#time for some angst

[herbarimoon]

Keep your heart safe

[viviarts-c]

Lie to me

Ritual Self Torture Masterpost

[kivaember]

Not sure if you're still taking prompts, but maybe something about how Walter would feel after "Intercept the Redguns"?

i'm always taking prompts! i may not get round to them quickly, but i'll always endeavour to write something for them! but anyways yes, it's some angst time... hrngh

"...our work here is done. Return to the garage, 621."

Walter barely paid attention to his Hound's acknowledgement flashing across his screen. He muted his mic and leaned back in his seat, hearing it creak loudly from his shifting weight, and tipped his head back to stare at the ceiling.

Unlike their garage back in Belius, the forward garage near Watchpoint Alpha was just a hastily repurposed old hangar that had a tiny concrete room stashed in the very corner of it. It was frigidly cold, even when Walter was surrounded by four portable heaters aimed directly at his rickety desk, and there was a large crack that ran from one corner of the room to the other across the ceiling.

Someone fifty years ago had tried to paint it over, but time and the relentless winter that gripped the ice fields had forced the paint to flex and warp, exposing the gaping crack for the dangerous structural flaw that it was. There wasn't anything above the ceiling, at least. It wasn't supporting any part of the hangar's metal frame, and there weren't any piping or machinery parts resting across it. If it caved in, it'd be due to its own weight, and if it held for fifty years, it could hold for the few days Walter needed to see the rest of this mission through.

A few days.

Michigan would've died in a few days anyway, Walter told himself. In a few days, his Hound would find the Coral Convergence, painting a giant target on where he and Carla needed to point the Xylem for the next stage of their plan. It was crude, maybe, but the Xylem was a colony unto itself. Even if the Convergence was mildly dispersed in an underground pocket, the explosive force of the Xylem's Coral reactors detonating on impact would cause a catastrophic chain reaction.

Walter had vague memories, of his father explaining the startling stability yet votility of Coral. It acted a little like flour, really. In open air, a spark did nothing. In condensed environments, where the particles were forced to pack tighter than their nature wanted, then a spark could cause a catastrophic chain reaction: the Xylem would be the spark for that chain reaction.

Michigan wouldn't have survived that, if he lived past this day. Knowing that idiot, he would've been fistfighting Snail on top of the Convergence itself, vying for control even as a literal colony drop was aimed right for him. Either way, now or then, Michigan would've gone down fighting - this way was probably more satisfying for him, though.

Died of a bad fall. Even with his AC exploding around him, Michigan trotted out a bad joke.

Walter made a quiet, frustrated noise, rubbing a hand over his face as he squashed down that- feeling swelling up behind his diaphragm like an immovable object. It wasn't grief, because Walter had stepped onto this planet knowing one way or another Michigan would die due to him. Michigan had been nothing more than an asset or an obstacle, depending on who was paying his Hound to point his gun where, and Walter had emotionally prepped himself for this eventuality.

What they had on Ganymede... that was the past. It didn't exist anymore. That Walter hadn't even been real, a fake fantasy while he selfishly put off his mission for a few years. It was better Michigan died now, actually. Better for Michigan to go out cracking a stupid joke in a blaze of pointless glory, oblivious to the fact that his old friend had been planning his death just a few days later anyways.

He'd always been a fool.

(Michigan? Walter? Both?)

A blinking light on his screen drew his attention, and Walter reluctantly looked to see what his Hound had sent. He'd half-expected 621 to report some remnants ambushing him and requesting direction, but instead-

"Should I have picked the other job?"

Walter stared at those words for a long moment, baffled on where the question was coming from, before he realised that 621 was more perceptive than he'd initially thought.

"...one way another, Michigan would've met his end here," Walter said. By V.IV Rusty, or by the Second Fires, it didn't matter. "There's no point dwelling on it. Our mission comes first, anyways."

"But wasn't he your friend?"

"No." Walter's voice was harsh. "Business associate. That's it."

His Hound didn't say anything else, and Walter let the conversation - short as it was - die there. He must be slipping, if a brain fried merc like 621 could pick up on his complicated feelings over Michigan. Walter always slipped whenever that idiot was concerned though. Michigan had a way of getting under his skin.

not anymore, a traitorous voice whispered in the back of his mind. Walter ruthlessly crushed it.

It didn't matter.

It won't matter.

