that you keep befriending complete and utter jackasses.

Millie: Look, I get it, you love your significant other, and that’s great, but it is ok to have a life outside of them. Get a hobby, or something, IDK.

Fizzarolli: Hurt/comfort is your all-time favorite trope, and you live for romances with happy endings. You dream of finding a rich and powerful man who loves you with all his heart, not because you're a gold-digger, but because you want a classic happy Disney princess ending, and though you haven't found the right man yet, you're certain that you will someday.

Asmodeus: Your significant other thinks that you're way out of their league (And let's face it, you are), despite your repeated attempts to assure them that you love them as they are. Your sex life would make the most hardcore AO3 writer blush like a schoolgirl, and you'd be proud of it.

Beelzebub: Hello, Ke$ha fans! Your favorite music genre is 2010s EDM, and your favorite drink is whatever gets you drunk the fastest. Many people have tried to beat you in a drinking contest, but few have succeeded, and they consider it a great honor, because you have an iron liver, and getting you drunk is no easy task. It's a miracle that you haven't died from alcohol poisoning yet.

Mammon: I know that you've thought about putting $20,000 in a blender, drinking it, and then bragging to everyone that in a few hours, you're going to piss away 20 grand. And for the love of all that is holy, DO NOT DO IT.

Verosika Mayday: You’re still bitter over that one shitty ex of yours, but instead of letting it get you down, you use it as a driving force to become the most successful that you can possibly be. You’re fueled by spite, and you want nothing more than to rub your fame and fortune in the faces of everyone who’s ever wronged you.

Glitz and Glam: You’re a K-pop stan. Like, the most hardcore K-pop stan out there. The kind of K-pop stan that makes other K-pop stans uncomfortable and writes real-person fanfiction about your favorites.

Striker: You have a serious thing for cowboys. I’m talking, Brokeback Mountain is your favorite film, kind of serious. You’re into the brooding, lone ranger type of cowboy.

Andrealphus: You saw him, and you screamed, ‘Elsa birb’. Which, to be fair, that does seem to be what he is. If he gets any songs in the show, you hope that they’ll hit as hard as Let It Go did.

[mjrtaurus]

What I imagine Dadan and Kuzan's interests would be in a Modern AU.

Dadan: Roller Derby, you can’t tell me she wouldn’t! She's been doing it since middle school, her gym teacher mentioned her sister coaches the local league and it peaked Dadan's interest. It took a lot of begging and pleading to convince her parents, mostly Urpi, to let her do it but she eventually got her wish! She’s absolutely the captain of a team and runs that shit like it’s the navy. She post her and her team on both their official team YouTube and have well over 400,000 subscribers! (she would post on Twitter but she’s been banned on like 4 accounts).

Kuzan: hear me out on this one but I can really imagine him doing theatre! Take away all the angst in canon and you’re left with a chill sleepy man who simultaneously is always the life of the party. His theatre origins are pretty cliche, it’s the classic trope of the popular non-theatre guy who auditions as a joke (or in Kuzan case he just needed extracurricular credits) and ends up with a lead role for no good reason. He ends up loving it and joins the local community theatre after graduation. Posts a lot of dancing or over exaggerated lip sync TikToks.

Oh, Dadan would be LETHAL as a roller derby captain. It’s matching the butch energy that she gives off so well. She’s had a couple broken bones from it, but she does her healing and gets right back into it cussing a blue streak the second she’s in her roller skates. Garp cheers for her all the time, and Urpi will retract her reservations against it because the look in her daughter’s eyes is worth more than any soothed worry.

Kuzan tries to keep his involvement with theatre on the downlow at first. He doesn’t want to deal with all the questions and the teasing because there’s just not much to it. He likes it. Garp doesn’t really understand, but he doesn’t have to to be supportive. And supportive he is, even if he thinks this… tiktok or whatever the hell he said it was called is a little too fast paced for him. Urpi, however, enjoys that he’s found a passion for the arts. It’s a noble thing to find yourself a part of, and she is happy that it has become a shield to the dangerous apathy that he’s had the misfortune to sink into.

