#it'd be only human of him to leave at some point and to give the script to another director

[mymusingss]

Look, I am not a math genius but I can't stop thinking about this.

McQ wins an award the same year as Nicole Kidman did, years before he met Tom, when Nicole and Tom were still married. What are the odds of that?

McQ was about to give up on Hollywood because no one was taking a chance on him. And you can tell he meant it when he said it. He was done.

But coincidentally, he was at a restaurant one day when he heard someone talk about Tom in a negative light. Again, what are the odds of him being in that restaurant that day, of him listening to the conversation and of these people even having that conversation at the same time at all?

But it doesn't stop there, no. For some reason, he decides to go through a lot of trouble to meet Tom, something he said he has never done before.

It is bonkers to me that McQ was ready to give up, was going to, literally just wanted to be able to pay off his debt so he could be done with Hollywood. Like if he hadn't listened to that conversation, he would probably have found someone to sell his scripts to and would have left without meeting Tom. That is wild to me that one single conversation led to them meeting.

It is even wilder that Chris could have done what he set out to do: He could have produced Valkyrie, collected his paycheck and left. You can tell he was absolutely done with it, but between Valkyrie and Ghost Protocol, something changed.

In Ghost Protocol, Tom needed his help and he went - seemingly without question - during a holiday most would spend with their families. He went and helped and did a lot of work without taking any credit. Which, are we to believe Tom didn't offer to give him? Because he is a producer, I am sure he would have told McQ they would credit him for his input and if I am right, McQ must have denied the offer.

And that could have been the end of it. But it wasn't.

He kept coming back.

Even with all the exhaustion, even with all the worrying and logistics, he chose to keep coming back to MI instead of giving the script to other directors. And if we think about the fact that this absolutely took a toll on him, on them both, but yet he kept coming even if he already had all the tools to just leave is so telling, in my opinion.

There was nothing stopping McQ from collecting his paycheck, leaving and just spending the rest of his life on some nice coastal city without any stress, and yet he never went for it.

Because listen, this is his best friend he had to direct for years. This is a man who he has clearly grown to love and admire and cherish, and this is a fucking movie star whose life literally relies on them being meticulous with their stunts.

Tom's live was on the line for most of these movies. Can you imagine how stressful it is to know that your best friend is dangling himself from a plan and that if something goes wrong, it will be on you?

Can you imagine accepting that you'd literally rather die with him than receive the news that he has died because that would be too unbearable for you to hear?

I do not wish to be in McQ's shoes during those moments. During the times where Tom was literally yeeting himself from a cliff and McQ was staring at the screen praying that the parachute would open. And then having to go through that again.

All I am saying is that we shouldn't take for granted the fact that McQ could have walked away over a decade ago, but despite how much he has said he was ready to do it, he has never followed through with it.

[comicaurora]

Do you think ethics are just an attempt at being a healthier form of selfish?

In one of your Detail Diatribes where Batman confronts Catwoman and tries to stop her from killing Falcone, you highlighted the fact that his reasoning was not to protect her father, but to try and save her. Ever since, some very strange ideas about the nature of selfishness and selflessness have been rattling around my head.

It only started coming into focus when I tried to put into words why it was a bad thing that D-16 killed Sentinel Prime. My best answer right now is because it made D-16 into Megatron. Orion wasn't trying to save Sentinel, he was trying to protect the cybertronian people. Maybe if Orion focused more on saving D-16, they wouldn't have lost their friendship and all of Cybertron would be better for it. Of course, in the end, Megatron was the deciding factor in making himself, caring more about his pride than his current identity, but this highlights a strange selfish quirk in sustainable selfless behavior.

If you are purely selfless you suffer from spending more of yourself than you have to give. If you're too selfish you can't maintain the human connections that are a requirement for being a complete and healthy person. It leaves the best options as being selfless to make your environment an easier one for you to live in. Where your actions for others are repaid by the selflessness from your community. Or, being selfish with your charity. Taking care of what you care about because their well being positively contributes to your own.

To be fair, the opening sentence now looks like an incomplete thought. It probably should be asking if you think ethics is just an attempt at being a more healthy form of selfish and selfless. Really, just asking if ethics is meant to make you better at being a person, which seems like a question that can answer itself. Still, it feels like an important insight to highlight that to be ethical isn’t about how much of your own life you're willing to sacrifice. It's hard to be a good person when you're not a person anymore.

This is a fascinatingly deep question, and I'm very tickled that our two touchpoints in it are a transforming robot tank and Batman.

My personal opinion is that ethics and morals are not reflections of some universal truth of Justice and Goodness, as they are often framed, but are instead best-practice guidelines on how to function in the big, messy world without causing undue suffering to yourself and others. A facet of this is determining, case by case, how much you need to prioritize yourself vs how much you can afford to help others - in the framing you've proposed, selfishness vs selflessness.

Taking the specific examples we're focusing on - two cases where someone attempts to prevent a revenge killing for the benefit, not of the victim, but of the avenger - I think they reflect this worldview, that the killing is not seen as some innately universally-judged evil act that must be prevented for its own sake, but that the act of killing will harm the killer in a way the person trying to stop them doesn't want to see.

For Catwoman, committing premeditated murder wouldn't solve any of her problems in any way that arresting Falcone and having him legally unraveled would. It'd just park a first degree murder charge on someone who'd up til this point only dealt with petty larceny, and it would potentially weigh her down with misery and regret as she grappled with the trauma of taking a life.

For Megatron, killing Sentinel Prime wasn't a bad action because he deserved to live. They just spent that whole fight scene tearing through enemies. They're warriors on track to spend the next four million years killing each other; the whole "taking a life" ship has already sailed. The problem is that Sentinel is a symbol and a structural part of the political narrative in the founding of the next stage of Cybertron's society. If the first thing the new regime does is bloodily avenge itself on the face of the old regime for the personal wrongs it did them, that proves that the only thing they care about is personal satisfaction of their individual desires - just like Sentinel. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. If they can instead take a step back, think of the good of Cybertron as a whole, enforce a rule of law and a fair system of justice that applies equally to everyone, even on someone they personally loathe, that would signify integrity and credibility and the hallmark of wise, just and fair leadership capable of setting aside personal feelings for the greater good. It's not about Sentinel; it's about whether the satisfaction of killing him is worth the price of enforcing forever that personal vendettas are more important than the well-being of the people of Cybertron. Which makes it really obvious which one Megatron is going to pick.

My hottest take, and I mean this very genuinely, is that most of the human perception of what constitutes goodness and justice is one thousand percent based on vibes, and is extremely susceptible to narrative reframing. We see an unsympathetic victim (Sentinel Prime, Falcone) who has gleefully caused suffering to innocent people (so judged because they are framed sympathetically, not because we've actually enumerated their lifelong actions to determine they've never done anything wrong) and we feel (feel) that it would be right and just for them to suffer consequences (emphasis on suffer) because that would balance the scales on this vibes equation and that would make us feel like justice had been served. Would this suffering lead to any material good? Not inherently. Would it heal the victims? Not usually. Would it remove the source of the problem? Categorically not, what with how negative reinforcement works (or rather does not work.) It also wouldn't do anything about the other people empowered by the same system to be just as shitty in just as many ways that just happen to be offscreen from our POV. But it feels fair. So what is justice, if it reduces down to "I want them to hurt for the hurt they've caused me"? If it can be sated with a spectacle or distracted by a long nap and a good joke to let the feeling fade? What purpose does this justice serve if it is devoted wholly to the satiation of a bone-deep chordate-brain hunger for Retributive Violence rather than towards actually ensuring that the lives of those harmed are healed and supported and built up again after being broken down? (This is the entire core character arc in The Batman, btw, I'm not just monologuing for no reason here. He calls himself Vengeance for a reason, and the reason is he's doing Batman wrong)

That feeling - that white-hot burning core of Righteous Fury - is the unexamined heart of many systems of morality that focus, not on doing good, but on exacting satisfying retribution on Bad People Who Deserve It, categorized as People Who I Can Hurt Without Feeling Bad Myself. It's a very tempting concept for people who have suffered at others' hands. That feeling, that powerful instinctual understanding of "that's unfair," is incredibly strong. In my opinion, most systems of ethics are built, not around relitigating what is Good and what is Bad per se, but in trying to shape and curb that bone-deep, unbelievably powerful desire to rend the flesh from the bones of your tormenters.

But I mentioned that feeling is susceptible to narrative reframing. This is, as I understand it, a huge part of lawyering. Tell the story of what happened using true events and adding no falsehoods, but highlight the parts that make it feel like your client is the one who is being treated unfairly. They're not an unsympathetic wrongdoer who you can punish without personal moral stain - they're a loving spouse, a parent of three adorable children, they have a really cute puppy, they donate to charity, they're a wonderful conversationalist, a kind friend, etc etc. All those things can also be true of people who do terrible things, but thinking about them defuses that White Hot Core by making us sympathize with the sympathetic parts of them.

This is incredibly well-understood in fiction. It's the whole reason the tropes Kick The Dog and Pet The Dog exist. When you want the audience to root for a character's destruction, leave aside any of their potential quiet moments of sympathy - their tragic backstory, their cute pet, their adorable relationship with their mom - and instead show them going out of their way to commit some minor act of petty cruelty, say Kicking The Dog. The audience will infer that this badness is 24/7 and they have no reason to curb their enthusiasm for Righteous Vengeance. But if the writer wants the audience to see a spark of good in them, to sympathize, to believe they can be redeemed, they'll highlight one of those small moments of charming kindness, and allow them to Pet The Dog instead.

Neither of these acts, in the grand scale, have any bearing on the morality of this person's actions. A pet dog doesn't counterbalance a razed village; a kicked dog doesn't negate a generous contribution to the local soup kitchen. Goodness and badness is not a linear scale added or subtracted to by opposing deeds. BUT showing them to an audience reframes them narratively, and THAT is what shapes the judgment of the White Hot Burning Core. In the space of fiction, this form of bottom-shelf emotional manipulation is one of the cleanest ways to get the audience to root for the messy destruction of what is ostensibly, in the universe of the fiction, a wholly complex and living person who definitely has reasons for everything they've done, even ones that could be framed sympathetically when shown.

Meanwhile, in the real world, ethics are an attempt to judge what is best in a given situation without trusting the White Hot Burning Core to make the call, no matter how compelling "but it would feel really good though" might seem. They try to give someone perspective, context, other priorities to consider. The White Hot Burning Core might want you to rip someone's arms off for driving slow when you've got important places to be, but Ethics can present a number of compelling reasons not to do that - even if it's just "ripping their arms off will definitely make me even more late." And yes, this can be a balance of Selfishness Vs Selflessness. You are one of the people whose wellbeing ethics is designed to make you prioritize improving even if it feels weird, and when all other things are equal, your own health and happiness can be the deciding factor. In a world with an overarching Moral Force that weighs the goodness of your soul by sifting through every grain of action and intent seeking negativity to punish you for, absolute selflessness to the point of self destruction would still probably be seen as Morally Wrong, simply because the universe is a better place with you in it trying your best.

Anyway, if doing the right thing was simple, easy and painless, we probably wouldn't have so many thousands of years of arguing about what it looks like. Good luck out there everybody 👍

[cheralith]

ON MY KNEES BEGGING PLEASE MORE KAISER X HOGWARTS AU PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🫡

characters ; slytherin!kaiser, professor!kaiser | wc ; 1.9k contains ; hogwarts au, aged-up characters, kind of major character death (?), gn!reader, no pronouns used, not edited as of 02/17

i'm gonna come back to the present with this one, where you and kaiser are years older, both respectable professors with a rivalry that just cannot die down for the life of itself. he's preparing a boggart for tomorrow's class period for his defense against the dark arts class, watching as some of the academy's attendants roll in an antiqe grandfather clock, where it shakes violently on the cart despite all the chains its confined in.

it had been awhile since he had faced a boggart, he thinks to himself as the attendants settle the clock down with a loud thud. he figures he has to tame it it for a bit to be suitable for the children—apparent enough so that the lesson can be taught properly, but not so much so that it'd harm them (though, he does supposes that one bratty gryffindor third year could do with some discipline).

he mutters an appreciation of thanks to the attendants that leave, giving them their respects to one of hogwarts acclaimed professors of the decade. kaiser eyes the chains on the clock and casts a spell that retracts them from the clock. the shaking eventually settles itself down, now with less restrictions to confine the creature it holds. kaiser sighs and cracks his necks free of tension, removing his reading glasses and wanting to get this over with so he can hurry up and attend his final duties for tonight.

he was fourteen when he confronted a boggart for the first time. it was in front of anyone that he revealed his worst fear was his very own father, and the boggart stood before him in the shape of his old man the last time he saw him before he was taken away and left kaiser to fend for himself as an orphan. there he stood in front of kaiser—in a greasy wifebeater stained with beer and striped underpants that just barely covered himself. a large scowl appeared on his face, the last emotion kaiser saw on him before a couple of aurors took him away from that wretched home.

now in his late twenties, kaiser can't imagine that much has changed. he's seen and dealt with things much more horrifying than a drunken father, but his courage withstood all, and the fear was short-lived. the image of his father, however, still managed to stain his head even after all these years.

as he circles his desk, he stares at the grandfather clock, cocking a brow when it begins to shudder again the closer he comes to it; as though it can sense his presence. he waits patiently, his wand at the ready in his hand as the pendulum door slowly opens with a familiar hand creeping out. kaiser's eyes narrow, recognizing the wedding band that wounds itself around a swollen finger.

eventually, the figure of his father steps out of the case, deep blue eyes that match kaiser's own staring directly up at him. kaiser was only barely four feet tall when his father was permanently severed from his life. he towers over him now, at six foot two, but despite it, he still feels a slight falter in his knees.

the father/boggart smirks evilly, the beer bottle fisted in his right hand going to point at him accusingly.

