#cringe is dead and ocs are fun. shut up brain

[ilovedthestars]

question, apropos of an ask about my OCs sitting in my inbox (waiting for me to have enough braincells left after homework to answer it)

i realized that when i talk about my murderbot OCs on here i'm kind of. assuming that people already know who they are. but only two of them are actually in a fic on ao3, and the others I mostly talk about on discord with a small handful of people.

i don't think i've ever done a "hey these are my OCs" post on tumblr. and i honestly feel kind of weird about the concept but. maybe someone is interested in the Lore that hasn't made it to ao3 yet. so, interest check:

Names you may or may not have heard me throw around: OldUnit, Niri, Aybee, Hope, Enigma (the polaris crew); Yuma and Crowbar. These are all OCs that exist within the Murderbot Diaries universe.

[talesofphantombandits]

Zero to Six ~ The Death of Six - Edited version.

Greetings and salutations! So I know this isn’t what everyone wanted but people are still reading Zero to Six and I’m honestly so grateful that a year on, people are still loving this series.  But I never felt like I wrote it properly, the chapters where always too short and I felt like they were never detailed enough so I wanted to bring to you an edited version (that probably still won’t be perfect.) one that I’m more satisfied with.  I will be keeping the original version up just in case people prefer that one, maybe one day I’ll take it down? who knows but yeah so enjoy! <3 P.s I’ve missed you all so much and I’ve really missed this series. Hopefully sometime soon the Prequel will be out which I have started and named ‘Before there was Six, there was Zero.’

Characters: Four X Zero (OC) Summary: Zero was the first person to be ‘saved’ by One, she was his first honorary Ghost.  Her knowledge in tech meant she got the role of ‘Hacker’ she recruited new team members, looked for missions and locations and made sure every security measure was looked at. You know normal hacker spy stuff.  But her tough up bringing meant that if needs be she could fight, she was maybe even better than some people on the team knew. But due to One’s protectiveness over her she had to stay hidden, she was more of an actual ghost than the rest of the team was. This didn’t mean she couldn’t have her fun though, over the months of being with the full team she had formed quite a passionate love/ hate relationship with the handsome Four.  Who knows what sparks would fly if they were ever to meet.  Warnings: Slight swearing, some suggestive flirting in later chapters. 

Tagg list: (I know this is a edit of my original story but if anyone wants to be tagged let me know.) @raylan-c​

Zero to Six ~ Part 2. Edited Version.​ Masterlist.

“You’re stalling.” 

“I’m not stalling.” Zero could practically hear the smirk in Fours voice over the coms. “I’m simply just working myself up to it.” 

She laughed. “You always say that, and you’re always stalling.” She was playing on his last nerve, she knew it but this would be good for Four and entertainment for her. He always worked better when he was frustrated and no one stressed him out quite like Zero.

Four had been doing parkour for most of his life, or that’s what he told them. Yet he was still fearful every single time, still I guess that’s what made him great at it the fear of always falling gave him the adrenaline he needed to make the jumps.��

Another breathless laugh fluttered through Zeros left ear. “Don’t test me darling.” Now it was his turn to make Zero sweat, this always happened. Zero would insult and tease and Four would flirt right back, although most of the team were used to it by now they still broke them up from time to time. 

“Whatever monkey boy, just be ready for when Six gets his ass in gear!” She clicked her tongue. “I can hear you mocking me asshole, remember I hold the key here I can make your life a living hell with just one click of a button.” 

“You already make my life hell darling, But I live for it everyday.” 

“Swear to god Four, you’re a pain in my ass.” She mumbled as she typed away at the computer trying to figure out their next move so she could be ready with any instruction they needed. 

“I’m sure your ass is pretty fine, I can’t wait to see it someday.” She could practically feel the smirk.

“Yeah? And I can't wait to punch the smirk off that pretty face one day, only you could be in a life or death situation and be thinking about my virtual ass.”

“Wait, did you just admit to fancying me Zero? Guys she called me handsome, I think I’m getting somewhere.” 

“Go for Four!” Saved by the bell it seems, One’s voice rang through coms. Zero silently thanked god for she did fancy Four, who wouldn’t fancy that absolute Greek god of a man? With that honey voice and the moves he had! moves he could use on her, she shook her head hoping the images of him forming in her head would magically fall out of her brain never to return, but she wouldn’t be so lucky.

“Shut the hell up, stop thinking about ways to seduce Zero and get your ass down here we need you!” And just like that, it was go time. “NOW!”

Zero had been working with this team for a while now, but she was more on the surveillance side of the missions, which meant that she had never officially met the team face to face. The only person she had actually met was One, who had recruited her. He would visit from time to time, she liked to think they had a special bond. She was in fact the first person in need that One had found and ever since then he had become a sort of father figure to her. 

Two was next who was sort of cold at times, Zero put this down to her CIA training but she had never been anything but caring towards Zero. Then she found Three, a hitman who she was reluctant to look into at first but she knew now it was the best thing for her and the team. Despite his past he was one of the most sweet and caring men she’d ever met, and he never failed to make her smile on a bad day.  Ever since recruiting Four, she felt the atmosphere in the group shift slightly, there was nothing bad about him but they both couldn’t ignore the growing attraction between them, and this was just over cyber space.  She then found her best friend in Five, she was different from the rest. Not as violent and rash but still amazing at what she did and protecting herself and others, Zero knew if she ever needed someone the first person she’d go to was Five. 

Six was her latest recruit, one that she knew was extremely talented in not only driving but in all things mechanical too, they had chatting a few times about servers and bots and he’d promised her a round in their shared favourite video game once this mission was complete. 

She’d be lying to herself and everyone else if she said she didn’t want to meet them all in person, they were the closest thing she had, had to family. However she knew that if she was to meet them nothing could ever come of her and Four. One would definitely not allow it, and most likely lock her straight back up.

Still they were sort of this dysfunctional family, and she was definitely the odd one out. She couldn’t remember the last time she had, had a normal conversation with someone who wasn’t ‘dead’ the only time she was allowed to leave the flat was when One said it was moving day. He didn’t like her staying in one flat too long, she must have moved at least four times this year already. While she was alone in her flat eating ready meals they were all back at base eating together, she sometimes pretended she was there eating with them. Three telling her some stupid story that no one else is listening to because they have heard it at least a thousand times, but she would just be so happy to hear his beautiful accent in person that she would listen to anything he was telling her.  How she wished she could hug three in real life. The closest she had gotten to eating with them was over coms, sometimes they would leave the line open for debriefing but it still made her feel like an outcast. 

“I’m coming down!” Everything was going wrong, Six had gone the wrong way. Which Zero wasn’t surprised to see as everyone in the car was shouting at each other, she sat there in her gaming chair drinking Dr Pepper and enjoying her fried chicken meal while everyone was losing their minds in the field. Maybe getting to stay in the comfort of her flat wasn’t so bad after all? 

“Good boy.” She praised Four. “Finally putting those parkour skills to use, other than robbing some innocent person.” 

Even before he started to speak she could tell he’d started to run because his speech came out in huffs. “Shut up, at least I can do parkour which makes me cooler than a girl who sits at her computer all day.”

She had to laugh. “What are you? Five years old? Try again when you can think up better come backs, I can’t take you seriously right now.”  

Wherever One moved Zero was never too far away from where the team worked, the first time the rest of the team worked this out was when Zero first used the drone to help navigate them someplace safe. That was also the first time she finally got to see Four in action, the image of him running along the rooftops like a monkey in the jungle both amused her and impressed her. Hence the nickname she had given him. But there were also times when he would have close calls, where he had nearly fallen to his death that’s when the breath would get knocked out of her and she would only calm when she knew he was safe on the ground again. 

“Right over you guys.” He said in a strained voice while leaping onto another roof.  

“So guys, just look out for the flying monkey above you. That will be Four.” Most of the teasing with Four was just to pass the time while they were out in the field having fun and mainly it was just way too fun to hear him get so frustrated.  

“Zero, that’s not helping us.” One said in a sing-song voice. 

“Maybe it’s not helping you, but it is definitely helping me pass the time.” All she could hear was a disappointed grunt from One which just made her chuckle,it was also very fun to piss One off.

“Six! SIX! Wrong way god damn it!” 

She cringed at how loud Four had screamed down the coms. “Come back! I’ve got an idea.”

“Ladies and gentleman, for the first time in his life Four has an idea!” She said mindlessly typing away trying to find the best route for them to escape by.

“You know what Zero, when we finally meet I’m going to run that fine ass of yours into the ground.” He all but growled.

“You can try monkey boy, but you’ll have to catch me first.” She smirked to herself, she secretly hoped that, that was more of a promise than a mere threat. “Oh, challenge accepted sweetheart. I’d love to have a game of cat and mouse with you.” 

“You two do remember that we are on a mission right now, right?” Six moaned. “What with you two flirting, and these absolute idiots fighting beside me in the car. I’m finding it very hard to concentrate on driving!” With every word Six’s voice got more agitated and louder.

“We are not flirting!” Both Four and Zero exclaimed together. 

“Aww they even said it at the same time!” Zero just rolled her eyes at One’s teasing. “No one cares, now both of you shut up so we can all get out of here.” 

“That’s it Six, keep coming towards me!” The drone was filming just above the action, once she’d wiped her hands and they were free from the grease on her chicken. She finally realised what Four was about to do. 

Suddenly the car that was tailing Six was being impaled by five metal tubes. “God, okay I’m definitely done eating now. That was so gross.” 

Then the screaming started to fill the coms. “Guy’s, what the hell are you doing?” All Zero could make out was something about an eyeball. 

“This is so stressful! Can everyone stop arguing and speaking over each other?!” Zero was getting agitated now. 