[avelnfear]

Chapter Five

Masterlist

Danny leaned back in his chair with a sigh. He finally managed to complete the paperwork for the Joker’s breakout and subsequent recapture. There was a stupid amount of paperwork required, and Danny no longer had a coworker to share the load with, making it even worse. As Danny leaned a little farther back, his back popped several times in rapid succession, and he sighed again, this time in relief, as he felt his back relax. Leaning forward again, Danny closed the second binder of the day with a sense of wonder that it was finally over as it seemed like the paperwork would never end.

“Paperwork truly is the worst form of punishment… Maybe I can use that elsewhere…” Danny mused aloud as he put his desk back in order before picking up the binders and heading for the door.

Walking through the halls was a simple affair of nods of acknowledgement for and from the guards around him. The head guard’s office was only four halls from Danny's, but there was a mandatory increase in the number of guards due to the recent breakout. In no time at all, Danny arrived at the head guard’s door, so he took a deep breath and knocked on the door. There was no response for enough time that he knocked again, louder this time.

“Come in!” The gruff voice calling out from inside the room didn’t belong to the head guard, but Danny entered regardless. The office looked the same that it usually did, cabinets at the walls, desk towards the back, and the only chair behind the desk. This wasn’t a place to dally for anyone but the head guard. The difference was that Warden Claw sat in the chair with Head Guard Chancey standing behind him.

“Warden Claw, Head Guard Chancey, I have the paperwork here for the recent breakout and for those already recaptured.” Danny set a short, respectful nod to each of them before putting the binders on the desk.

Warden Claw grabbed the binders, looking over them before handing them to Chancey. Danny stood still in the usual respectful posture that guards should have before their superiors although he did want them to hurry it up already. Jason had messaged him earlier that the Batsiblings from the Batburger were safe and all crashing at Jason’s apartment for the next little while as a safety precaution, but Danny hadn’t been able to respond in the chaos of making sure that everything was running as smoothly as possible.

Finally, the Warden looked up. “Do you know why I’m here?” His voice was gruff and harsh, clearly trying to be intimidating since Danny had heard the Warden sounding less harsh and gruff before.

“No, although I assume it has to do with making sure I’m not in league with any of the escapees.” Danny made sure to keep every outward appearance of being respectful even as he rolled his eyes on the inside, almost insulted at the idea that he would ever willingly work with a clown.

“Exactly that. What can you say to convince me that you aren’t in the pockets of those hooligans.” The Warden folded his hands and leaned his face on them, a posture that normally inspired a sense that the person doing it had authority or something like that, Danny was pretty sure he tuned Jazz out when she tried to talk about that stuff.

Danny tilted their head, trying to convey the idea that they were thinking about the issue at hand. “Well, depending on whether or not you already suspect me, there might be nothing I can say to convince you. All I can say is that I’m not native to Gotham although I had heard about it before I moved. Where I used to live, I managed to get some heavy clown trauma, so I’d never work with Blinky or whatever he’s called. I don’t really care about what Harley does because she’s a therapist, or used to be one, and I have therapist trauma. I got enough lectures about the environment from my best friend, and I have developed a healthy respect after that one breed of plants tried to kill my town. That means I wouldn’t go anywhere near Ivy on account of not wanting to get attacked by plants or eco-lectures. As for Penguin, money isn’t my motivation for anything. I’m already paid well enough here, and it isn’t worth going with any of them just to run into the Bats and Birds.” Their head tilted the other way and their eyes squinted as they thought further about the issue at hand. “Furthermore, for one reason or another, admittedly usually to avoid getting on the other end of an angry or working Bat or Bird, I wouldn’t go to any of the Rogues. There should be a note about that in my file from my interview.”

The Warden stared at Danny for several long moments. “Well said. I guess we’re glad to have you. Just don’t quit on me, I don’t want to have to find someone to replace you, if that’s possible.” His voice was much smoother and more gentle, proving Danny’s theory about intimidation right.

“I’m not going to quit on you, I have no reason to.” Danny nodded to give his words a sense of finality to them, trying to reassure the two that he meant what he said. Without saying anything more, the Warden got up and left the room, going back to his own duties most likely.