"sub-human trash," the father/boggart spits at him, saliva speckling onto kaiser's cheek. "useless. a creature that's lower than animals, than filth itself!"

kaiser huffs a spare lock of hair out of his face, feeling slightly unfazed when the father/boggart approaches him eerily slow. he yawns tiredly, preparing his wand to conduct a spell.

"you're a piece of sh—"

the boggart/father suddenly stopped in its tracks, stuttering. it attempted to sound the word "shit" out, but was stuck on the "sh" syllable, repeating it over and over again as its form wobbled and shook. kaiser stiffens suddenly, a crease in his forehead forming from the furrow of his brows when the boggart stays paralyzed in its spot.

this was odd. this had never happened before. he hadn't even casted the charm yet, so he was perplexed as to why it was already beginning to change when he hadn't done anything yet.

the boggart/father groans out suddenly, as if it was in pain, then suddenly its current form vanished into black smoke, before it quickly resembled a new form that made kaiser's blood run cold.

confounded, he was no longer staring at the image of his father, but rather...

you.

you stand still in front of him ever so patiently, a soft smile that you rarely ever gave to him upon your lips. your hair still as elegant as ever, falling and framing your face in a portrait-like fashion. you had your everyday cloak on, looking nothing less of lovely despite the plain-looking clothes. your eyes, warm and inviting, as they soften at him.

kaiser saw you everyday since you and him started working together, whether it be in passing or in the same meeting room. but in this form, you looked more radiant than usual, almost hypnotizingly so.

something switched in kaiser's brain. you were normally untouchable to him, some sort of forcefield around you that constantly kept him at bay away from you. you always seemed to constantly keep him at arm's distance, just close enough for him to look at you clearly but never touch you. yet, somehow, this form of you seems to have gotten rid of that shield around you and you're looking at him with a placidity that you only granted to those that were deserving of it.

so kaiser's breath hitched accordingly so when your voice had whispered out a gentle sound to him that made his head spin.

"michael," you greet so tenderly to him, the smile still settled on your lips.

michael...

right, his name. his... his first name. his given name. it felt odd hearing it sometimes, considering that the name never came out of his own father's lips because he thought of saying his own son's name felt like a sin as it was one of the last things his ex-lover had left him sparingly. he was used to being referred to as his last name, so whenever he heard "michael", even if it wasn't directed towards him, it made kaiser's heart clutch with a longing.

but hearing it from your own lips made a familiar weakening in his knees spread throughout the course of his body. it felt... melodious to him, when it came out of your voice. you beckon him so fondly with it, and kaiser can't help but take a step forward with a hand out towards you.

the moment his entire foot sets itself on the ground, however, granting him one step closer to you, a horrid spark of green light suddenly shoots out from behind you, striking you directly from the back and webbing you with green lightening. you let out an excruciatingly painful shriek that echoes hauntingly through the classroom before you go limp and crumple to the ground, lying face up.

kaiser's jaw unhinges from itself, a strangled sound coming out of his throat when he stares what was in front of him.

he automatically takes his step back, creating a space between you and him as your face falls toward him, your eyes visibly having no life and warmth left in them. his chest tightens and hands shake as his body continues to force him to stare at your lifeless body in front of him.

his mouth goes dry, body frozen in place. kaiser suddenly feels his fingers twitch and uses that singular act of rebellion in his body to cast the charm before the shock fully settled into place inside his body.

"RIDDIKULUS!" he hollers, his wand pointing at your lifeless body before the charm protrudes out of his wand and transforms the boggart into a figure of yoichi isagi getting tomatoes thrown at him from an invisible crowd. normally such a sight would make kaiser laugh hysterically, but the shock from before instills some remnants in his nerves, so he casts the boggart back into its rightful place and unsheathes the chains back to it, the grandfather clock thrashing against them once again.

kaiser staggers to a nearby desk to steady himself, his vision blurring from the adrenaline rush. the boggart, though confined back into the case of the clock, ghosts the figure of your lifeless body on the floor as kaiser attempts to examine his surroundings. a hand goes to his neck and gives it a firm squeeze, spurring reality back to himself.

deep breaths and gasps inhale and exhale out of his lungs, as though to pump out the leftover daze from himself. he falls into the desk chair, holding his pounding forehead in his hand.

he knew that people could have multiple fears that the boggart could possess the form of, but he thought his only one true fear was his father spatting insults left and right to him. he's had to rid of boggarts before and they've always had the same form of that good-for-nothing father, so kaiser's head rushes with questions of what changed.

but more importantly, why did it change into you? into an image where kaiser witnessed your death?

he earns more questions than answers as he tries to regulate himself. the throbbing in his forehead doesn't seem to be stopping soon, so kaiser drags a hand down his face as he stares miserably at the shaking grandfather clock.

he jolts suddenly, hearing the unclicking of the classroom door. his head snaps towards it and he stands up too quick for his own good, feeling his head rush from the lack of blood that makes him stumble a bit.

you poke your head into the defense against the dark arts classroom, your eyes wandering for a specific blonde before you find him standing dumbly in the middle of it.

kaiser's eyes widen at your sudden appearance, fighting the urge to look back at the grandfather clock to make sure it was actually you, the true you. the you that still has a pulse.

"hey, the meeting is about to start in a few," you mention as you open the door wider. "don't be late. the headmaster might give you another lecture again."

kaiser doesn't respond, but instead stares at you silently with an unreadable expression, as though he was petrified.

you snap your fingers, breaking him out of his trance. "you good?"

kaiser suddenly finds the stiffness in his spine suddenly disappear when the sound of your snapping fingers rings in his ears, making the fuzziness in them tune out. he blinks rapidly, rubbing his eyes.

the figure of you leaning on the doorframe clears itself in his field of vision. you raise a brow.

"huh? oh. yeah, the meeting," kaiser mutters through a dry throat.

you roll your eyes and kaiser can see that familiar glaze of life in them that manages to expel the shock for good from his mind. you were alive. you always have been. you're standing right in front of him, arms crossed with a disapproving look on your perfect face, a frown adorned on your perfect lips.

"they figured you'd forget, so they asked me to come fetch you," you sigh, examining your fingernails. you begin to shut the door behind you, ignorant to the spell you've casted on him.

"starts in ten. do not be late!" you call out just before you slam the door on him and leave kaiser all alone with his thoughts in the classroom.

[kxsagi]

hihi u need to hear me out on this ok

i think its pretty obvious im a BIIIIG fan of grumy x sunshine so imagine v. expressive reader who also happens to be a professional swooner (constantly compliments ppl and swoons over them, like they'll see someone do smth cool and immediately start swooning temporarily & it's so obvious because they don't hide their feelings) with post-wc kunigami who is mostly the victim to being the only one who can tolerate them enough to be around them most of the time

i think it'd be rlly cool to see how two people (reader & kunigami) with opposite personalities can fall in love with the other despite their differences.

“𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝”

a/n: oooh more kunigami fics i see (i'll gladly write for him bc i know a certain someone loves kunigami)

there are many mysteries in life. how the pyramids were built. why post wild card! kunigami came back from the wild card arc looking like a final boss. and most importantly, how someone like you, swoony! reader, ended up orbiting around him like a caffeinated planet circling a dead star. 

“oh my gosh,” you whisper-squeal, clutching the goal post like it’s the only thing keeping you from collapsing. “did you see that header?! ren, i swear, you make physics look like a suggestion. your neck muscles deserve their own fan club.” 

kunigami, who’s jogging off the field after practice, doesn’t look at you. or anyone. he just grabs a towel from the bench, wipes his face like it personally offended him, and grunts. it might’ve been a “thanks.” or a “please perish.” hard to tell. 

to everyone else, that grunt would be a conversation ender. to you? that grunt is a legally binding contract to keep talking. 

“seriously though,” you say, speed-walking next to him with zero shame. “how do you not walk around breaking door frames with those shoulders? you could do anything. break walls. carry me. emotionally ruin me.” 

he keeps walking. you keep talking. this is your dynamic. 

at some point, everyone else has learned to leave you two alone. they tried, truly, to keep up with you. but you are too much – too bubbly, too expressive, too prone to clutching your chest dramatically when someone opens a water bottle in a hot way. you are a human romcom montage, and kunigami is the only one with the emotional stability to endure you for more than ten minutes. 

“why do you follow him around?” reo had asked once, watching you beam at kunigami while he lifted dumbbells like they were paper towels. 

“because he’s my muse,” you replied, hand over your heart. “have you seen him? he’s a greek statue come to life. if i don’t swoon, who will?” 

reo blinked. “you’re insane.” 

“and in love!” you shot back, twirling dramatically before crashing into a weight rack. 

kunigami had dragged you away by the collar like a misbehaving puppy. no words. just that stern, long-suffering look like he was questioning every life choice that led to this moment. 

but the thing is, kunigami doesn’t hate you. 

which is saying a lot, because kunigami, these days, looks like he hates most things. joy. peace. emotions. breakfast cereals with mascots. he doesn’t even talk much anymore – just grunts, glares, and occasionally sighs like the weight of the world rests on his monster-sized traps. 

but for some reason, when it comes to you, he tolerates. no, endures. worse: lets you stay. 

it’s almost funny how opposite you are. 

he wakes up at 5 AM for protein and silence. you wake up at 9 AM singing about the birds outside your window like a disney princess with a caffeine addiction. he bench presses his trauma. you process yours by giving his biceps names. 

“i think i’ll call this one hercules,” you say one afternoon, poking his right arm while he’s tying his shoelaces. “and this one hector. very greek tragedy. very my type.” 

kunigami doesn’t even flinch. he just yanks the knot tight and mutters, “go bother someone else.” 

“no one else will let me,” you sigh dreamily. “they all tell me to shut up. you’re the only one who tells me to bother someone else, which is basically a soft ‘stay’ if you think about it.” 

he stares at you. expression unreadable. you stare back with heart eyes so aggressive it’s practically harassment. 

“you’re lucky you’re cute,” you whisper. 

he walks away. you follow him like a devoted cult member. 

and guess what? the breaking point doesn’t come with fanfare. no dramatic kiss. no enemies-to-lovers arc climax. no moment of him pushing you against a locker and growling “you talk too much” before your lips crash together like a bad wattpad fic. 

no. the moment it changes is stupid. absurdly mundane. 

you’re both at a vending machine after evening practice. kunigami’s trying to get a protein bar. you’re trying to decide between grape juice or being annoying. grape juice loses. 

“you know,” you say casually, leaning against the machine, “if this was an anime or romcom or whatever, this is where i’d pretend to trip into you and then fall in love forever.” 

kunigami doesn’t look at you. “don’t.” 

“i wasn’t going to!” you protest, flailing dramatically. “i respect boundaries. mostly. but if you did fall in love with me forever, hypothetically, i’d be really good at being your trophy wife. i have practice. i once married a body pillow in vegas.” 

he glances at you. finally. slow. deadpan. “you’re exhausting.” 

you clutch your chest. “say it again.” 

and that, somehow, makes him laugh. not a full laugh. not even a real laugh. just a snort, a half-smile twitching at the corner of his mouth, like his face is trying not to betray him. 

and in that moment, you realize something genuinely terrifying: you’re not just joking anymore. 

because under all the swooning and sparkling eyes and anime-tier speeches about his delts, you actually like him. not just the looks. not just the grumpy energy. but the weird kindness he shows in quiet ways. the way he watches over people without saying a word. how he puts up with your chaos without ever once calling you annoying. how he sees you, not just as comic relief, but as you. 

and worse? you think he might like you, too. 

