#AFTER THREEEEEE YEARS

[jennyandvastraflint]

Trespassers excerpt audio used!!! I'M SO NORMAL I SWEAR :) (im lying)

THEY'RE JUST. THEY- THEY-

[ectoplasmer]

[rpgworldcomic]

#761 - Press X to Confront Your Past!

PAGE 400!

Howdy all! I have literally nothing to say. We be plugging along them pages and have a pretty good buffer. BUT! I hit a bit of a block / snag so I got halted a bit. Looking to rectify that QUICKLY. You might get some filler pages soon while I buy myself time to think of some things.

I'm going kayaking this weekend! Never been kayaking before. Might die. If that happens, find my parents on Facebook and ask them for my RPG World notes. They're in E:\My Documents\Fun Projects\Hobbies\Webcomics\RPG World FR. From there, piece together 8 years of horrible note taking and plot musings, then squish all that together and just imagine what it could've been like.

Also, like, come to my funeral or something. I PUT THE "FUN" IN FUNERAL! Confetti cannon shoots out of my chest and everything. If my will is followed, anyway.

(I don't have a will.)

But I DO!.... have a way. With words. Buttercup.

Anybody watching Dungeon Meshi? Marcille moved up to Prime Waifu #1 on my list and it's not even close. She may get dethroned one day but for now she lords supreme over the other waifu peasants.

I'm a very sad man.

OH! Nelyion's visiting next week again. He doesn't go by Nelyion anymore though, so. Don't call him that. Call him.... Darlene. That'll probably make him pretty mad! He's gonna be here for threeeeee whole weeks! That's a long time. But hey! Might as well do something different and make memories instead of sitting in my apartment ranking waifus like always, right??

Alright. I'm off. See you after I've kayaked. I hope.

[buthearmeouttho]

If I was part of the mcu (Pt. 25)

(Still after being snapped away)

Me: ten

Yelena: nine

Shuri: eight

Peter Parker, whom we recruited to our ranks of chaos: seven

Groot: I am Groot (six)

Dr. Strange: what are you doin-

all of us: shut up

me: fiiiiiiiive

Yelena: foour

Shuri: threeeeee

Peter: twoooooooooo

Groot: I am grooooooooooot… (Oneeeeeeeeeeeee)

All of us: hAPPY NEW YEAR, ANOTHER YEAR IN WHEREVER THIS IS

Dr. Strange:

Sam:

Bucky:

Sam: I’ll go get the decorations, y’all should have told me-

T’challa: *blinks in confusion*

[wndaswife]

GURL FIVE YEARS AGO I FELL IN LOVE WITH A FRIEND AND IT LASTED FOR THREE YEARS!!

man— she was touchy and so cheesy 😭 all those mixed signals!!!! ugh I was so stupid thank God I got over her!!

so as a kababayan, i am telling you, u need to get over this infatuation that might turn into a shitty one sided feelings ASAP!!!!!!

LMFAAAAAOOOO THREEEEEE YEARSSSSS dude i fucking couldn't and im glad also my friends knew about my crush during and after it because i could never get over the shame they would cast on me for having a crush on this girl for 3 years... in lesser words they also tell me she doesn't deserve me like partially i couldn't do it to THEM to keep up with this.. im lucky to have friends really care about that

but dude ik what u mean the FUCKING TOUCHINESS LIKE JESUSSSSS and bruh my trenches were deep like it wasn't even cheesy she would straight up very sincerely say "you're not like my other friends" or "i think the world of you, you're the sweetest soul i've ever met" like go tell that to a man and tell me if you did you wouldn't start dating him like on the spot

but some things like... u just won't get explanations for... you can't reason why things are this way or why they do this.. and u don't need ur feelings and ur right to be loved in the way you should be attached to some answer you might not ever get

[electriczayre]

drops a small writing snippet of my YTTD AU "Trialswitch" because this scene came to me in full clarity out of nowhere

[FIRST TRIAL]

I woke up in a strange, white room. There seems to be very little in here, minus a table with an old computer... and is that a walkie-talkie...?

<click computer to interact>

Shin: (This thing is ancient...)

<click walkie-talkie to interact>

Obtained walkie-talkie.

???: "Testing, testing, one two threeeeee... can anybody hear meeeee?"

Shin: (That voice...! It sounds like...)

Shin: "Hiyori...?! Hiyori, is that you...?"

Hiyori: "Ahaha... The one and only…"

Shin: "But... But…"

This shouldn't be possible... Hiyori is dead.

He's been dead for the past two years... or so I thought, I suppose...

Hiyori: "What's the matter, Shin...? Shaken up that you were spontaneously abducted and brought to an unfamiliar location...? Ahaha!"

Shin: "Enough of this...! I'm... I'm too old for your stupid games anymore, Hiyori! I'm an adult now, I have a job…"

Shin: "I don't have time to sit here and torture myself for you anymore...!"

Shin: "I just... want to go home and work my shift... I need to pay my rent, Hiyori."

Hiyori: "…"

Hiyori: "I guess a whole lot changed in two years, huh, Shin?"

Hiyori: "Unfortunately for you, this is not a game."

Hiyori: "This is reality... ahaha."

Shin: "Wh... what...?"

Shin: "This isn't funny, Hiyori...! I'm sick of your jokes!! Let me out...! Please…"

Hiyori: "No can do, Shin! You have to play the game just like everyone else!"

Shin: (What is he talking about...? Did he kidnap other people for this?!)

Is this... even the real Hiyori...? He's been missing for two years now... What if this is all just some sick joke someone's playing on me...?

But who in the world would even care enough to do that? I'm nobody...

Hiyori: "Now... see that little dinky computer in front of you, Shin?"

Yes... There's a very basic desktop computer sitting on that table near the wall. It looks really old... its specs are probably-

Hiyori: "This is where the coding knowledge I so graciously gave you should really come in handy, ahaha! You can thank me later."

Shin: (...Typical.)

Hiyori: "This room... is completely locked. Not even I can open the door! The only way to get out is to use the computer and hack through the security to unlock the door. Simple, no?"

Shin: "...Hiyori, if you wanted to test my skills to make sure I haven't gotten rusty-"

Hiyori: "But there's a catch."

Hiyori: "If you fail to open the door within thirty minutes... then a poison gas will fill the room, killing you within mere seconds. How exciting!"

Shin: (...!)

Shin: "Aha... ahaha... C'mon now, Hiyori, those kinds of jokes aren't very nice…"

Hiyori: "Ahaha... I'm not joking, Shin."

Hiyori: "Good luuuuck! Your first trial begins now!"

Shin: "First trial?! W-wait-! Hiyori!!"

With a click, his voice vanished. First time I've heard from him in years, and he's gone again in an instant. After threatening my life and refusing to explain anything...

...Well, not that this was out of character. He's an even worse friend than I remembered...

Shin: (So... I gotta hack through this in thirty minutes...? That's a tight time frame for anyone...)

Shin: (I better start now, I guess... Haaa... I feel my whole body shaking...)

[malachiphillips]

Bleed with me this time I've been hurting to find Someone to make it right I learned so much but lost it all And when I'm stuck with you, I fall Bleed with me this time Till we bleed out

trigger warning: death mentioned: @lanyphillips @aranyasaeli @kyleyangs @veritycalma @kattcalled

“Yeah, of course,” Mal said when his girlfriend told him she wanted to get some air. He felt himself smiling into the kiss because even though it had been a couple of hours since Aranya had said yes, he still couldn’t believe it. Still couldn’t believe how goddamn giddy he felt. Kyle was right, he truly was like some lovesick puppy, but as he watched Ari walk away from him, there was a feeling of peace that he truly hadn’t been able to feel in the longest time. A lot of people might have thought that he hadn’t been at peace ever since his brother’s death, but it had been so much longer than that.

He hadn’t been at peace since he came back to Nightrest over three years ago, after his career-ending injury. If there was a moment in his life that he knew was the turning point, it was that. Not just because it cut short his passion in life, but because he felt like that had severed his last connection to his father, and without that, Malachi was lost. He knew some people might think it was silly. It’s just a sport. It’s just a ball. It’s just a game. It’s nothing special. But it was so much more than that to him.

It reminded him of the days his father turned into his coach, when his dad taught him the basics, from the proper way of holding the basketball to how to shoot, moving him farther and farther away from the hoop until he could hear “For threeeeee!” in his head every time he shot from the three-point line his father had placed in their basketball court in their backyard. The cheers his father yelled out every time there was that swish when it was nothing but net, the pointers his father gave him to make him better. Malachi knew a lot of people learned to love the things that they were good at, but he learned to be good at this because he loved it. His dad loved it, and that was all that mattered to him.