Not in a few days. Just a few days...

...and nothing else will matter to him, ever again.

[drawerbread]

how dare you ask me to live with it?

[thunderpot]

I've been working on a long (50p+) moshang doujin for a while now, and today I finally managed to wrap it up and post it for my patrons. So as celebration, I'm finally taking out of the vault this one! It's the art that sprouted the idea for the comic and kept me going strong at it until now!

[smallpapers]

Why does nobody but you, know a shortcut, a sure shot? I forgot how it ought to feel I don't know what to do It's a whole lot to hold back, you know that Cupid shoots to kill

[ariadne-mouse]

I feel fandom would get along a lot better if there was mutual understanding that liking a character, agreeing with a character, and thinking the character is well constructed/executed are all separate (if often overlapping) positions, each with their separate tastes and subjectivities. Also: character portrayals are intended to make the audience feel things; this is separate from (if often overlapping with) analyzing/appreciating their actions and role in the story.

[midydoof]

"Well who asked you to stay behind, idiot"

Can't imagine Buggy would be a good patient, it would probably be very exhausting work looking after him and trying to cheer him up.

..Then the one time Shanks thinks he's alone enough to openly falter and worry, Buggy saw and, of course, interpreted it as regret at staying to take care of him.

[on-the-clear-blue]

Danny, staring up at Tim, who currently Robin: okay...so this isn't what it looks like.

Tim, giving dead pan glare: so you arnt breaking into Drake Manor?

Danny, shoulders dropping: okay yeah it's totally what it looks like...but not because you think!

Tim, sighing slightly: so you arnt homeless and thought that since Timothy Drake was recently adopted by Bruce Wanye, and both of his parents are dead you can just move in and live here?

Danny, blinking owlishly: I mean, yeah? I mean, not homeless, and I didn't even know that dude got adopted, like good for him, hope that he is safe and shiz, sucks that he parents died and all but not here to squat dude.

Tim, raising a single eyebrow: then why pray tell are you here?

Danny, kicking at the ground a bit: so like...ugh, so I might be um like...a...fudge what's the word...ah! Psychopomp? Like I am a dude that helps like people's ghosts pass and like keeps em happy.

Tim, squinting behind his mask: the only person that died here is Jack Drake and I assure you, his soul would not be happy going to where he deserves to be.

Danny, holding up his hands: wow lot of misplaced aggression there boy wonder...no I ain't here for him, like him and his wife did like...so much tomb raiding they would make the Victorians jelly. I am here cus they stole some dudes shit and he wants it back...like yesterday.

Tim, tilting his head: so you are here to steal an artifact.

Danny, popping the P sound: Yup, something about some guys clay tablet, he liked keeping his hate mail for some reason, said this one was about how he shorted some dudes iron? Or was it copper... my Mesopotamian isn't the best.

Tim, eyes widening, because he knows *exactly* which tablet he is talking about: Oh...yeah no bro, you seem chill but I really can't let you have that so why don't you just like...walk away and I won't be forced to do something kay?

Danny, frowning: Sames dude, up until that .y guy cus like...I *really* wasn't asking...

Tim, sighing as he extends his bo staff: Try and just like, not hold a grude yeah? Don't need a new villain...

Danny, pulling out an ecto gun and turning it on: I don't know man...I feel like we have good banter.

(They fight, Tim is still training so he is a bit sloppy, and Danny isn't shooting to kill, so it's more of them playing cat and mouse throughout Drake Manor, it ends with Danny stealing the tablet but having to leave the ecto gun, which gets broken when he escapes)

Tim, panting as he watches Danny flee: Fuck...is this what B feels after fighting Catwoman?

---

Bruce, rubbing his temples as Tim explains why he was late for training: You tried to apprehend an unknown, with a weapon of an unknown source and power...in the home of your secret identity?

Tim, looking properly chastised: God...yes that happened...he wasn't that bad honestly...was pretty witty.

Bruce developing a twitch in his eye: No.

Tim: No? No what.

Bruce, glaring hard at his adopted son: No falling in love with a villain.

Tim, looking scandalized now: Oh? What is this? Hypocrisy thy name is Bruce Wayne!

Bruce's glare turns into a batglare: Ten laps around the cave and fifty bo staff katas...no villains!

---

Danny becomes Tim's rogue, but not really, most of their battles are more each other showing off their new gear/moves they learned.