“you never shut up,” he tells you one night, sitting beside you on the rooftop after practice. 

you’re sipping from a juice box and kicking your feet like a child. he’s watching the skyline like it personally offended him. 

“i do shut up,” you reply. “just not around you. you make me nervous. it’s easier to talk than feel.” 

he glances at you, quiet for a long beat. “you’re not nervous,” he says. “you’re fearless. annoying. bright.” 

“aww,” you sigh. “you’re flirting.” 

he doesn’t respond. just keeps watching the stars. but when you lean against him, all sunshine and sugar and a thousand different versions of too much, he doesn’t move away. 

you smile to yourself. it’s not perfect. it’s not poetic. but it’s real. 

and if kunigami’s okay being your gravitational anchor, then you’re more than happy to orbit forever. 

© 𝐤𝐱𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐢

[yorsgirl]

Perfect Choice

Ryomen Sukuna x Fem!Reader

Synopsis: Sukuna didn't know getting you as his girlfriend would mean he had to step up and watch you try on a hundred dresses.

OR

In which you take Sukuna for dress shopping.

Tropes: Fluff, Established relationship

Warnings: suggestive, No Curse AU, Human!Sukuna, Sukuna is Sukuna, healthy relationship, kinda OOC, usage of nicknames, no mentions of y/n.

Word count: 2.7k

Sukuna didn't sign up for this.

Watching you choose through a rack of dresses wasn't on his list of fun things. It was a chore, at most. He'd much rather be sitting before his PC with his headphones on and play COD than be standing in a fashion boutique.

"Aww c'mon, don't make that face now," You stifle the urge to chuckle at his obviously irritated expression.

He rolls his eyes, pushing his hand in his pocket. He should have never agreed to accompany you in your little find the right dress expedition.

And he would have said no, if only you didn't conjure your eyes into one of the cutest baby faces while jutting out your lower lip. On top of that, you had to go with the little – Please, at the end.

How could he not give in?

God, he was weak in front of that expression. Not that he'll ever admit it out loud. But he thinks, you already know that.

"Would you like to try that on, Ma'am?" An attendant approaches the both of you, gesturing to the dress you have in hand.

You pursue your lips and nod, "Yes but I would like to see some more."

"May I know the type of dress you require?"

"An evening gown," You knit your eyebrows but keep the smile. "Its a formal party so if you could..." You trail off and the attendant gets the message as she points the trial room for you and leaves to get some more dress which you can try.

"When will this end?" Sukuna sighs and mutters under his breath.

"When I find my dress, come." You turn on your heels and start walking.

"Why should I?" He asks exasparately.

"Don't you want to see me try them on?"

"I don't care."

"Well, too bad." You give him a sheepish smile. "You have to. Now, follow." You command, skipping over to the trial rooms to which he grumbles something under his breath but follows regardless.

There are four trial rooms, each one has a stool with multiple hooks on the left wall and two full length mirrors. Outside, a small yet broad lane passes before them with a common full length mirror situated on one wall. Opposite to which there is a white couch.

Good for both of you, its a weekday so there isn't much rush and the trial rooms are free. The attendant returns with a few other dresses, hangs them up in a room and leaves.

You look at Sukuna, "Just cause you agreed to come, I will let you have the first pick." You point to the flurry of dresses hanging on the hooks.

Pick a dress? Like he knows anything about them in the first place. His crimson eyes flicker with annoyance as they narrow, "Just wear whatever you want, woman."

"I will wear whatever you pick." You say confidently and his lip twitches but he doesn't let the smirk show yet.

"I don't know shit about your shitty dresses."

"Then you'll learn something, today." You tease which earns you a scowl from him. "Pick one."

He groans, momentarily glancing up at the ceiling then turning to the dresses. He doesn't even take two seconds before pointing the one at center.

"Orange?"

"Yes."

"Fine," With a smile on your face, you enter the trial room and start to get changed.

He sighs and sits down on the couch. It'd be a long day but at least he gets to sit.

Sukuna wants to laugh. Previously, he wouldn't have taken a second look at these stores and now he is waiting for you to get changed in any of them and put on a show for him.

Just what have you reduced him into? He swears, you are a witch behind that pretty facade.

Three minutes later, he hears the door being unlocked. You come out and you are... glaring at him.

"Your choice sucks." You declare as soon as you step out of the trial room.

Sukuna has to stifle the snort on the brink of his lips. He obviously didn't care while making the pick and its showing. You are wearing the orange dress he chose and it's a clear indication that it's a - No. With a large bow on the black waistband and the number of layers of skirt, it looks like you are inflated.

But your fury is amusing so he retorts back, "You're my choice."

"Yeah, the only place it did not suck."  You shoot back and march inside the trial room without waiting for his response. Finally, he can let out the snicker.

You come out a few minutes later wearing a green dress. You take a spin, "So?"

"Add feathers and wings, you can cosplay a parrot." He mocks.

"Still better than your pick."

"Really? You are picking this?" He raises an eyebrow, you stay silent and walk back into the trial room. The answer is clear. No.

You come out wearing another one, its got a white bodice, a pink belt and a dark (he doesn't know what exactly it is except it looks like the middle color between grey and blue) skirt. The conclusion is apparent: it's hideous.

"And you got the nerve to say my choice sucks?" He lips curl up into a smirk and you glare at him.

"We all have our moments." You shrug, taking a twirl in it. Looking at your reflection, you grunt, "God, I look ugly."

"The dress is ugly," He corrects, leaning back on the couch, just then the attendant returns. His eyes move to her, lips curving down in a disapproving grin. "What are you, blind?

"Sor–"

"Does your choice range from a grandma to clowns?" He remarks with a roll of his eyes.

"Sukuna!" You exclaim in panic. Forcing a smile on your lips, you glance at the attendant. "Ah- sorry, he didn't mean that..."

"Of course I di–"

"We'd see something in different style," You say before your boyfriend can run his mouth. You shoot him a glare and he shoots back another.

Keep your mouth shut.

No.

Yes.

Try me.

It's like you are communicating with eyes alone and a grin stretches on his lips and boy... that isn't good news. He is again about to say something but you speak first.

"Can you bring us something more modern and maybe... formal?"

"As you say, ma'am." The attendant answers politely, walking out of the room.

You shoot Sukuna a scowl, "Are you crazy?"

"I call it honesty." He says with conviction. "Don't tell me you really liked any one of these shits."

He may not be a dress expert but he knows a good outfit when he sees one and among the ones you tried on, they are level below of what is considered good.

He knows he's right, your frown shows as you shake your head.

You again vanish into the changing room, the attendant arrives with a few more dresses for you before leaving you two alone again.

"I'll be quick."

He hears you from inside and he wants to say - make it quicker, but he can't. The last thing he wants is you sulking all day cause you couldn't find your perfect dress. And even though, you wouldn't bother him but he will be bothered just by looking at that expression.

"Take your time, I am here."

You don't answer but he thinks you have heard him. For the next fifteen minutes, you try on a few dresses. They are better than the first three, still not up to the mark. Either mobility is a problem or the fabric being tight around certain areas or the color being unflattering.

Sukuna has his phone out and he is scrolling through his messages when he hears you curse from the trial room (his ears are sharp).

"What happened?" He asks, standing up from the couch.

"This is... bad."

"How much?"

"Borderline stripper."

That catches his interest, his eyebrow twitches. Would something really that revealing be in a fashion boutique? Considering, its one of the posh stores in city, the chances are slim.

"Can't be."

"It is," You quickly reply.

"Prove me wrong then," He adds, crossing his hands over his chest. "Come out."

You don't speak for a minute and he opens his mouth but you croak out a, "come here." Sukuna obliges quickly, standing before your door when the lock turns and he sees you.

It's like all his blood ran down to his manhood.

You are wearing a black full sleeved dress. The color is flattering. And it would have been fine if it was just that but it isn't.

The V neckline runs too deep to the end of your chest, revealing your skin and your side breasts. A shimmering belt adorns your waist, a slit emerges from your right thigh giving him the full view of your exposed leg.

Sukuna could feel his throat going dry and stomach tightening. His finger twitches and he wants to feel your skin on his. He swallows a lump, trying to keep himself from staring at your tits which would have spilled out if not for the tight fabric (as if that does any good either as it only sticks to you as a second skin). He tears his eyes off the cleavage window, returning to your face.

"And?"

And what? This is a no. He wants to say that.

The dress itself isn't bad and you look good in it. But its too revealing and he's too much of a selfish man to let the lust filled eyes of those shitheads from campus wander on your body.

No, that's not permeable. No way in hell is he going to let others see you in that way.

He clears his throat and answers, "If you want everyone looking at your chest then go on."

"Told you, its bad." You place your hand on your waist and lean a bit forward. He has to resist his eyes from wandering below to your breasts and cleavage which is accentuated by your new pose.

A fire alights in his body and his thoughts are flickering to a direction he doesn't want them to. Still, the temptation of running his fingertips on your– NO.

He shakes his head. "Remove this dress."

You need to remove this dress. He needs you out of this dress.

He pauses before quickly adding, "change into another."

Yeah, that's what he meant, obviously. You need to change into another dress.

You nod and pivot around, he is trying not to stare at your the curve of your ass. You push your hair to one side, glancing at him from the periphery. "Can you uh... can you unzip it? The sleeves are tight."

The dress was already enough of a problem, now your insane request.

He complies wordlessly. Each second feels like eternity to him, your zipper comes down in a agonizing slow pace. And he has to refrain himself from pressing his lips on your nape.

He steps away from the room as the door closes. He clenches his fist and curses under his breath, "Fuck..."

"I'll take a trip to the washroom." He shouts to let you know and is stomping out before you can answer.

He doesn't realize that his face is red and he is sweating until he reaches the stalls.

.

Now you are staring at yourself on the common mirror of the lane.

A pink gown reaching till your ankles, its got poofy sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. Sequins adorns the bodice, small glitter stars on the white net over the skirt.

Sukuna watches from behind you, his arms folded over his chest. A ghost of a smile on his lips, "Like it, princess?"

You raise an eyebrow, glancing at him from the mirror. The corner of your lip curls involuntarily, "Princess?"

"Do look like one while wearing that." He answers.

You know it's not his attempt at flirting, he's being honest but the your cheeks tinge just a bit of red.

You playfully roll your eyes, pushing the strands of hair from your eyes, "I am more eligible for a queen."

He already believes you are his queen. But he'd never say it out loud to you but anyone who knows him, they know that you are his queen. You are his.

"Like it or not?" He questions again, watching as your fingertips glide over the garment.

Pressing on the larger sequins and the broach placed over your heart. He notes the uncertainty clear in your expression, the hesitance clear. You are bothered, somehow.

"I mean... it's good and the color's nice and there- there's no problem but its uh..." You pause, trying to find the right words. "What should I say? It's Uhm..."

"Too much?" He offers.

"Too much."

His crimson irises meet yours in the mirror. The tender stare isn't missed, stark contrast to his attitude half an hour ago. No words are spoken in between but its almost like a conversation is held in gaze alone.

After a second, both of your lips stretches into a smile (his looks like a smirk more).

"Am I indecisive?"

"You have tried almost ten dresses, woman." He states with a roll of eyes. "Of course, you are."

You frown and Sukuna wants to hit himself for making that comment.

"I can take thi–"

"Now don't settle for something which you obviously don't like," He interrupts you. "The last thing I want is my girl wearing something she hates."

You have to pinch your lips together to not let the smile show but it's damn difficult when he has that smirk on his face and blood rushes to your cheek.

There's just something that happens when he calls you his.

You march up to the changing room, "Want to make another awful choice for me?"

His answer would have been no but he can't say that cause he wants to pick a dress for you.

No, he wouldn't admit that it's fun. He is just... amused. Yes, amused.

He looks at the dresses again. And by look, he is actually looking. Analyzing the styles, colors and fabric before he points the one at right.

"Red?"

"Red."

"Red it is," You affirm and step into the room again.

He leans against the wall of the common area, scrolling through his phone to kill time. But the wait is killing him and the device doesn't distract his impatience to see you in his pick.

After a minute, he hears your voice, "This is it."

Curiosity plagues him again, he straightens himself up and you step outside.

You are glowing.

Sukuna's breath hitches in his throat, eyes widening just slightly. He takes every inch of your form, engraving it in his mind.