How he wished his father was around now. How he wished he could come home to see his mom and dad slow dancing in the kitchen while dinner cooked, so he could introduce Aranya to them. How he wished it was a Sunday and his father would be at the grill, oldies and soul music playing from inside their home.

Remembering it all made him remember Monty, and his heart ached just a little bit more. He thought there was no pain harsher and harder to accept than the pain of losing a parent, but he thought wrong. Losing a brother was a different but just as harsh pain. Malachi had literally been in Monty’s life since he was born, and with how close they were in ages, he could still remember when people mistook them for twins. How the two of them grew up to be completely different, but still undeniably close because there truly was no other way. Malachi loved Monty and Lany once she came into the family a few years later more than anything and anyone else in his entire life.

What were you supposed to do when you lose someone who meant the world to you? There was guilt that gnawed at him too, a factor in his breakdown in front of Aranya, because he was supposed to be the older brother. He was supposed to protect them and he failed. He could even remember how the tradition of Phillips Fam Fries Day Friday started. It was his way of trying to protect his siblings from the harsh reality that they were practically orphans then, because while their mother was still physically present, she was no longer... present. The woman gave up, and the responsibility rested heavy on Malachi’s shoulders since, and he took that more seriously than anything in his life. More seriously than basketball. More seriously than any relationship.

Malachi knew he busted Monty’s ass all the time, but it always came from a place of love. How happy he had been at his birthday celebration. The knowing look on his face as Mal sat on the couch with his arm slung around Aranya’s shoulders. Mal knew, without a doubt in his mind, that his brother would have been happy about this. Probably would’ve started talking about weddings, because that was just the kind of man he was. Mal would have called him a nerd, and to go take care of his cow.

It was heartbreaking how vividly he could picture out the conversation going, knowing he’d never actually be able to have the conversation.

The heavy feeling in his chest was back, but he cleared his throat, knowing it wouldn’t be okay for him to break down here, not when the entire event was for a good cause. No, what he needed to do was find his sister, give her a hug and then find his girlfriend to make sure she was okay, since he checked his watch and noticed that she’d been gone for a while. Maybe she went to the restroom? He thought to himself, but he still made out of his way to where Lany was to give her an unexpected hug. The two were never the most public when it came to touchy-feely things, but so much has changed since their recent loss that Mal felt no shame in interrupting her conversation just to make sure she was okay. To give her a hug that he couldn’t totally tell was for her, or for both of them.

“Tell me when you’re ready to leave and I can drop you and Lu off,” Mal murmured, reluctant to let go of her. Desperation clawed at his chest as he looked at his younger sister because he wanted, more than anything, to just protect her now. She and Kyle were the only family he had left, and he couldn’t keep losing people. He just can’t, not after all the losses they had all suffered. He was barely holding it all together as it was. “Actually, lemme see where my girlfriend is--” Mal said, showing Lany a grin. “And then we can head home. I’ll be right back,” he said, squeezing Lany’s arm before he went out of the main room, to try and find Aranya.

The smile was still on his lips as he went out to the deck, the place now a familiar and sentimental place for him. This was where he had asked Ari to officially be his girlfriend just a couple of hours ago. This was where she had cried and told him yes. This was where Malachi had made a promise himself to be a better man. For her. For their future together. This was where he felt the first inkling of hope blooming in his chest, that maybe, just maybe, things will be okay. Everything was so confusing and painful right now but he had her. He trusted her.

She had him, in the same way he knew he’d always have her, and that made it all worth it.

It was funny, looking back, how much this took him by surprise when it probably shouldn’t have. He’d always liked Ari, thought she was a sweet girl, and he definitely liked hanging out with her. Maybe it was because they started off as friends first until he started to flirt with her that made the difference. Maybe it was because she was so close to him, literally his next door neighbor, that made the difference. Mal had made it a point to make extra for her when he was cooking, especially when he could see that she had been streaming for hours. He had learned how to make her favorite food early on just so he could surprise her with it when he could tell that she was having a bad day but was too nice to say anything, to burden anyone with her problems because that was just the kind of person she was.

Mal had come to know her, her body language, her tells. He loved learning about her. He loved listening to her talk, watching her play her games, go on car rides with him. He came to crave her company more than just what he got in the bedroom. He talked about his dad with her out there on the basketball court during the snowstorm, when he hadn’t really expected to do that. It just goes to show how comfortable he had been with her already for him to just talk about it. To open up to her. He already trusted her then, he just hadn’t seen yet just how much.

He didn’t even think twice about letting her see him break down after the funeral because for someone who didn’t really instill trust in his relationships, it was still a big deal for him. I trust you was a bigger deal to him than I love you and when she walked in on him, amidst the broken glass, the trashed trophies lying down on the floor, the pictures of him and Kyle and his father from high school, the lonely sound of a basketball bouncing on the floor until it rolled to a stop, he realized he felt both.

As he looked at her then, all Mal could think of was I trust you. I love you.

I love her, Mal realized with jarring clarity. The thought made him stop in his tracks because he had been thinking it, playing around with the idea of it, but he had been so scared that something that made him so happy would be taken from him again. The story of his life. Once something made him happy, it felt like it was ripped from his hands almost immediately. He knew that he loved her deep down but because he didn’t want to admit it to himself yet, his mind had rejected it, especially because just a couple of hours ago, he had been a little scared that she was going to say no.

But she didn’t. She said yes. Holy fuck, I love her. Maybe I’m the luckiest man in the world and she might actually love me too.

That sweet, beautiful, kind woman who was valid in everything she did was someone he trusted and loved and even though the past few days have made him spiral in a way he never had before, the warmth in his chest made him start walking away, eager to tell her. There was nothing to be done about the past, nothing to be said or done that can heal the part of him that will always be broken with the loss they suffered, but he had her. The hope of the future they planned together is enough; the lifeline he needed not to drown in despair. He had a goal and that was to make sure she was happy because that woman deserved the best.

It was her. It was just her for him, he knew that.

I love her.

It was getting pretty dark out there on the deck, and his eyes furrowed as he wondered where she could be, but a glimmer caught his eye out on the far end of the deck, right where he had asked Aranya to be his girlfriend a few hours ago. It was like the light had caught something shiny from there and he blinked as he realized there was something on the floor, something that inched towards him slowly.

Malachi wondered what it could be -- water, maybe? A spilled drink? -- but then felt himself being jerked back immediately once he realized it was blood. It only took him a second of that realization before he started running, his heart breaking as he found himself faced with something his brain refused to accept.

“No. No, no, no, c’mon, baby,” Mal said, already feeling tears fall down his cheeks as the crushing sight brought him to his knees. “Baby. Baby, hey. Ari, come on,” he said, his voice pleading as he cradled her cheeks, but he didn’t start sobbing until his eyes drifted down, seeing the red bloom from her stomach. It was so familiar to what he had seen been done to his younger brother that a guttural cry escaped him as he hoisted her upper body into his arms, rocking her as he wondered why this was happening.

Why bad things happened to good people. Why her? Why her? She didn’t deserve this. She didn’t fucking deserve this.

He would never be able to see her smile again. To hear her laugh again. To watch her sleepily wake up in the morning with that stretch that he had always teased her was too adorable. To watch her get so into her games, and be so good that when they played together, she beat him no matter how hard he tried, like every time they were at the basketball toss. To run his fingers down her bare back as he held her close every night. To cook her things and see the way her eyes lit up when he brought her food. To hold her hand and give her the comfort she definitely gave him. To tell her she didn’t even need to get dressed, they were just going out for a late night drive. To watch her ask him which she should wear, because he thought she looked so damn good in everything. To listen to her talk, knowing it could be about anything, even things he knew nothing about and he’d still be a happy man, just to hear her.

He would never be able to tell her he loved her.

Mal knew he probably should find someone, anyone that might be able to help, but he couldn’t leave her. He couldn’t even let go of her until he felt a chilling presence that made the hair on the back of his neck stand up, signifying that he wasn’t alone anymore. That maybe whoever was responsible for this was back. He gently laid Ari back down on the floor, unable to stop another sob from escaping past his lips at the sight before he acted first, his fist swinging out until it connected with a strong jaw.

He hadn’t been able to protect her either.

Mal didn’t know who this fucker in the mask was, but he was controlled by rage, by grief, by guilt, by all the pain he was still nursing and he held up the person by grabbing onto the front of their suit before forcing them back on their feet so he could punch them again, feeling his knuckles split as they came in contact with the other’s nose. There was blood on his own suit, and he knew most of it came from Ari when he held her and as the reminder of his now lifeless girlfriend flitted through his mind, Mal threw another punch, not caring that the other still wasn’t on their feet yet.

She didn’t deserve this.

Mal was about to throw another punch when he felt his arms being pulled back from behind, causing him to thrash as he tried to find a way to escape. There are two of them, Mal realized with a sinking feeling. Were these the same assholes who hurt his brother? Fresh tears were still on his cheeks as he clenched his jaw, watching the person he had just punched multiple times stand up and take off their mask.