Head Guard Chancey settled back into her chair and set the binders down on it. “Sorry about that. I tried to tell the Warden that you weren’t the type of person to work with the Rogues here, but he wanted to make sure of that himself. Now, you will watch over the Arts and Crafts Room until your shift ends. The Joker is there, so try not to antagonize him. Any overtime caused by the recent breakout will be paid to you as both overtime and emergency pay, so expect a larger paycheck than normal. Dismissed.” She looked down immediately after she stopped speaking, making the dismissal doubly clear.

Danny headed to the Arts and Crafts Room on autopilot. It wasn’t unusual for inmates who escaped to immediately go back to their old schedule as part of the rehabilitation process, but Danny hadn’t been assigned anywhere near the Joker before this. Danny had considered it a minor blessing and thanked the Ancients for this small piece of goodness. Now, he had no choice but to be in close quarters with someone who had killed his Jason in three lives. Someone who’d killed-

Blinking revealed he was in front of the A&C Room, Danny shook the memories out of his head, there was no time to think about that now. He lowered his head for a second, locking his emotions from showing on his face, not wanting to give the psycho clown any unneeded information. As soon as he felt ready enough, he opened the door smoothly and quietly, closing it behind him and heading to his post with no words said to the occupants of the room. Interactions between guards and inmates were supposed to follow a strict protocol, but not many of the guards actually followed said protocol, Danny mostly included. The Joker looked up and grinned at him, and Danny instantly knew this was going to be a long ending to his shift.

~`~`~

Danny finally put the last completed sheet into the binder, the words on the page blurring horribly due to their tiredness. Somehow this binder seemed even thicker than the ones from earlier in the shift, but that might just be a product of faulty memory seeing as Danny had now been at work for way too many hours. They couldn’t even see the clock clear enough to figure out how long it had been. 

Taking a deep breath and summoning enough willpower to move, Danny strode purposefully towards the head guard’s office once more, keeping their face blank of any and all emotion. Arriving at the door, Danny saw that it was open, Head Guard Chancey leaning on the wall just beside. It seemed she’d been waiting for them because she waved them in without a word and shut the door behind them.

“Are you okay?” Her voice was concerned, but Danny couldn’t figure out why, not even having the energy to tilt their head in confusion.

“Why-” Danny cut themself off at how gravely their voice sounded. “Why do you say that?” Their voice wasn’t much better, but this time it didn’t feel like swallowing gravel, merely sand.

Chancey raised an eyebrow while gesturing for the binder in Danny’s hands. It took two tries to get the binder to her, and Danny had a horrible sinking feeling forming in their gut. “How long do you think you’ve been at work?”

The odd question threw Danny off and made the horrible feeling grow stronger. “Like twelve? Maybe? I can’t exactly read the clock right now, too blurry.” Danny had to put some conscious effort into sounding better this time, and even that didn’t fully make their voice sound better.

“Danny,” there was clear concern in Chancey’s voice this time, and that was odd for a reason Danny couldn’t muster up the energy to figure out, “you’ve been here for thirty hours, not counting the two you spent dozing at your desk. Is there someone I can call to take you home?”

Danny didn’t even bother trying to process how long he’d been at work, focusing on the second part instead. “I’ll be fine. Just need to make it to the apartment without giving that stupid clown any sense of satisfaction for getting to me, and I’ll be good. I’ve dealt with worse, don’t worry.” He had to blink hard for his eyes to focus before taking a deep breath and summoning more willpower, standing straighter and bringing the world back into focus. “See?”

Chancey stared at him in mild horror. “You do see how this is just more worrying, right?” Chancey merely sighed at his nod. “Fine. I’ll take over filing this properly for you, just make it home. If you miss two shifts, I’ll assume you died. Contact me when you wake up so I know not to frantically hire someone to replace you. Go home.”

Danny nodded slowly, trying to hide how much the motion made the world swirl for him. He closed his eyes, taking in another deep breath and willing himself to appear perfectly fine. Clocking out and leaving the asylum was a blur, and Danny blinked only to find himself in the elevator to his and Jason’s floor of the apartment building. Danny just needed to make it in his door before he passed out, that was all, he could do that.

~`~`~

Jason heard the elevator announce its arrival and immediately headed out into the hall to see who it was. The other Batsibs were asleep right now, staying at his place until they were sure Danny was okay. He was grateful that they were willing to do that for someone they’d barely met yet who clearly meant a lot to him, but the apartment was driving all of them crazy with the lack of privacy it offered.

