#source: Elsewhere on Tumblr

[crossoverquest]

Location: Iono’s Chatroom

Anubis: Where are you, Casey?

Casey: CRUGER, IONO, I FUCKED UP!

Iono: How?

Casey: I went to the Machine World, not the Dino Charge Rangers’ Earth!

Iono: Just tell me that you don’t like me…

Casey: (Posts a picture of a steampunk machine that resembles Photoshop Flowey in design and function)

Captain Marvelous: WHAT THE FUCK!?

Casey: HELP!

[hotwaterandmilk]

Hello, I found this floating on pinterest and tried to find the source in your blog but I don't know well how to use Tumblr and couldn't find it. Do you happen to remember where is it from?

Hi, sure thing I scanned these adhesives from my copy of the PSME Memory Book. This furoku item came with the third issue of Hana to Yume from 1990 and includes paper, postcards and stickers.

Hope that helps you track down the original item. ^^

[dis--parity]

damn. only just realised my bonds pages are messed up thanks to a stupid change on dis.cord's part

[iri-desky]

GET KOSA TRENDING.

STOP SCROLLING NOW!

AS OF FEBRUARY 21ST, 2024, WE GOT FIVE DAYS UNTIL THE DAY OF DECISION OF THE KOSA BILL, WHICH WILL CAUSE MASS CENSORSHIP ROUND THE INTERNET IF PASSED. WE NEED EVERYONE TO KNOW ABOUT THIS AND CONTRIBUTE. I'M NOT GIVING UP ON YOU ALL.

(IMPORTANT UPDATE: Kosa will not necessarily pass on the 26th. It only has the support to pass in Senate, and we STILL HAVE TIME. That being said, time is of the essence.)

WE'RE DOWN TO THE WIRE BUT WE CAN'T GIVE UP YET. IF WE GIVE UP, EVERYTHING IS OVER. IF WE DON'T, AT LEAST WE HAVE A CHANCE.

I'M THE ONE WHO SOUNDED THE ALARM, AND I'M NOT GOING TO CURL UP AND DIE YET.

Reblog this post in every LEGAL way you can under the Tumblr guidelines with the appropriate tags. TELL AND TAG EVERYONE YOU KNOW, then add the tags to see below... and more if you can think of any complying.

Visit badinternetbills.com if you want to find a way to defeat KOSA. It WILL NOT take much of your time. Reblog with any other information or sources, too-- but make sure to reblog if you can.

Reblog if you support lgbtq+ content.

Reblog if you support questioning queer youth and/or abused youth getting the information they need.

Reblog if you support Ao3 and/or other sites that wholeheartedly preserve talentedly made media.

Reblog if you're going to repost this on other sites than Tumblr and spread the word across Twitter, Tik Tok, Pinterest, or elsewhere, alongside the link to badinternetbills.com.

Reblog if you think KOSA is unfair and shouldn't be anyone's problem -- including the adults ALL OVER THE DAMN EARTH forced to face the mass censorship it causes because "think of the American Children!".

Reblog if you support internet activism and Palestine.

Reblog if you hate fascism or censorship, and don't want actually serious and helpful conversations censored on the internet.

Reblog if you value the internet in any way at all whatsoever.

CHECK THIS PETITION, TOO! https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-kosa?recruiter=1331807538&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=sms&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial&utm_term=psf&recruited_by_id=57368c40-d0fd-11ee-98f7-2175430f819f&share_bandit_exp=initial-36809664-en-US

(Also, please reblog with at least "stop kosa" as a tag and not "kosa". I made the mistake of not adding just "kosa" as a tag...)

We won't let this stand any longer. Let's start a riot and get this trending.

(Update: this is outdated, but we should still talk about it. Get Kosa trending.)

[the-rad1o-demon]

[Image ID (sorta, basically just the text from it):

GET KOSA TRENDING.

STOP SCROLLING NOW!

AS OF FEBRUARY 21ST, 2024, WE GOT FIVE DAYS UNTIL THE DAY OF DECISION OF THE KOSA BILL, WHICH WILL CAUSE MASS CENSORSHIP ROUND THE INTERNET IF PASSED. OR DOOMSDAY. WE NEED EVERYONE TO KNOW ABOUT THIS AND CONTRIBUTE. I'M NOT GIVING UP ON YOU ALL.

WE'RE DOWN TO THE WIRE BUT WE CAN'T GIVE UP YET. IF WE GIVE UP, EVERYTHING IS OVER. IF WE DON'T, AT LEAST WE HAVE A CHANCE.

I'M THE ONE WHO SOUNDED THE ALARM, AND I'M NOT GOING TO CURL UP AND DIE YET.

Reblog this post in every LEGAL way you can under the Tumblr guidelines with the appropriate tags. TELL AND TAG EVERYONE YOU KNOW, then add the tags to see below... and more if you can think of any complying.

Visit badinternetbills.com if you want to find a way to defeat KOSA. It WILL NOT take much of your time. Reblog with any other information or sources, too-- but make sure to reblog if you can.

Reblog if you support lgbtq+ content.

Reblog if you support questioning queer youth and/or abused youth getting the information they need.

Reblog if you support Ao3 and/or other sites that wholeheartedly preserve talentedly made media.

Reblog if you're going to repost this on other sites than Tumblr and spread the word across Twitter, Tik Tok, Pinterest, or elsewhere, alongside the link to badinternetbills.com.

END image ID]

Hey, everyone. So yeah, this is happening. We're still fighting this battle. And we can't give up now. We can't. We can't stand idly by while one of the most important resources that helped us all wake up, or at least start to question things, is being threatened by the government.

We can't stand idly by when kids, teens, and adults just like us still trapped inside might lose access to the resource that could help them wake up. We can't stand idly by when they might lose access to their non JW friends and family. We CAN'T stand idly by when we can do something to stop this bill from passing.

I am sick and tired of this same old song, where conservative fuckers higher up think they can oppress everyone. I am FUCKING SICK of it.

Please, reblog both this post and the original post linked above what I've written, and do what you can to stop KOSA, please. We are running out of time.

I suggest that if it is within your power to do so, that you do more than simply reblog and assume someone else will do something. DON'T assume that. Please do more than just reblogging if you are able to, because that's not really enough at this point.

Call/email representatives in the House and tell them to oppose KOSA (you may want to list different reasons depending on who you're calling, some House representatives are anti-LGBTQ+, so it may be best to tell them to oppose because it violates people's privacy, safety, and anonymity online). Print posters and put them up where legal if you can.

Sharing all this information to other social media sites (Instagram, Reddit, TikTok, the bird app) to reach more people can really help too. The wider the reach, the better.

Thank you. Now let's fucking rip that bill apart like we rip apart Watchtower magazines and eat it for fucking breakfast. (In a "we're eating it and the politicians who are sponsoring it are looking on in horror" kind of way)

[crossoverquest]

Location: The Group Chat for Toei Affiliated Individuals

Kaoru: Which one of you was gonna tell me that tea tastes different if you put it in hot water?

Jack: You’re putting it in COLD water?

Takeru: Mom! Answer the question, Mom!

Kaoru: Yeah. I thought for, like, 5 years that people just put it into hot water to speed up the tea-ification process. Didn’t realize there was an actual reason.

Boom: You don’t have the patience to microwave water for 3 minutes?

Ohana: Why are you putting it in the microwave to boil it?

Boom: Do you think I have the patience to boil water on a stove?

Ohana: It takes less than a minute!

Cure Continental: Ohana, is your stovetop powered by the sodding SUN!?

Boom: How long does it take you to boil a cup of water on the stove?

Cure Continental: Like, seven minutes!

Boom: Just stick the mug on top of the stove on medium heat, and it boils in, like, two minutes! Less than that, and you use a saucepan!

Cure Continental: You’re putting the whole mug on the stove on medium heat?

Cure Continental: Your stove is enchanted…

Anubis Cruger: Every single person in this chatroom is a raving lunatic…

Kat Manx: So you’re telling me that nobody here owns an electric kettle? How are y'all alive?

[laosinsin]

"S-Classes That I Raised": A Repository of Translations

What's It About: In a changed world with dungeons, and monsters and Hunters, lowly F-Rank Hunter Han Yoojin gets the chance to turn back time after his estranged younger brother - an elite S-Rank Hunter - Han Yoohyun, dies saving his life.

This time around, starting from before their relationship really worsened, he's determined to make sure he gets the best possible outcomes for himself and his brother, and just live quietly beyond that, but looks that won't be so easy when the world is coming to an end, and now all the S-rank hunters around can't stay away from Yoojin.