His mask.

Mal would never have thought he would be responsible for this and he was breathing hard as he continued to find a way to release himself from the other’s grip -- whoever this was was strong too -- but before he could do much of anything, he felt a sharp pain in his gut.

He breathed out as the knife was twisted inside of him, and the fight was no longer in him, as the man took out the knife and stabbed him with it again.

And again. And again.

Mal lost count of how many times it was but by the time the other person let go of his grip on him, he fell down to the floor of the deck, finding the last of his strength to crawl closer to Ari, so he could hold onto her one last time.

To rely on her to have him one more time, he thought as his fingers shakily clasped onto her cold ones.

God, he didn’t want to die alone.

Lany, he thought as he struggled to breathe. Please. Please just let her be okay. Please, Mal prayed to whoever was listening as his breaths turned shallower. There was a small comfort in knowing Kyle would be there for her, make sure she was okay. So would Lu, despite her looking lost now. Jacob too. She wouldn’t be alone.

Mal would no longer be there to bring them all together, to protect them and look out for each of them anymore, but they’ll be okay. They had each other.

They had each other.

There was comfort there. And as his eyes rested on Aranya, he held onto that fleeting sense of peace and comfort only she could bring, his fingers twitching as he no longer had the strength to hold onto her. I love you. I’m sorry, he thought, his eyes slowly closing. Mal didn’t know what would come next, but as the life drained out of him, he found a small comfort in knowing he’d finally be reunited with his dad. His brother. Ari. My little buzzer beater, Mal affectionately thought as he looked at her, the last sight he’d live to see. Grateful that she had given him so much happiness before it had to come to this.

He wished they had more time. He wished he had more time to laugh with Kyle. To poke fun at Vera. To spend with Kat now that they were friends again. To comfort Lu. To tell Lany he loved her. To tell his mother he now understood. That he forgave her. To invite everybody for another barbecue for lunch, to be followed by shots later that evening. To just have his family together, the most important thing to him. To shoot another basketball. To play the game that was his and his father’s.

But his time was up.

[tinyshe]

Garden Report & Frugal Living 23.07.28

I didn’t have to did around for the peas. I one patch I could clearly see where the rat/skunk dug them up. In a pot, I could see where a few were attempting to make an appearance ... perhaps they stay hidden, trembling below the soil in mortal dread of slugs, bugs & co.

I hope (and pray!) that we can get the grow box maintenance done, up and planted!! I’m struggling in the mental and physical realm surrounding this project. The weather is changing rapidly. There is no doubt that Autumn is getting ready to make an entrance as the maples are now starting to blush up colour in quick anticipation. I need to get that veg garden in and growing before the temps drop too low. If necessary, I will kick the cat off her seeding mat and get some going that way!

We give the hens crumbled oyster shell at will. They have a little tin wired to the side of the aviary and I keep that filled. Last week Rossetti left an egg on the ground and then again just at the coop entrance. Yesterday Alcott had an accident that left a paper egg just inside the coop door. She has been laying five, more often six days so I suspect that they are getting stressed out by the neighbors’ screaming ... the kids start just after their breakfast hour (8-ish) and then continue for twelve hours. Unfortunately, if they don’t stop, I am going to have to talk with their landlord as this has been going on for over three weeks, every, single, day. Its stressing my hens. Its stressing me. Its just not healthy. Not even for the screamers!

The harvest has been scant and not just in my garden. Most of veg is outsourced and that is hard as most looks Bad and very expensive. That leaves a lot to be desired and a lot of time looking at prices. I did purchase four very large viking potatoes (red&purple mottled skin that will cook up to a brown&grey, dense white flesh, not an heirloom but a specialty potato). My plan is to peel thickly as to plant the eyes while still enjoying the potato ... I know! I got them for the nutritional value of the skin but if I can grow them ... I can have many more for next to nothing in cost.

In the warmer months we eat more salades. I got a real good buy on a mondo sized bulk bag of elbow macaroni. Pair that with slim pickings in the garden and ditto in the fridge and we have an opportunity for “loaded” macaroni salade. Very adaptable to what is available/ taste preference! I boiled up a big pot of the macaroni al dente. Threw in colander strainer and rinse in cold water until cooled. I decide to leave the potted meat in the pantry so that left the chicken shreds or some turkey pressed meat/’bacon’ in the refrigerator; I chose the later and cooked in the oven. I snip (with meat shears) as I cook so by the end of the process its like diced meats. I guess you could dice before -- I just prefer this method as it leaves my hands cleaner while I do more prep work and makes me pay attention to the meat so I don’t burn it up in the oven. I was able to find some parsley, salad burnette and few dino kale leaves in the garden and chopped those finely. A few slices of red onion left over from taco night were diced. A lonely carrot in the bottom of the veg drawer also chop-chop-chop. Add threeeeee hard boiled eggs... *chop*! O! then there was some pickled cauliflower that I canned last year *squeeze**chop* and some olives sliced. Mayonnaise! Garlic power! Powdered mustard! Salt! Then massage it all together gently. Its rather chilly in the kitchen so I let it sit on the counter for a little bit to “rest” so the flavours can co-mingle. Now there is enough for all of us for a couple of meals either ‘main’ or ‘side’ or even a snack. It is adaptable: pasta is your base then just tossing things in! If you don’t like mayonnaise then use another salade dressing or something like an oil and vinegar ... very easy, very simple, very tasty, very pocket book friendly!

Hope this finds you enjoying the lingering days of Summer perhaps gardening, and enjoying life!

[voxvulpina]

LMAO The first memory I have of Sumisawa's ugly face was the interview where he straight up said he begged and tried to convince Rumiko to let him write this sequel for THREEEEEE YEARSSS. This is so fucking funny that after all the heat he's saying he had NO CHOICE. He also told us to watch for the little details because everything mattered like he was an Agatha Christie or some shit. This whole time he's just been trying not to come off too happy that he got his pedo project wish come true.

The two-faced liar. I will forever maintain that Sumisawa lured the IY fandom into watching this sequel under the false pretence of an elaborate mother mystery. "Everything matters", "pay attention", "nothing was added without reason", then the mother is revealed to be the floating 14 year old who appeared in episode 2, whom none of the "clues" pointed to and who explains NOTHING of the twins' odd appearance and powers. The nonexistent "plot" it took him 3 years to cook up is such garbage that people thought the glaring plot holes you could drive a bus through actually MEANT SOMETHING.

[ttylfedora]

10th March: 14/19

PART THREE PART THREE PART THREEEEEE (you can find parts one and two here)

All of the thanks to @madsholland for going through and correcting my grammar😂

Part Four will be up tomorrow, but this birthday girl needs some sleep! I’m so glad you all have enjoyed this so far. It has absolutely made my day reading the comments. All of the birthday love from me and my birthday twin, Remus🥰

CW: MENTION OF REMUS INJURY

Characters belong to @lumosinlove

Enjoy!!💚

10th March 2014

“Mom, please, I don’t want to do anything big this year.” Remus huffed as he attempted to pull his hoodie over his head, his shoulder jarring as he did so. He willed the tears that threatened to pool in his eyes back down and he battled with the hoodie to take it back off and throw it back over his bed.

“I just think it would be good, even if we just went out for dinner-” Hope started, her heart breaking over how ‘not Remus’ Remus was acting.

“Mom!”

Remus had finally reached his breaking point. His shoulder was in agony; every single one of his hopes and dreams had been crushed; and the last thing he wanted was to potentially bump into any of his teammates at a restaurant.

“Please, just leave me alone! I don’t want to do anything, okay? I just want to be left alone,” he shouted, the tears from earlier finally spilling over. He looked at his mother pleadingly, “please just leave me alone.” It barely came out as a whisper but his mother heard well enough. She decided against saying anything in case the tears that were behind her own eyes spilled over too. She only nodded as she left the bedroom, closing his door behind her.

Remus just stared at the door, guilt overflowing him at the look on Hope’s face. She didn’t deserve that. None of his family deserved the way Remus was treating them. Remus didn’t deserve the way Remus was treating Remus. He brought his hands up to wipe the tears away from his face as he sat down on his bed, resting his shoulder on his knees as he began to properly cry.

He layed back on his bed and stared at the ceiling. When he fell asleep, he wasn’t aware. He wasn’t aware he had even fallen asleep until he felt a small hand shaking his knee.

“Wemus. Wemus, wake up.” Julian whispered. “I have a pwesent for you.” Remus lifted his head slightly to find his younger brother standing at the edge of his bed next to his knees. He sat up as Julian climbed up onto the bed next to him, careful not to crumple the, admittedly poorly wrapped, present he was holding.