The dress isn't one with complex designs or embellishments. A simple off-shoulder red dress reaching till your ankles accentuating the waist and the skirt then flows all the way out.

Less is more; whoever said that, they were damn right.

However, it isn't the dress that has him transfixed. It's the fact that you are smiling. You are twirling. You are posing. You are beaming.

"It's perfect," You tell him, taking a spin as the skirt twirls in the air and you giggle like a kid.

It is. The dress is perfect. You are perfect.

"Like it, princess?" He asks even though he knows the answer, he wants to hear it from you.

You look at him with disbelief still with the smile. "Like it? Oh no, I don't like it. I love it."

You skip over to him, still beaming. Standing on your tip toes, you press your lips on his cheek. "Thank you." You express while grinning.

You don't get a second to react when Sukuna grabs your chin, tilting your face aside and smashes his lips on yours. Heat rushes to your face when you feel him smirk against your lips.

The curve of his mouth still remains even when he lets you go. "Thank me properly, princess."

"Will this nickname go on?"

He pushes a strand of your hair back your ear, "Now and forever." He pulls you in for a kiss again and you happily oblige.

.

When he is driving you back home, the dress packed in a bag and rests in the backseat. You are still smiling while looking out the window.

He keeps on taking secret glimpses of you once in a while. A thought stick his mind.

Sure, he never signed up for this but he is 100% sure that he made the perfect choice.

Either in dress or you.

He has made the perfect choice.

His hand involuntarily reaches for yours which rests on your thigh. Interlocking your fingers, he brings it up and brushes his lips on the back of your hand.

You take a peek at him which he returns it with a grin, his canines glinting in the dim light.

"Next time you go shopping, you are calling me."

A/N: There's a lack of Sukuna fluff in tumblr and I was in desperate need for some soft moments. Hence, I wrote this. Hope you liked it! Likes and comments are appreciated :)

[dissasembled-ink]

Honest thoughts and theories of Deltarune characters so far.

I won't make any fancy intros, I'll get right to it:

Roaring Knight -

I think Roaring Knight is pretty much in a way confirmed to be Dess Holiday, Knight is left handed, Dess is left handed, those are fairly specific odds especially since Dess is not yet present in the game, Carol gets very angry when someone aside Kris touches Dess's stuff.

If Knight is Dess then: may be a mutated, corrupted dark form that can be powerful enough to kidnap Undyne and then speak on the phone about a sacrifice. Of course, being fully conscious and aware of the actions they do.

Kris -

I think Kris is not only in on it, but somehow, being a puppet of The Roaring Knight. Why do I think that? Well, Kris and the soul are very much the same person no matter what we do, Kris seem to not mind unless it's the secret of the shelter. Kris actually formed a bond with Susie, Ralsei, Noelle willingly, we as a player didn't forced them into it, proof is, if you wait in the wardrobe with Susie and Noelle talking, yellow text does trigger Kris's reaction and not usually in a bad way, occasionally blushing to some reactions, not immediately out of embarrassment, but maybe out of flattery as when you speak of Kris being good at flirting, which undoubtedly is our, the Player's cause, Kris seem to not be angry of it, but talking about their skills also triggers the same reaction AND if we wait long enough, Kris enters a state I would describe as trying to catch a breath as without the soul they are very much dying. In the library we find out that the Soul and Human are connected, but Kris and the Soul had to somehow disconnect from one another forming us, the Soul and separate cold and distanced Kris. (A darker theory is that Kris died and we are the soul of someone else giving Kris life for the price of taking control of their body occasionally, but that I find to not make much sense.) However Kris does act on their own, seeing in Chapter 4 where they simply took a breath, without the need of pulling out the Soul they played the piano the way they can do as, let's be real, next to Kris we suck at piano, but both are actually completing one another in things, we socialize Kris more and give them friends and they well...do anything Kris can do best, be spooky, distanced and play very well on Piano (Okay I know Kris is good at a lot of things, I just thought it'd be funny if I said this XD)

Ralsei -

Ralsei is definitely hiding something, theory has it that Ralsei is the horned headband we still probably carry around or is an embodiment of memory on Asriel who will arrive at the city fairly soon, maybe sooner than we thought!

Prophecy seems to indicate someone's sacrifice, what I think this implies is however that all Dark Worlds need to be sealed and only then the Light World is completely safe from The Roaring.

Noelle/Susie -

Somewhere was apparently an indication of the second protagonist next to Kris to be Noelle, however the evidence is fairly weak, but I shall include it here nonetheless, in a year we will return to this and laugh maybe!

Asgore -

I know Asgore seems fairly innocent, but as I replayed Deltarune I kept noticing that- there's something off about Asgore. Why would Toriel leave him over a FLOWER business?! That makes little to no sense. So I think and most likely some of you too that Asgore has a deeper secret and because he couldn't share it with Toriel, Toriel felt betrayed, like he didn't trust his own wife enough, however I think he again, does bad, but means no harm, has actually pure intentions and is just misunderstood. Poor Asgore in this case is getting again cucked by a funny skeleton. (XD)

Gaster -

Although not appearing as of yet, let's go over the evidence. Dark Darker Yet Darker used to play around The Shelter, "Garbage noise" is the Entry Number 17 and nowadays people point out that a little alignment here and there and The Titan looks eerily like Gaster's face.

My theory of Gaster however: Gaster might be but a Darkner in one of the Chapters, maybe a secret boss with a lot of questions of his own, who knows? People anticipate Gaster so much, I think the game would probably get scorched by the toxic side of the community that wants to see the funny goofy man who speaks in hands.

Importance of previous main bosses of Undertale -

There might be little to no importance of characters like Sans, Papyrus, etc. as the story doesn't include them aside puns and Toby giving in on the Toriel x Sans shtick, however again, I believe this will not become a thing as Toby has a history of this type of humor and it is funny so far, ngl. Again we need to realize that Sans, Papyrus, Alphys, Undyne...their story is already written elsewhere, their personalities, etc. and it makes you feel more for the characters, despite them being less than a background noise which I find genius from Toby's side, however there's still 3 more chapters so...the reality can still be completely flipped, expect the unexpected in this case.

Importance of secret bosses of Deltarune -

Well we seem to have an interaction between Tenna and Spamton, seems that their importance is only going to increase as talks about them...aside probably the Knight as he is not really a secret, but one of if not the MAIN antagonist of the game.

Jevil - Mentioned by Spade King, Seam and many more in the respective chapter Jevil's included and it's getting more frequent as time goes by.

Spamton - Honestly? He was already a big talking point in the Cyber World, he was like Gaster, but debunked, only others didn't saw him often if at all, aside us and then Susie and Ralsei.

Gerson Boom - Thanks to this boss fight we also learned something, plus it gave us a clue. Dark World can, even if temporarily, resurrect the dead. Gerson is but dust in Alvin's office and yet because it's in the church we are able to communicate with him and he seems to be...himself. Which may be a very own plot device for the antagonists to work with, we'll have to find out.

The ritual -

Something is off about this one. Kris studying occultism, Knight spoke of sacrifice and ritual, Undyne kidnapped for it, Asgore's 7 magical looking flowers, Kris's divided soul between now us and Kris themselves instead of JUST Kris. I think they want something else than to bring The Roaring. Why would Carol, Asgore, Undyne, Dess and Kris want to destroy the world? Even if we divide them character by character, Carol has Noelle, Rudy and maybe still Dess somewhere she most likely cares about. Asgore? WELL LOOK AT THE GUY! He's a lovable dude who would probably put his life at risk for his family. Undyne? Why would Undyne want to destroy the world? She's a natural born hero! Dess and Kris? Even in a gothic phase you would chicken out of something like destroying the world over something stupid. Plus they're not little anymore to not have rational thoughts...unless we take in consideration Kris is broken and Dess probably corrupted, but HEY! You don't have that from me!

Are we the villain all along ?

Honestly, possible, I given it a thought, no matter what side we're on, what route we take, we're still most likely controlling someone against their will on many occasions. Weird route? Yeah that one- is weird, but all the more strange to think that the reason Kris was spooking Noelle in the past might be because of the Soul? Hmmm, maybe, maybe not.

What I think with Kris is that there's like- 75% chance Kris is a good person, has noble intentions as even if Noelle's and Kris's friendship was forced, Kris seems to always care about 2 people in his life so far, at least most discussed. Asriel and Dess. The world and Deltarune practically revolves around them and we're like that nervous cousin, getting ready to meet and greet them.

It's possible what's going on is still way too large for us to assume and we'll have to really wait until 2026 for the next Chapter 5 to give us answers so we would get to the bottom of this in Chapter 6 and 7. I don't want Chapter 5 to be some kind of filler, ending on a cliff-hanger, just because it's only a year away, I really hope Chapter 5 will explain a lot if not the most so we could focus on HOW to get a desirable ending than "What comes next after a year or two?" At least some answers would fit as Chapter 3 and 4 explained little and opened MANY more questions than it answered.

What we know so far (?) -

Dark Fountains can be opened if you have a strong will to do so, not anyone can do it, you really need to try is the way Chapter 4 interpreted it.

Spamton's secrets of Mike are more or less fully explained and serve little to no importance. HOWEVER. It brought a theory (not Mike, but Spamton and Tenna). Spamton is unrecognizable to Tenna, it's not just Tenna ignoring him as he wished to see Spamton, but when Spamton shown, he got "frozen" by Tenna who didn't knew him. The phone call that changed Spamton's life for worse is still on the table as it was not with Tenna, Mike or anyone we yet know. Maybe Gaster? Maybe Kris without Soul? Maybe Roaring Knight? Maybe secret boss of one of the upcoming chapters? Time will have to tell.

Seam for a reason he doesn't wish to share betrayed Jevil and sealed him over The Roaring Knight dispute as Seam seems to be a magician, said by the Spade King. Will Seam betray us? Or is he just going to make us that strong weapon?

Shadow Crystals are a part of The Roaring Knight maybe as yes, we got the shard from the chipped sword, however, we also got a shadow crystal. WHAT does it imply? Maybe I'm overthinking this one though.

Dark Fountains are able to bring back memories of OR the dead themselves back to life. I am not implying Ralsei is dead Asriel, but might be a said memory of Asriel the way Kris remembers. Until Asriel comes back from College we know barely anything of that being true or false.

Kris and The Roaring Knight know each other, they secretly communicate, upon no-hit running The Roaring Knight, Kris gestures that they should speed the fight up, seems like in that sense Kris is showing awareness that the Knight is taking it lightly on us as he recognizes Kris. Either a co-operation or something more. Maybe who knows? Grand twist of the said knight being Asriel or Asgore. Reality can be anywhere again as Toby has the cards and we're just waiting for his play here XD

Gaster is not yet HERE FFS, we're in the middle of Deltarune and we still don't have the funni goop man nor Papyrus, but we have one more Dog sequence where we own him at climbing and he fucking dies XDDD

If I left something out and you would remind me of it, I will include it after EDIT title below all this text lol.

[cloversnstrawberries]

platonic!yandere!charlie & gn!teen!reader general headcanons ! !

masterlist !

warnings; possessiveness, infantilization (charlie very much views you as a straight up child and treats you as such, though she doesn't mean any harm by it), overprotectiveness, forced hugging/cuddling, manipulation, guilt tripping, invasion of privacy/overstepping of boundaries, Charlie is very much not human, and doesn't fully grasp human customs/the normalcies of them, and if i missed any, please let me know!!

additional notes; hello!! i am alive!! I'm still working on the winter event, but I have pretty bad seasonal depression, so it's been hard to do anything at all recently :( but i'm still here and writing, and interested in hazbin!! i did this to try and get back into the groove of it all, + there's a massive lack of platonic yan charlie content :( so i must fix that (or atleast write some more for her)!!

w/c; 1.9k

No matter what you did to get into hell, how you look or act or conduct yourself-- what time period you came from, whether that been modern day or you remembered when Coca Cola had large amounts of cocaine in it, Charlie can and absolutely will baby you, to the point where it's concerning.

She's a very giving and kind person, you know that-- but you never knew her to cut up apples, put them on a little paper plate with some peanut butter and/or caramel, and hand them to anyone but you.

Sure, it's a nice gesture. But that's not the only thing she does like that. She'll always remind you to take care of yourself-- but she does it how you would to a child.

She sets out your pajamas every single night, folded neatly and primly at the foot of your bed. When you're about to run out of toothpaste, suddenly there's a new tube with one of those little plastic squeezers already on it. Your room is never dirty, because any clothes you haphazardly throw onto the floor-- somehow end up in your laundry basket.