“YOU THINK YOU’RE STRESSED?! I’M TRYING TO DRIVE WHILST ALSO TRYING NOT TO KILL ANYONE, DID I MENTION I ALSO HAVE AN EYEBALL ON MY LEG?!” Six all but screamed down the coms, loud enough that Zero had to remove her earpiece until she was sure he was done with his rant. 

“Six sweetie,” she said as calmly as she could, trying not to laugh. “Are you okay?” 

“DO I SOUND LIKE I’M OKAY ZERO?!” She knew he would say that, she finally let out the chuckle she was trying to hold as to not irritate him further.

“Sorry I was just asking. I swear I‘m not using your painful situation to make myself feel better.” She held her hands up in defence even though he couldn’t see her.

He just let out a huff. “I’m going to ignore you now Zero, you’re pissing me off more than these guys are.” 

After the commotion things went quiet for a while, there was now a helicopter tailing them so all effort and concentration went on losing it. While there was little chatter over the coms the main sound that dominated the air was the gunfire, Zero silently prayed to herself while she watched the drone that everyone would make it out of their first real mission alive. One finally found a route for them, conveniently inside of a building that would shelter them enough to lose the aerial surveillance they were under. 

“The drone will meet you on the other side, good luck and please try not to make too much of a mess in there Six. There are some priceless statues in there we would all like preserving.” Just as Zero finished her sentence she heard a loud crash.

“You were saying?” Six chuckled nervously. 

“You didn’t.” Zero stared shocked at her screen, mouth wide open. 

One was the one to respond to her though. “Unfortunately he did, don’t worry we’re all just as disappointed in him.” 

“Okay we finally lost the chopper, Zero do you have a visual?” One asked surprisingly calmly.

“You mean the bright green car, kind of hard to miss. Good choice Six you really blend in.” Zero laughed. “I see you, there are two black vans heading your way. Shake them off then head to the arranged rendezvous spot where Three will be waiting for you.” 

Six’s voice was strained when he spoke. “Listen, fast and convenient was what I was told to get. So that’s what I got.” 

Zero would have responded but she was more distracted by the sight of Four on a skateboard holding a launcher. He jumped off the board and leaped up onto the stone wall just as one of the black vans passed, he aimed and shot, never missing the mark. She was impressed for a moment but then saw the smug smile on his face, he looked directly into the drone and winked at Zero. She just scoffed, what an absolute show off.

“Seems like we have a superhero on our team.” Six laughed impressed. 

Zero scoffed again, but this time loud enough so everyone could hear it over the coms. “I wouldn’t exactly call him a superhero.” 

“Then what would you call me darling? A Greek god?” This is the thing about Four, he’d never met Zero in person but he knew exactly how to push her buttons. She’d be lying if she said she didn’t enjoy the banter from time to time. 

“Hurm more like a vein asshole that thinks far too highly of himself.” She snapped back.

But he just laughed, the complete opposite of what she was expecting. “I mean everyone else loves me, might as well love myself too.” She rolled her eyes, She really couldn’t blame him though he was a very handsome man but no way in hell was she ever going to tell him that. “One day you’ll fall for the charm that everyone else falls for. I know you’re already obsessed with me.” 

“In your dreams Four.” 

“It already happens in my dreams, every night darling. I’d be happy to elaborate later on in a private chat.” Zero audibly gagged. 

“Guy’s can we please cut out the flirting until after the mission? We’re nearly there and I don’t think any of us want to hear whatever this is.” One sounded tired and Zero just laughed at how much their fighting annoyed the other members. 

“Yes boss!” She added in a salute even though One couldn’t see her, he could feel she was mocking him. 

Just then the drone cut out. “Shit! Someone shot down the drone. You’re on your own from here guys.” 

There was a commotion through the coms, one that didn’t sound at all good. Car tyres screeched, bullets rain down on the metal of the car Zero held her breath as she waited for anything. Even just a breath so she knew at least someone was still alive, her heart stopped when the line had been silent for too long she had to know what happened. 

“Guys, come on talk to me. What’s going on? Why are you all being so silent? What happened?” There was another breath of silence and her mind went straight to Four, she shook her head. No! She wasn’t going to let herself think about that, she scolded herself for getting too attached to the little shit.  

The was a crackle over the line, Five cleared her throat. “Six is dead, we’re in the van, the space is clear.”  

Zero sucked in a breath, she felt like her lungs were burning. “What?” 

“Zero listen to me, you need to turn off coms now.” One must have turned from the group, he was using his quiet, serious voice. “I’ll handle this okay, I’ll check back in with you later.” 

Just like that he was gone, she clicked the switch to turn off almost absentmindedly. She sat back in her chair, only snapping back to reality when she felt something wet fall on her hand. She softly touched her face to find her cheeks were wet, when had she started to cry? Six wasn’t someone she knew in person, he had been the last member of the team but still a very important piece of their puzzle. She thought about the game he had promised to play with her after the mission, this would never come to pass now. Now he was really dead, and it was all her fault.

For the first time Zero started to think about the whole team and if One’s master plan of being ghosts to take down the world’s evil was such a good idea after all, why had it taken a real death in the team for her to even think about this. What if it had been Four, she didn’t think she could live with herself if anything ever happened to Four, maybe it was a good thing they had never met. Seeing him in person, hearing his deep honey voice, feeling his warmth would definitely make her fall deeper then she already was. He was just a voice over the coms but behind that was a real person, one that probably wouldn’t even share the same feelings towards her. So she thought ‘Yes, It’s a good thing I’m behind this computer screen and not with them in person.’ She had to try to distance herself from now on.  

 ......

Just wanted to say one last Thank You! for the continued support for this story <3 

[vennilavee]

parental moments: two

to build a home masterlist

Pairing: levi x reader Summary: it’s 2:40 AM and you and levi are convinced that you’re about to be robbed. except you hear drunken laughter. Chapter Warnings: cursing, otherwise none really Word Count: 1795 A/N: based off of a series of asks that were sent in the other day about sasha, connie, and jean showing up drunk and levi and oc’s house. and levi and oc think they’re getting robbed (especially oc who has been getting startled by everything bc they’ve been binging true crime docs). also they are living in a house now because they decided to move out of their apartment and get a bigger property together hehe

***

One of the many things you and Levi had in common was your love for true crime documentaries. You had taken to ending your nights with whatever was on television, or with whatever was on the many streaming services that you had a subscription to.

Levi complained often (along with you) at how there were a million and one streaming services these days- what was the point-

“To burn a hole in our bank accounts,” You scoff.

“There’s gotta be a way to stream this shit for free,” Levi groans.

“I bet one of the new recruits knows,” You muse, “Maybe Armin or Jean...”

“We can figure it out ourselves,” Levi huffs and you roll your eyes.

It’s been days and weeks of your nightly routine and you’ve become creeped out enough late at night that you’ve taken to triple checking the locks and the windows of your house every few hours. And tonight is no different.

“Hey,” Levi says, pulling you into his side reassuringly, “We’re fine. And even if we’re not. I’m here to protect you.”

You’ve been waking up at every small noise during the night- the wind whistling, the house settling, leaves rustling outside. Usually, he’s the light sleeper but these days… These days it’s you. And he can tell it’s starting to take a toll on you. You’re tired during the days when you don’t get a good night’s sleep, the bags under your eyes deepening.

“That’s nice,” You murmur, “But I think we need a baseball bat. Or three.”

“And what do we need three baseball bats for?” Levi asks flatly, “Let’s stop with the documentaries so late at night. Would a home security system help?”

“Maybe…”

Levi puts you to bed so good that night, but you still come home with three baseball bats the next day.

***

“Levi,” You mumble, shaking him awake, “Levi, did you hear that?”

It’s 2:40 AM and he’s already awake and throws the sheets off of him to get out of bed. He heard it too, the rustling, the loud footsteps and the jarring sound of knocking. You can’t tell if it’s coming from inside or outside and your heart is racing too fast for you to discern the origin of the noises.

He internally curses himself for not installing the home security system yet.

“Stay here,” Levi murmurs, pressing a kiss to your forehead, “I’ll be back in a few minutes-”

“What! No,” You protest fiercely, leaping out of bed and pulling your new baseball bat from under the bed. While you’re at it, you slip a pair of shorts over your bare legs and Levi rolls his eyes at you.

“Take your time, it’s not like we’re about to get robbed. Do you want to put your makeup on, too?” Levi snorts.

“Oh, yeah, good call. Tell them to wait for me to contour-” You roll your eyes and pinch him, “Is this a joke to you-”

He quickly shushes you by pulling you into his side and squeezing your hand as he quietly heads downstairs to the source of the noise. You can’t help but press your face into his shoulder nervously, while peeking with one eye open. Gripping his upper arm tightly, your nails pressing into his bicep, you whisper for him to be careful when he looks through the peephole of the front door.

You hear a chorus of laughter, drunken laughter and Levi sighs irritatedly. He pinches the bridge of his nose and shakes his head.

“You gotta be shittin’ me,” Levi grumbles.

“What? What is it?” 

“Take a look for yourself,” Levi says, “It’s Connie, Jean and Sasha.”

You throw the door open and are greeted with three drunken fools with beaming smiles on their face that don’t seem to falter when they see your baseball bat.

“Oh my god,” You murmur, rubbing a hand over your face, “I thought we were getting robbed. I fuckin’ thought we were getting robbed, Levi.”

Levi subtly squeezes your hand and brushes his lips over your temple to quell your nerves. He sends a scathing look to the three troublemakers standing on the porch, without a care in the world.

“May I ask what the fuck you three are doing at our place of residence at three in the morning,” Levi says flatly.

“Yes! Yes you may,” Jean grins and winks at Levi.

It draws a surprised laugh from you.