(It's not a harem novel (mostly). It's Yoojin and his so so many kids and some friends and some situationships. This cover has quite a few people missing from the cast, tbh, even if it does have all the more key ones. The blond man in the top center - NOT the villain - regardless of this cover lmao)

Where to Read It

There are a lot of chapters and quite a few translations floating around in different stages of doneness, so putting this together for reference, with some latest-as-of-2025 info.

The Original (aka the novel in Korean)

The main story in Korean seems wrapped up and finished as of May 2025. Clocking a whopping 1165 (sweet sweet) Chapters across the Main Story and the 2 Sequels (Side Story and After Story)

Main Story: 856 Chapters + 14 Chapters of an Epilogue

(This is usually available and often considered one complete work of 870 Chapters. Epilogue Chapter 1 is sometimes just Main Story Chapter 857 also)

This is available to read on a whole bunch of sites such as Naver, Kakaopage, Ridibooks, Munpia, both in ebook and chapter form, as well as on more 🏴‍☠️ platforms where knovel raws thrive.

Side Story: 167 Chapters (Completed)

Afterwords: 128 Chapters (Completed)

These are, as of now, Naver exclusive and only available on the most hellish of the websites to buy from if you're not in SK, IMO (i.e. Naver). Hopefully this will change. These are also a bit tough to find raws of on 🏴‍☠️ platforms, ime.

Where to read the Translations!

Main Story Chapters 1 -400: The primary source of translation currently is SFS Translations' version! One needs to contact them for access to their locked/gdocs version (access can take a few days, but generally not more than 3-5 days) This is currently the best and most-up-to-date translation, as far as I know.

Beyond this, we venture into MTL land.

- Main Story Chapters 350 - 870 (aka till the end): Naive_twilight has put together a MTL epub and pdf available for Chapters 350-870 on reddit. While it is MTL, it is pretty decently understandable, IMO. But you would still want to re-read the chapters once they are released in actual translation, because this is a novel with layers and layers of stuff going on in the narration and dialogue. - Side Story Chapters 1-167 (aka complete): Naive_twilight to the rescue again, with an epub MTL file on reddit, updated just a few weeks ago. And that's where we are for now. After Story translation isn't available yet, will update this post, as/when there is something to link.

- Other than the Story itself, the author has also done extensive Q&As, which detail out a ton of worldbuilding and characterization notes, and a great collection/translation of some of them by dbgdbw can be found here on tumblr (uhhh, tumblr post linking to gdocs file?)

Other Misc Translations Under the Cut

As I said, this is a story with a lot of translations out there, and also this is a story with laters of stuff going on in the narration and dialogue, so sometimes it is very fun indeed to read different versions/takes on the same chapter. (And sometimes you just can't wait until you get access to SFS Translation's version, so you start elsewhere while you wait ¯\_(ツ)_/¯)

- Chapter 1-330 (330- 350 is Patreon-locked) - MattReading Translations is on Wordpress, and the main/current translation linked on NovelUpdates. This is ongoing, and updates pretty frequently. Pretty decent - I think the flow of translation feels more natural in some earlier bits and gets a bit sloppier in later chapters - but the site is just ad-city central if you're on mobile. - FreeWebnovel - Chapters 1-261, but this seems to be abandoned and last updated 6+ months ago. This is also, I think the version, one will find in epub/PDF files of early chapters if one goes looking, and I think it uses text from older unedited raws, as opposed to the latest ones. And hence misses some pretty key new scenes/moments. So unfortunately, decent epub/pdfs for the early chapters are not currently easily findable. - dbgdbw - Very explanatory and informative translations on tumblr with extensive culture and translation notes for some selected chapters in the 183-350 chapter range, and then a lot of selected chapters all the way to the end. Definitely worth a look, especially if you are into the han-brothers relationship.

I think that's more or less the main versions that are out there, that I am aware of. Will update as and when new things pop up, and also please do let me know if I have missed something which is out there!

(Also thank you and shoutout to sctir who put together a similar post 3 years back, which is what got me started on this journey and helped me find the good stuff beyond the novelupdates entry)

[lightlysources]

If tumblr shuts down, an indie roleplayers network to find your rp partners elsewhere

So, I want us, as a community, to be prepared in case this site shuts down. Is it going to shut down? We don't know. The staff layoffs, according to people who have worked on tumblr previously, seem to indicate that something is happening with management, which could be them selling the site, or wanting to shut it down. (sources: x, x.)

Maybe (probably?) the site will continue to exist and the list never needs to be utilised. But at least I personally would feel a lot better about every "oh no tumblr will shut down" rumour if I knew I could find my rp partners elsewhere. I've long since made backup accounts on pillowfort (and cohost before they shut down), but currently the most viable options seem to be wafrn and goblin. @leneemusing has tested out wafrn here. I had no trouble with account creation on any of these sites.

I've made a form here, for any indie roleplayer to submit their tumblr username and a backup account link.

A .doc with the list is here.

Reblog to spread the word, send me an ask if you have questions, etc.

I don't have any rules for this - any indie roleplayer can have their information on the list. Some further thoughts under the readmore.

First of all, if you're early, I know you can tell who I am in the rpc by the urls that are on the list lol. I block a lot of people from my rp blogs (though not from my resource blog). If you've blocked me, or I've blocked you, you can still use the list. I'm not going to care! Similarly, it doesn't matter here, whether our roleplay rules match, what content your write and whether I agree with it, if you've had a callout posted about you, etc. I'm not going to look into any of that with the list, I'm only going to make sure the links you provide work. This is a list for people to find each other in the case of tumblr shutting down. I don't feel like it's my place to restrict who can be on that list.

Why not discord? I won't include discord handles because I think a part of the indie rpc relies on us being on a social site. How would we find people? Use memes or aesthetic posts? Discord servers are not public spaces the way tumblr is. If you want to host a similar list for people's discord handles, you can. You can copy and paste from my list/form to do it if you like, even.

If tumblr does shut down, and therefore this post no longer exists, I will probably make a discord server only for the purpose of maintaining the list, though. It would not be a server for socialising - I don't have the spoons to admin that, and those already exist.

[otomehonyaku]

a reader's guide to otomehonyaku ☽ translation masterpost & request guidelines (updated 4 Feb. '25)

you can call me Ottie (she/her)! 20s, DiaLovers translator & writer

— — currently on indefinite hiatus — —

ASK & DM OPEN ☽ REQUESTS CLOSED ☽ COMMISSIONS NEGOTIABLE THROUGH DM

Please DO NOT REUSE OR REPOST ANY OF MY TRANSLATIONS OR WRITING ELSEWHERE, in any form whatsoever, or RETRANSLATE MY WORK INTO OTHER LANGUAGES WITHOUT MY EXPLICIT PERMISSION. If you have any questions regarding retranslating or reposting, please DM me!

Working on...

Diabolik Lovers More,Blood Stellaworth Complete Tokuten Short Stories ☽ All 10 characters (Next up are Shuu and Reiji!)

Upcoming translations

Diabolik Lovers More,Blood Character Popularity Poll Short Story ☽ Subaru ver.

Diabolik Lovers Chaos Lineage Drama CDs ☽ Vol. 3 (Orange, 4 tracks)

Diabolik Lovers Grand Edition Special Booklet ☽ Year-End Pandemonium (Sakamaki short story)

Diabolik Lovers Vandead Carnival Special Voice CD

Surprise long-form story from one of the tokuten booklets

Diabolik Lovers Chaos Lineage Special Booklet ☽ Short Story (Scarlet ver.)

Diabolik Lovers Chaos Lineage Special Booklet ☽ Short Story (Violet ver.)

Diabolik Lovers Official Anime Novelization ☽ Chapter 4

Note: Please be aware that list is subject to change. If something exciting pops up, I might alternate this list with other translations─in this case, please refer to the 'currently translating' section above to see what I'm working on!