You can never actually do your laundry, because before you can even throw a second glance at it-- you find the basket empty, and you check your dresser drawers to find your clothes all folded and sorted into the right ones.

It's humiliating. You can do these things on your own-- you don't want to sound ungrateful though, because Charlie isn't human. maybe she thinks this is normal? Maybe she does this for every resident.

Until you catch Angel making his way down to the laundry room, full basket in hand. You joked with him, asking if he upset Charlie so much that she wouldn't do it for him.

He looked at you like you'd grown a second head, tilted his head and made a noise of absolute bewilderment. You explained yourself-- only to have him laughing in your face, and saying

"Oh no, that's just you, toots. She don't do that for anyone else." Before he just-- turned and left! Leaving your standing in the middle of the hallway, face hot and most certainly red as a goddamn tomato.

You'd never... asked her to, though. It'd be a different story if you had, but you didn't-- never made any mention to her that you were incapable of doing your own laundry, or getting your own toothpaste from the cabinet when you were about to run out.

And yet, you didn't say a thing to her. She never talked about it really, all the things she did-- the only reason you know it was her doing, was because she'd often leave a little sticky note explaining what she'd done.

You'd find them on your bathroom mirror, reading "You looked a little low on shampoo, so i got some more for you! remember not to wash your hair every time, it dries your hair out :-] -C.M." , or on top of your dresser, telling you "Your drawers looked a little messy, so I straightened them up before I put your clothes away! Makes ure to keep them tidy, so you can find what you're looking for easier :-] -C.M."

But in the end, you never did anything to stop her from it. It was embarrassing, being treated like a child-- her acting like she was your mother, but you reasoned with yourself. She didn't seem to be doing it out of obligation, considering she only did it with you.

Maybe she was trying to help you adjust, given that fact that you were one of-- if not the-- youngest resident in the hotel.

It hit a breaking point when she began to replace some of your things.

At first, it wasn't that worrying. Wasn't that noticeable, either. The first aid kid you kept in the cabinet beneath your bathroom sink was replaced with a simpler one-- still useful, but it was clearly one meant for children. The kind you pack into your kids duffel bag before sending them off to summer camp.

It was those sort of things, the useful things you have been downgraded to things meant for children. Your regular scissors replaced with smaller safety-scissors-- it was aggravating, that one; but she meant well.

Then, the decorations in your room, your clothes, personal things that she didn't seem to approve of. A shirt depicting anything 'inappropriate' (which, in her mind, seemed to be anything that couldn't be found on a Disney Channel program)? Replaced. A poster for a more alternative band that had blood depicted on it? Gone from your wall, no trace of it left behind.

This went on for two weeks before you hit the point where you felt that there was no other option but to confront Charlie about it.

It did not go over very well.

You were lucky that you'd pulled Charlie aside for it, and that Vaggie was nowhere to be seen. You're sure that you would've gotten a spear right to your gut if she witnessed how Charlie was crying-- sobbing, gut wrenching little hic!'s and shudders as she stumbled out her response.

All you'd done was just-- you said it calmly! You didn't attack her, didn't go for her throat. Just asked her to come talk in her office, and told her straight up that "I know you're probably just trying to help, but I think you're going too far with it all. I'm capable of doing my own laundry, and I can be trusted with a full med kit--"

You couldn't even get it all out before the waterworks began, ending with you two squished together in her fancy office chair-- not quite on her lap, but your legs thrown over hers due to lack of space. Her arms wrapped tightly around you, as she rambled off apology after apology.

By the end of it, nothing had come of it at all. Her apologies made you feel awful, and it made you-- against your better judgement, let her off the hook. Simply saying "I'm-- I'm sorry for upsetting you-- I just..." You sighed, wishing for this to just be over already. Your shirt was soaked with her tears, and you could feel your ribs creaking under her vice-like embrace.

"...It's not a problem. I just blew it out of proportion."

You could've sworn you felt her lips curve up against where she'd pressed her face into the crook of your neck.

You decided to cast the thought aside, and not think anything of it-- not think anything of the fact that, immediately after you said that, she sprung up; just as energetic as usual, and asked "So you're not mad at me?"

With a shake of your head, you thought it'd be done. That she'd let you go back-- she'd go back to what she was doing.

And when she stood, you did as well. Legs asleep from the position you'd been in for about 20 minutes, wincing as you felt pin and needles all throughout them and you put your weight down.

Then, a hand wrapped around your wrist, and she pulled you to a nearby loveseat she had pushed to the wall. A cold spark of dread-- maybe it was ridiculous, but you couldn't deny that that's what the emotion so obviously was-- as you realized what was to come.

She sat down, and then pulled you down with her. She laid on her back, legs propped up on the one armrest, while the other supported her neck. She wrangled you up and had you laying on top of her.

Like your were a goddamn baby-- the pose mirrored to an exact T, the pose you'd been in for a picture that sat up on the mantle of your house up-top.

You, tuckered out by a day of doing god-knows-what, laying on your stomach atop your dads chest, the two of you snuggled together. Your mom had taken the picture, and it'd been framed and displayed proudly for years to come.

You weren't even a year old when the picture was taken.

But-- maybe you were a bit of a pushover, or maybe you were afraid of Charlie; because no matter how kind she is, you always had a nagging feeling in the back your head that she was, quite literally, the princess of Hell.

She could snap you in half without a second thought-- if she didn't have the conscious she did. Hell, she could probably do it on accident if you riled her up enough-- that's how powerful she is.

Eventually, against your will, you nodded off. It was... comforting, to an extent. it was uncomfortable-- emotionally wise; but to feel the rise and fall of her chest below you, to hear her heart steadily beating against your collarbone; the warmth of her spreading to you through the prolonged physical contact...

Within 15 minutes tops, you were out like a light. Charlie cracked an eye open-- she'd pretended to be asleep shortly after she pulled your down. Her face broke out into a giddy grin, as she gingerly raised her hand from where it'd settled on your back, and went to your head.

As she brushed her fingers through your hair, a soothing gesture that earned her a long sigh from your unconscious self-- she whispered little promises to you. You couldn't hear them-- but her dad used to do this for her all the time, when she was still so little.

Sure, you're a little bigger than she was at the time her dad did thais with her (alright, a lot bigger-- but sure her, you were just so cute! and so young, too! You'd barely be considered an infant by Hellborn/Nephel standards!), but she's sure it had the same effect, yeah?

"It's okay... I'll keep you safe. My sweet little star, trying to help me out by doing your own things. It's okay, I like doing them for you..." In addition to this being an attempt to put you at ease, to have her words go through your subconscious and hopefully influence your waking self-- (though she knows it'll take more than just this one time, but that's okay. she has all the time in the world for you)--, this was also a way to voice her feelings out loud, and to your face-- even if you weren't aware of it.

She loved you so much, but you were so stubborn. But that was just apart of who you are-- maybe you were going through a rebellious phase? She isn't quite sure how it works for humans fully, but she'd gone through one as well when she around about a teenager.

It's a little too early for a rebellious phase, though. Maybe you were just scared that she was going to use you, like the people in your life had.

Her smile faltered for a moment, a flash of uncharacteristic annoyance glimmered in her eyes- her hold on your side tightening by a fraction, before it relaxed. It was there one second, and then it was gone-- her smile back, and her eyes soft once again.

"I'll never leave you, not like they did..." She cooed, continuing to pet through your hair as she spoke. "It was silly, for them to leave a little thing like you all alone. I won't make the same mistake though, star."

You shifted a little as you slept, burrowing your face further into the crook of her neck. She giggled at the cute little gesture, and cooed more comforting words for as long as you slept. When you did wake, she always urged you go to back to sleep-- and you were never awake enough to go against the suggestion.

[forgetme-eternally-blissfully]

“So, babysitting?”

Alberu follows after the delinquent. From the record the vice-principal gave him access to, Cale frequently drinks alcohol, he often gets himself into a lot of fights, and he barely passed his classes at the end of the grading period. The teachers never call on him in class, girls and boys avoid him alike, and he is- supposedly- completely intolerable.

Which is why Alberu Crossman, who’s only a little older yet infinitely more mature has been assigned by the principal (his father) to get the troublemaker under thumb. Cale's father is quite wealthy, actually, and since there isn't much known about the successor to the Henituse family... it'd be bad if he had to be expelled.

Cale scowled. “Yes, babysitting, your highness. Please, leave if you must,” He jeers at Alberu, but internally he thinks, 'No, really. Please leave.' Otherwise, he might get caught in the act.

Of not actually being Cale.

Roksu aims a sour expression at Alberu, who returns it with a more flowery one. Acting as his twin for the day had been easy enough, mainly because being trash is great!- until Alberu Crossman strolled into his lunch period and introduced himself.

He is even following him out of the school to his job. Well, this job is Roksu’s and not Cale’s, but because he can’t ditch work nor can he get glib-tongued Alberu off his tail-

Well shit.

Thankfully, the kids call him hyung. Except Raon, who calls him human. Hopefully Alberu doesn’t look into it too much. If everything goes right, Alberu Crossman will be Cale's problem to deal with tomorrow. As it should have been.

“I didn’t know you liked kids, Cale,” Alberu smiles charmingly, walking side by side with Roksu. “Can you introduce me?” Roksu struggles to not put on his own disarming smile out of spite, instead plastering on a classic Cale Sneer™. It fits on his face perfectly, like he’s playing a character in a play.

They enter the building and ‘Cale’ guides Alberu to a colorful playroom, decked out in toys and a fountain of running water as the centerpiece (A gift from his father, who is still upset that Roksu doesn't visit more often). There’s a tray of fruits and oatmeal on the small table in the corner of the room, except not a soul to be seen. Picking up a bowl of oatmeal and finding the ceramic to still be hot, Roksu almost smiles.

Alberu frowns. Where are the kids he's supposed to babysit?

Roksu tells the empty air, "Come on out."

Three children appear out of nowhere in front of them.

“Hyung!”

“Human! You’re back!”

“Hyung, nya.” On examines Alberu some more.

All of the kids had been revealed the moment that Roksu spoke, as Raon unveiled the invisibility on them.

Raon runs up and grabs Roksu’s hand, who places it on his head, rubbing the black hair comfortingly. “Mm.” Raon beams at the affection.

“Raon, On, Hong,” they each look up at him at the call of their names. “This is Alberu Crossman, he is doing a report on my trashy behavior. Don’t be rude."

All three children become hostile immediately. “He isn't trash!”

On observes Alberu with an intense glare. Raon shifts under Roksu’s hand, his deep blue eyes glinting with magic. Roksu positions him away from the older teen’s view. Raon grips onto Roksu’s pant leg with a vengeance. Hong stares openly, offensive.

Alberu smiles at them.

"I'm visiting with Cale Hyung for today, nice to meet you."

Hong gasps suddenly.

“He-!” On gives her brother a look, and he clamps his hands over his mouth. Alberu feels a deep curiosity, as if something isn’t quite as it seems.

Roksu sighs. It’s going to be a long hour.

At the midway point, Alberu has easily disarmed the children. They look fascinated at the magic he shows them, while Roksu can only rub a palm over Raon’s shoulder as a warning to keep his dragon magic under control. He's still just a child that wants to brag. Everything is going well.

Bang!

“Hey Roksu! How was-“ Cale bursts through the door, bright red hair equipped with a shit-eating grin, wearing clothes far less fancy than his usual. He tenses up, frozen in place when he spots Alberu on the floor, politely sitting "crisscross applesauce" with the children. Roksu narrows a withering glare at his twin.

“… Roksu?”

Alberu looks at ‘Cale,’ sitting next to him, the one he's spent the entire day with, who is trying to send what must be the real Cale into the sun with his eyes.

“Ha… ha?” Cale winces. Roksu wipes his expression from his face.

“Cale-hyung, run! That’s the human’s bad look!” Alberu’s eyes widen as he watches the confirmed real Cale bolt back into the hallway and out of the front door. Alberu whips his head back toward the stranger behind him, who is a perfect replica of the Cale who ran like Hell. Cale has an identical twin?? Since when? Why doesn't he go to school?

Roksu levels an emotionless gaze at Alberu. “Hello, your highness. Don’t mind me.”

Alberu can only watch in astonishment as this stranger walks out of the playroom, with a smooth and deadly gait as he hunts down his twin like a predator would to prey. He recalls the look 'Roksu' gave him and it sends a shiver down the principal’s son’s spine. That gaze held secrets.

Something about this stranger is even more interesting than the sudden appearance of a twin.

On walks up to him, sitting down in his lap and looking into his eyes. “Roksu-hyung will be back soon, nya!” Hong bounds over and sits next to his sister, grinning widely. Raon huffs and looks at the door. He wants his human to come back.