Julian held it out to him with all the pride in the world. “Happy Birthday!” the five year old giggled.

“Thanks Jules.” Remus smiled slightly as he took the present. He undid the wrapping, which was actually a tea towel, and placed it behind him, wincing slightly as his shoulder caught. He breathed through the pain, not wanting to make his younger brother aware of it.

Slightly confused, he looked over to Julian as he held a piece of card.

“You have to turn it around!” Julian giggled, jumping up and down on his knees. Remus laughed and turned the card over, revealing a drawing. Julian almost jumped on Remus’s lap as he started pointing to the drawing.

“Look! That’s you, in red and gold because those are your favourite colours,” he pointed to the older figure in the picture, and then moved to point at the smaller figure, “and that’s me!” Julian smiled up at his big brother, who was pretty sure he could feel tears pooling in his eyes once again, but for the first time since his injury, the tears were derived from happiness.

Remus wasn’t aware, however, of his father standing at the door with his phone in his hand, taking a picture of the moment.

10th March 2019

If there was one thing Remus hated more than paperwork, it was paperwork on his birthday. He wanted nothing more than to leave work and curl up on the sofa with a takeaway pizza from Sid’s and a big mug of hot chocolate. He was just finishing up, eager to get going when there was a knock on the door. Remus sighed as he threw his head back. He straightened himself back up as he called the person in.

His breath hitched in his throat as Sirius walked into his office, a bag slung over his shoulder and his hat on his head, allowing his playoff hair to perfectly curl around his ears..

“Hey Cap, what can I do for you?” Remus questioned, attempting to subtly quiet his heartbeat that he was sure the entire stadium could hear.

Sirius shuffled on the spot.

“I uh- my- uhm- my knee is still acting up. Could you have a look at it quickly?” Sirius said quickly. There was nothing wrong with his knee. What was wrong with him was the fact he talked himself into walking into the PT office with the knowledge he was essentially the epitome of perfect health.

Remus swallowed hard.

“Yeah, sure, hop up on the bed and pull your joggers up,” Remus instructed, blissfully unaware of how nervous Sirius was on the inside. It was something Remus always envied about the Captain; his ability to hide his nerves.

Sirius did as instructed. A part of him hoped that he hadn’t actually jinxed himself and there was something wrong with his knee.

Remus looked over it and talked him through a few stretches to ensure his knee was functioning as it should and gave him the all clear.

“It looks all good to me, it could just be your body telling you to slow down a little,” Remus started. Sirius looked up at him as though he had just thrown a million different profanities at his face. “Don’t give me that look, I know it’s playoff season. Just don’t hurt yourself, please, I can’t deal with another Captain injury on my hands.”

“Hey, as long as the Snakes stay in their lane you won’t see much more of me, Fruit Loop,” Sirius retorted. However, part of him hoped he could think up another excuse to come and see the PT.

Remus laughed, thinking the same thing, completely unaware of their shared thoughts.

“Yeah, yeah, you know what I mean.” Remus turned his back to Sirius and started compiling the paperwork together so that he could begin to go home.

“I’ll catch you later, Loops.” Remus looked over his shoulder to find Sirius waving as he walked out of the room. Remus waved back at him and watched the door close, letting out a breath he was unaware he was holding.

Remus looked back at the bed after he had collected his thoughts together a bit more, and on it sat a little box from ‘Flour on Fifth’. Remus walked over, discarding the pieces of paper he was holding onto his desk, and opened the box. Inside it sat his favourite cupcake and a little card. He pulled the card out and turned it over. The scrawl on the back of it was recognisably Sirius’s.

‘Remus,

Happy Birthday! Thankful for you today and everyday!

All the best, Sirius.

P.S. I tried one of these and I can see why they're your favourite. This one’s on me. Enjoy!’

Remus let out a shaky breath. He couldn’t pinpoint when he made Sirius aware of his favourite cupcake or when he told him when his birthday was. Remus felt his cheeks redden again at the thoughtfulness of the Captain; the heat overpowering the dull ache in his heart hurting with the knowledge he would never be able to voice his feelings.

Remus stood there for a few minutes- it could have been hours, really- with the biggest grin stitched onto his face.

He’d remember this small act of kindness for forever.

[tsukikoayanosuke]

I posted 1,049 times in 2021

435 posts created (41%)

614 posts reblogged (59%)

For every post I created, I reblogged 1.4 posts.

I added 1,760 tags in 2021

#twisted wonderland - 249 posts

#the captain is answering! - 243 posts

#twst - 234 posts

#disney twisted wonderland - 226 posts

#twst fanfic - 140 posts

#twst fic - 139 posts

#twisted wonderland fanfiction - 139 posts

#twisted wonderland fanfic - 139 posts

#twisted wonderland fic - 136 posts

#twisted wonderland oc - 115 posts

Longest Tag: 139 characters

#just because your mc is the only female in an all-boys school that doesn't mean riddle is going to bend the rule for you without any reason

My Top Posts in 2021

#5

Incorrect Twisted Wonderland Quotes - Yu-Gi-Oh! The Abridged Series edition

To celebrate the release of a new episode after two years, here are some quotes. There are too much so I just pick some from TV Tropes.

Enjoy!

-----

Yuu: Wait, did you just summon a bunch of anemones in one turn?

Azul: Yeah, so?

Yuu: That's against the rules!

Azul: Screw the rules, I have madols!

-----

Epel: BROOKLYN RAGE!

-----

Sebek: My voice gives me super strength!

-----

Malleus: (after mind-crushing an opponent who was being a bully) Bullying is just wrong. Destroying people's brains with magical powers is a-okay!

-----

Malleus: Couldn't I just mind-crush him?

Yuu: You can't fix all your problems by mind-crushing people!

Malleus: Oh, come on! Just one little mind-crush, it'll barely hurt him.

Yuu: No! Bad dragon! No mind-crush!

-----

Vil: You can be my wingman anytime, Rook.

Rook: No Vil, you can be mine.

(cue 'Careless Whisper')

Vil: No homo, right?

Rook: ALL OF THE HOMO!

-----

Jamil @ Jafar: Hey that guy looks just like me! And he can hypnotize people, just like me! And he's an asshole, just like me!

-----

Yuu, staring at the Pride Rock: OH MY GOD, A GIANT ROCK! IT'S A ROCK AND IT'S GIANT!

-----

Leona: Are you trying to tell me that Malleus and I are destined to play magishift with each other for eternity?

Lilia: Yes.

Leona: Best. Destiny. Ever.

-----

Leona, after destroying Azul's contract: It looks like the rules... (pulls out a pair of sunglasses) ...just got screwed!

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

-----

Yuu: FUCK DESTINY! I AM THE PROTAGONIST! I MAKE MY OWN FATE!

Crowley: How can this be, why would you do this?

Yuu: BECAUSE A ROBOT FROM THE FUTURE TOLD ME TO!

Crowley: ...

Yuu: What? It's just as ridiculous as the crap that comes out of you.

-----

Jade: I'm Jade Leech. I'm the serious one with the voice that makes the fangirls swoon.

Floyd: And I'm Floyd Leech; the cute, hyperactive one that people want to choke in his sleep!

Azul: I'm Azul Ashengrotto, and I was making shady deals before it was cool.

-----

Ace: Okay, Prefect Riddle, this time I'm really gonna beat ya, and there's nothing you ca do about it!

Riddle: Please, Trappola, I could defeat you with my hands tied behind my back. What makes you think you can win this time?

(Lady Gaga 'Poker Face' kicks in)

Ace: Well, I'm glad you asked...

Riddle: O...kay, where the hell is that music coming from?

Ace: Nyeh nyeh nyeh nyeh...

Riddle: ...Please tell me you're not going to sing.

Ace: Nyeh nyeh nyeh nyeh...

Riddle: (quickly) Look, I'll pay you any amount of money right now if you don't sing!

Ace: Nyeh nyeh nyeh nyeh...*launches into song*

-----

Kalim: DODALALALALALALALA!

Jamil: That is an annoying sultan.

-----

Lilia: Ok, Sebek, you wanna do a mic test?

Sebek: OK! TESTING! TESTING! ONE...TWO...THREEEEEE! (NRC is destroyed by a pillar of light.)

Lilia: Strangest part was that the mic wasn't even plugged in.

99 notes • Posted 2021-01-11 14:03:29 GMT

#4

Basically TW:OPT’S Next Arc

yeah... this is a very shitty edit XD

Scarabia Therapy Arc is coming at end of August, either on Riddle Birthday SSR pull or Episode 6 Ignihyde premier.