Mainline Diabolik Lovers instalments

☽  DIABOLIK LOVERS: GRAND EDITION ☽ INCLUDING HAUNTED DARK BRIDAL & MORE,BLOOD

☽  DIABOLIK LOVERS: VANDEAD CARNIVAL ☽

☽  DIABOLIK LOVERS: LOST EDEN ☽

☽  DIABOLIK LOVERS: CHAOS LINEAGE ☽

Mainline drama CD series

☽  CLICK HERE FOR MY MAINLINE DRAMA CD MASTERPOST ☽

Books & other written materials

☽  CLICK HERE FOR BOOKS & OTHER WRITTEN MATERIALS ☽

My writing & miscellaneous translations

☽ CLICK HERE FOR MY WRITING & MY MISCELLANEOUS (NON-DIALOVERS) TRANSLATIONS ☽

Guidelines for requests & commissions

As a rule of thumb, Diabolik Lovers-related translations are always my priority and I sometimes write for fun. I do not take requests for writing (short stories, headcanons, reacts, scenarios and the like), though paid commissions are negotiable! Creative writing is quite a personal and subjective thing for me, so I tend to be selective as I want to ensure that I have enough inspiration and fun while writing in order to deliver a quality product. Please reach out through DM if you’d like to discuss a paid commission! Thank you for your understanding ദ്ദി(˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧

When requesting/commissioning a translation, please be aware of the following: ☽ Please provide the source materials which you would like to have translated. I do not have the financial means nor the time to personally buy all of the drama CDs or tokuten for all 13 characters, for example, so if you want something translated: please include a link to the source materials. These could be links to audio files on SoundCloud and BiliBili, or links to Tumblr posts with scans of short stories or interviews and the like. ☽ In all cases, it is your own responsibility to ensure that the source materials—particularly fan-made artwork and scans—have been acquired with full permission from the original poster. If the original poster has NOT given you permission to repost or reuse/translate the materials in question, I will NOT translate them. ☽ This probably goes without saying, but I do these translations for fun—I enjoy doing them, but I am also busy in my daily life. I will try my best to finish and post the translation as soon as possible after your request, but I give no guarantees on how long they will take. I do work relatively quickly given my current language skills in Japanese, but the time I can spend on translating varies per week. ☽ If you would like me to translate Japanese-language materials from other otome franchises or pop culture related things, please consult with me and I’ll see what I can do! ☽ DO NOT REPOST ANY OF MY TRANSLATIONS ELSEWHERE, IN ANY FORM WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING VIDEO), OR TRANSLATE MY WORK TO OTHER LANGUAGES WITHOUT MY PERMISSION.

[spaghettioverdose]

Am I stupid or something because I agree with all of your post but I don't know what's wrong with small businesses. Am I a capitalist because I'm disabled and can only make money selling stickers or am I missing a bigger picture

Because this is tumblr and people in the notes will immediately read three lines of this and accuse me of pissing on the poor, I will begin with a disclaimer that I am neither comparing you to a Elon Musk nor calling you evil.

So, you sell stickers. I would assume that in this context you are selling your own stickers with your own designs, rather than working as a cashier selling someone else's stickers, since you're disabled and you mentioned you can't work a job. You are therefore selling a product you own (whether you produce the stickers entirely yourself or use a 3rd party company) for a profit at a (presumably) online store instead of selling your labour power for a wage. This, by definition would make you petit bourgeois.

When communists talk about class positions, it is not a question of an individual's morality, motivation or amount of income.

Being a small business owner (or petit bourgeois), means that your class interests and the class interests of the workers (the proletariat) come into conflict. As a clear example, let's say in this scenario that you are selling a sticker design on a 3rd party website that specialises in this service, and they source the actual physical stickers from factories around the world. Here, you are essentially selling your intellectual property to the company in exchange for some of the profits from its further sale. Perhaps many of those factories are in the global south, in countires with very low wages and few worker protections (due to intervention from imperial core bourgeoisie powers). One day, the political struggle for worker rights and higher wages is won in some of these countries, driving up the cost of production for the stickers. Perhaps there is also a victory for a union of delivery service workers at home in the imperial core, driving up wages and protections for them as well, further cutting into profits.

The function of the 3rd party sticker company is to strive for ever-increasing profits the capitalists who own it and its investors. The cut in profit will have to be made up elsewhere. This will be done by investing in political groups that are willing to repress worker movements within these countries, shifting production to countries that have yet to achieve these worker victories, cutting corners on their imperial core workers, increasing their price of service by taking a larger cut of your profits, or a mixture of some or all of these.

In that scenario, the proletarian class interests (higher wages, more protections and regulations) are in direct conflicts with the interests of the bourgeois 3rd party sticker company (higher profits, meaning lower wages and less protections and regulations) and by extension, yours, as your class interests also revolve around profit. When workers gain more power, it cuts into your profits. As a petit bourgeois, you are incetivised to support and pursue bourgeois and petty bourgeois politics such as IP laws.

As an individual, you can be whatever kind of person with whatever politics and views you have. As a petit bourgeois small business owner, you have a certain class position that comes with a certain set of class interests. You can always choose to forego your own class interests and instead support the class interests of the proletariat by being a communist even while continuing to be petit bourgeois or even as full on bourgeois. Very notable example being Engles who, although he was a factory owner, he was also one of the two founders of marxism, with the other one being Marx.

The point I was trying to make in the post that probably got you to send this anon, is that there isn't anything inherently communist or "leftist" about supporting small businesses. It is both an incredibly common liberal policy and talking point to support small business, and it does not serve the interests of a proletarian political movement to protect the petit bourgeoisie or ally with them, except in certain instances and involving certain sections of the petit bourgeois, rather than a blanket statement of saying that the small business owner is a nobler form of capitalist.

[whencyclopedia]

Assyria

Assyria was the region located in the ancient Near East which, under the Neo-Assyrian Empire, reached from Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) through Asia Minor (modern Turkey) and down through Egypt. The empire began modestly at the city of Ashur (known as Subartu to the Sumerians), located in Mesopotamia north-east of Babylon, where merchants who traded in Anatolia became increasingly wealthy and that affluence allowed for the growth and prosperity of the city.

According to one interpretation of passages in the biblical Book of Genesis, Ashur was founded by a man named Ashur son of Shem, son of Noah, after the Great Flood, who then went on to found the other important Assyrian cities. A more likely account is that the city was named Ashur after the deity of that name sometime in the 3rd millennium BCE; the same god's name is the origin for 'Assyria'. The biblical version of the origin of Ashur appears later in the historical record (Genesis is dated to c. 1450 BCE at the earliest, 5th century BCE latest) and seems to have been adopted by the Assyrians after they had accepted Christianity. This version, therefore, is thought to be a re-interpretation of their early history more in keeping with their newly-adopted belief system of Assyrian Christians.

The Assyrians were a Semitic people who originally spoke and wrote Akkadian before the easier to use Aramaic language became more popular. Historians have divided the rise and fall of the Assyrian Empire into three periods: The Old Kingdom, The Middle Empire, and The Late Empire (also known as the Neo-Assyrian Empire), although it should be noted that Assyrian history continued on past that point; there are still Assyrians living in the regions of Iran and northern Iraq, and elsewhere, in the present day. The Assyrian Empire is considered the greatest of the Mesopotamian empires due to its expanse and the development of the bureaucracy and military strategies which allowed it to grow and flourish.

The Old Kingdom

Although the city of Ashur existed from the 3rd millennium BCE, the extant ruins of that city date to 1900 BCE which is now considered the date the city was founded. According to early inscriptions, the first king was Tudiya, and those who followed him were known as “kings who lived in tents” suggesting a pastoral, rather than urban, community.

Ashur was certainly an important center of commerce even at this time, however, even though its precise form and structure is unclear. The king Erishum I built the temple of Ashur on the site in c. 1900/1905 BCE, and this has come to be the accepted date for the founding of an actual city on the site although, obviously, some form of city must have existed there prior to that date. The historian Wolfram von Soden writes,

Because of a dearth of sources, very little is known of Assyria in the third millennium…Assyria did belong to the Empire of Akkad at times, as well as to the Third Dynasty of Ur. Our main sources for this period are the many thousand Assyrian letters and documents from the trade colonies in Cappadocia, foremost of which was Kanesh (modern Kultepe). (49-50)

The trade colony of Karum Kanesh (the Port of Kanesh) was among the most lucrative centers for trade in the ancient Middle East and definitely the most important for the city of Ashur. Merchants from Ashur traveled to Kanesh, set up businesses, and then, after placing trusted employees (usually family members) in charge, returned to Ashur and supervised their business dealings from there. The historian Paul Kriwaczek notes:

For several generations the trading houses of Karum Kanesh flourished, and some became extremely wealthy – ancient millionaires. However not all business was kept within the family. Ashur had a sophisticated banking system and some of the capital that financed the Anatolian trade came from long-term investments made by independent speculators in return for a contractually specified proportion of the profits. There is not much about today's commodity markets that an old Assyrian would not quickly recognize. (214-215)

Continue reading...