“Wha’ had happened was…” Sasha starts with a bright smile.

“Our phones died and we kinda… forgot where we live,” Connie shrugs, not even bothering to look sheepish, “Besides, remember, you said! If we ever had to hide a dead body, you’d help us!”

“Please do not tell me that there’s a dead body to hide,” Levi sighs.

“We have your numbers an’ addresses mem’rized,” Sasha says, batting her eyelashes at you innocently.

That immediately pulls a wave of affection through you and you match their smiles in intensity. Levi doesn’t have the heart to tell you not to encourage their antics.

“I can’t believe you remember our address and not your own,” You mumble, pulling them in for tight hugs, “Come inside. You three are troublemakers.”

“Really?” Jean asks, his light brown eyes wide.

“We gave you our address and phone numbers for a reason,” Levi rolls his eyes, “It’s cold, get your asses inside.”

The three of them file inside in a straight line, looks of glee etched in their faces. 

“Take your shoes off, please,” You request as you shut and lock the door behind you. Levi doesn’t miss you glancing at the locks twice just to make sure.

“Do you have-”

“Yes, Sasha, we have food,” Levi says, already heading into the kitchen, “I’ll give you some if you don’t spill.”

“How will you know I won’t spill until you give me food?” Sasha asks and you stifle a laugh.

You follow Levi into the kitchen after making sure that they’re comfortable and hug him from behind, your face pressed in between his shoulder blades. You yawn widely and kiss the back of his neck lightly.

“Can’t believe I thought we were going to get robbed,” You mutter, “Instead we have three drunk kids in our house.”

“I believed it for a sec, too,” Levi says, “Honestly, I would’ve preferred getting robbed to having three drunk kids in our house.”

You laugh into his shirt and swat his shoulder playfully. Levi flits around the kitchen with you at his back, warming up food and filling up glasses of water for the three of them. He can tell that the adrenaline is wearing off and that you’re getting sleepier and sleepier when you cling to him, always touching him even when he’s so close to you.

Peeling off of his back, you give him a sleepy smile and take two plates out to the dining table. Sasha immediately jumps up, abandoning whatever conversation she was in with Connie and Jean and sits in front of her plate.

“My mouth is watering,” Sasha moans, her stomach grumbling.

“Oi, get it together,” Jean chastises but sits next to her, “Food’s not goin’ anywhere.”

“Thanks Captain,” Connie grins, pupils still blown from alcohol, “And Missus Captain.”

“Missus? Who you callin’ missus?” You say, struggling to keep your face straight, “Maybe Levi’s mister-”

Levi rolls his eyes and listens to you bicker with Connie, and then Jean joins in before both of them start to tease you in good fun.

“So all three of you show up here with dead phones? Do you guys all share one brain cell?” You ask, “Usually it’s Jean, but I see that you decided to leave it at home tonight…”

“Hey!”

“Don’t be so mean…”

“...”

“What if something happened and you didn’t know how to get in contact with anyone?” You chide lightly, “Be more careful. Last thing we need is my three favorites getting in trouble-”

“Your three favorites! Ha! I knew it,” Jean says, bumping fists with Connie.

“That’s not what I meant,” You protest weakly, “You’re all my favorites-”

“It’s alright,” Sasha says with wink, “Your secret’s safe with us.”

You look to Levi for help with wide, dark eyes and he shakes his head for the millionth time that night. 

“You three know better,��� Levi says sternly, “Going out and getting drunk enough where none of you remember your address and none of you have a working phone amongst the three of you? What the hell were you thinking?”

“Oh, live a little, Captain,” Jean says airily, ignoring the flabbergasted look from Sasha.

“‘Sides, we remembered our address. We just wanted to see if you’d let us in,” Connie says smugly.

“The idiots who cried wolf,” You mutter with a smile and they all protest indignantly. 

“Can’t believe you were about to beat us with a baseball bat,” Jean mutters.

“I thought we were being robbed-”

“If we were robbing you, we’d be inside the house, not outside-”

“Are you kidding me, Jean?” You groan, smacking your forehead with your palm for the fifth time that night, “I’ll keep that in mind next time we get intruders at 2:40 AM.”

“Do you get intruders at 2:40 AM often?”

“Don’t fuck with my beauty sleep, Kirstein,” You say, pointing a finger at the three of them accusingly.

“You don’t need any beauty sleep, ma’am,” Sasha says without missing a beat, “Captain thinks so, too.”

“Are you hitting on my girlfriend for me,” Levi deadpans.

Sasha only shrugs, finishing off the last spoonful of food in her plate. Connie takes all three of the empty plates to the sink, or he tries to. Levi stops him and pulls the plates from him and quickly washes them.

“You can sleep on our couch tonight, it’s already late. We have some extra chargers, I plugged them in over there,” You point to the corner of your living room, “We’ll bring out extra blankets and pillows.”

You know Levi is cringing at the thought of outside clothes on the couch, so you offer them some freshly washed pajamas of yours and Levi’s. Levi leaves water for them on the coffee table in case they wake up in the middle of the night and finally, finally brings you back to bed with him. You peel your shorts off and slide into bed with him, already curling into his side.

“Can’t believe them,” You mumble sleepily, but fondly.

“Oh really? I can,” Levi snorts.

“Goodnight, sweetheart,” You reply with your eyes closed, “And don’t wake me up before nine.”

The next morning, after Sasha, Connie and Jean leave, you and Levi work on installing the new home security system in your house and at your insistence-

“Fine. You can keep those fuckin’ baseball bats.”

***

tags: @simpingmaize

[rowancallisto]

Can people let minors fucking exist PLEASE? Why is it that so many !!grown ass adults!! are so dead set on making fun of kids? Yknow, being a child isnt easy. Ur yeeted out ur parent’s vagoona and then u have to be forced into society and go to SCHOOL for most of ur life with asshole teachers and shithead kids. And then when ur 18 ur off to college and pressured to get a stable career, a house, and be married and have 5 kids. Like ??? Life isnt fucking easy. So why are we making fun of children? I always see people making fun of teenagers for “making self depricating jokes”, are “angsty”, and “dramatic”. When a child has an opinion on something like politics, society, etc, they’re told to shut up bc “they dont know anything. They’re just a stupid kid”. People always say shit like “children r so dumb”. Like ??? Hello ?? What ?? Yknow i don’t expect a 7 year old to be a rocket scientist, okay? What do u want from them. It makes me livid to my CORE especially when adults act like kids cant have mental illnesses and just dismiss them as emo or angsty. Like?? What?? Maybe if you actually listened to them then things would get better, not be an asshole and SHAME them for expressing themselves. Dont even get me started on cringe compilations, yknow. Making fun of (usually) literal children so you can have ur 15 minutes of fame on youtube while other braindead losers who enjoy cringe compilations laugh their asses off as their brain juice spills out of their ears? Like, (surprisingly) controversial take: whats wrong with kids liking tiktok or fortnite dances. Whats wrong with kids liking gacha or mlp? Whats wrong with kids making self insert ocs? Whats wrong with that? Please, tell me. Without using the overused and stupid “well its cringy” excuse

[partyinthemysterymachine]

Y,N & J for the fandom meme

Y - What are your secondhand fandoms (fandoms you aren’t in personally but are tangentially familiar with because your friends/people on your dash are in them)

Outlast (pointed glance), uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh god i can’t think of anything LOL oof :\ life hard

N - Name three things you wish you saw more or in your main fandom (or a fandom of choice)

this is about Silent Hill! (wowza)

interpretations!!! i love these idiots very much but i’m also interested in seeing others’ takes on them (esp in art - wanna see!!). since i created GOOMT Harry (and i guess James; he’s also Different bc his hair parts to the opposite side of canon lmfao, wow what an icon) i’ve been itching to see how others would give the characters a good flip. 

there are a few artists out there that have done that and thank god for them i love y’all so much

i’ve heard/read of interpretations and i really love them forreal tho i guess art puts it out there visually. makes me sound like a dick ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ sorry for that

=

Pls Relax lmfao people out there getting Heated over some (not so hot) takes that’ve been around for ages and just get drudged up every few months (or weeks). there are some interpretations of protags that are just straight up ignorant tbh, even tho the games are meant to be interpretive (okay we’re just talking about sh2 here) but honestly, your opinion is bad and i know you don’t feel bad, but jfc at least try to stop projecting for a minute

like listen one of the Big Arguments is Pyramid Head’s inclusion in everything not SH2, and it started with Homecoming since it was game directly after the Silent Hill movie where PH was just there for the cockroaches and skinsuit shaming. since then he’s just Everywhere and kinda loses his meaning and all that jazz, and ofc he’s in Dead By Daylight and yanno

it used to bother me a lot (and still bothers me when we get into certain strands of the topic) but at this point, sure, go ham. dude’s beefy and has a nice ass and he’s just gonna Punish everyone ;) 

and related to PH, Masahiro Ito (monster designer for SH 1 - 3 and is the creator of PH) talks a lot on his twitter about what he intended for these monsters in meaning and really getting into the nitty gritty and showing clearer models. this is years post-SH games (1999, 2001, 2003) that we’re now hearing this lore, but.. idk i like hearing it and i def nod along

however there is a good point in saying that he’s not the end-all word of god in the matter since, again - interpretive. i think in some matters he is the word of god and i stick to it and my guns (such as PH). doesn’t mean, also, that i go bonkers over it in discussion or whatnot. i’ve evolved as a person and that also means i’ve chilled out a lot over shit that would’ve gotten me right heated. maturity, man. what a drug.