The door opened, and Danny blinked blearily at him, still in their uniform, which was odd enough, but their eyes were also unfocused in that way that only tiredness causes, extreme tiredness. They looked even more similar to Tim than usual, but Jason quickly put that from his mind, going to support them. This proved to be a mistake because as soon as Danny wasn’t responsible for supporting their own weight, they collapsed into sleep, nearly taking Jason to the ground with them.

Deciding to handle this like he would if Tim was passed out in the hallway to his apartment, Jason picked up Danny, ignoring how light they were, and carried them to his apartment. Opening the door was proving to be a bit of a struggle though because he’d locked the door behind him out of habit. Before he could do anything drastic, Dick opened the door with a confused look on his face that quickly turned into concern when he caught sight of Danny in Jason’s arms.

When Dick stood aside, Jason walked in with Danny, heading straight to the bedroom to put Danny on the bed where they’d be comfortable. As he walked quickly though the apartment he noticed that Tim and Damian were also awake. Both of their reactions were nearly identical to Dick’s when they caught sight of Danny slumped in Jason’s arms, worry and concern. 

Jason would have found their reactions to Danny being unconscious heartwarming if he wasn’t too busy being worried about Danny. He’d never seen his friend like that, although he’d never seen them after a breakout either. Jason really hoped this wouldn’t happen every time a breakout happened, his heart couldn’t take it.

As soon as Danny was situated, Jason headed back to the front room to find the three Batsibs talking about what could have caused Danny to be like that. “You guys are thinking about it too hard.” Jason said instead of any form of greeting. “When I met him in the hallway, he looked like Tim after a day of no sleep and no coffee, maybe slightly worse. The most likely conclusion is that he didn’t get any sleep dealing with the aftermath of the breakout.”

The others considered that as Jason went to the kitchen to work out some stress in a healthy manner that would also keep him close enough to be there if anything went wrong with Danny, cooking and baking. Even without being able to see the others, he could almost feel their concern when he didn’t decide to suit up and beat some guys up to get out the stress. Stress cooking and stress baking were usually reserved for times when Jason didn’t know if he could trust himself not to kill anybody, but this wasn’t one of those times.

“You good, Jay?” Dick asked, trying and failing to keep his concern out of his voice, merely muffling it.

“I’m fine, just don’t want to leave Danny alone in the house with you idiots.” Despite the harsh words, Jason tried to keep his voice light to convey that he was teasing. When he heard some chuckles, he knew he’d succeeded. Now he only hoped they could keep this light atmosphere until Danny woke up to answer their questions.

~`~`~

Danny came to with the smell of delicious food and baked goods in their nose. They kept their eyes closed, their body relaxed, and their breathing even, not sure who was in their house. Wait. This wasn’t their bed, the sheets were of a different material and the bed wasn’t a brick. Where were they? Familiar voices reached their ears, but they couldn’t put their finger on who the voices belonged to, their brain still trying to claw its way free from the grabbing hands of sleep.

They focused on their breathing while they waited for their brain to fully wake up, content to just rest in this bed that smelled like Jason. Wait. Jason. They’d made it to the floor of the building that held their apartment, and Jason had met them in the hall. He’d moved to support them and then… and then they must’ve fallen asleep. That means… the voices clicked into place as their brain surged back into full awakeness mode. Jason, Tim, Damian, and Dick were teasing each other outside the door.

Danny basked in the comfort and peace from being so close to their loved ones without having to confront the fact that none of them truly knew them anymore. They would get moving shortly, messaging the people that needed to be messaged and going about things like a normal every day adult, but for now, for now they would simply relax in the bliss that was in such short order in their life. Before Danny knew it they’d drifted back into sleep, a truly restful one this time instead of the sleep of the truly exhausted from before.

~`~`~

Jason raised an eyebrow at Damian as he came back from the position he’d taken up by the door to the bedroom. Damian huffed, yet answered the unspoken question anyway. “Nightingale has fallen back to sleep.” Jason waited to see if an insult was forthcoming, but there was none, Damian simply settling back down at the table. Jason and Dick traded incredulous looks while Tim just stared into his coffee like it held the answers to the universe.