[snowwhite-andtheknight]

Obiyuki AU Bingo: June Community Board

Here is our first community bingo board! All those planning to participate in the event may begin writing/drawing/planning now, but posting begins June 1st through 30th! The board for July will be posted on 6/1!

Post Dates: Jun 1st - Jun 30th Tag: #obiyukibingo25 Medias: Fic, art, edits or playlists

[PLEASE READ ALL GUIDELINES BEFORE POSTING YOUR WORKS]

Guidelines:

All work must be your own (eg. no plagiarizing other sources, tracing, pose stealing, AI art/writing etc)

The main pairing is Obi x Shirayuki

Fics, art, edits, and playlists are all valid works for this challenge

(If you create other forms of works please contact the comm and we will be happy to work out eligibility)

Must follow the AU prompt

Must be tagged #obiyukibingo25 within the first five tags

With Tumblr’s tagging system on the fritz, please also @ the Obiyuki comm in your entry

No works entered through the submission box will be accepted for this challenge

Works must be posted to Tumblr to be eligible as fills! The post may redirect elsewhere (AO3, ffnet, deviant art, youtube, etc) but we need a Tumblr post to reblog our progress on the board!

Please label with your AU!

All NSFW content must be tagged and under a Read More!

You may post more than one entry per prompt, but it will only count for that square

If someone else fills a square, you are still welcome to submit a fill for that prompt– it won’t count towards a further bingo, but it will count toward your personal stats!

One entry, no matter how many AUs it is applicable for, may only count as one square

Fics must be over 500 words to count as a fill

Art does not have to be a full colored finished piece, but at least a finished sketch

Playlists must be over 8 songs.

Be nice

Play hard

Can I base my work off of other fanworks? (aka, make fanart of a fanfic, write fanfic based on fanart, make an edit of a fanfic or write a fanfic for a playlist, etc)

This is absolutely welcome! If your medium is the same (making a fanfic of a fanfic, or fanart inspired by fanart), please check with the creator of the original fanwork, but otherwise just credit the work that inspired you.

What works are considered valid entries?

Fic, art, edits & playlists. Please note, we are looking for transformative works; please do not simply palette swap characters from the AU source, or find & replace names in their plot. Reimagine what an AU would look like with AnS character in it!

[feelmyskinonyourskin]

April 15th

Character: Frank Castle (a little Frank x Matt Murdock if you squint)

My Masterlist

Summary: Based on my calculations, this spring will be the canonical 10 year anniversary of the death of Frank's family. So I wrote an angsty thing about it. This is also a lil Fratt coded.

*I never give permission for my fics, manips, or any other original creation I post on Tumblr to be copied, posted elsewhere, translated, or fed into any AI program. The only platforms I currently post on are Tumblr and AO3. Thanks!*

WC: 2,692

Ten Years

Ten Years

Those two words rung in his ears on repeat over and over again. 

Very few people were in the park this early, still cozy in bed as the city began to wake. But sleep was never something he found easily, especially this time of year. A few early morning joggers passed by, barely noticing the tired looking man as he sat on the bench, staring ahead. It was off-leash time in the park as well and he gave the sweet black lab that sat beside him a few pats before it ran off to rejoin it’s owner.

He stared at the green tarp in front of him, blank expression on his face as the sun rose and painted the park in golden light. The air was crisp and the dew clung to the growing grass on the hill in the distance. It was free of the crimson stains that haunted his sleep, long since washed away with the passage of time. 

Ten Years

Ten Years

The click-clack of heels against the pavement, louder with each step as they approached him, almost tore his gaze away from the covered structure in front of him and the hill in the distance.

Almost.

The source of the percussive walking sat down beside him. She tucked a loose wisp of her blonde hair behind her ear before reaching out, offering him a to-go cup from the bakery down the street. He took it without a word and without turning his gaze to her.

“Brought you coffee.” she said softly

How did she know where to find him? There were a number of places he could be - the cemetery was obvious, or in an alleyway bloodying some poor lowlife, or drinking his sorrows away in whatever apartment he was squatting in for the time being. Was she looking for him long? Or just got lucky and picked the right spot? Was she just stopping by on her way to work or planning on staying beside his pitiful ass all day?

“Thanks, Karen.” he finally replied, quietly

They sat in silence together for a while, staring as the city and the park came more to life. Eventually, she reached out and took his free hand in hers with a squeeze. 

“You have my number, Frank. I know you’ll act like you don’t need anything, but please call or text me if you do. You know I don’t mind.”

He replied with a nod.

“I gotta get to work.” 

He nodded again.

She let her hand fall away from his and stood. With care, she leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead and the tapping of her heels faded away.

Ten Years

Ten Years

Just as the school groups seemed to be arriving in the park for their springtime field trips and the tourists filed in with their cameras pointed towards the blooming trees, two more people arrived.

Two Central Park employees, dressed head to toe in forest green uniforms, began removing the tarp he had spent all morning staring at and opening the carousel for business for the day.

They had repainted it in the years since he had lost his family. Probably after he stained it with Billy’s face. The colorful animals shone with fresh lacquer against the spring sunshine. A line had already begun to form with families eager to ride. The employees finished their rounds then the music started up. The same music the nauseatingly played over and over in his mind.

“You know it’s creepy for an old dude to just sit and stare at a kiddy ride all day.” the voice from beside him said, sitting down on the park bench

“Pft. Don’t wanna hear it from you about being ‘creepy,’ Lieberman,” Frank replied, still watching as the carousel began to spin around and around for the first riders of the day.

“Honestly, wouldn’t have remembered what day it was if Sarah hadn’t reminded me.”

“How is Sarah? And the kids?”

“Good. Zach is officially committed to NYU in the Fall and Leo is already packing for an internship she has in Italy this summer.”

“That’s great David. Really.”

“How are you, Frank?”

Frank replied with only a shrug before taking a sip of the last of the coffee from Karen.

The two men sat side by side for a while, watching the carousel get busier and busier. David slapped two hands on his knees and rose to his feet.

“Welp. I gotta get going. You know where to find us Frank.”

Ten Years

Ten Years

As the day wore on, families came and went. People laid blankets on the hill, enjoyed picnics on the cool April day. He saw so many kids that reminded him of Lisa and Frankie, running around joyfully without a care in the world. So many mothers that passed by he swore he saw a glimmer of Maria for a moment.

He didn’t notice how the sun now beat down, heating the skin under his thick jacket. He didn’t notice hunger growing inside his stomach or the discomfort of how he’d been sitting in the same position for a little too long.

“Keep staring like that Frank and the park is gonna paint you bronze. Make you a permanent statue here.”

“Hey Curt.”

“You’d make a helluva ugly statue, Frank.”

“Yes I would.”

The man sat beside him in the same spot where David and Karen had before, placing a brown paper bag between them. He let out a sigh as he watched his friend continue to be lost in the memories.

“You eat anything yet today?”

Frank shook his head.

“Ain’t hungry.”

“C’mon Frank, you gotta eat something” He said, shaking the bag in the air “I brought sandwiches. From that shitty deli you like.”

“You come to just lecture me –”

“No, I came to be a friend,” Curtis cut him off “And get your sorry ass out of your own damn head.”

“Preciate it Curt, I really do, but I ain’t looking for anything today. Just let me be.”

“Fine. But only if you eat.”

Frank gave a half nod as Curtis opened the bag and handed Frank a sandwich. The men sat in silence and ate for a while, continuing to watch the families come and go.

When the last bite of his sandwich was gone, Curtis stood and gave his friend a clap on the back.

“I’ll see you at group on Thursday?” he asked

“Yeah.”

“Promise you’ll be there and not sulking in some alleyway somewhere bashing some guy’s head in?”

“Ain’t makin’ no guarantees.”

Ten Years

Ten Years

As the sun began to get low, many of the families cleared out, anxious to get home to dinner and an evening of relaxing. The post 9-5 runners now passed by in droves as the air began to cool back down.

Once again the clack clack clack of heeled shoes echoed somewhere in the background of Frank’s thoughts.

“Well Castle, you look like shit.”

“Good to see you too, Madani.”

The woman, with her curly hair blowing gently in the breeze and polished briefcase tucked under her arm, sat on the bench beside him with a sigh.

“Curtis said you were in rough shape, so I stopped by.”

“You talk to Curtis?”

“You’re not the only one who needs someone to talk through all the shit we’ve seen.”

“That’s good – yeah real good” Frank said with a nod, wringing his hands “Say, you ever come back here?”

“To where I got shot in the head? No.” she replied with a snort

After a moment of pause, she cleared her throat. Her eyes remained cast toward the pavement as her feet shuffled against it anxiously. 