(except sometimes those really fucking stupid ~hot takes~ about James, like seriously, i really do fuckin hate y’all, interpretive blah blah but you:

didn’t play the game

went into the game with expectations and ideas about what to expect/see already

re: didn’t play the game: engage in discussion and discourse over these hot takes that u rly have no business taking part in unless you’ve done some good research (i got some incredible lore/theory videos that i won’t shut up about so @ me if u want ‘em) bc c’mon man at least have a better idea of what you’re talking about that isn’t from someone else

believe James is a sex-crazy misogynist and i will be screaming

but yeah, it’s chill :3

=

more fucking OCs let’s GO people just live your life and have fun goddamn

cringe culture is dead until you decide you’re gonna live the cringe but also do it for YOU and that’s so incredibly sexy and big brained

J - Name a fandom you didn’t care/think about until you saw it all over tumblr

Final Fantasy (which then lead to ffxiv via another friend >:\ wanker) when Jase started doin their thing about it and i still don’t know what’s going on but power to you!!!

uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

... hhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

i mean i don’t care about Steven Universe or Hamilton at all but both seemed to have kinda died down, esp Hamilton, so i’m in the clear 90% of the time

shdohgiosdg i can’t think of anything AGAIN i guess i’m just chillin!!!!

[rainofaugustsith]

❤ OC’s first time working with a force-sensitive

Thank you so much for the ask! :) Viri’s first time working (as in a job) with another Force-sensitive was with Thana Vesh (yep. Viri took her out) So this is the first time she worked on the Force with anyone in general.  Darth Merwo happens to be Darth Vowrawn’s apprentice, and has several little kids of her own, hence her rapport with Viri. :) __

The Zakuulan stylist fusses over Viri’s hair and makeup.He’s already suggested several things that Viri has vetoed outright, but she’sbeen trying to work with him for her welcoming dinner in Zakuul.

”…so we can get you in for surgery tomorrow, probably…” he says briskly. ”Excuse me?” Viri says, narrowing her eyes at him. “Surgery for what?” ”You’ll want to get rid of that ugly scar, I’m sure?” the stylist stammers.“Now that you’re Galactic Peacekeeper, your looks are important.” ”My scar is not going anywhere,” Viri says flatly. “I would not call it ‘ugly’again. We’re done for today.” She turns abruptly and walks out of the stylist’sstudio, with Lana by her side. ”The nerve…!” Viri splutters, as she makes a beeline for the cantina.”I love your scar, for what it’s worth,” Lana says, smiling at her. “I mean it. It’s fun to kiss. It’ssomething that makes you Viri. You’ve never told me why you’re so attached toit, though. You’ve had other scars removed.” ”This one is special. My mother sutured it herself, and it’s a reminder of howfar I’ve come.” Viri leads her into one of the private cantina rooms, ordersherself a Sugar Rush and grabs a beer for Lana. “Let me tell you the story.”

***

She’s three, and she’s powerful. So very powerful. Butright now, she just wants to find her ball. It’s fallen into the neighboringgarden.

Grale Holon and his family don’t like her; they’ve made that clear. Evenwithout her abilities, it would be obvious. As she slips through the gate –it’s easy enough to push the lock until it opens – she tries to be as invisibleas possible. The ball is rolling down the hill, toward the neighbors’ speederbay. It brushes against one of the speeders, and an alarm begins to sound. Panic sets in. She’s frozen to the spot as she looks around frantically forhelp. The alarm is painful to her ears. “Shut up!” she screams, and throws allher anxiety toward the sound. The beeping is replaced by several other sounds: an explosion, the roar offlames licking across the chassis of a destroyed speeder, and Viri’s ownscreams as a piece of the metal breaks free and strikes her hard in theface.  *** “Viridana Revarre Dragoi! What did I tell you about blowing things up?!””I didn’t mean it,” Viri cried. “It just happened.” Her eyes darted around theroom frantically.

”You blew up a speeder, and almost killed yourself in theprocess! Hold still so I can finish this.” Viri’s mother, Tullia, finishedsuturing her cheek and put a kolto bandage over the wound.  

 “It wouldn’t stop beeping!” ”Why were you there in the first place? You know you’re supposed to stay in ourgarden! And you are so very fortunate that you’re only going to have ascar…what if you’d been hit in the temple, or the neck? What if I hadn’t heardyou screaming out there and gotten you away from that fire? You’d be dead rightnow! Do you even get that, Viri? This sort of behavior could kill you.””I was just getting my ball! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it!” She cringed; she’dnever seen her parents so angry, and that stung even more than the long line ofnew sutures in her cheek. “Don’t be mad at me!” ”It’s…not you, Viri. We’re not mad at you.” Viri’s father, Andres,turned away and took a deep breath. “I just need a moment to think about this,all right? I know you didn’t mean it, but you caused a lot of damage today,both to yourself and Mr. Holon’s property.” ”Are you mad I can do…things?” “No.” Tullia picked her up and hugged her. “Sweet girl, we love you just as youare. All of you, including your powers.” She began to pace, still holding Viriin her arms.

The holo began to beep furiously, and Andres rushed toanswer it. Viri buried her face in her mother’s shoulder and covered her ears,trying to block out Holon’s furious ranting. Snips of the conversation stillfiltered back to her.

“Yes, yes, I know, of course I’ll pay for it…she didn’t meanit! I understand it was new…she was just getting her ball……she’s just a littlegirl, she doesn’t know what she’s doing!”

Holon raised his voice, and Viri couldn’t help but hear him:”That child of yours is a demon. She should be drowned in the nearest river.That’s what I would do, if she were mine…”

”You son of a…” Andres shouted. “You stay away from my family. I’ll cover thedamages, but if you so much as think of coming near my daughter, I will endyou, you kriffing degenerate.” He closed the connection angrily. ”I’m…not a demon, am I?” Viri asked.”No, of course not. Some people are afraid of what they don’t understand, andthat has nothing to do with you.” Andres leaned over to kiss his daughter onthe forehead before turning back to his wife.

“We need to do something, Tullia,” Andres said. “This can’tcontinue.” He looked back at Viri immediately. “No, we’re not going to drownyou! How could you even think such a thing? Anyone who wants to hurt you willhave to come through us first.” ”What, then?” Viri asked. ”We know you don’t understand how to control the Force, Viri,” said Andres.“And we don’t, either, so we can’t guide you here. We’re not angry about that.We know you’re upset about these…accidents…and don’t mean to hurt anyone. Butfor your own sake…we need to find a way for you to learn to control what you’redoing before you do harm someone. Tullia…I think we should confide inMerwo.”  

Things happened quickly after that. There were hushedholo-calls; calls for which Viri was pointedly asked to leave the room.However, the solution came directly to them a week later.

Viri was back in the courtyard of the apartment building,playing under a tree in the cool summer evening. A comlink with a panic buttonwas tied to her wrist. Her parents had started requiring her to wear it at alltimes. If there’s anything that happens, Viri…anything at all that makes youangry or upset…take a deep breath and push that button. Even if you’re not sureyou need us. We won’t be mad. We’ll come to you and help you. Thus far, thecomlink had prevented several potential incidents – the simple act of taking abreath and pausing to press the button was sometimes, but not always, enough todefuse Viri. She was three, and her rage did not run deep. On this particular evening, a tall man with beige robes was standing in thecorner of the garden, quietly observing her. As Viri looked at him, a voice inthe back of her brain started to scream: NO. She quietly pushed thepanic button on her comm and stood up. ”You must be Viridana,” the man said, walking over to her. ”She is,” said a voice from the doorway. Viri’s parents had come into thegarden. “And you are?””Jedi Master Adam Soh.” ”Master Soh, this is an Imperial family. Please leave.” Viri’s motherclandestinely pressed a button on her own comlink as she spoke.”I am here about your daughter,” Master Soh said, as though he hadn’t heardthem. “She is very strong with the Force. I invite her to study with us andbecome a Jedi.” ”No thank you,” said Andres. “Not interested.” ”With all due respect, I wasn’t inviting you. Don’t you owe it to yourdaughter to at least give her a chance to walk the path of Light?” Master Sohinsisted. The Jedi extended his hand. “Come, little one, time to go. Saygoodbye to your parents.” Viri crossed her arms. “I’m not going anywhere with you. I don’t like you.” The Jedi frowned and bent to pick her up. ”I said no!” Viri shouted. ”I suggest you back off, Jedi,” Andres said, quietly. “My daughter doesn’t wantto go with you.” ”She’s three years old. She doesn’t know what she wants one way or the other. Ihave the legal right to take her to the Jedi Temple.”  “She said no, and I agree with her. And she is Imperial, so your Republic lawsmean nothing to us. This is Corellia, not Coruscant.”  Master Soh laughed. “You don’t actually expect me to leave a child with thislevel of Force sensitivity to the Sith, do you? Of course she’s coming with me.And—“ he waved his hand toward Tullia and Andres – “you will allow it.” Viri’seyes widened. She wasn’t sure what Master Soh had done, but she sensed danger. ”We will allow it,” Viri’s parents repeated. ”You will not stop me.” ”We will not stop you.” Master Soh turned to Viri. “And you will leave here without a fuss.” ”No no no no!” Viri screamed. She bit the Jedi’s arm and pushed him away ashard as she could. A tree branch broke as Viri’s fear became tangible. “Mama!Daddy! Wake up! Please, wake up!”

Andres staggered, blinked, and seemed to snap out of hisdaze. ”What…what were you about to do? What did we just say?!” he shouted. “Youare not leaving with our child!” He pulled a blaster from his belt and pointedit at the Jedi. Master Soh backed up. “You are making a grievous mistake.” ”The only one here who has made a mistake this evening is you, Jedi. Get out ofhere.” Tullia and Andres shoved Viri behind them and trained their weapons on theJedi. Master Soh snarled as the garden gate opened with a bang, and severalImperial troopers and Sith Lords burst into the area.