“You seem tame today, Demon Brat.” Jason remarked, careful to keep his voice from dipping into the accusatory tones that would set the small terror off.

“Tt. Just because Nightingale has proven to be more competent than the rest of you, minus Cain, doesn’t mean I’m tame. I’m not some wild animal you have to carefully tame.” Damian let his disdain show in everything from his voice to his face, but Jason saw something in his eyes that he couldn’t decipher. 

Jason didn’t respond, simply humming a vague non-answer as he turned back to the chocolate chip pancakes. There was something off about the way Damian was acting lately, but Jason didn’t know what. It didn’t seem to be a bad thing, a gentle Damian couldn’t reasonably be an entirely bad thing, but Jason didn’t like not knowing. Call it Bat training, good old paranoia, the assassin training, or whatever you’d like, but Jason didn’t like not knowing what was going on with the people he was close to.

Dick stood up suddenly. “I have to start getting back to Bludhaven, tell me how Danny is when he wakes up?” Jason nodded, not wanting to take his eyes or focus off the pancakes. “Thanks for breakfast Little Wing. See ya Baby Bird, Baby Bat.” Dick nodded towards Jason, then Tim, then Damian before leaving to head back to his town.

Tim stayed staring into the coffee, barely acknowledging Dick’s farewell. Damian gave a curt nod before focusing on the food in front of him. A comfortable silence descended over the apartment, the smell of pancakes and other foods making it seem much cozier than the impersonal decorations did. Time passed like that, no one talking as food was prepared and eaten. Jason felt something within him settle, felt the green go even more quiet than normal, and he didn’t want it to stop.

The quiet calm atmosphere dissolved quickly when the door to the bedroom creaked open and Danny stumbled into the kitchen, falling into a seat at the table that was, thankfully, empty. Without speaking, Jason set down a couple plates of food and a cup of coffee in front of them. They hummed in a grateful tone before digging into the meal before them, washing it all down with coffee. Jason just kept supplying them with food until the consumption rate slowed down and they looked more present.

“Ask away.” Danny ordered softly, not looking up from their food just yet.

“Why were you alone in the hallway when you were that tired?” Jason tried to be gentle yet show how concerned he was.

Danny hummed again, this time in a tone Jason didn’t know how to decipher yet took to mean that Danny was still slightly tired. “I didn’t want to let the stupid clown have any sense of satisfaction for getting to me, so I declined the head guard’s offer to have someone take me home.” Danny pushed aways the last empty plate and rubbed their face with their hands. “I hate clowns, especially ones like Bozo er Blinky er Smiley or whatever his name is. You would not believe the amount of paperwork I had to do simply because a clown drew a picture of killing me, showed it to me, and then broke a pencil. After all of that, there was absolutely no way that I was going to give him the satisfaction of knowing he got to me.”

“The Joker did what?” Tim asked, finally looking up from his coffee.

“So that’s his name, huh?” Danny blinked a few times. “Yeah. It’s stupid, but I had to put together another binder because of the incident on top of the two for the breakout and recapture stuff. I get that my late coworker was probably corrupt, but why did he have to die and leave me alone with the paperwork?” Danny let their head fall to their arms on the table, likely still not entirely awake.

Damian suddenly leaned forward. “How many hours did you work to be that tired?” Jason figured it was probably a profiling question from the Demon Brat, but it was a little out of character for him to sound that worried.

“According to Chancey, the head guard, I was working for thirty hours not counting the two I dozed off for, but I don’t think I dozed off at all, more likely just got lost in thought for a stupidly long amount of time. Plus several of those hours were spent guarding the A&C Room, the Arts and Crafts Room, meaning I was also expending energy to lock my emotions away so that the stupid clown wouldn’t be able to see anything that could be used against me in the future. I also don’t think I managed to snag a lunch break either, so there’s that.” Danny hummed tiredly again. “I’m off then.”

“Off?” Jason questioned, mind racing to try and figure out what they meant.

“Yeah. I’m going to message Chancey and then sleep in my own bed for a little while. Not that yours wasn’t comfortable enough, just think I need some time to recharge and get stuff sorted out before I have to head in again. It was nice seeing you guys.” And just like that Danny was gone, the door closing behind them. A short time later the sound of another door opening and then closing reached his ears and he sighed. Danny sure was a mystery.