“Why do you come back?” she asked with a certain quietness to her voice

“To remember. Them. Him. Why I do what I do. Cause some sick twisted part of me thinks if I just stare at that damn carousel long enough or look at the stupid field hard enough, I’ll just see em’ coming over the hill, smiling at me like they were on that day. That if aliens can invade this damn city or make half of us disappear for five years then maybe somethin’ll happen and it’ll all have just been a bad dream and…”

Frank could feel tears welling in his eyes for the first time that day.

“... and maybe I could have ‘em back.”

Dinah pretended not to notice the way Frank wiped at his eyes as he continued to stare ahead at the carousel. She had avoided gazing at it at all since she’d arrived and had no intention of starting now.

“You know Frank, you ever need a distraction from…” she gestured vaguely “... all this. CIA could still use a guy like you.” 

“Told you Madani, I ain’t coming to work for you. ‘Preciate the offer though.”

“Offer will still be there, if you ever change your mind.”  

She sat for another moment, before gathering her bag and tightening the belt on her crisp trench coat.

“Take care, Frank.”

“You too, Dinah.”

Ten Years

Ten Years

The sun was now long gone as the carousel took it’s last spin of the night. The late hour meant very few children were even still there to ride; most of the families and tourists and runners had gone home.

The two evening shift employees came out from their hut minutes later, sweeping the area of debris and re-covering the carousel in the green tarp. They finished up their duties and also headed out, leaving Frank alone in the yellowy glow of the park lamps.

But still, he sat, not sure what he was waiting for anymore or how much longer he planned to stay. Any other person would have felt alone in the quiet of the night, but his head was still buzzing as loudly as when he arrived this morning. He nearly gasped at the air filling his lungs, so overwhelmed in his grief, he’d forgotten to breathe for a moment.

Only when the clang of metal scraping concrete rang out from just below his feet did he startle out of his trance.

Nervously, he reached down to inspect what had landed just beneath where he sat, flashbacks to enemies coming for him with a pipebomb or grenade running through his brain.

The maroon baton shone under the lamplight as Frank held it up, an exasperated sigh leaving his lips.

“Jesus, Red. The hell you tryin’ to do?!”

“Warn you that I’m here so you don’t accidentally shoot me,” a voice replied from the darkness behind him

“Still considerin’ it…” 

The Devil of Hell's Kitchen made his way around the bench, hands held up in surrender.

“Ya know most people just say ‘hello’ or walk real loud if they don’t wanna startle someone.”

Matt shrugged, with a glimmer of mischief to the smirk poking out from under his mask. Frank rolled his eyes.

“Karen mentioned…” the man in crimson changed the subject

“Course she did…”

“I just wanted to come by. Make sure –”

Frank cut him off.

“Make sure I wasn’t spillin’ some criminal’s blood too close to your turf? Came by to try and convert me to your shitty code —”

Matt now took his turn to cut Frank off.

“No. I came by to make sure you were okay.”

“Ain’t exactly peg you as the sentimental type, Red.”

“Well, I mean, I am Catholic…”

Frank let out a scoff and shook his head, leaning back. Matt took the vague gesture as an invitation and sat beside him, removing his horned helmet.

“You know every year —on the day my dad died, I usually go to church.”

He felt the way Frank shifted rigidly beside him; unsure if it was the topic of death, or his personal past, or religion that made the large Marine beside him uncomfortable.

“It’s the one where he took me when I was a kid and where I grew up after he was gone,” he continued “But I do this too. Just sit and think and miss him.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. And for the longest time, I did it alone. I turned away everyone who came to help me; the other kids, the nuns, eventually Karen and Foggy.”

Frank shook his head at Matt’s story, always annoyed at his ramblings on a normal night but extra irritated on this particular evening. 

“There a point to this?” Frank asked.

“Getting there. I spent so many years isolating myself, dividing myself from the people that cared. I thought I could do it all alone.” 

Frank parted his lips, tempted to make another snarky comment, but he decided against it, letting Matt get out whatever he needed to in those hopes it’d make him go away faster.

“I lied to myself for a long time that the people who got close to me were better off without me and the danger I bring. That I was God’s perfect soldier, meant to suffer alone for my great purpose.” Matt continued

“So what changed?”

“Time. And people who were more stubborn than me and refused to give up on me. They helped me realize I needed them. And that I was only pushing them away to avoid getting hurt myself.”

“So that it, huh? You refusin’ to give up on me?” Frank scoffed

“Something like that.”

Frank shook his head.

“So what do you do now?”

“Hm?”

“The day your dad died, Red. What do you do?”

Matt smiled at Frank’s question and stretched his head upwards, glassy eyes shifting side to side as if trying to see his father in the sky above.

“I still go to the church. But Karen and Foggy come with me. Sometimes my mom walks over from the abbey and brings food.”

Frank’s eyebrows shot up at the statement, more surprised to find out that Matt’s mother was a nun and wondering the story of how that all worked. But he stayed silent and let Matt continue.

“And you know what? I don’t feel angry anymore; at him or the man that killed him or God. And little by little, every year since it gets a little–” He paused, trying to find the right word. “Lighter.”

“Look Red, I appreciate the sermon but I ain’t you.”

“No, but you’re one good day away from being me.”

Frank fully rolled his eyes this time and muttered a “Christ” under his breath, agitated that Matt could use his words from years ago when they first met and flip them around on him.

“You wanna know what else I do?”

“What?”

“After I let myself be with the people who care, I go home to my apartment. Alone. A few years ago Karen found videos of some of his old fights on the internet. My dad was a boxer. I listen to them and I drink.”

“That sounds more my speed, Red.”

“What do you say Frank, wanna go watch some old boxing matches and drink?”

Frank pondered the offer for a moment.

“No. I got some other places I gotta be.”

“Right.” 

Matt removed the helmet from his lap and brought it down on his head, wiggling it a few times to get it in place and stood.

“Take care, Frank.” Matt said with a nod 

“You too, Red.”

Frank watched as Matt disappeared into the shadows of the park. With a sigh, he finally stood, taking one last look at the carousel before heading down the path out of the park. He walked for blocks, still mulling over Matt’s words as he made his way down the empty sidewalks. 

By the time he reached Hell’s Kitchen, he finally felt cold, zipping up his jacket to protect from the chilly night. 

When he finally reached his destination, he hesitated for a moment. Taking in the large red doors in front of him, he wasn’t sure why he had come or what he was hoping to find. But if it helped Red, maybe it could help him.

Frank reached forward and pushed open the door, stepping into the chapel at Clinton Church.

Ten Years

Ten Years

[streamafterlaughter]

Soundtrack to Disaster

Chapter XVI: Can't Call You A Stranger

masterlist | playlist | pinboard | prev. | read on ao3 | read bee's diary

songs for this chapter: it will come back by hozier, black butterflies and deja vu by the maine, my favorite color by citizen, tell me how by paramore, your one way street by anxious

chapter summary: another day spent with your... friend? Eddie?

chapter tags: (dream) smut, f!masturbation, post nut (un?)clarity, swearing/adult language, adult behaviors, these two cannot help being vulgar i’m sorry!, more angst!, but also fluff! cigarettes, weed, drinking, perv!Eddie continues. | fic tags: Angst, hurt/(eventual) comfort, (eventual) smut, slow burn, enemies to friends to lovers, Eddie Munson x Fem!OC!Reader, Modern AU | This fic is rated 18+ MDNI

a/n: fun fact the way bee found paramore is actually the way I found paramore. A little personal lore for u. 

DISCLAIMER: I do not consent to having my work fed to AI engines, or reposted in any way, shape, or form on other websites. Unless otherwise stated, my tumblr and ao3 are the only account that feature and contain this work, and any replication was done without my consent. Please let me know if you see my work elsewhere

taglist (open!): @children-of-the-grave @five-bi-five @kellsck @faggotinie @xplrnowornever @taccobelle @micheledawn1975 @mewchiili @dreamerjj @losingmygrasponreality @munsonburn3r @justalotoffanfiction @bl0ssomanddie @eddiesgirl1944

–--

You gather the strength to look down. Your legs are draped over his shoulders, giving him better access to your cunt. With each swipe of his tongue you’re shivering, whining, arching towards him. His eyes meet yours at the same time he slips his middle finger inside you. You can’t help the noises that escape your throat as he curls his digit, stroking that sweet, soft spot you have such a hard time reaching. 