However,  I need to warn you: I’m so close with my final exam, so I can’t guarantee I’ll update frequent, but I hope it won’t be as worse as this Christmas Arc

109 notes • Posted 2021-08-17 12:17:15 GMT

#3

120 notes • Posted 2021-09-23 23:39:02 GMT

#2

A conversation with my brother. It started with him talking about Genshin Impact Ganyu banner, then with me talking about Twisted Wonderland Vil banner and chapter update and joking about what if Ignihyde part two comes out in Chritmas 2021. And the he said: "At least you're not Nomura." XD

As hard as waiting for Twisted Wonderland update, imagine waiting 10+ years for Kingdom Hearts III or any story update for Union Cross. At least, Twisted Wonderland Event Story is good, Union Cross mostly filled with Disney worlds fillers (this is coming from a former Union Cross player).

122 notes • Posted 2021-01-04 10:15:59 GMT

#1

A Brief Ramble about the Fangame Drama

Good morning/afternoon/evening everyone.

It seems like we've fallen into another drama pit. Nothing special.

Well, usually I don't want to get involved, but I kinda want to give a bit of my own two cents from someone who made fangames in the past.

Before we start, I think we need to recap a bit. I won't be tagging people just in case.

So, kulfidraws created a sweet little fangame titled Twisted Wonderland: Your Story [BETA 1.0]. The official game blog can be view here, and please read it, it'll be important. Or if you want to see the gameplay, you can watch Ami Yoshiko (that's how I know about the fangame).

However, Proud Hufflepuff and The-Heartslabyul-Hatter posted some false information, creating the drama we have today (I cannot find the original Proud Hufflepuff's post but I vaguely remember seeing that, but I'll link to kulfidraws' post about The-Heartslabyul-Hatter's Twitter post since it was deleted now). This includes kulfidraws receiving anons messages, The-Heartslabyul-Hatter spamming the official Twisted Wonderland twitter, and recently about a Discord conversation.

Now, this might not be the best summary of the drama, because I'm not the best at digging deep. kulfidraws posted the timeline today if you guys want to see it. And a few days ago, The-Heartslabyul-Hatter posted an apology.

From what I see, there's a few major discussion here:

1) Misleading Information

Remember how we are pissed of when someone calls Twisted Wonderland an otome game? Well, the same can be said here. 

First of all, this is a fangame with no association with the real game, Aniplex, or Yana Toboso. kulfidraws even said it themselves on their game blog.

This game is, as kulfidraws pointed out, "merely a fan project for entertainment".

But this is what The-Heartlabul-Hatter said about it:

Someone made a fake Twisted Wonderland game. This is copyright infringement. Game creators do not follow the rules. This is copyright infringement and should be stopped. Please share this message!

... spread the word on fake Twisted Wonderland games that make fans believe it's real! The game creator blocked the warning. Send a message to the creators!

There are a couple of things that I wanted to point out.

The-Heartslabyul-Hatter called this fan game a "fake Twisted Wonderland games that make fans believe it's real". This contradicts what kulfidraws said in the disclaimer that this is a "fan project". Surely when you read that, you wouldn't think that this game is real right?

However, let's just assume that people don't read that and try another angle. The fan game is known because Ami Yoshiko played it. Now, compare her gameplay of the fan game to the actual game prologue. Surely when you see the difference you can tell which is official and which is fan content. Even her title says that "Someone made a Twisted Wonderland Dating Sim and....💔💀😱 | Ami Yoshiko" and she put a link to kulfidraws's game blog. not an official google play. Surely that's an indication that this is a fangame right?

Want another angle? The news spread about the "fake Twisted Wonderland game" is from Twitter. When you search #twistedwonderland, the first thing that came out is the official Japanese Twitter. You can see that Twisted Wonderland is a gacha game, but the one that kulfidraws made is an Otome visual novel. Sure you would believe the actual Japanese Twitter to be the real thing, right?

There are so many angles to look from, I don't see how people can still make mistakes. There are clear differences between the original game and the fan-made one. Google is free. Do your research.

2) The Copyright Problem

On July 5th (or 4th, depending on your timezone), kulfidraws received an ask, related the copyright problem.

Now, copyright is a tricky thing that I'm not versatile at, but what kulfidraws said was correct. If a single fan game can get copyright problems, imagine what will happen to the fanart and fanfictions. We're all screw if Disney and Aniplex are that strict. But also, following GE1KGQEJWHRKGRQOGRQO's logic, if we need permission to make fangames, wouldn't that mean we also need permission to draw fanarts, write fanfics, and edit the sprites for Discord stickers or incorrect quotes?

However, I also wanted to point out that in the disclaimer kulfidraws stated that "This is merely a fan project for entertainment, non-commercial purposes". kulfidraws won't get anything from making this game, only entertainment. Even their interaction with one commenter on the blog pointed this out:

kulfidraws won't get anything from making this game, just like many other fan artists and fan writers in this community, even deny profiting from this. Us fangame creators are just doing what others are doing: making something for fun because we love this media.

But, if I can give one piece of advice for kulfidraws is that maybe add the disclaimer and credit in the game, just in case anybody only skims through the blog post. Even if the game just a demo, always put a disclaimer and/or credit, just in case.

I asked my brother for a second opinion and he did make a good point. Probably the biggest concern is the use of official arts. Because we can see the art in use, it becomes more noticeable than using OST (where there can also be remixes).

So, speaking from a personal experience. I used to be in the Hetalia fandom. There, there are hundreds of fanmade sprites and facesets for many fangames. For someone who can't draw, this is a goldmine, as long as we give credits. I myself had made two fangames with fanmade assets, so the credits are very long. Twisted Wonderland fandom hasn't reached that point yet and I only know two fan game creators, so using the assets from the game is an option, especially those who can't draw.

So, just in case, disclaimers and credits are needed (like a disclaimer at the beginning of the game and/or rolling credit at the end).

==========

Now, I had a script where I want to address the asks, however, I haven't done much research and I don't think I'm the best person to do that.

I'm only speaking this from a perspective of a fangame creator who also used many assets that's not my own, but I do give credits as much and complete as possible; in the actual game, in the description, in a post connected to the game and a word doc in the game file.

But the biggest issue is the spreading of misinformation. What kulfidraws made was not a remake or "fake" Twisted Wonderland like what The-Heartslabyul-Hatter claimed to be. We always tell people to do their research when they think Twisted Wonderland is an otome game, why can't we do that here as well?

But you might say, The-Heartslabyul-Hatter apologized.

Let's see that apology.

So, from this apology, we can see that:

They are not Proud Hufflepuff, but they share the same Discord server.

They weren't the ones sending the Japanese messages to kulfidraws.

They are sorry for accusing kulfidraws of ignoring and deleting things.

Now, do you see what's missing here?

The biggest issue, the stem of the drama, is Proud Hufflepuff and The-Heartslabyul-Hatter spread misinformation of the fangame, but I don't see any mention of that here. So, if kulfidraws doesn't accept the apology, it's not a surprise. The-Heartslabyul-Hatter and Proud Hufflepuff don't even apologize for that when they're technically the ones who started this.

==========

The bottom line is don't just go spread misinformation about something when you don't have a clear grasp of the thing.

We're here to have fun and creates various content (fanart, fanfic, fangames) because we love the game. Just, don't do any of this.

Thank you for reading. If I made any mistake, I sincerely apologize.

159 notes • Posted 2021-07-07 12:53:19 GMT

Get your Tumblr 2021 Year in Review →

[ly-prince]

ok. so im not /drUnk/ but im defo more than tipsy and i saw thrwe THREEEEEE beaitifu l women tonight yum i think i gave my sister some shitty drunken driving tips but whatever and i wish i had a sense of how to write down my drunken thoughts to write some shitty ideas but GUESS WHAT IM NOT SOBER my face lowkey numb i love albedoo ill see you all tmrw iff i dont die after secer alcohol poisoning after two years bye ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️👀👀🤢👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀

[malecacidd]

TUActober 2020 (Day 1: Doomsday)

Right back where we started!! (Except I wasn't here the first year but shh) I'm so excite to write more stoof and all these prompts will be posted on ao3,,,,, eventually. When I come up with a title.

(Prompts by @totallyevan!!)

---

"Three." A grumpy six year old Five started. "Stop."

"I heard a rumor~"

Five blinked forward and shoved her shoulder lightly, cutting off her sentence while she glared.

"Shut. Up." He crossed his arms, but Three smiled.

"I heard a rumor that you sat on the couch." She watched, holding back her laughter as Five seemed to pout at her even through her rumor.

They didn't usually spend their free time together, Three and Five. But when they did, it never did turn out the best. Which is what led them to this point.

Five, stuck on the couch, attempted to blink away, only to stay in place and throw himself against the back of the couch in frustration.

"Threeeeee" He whined, kicking his feet slightly. "Let me go."

"Hmmm." She thought for a moment, jumping forward to sit next to him, just out of his reach. "No."