Taglist: @blacksea21090 @chrysanthemum9484 @samgirl98 @may-rbi @justwannaseesomebrozawa @serasvictoria02 @treepainting @fluffykster @enderglace @sigdexae @persephoneblackrose @angelofsongsoteira @lazy-bouqet @littlefeather345 @icedbluesoul @autumnwulf @thefearfullone @alixanterm @skulld3mort-1fan @dulceringo @vidimirrayne @betinaplayingwriter @the-legal-shipper @currant-owo @crystalqueertea @fisticuffsatapplebees @bugaboo25 @dannyphantomphan @botwadtict @kyrianclawraith @mnemovoid @lyra689 @demiourgias @d4ydr34min9 @idontgetpaidenoughforthisshit I think that’s everyone

[electricprincess96]

Talia is a total sicko freak whose only personality is obsessing over Bruce. Even in the early comics it’s so obvious she’s only in love with the idea of him

Harsher words than I would have used but I do think you are correct that Talia is in love with the idea of Bruce more than she is Bruce.

And the fact is if the comics leaned into that more that's actually a really interesting concept to explore with her but they just.... don't commit.

Like Talia has been raised by a deeply misogynistic man. Ra's has been blessed with powerful, capable daughters, and yet he obsesses over finding an heir because he refuses to acknowledge he already has one. Ra's then hyperfixates on Bruce as this perfect heir to his legacy. Of course, Talia, someone raised to believe that no matter what she does, she will never be fully worthy of her father, would latch on to the man her father is obsessed with. Of course, she'd believe if she can somehow bring Bruce to her fathers side, it will somehow earn her, her fathers love and appreciation.

And of course, being raised by Ra's Al Ghul, her understanding of boundaries and consent is.... not great. Like that's an interesting character to explore. It still wouldn't justify any of her awful behaviour or her many SA attempts (and successes) towards Bruce or other characters BUT it would make her more interesting at least.

Of course, if you take all that into account, yeah, she doesn't love Bruce. She loves what she thinks, making Bruce fall in love with her can do for her standing in Ra's eyes. Likewise, when Bruce moves beyond her reach, it's all about how she can provide Ra's an heir. But imagine if deep down she was bitter and angry at always being second choice to men, imagine that while she's determined to give Ra's what he wants she's deep down angry that she knows she's just as capable to lead the League as any child she may have yet because she's a woman he overlooks her. There's story potential there, and Bruce could see through her eventually and even call her out on her being in love merely with "The Detective" and not him.

But the comics don't take these angles with her, and that's sad. The comics want you to believe she does indeed love Bruce or at least did at one point, which eh... I don't agree personally, but whatever. But because her early itiration was just the love interest/villainess with no substance all they end up giving us is just "Ra's Al Ghuls daughter, Bruce Wayne's love interest, Damien Wayne's mother". What is Talia's own personal motivation?

But again, as much as this version of Talia is more interesting, there's no point in me really debating it cause she doesn't actually exist in any of the media. So it's a waste.

[quillpokebiology]

Introduction Post

Hallo, Hola, Ciao, Bonjour, and all the other greetings, everyone 👋. My name is Arrowquill, but you can just call me Quill. I don't care for pronouns much, so you can call me whatever you like.

I'm a student who was born in Galar, but I'm currently studying at Naranja-Uva Academy in Paldea, where I'm studying biology. I want to be a pokemon professor when I graduate, so I will be sharing info and facts here! Extra stuff under the cut. Scroll to the very bottom to see blog rules.

More about me

I'm the kid of @historianofgalar and grew up in the wild area of Galar. Not much there really. I got my starter at 11, joined the Galar league at 12, made rivals, failed the Galar League at 13, had a mental breakdown and almost died on an ice mountain at Galar's research facility, realized the problem with the government, I think I might've made the Galarian government hate me, joined a new research facility that does more field work, and yeh :)

Main Team

I have a lot of pokemon, as I have to study a lot. But here is my main ones

Squirt the Inteleon

My sweet baby and first pokemon. I got her when she was a sobble as a gift from my dad when I turned 10, and I've cherished her ever since.