[minart-was-taken]

A second chance Deleted Scenes and bonus sketches

Please read the comic here first!

This is a sketch from when I was about mid-way done with the comic. I thought it'd be fun to do a post with my headcanons regarding the differences these two have, but I never got around to lining it.

The comic was originally going to stay largely humorous so that I could end it at around 5 updates, but I had wanted to make something long form for this fandom for ages and the reception had been so sweet-- So I decided to go for the long haul and take the story seriously.

...Yea originally Maxwell was kicked in the balls and then transported Wx's soul back into the robo body.

I found the latter joke really funny, so I kept it in as a bonus for the finale!

Most of the comic was actually very easy to write. The cast is already full of things worth exploring and fun dynamics: so I just let them loose. However I did struggle a lot with writing Maxwell, as he is... Mysterious. I wanted his presence in the comic to imply deeper knowledge but I also... Don't know what Maxwell knows. It was a real tightrope.

There was a version where Maxwell fully knew who Woodrow was and brought up the name. However it felt far too disrespectful and in the end... overly dramatic. Considering I didn't actually have anything for Maxwell to be bargaining for, there was really no point to give him such a "big chip" in the game.

Another segment I struggled with MASSIVLY was the ending. From the beginning I knew I wanted a very specific outcome: Wx returns to being a robot but their empathy module is functional again.

Whatever the motives are in canon, in this comic I tried to establish that Wx being a robot is a part of their identity, not just an escape. Wx-78 has a lot of self destructive tendencies, and existing as a human would be a compromise on their identity. SO: The only real happy ending would be best of both of worlds. Wx being accepted for their full self, and them feeling ok lowering the walls between them and happiness (at least a little bit.)

While struggling to figure out what to do, I considered a dream sequence where the Wx we follow in the comic meets Wx-78, and later also Woodrow from the disconnected animation. I didn't ever really consider this a real option as it felt so out of place with the down to earth tone the comic had so far, but it was an interesting exploration.

There was another sequence between this segment and the finale that was cut out as well.

I found the idea of SHOWING that Wx put the Empathy Module in to be a very emotionally powerful idea, but although I sketched it many times I never felt satisfied... Given a few more months maybe I'd found a way to fit it in, but I wanted this comic finished. I have so many other things I'm doing, and this comic deserved an ending. I do like the one I made, I just... Its hard to not ponder what could've been!

But wait! There's more! Here's some additional deleted scenes that didn't quite fit the above chronological recollection.

This scene was what originally happened after Wx drank some of Walter's hot "chocolate."

It got cut since it kinda felt like writing Wx into a wall. However you can spot things from this scene in the finished comic! Like Wx claiming the others were helping them just because they were human, Wilson and Wx having a convo about fee fees, and Wx's wild laugh.

The next deleted scene was meant to occur sometime after the one above. It was then later turned into a few scenes, such as Maxwell and Wx's talk.

I got rid of this one because it felt wrong to have Wx just... leave and figure everything out. I wanted them to keep interacting with other characters and... Well, this was too soon! They wouldn't drop their guard that fast!! Nuh-uh!! You can see a lot of it was kept for later tho!

Before redoing those parts, I drew a bit about Wilson and Wx planning to go into the caves.

However I had no clue why I'd take them into the caves, and it just felt off pacing wise. This idea was reused too, though! I just sent Winona and Wigfrid into the caves instead.

Finally, a few deleted panels. You can probably guess where they used to be.

[rhemaji]

Lil rant abt Caine

Caine is just a lil guy, despite it all. From a design standpoint I thought I was gonna absolutely fucking hate looking at him because those chattering teeth toys make my skin crawl- but the art direction really helps make him look more appealing and whimsical than a disembodied pair of talking dentures sounds on paper.

The thing with Caine is I didn't initially like him that much after the pilot. While his interactions with Bubble were quite funny, that one episode left me feeling like he'd just end up being kinda one note or at the very least one note in a way that'd get on my nerves. Then everything changed when Pomni Wake Up Time to Go On an Adventure! attacked

The comedic timing throughout that announcement video was so fucking funny and thanks to his line deliveries and animation/model [?] upgrades- CAINE LOOKED AND SOUNDED SO ADORABLE!!

Legit it wasn't until this came out that I realized I actually could be on board with Caine as a character and it's been uphill from there. Episode 2 was better than the pilot not only comedically and visually but also in terms of showcasing just how actually unsettling Caine can be as an antagonist. Not because he's vengeful or malicious, but because he's so oblivious to how people work. His mind's always buzzing with terrible ideas and he's so so eager about these adventures, but at the end of the day he really really doesn't get the circus crew. Try as he might to include them, keep them engaged [ZOOBLE WAIT!], or even give them what they want [Exit doors] he doesn't realize how traumatic and distressing their current situation can be. The very nature of being trapped in a digital world is bad enough but it's especially rough here bc not only does its god have limited capabilities, you also are very well acquainted with him, and he can't fully understand your pain nor can he truly save you from it. He won't mourn your abstraction. He will not attend your funeral. He will not understand the distress of your arrival, nor the weight of your departure.

This isn't just sad from the pov of the circus gang, it's also very sad for Caine- not because i think he'll ever feel sad about it himself necessarily, but instead because the situation is sad. New members appear over and over, you craft adventures and games and distractions like [i'm assuming] they'd asked you to, but over and over, one by one, they abstract. They stop laughing at your jokes. They don't like you. They want you to leave them alone. It's confusing and maybe even inconvenient.

Where I'm hoping the series takes Caine is that this dissonance between Caine's intentions and the distress of the circus gang gets worse and worse and worse until something's got to give. I'm hoping that maybe at some point a character will try to sit down and talk with him and for it to either sorta get through to him but completely backfire in some form because he misinterprets what the others want from him OR i'd also be down for him to listen, but not understand any of it and proceed as tho nothing happened. I don't want Caine to come around really, it'd be interesting to see how Goose would go about having him come around to being a better host that empathizes more with humans, but personally I do prefer him to keep on keepin' on being this oblivious and eager antagonist.

My favorite Caine lines/line deliveries so far:

"You, my friend, stumbled into an incredible world of wonders, where anything can happen!…e-except for swearing."

"And here we have THE GROUNDS! Drown yourself in the digital lake, or engage in ridery at the digital carnival!"

"What do you think of XDDCC? You're right, terrible, LET'S TRY THAT AGAIN!"

"Kaufmo abstracted? Why didn't anybody tell me?"

"Bubble you can't say that"

"-ZOOBLE WAIT!"

"Why are you all just standing there?! The- The Canyon- C-Candy Canyon Kingdom needs you now!" [according to his VA, this was an actual line flub but hoo boy am i glad they use it bc it's hilarious]

"I know you guys love your NPCs, but if I start losing track of who's a human and who's an NPC, who knows...what. could. happen..."

That last line there specifically surprised me the most because up until he said that I was under the impression Caine was linked to every single NPC. I even thought he could see through their eyes if he so chose thanks to his "hundreds of all seeing eyes" line in the pilot. Him saying this here implies lots of things. Has Caine forgotten before? Is someone in the circus secretly an NPC ooooooooh~

"Who knows what could happen..."

Honestly, when Caine first said this I did immediately theorize Jax as being an NPC but now that it's been *checks calendar* three months since I watched episode 2, I don't think this is the case anymore. Jax being an NPC would be...something. Jax not knowing he's an NPC would be interesting [i like it when ppl's realities get shattered], but honestly I think this line was a way to telegraph to the audience that no Caine isn't actually all knowing. He didn't know Gummigoo was coming through that portal until he saw him with his own two eyes. My theory is that Caine is only able to teleport, create, censor, transform, and destroy the world around him, but isn't able to see all of it at once unless he tries to. I think Caine's default state is one where he only knows what he sees directly in front of him/what he himself has left waiting for someone else. And rather than implying someone in the gang is an NPC, I think that line in episode 2 was mainly implying Caine can be tricked, that it's possible to hide something from him, to surprise him even. Though I'm not opposed to an NPC we haven't met trying to join under the guise of being human, it'd potentially create some fun tension assuming the audience was given enough reason to care about them.

Jax is actually my favorite character in tadc, but i couldn't fill an entire post with things to say abt him. Caine seems to be- at least as of right now- the easiest of all the characters to try and wrap my head around. I'll probably have a lot more to say about Jax as he exists in canon as the episodes come out [EPISODE 6 MY BELOVED]

but uhhhh yeah, that's all the things i had to say abt Caine. Pls go watch/listen to the fansong Digital Land bye!

[illubean]

ooo idea for the unaligned experiment!reader (same guys as last time)

so reader gets bored during a job and wanders off once they know their favorite free meal human isn't going to die or something.

they go outside and find a stray cat, and when their favorite human comes to find them reader unprompted says "you're like this cat to me. you'll die before me and you'd be easy to kill, but I don't speed up that process because i like the fuzzy feelings you both give me. plus you're both kinda cute. :3"

like that's kinda just reader's usual rambling but it does cement that:

reader's actively thought about how easy it'd be to kill him

they don't do that because they (on some level) like being around him at this point

they're consciously aware they'll outlive him

they think he's cute

Also possible angst/comfort at the thought they've gotten bored and left him. also the reminder that reader's fully willing to wander off without him if they're not provided enrichment, but then they find out they consciously decided to stay where they could be found because they (on some level) grew to like him.

Unaligned!OP!Reader pt. 2

Characters: Illumi Zoldyck, Chrollo Lucilfer, Feitan Portor Type: Headcanons, Gn!reader

Couldn't really think of a hurt/comfort aspect because of these characters' personalities...

Warnings: mentions of death, a little angsty? idk

Illumi Zoldyck

Illumi of course already knows that you could easily take him out

it's why he kept you around in the first place

he originally only kept you around as some sort of Zoldyck super weapon

but YOU are beginning to develop FEELINGS? for HIM???

he probs just uses that to his advantage tbh

Illumi is worried when you wander off though, because what if someone else finds you and you take a liking to them? what if you leave him?

he doesn't care all that much about it from an emotional standpoint but he can't afford to lose such a valuable weapon

so he would accept your affections if it meant keeping you under wraps

you're willing to do whatever he tells you if it means keeping him around

since you don't really want him to die soon you're quick to attack anything or anyone he asks you to

even if you don't completely understand your emotions and even if it's one sided, you decide to stick around

you couldn't have your favorite human be lonely, could you?

Chrollo Lucilfer

he lets out an amused chuckle at your revelation

he too often thinks about his own mortality and that of others

so he's not as put off by your comment as he should be

"Maybe you're a lot more human than you think you are."

and his statement offers you some peace of mind

even though your immortal and were quite literally created to be a ruthless killing machine it felt good to know that you could actually experience human emotions

after this you are a lot more willing to express your affinity for him, weather physically or verbally

and you don't wander off as often as you used to

you still don't really grasp the concept of love but Chrollo understands what you mean

since you know you'll outlive him you become very protective over him

you decided it's better to keep him around as long as possible

so...I guess Chrollo did kind of get what he wanted

you were like his personal guard...dog? demon? idk you were his guard something

I'm not sure he would develop any sort of romantic feelings for you (at least not very quickly) but he does care for you to an extent

he doesn't have to worry much about losing you since yk you CANT DIE

but he does like seeing you happy :))

Feitan Portor

he's not sure how he feels about being compared to a cat

normally he would be offended but his brain skips over all the morbid parts and is like wait did they just call me CUTE!?