The fire pit is unlit beside you, the stars your only source of light. You just now register you’re at Eddie’s secret spot, in the middle of Hawkins Forest. The crickets’ chirps are barely audible over the sounds Eddie’s drawing from you, from between your legs. In response to your begging, Eddie slips his ring finger in to meet the first, curling them in such a way that has you shuddering beneath him in seconds. “Eddie, Eddie… Fuck, please don’t stop.” The words feel heavy in your mouth, and you can feel your orgasm peaking, legs shaking on either side of his head, screaming his name into the otherwise silent night, scaring the local woodland creatures, “Eddie, Eddie, Eddie,” Until you’re pushing his head away from the oversensitivity. 

–

You wake up with your pillow between your thighs, damp from sweat or your unconscious release, you’re not sure. “Oh, what the fuck.” You groan, kicking the pillow to the floor in disgust. The dream is fuzzy now, but the knot beneath your navel still throbs with the memory. You grab your phone and look at the time: 10:30. “Shit.” Eddie said he’d be over by noon. Eddie. The person you just had a second wet dream about. 

“There’s no way he’ll be on time though, right?” You say aloud, into the strangely humid air of your bedroom. Before anything, you need a shower. A freezing cold, mind cleansing, nerve jolting shower. After having to dig through the hallway closet for a clean towel, you scurry into the bathroom, praying your brother hadn’t had the unfortunate luck of hearing any possible sleep noises you had probably definitely made. 

Setting the temperature as cold as you can stand and discarding your shirt and panties, you shuffle your playlist and step into the tub, instantly fighting the urge to jolt forward at the icy water stinging your skin. Closing your eyes, you focus on the discomfort, begging the images lingering from the night before from your mind; of Eddie between your legs, lapping at your folds like his life had depended on it. “No, fuck, stop it.” You scold yourself, rubbing a cold hand down your somehow still burning face. It doesn’t matter how much soap you use, you’re not scrubbing the thoughts away with force– you’re gonna have to ride it out.

You sigh, cranking the temperature of your shower. The room slowly fills with steam, relaxing your muscles and fogging your sleepy brain.

You slide your hand down your abdomen, crawling past your pubic mound and slipping a finger between your soaked folds, excitement renewed in the humidity. Your head goes limp against the tile wall, eyes squeezed shut as you imagine Eddie’s fingers inside of you instead of your own, thicker and far more skilled. Eventually, you bring yourself to climax, free hand flying to cover your mouth to stifle the moans of Eddie’s name, involuntarily slipping through between huffs and whines of pleasure. Definitely not the best idea to masturbate to the thoughts of the person you’re seeing in an hour, but it’s cleared your head for the moment. You shake your head, amazed at your own ridiculous, filthy fantasy. Way to keep it simple, Bee. 

–

“Shit! Shitshitshit– AH!” The exasperations are coming from your living room. You peek around the corner, still wrapped in your towel, where Eddie and Chris are playing video games and tossing chips in their mouths. Clicking your phone screen on, you scoff when the time reads 11:32. He’s not only on time, he’s fucking early. For the first time in probably his entire life. 

Then, even worse, you remember: you hadn’t brought your clothes to the bathroom. All you have is your soaked underwear and Eddie’s old t-shirt you hadn’t had the heart to give up. And he cannot see you wearing that, not after yesterday. 

Somehow, you come to the conclusion that walking by them in your towel is a better idea. You leave your clothes discarded in the bathroom, and brace yourself for the consequences of your actions. 

“Avert your gazes, men, I’m comin’ through!” You announce, giving them one final chance to keep their eyeballs.

“Wh- Oh!” Eddie turns to the direction of your voice, and whips his hand over his eyes. “Uh, mornin’, Bee.”

“Where the hell are your clothes?” Chris teases, mouth full of potato chips.

“Thought I’d make it to my room before he showed up, honestly. He said noon!”

“No, I said by noon. And I didn’t think Chris would be home.” The last bit sounds like a dig, like he’s upset that Chris is here.

“Oh, sorry, do I need to leave you two love birds alone? Don’t worry, my shift starts in thirty. I’ll go now, but they better not expect me to be on time ever again.”

“Where are you even working, dude?” 

“The Hideout.”

“The bar your mother owns.”

“Yeah, she still docks me for tardiness!”

“Good! You should be working day and night for that woman. She shouldn’t even be paying you!”

You snort, and Chris throws you a threatening glare. “What? He’s right, you’ve given Mom hell your whole life.”

“Good thing she has you to keep her fuckin’ sane.”

“Whoa, wait,” Eddie tries to interject.

“Shut up, Ed. Enjoy your… date. Or whatever the fuck you two aren’t telling me about. I’m goin’ to work.” Before you can argue, he’s thrown on his leather jacket and stomped out the door, slamming it behind him. 

“Did I hit a nerve?” Eddie turns from the door to look at you, still wrapped in a far too revealing towel. You shrug. Chris had pushed you to talk to Eddie, and now he’s pissed at you for doing exactly that. “You, uh… gonna get dressed? Not that I’m complaining or anything, I just don’t see that being super comfortable for very long.

He cackles as you roll your eyes, finally retreating to your  room to get dressed. You decide on a cropped t-shirt, and a pair of spandex shorts that will let you clean your apartment without overheating. 

“Since when are you punctual?” You call, throwing an oversized hoodie over yourself. “I remember you being consistently late in high school, and every day after.”

“Can’t a guy be excited to help a lady with some household chores?” His response is said through a mouthful of chips. “Besides, nothing entertaining goin’ on at home, I think Ethel’s sick of me.”

“I would be too, with my only roommate stinking the whole apartment up with weed.”

“Hey, I’ll have you know I make sure she’s out of the room when I smoke. And I keep the window open.” His voice migrates closer, and he leans patiently against your doorframe waiting for you to emerge from the bedroom. “Speaking of, you wanna pre-clean smoke? I find it helps me focus on the task at hand.”

You cock a skeptical eyebrow at him. “I have a really hard time believing smoking weed helps you do anything but melt into the furniture.” You toss some stray pieces of clothing into your laundry hamper, already overflowing with work shirts and the jeans you’d worn all week. “I’ll reward myself with some afterwards, though!” You offer, which seems to perk the pout that had settled on his lips. “C’mon, machines are in the basement.”

–

With the laundry started, you make work of cleaning the rest of your bedroom. Mostly, you have shit to unpack and put away, something your executive dysfunction hasn’t allowed you to do just yet. With Eddie here, though, you find it much easier to stay on task, meticulously unpacking the remainder of your boxes, and finding places for everything. Without offering, Eddie has unpacked a few himself, turning to you every few moments to ask where you want something. 

“Oh, my god. Bee, what the fuck?” Eddie is peering into a box with MEMORIES scrawled across it in sharpie. “I can’t believe you still have this.”

“What?” You place your dusty record player on top of your bookshelf before approaching, joining him in inspecting the box. Inside is your old Dungeons and Dragons notebook and character sheets, acrylic paints in every possible color, and a few sets of dice. However, you know exactly what he’s referring to before he pulls it from the box: The figurine he’d painted for you in middle school. It’s a princess, painted cobalt blue and gold, with a tiny crown on her head. The details have held up over the years, her facial features pristine and weirdly similar to your own. 

“Of course I do, I don't just get rid of the nicest thing anyone’s ever made for me!” You mock offense as you snatch the figure from his fingers. “Majesty will reside at my bedside, and she shall watch over whilst I slumber.” You giggle, and Eddie rolls his eyes at your dramatics as you carefully place the princess on your bedside table. “There. Perfect.” You turn back to face Eddie, catching the way his lips twitch upward at your antics. “You wanna put some music on?”

He nods, and you hand him your phone already loaded with your playlists.

“Crap, crap, major crap…” Eddie scrolls through your library, hurling the insult at you between groans and grunts of disappointment.

“Okay, never mind. Asshole.”

“I’m kidding! I promise, you definitely don’t have the worst taste of my friends. I caught Steve listening to Imagine Dragons the other day.”

You can't help but snort, picturing Steve jamming out to Believer in his bedroom while Eddie sneaks up behind him. “Well, we both know Steve isn’t super picky about his music.”

Eddie shrugs, agreeing. “Ah! This is a great one.” He pokes the screen, and music begins to flood through your bluetooth speaker. It’s an interesting choice for him, definitely not the route you’d expect him to take. 

“The Maine? Really?”