Danny also is only using tech that his parents made and he upgraded since he really doesn't want to go ghost in front of *Robin*, who is totally not his crush, and the only reason why he won't is because batman would 100% be on his ass.

Danny, pulling a massive creep stick with a nail driven through it out of seemingly nowhere: The new and approved Creep Stick! This time with nail to add tetnus damage!

Tim, watching as 'The Inventor' escapes once more: I hate seeing him leave but by God do I love watching him go...Damn should have turned on the camera just so I can see it again.

Barbara chiming in: Keep the main line PG Robin.

Batman, through coms: Hn...we shall be having words when we get back to the cave

Tim, sipping a soup that The Occultist made: "So like...why were you even here?

---

When the Titans tower incident occurs, Tim could only watch in awe as the Inventor, not only comes in from the ceiling with a literal metal chair, and then continues to beat up the guy with a bad Robin cosplay.

Danny, panting as he holds up the chair again: Back I say! Back! My blorbo!

Jason, seething as he actually hisses at this random teen that appeared out of nowhere, scurrying away while cradling his broken arm: You shall rue the day! Jason Todd was here bitches!

Tim, staring up at Danny, face a bloody mess and an adoring look in his eyes: omg he stalks me, this is must what the other guys felt when I did it!

They don't really start dating, it's much more Danny breaking into Tim's house and just not leaving.

Tim, watching as his "arch enemy" is sprawled across his couch, bucket of ice cream in one hand, spoon in another, phone balanced between his ear and shoulder, pants and socks tossed haphazardly across the living room and just chilling in his boxers: Now wait a damn minute.

Danny, pausing while looking up from his ice cream (which is actually Tim's, since the boy is rich and buys the good shit), pointing his spoon accusatorily at Tim: Your fucking late Mister! Drag race started half an hour ago and we agreed to watch it together!

Tim, blushing under the Robin mask: Sorry case got good and- wait wait wait, when did we agree to watch drag race together?

Danny, rolling his eyes: when I made breakfast this morning? I even gave you extra strong coffee for your solem swearing that you would be here.

Tim, thinking back to earlier: I just...remember a bright white orb giving me a mug and a plate of food...

Danny, scoffing: this is why I need to drug you to get to sleep more often. Now take off your gear and get over here, they about to choose who shall sashay away!

Tim, nodding slowly: Hope it is that one queen from last episode, that lio sink didn't have any- wait! Ugh you keep distracting me! When did you fucking move in? I don't even know your name!

Danny with a spoon just an inch away from his mouth: Jazz? Yeah I uhh...I gotta call you back...(clicks hang up on his phone) Your joking right? For the shits and gigs?

Tim, shaking his head slowly: No shits, not a single gig my dude, 100% honest.

Danny, who had just arrived this morning since his parents are renovating because Fenton HQ is a glaring OSHA violation, but also who's middle names are "commit to the bit" and "Gaslight GateKeep Girl boss" : Babe we have been dating for like, *months*...d-do ou really not remember?

Tim, existential crisis made manifest: Oh no...I have been mind wiped.

Danny, astounded that worked: Baby I am so sorry...

They "date" for like a week before Danny starts feeling bad that he tricked Tim (who he finally got to see maskless, he had to stop his heart to not show any outward reaction to that, cus like hell he is cute) and wants to come clean but he honestly never had seen Tim more happy nor more healthy.

Danny, sitting across Bruce at the Manor: S-So um...like yeah we um...met at a science convention? My um...my parents were show casing stuff and like...we met there?

Bruce, eyes narrowing because that sounded like a lie: Hn.

Dick, happy that Tim finally felt comfortable to bring his "boyfriend" to dinner: B stop glaring! Your going to scare off Timmy's Bf! God you weren't this bad when I brought over Roy that one time.

Bruce doesn't stop glaring, and it's making Danny even more nervous: Um I uh...need to use the bathroom one sec...

Tim moves to guide him but Alfred waves him to sit down: You really must eat Master Timothy, I did make your favorite today. I shall guide Mister Fenton to the lavatory.

Alfred does indeed lead Danny from the dining room, but the second they are far enough the old butler suddenly has a shotgun in hand, skin suddenly a pale blue and objects around the parlor turning green and floating: While they do try and see the best in others, I do not Phantom, now I must ask you to kindly leave and never contact Master Timothy every again. I shall not let my charge fall for such as the likes of you.