He glared at her as an evil smile started to form on her face. "Don't do it."

"I heard a rumor-"

"Three!"

"I heard a rumor that we're gonna die just like the dinosaurs!" She said, clapping her chubby baby hands together. Five crossed his arms and pouted, but he knew that she was just messing around. Her powers couldn't affect the world anyways, only people.

"Yup." She continued, "There's gonna be an apocalypse. A doomsday!"

"Stopppppp." He kicked his feet more, and Three sighed, but the playful smile didn't get erased from her face.

"Fineeee." She released the rumor, and he jumped up from the couch.

"I'm going to tell mommmm." He teased, moving to run up the stairs where mom was sure to be cooking lunch.

"Noooooo!" Three screeched, moving to chase after him.

Before either of them could make it completely up the stairs, the alarm all around the house blared for a moment, the intercom clicking on.

"Your thirty minutes of free time are up. Return to the learning area." Their father's voice rang out loudly, and Three and Five turned to sigh at each other before moving in sync towards the room with the uncomfortable desks and chairs.

Three forgot that day the moment after it happened.

But Five.

Five never forgot.

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

Allison didn't know why Five glared at her the moment he dropped in from the vortex in the sky.

They had never been the best of friends when they were kids, she'll admit that, but this felt a little… excessive. She thought that he would at least miss her a little bit. But instead…

He avoids talking to her, gives her a dirty look every chance he gets, and she just doesn't understand why

He mentions a doomsday, later on, and a spark of remembrance tics in the back of her mind, but she doesn't fully remember.

She shakes it off, telling herself that it wasn't important if she didn't remember.

Allison never had the best memory, anyways.

[ticklish-sprout]

Amp-leaf-ication - Platonic DLAMPR

Trigger warning: Sympathetic!Slimey Boi & Trash Goblin

Words: 1,966

“Patton,” Logan began evenly, “what is that?”

“You know!” Patton finished attaching the final sprig of mistletoe to the ceiling with a bright grin. He stumbled on his way off the ladder and giggled nervously. “You’re smart like that!”

Virgil eyed the plant wearily from his spot on the couch before throwing his hands in the air. “Nope, I’m done. I’m going to bed for a few weeks. Goodbye.”

“No, Virgil!” The fatherly Side gently grabbed his arm to stop him from walking away. “These are gonna mean something different!” He clapped his hands and jumped for joy. “I made a few changes to the rules this year!”

“What changes?” he asked.

“If two people get caught under the mistletoe, they have to tickle each other until one of them falls down!” Patton looked innocent on the surface, but on the inside he was cackling madly. He was a genius. “They’re all over the house, and you-“

Roman poked his head in. “Someone say mistletoe?”

“You want us to engage in a childish tickle fight instead of the normal tradition of kissing the other person during the holiday season...for what purpose?” Logan crossed his arms. “I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

“You don’t need to understand things to have fun!” Patton put on his best puppydog eyes and fluttered his eyelashes cutely. “Please?”

He huffed, shaking his head. “I will not be participating.” He turned on his heel to leave.

“I put mistletoe in the doorway to your room!”

Logan slowly turned back around. “You’re evil. I’m sleeping on the couch.”

“Spoilsport.” Roman immediately ran underneath the sprig and smirked. “Who shall challenge me to a battle to the death?”

“Meeeeeeeee!” Patton threw himself at the prince, latching onto his sides and squeezing rapidly.

“Is thahahahat all you got?” he choked out through his deep chuckles. He began tickling Patton’s neck and threw him into giggles as well as the two of them fought to get the upper hand. “Surrender!”

Virgil blushed and turned away while Logan just shook his head. 

---

Nothing ended up happening for the next few hours. Patton and Roman had called a tie when they both fell over at the same time, and things were quiet once again. Everyone was on guard.

Oh wait, Virgil was underneath the mistletoe in the kitchen. He wasn’t even doing anything, he was just standing there as if he were waiting for something. 

Roman hummed to himself, making his way over to the cabinet to grab a jar of Crofter’s from Logan’s secret stash behind the coffee beans that he had found completely on accident. After getting his jar and a spoon he went to leave before seeing his favorite emo practically asking for it. He slowly set the jam on the counter for safe-keeping and tiptoed over. “Boo,” he whispered.

“Eee!” Virgil squealed partially out of surprise but also because he may or may not have adorably sensitive ears. “I hate you!”

“Do you?” he cooed. “Look up.”

He followed to where his finger pointed and his eyes widened. “N-no. I was never here, got it? You can’t-“

“I can and I shall!” Roman’s hands dove underneath his shirt to tickle his bare stomach with no mercy. “Coochie coochie coo!”

“SHIT!” Virgil immediately burst into bright cackles, legs wobbling. “PRIHIHIHIHINCEY! NOHOHOHOHOHO!”

He smiled fondly and nodded. “Princey, yes! I am slaying the emo dragon with my bare hands! I don’t even have to use my sword!” A few pokes to his belly button finally sent him to the ground, tears pricking in his eyes. “Victory!”

“Ihihihihi hahahate yohohohohou.” He covered his torso as he shakily rose to his feet once again.

“Please, like you didn’t love it! You were waiting for it and you didn’t even try to get me back!” Roman pointed out. “Thought I was too much of a fool to notice?”

Virgil’s face turned scarlet as he growled dangerously. “Who said I wouldn’t get you back?”

He stared at him for about five seconds before whispering, “try me, idiot.” 

“En garde!” He ignored all protests of cheating thrown at him and sought revenge to the fullest.

---

Logan was bound to slip up eventually, even he knew that. What he didn’t know was that it would happen so soon. He went to his room to grab a book or two only for someone’s arms to wrap around his waist firmly. “Patton.” He didn’t need to look to know.

“Hi!” Patton spun him around to boop his nose. “Boop! Now we gotta follow the rules!”

“Rules?” Then he realized. “No, I forfeit. Remember?”

He shook his head and tsked softly, fingers walking up his sides. “You can’t forfeit this! Just be glad it was me who caught you and not one of the others!”

Logan raised an eyebrow. “Why is that good news? You’re the most ruthless.”

“Awwww! I’m flattered, but you’re forgetting a couple certain someones!” Patton giggled, pointing down the hall. “Our precious outcasts have caught wind of my little game!” Janus shrieked somewhere in the distance as if on cue. “And it looks like one was caught!”

He pressed his lips into a thin line. “That doesn’t change anything.”

“I can always drag Remus in to help me!” He narrowed his eyes dangerously. 

“You never said that there could be multiple ticklers in this silly game of yours. That is rule-changing.” Logan stepped forward as if to challenge him.

“I never said there COULDN’T, either!” Patton stepped back despite himself, nervousness pooling in his gut. “Lo? N-new rule, only one ler allowed. Okay?”

He inclined his head in acknowledgement and turned him around to hug him from behind, smirking against his hair. “You truly want to play this game? Fine, I shall oblige and follow your rules.”

“LooooooOHOHOHOHOHO!” He howled, squirming and laughing at the soft kisses and nibbles placed on his reddening ears. “THAHAHAHAHAT’S NOT WHAT I MEHEHEHEHEANT! STAHAHAHAHAP PLEHEHEHEHEHEHEASE!” He couldn’t even throw himself to the floor to save himself from how tightly he was being held and tortured. “I GIHIHIHIHIVE!”

Logan pretended not to hear him, scooping him up bridal-style and walking into the kitchen. “Virgil.” 

“Sup.” Virgil was straddling Janus, who was pinned on his stomach and cackling from the horrible back-tickling. “Wanna help?”

“No thank you, I have all I need already.” He was just nuzzling his victim’s neck now, Patton giggling wildly. 

“Your loss.” He glanced down at the squirming mess underneath him. “Oh, I forgot you were there.”

---

Operation: Wreck Logan was put into action effective immediately. He may have avoided getting tickled for several days by always being on guard and sleeping in weird hiding places, but his luck was going to run out fast. It wasn’t fair that everyone besides him got tickled to death. Remus had tried where Patton had failed, also ending up beaten. But now he had his reinforcements.

“Foul play!” Logan shouted. An indifferent Virgil came out of the laundry room with the teacher thrown over his shoulder haphazardly and pounding on his back. “I demand that you put me down this instant so I may finish with the clothes!”

Patton, Roman, Janus, and Remus were waiting in the living room with the most evil smiles Virgil had ever seen, making him shiver despite them not being directed towards him. “Special delivery, you guys. Where should I put him?”

“I called dibs!” Remus announced, making grabby hands. “Give him to me, I’ll get him started and the rest of you can join!”

“This is cheating!” Logan cried as he was plucked from his hold. “You said only one tickler!”