“Yeah, they remind me of summer, and it’s fuckin’ cold out today.” He cranks the volume a bit, swaying along to the music while you organize your dresser. It’s when Eddie goes to pick up your previously discarded pillow that you snap to your senses. “Don’t touch that!” You forgot to strip your bed. The bed Eddie has made his way to the end of, perched precariously at the foot, looking at you with startled, wide eyes, your soiled pillow in his big hands. 

“What?!” Eddie lets it drop to the floor, matching the panic in your voice. “You got bed bugs or something?”

“No! No, nothing like that. Just, it’s probably really sweaty! I run hot when I sleep.” You snatch the pillow from the floor and yank its satin case off. Luckily, there is no visible damage, but your heart rate still has yet to return to normal.  

“Uh huh. Okay. Sure.” Eddie exaggerates each word, nodding emphatically like you’ve told him the most interesting thing in the world. The song has changed to something far less summer-feeling, an angry guitar charging through your bones as it shakes the walls. “Oof, this song is awesome. Who is it?” He’s not kidding, you can hear the sincerity in his voice.

“Citizen. It’s called My Favorite Color. One of the best songs on this album.” You nod your head to the song, that angsty emo headbang you’ve perfected over the years. Meanwhile, Eddie seems to hone in on the lyrics, face morphing as he focuses on the way Mat Kerekes enunciates each word. 

“Shit, can’t believe I haven’t heard these guys before. You got any more recommendations?” 

You beam, dropping down next to him at the foot of your bed. “From Citizen? Or in general.”

“In general. I know Paramore already, though, you’ve liked them since you were, what, ten?”

“Eight. When we watched Twilight for the first time. I bought the soundtrack right after, and haven't looked back since!” Usually, when you start talking about your interests, the ones you’re speaking to tend to tune out when they have nothing to add. Eddie, though, is eagerly engaged with what you’re saying, asking about your favorite songs and albums like he’s studying for a test on the subject. 

“Okay, so, I know Riot is like the album for them. But what’s your favorite?”

“Oh, easy. After Laughter.”

“The synth pop one? Seriously?”

“You don’t get it. That album has some of the realest, most devastating songs on it. You ever sat down and just listened to Fake Happy? Or 26? Tell Me How?!” You rattle off in excitement, and Eddie just keeps listening to you. There is no underlying self consciousness about geeking out, you feel secure in your obsession, and sharing it with Eddie. “When you go home, put your headphones on and listen to it. Front to back. Text me with your thoughts.”

“Yes, maam.” He salutes you, and you whack him on the arm with a scoff. 

“You’ll thank me.”

“I’m sure.”

–

“Pizza or burritos?” You scroll through your delivery app, debating on dinner. 

“Hm… Burrito. Definitely.” Eddie takes another puff of the joint and passes it to you. Your apartment is only slightly tidier than it was when you’d started, but you figure it’s time for a lunch break. You pluck the joint from Eddie’s fingers and inhale, agreeing and clicking on the Mexican restaurant to order food.

“I’ll be right back. Gotta take a leak.” Eddie shoves himself from the sofa.

“Lovely.”

“I know, I’m quite the gentleman.” He slides into the bathroom, closing the door behind him. You check the time, noting that your first load of laundry will be almost done soon. It’s then that you remember the shirt and underwear in your bathroom, on the floor next to your tub. The bathroom that Eddie is currently using. 

“Shit.” An exclamation only meant for you, but Eddie has already emerged from behind the door.

“What’s wrong?”

“What? Nothing! Nothing’s wrong.”

“Okay…” He trails off as he sits back down on the couch. “Anyway, you wanna watch something while we wait?” He already has the remote in his hand. 

“Yeah, you can choose. I’ll be right back.” And you power walk to the bathroom before he can question you. The shirt is still in the corner, turned inside out, and thankfully covering the pair of bright pink panties you’d just die if Eddie had caught sight of. You snatch it from the floor and shake it. Nothing falls out of the shirt, so you flip it right side in, revealing the faded logo of a band you and Eddie had gone to see live. Nothing else separates from the fabric, your panties are gone. Nowhere to be found. 

“What the fuck.” 

–

You’re folding your laundry with laser focus when there's a knock on your apartment door. Eddie rises from the couch, snapping you from the task in front of you just in time to see the flash of pink in his back pocket. You squint as he flings the door open to retrieve the food, thanking the delivery driver with a cash tip on top of the one you’d already added to the order. 

It’s your underwear. You’re almost certain, the only doubt stemming from the reasoning for it. Why would he steal them in the first place? 

He pivots to face you, catching you staring at his ass. “Like what you see?”

You take a split second to debate your next move. “I mean, kinda. I bought them.” You cross your arms over your chest, a challenge.

Eddie freezes in place, the paper take-out bag clenched in his fist like a lifeline. “I–”

“The burritos, Eddie?” You reach your arm out, and Eddie visibly relaxes. Interesting. 

“Right, yeah. Your highness.” He hands you the bag before rushing into the kitchen, busying himself grabbing plates and napkins from your cabinets. You decide against bringing it up directly. Not like it will accomplish anything. Instead, you turn back to the TV, still not paying attention to the titles flashing across the screen as you scroll. 

When Eddie returns, he sits on the other end of the couch, placing his plate precariously on the arm, body twisted uncomfortably as if trying to take up as little space as possible. 

“What are you doing?” You question, nodding your head at his posture. “Looks super uncomfortable.”

“I’m good. Perfectly fine.” He readjusts, wincing. 

You roll your eyes. “Yeah, looks like it.” You click on a movie without thinking, and nestle into the couch as the title sequence rolls. “Get over here, stupid.” You wave your hand at him until he obeys, slowly moving away from the corner to sit on the cushion next to you. Your knee knocks into his as you lean forward to take another bite, and you can feel his eyes boring into the side of your head.

You still have a few hours before you have to get ready for work, and with the way Eddie has been acting, you need to fill that time with something to distract the both of you. “What are you gonna be for Halloween?” You ask him, daring to turn your body to his, nudging him with your legs as you do. “Think it’s only fair you tell me, since you helped me pick out my costume.” 

“I was thinking, maybe a vampire. Not a dorky Dracula vampire, though. More of a Spike.”

“Like, as in Buffy the Vampire Slayer Spike?” You perk up. “I fuckin’ love that show.”

He nods, suddenly enthusiastic. “Me, too. My mom watched it all the time when I was a kid, she used to let me stay up late to watch with her sometimes. I was obsessed with it for awhile.” 

It kills you a little. You have so much in common, even now. “You should do it. But only if you wear the coat.”

Eddie snickers. “Would you believe I just have one in my wardrobe already?”

“Yeah, actually. Without question.” You turn back to the TV, quickly scrolling through your recently watched and finding what you’re looking for: Season two, episode three: School Hard.

–

“You hangin’ out?” You ask as Eddie pulls up to the curb of The Hideout. 

“Chris still in there?”

Through the bar window, you see him mixing drinks for a group of middle aged ladies. “Looks like it, why?”

“After his weird outburst this morning, I better give you two some space. Text me if you want a ride home though, okay?” You nod, and he waves before throwing his van back into gear, tires screeching as he pulls away from the sidewalk. 

Inside, rock music blasts through the overhead speakers, patrons are drinking and laughing in the booths as others dance on the sticky wooden floor. It must be someone’s birthday, because there’s no other reason for the bar to be this busy on a Monday. 

“Hey, honey!” Your mom calls, stepping out of the back office with her phone against her ear. “Really need you on the bar, just got a call that the other half of this bachelorette party is coming in ten.” She clicks her phone off, shoving it into her back pocket before grabbing the rag and spray to wipe down the tables.

“Bachelorette party on a monday night in Hawkins? Their car break down or something?”

Your mom shrugs. “Guess they used to come here in their twenties, wanted to reminisce. Apparently this is her third marriage.” You follow your eyes to where your mom is watching the women slam down tequila shots in the back booth, squealing with excitement when the Bride to Be grabs an extra lime. 

“I hope to be that excited about life at forty.” You muse, making your mother snort. “They know this isn’t a strip club, right?”

“Yeah, of course. They did, however, ask us if the band was playing tonight.”

Your smile is wiped from your face. “What did you tell them?” 

“I told them they’ll be here tomorrow, if they wanna come back we’d comp their first round.”

You sigh, relieved. “Thank god.”

“Didn’t you hang out with Eddie today, though?” What the fuck.

“Did Chris tell you?”

“He came in all pissed off. I practically forced it out of him, though.”

“What’s his problem, did he tell you?” You glance to where your brother is, bussing the tables not currently in use to make room for more rowdy women to come. 

“I can only infer, he didn’t give me much to work with.”