Flash the Cinderace

I got him from as a rescue from a not great research center shortly after I received Squirt. He's super energetic, and him and Squirt are quite close.

Joker the Orbeetle

First wild pokemon I caught. Caught him the old-fashioned way when he was a Blipbug. I named him Joker because I thought he looked really goofy, but seeing orbeetle, I see the irony of that.

Archer the Decidueye

Caught him on the Isle of Armor as a reward for finding a lot of diglett. I was supposed to get a Popplio, but the guy thought it was neat how I was named Arrowquill, and Rowlet evolves into the Arrowquill Pokemon, so he gave me a rowlet instead. Archer is really sweet, but a bit timid, so he tends to keep to himself a lot.

Jellybean the Goodra

Funny story on how I caught her. It was raining, and I was trying to catch a Pikachu, but I accidently threw it at a goomy that was just passing by. Long story short, she's a goodra now, and I love her.

Scarlet the Corviknight

Caught her as the second wild pokemon on my journey, right after Joker. She's shy, but also really great. She's one of the more serious members, and she's pulled my team through a lot.

Other

Bagels the Fidough

Caught him because he was following me when I was eating, and I caught him because it isn't a good idea to have wild fidough walking around a city. He's super cute and I love him a lot.

Caesar the Chestnaught

Technically, he has two names? I call him Caesar, as in See-ser, but my mom says it's pronounced "Hay-sar." Either way, I caught him as a Chespin in Paldea.

Ooc: Blog Rules

-While this blog is supposed to be made so everyone can view it, there might be some NSFW mentions regarding pokemon breeding (nothing too detailed). However, this blog does not accept nsfw asks, mentions, or submits other than light-hearted jokes

-Please keep in mind that Quill is older than irl me, and I am a minor. I won't roleplay anything sexual and will block/report anyone that tries to do that with me

-If your account has the default tumblr pfp, is untitled, has no description, has a pornographic name, or pornagraphic imagery, I'll assume that you are a bot and you will be blocked

-Quill is a character I am still developing, so a lot of stuff about them might change overtime

-While I might post some Fakemon, they will most likely be from the ancient past. The Fakemon that I do post who aren't variants or from the ancient past will not be mine, and I will give credit to the original creators. You can submit fakemon if you want, but there will not be fact posts about them. Just analysis.

-I do not allow hybrid Pokemon, but I WILL allow and talk about crossbreed pokemon. Like a Bounsweet, whose dad was a Roserade having traits of a Budew and stuff like that

-I awnser asks, but at my own pace. Some I might delete for multiple reasons (difficult, can't think of anything, or I just plain don't like the pokemon). But I try my best to awnser most asks, even if it takes a while

-My headcanons can be used by anyone, and you don't have to ask if you want to use them

This blog is completely made for fun and as a way for me to spit my headcanons and roleplay as my OC. I have a regular tumblr where I just post random stuff, @mintaikk . But, I'm not going to advertise it much bcuz the posts there can be NSFW, and this blog is PG.

Posts to see

Link to all my crossbreeds

[someonewhogotanaccount]

It's intro post time!

Hi! I'm KitCat!

~The end~

Okay okay maybe you need a little bit more.

As I already said, I'm KitCat, master procatsinator and moving catastrophe, nice to meet you. (Though, everybody calls me KitKat, Kit or Chocosy, which is perfectly fine as well as any other name you want to give me ;)

I'm a minor, so all the creeps please leave now. My motto in life is "live and let live", so if you're here to hurt somebody, please leave too. Thank you :).

The typical things (that I actually forgot when I first posted this): I'm a straight white European Christian girl (teenager) and therefore probably the person with the most boring background, according to Tumblr ;).

I have two "adopted daughters": 1. My Killercat and tuna-demanding master Pauline 2. ";)", the bracket face (she can adapt any form of bracket face if she wants to, but the winking one is her favourite)

Some random facts about me: - my favourite colour is something between purple and dark blue - I have no clue how to write the word color/colour - I'm a German and from Germany (obviously) - I have no clue about the 'typical German culture', since my family was in Poland, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Russia for around three hundred years and only came back to Germany 30 years ago or so - I love brackets and bracket faces - I have no clue about aesthetics - I consider myself a writer - I have no clue how to continue my stories - I love cats (who would have guessed that) - I have no clue how to make an intro post - I have a stupid sense humour - I have no clue in general but I'm trying :)

You can consider me as: Your silly Tumblr neighborhood KitCat and founder of the hug-ducks ;).