Patton giggled behind his hand. “Did I? I’m afraid I don’t remember that!” Janus smirked at him and flicked his tongue, tasting/smelling the blatant lie. “Just sit back and relax, yeah? You’re in good hands.”

He did find himself relaxing despite himself after hearing his tone soften towards him, closing his eyes. “Traitorous, icky hands,” he snarked with no real bite. 

“Who are you calling icky, dork? You didn’t seem to find me very icky when you had the nerve to attack me!” Remus grinned evilly. “Speaking of nerves, have you-“

“I’d rather get this over with, if you don’t mind.” Logan had accepted his fate. “Go on.”

“You’re no fun!” He shrugged, untucking his shirt from his pants and motioning first Patton to pull off his shoes and socks, exposing his death spot to the cold air. “Whatever. Where shall I start on you? I’ll let you choose.”

He cleared his throat and glanced away. “I-I have no real preference.”

“You’re taking too long.” Virgil shoved him aside and shot his hands into Logan’s underarms. “I’m all for anticipation, but this is getting ridiculous.”

Remus let out an offended gasp. “You stole my dibs! I’ll get you for that later!” He joined in on the fun and began teasingly counting his ribs slowly, pressing into each bone. “Onnnnnnne! Twooooooo! Threeeeee!”

“Ohohohohoho gohohohod!” Logan shook his head and flushed pink, embarrassed to be letting loose in front of the others like this. “Nohohohoho!”

“No?” Patton rested his fingernails on the sensitive skin underneath his toes, already making him giggle-snort. “Fair is fair, Lo! Don’t act like you don’t deserve every. Single. Bit.” His tone darkened with each word until he was grinning evilly. “Tickle tickle!” 

Game over, man.

He screeched and tried to sit up and grab any hands he could reach, only for Janus to lift his arms over his head. “JAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAN!”

“That’s totally my name. You were wrong Patton, this isn’t fun at all,” Janus hissed. “You are absolutely not adorable like thisssssssss.” He summoned the other four arms belonging to him, thinking about how he could use them. He ended up squeezing up and down his sides and vibrating thumbs into the protruding hipbones, sending their favorite nerd into a frenzy. “Do keep thrashing like that, it isn’t hard to hold you.”

Logan didn’t listen (or maybe he couldn’t hear him). “NAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” He screamed in laughter and yanked hard on his trapped arms, especially when Roman jumped in to plant a raspberry right on his belly button. Tears were streaming down his cheeks, his face felt like it was on fire, and the whole time he had a huge, genuine smile. It almost hurt, but all he could feel was the tickling. It wasn’t as horrible as he expected, actually. He needed to do this more often. His laugh went silent within seconds and he was only able to wheeze quietly.

“Lo?” Patton poked his hot face. “We stopped, you don’t have to keep laughing!”

Virgil pulled his hood over his head, tightening the strings. “Cute.”

“Whahahahahat?” Logan looked down to see that they had all backed off to leave him in a pile of his remaining giggles, his entire frame shaking. “Cahahahan’t hehehehehelp ihihihit.”

“Hydrate yourself, Dewey Decimated!” Roman conjured a bottle of water and helped raise it to his trembling lips. “That’s good, take small sips. There we go.” He set the bottle next to him to rub his back gently. “Are you going to survive?”

He nodded. “Yehehes, but I must admit I am quite exhausted. I shall retire to my room for the evening.”

“Sure, see you tomorrow!” He waved happily, then turned to the others. “We’re all dead, guys. Start packing.”

---

The war waged on for many more days until Patton took down the mistletoe once December 26th hit, effectively ending the game he had created. However, the plant appeared again only an hour later with no explanation as to how or why. Patton began grilling everyone for information.

“I swear I took it down! You saw me, right? Logan?” He landed on his knees. “Please say you did! I’m going crazy!”

Logan just smiled into his Crofter’s. 

[adarlingwrites]

Absolution

Summary:

noun: formal release from guilt, obligation, or punishment

The Capital Wasteland lauded the Lone Wanderer as a hero, a Messiah, a savior who’s willing to give her life for the Good Fight. Beyond the legends, the propaganda, and the mythification that surrounded her legacy, there is only one person who knew her bare soul. She gave him his absolution, and now he will fight for hers.

XXIII

January 6, 2278.

“People of the Capital Wasteland! It’s me, Threeeeee Dog, your master of ceremonies. Everyone ready for the wasteland's latest news? Me neither, but it’s that time again.

We haven’t heard from Miss 101 for quite a while now. Three Dog was even starting to fear the worst after eyewitnesses reported sightings of Talon Company mercs lingering near Rivet City, the last location she was seen alive with her ghoul friend, Charon. GNR sources confirmed the body of five mercs in the metro tunnels that connect from Anacostia Crossing to the Museum station. Sounds like they messed with our dynamic duo and fucked up real bad. If the kid and her bodyguard survived the ambush, Three Dog is still confirming, so stay tuned. Here’s to hoping the Wasteland Avenger and her faithful Ghoul Reaper are still alive and kicking. The Capital Wasteland needs people like them.

And now, for some music. Here’s Billie Holiday with Crazy He Calls Me.”

“Wasteland Avenger my ass,” Percy mutters.

Beside me, my partner tosses and turns, unable to sleep. I roll on my side, and see her back turned to me, arms defensively around herself. We’re huddling together for warmth in a single bedroll, under a musty tent. The campfire outside continues to burn, providing us with additional heat.

“Charon, are you awake?”

I grunted in response, my chin settling on top of her head.

“You got a little scary earlier today, big guy,” Percy tells me, and I wince. “I didn’t want to issue an order, but that’s the only way I got you to stop. What happened?”

With one arm, I prop myself up, and with the other, I pull her into an embrace. She turns and presses her forehead against the crook of my neck.

“I blacked out.”

“Was it an episode? Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. It wasn’t an episode.”

“Did Phillips really piss you off that bad?”

I look into Percy’s eyes. They were searching mine. I nod, and I press my mouth against her forehead.

“Huh. That’s the first time you ever reacted to someone saying shit about you.”

“I was pissed about the things he said about you,” I corrected her.

We lay in silence for minutes. Just when I thought she had finally fallen asleep, Percy extends her arm and wraps it around my waist.

“I’ve been thinking about what he said. About Dashwood… and me.”

I let her continue, running my gloved hand through her hair.

“He’s got a point. Like Dashwood and Argyle, we’re friends, yes, but our relationship really is unequal.”

I get the feeling that she’s going to bring up the contract again.

“When you’re ready, let’s get rid of the contract together. Promise me?”

“That may take a long time, Percy.”

Looking in my eyes with wet ones, Percy gives me a pleading look.

“I don’t care how long it will take you. I could be old and gray and I’d still wait for that day. Please?”

Please. Damn that word.

“I promise.”

“There’s something else that’s bothering me,” Percy continues.

“What if I keep making the wrong decisions, Charon? What if I screw Paradise up? What if I screw Project Purity up?”

“There’s no room for doubt now,” I tell her.

“I know.”

Letting her go, I sit up and take my shotgun. “I’ll keep watch,” I tell her.

“You should rest too,” she tells me, peering up from the sleeping bag.

“I am trained to go with less sleep. I insist that you rest, angel.”

Percy chuckles, voice soft.

“Fine. Good night.”

I left our tent and stood guard outside.

It was around four in the morning when Percy started screaming, and I rushed into the tent to see what’s wrong. I had to put my arms around her and press her against my chest again to calm her down. Her pulse was racing, she’s sweating despite the cold, and her skin is pale and clammy. I move her closer to the fire, where she clings to me, trembling.

“Percy, are you alright?”

My partner nods. She takes a bottle of water from our pack, and drinks desperately, a stream of water escaping her lips.

“Just a bad dream…”

As my night terrors became less frequent, Percy is starting to have them more often.

I wish I could do something to help her.

Taking off her glasses, she presses her hands against her face. “God, what’s happening to me?”

“You’ve been through a lot of distress for the past days.”

“Yeah, yeah you’re right. I am,” she replies. Percy stretches, then gets up.

After having a breakfast of Cram and tucking our gear safely into our pack, we got on the motorcycle and I started driving again. The sun is rising in the east, where we’re heading.

“Are you sure this will work?” I ask her through the roar of the engine.

“Knowing the Brotherhood, they won’t spare any resources to help me. But I still need to try.”

I kept quiet and drove on. When we arrived at the Citadel, one of the guards eyed us and our vehicle.

“A working motorcycle? Never thought I’d see the day,” he comments, opening the gates for us.

He was smart enough not to say anything about my presence and just let us through. The last time he did, things got ugly.

I follow Percy into one of the buildings, where the scribe that gave us the location of Vault 87 usually stays.

“Scribe Rothschild,” Percy calls his attention.