“Kidnapping Imperial children now, are you, Master Soh?” oneof the Sith hissed, drawing his lightsaber. The Jedi ran for the road. ”You two, cover me. The rest of you, stay with the child. Darth Merwo will havea word with you.” The Sith Lord disappeared through the garden gate,accompanied by several troopers. The remaining Sith knelt down near Viri. Her skin was red and the bone ridgeson her face gave her a severe look, but her eyes still seemed kind. ”You mustbe Viridana. I’m Darth Merwo, and I’m a Sith. I was due for a visit with youanyway.“”My lord, thank you so much for coming out,” Andres said. “Viri, I know you’reupset, but do you want to talk to her?” ”No,” Viri said, peeking out from behind her father’s legs. ”My, you’re really angry and afraid right now, aren’t you, Viri? I don’t blameyou. What happened was scary. Would it help if I told you I’m not here to takeyou away from your parents?””Yes. What are you here to do, then?””Well, I came here to stop that Jedi  -but also, to let you know that your Mom and Dad have talked to me about helpingyou learn to use the Force. We have a school here on Corellia where you could learn. You have a very strong gift, and I think you’d be alot happier if you didn’t blow up any more speeders. Am I right?”

”How can you do that?” Merwo smiled. ”If you practice, study and listen to your teachers, you willlearn how to use the Force properly. That means that even if you get really,really angry, you won’t break anything unless you actually want to do it. Youremotions and the Force will serve you, instead of going all over the place. Doyou understand now?””I think so.”

“We can actually start working on that this very minute. Howare you feeling right now?”Viri thought for a moment. “Mad.” ”Okay. Now put both of your hands out. I want you to pretend your anger is likea ball, and you’re holding it. You control every bit of it. It’s yours. Itserves you. It’s nothing but energy. Can you see it?”Viri nodded.”Now I want you to pretend all that energy is going right into you. Still withme? Good. Now pick up that rock. Don’t move, stay where you are. Just know thatyou have enough power to pick up the rock.” Viri stared at the rock, and slowly, it rose in the air.

“Now put it down again. Don’t drop it. Actually put it backon the ground.” The rock returned to the grass. ”You see? You’re getting this already. Good job, little one.” Merwo smiledencouragingly. ”Is there anything else you want to know right now?”

A shy smile crept over Viri’s face as she emerged frombehind her parents’ legs. “Can I try your lightsaber?”

“A lightsaber’s a very personal, and very dangerous, weapon.Every Sith has their own. So no, I can’t let you try my lightsaber or hold it.However, you’re welcome to have a closer look.” Merwo locked the safety on hersaber and held it out to the child. “Go on, it’s safe to touch right now.Here’s how it looks when it’s ignited.” Viri ran her hands along the hilt,fascinated.

“Can I have alightsaber?”

Merwo laughed. “Not right away. But if you work hard and learn to use theForce, yes, eventually you will get your very own lightsaber. Does that soundlike an appealing goal for you to work toward?”

Viri mulled it over. “Yes.”

”I’m pleased to hear that, little one,” Lord Merwo said.

[writingismyhappytime]

Dauntless: Daddy, Dearest (Part 4)

Eric x OC

Warnings: Language, Fluff, Labor

A/N: Parenthood is upon us! Baby Eric is coming!

Shit.

This wasn't working.

"Camille, I don't think that's right."

"What are you talking about? It looks fine."

"Uh, no, it doesn't."

"Fuck you, Eric, it looks fine."

"It's crooked."

"You're crooked," Camille huffed, crossing her arms. She took a few steps back, coming to stand beside me before frowning. "Okay, it's a little crooked."

I chuckled, leaning back on my heels.

The nursery was coming along. I'd figured out how to put the crib together, and I'd tentatively put my weight on it; it didn't immediately collapse, so I figured it was safe enough. All the baby stuff had migrated into the room across from ours, so if the thing started screaming, we'd be able to hear it.

"If we knew what it was, you could decorate better," I said after a moment, glancing around. A rocking chair, the crib, a dresser, and then a shit ton of toys were the only additions to the room. It wasn't big, by any means, but it would suffice for a burrito that couldn't move around on its own anyway.

"Shut up. We'll know soon enough." Camille sighed, leaning her shoulder against the door. I glanced at her, but didn't comment.

I guessed we would.

She was due in a few weeks now, the time was almost up. We were going to be parents and in charge with not killing something.

Comforting.

The room is an off-white, just like the rest of the apartment, with a fluffy carpet of matching color. I hope it could withstand a family of Dauntless.

"You should be able to train the next batch of initiates." I said after a moment. "You'll be strong again by the time they come around."

"I should be, yeah. I can get back in there and show them how to really fight. Four is too easy on them, he does a piss poor job," Camille grumbled. "I like the new rules better."

"I know you do," I pressed a kiss against her temple as I turned away. "What are you gonna do with it while you're training?"

"I was going to carry it in a sling on my back, what else?" She rolled her eyes at the question. "I get a month off after it's born, but I... well, I don't know. Do you really want to put it in the daycare?"

"He'll be fine there," I said absently, checking the time. I had to go to the armory in a few minutes, I was filling in for Melanie while she was away on her op. "No one is going to mess with our kid, Camille. They're terrified of us."

"That's what I'm worried about. What if we do something to piss someone off, and they take it out on our baby?" She pressed her hands against her stomach, the dark circles beneath her eyes only making her look more worried. "What if they're mean to it because of us? Eric ---."

"No one will be mean to it," I said firmly, turning to look at her as we step into the living room. "I swear I'll fucking break someone's arm if they even think about it. I'll take him to daycare the first day just to make a point."

Camille gazed at me a few moments, chewing her lip. "Are you sure it's a good idea? I mean, I could just stay here for a little longer ---."

"You're going to drive yourself insane with nothing to do," I shook my head. "You don't want to miss the initiates. The baby will be fine."

"You know you called it a he earlier, didn't you?"

"What?"

"The baby. You said 'him,' not 'it'."

"So?"

"It's just... I've never noticed you do that before." She shrugged her shoulders. "Do you think it's a boy?"

"I don't know, Camille. Why don't you ask?"

"Where would be the fun in that? It irritates you more to do it this way," she grinned, and I rolled my eyes; I knew she was just doing that to be a bitch. I fucking knew it.

"I gotta head for the armory, make sure it hasn't imploded," I said, seeing the time on the clock. "You staying here today or going to see Tori?"

"I'll go see Tori, staying here makes me stir crazy. I really don't see why I can't be involved in stuff right now, I'm pregnant, not brain dead."

"No, but you're too close to term, you don't need to be somewhere you can't reach the infirmary quickly." I reminded her, pressing a swift kiss on her soft lips. "Don't punch anyone today, alright? Pregnant women shouldn't fight."

"Peter deserved it."

"He always deserves it." I grinned at her, brushing at her dark hair where it fell from her loose bun. "I love you, Camille."

"I love you too."

~~~~~~

"What the fuck kind of organization is this shit?" I bellowed at the boy in front of me, seeing him cringe. "How the fuck do you expect to find ammo quickly if all of it's mixed up in this box?"

"Melanie ---."

"I don't give a shit what Melanie does, while I'm running this armory, it's going to be orgnaized!" I hissed, glowering down at him. "Fucking put the ammo in boxes, and make sure one kind goes together, not this bullshit! I want this done by the time I get back in here, do you understand me?"

"Yes, sir," the boy squeaked, his face white as he stared at me. Melanie might not give a shit, but I did. If I'm going to be forced to take her cozy job, I'm going to make sure it's done right. No more slacking off, the guns need to be dusted, it didn't need to get down into the barrels. They needed to be cleaned, covered, and away from any moisture so they didn't rust.

How the fuck had this place not burned to the ground under Melanie's control?

Could that woman do anything well that wasn't fucking?

I stepped out of the ammunition room, hearing the boy let his breath go just as I slammed the metal gate shut behind me. I glanced around, looking up at the two levels above. The room was large, and open. Two metal walkways were above me, every wall lined with different types of guns, most of them behind locked cages. Other Dauntless milled around, doing inventory, making sure every weapon was accounted for.

Easy job, one that didn't require much effort.

Well, it would now; everyone was going to suffer while I was here, just as I felt I was being punished for having to do this bullshit. Maybe they'd all complain to Max, make him realize this was a mistake.

I'd wanted to stay here for my girlfriend, for the child I was about to have. That didn't mean I didn't want to be included in the rest of the leadership decisions or meetings.

Melanie might have been right about more then I realized.

I hoped having that kid didn't fuck up my advancement.

I sighed as I looked around, growing bored.

There wasn't much to do here, it pretty much ran itself. I leaned back on my heels, wondering how Camille was doing.

Her pregnancy had been good so far, no hitches, and I hoped it stayed that way. She definitely wasn't one of those women who enjoyed it, that's for sure. We wouldn't have this issue again, though, I definitely didn't want another child, and it didn't sound like Camille did either.

At least we're on the same page there.

I glanced back at the ammunition room, hoping that stupid fucker was doing what I told him too. If I went in there and it was still a disaster, I'd ram his head through the wall.

He'd fear the ground I walked on.

"Eric!"

Oh, what now?

I scowled as I turned, glaring at the Dauntless standing on the other side of the metal cage, waving frantically at me. Fucking Zeke, of course. They had to send him.

"What?" I snapped, irritated. The day was already shit, what could it be now?

"Your girlfriend's in labor, dude. They need you in the infirmary." Zeke gasped, looking winded; did he run all the way here.

Wait.

"Labor?" I hesitated, tensing.

Shit!

Wait.

No!

It's too early for that!

I still had a few weeks left!

"I didn't stutter, Eric." Zeke quirked a brow at me through the metal separating us. "I could hear her down the hall killing one of the doctors, they requested someone get you immediately."

No, no, no!

I didn't immediately move, my legs wouldn't work. All I could do was stare at Zeke in panic, my mind suddenly blank.

Labor.

Camille's in labor.

With our child.

Our baby.

Now.

Oh fuck.

Oh, fuck, fuck, fuck ---.

"Eric! What the fuck? Get moving! Don't just stand there!" Zeke barked, and I cut my eyes at him; he didn't need to get a fucking tone with me. "I'm serious, that baby is coming and Camille is having a coronary!"

It just --- it wasn't supposed to be today!

I forced myself to walk, feeling like I'm walking right into a fight.

Oh fuck me.