HIM? CUTE? HE IS A KILLER

he's mildy flustered by this but he plays it off as annoyance

but also he's offended that you think he's so weak

he knows he technically can't beat you because you're immortal but like...give him some credit

it wouldn't bee THAT easy to kill him

he could give you a run for your money

he probably just scoffs and tells you to shut up before walking away

even when you do wander you still end up finding and following him in the end

Feitan would never admit it but he enjoys having you around <3

[dragqueenstarscream]

been thinking abt tfp elite trine scenarios lately

ik it's implied (at least, form what i remembered) that TC and skywarp were killed at some point pre tfp, but i very much love AUs where most of the seekers are actually missing in action and still out there, most decepticons (starscream especially) just assume they're dead, and TC n skywarp end up on earth at some point.

bonus if it's apart of a better written "starscream striking out on his own" arc, cuz i can only imagine how happy n relieved he would be knowing that his trinemates are alive n here with him and how it sparks hope that the seekers are still out, that he no longer has to fear that he's possibly the only one of his kind left n how TC n skywarp are much the same in being reunited with their leader, their true leader.

i'd also think it'd be really cute n funny to incorporate it into starscream x human reader/OC scenarios, like he genuinely has no way of telling them that that he initially took in this organic for the cause, but mostly personal gain, and it lead to him becoming emotionally attached to them/interfacing with them... without it sounding awkward as hell. his trine are not so surprised by this (seekers know how to get their freak on, no one can convince me otherwise) but they are very curious about said human, mostly abt how did something that smol n fragile managed to captivate their own, meanwhile human is just standing like "please be nice to me, i'm just a worm 🥺". eventually they do grow fond of them and come see them as like another trinemate, skywarp likes to tease and mess around with them while thundercracker dotes on them cuz they're so tiny. and while starscream was a bit overprotected of how they would treat them for bit (he had to give them a crash course on "proper human care" much to his human's dismay lol) it secretly warms his spark of how his trine came to love them like he did.

idk, i just really love the "what if" scenarios of the seekers still being alive and active in tfp. tbh i wish we could've gotten at least a flashback to starscream's air commander days to see what the seekers were like in vos, esp just to see tfp skywarp n thundercracker and how everything fell apart, i feel like we were robbed in seeing more of star's background in the show even though the opportunity was there. forever mourning what could've been 😔

ohhhhh i love those aus!! i love giving starscream some sort of motivation to leave the decepticons to search for him. like, imagine some rogue bot getting tortured by megatron for information and accidentally letting it slip that tc and warp might still be alive. there's no WAY starscream wouldn't go out to look for them!

and the JOY upon finding his old trinemates again! seeing his only family alive, knowing he isn't the last seeker left, he'd be over the moon! of course, there would be the angst, the guilt of everything he's done throughout the course of the war, but i like to think that his trine, especially tc, would be willing to bring him back in. he's family, and that's what matters.

also yeah, the trine getting attached to starscream's personal human would be adorable! they'd tease starscream initially, because of course, this secretly sentimental doofus would get attached to the wildlife, but his human wins them over by the power of humans being adorable in cybertronian eyes. they'd be an honorary trine member really quickly! (also, you KNOW warp would tease the hell out of starscream once he learns that starscream and the human are in a relationship!)

starscream's backstory really should've been elaborated on further in tfp, it's a shame that it wasn't. he'd be so fascinating to see more of!

[raivenantcravings]

Round 6 Reaction/Analysis

SDFFSDHFLSDHF ROUND 6 FSDHKFDSH ROUND 6 FSDKFSDHFDS ROUND 6

I woke up to twitter analysis saying that Till never even looked at Ivan until his final moments. And I made pre round 6 fanart titled "look at me." Couldn't manifest it. He never looked at him in the end,,,

broo dont look so happy. oh my god you lovesick fool.

reaction and analysis under the cut

First detail I noticed was that are the mics clear because both Ivan and Till are being vulnerable? They have nothing to hide anymore, so they'll show the world their whole being.

Anyways, to my main point,,

My interpretation of the ending was that Ivan was really trying to "cure" Till.

Till opens up with wanting to feel pain, to feel hurt.

"Please, leave me scars"

"Please, hurt me so that not a single drop of me remains"

Which, I realize he's talking to Mizi, but it's a cry for "help" either way.

Ivan's part goes:

"Notice my pain and mend me right now"

Again, he's talking about himself, but I think it could apply to what he does to Till.

So they kiss.

And, I've seen a lot of other people already say this, but I also do feel the kiss was not only meant to be for Ivan to selfishly show his love for Till.

Like bro don't go nonconsensually kissing your crush, what are you doing!?

When the scores came out, Ivan was much lower than Till than I expected. I thought it'd be a Mizi-Sua situation where the scores were close, but Mizi barely edged it out.

But Till almost had 20 points over Ivan.

And I know it's because Till is a rising star. And his new image change would really garner the attention of everyone. But it's not like Ivan is a nobody either. I didn't expect the scores to be so different.

I do think its because Ivan kissed Till. As a final nail in the coffin that guarantees his loss.

Alien Stage is commentary on the idol industry. One of the most prevalent issues in the idol industry is the romantic lives of the idols. Idols are not supposed to be in relationships, at least not outwardly. Their whole image is for the fans. Nothing they do should ruin that public image as an idol.

Much less in a in a queer relationship.

Now I don't believe the universe of Alien Stage cares about LGBTQ+ issues because there's bigger issues surrounding their human pets. But I think that it is an issue that Vivinos is trying to address because they certainly never shy away from queer issues in their other works.

And I feel the idea that idols/pets should not be swayed by their romantic emotions is still prevalent in their society.

So for the audience to see Ivan kiss Till, in one of the most outrageous and public displays possible, further pushes the votes in Till's favor.

And yeah, I also do believe that he kissed Till for him to finally look at him, but I also feel that it was a self-sacrifice too.

And then Ivan violently chokes Till.

Possibly, as another way to give Till votes. Since when Mizi started punching Luka, the audience was outraged at her actions.

Violence is definitely frowned upon on the stage.

More on the choking scene,,

I also saw some people saying that it's because Ivan wanted Till to die with him, which may be part of it. I don't think everything Ivan did was completely selfless.

But

Till accepts it. Earlier when he is at the bar (party? venue? the private show either way), he fights the alien who tries to punch him.

He did show him Mizi's missing image, so he is enraged in this moment, but he does have fight left in him even then.

He doesn't resist when Ivan chokes him just closes his eyes and awaits death. Perhaps if Mizi was already dead, he can just join her in the afterlife since he had no way of knowing she was still alive.

In this way, Ivan is his savior. The one who is finally freeing him from all this pain he felt after losing Mizi. This is his "cure."

And for Ivan, he sorta wants to be a savior to Till. He has freed him on multiple accounts from his shackles. Even helping him run away with him, so they can experience freedom together.

They both get what they want, but,,

Ivan lets go of Till and Till, with an expression that feels like shock, finally looks at Ivan.

Killing him would not give him the freedom that Till needs

that Ivan wants Till to have.

So, like the countless times Till has been chained around his neck, Ivan gives him his chains:

hurting him like he desires.

A scar around his neck.

(Where the scar from his name is)

And mending him,

by taking away the final chain that Ivan could release from Till.

His "cure."

It felt like his final desire was to get Till to snap out of it, to realize that he needs to find true freedom, to not get apathetic at the situation, to keep on going and to live.

He really, truly loves Till even if Till does and never will understand it.

Also final thoughts, is it not strange that Ivan is able to release Till's bindings so easily?

No one else is shown releasing the bindings, so maybe it is just as easy as a press of the button. Yet, I don't feel like it's just poorly designed if that's the case. Because you literally have a person like Ivan releasing a dangerous human like Till. Shouldn't a cautious society like the world of Alien Stage made sure it wouldn't be super easy to get out of.

If there is more to it, I wonder if that'll be a plot point later on. With Ivan leaving behind the secret to getting out of the bindings for Till. So, when a character maybe Till or even Hyuna or Mizi have been captured, they're able to escape since they know how to remove them.

Maybe, I'm just being delulu

And final final thoughts, the kiss was great and definitely made me almost scream. But the way Ivan nuzzled Till has got me acting up.

Like, it's just so soft and sweet and not a big show of it like when Ivan kisses Till on stage.

It feels so intimate, so personal, so full of love.

I just, I just can't. They'll be the death of me.

[osmanthus-wine-addiction]

┏━━━━━━༻❁༺━━━━━━┓

Offers Silk Flowers & Osmanthus Tea

Zhongli falling in love deeply with a Human Mortal and has a crisis about it

Zhongli x Reader / SFW / reader is a mortal / reader is implied to be attracted to Zhongli but not necessarily in love with him / he gets yandere thoughts but doesn't take it anywhere because as a 6000 year old god, he can control himself / so he has a crisis over his feelings and friend-zones himself instead

It's hard to imagine Zhongli having a crisis about anything. He's lived so long that centuries worth of memories are compressed into decades relative to the entirety of his life. A mortal's life will flicker by as quickly as a firefly's brief glow, short-lived but breathtaking. He has witnessed the lives of countless, their meetings, their partings, their laughter, and their tears. Just as he sits in the audience of an opera, captivated by what is happening on the stage, he's always been the bystander. That had always been the case until he met you. With you, he's been finding it increasingly difficult to keep himself seated. You tested his patience and tempted his impulses. Before he could withdraw, you had reached out and dragged him onto the stage with you. How could you twirl around him so carefree, so ignorant to his growing dilemma?

"Is there something on my face?" You paused in your chatter, catching him staring at you mid-conversation.

"No." Zhongli replied, smiling softly at you like he always does.

He just couldn't help but notice how your eyes glimmered when you spoke about things that you were passionate about. The sound of your voice, the tremble from the excitement bubbling inside of you, as well as your slight breathlessness as you spoke in a frenzy of words, it tickled something deep inside of him. He could listen to you speak all day, so there was no need to get it all out in one sitting. It wasn't like he would suddenly get up and leave if you took up too much of his time. All he could do was furrow his brow because he couldn't bear to interrupt you.

"Why the frown then?" You paused again to ask. His intense gaze was causing you to become self-conscious.

Because you're frustrating, he wanted to say.

Zhongli raised his fist to lips and cleared his throat, hoping you'd catch the hint. You didn't, instead reaching for the teapot to refill his cup.

"Drink some tea, dear. Your throat is the one in dire need of moisture."

You flushed. "Now that you remind me, I am a bit thirsty."

"There is no need to rush. I have more than enough time to hear all that you have to say." He reassures you.

Everything about you was endearing to a painful degree. The way you talked, the way you laughed, even the way you're currently gulping down your tea could land him in an abrupt daze and have his heart beating at a slightly faster pace.

He constantly found himself occupied by thoughts of you as of late, even while he was not in your presence. These emotions grated at his mind, carving out a hole that could only be filled by your presence. Your blissful ignorance to the way you affected him was almost cruel, but what was an inexperienced god to do when he had fallen so helplessly for an equally clueless mortal?

A late bloomer, now that's something few would ever dare call the Lord of Geo. This petrified seed took six thousand years to crack, but at least it sprouted, right? Seeing mortals fall in love over and over, one would think it'd be apparent to him if those tender emotions were to one day bloom from the crevices of his own heart, but no, that would be giving him too much credit. He hardly knew what to do with himself in this aspect, much less you.

For all the broad knowledge he had accumulated, nothing could've prepared him for falling in love with you. He was used to taking his time, admiring every detail along his solitary journey. Never did it occur to him that he was not going slow enough, that he could possibly want to slow down even more, to the point of complete standstill. You were the inconspicuous bloom by the road that had managed to convince him to stop in his tracks. Every moment he spends in your presence, he fights the impulse to tear you from your stem. It terrified him to come to terms with what had taken root inside his heart and it would no doubt terrify you as well.

A part of him longed to imbue himself into your every waking second in an absurd attempt to prolong the limited time you had. To a mortal, a few decades was plenty, but to a god, it would never suffice. Even if you were willing to let him, your life was not something for him to wring. The right thing to do would be to leave you be, let you continue thriving undisturbed. Perhaps he should distance himself to preserve what semblance of a platonic friendship he managed to achieve with you. He was not about to let your impression of him sour with these unpredictable complications.

This was truly a dilemma only a lovestruck god could have.

[eldritch-spouse]

alrighty here's my oc idea:

Dolly Duvail

Patches is a mad magician and a sad lonely loser freak, of course he tried to make a girlfriend. He'd set up a [sex] doll and try to imbue life [or some form of it] Into the doll. But it failed. So he tried again. And again. And again and again and again so on so forth. Each time the dolls animated its like they'd go mad. Immediately trying to destroy themselves. Because he was wasting resources he stopped sticking to sex dolls and would try to animate anything large humanoid and articulated.

Until eventually, it worked. He was successfully able to animate a life-sized Porcelain doll. It didn't immediately try to destroy itself like the others. It didn't have the "parts" but patches didn't really care at this point, he'd already long lost the "make a girlfriend" idea and instead focused on the animating a humanoid object task itself. And he finally succeeded! It could walk and talk and well, be alive!

But it wasn't alive, it was dead. Specifically, undead. Y'see, what patches was essentially doing [on accident] was resurrecting dead people into the doll bodies. Forced possession. The reason they all tried to destroy themselves is because the human souls went mad when forced into an inhuman body. His success is the only one mentally resilient enough to not go insane.

And thus, Dolly was forced into the clergy.