“Ah, Persephone. I’ve heard about the ambush. I’m glad you survived. Have you retrieved the GECK?” the scribe asks. His eyes were glued to the terminal he’s using.

“We ran into some problems, but we found a way to get in through Lamplight. The thing is, the residents are asking me for a favor in exchange for entry. We need to save their friends from Paradise Falls. I’m planning to launch a full-on attack, and I need all the resources you can spare.”

At the last sentence, Rothschild looks up and gives Percy a scrutinizing look. “A full-on attack? You know that the Brotherhood is spread thin as it is, with the mutants crawling about in DC.”

Shoulders tensing, Percy folds her arms. “I thought this chapter of the Brotherhood is dedicated to protecting people. How can you even let Paradise Falls continue to exist? They should’ve been wiped off the map years ago.”

“I told you, Persephone. We cannot spare resources for that. You will have to find another way to get in Lamplight, force your way in if needed.”

“But they’re children, Scribe.”

Rothschild gives my partner a long, hard look, and shakes his head.

“I’m sorry.”

Groaning, Percy massages her temples, brows furrowed and scowling. “I should’ve known that this would be a waste of time.”

Then, one of the tin cans approached us. This one is old, battle-hardened. Her hair was graying and there were lines at the corner of her eyes.

“Excuse me. I can’t help but overhear your conversation with the scribe. You are James’ daughter, am I correct?” she asks Percy, and my partner looks at her with wary eyes.

“Yes. You know me?”

“Indeed! I am Star Paladin Cross. On behalf of the Brotherhood, I welcome you to the Citadel. I am proud to say that I was friends with your father. I helped guard the purifier from the super mutant horde, and when James left, I escorted you and him to Megaton. Is there anything I can do to help?”

Percy looks at me with wide eyes, and back to the elderly paladin.

“Thank you. In five days, we will be launching an attack on Paradise Falls to rescue the slaves and end their operations, once and for all. I would appreciate it if you can join us in the battle.”

“Your father would be proud. I’d be honored to join you on your mission,” Cross replies, extending her hand to my partner, and she shakes it. Cross looks at me, and I expected her to scowl in disgust, but she merely nods, acknowledging my presence.

Maybe this old lady isn’t so bad.

“Meet us at night in Gob’s Saloon in Megaton, on the tenth. We’ll discuss tactics there. See you, Paladin.”

As we turn to leave, Percy stops in her tracks.

“Wait. Paladin Cross, are you any good with big weapons?”

Cross smiles and stands proud. “Brothers are trained well and tempered in the fires of battle.”

Percy smiles, and I can tell she’s formulating several ideas in her mind.

“Good! I look forward to discussing tactics with you.”

“It’s always a subject worthy of discussion. Farewell, friend.”

After changing the fission battery of the motorcycle, I start the engine again, and Percy gets on.

“Where to next, Percy?”

“Rivet City. I need to check if Flak and Shrapnel carry missiles.”

January 8, 2278.

“-get this! Little Miss 101 and her trusty bodyguard are still alive, and have been spotted cruising around the wastes on a motorbike. Where the hell did they even find a working one? Regardless, they’ve been very active for the past few days. What are they even up to? Off to start a motorcycle gang? Just joyriding around? Whatever it is, the Capital Wasteland’s buzzing with excitement due to the return of the Wasteland Avenger and the Ghoul Reaper, now on wheels! Hahaha, bad guys better watch out!

Until next time! This is Three Dog, and you’re listening to Galaxy News Radio, bringing you the truth, no matter how bad it hurts.”

“So what are you up to, Nosebleed? And why are you leaving Dogmeat with me again?”

Across us, DeLoria smokes a cigarette, on break from barber duty. Bottles of Nuka and whiskey littered the table. Percy wipes her mouth with a handkerchief.

“Because if I leave him at Moira’s, she might attach him with a fifth paw or something. It’s a secret, Butch. Wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise.”

“You’d better not be starting a rival gang, Perce. Once a Tunnel Snake, always a Tunnel Snake.”

“I have no plans of competing with you, DeLoria. How’s the gang anyway?”

Butch falters, sagging. “Well, uh, there’s no new members yet, but only because I’m so busy with being a barber! Gotta get that dough. Ain’t like you who can scour the wasteland for caps.”

I snorted. Percy laughs outright.

“Yeah, you’ll probably end up as mole rat chow if you tried that.”

DeLoria crushes his cigarette in a nearby ash tray and flicks the butt towards Percy, which she dodges.

“C’mon, for old time’s sake. What are you two up to now? It’s getting boring around here. The Butchman needs some action.”

“Butch. You cried when we came across a radroach on the way here. I’d rather not get you involved in something so dangerous.”

The greaser frowns. “But that was a radroach! You know I hate ‘em scurrying little freaks with their scratchy legs, eugh. I can shoot and I can stab anything else!”

“You can’t even shoot without almost shooting Percy,” I tell him, and his frown deepens.

“Oh yeah? Like the two of you can do better…”

Percy snickers. “Charon is a trained soldier, while I spent my free time in the vault at target practice. Just let it go, Butch. You’re safer here.”

“If he wants to be useful, maybe we can use him as bait,” I say, and both of them turn to me. DeLoria looks annoyed as hell, while Percy gives me a blank stare.

Fuck, this is what I get for trying to joke.

“Not funny, asshole.”

“Wait. That might work,” Percy mumbles.

“Percy, what the hell!” DeLoria exclaims, looking a little hurt.

Percy moves next to DeLoria, and she cups her hand near DeLoria’s ear to whisper. Then, the greaser looks at her with wide eyes. “No way. That’s crazy Percy! How are you gonna even-”

“Keep your voice down! Do you want in, or not?”

Butch groans, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, fine, I’m in. But if I die, I’ll fucking haunt you, Perce. You too, Charon.”

Standing up, Percy drags Butch to the Muddy Rudder’s exit. “I won’t let you. Which is why we need to work on your aim.”

I follow the two up the stairwell, where Butch complains the entire time.

At the top of the ship, there are a few security guards patrolling about. Percy speaks to one of them, then she leads us to the far edge of the ship.

“Do you have your pistol with you?” Percy asks Butch.

“Yeah, always. What-”

“Unload it.”

“Why would I do that?”

“We wouldn’t want to waste bullets and shoot anyone now, do we? Just do as I say, DeLoria.”

Butch does as he’s told and tucks the clip in his jacket pocket. “What now?”

“Aim.”

He does as he’s told, but his stance is off. Percy sighs.

“God, you can’t even aim properly. Charon, help him.”

Ignoring the greaser’s complaints, I shove his feet with mine in an effort to correct him. Once he was in the proper position, Percy perches a bottle cap on top of the 10mm.

Ah. I get it now.

“Practice shooting without making the cap fall off,” Percy instructs him, and steps aside.

DeLoria fires, but it falls off.

“Dammit. This is stupid.”

“Just keep practicing, Butch.”

It keeps falling off, and at that point, I was getting annoyed.

“No, not like that. Don’t use your joint. Don’t wrap your entire finger around the trigger. Use just your distal phalanx to fire,” Percy instructs.

“My what?”

Ah, fuck it. DeLoria’s involved now. Might as well continue teaching him.

“Percy, should I demonstrate it for him?” I ask my partner. She nods.

DeLoria begrudgingly hands me the gun. Percy perches the cap on top of the pistol, and I shoot. It remains steady.

“Watch Butch,” Percy tells the greaser. “See how he doesn’t flick the trigger? Try exhaling as you fire too. Breathing can throw off your aim.”

“Great, now you’re teaching me how to breathe too? Where’d you even learn all this, Perce?”

I do it again.

“Well, aside from target practice in the vault, I came across this simulation thing. It’s like a video game, but if I die in it, I die in real life. I watched the soldiers do it.”

“Simulation? What?”

“Yeah, it’s hard to believe, I know. But it was supposed to be a virtual training exercise for soldiers to get ready for the Battle of Anchorage, 200 years ago.”

The cap fell off of the gun as my breath hitched. I hand it back to DeLoria.

“Now, try it again.”

This time, Butch gets it.

“I did it! Whooo! Look out Wasteland! The Butchman’s coming for you!”

“Oh, shut the hell up,” Percy comments.

With a cocky smile, Butch goes back to practicing.

“Meet us at Megaton in two days, Butch.”

“Yeah, yeah. See you.”

I follow Percy down.

[dayslily]

thinking about how a guy i had one class with my sophomore year of high school has shown up at my work 3 times now... not to buy anything just to talk to me for a solid hour... and how he wouldnt leave so i had 2 hide in the office until he did . and for a while after because he lingered outside . and how when i told my friend about it she was like “i feel bad for him he sounds lonely” like THIS MAN I DONT KNOW HAS COME 2 MY WORK THREEEEEE TIMES AND U FEEL BAD FOR HIM WHAT