~~~~~~

"Don't you fucking touch me, you goddamn idiot!"

Yep, that's Camille alright.

I sighed as I opened the infirmary doors, hearing my girlfriend's sharp voice echo through the room. I know she's in the back, in the room where they deliver all the babies, and usually they have the door shut where it doesn't carry. The infirmary is deserted right now, I figured because people would rather be sick or dying somewhere Camille couldn't get to them.

I let the doors close silently behind me, feeling like there was rocks in my boots. My stomach was twisting itself into knots again, and at any moment I felt like I was going to puke my guts out into the nearest basket. I kept going, making one foot move after the other, a little faster when I heard Camille groan in pain.

Shit!

I made it to the door, seeing Camille was already in one of the beds, her hands pressed against her face. A doctor was leaning over her, timing her contractions no doubt.

Oh fuck.

She's having contractions.

Was this really happening!?

Is that thing ---?

"Eric!"

My eyes flicked to Camille, and I realized I was just standing in the doorway, staring at her. She reached for me immediately, and I went to her, taking her hand and squeezing it tightly.

"Is it ---?" I hated how hushed my voice was, as if someone was dying instead of being born.

"He decided he liked today," Camille said weakly, her face glistening with sweat already. She's reclined back, her hand flexing around mine. "I'm two minutes apart right now."

"You're doing great," The doctor said, and Camille glared at him.

"Shut the fuck up, Ivan!" She hissed. "Don't tell me I'm doing great when a fucking watermelon is trying to come out something the size of a lemon, you fucking ---."

"Camille," I squeezed her hand, deciding to spare the doctor the bad mouthing I was used too. Her eyes flicked to me, dilated and a little glazed, so I hoped they gave her something for the pain. "How long have you been here?"

"An hour, maybe."

An hour!?

"Why didn't you ---?"

"Get you earlier? Because I wasn't sure if it was happening or not, no sense in wrecking your day," she sighed, letting her head fall back as she looked up at the tiled ceiling. "Fuck, this hurts. I'd rather get shot again."

Pleasant.

The doctor frowned slightly, glancing between the two of us. I didn't know him, his face wasn't even familiar to me.

"I'm going to step out a moment. If the contraptions start coming faster, just call --- the nurse and I are right outside the door."

"Alright." I nodded my head before Camille could rip him another asshole. He quickly stepped out of the room, no doubt relieved to get away from her. She didn't handle pain in the most gracious way, after all.

I sat down on the edge of the bed, brushing the hair clinging to her face out of the way. She had a permanent grimace on her face, looking more nauseous then anything else. I knew it had to hurt, she'd already been having some issues, I should have figured I wouldn't have any time left.

"Oh, fuck me," she suddenly grunted, her nails suddenly digging into my palm. "Fuck, this hurts! Why does this hurt!?"

"It's going to be okay," I murmured, covering her hand with my own and squeezing. I couldn't help her right now, all I could do is let her break my fingers. She whined again, pushing her head back against the pillows in discomfort, her breathing getting harder as the contractions no doubt worsened.

Shit.

This was really happening.

That baby was coming out.

My baby.

Our baby.

A baby.

Oh fuck.

"Last chance to guess the gender," Camille said after a moment, her voice still weak. I glanced at her, seeing her eyes on my face. "Boy or girl? If you guess it right, you can pick the name."

I snorted. "Yeah, right. You already have some picked out, don't you?"

"Of course I do. But you're a shit head and won't say which one you like the best."

"Because they're all shitty."

"Yeah, well, you better guess the gender right then," She growled at me, shuffling again, unable to hold still. "So boy or girl, asshole?"

"Boy," I said after a moment, her dark eyes flicking to my face.

"Is that what you want?"

"I don't really care what it is. So long as ---."

"It doesn't have three heads and spits acid?"

"Well, the acid part could be useful."

She rolled her eyes at me, but I could see the faint smile on her pale lips.

I reached forward, catching her face, tilting it so she had to look at me.

"You got this," I murmured, letting my thumb caress her reddened cheek, my eyes not leaving hers. "This is nothing for you. You've overcome so much, Camille, this isn't anything to worry about."

"But it hurts worse then all of those," She whispered, her eyes creasing at the corners. "It hurts, Eric."

The words were nails right into my chest, leaving a painful pang right in the center. I tightened my grip on her, swallowing hard. She'd never said those words to me before, not like that. I couldn't imagine the pain, as if you're being attacked from the inside out.

"I'll see if the doctor can't give you something else, to help," I said after a moment, leaning forward to kiss her, molding her lips against mine. She clung to me, not wanting to let go, but I was only stepping to the door, I wouldn't leave her.

"Doc," I called, my voice sharp. He was leaning into one of the open cabinets, and he turned immediately at my words. He had something tossed over his arms, gloves clutched in his hand.

"Yes?"

"Is there anything else you can give her for the pain?" I asked, clenching my hand around the doorway as I stared him down. "She needs something."

"I've already given her what I can for the moment, it hasn't kicked in yet. She's already progressing, so this should be a quick labor," The doctor said, already pulling on scrubs. I watched anxiously as he slipped his gloves on, one of the nurses coming out of the back dressed similarly. "Here, you'll need to wear this. We need the area to be sanitized."

I frowned as he handed me a pair of scrubs.

Right.

I should wear this.

I grimaced as I shrugged it on over my black clothing, feeling ridiculous.

Wait.

Oh fuck.

I was going to have to be in there, wasn't I? When she pushed the thing out?

Couldn't I just ---?"

"ERIC!"

Fuck me.

I turned sharply, seeing Camille desperately reaching for me, a look of panic on her face.

"I'm here," I said, bringing her hand to my lips, feeling her fingers dig into my hand. "It's okay, it's ---."

"Goddammit, stop saying that!" She hissed, sweat beading on her brow, her breathing coming in sharp, short bursts. "Fucking hell --- fuck!"

The doctor swept forward, his hands closing around her knees and prying them apart. I frowned, not quite sure how I felt about that, seeing as he was looking --- ow, shit, my hand! I winced, feeling Camille's nails dig into my skin, her other hand so tight around the metal railing of the bed it was white.

"Okay, looks like your baby is ready to meet the family!" The doctor said brightly, the nurse coming to stand beside him. "You're dilated at about a nine. I'm going to need you to steady your breathing, alright?"

If she hadn't been in so much pain, I could only imagine the smartass comment she would have said to that. I ran my hand across her forehead, pushing her damp hair back out of the way, the ugly gown they had on her already clinging to her skin. I could tell she was trying to control her breathing, trying to keep it even, but it wasn't possible. She squeezed her eyes shut, finally just whimpering.

For fucks sake!

"Okay, Camille, you need to push," the doctor said, slipped right between her knees. "Control your breathing, it's going to be alright."

The look on her face said otherwise. I glanced at the monitor in the room, my eyes following the lines attached to Camille. They're supposed to monitor her contractions, but I didn't know how any of this stuff worked. I knew he said he gave her medicine, but it definitely didn't seem to be kicking in!

"Breathing," the nurse said gently, standing at Camille's side, her eyes on the monitor. "It helps."

"Fuck you, it helps," Camille snarled, her eyes flaring. She was so tense, hunched almost, a look of concentration on her face. She wanted this baby out as much as I wanted it to stay in.

"You got this," I murmured, leaning down, keeping my face near hers. Her fevered eyes flicked to mine, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she listened to the doctor. "You're doing good, just, just push, and scream. Push and scream, baby." I smoothed my hand through her hair, my entire body so tense one sharp movement would break every bone I had.

Camille was pushing, she was screaming --- I was tempted to scream with her! This wasn't going as quickly as I'd thought it would! Sweat was pouring down her skin, the room was incredibly stuffy, so hot my skin was prickling. I just kept talking in her ear, keeping her from screaming at the doctor anymore then necessary, my fingers running through her hair. I kept waiting for her to punch me, shove me away, yell at me that this is my fault and she hates me.

But she never did.

She just held my hand, squeezed my fingers until I was sure they were bruised, and pushed.

"Okay, whoa, whoa! Stop pushing!" the doctor suddenly gasped, and Camille sent him an incredulous look.

"Stop!?" She gasped, her voice breaking. "Stop!?"

Why did she need to stop!? Shouldn't she be pushing until the kid came out? Why stop?

"The baby's coming, but on his or her own time," the nurse said hastily. "If you push too much, you'll tear, and we don't want that! You just need to breathe, blow out the candle, it helps to stop pushing."

"What fucking candle?" Camille wheezed, her head falling back once more, rolling to press against my arm.

"Just do like this," the nurse held a finger in front of her lips, acting like she's blowing out a candle on a birthday cake. "You can do it, it's easy."

What did she mean, tearing?

What ---?

"Good girl, Camille, you're doing great," I heard the doctor say, Camille glowering at the top of his head. He better be glad she couldn't reach him. "Alright, take a few moments, breathe --- okay, here comes another contraction --- push!"