Danny blinking at how he was addressed, a sudden ghostly blue mist escaping his mouth: Oh shit.

They have a ghost fight, all while comically popping in and out of the dining room, making excuses for whyvthe other is gone.

It ends when Tim, finally fed up with why his boyfriend is taking so long opens the door only to see him duking it out with Alfred, fully gone ghost and was loosing.

Such leads to confessions of lies, real feeling and why Alfred has been able to be a spry 60 even though he fought in WWI and it is very much the mid 2010s.

(Danny and Tim do end up together, this time with no lies about a mind wipe, and get Kon and Bart to join their polycule later on)

[morganbritton132]

Steve hates the dentist.

Tommy knows this because his dad is a dentist. His grandpa was a dentist and his brother is a dentist, and Tommy is currently at school studying to become a dentist.

There are only two constants in this world: Hagan boys grow into dentists and Steve Harrington is utterly and completely terrified of the dentist.

He knows this because he has been witness to the complete meltdown that has happened before appointments. He has watched Mrs Harrington drag her son into the chair for everything from cleanings to braces.

And he also knows that the only way to calm Steve down is to hold his hand. Tommy knows this because that was his job.

Steve never had an appointment that Tommy wasn’t present for even after he got too old to cry, even after they had their falling out.

Tommy was there.

With all the change - with graduation and college, with the earthquake and Carol moving out of town with her sister - he welcomes the stability. It’s good to know that some things don’t change.

He’s working the summer at his dad’s practice, familiarizing himself with insurance forms when Steve comes in. Tommy’s been waiting for this since he saw his name on the schedule this morning.

He tells himself that it has nothing to do with Steve or with holding his hand and all to do with bragging rights. Tommy’s not the one working at the video rental, right? Tommy’s not the one that was left behind.

Tommy doesn’t even get to say anything because his dad’s coming to the window asking, “No Mr. Munson this time?”

What?

“He’s coming,” Steve answers like that’s normal. Like it’s a part of the script. “He’s looking for a parking spot. Your lot is still the worst, Mr H.”

Steve and his dad chitchat but Tommy barely hears it, watching through the glass in the front door as Eddie ‘The Freak’ Munson walks in.

He watches Eddie follow Steve back. He watches him take his spot and wince through the bone-crushing grip Steve keeps on his hand. He watches as his dad calls, “Tom, come in here and tell me what you see.”

He sees himself, being left behind.

[randomfandomworks]

Sylus watched as you ran your fingers across the back of the stray you had recently taken in. The small kitten was nothing more than a black ball as it curled in your lap yet he could hear its purring even from his place across the room.

He had nothing against the small animal, he regularly took care of discarded animals himself, it was just that while the cat loved you it must have adored him.

For the past week it could be constantly found with him, padding its way quickly across the floor in an attempt to keep up with his large strides whenever he left the room.

Regularly rubbing against his legs and begging for his attention.

Meowing softly whenever he would fail to acknowledge it or when he would forget and accidentally close the door to his office before it had the chance to enter as well.

Even now it sat content with you only as it kept a watchful eye on him.

It simply had to be around him whenever it could, even when he would scold and scruff it for pawing at Mephisto it would purr in his hold until he would give up and pet it for the next few minutes.

It was quite funny to you, to watch your dear partner have to deal with the small animal, to hear his complaints of already having to deal with one Kitten only for you to bring home another.

Yet he would say these same complaints while gently petting the sleeping cat in his lap.

And then he would wonder why you never believed him when he said he wasn’t attached. When in fact he had obviously become rather adjusted to his two kittens roaming around and asking for his attention.

[chloesimaginationthings]

Those were Vanessa's friends too in the FNAF movie

[esper-atus]

the world has ended but you're still here

[herbarimoon]

Twt is a nice place to find inspiration (I say as if I don't have a whole list of ideas)

Og posts⬇️

[mariposita24]

made a silly little TikTok account to make silly little animatics like ✨this✨

I cannot animate, but I tried…

(I have like 50+ audios saved now that have potential)

[biggest-gaudiest-patronuses]

i vote that next year instead of reading Dracula we do a Jeeves & Wooster Book Club. those two never got the rabid tumblr shipping fandom they deserved (disqualified for the sheer technicality of being published a century too soon). we must correct this injustice