Do I take Tumblr serious? No. I'm that one friend that will be hyperactive the one day and then just dissappear for the next three weeks without a word. But if you ever need me, my inbox is always open. Vent as much as you want to, I'll try to comfort you.

Random stuff: I often misunderstand stuff, so if I'm acting weird, there is a 1/3 chance that I misunderstood you, a 1/3 chance I wanted to make a silly joke and you misunderstood me, and a 1/3 chance that I'm just weird ;). I'm a "Very vibey" (@mushroomcarrotstick) person, btw. @hijabi-desi-bookworm told me once I was "literally one of the best and ~vibest~ people" she knows. Do with that whatever you want, but my name is KitCat Chaos Vibey Clueless Badass Silly for a reason. Oh and if ANYBODY tells you that I'm cute, they are liars. All lies. I'm a pure badass and never ever search after the leta vs. kitkat war. It's better to let the past behind us and move on.

Sooooo, what else can I write here? Hmmm.... AH! MY MOOTS! I FORGOT MY MOOTS!!!

How do I do this now... you know what? I'll just make a list of the moots and then put the link here.

What else? Fandoms, maybe? (current obsession right on the top) - Worm (Parahumans) - Renegades - Claim the Stars (still waiting for the second book) - pjo, hoo, toa - The Inheritance Games (currently reading the second book) - tpq - kotlc - Warrior Cats (don't make fun of me. These books are my childhood and I will read them until I die) - Shadow League (never read the fourth book as it wasn't translated)

Also I enjoy listening music by Imagine Dragons :).

Yeah well, that's it, I suppose. I have an ao3 account as well, but that's only Renegades fanfiction so far. If you want the link just ask or smth.

Since everybody does this, I'll drop an "aesthetic picture" that should give the same vibes as my blog:

(source for the chaotic arson cat ;)

[lean-mean-demon-genevieve]

Excuse me while I ramble-vent for a bit…

I know I can’t prove it to y’all, but I am a BIG believer in empowering women (intersectional feminism always, of course). But I feel like this little stunt “summit” that paid Gen to sit on a panel, can’t be it.

I haven’t heard any other details so maybe I’m prematurely disgusted, but there’s gotta be more to empowering women than teaching them the TOWWN model of co-opting language from a worthy cause in order to build a name for yourself and feel good about slutting yourself out to consumerism.

Oh, sorry…my guy Charlie reminds me that’s just called “brand partnerships” these days.

If the panel was talking about current content creator trends, I wonder if Gen spoke about buying followers. 🤔

Because…ain’t no way.

I fully understand, in this current hellscape of American capitalism, women wanting to create their own path and be their own bosses. And maybe it’s the phrase “content creation” that has me ruffled. Because in the attention-based economy that is social media, nobodys like Gen are literally creating narratives that are manufactured in order to manipulate others.

And it WORKS!! And there’s an actual SUMMIT (what a pretentious title lol) who will charge you to come learn their “craft.”

Whatever this league of momfluencers is selling, it definitely can’t be empowerment through authenticity. Can it?? I mean, not when the most lucrative “brand partnerships” literally buy your messaging and have their own hand in creating your content. And if my content is being bought, how empowered am I really?? Am I really an entrepreneur or is this just shiny new packaging on the same old shit? “Girlboss,” indeed. But I suppose calling it a conference for getting rich by scamming your followers doesn’t have quite the same ring as “women supporting women.”

I don’t know, maybe this expensive summit weekend in Nashville (AKA New Austin, if you know you know) had more value than I realize. And it’s just the smarmy inclusion of Gen and Charlie that colors it poorly for me. Because truly, what measure of success got her on yet another panel? (Her wedding ring and subsequent bank account…duh 🤪)

To make myself feel better, here are some candid Gen face pics from the day:

And a YouTube video exposing influencer lies:

I hate it here. That’s it, that’s all.