“Okay, what do you infer?” If one thing’s true about your mother, she’s always been of sound logic.

“I think your brother is jealous of the time you’re spending with Eddie.” 

It gives you pause. “He wanted me to spend time with Eddie!”

“Yeah, I get that. But he probably wanted to spend time with both of you, too.” Before she can explain, a lady with a bob that could cut glass waves her over to order another martini, leaving you to think about her suggestion. 

She might be right, you haven’t spent too much time with Chris since he’s been home, but it’s not like he’s made much of an effort to hang out with you, either. It’s been parties and gatherings for the last couple of weeks, forcing you to be around Chris the popular guy, instead of Chris the older brother. 

–

Chris leaves before close, without so much as a wave before shoving the door open, cigarette already between his lips. Without much of a plan, you chase him out, catching him outside the bar shielding himself from the wind so he can light his cigarette. You approach him quietly, reaching your hand to help cover the flame, and he looks up at you, startled before registering it’s you.

“Thanks.” He mumbles, the stick bobbing between his lips. He removes it, blowing smoke away from your face and offers it out to you. Plucking it with two fingers, you bring it to your lips and inhale, the nicotine rushing to your head, making it buzz. 

“Can you tell me what happened this morning?” You hand his cig back to him.

“I saw you talkin’ to Mom, figure you already know?”

“Wanna hear it from you, though. Don’t love it when my brother’s pissed at me.”

He sighs, taking another drag before speaking. “I’m not pissed at you, Bee.”

“Then what’s wrong?” 

“I just… It’s weird being home. You’re all grown up, and I missed it. I missed the last six years of your life, I missed your college graduation for fuck’s sake. And now you’re hanging out with the kid that you couldn’t stand to think about, and I should be happy for you. I am happy for you! You deserve to be happy. I wish it wasn’t my fault that you weren’t for so long.” His cigarette is burning between his fingers as he talks, and you snatch it from him to tap the ash off, and take another drag. Chris continues, “It feels like you don’t want me around. I found an apartment, I’m goin’ to look at it tomorrow. I dunno if you wanna come with me–”

“Of course I do. Chris, I love having you home. I’m sorry I’m doing such a piss poor job of showing you that, it’s been so weird for me too. I thought you wanted Eddie and I to get along, I was trying for you.”

He shakes his head. “I love that you two don’t hate each other, don’t get me wrong. But I’m jealous. I know I shouldn’t be, and I know you felt the same way when we were kids and I hung out with him instead of you. I never claimed to be reasonable.” He chuckles sadly, and takes his cigarette back. “I’m sorry, I know it’s ridiculous.”

You shake your head. “I get it. How about this; tomorrow, until we inevitably have to come in for the Corroded Coffin show, we spend it together. We go look at this new place and make sure it’s exactly what you want. And if it isn’t I don’t mind having you eat my food and sleep in my spare bedroom until we find something you do like. Sound good?”

Chris laughs at the way you’re talking, just like your mother: cool, calm, and collected. “Sounds perfect.”

–

Chris ends up staying until your shift is over. 

“You need a ride home?” He spins his key ring around on his finger, waiting for you to finish counting the drawer.

“Yeah, that would be great. Let me just let my original ride know I’m good.” 

“Eddie?”

You look for signs of anger, but Chris is smiling as he asks you. “Yeah, he dropped me off.” You unlock your phone and quickly type the message out: 

>hey! chris is driving me home, thanks for the offer tho : )

Your phone dings a couple seconds later:

Eddie (block later): ok! you guys talk?

> yeah, all good.  Eddie (block later): good im glad. will i see u at the gig tmr? > ill be there with bells on. and probs my apron. Eddie (block later) cant wait : )

 Your phone buzzes again, with a photo attachment from him:

Eddie (block later): found the jacket btw. 

It’s a picture Eddie’s taken in his bedroom mirror, wearing the jacket, which is ankle length, trench style but made entirely of leather. It is just like the one Spike wears in the show. 

>where tf did u even get that thing?! Eddie (block later): thrifted it years ago, i try to save it for special occasions tho >its sick, cant wait to see the costume! Eddie (block later): : )

–

[aarafox]

Lately I’ve been seeing a lot of reposting of artwork in the helluva boss fandom, idk if it’s people who are new to tumblr/the fandom but there’s one thing I want to make clear:

Reposting - the act of uploading a pic of someone’s art to make a new post - is NOT a good thing to do. Reblogging - I hope we all know what that is - IS a good thing.

IF you want to repost an artwork, because it’s only on Twitter/X or for other reasons, approach the original artist to ask for their permission. If you don’t receive permission, DON���T POST. If you do receive permission, CREDIT THEM WITH NAME AND/OR LINKS.

If you don’t know who the artist is, use reverse google images or saucenao.com to look for a source. Can’t find the original artist/source? DON’T POST THE ART.

A work of art posted without permission or credit is considered stealing, because others will believe YOU made it and therefore YOU will receive the credit, which is unfair. Artists put a lot of time and work into their pieces and deserve to be credited/respected. Putting “credit to the owner/creator” under the art is not enough; other users still won’t be able to find the actual creators and it’s no proof that the artist gave permission for their work to be posted elsewhere than their own blogs/accounts.

I know many people find pictures on Pinterest, but the artists often aren’t credited there either. Don’t upload these artworks if you don’t know who made it.

Hope this helps!

[eschergirls]

February 2025 Escher Girls Patreon Thank You & Life/Site Update

Hi everyone! I hope everybody is okay despite everything going on in America and the world ):

As some of you who follow me elsewhere know, I've been recovering from sudden surgery for most of January which is why I haven't really been able to do much with the blog this month. I'm still recovering so this update will be short.

Before I had to get surgery, I managed to restore and update some old posts, they are: this old Black Widow post & an associated humorous redraw with Iron Man in her position instead, a great inked redraw of Yelena Belova by frequent EG contributor Deanna M. Brigman, a really strange cover of Yelena and Natasha fighting,and an old panel of Natasha from Avengers #399 which I finally found a source for.

All restored/fixed posts have working images, videos, and animated gifs (a lot were broken or deleted by either Tumblr or during the move to the new site), and have added image descriptions for screenreaders, sources, and links to the cross-posts on the site & on Tumblr.

I have also been looking through my email inbox and Tumblr inbox, and there's a bunch of submissions during the pandemic and site move period that I think I never got around to posting due to a combination of moving the site, the pandemic, and exam stresses. I'm really sorry for missing those, and I'm now processing and posting them all.

And now I want to give a huge sincere thank you to Escher Girls' January 2025 Patreon subscribers as well as those who have donated on Ko-Fi this month. Thank you so so much for your support and helping to keep this site afloat. If you want to join my Patreon, you can here, it helps me keep the site updated and running as hosting and domain costs continue to rise.

Also, if you want to help me with post-surgical recovery, you can donate at ko-fi here. I don't expect people to donate anything, especially in this economic climate, but if you want to, I would be really grateful and appreciative.

Anyway, without further ado, thank you so so much to the following for subscribing to the Escher Girls patreon last month:

Anne Adler Cat Mara Chris McKenzie Em Bardon First Time Trek Greg Sepelak Karrius Ken Trosaurus Kevin Carson Kim Wincen Leak  Manuel Dalton Mary Kuhner Max Schwarz Miriam Pody Morgan McEvoy randomisedmongoose Rebecca Breu Ringoko  Ryan Gerber Sam Mikes Sean Sea SpecialRandomCast  Thomas   

And also a very special thank yous to JohnnyBob8 and Imry for their generous donations through Ko-Fi!

And just a general huge thank you to everybody interacting and submitting things to the site. I love reading all your comments and your interactions. <3

Also, if anybody is on Fedi and wants to talk to me, I'm at https://urusai.social/@ami_angelwings.

I hope everybody stays safe and I'll see you next month,

Ami

PS: As a reminder, we added a button that links to the Escher Girls Tumblr and to our RSS feed for those who want to follow that way. (For newbies, RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication and is basically a feed you can read using an RSS reader. Simply copy and paste https://eschergirls.com/rss.xml into an RSS reader and it will keep you up to date on Escher Girls!)

Make sure it is eschergirls.com and not eschergirls.tumblr.com, as that is Tumblr, and not the self-hosted site.

If you have any issues with the site or suggestions to improve it, please do not hesitate to contact me and let me know!

If you wish to support Escher Girls, you can subscribe to our Patreon at: https://www.patreon.com/ami_angelwings or donate through Ko-Fi at: https://ko-fi.com/amiangelwings.