I held my breath as Camille hunched, yelling again with the effort, her eyes squeezed shut as her faced flared red. She clutched at my hand, her skin slipping against mine, my head starting to grow light. I felt sick, like at any moment I was going to pass out instead of puke. This was happening, she was having the kid, she was having the kid ---.

"I can see the head! You're almost done!"

Oh no.

Oh no, no, no , no!

"One more push, Camille. One more!"

One more.

One fucking more.

"One more, baby," I cooed, wiping at the sweat on her forehead with the end of a blanket, trying to keep it out of her eyes. "Then you're done!"

Then we're parents.

Then I'm fucked.

Camille's lips trembled, and she pressed them into a thin line, swallowing hard before readying herself for that final push that would let us meet our kid.

"One, two, three! Push!"

Pushing, screaming, and then ---.

"It's a boy!" the doctor announced, a sense of nausea washing over me as I hear my child enter the world. Camille fell back immediately against the bed, gasping for breath, her fingers going limp in mine. There's a moment of silence, and then loud screaming fills the air, replacing Camille's.

It's here.

No, wait, he's here.

I have a son.

I looked at the wrinkled, red, screaming thing the nurse was wrapping in a gray blanket. It's dirty, it's pretty ugly, and it had one hell of a set of lungs. The nurse turned, Camille already reaching forward, her fingers eager to hold the child she carried for nine months.

She cradled it against her chest, staring down at it.

"Eric," she murmured, and my fingers brushed through her hair again, out of habit more than anything.

"I'm here, baby."

"Look." She mumbled, her eyes still dilated, and I wondered if the medicine only kicked in now. "It's... oh fuck, you win." She suddenly scowled. "You get to name him."

Him.

I heard the doctor snort, and I glanced over, seeing him and the nurse changing out their scrubs.

"Well? What do you want to call him?" Camille asked, and I looked down at the little thing, frowning. He's still all red, although a little cleaner now thanks to the nurse swiping a cloth lightly against his face. "He's certainly as loud as you are."

"That's all you, Camille. I could hear you before I even stepped into the infirmary."

"Shut the fuck up, Eric."

I grinned, pressing my lips into her temple, staring down at the boy in her arms.

Fuck, I'm a dad now. I have a son, a real fucking kid. He's right there, screaming for dear life, his hands bunched into little fists. I didn't want to touch him, he's so small, just like --- well, like a loaf of bread.

"Would you like me to weigh him?" The nurse asked for a moment, Camille finally looking up. She hesitated, looking down at the baby, before nodding. She didn't want to give him up just yet, but she did, letting the nurse step across the room with the newborn.

She laid him down on a curved scale, still wrapped in his blanket.

"He weighs seven and a half pounds at twenty inches even."

Big kid.

"How did I even push that out of me?" Camille moaned, pressing her hands against her face. "Fuck, he's a watermelon."

I chuckled, caressing my thumb against her hair.

"Camille, how are you feeling?" The doctor asked after a moment, stepping over to her side and trying to get her attention. "Pain?"

"I'm numb now."

"That's okay, that's probably the medicine kicking in."

"Fat lot it did," Camille mumbled, suddenly looking drowsy. "It fucking hurt."

"I know, but you did great. Your son is healthy," the doctor complimented, scribbling down on a chart. "He was born at nine fifteen a.m. What's his name?"

Camille looked at me pointedly.

"We... haven't decided yet," I said, ignoring her glare.

"That's fine, you have time." the doctor shrugged. "We'll put the last name on the glass until you come to a decision."

Great.

"Would you like to hold him?"

Huh?

I glanced down, realizing the nurse had approached me, holding the screaming bread loaf. I stared at her like she was crazy before looking down at it --- no, him. They'd given him a little blue hat, and his screaming had lessened a little at this point.

"Uh ---."

"Eric, hold him." Camille frowned at me. "You won't break him."

She didn't now that.

He's so... small.

"You just hold him like this," the nurse explained gently. "Support his head, here --- yes, just like this." She rather forcefully placed the kid into my arms, and I tensed, staring down at him.

He weighed nothing! My hand was bigger then his head!

The kid opened and closed his mouth a few times, his little tongue pink behind his lips. He stilled looked like a raisin, all wrinkled and scrunched, but much cleaner now.

Now who did I give him too? Who takes him now? Do I need to keep holding him, or...?

I glanced around, but the doctor was speaking to Camille, who apparently was now a little too out of it to answer properly. The nurse was cleaning up, and what the fuck was a placenta?

What the fuck was everyone talking about?

And what's this about tearing?

What tears?

What?

Maybe I should have read those stupid books Camille wanted me too.

I looked down uneasily, unsure what to do with the bundle in my arms. I didn't want to move too much, what if he started flailing and fell? I doubted he would bounce.

The baby waved his hands a little, and after a moment, his eyes opened.

He had blue eyes.

My eyes.

I hesitated, my thumb lightly brushing against his little cheek. He's soft, his little nose is smaller than my finger. He waved his little fists again, his eyes already starting to close.

I never doubted it was my kid, but... well, seeing his blue eyes, hearing him screaming...

"Well, congratulations." I looked up as I heard the doctor speak, giving both of us a smile. "You're parents with a very healthy baby boy."

"Great." Camille sounded completely disinterested. She looked over at me, giving me a soft smile. "He's so tiny, though."

"He's a good sized baby." the doctor said, and I leaned down, letting Camille hold him before I dropped him or something. She shifted slightly with a grimace, her hair spiking in every direction, eyes still dilated.

She brushed her fingers down his cheek, much like I had.

"He's so ugly," she sighed after a moment. "He looks like a raisin."

I thought the doctor nearly died, the look he gave her --- newborns were definitely not pristine when born, nor were they beautiful. I didn't think either of us were quite as ready as we'd thought --- I knew I wasn't.

"What are we gonna call him, Eric?" Camille looked at me, frowning. "Don't you dare give something stupid, you asshole."

I chuckled, leaning forward to kiss her cheek, stroking her hair again --- I couldn't stop touching her, as if I was petting her, telling her a job well done. She'd had our baby, after two hours of being in labor.  He was healthy, no longer screaming, and had the prettiest blue eyes I'd ever seen. I hoped he got her dark hair, more of her features then mine.

"Kai." I said after a moment, her eyes flicking to my face. "I like Kai."

"Kai." She tasted the name, frowning. "How about Kaiden, Kai for short?"

"Fine with me." I looked at the baby.

Kai.

My son's name was Kai.

Tags: @jcause.    @elaacreditava.       @riegan.   @deathbyamonster @pathybo@buried-in-books  @maquet-lambb.  @jojuarez26. @ljvosscmt    @beltz2016 @magellan-88

[cupkayke]

For the fanfiction questions thing: 1, 3, 6, 11, 17, 21, 25, 27, 36, 40, 41, 46, 50 and 51 (I hope these aren't too many)

 Not too many at all! I like talking about myself lol. <3

Under a cut because longggggg.

1) What was the first fandom you got involved in?

Oh gosh, definitely Tokyo Mew Mew. I never wrote fanfics for it but I co-owned and then owned an Avidgamers RP site for TMM called MewUSA back in like 2004-2006. Avidgamers was a forum site engine that was pretty damn nice for its time (also FREE, that was a plus) and I spent HOURS creating characters, storylines, and layouts for it. There were TONS of individual in-character boards and I think we may have had up to 100 unique users at one point. The detailed characters/plotlines were BASICALLY fanfiction- I think I did an entire rp with myself between a few of my characters once- and it was a whole lot of fun. Some of the OCs from that site were repurposed into a longrunning rp I have with @liarino on AIM and I am FOREVER grateful that I met them through that site <3

Fanfic-wise, it was Full Metal Alchemist. I had a horrendous LITERAL self-insert OC fic called ‘Nice of Me to Drop In’ that was based on an RP I did with a different friend. Plot? ‘Fangirl of FMA LITERALLY FALLS INTO HER TELEVISION AND WAKES UP IN THE UNIVERSE AND FALLS IN LOVE WITH ALPHONSE’. The end. I never finished it but holy shitballs it got SO MANY REVIEWS. I’m surprised how many people actually enjoyed it- I did get some criticisms but despite the fact that it was so cringe-worthy that I took it down it still got sooooo much positive feedback. I sometimes wonder if people would still be reading it on ff.net if I hadn’t taken it down the last time I overhauled that account. I still have some Ouran oneshots on there that I wrote TEN FUCKING YEARS AGO that still get reviews. Dayum. 

3) What is the best fandom you’ve ever been involved in?

I have to say it’s a tie between the Tokyo Mew Mew fandom circa 2003-2006 and the Ouran fandom from about 2006-2008. My experience with them was limited to RP boards but I had the MOST FUN running MewUSA and a long-running Gaia RP ‘Hosting the Hosts’ because of the warm response to the concepts. The TMM fandom especially was super creative even back in the day- there were so many fan mew mews because the formula was so easy and that was one series that I didn’t mind OCs because the concept was easily applied. In-universe, the creator could have easily made more Mew Mews. So the possibilities were endless. That’s also the fandom I learned the majority of my writing skills from, even if I did get called out a couple times for shitty RPing. I got better and I was so sad when the engine finally kicked the bucket. Aside from the RP sites the TMM fandom had sooooo many fansites dedicated to the show- my other favorite being Neko Tokyo. I think that site might still be up… 

Ouran was limited to that RP I ran but damn I never had one so fun. That group of writers was hysterical and I actually met one of them in person because by sheer coincidence she lived near me. She moved soon after we figured it out but she came back for a convention and we hung out all weekend. Unfortunately I don’t remember her name and I lost her phone number T_T I wonder where she is sometimes. I wonder where a lot of my fan friends from back then are. The problem with early 2000s internet.

Tho I think Boueibu will be my new modern fave fandom. <3 

6) List your OTP from each fandom you’ve been involved in.