A few notes:

Dolly uses they/them pronouns because they were a man pre-death and upon being resurrected into a "girl" body they just went "welp guess I'm both now"

Dolly is entirely Porcelain except for a plush stomach. Head, limbs, and chest are all Porcelain. Also due to the glass face they can't make expressions

Dolly has a very Lolita fashion style. Big poofy dresses with lots of accessories. Mostly in Greys, blacks, and purples

Because they don't have anything even resembling sex organs they are asexual. [An asexual character? On the sex blog? It's much more likely than you think]

Dolly cant leave the clergy both due to patches magic and dieing on the premisis

Lastly and most importantly, Dolly's "job" at the clergy. They don't have an official title and everyone just see's them as another of patches experiments, but Dolly has one job that they do religiously. Y'see Dolly is a mercy killer. They take humans forced into the clergy and snap their necks cooing about how it'll be okay, this'll hurt a lot less than if they let them go.

Alright now for the fun part, character relations

Patches: Dolly and patches have a friendly relationship only really out of necessity. Non-con friendship essentially. Patches tries to keep Dolly alive and well because well, he's proud of his experiment and it'd be REALLY hard to do that again. Dolly understands that and isn't antagonistic to Patches. They act indifferent a lot out of survival. If they give Patches attention, negative or positive, it might push him to use Dolly for their original purpose and they do not want that.

Krulu: Dolly has never directly interacted with krulu. There was a time in the very first month of their reanimation that patches came to them saying Master krulu wants them to stop killing their "merchandise". He was successful in emphasizing how krulu was 2 seconds away from shattering them and it took patches begging as hard as he could to keep Dolly alive. So now Dolly only kills those that are already going to die. Morrell's piggies and humans after vinnel used them in a show mostly.

Admin: admin and Dolly have met only once. It was just a simple check-in that admin does with all of patches bigger projects. When admin met Dolly she thought "woman shaoed object. It won't last a week". She's honestly surprised they've lasted so long.

Morrell: he doesn't really care about Dolly [lack of vagina saves them once again] but Dolly HATES Morrell. He tortures humans for his own sick pleasure, often. AND he's a hypocrite! Dolly hates hypocrites! So they target his "livestock" for their mercy kills the most often. Morrell is fucking pisses his pigs keep dieing early but he doesn't suspect that weird little doll that started wandering around.

Vinnel: oh Vinnel LOVES Dolly. For all the wrong reasons of course. And again, Dolly hates him [for obvious reasons]. Vinnel is overjoyed there is someone weaker than him wandering around. A perfect Porcelain doll just for him to play with! Ohoho! It's the perfect gift for him! He's definitely very roughly "played" with Dolly many times. If it weren't for patches protection magic and Belo coming in to help he would have shattered Dolly long ago. If Dolly wasn't expressionless and was able to cry, vinnel would have stolen them away long ago. But alas, it's so much less fun when they stare at him blankly.

Belo: Dolly considers Belo a coward who will lick the boots of anyone with an iota of power and to be fair, he kinda is. He does keep them safe from rowdy customers so they do appreciate that though

Santi: somewhat surprisingly, santi does NOT like Dolly. They take away attention from customers who prefer the more feminine petite, and elegant type he can't provide. And to make it so much worse, because they are a stupid doll his incubus powers don't work on them! He wouldn't mind the attention stealing if he could at least have fun with them but no! He just, can't! And Dolly doesn't even want all the attention they take from him! That ungrateful brat! The only thing stopping Santi from shattering Dolly into a million pieces is that they cant/won't take any money from clients. Dolly is, completely clueless about his dislike of them. Infact, they think they are friends. Lust is very low on their list of atrocious sins so Dolly doesn't mind santi at all. They actually enjoy his company a bit.

Grimbly: oh Dolly and grimbly are besties. Grimbly immediately attached to Dolly because they are a big pretty doll! Of course he wants to be near them! And Dolly thinks of grimbly as a sweet boy despite working here. Being near someone who isn't blatantly horrible does wonders to Dolly's very fractured mind. And having someone at the clergy 24/7 ready to listen and talk to him is just perfect for the attention starved grimbly is a dream come true. They are besties they have tea parties.

Sybastion: syb was actually the one to kill Dolly when they were alive. But Dolly is "nice" [dollys version of nice is just not blatantly ignoring someone] to him. That's because they think he's a stupid animal. Sybastion is used to this so he doesn't mind too much. Dolly is like that with all the more animalistic of the clergy members. Glauk, magus, pebble, and helion. Are all animals being taken advantage of in dollys eyes

That is all. If I didn't mention a clergy member that's because they don't really have much of a relationship. Dolly duvail has invades my cranium they are just a pretty doll In a pretty dress they are going to snap your neck because they want to save you

Non con friendship 🧍

Ajfnwneb *scream* I'm going to fucking die.

God, the idea of an animated doll initially meant to be grease-lord Patches' girlfriend but becoming completely fucking sexless is hilarious. To the cuck chair with you, gourd head.

An asexual character in such an overly sexual environment wouldn't thrive very well, but I guess they might live off of spite at that point. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I do have one slight gripe here. Santi is not as jealous as you make him out to be. He's mostly only truly threatened by other concubi or someone who steals his obsessions' attention. Dolly is neither. If anything, he would encourage them to seek out perverts and get frisky with them, regardless of the lack of genitals. That is a fetish for some people. He will most likely get on their nerves still.

There is leeway for Grimbly to become the competitive and jealous one if Dolly dresses better than him or steals the type of attention he gets. To be on good terms with him, Dolly would have to work carefully.

[sugar-omi]

Just some brainrot because we love Cove. (Also, your fics are soooo good. Thanks for sharing it with us. I mean omega! and rockstar!cove :o )

So, we have Step 3 Cove in hand some time after Patreon's nsfw moment. MC is obssessed with giving him head, of course. He's so cute when you do...what can I say ? I'm a simple human. So yes they do it often, like casually saying : "Cove, I'm hungry." while you two are casually hanging out. At first he doesn't understand but the look in your eyes convey your message to him.

Most of the time, you'll be totally satisfied with just leaving him all red, dishevelled and flustered. Just having him putty in your hand makes your day. But at some point, when you ask Cove to come to your house (without kinky ideas in mind for once) he asks you if your just horny. While it makes sense, I like imagining that MC decides to not get him off anymore. Obviously until he begs, all red and pent up, for a release.

In the meantime, MC just spent their time teasing him. Light touches, flirty remarks and maybe getting him all worked up while making out only to purposefully stop. The poor guy, will clearly snap if show up at his door, anklet on.

This was a bit long and I'm sorry if there's any mistake as english isn't my first language.

I LOVE YOU ANON IM SO GLAD YOU LIKE ROCKSTAR!COVE TOO HEHE 🙈🙈🙈(omega!cove too, im having sm thoughts abt him lately...) also dw your english is perfect n i feel like you took an exert outta my head LMAO

tags : NSFW, hc's, gn reader, multiple choice dialogue, this just a really big ramble bc i've been a zombie thinking abt this shit n now we're here...., mmm overstim, oral (cove/reader receiving), reader's a TEASE, mind break honestly, ooc but idc 🏌️

he's confused when you first make subtle hints/advances, but i think realization hits him like a truck a millisecond later

for the longest you two wouldn't be able to keep your hands off each other

late at night sneaking into the others room so you can suck cove off, trying to keep all the slurping and gagging noises to a minimum

cove's moans are another struggle, but i say climb on top of him and let him eat you out / suck you off while you suck him off too

ohh his head would SPIN with that

he almost woke up your mom's last week because he moaned a little too loud when he finished

so now you're on top of him, your lovely ass and sex in his face

ahhh he'd be so fucking cute. teary eyed and whining into and drooling all over your cunt / cock, pulling you down onto his face so he can get more of you

also i loveee the thought of sucking him off in his car

realistically, i don't think step 3 cove could even handle the thought, he'd probably faint and hit his head n die LMAO

but arghh it'd be so hot

you went on a nice date, and now you're sitting in the parking lot of a beach far from home late at night, and tonight was so much fun.

shopping, movies, you even got some nice food from a hole in the wall restaurant

and now you're finally alone, no one around to see your boyfriend throw his head back, claw at the steering wheel and moan and babble and try not to thrust up into your mouth because he doesn't wanna hurt you

he's so whiny, and so loud

you've been sneaking around for awhile now, you can't blame him for wanting to be vocal because fuck your hot, wet mouth around his cock is so hot

and definitely doesn't help he's probably overstimulated, his cock so sensitive because you've been touching n sucking him off so much

let alone when he's rubbing one out in the shower before a date/event or in the middle of the night because he had a wet dream about you<333

mmm idk about yall, but i would break him <333

of course he doesn't interpret every touch or invite as sexual, but i also you've ruined him so you can't blame him, its your fault 🤭🤭

so now whenever you rub and squeeze his thigh, or give him a hot kiss, or say something like "cove, i wanna leave now... " or "come over, i miss you <3"

or send him a spicy text, "i had a dirty dream about you, can i come over, please?"

z

also omfg i would be so satisfied with just teasing him too…

i love it so much. it’s the best actually

mm i like having long nails, i’m always thinking about getting a new set/doing your nails all pretty and you’re showing them off to cove then you tell him “i wanna see how they look around your dick”

he’d love that omfg

imagine dragging your nails over his chest, teasing his sensitive nipples before you move down, pulling out his dick and giving languished strokes while you kiss him breathless, only moving onto leaving love bites all over his neck n chest once he’s a drooling, blushing mess <33

i think he’s gotten used to your late night/midday booty calls too

so when you invite him over, he can’t help but anticipate sex

but instead you’ve set up some snacks and a movie you’ve been waiting to come out set up on the TV and now cove looks like a fool with a half hard dick and with how fast he rushed over here

when you ask what’s wrong he’s mumbling, stuttering out how he thought you had ulterior motives for inviting him over…

so now it’s his fault because now he’s set up on your couch with him on your lap, teasing him about how he’s too horny to even imagine his s/o would want a normal date, no ulterior motives whatsoever

how he probably can’t even hold your hand without thinking about how you jerked him off in the bathroom of his workplace

and you’re so fucking right

because some days he can’t even kiss you without remembering his taste on your lips, can’t forget how your legs were trembling on either side of his head and now you’re having lunch with your families

how you’re sharing ice cream and jokes with your friends like you didn’t pull him aside before you left and got him off, begging him to cum, that you need to taste him to get by

omfg i also love the reverse/the consequence of breaking cove this way

because either way, he’s obsessed with you too

needs to taste you, have you… he’s just dying every day to have you under his hands, on his tongue..

and i can’t decide which i love more.. teasing cove bc he needs to have you, or teasing cove bc he gets so wound up from you needing him often

bc both is so delicious, and both of them scratch my brain so much

cove eagerly eating you out / sucking you off at the beach, he can’t even focus on teaching you surfing/surfing with you or building sandcastles, etc. because all he can think about is you n having his mouth on you…

you’ll show him a new outfit or sit in his lap or cuddle up next to him, etc. and now he’s thinking about ruining you in those clothes or sinking onto his knees giving you head while you lay back on the couch, still focused on your show

i love how in the ORCA dinner moment cove gets tense when you touch his thigh

i think he’d definitely be obsessed with you teasing him, working him up, dirty talking him especially

oh fuck i almost forgot. in the first patreon nsfw moment, he loves when you pull away before he finishes and you “don’t want it to end”

so technically this is canon <3333

so he’d definitely love is you pulled up to your date one day, anklet on and looking so lovely

n you’re touching his thigh, telling him how good he looks, kissing him suddenly and then pulling him into a deeper kiss when he gets it together

at some point you end up in his car, too busy swapping spit and slipping your hands where you can to get a feel of each other under those clothes, to even make it home

of course eventually you do, but even then your teasing doesn’t stop

ohhh sitting in his lap, rolling your hips into his, kissing him breathless until he’s babbling

you try to pull away, partially to tease cove but also because its late and his dad will be back any time now

but he convinces you to just get each other off, that you’ll have enough time so please?

and while you’re jerking cove off, you hear cliff’s car pull up and cove has not been quiet whatsoever, you couldn’t possibly risk it

but he’s so desperate, he’s so close to finishing, you can’t stop now!!

on the verge of tears prbly, all blushy and hot and a total mess

babbling about how he’ll be quiet so please make him cum, he’ll be good so please.

he’s such a doll, and he does keep his promise, even if it means shoving your undies in his mouth or muffling him some other way, like with your hands, lips, or sex

or you can let him bite/hide his face in the pillow, messing up his bed from all his squirming…

fuck this turned into such a big ramble tysm for sending this, im sorry i used this as a chance to unleash my apocalypse of horny brainworms LOL