 Ohhhh dear. I’ll keep it to ones that I actually ship characters in because a lot of my early fandoms were MYSELF AS AN OC X HOT MALE CHARACTER. OTL. I was a weeb. Most of these are fandoms I’ve rped in rather than written fanfiction for, however.

Tokyo Mew Mew- PuddingxTart. I like to read IchigoxKisshu fanfics sometimes but that ship is highly problematic looking back on it lol

Code Lyoko - THROWBACK. JeremiexAelita. Adorable.

Ouran HSHC - I’m fond of HunnyxHaruhi (as evidenced by my mostly abandoned ff.net account) but basically AnyonexHaruhi is super cute. I think I read a fic once where Haruhi was in a relationship with ALL of the guys and it was actually super interesting. I don’t think I can find it again, tho.

Harry Potter - Drarry. <.<

Walking Dead - CarolxDaryl FTW. and Richonne. I’ve toyed with the idea of writing fanfics for WD but never quite get up to it.

Mass Effect - Shakarian. Fuck yes. Fun fact I have an unfinished smutfic on the mass effect kinkmeme livejournal that I will EVENTUALLY FINISH ONE DAY AND PUBLISH UNDER MY NAME buuuut for now it will remain an anonymous abandoned fic.

Boueibu - …All of them? OTL I can’t pick one ship… tho if you force me… IoRyuu and BeppuMoto OT3.

YOI - I think everyone’s OTP is Victuuri.

11) Who is your current OTP?

Victuuri. <.< And BeppuMoto. Soon I will write BeppuMoto fics. …soooooooon.

17)  Who was your first OTP and are they still your favourite?

Since Boueibu is my current fandom- I immediately was drawn to Enatsu since s1 had a relatively large focus on them but I’ve kind of fallen out of actively shipping them. I like them as a couple and I think they’re def boyfriends material but they’re definitely a comfortable ship. Their personalities are just… drama-free, so their relationship to me just seems like a quiet background relationship. IoRyuu is a little more volatile and I really like ships where there is a lot of between-the-lines interpretation and potential for conflict. Also I just really like the Beppus <3

21) What was the first fanfic you ever wrote?

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. The aformentioned ‘Nice of Me to Drop In’ FMA OC Mary Sue Self insert fic. Definitely the first one I ever published on the interwebs. Although I think TECHNICALLY my very first one was a Pokemon story that I was writing for a little kid neighbor of mine back when I was like… 11. I think I had just gotten a computer in my room and I remember typing it up and drawing some cover art for it… it was basically an expanded version of the episode where Meowth and Pikachu were handcuffed together or something… except there were more Pokemon involved and ALL of the characters were friends. Like Brock and Tracey were both with Ash and Misty and all of the Team Rocket people were friends for some reason. Idk I was a weird child.

Ohhh maybe a tie for the FMA fic was a Code Lyoko one I wrote around the same time called ‘Desert Rose’. I can’t remember now which was published first because I deleted them all. Another Mary Sue OC fic but I actually am still kind of proud of how I expanded the Lyoko universe in my head. I came up with new areas to Lyoko and like a central region and how they all connected. Nevermind the fact that the girl with a CAT THAT COULD OPERATE THE COMPUTER was the main character and obviously I shipped her with Odd because YumiUlrich and JeremieAeilita were OTPs. It was weird.

25) What’s your most popular fanfic?

If the story was still up it might have been ‘Nice of Me to Drop In’ because that fic still haunts me. Buuut it’s either ‘Naptime’ or ‘Desire’, one of my two Hunny x Haruhi fics from my Ouran days that I left up on ff.net for posterity. I have no desire to go read the cringe and find out which one has more hits but I bet it’s the G-rated ‘Naptime’ cuz ‘Desire’ is a) the first M rated Hunny x Haruhi fic on ff.net EVER and b) really really bad porn written by like, 16-year-old me. Oops. It’s a smidgen OOC on the part of Haruhi if I remember right buuut I actually still stand by the idea that Hunny is not as childlike as he seems.

Oh dear maybe that’s why I like Yumoto so much. Similar character type. OTL

27) What do you hate more: Coming up with titles or writing summaries?

I feel like I’m horrendous at both but lately it’s titles that are giving me trouble. 2 of the 3 Boueibu fics I’ve written had different working titles that got changed the second the story went up to be published. I’m having a brain fart and can’t remember them but both ‘All the Pretty Little Horses’ and ‘Completely’ were titled something really stupid. And your giftfic was ‘?’ until I decided on the central theme lol.

36) What’s your favourite genre to write?

I don’t like reading romance novels but I love writing shippy stuff. Tension, build….smut <.< It’s mainly because I go to fanfiction for my sentimental side. On the actual literature front, I loooove love love Urban Fantasy. I’m also writing a New Adult Urban Fantasy novel that I will eventually finish (the goal right now is before I’m 30… I have 5 years lol). I finally got the beginning out of the way thanks to my Master’s Degree project. That was the entire reason I went to grad school, actually lol (aside from the whole wanting to be a teacher thing). I needed an excuse to WRITE MY DAMN BOOK.

40)  What do you struggle the most with in your writing?

Pacing in longer works, definitely. Also just… keeping up with it. I am a horrible procrastinator and if I don’t actually have a deadline with external consequences then I never get anything done. I can’t set my own deadlines because I can always move them. I can’t get my family or friends to set them for me because I know they’ll forgive me if I fail (how horrible lol). I have tons upon tons of unfinished fics from fandoms past sitting somewhere in the depths of my word documents folder and about as many original short stories. I have so many ideas but because I get easily distracted and also because I am now working full time and suffer from typical adult exhaustion I can only put a fraction of them on paper. 

My inner critic is also a fucking bitch. I can’t get her to shut her face long enough to write a sentence sometimes. Again, I have to have a deadline looming before I can put her on mute most times. If I have infinite time, she doesn’t shut up and makes me rewrite a sentence 100 times because it sounds stupid.

41) List and link to 5 fanfics you are currently reading:

Ahahahaha… I don’t have 5 simultaneously because I can’t just… not finish reading something before moving onto the next one. I don’t also read things that are unfinished unless they sound REALLY interesting because I’m stupid impatient. But I guess for my current fandom (Boueibu) I’ll link 5 fics I read recently that I liked! 

1) Pink Blood - @magiccatprincess (okay actually this is one I’m going to read soon because it looked interesting… so it fits the question lol)

2) tuesdays - @vagarius (because how can I not love something written for me? <3)

3) Liar - BlackJoker77 (A whoooole lot accomplished here in not a lot of words. Also, Yumoto character study/reading between the lines? Yush.)

4) ….. ok I ran out of ideas. I don’t bookmark anything OTL. I’ll come back to this question at another time with an ACTUAL answer.

46) If someone was to read one of your fanfics, which fic would you recommend to them and why?

I’m most proud of ‘Completely’ at the moment- I really like how I pulled off Ryuu’s voice and it’s most definitely a scene I wanted to see written… so I’m happy that I was able to provide that scene <3 If you like IoRyuu… I think you’d like ‘Completely’. I also really like my silly ‘Calibrations 101′ that I did for the Mass Effect AU week last year. I banged that baby out in like 2 hours and was SO PROUD.

50) How did you get into reading and/or writing fanfiction?

It was basically an extention of RPing for the writing portion of it- ‘Nice of Me to Drop In’ was basically a cleaned up RP and when it wasn’t rping it was fan gratification for the other early fics I did. As a kid I used to (and still sometimes do) make up stories in my head when I was about to go to sleep, and a lot of them were episodes of my favorite shows that I wanted to see. So I’d put some of them on paper. And then it moved into the ~romance~ category; I was a hopeless romantic as a teenager and like a lot of teenage girls I was kind of horny so fanfiction was a way to explore my sexuality in the comfort of my own head, basically. I still like me a good smutfic and bonus points if it’s romantic AND smutty. My bf can definitely tell when I’ve been reading something naughty….

51) Rant or Gush about one thing you love or hate in the world of fanfiction! Go!

Okay, Imma do both! And I have 2 things to rant about because I can’t shut up.

Rant: This is more of a thing that I hate about MYSELF reading fanfics, but I hate that I get turned off of fics so quickly because of writing style. When I can push past beginners writing mistakes or mediocre quality writing I can sometimes find gem fics with plots/characterizations I find adorable, but more often than not I click out of fics after just a few sentences because I can’t stand poor writing. And I feel so elitist about it! Fanfics are free, fan-generated content. A lot of fanfics are written by kids or beginner writers. I have to keep reminding myself that not every fanfic author has gone to school for writing. They may not know the conventions of literature. They may not realize that they’re head-hopping in the middle of paragraphs. They may not know the proper way to punctuate dialogue (and I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW until grad school!!!!). If I let mistakes get in the way of content I may miss out on an up and coming writer. And lord knows I was horrendous when I first started. Everyone starts somewhere. I hate that it takes me so long to get out of teacher/writing student mode and truck through some writing that may not technically be the best but their heart is in the right place. 

Rant2: I don’t like how isolated fanfiction can feel sometimes. It seems like people don’t comment on fics as much as they used to, and I see these posts going around on tumblr about how authors LOOOOOVE comments and want more of them but then comments just… don’t appear. It’s not so hard to post one thing you really liked about the story, and even one thing you didn’t like. Comments help authors grow.I also don’t like how it’s so hard to find a beta reader or three to bounce ideas off of and proofread your work. <.<

Gush: I love communities. I love the events fanfic authors put together. I love how when communities get tight-knit how everyone builds each other up and gives one another ideas. I just love fanfiction in general, really <3.

aaaaaand SHEW. That was a lot. BUT DEF NOT TOO MUCH <3